'Department of Underground' ni Mike Arroyo ibinulgar

Ibinulgar ni Senador Panfilo Lacson ang isang hiwalay na departamento sa Office of the President na pinamumunuan ni First Gentleman Mike Arroyo na umano’y nagkakamal ng milyung-milyong salapi ng bayan.

Sa kanyang isinagawang privilege speech, tinukoy ni Lacson ang Department of Underground na pinamumunuan ng First Gentleman na siyang nangingikil sa ilegal na transaksyon, nagnanakaw ng salapi sa gobyerno at talamak sa graft and corruption.

"The Department of Underground has become the most inventive, creative and innovative agency of grease, graft and corruption. Its expertise is to broker crooked deals and win them. Its excellence is to assign cronies to positions of power and make money out of them. Its essence is to make the First Gentleman as honorable person before the camera. And off camera, it is to bring him the juicy slices of bureaucracy," pahayag ni Lacson.

Pangunahing tinukoy na anomalyang kinasangkutan ng First Gentleman ang diversion ng halagang P250 milyon mula sa Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) upang pondohan ang advertising campaign ng apat na kandidato ng People Power Coalition (PPC) noong nakaraang halalan.

"At the behest of Secretary Mike Arroyo during the May election, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office — in silver platter of unmatched charity — disbursed millions of pesos. This was to ensure the victory of Mr. Arroyo’s friends. It was also to hit a second bird — that of projecting to the Filipino people the power of the Arroyo administration for good governance," dugtong pa ni Lacson.

Inihayag pa ni Lacson na naibulsa ng ilang broadcasters ang malaking halaga ng advertising budget sa halagang P250 milyon.

"This huge money went into the professional pockets of broadcasters, who were tasked to pay hosannas to the Arroyo administration. There are names and amounts listed in the sworn affidavit of a witness," wika ni Lacson.

Sinabi pa ni Lacson na kinukuha ang pera sa Kamuning Branch ng Bank of the Philippine Islands na siyang nakatala sa naturang affidavit.

"The payola recipients received their due for services rendered, is not the issue here. They were only doing their thing. The issue here is that the presidential husband has gone overboard. He has abused his affinity with the President to milk agencies of government for his selfish interests and those of his ilk. This must be stopped. He must be stopped," dagdag pa niya.

Idinagdag pa ni Lacson na tinutulungan si Arroyo sa political campaign ng administrasyon nina Press Undersecretary Roberto Capco, Ito Los Baños, Jack Arroyo, Manny Estrella, Resty de Quiros at iba pa.

"I ask that this matter be given immediate attention and investigation by the Senate. My informant, as well as others with similar courage, are into hiding but will come out at the proper time, he is Robert Fronda Rivero," dagdag pa nito. (Ulat ni Rudy Andal)