Aquino should also declare substantial wage hikes nationwide. A P125 (USD 2.71) daily wage increase across the board should be implemented through legislation by Congress. “The measly PhP22 (USD .48) increase in the salary of workers per day could not even buy 1 kilo of rice,” Reyes said.
The group also challenged Aquino to resolve the dispute in Hacienda Luisita in favor of the farmers and the farmworkers. Pagbabago! said to set as an example of the government’s sincerity in implementing genuine agrarian reform, Aquino should scrap the Stock Distribution Option and to transfer effective control over the hacienda to farmer beneficiaries. They said Aquino should declare a moratorium on the cancellation of certificates of land ownership award (LOAs) and emancipation patents (EPs) of farmer-beneficiaries under the government’s land reform program.
The group also challenged Aquino to build a self reliant economy, and not to forever rely on importation and exportation of products as well as the remittances of overseas Filipino workers.
Resources to Meet People’s Pressing needs
According to Ibon Foundation, Aquino should repeal the automatic appropriation law for debt servicing by amending Section 31 of Philippine Decree 1177 and Section 26, Chapter 4, Book VI of Executive Order 292 (Administrative Code of 1987) that reiterates in toto Section 31 of PD 117.
After freeing resources currently being tied to debt servicing, Aquino should, according to Ibon, ensure a budget of at least P281 billion (USD 6.2 billion) for education, P39 billion (USD 848 million) for health and P13 billion (USD 282 million) for housing in the 2011 national government budget .
Aquino should also start conducting an audit of the country’s debt report and to stop paying those which are considered odious and should be repudiated. The group also said Aquino should renegotiate with creditors for better payment terms of existing debts taking into account the country’s pressing development and social needs.
People’s Action
The group said that these challenges to the incoming administration would only materialize with the help of the people. “The people are the real force for change,” Reyes said.
Reyes added that in a few days, when Arroyo’s presidential immunity expires, the new government should begin implementing measures to help achieve justice for victims of the Arroyo administration.
However, Reyes also said there are limitations on how far Aquino can really go especially on issues of land reform.
Roneo Clamor, Karapatan deputy secretary general, said, the show of support of the US to the Aquino presidency signals a continuance of the bloody counter insurgency program of the outgoing Arroyo administration especially since the US is likely to increase or maintain a high amount of funding to the Philippine military. According to Reyes, US President Barack Obama proposed a $15 million funding for the Philippine military. The US Congress doubled the amount to USD 30 million. Clamor said a clean human rights record should be made a requirement before granting foreign aid, especially if it is allocated for military purposes.
Clamor also said Aquino should end impunity, Clamor however said that to be able to gain substantial changes the people should be vigilant.
Mother Mary John Mananzan, chairwoman of Pagbabago! and co-chair of the Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines (AMRSP) also called for vigilance in monitoring those who are in power. She said the AMRSP, together with other groups, would be forming the Citizen’s Watch on Good Governance, which would focus on monitoring corruption. “Whether we voted for Noynoy or not, it is our duty to protect our nation.” (Bulatlat.com)
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I would say that Aquino has a lot to be done to restore Philippines one way or another…
About the challenging of Aquino to prosecute PGMA for her actions during her presidency, in reality, Aquino does not have that power. The power to prosecute Arroyo rests in the judiciary in particular, the ombudsman.
If one has a complaint against PGMA and her cronies, then he or she should file it in the courts of the ombudsman. If they cannot wait to file PGMA charges, then they can do it at most time, at 12:00:01 NN of June 30 when her immunity has lapsed. This will be much better rather than to waste precious taxpayer's money creating a commission or a body to investigate on the matter that only concludes to a RECOMMENDATION. Arroyo should be given her time in court to defend herself.
Like us, the mandate citizens, PGMA shall be presumed of her INNOCENCE until proven otherwise guilty. Let's respect the power of judiciary. They are co-equal to each other with the exec and legislature but should have autonomous functions and independent in their decisions.
FINALLY, I WOULD SAY THAT if the judiciary declare PGMA her innocence or guilt, respect it. If she is guilty, let her be given the right to appeal, but the courts says she is guilty beyond doubt then she has to suffer the consequences. If innocent, then let her give the freedom she deserves. Honestly, I am in such a bad steam when I hear some "militant and progressive" groups who will cite the judgment of the streets or the court of public opinion if their wishes are not granted. For me, its nothing but mere stupidity, nonsense, a waste of time and worse, adding insult to injury.
Note that this is just from a layman's standpoint.
I would say that Aquino has a lot to be done to restore Philippines one way or another…
About the challenging of Aquino to prosecute PGMA for her actions during her presidency, in reality, Aquino does not have that power. The power to prosecute Arroyo is in the jurisprudence of the judiciary in particular, the ombudsman.
If there is a complaint against her, then he or she should file it in the courts of the ombudsman. Rather than to waste precious money creating a commission or a body to investigate on the matter that only concludes to a RECOMMENDATION.