“Definitely the country is divided,” Rep. Ignacio Arroyo Jr. (Neg. Occ., 5th district) said yesterday.

While anti-Arroyo rallies were staged yesterday in outrage over the alleged anomalous ZTE-National Broadband Network deal, the president’s brother in-law said there were also pro-government rallies being held in other parts of the country.

He said while the Church-led protestors are calling for the truth, the government has been airing its side.

There is a tape of whistleblower Joey de Venecia and Senate witness Rodolfo Lozada talking on how to milk the NBN-ZTE project, he said.

“Lozada is a fixer. How come he is not being asked to tell the truth on how much he has stolen throughout the years?” Arroyo asked.

The League of Municipalities of the Philippines in a manifesto released yesterday also slammed the “vicious attacks by various interest groups and destabilization attempts wanting to discredit and topple the government” as they expressed their “full and unconditional support” for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The LMP said it “recognizes the gainful achievements of the administration of Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in terms of agricultural productivity, livelihood opportunities, job generation, infrastructure and economic development.”

Rafael Coscolluela, former presidential adviser for Western Visayas and now Sugar Regulatory Administrator, said “If we change our leaders and expect things to correct themselves, we are in for another surprise.”

“Changes in leadership through people power have not accomplished the changes that we want to see in the way government is run, we have to change as well, we can not just change the leader,” he said.

The blessing in all these cries for truth is the growing number of citizens who have decided that it is not enough to just complain, they have to participate in change, he said.

More particularly we need to change the way we vote for our leaders, not just the president, but all the way down to the barangay officials, Coscolluela said.

It is a healthy sign of a strong democracy, he said.

Meanwhile, he said “What is keeping the President strong in the face of all these adversities are her prayers and her strong belief that she is actually accomplishing meaningful change”.

“The truth will come out soon especially if (Romulo) Neri speaks and the situation will be better,” Rep. Monico Puentevella (Bacolod) said.

“The military is strongly behind the president that’s why inspite of the protests today was peaceful,” he said of the rallies yesterday.

Puentevella said he supports communal action, reflections and prayers. “This will all be good for our country. Democracy is alive,” he said.

Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer (Neg. Occ., 4th District) said “There is nothing wrong if the people want to express their opinion (at rallies), it’s their right. But we should keep in mind that calling for the ouster of the president is not possible, the rule of law must prevail,” he said.

Rep. Genaro Alvarez (Neg. Occ., 6th district) said he is okay with people seeking  the truth and rallies are a good exercise, but he does not think they will change anything.*CPG

back to top