Eastern Samar officials nix calls for coup

CEBU, Philippines - Provincial officials in Eastern Samar, led by Governor Conrado Nicart Jr., have rejected calls for coup d’etat or for President Benigno Aquino III to resigned, saying that these were “anchored on baseless accusations.”

The Provincial Board approved Resolution No. 22, declaring that within the president’s first four and eight months, he “strengthened our sovereign rights and freedoms, revitalized the national economy by effectively instituting reforms in the national government’s budgetary and expenditures processes, restored the people’s trust and confidence in the rule of law, and ensured national security and peace.”

The resolution also noted that despite the Aquino administration’s “evidently honest, sincere and just efforts to weed out corrupt practices in government and ensure the safety, health and well-being of the people, resulting in a more vibrant economy”, there have been personalities trying to grab power with “barely 14 months until (the) next presidential elections in May 2016.”

The resolution was signed by the governor, Vice Governor Marcelo Ferdinand Picardal, and PB Members Celestina Cabato, Byron Suyot, Jonas Abuda, Peregerio Balase, Gorgonio Cabacaba, Joji Montallana, Maria Caridad Sison-Goteesan, Karen Alvarez, Jenny Baldono and Maximo Zacate. — Lalaine M. Jimenea (FREEMAN)