Protests mark aftermath of speakership row, Bayan warns of more sinister Arroyo agenda after de Venecia ouster

News Release
February 5, 2008


The umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan today protested what it described as “shameless and self-serving maneuvers by Malacanang to tighten its control over Congress.” In a protest action held at the Mabuhay Rotonda in Quezon City, Bayan warned that the ouster of Rep. Jose de Venecia from the speakership may be a prelude to worse things to come.

“The Arroyo mafia will not stop with just replacing Jose de Venecia. They intend to quash any and all attempts to uncover corruption scandals. Rep. de Venecia must now make true his vow to expose the corruption and rottenness of the Arroyo regime. The Arroyo mafia must be made accountable. That's the only way JDV can redeem himself politically,” said Bayan secretary general Renato M. Reyes, Jr.

“Our nation is now being run like by a crime syndicate that has corrupted all public institutions. The only real gain that the people can have from the political slugfest in Congress is if this results into more anti-Arroyo forces in the Lower House,” Reyes said.

Bayan said that protests against corruption will be “inevitable” given the simmering political crisis.

“Surely, the Arroyo regime will come out much weaker from this crisis. The Arroyo coalition is crumbling. Shockwaves were felt in Malacanang after de Venecia's speech,” Reyes said.

Warnings of charter change

The militant group is also alarmed about news that the de Venecia ouster is a prelude to the railroading of charter change.

“The Arroyo mafia's agenda is to stay in power way beyond what the Constitution provides. There have been many warnings that the de Venecia ouster is just a prelude to the real plan of charter change. with the Lower House more Palace-friendly than before, expect cha-cha moves to escalate in the coming weeks,” Reyes said.

“The only way out of the current political crisis is for Gloria to step down. She is at the center of all the controversy. Her presidency continues to shake all public institutions. Her drive to stay in power is always the main consideration in national policy-making,” Reyes added.