‘Class suit vs Mike A politically motivated’

Administration lawmakers took up the cudgels for beleaguered First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, who was recently the subject of a class suit filed by some 40 journalists.

Reps. Douglas Cagas of Davao del Sur and Benasing Macarambon of Lanao del Sur said the class suit "may have been politically motivated since this was instigated by lawyer Harry Roque, a staunch critic of President Arroyo."

"Roque has been busy with anything against the President since the first impeachment bid last year," they said in a joint statement.

Cagas said Roque’s involvement in the class suit "has given political color to the issue, for we know him to be staunchly against (Mrs. Arroyo). He was also instrumental in the filing of some of the impeachment complaints against the President."

Sought for comment, Roque said the First Gentleman "overestimates me if he thinks I am capable of politically motivating over 40 of the country’s most influential and responsible members of the press."

Cagas and Macarambon also defended the First Gentleman from allegations of media harassment, saying Mr. Arroyo was just exercising his right against media abuse when he filed a string of libel suits.

Cagas also expressed confidence the First Gentleman will be vindicated in the class suit filed against him.

"Members of media don’t have the license to ruin (the First Gentleman’s) or anyone’s person using the power of the pen. All he is asking for is balanced reporting," he said.

Cagas, a lawyer, pointed out that the law on libel is there to protect one’s rights against media abuse. 

"The First Gentleman is just exercising his right so how can that be abuse of power?" he asked.

Macarambon, for his part, said Mr. Arroyo "cannot let himself be the punching bag of anyone especially those who cannot hit the President directly. We believe he will emerge guiltless of the charges raised against him."

He also decried the opposition’s attempts to exploit the issue to malign the President and the administration.

"The fact that lawyer Roque, a known (Arroyo) critic, had a hand in the preparation of the complaint makes us think that the class suit was politically motivated," Macarambon said.