Resign, call snap polls, Arroyo, Noli asked anew

10/23/2007

A congressman from Nueva Ecija has again urged Mrs. Arroyo and Vice President Noli de Castro to step down from their posts and call for snap elections to pave the way for the emergence of a new set of leaders.

Rep. Eduardo Joson yesterday noted that the recent bribery scandal that rocked Malacañang has contributed to a greater loss of trust in the Arroyo administration.

Also in a resolution, he maintained that two highest officials in the country should now relinquish their authority given the fact that the Filipino people have already lost their trust and confidence in them as shown by the administration’s performance in the last elections.

“The 2007 elections, particularly the senatorial race and the results thereof, may be considered as a referendum or vote of confidence or no confidence vote on the performance, trustworthiness and credibility of the Arroyo administration,” Joson said in the resolution.

Citizens Battle Against Corruption party-list Rep. Joel Villanueva, for his part, yesterday said the resolution of the Nueva Ecija lawmaker should be deliberated upon in the plenary hall of the House of Representatives.

“I read the resolution and I saw that it expressed the sense of the sentiment of the entire House. Nothing will happen to the resolution if Congressman Joson will not stand before the plenary and present a motion that the House vote on it immediately,” he added in Filipino.

Villanueva also stressed the issue of the Arroyo government’s legitimacy and the “Hello Garci” scandal should also be tackled in Congress.

He said despite the proximity of the 2010 presidential elections, there is nothing wrong with Mrs. Arroyo and De Castro relinquishing their post.

Villanueva, however, expressed serious doubts that the two officials would ever vacate their posts.

“But the question is, will they (Mrs. Arroyo and De Castro) resign? It does not look like they will. Will the President leave Malacañang in 2010. That should be what we are waiting for,” he said.

Early this month, Mrs. Arroyo revived her call to amend the Constitution to pave the way for federalism in 2012, possibly to allow her to stay in power beyond the end of her term in 2010.

Critics, however, have expressed belief the President’s revival of Charter change was a diversionary tactic by Malacañang to deflect attention from the various controversies hounding the Arroyo administration. Gerry Baldo

Back to top

For comments about this website:Webmaster@tribune.net.ph
The Daily Tribune © 2006