'Focus on Arroyo achievements on June 12 a non-issue'

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang clarified yesterday that the decision to focus on the administration’s achievements in this year’s commemoration of Independence Day should not be an issue anymore, considering that President Arroyo is stepping down from office on June 30.

Deputy presidential spokesman Gary Olivar said that past Independence Day celebrations were commemorated with job fairs and the usual parades but considering that Mrs. Arroyo is stepping down in less than three weeks, it would not be asking too much to present her legacy to the people on this day.

“But since the President is stepping down after nine years, I don’t know if we should take away from her the opportunity to share what she has done for the past nine years,” Olivar said.

For the 112th anniversary of the country’s independence on Saturday, the national organizing committee headed by National Historical Commission chairman Ambeth Ocampo has prepared floats that would showcase the 10-point agenda of Mrs. Arroyo.

The parade would lead to the Quirino Grandstand in Manila where audio-visual presentations on the President’s 10-point agenda would be projected on several video walls.

Some P10 million was allocated as the budget for the Independence Day celebration, which Olivar said is definitely worth spending.

Olivar said that the issues raised about the budget for the celebration, particularly those regarding possible misuse are valid although the organizers have already assured that everything was done with utmost transparency.

“But if the question is if it is worth spending P10 million to celebrate our 112th Independence Day as a nation as well as we celebrate what we believe are substantial achievements that have been recorded and the numbers are there, the facts are there, under this presidency, that is a different question,” Olivar said.

“And if that is the question, I will tell you now, the answer of the administration is yes, that this money is worth spending,” he added.

The organizers have indicated that the June 12 festivities would not be focused solely on the President’s legacy but would also pay tribute to the heroism of the Filipino.

A float has been dedicated to the outstanding Filipino global achievers such as boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, CNN hero Efren Peñaflorida, singer Charice Pempengco and Finance Secretary Margarito Teves, all of whom have brought honor and glory to the country.

Singer Bituin Escalante has been tapped to sing the newly composed “Kalayaan Tagumpay ng Bayan.”

Independence Day project director Nilo Agustin said that this year’s celebration was actually scaled down already because in the previous years, Luneta was the venue and various booths were set up to serve the needs of the public.

“This time we’re downscaling that because we would like the President to have her last audience with the people,” Agustin said.

“This is her last appearance before a lot of people and we are expecting that people would come and celebrate with us,” he added.