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Friday, June 17, 2005
Pampanga officials' plea: Uphold rule of law
By Albert B. Lacanlale and Reynaldo G. Navales
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Kapampangan leaders pleaded with the entire nation Thursday to uphold the rule of law amid allegations of irregularities hurled against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her family.
"We have a Constitution that we have to follow," Pampanga Governor Mark Lapid said in a press conference preceding the "Ecumenical Prayer Rally for Unity, Peace and Democracy" organized by multi-sectoral groups in the province.
Lapid said there are proper venues for the accusations against Arroyo and members of the First Family. He was joined in the conference by City of San Fernando Mayor Oscar S. Rodriguez, Secretary Edgardo Pamintuan, Pampanga Mayors League (PML) and Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (PamCham) representatives, non-government organizations and provincial officials.
As a show of support to President Arroyo, the group signed a manifesto that denounces the destabilization attempts propelled by a barrage of allegations against her administration.
The President is being accused of rigging the results of the May 2004 presidential elections, while his son, Pampanga Representative Juan Miguel Arroyo, was alleged to have received protection money from operators of the illegal numbers game jueteng.
The governor said calls for the President to resign, which were instigated only by an alleged wiretapped conversation between Arroyo and Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano, do not reflect democracy.
Mere accusations, Lapid said, are not enough to warrant the resignation or disqualification from office of a government official.
PamCham president Levy P. Laus echoed Lapid, saying: "President Arroyo has effectively led the country, stirring the economy forward, but the attempt to discredit her family and her leadership gravely affects the operation of the bureaucracy."
The business group's vice president, Rene Romero, said although the province also wants President Arroyo to clear the issues thrown against her, it is the Filipino people's responsibility to help the government overcome the political disturbances if only to save the country from further economic slump.
In the manifesto of support read by Mabalacat Mayor Marino "Boking" Morales, the group said in the last five months before the controversies surfaced, investment in the country grew 12 times, while the peso rallied against the dollar.
However, due to the uncertainties caused by the destabilization attempts, the country is now on the brink of another economic stupor. (Sun.Star Pampanga/Sunnex) |
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