‘Aquino Cabinet like a fraternity’

Bea Cupin

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‘Aquino Cabinet like a fraternity’
'Instead of competence, instead of the kinds of consideration based on really rational discussion, loyalty is what counts,' says resigned Akbayan Representative Walden Bello

MANILA, Philippines – Loyalty instead of competence.

This was how resigned Akbayan Representative Walden Bello described President Benigno Aquino III’s style of governance, adding that his Cabinet was being run “like a fraternity” where “loyalties, rather than competence” was prime.

“He’s a very stubborn president, and I think this is one of his flaws. Another flaw is that he very loyal to his subordinates who are either very corrupt or incompetent. And parang fraternity ang takbo ng Cabinet (The Cabinet is being run like a fraternity),” Bello told reporters on Wednesday, March 11.

The President’s loyalty to his friends in government is one of the many things that have haunted him more than a month after “Oplan Exodus,” a January 25 police operation that saw at least 65 people, including 44 elite cops, dead.

The Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP SAF) operation, which aimed to neutralize two terrorists, was kept a secret from military and police officials.

In contrast, Aquino’s close friend, Police Director General Alan Purisima, was a “key person” in the operation despite his being preventively suspended over graft charges at the time.

“Instead of competence, instead of the kinds of consideration based on really rational discussion, loyalty is what counts. Unfortunately, a Cabinet is not a fraternity. If you run a country with a fraternity, you’re not going to get anywhere,” Bello said.

Purisima eventually resigned as PNP chief after the Mamasapano incident.

Aquino, who says he should not be held responsible for the deaths in Mamasapano, instead pointed fingers at former PNP SAF Police Director Getulio Napeñas, who was the ground commander of the ill-fated operation.

‘Written off as ally’

Belo announced on Wednesday that he had resigned as Akbayan’s representative in Congress and was consequently withdrawing his support for the President over what he had labelled a “cover-up” of “Oplan Exodus.” At least 65 people died during the operation, including 44 elite cops, 18 Muslim rebels, and 3 civilians.

“I cannot tolerate the President’s cover-up of the Mamasapano tragedy, especially with respect to his participation and the participation of Mr Purisima,” Bello said.

For Bello, the President’s statements on Monday, March 9, wherein he pinned the blame solely on Napeñas was the “the last straw.”

“I think it is an act not expected of a president. It’s an attempt to wash responsibility of an event that he was part of,” added Bello.

The resigned lawmaker was supposed to deliver a privilege speech during the House’s plenary session on Wednesday afternoon, but this did not push through due to an apparent lack of quorum. In his speech, a copy of which was given to the media, Bello expounding on his decision to resign as Akbayan’s representative and the Mamasapano clash. (READ: Bello: Aquino can scratch me off his list of allies

Akbayan coalesced with the ruling Liberal Party (LP) when Aquino ran for president in 2010.

It was not the first time that Bello publicly criticized the President. Bello criticized the Aquino administration’s controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program and called for the resignation of key Cabinet officials. He also called for Purisima’s suspension in 2014, right when the police general was being thrown corruption allegations left and right.

A statement from the Aquino’s spokesperson made Bello realize that he had been “written off as an ally” following his criticism of the President’s refusal to take responsibility for Mamasapano.

“My sense is that from Malacañang’s point of view, the only ally they consider a worthy ally is somebody who toes the line, and not somebody who even as an ally raises criticisms,” he added.

Bello did, however, clarify that he was not supporting calls for the President to resign, nor would he be in favor of impeaching Aquino. “I can only hope that he changes his style of governance even at this late date. If there’s a will to change the style of government, I think he can do it.”

Replacement soon

In a statement released Wednesday, Akbayan said it was “saddened” by Bello’s “irrevocable” resignation but added the party would still continue to support the Aquino administration. Bello told reporters his resignation as the party’s congressional representative was accepted by the party leadership Tuesday evening, March 10.

He will, however, stay with the party. “Akbayan as a party has a diversity of views. It is a democratic party and if there are views that are not consumate with the majority, then those views can coexist in Akbayan,” he said.

“What’s not ethical is when you’re the congressional representative of the party yet your views contradict the party leadership. It’s incumbent on you, in fact, to not be the party’s representative,” Bello said in a mix of English and Filipino.

Akbayan’s internal process of choosing a replacement for Bello has started, he added. Under party-list rules, Akbayan will have to replace Bello with a nominee whose name was previously submitted to the Commission on Elections.

Bello is set to deliver his privilege speech on Monday, March 16. – Rappler.com

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Bea Cupin

Bea is a senior multimedia reporter who covers national politics. She's been a journalist since 2011 and has written about Congress, the national police, and the Liberal Party for Rappler.