Bayan slams passage of HR 1109, intensifies anti cha-cha movements

PRESS RELEASE

June 3, 2009

Davao City – Bayan and other people’s organizations slammed here today in a protest rally in front of congressman Nograles’ office the passage of HR 1109 saying “Gloria Arroyo and her political allies in the lower house headed by Cong. Nograles are making their biggest crime against the Filipino people with their attempts to fulfill charter change.”

“There is nothing more obvious than the actions made by Malacanang, through its allied congressmen, to cart off the barriers to cha-cha’s realization. The passage of HR 1109 speaks for their intentions to railroad charter change before the 2010 national elections and maintain Gloria Arroyo’s top post as prime minister,” Bayan-SMR John Birondo said.

“Malacanang’s pronouncement that it will push through with the 2010 elections is no difference to the lies it said with the ‘Hello Garci Scandal’, ‘NBN-ZTE Deal Scandal’, and the rests of the controversies involving Gloria Arroyo, her administration, and the first family,” Birondo added.

“For our lawmakers to break the laws themselves, pursue something unconstitutional, and act against the people’s will is clear arrogance. They don’t deserve to be respected and be regarded as the people’s representatives,” Birondo said.

“What the people urgently need amidst the worsening global financial crisis are resolutions from the Arroyo government that will ensure jobs for the workers, lands for the farmers, quality and accessible education for the youths, food and shelter for the urban poor, and free health services for everyone,” Birondo stressed.

Bayan also urged the public to be more vigilant and to actively participate in the movements against charter change.

“We will not stop from opposing charter change until it is fully defeated. We will be doing series of protest actions nationwide starting this week and the coming days,” Birondo said.