Arroyo 'pushing Senate to end husband's probe'

[bemildred]

MANILA - Opposition politicians have claimed that President Gloria
Arroyo is 'pressuring' the Senate to stop its inquiry into the money
laundering scandal that has been linked to her husband Jose Miguel
Arroyo and his brother Ignacio.

One of them, Senator Sergio Osmena III, told a press conference that he
and other senators had received phone calls from palace officials asking
them to terminate their investigation and leave the scandal to the courts.

'There is a full-court
press on the part of
Malacanang to stop this
inquiry and prevent us
from ferreting out the truth
in this controversy,' the
Philippine Star quoted
him as saying.

When asked if he meant
the President when he
referred to Malacanang,
Senator Osmena said: 'Of
course, yes.'

Straits Times

[FreakinDJ]

1. Thet thrive on scandle there

The Philippine politicians love scandle it seems. They are constently quoted making the most outraggous claims they can seeking the free publicity.
Also the politicians there are all corrupt. From top to bottom the whole system. To the point of the peoples of the country being oppressed by it. Not very many western companies want to do business in an enviorment where you have to pay off every one to get any thing done.

The only ones who seem willing to make business investments in the Philippines currently are the Chinease. Revenues generated by "Most favored Nation" trading status with the US is being used in the Philippines. Malls, hotels, and relationships are being funded by the windfall of profits from doing business in the US. To the point the Philippine peoples are being further oppressed by the cheaper labor rates of products being manufactered in China.

[IndianaGreen]

2. Arroyo is quite a little tyrant herself

She jailed the troops that staged a protest against corruption in the armed forces. She overthrew the democratically elected President Estrada in a coup. She opposes birth control and abortion. She is a friend of George W. Bush.

Rumors have it that she is planning to run for election, despite her previous denials about it.

The Philippines's wealth is controlled by a few hundred families who rule with the support of the generals and the Catholic Church.