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Thursday, June 30, 2005
Biz groups back Glo despite confession
By Aurelia l. Castro
Sun.Star Correspondent
Cebu’s business community has declared its support for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, following her admission late Monday of a conversation with an election official during the canvassing of last year’s presidential vote.
“We strongly declare our unconditional support to Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her administration. What the President did is a mark of a true leader, a real stateswoman who takes full responsibility for her actions,” said business leaders in a statement sent to Sun.Star Cebu yesterday.
They also called on all political leaders and the public “to join hands in a show of unity, act in sobriety and vigilance in consideration of the national interest.”
Those who signed the statement were Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Robert Go, Confederation of Philippine Exporters Foundation (Cebu) Inc. president Agustin Palao, Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Eric Mendoza, Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation Inc. president Jay Yuvallos, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry regional governor-Visayas Jose Ng, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry vice president–Visayas Carlos Co, Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu president Marco Protacio, Cebu Gifts, Toys and Housewares president Jenifer Cruz, Cebu Bankers Club president Grace Paras, Cebu Association of Tour Operators president Alice Queblatin and Talisay Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Allan Bucao.
Leyte Chamber of Commerce and Industry acting president Samuel Tiu, Seaweed Industry Association of the Philippines president Benson Dakay, Fame Foundation Philippines Inc. president Janet Chua and Barug!
Pilipino coordinator Paulino Hubahib also signed the statement.
Other groups expressing their support were the Cebu Business Club, Lapu-Lapu Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Cebu Association of Tour Guides, Mandaue Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Financial Executives Institute of Cebu Inc.
United
“Our country is gaining strength, and this we ought to pursue together as one united Filipino. Let nothing stop us from achieving greater economic gains.
We urge our officials and every responsible citizen to now move forward and attend to the many problems confronting our country,” they said.
After a long silence, President Gloria Arroyo indirectly admitted and apologized to the nation in a televised address that she was the woman in a taped phone conversation with an official of the Commission on Elections.
The opposition alleges that she tried to manipulate the results in her favor.
But in an interview yesterday, Carlos Co, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry vice president–Visayas, said: “We have to accept the President’s apology, and we have to move on. For the past few weeks, our economy has been damaged already… We should step forward.
We would also ask our President to be more prudent this time.”
(June 30, 2005 issue)
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