Ex-Cabinet men told to give full accounting of roles in GMA government

MANILA, Philippines - Former Cabinet secretaries of President Arroyo seeking posts in the next administration were asked yesterday to make known their roles in the outgoing dispensation and to testify against Mrs. Arroyo.

Renato Reyes Jr., Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) secretary-general, said presidential frontrunner Sen. Benigno Aquino III should make this a requirement for former Arroyo administration officials who want to serve under his administration.

“If they are to follow the so-called ‘daang matuwid (straight path),’ then former Arroyo officials should cooperate with any probe that seeks to hold Mrs. Arroyo accountable,” he said.

“They should be required to reveal all they know.”

Reyes said some former Arroyo administration officials appear to be determined to get back their old posts.

“These former Arroyo officials, however, should first make a full accounting of their roles in the previous regime,” he said.

“They should at least be willing to testify against the outgoing president.”

Reyes said it would be a bad start for the incoming administration to carry over former Arroyo administration officials without making them cooperate in holding their former boss accountable.

“It seems only fair and just that the new administration that claims to adhere to the straight path should demand accountability from all its appointees,” he said.

“Public interest should be given more premium than executive privilege.” Reyes said Aquino’s presidency would be measured in part by how it deals with the outgoing president.

“Mrs. Arroyo is expected to entrench herself and her allies in Congress to gain leverage against any probe into her past acts,” he said.

“(Mrs.) Arroyo has reportedly met with the members of the ruling party who won in the last elections.

“The next regime should be wary of how Mrs. Arroyo will consolidate her political power inside the Lower House.”