The militant Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) cast doubts on the recent referral of the current jueteng controversy involving First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, his son Cong. Mikey Arroyo and his brother Cong. Iggy Arroyo to the Office of the Ombudsman.
 
According to Danilo “Ka Daning” Ramos, secretary general of the group, “ the jueteng payola issue is as good as dead and the Arroyos’ are as good as cleared when the case is brought to the Ombudsman, because like Pampanga, the office of the Ombudsman is a territory of the Arroyos. They have a home court advantage here, Simeon Marcelo, being an appointee of Gloria,”
 
“Just look at the multi-million peso plunder case that we filed against Gloria in 2004, concerning the fertilizer scam which was also used in the elections, it is currently gathering dust and cobwebs in the Ombudsman’s office. It seems that their style is let the issue die down for a while and clear the accused discreetly.Our position is that the Senate and House probes should continue and let the axe fall where it may,” added Ramos.
 
 Meanwhile Ka Willy Marbella, internal deputy secretary general of KMP, “this is a desperate attempt of Malacanang to shield the president from further scandals, so now their damage control team is on high gear. They have their hands full with all these controversy concerning jueteng and the tape,”
 
“Their job is though is further compounded by the fact that Gloria does not talk about the tapes, so thereby heightening the peoples’ belief that indeed she is the one on the tape. On this point though we have no doubt about its authenticity. Gloria’s downfall is definitely inevitable,” ended Marbella. # # #
 

KMP - 15 June 2005