This story
was taken from Bulatlat, the Philippines's alternative weekly
newsmagazine (www.bulatlat.com, www.bulatlat.net, www.bulatlat.org).
Vol. V, No. 23, July 17-23, 2005
‘Resign, or
Face Ouster’ – Priests Tell Gloria The
Catholic clergy of Negros island in central Philippines has had a history of
social engagements including the ouster of dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986 and
that of President Joseph Estrada in 2001. This time around, some members are
boarding the movement calling for the removal of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
By Karl G. Ombion and
Ranie Azue BACOLOD CITY – The Catholic
clergy of Negros island in central Philippines has had a history of social
engagements including the ouster of dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986 and that
of President Joseph Estrada in 2001. This time around, some members are boarding
the movement calling for the removal of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who is accused
of stealing the presidency last year and of jueteng connections in the
past. Last week, a number of
Catholic priests joined mass protests culminating in a big rally here on July 13
where 2,500 cane workers, students, professionals, nuns and other people
participated. They also took exception with the position of the Catholic Bishops
of Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) which issued a statement short of
calling for the president’s removal. In a Bulatlat
interview, Fr. Greg Patino, a parish priest in Bacolod, said that Catholic
priests respect the CBCP position, “but many of us believe that Macapagal-Arroyo
has lost the moral authority to rule because of her anti-poor economic policies,
and involvement in several scams, including electoral fraud.” “She should resign, or face
ouster by the people,” Fr. Patino added. Fr. Mao Buenafe, Social
Action Center director, agreed with Fr. Greg. The CBCP did not ask the president
to step down but called her attention to her accountability in the crisis. This,
he said, “is enough point that Macapagal-Arroyo cannot escape responsibility in
the charges. My stand is for her to just resign.” Fr. Baby Gordoncillo of the
Kahublagan Negrosanon para sa Pagbag-o (Negros Movement for Change and Moral
Regeneration or NMMR) said that members of the Negros clergy see no other option
but to push for Macapagal-Arroyo’s immediate resignation. “The longer she stays in
power, the more miserable our people would be because her economic policies are
clearly anti-people and anti-democratic,” Fr. Gordoncillo said. The Catholic reverend also
called for the formation of a people’s transition council that will pave the way
for the holding of credible national elections. NMMR organized the two-hour
rally at Bacolod’s public plaza after a march through the city’s streets. In the
new alliance are the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan or New Patriotic
Alliance), the Kilusang Mayo Uno (May 1st Movement), National
Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW), human rights groups and party-list groups,
among others. Joining them were the FPJ Movement, Bangon Pilipinas, Partido ng
Masang Pilipino (PMP), IFI, Civil Liberties Movement, local business groups,
Salvation Army, and a number of local journalists. Lawyer Rudy Parreno, local
spokesperson of Freedom, Peace and Justice Movement (FPJM) urged the rallyers
and the people to stage more protests saying. “We must persevere in waging
street protests because Macapagal-Arroyo will try all means to stay in power,”
he said. Mayor Ricardo Presbitero of
southern town Valladolid and spokesperson of PMP in Negros, said “people power
must be staged till she is forced to step down.” Felipe Gelle, secretary
general of Bayan Negros, also slammed the Arroyo-Fidel Ramos conspiracy to
divert people’s attention by raising the issue of charter change and a shift in
government to parliamentary form through a constituent assembly. This, Gelle said, “is more
dangerous given the record of Ramos as a psywar specialist and a rabid
militarist. In fact, it is now apparent that Macapagal-Arroyo is a hostage of
Ramos and his clique of militarists.” Ramos, more than a week
ago, backed Macapagal-Arroyo’s retention. He moved however that she can stay in
office as “caretaker president” for a year within which a constituent assembly
will be convened to amend the charter followed by elections in May 2005. People’s
Transition Council Gelle also said the
People’s Transition Council is the best alternative toward preparing the way for
national economic, political and electoral reforms because it will represent the
broadest and democratic forces of the Filipino people, especially the workers
and peasants. Asked how the Council will
be formed and operate, Fred Cana of Karapatan explained that “the leaders of
various anti-Arroyo groups including the churches and opposition parties should
now come together, lead the ouster of Macapagal-Arroyo, while drawing up a
common program of reforms and prepare for a more credible national elections in
three to six months. The NMMR leaders also
expressed a consensus that they are not in favor of Vice President Noli De
Castro replacing, as “he himself assumed his power under a cloud of doubt” and
that “he would likely follow the economic and political path left by Macapagal-Arroyo.”
NMMR leaders vowed to wage
protests to oust Vice President Noli De Castro should he take over after the
president is ousted. More protest actions are
also being prepared ahead of Macapagal-Arroyo’s state-of-the-nation address (SONA)
on July 25 when big indignation rallies will be held throughout the country.
Bulatlat © 2004 Bulatlat
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Groups gear for
big rally on SONA day
Bulatlat