News Release - June 28, 2005
References: Connie Bragas-Regalado, Chairperson, 0927-2157392
Vince Borneo, Information Officer, 0927-7968198

With her admission, Gloria must resign - Migrante

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's apology to the Filipino people for what she called "a lapse in judgment" in calling up a commissioner of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is a deceptive maneuver to cling on to power."

Thus declared Migrante Sectoral Party chairperson Connie Bragas-Regalado on Macapagal-Arroyo's "grossly immaterial apology as there is no concomitant atonement for her high crimes of massive electoral fraud."

"Arroyo thinks that her admission of her grave crime will absolve her of any wrongdoing. With admission of guilt comes the appropriate penalty. She should immediately resign since she has violated the Constitution," Bragas-Regalado, a former domestic worker and migrant leader, said.

Article XI of the Constitution states that "Public officers and employees must, at all times, be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency; act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives."

"Clearly, the President committed culpable violations of the Constitution, graft and corruption, and the betrayal of public trust. She also violated Article II or the Declaration of Principles and State Policies that states that "the State shall maintain honesty and integrity in the public service and implements a policy of full public disclosure of all its transactions involving public interest," Bragas-Regalado added.

Migrante also supports calls for a transition government to replace the current corrupt leadership that shall "conduct a snap elections for new leaders and even a constitutional convention that should be dominated by people's organizations and political groups."

Succumbing to pressure for her to comment on the wiretapping controversy, the President had said "she will take full responsibility for her actions and hoped that she could regain the public's trust."

"If she really intends to take the fullest responsibility for her actions, she must immediately step down. If she continues to cling onto power, she risks the people's growing outrage. She will be eventually removed from office by the people. It is only a matter of time," Bragas-Regalado ended. #