“Obama-Gloria, No Deal on ChaCha, Philippines Not for Sale” – GABRIELA
“Obama and Gloria, no deal on cha-cha! Philippines is not for sale!” This was the call of the militant women’s group GABRIELA on the current talk between US President Barrack Obama and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
“We are sure there will be a meeting of evil minds on the issue of charter change. The US is intent on further expanding and strengthening its economic, political and military power in the Philippines. Meanwhile, Arroyo is hell-bent in extending her term. Both these interests meet in the amendment of the Philippine Constitution,” said Emmi de Jesus, GABRIELA secretary general…
The women’s group take particular issue on the proposed constitutional amendment that will formalize the Visiting Forces Agreement and remove the constitutional provision that disallows the US military bases within the Philippine territory.
“We cannot allow the US further military access in the country. As it is, countless Filipinos – women and men – has yet to get justice for the abuse and crimes committed against them by US soldiers. Yet, knowing how rabid a US lapdog Gloria, we can only surmise her complete sell out of Philippine sovereignty and dignity,” said De Jesus.
The women’s group took part in the protest action in front of the US Embassy denouncing the US-Arroyo collusion against the Filipino people.
“No matter how their talk turns out, though, eventually the Filipino people’s will shall prevail. And the people had spoken against charter change.”
GMA in doubt, consults Obama
On her last SONA, Mrs.Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo proudly announced her state visit to US and her meeting with US President Barrack Obama tomorrow. She boasted of being the first South East Asian leader to do so. Their talk will center on peace and order, terrorism, nuclear proliferation, climate change and global recession.
More than that, she will meet Obama to ask for the latter’s position on her plan to amend the constitution and extend her term. This perhaps is the reason why she did not say any categorical statement on Cha-Cha and term extension on her last SONA. She will have to consult her boss first.
GMA’s visit to Obama is a manifestation of her puppetry to US. Her continuous adherence to US’s economic, political and military policies does not benefit the people at all. For one, US’s anti-terror war names Mindanao as its second front. Thus, the entry of US troops through the Balikatan which is a proven failure. Balikatan Exercises were conducted in Mindanao to train Filipino soldiers to combat terrorism and crush Abu Sayyaf. And yet, kidnappings and bombings escalated in Mindanao. In short it was a complete failure worsened by corruption of its funds as exposed by Lt.Sg Nancy Gadian.
We suspect that these kidnappings and bombings are done to justify the presence of US military forces in Mindanao. Take note that the issue of collusion between the military and Abu Sayyaf has not been cleared so it remains a possibility.
We doubt the sincerity of the US, despite the change in administration to a genuine peace in the Philippines. After all, it is the US which initiated the war on terrorism and that gained them smooth entry in Mindanao and entire country.
The US has not delisted the CPP-NPA-NDF on from its terror list. It could be another roadblock to the possible resumption of peace talks between the GRP and NDFP.
The Philippines and US’s servant-master relationship has brought nothing but misery to the people. Being a puppet that she is, her talk with Obama will further strengthen this relationship and prolong our misery.#
GIANT QUILT FOR GIANT ANTI-GLORIA PROTEST ON SONA
In preparation for the State of the Nation Address on July 27, expected to draw in the biggest people’s protest action against constitutional assembly and charter change, the women’s group GABRIELA unfolded today the biggest anti-ConAss, anti-ChaCha and anti-Gloria quilt.
The quilt, measuring five meters by 12 meters, was created by women from various communities and organizations. “Our message is loud and clear: Enough of Gloria!” said Emmi de Jesus, secretary general of GABRIELA.
“We have had enough. Under the eight years of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Filipinas suffered unfathomable misery and violence. Livelihood opportunities narrowed even as prices of basic goods and services soared. Innumerable Filipinas who sought employment abroad came home exploited, abused or killed. Housing and health services were denied women and their families. Women and children were victims of the Arroyo government’s frenzied violations of human rights,” said De Jesus.
According to de Jesus, members of GABRIELA chapters in Metro Manila have been creating the quilts for a month now. “Women have toiled to create these quilts to signify not only our discontent but outright rage against Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Weaving together these cloths symbolize the unity of women from all walks of life and political groups against the anomalous ConAss and all maneuvers to extend Arroyo’s term including the imposition of martial law.h
Most of the quilts from urban poor communities denounced the government’s failure in addressing the housing problem. One quilt from Tondo has the face of the president embroidered with garlic peels and the call “Aswang, umalis ka na d’yan!”
Other organizations who took part in the protest action are Ugnayan ng Kababaihan sa Pulitika, ISIS, Teresa Makabayan, Women’s Crisis Center, KASIBULAN (women artists group), Institute of Women’s Studies, Center for Women’s Resources, Lila Pilipina, Salinlahi Alliance for Children’s Concern, Children’s Rehabilitation Center and Gabriela Women’s Party.
Senator Pia Cayetano sent a streamer with the call “Pinays Ibasura ang Arroyo chacha.”
The activity is part of the “Pambansang Bigwas Laban sa ConAss”, a multi-sectoral campaign against Con-Ass and Cha-Cha expected to culminate on the supposed last State of the Nation Address of the president on July 27.
The women’s group said that they expect thousands of women will participate in the People’s SONA and in other protest actions before and after July 27.
“If Arroyo is hell-bent on extending her term, the Filipino people are more bound and determined to end her rule,” concluded de Jesu
Workers vow all out opposition against Arroyo term extension, 100% foreign ownership
Join Pambansang Bigwas sa ConAss simultaneous protests today
Workers led by Kilusang Mayo Uno stormed the streets in various parts of the Metro today as part of the Pambansang Bigwas sa ConAss protest campaign.
KMU slammed House Speaker Prospero Nograles’s recent bid to pass HR 737 when Congress resumes session on SONA, saying such total sellout of the Philippine economy is “a dire effort to please the US to support Gloria Arroyo’s term extension,” said KMU Chairperson Elmer “Bong” Labog.
HR 737 seeks to lift all constitutional limits to foreign ownership of land, resources, public utilities and media – “a complete recipe for full-blown sabotage of national sovereignty and the local economy at the expense of millions of Filipinos currently affected by the spillover of the global crisis.
“Nograles and other congressmen speak as if amending the economic provisions is a Cha-Cha motive that’s more benign than overtly pushing for Arroyo’s term extension. We repeat: Amending the economic provisions of the Constitution and extending Arroyo’s term are twin disasters,” Labog said.
“Interestingly, Nograles spoke of HR 737’s revival just a few days before Arroyo delivers her SONA, in which there is danger that Congress may be convened as a Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass). We can foretell here that Con-Ass – HR 737 will be rubberstamped by the SONA session of the Congress, a plot much faster than what they did to HR 1109,” added Labog.
“It is not enough for Arroyo to promise that there will be elections in 2010. What the Filipino workers and people demand at present is for the Con-Ass initiative to stop, for House Resolutions 1109 and 737 to be junked. That’s the best way for Arroyo to show her commitment to ‘a vibrant democracy,” said Labog.
Today’s simultaneous protests was marked by noise barrages at 5pm till evening in Tandang Sora, Commonwealth Avenue; Monumento, Caloocan; Litex, Fairview; and Pedro Gil, Manila among other areas.
Bangsamoro people says no to charter change, stages symbolic “kulintang protest”
Davao City—In this week´s Black Friday Protest, spearheaded by the Suara Bangsamoro and Khadidja, a hundred Bangsamoro protesters expressed opposition to the proposed charter amendments via a symbolic ¨kulintang protest¨.
The group said that no genuine intention, including promises of benefits for Mindanao and the Bangsamoro people, can come out from any move as displayed in the railroaded passing of HR 1109, convening the house of representative into a constituent assembly.
The group said that the Bangsamoro people cannot allow the national government or those behind moves for cha-cha and con-ass to use our struggle for the right to self determination (RSD) and the peace issue as tools to advance ¨desperate” interests in power.
Herrmeinn Arendain, spokesperson of Suara Bangsamoro Davao City said that with the proposed charter change nothing can be expected that would alter or alleviate the conditions of the people in Mindanao.
¨On the contrary, we could expect only the worse. With cha-cha offering not less than a 100% ownership of our lands and resources to foreign corporations and entities, the struggle RSD for the national minorities would only become a more uphill fight,¨ Arendain Added.
Arendain added if the public would hear House Speaker Prospero Nograles or Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo´s lapdogs in congress speak about cha-cha bringing peace to Mindanao and the Bangsamoro people or about the right to self determination being upheld or granted, ¨they are all bluff and they´re double-mouthing.¨
Suara Bangsamoro said they will be joining thousands of Filipinos come State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 27 to show the Bangsamoro´s firm stand on junking Con-Ass ang frustrating Gloria Arroyo´s Ch-cha to further stay in power.
(Black Friday Protest, is a weekly protest initiated by the militant and progressive organizations aimed at sustaining public consciousness of major economic, political, local and national issues that affect the lives of the people.)
Iskolar ng Bayan vs. Chacha ni Gloria; People’s SONA set
COTABATO CITY- Students of Cotabato City State Polytechnic College (CCSPC) stage a College-wide forum on Charter Change yesterday in collaboration with People’s Movement Against Charter Change at the College’s gymnasium.
“Iskolar ng Bayan” has finally registered their concerned on education and their strong defiance over the passage of House Resolution 1109 which would convene a Senate-less Constituent Assembly to tackle possible amendments or revision on the Charter. CCSPC is the lone state college in the city.
Alibasit Macar, president of Supreme Student Government (SSG) said that youth sector must stand against the move of Arroyo’s minions for Charter Change and shall assess the eight year failing record of the administration with regards to education.
“Eight years of holding the power and failing to serve the interest of youth and education sector is enough for us to resist any move to prolong her (Gloria Macapagal Arroyo) term in Malacanan. We don’t want another year for GMA; we don’t want to see ourselves to suffer on the anti-people policies and self-serving proposals under their proposed Charter Change. The future of Filipino youth is primarily at stake; we have to stand and make moves”, said Macar.
Macar, a student leader and also a convenor of the said alliance said the forum is part of the education campaign of the Supreme Student Government (SSG) with regards of the concerns affecting studentry.
John Birondo of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan in Southern Mindanao Region explained the general implications of Charter Change on both political and economic aspects of the country. He further stressed on its particular effects especially to the youth who he call them as one of the real stakeholders of the said issue.
The alliance gets support from the students and conveys dexterity to join the conduct of nationwide protests dubbed as people’s state of the nation address in the city on July 27.
GABRIELA LAUNCHES WOMEN WEAVE AGAINST CON-ASS AND CHA-CHA
Colorful swatches of cloths creatively embellished with political calls were sewn together by various women’s groups this morning in Quezon City as the militant women’s group GABRIELA launches the “Women Weave Against Con-Ass and Cha-Cha”.
“Weaving together these cloths signify the unity of women from all walks of life and political groups against the anomalous Constitutional Assembly and all maneuvers of the Arroyo government to extend Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s term including the imposition of martial law,” said Emmi de Jesus, GABRIELA Secretary General.
Gabriela Women’s Party List Representative Liza Maza, Senators Loren Legarda and Pia Cayetano sent their messages of solidarity with Gabriela as well as women from Ugnayan nng Kababaihan sa Pulitika, ISIS, Teresa Makabayan, Women’s Crisis Center, KASIBULAN (women artists group) and Institute of Women’s Studies also signified their stand not only against GMA’s ConAss but for the multi-sectoral call for profound social changes.
“More than any other time, we women, must strengthen our unity, heighten our vigilance and intensify our militant fight even as the Arroyo regime grows more and more desperate in its continuing sinister schemes to prolong Arroyo’s reign, including an impending imposition of martial law,” said De Jesus.
“The Arroyo regime should be forewarned against undermining the Filipino people’s aspiration for freedom and democracy. History has repeatedly shown how our people – women and men – gallantly resisted any regime’s attempt to perpetuate tyranny and illegal rule.
According to De Jesus, GABRIELA chapters are initiating the same form of women’s protest all over the Philippines.
The full women’s protest quilt will be unveiled on July 17 as part of build up activities for the heightening anti-ConAss protest that will culminate on July 27 State of the Nation Address.
“We will see to it that the women’s voice will reverberate together with the rest of Filipino people in the fight to end ConAss, Chacha and the Arroyo regime itself. We will see to it that Gloria’s reign will end, sooner or later, De Jesus vowed.
Cotabatenos lambast ConAss; slam Arroyo’s charter change
Cotabato City- Cotabatenos have already signified their defiance on Charter change (CHACHA). An alliance against move for ChaCha through People’s MARCH was launched here yesterday in a Multisectoral Forum in Notre Dame University- the lone university in the city.
About a thousand of participants coming from sectors of academe, human rights group, religious institutions, civil society group, local officials, militant Moro and youth organizations joined the forum and witnessed the formal launching of alliance which comprised of at least 18 groups and individuals.
Rep. Satur Ocampo of Bayan Muna Partylist, the resource speaker of the forum, delivered his analysis and standpoint on the said issue. The militant solon who
debated the passage of HR 1109 which would convene a senate-less Constituent Assembly or ConAss , said the Filipino people will not benefit on the proposed
charter change.
Ocampo stressed some critical points that people should consider to resist charter change. He pointed out some proposed amendments to obliterate nationalist provision especially on economic restrictions which does not allow 100% foreign ownership on lands, mining, shippings and education among others.
”It’s a total sell-out of national patrimony and sovereignty if we’ll let this to happen. It’s the future of the next generation which is at stake” Ocampo emphasized before his major audience- the youth. He added that national election on 2010 must be exercise first and debates on charter change can be entertain under a new administration saying it’s untimely and would-not-credible under Arroyo administration.
People’s MARCH convenor Pstr. Orlando Zambrano of United Methodist Church expressed his dismay regarding the obvious agenda of the side of what he call, Arroyo’s minions in lower congress which is to prolong the term of the president.
“Her allies primarily working out to change the present presidential to parliamentary form of government through ChaCha, which is the only way for her to escape lawsuits and prosecution of corruption and plunder charges. Another term in favor of Arroyo as a president of this country would mean another burden to Filipino people.” Pstr. Zambrano said.
As for the incessant bombing incidents in Mindanao; in a media conference today, Rep. Ocampo strongly condemned the carnage of innocent civilians and urged the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation so that justice will be serve to victims of blasts in Sulu, Iligan and Cotabato City.
“ No one will benefit this terroristic activities but those who hold in power”, said Ocampo stressing that those incidents would only create an objective condition for Arroyo to justify the possible lift of martial law.
GABRIELA KICKS OFF STORM OF ANTI CHACHA PROTEST TOWARDS SONA; GEARS FOR JUNE 30 MARCHA KONTRA CHACHA
As the rainy season starts, militant women’s group GABRIELA kicked off the women’s storm of protest against charter change expected to culminate on the State of the Nation Address on July 27. This morning, members of the women’s group lined up along España for an hour-long noise barrage as part of the build-up action for the Marcha Kontra ChaCha on June 30 where various religious, youth, cause-oriented and civil society groups will hold a march throughout the city of Manila.
“Women together with the rest of the Filipino people vow to foil any and all attempts of Gloria Arroyo and her minions of charter changer and to extend her term. We will not allow her to continue committing crimes against women and the people,” said Emmi de Jesus, GABRIELA secretary general…
De Jesus said that the people are not being fooled by Arroyo’s denial of any involvement in the charter change moves of Congress and the government’s tactic of sending feelers on options on how to extend Arroyo’s term. “Arroyo is desperate as her power nears its end. She is dead-set in perpetuating her power through the amendment of the constitution, “revolutionary” government or imposition of Martial Law.”
“Should Arroyo insist on any of these schemes despite the protest of the people, Arroyo can very well expect a term reduction rather than extension. She will be ousted,” said de Jesus.
The women’s group said that their group is now actively campaigning in communities, schools, factories and offices nationwide for women to join the various protest actions against charter change.
“The reception of the people our campaign has reached so far is positive. Women, in general, have had it with the Arroyo regime with its long list of crimes including corruption, human rights violations, and denial of basic services. We expect the number of women joining the protest actions will increase until the State of the Nation Address on July 27,” de Jesus concluded.
