Fred M. Lobo
President GMA revokes Executive Order 464 amid mounting pressures for greater transparency and integrity in government.
The will of the people is the supreme law!
***
"Executive officials may no longer invoke EO 464 to excuse non-attendance from legislative inquiries… and are instructed to abide by the Constitution, existing laws and jurisprudence," Mrs. Arroyo declares.
Say "present," boys! No more hiding under the presidential skirt.
***
The influential Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) welcomes the scrapping of EO 464, one of their conditions for not endorsing People Power.
Prayers for discernment breeds awakening – and that could save the President.
***
But Senate President Manny Villar says PGMA should order executive officials to tell the truth to erase doubts as to her sincerity in revoking EO 464.
Translation: Let the truth set us free – and jail the "greedy!"
***
Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano says revoking the EO is "a good step forward."
The Blue Ribbon will continue to wave proud and free. More bakbakan coming.
***
Administration Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri notes that the President may have made the decision as a "measure of good faith" and to deflect the people’s wrath.
One step backward, two steps forward… for political survival.
***
Speaker Prospero Nograles welcomes the scrapping of EO 464, saying it shows that Mrs. Arroyo "is a listening president."
Listen, too, when she speaks or travel awaits, hehe.
***
But the new Speaker admits that PGMA’s decision will not lessen the political noise since her critics will continue to seek her removal from office.
Same political agenda and no time for real reforms?
***
The Supreme Court proposes a compromise which would allow Commissioner on Higher Education Chairman Romulo Neri to immediately return to the Senate and testify on the ZTEBroadband controversy but still claim "executive privilege" on some questions.
"Solomonic" says the Palace, "unacceptable," say solons.
***
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. protests saying: "He (Neri) can appear but we cannot compel him to testify, ano yun? It will result in our inability to ferret out the truth."
A compromise will perpetuate unresolved issues, Nene claims.
***
A militant women’s group, the BabaLa or Babae Laban sa Katiwalian, sets out in what they dubbed a "Warning walk," giving the government a preview of much bigger protest actions ahead.
From "Unity Walk" to "Warning Walk." Kanyakanyang lakad!
***
Armed Forces chief General Hermogenes Esperon Jr. says soldiers, including MNLF integrees, will continue to guard Malacañang Palace well as retired AFP officers try to recruit soldiers and protest actions continue.
Palace guards and the Filipino people remain on separate, tiring vigil… whew! Tapusin na ‘to!
|
