MEMBERS of militant groups in Albay rally in Legazpi City to demand the resignation of President Aquino. MARK ALVIC ESPLANA/INQUIRER SOUTHERN LUZON
TACLOBAN CITY—What crisis?
One of President Aquino’s closest Cabinet member said she saw no crisis that merits the resignation of Aquino.
“Is there really a crisis?” said Social Welfare Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman, one of the Cabinet members closest to the President and who, as social welfare secretary under the administration of then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, had quit the Cabinet to demand the resignation of the now detained Arroyo amid allegations that Arroyo stole the presidency through election fraud.
“There’s no crisis in the (Aquino) administration,” said Soliman.
“Our only plea is for them (Aquino critics) not to create trouble, don’t use violence,” she said. “That’s our only plea. It’s just 400 days and elections would be here,” she added.
“Whatever their platform is, why don’t they just present it to the people?” said Soliman. “Let the people decide in a democratic way,” she said.
Soliman was here on Monday for a forum with beneficiaries of the 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) at the city convention center.
The call for Aquino to step down comes amid allegations he mishandled the operation to get international terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias “Marwan” which led to the deaths of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos.
Soliman said the debacle over the SAF operation is not reason enough for Mr. Aquino to step down.
“He was not insensitive to them (families of the fallen SAF members),” said Soliman, saying she knew because “I was there all throughout his meeting with the relatives.”
In Eastern Samar, the provincial board passed a resolution expressing support for Mr. Aquino.
Vice Gov. Marcelino Picardal, who presides over the board, said he saw no reason for the President to step down.
In Tuguegarao, the city’s archdiocese rejected calls for Mr. Aquino to step down.
Fr. Gary Agcaoili, archdiocese spokesperson, said the good governance programs of Mr. Aquino would be useless if he resigns. With a report by Villamor Visaya Jr. Inquirer Northern Luzon