BAYAN MUNA Partylist Representative Liza Largoza Maza said it is
wrong for Malacanang to immediately dismiss and downplay allegations
of money laundering raised by Senator Panfilo Lacson against First
Gentleman Mike Arroyo as 'desperate fairytales'. On the contrary,
Rep. Maza said Malacanang should open itself to investigation and
explain Lacson's accusations.
"Dismissing such serious accusations as desperate fairytales, is
in itself a desperate move by President Arroyo to confine the issue
and prevent further discussion and investigation on the First Gentleman's
possible involvement in money laundering activities," said Rep. Maza.
The lady solon said Malacanang must explain the allegations, especially
since this is not the first time that the First Gentleman's name has
been implicated on graft and corruption charges. Rep. Maza recalls
that Mike Arroyo had been accused of receiving a bribe of Php41M to
help revive a defunct telecommunications franchise bill, and of receiving
part of a $14M bribe in exchange for a favorable Department of Justice
ruling on the IMPSA deal.
Rep. Maza meanwhile also prodded Lacson to provide additional proof
to substantiate the issues raised in his privilege speech, Monday.
"Unless Lacson provides additional evidence, his allegations will
easily be dismissed by Malacanang as fairytales or worse, a part of
his electoral propaganda."
However, Rep. Maza said Lacson's privilege speech should trigger
an immediate and impartial investigation in the Senate as she supported
Lacson's call to have the Jose Pidal accounts frozen.
"Where there is smoke, there must be fire. We must allow all evidence
to surface, probe into and get to the bottom of Lacson's allegations.
If evidence proves such allegations to be true, then the First Gentleman
must face consequences of his action. We must not tolerate corruption
in the government, in all its forms."
