Arroyo admin ready to face any probe — Palace official

A Palace spokesman said Wednesday that the Arroyo administration is ready to face any investigation on the corruption controversies that hounded it. Deputy presidential spokesperson Gary Olivar made the statement in reaction to the plan of Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, the prospective winner in the May 10 elections, to create a commission that would probe fraud and corruption allegations during the Arroyo administration. "The president-elect has the prerogative to do whatever he wants with the six years and first 100 days of his term," Olivar told GMANews.TV in a phone interview. "The entire administration stands ready to account for whatever...we may be brought to bear," Olivar added. The Palace spokesman, however, said he hopes the probe on the Arroyo administration would be "in the pursuit of truth and not for whatever ulterior agenda." Aquino, who has a nearly five-million lead over his closest rival in the latest tally of votes, had vowed to seek closure on allegations of fraud and corruption during the Arroyo administration such as the Hello Garci scandal, the P728-million fertilizer fund scam, and the botched ZTE-national broadband network deal. He said he wants a commission formed specifically to investigate those issues. [See: Noynoy wants commission to resolve Arroyo controversies formed] President Arroyo, who has been embroiled in — or has relatives who were allegedly involved in — the controversies is currently immune from legal suits. Mrs. Arroyo is leading her rivals in Pampanga's second legislative district. A Malacañang advisory said she is to be proclaimed at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Pampanga Convention Center in San Fernando City. Critics said her running for a congressional seat is in line with plans of her congressional allies to push for a shift to a parliamentary form of government which would enable her to run for prime minister. — Johanna Camille Sisante/RSJ/LBG, GMANews.TV