Joint Statement on the Malacañang Cash Giveaways

30 October 2007--Pampanga governor Ed Panlilio's revelation that he was given a bagful of cash amounting to P500,000 at an official function at Malacañang is concrete proof of what we have long suspected - that corruption is endemic in the “transactional politics” being practiced by many of our public officials.

Public officials must be above suspicion and must always be forthright and transparent. Receiving cash in a bag, without documentation, is claimed as routine and normal. No amount of claims that it is “normal” will make it acceptable to the citizenry. Former Manila mayor Lito Atienza's admission that he regularly received cash from Malacañang raises many questions. How much cash has been received by elected officials over the years? Has it all been accounted for and publicly reported?

The delay in President Arroyo's instruction to both the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission and the Ombudsman to investigate Governor Panlilio's revelation is disappointing. Even more of an affront to the intelligence and sensibilities of the citizens is the response of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) 13 days after the fact, claiming responsibility for the cash giveaways. Unless the LPP can back up its claim with solid documentary evidence, the public will remain unconvinced of its supposed role in the whole sordid affair.

If President Arroyo wants public perception to turn positive, she should appoint an Independent Commission, composed of people whose reputation for integrity and independence are unquestioned, to look into the claims of the LPP, ascertain where the money actually came from, and why such a thing can occur. The results should immediately be released to the public.

The Anti-Money Laundering Council should take action and make a determination of the nature and origin of the money that was handed out in the Presidential Palace.

How the President handles this controversy will either give credence to her claims that she is serious about fighting corruption or feed into the festering feeling that corruption continues in high places.

Filomeno Sta. Ana III
Coordinator, Action for Economic Reform

Vicente Paterno
National Co-Chairman, Bishops-Businessmen's Conference for Human Development

Ma. Aurora Tolentino
Chairperson, Caucus of Development NGO Networks

Gordon Alan Joseph
President, Cebu Business Club

Greg Fernandez
Coordinator, Central Visayas Network of NGOs

Jose Cuisia Jr.
Chairman, Coalition Against Corruption

Fr. Nono Eyule
Chairperson, Coalition for Bicol Development

Marietta Paragas
President, Cordillera Network of Development NGOs and POs 

Fr. Carmelo Diola
Coordinating Steward, Dilaab and Barug Pilipino

Paulina Lawsin-Nayra
Coordinator, Eastern Visayas Network of Development NGOs

Abelardo Cortez
President, Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines

Felipe Medalla
Chairman, Foundation for Economic Freedom

Alberto Lim
Executive Director, Makati Business Club

Albert del Rosario
Chairman, Management Association of the Philippines

Ma. Theresa Perez
President, National Council of Social Development

Annie Cynthia Corpin
Chairperson, PhilDHRRA

Benjamin Tolosa Jr.
Convenor, Puwersa para sa Ganap na Demokrasya

Vincent Lazatin
Executive Director, Transparency and Accountability Network

Emmanuel Areno
Coordinator, Western Visayas Network of Development NGOs