Filtered By: Topstories
News

Arroyo government sponsors thank you's to itself


When President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo visits Baguio City on Friday, she will be greeted by large tarpaulins with “thank you" messages from an assortment of citizens groups. But a memo that first circulated through Facebook reveals that her administration ordered the tarps and is paying for the printing. In the memo dated August 26 addressed to Philippine Information Agency (PIA) chief Secretary Conrado Limcaoco Jr., PIA Cordillera Director Helen Tibaldo requested "the printing of the tarps along the route" of the President's visit. Tibaldo also requested Limcaoco’s approval for a series of thank you messages for various projects. Those supposedly thanking the president include such amorphous groups as "displaced OFWs" and "Baguio City urban poor." Contacted by phone by GMANews.TV, Tibaldo confirmed that the memo indeed came from her office. "Yes, we sent a fax message to Sec. Limcaoco," she said. However, she declined to discuss the memo in any detail or give information about the groups thanking the president. "Please call again later, I'll answer that," she said. When GMANews.TV tried to reach Tibaldo again, she was not answering the calls. Portions of Tibaldo’s memo:

Click here and here to view the memo in its entirety.
GMANews.TV also contacted Limcaoco's office but his secretary, Madel Catudio, said the PIA head had yet to arrive. Catudio, however, confirmed that they already received a copy of Tibaldo’s memo. GMANews.TV
LOADING CONTENT