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Senators and activists to Arroyo: Do a Nixon, resign


After getting a "preview" of Rodolfo Noel Lozada Jr's revelations on the ZTE broadband deal mess, senators and militant groups urged President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Thursday to "do a Nixon" and resign. Senate Blue Ribbon committee chairman Alan Peter Cayetano said Lozada gave several details implicating members of President Arroyo's family in the $329.5-million national broadband mess. Members of the militant Anakpawis party, meanwhile, went to the streets in key cities in Metro Manila to revive a call for the President to resign from office amid renewed controversy over the anomaly-tainted broadband deal. While Cayetano did not elaborate, he said the information was so damaging and would enrage people enough for them to take to the streets. He said Mrs Arroyo must now "do a Nixon" and resign before the scandal catches up with her and members of her family. For his part, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said Mrs Arroyo has lost all her moral ascendancy to stay in Malacañang. He said it is time to call for snap elections. "If there's any moral fiber left in (Arroyo's) she should resign now and allow the Filipino people to express their choice via a fresh mandate," Lacson said. "A snap election may very well prevent a destabilization effort and worse, an unconstitutional take-over by some interest groups," he added. In 1974, former US President Richard Nixon was forced to resign following a series of scandals linking him to attempts to cover up a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington, D.C. in 1972. Investigations showed the burglary was just one of many illegal activities authorized and carried out by Nixon's staff and those loyal to him. The crimes and abuses included campaign fraud, political espionage and sabotage. Protest action Carrying placards that flashed the words “Gloria, RAT – Resign, Alis, Talsik!," demonstrators said the Year of the Rat might be the year for Mrs Arroyo’s exit. Anakpawis said Mrs Arroyo should step down from her post following the revelations of former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr and ZTE key witness Rodolfo Lozada that massive corruption and abuse of power were perpetrated by Mrs Arroyo’s close allies. "We've had enough of Arroyo's arrogant, illegitimate and corrupt leadership. Her seven-year reign had worsen the economic and political situation in the country. Basic sectors under Anakpawis will lead in the campaigns for Arroyo's ouster," said Anakpawis secretary general Cherry Clemente. "Calls for Arroyo's resignation, removal from power and ouster will be the Filipino people's banner call for 2008," she said. She said although Mrs Arroyo had survived several impeachment attempts, this time new pieces of evidence have emerged against the First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo and their allies, and these will likely bring her presidency down. Anakpawis lauded the revelation of Lozada about the overpriced $329 ZTE deal that further implicated former poll chief Benjamin Abalos and Mr Arroyo. "His role as a key witness in the anomalous ZTE deal is crucial in unearthing more corrupt practices of the Arroyo administration," the group said. The group will join rallies Friday at the Senate in support of Lozada's statements on the ZTE deal. - GMANews.TV

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