GMA IS RIPE FOR OUSTER BY THE BROAD MASS MOVEMENT

By Prof. Jose Maria Sison

 Chief Political Consultant

National Democratic Front of the Philippines

15 February 2008

Gloria M. Arroyo, the fake president, is ripe for ouster by the broad mass movement of the Filipino people as a result of her record of moral bankruptcy, subservience to foreign interests, brazen corruption and systematic human rights violations.

The flagrant use of bribery to remove Rep. Jose de Venecia from the speakership and the use of kidnapping in an attempt to silence Rodolfo Jun Lozada have served to underscore the issue of corruption and to outrage the broad masses of the people.

The Arroyo regime has become so isolated and so desperate that it has directed its military and police minions to concoct tales about anti-Arroyo assassination plots and spread fears about possible violence in mass actions in order to intimidate the people and the legal democratic forces.

The regime is seeking to justify the state violence that the military and police are poised to unleash in order to disrupt and stop the growth of the mass actions. In this regard, the regime and its military and police henchmen are being called upon to respect the right of the people to speak and assemble.

As far as I know from the official pronouncements of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), the New People’s Army (NPA) is sympathizing with and encouraging the legal and peaceful mass actions in the urban areas and is directing its military tactical offensives against the people’s enemies in the countryside in consonance with the strategic line of protracted people’s war.

The sheer growth of the legal and peaceful mass actions in the national capital region and on a national scale in the coming days, weeks and months can encourage the military and police to withdraw support from the Arroyo ruling clique and can suffice to cause the resignation, impeachment or outright ouster of  the illegitimate and morally bankrupt president. ###

Download statement

■   Prospects for resumption of formal talks are bright if Gloria M. Arroyo is ouster - Jose Maria Sison

Protesters from various groups marched to the Ninoy monument at Plaza Paseo. The following day Arroyo and her Cabinet had the media document their Unity Walk on the palace grounds the better to have some practice when the time comes that they have to make their forced exit from Malacanang in disgrace.

Press statement
15 February 2008
Reference: Renato Reyes Jr., secretary general
 

Protests gain momentum, Bayan says Malacañang mafia should be ousted

Declaring that the Arroyo regime has been running the country like a feared mafia, umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) reaffirmed its call for Ms. Gloria Arroyo to step down as it joined forces today with the United Opposition (UNO) and other forces in the first big anti-Arroyo rally since ZTE scam star witness Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada Jr. surfaced last week.

Renato Reyes Jr., the group’s secretary general, said that the unfolding of current events “may sow the seeds of bigger actions in the tradition of “people power.”

“We are amazed and encouraged by the broadness of the opposition to this morally bankrupt regime. Anywhere we hold protest actions; ordinary people – commuters, motorists, and bystanders – show support for calls for change,” Reyes said.

“Groups of lawyers, church people, students and teachers and other professionals are expressing support for Lozada and contempt for Aroryo. These are telling signs that the people are again roused and are ready to take political action”, Reyes said.

The group said that while the Ayala rally today would pale in comparison to “people power” crowds of the past, it is nonetheless a good start for groups and individuals who are coming together in “communal action”.

“This is a good starting point for future mass actions. By that time, the numbers would have grown significantly,” Reyes said.

Bayan noted that the Arroyo regime and its spin doctors are desperate to counter the massive flow of people to the streets through its vicious orchestrated efforts to discredit and harass Lozada and his family; revive charter change (cha-cha) through the local government units; and inventing destabilization plans, including a new assassination plot on Arroyo by terrorists.

“The Malacañang crime syndicate is fearful of the rise of more protest actions. State security forces are inventing new diversions everyday in a desperate bid to scare people and cause uncertainty,” Reyes.

After the Ayala rally, some groups are already considering a follow up via the commemoration of Edsa 1 at the end of the month.

“There are no concrete plans as of yet, but it already being considered. This callous government leaves the people no choice but to continue with the protest actions,” the Bayan leader added. (END)

Download statement

New Release

February 23, 2008

Sons and Daughters ask OFW Parents to join Anti-Arroyo protest Actions – Migrante Middle East

An alliance of overseas Filipino organizations based in the Middle East said that many of their Officers and members are receiving calls and short messages from their sons and daughters who are studying in Metropolitan Manila and other Cities in the Philippines .

 “Some of Migrante Officers and members whose sons and daughters are studying in Metro Manila and other Cities such as Metro Cebu, Davao, Baguio, Tacloban, Dunmaguete, are receiving calls and text messages from their children who are studying in different Colleges and Universities asking permission if they could join protest actions initiated by their respective Student Councils and students organizations joining other sectors’ call for Mrs. Arroyo to resign,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante Middle East regional coordinator.

Students in different Universities and Colleges in Metro Manila have been seen for the past few days in streets protests with banners and placards calling for Mrs. Arroyo’s resignation following the revelations made by Rodolfo Noel Lozada Jr. linking the President’s husband, Mike Arroyo, to the controversial $329.48-million broadband project contract with China ’s Zhong Xing Telecommunications Equipment Corp. (ZTE).

Manong Carlo, a Migrante member in Riyadh said he received call from his daughter who is studying at the University of the East in Recto taking up Business Administration on her second year now saying that they have irregular classes since Mr. Lozada have spoken about the ZTE broadband anomaly, and their Student Council along with the organization where she is a member, are spearheading the campaign for Mrs. Arroyo’s resignation.

“I could not say ‘don’t join’ in the rallies to my daughter. She too has her own political beliefs and opinions that should be respected. Maybe she, like many students, just want to have a more democratic and transparent government to replace Mrs. Arroyo’s government, a government that is truly serving its people,” Manong Carlo added.

On her part, Manang Julie, Migrante-UAE member said that her son who is taking up law studies at the University of Santo Thomas have called her and his husband saying that their law students organization have already joined the call of many sectors for Mrs. Arroyo’s resignation and he will be joining rallies on the Feb. 25, Edsa Revolution I anniversary.

Manang Julie further that her son has asked her to send him an extra amount aside from his tuitions so that he could all join the protests actions until Mrs. Arroyo resigned.

“Due to this positive response from OFWs’ sons and daughters joining the call for Mrs. Arroyo’s resignation, once again Migrante is calling our families and relatives to join without fail in the coming people’s protest actions to demand for Mrs. Arroyo’s immediate resignation,” Monterona added.

During the Feb. 14 Valentine’s day, Migrante chapters in the Middle East have agreed to give calls to greet Happy Valentine’s Day to their loved ones and encourage them to join the scheduled mass actions on Feb. 15 held in Makati City.

“This is really enlightening. Could you imagine the sons and daughters of OFWs, themselves are now actively involved in social actions like these so that their voices can be heard too, representing their OFW-parents abroad in this historic people’s concerted actions to remove a corrupt and anti-OFW Arroyo,” Monterona added.

Migrante said that empowering OFWs is not only amongst the ranks of overseas Filipino workers themselves but as well as their family members and relatives who undeniably are always there to support OFWs cause and ever willing to extend support to their loved ones working abroad for their future and their children’s children future.

“For OFWs cause, our family members and sons and daughters, will not fail us to joining mass actions scheduled on Feb. 25 Edsa Revolutions Anniversary and February 29 picket rally at POEA office to demand total scrapping of MC-04 and POEA Guidelines on Landbased Recruitment, both an anti-OFW policies, to represent in our behalf as they knew very well how their OFW-parents struggled here to advance OFWs rights and welfare,” Monterona ended. # # # .

For reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante Middle East Regional Coordinator

Mobile No.: 00966 564 97 8012

Download statement

PRESS RELEASE
Information Bureau
Communist Party of the Philippines

February 16, 2008

CPP congratulates anti-Arroyo forces

for big demonstration yesterday

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today congratulated the broad united front of anti-Arroyo forces for successfully launching a big protest action yesterday that was able to draw around 15,000 people in Makati demanding the resignation and ouster of Gloria Arroyo from Malacañang.

CPP spokesperson Gregorio "Ka Roger" Rosal said "the big protest rally was successfully staged despite all out efforts of the Arroyo government to thwart it by intimidating people and preventing them from joining the demonstrations."

"In the face of the people's outrage over the corruption and rotteness of the ruling regime, particularly over the $130 million bribery-laden NBN/ZTE deal, the clamor for Gloria Arroyo's ouster will ultimately redound in the streets in a spiral of mass protest actions," said Rosal.

He added: "If Arroyo and her fascist cohorts want to stop people from joining demonstrations, it is clear that they will need to do more than just setting up checkpoints and concocting so-called intelligence reports of supposed NPA infiltration of rallies," said Rosal. "Not even yesterday's arrogant display of an Army company in full battle gear aboard armored personnel carriers taunting people at EDSA failed to intimidate and dissuade the people from joining the Makati protests."

"Yesterday's protest action is a portent of bigger demonstrations in the coming days and weeks," said Rosal. "The CPP urges the Filipino people to unite and continue demonstrating in the streets and other venues of protest until they could muster millions to force the rotten rulers out of Malacañang."

"The CPP will continue to support the broad united front in their efforts to launch mass protest actions with the objective of forcing the removal Arroyo from Malacañang," said Rosal. The CPP spokesperson expressed support for the planned assemblies, prayer meetings and street demonstrations scheduled in the next few days and weeks.

"The revolutionary forces in the countryside are in full solidarity with the demonstrations in Metro Manila and other major cities across the Philippines," said Rosal. "Units of the New People's Army (NPA) are poised to carry out big and small tactical offensives against the most rabid fascist and pro-Arroyo military units in the countryside order to help weaken the fascist pillars that are propping up the regime."

"Every shot fired by NPA Red fighters will amplify the people's outrage and clamor to put an end to the corrupt and brutal Arroyo regime," Rosal added.

"The revolutionary forces are also ready and willing to secure personalities being persecuted by the fascist machinery of the Arroyo regime," said Rosal. "They can be provided safe haven within the guerrilla fronts where the revolutionary masses and the people's army and militias will serve as their impregnable fortress."

Arroyo assassination plot, hogwash

Meanwhile, Rosal dismissed as "hogwash" claims by the Philippine National Police (PNP) that it has discovered an NPA assassination plot against Arroyo.

"There is absolutely no truth to the statements by police officials claiming that the NPA is planning to assassinate Arroyo," said Rosal. "It is clear that this so-called intelligence report was publicized in order to justify Arroyo's non-appearance before the alumni homecoming at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in Baguio in order to avoid a repeat of the jeers that she received last year."

"Furthermore, this so-called intelligence report was obviously concocted by Arroyo's police and military officials to justify the mobilization of thousands of Army troops to serve as a suppression force against the protest demonstrations."

"What the Filipino people want is to remove Gloria Arroyo from Malacañang and have her arrested, tried and punished for her crimes of plunder and state terror," said Rosal.

Reference:
Marco Valbuena
Media Officer
Cellphone Numbers: 09179776392 :: 09282242061
E-mail:cppmedia@gmail.com

Download statement

■   Unite the people and press the fight to end the rotten, corrupt, deceptive and repressive Arroyo regime!

Saturday, February 16, 2008
Manila Times

THE OTHER VIEW
By Elmer A. Ordoñez
 

Major surgery

Truly sickening to see another round of cover-up, dissembling, and brazen denial on the part of Palace functionaries to counter damaging testimony by a witness on the ZTE deal. Sandwiched between GMA loyalists was Jun Lozada who finally screwed his courage to the sticking place and told everything he said he knew about the broadband scandal at the Senate investigation. Administration senators tried their best to discredit the beleaguered witness but they failed.

I am aghast that these senators whom we knew at the U.P. years ago are part of the regime’s counteroffensive to save a morally bankrupt leadership that has long deserved to be banished and replaced. But from the looks of it the whole political system may well undergo major surgery if not interment.

We know that any change at the top would be superficial, for we have a history of that kind of change from EDSA I (when one set of rapacious oligarchs was replaced by another set of elites equally capable of pillage and repression) to EDSA II (when a president charged and convicted of plunder gave way to another who is now the object of ouster moves because of more serious charges including corruption, electoral fraud, and abetting a military held responsible here and outside the country for extrajudicial killings, abductions, and disappearances of activists, media persons, church people, lawyers, and innocent civilians).

Hence, genuine social change is directed at dismantling the feudal social relations that have institutionalized political patronage, wholesale graft and plunder, and subservience of leaders to vested interests, local and foreign.

Genuine change seeks to abolish the coercive and ideological state apparatuses of the ruling class and install people’s organs that would look after the interests of the many and not just of the few,

At this stage people will settle for constitutional succession even in the unlikely event of the incumbent’s resignation. The Makati Business Club indicated that they can live with the takeover of the vice-president who, to many circles, has little credibility as a national leader. But it seems the climate of corruption under GMA has become so insufferable that anyone else as president would be a relief. Was this the mood of the protesters during the EDSA II not anticipating another mess they were getting the country into?

People who have experienced years of martial law are also wary of putschist attempts (like rebel soldiers staging a coup) unless perhaps the putschists would readily give way to a rapid transition to democratic processes of choosing the government. But from historical experience military leaders like those in Burma and Pakistan tend to make themselves permanently in charge.

What is envisioned here for now is a modest alternative to the neocolonial state of the ruling elites – an electoral democracy whose leaders are chosen in clean and honest elections not on the basis of personalities but on political platforms distinct from one another, where government and institutions work for the welfare of all and not for a privileged few, where the armed forces are professional and subordinate to civilian rule, where basic freedoms and civil liberties are inviolable, and where national sovereignty and social justice are paramount. How to get there may well be what this renewed rising and protest is all about.
 

Download column
 

Note: the color of her mole is also the color of her soul

Coming: The Luckiest Bitch visuals from CAP. Thank you CAP.

Saksi: ■ Neri called Arroyo 'evil' – Gina de Venecia   

■ Lozada: Neri called Arroyo 'evil

LAWYERS CONDEMN PRES. ARROYO’S DETERMINED EFFORTS TO SUBVERT CONSTITUTION AND LAWS SHE IS REQUIRED TO UPHOLD

            The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers condemns the Executive Department’s persistent efforts to subvert the Constitution and the laws it has sworn to uphold.   The refusal of the PNP to attend the Senate investigation, the belated Ombudsman investigation and the threats of harassment suits against witness Jun Lozada are nothing more than attempts to undermine the Senate investigation into the ZTE-NBN corruption scandal.   These orchestrated acts by top government officials loyal to Malacanang, however, only adds more credence to the evidence which show that those responsible for acts of corruption in the ZTE transaction is not only limited to former Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos but actually involve Pres. Gloria Arroyo and her husband Atty. Mike Arroyo.

PNP Officers criminally and administratively liable

            The refusal of PNP officers to attend Senate hearings ostensibly because “the PNP cannot discuss the matter publicly in order not to interfere with due process” citing the complaint for obstruction of justice filed with the Ombudsman is not only an open defiance of congressional authority but also violates the PNP officers’ oath  under Sec. 40 of the Administrative Code of 1987,  requiring all public officials to “ obey the laws, legal orders and decrees promulgated by the duly constituted authorities”.   The NUPL finds it incomprehensible how “publicly discussing the matter” before the Senate can violate due process rights, especially since the PNP can always ask for executive session. Based on this theory, Gen. Razon and his subordinates,  are henceforth, precluded from giving media interviews on the Lozada kidnapping. 

Furthermore, Gen. Avelino Razon and his subordinates cannot claim the right to self incrimination as the basis for their non attendance because the Supreme Court expressly prohibited this insidious scheme to preempt congressional investigations in Sabio vs Gordon [GR 184340, October 2006], to wit:

Anent the right against self-incrimination, it must be emphasized that this right may be invoked x x x  only when the incriminating question is being asked, since they have no way of knowing in  advance the nature or effect of the questions to be asked of them.” That this right may possibly be violated or abused is no ground for denying respondent Senate Committees their power of inquiry.   

Furthermore, Sec. 19   of the Senate rules expressly prohibit ‘preemptive’ claim to self-incrimination :

Sec. 19. Privilege Against Self-Incrimination 

A witness can invoke his right against self-incrimination only when a question tends to elicit an answer that will incriminate him is propounded to him. x x x No person can refuse to testify or be placed under oath or affirmation or answer questions before an incriminatory question is asked. His invocation of such right does not by itself excuse him from his duty to give testimony.

In such a case, the Committee, by a majority vote of the members present there being a quorum, shall determine whether the right has been properly invoked. If the Committee decides otherwise, it shall resume its investigation and the question or questions previously refused to be answered shall be repeated to the witness. If the latter continues to refuse to answer the question, the Committee may punish him for contempt for contumacious conduct.

      This blatant disregard of the Senate’s authority to conduct investigation is another attempt to preempt the investigation and subvert the search for the truth behind the ZTE scandal.  This makes all the respondents subject to criminal and administrative charges that may be filed after Pres. Gloria Arroyo ceases to be President on or before 2010.

DOJ Fact Finding

The NUPL also condemns Pres. Arroyo’s continuing misuse of the Department of Justice through her Justice Secretary.   The threats publicly aired by  Sec. Raul Gonzalez of DOJ plans to investigate ZTE witness Jun Lozada’s finances and file criminal cases against his brothers and sisters for perjury not only smacks of harassment but also a not so veiled attempt to silence Mr. Lozada.

The arrogance implied by Sec. Gonzalez’ threats  against a lowly public official in Mr. Lozada is matched by his cowardice to investigate the involvement of FG Mike Arroyo and Chairman Abalos in the ZTE deal and other anomalies.  After Sec. Neri charged, under oath in an official congressional investigation,  Chairman Abalos of bribery, the  voluble Justice Secretary did not found the charges worth investigating.  The DOJ cannot make investigations which would pre judge the exercise of its official function of conducting preliminary investigation if criminal complaints are filed against any party involved in the ZTE corruption scandal.  Furthermore, the Justice Secretary has constantly expressed his loyalty and fealty to Pres. Arroyo and his biased views against Mr. Lozada and those that seek to reveal the truth behind the corruption charges against Pres. Arroyo disqualifying his department from conducting investigation.

Ombdusman Investigation a diversionary circus

            The Ombudsman investigation is another such attempt to confuse the people and divert the attention from the Senate investigation.  The Ombudsman is required under Sec. 15 (1) of RA 6670 to :

1) Investigate and prosecute on its own or on complaint by any person, any act or omission of any public officer or employee, office or agency, when such act or omission appears to be illegal, unjust, improper or inefficient. It has primary jurisdiction over cases cognizable by the Sandiganbayan x x x

            The ZTE contract was cancelled or suspended by Pres. Gloria Arroyo because of the irregularities—a clear admission that corruption may have taken place.  Under the law, the Ombudsman should have acted as early as last year, on its own,  because the scrapped contract ‘appear’ illegal or at the very least, improper.

            The Ombudsman has constantly refused to investigate such a blatant display of corruption and overpricing despite the admission by Pres. Arroyo of the  irregularities involved.  The Ombudsman has in fact, disregarded the statement given under oath of a Cabinet member, Sec. Romulo Neri, that he was bribed by Chairman Abalos a clear sign of the biased exercise by Merciditas Guttierez of her functions as a supposed independent Ombudsman.  Guttierez can be found guilty in an impeachment proceeding if only for this inefficiency.   The gall of the Ombudsman, which has not seriously acted on the Fertilizer  Scam case and Jocjoc Bolante for years, to intervene only now when the ZTE issue is generating interest and after the tenth complaint was filed, shows its utter lack of respect to its mandate and task under the law and the Constitution.

NUPL demands of Pres. Arroyo to desist from using her office and those of her subordinates in preempting serious investigations on the ZTE deal precisely because she and her family are the ones being charged with corruption in the said issue.  This is not only required by the Anti graft and corrupt Practices Act but by the principle of delicadeza, the unwritten law governing ethical actions  of public officials.  Pres. Arroyo is not only accountable for her acts but is also accountable for all the violation of the  Constitution and the laws committed by her subordinates to illegally protect her from congressional investigations.

Reference Person        : Atty. Neri Javier Colmenares-Secretary

                                      General 

Date                             : February 18, 2008

Download statement

Concerned Citizens of Makati leader Josie Lichauco.

Her favorite terms for the evil doers in the Palace

are "demonyo" and "demonya"

NBN-ZTE whistleblower Joey de Venecia

speaks of the billions of pesos in commissions

BAYAN Secretary General Renato Reyes

announces bigger rallies in the coming weeks

Mayor JV Ejercito and a Makati Concerned Citizens member

with the Moderate/Exterminate sticker

Edita Burgos,

mother of still missing Jonas Burgos

◄ Gloria -- but not Neri's "evil woman" or Salceda's "luckiest bitch"

Click here for Salceda "bitch" video 

■   Teachers renew Arroyo resign call, start fund drive for ZTE star witness

■   Filipino-American Youth Say Enough is Enough, Oust Gloria!

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

■   Most Filipinos want Arroyo to step down due to corruption charges

■   Governance by arrogance

■   'Deliver us from evil'; Neri, PLEASE speak up – Anakbayan

■   Gloria, heartless. Oust her – UP student community

■   UP Faculty Demand Resignation of Romulo Neri as CHEd Chair

■   Destabilization, text-bombs: diversionary, creating a scenario for crackdonw -- Maza

■   Maanomalya na, nakapipinsala pa! Proyektong southrail dapat isuspinde - Gabriela

■   Students, youth groups demand Arroyo's removal

■   Environmentalists urge GMA's top honcho Lito Atienza:Come clean on ZTE scandal!

■   “Ombudsman and DOJ probes on ZTE prelude to a whitewash!”-KMP

■   Militant farmers dismayed with Sen. Arroyo’s on NBN hearing.Says good senator seems to be turning to the dark side

■   Run for Truth and Justice!!!

■   The Truth will set our Country Free

■   Makati Business Club statement

■   Student councils unite in clamor for truth and accountability; Lead own contingent in Ayala rally today

■   Obstruction of justice case to be filed vs. Arroyos, et al; preventive suspension sought to prevent sabotage

■   Detained peasant leader shares tips to Lozada to withstand gov’t persecution

■   Salinlahi statement on Lozada

■   Children and child rightws advocates admire Lozada's "courageous act"

■   "The hour has come"

■   Unknown quantity

■   Towards communal reflection

■   Transcript of Lozada testimony

■   Women against GMA

■   Youth group slams Defensor, 'the President's honorary son'

■   Students join anti-Arroyo protest today

◄  A spy camera masquerading as a traffic tool also tells the resident evil that there are thousands of people wanting to oust her.

Earning a few scores of pesos the hard

but honest way spotlights the issue

of corruption that bring these rallyists

to Ayala  ►

Home