For immediate release
17 September 2014
Contact persons:
Karina Constantino-David
0917.834.3733
Leah L. Navarro
0917.898.1957
KOMPRe to VP Binay: Prove your innocence, face the Senate
KOMPRe (Koalisyon ng Mamamayan para sa Reporma) on Wednesday challenged Vice President Jejomar Binay to “walk the talk” and attend the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on September 25 and prove his innocence.
The Senate Blue Ribbon sub-committee headed by Senator Aquilino Pimentel III invited Vice President Binay to attend the public hearing on Thursday, 25 September, “to inform the committee about what you know regarding the subject matter under inquiry. We look forward to your Honor’s presence during the said hearing.”
“We exhort the Vice President to prove his innocence by accepting the invitation of the Senate blue ribbon committee and attend the hearing,” said KOMPRe lead convener Karina Constantino-David.
Vice President Binay has been accused by an erstwhile ally, former Makati Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado, of pocketing 13 percent in kickbacks for various city projects during his term as mayor.
“Kailangang maipakita ni Bise Presidente na walang kadudadudang tinatahak niya ang Tuwid na Daan. Attend the hearing, validate that he is not guilty of wrongdoing and that he walks the ‘Tuwid na Daan,’ David added. “Tandaan nating marunong ang mga Pilipino, alam nila kung kailan nagsisinungaling at kung kailan nagsasabi ng totoo ang kanilang mga ibinoto sa tungkulin.”
David also reminded Filipinos to be vigilant, to scrutinize not only national officials but local executives, too. “We need to be watchful, to ensure that all our leaders are walking the straight path. We need the whole bureaucracy to be walking the ‘Tuwid na Daan.’ It is very important that our people be pro-active against corruption.”
Building on what David said, KOMPRe co-convener Leah Navarro said the group is focusing its good governance advocacy not only on the national level but in the local level as well. “LGUs like Barangay councils are the most basic of governance units. Through these, people directly experience how governance positively or negatively works for them. We can also gauge how well the reforms are being felt. If they indeed benefit, they will demand such treatment from government,” she said.
In connection with spreading the reform agenda of KOMPRe, Navarro also announced that local KOMPRe chapters will be launched in CALABARZON, Bacolod and Davao before the end of the month. The Calabarzon launch will be held at De La Salle University in Dasmarinas, Cavite on September 21, to be followed by launches in Bacolod on the 23rd at the University of St. La Salle, and in Davao at the Ateneo de Davao University on the 30th.
“KOMPRe heeds the call made by President Noynoy Aquino last Friday in Malacanang for better than good governance. But more than that, we are committed to push for even more positive reforms before the end of his administration.” Navarro said. -- END
