Repression Remains after GMA Lifts 1017 - CPA

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo lifted Proclamation No. 1017 due to broad opposition from various sectors but repressive forms remain continuously posing a threat to press freedom and the bill of rights, various groups stated after she announced the lifting of the proclamation that she issued last Friday.  

BY KIM QUITASOL
NORTHERN DISPATCH
Posted by Bulatlat

BAGUIO CITY – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo lifted Proclamation No. 1017 due to broad opposition from various sectors but repressive forms remain continuously posing a threat to press freedom and the bill of rights, various groups stated after she announced the lifting of the proclamation that she issued last Friday.  

“GMA (Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) yielded to the broad anti-PP 1017 sentiment due to severe pressure from groups, organizations, churches, institutions and individuals calling for the defense of civil liberties,” a statement by the Cordillera Peoples’ Alliance (CPA) read. The statement also noted that PP 1017 failed to weaken and lessen political demonstrations against GMA; instead, “it further intensified the people’s outrage and mobilizations against the regime.”

“The truth is, had it not been retracted, GMA’s ouster could have been fast-tracked,” the CPA added.

Meanwhile, Bayan Muna (People First) national vice chairperson Manny Loste agreed that the wide popular people’s protest pushed the lifting of the state of national emergency.

But Loste stressed that threats to civil liberties do not end with the lifting of the state of emergency. He called on the Filipino people to continue to be vigilant and bold in protecting their rights.

Lawyers’ protest

Lawyer Randy Kinaud stressed that the lifting of the proclamation does not change the fact that the GMA regime has been resorting to violence to stay in power longer.

“There was never a basis for the declaration of a state of national emergency,” added Kinaud, Secretary-General of the Cordillera Human Rights Alliance (CHRA) and Board Member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Baguio-Benguet (IBP-BB).

The members of the IBP-BB, as an expression of support to the IBP national officers who went to the streets to protest the proclamation, launched a protest at the Justice Hall here by wearing black arm bands. They opposed the proclamation as they described it as an affront to the 1987 Constitution’s provisions on the bill of rights.

Media continuously threatened

Journalist Arthur Allad-iw, acting national chairperson of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), said that the lifting of the proclamation is just a ploy of the GMA administration to save face before the broad opposition to Proclamation 1017.

He added that threats to press freedom are still present. He cited the plan to impose guidelines and the continuous monitoring of media reportage. He also said that undeclared policies that curtail press freedom and civil liberties remain.

The NUJP, in a statement, further demanded that Philippine National Police (PNP) Director Arturo Lomibao withdraw all the “threats” he had made on media institutions and recall PNP forces deployed in media offices.

“We also urge the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to pull out all orders controlling the news broadcast and media affairs. The group also demand the restoration of programs suspended in connection with Proclamation 1017, specifically Diyos at Bayan (God and Country) of Bro. Eddie Villanueva at QTV, and Ngayon Na Bayan (Now is the time countrymen) of DZRJ,” added the statement of the NUJP.

The said media group demanded that Macapagal-Arroyo announce categorically that the government will respect the people’s constitutional right to a free press. NUJP also stated that the Filipino people should not lower their guard even if PP 1017 was lifted. Northern Dispatch / Posted by Bulatlat

BACK TO TOP ■  PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION  ■   COMMENT

© 2006 Bulatlat ■  Alipato Publications

Permission is granted to reprint or redistribute this article, provided its author/s and Bulatlat are properly credited and notified.