February 15, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Reference:
Sarah Katrina Maramag
Vice-chairperson/Media Officer, 09193486790

Eleanor de Guzman
Chairperson, 09282555423

Ayala rally signal of more youth protests
Youth, student groups launch anti-Arroyo signature campaign

Youth group Anakbayan renewed calls for Mrs. Gloria Arroyo's ouster as it linked up with other people's organizations in the huge Ayala protest today.

Anakbayan said that the overwhelming youth participation in today's rally signals the escalation of more youth protests in the days to come.

To aid in the youth's clamor for truth and accountability, Anakbayan endorsed the signature campaign spearheaded by YOUTH REVOLT (Against Corruption and Tyranny), a broad network of student councils, campus publication, church groups and youth organizations calling for Arroyo's resignation.

Anakbayan chairperson Eleanor de Guzman said that they have 'no illusions that Arroyo will relinquish her seat out of delicadeza.'

"We have borne witness to her desperation and high-handed maneuvers to hold on to power. What is unfolding now is what she has been trying to prevent since the expose of the Hello Garci controversy," she said.

"This is why there is an urgent need to educate and inform an overwhelming number of our fellow youth. This signature campaign is one means for that end," de Guzman said.

De Guzman said that Anakbayan will work arm-to-arm with other youth groups and people's organizations in disseminating the signature campaign to schools, universities, call centers and communities nationwide. "As in the past, we recognize that the youth's collective and active action may only be achieved if they are well informed of the issue at hand."

De Guzman also slammed Malacanang and 'other Arroyo apologists' for diverting the issue by persistently dangling the 2010 national elections to the public. "We cannot wait for two more years. Now is the time."

Below is the text of the signature drive:

Pumanig sa katotohanan at katarungan!
Pumirma para sa pagpapalayas kay Arroyo sa Malakanyang!
YOUTH REVOLT (Against Arroyo's Corruption and Tyranny)

Pagod at galit na kami sa malaon nang panloloko, panlilinlang at panunupil ng gobyerno ni Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Ang huling pagkakalantad ng garapal na katiwalian ng pamahalaan bunsod ng testimonya ni G. Rodolfo 'Jun' Lozada, para sa amin, ay hudyat para sa muling pagharap sa hamon ng panahon na tumindig at magkaisa.

Panahon na para singilin si Arroyo at kanyang mga kasapakat sa hindi na mabilang na kasalanan ng mga ito sa bayan.

Naniniwala kami na hindi na bago ang sentimiyentong ito at, bagkus, ay lalo pang nagiging mas makatwiran na muling nagsasama-sama ang iba't ibang sektor ng lipunan para sa panawagang agad nang umalis si Arroyo sa pwesto.

Hindi na kami makapaghihintay pa sa darating na eleksyong 2010. Ang dalawang taon na maaari pang ikatagal ni Arroyo at kanyang mga alipores sa pamahalaan ay mangangahulugan lamang ng ibayo pang panloloko, pangungurakot at kawalang-katarungan para sa mamamayan.

Malaon nang walang tiwala ang taumbayan kay Arroyo. Ngayon, anumang paghuhugas-kamay at pagtangka nitong ilihis ang mga usapin, hindi na kami makapapayag na muling makalusot sa pananagutan ang gobyernong Arroyo.

Mamamayan pa rin ang mapagpasya. Sobra na, tama na, layas na, Gloria! ###