News Release - June 22, 2005
References: Connie Bragas-Regalado, Chairperson, 0927-2157392
Vince Borneo, Information Officer, 0927-7968198

 In pursuit of the truth & justice :
Gloria should answer Congress inquiry

The MIGRANTE Sectoral Party today firmed up calls from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) for Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo "to squarely face the issue and prepare to answer the Congressional investigation on the raging wiretapping scandal of the past elections."

"It is only the President who can either confirm or deny the tapes containing alleged wiretapped conversations between her and Election Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano. These conversations and ring tone variants are now being downloaded by Filipino communities worldwide. We OFWs and families would want to know the truth in efforts to attain justice for our country and people," Migrante Sectoral Party chairperson Connie Bragas-Regalado said.

"The President is also duty-bound to make formal replies and even appear at the Congressional inquiry. The public knows fully well that the legislators who shall conduct the investigation were clear winners of the last elections - much unlike Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo," Bragas-Regalado added.

"We also strongly suggest that congressmen identified with the Macapagal-Arroyo camp immediately end their nitpicking and dilatory tactics and get down to business in the ongoing hearings in the legislature. They should not be afraid to summon Macapagal-Arroyo to Congress for it rests on the President to answer the allegations that she connived with Garcillano to rig the 2004 election results," Bragas-Regalado said.

"As first time voters in the first-ever overseas absentee voting in the last elections, we OFWs and our families deserve nothing but a full disclosure from the President regarding the tapes and on allegations of election cheating against her. She should answer these allegations for these make a mockery of our first-time participation in the elections," Bragas-Regalado added.

Migrante also said, "the recorded conversations between the President and Commissioner Garcillano is inextricably linked with the issue of cheating in the last elections."

"We OFWs and families await the President's official reply on this raging scandal. The longer she remains silent, the faster she angers the people who are now accumulating strength to push for her resignation or ouster from Malacanang," Bragas-Regalado ended. #