Bayan links with Lozada in anti-corruption campaign

PRESS RELEASE

February 11, 2009

Davao City – Bagong Alyansang Makabayan together with some religious groups in the city is joined by Jun Lozada as the speaker of today's forum dubbed "Truth, Honesty, and Good Governance".

The forum is in cooperation with the Assumption College of Davao, Lay Forum Philippines, Kahiusahan sa mga Layko sa Mindanao (KALAMI), SCLF-Mindanao, Sisters' Association in Mindanao (SAMIN), and the Promotion of Church People's Response (PCPR).

"Corruption has become a 'bread and butter' for the Arroyo government and the first family. More so, corruption has been a source of funding for the Arroyo's political survival," Bayan-SMR spokesperson John Birondo said.

Birondo added that amidst the millions of Filipino families reeling in deep poverty, the first family and Arroyo's political allies are, one after the other, linked with anomalous government transactions and are seen spending luxurious lifestyles.

Bayan noted the latest survey form anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International where the Philippines is ranked 141st most corrupt country in the world out of the 180 countries surveyed.

"The Arroyo government has so far corrupted an estimated of $27 billion from the country's coffer which is more than enough to finance the people's need for basic social services for food, health, education, and housing," Birondo said.

Bayan highlighted the Arroyo government's involvement with the PhP 728 million fertilizer fund scam, the PhP 2.5 billion NBN-ZTE Deal Scandal, and the recently divulged involvement of first gentleman Mike Arroyo with the rigged bidding of World Bank funded projects.

Bayan lamented that the most damaging effects of the Arroyo government's corrupt and malpractices break in to the very core of our dignity as Filipinos and as a nation. "Worst, not even one case of corruption was resolved to hold the Arroyo government accountable of the charges amidst the existence of strong evidences," he added.

"We recognize the strong principles of Jun Lozada whose crusades continue to seek for truth and for just and honest government," he said.

"There is nothing left in the Arroyo government for it to continue leading the country. Its crimes against the people should be stopped at all cost before millions more lose their lives because of hunger and exploitation," Birondo said.

"It is high time that we take part in the actions that will free us from the bondages of corruption, greed and inequality. We can not expect a bureaucrat capitalist government like the US-Arroyo regime to surrender its interests for the people's welfare and genuine freedom," he said.