Cebu board expresses support for GMA

CEBU — Breaking the tie, Cebu Vice Gov. Gregorio Sanchez’s vote resulted in the passage of a resolution supporting embattled President Arroyo in the provincial board’s out-of-town session in Sibonga town the other day.

Before Sanchez cast his vote, the board was divided on whether there was a need to express support for the President amid the controversies rocking her administration.

Six provincial board members voted in favor of the resolution, while six others voted against its approval.

The board members, meanwhile, requested Mrs. Arroyo to break her silence and comment on the veracity of the taped conversations which purportedly suggested fraud in the 2004 elections.

Board member Victor Maambong asked the resolution’s proponent, Luis Gabriel Quisumbing, if he would agree to let the President answer the question of whether it was her voice heard on the taped conversations allegedly with Commission on Election Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano.

But Quisumbing objected, saying the President is entitled not to answer the allegation since no formal charges have been filed against her in court.

Maambong, however, countered that Mrs. Arroyo is duty-bound to clear up things that are of public interest.

Board member Antonio Almirante argued that Mrs. Arroyo’s silence on the issue is her own prerogative and that all they can do is to express support for her.

"We are not compelling the President. Who are we to compel her? We just want her to clear (things up). The tenor of the resolution is to earnestly appeal for her to address the problem, not (to) compel (her)," Bolo said.

But Maambong said, "Even physical evidence can be compelled in matters of public interest; out of personal trust we support her. But she must be able to submit herself to the political rights of the 70 million people."

Those who voted in favor of the resolution were Maambong, Bolo and board members Alfie Ouano, Teresita Celis, Agnes Magpale and Raul Bacaltos.

Voting against it were Quisumbing, Almirante and board members Carmiano Kintanar, Estrella Yapha, Victoria Corominas and Jose Maria Gastardo.

Copies of the resolution will be sent to the President, the Senate and the House of Representatives. — Freeman News Service