Liza Maza resigns from Cabinet

NATIONAL ANTI-POVERTY COMMISSION (NAPC) secretary and convenor Liza Maza announced her “irrevocable resignation” in a press conference yesterday.
Ms. Maza cited as her primary reason is President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s cancellation of the peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).
“Pinakamahalagang dahilan ng aking pagbibitiw ay ang ganap na pagkansela ni Pangulong Duterte sa usapang pangkapayapaan sa pagitan ng GRP (Government of the Republic of the Philippines) at NDFP na kanyang ipinahayag noong ika-14 ng Agosto,” Ms. Maza said, reading a statement. (The most important reason for my resignation is President Duterte’s cancellation of the peace talks between the GRP and the NDFP, which he announced on Aug. 14).
She added: “Kinitil nito ang natitira kong pag-asa na magbubunga ang usapang pangkapayapaan sa makabuluhang repormang sosyo-ekonomiko at pulitikal na siyang magwawakas sa laganap na kahirapan at digmaan sa ating bansa. Ito ay tanda ng ganap nang pamamayani na kontra-reporma, kontra-mahirap at militaristang kaisipan at mga patakaran sa administrasyong ito.”
(This dashed whatever hopes I still had that peace talks will bear relevant socio-economic and political reforms that will put an end to the prevailing poverty and conflict in our country. This signals the predominance of the administration’s anti-reform, anti-poor, and militaristic mentality and policies).
Genuine change, Ms. Maza also said, “cannot happen when the old forces of fascism and corruption, and the defenders of elite and foreign interests, are consolidating their position in government. As such, I have found it best to resume fighting from among the masses for this genuine change.”
Ms. Maza’s departure marks the Communist Party of the Philippines’ break from Mr. Duterte’s Cabinet, after its other nominees, Social Welfare Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo and Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael V. Mariano, had earlier left the Cabinet following their rejection by the Commission on Appointments.
Ms. Maza had also earlier faced a long-standing double-murder case that her supporters criticized as harassment.
In a press briefing at the Palace on Monday morning, Presidential Spokesperson Harry L. Roque, Jr. said the Palace “thanks” Ms. Maza “for her invaluable services to the government for the past two years, even as we express our regret with her decision to leave in government.”
Mr. Roque also took exception to her remarks, saying, “The decision that she cited in her letter of resignation is the cancellation of peace talks. Again, we maintain, the President will only have peace talks with the communist if it is in the Philippines; if they will stop collection of revolutionary taxes; if they will momentarily, while peace talks are ongoing, commit themselves to refrain from resuming their insurgency and will stay in a designated camp where President Duterte has promised that he will provide for their provisions during pendency of the peace talks. In any case, contrary to what Liza Maza said, peace talks will continue but on a local level.” — Arjay L. Balinbin