Former National Anti-Poverty Commission chief Liza Maza
Secretary Liza Maza resigned as Anti-Poverty Commission chief on Monday, August 20, citing termination of peace talks and efforts to undermine her leadership as reasons for stepping down.
She blamed military forces and rightist groups for the revival of “fabricated” murder charges against her.
Maza and three other former members of the House of Representatives were acquitted last week of double murder charges for lack of evidence.
They were accused of killing political rivals in 2006.
She claims that the charges filed against them during the administration of then President and now Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo were “trump up” cases.
Maza said she has lost hope of solving the problem of poverty in the country. “Hindi talaga natin masusugpo ang kahirapan kung ang lumalaban mismo sa kahirapan ang inaatake.”
She also cited the presence of the Marcoses and Arroyo’s return to power as detrimental to achieving socioeconomic and political reforms in the government.
“All of these forces have returned. So how can we really realize the changes when the old forces of fascism and corruption are back,” she said.
Maza, along with former secretaries Judy Taguiwalo and Rafael Mariano, was recommended to the Cabinet by the National Democratic Front.
“Pinakamahalaga rin na dahilan kung bakit nagdesisyon ako na magbitiw ay ang final at categorical statement ni presidente na tineterminate na niya ang preace talks,” she said.
( The most important reason for my resignation is the president’s final and categorical statement that he is terminating the peace talks.)
Nevertheless, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque recognized Maza’s contribution to the government.
He added that under her leadership the number of Filipino families experiencing involuntary hunger decreased.
It was also during her time that the National Feeding Program was enacted into law.
Roque also said that the Leftist group may have lost the opportunity to show their ability to lead in government and push for the welfare of the poor.
“The president gave them that opportunity and she decided to leave, wala namang nagpapaalis sa kaniya,” said Roque. “So I don’t know really why she had to connect the peace talks with her work in the anti-poverty commission.”
Maza said she will return to her former groups and will resume fighting from among the masses which she says is the only real way to achieve genuine reform. — Rey Pelayo
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