On call for moral renewal: Walk the talk, GMA dared

02/17/2009

President Arroyo is in no position to call for a moral renewal in government amid persistent reports of high-profile scandals implicating her and First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo, Makati Mayor and United Opposition president Jejomar Binay yesterday said.

“With a string of scandals behind her, Mrs. Arroyo is in no position to demand moral renewal from her subordinates,” he stressed.

Binay was reacting to Administrative Order 25 issued by the President directing all government officials to adopt and implement a program promoting values formation and ethical behavior for government workers.

“Moral renewal should start in Malacañang, although that would probably be wishful thinking,” Binay, in a statement, said..

Malacañang said the order is intended to promote moral renewal in government in order to achieve “zero tolerance for corruption.”

“It is rather hypocritical of Mrs. Arroyo to direct her Cabinet members and government officials to lead a moral renewal in their respective agencies when she herself and her husband have been implicated in several high-profile scandals,” Binay stressed.

Since coming to power in 2001, Mrs. Arroyo, her husband and political allies have been implicated in one major scandal after another. The latest involved allegations that Mr. Arroyo is involved in rigging bids for road projects funded by the World Bank.

“How can Mrs. Arroyo promote moral renewal and zero corruption when her record speaks otherwise?” he said.

Under the order, all government agencies are required to submit their action plans for moral renewal to the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission within 90 days from the order’s date of effectivity.

Binay said he looks forward to seeing Malacañang’s action plan.

“I hope Mrs. Arroyo doesn’t consider herself exempt from the order. I would like to see how Malacañang intends to implement moral renewal and promote zero corruption in its own backyard,” he said.

Religious leader and evangelist Eduardo “Bro. Eddie” Villanueva, for his part, branded the presidential order as a “joke” even as he dared Mrs. Arroyo to practice what she preaches.

“It’s obviously another presidential joke that is not funny,” Villanueva, who heads the Bangon Pilipinas Movement, stressed. “If she is really serious about eradicating massive corruption in government that has landed us the worst spot in Asia, she should begin with her husband.”

Villanueva, in a separate statement, said he was dismayed that the President has made this move after eight years in power, when this could have been conceived and done in 2001.

“At best, it could be described as hypocritical. It is not a skin-deep initiative meant to eradicate corruption in the country. It is a token gesture meant to assuage the ruffled feelings of the public, which wants a more realistic and sustainable program against corruption,” he added.

Villanueva said Mrs. Arroyo would do the nation a big favor, if she would let her husband be gentleman enough to face up to the allegations of corruption thrown at him.

While the intention to instill a “zero tolerance for corruption” may be good, the religious leader expressed fears that the President does not have the credibility to back her up unless she backs her words with actions.

“Moral integrity that stems from genuine fear of God and love of country and countrymen is innate, if not needing a worthy example to follow; it simply cannot be administratively ordered,” he stressed.

“If her Cabinet members and government agencies heads will see her no-nonsense and impartial implementation of the law against erring and corrupt officials and private citizens who reportedly take advantage of their connections in government, just administration of the law will suffice,” he said, adding it would also restore the people’s lost confidence in government.

Back to top

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