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GMA yields, lifts 1017

But 1017’s repressive forms remain

BAGUIO CITY (Mar. 3) — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo lifted Proclamation No. 1017 due to broad opposition from various sectors but repressive forms remain which continuously pose as a threat to press freedom and the bill of rights, various groups claimed after she announced today the lifting of the proclamation that she issued last Friday.

“GMA yielded to the broad anti-PP 1017 sentiment due to severe pressure from groups, organizations, churches, institutions and individuals calling for the defense. The statement also said that PP 1017 failed to weaken and lessen political demonstrations against GMA; instead, it further intensified the people’s outrage and mobilizations against the regime,” the Cordillera Peoples’ Alliance (CPA) claimed in a statement.

“The truth is, had it not been retracted, GMA’s ouster could have been fast-tracked,” the CPA added.

Lawyers’ protest

Lawyer Randy Kinaud stressed that the lifting of the proclamation does not change the fact that the GMA regime has been resorting to violence to stay longer in power.

“There was never a basis for the declaration of a state of national emergency,” added Kinaud, Secretary-General of the Cordillera Human Rights Alliance (CHRA) and Board Member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Baguio-Benguet (IBP-BB).

The members of the IBP-BB, as an expression of support to the IBP national who went to the street today to protest the proclamation, launch a protest at the Justice Hall here by wearing black arm bands. They opposed the proclamation as they claimed it as an affront to the 1987 Constitution’s provisions on the bill of rights.

GMA isolated

Meanwhile, Bayan Muna National Vice Chairperson Manny Loste agreed that the wide popular peoples’ protest pushed the lifting of the state of national emergency.

He added that GMA’s lifting of PP 1017 only caused her further isolation.

Loste stressed that the threats to civil liberties do not end with the lifting of the state of emergency. He called on the Filipino people to continue to be vigilant and bold in protecting their rights.

Media continuously threatened

Journalist Arthur Allad-iw, acting national chairperson of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), said the lifting of the proclamation is just a ploy of the GMA administration to save its face from broad opposition due to her issuance of 1017.

He added that the threats to press freedom are still present. He cited, as examples, the plan to impose guidelines and monitoring of media reportage. He also said that undeclared policies that curtail press freedom and civil liberties remain.

NUJP, in a statement, further demanded Philippine National Police (PNP) Director Arturo Lomibao to withdraw all the threats he has earlier made on media institutions and the recall of PNP forces deployed in media institutions.

“We also urge the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to pull out all orders controlling the news broadcast and media affairs. The group also demand the restoration of programs suspended in connection with Proclamation 1017, specifically Dios at Bayan (QTV) of Eddie Villanueva, and Ngayon na Bayan of DZRJ,” added the statement of the NUJP.

The said media group demanded GMA to announce categorically that the government shall respect of the people’s constitutional right to a free press. NUJP also said that the Filipino people should not lower their guards with the rescinding of PP 1017.# Kimberlie Olmaya Ngabit Quitasol for NORDIS

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