Rumor mongers, Palace says of former gov't execs

MANILA, Philippines – Rumor mongers. This was how Malacañang described on Thursday members of the Former Senior Government Officials (FSGO) who earlier in the day said President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was at the center of anomalies in government. In a text message sent to reporters, Lorelei Fajardo, deputy presidential spokesperson, dismissed the FSGO statement as "irresponsible and sweeping." "Having been once holders of significantly high positions in government, they should be the first to know that accusations are merely loose talks if not backed by sustained evidence. From respected government officials, now they have simply become rumor mongers. What a said turn of events," Fajardo said. Earlier, the FSGO, composed of former Cabinet executives and senior officials under different administrations, said it has lost confidence in Mrs Arroyo as the group questions her moral authority as well as her authority to govern. But the FSGO fell short of calling for the resignation of the President, saying such move depends on the individual decisions of the group. Former Civil Service Commission (CSC) chairperson Karina David said the FSGO is now questioning if Mrs Arroyo is fit to run the government, as recent events showed the Palace has a hand in covering up anomalous transactions. David added the cover-ups rendered useless the Palace's repeal of Executive Order 464, which gags officials of the executive department from testifying before congressional investigations. But Fajardo maintained that the group was barking up the wrong tree as the President had done her part by revoking EO 464 and Memorandum Circular 108. She then pointed to the Senate’s rejection of the Supreme Court’s suggestion for a compromise on how to go about its investigation into the botched national broadband deal with China’s ZTE Corp. as regard handling the testimony of former Socioeconomic Planning secretary Romulo Neri. Neri is currently chairman of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). "The ball is in the hands of the Senate, and the ex-men should ask the Senate to play ball. We only wonder why they insist on making it appear that the President has not done her share in the search for truth," Fajardo said. Earlier reports also said some members of the FSGO may join Friday’s anti-Arroyo rally at the Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila. - GMANews.TV