Press Release
November 9, 2007

KIKO: SENATE WILL NOT LET UP IN SEARCH FOR TRUTH BEHIND PALACE TRAIL OF CORRUPTION
"Amper's suicide a dire irony of poverty and payola"

With shocking news of an 11-year old girl hanging herself to death in Davao City after losing hope that her family will ever rise from poverty, Senate Majority Leader and Independent Senator Kiko Pangilinan vowed that the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee will do everything in its power to find out the truth behind the trail of corruption scandals involving Malacanang.

Amid stories of millions-worth bribery and payola happening under President Gloria Arroyo's watch, Kiko said "selfish political interest is driving the country to the height of poverty and national depression."

"Mariannet Amper's death is a wake up call to all government officials that poverty in this country has reached such alarming levels that even a child can contemplate ending her own life. It's sad that 11 million of our citizens struggle to survive everyday while some politicians are just busy with their own political survival," Kiko said, referring to the alleged bribery that took place in Malacanang to kill the latest impeachment bid against the President.

Malacañang is currently in hot water after Pampanga Gov.Ed Panlilio and other local government officials revealed having offered by Palace officials cash gifts ranging from P200,000 to P500,000 (amounting to some P120M all in all) in a breakfast meeting with the President last month.

"We don't deserve to be in public service if we cannot put the people first. Adding more money to poverty alleviation projects is a step in the right direction, but it needs sincerity, honesty and selflessness among our leaders if we are to prevent a repeat of Mariannet Amper's death," Kiko said.

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