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| 26 JULY 2005 | ||
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| 26 JULY 2005 | ||
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye: On Impeachment Complaint |
We welcome the filing of the impeachment charges against the President. It seems however that the proponents themselves feel they have a weak case. This is evident in their premature move of threatening to resort to extra-Constitutional means should they fail. We call on the impeachment proponents to follow the rules and accept the consequences of their move, just as the President has expressed her readiness to face the charges leveled against her should they succeed. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye: On Ex-President Estrada |
I think we have heard enough from former President Joseph Estrada and the worn out tune of his allies and supporters. It would have been more sensible and helpful if they discussed some ideas that would help move our country forward. There was nothing in their speeches that can help the people resolve their present problems. Now is the time for constructive action, not political venom. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye: On Charter Reform |
The President has already initiated the much needed fiscal and economic reforms. Now it is time to consider Charter reform to remove the final and biggest stumbling block on our road to economic stability. |
| Councilors league back Charter Change |
The Philippine Councilors League (PCL) today expressed its support for constitutional amendments and a change of the form of government from presidential to parliamentary. PCL National president Carlo Pontico Fortuna presented to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Malacaņang this morning the councilors’ joint resolution endorsing the proposed charter change. The resolution was approved on July 14, 2005 in Koronadal City, South Cotabato.. Fortuna said the more than 16,000-strong PCL has vowed all-out support for charter change as part of the electoral reforms of the Arroyo administration. "We urge the President to pursue immediately her charter change agenda and the shift to a new form of government (parliamentary/federal). Change cannot be achieved by merely replacing personalities. We have to change the form of government and come up with a system that will clearly pinpoint accountability of all concerned and ensure efficiency in public service," Fortuna said. PCL is also calling on the President to certify to Congress as urgent electoral reforms to ensure clean and honest elections. Any change in the political system will not be complete unless the present electoral system is overhauled, PCL said. Fortuna also said the President continues to draw support from the local government units (LGUs) nationwide against those who are trying to undermine her administration. "The League condemns in the strongest possible terms, any and all forms of extra-constitutional and extra legal moves to effect changes in government. We also call on all sectors of society to maintain sobriety, and full confidence in our democratic institutions and all duly constituted authorities, as we enjoin our countrymen to respect the Constitution and the Rule of Law," the PCL head said. The association also urged the President’s detractors to pursue their grievances through the impeachment process, instead of mounting street rallies and calling for the resignation of the President and Vice President Noli de Castro. The councilors likewise called on the Senate to stop the jueteng investigation and instead endorse the matter to the Office of the Ombudsman for proper action. "We urge our national leaders, especially the leaders of the opposition, to take the high road of statesmanship and exercise selflessness by stopping all political bickering that continue to damage our nation and the people’s self-esteem," Fortuna said. |
| Follow rules, Palace tells impeachment proponents |
Malacaņang welcomed today the filing of impeachment charges against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, saying the Chief Executive is ready to face the charges leveled against her. Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye, however, cautioned the impeachment proponents not to resort to extra-constitutional means should they fail. "We call on the impeachment proponents to follow the rules and accept the consequences of their move, just as the President has expressed her readiness to face charges leveled against her should they succeed," Bunye said in a statement this morning. The Press Secretary was reacting to threats by the opposition that they would take to the streets should the impeachment process bog down. "It seems that the proponents themselves feel they have a weak case," said Bunye. "This is evident in their premature move of threatening to resort to extra-constitutional means." Only 42 lawmakers filed an amended impeachment case in the House of Representatives Monday at the opening of the session of Congress, contrary to their earlier pronouncements that they have the numbers to send the case directly to the Senate. The complainants come from different parties but their number was woefully short of the 79 needed to propel the case straight to the Senate for trial. House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. immediately referred the case directly to the House justice committee which then has 60 days to decide if the complaints are backed by enough evidence to warrant a trial in the Senate. |
| Palace to Estrada: Now is the time for constructive action |
Malacaņang today advised deposed President Joseph Estrada to concentrate more on constructive action rather than airing "political venom," if he really wants the country to move forward. Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye issued the unsolicited advice to Estrada in response to his audiotaped speech played in opposition rallies on Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City yesterday. Bunye said it would have been more sensible and helpful if Estrada and his allies discussed some ideas that would help move the country’s economy forward. "I think we have heard enough from former President Joseph Estrada and the worn out tune of his allies and supporters. It would have been more sensible and helpful if they discussed some ideas that would help move our country forward," Bunye said. He called on the Estrada camp to accept the reality, and forget the past for the sake of the country. "There was nothing in their speeches that can help the people resolve their present problems. Now is the time for constructive action, not political venom," Bunye stressed. In his own taped speech, Estrada urged the public to bring down the Macapagal-Arroyo government. |
