An Appeal For President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo To Step Down

‘A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor.’ (Proverbs 28. 16)

God has given every person the gift of reason and understanding to make sound judgment and decisions. It is a gift bequeathed to humankind to advance their lot and pursue the progress of human society. Monsignor Aglipay has attested to this when he said that ‘we are born with the right to think freely and to express our thoughts according to the light of reason which God has endowed us… as long as we do not usurp the freedom of others and violate their rights’. Reason, however, is in no way to be selfishly used by anybody to appropriate undue profit for himself or herself.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s admission of committing a ‘lapse in judgment’ by talking to a COMELEC official during the last elections comprises an act of impropriety that casts doubts on the legitimacy of her ascendancy to power. While President Arroyo asked for an apology and pleaded for forgiveness, we believe that the Filipino people deserve more than these. The people require her to step down from office as just penance for the transgression she has committed. A president whose mandate is being doubted and whose ascendancy to power are being questioned has no moral authority to govern. The Filipino people, above all, have the right to exercise their sovereign power over a president whom they no longer trust.

We join the people’s clamor for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to resign from the presidency. In this time when our country is deeply embroiled in crisis, what we need is a president with unquestionable integrity and credibility, and whose competence to make rightful decisions can never be compromised with a ‘lapse in judgment’. The scripture warns us that a leader who can compromise sound judgment for personal gain cannot be trusted. ‘A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor’ (Proverbs 28. 16).

We beseech the Almighty to give President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo the courage to face the consequences of her action, enough reason to make a judicious decision for the good of the Filipino people, and the goodness of heart to peacefully leave Malacanang.

Pro Deo et Patria,

+ THE MOST REVD GODOFREDO J. DAVID
Obispo Maximo

30th June 2005

City of Manila

Firmly Stand Up For What Is Just, Noble And True

An Open Letter to President Gloria-Macapagal-Arroyo

‘I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.’ (3 John 1.4)

We seek certainty, Madam President, over the many events that are unfolding in our country that is under your watch. We are alarmed by the state of political anarchy - characterized by state repression, bureaucratic corruption and collapse of democratic institutions – that is fast becoming a grave threat to the cause of justice and peace in the country.

The way you have turned a blind eye at the killings of many activist mass leaders in broad daylight has deeply disturbed us. We wonder at your manifest disregard to the desecration of civil liberties and democratic rights in the country. You are also aware of the senseless killings of church people. We were waiting for you to condemn these killings and to order the impartial and thorough investigations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines after allegations that the military were behind these slaughters. We were instead surprised when you pampered the military with more power by the imposition of draconian measures such as the National ID System and Anti-Terrorism Bill.

Are we right to think that a military state is aggressively emerging and an undeclared state of martial law is being imposed upon our people? Are we right to consider the inclusion of churches and church organizations in the military’s list of ‘communist fronts’ and ‘enemies of the state’ as chilling indications of a growing state fascism in the country?

The testimony about the connections of your husband and your son with jueteng syndicates, Madam President, is a major scandal. The involvement of other prominent political figures and police officers reflect the condemnable degree of fraudulence in the government and police institution. This is clearly an issue of bureaucratic corruption. Should we now begin to doubt your efforts to put a stop to jueteng operations in the country? Should we believe that the illegal numbers game continues to proliferate because its operation involves individuals who are close to you?

The controversy over your alleged recorded conversation with a certain ‘Gary’, Madam President, underlines anew the accusation that you have cheated your way to the presidency. This puts to question the validity of your electoral mandate. We believe that this allegation speaks not only against your election but also of what our people think about the bankruptcy of the country’s political system. How can you stop people from having doubts that you have really used government resources in your campaign, rampantly manipulated and rigged the election’s results to secure your victory, and used terror tactics against your political rivals and progressive party lists?

Madam President, our people are scourged by the tyranny of violence and our country is drenched with the blood of the innocents. Plunder and corruption continue to impoverish our people. Personal and insatiable greed for political power thwarts democratic processes. These situations cannot but deserve the indignation of the Filipino people. The people are increasingly showing a militant posture over your administration’s unrealised promises to institute good governance and meaningful socio-economic and socio-political reforms. The mounting call for you to step down or to oust you from office, Madam President, on account of the reasons stated above, is fast becoming a popular people’s option.

Do not get mistaken, Madam President, of our intention for bringing these up to you. We speak in behalf of the Filipino people who aspire for the establishment of a truly democratic government in the country where their interests can truly be heard and served. We have taken this sincere effort to learn the truth from you. The signs of the times are telling us that the situation could get worse should we fall into silence and do not assert that which is just. We ask you to be kind enough to warrant our endeavour with your attention and answer.

Madam President, we in the Iglesia Filipina Independiente will always remember you in our prayers, asking God to help you find courage in your heart to firmly stand up for what is just, noble and true.

Pro Deo et Patria,

+ THE MOST REVD GODOFREDO J. DAVID
Obispo Maximo

12th of June 2005

Obispado Maximo