February 24, 2006

Manila, Philippines

The worst fear of the Filipino people has come to pass. The bogus government of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, in a bid to stifle the legitimate grievances of the citizens of the Philippines and pre-empt the moves of rebellious factions within the Armed Forces, has seen it fit to impose a state of emergency, under Presidential Decree 1017! Soon after the emergency was declared, demonstrations to commemorate the first People Power uprising of 1986, being held in several parts of Metro Manila were violently dispersed by the police.

Several dozen demonstrators were arrested, mostly social movement activists and civil society leaders including Ronald Llamas, president of AKBAYAN and Professor Randy David, a well-known academic and vocal critique of the Arroyo government.

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her lieutenants have finally realized that all their attempts to convince the Filipino People that the Arroyo Administration is legitimate have come to naught. The huge numbers of people trooping to the streets, in Manila and in many regional capitals – including Cebu City, where Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo claims to have won overwhelmingly in the last presidential elections – to protest against Arroyo's fake presidency, attests to her complete unpopularity with the masses.

Those who claim to support her rule – the traditional politicians, high military officials, big businesses, etc – are obviously those people and groups who have the most to gain from her remaining in Malacañang Palace. Political power, business favors, and other 'perks' of being an Arroyo supporter has proved to be the proverbial "thirty pieces of silver" for these people. They have willingly sacrificed the rights of the Filipino People in exchange for their continued stay in power. They have willingly cast their vote for emergency rule!

Akbayan, together with Laban ng Masa [1] and the other progressive people's organizations, will never allow Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her ilk to get away with this brazen attempt to cow the Filipino People and bend them to her will. We have had enough of dictators. She may employ all the coercive powers of the state – the military, police, armed supporters, etc. – but the will of the majority will prevail in the end.

We look to our collective numbers and principles for strength, courage and guidance. And we look to the international community for support in our people's continuing quest to put an end to a deeply discredited system that simply caters to the interest of corrupt and avaricious elite. We aim to bring about a system that is broadly based addressing much-delayed political and economic reforms leading to a modern democratic state committed to sustainable development with social justice and equity.

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo may have won the first round but the battle is far from finished. She knows that the world is watching her every move.

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[1] "Fight of the Masses". A broad coalition of the democratic left composed of

NGO's, trade unions, farmers' organizations, urban poor associations, fisher folk groups, religious people and other social movements opposed to Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's sham presidency. LnM is led by Dodong Nemenzo, former president of University of the Philippines.



http://www.akbayan.org/







PRESS RELEASE

24 February 2006

Contact: LORI

(433-6933 / 0919-4384949)

GMA RESURRECTS MARCOS, BETRAYS SPIRIT OF EDSA

Ninoy and all victims of the Marcos dictatorship must now be turning in their graves. With her proclamation today of a state of emergency, the illegitimate President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has just resurrected Marcos.

In a bid to stifle the legitimate grievances of the citizens of the Philippines and pre-empt the moves of opposition elements within the Armed Forces, the bogus government of GMA has seen it fit to declare a State of National Emergency.

Today, we, members of AKBAYAN, along with thousands of other Filipino citizens under the Laban ng Masa banner, marched to the streets of EDSA to peacefully celebrate the spirit of people power. Today, Gloria not only denied us our right to commemorate this historic event, she practically revoked our right to self-expression and assembly, a right which we had rightfully won twenty years ago.

Two of our leaders – Akbayan President Ronald Llamas and U.P Professor Randy David – and lawyer Argee Guevarra were arrested today by plainclothes men and carted away in an unmarked vehicle while in the process of negotiating with the riot police. We have just learned that they are now being brought to Camp Karingal.

This event is alarming not only because it is our leaders who are involved. It is alarming because we now know exactly what GMA is capable of doing. She is, in fact, capable of invoking dictatorial powers to stay in control. Martial law by any name – Proclamation 1017, State of Emergency, warrantless arrest, wholesale ban on public protest, take-over of public utilities, closure of media facilities -- IS martial law. It is very apparent that the state of emergency is nothing but a veiled promise to initiate a sweeping crackdown on forces opposing GMA.

Those who claim to support her rule – the traditional politicians, high-ranking military officials, big business, etc – are obviously those people and groups who have the most to gain from her remaining in Malacañang. Political power, business favors, and other 'perks' of being an Arroyo supporter have proved to be the proverbial "thirty pieces of silver" for these people. They have willingly sacrificed the rights of the Filipino People in exchange for their continued stay in power. They have willingly cast their vote for the betrayal of EDSA!

Democracy in this country has long been in the throes of death. Today, GMA has killed and buried it.

We call on every freedom-loving citizen to resist this illegitimate and dictatorial regime. GMA may have resurrected Marcos but we will resurrect EDSA.

Rep. Etta Rosales

Rep. Risa Hontiveros

Rep. Mayong Aguja

AKBAYAN

http://www.akbayan.org/