We need to tell the truth — Roces

"The truth is the only way out."

So stressed Susan Roces, widow of actor and former presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr., last Friday night in light of the continuing political crisis in the country.

"Kailangan na natin ang katotohanan at maayos natin ang tinatawag nilang kaguluhang ito (We need the truth to come out for this crisis to be resolved)," Roces said in a chance interview minutes before the start of the interfaith prayer gathering held at De la Salle-Greenhills in San Juan.

Roces, who stood in prayer with leading anti-administration personalities former President Corazon Aquino and former social welfare secretary Dinky Soliman, lamented that up to now the government still has not told the truth about the May 2004 election, which she claimed was marred by cheating.

"Ako ay nalulungkot kasi ayaw na yata nilang malaman ang tunay na katotohanan," she said.

She added this reaction is based on what she has read and heard from news reports particularly on the dismissal of the impeachment complaints against Mrs. Arroyo.

"Ang mga balitang natatanggap ko ay nababase ko lang sa media. Kung ano lang ang nailalahad ninyo sa news at saka sa print na nababasa ko yun lang ang basehan ko," said Roces.

Roces expressed gratitude that Mrs. Aquino was one with her in the campaign to know the truth.

"Ito ay isang malaking karangalan. Nagkakaisa kami. (This is a big honor. We are united in this)," she said.

On the seemingly dying opposition attempt to have President Arroyo removed via impeachment, Roces said: "Umaasa ako na lilinawin nila. Ang layunin nito ay magkaroon ng patas na pangdinig sa lahat ng akusasyon."

The interfaith gathering began at 7:30 p.m. with about 300 supporters in attendance. Three Mass celebrations were held — by Catholic bishops led by Bishop Antonio Tobias, Muslims led by Imam Amil Andan, and a Christian service led by Bishop Dan Balais of the Philippine for Jesus Movement.

Mrs. Aquino gave a talk at around 9 p.m. where she appealed for the delegates to have faith in God and pray that 79 signatures from congressmen be gained so that the impeachment complaint could go straight to the Senate for trial.

"Let’s continue to pray for each other and ask the Lord to bring us closer to each other. He (God) will bring us not only 79 votes, but more than 79 (votes)," said Aquino whose short speech was widely applauded.

Aside from Roces, Aquino and Soliman, among those who attended the gathering were Representatives Peter Cayetano, Francis Escudero, Robert Jaworski Jr., Ronaldo Zamora, and Satur Ocampo, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, former education secretary Florencio Abad, and former defense secretary Renato de Villa.

During the program, the congressmen who signed the impeachment complaint were asked to come forward to the stage and be recognized.

In conclusion to the gathering, candles held by the participants were lit in hope and prayer for the impeachment process to survive. — Sandy Araneta