Bishop tells Vilma: Open up on Palace cash
By Marlon Ramos
Inquirer
Last updated 02:11am (Mla time) 10/18/2007
CALAMBA CITY—Lipa City Archbishop Ramon Arguelles on Wednesday said President Macapagal-Arroyo should comment on reports that money was handed out to local government officials and congressmen who attended a meeting in Malacañang last week.
“I think it would be better if the President would say her piece regarding this incident so every speculation will be put to rest. Otherwise, this will just linger on. If she had good intentions (in giving out the money), then she should explain it,” Arguelles said in Filipino.
Arguelles, however, said he believed that the debate concerning the issue would continue even if the President were to deny the allegations that the money came from the Palace.
The bishop likewise advised Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto to break her silence on the reports that governors received P500,000 as “cash gift” from Malacañang.
The actress-turned-politician had shunned media interviews since Pampanga Gov. Eddie Panlilio admitted on Sunday that he received P500,000 after a meeting with Palace officials.
Three other governors supported Panlilio’s admission, including Bulacan Gov. Jonjon Mendoza.
The Inquirer repeatedly contacted Recto but she did not answer the calls and text messages on her mobile phone.
The Inquirer also contacted her at her office but one of her staff members said Recto has yet to report to the capitol since Monday.
Jing Segusmundo, one of the governor’s media liaison officers, promised this correspondent that she would arrange an interview with Recto on Oct. 15.
But until Oct. 17, she has not answered the calls on her mobile phone.
“The real source of the money is still unclear. Maybe that’s what’s holding her back. Baka galing pa yung pera sa jueteng (The money might have come from jueteng),” the bishop added.
Arguelles, an outspoken supporter of Recto, said if the governor had received money from Malacañang, she should immediately return it.
“That’s bribe money. I can’t see any reason the (Palace) should give out money to politicians but to bribe them. It’s immoral and illegal,” he said. The bishop said if Malacañang distributed the cash as funds for candidates running in the barangay elections, he said the national government could be violating the Election Code.
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