|
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Mayors' group backs Arroyo son
By Marna H. Dagumboy
LUBAO -- Officers and members of the Pampanga Mayors' League (PML) manifested their support Wednesday for Pampanga Second District Representative Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo's fight against the accusations hurled against him by purported jueteng bagwoman Sandra Cam.
They signed a manifesto of support for the congressman as he faces "malicious and politically motivated accusations bereft of personal knowledge by his accusers and detractors."
The manifesto also stated that accusations against Arroyo's integrity, honesty and reputation as an elective public servant are merely gossips and innuendos.
"Let this manifesto serve as our single voice in support to Congressman Mikey Arroyo, because we believe in his integrity and innocence in point of law, justice and equity. We reiterate our commitment and support to him as well as his family. Let the burden of proof weigh heavily on the conscience of his accusers," the group said.
Last Friday, Arroyo filed P5-million libel and perjury charges against Cam before the Provincial Prosecutor's Office based in the City of San Fernando.
Arroyo's charges came after Cam, over a television interview, implicated him and his uncle, Negros Occidental Representative Ignacio "Iggy" Arroyo, to the jueteng scandal, claiming that the two congressmen have received P500,000 each as protection money from jueteng.
Cam said the money that came from jueteng operators in Bicol province was coursed through her bank account before she delivered it to the Arroyos.
In a press conference, Arroyo said he had not seen, much more, met Cam in Congress even before she stood as a witness in the Senate jueteng inquiry, adding that the allegations made by the witness were false and based on hearsay.
Arroyo also denied that he has not received any jueteng payola as he is against the operation of the illegal numbers game.
During the television interview, Cam said she personally delivered the money for the presidential son at the House's Session Hall.
"Neither I allowed nor permitted the conduct of jueteng. Her (Cam) statements are completely and patently false. How could she enter [the session hall] without logging-in her name at Congress log book," Arroyo said.
He said Cam's name did not appear in the log book of guests who visited Congress in December.
"I take a bold step in clearing my name because I owe this, not only to my family and to the people I represent-the Kapampangan. I came here to file charges against that woman (Cam) for she besmirched my name," he said.
(June 16, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
|
