Antique officials declare support for PGMA
Sally Perez
Allies of President Macapagal-Arroyo are closing ranks amid mounting calls for her resignation over the ZTE-NBN bribery scandal.
Antique Gov. Salvacion Zaldivar-Perez has initiated the signing of a manifesto in support of the President.
The manifesto, signed by around 300 Antique officials and community leaders, was issued last week when protest actions calling for the President's resignation were being held,
"We truly believe that the present administration is exerting extra efforts to improve the political, economic and social environment of the country as manifested in the social reform agenda of the President," according to the manifesto signed by the officials.
They said that there has been an improvement in the country's economic condition under the present administration.
These economic advances will only be "wasted if we allow ourselves to be ruined by the unscrupulous few," they said in their manifesto.
But groups calling for the President's ouster warned officials that they will lose the support of the people "if they do not heed the sentiments of the people."
Aurelio Bosque, spokesperson of the militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan in Panay, said the nationwide protests last February 29, the biggest since the ZTE-NBN controversy erupted, were only the prelude of bigger protest actions.
"The protests will continue as long as the issues remain unresolved and this administration continues to suppress the truth to evade accountability," said Bosque in an interview.