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Bu-lat-lat (boo-lat-lat) verb: to search, probe, investigate, inquire; to unearth facts Volume 3, Number 38 October 26 - November 1, 2003 Quezon City, Philippines |
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Bu-lat-lat (boo-lat-lat) verb: to search, probe, investigate, inquire; to unearth facts Volume 3, Number 38 October 26 - November 1, 2003 Quezon City, Philippines |
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Leyte
Gov't Workers Protest Anew, Want GSIS Exec Sacked Braving
rains and bad weather, government employees staged their second mass action
against the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) management in Tacloban
City, central Philippines on Oct. 23. The protesters also warned the Macapagal-Arroyo
administration of the possible political repercussions should she not heed their
demands to oust GSIS president and general manager Winston Garcia. By
Alex Garcia Lagunzad TACLOBAN
CITY, Leyte - Braving rains and bad weather, government employees staged their
second mass action against the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS)
management on Oct. 23. The protesters also warned the Macapagal-Arroyo
administration of the possible political repercussions should she not heed their
demands to oust GSIS president and general manager Winston Garcia. About
500 rallyists belonging to the Confederation for Unity, Recognition and
Advancement of Government Employees (Courage-Eastern Visayas) marched around the
GSIS regional office at Marasbaras of this city in central Philippines. Carrying
placards and umbrellas, the protesters enumerated the incidents of
mismanagement, inefficiency and corruption inside the GSIS. Among
these faults, Ruben Manatad, Courage regional chairperson recounted, "bad
investments, the overpriced purchase of Luna painting, the easy excuse for the
computerization delays, and recently the non-release of the P10,000-emergency
loans." This
was the second protest since Courage declared a national protest last Oct. 8. Meanwhile,
in a visit to Tacloban Oct. 9, Garcia apologized 14 times amidst the query of
disgruntled employees. "I
have to admit that we are inefficient. I am sorry. But before you crucify us,
please hear us out," he told the already restless crowd who waited for his
arrival at the Convention B of the Leyte Park Hotel. "Our
apprehension is that there could be 'an unholy' alliance between PGM Garcia and
Mrs. Arroyo," Courage-EV chair Manatad said. "But we would like the
President to listen to us - the 1.4 million government workers who are suffering
because of mismanagement and corruption inside GSIS, and not to Garcia
alone." Courage which also led protest-rallies in other key cities in the country, warned the Macapagal-Arroyo that this might spell her defeat at the polls in the next year's elections. Bulatlat.com We want to know what you think of this article.
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