Palace to Mikey: Show evidence vs Soliman, Deles over peace bonds

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang yesterday called on party-list congressman Juan Miguel Arroyo, the elder son of former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, to turn over any evidence he has against two Cabinet members of President Aquino.

“If it’s really true that Congressman Mikey has evidence, then that’s no big deal to us. The Truth Commission has said that they are open to receive evidence,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said.

She issued the statement following a remark from Arroyo, who represents the sectoral group Ang Galing Pinoy of security guards and tricycle drivers, that the government is applying a “double standard” on perceived dishonest public officials.

Arroyo was referring to Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles for their alleged involvement in the P10-billion Poverty Eradication and Alleviation Certificate Bonds in 2001.

But while Valte was open to the filing of complaint against Soliman and Deles, who both served in the same agency in the initial stage of Mrs. Arroyo’s presidency, she has at the same time cleared them of any wrongdoing, much less criminal liability.

“Congressman Mikey’s accusations have no basis. It should have been investigated a long time ago. A long time had lapsed, and there was no involvement to begin with,” she said.

According to her, Soliman, for instance, had returned to the private sector since she joined the clamor in 2005 for Mrs. Arroyo to step down at the height of the “Hello, Garci” scandal, which prompted many of her Cabinet members – now called the Hyatt 10 – to quit.

“She was out of power for so long and no investigation was initiated against her. Secretary Soliman is different from Ms. Arroyo. And I think Secretary Soliman was already out of public service when it happened (PEACE bonds),” Valte added.

Apart from defending Soliman and Deles – who both belong to the Hyatt 10 and are closely identified with the Liberal Party of former Sen. Mar Roxas, to which faction Valte also belongs – the Palace official said Mr. Arroyo might have also been misinformed.

“I have a suspicion that Congressman Mikey did not watch the entire briefing of (presidential spokesman Edwin) Lacierda, nor did he read the entire transcript. Otherwise, he could not have issued that uninformed statement,” Valte opined.

Arroyo, now an opposition congressman, earlier said it was improper for Lacierda to clear Soliman and Deles of any wrongdoing in the issuance of the PEACE bonds which was spearheaded by the Caucus of Development NGO Networks (Code-NGO).

Soliman and Deles, reportedly prime movers of Code-NGO, have allegedly benefited from the P10-billion PEACE Bond issue, reportedly netting a windfall profit of over P1 billion tax-free.

“Sen. Edgardo Angara’s call to investigate both Soliman and Deles is justified. And coming from a statesman like Senator Angara, who is himself allied with the new administration, I honestly believe his act is highly commendable,” Arroyo said in a statement.

He said Angara’s call for the Truth Commission to include in its investigation other officials including those in the present administration, aside from the former president, is in line with the constitutional provision of fair play.

“However, what disturbs me a lot is Secretary Lacierda clearing both Secretaries Soliman and Deles of any wrongdoing even if a formal investigation on the allegation has yet to start. It is like putting the cart before the horse,” he said.