Does the spate of accusations against President Arroyo on her wealth, so-called lavish spending, etc. bother you?

Ronali dela Cruz, Metro Manila: Yes, it does. Doesn’t Mrs. Arroyo realize that our country is in dire straits, with the high unemployment rate and lots of hungry mouths to be fed?  

Romeo Nabong II, Saudi Arabia: No, I am not bothered at all. We just have to accept the fact that whoever is in power is bound to do the same or even worse.  

We should all be bothered

Ed Gulmatico, Yemen: Any Filipino in his/her right mind should be bothered. Witnessing destitute families with their kids scavenging for leftovers in trash bins to put something inside their stomachs; young school-age children forced to abandon schooling to help their parents with their day-to-day survival; and many more miserable living conditions of poor Filipinos, who would not be bothered? Except, of course, for heartless politicians and government officials.  

Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: If she used the people’s money and the power of the presidency, it would bother me for that’s the last thing we need as a poor country.  

Tino Abella, Masbate: As a Filipino, it surely bothers me. While they were enjoying their very expensive meal, we were in deep sorrow losing our beloved Pres. Cory.  

Ignacio Anacta, Metro Manila: The spate of accusations against PGMA on her wealth and lavish dinners have indeed bothered me. How can she afford to flaunt her wealth and spend lavishly when most of us Filipinos are having difficulty saving because prime commodities are expensive and honest earnings are barely enough for food and the children’s education. How can she double her wealth in barely eight years when world finance and our very own economy is spinning downward? Only she and her cronies are getting richer while most others are barely surviving!  

Where there’s smoke, there’s fire

Elsa Ringor-Mendoza, Metro Manila: Bother? It riles me no end. Like what a female senator always bursts out when she is extremely exasperated, correct inflection and all, I also say, “Hah!” Why this spate of accusations against President Arroyo? Certainly, where there’s smoke, there’s fire. I beg the COA, BIR, Ombudsman, senators (I can’t say about the Lower House), Fourth Estate (out but only with the truth), and whoever, please do what has to be done, do your jobs well and set things straight. Bato-bato sa langit.  

Lucas Madamba II, Laguna: I was shocked and surprised when I heard the news that President Arroyo and her entourage had dinner in New York and Washington DC which amounted to $20,000 dollars and $15,000. I used to eat in restaurants in New York and Washington DC with my brother and sisters when I was in the US, but our expenses were so much, much less. In fact, the expenses only averaged $50-$100, including a 10-per cent tip.  

Kelvin Casamayor, Ilocos Sur: Yes, of course. The rumored manipulation of her SALN and especially the lavish spending for a dinner on New York is very alarming for a President like GMA.  

Trial by publicity

C.B. Fundales, Bulacan: Everything looks like witchhunting. What bothers me is the ill will of people who condemn through trial by publicity in lieu of due process.  

Ed Alawi, Davao City: I’m already numb to all these accusations. Accusers must now come out with solid evidence and present their case in the proper forum, not in media.  

Ishmael Calata, Parañaque City: Of course, the spate of accusations against PGMA bothers me just as accusations against past presidents during their time bothered me too, whether it was on their wealth due to wrongdoing, their relatives or the people around them, or any wrongdoing. But, in fairness to them, let me ask, were the accusations proven? It is easy to believe accusations against President Arroyo such as the soaring amount of her wealth, her lavish spending, etc., but let the law take its due course first. If true, all these is really disgusting!

Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: Why should the accusations against PGMA bother me? I was not one of the guests in her lavish dinner. I do not have a single centavo share of her wealth. In fact, all these accusations must be welcome because we strike a blow against decency. The thing that bothers me, however, is the way it is being presented, exaggerated, and sensationalized with a motive of nothing more and nothing less than transactional politics originated by those with flawed characters and narrow minds. If the accusations were not based on make believe, then, why shout in the streets like people with mental disorders? Why not go to the proper court to know the truth and punish those guilty?  

Luisito Vallo, Pangasinan: Yes, why is it that so many allegations of wrongdoing by the GMA administration continue to hound her? She should make an effort to see to it that her actions are beyond scrutiny by behaving and acting properly. She must also shun shadowy characters so as to give the presidency the needed respect. Also, those who accuse her must present solid and hard evidence so that we can bring her to justice if she is really guilty. If they can’t back up their allegations with proof, they should just leave her be so she can concentrate on her job.  

PGMA hasn’t defended herself

Noel Banias, Makati City: Yes, I’m deeply bothered. GMA, it seems, is having a good time and trying to squeeze the most out of prevailing conditions. Like there’s no tomorrow, it’s as if she’s fortifying her war chest and preparing for the inevitable when she has to step down. Spending money like there’s no tomorrow then denying that public funds were spent reeks of hypocrisy. Worse, she is letting scapegoats carry the brunt of denying.  

Germi C. Sison, Cabanatuan City: Yes, I’m bothered by the spectacular increase in PGMA’s wealth since becoming President while the country is sinking deeper into the quagmire of poverty and rising as one of the most corrupt in the world. She has not personally defended herself against any accusation against her; only her paid mouthpieces who were trained to defend successfully the most heinous crimes on earth have. I wonder how the next president would ever salvage us from the brink of total collapse with our debt, poor credit rating, unresolved conflicts with Muslim separatists and insurgents, and worsening problems in every corner of our society.   

Are our taxes being put to waste?

J-Dub Wenceslao, Cavite: As a taxpayer, I’m very concerned about these accusations. Imagine, we pay our taxes religiously only for it to be wasted on such lavish dinners. That’s really absurd. If true, I’d really like an in-depth investigation on this case.  

Ching Gaspar, Laoag City: It’s every citizen’s right to be concerned about how taxes are being spent. Government officials should not abuse their powers by wantonly spending or siphoning people’s money into their pockets or engaging in anomalous transactions. Junket and globe-trotting in the guise of state visits and diplomatic missions should not exceed the travel budget allotted.  

R. Leobrera, Manila: Yes, because it seems that the GMA administration is spending taxpayers’ money for her personal use and then ignores public sentiment. But then again, why should she bother, when she has her pool of attorneys and spokesmen to shield her and justify that her spending is legal. There are even fall guys to say, “Nilibre ko lang siya.”  

It’s the critics that bother me

Vir Lauzon, General Santos City: No, it doesn’t bother me. Only the opposition, leftists and the usual inggiteros are the ones making noise.  

Benjamin Nillo, Las Piñas City: Of course, those accusations bother me. Sayang, her good efforts have all gone to waste because of her rabid critics, aided by the opposition and media.  

Dino Monzon, Caloocan City: Yes, but criticisms against the President got too hyped up this time by our media and is seemingly timed deliberately to discredit GMA vis-a-vis Cory Aquino.  

M. Sunico, Caloocan City: Nope, not at all. What bothers me a great deal is the fact that the whiners do not even have the common sense to compare issues objectively. It bothers me a lot that the complainers exploit the gullibility of the sensation-hungry media and non-discerning citizens in Manila. It bothers me a lot when these crybabies do not even understand that the economic stability established by their “target” has allowed them not to feel the global recession.  

PGMA is being insensitive

Col. Ben Paguirigan Jr., Ret., Zamboanga City: The actions of PGMA, or any head of state, for that matter, bother any Pinoy who looks at their leader as an exemplar of leadership, truthfulness, and integrity. Towing her battalion of government tourists who are not really needed in her meeting with Pres. Obama, PGMA was callous enough to show the world that we are rich.  

Louella Brown, Baguio City: The spate of accusations against Pres. Arroyo bothers me a lot. How can she spend lavishly while food is wanting among many Filipinos?  

Diony Yap, Bacolod City: Yes, marami tayong mga kababayan na walang pagkain sa bawat mesa.  

Fortunato Aguirre, Bulacan: I view GMA as an irresponsible leader who is insensitive to the sorry plight of the poor. Her only aim is to amass wealth and wallow in a luxurious life.  

Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: She should have been more circumspect in her social activities as she is President of a nation where the poor comprise the majority.

L.C. Fiel, Quezon City: Yes, I am. My granddaughter Melissa, a nursing student, told us that in a government hospital where she was assigned, facilities were sadly lacking. A bed is shared by two or three patients. She has more sob stories about needy patients suffering even more because of government neglect of hospitals and other medical facilities. There’s very little or no funding at all for the very basic medical needs, but there’s so much for the excesses of the powers-that-be.  

Why should it bother me?

Dianne Aquino, Caloocan City: No, it does not bother me at all. I elected PGMA into office, because she was the best then and I believe she need not explain to anyone her actions in private.  

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: Not at all. What you see is what you get from PGMA. Obviously, the issue is politically motivated and should be set aside for lack of merit.  

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: I’m not bothered about how they spend their money. We are not tyrants to tell them how they should live their lives or handle their personal finances. My only concern is how PGMA does her job. If I had to be appalled at lavish spending, I should be appalled at any form of luxury available in the Philippines. It’s really silly to look at this way.  

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: Why should I be bothered? I’m busy scavenging for my next meal! Those accusations against GMA are all meant to discredit, cover up, and downplay.  

Leandro Tolentino, Batangas City: No, it doesn’t bother me at all. The President and some of her entourage are wealthy enough to spend abroad as they pay more taxes than I do.  

Leonard Villa, Batac City: Not at all, I’m already immune with the so many brouhahas concerning PGMA and her husband. I want to do away with self-inflicted stress.  

Elizabeth Oximer, Negros Occidental: Not really. Who will prosecute her, ang kanyang mga appointees? I might as well just save my breath.  

Jose Parco, Aklan: What, me worry? I’m not going to lose sleep over it. She’s deaf to criticism and blind to dissent. No use beating a dead horse. So, why should it bother me at all?  

Jose Jumawan, Palawan City: Why should I, if their conscience  if they have any  allows them to do what is patently wrong. I am not my brother’s keeper.  

Celine Rebullante, Makati City: It’s so generous of that congressman to splurge on a gift that PGMA gladly accepted! Why should we bother ourselves about her wealth?  

Imee Aglibot, USA: No, PGMA was born with a silver spoon. As a senator, she was already known to be spending lots of money during her trips, but that was her own money.  

She has lost all sense of propriety

Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: She hasn’t learned a lesson or two on simplicity from a great former President. That makes me feel sad, and disgusted.  

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: I’m more than bothered because we now have a President who has completely lost even her last vestige of morality and propriety. She is so pathetic.  

PGMA is entitled to it

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: A President is entitled to some degree of special treatment and prerogatives that go with the title to compensate for what she does for the country.  

Eddie Yap, Kabankalan City: As President of our country, I believe PGMA deserved a break after working so hard and for having achieved something good for the country with those trips. Let’s not make so much fuss. Case closed, please?

She’ll be gone in 2010

Ric Vergara, Calamba: I am not bothered anymore because I’m already immune. Hope this will be over by 2010.  

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: Of course, it bothers me. Will she leave the country bankrupt before she steps down in 2010?  

Rex Earlou Calmerin, Iligan City: No, let her enjoy the very last moment before stepping down from office. She can’t run again for President anyway.

Elsa Ringor-Mendoza, Metro Manila: In less than a year, we will again go to the polls to decide who will be our next President. Owing to this callous display of wanton profligacy, for once, let us be more judicious and sane. Let us open our hearts to one who is a complete statesman, one who would look after the welfare of his constituents and his country, one who is simple but unafraid, morally upright, highly principled, and one who is watchful of his actions to avoid causing humiliation to himself and his country, more so when he is on foreign land.  

It’s all part of democracy

Rod Villar, Iriga City: It doesn’t bother me a bit. We must remember that since Day 1 of her tenure as President, the political opposition and the traditional left-leaning groups have hurled accusations at whatever actions she has taken. Sad to say, until now, not one of those accusations have been proven. We must expect lots of accusations in the media until her last day in office. That’s the essence of democracy, Philippine-style.  

R. Los Banos, Las Piñas City: All this noise about the President’s wealth and lavish spending are media-driven and the adage that controversies and bad news are good for business may be behind all these. I treat this as part of the democratic process. Nothing to be bothered about.

Karma never sleeps

Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn. Remember that immortal line from Casablanca? That is my reaction whenever I read negative accusations versus PGMA. Two decades of Imelda’s splurging and over two years of Erap’s kingdom have dulled my revulsion up to a comatose level. Manhid na manhid na ako. Yet, as a Buddhist, I am 100 per cent sure that karma will be reaped in time. Karma never sleeps.  

She is not the GMA I voted for

Yes, very much. It doesn’t just bother me; it disturbs me because she was not the PGMA I used to admire when she was still a newly-installed President. It’s very difficult to reconcile the PGMA before and the PGMA now. I pinned my high hopes on her to save our country but she disappointed all of us. It’s troubling to think she will leave no lasting legacy.  Ella Arenas, Pangasinan

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