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Workers call for congressional inquiry on Genuino, PAGCOR
GMA accountable for deep-seated corruption in government — KMU
Militant labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno today said that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo must discard whatever political plans she has for 2004. “Mrs. Arroyo must stop eyeing another term as Chief Executive. She already caused all too many difficulties for the people. Her best option is to immediately resign and provide relief for the masses.”
Labor leader and KMU Chairman Elmer Labog said that the blatant graft and corruption taking place within the Arroyo administration is very disturbing. “What alarms us even more is Arroyo’s lack of sincerity to rein in the high level thievery done by her relatives, political allies and cabinet officials. While the majority of the population are languishing in deep poverty, elected and appointed government officials are taking turns in raiding the people’s hard earned tax money.”
“The immorality of the Arroyo administration is swiftly surpassing the decadence of ousted President Joseph Estrada’s government. “President Arroyo is accountable for the relentless corruption in the government. Her inaction is an automatic consent to her close allies and other government officials to engage in illegal money-making activities. Anti-graft and corruption advocates must swiftly act on this matter and thoroughly expose Arroyo’s liability for the reeking plundering of government officials.”
Meanwhile, KMU Executive Vice President Lito Ustarez said that on top of the current investigation on the Jose Pidal accounts, a congressional inquiry on the alleged corruption involving Philippine Gaming and Amusement Corporation (PAGCOR) Chairman Ephraim Genuino must also start as soon as possible. “An investigation on Genuino and the PAGCOR fund must be done immediately to expose the extent of corruption happening in the government agency and the probable involvement of Malacanang in this explosive corruption scandal.”
Ustarez said The Probe Team report aired over GMA-7 last night which exposed the alleged corrupt activities of Genuino, stated that since the administration of former Fidel Ramos, PAGCOR has been setting aside more thant P100 million each year for the intelligence fund of the agency. “Only the President and the PAGCOR Chief can decide on the allocation of this fund. Mrs. Arroyo is obliged to make an explanation on this matter. The Lacson report on Jose Pidal identified Genuino as a frequent visitor of First Gentleman Mike Arroyo at LTA. Maybe Genuino can lead the public to the real Jose Pidal. The paper trail of his undeclared wealth may even point in the direction of Malacanang.”
” The investigative report done by the Probe Team about Genuino was an excellent job which served the interest of the Filipino people. We commend Che-che Lazaro, Bernadette Sembrano and their group for courageously asserting their rights as journalists and we assure them that we will fully support their fight against prior restraint or censorship and against the unwarranted pressure they get from unscrupulous people who were hurt by their expose,” Ustarez added.
The labor leader further stressed, “ranking cabinet officials and executives of strategic public offices must undergo a thorough lifestyle check and rigid examination of their Statements of Assets and Liabilities (SALs) and internal revenue accounts.”