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Thursday, June 30, 2005
'No to snap election'
By Erwin Ambo S. Delilan and Roberto Bacasong
TAKE it from the father of Negros Occidental.
Amid call from the opposition and various militant groups to step down or to hold a snap election after she admitted Monday night that it was her voice on the controversial 'Hello Garci' tape, Governor Joseph Marañon has a different view over the whole brouhaha.
Though, he stressed that he ran in the opposition's slate in the last 2004 election, yet he finds no necessity in holding a snap election.
Marañon rather said it is time for the country to move on.
He, however, clarified holding a snap election will only depend on the will of the people.
"But for me, its not necessary at this time," he added.
The governor was also not amenable on the move to have the president impeached.
An impeachment, the governor said, will solely depend on the country's lawmakers and that it will take a long process.
"The President was sincere when she asked for an apology," stressed the governor, adding that if she will immediately impose drastic reforms in government, people will later honor her.
These reforms, said Marañon, must include the government's bureaucracy, get rid on graft and corruption, revamp among the Cabinet members and implement programs that will directly benefit the ordinary people.
In her speech at Malacañang Monday night, Arroyo said she wanted to close the chapter of the Gloriagate tape clamor and move on with the business of governing.
She also asked everyone to join hands with her to help forge a united Philippines, where everyone is equal under the law, and everybody has the opportunity to use their God-given talents to make a better life.
"Our nation is strong and getting stronger. The progress is steady and I ask you to walk with me on this journey to rebuild our great nation," she said, adding that she will remain the humble servant of the Filipino people and promised to fulfill her constitutional oath of office to serve the people to best of her ability.
Minutes after the President delivered her speech in Malacañang, the governor said: "She deserves to be forgiven."
He further said: "To err is human and to forgive is divine."
Representative Jose Carlos "Kako" Lacson, on the other hand, said "I found her courageous. She conquered her fears."
Lacson, also with the opposition in last year's election, believes that the President Arroyo will be exalted after she humbled herself.
Presidential brother-in-law Representative Ignacio "Iggy" Arroyo Jr. of the 5th District of Negros Occidental, meanwhile, urged all Filipinos to now unite and work toward rebuilding the country.
He also stressed that her sister-in-law had not committed any crime.
Presidential ally and now Transportation and Communication Assistant Secretary Ricardo "Cano" Tan also asked Negrenses and Bacoleños to forgive the President.
Bacolod Vice Mayor Renectio Novero, on the other hand, said the President's admission is not an impeachable act.
"It is one good thing that the President admitted and apologized in calling up Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano in an aim to protect her votes," Novero added.
"Perhaps the people believed that the mistake committed by the President is not enough to go to the streets and eject her from her office," the vice mayor said.
He said a snap election might be destabilizing and he does not think it is politically edifying at the present setup. Lawyer Rodolfo "Rudy" Parreño, chairman of the Fernando Poe Jr. Movement (FPJM) in Negros, however, said any change in the present government lies on the hands of the Filipino people.
Meanwhile, Gabriela Youth militants held a protest action yesterday at the Fountain of Justice calling for the President to resign now.
Clarizza Singson, Gabriela youth regional coordinator, said they will form the "Youth Demands for Arroyo's Removal" or Youth-Dare, an alliance with students and various youth sectors.
She said the youth have no future under the Arroyo administration.
(June 29, 2005 issue)
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