FVR: ZTE scandal not the only crisis in RP

DAVAO CITY — Former President Fidel Ramos said too much focus has been given to the controversial ZTE national broadband network deal as there are other equally important things government and the Filipino people have to do.

“There is no reason to make this crisis on the ZTE national broadband deal as the only crisis for Filipinos,” Ramos told reporters during a trip here over the weekend.

The former president lamented how people, including government officials, academe, politicians, civil society groups and even media have focused solely on the broadband deal scandal.

“We will get nowhere if we do this. There are other things to look into,” said Ramos, who arrived here for the 13th anniversary celebration of the University of the Philippines-Mindanao campus in Barangay Mintal, Calinan district.

He called on government officials to focus on their work in governance and to deliver services to the people, including extending economic and livelihood assistance.

“What is happening now should not be an end all, be all situation. It is just a blip in process of our nation-building,” he said.

He stressed that a great majority of the population are more concerned with where to get their next meal than with issues such as the NBN.

But Ramos was quick to point out that his saying not to focus on the controversial broadband deal should not be taken that he is calling for a stop to the ongoing investigations.

“I am not urging them to stop the investigations. In fact, there are now many investigations ongoing on the ZTE national broadband deal; there is the Senate Blue Ribbon committee, there is the Ombudsman, there is the Department of Justice, these investigations must continue for the truth to come out,” Ramos said.

Ramos likewise urged President Arroyo to make full use of the Legislative-Economic and Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) mechanism which he himself found effective during his term.

“I understand the last time the President called the LEDAC to a meeting was last December and she was said to have planned to call the next meeting three months after. But the meeting should be more often,” Ramos said.

He emphasized that during his time, he called the LEDAC meeting on a weekly basis to keep tab of developments in the different sectors.

Ramos also urged Filipinos, especially political leaders not to further sink the already leaking Philippine ship.

“What we should do is not make new holes. Let us cover those holes in our ship so we could sail forward,” he said.

Ramos likewise stressed that in helping out the Philippine ship sail further, Filipinos must be conscious of civic responsibility as the price of freedom.

“As responsible citizens, Filipinos cannot continue being spectators to the erratic alternation of political power in our Philippine-style democratic system,” he added.