VP Noli urged to take a stand on corruption controversies

Vice President Noli de Castro was urged on Friday to take a stand against corruption in government, amid the “cash gift" and other bribery controversies facing the Arroyo administration. In a statement, partylist Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran said De Castro now needs to show “moral fortitude and political strength" by speaking out against corruption and not remaining on the sidelines. This, as the opposition lawmaker made a bold prediction that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will not last until the end of her term in 2010. "The Vice President, as a public servant, should take a stand on the worsening climate of corruption surrounding the administration… Vice President De Castro should show moral fortitude and political strength by speaking out against these abuses and unite with the Filipino people in their demand for justice and genuine political reforms," Beltran said. De Castro has yet to release a comment on Beltran's statement, as of this posting. In the statement, Beltran said President Arroyo is not likely to stay in power until 2010, citing the “outrage" expressed by various sectors including the Catholic church over the alleged “cash gift" distributed to administration congressmen and local government executives. "The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines has denounced the bribery, and this is a very strong signal that it is withdrawing whatever remains of its support for the Arroyo presidency," Beltran said. “Even the local business community is appalled over the bribery scandal. In the coming says, the international business community and the various chambers of commerce will most likely also begin issuing statements condemning the systemic corruption of the Arroyo administration," he added. Beltran also reiterated his call for President Arroyo to resign. "President Arroyo should step down and no longer wait for 2010. Her presidency is illegitimate, her leadership corrupt, and her administration highly unpopular with its constituents. She and her remaining supporters are only delaying the inevitable if they are determined to hang on to their posts until 2010," Beltran said. “President Arroyo should spare the Filipino people from more grief and outrage and step down," Beltran added. In the statement, Beltran even said De Castro should now prepare “to prepare himself and his office for any eventuality." "Whether he wants it or not, Vice President De Castro should be prepared to take the reigns of government. Seeing how the tide is completely turning against President Arroyo, as Vice President he is the immediate constitutional successor," Beltran said. “The Vice President should begin to step up to the bat. It's not unlikely that Filipinos will support calls for the Vice President to take over in the interim and finish Arroyo's term," he added. Beltran noted that De Castro has maintained a relatively quiet but untainted political career in contrast to that of Mrs Arroyo. "Vice President De Castro has had a relatively quiet but untainted political career and this stands in his favor. If we (compare) his record with that of… President Arroyo, the contrast is very stark. The President has failed to uphold the Constitution and has perpetuated massive fraud," Beltran said. On Wednesday, Manila City Rep. Bienvenido Abante confirmed that money changed hands during last week’s meeting in the Palace. Abante said he himself received P500,000 after the breakfast meeting called by President Arroyo which was attended by some 185 majority administration congressmen. Abante said there was no mention where the money was intended for. Prior to Abante’s admission, several officials including Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio and Bulacan Gov. Joselito Mendoza confirmed getting cash gifts from Malacañang and sought Malacañang’s explanation on the purpose of the distribution of cash gifts. This controversy came on the heels of the allegations made by Beltran that an official of President Arroyo's political party offered him a P2-million bribe in exchange for his endorsement of a "weak" impeachment case lodged against Mrs Arroyo. On top of these, a Commission on Audit report said the Office of the President failed to account for millions in cash advances made last year- GMANews.TV