Cebu lawyers ask Arroyo to resign

Saying she lost public confidence and the moral capability to govern the nation, the Cebu City chapter of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines is calling for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo amidst the scandals rocking her administration.

In a resolution, at least nine of the 15 local officers of the IBP have urged Arroyo to step down so as to pave the way for an independent body to investigate the "Gloriagate" tape controversy.

The IBP officials said Arroyo's admission on June 27 that it was her voice in the wiretapped conversation with a Commission on Election official only shown that she was "giving tacit approval to the commission of electoral frauds just to win the presidency."

The lawyers stated that Arroyo's acts were clearly a breach of her oath of office and a betrayal of public trust, which are all impeachable offenses.

According to them, the President's apology lacks sincerity, having been made only after a long reflection, deliberation and study. "Lamentably, her apology did not unearth the truth necessary to regain national stability," they said.

The scandal has caused public instability as well as political, economic and social unrest, loss of respect for the presidency as shown by deriding jokes and mockery of President Arroyo, they added.

The lawyers believe that the President's acts were not mere lapses of "good judgment" because they created an impression that Philippine elections were farce, that electoral victory is designed, mapped out, and decided not by popular will, but by the people holding the reins of power.

Among those who signed the resolution were IBP Cebu City chapter president Alex Tolentino, Michelle Geraldine Mendez, Wilbert Dumon, Kit Enriquez, Allan Ouano, Bethuel Tanupan, Gloria Lastimosa-Dalawampu, Democrito Barcenas, and Annabel Pulvera.

Meanwhile, over 200 members of Sanlakas, Akbayan, Bukluran ng Mangagawang Pilipino and their allied militant organizations yesterday held protest actions to seek for Arroyo's ouster.

On the other hand, student council leaders and other organizations from different colleges and universities in Cebu have formed an alliance calling for the resignation of Arroyo.