ShareThisPresident urged to consult more people,
not allow only 2 aides to run the gov’t
MANILA – “Chances are high that President Aquino will not finish his term, if he continues to listen only to two of his Cabinet members, and refuses to heed the voice of the people.”
Bishop Gutierrez
Thus said Catholic Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez as he gave his prediction on the President during a weekly forum held in Intramuros, Manila. His prediction was reported by Pat C. Santos and Benjamin B. Pulta in the Daily Tribune, a perceived opposition paper.
The bishop urged the President to consult more people and not limit himself to the advice of his two aides, whom he identified as Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. and Secretary De Mesa, the presidential legal counsel, both of whom were said to have not been giving Aquino the right advice and perceived to be running the government.
The President is in Vietnam attending the summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and could not be reached for comment. But his supporters downplayed the bishop’s prediction, pointing out that is highly improbable considering that it was made too soon and amidst the successes of the President, especially from his trip to the United States where he got $2.4 billion in support and investments.
“He (Aquino) needs management (skills) and most important (skill) is human relations,” Gutierrez said.
The prelate pointed out that Mr. Aquino started the presidency with a strong mandate from the people, but this was being spoiled as all of Aquino’s seven Executive Orders are being challenged before the Supreme Court.
Gutierrez said by the time the President reaches his 100th EO, he may no longer be in Malacañang, and no longer president.
“Every executive order is being questioned because they are not reflective of the feelings and aspirations for many people,” the bishop said.
“Honesty alone will not save him (Aquino) as he has lost the people’s trust and confidence and if it continues he will be losing all the goodwill. He must consult people and ask those who know and not only his two trusted Cabinet officials,” the bishop added.
“If he is really sincere in his statement that the people are his boss, then he should consult the people who have the the wide contact with the masses, such as the priests,” Bishop Gutierrez said.
“The tuwid na landas (straght path) is now liko liko na (going wayward) and slowly his popularity is dipping,” he added.
Gutierrez said Mr. Aquino started his presidency with a big mandate and he had people power but that he is not utilizing this and as such, there will be continued erosion and Aquino will not last his six year term.
Meanwhile, a “dismissed” city prosecutor of the Department of Justice (DoJ) has filed a suit before the Supreme Court (SC) questioning the constitutionality of EO 2, covering appointments made by former president Gloria Arroyo during the latter’s last few months in office.
In a 52-page petition, lawyer Dindo Venturanza sought a temporary restraining order to compel the respondents — the Office of the President, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Prosecutor General Claro Arellano and Assistant Chief State Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon — to return him to his previous post as city prosecutor of Quezon City.
Venturanza was promoted as city prosecutor of Quezon City on Feb. 23, 2010 by President Arroyo and took his oath before former Justice Secretary Alberto Agra on March 15, 2010.
He started as a public defender in the Public Attorney’s Office in 1993. After six years, he entered the National Prosecution’s Office of the DoJ through the Office of the City Prosecutor of Quezon City. Venturanza noted that he was promoted three times from 2002 to 2005.
When Chief State Prosecutor Jovencito Zuño retired as Chief State Prosecutor of the DoJ on Feb.10, 2010, Arellano was elevated to the said post.
As a result, a vacancy was created in the position of City Prosecutor of Quezon City.
Venturanza said he and 80 other lawyers applied for the post and that his application underwent a rigid selection process by a committee.
Thus, the petitioner, stressed that EO 2 is unconstitutional as it “deprives persons of their employment as public servants without due process.”
He added that EO 2 also violates Section 2 of Article IX-B of the Constitution which states that “no officer or employee of the civil service shall be removed or suspended except for cause provided for by law.”
Venturanza stressed that the validity and finality of appointment cannot be made dependent on the oath-taking or assumption of office by the appointee as to do so would be tantamount “to leaving the terms of office at the discretion of the appointee which public policy forbids.”
The former city prosecutor further noted that President Aquino failed to consider Civil Service Memorandum Circular No. 40 which allows an appointee to actually assume his office within 30 days from the date of appointment.