Antique Gov. Salvacion Zaldivar-Perez insisted that there were no strings attached in President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s cash gifts to governors and town mayors during her visit here in Iloilo City last week.
"There was no political color in it," said Perez as she confirmed receiving it, too, over last week’s popular public affairs program Reklamo Publiko.
"What’s wrong receiving Christmas gifts from President Arroyo? This is a time for sharing," she emphasized.
Arroyo attended a joint birthday party of Acting Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr., his son Cong. Raul Jr. and Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas on December 5. She also inspected the Iloilo Flood Control Project here, (Iloilo City).
Perez said, "cash gifts that were given to town mayors and governors ranged from P20,000 to P50,000. The money was tucked inside envelopes with Christmas cards.
Curiously, Malacañang had denied giving money to the mayors and governors. Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said, "the Palace will not dignify the issue."
Also, as the chairman of the Regional Development Council (RDC), Perez said the President discussed with the mayors and governors projects for Western Visayas.
"These malicious accusations should be put to a stop. The cash gifts from President Arroyo would be used to buy Christmas goods to orphans and inmates on December 15 in Antique," she stressed.
Perez, Aklan Gov. Carlito S. Marquez, Guimaras Gov. JC Rahman Nava and Negros Occidental Vice Gov. Isidro Zayco and 101 town mayors, except for Iloilo (Provincial) Gov. Neil Tupas, also signed a manifesto on Constituent Assembly and a shift (from bicameral) to a unicameral form of government before Arroyo.
"It was given as a personal gift from President Arroyo in the spirit of Christmas and not as bribe to support Charter change," Perez clarified. /MPmailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com
No comments:
Post a Comment