Erap says no time for Arroyo’s SONA ‘fairy tales’
07/26/2008 | 09:34 AM
MANILA, Philippines — Former President Joseph Estrada turned down an invitation of the House of Representatives to attend President Arroyo’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.
In a statement, Estrada said it will a waste of time for himself to go to Congress and listen to the “fairy tales" of Arroyo.
“It would be a waste of time to go to Congress only to listen to the fairy tale story of the economy from Mrs. Arroyo. I believe that what is more important than listening to her lies is to listen from the truth that the Filipino masses are now suffering from hunger, the truth that there is worsening poverty in our country today," Estrada said.
Estrada said the Arroyo administration must admit the fact that there is “rising inflation, worse economy in the country today."
Arroyo must also admit that corruption in government has worsened under her watch, with no less than the World Bank tagging the country as the most corrupt country in East Asia.
“Any proclamation of progress and sound economic fundamentals would be like rubbing salt on the wounds of the poor who are the ones hurting from the real state of the nation today," said Estrada, who was ousted in a popular uprising in 2001 following his aborted impeachment over allegations that he siphoned off tobacco tax revenues and accepted illegal gambling money.
Estrada was subsequently charged with plunder and detained under the administration of Arroyo, who succeeded him as president. Last year, the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court found him guilty and sentenced to life in prison.
Arroyo, however, granted Estrada full pardon soon after the verdict, citing the need for unity and national reconciliation. Estrada has maintained his innocence and that he was a victim of a conspiracy among the elite, including church leaders, generals and big business, with Arroyo as a willing accomplice. - GMANews.TV
In a statement, Estrada said it will a waste of time for himself to go to Congress and listen to the “fairy tales" of Arroyo.
“It would be a waste of time to go to Congress only to listen to the fairy tale story of the economy from Mrs. Arroyo. I believe that what is more important than listening to her lies is to listen from the truth that the Filipino masses are now suffering from hunger, the truth that there is worsening poverty in our country today," Estrada said.
Estrada said the Arroyo administration must admit the fact that there is “rising inflation, worse economy in the country today."
Arroyo must also admit that corruption in government has worsened under her watch, with no less than the World Bank tagging the country as the most corrupt country in East Asia.
“Any proclamation of progress and sound economic fundamentals would be like rubbing salt on the wounds of the poor who are the ones hurting from the real state of the nation today," said Estrada, who was ousted in a popular uprising in 2001 following his aborted impeachment over allegations that he siphoned off tobacco tax revenues and accepted illegal gambling money.
Estrada was subsequently charged with plunder and detained under the administration of Arroyo, who succeeded him as president. Last year, the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court found him guilty and sentenced to life in prison.
Arroyo, however, granted Estrada full pardon soon after the verdict, citing the need for unity and national reconciliation. Estrada has maintained his innocence and that he was a victim of a conspiracy among the elite, including church leaders, generals and big business, with Arroyo as a willing accomplice. - GMANews.TV
