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GMA’s removal first step to solve crisis

BAGUIO CITY (Aug. 19) — “May sayad na lang ang nagsasabing wala tayo sa krisis.” (Only those who are crazy are saying we are not in crisis)

This was the opening statement of Fr. Joe Dizon of Kairos Philippines during a forum dubbed as “The Crisis of Philippine Economy and Politics, and Prospects of Governance,” held last August 18 at the University of the Philippines Baguio Auditorium.

Dizon said the country is no doubt in crisis and the first step in solving the crisis is to remove Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) from office. He stressed that it is no longer a simple question whether she cheated in the 2004 elections or not, rather it is already a question on her credibility, legitimacy and ability to lead the nation. He cited the recent Ibon Foundation survey showing that eight out of 10 Filipinos no longer believe GMA.

“Buong bansa kinakaladkad niya (GMA) sa pagbagsak niya. Kailangan na siyang patalsikin sa poder dahil mas mahalaga ang bansa sa presidente, kahit sino pa siya,” (GMA is dragging the whole nation with her downfall. She has to be removed from power because the country matters more than her, no matter who she is) he stressed.

Arnold Padilla, Senior Researcher of Ibon Databank Philippines explained that the political and economic crisis of the country shall continue to worsen unless GMA is removed. He said that GMA’s economic policies, programs and political positions do not serve the interest of the majority of the Filipino people.

Padilla shared that the highest unemployment and underemployment rates in the history of the country were posted during GMA’s term pegged at 11.8% as of April this year. He added that the inflation rate or the increase in prices of basic commodities is also the highest recorded in a decade at 8.5% in May. He also noted that the 2004 elections under GMA’s term registered the highest incidence of killings, physical assault and harassment especially against progressive party list groups and opposition candidates.

Aside from these, he also disclosed that the budget allotment for basic social services like health and education continues to decrease while budget allotment for debt servicing continues to increase.

“Sa krisis na kinakaharap ng sambayanan, ang serbisyo sosyal ng pamahalaan sana ang takbuhan ng mamamayan pero hindi ito ang nangyayari,” (With the crisis faced by the people, they are supposed to turn to the government’s social services but this is not happening) Padilla said.

Padilla added that despite the increase in prices of basic goods and services the daily wage remains very meager. He said that a family of 6 needs at least P620.90 a day to survive in Metro Manila but the daily wage is pegged at P325 a day, or short by P295.

Maileenita Peñalba, a political science instructor of UP Baguio also agreed that with the present political turmoil, GMA should be removed from office. She also said that the economic crisis of the country now changed the staple food of Filipinos from rice to instant noodles. The wages of parents could no longer afford nutritious food, she said.

“Kapag bibili ng noodles ang ating mga kababayan ang binibili nila ay “Lucky Me” para kahit paano lucky pa rin sila, kung hindi naman ay Payless para naman kahit sa pangalan mas mababa ang presyo at kapag hindi na kayang bumili ng noodles, yosi na lang, bibili ng Hope para magkaroon ng pag-asa,” (When our countrymen buy noodles, they buy “Lucky Me” so that in a way, they’re still lucky; or they buy “Payless” so that even if in name, they get it cheaper; and when they are unable to buy noodles, they turn to cigarettes, so they could have Hope) jested Peñalba.

Peñalba further said that the Filipino people should be vigilant and keep their leaders on their toes, to instill political accountability among politicians. She also encouraged everyone to unite in addressing the national crisis.

Despite all these GMA remains firm in her resolve not to resign. The impeachment process is ongoing but Dizon advises the people not to bank on it so much because they would end up frustrated.

“Sa takbo ng impeachment hearing ngayon, nakikita naman natin kung paano minamaniobra ng kampo ni GMA ang proseso para madelay at mapigil ang pag-usad nito,” (With the way the impeachment hearing is going, we can see how GMA’s camp is maneuvering the process to delay and halt the developments here) he said.

According to Dizon, the more effective way to remove GMA from Malacañang is through a militant, democratic and peaceful mass movement, more popularly called people power. He said that based on the EDSA 1 and EDSA 2 experiences, it was the people’s unity and firm resolve that toppled the Marcos and Estrada regimes.

Dizon said that people power is an extra constitutional action and it affirms the sovereign will of the people. He refuted the popular mantra of the GMA camp that people power is unconstitutional. “Matapos silang makinabang sa people power, tinalikuran na nila ang taong bayan, at ngayon sasabihing unconstitutional ito,” (After they benefited from people power, they turned their backs on the people and they say now its unconstitutional) he said.

Dizon further said that the people are not tired of people power per se but of a people power that does not benefit them. “The political awareness of the people is now on a higher level that is why they no longer want the old people power, where on the eve of victory traditional politicians switch their stands to snatch victory from the people and leave them to suffer anew. The people are now looking for alternatives,” Dizon said in Filipino.

He said that the lack of credible and doable alternatives is the reason why people are still hesitant to join the movement to oust GMA.

The militant priest said that the best alternative is the Gloria Step Down movement’s (GSM) proposal for a transition council. He said that a military junta or constitutional succession will not solve the problem.

The proposed transition council according to Dizon will bring about significant changes in the government and address the national crisis. He said that the transition council’s main job would be to immediately fill in the void in governance and clean up the mess that the GMA regime caused in the government. The body will also implement crucial reforms, prepare credible elections and uphold significant changes in governance. He added that the transition council could also call for a constitutional convention.

Who would compose the transition council is one major question of most people.

Dizon explained that the transition council should be composed of representatives from all the groups that joined in the mass movement to remove GMA. However, he stressed that the basic masses like the farmers, workers, urban poor should be given seats in the transition council.

“Dapat palakasin natin ang organisasyon ng mga batayang sektor upang maipaglaban nila ang kanilang puwang o representasyon sa transition council,” (We must strengthen the organizations of the basic sectors so they could fight for their seats or representation in the transition council) stressed Dizon.

He also assured that the process of choosing representatives to the transition council would be transparent and democratic.

However he stressed that the transition council is not the answer to all the present crisis but it can pave the way for a change in governance.

“Matapos ang krisis na ito at hindi natin natamo ang tunay na pagbabago, huwag tayong mawawalan ng pag-asa. Kapag napalakas natin ang mga organisasyon lalo na ng mga batayang sektor, panalo na tayo dahil kapag malakas na ang kanilang organisasyon kaya na nilang ipaglaban ang kanilang mga karapatan kahit ano man ang kahinatnan ng people power,” (When this crisis is over and we are unable to achieve genuine change, we must not lose hope. When we have strengthened the organizations, especially those of the basic sectors, we have already won because the organizations will be able to fight for their rights, whatever people power would redound to) Dizon concluded. # Kim Quitasol for NORDIS

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