Accountability basic step for moving nation forward

We, the leaders of the Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership, commend and laud the Senate blue ribbon committee led by its chair, Sen. Teofisto “TG” Guingona III, for investigating the anomalies of the past administration.

We strongly believe that for our country to move forward in the proper direction, accountability to the Filipino people must be upheld by all government officials. Without this basic tenet of good governance, the culture of impunity and shameless corruption will continue to pervade throughout our government, leading to more poverty for our countrymen.

The previous cases investigated by the blue ribbon committee such as illegal gambling (jueteng), the dubious plea bargain agreement between Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez and Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia, the anomalous transactions of the former officials of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and the purchase of second-hand helicopters marked as brand-new by the Philippine National Police allegedly from former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo are stumbling blocks on President Aquino’s “tuwid na daan” and should therefore not be left unresolved.

We commend Senator Guingona and the blue ribbon committee for tirelessly seeking to find the truth behind these numerous allegations. We hope that Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales and the Department of Justice led by Secretary Leila de Lima would take the necessary and appropriate action against those found at fault.

We call on every Filipino to not be discouraged by the slew of anomalies being brought to light at this time. It is when good people leave the fight that evil prevails. Let us show them that the Filipinos are united in our fight against corruption and we would not rest until the perpetrators are brought to justice.

—GRACE PADACA, former governor, Isabela;
JESSE ROBREDO, secretary, Department of Interior and Local Government;
AMONG ED PANLILIO, former governor, Pampanga;
BOLET BANAL, representative, Quezon City;
KAKA BAG-AO, representative, Akbayan;
TEDDY BAGUILAT JR., representative, Ifugao;
NERIC ACOSTA, former representative, Bukidnon;
SONIA LORENZO, former mayor, San Isidro, Nueva Ecija;
ROQUE VERZOSA JR., mayor, Tagudin, Ilocos Sur;
FLORANTE GERDAN, former mayor, Sta. Fe, Nueva Vizcaya;
CECILIA CLARE REYES, mayor, Alicia, Isabela;
MARIVIC BELENA, mayor, San Jose City, Nueva Ecija;
GLORIA CONGCO, mayor, Cabiao, Nueva Ecija;
VALENTE YAP, mayor, Bindoy, Negros Oriental;
SHIRLYN MACASARTE, board member, North Cotabato;
JANAREE DISOMIMBA, former mayor, Tamparan, Lanao del Sur;
MABEL SUNGA-ACOSTA, former councilor, Davao City;
FERMIN MABULO, former mayor, San Fernando, Camarines Sur;
FRANCIS TINIO, former councilor, Binalonan, Pangasinan