Statement of support for DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo

We, the leaders of the Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership greatly appreciate the statement of President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III to clear the name of Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo from accountability regarding the failure of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to respond effectively to the Quirino Grandstand hostage crisis last August 23,2010. In Aquino’s statement which was published in several major newspapers, he clearly said that he had made a previous arrangement for Secretary Robredo to focus on local government matters and designated Undersecretary Rico Puno to be more directly in charge of the PNP, thus it was Puno and not Robredo whom Aquino said was partly to blame for the botched response of the PNP. We also strongly support the move of Aquino to immediately convene an investigation led by Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Leila de Lima and Robredo regarding this very unfortunate incident.

As such, we believe that persistent calls made by some of our government leaders for Robredo to resign from his position and/or to inhibit himself from the on-going investigation are unjustifiable and baseless. We urge our government leaders to set aside politics for the meantime as we try to move forward with the investigation to find out what really transpired during the hostage crisis.

We believe that a swift, fair and impartial investigation on this matter will help restore the credibility of our nation’s government in the eyes of the international community. Finally, we urge the President to act decisively towards giving the appropriate punishment to government leaders who are found to have neglected in their duties and responsibilities during the hostage crisis. By doing so, our government can send a clear and strong message to our countrymen and the international community that justice will be served to those who failed to perform their duties regardless of influence or position.

SIGNED:

HON. EDDIE PANLILIO, former Governor, Pampanga
HON. GRACE PADACA, former Governor, Isabela
HON. TEOFISTO GUINGONA III, Senator
HON. TEDDY BAGUILAT, JR., Representative, Ifugao
HON. BOLET BANAL, Representative, Quezon City
HON. NERIC ACOSTA, former Representative, Bukidnon
HON. SONIA LORENZO, former Mayor, San Isidro, Nueva Ecija
HON. GLORIA CONGCO, Mayor, Cabiao, Nueva Ecija
HON. MABEL SUNGA ACOSTA, former Councilor, Davao City
HON. ROQUE VERZOSA, JR., Mayor, Tagudin, Ilocos Sur
HON. FLORANTE GERDAN, former Mayor, Sta. Fe, Nueva Vizcaya
HON. MARIVIC BELENA, Mayor, San Jose City, Nueva Ecija
HON. VALENTE YAP, Mayor, Bindoy, Negros Oriental
HON. MARY JANE ORTEGA, former Mayor, San Fernando City, La Union
HON. FERMIN MABULO, former Mayor, San Fernando, Camarines Sur