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Groups mark seven years of Arroyo
presidency, hold symbolic march to Edsa Shrine
Various citizens groups today marked seven years of the Arroyo presidency
with a gathering at La Salle Green Hills and a short march to the Edsa
Shrine for a candle-lighting activity.
“It has been seven years since Arroyo was swept to power in 2001. In those
seven years, we have witnessed some of the worst acts of plunder,
deception, repression and abuse of power not seen since the Marcos
dictatorship,” said Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) Chair Carol Araullo.
“Arroyo is now the longest serving president since Marcos. She took
advantage of Edsa 2 in 2001 and committed electoral fraud in 2004, thereby
setting the stage for a nine-year rule till 2010. And it appears she’s not
about to stop there. Indications say she might even attempt to stay on
beyond 2010,” Araullo said.
The activity was joined by various religious groups, civic organizations,
and opposition forces. Instead of celebrating Edsa 2, the groups wanted a
gathering to highlight the different “crimes of the Arroyo regime.”
Recently, international group Freedom House downgraded the Philippines
ratings in terms of civil and political rights, citing high-level
corruption and extrajudicial killings as some of the reasons.
“Seven years is enough for a rotten, corrupt regime. The people are
determined to make Arroyo accountable by whatever means, and this includes
people’s direct action similar to the ‘people power’ of seven years ago,”
Araullo said.
The government has been on red alert status after Justice Secretary Raul
Gonzalez announced an alleged destabilization plot against the Arroyo
administration. Various groups, however, said that the threats are a mere
ploy for more repressive measures and to justify the term extension of AFP
Chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon.
“People are becoming more outraged by the administration’s maneuvers at
political repression. They see through the lies and deception peddled by
government officials just so they could justify more police and military
deployments,” she added.
The groups gathered at La Salle Green Hills for a short program wherein
speakers gave their assessments of the performance of the Arroyo
administration among the workers, farmers, youth, urban poor and women. A
unity statement was also read.
The group then marched to the Edsa Shrine to light candles and sing Bayan
Ko.
-- From Bayan
Website, www.bayan.ph
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7
years is enough
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January 17, 2008
PRESS RELEASE
Reference: Raymond Palatino, 09205723638
On EDSA Dos 7th anniversary
Newly-formed youth alliance enumerates '7 deadly sins of Arroyo'
Youth Revolt, an alliance of youth and students from different schools,
universities and communities held a commemorative gathering today at the
Trinity College Mandel Hall in remembrance of the youth's historical role
in the People Power EDSA 2 Uprising.
To commemorate the 7th anniversary of EDSA 2, Youth Revolt enumerated
Gloria Arroyo's "7 deadly sins in 7 years."
Through creative presentations and skits, the youth alliance depicted the
following as Arroyo's "7 deadly sins": Poverty and Hunger, Electoral
Fraud, Bribery and Corruption, Plunder, State Terrorism, Electoral Fraud
and Bleak Future of the Youth.
Youth Revolt was formed last December 8, 2007. It is a youth-led alliance
calling for the immediate resignation of Arroyo.
In its unity statement, it said, "As future leaders and responsible
citizens of this nation, we call upon our fellow youth to stand against
social and moral decay and corruption, to reverse the general tide of
hopelessness that chronic economic crisis, widespread poverty,
landlessness, deep social inequality, and political and social rifts have
brought upon our generation."
"Mrs. Arroyo has lost her moral ascendancy to govern from the long list of
scandals, electoral fraud and corruption issues that have mired her
presidency. The Arroyo administration has long ceased to perform as a role
model government for the youth. It has caused the youth nothing but wide
disillusionment and the desire to instill social change and reforms in
government."
More than 100 youth and students attended the Youth Revolt gathering. It
announced more activities and protest gatherings in the following weeks.
The youth alliance said that it would participate in tomorrow's
commemorative rally at the People Power Shrine. ###
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