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ALVAREZ QUITS AS LAKAS SPOKESMAN, DECLINES CABINET POSITIONS
January 12, 2004
"The impeachment of former President Joseph Estrada was a constitutional process that we pursued in our continuing struggle as a people against graft and corruption."
"Because of our experience under Marcos's rule where massive graft and corruption resulted in overwhelming poverty that brought the nation to the brink of economic depression, we sought to make even the highest official in the land accountable when we filed the impeachment complaint against former President Estrada.
"With EDSA II, President Arroyo rose to the presidency.
"But her legitimacy as President, and even the prudence of the constitutional process of impeachment, were assailed and questioned by some pillars of the deposed regime who, unfortunately, are now part of the administration's K-4 senatorial lineup.
"They are the same personalities who continue to support Mr. Estrada even in his refusal to recognize the jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan over the plunder cases lodged against him.
"To me, their presence in the administration's K4 lineup is a complete disregard for constitutional reform and negates our campaign against graft and corruption in the highest office of the land.
"These unmitigated political considerations within the Lakas-CMD party are in complete disregard of the misery and impoverishment of our people who have suffered much from graft and corruption.
"I am a firm believer in building party policies to promote democracy and good governance. But where does politics end and principle begin?
"In public service, one must be capable of compromises to achieve some goal. But one must never allow core values to be overwhelmed by excessive opportunism. I am not crying for blood but for reconciliation that must be preceded by contrition and restitution.
"It pains me to have this essential difference of vision from the senatorial slate of Lakas-CMD, a party I have faithfully served as Secretary General and now as Vice President for Luzon and National Spokesperson.
"But I now find it difficult to speak for certain candidates in the slate whose pronouncements and public postures contradict the ideals we had held high and fought for in the impeachment that led to EDSA II.
"I, therefore, relinquish my position as spokesman of the party. With due respect to the President, I also decline the Cabinet position that has been offered to me, either as tourism secretary or the powerful office of anti-drug czar.
"All my life, I have pursued the politics of principles and I will stick to that.
"Since I began public service as a youthful delegate in the 1971 Constitutional Convention where I refused to sign the Marcos constitution, my struggle against Martial Law with Ninoy Aquino, the 12 years I served crafting progressive laws as senator, my unwavering fight against corruption in Congress up to my battle against vested interests as Cabinet member of the Arroyo administration, I have been consistently taking a principled stand.
"I would like to continue on this path. There are certain issues that cannot be compromised.
"I am deeply concerned with the identity crisis that is currently gripping Lakas-CMD as a result of the entry of certain personalities in its senatorial slate, But I have no doubt that its members will arrive at a solution that will ultimately uphold the high principles and ethics of all Christian-Muslim Democrats."
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