gabriela solons call for vigilance; corona conviction significant, but is no assurance VS corruption

"Hindi pa tapos ang laban. We must not rest and remain ever more vigilant. The conviction of Chief Justice Renato Corona, while significant in the people’s crusade in making those who plundered the nation’s coffers accountable, does not in any way assure us that a bigger plunderer and a bigger human rights violator will be held accountable. It does not in any way assure us that the Aquino government will not be as corrupt as its predecessor.”

Thus said Gabriela Women’s Party Representative Luz Ilagan, pointing out that the impeachment is not the end all and be all of the anti-corruption campaign following the impeachment court’s decision to convict Chief Justice Renato Corona.

The Gabriela solon explained, “The people have yet to see the conviction of Former President Gloria Arroyo. We have yet to be assured that this will not pave the way for a yellow judiciary that will kowtow to President Aquino’s whims and one that will defend the Cojuangco’s control of Luisita.”

Ilagan and Gabriela Rep. Emmi De Jesus joined fellow progressive partylist representatives from Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Kabataan and ACT Teachers in taking on the challenge raised by the Former Chief Justice in his testimony.

“We are waiving the secrecy of all our bank accounts and open our Statements of Assets and Liabilities and Net Worth to scrutiny should the Ombudsman require this,” said Rep. De Jesus.

“More importantly, we challenge President Aquino and the entire cabinet to do the same. We also challenge President Aquino to pursue with the same zeal and gusto, the prosecution of the plunder and human rights cases against Mrs. Arroyo. Those who have dubious accounts in their name and those who bar justice from being served should not have a place in a government that genuinely swears to rid the nation of graft and corruption,” de Jesus concluded. #