Please refer to Gerry de Belen, 0917-5811028

LACSON TO ARROYO: SHOW RESPECT FOR PEOPLE’S RIGHTS BEFORE CALLING FOR RECONCILIATION

Before she can ask them for reconciliation and “closure” after the May 14 election, President Arroyo must earn the trust of the political opposition by showing respect for basic rights on three levels.

Senator-elect Panfilo M. Lacson said Friday he will heed Mrs. Arroyo’s call if she can order her “minions” to stop persecuting the opposition and show respect for co-equal institutions such as the Senate, and respect people’s basic rights.

“If I can see her do these, no doubt I will not just show unity with her programs, but I’ll help her administration without delay,” said Lacson, who was proclaimed last Wednesday after running under the Genuine Opposition (GO) banner.

Lacson said Mrs. Arroyo can start by ordering justice secretary Raul Gonzalez and national security adviser Norberto Gonzales to stop harassing members of the opposition with concocted tales and cases.

He said Mrs. Arroyo should also start respecting other institutions, particularly co-equal branches of government such as the Senate, the Lower House, and the judiciary.

But most importantly, he said she and her subordinates in the executive department should respect basic human rights and civil liberties of common Filipinos, including the right to air grievances.

“Those subordinates who refuse to heed orders to respect human rights should be punished or dealt with accordingly,” Lacson said.

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