|
Amid
recent events that rocked the capital sending the whole country
agog over sordid details of alleged big-time corruption in
high places, a multi-sectoral Convenors Group called Boholanos
for Truth and Transparency will be formed tomorrow.
The
group will hold its first meeting at Saya's Restaurant at
10 a.m. with a cross section of the religious, lawyers, academe,
business, youth and civil society aptly represented. The group
apparently self-evolved as conscience-stricken individuals
representing various interest groups who decided to speak
and act together for truth, transparency and good governance.
Technical
Consultant and former government corporation top executive
Jun Lozada (Philippine Forestry Corporation), has been the
center of media focus after exposing that about US$130-million
(P6.5-billion) in bribe money through overpricing was to change
hands in the ZTE-NBN Broadband project costing US$320 million.
|
|
|
The
First Gentleman Mike Arroyo has been implicated in the
scam of which some advances in bribe had already been
allegedly advanced according to the star witness.
This
corroborated the earlier statement made by former NEDA
chief Romulo Neri that former Comelec chairman Ben Abalos
offered a bribe of P200 million at the Wack-Wack Golf
and Country Club. Public pressure eventually led to
Abalos' resignation.
Public
indignation went fever pitch in the wake of attempts
by different government agencies and personalities to
prevent Lozada from testifying which tantamount to "kidnapping"
according to Lozada's lawyers.
|
Thereafter
Metro Manila and certain key cities in the country have become
a site for various protest moves in various forms and intensity.
Among
the early convenors are Atty. Isabelo Sales (President IBP-Bohol
Chapter), Engr. Albert M. Uy (Regional Council Director BCBP-Bohol
and Dumaguete), Engr. Vicente Loquillano (Executive Director,
People's Fair Trade Assistance Center Inc.), Albert Sanvictores
(Former President, Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry);
Atty. Doods Sabijon (Dean, College of Criminology, UB);
Dr.
Godofreda Tirol (Dean, Graduate School, UB), Atty. Raul Barbarona
(Executive Director, Environmental Legal Assistance Center),
Engr. Nilo Sarigumba (President, BACOSH) and Rene L. Relampagos
(former Governor, Province of Bohol).
Many
members of the Bohol clergy had committed to say "Mass
for Truth" offerings in their
respective parishes and to attend wherever such kind of mass
will be celebrated.
Among
them are Msgr. Vicente Nunag III (Parish Priest, Baclayon),
Msgr. Gabino Lerin (Parish Priest, Manga, Tagbilaran Parish),
Rev. Fr. Faustino Bisol (Parish Priest, Ubujan, Tagbilaran
Parish), Msgr. Junix Nalzaro (Parish Priest, Taloto, Tagbilaran
Parish), Rev. Fr. Efren Dolauta (Parish Priest, Maribojoc)
and Rev. Fr. Rey Evangelista (Parish Priest, Cogtong, Candijay
Parish).
According
to Msgr. Nunag, beginning March 2 and every Sunday thereafter
at 5 p.m. the Mass for Truth will be held in historic Baclayon
Church, considered to be the oldest church in the Philippines.
All masses will be officiated in English except the fourth
Sunday which will be in Latin.
Other
concerned groups and associations are likewise invited to
join. Many youth groups especially inside the school campuses
have already shown interest to join. Other concerned associations
and groups "interested in truth and transparency"
are invited to join. The Convenors Group will soon have a
secretariat or coordinating point for easy organization.
Relampagos,
acting in his private capacity as concerned citizen said the
movement is to "solidify our crusade for honesty especially
for those who are accountable to the people whom they are
supposed to serve.
|
