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Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Mayor: Arroyo can't be forced to comment on tape issue
CONGRESS cannot compel President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to issue any comment on the alleged wiretapped conversation between her and Commission on Election (Comelec) Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano.
Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who earlier offered his services as legal adviser to the president, aired this opinion.
The mayor said this is because of the principle on separation of powers in the Constitution.
He said the only way for Congress to force the president to issue any statement over the issue is when she is impeached before Congress.
But several sectors are clamoring for an explanation from President Arroyo.
The Alliance of Health Workers in Southern Mindanao believes that the conscious dodging of Arroyo on the alleged involvement of her son Mikey Arroyo and brother-in-law Iggy Arroyo in the illegal numbers game and the shocking allegations on her manipulation of last year's election results as made evident in the wiretapped conversations have spoiled more her already-mediocre governance.
"And if President Arroyo remains tight-lipped over the serious allegations rocking her and her family, she has no choice but to wait for the people's verdict," warned the group in a released statement.
Duterte, however, said silence from the president does not necessarily mean admission of guilt from these accusations.
"Hindi ko maintindihan minsan itong mga tao. Ang iba nagsasabi na silence means guilty yung tao. Whereas the constitution clearly provides the right to remain silent," Duterte said.
In an interview Monday, Duterte said he met with President Arroyo in Malacañang over the weekend and he offered her his services as legal adviser.
"So the president then asked me what advise I could give to her, I told her not to talk at all. Let them (accusers) prove their case but do not allow them to destroy you by your own words. So madame president it would be better for you to shut up," Duterte narrated. (BOT)
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (June 22, 2005 issue)
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