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Asks her entire Cabinet to tender their resignations
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MANILA --- President Arroyo on Thursday asked her entire Cabinet to resign to give her a free hand in reorganizing the government.
The President also made it clear she is not stepping down in the face of the political crisis threatening her administration.
In a taped message played over the government radio station DZRB, Mrs. Arroyo asked all sectors to nominate replacements for the officials who will not be reappointed.
Her comments were seen as a preemptive move. Rumors emerged earlier in the day that at least two, and perhaps a dozen, of her economic ministers were preparing to resign.
The Cabinet shakeup is the first of the three steps that Mrs. Arroyo said she would take in the coming days.
“Second, the Cabinet will be given a free hand on governance, while I focus on the fundamental changes that we need to put in place,” she said.
The new Cabinet, she said, will have as little political interference as possible, even from her.
Finally, the President said she would begin to reach out to the political and civil groups with advocacies that are relevant to changing the Constitution.
“Federalism, for example, is an advocacy that I had espoused long ago,” she said.
The President made it clear that the move is neither a political ploy nor gimmick, but will quickly lay the foundation for deep reforms in the society, “including reforms in our political way of life.”
She said she had intended to announce her plan to reform the system of politics and governance at her State of the Nation address on July 25.
But the people’s hunger for a resolution to the political uncertainties that have gripped the country forced her to reveal her plans now, she said.
She said that resignation “under circumstances that connote an EDSA 3 would condemn any successor to the possibility of an EDSA 4, then an EDSA 5 and so on.”
Instead, Mrs. Arroyo said she would reform the political system so that it would be more responsive to the people’s will, so that changes in leadership will come in an orderly and stable manner.
She said she would work with legislators and civil groups who believe that changes in the Constitution are necessary in order to confront basic issues like federalism, the character of the legislative process, reducing red tape, a two-party system and with less need to raise campaign funds, and modernizing the economic provisions of the Constitution.
Mrs. Arroyo made the announcement after meeting with Vice President Noli de Castro, who had just arrived from Hong Kong, reportedly in the residence of former senator Jovito Salonga.
The Cabinet ministers ru-mored to be resigning are Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Energy Secretary Rafael Lotilla and Trade Secretary Juan Santos.
Romulo has reportedly informed a religious group that he would turn in his resignation today.
The President said she has come to realize that “over the years, our political system has degenerated to such an extent that is very difficult to live within the system with hands totally unchained.”
“In addition, our system has degenerated to such an extent that more often than not, it is political agenda first, and national interest last,” she said.(MNS)
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NEW YORK --- As political tension heats up in Manila amid allegations of election fraud, a coalition of Filipino American organizations launched Wednesday a U.S.-based movement to call for the ouster of Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, billing the crisis as “Gloriagate”(derived from Watergate) of fraud, corruption and human rights violations.
“The apology by Arroyo, specifically on the case of and only after being exposed by a third party on her fraudulent manipulation of vote canvassing that deceivingly “won” her the presidency in 2004, at this point holds no bearing unless it is accompanied by her immediate and unconditional removal from office.
If such will not be the case from her own will, then it is up to the Filipino people, from the streets of Manila to the streets of Manhattan, to bring her regime to an end-by ouster,” said Bernadette Ellorin of NY Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines in a press conference. A statement of the group was sent to Philippine Consulate in New York.
Joining the ranks of this left advocacy group are Gabriela Women’s Network, Filipina Studies and Anakbayan (country’s children) of New York, New Jersey and Bayan (Country) of Los Angeles and Seattle and Philippine Forum in NY.
Echoing the voices of the protests in Manila, this group hopes to awaken the more than three million Filipinos in the U.S. and harness their energies to join in back-breaking street activism to topple a President. Protests in New York and Los Angeles will start July 15 and July 18.
Ms. Arroyo’s government is being plagued by allegations of fraud as Philippine Congress probes “vote-rigging.” The investigation came on the heels of the discovery of a tape in which Ms. Arroyo called a top election official while counting was being done last May, allegedly to influence the results of the elections.
In a televised speech, Ms. Arroyo apologized last week, saying it was a “lapse in judgment” but she didn’t admit any wrong doing. But clamor for her resignation mounts, as her relatives and other government officials were implicated in graft and corruption. Ms. Arroyo’s husband–Mike-- and son, a member of Philippine Congress, have been embroiled in a jueteng (illegal gambling) scandal that forced them to temporarily leave the country and seek refuge in the U.S.
An impeachment call has been made in Congress although it is doubtful it would be passed because majority of members of Congress are members of Ms. Arroyo’s ruling party.
“Arroyo’s insincerity towards the Filipino people and her lack of capacity or interest to rule democratically have driven the Philippine economy into crisis and led Filipinos into further despair,” said Dorothea Mendoza, secretary-general of Gabriela Women’s Network-USA.
Mendoza said over 20,000 protesters rallied in Manila last June 24, spearheaded by church groups and militant organizations to voice for the ouster of Ms. Arroyo. Gabriela also started an informal “Kapihan” (coffee-chats) campaign in Manila last week where Filipinos drink coffee while they discuss the ouster of Ms. Arroyo on the streets while protests are going on.
Ms. Arroyo’s policies did not translate to economic upliftment as soaring debts of $57 billion squeezed the country’s budget. With more than 70 percent of Filipinos live in poverty, and majority of Filipinos earning one dollar a day, they face daily the reality of hunger, sickness and oppression. The fiscal and political ills are a blow to the stock market and the peso, which reported declines Wednesday.
Mendoza criticized the rise in political killings or 32 people killed in the beginning of this year, 13 journalists killed last year and 11 Gabriela members killed this year.
Ms. Arroyo’s popularity plunged to its lowest, said Arcy Yuson of Anakbayan NY-NJ. “The evidence does not lie. She cheated and betrayed public trust for her selfish interest to usurp power,” Yuson said.
Standing behind Ms. Arroyo, The Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. urged Filipinos in the U.S., in a statement, to support the nation and its duly constituted authorities. “ In an act of leadership, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has made a statement on the subject of the tapes. This issue is now being addressed in the Philippine House of Representatives. The public debate is fully engaged. The facts will be established.
In the meanwhile, the government is proceeding with the implementation of essential programs. The drive for deeper reform, better governance and accelerated economic development needs to be maintained, “ said Philippine Ambassador Alberto del Rosario.
Manila’s middle class and the elites are lukewarm to another round of street protests. In 1986, the great “People Power” as shown by millions of protesting Filipinos on the streets, toppled the dictatorial rule of President Ferdinand Marcos and catapulted Corazon Aquino to presidency. Huge mass actions, known as “People Power 2” also ousted President Joseph Estrada in 2001 who was charged with massive corruption. Both uprisings had the backing of the influential Catholic Church and the middle class.
“Right now, the opposition’s game plan seems to be to lead the country into chaos by stoking the flames of another people power revolution. The campaign is being carried out mainly by leftist forces that can mount noisy rallies but whose capacity to build up a critical mass from the middle class, the linchpin in the past two people power revolts, is dubious at best,” said the Philippine Daily Inquirer in an editorial.
Whether Filipinos are ready to change their president again for a third time, through “People Power” is about to be tested. Street protests in Manila are known as the bedrock of its democracy.
“As in EDSA 2, (People Power 2) the Left is playing a significant, if not leading role in the mass protests. The Left has proven to be capable of sustaining widespread mass actions nationwide. It serves as the core of the parliament of the streets...If there is anything that the people are tired of, its the rotten political system and the utter lack of morality, integrity and honor of the ruling elite, “ said Congressman Teodoro Casino, a rising political star of the left.
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JERSEY CITY --- Amid unabated crimes, Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy took his oath for a four-year term, Friday, echoing many of his campaign agenda of expanding the police force and stabilizing taxes.
In an upbeat inauguration address, Healy’s speech evoked strength and optimism that he could make the city safe, by stopping drugs, using police on bike and modernizing the police force with more high tech cameras to detect criminal activities.
“We have a lot of more work to do ...We have to see the stability of streets without breaking the back of taxpayers,” said Healy in a simple but effective speech.
Filipino Americans led by finance director Serafina Sengco lauded the new four-year term of Healy. “The next four years should be better. Mayor Healy is not only helping Filipinos but all ethnic groups,” said Sengco. “He is putting together people who will work for his goals,” she added.
Part of the pomp of the inauguration of Healy and nine council members held at New Jersey City University was a display of “imagery of unity” as various ethnic community leaders carried their country’s flags and marched on the hall. The Hudson County Fire and Police Pipes and Drums performed heart-rending music of “Amazing Grace” and “God Bless America.” Lively jazz music was performed by Majazza band.
Healy said in his seven months in the office as mayor, he has hired 90 police officers and 40 firefighters as he intends to further increase these numbers. He said he has worked well with the City Council to impose curfew to protect businesses from crimes.
“Our business is happy because of our joint efforts,” he said.
In a bid to collect back taxes from Honeywell which turned a polluted property at Route 440 a wasteland, Mr. Healy said they had filed suits against the company for polluting the property with chromium. Honeywell is still cleaning up the polluted area which had been used in 1940’s.
Mr. Healy said bitter disagreements with some democratic county leaders could hurt the 240,00 residents of the city. “ I’m here to work with people not to fight with people,” he said.
Emphasizing integrity in the public office, he said: “ Don’t lie, don’t cheat, don’t steal,” amid applause from guests and officials.
Echoing the words of revolutionary soldier and former Treasury of State Alexander Hamilton, Healy said; “We are going to make a great society destined to become one in the near future.”
As this developed, council-at-large Mariano Vega was unanimously elected as council president Friday afternoon. “My election as Jersey City president speaks to the diversity of the city. I feel good about it,” said Vega, who is Puerto Rican-American.
Vega said the mayor missed to include in his speech another city’s priority which is to provide affordable housing for people and get more government subsidies to support housing programs for seniors.
The election of Vega, who is being backed by Healy is a testament to a stronger support of the City Council to Mr. Healy. With the council blessings, Healy’s agenda could turn into a reality as he undergoes the biggest test in his political career. Healy was a former assistant prosecutor and councilman and rose to become a mayor in a special election held May last year. He captured 75 percent of the votes during May elections this year, besting 10 candidates.
Councilwoman Viola Richardson, who is a strong critic of the mayor, lamented that gang-related crimes are on the rise in the city. This former policewoman said these gang members commit homicides and steal cars. “The issue in Jersey City are the street crimes. This is the biggest challenge. People here don’t feel safe. “ Richardson said some gang members support the family of died gang members, calling it “organized crimes.” She said the city needs some 1,200 police officers and the current 870 policemen are “just small drop in the bucket.” Ms. Richardson also expressed concerns on the gloomy job market in the city and the challenge for Healy is to create more jobs.
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