The Gloriagate Scandal

Last night I catched this on Tv, presenting President Arroyo's admission and apology...

Mga minamahal kong kababayan.

For the last several weeks, the issue of the tape recordings has spun out of control. Tonight, I want to set the record straight. You deserve an explanation from me, because you are the people I was elected to serve.

As you recall, the election canvassing process was unnecessarily slow even after the election results were already in and the votes had been counted.

I was anxious to protect my votes and during that time had conversations with many people, including a Comelec official. My intent was not to influence the outcome of the election, and it did not. As I mentioned, the election has already been decided and the votes counted. And as you remember, the outcome had been predicted by every major public opinion poll, and adjudged free, fair and decisive by international election observers, and our own Namfrel.

That said, let me tell you how I personally feel. I recognize that making any such call was a lapse in judgment. I am sorry. I also regret taking so long to speak before you on this matter. I take full responsibility for my actions and to you and to all those good citizens who may have had their faith shaken by these events. I want to assure you that I have redoubled my efforts to serve the nation and earn your trust.

Nagagambala ako. Maliwanag na may kakulangan sa wastong pagpapasya ang nangyaring pagtawag sa telepono. Pinagsisisihan ko ito nang lubos. Pinananagutan ko nang lubusan ang aking ginawa, at humihingi ako ng tawad sa inyo, sa lahat ng mga butihing mamamayan na nabawasan ng tiwala dahil sa mga pangyayaring ito. Ibig kong tiyakin sa inyo na lalo pa akong magsisikap upang maglingkod sa bayan at matamo inyong tiwala.

I took office with a mandate to carry out a plan for the nation. Since that time, I have focused on making the tough but necessary decisions to make up for years of economic neglect. We passed a comprehensive, fiscally responsible national budget; raised new and necessary revenues to invest in the people; and implemented new anti-corruption measures that have led to the highest collection of taxes in history.

Nothing should stand in the way of this work, or the next phase of my reform agenda, which includes new investments in education and social services with our new revenues; and an expansion of our successful, anti-corruption and lifestyle checks.

That is why I want to close this chapter and move on with the business of governing. I ask each and everyone of you to join hands with me in a show of unity, to help forge One Philippines, where everyone is equal under the law, and everybody has the opportunity to use their God-given talents to make a better life.

Our nation is strong and getting stronger. The progress is steady and I ask you to walk with me on this journey to rebuild our great nation. I remain your humble servant and promise you that I will fulfill my constitutional oath of office to serve the people to the best of my ability.

God bless the Philippines.

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President Arroyo admitted last night that she is the voice behind the wire-tapped conversation with Commissioner Garcillano, although she did not say it was him, simply a COMELEC official. She said that the call was a result of unwise decisions (in my own words) and she asked for forgiveness. She stressed that she is making all her efforts to rebuild this great nation, and she is taking measures to fight corruption and for effective tax collection measures.

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Oh yes she asked for forgiveness. Ninety-percent of the Filipinos are Christians and we are no one if God can forgive and we cannot. She took advantage of this characteristic.

This nation was great during the Marcos regime. After that we continually sank...The opposition calls for impeachment yet I know that Vice President Noli de Castro is incapable of running the country.

I remorsefully regret being employed in one of the most dishonest government offices-Commission of Elections.

Tax collection? I pay a lot more taxes than what I am supposed to, and also the goods that I consume are also taxable.

Corruption...we cannot eliminate it. That I have been fighting for since highschool, I am fearless to speak out all the malpractices, and a lot more people are doing the same. Yet even as a Christian nation, we are weak...

Read more about this in PCIJ.

I wonder what would Cardinal Sin say about this, today that he will be buried...