Former senatorial candidate Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III yesterday said the Ampatuans were a "creation" of Ms Arroyo.
"This is really an acid test for her," Pimentel told the Inquirer. "What's more important? The debt of gratitude because you are President because of their support, or the lives of the Filipino people and justice for those who lost their lives senselessly?"
Pimentel said Ms Arroyo owed a lot to the Ampatuans, particularly in the 2004 presidential election when they delivered the votes for her in the province over opposition standard-bearer Fernando Poe Jr.
Three years later in the senatorial race, Maguindanao delivered a controversial 12-0 sweep for the administration's Team Unity ticket.
Pimentel said that with such incidents, the Ampatuans could always tell Ms Arroyo: "You owe us big time." - Phil Daily Inquirer
No comments:
Post a Comment