Erosion of middle forces’ support
The last few days had seen a steady erosion of support for Macapagal-Arroyo from the middle forces – a sector whose broadest participation, analysts say, is crucial for the success of popular uprisings aiming to oust a President.
Over the last weekend, De La Salle University (DLSU) – one of the most influential Catholic schools – came out publicly with a statement calling on Macapagal-Arroyo to resign.
The DLSU call was followed by an online petition initiated by the mostly Manila-based poets’ group Kilometer 64 calling for Macapagal-Arroyo’s resignation or ouster and the formation of a transition council that would undertake a number of reforms beyond what it called “a mere regime change.”
The petition assails Macapagal-Arroyo for what it described as her administration’s repeated violation of the freedom of expression – ranging from the banning of socially relevant films to the gagging of media and the cultural sector and the giving of national award to “self-appointed literary mentors who have made a living out of discouraging novice writers from taking the path of social concern.” It also assails what it calls the Macapagal-Arroyo administration’s attempt “to conscript” writers and other cultural workers for an anti-corruption campaign which it descriubed as “hypocritical.”
As of July 9, 10:28 a.m. Philippine time, the petition has gathered 130 signatures. Among the signatories are poet-journalist Richard Gappi, U.S.-based poet and literary scholar E. San Juan, Jr., poet and playwright Joi Barrios, poet John Enrico Torralba, poet and literary critic Gelacio Guillermo, art critic Alice Guillermo, literary critic Elmer Ordoñez, poet Roberto Ofanda Umil, U.S.-based novelist Ninotchka Rosca, journalist Nonoy Espina, songwriter and singer Lei Garcia, and poet Aida Santos.
Over the week, the student council of the Jesuit-run Ateneo de Manila University, its national-language student publication Matanglawin; the Assembly, an organization of Political Science students in the same university, and a group of concerned faculty and staff of the university issued their own statements calling on Macapagal-Arroyo to resign. The Ateneo is also among the country’s most influential Catholic schools.
At the Dominican-administered University of Santo Tomas (UST), the broad-based Alliance of Concerned Thomasians and the local chapter of the Alliance of Law Students for the Advancement of Nationalism have also called on Macapagal-Arroyo to step down. So have a number of student organizations in Catholic schools St. Paul’s College-Manila, Adamson University, and San Beda College, as well as in Protestant schools Philippine Christian University (PCU) and Trinity College.
From the country’s movie industry, the Nagkakaisang Manggagawa ng Pelikulang Pilipino (NMPP or United Filipino Film Workers) has also registered opposition to Macapagal-Arroyo’s continued presidency. Representing the NMPP in a July 5 press conference organized by the broad-based National Coalition for the Protection of Workers’ Rights (NCPWR) were directors Joel Lamangan, Carlitos Siguion Reyna, Emmanuel Borlaza, and Mel Chinglo; talent managers Douglas Quijano and Soxy Topacio, and actor Richard Gomez.
The succession of events led to anti-Arroyo rallies at the Liwasang Bonifacio (Bonifacio Plaza) in Manila on July 7. The successive withdrawals of support for Macapagal-Arroyo by the 10 Cabinet members, Aquino, and the MBC were followed by the rally of Bayan activists and FPJ supporters on Ayala Avenue, as well as a prayer assembly by the Bangon Pilipinas (Arise Philippines) National Renewal Movement led by evangelist Eddie Villanueva, who also ran for President last year.
Tricks
Meanwhile, Jose Maria Sison, chief political consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), presented in a statement sent to media the courses of action that Macapagal-Arroyo may take in view of what he called the “disintegration” of the current regime.
“One is to take a leave of absence and have the vice-president Noli de Castro perform the functions of the presidency,” he said. “Another is for her to become the ‘caretaker president,’ who will follow a script prepared by former president Fidel V. Ramos, Speaker Jose de Venecia and some smart guys of Lakas-NUCD.”
“The script entrusts the ‘caretaker president’ with the task of letting a ‘high commission’ to go through the motion of investigating some corruption scandals, the two houses of Congress to become a constituent assembly that will make constitutional amendments for satisfying the US and the local exploiting classes and for adopting a federal and parliamentary system and the parliamentary elections to take place in 2006,” the exiled revolutionary leader added.
He warned the broad united front against Macapagal-Arroyo “not to be complacent” and to be more resolute and militant than ever in arousing and mobilizing the people in their millions. With reports by Alexander Martin Remollino and Aubrey Makilan/Bulatlat
Bulatlat.com
