Saying the Presidential Office respected the recent court rulings concerning former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), Presidential Office Spokesman Lo Chih-chiang (羅智強) yesterday dismissed the opposition’s accusations that President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) had meddled in the judiciary.
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) accused Ma of interfering in the justice system when the latter said on Tuesday that he would do everything in his power to push for judicial reform.
Ma’s remarks came after the Taipei District Court on Nov. 5 said it found no evidence that Chen took NT$600 million (US$20 million) in exchange for promises not to block separate mergers initiated by Cathay Financial Holdings and Yuanta Financial Holdings.
Lo said as the national leader, the president would never interfere in any individual case, but he should address public expectations and take the initiative to push for judicial reform.
The not-guilty ruling on Nov. 5 sparked concern among pan-blue supporters as to the possible impact of the verdict on the coming five special municipality elections.
KMT -Secretary-General King Pu-tsung (金溥聰) said yesterday that the party would retain its original campaign strategies and seek to prevent the judicial cases from affecting the Nov. 27 elections.
“The KMT has always respected the judiciary and this attitude will not change. We remain calm and will follow our original plans in seeking the support of the electorate,” King said.
King yesterday accompanied Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) as he met with voters on the streets of Shihlin District (士林).
Earlier in the morning, Ma, in his capacity as KMT chairman, led King, Hau and party officials to pay tribute to Republic of China founder Sun Yat-sen (孫中山) on the 145th anniversary of his birthday at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall.
Ma did not make any remarks, but the ceremony turned into a campaign event for Hau, as participants cheered him and chanted “Victory for Mayor Hau.”
Ma later attended a campaign event held by one of the KMT’s veteran’s branches for the mayor.
Commenting on the KMT’s large-scale rally planned for Nov. 21, King said the purpose of the rally was to call for a better life style in Taipei City and in support of judicial reform.
“The rally is not for the KMT or Mayor Hau. It is for the residents of Taipei. They should think about what they want from a mayor and we encourage them to strive for a better life,” King said.
Hau, who is facing a neck-and-neck battle against his DPP opponent, Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌), called for party unity and said he would not win the election unless he got the full support of his party’s members.
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