Press Statement - June 26, 2005
Reference: Connie Bragas-Regalado, Chairperson, 0927-2157392

Gloria should realize opposition to her fake Presidency is snowballing and should be ready for the consequences of her actions

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo must immediately face the issue and prepare for the consequences of her actions on the raging wiretapping scandal of the past elections.

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) know for a fact that 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 its 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.

The recorded conversations between the President and Commissioner Garcillano is inextricably linked with the issue of cheating in the last elections.

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 last elections.

The President is also duty-bound to make formal replies and even appear at the ongoing 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.

We also strongly suggest that congressmen identified with the Macapagal-Arroyo camp immediately end their blind loyalty to a fake President and their delaying tactics.

They should all follow the example of Cebu Representative Clavel Martinez who has already spoken up on election fraud. Moreso, they should listen to public sentiments and base their positions on these, not on their vested interests. They should not be afraid to summon Macapagal-Arroyo to Congress for it rests on the President to answer the allegations that she instructed Garcillano to rig the 2004 election results.

We OFWs and families await the President's official reply on this raging scandal. The longer she remains silent, the faster she incites the anger of the people. #