Arroyo itinanggi ang tangkang kudeta laban kay Speaker Romualdez
(Courtesy: FB page Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo)
Winakasan ni dating Pangulo at Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ang mga espekulasyon kaugnay sa kaniyang pagkakatanggal bilang Senior Deputy House Speaker.
Sa isang statement, itinanggi ni Arroyo ang mga ugong na nais niyang patalsikin si House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Kasabay nito ang muling pagtiyak ng kaniyang commitment para suportahan ang legislative agenda ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr., at Speaker Romualdez.
Naging kontrobersyal ang maikling statement na inilabas ni Arroyo matapos ihalal sa Plenaryo noong Miyerkules ng gabi si Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales bilang kahalili niya sa pagiging senior deputy speaker.
Sa unang pahayag, sinabi ni Arroyo na “prerogative ng House” ang nangyaring pagpapalit pero nauunawaan daw niya ito.
“As I have learned during my three decades as a politician, such events are part and parcel of Philippine politics. Still, I do not want it to precipitate or intensify any tendencies towards early politicking. We are just barely a year into the administration of President Marcos, Jr., and it would be unfortunate if early politicking resulted in any dilution of the tremendous mandate that the UniTeam, led by our President, earned in the 2022 elections. After all, the President ran on the platform of unity,” pahayag ni Gng. Arroyo.
‘My first reaction was that it is always the prerogative of the House to make changes in its leadership structure. Thus, I congratulate Dong, and I hope his new position will help him fulfill his mandate to represent our fellow Kapampangans,” dagdag pa ng dating Pangulo.
Aminado rin si Arroyo na nais niyang makuha ang Speakership nang manalo bilang kongresista sa ilalim ng 19th Congress.
“But it soon became apparent that he was most comfortable with then Congressman Martin Romualdez as Speaker. I quickly realized the wisdom embedded in that sentiment. In the Philippines, the House leadership has traditionally been closely associated with the sitting President, and this relationship of deep trust between Speaker and President has been beneficial in smoothly enacting the legislative agenda of the President,” paglilinaw pa ng mambabatas.
“When I learned that there were reports that I was suspected of plotting a ‘coup’ against Speaker Romualdez, I decided I must speak out to clarify my political position. Indeed, some of my actions may have been misconstrued, such as my recent trip with a delegation of Congressmen to Korea for some official meetings,” paliwanag pa ni Gng. Arroyo.
Dagdag pa ng dating Pangulo mayroon lamang siyang tatlong layunin sa pagiging pulitiko.
“To be clear, my political objectives are three: First, to represent the 2nd district of Pampanga. Second, to support the legislative agenda of Speaker Romualdez and President Marcos. Third, to use whatever experience I have as a former President to help out when I am called upon to do so,” paliwanag pa ng mambabatas.
“Outside of my role as Congresswoman, my public interest going forward is to help reduce tensions between the United States and China, given that I was strongly allied to both countries when I was President,” dagdag pa ni Arroyo.
Sinabi ni Arroyo na hindi na niya hinahangad na maging Speaker at wala nang makakapagpabago ng isip niya.
“This time, I am a mere Congresswoman, so issues of national importance no longer depend on my role in Congress. Thus, I have no compelling reasons to change my mind about foregoing my ambitions for the Speakership,”
Sinabi ni Arroyo na umaasa siyang ang kaniyang pahayag ay pipigil sa anumang haka-haka at maagang pamumulitika.
“By this disavowal, I hope that we can preempt any needless politicking so that the House and our President can focus on the job at hand with minimum distraction,” pagdidiin pa ni Arroyo.
Weng dela Fuente
