Liza Maza resigns from NAPC post

FILE: National Anti-Poverty Commission Secretary Liza Maza (Robinson Niñal/Presidential Photo

Liza Maza has tendered her ‘irrevocable’ resignation this morning as Secretary and Lead Convenor of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) in line with the “direction in which this administration appears to be heading.”

Though a Nueva Ecija Regional Trial Court dismissed the “fabricated and baseless” murder charges filed against Maza and three others, she said similar attacks from anti-reform, rightist, and militarist forces could ensue that is why she can “no longer work under these circumstances.”

Maza, who announced her resignation in press conference on Monday, August 20, said that while this was a factor, the main reason of quitting from the government is President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s cancellation of peace talks with the rebels.

“Kinitil nito ang natitira kong pag-asa na magbubunga ang usapang pagkapayapaan sa makabuluhang repormang sosyo-ekonomiko at pulitikal na siyang magwawakas sa laganap na kahirapan at digmaan sa ating bansa (This killed the remaining hope in me that the talks will result to relevant socio-economic and political reforms to end the vast poverty and war in our country),” she said in a statement.

“Ito ay anda ng ganap nang pamamayani ng kontra-reporma, kontra-mahirap at militaristang kaisipan at mga patakaran sa administrasyong ito (This is a sign of the spreading anti-reform, anti-poor, and militarist mindset and rules of this administration),” she added.

However, Maza clarified that her resignation does not mean that she is surrendering in her “pursuit of meaningful reforms” in her two-year leadership in the NAPC.

She also said that she is not resigning because of those who wish for her to leave her post.

“It has become clear to me that this pursuit will be better with me working outside of government,” she continued.

Looking back, Maza shared that she joined the Cabined with “high hopes” since Duterte was “initially engaged in peace negotiations.” That is why, his latest pronouncement to cancel the said talks prompted Maza to leave her government post.

The outgoing NAPC secretary said that genuine change cannot happen in this administration when “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 th masses for this genuin change, which, as ever, has been the only real way to make that it will happen,” she ended.

Back in July, Malacañang called out on Maza and the three other former lawmakers filed with murder raps.

[READ: Malacañang to Liza Maza, et al: Surrender and prove your innocence]

“If they are innocent then they should in fact surrender, recognize the jurisdiction of the court and prove their innocence in court,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Jr. said in a press briefing.