Akbayan Party today vowed that Supreme Court (SC) Chief Justice Corona would be removed from office as it celebrated its 14th anniversary. The political party vowed to “dismantle CoronArroyo" and "sustain the momentum of change.”
Akbayan Representative Kaka Bag-ao, one of the impeachment trial prosecutors and who gave the event’s keynote address called the impeachment trial against Corona “a conspiracy of millions.”
Removal of Corona, a “conspiracy of millions”
“It is not “a conspiracy of three, neither is it a conspiracy of 188 legislators. I daresay it is a ‘Conspiracy of Millions’ - a conspiracy of Filipinos conspiring to remove him from the post which he abused,” Bag-ao said.
“Because of his loyal service to Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, ‘midnight chief justice’ Coronarroyo is facing trial. Like his fellow Arroyo servant, former Ombdusman Merceditas Gutierrez, he too will have his turn, he too will be removed,” according to Bag-ao.
Bag-ao also chided Corona for linking the impeachment trial to President Aquino’s disagreement with the SC’s ruling ordering the distribution of Hacienda Luisita. The partylist lawmaker described the accusation as absurd.
“Perhaps the Chief Justice does not know that among the ranks of the private prosecutors in his impeachment trial are several lawyers of the Hacienda Luisita farmers and farmworkers. In trying to sell his theory, the Chief Justice has conveniently forgotten that the Hacienda Luisita case was argued and won by the farmers together with the Department of Agrarian Reform,” Bag-ao said.
Slain Navy Ensign Pestaño honored
Meanwhile, Akbayan also gave a posthumous award to Navy Ensign Phillip Andrew Pestaño in recognition of his “judicious performance of duty to help the Filipino people eradicate corruption.” Akbayan Spokesperson Risa Hontiveros presented the award to the family of Pestaño represented by Felipe and Evelyn Pestaño, parents of the slain Navy Ensign.
“The decision of the office of the Ombudsman to file criminal charges against 6 navy officers linked to the killing of Phillip Pestaño, confirmed what the Pestaño family had been saying for 16 years: that their Phillip was murdered. Despite the long wait, the Pestaño family can now hope for justice to be served. This posthumous award to Phillip Pestaño is also an award on his parents and sibling for not giving up in the search for truth and justice,” according to Hontiveros.
Hontiveros also said, “the filing of charges against the navy officers is a vindication to the family of Phillip Pestaño and to the Filipino as well.”
“It is a vindication of the people’s campaign to remove Merci Gutierrez and other stubborn vestiges of the corrupt Arroyo presidency. After 16 years of waiting for the Pestano family, justice is finally being served. If this early, we are already reaping our initial victories, what more with the removal of a corrupt chief justice?” Hontiveros said.
Progressive economic platform to sustain political reforms
For his part, Akbayan Representative Walden Bello highlighted the bigger challenges the people face in the horizon. According to Bello, “the reforms the people have won must be made irreversible.
“We have rattled those who have profited from the previous corrupt regime and are seeking to undo those reforms. We must respond with greater determination.” Bello said.
Bello also stressed the need for economic reforms to accompany the current political reforms in place. The feisty lawmaker noted that only a solid, democratic, and progressive economic platform could sustain the current political reforms, which can even outlast the Aquino administration.
“Although Akbayan, together with Filipino people, have made hard won political reforms, there are more challenges ahead. We can never rest on our laurels. Otherwise, we will risk the erosion of the victories that Filipinos are now benefitting from. As such the agenda for 2012 is to sustain the momentum of change,” Bello concluded.
Akbayan’s anniversary celebration was held at the Quezon City Sports Club. Some of the personalities who attended the event were Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jessie Robredo, Commission on Human Rights Chairperson Loretta Ann Rosales, Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Secretary Ronald Llamas, National Anti-Poverty Commission Secretary Joel Rocamora, Bureau of Customs Deputy Commissioner Danilo Lim, Jimmy Regalario of the Kilusan para sa Makabansang Ekonomiya (KME), the Pestano family and leaders of the Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines (FASAP). ###
 |
 |
 |
