Ituwid Natin

MANILA, Philippines - Ituwid Natin entered its last week, discussing more pressing and controversial issues that affected the administrations of Presidents Corazon Aquino, Fidel Ramos and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Hosted by Toni Gonzaga, it airs Monday to Friday in Umagang Kay Ganda, TV Patrol and on ANC. This advocacy program is sponsored by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), San Miguel Corp., Development Bank of the Philippines, Petron, Viva Group of Companies, Philippine Film Studios, Inc., Funtasia Entertainment Studios and the Pangarap ng Pinoy Movement.

Monday’s episode discussed governance-related irregularities, particularly the failure of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) to go after alleged ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses and their cronies. It also looked back at the botched PEA-Amari land deal and the National Broadband Network (NBN)-ZTE deal.

Next to be discussed were the more personal aspects of irregularities during the three presidents’ tenure. These included the Kamag-anak Incorporated during Aquino’s time, the Kabuki connection and the enclave of retired generals appointed to high government posts during the Ramos administration and the alleged anomalies involving First Gentleman Mike Arroyo.

In Wednesday’s episode, the legitimacy of the three president’s leadership was discussed with Aquino coming into power by virtue of the 1986 EDSA Revolution; Ramos assuming leadership after the first post-Martial Law presidential election; and Arroyo, first, through EDSA 2 and then through the 2004 Presidential elections.

It was also noted that while there was initially a wide acceptance of Arroyo’s victory in the 2004 elections, this was later tainted by allegations of undue influence on the Commission on Elections in what is now known as the “Hello Garci” tape.

With respected legal luminary Fr. Joaquin Bernas as main resource person, Thursday’s special five-minute episode discussed charter change and the transfer of power from the incumbent president to the next.

Aquino was the first to call for charter change as she immediately called for a constitutional convention after taking power in 1986.

Ituwid Natin wrapped up with a recap of all the 16 episodes that were aired.