PNoy vows to be thrice as aggressive vs Gloria Arroyo

A few days after electoral fraud charges were filed against his predecessor, President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday vowed to even be more aggressive in running after former President and incumbent Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. "Kung gaano sila kaagresibo sa pagkakamal ng salapi ng taumbayan noon, magiging triple ang pagharurot natin para panagutin sila ngayon (If they were aggressive in getting money from the people before, we'll be thrice as aggressive in holding them responsible for it)," Aquino said in his speech during the 75th anniversary of the National Bureau of Investigation. He said this in response to accusations that his administration is aggressive in prosecuting Mrs. Arroyo. "Handa po tayong gawin ito dahil nasa panig ko ang katuwiran at katotohanan at higit sa lahat ang taumbayan (We are ready to do this because right judgment and truth, and most of all, the people, are on our side)," Aquino added. Aquino earlier said Arroyo will have a chance to defend herself in court as it is the right of every Filipino. “Samakatwid, basurero ka man o dating Pangulo, driver ka man o mahistrado kapag inagrabyado mo ang sambayanang Filipino dapat lamang na habulin at panagutin ka sa iyong mga atraso," Aquino said. (Whether you are a garbage collector or former President, driver or magistrate, if you did something wrong to the Filipino people you should be held accountable.) The President said what happened last week was a challenge to the country’s democratic system, forcing the government to examine the principles of what is right and just. “Kung kailan makatuwirang nagagamit ang kapangyarihan, at kung kailan ito nilalapastangan; kung kailan nagiging kapansin-pansin ang pagbaling ng batas sa pabor ng iilan, at kung kailan mangingibabaw ang boses at pulso ni Juan dela Cruz, lalo na kung ang nakataya dito ay ang kaniyang buhay at karapatan," he said. (We should examine when power is used correctly and when it is bastardized; when it is being abused to favor a few and when the voice and the aspiration of Juan dela Cruz have to be prioritized especially when life and right are at stake.) Aquino was referring to the joint Department of Justice-Commission on Elections panel's move to file an electoral sabotage case against Mrs. Arroyo and the subsequent order by a Pasay City Regional Trial court for her arrest. He said the incidents were also opportunities to show the country’s readiness to achieve peace and order, pursue truth, and run after wrongdoers. Arroyo was arrested on charges of electoral sabotage in connection with the 2007 elections. The government said it will file more cases against her. — KG/LBG, GMA News