'No reconciliation with GMA without justice'

MANILA, Philippines -  Malacañang said it would not reconcile with former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo without justice.

Speaking to reporters, Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma yesterday said the prosecution of Arroyo has been delayed because the Supreme Court has struck down the Truth Commission and the former ombudsman had to be impeached.

“We cannot just forget everything or just let things be swept under the rug,” he said.

However, Coloma said cases against Arroyo were being filed before other venues in the absence of the Truth Commission and an ombudsman.

“Let us look at the whole landscape,” he said.

“What they are referring to are high-profile scandals and anomalies, which should have been tried under the Truth Commission.

“But the Supreme Court’s initial ruling has been adverse and that is now the subject of a motion for reconsideration. That’s where the delay lies.

“We must remember that on other fronts, the determination continues and we have shown that we are decisive. Every other week we alternately file cases against big time and high-profile tax evaders and smugglers, that will continue.

“More than 40 cases have been filed for each category. The cleansing of the judicial system, that is also being done.”

Coloma said the new ombudsman would be a critical element in prosecuting high-profile cases.

“And we are just awaiting the completion of the JBC (Judicial and Bar Council) process that will lead to the submission of a shortlist to the President that will ultimately bring about the appointment of a new ombudsman,” he said.

“This is a continuing concern that the President himself addressed throughout the past year. He repeatedly pointed out he could not push through with reforms when there was structural impediment.

“Now we have the chance. We are looking forward to the installation of a new ombudsman so that these high-profile cases can be pursued more vigorously.”

Coloma said the Aquino administration has carried out reforms throughout the bureaucracy.

“That is really part of the cleaning up process,” he said. 

“For example in the Department of Public Works and Highways, there had been changes in the system so there would be no more overpricing of contracts,” he said. “We are pursuing reforms also in other government agencies. In other words, we do not allow the initial setback – like the failure to operationalize the Truth Commission – to stop us. We just proceeded with our initiatives on all other fronts.”

Coloma said “setting forth a new governance, good governance characterized by integrity, honesty, transparency and accountability” was the most important thing that happened last year.

“The people’s trust is back not only in the government but also in the belief that we can all dream again and that the changes that we want can actually happen,” he said.

Coloma said Aquino has no other agenda but to show the people that he was committed to obtaining justice and not promote political bickering or disunity.

“Our engagement with the opposition are all in the spirit of democratic discourse and we are not quarrelling with them,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo left with husband Mike Arroyo and a party of 11, for her trip to Europe on board KLM Airlines flight KL804 at 10:55 a.m. yesterday.

The Arroyos did not avoid frisking at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) terminal.

Arroyo came from the presidential lounge at the ground floor of the terminal using the arrival concourse while going to the pre-departure lounge. 

Arroyo looked unperturbed when she came out from the elevator on the way to the KLM departure lounge to board her flight.

She is expected to be back next week.

Arroyo visits Jo’s wake

Arroyo visited yesterday the wake of Josephine Ramos, daughter of former President Fidel Ramos and expressed her condolences to the family.

Arroyo arrived at Funeraria Paz in Sucat, Parañaque past 9 a.m. and gave a letter of condolence to Ramos and former first lady Amelita Ramos.

“It is with deep sorrow that we receive the news of the demise of your Josephine,” Arroyo said in her letter.

“Her passing is a profound loss to her family and friends, and likewise to the community.

“As we mourn her loss, may we find solace in the knowledge that she is now at peace with our Creator after her courageous battle with a debilitating disease.

“To your family, my family’s deepest sympathies and prayers.”

Jo succumbed to lung cancer, an illness which she had been diagnosed with for eight months but had kept secret from her family until about five weeks ago.

Interment will take place on Friday at noon.– Aurea Calica, Rudy Santos, Paolo Romero