alternative reader
A Statement on the Call for President
Arroyo’s Resignation
The National Council
of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) and its 13 million constituents
along with thevast majority of the Filipino people call for President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s resignation on the basis of the so-called
“Gloria-gate” tapes. Truth and justice must reign.
President Arroyo
ended her silence by admitting that, indeed, she made the phone call to “a
COMELEC official”. While she was apologetic, she explained that this was
done to “protect her votes” and not to influence the outcome of the
elections. We are saddened that she should be concerned about protecting
her votes, when as President, it is the people’s well-being that she
should protect. Her admission does not allay the people’s doubts about the
honesty and genuineness of the election results.
Beyond her
entanglement in this unfortunate happening, the President continues to be
answerable to the people as regards her economic policies which have
aggravated the impoverishment and disempowerment of the marginalized.
Large-scale mining by foreign companies has been revitalized. Prices have
managed to steadily increase. Attacks on civil liberties and intensifying
political repression have been the government’s response to people’s
expressions of their legitimate demands.
For us church people,
we cannot claim to be unmoved by the president’s apology. But there are
far too many events such as the killings of Mr. Joel Baclao, Fr. William
Tadena, Rev. Edison Lapuz, journalists, legal defenders, local officials
and other peace advocates that have passed without a word from her. And we
have no illusions that this will change after the phone conversation
admission. She will forever be haunted and hounded by people’s questions
about her moral ascendancy and legitimacy to lead this country. The most
honorable thing for her to do now is to resign.
A country can only be
strong if it is led by one who enjoys the trust, respect and support of
the broad masses of the people.
June 28, 2005
Signed:
The Most Rev. Ignacio
C. Soliba
Chairperson
Signed:
Ms. Sharon Rose Joy Ruiz-Duremdes
General Secretary
National Council of Churches in the
Philippines
879 EDSA, West Triangle, Quezon City
email:
nccp-ga@philonline.com,
srjrduremdes@yahoo.com
phone: 929 3745
fax: 926 7076
Posted by
Bulatlat
Back
to Alternative Reader Index
BACK TO TOP ■
COMMENT
© 2004 Bulatlat
■ Alipato Publications
Permission is granted to reprint or redistribute this article, provided its author/s and Bulatlat are properly credited and notified.