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Sunday, July 10, 2005
Local execs mixed on Arroyo resign calls
By Lizanilla J. Amarga
LOCAL public officials and militant groups were mixed on their reactions to the growing calls for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to resign Friday.
The call for Arroyo's resignation started snowballing Friday with 10 Cabinet members of the president early morning tendering their resignation and asking her to make the "supreme sacrifice."
A group of Liberal Party leaders headed by Senate President Franklin Drilon, Makati Business Club, civil society groups and even former President Corazon Aquino made the same call.
Here in Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental, Governor Oscar Moreno said the call for the Cabinet members to resign should not come as a surprise as it is Arroyo's right to call for the resignation of her Cabinet members.
"Pwede raman gani nga panangtangon kana sila diretso (She could just even sack them immediately)," he said over dxIF Bombo Radyo Friday.
Moreno believes that the country is currently going through a "period of discernment" wherein the "issues are getting clearer" for the people.
He said it would then be up to Arroyo to make a decision to whether she would heed to calls for her to resign or not.
"If kaya niya (she can still bear it out) not to resign and go on leading...it is up to her," he said. "Ang ako lang nga dili pwede nga outside sa Constitution ang mahitabo (For me, people should not adopt a plan outside of the Constitution
to make Arroyo step down)."
He added that it was just as well that his administration along with the members of the Provincial Board (PB) has decided to adopt policies for "less reliance and less dependence" from the National Government.
Another pro-administration mayor who requested anonymity said he has now changed his mind and would now want Arroyo to step down.
"Kay masmaayo nga mag-resign nalang siya kay luoy kaayo ang atong nasud kung mag-impeachment process pata dili na kaya sa atong ekonomiya...kabalo man gyud ta nga ang impeachment madugo man gyud na ug ang political uncertainty would certainly will bring our economy to the dogs (It is better for her to resign as if we go through the whole impeachment process would be something our economy could no longer bear out...we know that impeachment process is a bloody process and the political uncertainty will bring our country to the dogs)," he said.
Municipality of Opol mayor Dixson Yasay said the resignation of the Cabinet members and their call for Arroyo's resignation is a matter of "conscience and survival."
Bukidnon Mayor Jose Galario, for his part, said: "The best decision in them is for the good of the nation. They know more the circumstances than me here."
Misamis Oriental Provincial Board member Jeremy Pelaez for his part said its now time for Arroyo to resign for the "good of our nation and avoid bloodsheds and divisiveness among Filipinos that later will result into civil unrest and political turmoil."
"She must do the ultimate sacrifice of stepping down for the love of country and men and redeem herself from the controversy," he said.
Cagayan de Oro City committee on trade and industry chief City Councilor Jose Benjamin Benaldo for his part said the Cabinet members' resignation and call for Arroyo to resign is the "highest order of hypocrisy."
He said this as a few days ago "these are the same people claiming allegiance to GMA now that they have talked to some politicians they now have the courage to turn around and create another round of economic havoc."
"Who is Purisima? Who is Santos? Who is Abad? Who is Soliman? Who are these people? They don't have following, they have not done much for the country, they don't have the moral background to do this," he said.
Former Misamis Oriental Governor Bong Calingin said this is the "beginning of the end" of Arroyo's administration.
"But this also exposes the very weak democratic system and I advocate in hope that whoever replaces this administration must have the political will and the vision and courage to change the political system...critical times need radical moves," he said.
Former centennial mayor of Cagayan de oro and opposition vice-mayor bet Manolo Tagarda said, "The resignation of the Cabinet members is a cart before the horse. The correct order should be GMA first. But I don't think GMA will resign that easy."
Local opposition lieutenant and former city councilor lawyer Roy Raagas said Arroyo's Cabinet knew all along what she did was illegal and immoral and improper for her as president.
He said not only should they call Arroyo to resign they should include in their call for Noli de Castro to resign because he benefited from GMA's act to influence to rig election results last May.
"With their resignation the constitutional process of succession continues with the Senate President Drilon taking over who will call for a special election for president and vice-president to allow the people to elect their true president and vice-president according to their true will," he said.
"That will put the issue to rest and make our nation move forward."
(July 9, 2005 issue)
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