Sunday, October 21, 2007 Emano says nothing wrong with 'accepting gifts' By Lizanilla J. Amarga
THE giving-out of money to provincial governors, mayors, congressmen and other political allies is an “accepted practice” since time immemorial, Vice Mayor Vicente Emano said.
Emano earlier disclosed that he received a P1 million check from former President Joseph Estrada, but returned it to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo after eight months when the check has become stale.
Emano's statement came as a surprise to International Association of People's Lawyers (IAPL) president Edre Olalia who was here for the three-day 2nd Assembly of the Union of Peoples' Lawyers in Mindanao.
"Vice-Mayor Emano's statement is very disturbing...this government has really gone to its lowest moral depths. Even the CBCP (Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines), which is very cautious is now agitated with what is happening," Olalia told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro Saturday.
He added that their group would be coming out with their own details regarding this issue.
Meanwhile, Emano questioned why the hype over the whole recent pay-off when it is something that has already ripened into an accepted practice.
"This giving of money is a long practice of Malacañang but I have never received any of it because I am always identified with the opposition," he said over dxIF Bombo Radyo last Thursday.
Emano formerly served for nine years as municipal mayor of Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental then almost nine years as provincial governor of Misamis Oriental and another nine years as city mayor of this highly-urbanized and vote-rich city.
Because of this controversial "gift-giving," there are now calls for the impeachment of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio has earlier admitted to have received P500,000 from Malacañang.
Also, Protestant Bishop and Congressman of the 6th district of Manila Bienvenido Abante disclosed that Arroyo was present at the Malacañang Heroes Hall while the money was being distributed.
Emano voiced strong convictions that the money could not be considered as "bribe money."
This as the P200,000 to P500,000 gift-giving during the meeting at Malacañang with the League of Provincial Governors for the super regions with Arroyo could be for the upcoming synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Elections.
Emano said there is now some confusion as to who actually owns the money and where should Panlilio return the same, considering that Malacañang has issued statements denying that it has given out money to the public officials and denied being the owner of the same.
"If no one is willing to accept the money then Governor Panlilio can give it to me so I can apply it for the expenses on public works and programs," he said.
