News Release
February 15, 2008

Reference:
Dion Carlo Cerrafon
National President
09157601902

Students, youth groups demand Arroyo's removal

Youth group Kabataang Pinoy, together with anti-Arroyo youth alliance
Youth Revolt and the National Union of Students of the Philippines
(NUSP), today led student councils and organizations from different
state universities, private and Catholic schools in marching towards
the Makati Central District to demand the removal of President Gloria
Macapagal Arroyo.

Student leaders and contingents from the University of the
Philippines, Ateneo de Manila, De La Salle, University of Santo Tomas,
University of the East, Adamson University, Philippine Christian
University, University of Makati, Philippine Normal University and
Polytechnic University of the Philippines merged with other sectors
and civil society organizations in today's mammoth rally to denounce
corruption in government. They were joined by high school students
from Manila and Quezon City, church-based and community youth groups
and students from Southern Tagalog.

"Once again, we reaffirm our historic role as catalysts of change and
vow to be at the forefront of the nation's crusade with other
marginalized sectors to defend our democracy, good governance and our
future. "These critical times warrant our defiance and collective
action against abusive and greedy power wielders. We are prepared to
defend the nation's future at all cost," Kabataang Pinoy president
Dion Carlo Cerrafon said.

"As the inheritors of the future, we have the moral and social
responsibility to defend democracy and the Constitution from the hands
of a few who are willing to compromise the youth and the country's
future for selfish political ends."

"As future leaders and responsible citizens of this nation, it is
every young Filipinos moral obligation to set the bar for public
servants and strive for a better Philippines for the generations to
come. Getting rid of a corrupt, despotic and illegitimate president is
the first step to ensure country and the youth's bright future."

"The youth have every reason to call for Arroyo's removal. She has
long-ago failed the youth, the decisive force which catapulted her
into power, by discounting the Youth Agenda presented to her by youth
leaders upon her assumption of office. Her presidency is marked by
unabated tuition hikes, annual budget cuts in state schools, public
schools operating in decrepit condition, campus repression and murder
of student leaders critical of her administration. She is the biggest
hindrance andthreat to our country's progress and the youth's future,"
he pointed out.

Cerrafon added that the Arroyo government has become the single
biggest source of profane and debauched statements and imagery that
are now distorting basic concepts of righteousness and fairness. He
also accused the Arroyo regime of "misinterpreting" the law or
"deliberately telling lies" to protect itself and inflict harm on its
foes.

He said Mrs. Arroyo and her allies' adherence to a twisted set of
values is wearing down the youth and the people's faith in our
democratic processes and institutions.

"They serve as bad examples to young Filipinos. We are afraid that
there might come a time when today's and the next generation of young
Filipinos can no longer discern what the truth is and will get adapted
to a corrupted culture and be indoctrinated with twisted set of
values," he stressed.

Cerrafon said today's demonstration is just the beginning of more
protests in different schools to demand Arroyo's removal. He called on
the Filipino youth to remain vigilant and reach out to fellow youth
and other sectors to support the fight for good governance and
accountability.

"As Senator Jose Diokno once said, 'The time to talk is over. The time
for us to start work begins.' Today's situation calls for steadfast
collective action and principled young men and women who are willing
to stand for truth, justice and righteousness."