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Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN),
Kalihukan sa Mindanao alang sa Kamatuoran (KAMATUORAN!) Youth for
Accountability and Truth Now! (YOUTH ACT NOW! - Iligan Coalition) and
other organizations held an inter-faith prayer rally with prayers and
reflections from religious leaders of different faiths.
Anjo Bacarisas, Chairperson of BAYAN-Lanao, addressed the issue of GMA's
loss of moral ascendancy as a key reason why the illegitimate president
should step down. "Arroyo and her 'hoodlums' continue their plunderous
schemes as the Filipino people languish in poverty and discontent", said
Bacarisas.
He added, "If GMA has a tidbit
of decency left in her evil heart, she should resign. But if she resists,
then the people will have to take it to the streets and there will
certainly be no more room for her graceful exit"
YOUTH ACT NOW! - Iligan Spokesperson Julius Pagarigan chided Arroyo for
her "selective memory loss". "The last time I checked my history book, it
was people power who catapulted her to the helm of power. And GMA's
defiance to heed the people's dictate only confirms her greed for supreme
authority", Pagarigan nonchalantly said, to which he earned a loud cheer
from the crowd.
The group ended the rally with a torch parade and a noise barr
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Press Release
February 29, 2008
Youth Strike versus GMA: Kalampag sa Kabatan-onan sa Kadalanan VS
Corruption and for Gloria's Resignation
Davao City—Members of youth organizations League of Filipino Students (LFS)
and Anakbayan stormed the streets of Davao Thursday afternoon in time for
the national day of action initiated by the Youth Act Now!.
Rachel Pomar, spokesperson of the Anakbayan-Southern Mindanao, said it was
in continuation of the youth's strong condemnation on President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo's corrupt government as nailed down by the recent NBN-ZTE
scandal that dragged the first family and some of her officials.
With the strings of offenses committed by Ms Arroyo against the people,
Pomar said, they have all the reasons to call and demand for her immediate
resignation.
The protesters said that the Arroyo government has been very busy cheating
on the hapless and poor people, especially the youth, who expected a
delivery of basic services from the government. Instead the government,
Pomar said, has been very unstoppable in its delivery of anti-people and
anti-youth policies.
"The NBN-ZTE Deal is said to be a concrete manifestation of how the
present government would want to steal people's wealth to stay on power,"
Pomar said.
She said that the youth is greatly disappointment in the Arroyo
administration.
"In as much as the youth's primary concern is education, they said that it
has long been neglected by the government, instead, focuses on other
projects that are not actually demanded by the people," she said. |
"Here is our call for our
right to education which we believe is more important to be largely
allocated by government budget than an overpriced broadband network deal,
among others. Majority of the Filipinos is in dire need of free and
affordable education while GMA and her corrupt officials continue to
harbor projects as sources of corruption," Pomar said.
Karlos Manlupig, LFS-Southern Mindanao spokesperson, also said that the
disgust of the youth over GMA is that she's never been the legitimate
president.
"We cannot wait for her to retire on 2010 as she had a bad record of
telling the truth in the past, she would only perpetuate her stay in
power. The Filipino people deserve a better leader that would genuinely
serve the interest of the people," Manlupig said.
The youth leaders said that the constitution provides that "public office
is a public trust and therefore government leaders, especially the chief
executive, should be made accountable to crimes attributed to them."
"We declare our solidarity with other sectors of the society who demand
the immediate resignation of GMA. We also urge everyone take part in the
movement against a corrupt and power-obsessed leader," Manlupig said as he
vowed for more protests actions against the government of GMA.
"The streets will serve as our den in defending our democratic interest
slowly stolen and deprived by a corrupt government", Manlupig added.
For Reference:
KARLOS MANLUPIG
Spokesperson, League of Filipino Students Davao City
(0910-812-4204)
Rachel Pomar
Spokesperson
Anakbayan Southern Mindanao
(anakbayan.smr@gmail.com)
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