Press Release
February 9, 2009

PRIVILEGE SPEECH DELIVERED BY SEN. MAR ROXAS ON WB REPORT

Over the last several weeks there has been much that has been said about this World Bank report. It has occupied front page in our papers, it has been the leading story of much of the media. And various of our colleagues have stated positions relative thereto. There is talk about compelling the appearance of the presidential spouse. There is talk about a deposition being good enough. There is talk about whether in fact the Senate will have to investigate this or not. Much has been said about it. But there is one thing that has not been said, and I wish to put on record.

We cannot dismiss this as simply part of our hyperactive politics. This is not one charge, if true, that is levied by one political party or one domestic group versus the administration. If true, the allegations contained in this World Bank report portray the Philippines, the Philippine government and the presidential spouse as being part of an effort to steal this money that has been lent to the nation.

What is also apparent, is that not withstanding all of this talk, about the World Bank report, there has not been a clear statement at all coming from Malacanang. What does Malacanang have to say about this? Are they not interested in the contents of this report? Does this report even exist? If it does not existr, or if the contents as reported in the media, are not in the report, thenMalacanang and the president would be well within their right to ask for an apology from the World Bank.

But what is worrisome is this a report thart was undertaken apparently by the Integrity Department of the World Bank, this is an independent entity of an multi-national aid agency owned by governments all over the world that after more than one year of investigation, apparently, according to news reports, have found that there is widespread graft and corruption involving not only the presidential spouse but as well the official organs, in particular the DPWH, related to infrastructure in our government.

What is the truth in all of these? Ano ba ang katotohanan dito? Meron nga bang report o hindi? We have had colleagues asking the World Bank for copies. We have seen in the Internet so-called seen leaked excerpts from this report. We have had speculation if the report doctored. Reputations of some of those who have adverted to the report have been challenged, saying this is fake and they are just making something up, that it is not real.

The very entity that can lay all of this to rest is Malacanang itself. This report was handed to the government. This report was given to the Department of Finance and subsequently to other departments in the government. So if there is anybody who can say whether first, the report exists or not and second, whether these allegations are contained in the report, it is Malacanang that is in the best position to do this.

The silence in the Palace today is deafening. They have questioned the existence of the report. They have questioned the veracity of news reports regarding the report. They have questioned those who are interested to look into the report. But Malacanang itself who has a copy of this report, or the government who has a copy of this report, is in the best position to lay down the facts. Instead we have dedma, we have patay malisya.

Make no mistake about this, Mr. President. This is not about GMA or FG, more than the two of them. This is about the honor of the Republic of the Philippines. We are being portrayed, if true, if contained in this report, we are being portrayed as a nation of grafters, where official organs are intimately engaged in the stealing of the people's money. Including, the presidential spouse.

This has nothing to do with opposition to the president, or fiscalizing of the president. This is about the reputation and honor of the Philippines and the Filipino people.

From what we gather, in November 2007, the World Bank gave the investigation copy report to the Department of Finance and from there, copies were then distributed to DPWH, Ombudsman's Office and other agencies in the government. About 6 months later, in May 2008, the WB gives a notice of its proceedings relative to the sanctions. Another 6 months later, in November 2008, the WB convenes the plenary of the Sanctions Board. And finally, in January 2009, the WB gave its ruling. Shortly thereafter, in January 14, there were media reports regarding this WB finding and in the next day, Malacanang says that the president has ordered a Cabinet-level review. Therefore, there is some acknowledgement that this report exists. Unfortunately, in first week of February, Malacanang then says that they doubt the authenticity of the report.

Well, this report exists in their hands. As the government stonewalls and denies us the truth, our country slowly but surely gaining an international reputation as one of the most corrupt. Because year after year in the Corruption Index surveys, our country has regularly fallen in its standing.

This is a World Bank report. The WB report in itself is a barometer that agencies and corporations use to determine investment climate in a particular nation. The WB shapes investors confidence and is among the institutions that can influence the flow of investments and jobs in the world.

If this is true, if the reports are true, that the First Gentleman is mentioned in that report, then this is a matter that should not be taken lightly. This is more, way above the usual Joc-Joc, Euro Generals, fertilizer and NBN-ZTE. Because this clearly now is a situation where an international agency has so clearly said that there is corruption and there is stealing that is happening in our country. And that the First Gentleman is a part of this.

The president is the president of the republic. This is not just their own personal honor. This is not just something that the First Gentleman will have to answer either through counsel or deposition or through Senate hearings. This is a besmirchment, a public, international besmirchment of our nation's honor.

Madam President, you must and you can fix this mess. Regardless of the consequences to you, to your family, to your official family, our nation's honor is at stake. You are sworn to defend our republic. You are sworn to defend the honor of our nation. I call upon you to undertake the following.

It is within your power and you can, in fact, command the finding and release of the official government copy of this report. Let us know what is inside this report. Only then can we move forward. If indeed the report exists and these are the contents of the report, then I ask you and this is within your power, to designate a Special Prosecutor, one of independent standing, who will be empowered and given a budget and given a mandate so that he can get into the bottom of this.

We cannot continue this Madam President where internationally we are looked upon as a nation of thieves. Or where our government is viewed as one collaborating with, or kakuntsaba ng mga nagnanakaw ng pera na ito.

These are all within your powers Madam President. Mahalaga po ang ating pambansang karangalan. Panindigan po natin ito, depensahan po natin ito.

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