Sunday, October 30, 2005
People's court to invite Arroyo's Cabinet
MANILA -- The head of the Citizens' Congress for Truth and Accountability (CCTA) team of lawyer-presentors said "those willing personalities from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's Cabinet are welcome to appear at the Congress' proceedings this November."
"In fact, the congress presidium will most likely invite Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Michael Defensor because of his confidence and willingness to prove before the Citizens' Congress that Ms. Arroyo won in the 2004 elections," lawyer Romeo Capulong, CCTA head of lawyer-presentors said.
"We can accommodate him and all those who shall be willing to come to the Citizens' Congress, as official representatives, witnesses or lawyers for Ms. Arroyo," he said.
Also in the list of possible invitees is lawyer Pedro Ferrer, who served as Arroyo's counsel, who sought to quash the impeachment complaint in the House of Representatives.
The formation of the CCTA has elicited criticism from government officials, officials who have labeled the upcoming November event as "a mere media gimmick, a seditious, illegal and unconstitutional undertaking that shall undermine the government."
"This is a serious project being undertaken within the framework of the Constitution. The mandate, authority and legitimacy of the Citizen's Congress is explicitly recognized under Article XIII Section 15 that states the 'role of independent people's organizations to pursue and protect within the democratic framework their legitimate and collective interests and aspirations through peaceful and lawful means," Capulong said.
"But over and above this constitutional basis, the Citizens' Congress has the highest moral authority that emanates from the powerful voices and accumulated grievances of the Filipino people crying for truth and justice. That is why Ms. Arroyo should seriously consider the relevance and magnitude of the Citizens' Congress," he said.
"In the same vein, we are not afraid of Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez's threat to file various cases against personages involved in the Citizens' congress. If necessary, we are willing to get jailed for the sake of truth and justice," Capulong concluded.
Meanwhile, Senator Richard Gordon said instead of appearing before the CCTA, President Arroyo should hold a dialog with pro- and anti-administration political leaders.
Gordon said the President should meet with the senators and congressmen to discuss the country's pressing problems, particularly the political crisis.
President Arroyo must "seriously show political will in order to end the political crisis in the country," the senator said.
Gordon, in the weekly "Kapihan sa Sulo" forum, said the President should refrain from bickering with the opposition and instead address the nation's problems.
"To prove her sincerity in enacting reforms in the administration, she should start leading the country in a right direction," Gordon said.
Gordon suggested five things Arroyo should do immediately to show she is doing something concrete for the people.
These are: run after and prosecute criminals; generate more jobs; boost tax collection; close the gap between education and health; and make the government fast, fair, firm, friendly and forward-looking. (Sunnex)
(October 30, 2005 issue)
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