ANAD Rep. Alcover chides Lacierda for issuing negative-pregnant statements

By ANAD Partylist
October 29, 2011

QUEZON CITY  –  “ANAD is firm in its stand that the secessionist war waged by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) against government still exists despite the on-going peace negotiations between the two panels. Isn’t giving P5million to the MILF tantamount to giving aid to an enemy of government, for whatever purpose it shall serve?” asked ANAD Rep. Jun Alcover as he chided Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda for responding in general terms.

However, Rep. Alcover said that Lacierda’s statement, as reported by media (Palace defends P5M aid to MILF, 10-28-11, www.abs-cbnnews.com,) is an open admission that indeed Malacañang gave P5 million, in check, to the MILF. “Rather than dishing out negative-pregnant responses to media, Atty. Lacierda ought to give a clearer and categorical response to the issue,” he added.

Reacting to Lacierda’s call to go back and look for the definition of Treason in the Revised Penal Code, Rep. Alcover pointed out saying, “Article 114, Book Two of Republic Act 3815, otherwise known as An Act Revising the Penal Code and other Penal Laws, defines treason as: ‘. . . Any person who, owing allegiance to (the United States or) the Government of the Philippine Islands, not being a foreigner, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid or comfort within the Philippine Islands or elsewhere (emphasis ours), shall be punished by reclusion temporal to death and shall pay a fine not to exceed P20,000 pesos.’ This is clear! The Revised Penal Code’s definition doesn’t only refer to aid or comfort given to and used by the enemy to fight government.”

“Why give the money to the MILF who has not officially renounced or ended their secessionist war against government? There are other Muslim groups and individuals who are capable and could readily implement the very same program using the very same fund. What is inside the MILF that those outside the secessionist group are by far different and thus couldn’t achieve and deliver in terms of constructing the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute Training Center, training and developing Muslim leaders, and honing their managerial skills?” asked Rep. Alcover.

“We are serious in our study on the possible filing of an impeachment complaint against President Aquino. We are focusing on the three impeachable offenses: Treason, Betrayal of public trust, and Culpable violation of the Constitution,” Rep. Alcover explained.

On the required two-witness rule for the case of treason to prosper, “This already has been fully satisfied by the statements made by OPAPP Sec. Teresita Deles, Presidential Spokesman Lacierda, and GPH panel head to the MILF talks Dean Marvic Leonen to media, in separate forums and occasions,” he added.