DAVAO CITY , Philippines – “Be vigilant.”
This is the call made by progressive peasant group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas upon the assumption of former president and Pampanga 2nd District Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to the 4th highest position in the country – the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
“Let us not forget the Hello Garci scandal, the Fertilizer Fund and Malampaya Fund Scam, the massive corruption in the government and political killings that happened under former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Now that Arroyo is the new House Speaker, all of President (Rodrigo) Duterte’s empty talk of battling corruption was instantly exposed,” said KMP chairperson emeritus Rafael Mariano.
Mariano added that the atmosphere inside the session hall of Congress and the “body language” of legislators who installed Arroyo as Speaker before Duterte delivered his State of the Nation Address clearly showed that they can bend the rules to their favor and advantage.
Mariano, who once served as Anakpawis party-list representative to the House for three terms, described the legislators’ move as “sobrang garapal at nakakapangilabot.”
“Installing GMA as the fourth highest and most powerful official of the government is not amusing at all. It’s a very bad throwback. The Marcoses, Arroyo are all being politically resurrected under the Duterte administration. It’s a very sinister reunion of the Filipino peoples’ enemies,” he pointed out.
In the midst of the situation, Mariano encouraged the public to be more vigilant and watchful of the House of Representatives where national policies are being formulated.
“The Congress is concocting Charter Change and federalism. With Gloria as the new House leader, blinking is not allowed. Baka mailusot nila lahat ng mga masasamang patakaran at polisiya sa Kongreso,” (They might get away with passing all detrimental laws and policies.) he stressed.
The political resurrection of Arroyo, he added, will further isolate Duterte and his administration from the people. (davaotoday.com)
