BY GERARD NAVAL

THE Church-based group Solidarity Philippines yesterday dared Vice President Noli de Castro to declare his stand on new allegations of corruption being hurled against President Arroyo.

It is puzzling how De Castro manages to stay quiet despite the enormity of the crisis being faced by the country today, said Fr. Joe Dizon, Solidarity Philippines convener.

"The people are looking for men and women of integrity to lead this government. At mukhang yun ang problema ni Noli... wala siyang tinitindigan sa ganitong kalaking crisis," Dizon said.

The corruption allegations which stemmed from the alleged overpriced national broadband network project have triggered a series of protest actions from Church, militant, opposition and other sectoral groups that are calling for Arroyo's ouster on the ground she has lost the moral authority to govern.

De Castro, in his weekly radio program Saturday, said he was "prepared" to take over from Arroyo because it is his constitutional duty to assume the presidency in case it becomes vacant.

On the alleged anomalous NBN deal, De Castro said the truth can emerge through legal processes.

Dizon said De Castro should make known his position on the political crisis because it is one of the main factors to be used by the public in determining support for a De Castro presidency.

"Kung sa ganitong malilinaw na crisis, wala siya nagagawa bilang vice president, ano pa aasahan mo sa kanya kung mauupo siya? Kulang yung naipapakita niya. It's his call on whether matatanggap siya ng mga tao or hindi," Dizon said.

"His right to lead this nation is based on his position on the moral issues of the day," he added.

Dizon also said De Castro, aside from having no solid stand on the crisis, is perceived to have won the vice presidency in a fraudulent election.

"GMA's election in 2004 was tainted with fraud and I believe De Castro is sharing the ignominy. Produkto din siya ng tainted elections," he said.

The United Opposition said it is accepting a possible De Castro presidency only because he is the successor under the Constitution.

"Wala tayong magagawa whether we like it or not since that is what the Constitution provides. Ano ba ang choices natin? Either we respect the Constitution or there would be a coup or even a revolution at nakakatakot yan," said Adel Tamano, UNO spokesman.

He said some opposition members do not like a De Castro presidency because they believe he does not have what it takes to be a president."

Tamano said a De Castro presidency could "shatter the myth that only President Arroyo can govern the country and that the government will stop functioning once she resigns or is forced out of office."

"Life will go on even if the President is gone. Let us not fear nor be apprehensive of her successor," he added.

Malacañang said De Castro continues to enjoy the trust and confidence of the President.

"Subok na ang loyalty ni Noli," said Sergio Apostol, chief presidential legal counsel.

On De Castro's statement he is "prepared" to take over from Arroyo if she resigns or is ousted, Apostol said: "Sa tingin ko wala iyang masamang intensyon.Ayaw nga di ba nung mama (De Castro) na pag-usapan muna yung bid daw niya sa 2010 elections? So, ito pang pag-take over?"

Reports said De Castro has been in touch with some opposition and other personalities that are behind the protest actions. - With Ashzel Hachero and Jocelyn Montemayor