We have observed that in relation to the national crisis and controversies plaguing our country, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has not only evaded impeachment trials and charges of extrajudicial killings, bribery, corruption, constitutional violations, etc.; she has also escaped responsibility for highly controversial deals and acts by refusing to face the nation in a live and free-wheeling press conference that’s open to all local and foreign media and other representatives of the people.

It seems that she has cowed the Philippine media into not asking for such a press conference. The media have chosen to be so meek and silent and are not complaining at all about this. In fact, they are just content with the lies of Ms Arroyo’s official liars: Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio Bunye, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Cabinet Secretary Ricardo Saludo, Palace troubleshooter Mike Defensor, etc.

It is high time for the media to dare Ms Arroyo to face the people and answer the charges hurled against her so that the people can judge her by her facial expressions, demeanor, actions, answers and even her famous temper, if she wants to show it.

In fact, the whole Arroyo family – to include First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, and Representatives Mikey and Dato, and Luli – should hold a similar live and free-wheeling press conference without threatening or buying the media.

If Ms Arroyo is really untainted by “Hello, Garci,” ZTE, “Jose Pidal,” NorthRail, SouthRail, Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard, IMPSA, fertilizer scam, CyberEd, among others, the least that the people can ask of her is to come out of her controlled press briefings.

She has hidden from the public long enough. We think the time has come for her to stop hiding behind her Cabinet and sacrificial lambs.

And to the Philippine media, please get back your b—s, for the sake of our country.

[Source: Inquirer, Letters to the Editor]