Press Release
26 July 2009

For reference:
Dolores Balladares, UNIFIL-MIGRANTE-HK, Chairperson (9747-2986)
Edgar Robles, Bangon Pilipinas HK, Spokesperson (6391-9718)
Cynthia Abdon-Tellez, Gabriela Women’s Party – HK, Chairperson (9740-9406)
Normay Uy Carnay, BAYAN-HK, Country Information Officer (9647-2567)

On the eve of SONA, HK OFWs warn solons vs Chacha
Congressmen to commit “political suicide” if Conass convenes

“The writings on the wall are clear: OFWs and our families will not support Charter Change and the extension of term of the criminal, negligent and corrupt administration of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Members of the House of Representatives who will dare push the illegal Constituent Assembly (ConAss) in the SONA should be forewarned that it will be a political suicide as they’ll face protest actions such as this and they’ll be marked for defeat come 2010.”

This was declared today by Dolores Balladares, chairperson of the United Filipinos in Hong Kong (UNIFIL-MIGRANTEHK) as OFWs trooped to the Philippines Consulate General on the eve of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) to thwart threats of a ConAss tomorrow.

“We’ll make true our vow to remit nothing on the day that Con-Ass is convened. Not a single cent for GMA and definitely not another extension for GMA to escape from her crimes against the Filipino people,” she added.

The group reported that as of today’s protest more than 7,000 OFWs in HK signified their support for the Zero Remittance Day call of Migrante International. The petition for zero remittance was also endorsed by 80 OFW organizations. She warned that the call will continue for as long as “the threat of Chacha hovers above the heads of OFWs and our families”.

Protesters also paraded the “Wishing Walls” they put up for the past two Sundays where OFWs wrote the changes in the country that they wanted. Included in the wishes were stamping out corruption, sufficient services to OFWs, resolution of human rights violations cases, and scrapping of the Visiting Forces Agreement or VFA.

“We want social change and not Chacha or GMA in power. Congress members who will support Chacha and GMA will go down the drain together with her,” said Cynthia Abdon-Tellez, chairperson of Gabriela-HK.

Members of the Hong Kong chapters of Bangon Pilipinas, Gabriela Women’s Party and BAYAN also joined the action. Organizations from the Catholic and Protestant churches as well as alliances from the provinces of Abra and Pangasinan, and the region of Cordillera joined in the action

Meanwhile, BAYAN-HK country information officer Norman Uy Carnay said that Chacha forebodes even harder times for OFWs and their families.

“Chacha shall further put the country under foreign subjugation, it is not directed towards genuine development for the people and the only beneficiaries of such change will be GMA and her cohorts who have long been plundering the Philippines. GMA’s devious plans are already unraveling – be it with Con-Ass, failure of elections, no elections or a declaration of open Martial Law – the people will be there to thwart her,” he added.

For their part, Bangon Pilipinas – HK spokesperson Edgar Robles said that they "are opposed to all moves and cunning devices of Arroyo and her allies in pushing for Con-Ass that will pave the way for Cha-cha and prolong her stay in power beyond 2010. Her words and promises of not staying in power are nothing but a BIG LIE and merely a reflection of who she is: a LIAR! We are calling on all Filipinos all across the globe to stay vigilant, not to be fooled and victimized by the gimmicks and deceptions of Arroyo and all her accomplice."

Finally, Balladares urged fellow Filipinos abroad to intensify protests against Chacha and GMA.

“It is our future that is at stake. Whenever this government dares start the Con-Ass, we shall be there to call for zero remittance day, conduct protests and encourage our families to take part in actions in the Philippines. We will end the nightmares that are Chacha and GMA continuing on with her corrupt, criminal and US lapdog administration,” she concluded.#