By Francis Allan L. Angelo
MAYOR Arcadio Gorriceta of Pavia, Iloilo declined to comment on the letter which put down one of their own within the Liberal Party (LP) as regards the appointments of key officials in President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III’s administration.
The letter addressed to presidential sister Ballsy Aquino-Cruz and being alluded to Gorriceta as author surfaced in the media Monday.
The letter’s opening paragraph presented a clipping of The Daily Guardian’s opinion page last July 21, 2010 which featured the Letter to the Editor of a certain Romeo Cabaluna of San Miguel, Iloilo.
(Cabaluna’s letter discussed the alleged graft committed during the administration of former governor Niel D. Tupas Sr., particularly transactions disallowed by the Commission on Audit. Cabaluna sent the letter following reports that Tupas and members of his family were to be appointed to the Aquino cabinet next year.)
“Enclosed is a clipping of yesterday’s (July 21, 2010) issue of the “The Guardian” (sic) a local newspaper circulating in Western Visayas and widely read in the city and province of Iloilo. My observation was validated by this latest opinion regarding the image of the Tupases,” the letter said.
The letter’s second paragraph endorsed a certain Teresa Chan for the position of Presidential Assistant for Western Visayas.
Chan is the sister of Ilonggo balladeer Jose Mari Chan and businessman Steven Chan.
“I believe Ms. Chan should be considered for the position because of her integrity and sincerity. Her family’s name is untainted thus, consistent with President Noynoy Aquino’s anti-corruption campaign,” it said.
The third paragraph of the letter also extolled Ms. Chan’s backgrounds which could be an asset when she is appointed presidential assistant.
“The campaign slogan of President Aquino is a battle-cry for all Filipinos to fight graft and corruption. I share the idea of honest and transparent governance. However, to make this happen it is necessary that he appoint persons with sterling character,” the letter added.
In a phone interview, Gorriceta said he has not seen the letter bearing his name. Gorriceta said he cannot comment on the letter because it does not bear his signature.
But Gorriceta admitted he indeed advised Ms. Aquino before that President Aquino’s appointees should be based on their campaign slogan “Kung walang kurap, walang mahirap (There’s no poverty if there’s no corruption).”
“That’s all I said to them that they must choose people who fit the campaign slogan in the last election. As regards that letter, I cannot comment because it does not have my signature,” he added.
Gorriceta and Tupas are members of the ruling Liberal Party. Gorriceta took his oath as LP member before Senator Franklin M. Drilon.
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