Gonzalez hits Drilon for being the 'deserter'

By Florence F. Hibionada
Correspondent

Resigned Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez spoke in strongest words his solid support to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Same strongest in words thrown at Senate President Franklin Drilon during Sunday's gathering aimed at showing unwavering Ilonggo support of the local Lakas party.

Gonzalez who referred to key Lakas figures as his "troops," began his talk with reporters present saying the event was out to prove his frienship with the President. Same friendship he said, that stays firm especially in the hardest of times.

"If you are being hit, I will hit back for you," he shared of his statement to President Arroyo in a moment shared during the last Presidential visit here.

His thoughts then on the sudden shift of allegiance of Senator Drilon? The former Justice Secretary replied, "I am not really surprised that he did what he did because for the longest time what we have been seeing goes back to the time of what he also did to President Marcos, President Aquino, President Ramos, President Estrada and now President Arroyo. Always the first to desert but not me, I will sink and swim with the President."

Here Gonzalez attributed his chosen quote, "Victory has many fathers but defeat is an orphan."

So where did Lakas party and the President go wrong then in trusting the Ilonggo Senator and having him into the Arroyo coalition?

"As a candidate you wanted as much alliance without really analyzing their agenda. But take note that Drilon became president of the Liberal Party only that time so he made use of that title to win the attention of the President," he said while adding that despite the Drilon factor, he remains confident of an Arroyo-continued stay in office. "The chain-of-command is intact, major organizations and leagues which form the core of national leadership is for her."

Drilon along with other officials and members of the Liberal Party that he heads on Friday called on Pres. Arroyo to resign from office due to loss of confidence on the part of the Filipino people.

In an interview Drilon said “it was not a personal decision but of the Liberal Party which has been meeting since last week.”

The Senate president assured Arroyo during her Iloilo visit the other week of his full support. But he said “it was more of a personal statement to inspire her amid the crisis she is facing.”

Asked on the impeachment case as possible option of those against Arroyo, Gonzalez said such is acceptable "to satisfy a divided nation" but cautioned the lawmakers from quickly jumping into the fray. This, as he adds that the President's "lapse of judgment" is not an impeachable act.

Same sentiments shared by Representative Janette Loreto-Garin (First District, Iloilo) who said on same occassion that she will actively participate in the impeachment if only to ascertain the truth.

"I will definitely push for it and take part but I will be guided by my conscience and the sentiments of my people. That I assure you and not for political interest. And I hope to fastrack it so we may redeem our good name that a real Ilonggo has word of honor, a real Ilonggo has integrity," she said while stressing that she is out to protect and is on the side of the rule of law.

Sunday's gathering saw known Gonzalez die-hards in the city's 120 barangay captains out of the 180 barangays, six city councilors and Lone District Representative, Raul Gonzalez, Jr. The 'provincial delegation' was headed by Vice Governor Roberto Armada, Lakas Secretary-General, Board Members Manny Gallar, Licurgo Tirador and Bernardo Silla. Iloilo Mayors present were Ajuy Mayor Jett Rojas, Maasin Mayor Mar Malones, Janiuay Mayor Ben Margarico, Batad Mayor Pedro Alarcon, Pototan Mayor Pablo Perez, Mina Mayor Rey Grabato and Dingle Mayor Bobbit Pama.