The umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan said it is looking forward to the so-called “expose’ that will shock the nation” during President Benigno Aquino III’s first State of the Nation Address.
“We are interested in knowing more of the shenanigans and misdeeds of the past administration. We look forward to being ‘shocked’ so to speak. But what we are most interested in knowing is, after the expose’, how will Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her cohorts be made accountable and how will justice be achieved for the Filipino people,” said Bayan secretary general Renato M. Reyes, Jr.
“Exposing corruption is a good thing. Let’s hope it doesn’t stop there. The prosecution of Mrs. Arroyo and her allies must be part of the SONA of the president. We know that there was corruption, fraud, and human rights abuses. The big challenge for the new government is how to go after the perpetrators. It remains to be seen if the promised Truth Commission can actually do this,” Reyes said.
During the SONA rally on Monday, Bayan will continue to push for the prosecution of Arroyo and her cohorts. The call “Jail GMA” will also resonate in the rally, the group said.
“Farmers who were victims of the fertilizer fund scam will march on Monday to demand justice. Victims of human rights violations of Gloria and Gen. Jovito Palparan will march to demand justice. People scandalized by the PAGCOR scams and other similar incident will march to demand accountability,” Reyes said.
Bayan said that the corruption expose’ will probably underscore the current fiscal crisis facing the government.
“While it is true that corruption has had an impact on the budget deficit and fiscal position of the new government, we are wary that the measures that will be taken by the new administration is to pass on the fiscal burden to the people,” Reyes said.
Bayan was reacting to the Bureau of Internal Revenue order to impose a 12% VAT on toll fees. The BIR has also announced it will also require receipts for market vendors as part of its drive to raise revenues.
“The midyear budget deficit has already exceeded the projections made by the government. What we need is a solution that is foremost socially just, not just a short-term fix that will be an added burden to the people. Stamping out corruption is one acceptable thrust. Going after big tax evaders is also good. But new taxes on the people, that is not what we are expecting,” Reyes said. ###
