P10M budget for 'Arroyo's last' Independence Day rites scored

A militant organization assailed the government Thursday for the “immoral" P10-million budget allotted for the last Independence Day rites under the Arroyo administration this June. In a statement, militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) questioned the necessity of the “expensive celebration," saying it may just be a publicity gimmick of the administration to showcase its accomplishments. “The costly commemoration seems more immoral after the government recently proposed new taxes in the form of increasing the Value-Added Tax from 12% to 15%. The government is supposed to be saving money, and not spending for unnecessary gimmicks that only benefit the outgoing regime," Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. said. According to Presidential Management Staff head Elena Bautista-Horn, the celebration on June 12, which seeks to feature modern-day heroes, will also feature a grand fireworks display and an 11-float parade. A civic-military parade will be staged on the afternoon of June 12 to feature President Arroyo’s achievements. Free rides on the Light Rail and Metro Rail transit lines (LRT-MRT) will also be available, especially for students who would want to go to selected areas to watch the fireworks for the occasion. Reyes, however, said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s “grand exit" on the occasion of the Independence Day should be opposed. “People don’t need Arroyo to have a grand exit. The real meaning of Independence Day should be observed instead of being hijacked with narrow political ends. It will be a dishonor to our forefathers if June 12 will be converted into an Arroyo circus," he explained. Bautista-Horn, however, defended the P10-million budget, saying it will all be “for the people" to ensure that the whole nation will enjoy the celebration. “To give credit, Independence Day is for the people. Di natin kailangan tingnan ang budget kasi taon-taon may budget talaga (We don’t need to look at the budget because every year there’s really a budget). About that amount is always allotted to the Independence Day celebration. Malaking celebration ito (This is a big celebration), it’s nationwide," Bautista-Horn said in an interview on dwIZ radio. She added it will be the last Independence Day of the Arroyo government, which she said wants to thank Filipinos for their support. “Since ito na rin ang aming huling Independence Day, bigyan kami ng pagkakataon magpasalamat nang maayos sa taumbayan (Since this will be our last Independence Day [under Arroyo], we ask for a chance to properly thank the people)," she said. Starting May 28, the national flag will also be raised and hoisted in different buildings, government offices, schools, establishments, and even homes. The celebration rites likewise include recognizing the contributions of Filipino icons such as boxer Manny Pacquiao, educator Efren Peñaflorida and world billiards champion Efren “Bata" Reyes. They are expected to ride on the last motorized float of the parade called “Inang Bayan." They have already been invited and plans are underway to bestow special recognition to these Filipino achievers, Bautista-Horn added.—Jerrie M. Abella/JV, GMANews.TV