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Friday, March 12, 2004
Roco hits GMA on sweeper 'gimmick'
By Lizanilla Amarga
CAGAYAN DE ORO -- Presidential candidate Raul Roco joined the local opposition in calling for an inquiry on the recent employment of hundreds of street sweepers clad in blue T-shirts and caps printed with the name of "President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo."
Roco, who voiced surprise on seeing the street sweepers here in Cagayan de Oro early Thursday morning, said the Commission on Elections should investigate the case.
He said this is a "clear" manifestation of how the President is using government funds to boost her chances of being elected this May.
"And she is doing this not just in Cagayan de Oro but in other parts of the country as well," he said.
Roco compared Arroyo to former president Ferdinand Marcos who did everything to stay in power.
But a young street sweeper, who requested anonymity, believes there is nothing wrong with this set-up, and he thanked the President for giving him a job that pays at least P110 per day.
He and hundreds of others were hired last month by President Arroyo through her local officials.
The sweeper then showed to Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro his blue t-shirt bearing the words "KALSADA NATIN ALAGAAN NATIN!" printed on the front side in white paint.
On the back of the T-shirt are printed words that read "Pangtrabaho ni Pangulong GLORIA" with the "GLORIA" word prominently emphasized in yellow paint.
A blue head cap was also given to him to complete his uniform and it was also printed with the President's name on it.
Opposition candidates voiced their outrage over this matter, saying this should be investigated.
Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP) regional head Misamis Oriental Gov. Antonio Calingin said this is a "blatant use of government resources for political purposes" and that it violates Comelec rules.
Mayoralty candidate Antonio Soriano, for his part, said the President had gone overboard with her politicking.
"After the elections hugaw na sab (After the elections the streets would then be dirty again)," he said.
Another mayoralty candidate Ed Tamondong described the move as "unconcealed illegal electioneering", saying it violates Comelec rules on the hiring of employees during the election period."
Opposition councilor aspirants Marife Tagarda then said the move is politicking which is bound to fail, while Teodulfo Lao said Arroyo is using government funds to advance her candidacy.
For his part another councilor aspirant Hilario Raagas said while it gives hundreds of people new jobs the scheme smacks of "underhanded politicking" which is funded by the people's money.
He said the employment of hundreds of these street sweepers are recent and thus he added there is no reason why they have to wear t-shirts and caps printed with the President's name on it.
The former councilor said Arroyo should have also focused on improving national roads like that in Velez, Capistrano and Divisoria streets, which already have deep potholes.
(March 12, 2004 issue)
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