In an effort to dispel rumors that he and his spouse have marital problems, Yao Chia-wen (
Rumor has it that Yao, a senior presidential adviser, has had extramarital affairs.
The opposition, therefore, says that because of these allegations and for other reasons, he is not the person to head the Examination Yuan -- which is responsible for the testing, employment and management of all of the nation's civil service personnel.
In response to the gossip, his lawmaker wife, also a former Changhua County commissioner, simply said that their marriage is fine.
During the the hearings yesterday, Yao also expressed his appreciation to his wife, thanking her for her assistance on his nomination.
"Chou Ching-yu, I love you," Yao said.
"After I was released from the jail, many problems occurred between us," Yao said. "But we have become closer due to my bid to lead the Examination Yuan," added Yao, who was jailed during the White Terror period.
The White Terror era, from 1949 to 1987, was a period of harsh political repression under KMT rule. During this time, martial law was in force. Many people -- especially intellectuals and the cultural elite -- were persecuted.
Yao has walked a rocky road since he was officially nominated last month by President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) to head the Examination Yuan. Both the KMT and the PFP are strongly opposed to his nomination, saying that Yao, a long-time pro-Taiwan independence activist, is unsuitable for the post due to his harsh political ideology.
Moreover, the opposition charges that the nominee has had no administrative experience and had long advocated the abolishment of the Examination Yuan and the Control Yuan in an attempt to turn Taiwan into a "three-branch government."
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