GMA junks call to oust Braganza

The campaign of union leaders at the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to oust Secretary Hernani Braganza was shot down by President Arroyo, who described the young Cabinet member as one of the performers in her official family.

The President, in her weekly press conference, said there is no reason for her to replace Braganza as DAR head since he has been meeting Malacañang’s targets in the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

Mrs. Arroyo said her administration would not succumb to blackmail tactics, which have been used by Braganza’s critics to stop him from implementing reforms within the department.

"I give my Cabinet members targets; Braganza has been complying with his targets," the President said.

Some officers of the DAR Employees Association (DAREA) have called for the ouster of Braganza for his refusal to release the employees’ rice allowance which the Commission on Audit (COA) has disallowed.

DAREA officers also filed a complaint against Braganza with the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) for allegedly spending P50 million for the 14th CARP anniversary celebration last June.

The COA, however, submitted vouchers to the PAGC showing that only about P7 million was spent for the event.

PAGC chairman Dario Rama and Commissioner Teresita Baltazar, however, said the allegations against Braganza were unsubstantiated.