National Anti-Poverty Commission chief Liza Maza announced her resignation from the Cabinet of President Rodrigo Duterte, a week after murder cases against her and fellow militant leaders, pursued by government lawyers, were dropped.
“Upon deeper reflection on the events of the past few weeks, as well as the direction in which this administration appears to be heading, I am announcing that I have tendered this morning my irrevocable resignation as secretary and lead convenor of the National Anti-Poverty Commission,” Maza said.
She said the most important reason for her exit was Duterte’s cancellation of peace talks with the communist rebels.
The election of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as speaker of the House of Representatives and the impending return of the Marcoses to power also influenced her decision to quit, she said.
“Genuine change cannot happen when old forces of fascism and corruption, as well as the defenders of elite and foreign interests are consolidating position in the government,” Maza said.
She said she would continue working with the masses to push for “genuine participation in bringing change to the society.”
“I hope the president finds it in his heart to listen to the people’s clamour for genuine change. I hope he is still open to resuming the negotiations,” Maza said.
Maza’s resignation completes the departure of leftists from the Duterte Cabinet, with their once cozy ties with the president fraying because of the government’s decision to back out of peace talks with communist rebels.
Maza was a representative of the Gabriela party-list before she was appointed lead convener of the NAPC in 2016, as Duterte wanted a nominee representing the leftist National Democratic Front (NDF).
Former agrarian reform secretary Rafael Mariano and former social welfare chief Judy Taguiwalo failed to get congressional confirmation, while urban poor commission chairman Terry Ridon was sacked for excessive travel.
Maza, Mariano and former Makabayan lawmakers Teodoro Casino and Satur Ocampo were earlier ordered arrested by the Regional Trial Court Branch 40 in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija over the abduction and death of Jimmy Peralta and Carlito Bayudang of the rival Akbayan party-list in 2003 and 2004, respectively.
On August 13, the court dismissed the charges, which Maza and her colleagues had said were trumped-up cases.
In a news briefing, Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr said Maza’s departure was a wasted opportunity for the leftists.
“No one asked her to leave and in her letter, she said the decision was prompted by developments leading to the cancellation of the peace talks,” Roque said.
“I do not know really why she had to connect the peace talks with her work as NAPC chair. It would have been a perfect opportunity for the left to show that they can lead and of course, the NAPC is a very important office,” he added.