Press Release
August 12, 2009

DO A RECTO, CHIZ CHIDES OTHER CABINET MEMBERS

Opposition Sen. Chiz Escudero yesterday called on the members of the Arroyo Cabinet who have plans of running in the May 2010 polls to take the lead of erstwhile National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Director-General Ralph Recto and resign as well.

"Cabinet members who have plans of running in the May 2010 polls should immediately resign so that they will not be accused of using taxpayers' money to fund their political ambitions," Escudero said.

The 39-year old senator said he is supporting the move by Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago to hold hearings on the infomercials of some Cabinet members.

"I am supporting Sen. Santiago's call if only to determine whether government funds are indeed being used for political purposes. Should they really be in those infomercials to start with? Can those infomercials be produced and aired without the Cabinet members being in them? What benefits are their agencies getting from these infomercials?" he asked.

"At the end of the day, I would like to know who really benefits from these infomercials, the people or the Cabinet members?," Escudero added.

Cabinet members have come out with infomercials include Vice President Noli de Castro, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Education Secretary Jesli Lapus, PAGCOR Chairman Efraim Genuino, TESDA chief Augusto Syjuco, and MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando.

Recto resigned Tuesday purportedly to prepare for a run for a seat in the Senate in May 2010 polls.

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