Philippines: Health workers hit the Arroyo government’s attempts to cover-up GMA corruption on NBN-ZTE deal

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PUBLISHED ON February 15, 2008 AT 9:10 AM

Calls on Mrs. Arroyo to step down

“Enough of gov’t lies! The people deserves to know the truth.” said health workers who trooped to the Senate today to express support for Mr. Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada and denounce the systematic ploy to discredit Mr. Lozada and cover-up the massive corruption exemplified by the NBN-ZTE scam.

Amidst Lozada’s politically damaging exposé, Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD), together with members of Alliance of Health Workers (AHW) held an extended protest against the unbridled corruption in government after a picket-dialogue at the Department of Health (DOH) to demand for a P1,5000 monthly subsistence allowance.

Health workers expressed support for whistle-blower Lozada by bringing white roses to symbolize his courage to stand for the truth. They also brought black hearts for those senators with an ostensible bias against him, particularly Senators Arroyo, Defensor-Santiago, and Enrile. These solons attempted to trivialize the Senate hearings as a mere grandstanding venue for the 2010 elections.

“We denounce attempts to silence Lozada. We denounce the complicity of high ranking officials leading up to Mrs. Arroyo, all of whom are responsible for the kidnapping and threats to Mr. Lozada’s life.” according to Dr. Darby Santiago, HEAD vice-chairperson.

The barrage of pathetic and embarrassing lies that littered the testimonies of DENR Secretary Lito Atienza and Gen. Avelino Razon backfired on them and served only to fan the flames of public outrage. Even former DENR secretary, Mike Defensor, resurrected to reprise his role as official administration liar, also revived public disgust.

“The way the Arroyo regime is mobilizing its allies only shows the extent of its desperation to hide its pandemic corruption”, said Dr. Santiago. “”Hypocrisy has never been so bad, utterly pathetic!”

HEAD also assailed the Arroyo government’s cheap diversionary tactic of dividing public attention, stifling dissent, and token but useless investigations such as those being undertaken by the so-called Anti-Red Tape Task Force and the Procurement Transparency Group. Even the Office of the Ombudsman was awakened from its stuporous existence to allegedly investigate corruption cases.

Government health workers, as well as the entire health care delivery system bear the brunt of incessant corruption of the Arroyo regime, which siphons off much needed funds for health worker benefits and social services to the people so as to feed its insatiable greed.

Health workers vowed to join continued protests until truth and justice is served and Mrs. Arroyo is out.###

References:

Dr. Darby Santiago

Vice-Chair, 0917 477 9230

Dr. Gene Alzona Nisperos

Secretary-General, 0916 214 5724

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One Response to “Philippines: Health workers hit the Arroyo government’s attempts to cover-up GMA corruption on NBN-ZTE deal”

Louie Jay Cariño Says:
March 5th, 2008 at 11:38 am
that is not good for the country. . they must do everything good. . mwahh. .

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