Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said she was merely giving her views on good governance when she spoke on the Best World (BW) Resources scandal and the allegations of Sr. Christine Tan against the Philippine Charity Sweeptakes Office (PCSO).
At a press conference yesterday, Macapagal-Arroyo, who is also secretary of social welfare and development, said she intends to continue advocating good governance as she considers this part of her duty as the country's second highest official.
"I have been consistent in advocating good governance, and when I find a particular situation to give a concrete proposal to pursue good governance, I ...will continue to do it," she said.
Arroyo said she proposed a credible investigation in the BW and PCSO cases to prevent an erosion of public confidence in the government.
The stock market was rocked recently by allegations of insider trading and stock manipulation involving BW, whose majority owner is presidential friend Dante Tan.
She said Sister Christine Tan need not apologize to Malacanang because even President Estrada has ordered the Commission on Audit and the private auditing firm SGV& Co. to audit PCSO funds.
Even First Lady Dr. Luisa Ejercito thanked Tan for speaking up as it would allow her (Ejercito) to explain where the PCSO donations to her office went, she added.
Arroyo said she finds her job as secretary of social welfare and development fulfilling as it allows her to work directly with the poor.
"I serve at the pleasure of the President," she also pointed out.
Meanwhile, Arroyo called on wage boards to consider a pay raise for workers.
"If you allow oil companies to raise prices, you cannot muffle the desire of lay workers for a wage increase," she said.
She said the national wage board should determine whether or not it is necessary to increase wages, considering the skyrocketing prices of basic commodities.
"The wage boards have to vote for what is the right thing to do with the current wages," she said.
Congress can legislate a wage increase if wage boards do not act on the demand of labor groups, Arroyo added.