October 6, 2003, The Manila Times, Palace tries to defuse third Lacson bomb,

October 6, 2003, The Manila Times, Palace tries to defuse third Lacson bomb, 

MALACAÑANG on Sunday called opposition Sen. Panfilo Lacson’s actions the highest level of politicking to gain public support.

Lacson is set to deliver the third part of his “Incredible Hulk” speech today citing new evidence against the President’s husband, Jose Miguel Arroyo, he gathered during trips to Hong Kong, Australia and the United States.

Presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye said that if Lacson does not support his allegations with strong evidence, he should just keep quiet.

“He is already dragging the Senate into the controversy and his actions undermine the integrity of a once strong and respected institution that is the Senate,” Bunye said.

At least two senators agreed, saying that Lacson was merely using the Jose Pidal controversy to boost his chances in the 2004 presidential election.

Lacson had charged Arroyo of using the name Jose Pidal to launder huge sums.

Administration Senators Ramon Magsaysay Jr. and Ralph Recto, stalwarts of the People Power Coalition (PPC), made separate statements after Lacson failed to submit solid evidence to substantiate his allegations against Arroyo since he aired the charges in two privileged speeches on August 18 and September 1.

In his privileged speeches, Lacson had accused Arroyo of money laundering by allegedly milking agencies of the government including the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

“Unless Senator Lacson comes out with evidence or files the case in court, it only goes to show that he is only using the Jose Pidal issue to prop up his image as a presidential candidate,” Magsaysay said in a phone-patch interview with Senate reporters.

“The fact that he is a presidential candidate, the charges Senator Lacson made against [Mr.] Arroyo is tainted with political color and suspicions are high that he is only using this to advance his political ambitions.”

Recto said in a separate interview: “Without going into the merits and validity of his exposé, definitely, it’s political.

Recto said Lacson should have brought the case to court in order to secure the opening of the Jose Pidal bank accounts for scrutiny.

Noting that the Senate probe has been going on for a month, Recto added: “He can help the Senate speed up its probe [if] he takes it to court. Get a court order to open the bank accounts and then the Senate will have the easier time hearing the case.”

“Why is he holding the submission of evidence? Is he still looking for evidence?” Recto asked.

He added that Lacson’s failure to furnish the investigating committees the original of his evidentiary documents has actually weakened Lacson’s case against Arroyo.

President Arroyo on Saturday broke her silence on the controversy when she accused Lacson of manufacturing evidence against her husband.
-- Ma. Theresa Torres and Sammy Martin, Correspondent