Local execs rally behind GMA

MANILA, Philippines – Local officials  across the country have converged in Metro Manila over the weekend to express their full support to President Arroyo amid calls for her resignation.

Candaba, Pampanga Mayor Gerry Pelayo, who led a delegation of Pampanga local officials, told The STAR the officials will lead pro-administration rallies in their localities.

Pelayo was among local officials who showed up at a news conference in a hotel in Quezon City over the weekend.

Also present were Governors Douglas Cagas (Davao del Sur), Natalio Beltran (Romblon), Dakila Cua (Quirino), Vicente Pimentel (Surigao del Norte), Rogelio Espina (Biliran), Ben Evardone (Eastern Samar), Raffy Nantes (Quezon), Tet Garcia (Bataan), Junjun Ynares (Rizal), Sally Zaldivar Perez (Antique) and Alvaro Antonio (Cagayan).

Pelayo said local officials are also concerned over the reported assassination threat against Mrs. Arroyo.

“We are here to show our support to the President,” he said.

Pelayo said the political enemies of Mrs. Arroyo are employing Machiavellian strategies as a prelude to the 2010 presidential elections.

“But Filipinos are intelligent voters,” he said. 

“They know when the government is doing well as proven by the growing strength of the peso against the dollar. Simple economics lang yan.”

“The strength of the peso has prevented the skyrocketing of oil and fuel prices which also stemmed the increase in the costs of prime commodities. Besides, this development will serve as a magnet to foreign investors. I can imagine, in the long term, more business will come pouring in.”

Pelayo cited the strong leadership of Mrs. Arroyo when she withdrew the Filipino contingent in Iraq in exchange for the life of one hostage, Angelo de la Cruz, held by the Iraqi rebels.

“President Arroyo despite strong protest from the US pulled out the Filipino troops to save a single life. We need her strong leadership to guide us,” he said.

In a statement, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Trenas, League of Cities of the Philippines chairman, said the country is now experiencing an unprecedented economic growth that should be sustained.

Mayors from Luzon like Rey Catacutan (Capas, Tarlac), Guillermo Acero (Siniloan, Laguna), Mario Reyes (Coron, Palawan), Antonio Raymundo (Orion, Bataan), Boking Morales (Mabalacat, Pampanga), Efren Cruz (Hermosa, Bataan), and Pedro Cuerpo (Rodriguez, Rizal) all expressed optimism that the administration will move forward because the global community continues to recognize the growing Philippine economy evidenced by the positive upgrading of the Philippines by international creditors, including the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and the International Monetary Fund.  – Perseus Echeminada