Esperon, Dureza appointments made in ‘bad taste’ - group

MANILA, Philippines - The Black and White Movement on Tuesday said the appointments of retired Armed Forces chief Hermogenes Esperon Jr as Presidential Adviser of Peace Process and Jesus Dureza as Press Secretary was done in “bad taste." In a statement, the group's convenor Leah Navarro said the appointment of Esperon as peace adviser not only puts a damper on the peace talks but also further erode whatever trust may be left among the parties. “The peace process is by no means in a good place at this time and demands sensitivity and careful discernment on the part of the Philippine government," Navarro said. Navarro said Esperon, being a warmonger, will alienate peace process mediator Malaysia. “This bewildering appointment of Esperon can be compared to the fox being made to guard the chicken coop and may indicate that the warmongers among GMA’s cabinet have gained the upper hand," Navarro said. "Did GMA stop to think about Esperon’s hard line posturing against the two major insurgency fronts, Mindanao and the National Democractic Front, before giving him this apparent immunity against criminal liability regarding issues like Hello Garci and the hundreds of suspected extra judicial killings perpetrated under his watch?," she asked. Navarro said aside from alienating Malaysia as the peace process mediator, Esperon’s appointment will also curl the toes of the European Union, more specifically Norway. For her part, Black and White Movement Council member Teresita Deles said Esperon’s appointment as peace adviser means may only lead to the eruption of hostilities in Mindanao. “I’m afraid the pat ahead will be marred with even more fighting, division, deception, distrust and deadly political games," Deles said. Meanwhile, Navarro and Deles said Dureza’s appointment as Press Secretary would only give the Arroyo government more “spins" on various issues. “As for the move of Jesus Dureza from the Peace Process to the Presidential Press Office, we note that Mr. Dureza’s skill in artful dodging did not serve the objective of the peace process under his watch. His stint in the latter didn’t seem to earn him many spin points, but we are confident Dureza will get a lot of spin practice as Press Secretary," Navarro and Deles said. Navarro said the “musical chairs" of Cabinet members seems to signify this administration’s persistent problem at finding anyone of merit to fill positions. “It has had to rely on those already compromised by alleged political patronage appointments and back scratching because of majority of qualified individuals refuse to be tainted by connection," Navarro said. - GMANews.TV