Mobilization is set on SONA day despite holiday declaration

PRESS RELEASE

July 20, 2009

Davao City – Bagong Alyansang Makabayan announced today that the big mobilization next Monday (July 27) will push through despite a special working holiday declaration by the Palace on Gloria Arroyo’s 9^th State of the Nation Address.

The Palace declared July 27, as a special working holiday for the founding anniversary of the Iglesia Ni Cristo.

“The declaration will not affect the preparation of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan for the big protest action this July 27. Build-up activities are also set this week,” said John Birondo, spokesperson of Bayan-Southern Mindanao.

Bayan is expecting for a bigger mobilization this year than the previous SONAs.

“This is Arroyo’s last SONA. It will all be the same SONA speech showcasing deceitful figures and sheer lies but at the same time we see the desperate moves of Malacañang to stay in power with the moves to amend the charter. We have to show our numbers,” Birondo said.

“This administration is desperately trying to quell the coming public outrage come July 27. We have heard of the planned emergency rule and even the red alert status of the security forces to last until SONA. But still, the people’s wrath will prevail,” Birondo said

“We enjoin everyone to join the protest action this coming SONA. Let us show our disgust over this regime that will be leaving us with the most unbearable legacy of corruption, human rights abuses and economic degradation,” he said. #