'Don't give unsolicited advice to Aquino'

MANILA, Philippines - Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada and Sen. Francis Pangilinan have called on officials of the Arroyo administration to stop giving unsolicited advice to president-elect Benigno Aquino III.“How can they give advice when Mrs. Arroyo’s regime is laced with public disapproval, corruption and abuse of power?” Estrada asked in disbelief.”

They’re acting as if the next administration can emulate something good from them. For me, it’s absurd, even ridiculous,” he said.

“What they say now doesn’t matter anymore. They had nine long years to practice what they preach and they blew it,” Estrada added.

“When Mrs. Arroyo steps out of the presidency on June 30, I think half of the problem is already solved since corruption will be out of the equation,” he said.

“Government projects can be realized and progress will be felt by the underprivileged,” he pointed out.

Pangilinan, partymate of Aquino in the Liberal Party, said President Arroyo and her officials “have no business lecturing the incoming administration, considering how they have been embroiled in countless cases of corruption and human rights violations.”

“Why should we listen to a discredited regime tainted with scandal and corruption?”“Stop it. Please just go. You have no right to lecture the new administration,” Pangilinan added in Filipino.