Abalos resignation lauded
The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has welcomed the resignation of Commission on Elections (Comelec) chair Benjamin Abalos Sr.
"Thank God Mr. Abalos responded to our prayer. We congratulate the Senate for the inquiry they have done on (ZTE Corp. -National Broadband Network) and also the (Japan Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement)," said CBCP President and Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo in a brief statement.
"The best decision that Mr. Abalos has done is to resign amid threats of impeachment. It was a short cut. Thank you, Mr. Abalos for your decision," Lagdameo said.
Lagdameo noted that in other countries, like Japan, high officials accused of graft and corruption do not wait for any conviction to be pronounced, they simply volunteer to resign.
"May what Mr. Abalos has done be an example to others for the greater good of the country. We look forward to a truly reformed Comelec as we expressed before in our January 2006 Pastoral Letter," said Lagdameo.
Iloilo Vice Gov. Rolex Suplico also welcomed the resignation of Commission on Election chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr.
"It is an indication of guilt in the face of overwhelming evidence," Suplico said in a telephone interview.
Suplico, who last week Thursday filed an impeachment complaint against Abalos before the House of Representatives in connection with the controversial national broadband network (NBN) deal, said the testimonies of businessman Jose de Venecia III and former National Economic and Development Authority Director General Romulo Neri "sealed his (Abalos) fate."
De Venecia had accused Abalos of offering $10 million for him and his company, Amsterdam Holdings Incorporated, to drop their bid for the NBN project. Neri also accused Abalos of offering him P200 million for a favorable endorsement of the project.
"This is one trial that has already ended before it began," said Suplico. But he said he will consult with his lawyers for the possible filing of criminal charges against Abalos.
Suplico urged Abalos to "tell all, tell the truth" on the NBN project.
He said Abalos was forced to resign after realizing that he had been "dropped" by Malacang with the testimony of Neri.
"Malacañang, through Neri, is hell-bent on protecting President Macapagal-Arroyo even at the cost of dropping Abalos," said Suplico.
He noted that while Neri told members of the Senate blue ribbon committee about the alleged bribe offer of Abalos, he invoked executive privilege in order not to answer questions on what he and the President discussed about the project especially after he told the President about the alleged bribe offer.
Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casino, one of two lawmakers who endorsed the impeachment complaint, also welcomed Abalos' resignation.
"This is a victory for our people although it is obviously meant to deny Congress the opportunity two hold him and the others, including the First Couple, accountable for their wrongdoings," said Casino in a statement.
He challenged Abalos to reveal all that he knows about the project.
"He should not allow being made the President's fall guy," said Casino.