Former president Joseph Estrada called on former socioeconomic planning chief Romulo Neri to follow the lead of Rodolfo Noel "Jun" Lozada and "tell the truth" behind the national broadband network (NBN) deal.
In his speech after the Mass at the University of Makati, Estrada said that he can no longer remain silent with eveything that is happening around.
"Hindi na po ako makaitiis ngayon na magsawalang-kibo na lamang habang nakikita kong patuloy na pinagtatakpan at tinatago sa atin ang katotohanan," he said.
(I can no longer remain silent especially with the cover-ups that's been happening.)
He called on Neri and other government officials involved to come clean and "face the Filipino people" by revealing what they know about the scrapped government project with China's ZTE Corp.
"Nananawagan po ako sa mga opisyal ng gobyerno, lalo na kay Secretary Romulo Neri na alam kong isang marangal na tao, na ilahad na ang katotohanan at matapat kang humarap sa sambayanang Pilipino," he said.
(I call on government officials, especially Secretary Romulo Neri, who I know is an honorable man, to reveal the truth and face the Filipino people with honesty.)
"Tularan mo si Mr. Jun Lozada... kung magsasalita ka ng totoo, ang buong sambayanang Pilipino ay nasa likuran mo kaya't huwag kang matakot, at magiging isang bayani ka rin katulad ni Jun Lozada," he added.
(Be like Mr. Jun Lozada...if you'll speak the truth, the Filipino nation will be behind you so don't be afraid, you'll be a hero like Jun Lozada.)
"Ginoong Neri, nakikiusap kami sa inyo -- huwag kang matakot, nasa likuran mo kami dahil [kung hindi ka magsasalita]... hindi ka patitigilin ng konsensya mo hanggang sa huling hininga mo," Estrada added.
(Mr. Neri, we appeal to you -- don't be afraid, we're behind you...you're conscience will bother you until your last breath if you don't speak now.)
Estrada, who was surrounded by his allies in the opposition, also called on the people to take a stand and defend the truth.
"We have to join hands today and be one so we can ferret out the truth in government transactions. This is not just for me or for the opposition, but more importantly, for you our youth, who stand to inherit this nation," Estrada said to the crowd, which was composed mainly of students of the university.
"We do not want to leave behind a nation that is poor, that is weak, that is heavily indebted to any country -- and this future has been compromised because of the wrongdoings of their leaders today," he added.
"The truth must set us free for us to be able to chart our destiny and for our nation to move forward," he added.
Bacani to Arroyo, Neri: Say what you know
An estimated 1,000 people, meanwhile, attended the "Mass for Truth" at the Makati university.
Among those in attendance were Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, former senator Ernesto Maceda, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, lawyer Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel, Anakpawis Rep. Luis Beltran and several former members of the Estrada Cabinet.
In his homily, Novaliches Bishop Teodoro Bacani called on the President and Neri to speak up and "say what they know" about the ZTE-NBN deal.
Bacani took a swipe at what he called the Palace's varying stories on the P500,000 given to Lozada, as well as to Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio and other local officials back in October 2007.
"Naghihirap ang bayan pero maraming pera para pambusal sa nagsasabi ng katotohanan..." Bacani said in his homily.
(The country's suffering but there are funds to gag those who are telling the truth...)
The Novaliches bishop also criticized the President's "I'm sorry" speech after the "Hello Garci" scandal broke out in 2005.
Thursday's rally, according to organizers, is dry-run for the interfaith rally in Makati on Friday. Binay said that there will be more people expected in Friday's rally compared to previous anti-Arroyo rallies in the city.
Estrada to Arroyo: Resign
Earlier, Estrada joined former president Corazon Aquino and other groups in demanding the resignation of Mrs. Arroyo.
"Ayaw niya ipaakyat ang impeachment, hindi naman siya incapacitated, alangan namang mamatay siya. Anong naiwan? resignation. Eh di dapat she resign," said Estrada.
(She would not let impeachment push through, she’s not incapacitated, it’s improbable that she’ll die. What’s left? Resignation. Then she should resign.)
Estrada had earlier said that there were other legal steps for Mrs. Arroyo to resolve the current political crisis her administration is facing – including letting an impeachment process against her push through – so that she can respond to the accusation that have been hurled against her.
After more than six years of trial, an anti-graft court convicted of plunder the ousted president. President Arroyo however granted him executive clemency.
Estrada, when asked how to describe the Arroyo administration, said: "Ipinaglihi sa cover up (Conceived of cover-up)."
Estrada also said that he will join Friday’s rally after the United Opposition requested him to attend.
President Arroyo has been hounded by calls for her resignation due to alleged corruption by her administration.
The latest allegations of corruption to hit Mrs. Arroyo involve accusations her husband and a close political ally tried to get millions in kickbacks from an aborted national broadband network deal with ZTE.
The presidential palace has repeatedly denied the allegations and has stopped government officials involved in the deal from appearing before a Senate inquiry.
Civil society groups, left-wing solons and activist organizations as well as members of some religious organizations have also called for Arroyo’s resignation.
However, President Arroyo was given a boost after the influential Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines decided not to back mounting calls for her to go.
While many were expecting the church, considered the country’s moral voice, to call for Mrs. Arroyo's resignation, it instead condemned the "continuing culture of corruption" in government.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storyPage.aspx?storyId=110704
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