Arroyo calls on public to shun dirty politics on 107th Independence Day

By Ronron
June 12, 2005

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo called on the public Sunday to do away with dirty politics so that the country would move forward and start benefiting economic gains as it starts another chapter after the 107th Independence Day, which was celebrated by the country yesterday.

In a speech during the Independence Day program at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila City yesterday, Arroyo said only by doing so will the country be truly “free” from poverty and injustice which is what her administration is trying to achieve.

“My hope is for a unified Philippines. That is why, on this day, as we commemorate the lessons and memories of our national heroes, I am calling on everybody to do away with dirty politics and focus instead on pushing the economy,” said Arroyo, who is presently plagued with intrigues of cheating her way to the Presidency in the 2004 polls and that her family benefited from the illegal numbers game called jueteng.

The President, who earlier led the flag raising ceremony at the Rizal Park and the laying of wreath to the monument of the national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, said she determined to bring the country forward, especially now that her administration is already in the second phase in the implementation of her economic reforms.

“Mark my word, I will use my power and determination so our democracy will remain firm and our countrymen is being led to the right direction. To honor the flag is my national duty. To serve the poor is my vow to the Lord. With this noble goal, I offer my dignity, my future, and even my own life,” she said in Filipino.

Arroyo disclosed that now that the government could raise additional fund in its coffer with the enactment of several revenue-generating laws, it could proceed with its projects, particularly on infrastructure, that will invite investors and eventually, provide jobs to the jobless.

“More importantly, during the second phase, we can extend the economic gains to the poor,” she said as she spoke before a crowd of about a thousand spectators, spread scantily all over the park.

The young, Arroyo said, will already be in schools at the end of her term in 2010, and most families by then shall have a child that is taking up a course that could provide them with their living, just as she promised in her campaign before the elections.

Corruption shall have been reduced by half in three years, and hopefully, totally gone when she steps down five years from now. Arroyo sought the cooperation of the private sector in this endeavor, citing and hoping to revive what the Bishop Businesses Conference did way back.

The President projects an eradication as well of various forms of illegal gambling within a year.

On energy, Arroyo vowed to work on the country’s self-reliance with regard to gasoline and crude oil.

“As we implement and achieve my 10-point agenda, just as we work on our Millenium Development Goal, we hope to cut by half the percentage of the poor in our society and ensure food on every table,” Arroyo said.

Paying respect to the Philippine flag, which she raised and described as symbol of the blood, sweat and labor of the national heroes who sacrificed their lives for the country’s liberty, Arroyo expressed hope that just like the law of the land, it will serve as the “national sun that will bind all Filipinos together.”

“On this great national day my countrymen, my request from you is for you to help me become a good President,” Arroyo said.

The simultaneous celebration of the Independence Day all over the country turned out peacefully, according to the military and the police./DMS