Ex-Arroyo officials join call for communal action

Former Cabinet officials who quit the Arroyo government in 2005 in the wake of the "Hello Garci" scandal have joined the call for a "communal action." Former Education Secretary Florencio Abad said Wednesday they have sent a manifesto to other Cabinet officials who quit the Arroyo government for their signature. "May umiikot na statement ngayon na hinihingi ang lahat na nagbitiw na matataas na opisyal ng gobyerno na lumagda dito. Pinaikot namin ito (We have asked some Cabinet officials who have also quit the Arroyo Cabinet to sign a manifesto)," Abad told dwIZ radio in an interview. Earlier this week, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) called for "communal action" following the revelations of Rodolfo Noel Lozada Jr in the Senate hearings on the controversial $329.48-million national broadband deal with China's ZTE Corp. Lozada, in his testimonies before the Senate, detailed the commissions and kickbacks that hounded the network deal. Abad is part of the "Hyatt 10," a group of Cabinet officials who quit the Arroyo government in July 2005 at the height of the "Hello Garci" scandal. While Abad refused to elaborate on the contents of the manifesto, he said they have scheduled a press conference within the day to explain its contents. Also, Abad hinted that aside from the "Hyatt 10," more former members of President Arroyo's Cabinet have indicated interest in joining their cause. These include former secretaries Avelino Cruz Jr. (Defense), Raphael Lotilla (Energy), and former Civil Service Commission (CSC) head Karina David, he said. Abad said they have to join the communal action now because many people are starting to shake off their lethargy. "Sampu kami nag-resign, pero mula noon marami nang nagbitiw. At maraming kikilos sa darating na araw (There were 10 of us when we resigned, but there have been many others who quit since then. We know many will join the communal action when the time comes)," he said. - GMANews.TV