This story
was taken from Bulatlat, the Philippines's alternative weekly
newsmagazine (www.bulatlat.com, www.bulatlat.net, www.bulatlat.org).
Vol. VI, No. 44, Dec. 14, 2006
Women Groups Unite vs
Arroyo’s Chacha
Representatives of various
women’s groups and other women personalities gathered in a press conference at
Quezon City, Dec. 15, to register their participation in the mounting protests
against the government’s moves to amend the Constitution. At the conference, the
women leaders signed a cloth bearing the call “Women Say No to Gloria’s Chacha.” The women present at the
press conference belong to the United Methodist Church (UMC), GABRIELA, Winlaw,
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan or New Patriotic Alliance), Migrante
International, Ecumenical Women’s Forum, GABRIELA Women’s Party, Bangon
Kababaihan (Rise up Women), United Opposition, Kubol ng Pag-asa (Tent of Hope),
Women March, and Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (Strength of the Filipino Masses). The Unity Statement was
read by Rev. Sol Villalon of UMC. “We believe that GMA’s
insistence on making major changes in the Constitution is immoral and
self-serving, done as it is with the selfish intention of perpetuating those in
power, it said. “We believe that the Arroyo Charter Change trick will lead to
the rape of our patrimony, our environment and our natural and human resources.” GABRIELA Partylist Rep.
Liza Maza said that the people should stay vigilant even if House Speaker Jose
de Venecia announced that the resolution of the House of Representatives forming
a Constituent Assembly is archived. She said that the House Committee on
Constitutional Amendments will hold a meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 19, to discuss
the proposal for a Constitutional Convention. “Whether Cha-cha is pursued
through Con-ass or Con-con, it will only benefit them (administration officials)
not the people,” said Maza. Sen. Jamby Madrigal
described the planned charter change as “constitutional rape” and scored Arroyo
and de Venecia’s “political selfishness and arrogance.” She also urged the public
to oppose the brother of charter change, the anti-terrorism bill. If passed, Madrigal said,
even simple meetings like what they were holding could be considered an act of
terrorism. “This is the secret weapon
of GMA if ever she fails to have the cha-cha,” she said. At the same conference,
women leaders pledged their full support to the big protest prayer rally to be
held on Dec. 17, Sunday at the Luneta Park. It was announced that organizations
under Bayan will first have a program at the Liwasang Bonifacio on the same day
before proceeding to Luneta. Meanwhile, more rallies are
scheduled before Dec. 17. The United Opposition announced that protest actions,
including a work stoppage, will be held in Makati on Dec.16. Bulatlat © 2006 Bulatlat
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Posted
2:30 p.m., Dec. 14, 2006