MANILA, August 11, 2009-A Catholic bishop said it's high time for people to show their disgust over the series of scandals committed by the Arroyo administration.
Novaliches Bishop-Emeritus Teodoro Bacani said President Arroyo and her party's reported lavish dinner in New York is another thing that requires a lot of explaining from Malacañang.
With Malacañang claiming there was nothing wrong in dining with a posh restaurant, Bacani called on the people to make known their sentiments on the incident.
He said it is unacceptable that Malacañang would simply sweep the incident under the rug despite strong condemnation being aired by different sectors.
"Ang dapat sabihin ng mga Pilipino sa kanila ay 'Mahiya naman kayo!'," Bacani told reporters when asked to comment on the government's refusal to admit fault on the controversy.
"We can only say that it really leaves a bad taste in the mouth," he furthered.
On Monday, Malacañang officials tried their best to put to rest the noise made by the reported $20,000 (Php1 million) dinner tab paid for by President Arroyo and her group during their last visit to the United States.
Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said they will not be addressing the said issue anymore and insisted that there is nothing to apologize in the incident that purportedly took place at the posh New York restaurant, Le Cirque.
But for Bacani, the way Malacañang is handling the controversy is hardly surprising already as they are using time-tested strategies.
"This is already a much known characteristic of the present administration... the confusion, lack of transparency," Bacani opined.
He noted the confusing statements made on those who supposedly footed the bill ranging from Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Romualdez to his US-based architect brother, Daniel.
"Yung defense nila on this, hindi naman accurate. Iba-iba sinasabi. Baka naman hindi talaga sila (mga Romualdez) ang mga nagbayad at ibang tao talaga?" Bacani questioned. (CBCPNews)