‘Resign, or Face Ouster’ – Priests Tell Gloria
Groups gear for big rally on SONA day

The Catholic clergy of Negros island in central Philippines has had a history of social engagements including the ouster of dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986 and that of President Joseph Estrada in 2001. This time around, some members are boarding the movement calling for the removal of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

By Karl G. Ombion and Ranie Azue
Bulatlat

STARTING HIM YOUNG: Negros protester with child in July 13 rally      Photo by Karl Ombion

BACOLOD CITY – The Catholic clergy of Negros island in central Philippines has had a history of social engagements including the ouster of dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986 and that of President Joseph Estrada in 2001. This time around, some members are boarding the movement calling for the removal of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who is accused of stealing the presidency last year and of jueteng connections in the past. Last week, a number of Catholic priests joined mass protests culminating in a big rally here on July 13 where 2,500 cane workers, students, professionals, nuns and other people participated. They also took exception with the position of the Catholic Bishops of Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) which issued a statement short of calling for the president’s removal.

In a Bulatlat interview, Fr. Greg Patino, a parish priest in Bacolod, said that Catholic priests respect the CBCP position, “but many of us believe that Macapagal-Arroyo has lost the moral authority to rule because of her anti-poor economic policies, and involvement in several scams, including electoral fraud.”

“She should resign, or face ouster by the people,” Fr. Patino added.

Fr. Mao Buenafe, Social Action Center director, agreed with Fr. Greg. The CBCP did not ask the president to step down but called her attention to her accountability in the crisis. This, he said, “is enough point that Macapagal-Arroyo cannot escape responsibility in the charges. My stand is for her to just resign.”

Fr. Baby Gordoncillo of the Kahublagan Negrosanon para sa Pagbag-o (Negros Movement for Change and Moral Regeneration or NMMR) said that members of the Negros clergy see no other option but to push for Macapagal-Arroyo’s immediate resignation.

“The longer she stays in power, the more miserable our people would be because her economic policies are clearly anti-people and anti-democratic,” Fr. Gordoncillo said.

The Catholic reverend also called for the formation of a people’s transition council that will pave the way for the holding of credible national elections. NMMR organized the two-hour rally at Bacolod’s public plaza after a march through the city’s streets. In the new alliance are the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan or New Patriotic Alliance), the Kilusang Mayo Uno (May 1st Movement), National Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW), human rights groups and party-list groups, among others. Joining them were the FPJ Movement, Bangon Pilipinas, Partido ng Masang Pilipino (PMP), IFI, Civil Liberties Movement, local business groups, Salvation Army, and a number of local journalists.

Protestant and Aglipayan pastors in Ayala rally, July 13                                   Photo by Aubrey Makilan

Lawyer Rudy Parreno, local spokesperson of Freedom, Peace and Justice Movement (FPJM) urged the rallyers and the people to stage more protests saying. “We must persevere in waging street protests because Macapagal-Arroyo will try all means to stay in power,” he said.

Mayor Ricardo Presbitero of southern town Valladolid and spokesperson of PMP in Negros, said “people power must be staged till she is forced to step down.”

Felipe Gelle, secretary general of Bayan Negros, also slammed the Arroyo-Fidel Ramos conspiracy to divert people’s attention by raising the issue of charter change and a shift in government to parliamentary form through a constituent assembly.

This, Gelle said, “is more dangerous given the record of Ramos as a psywar specialist and a rabid militarist. In fact, it is now apparent that Macapagal-Arroyo is a hostage of Ramos and his clique of militarists.”

Ramos, more than a week ago, backed Macapagal-Arroyo’s retention. He moved however that she can stay in office as “caretaker president” for a year within which a constituent assembly will be convened to amend the charter followed by elections in May 2005.

People’s Transition Council

Gelle also said the People’s Transition Council is the best alternative toward preparing the way for national economic, political and electoral reforms because it will represent the broadest and democratic forces of the Filipino people, especially the workers and peasants.

Asked how the Council will be formed and operate, Fred Cana of Karapatan explained that “the leaders of various anti-Arroyo groups including the churches and opposition parties should now come together, lead the ouster of Macapagal-Arroyo, while drawing up a common program of reforms and prepare for a more credible national elections in three to six months. 

The NMMR leaders also expressed a consensus that they are not in favor of Vice President Noli De Castro replacing, as “he himself assumed his power under a cloud of doubt” and that “he would likely follow the economic and political path left by Macapagal-Arroyo.”

NMMR leaders vowed to wage protests to oust Vice President Noli De Castro should he take over after the president is ousted.

More protest actions are also being prepared ahead of Macapagal-Arroyo’s state-of-the-nation address (SONA) on July 25 when big indignation rallies will be held throughout the country. Bulatlat

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