Cordillera Women Call
for GMA’s Ouster on Women’s Month
The Innabuyog-Gabriela Cordillera, Samahan
ng Maralitang Kababaihang Nagkakaisa (Samakana or Association of United
Poor Women), and Association of Women in Theology (AWIT) call for the
immediate ouster of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) as they
celebrate Women’s Month this March.
BY PINK-JEAN FANGON MELEGRITO
NORTHERN DISPATCH
Posted by Bulatlat
BAGUIO CITY – The
Innabuyog-Gabriela Cordillera, Samahan ng Maralitang Kababaihang
Nagkakaisa (Samakana or the Association of United Poor Women), and
Association of Women in Theology (AWIT) call for the immediate ouster of
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) as they celebrate Women’s Month
this March.
The declaration of
the state of national emergency through Presidential Proclamation 1017,
according to them, is a tool of repression and a “death sentence” to
democracy in the country.
“Why does the state
focus its violence on legitimate representatives, when in fact, GMA is not
legitimately voted by the people?” Vernie Yocogan-Diano, Innabuyog-Gabriela
secretary general, said reacting to the arrest of Gabriela Women’s Party (GWP)
representative Liza Maza.
Sr. Alice Sobrevinas,
OSB, spoke of the Church’s role in this present political crisis. “The
root of this chaos is brought about by people who do not think” she said
in Filipino. “The Church has different calls – be vigilant, watchful.
However, we also need to participate. We need one courageous response to
let the truth out.”
For the urban poor
sector, Samakana’s Geraldine Cacho said that the poor remain poor because
of the festered government. “The government is very vicious,” Cacho said
in Filipino. “The women and children of miners on strike at Lepanto were
underprivileged. Sidewalk vendors are driven away as if it is illegal for
us to live.”
“We can’t study
because of perpetual price increases,” she added. “We cannot find jobs
since the government does not provide enough jobs. In addition, when we
try looking for our own means, like sidewalk vending, we are declared as
illegal and driven away. What is legal then? Are we poor because we are
lazy or because the government is very irresponsible?”
Meanwhile, Diano
announced several activities in Baguio for Women’s Month. On March 7, Sen.
Jamby Madrigal will speak for “Voices of Women for Civil Liberties” at the
UP Baguio auditorium. On March 8, the International Working Women’s Day, a
photo exhibit, an ecumenical service at the Igorot
Park, and a “Human Chain against
Poverty and Hunger” along Session Road will take place.
Diano concluded that
they will continue fighting for women’s rights, and for the ouster of GMA,
with or without a state of emergency. “We are calling for a state of
urgency for GMA to step down,” she stated. With reports from Joanne
Lacsina/ 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.