Arroyo critics vocal against ‘pork’

This is in response to Gilbert Astudillo’s letter (“Where is pork barrel king’s civil society?”) which was published in the Oct. 19 issue of the Inquirer.

Astudillo asks why we, front-line critics of Gloria Arroyo when she was still president, have not made a firm stand on the raging issue of the pork barrel. Apparently, Astudillo has not done his research properly. As early as August, the Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership issued a statement lending its voice to the widespread public clamor for the abolition of the pork barrel, at the same time immediately calling for the investigation and prosecution of those alleged to be behind the misuse of these public funds. This statement, along with our other statements regarding this issue, can be found in our Facebook  account (https://www.facebook.com/kayanatin) and website (https://www.kayanatin.org).

Astudillo also implies that I am a blind supporter of President Aquino. Again, if he did his research and checked the columns I have written both in print media and major online news websites, he would have found out that I had disagreed with the Aquino administration on some important issues, particularly on its inability to stop jueteng/illegal gambling and its lack of support for the passage of the Freedom of Information bill.

While I respect Astudillo’s opinion on this matter, I expect him to give credit where credit is due. One of the major reasons all these corruption scandals, which happened in the previous administration, are now coming out of the shadows and seeing the light of day is the effort being done by the Aquino administration to hold those who have abused their power and authority accountable for their misdeeds. Moreover, unlike in the previous administration where the truth was often suppressed as evidenced by its Executive Order No. 464, we now see an administration that is actually open to public scrutiny and that has even allowed its Cabinet members to attend Senate hearings to help bring the truth out in public.

Finally, let us not forget that it is also in this administration that our country has been given several upgrades in sovereign credit rating by international agencies due to its efforts to promote good governance and transparency in our government. In due time, these upgrades will bring more foreign investments to our country, which will mean  more job opportunities for Filipinos and ultimately freedom from the shackles of poverty that have long held back our country on its march to progress.

—HARVEY S. KEH,

lead convenor, Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership,

[email protected]