CLARK FREEPORT – Amid hundreds of Capampangan loyalists here, Pres. Arroyo urged yesterday her critics to stop finger pointing at her on the issue of “jueteng” in apparent reference to the allegations of Pampanga Gov. Eddie Panlilio.
In a short talk before the crowd which had gathered in front of the “Bahay na Puti” presidential residence here yesterday afternoon, the President urged all “national and local officials” to “fight anything that’s illegal.”
While not mentioning Panlilio, the President was obviously referring to him. In a statement last week, Panlilio insisted that jueteng has persisted in this province allegedly with the support of Malacanang.
The President expressed lament that such an allegation could emanate from her own home province.
The rally of support for the President was attended by local political leaders, including her son 2nd District Rep. MIkey Arroyo along with Representatives Carmelo Lazatin (1st District), Aurelio Gonzales (3rd District) and Anna York Bondoc-Sagum (4th District), Vice Gov. Joseller Guiao and the provincial board, as well as the mayors led by Pampanga Mayors League President Dennis Pineda, members of the clergy led by Fr. Jun Mercado who are identified as among her staunch supporters and other leaders from civil society groups.
They presented to her a “manifesto and declaration of support” that noted “apparent efforts to destroy the credibility and undermine” the Arroyo administration.
“The amount of black propaganda cannot change perception that the President has brought distinct pride and honor to the people of Pampanga and continue to foster economic growth and stability not only in Pampanga but in the entire country,” the manifesto said.
In an interview, Local Governments Sec.Ronaldo Puno challenged Panlilio to prove his allegations that the Small Town Lottery (STL) of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) is being used as front for jueteng in Pampanga.
He said he had sent probers to check Panlilio’s claim and found only legitimate STL operations in the province.
Panlilio earlier claimed he was powerless to stop jueteng being masqueraded as STL amid the failure of the police to appoint his favored police officer.
He had sought the replacement of Senior Superintendent Keith Singian as provincial police director and also objected to the appointment last week of Senior Superintendent Gil Lebin as the new police chief.
But Puno said he was not inclined to replace Lebin amid his policy not to appoint a native as police chief in his own province.
The President was here as guest of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and to preside over a closed-door Cabinet meeting at the Holiday Inn.
In a short talk before the crowd which had gathered in front of the “Bahay na Puti” presidential residence here yesterday afternoon, the President urged all “national and local officials” to “fight anything that’s illegal.”
While not mentioning Panlilio, the President was obviously referring to him. In a statement last week, Panlilio insisted that jueteng has persisted in this province allegedly with the support of Malacanang.
The President expressed lament that such an allegation could emanate from her own home province.
The rally of support for the President was attended by local political leaders, including her son 2nd District Rep. MIkey Arroyo along with Representatives Carmelo Lazatin (1st District), Aurelio Gonzales (3rd District) and Anna York Bondoc-Sagum (4th District), Vice Gov. Joseller Guiao and the provincial board, as well as the mayors led by Pampanga Mayors League President Dennis Pineda, members of the clergy led by Fr. Jun Mercado who are identified as among her staunch supporters and other leaders from civil society groups.
They presented to her a “manifesto and declaration of support” that noted “apparent efforts to destroy the credibility and undermine” the Arroyo administration.
“The amount of black propaganda cannot change perception that the President has brought distinct pride and honor to the people of Pampanga and continue to foster economic growth and stability not only in Pampanga but in the entire country,” the manifesto said.
In an interview, Local Governments Sec.Ronaldo Puno challenged Panlilio to prove his allegations that the Small Town Lottery (STL) of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) is being used as front for jueteng in Pampanga.
He said he had sent probers to check Panlilio’s claim and found only legitimate STL operations in the province.
Panlilio earlier claimed he was powerless to stop jueteng being masqueraded as STL amid the failure of the police to appoint his favored police officer.
He had sought the replacement of Senior Superintendent Keith Singian as provincial police director and also objected to the appointment last week of Senior Superintendent Gil Lebin as the new police chief.
But Puno said he was not inclined to replace Lebin amid his policy not to appoint a native as police chief in his own province.
The President was here as guest of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and to preside over a closed-door Cabinet meeting at the Holiday Inn.
