DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Sept. 12, 2012) – The militant youth group Anakbayan on Wednesday said that Aquino’s contradictory statements and inconsistencies regarding the controversy surrounding the resignation recently of Interior Undersecretary Rico Puno are “indicative of a cover-up” and exposes clearly the corrupt politics of the administration.
“It is obvious that (President Benigno) Aquino is doing everything he can to shield Puno from controversy, to the point that he is caught lying and issuing contradicting statements,” Anakbayan chairperson Vencer Crisostomo said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
“Despite the anomalies and charges Puno is facing, he is still very confident that he will be appointed to another government post. Mukhang matibay ang ugat ng Puno, kasi yan naman talaga ang malakas ang kapit,” he said.
Crisostomo called for an immediate, independent probe on Puno regarding anomalous gun contracts and the “raid” on the office and condominium unit of former Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo.
“We may be seeing just the tip of the iceberg. All contracts and transactions under Puno’s watch should be immediately suspended, reviewed and investigated,” he said.
He called on the public to vigilant. “This incident, along with many others we have witnessed this past year, shows that the ‘tuwid na daan’ and ‘good governance’ slogan (of President Aquino) is a myth. The Aquino administration is clearly in power to protect the interests of his kamag-anaks, cronies and his class,” he said.
He called on the Palace to tell all truth and stop all spins and cover-ups.
“The more you cover-up, the more tracks you leave. Sooner or later the people will know the truth,” he said.
An investigation into all the allegations in under way. Robredo died in a plane crash last month and former Transportation Secretary Mar Roxas was named by the President to take over the post.
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