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Women’s group supports Transition Council when GMA steps down

BAGUIO CITY (Mar. 7) — While the move for Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) to step down from the presidency is gaining ground, there remains no unified proposal on how to address the leadership vacuum in case she will step down.

Mary Joan Guan, executive director of the Manila-based Center for Women’s Resources (CWR), said during a forum on civil liberties at the University of the Philippines Baguio on March 7, a transition council (TC) representing various sectors and interests would be the best option. The group said the council would lay down the transition towards better governance and leadership.

Guan explained that women would support a TC that is open to different groups clamoring for GMA’s removal from power and working towards genuine social change. Guan shared a general platform that will serve as basis of unity for choosing the members of the council, with various groups and interests.

Guan said that the said council and platforms should answer substantial issues. She recalled that with the EDSA 1 and 2 experiences, the issues were not aptly addressed. She said that a member of the said council should be in favor to Philippine sovereignty; resumption of peace talks between the government and revolutionary organizations; allotment of more funds for social services; and the moratorium in payment of the country’s debt. Each prospective member must be against the World Trade Organization (WTO), and work for the repeal of related laws and policies.

However, Guan clarified that she had no illusion that an immediate resolution of the issues would be obtained as different groups and interests are involved in the ouster campaign. In addition, she pointed out that a clear direction is at hand with the formation of a TC.

She admitted that the TC proposal still needs massive information dissemination for the majority of the masses to understand fully and thus, accept. Part of CWR’s plans is to be more active in educating the people about the appropriateness of a TC.

Meanwhile, Guan observed that even with the lifting of Presidential Proclamation 1017 (PP 1017), threats to civil liberties and terror against progressive lawmakers and groups continue. She added that Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales said on national television that the president could return a state of emergency “at her own pleasure.”

“PP 1017 is immoral, baseless and illegal,” Guan stated. She said the group also vowed to campaign and oppose any move by the administration to suppress the people’s basic rights.

Moreover, women’s groups and advocates called for the lifting of the police restrictions against Gabriela Women’s Party List Representative Liza Maza and other progressive party list representatives presently held at the House of Representatives.

Womanpower is highlighted when Gabriela-led women took turns ensuring the safety of Maza and company. The Philippine National Police (PNP) charged the said progressive legislators of rebellion, which different groups claimed a ploy to silence those who are against the GMA administration.

Founded 24 years ago, CWR has been a partner of Gabriela, the widest women’s organization in the country. CWR renders service to grassroots women organizations, including training and research, paralegal and counseling on any form of violence against women. # Arthur L. Allad-iw for NORDIS

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