One hundred and eight years ago, the Filipinos, declared independence from the oppressive control of the Spaniards, today AKBAYAN declares freedom from a homegrown tyrannical regime. "Taking into account the fact that the people of this country are already tired of bearing the exploitative rule of the elites led by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (GMA), we say we have had enough of GMA," said AKBAYAN President Ronald Llamas today as the group joins protest actions in celebration of Independence Day.

GMA has lost the confidence of the Filipino people, when she evaded allegations of massive electoral fraud in the 2004 elections sparked by the 'Hello, Garci' scandal.", said Llamas.

Instead of facing the controversy, she has imposed repressive measures against her critics and launched a Charter Change (Cha-cha) express meant to bury the scandal forever. Contrary to her claims that she was a mere victim of the degenerating political system in our country, GMA and her cohorts, further exposed the systemic problem of patronage politics in our government. Charter Change is being peddled in Congress as a means to extend the term limits of incumbent members and further limit democratic participation of the marginalized in national affairs, Llamas explained.

A Charter Change that perpetuates the rule of the elite and opens the economy for foreign control is no different from the colonial rule we have fought against a century ago, said Llamas. The proposed Charter change from the administration also involves liberalizing the nationalist economic provisions of the 1986 Constitution. With GMA’s Cha cha, our people will again be second-class citizens in their own country, making it more difficult for an ordinary Juan dela Cruz to own land than a foreign capitalist, said Llamas.

"Increased power for the sitting President without safeguards against dictatorial rule, is a regression to the dark days of Philippine history", added Llamas.

But the people will not fall for all an ill-motivated Charter change promoted by the GMA administration, said Llamas. We will continue to fight for genuine freedom and democracy. And GMA’s removal from office will be the first step towards it! Llamas dared.

12 June 2006

http://www.akbayan.org

http://www.labanngmasa.org/