Avoid finger-pointing, speculations over blast - Arroyo

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Wednesday appealed to various sectors to avoid speculations and premature finger-pointing on the deadly explosion at the House of Representatives, while police investigation on the blast continues. In a speech in Malacañang during the presentation of CITI Microentrepreneur of the Year awardees, President Arroyo said baseless accusations, speculations and rumors may only lead to more confusion and fears that could hurt business conditions. Earlier, partylist Rep. Crispin Beltran called for an independent and impartial investigation into the explosion even as he urged investigators not to discount the possibility of the administration’s involvement in the explosion. The opposition lawmaker said the timing of the explosion is suspect as it came only hour ahead of the opening of the Senate investigation into the distribution of cash gifts in Malacañang. “Habang nagsisiyasat ang pulis at pinagtitibay ang pagbabantay sa bansa nananawagan tayo na iwasan ang mga haka-haka, paratang at sabi-sabi na maaaring lumikha ng kaguluhan, takot at hidwaan at lalong sasama ang kundisyon ng mga negosyo," President Arroyo said. In the speech, Mrs Arroyo said she ordered the creation of a multiagency task force that would address the issue of political violence. Specifically, President Arroyo said this task force is mandated to harness and mobilize government agencies, political groups, the religious, civil society, sectoral organizations, and the public for the prevention and investigation of incidents of political violence, as well as the prosecution and punishment of perpetrators. “We’re creating by EO a task force vs political violence to be headed by DND, with the following as members: DOJ, DILG, OPAPP, AFP, PNP, NBI, DSWD, and the PIA, working with the Presidential Council on Values Formation, ULAP and NGOs," Arroyo said. “The rule of law must prevail. No person is above the law. Justice must be served and the law upheld," she added. For his part, Vice President Noli de Castro expressed his condolences to the victims of Tuesday’s blast at the Batasan complex, as he similarly appealed to avoid “needless speculations" so not to worsen the situation. “I urge everyone to avoid any and all needless speculations at this point in order not to aggravate the volatility of the current situation. Let us allow our police investigators to do their work as we all remain calm and pray for the victims of this incident," De Castro said. - GMANews.TV