Governors: Let’s not waste chance to clean government

Governor Abraham Mitra of Palawan, the LPP publication and information chief for Luzon, said the impeachment trial put not just the country’s highest magistrate on trial but the entire forces of government as well. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

The removal of Chief Justice Renato Corona from office is a “historic opportunity to clean up government which our public officials must not squander,” the national president of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) said Thursday.

“The Filipino people have been given a fresh start to match our words with action. The Senate vote can become truly meaningful if we move on the path it has created toward good governance,” said Governor Alfonso Umali, LPP president.

Governor Abraham Mitra of Palawan, the LPP publication and information chief for Luzon, said the impeachment trial put not just the country’s highest magistrate on trial but the entire forces of government as well.

“Now that the standard in public service has been raised, every public servant must follow from the highest to the lowliest,” Mitra said.

Umali praised the conduct of the impeachment court for arriving at a judicious and near unanimous decision signifying its resolve not to be swayed either by public opinion or media reporting on the issues.

Umali also called for an end to the partisan divisions caused by the trial and asked President Benigno Aquino III to lead the way in bringing about true national reconciliation.

“After justice has been served, the President must equally lead the way in bringing about a reconciliation of our nation,” he said.

The President can best lead the way because he has shown his capacity to summon the best from the Filipino people, he said.