GMA advised to undergo political liposuction, detoxification

MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo was advised to undergo political liposuction and detoxification yesterday in a bid to cleanse her administration of corruption and wrongdoing.

Nacionalista Party spokesmen former Cavite Rep. Gilbert Remulla and Adel Tamano called on the President to start political detoxification and avail of political liposuction with barely 11 months before her term ends.

Instead of pushing for Charter change to extend her term, the duo criticized anew Mrs. Arroyo’s leadership, which they said is marred by unresolved and scandalous multi-million dollar contracts, accusations of unexplained killings of militants and journalists, and economic mismanagement that caused the budget deficit to reach P287 billion, the highest in the last two decades.

Remulla said Mrs. Arroyo should start “detoxifying” herself politically instead of insisting on staying in power beyond 2010.

He lamented that the chief executive remains “addicted” to the overwhelming power and money that comes with her presidential rule.

“A presidential position that has been abused for many years and yielded power and money is indeed addictive. What President Arroyo should do is to undergo a political detoxification and rehabilitation so she can go back to her senses before her term ends next year,” Remulla said.

He warned that the desperate moves of Arroyo allies to amend the Charter and extend the President’s term are causing wide division among Filipinos and aggravating the economic situation.

Remulla cited the latest Pulse Asia survey showing that there are now more Filipinos who distrust the President and disapprove of her performance.

For his part, Tamano batted for political liposuction for GMA and her family.

“We believe there is enough time for President Arroyo to cleanse somewhat her political reputation before she steps down in June 2010. It’s high time she undergoes political liposuction to get rid of her unwanted political fat buildups like the unresolved $329-million NBN-ZTE contract and the P728-million fertilizer fund scam,” said Tamano, who is also spokesman for the Belo Medical Group.

Tamano likewise criticized Mrs. Arroyo’s neglect of the clear signs that the country is slipping into full recession as stated by the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) that cited the negative figures in the latest Leading Economic Indicator (LEI) survey and the seasonally adjusted growth data.

Remulla and Tamano will march today with thousands of people in the anti-Cha-cha protest in Makati City to oppose the convening of a constituent assembly by Congress that will allow them to move for Charter change and extend the President’s term. 

Senators Pia Cayetano and Manuel Roxas II have also declared that they will join today’s rallies.

But the President remains unperturbed with Secretary to the Cabinet Silvestre Bello III saying that there was no sign of Mrs. Arroyo being bothered by her poor performance rating in the Pulse Asia survey released the other day.

Bello noted that the President’s mood during yesterday’s Cabinet meeting at Malacañang was not unusual and that she was not in a bad mood. – Marvin Sy