Civil society group is wary of Noli taking over presidency

MANILA, Philippines - A day after the political opposition admitted it is wary of Vice President Manuel "Noli" de Castro Jr taking over the presidency, civil society groups made a similar admission Monday. The Black and White Movement urged De Castro to bare "what's in your heart" so they can see if he is "worth" supporting as a replacement for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. "We hope he tells us what he thinks so we can make naman an informed decision. Is he going to be another trapo (traditional politician)?" group executive director Leah Navarro said in an interview on dwIZ radio. Navarro said De Castro, who won as President Arroyo's running mate in 2004, has yet to show a clear stand on corruption and what to do with Mrs Arroyo. She also said the group wants a "clear" answer from De Castro on whether he "feels" capable of running the country should Mrs Arroyo resign or be ousted. "If the vice president decides to show us what is in his heart, is he pro- or anti- Gloria, is he for the truth, is he for the status quo? Does he feel capable? He has to let us know," she said. On Sunday, United Opposition spokesman Adel Tamano admitted some people in the UNO do not like De Castro and do not believe in his capabilities. Tamano said the only reason why the opposition is open to a De Castro presidency is because De Castro is the constitutional successor to President Arroyo. "May tao sa UNO ayaw si Noli. Hindi sila bilib sa kakayahan niya, naniniwala silang di sapat kakayahan niya bilang presidente. Pero kahit na ayaw nila kay Noli okay na dahil yan ang nakasaad sa Constitution. Whether you like it or not talagang siya ang constitutional rule on succession," Tamano said in an interview on dzBB on Sunday. (Some people in UNO don't like a Noli presidency. They do not believe he has what it takes to be president. But they have agreed to accept the scenario of a De Castro presidency because that is what is stated in the Constitution. Whether you like it or not, he benefits from the constitutional rule on succession)." The political opposition, civic-society and militant groups have been calling for the resignation of President Arroyo over the alleged rampant corruption in government, including the botched national broadband deal with China's ZTE Corp. The President has refused to step down, insisting that she will finish her term until 2010. - GMANews.TV