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LP exec says Pope Francis gave PNoy’s ‘Daang Matuwid’ a thumbs-up
For a ranking official of the Liberal Party (LP), Pope Francis’ dare for politicians to shun all forms of corruption at his recent speech in Malacañang was an expression of support for President Benigno Aquino III’s Daang Matuwid" (Straight Path) policy.
"From where I stand, I think that Pope Francis was actually telling President Aquino that he is doing a good job in his campaign against corruption and should continue with his anti-corruption reforms,” LP Secretary General and Western Samar Rep. Mel Senen Sarmiento said Thursday.
The LP official denied that Pope Francis might have been referring to the Aquino administration when he urged the people to fight corruption in all forms.
“[The pontiff’s] statement was a reaffirmation and an expression of support of what is being done right now by President Aquino to win the war against corruption," Sarmiento said.
In his speech before politicians and diplomats at Malacañang last week, Pope Francis urged politicians to reject corruption and prioritize the poor.
“As many voices in your nation have pointed out, it is now, more than ever, necessary that political leaders be outstanding for honesty, integrity and commitment to the common good,” the pontiff said.
Reforms and charges
Sarmiento said Aquino has proven his resolve in fighting corruption by instituting reforms in corruption-ridden agencies such as the National Food Authority (NFA) and the Bureau of Customs (BoC), as well as the filing of plunder and corruption charges against former and incumbent high ranking officials.
"We should not forget that the Aquino administration has taken the initiative to reform all these agencies which are considered as traditional hotbeds of corruption. Even the Bureau of Customs which is considered as a hall-of-famer in terms of issues related to corruption is starting to get a good name,” the LP official said.
For his part, Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano III defended Aquino against critics who disapproved of his tirade against Filipino Catholic leaders during Pope Francis’ courtesy call to Malacañang.
Nothing personal
Albano, a member of the House minority bloc, said the President was just “speaking his mind [and] from the heart” when he slammed certain men of cloth for openly criticizing him while remaining silent on the abuses committed during previous administrations.
“I don’t think President Aquino was trying to bash our Church leaders just for the sake of doing it in front of the Pope. The President was just trying to be candid and forthright enough to emphasize the anti-corruption drive of his administration. I don’t think he has something personal against our Roman Catholic Church leaders,” he said in a statement.
For Albano, the Aquino administration’s advocacy against corruption jibes well with the Pope's call “to reject every form the corruption” at all levels of society.
"At least the President never loses sight of his 'Daang Matuwid' and his idealism for our country; at least he is true to his form and commitment,” he said. — BM, GMA News
"From where I stand, I think that Pope Francis was actually telling President Aquino that he is doing a good job in his campaign against corruption and should continue with his anti-corruption reforms,” LP Secretary General and Western Samar Rep. Mel Senen Sarmiento said Thursday.
The LP official denied that Pope Francis might have been referring to the Aquino administration when he urged the people to fight corruption in all forms.
“[The pontiff’s] statement was a reaffirmation and an expression of support of what is being done right now by President Aquino to win the war against corruption," Sarmiento said.
In his speech before politicians and diplomats at Malacañang last week, Pope Francis urged politicians to reject corruption and prioritize the poor.
“As many voices in your nation have pointed out, it is now, more than ever, necessary that political leaders be outstanding for honesty, integrity and commitment to the common good,” the pontiff said.
Reforms and charges
Sarmiento said Aquino has proven his resolve in fighting corruption by instituting reforms in corruption-ridden agencies such as the National Food Authority (NFA) and the Bureau of Customs (BoC), as well as the filing of plunder and corruption charges against former and incumbent high ranking officials.
"We should not forget that the Aquino administration has taken the initiative to reform all these agencies which are considered as traditional hotbeds of corruption. Even the Bureau of Customs which is considered as a hall-of-famer in terms of issues related to corruption is starting to get a good name,” the LP official said.
For his part, Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano III defended Aquino against critics who disapproved of his tirade against Filipino Catholic leaders during Pope Francis’ courtesy call to Malacañang.
Nothing personal
Albano, a member of the House minority bloc, said the President was just “speaking his mind [and] from the heart” when he slammed certain men of cloth for openly criticizing him while remaining silent on the abuses committed during previous administrations.
“I don’t think President Aquino was trying to bash our Church leaders just for the sake of doing it in front of the Pope. The President was just trying to be candid and forthright enough to emphasize the anti-corruption drive of his administration. I don’t think he has something personal against our Roman Catholic Church leaders,” he said in a statement.
For Albano, the Aquino administration’s advocacy against corruption jibes well with the Pope's call “to reject every form the corruption” at all levels of society.
"At least the President never loses sight of his 'Daang Matuwid' and his idealism for our country; at least he is true to his form and commitment,” he said. — BM, GMA News
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