“All government authority emanates from the people,” Atty. Edre Olalia, Secretary General of National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) said.
With such guiding thought, a national movement for President Benigno Aquino III’s removal from office was formed on March 5, the eve of the 40th day of mourning for the victims of the Mamasapano encounter. Noynoy Out Now (NOW!) calls for Aquino’s removal through resignation or ouster.
Known political personalities like Archbishop Oscar Cruz, National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera and former partylist representatives Liza Maza and Teddy Casiño formed part of the convenors of the group.
In the launch-presscon of NOW!, Archibishop Oscar Cruz cited some of the reasons for President Aquino’s removal:
- incompetence and failed leadership in governance, the marked dependence on chosen manipulative bosom buddies like the KKK (kabarilan, kaklase, kamaganak or shooting buddies, classmates and relatives)
- the subjugation of the legislative by the executive department
- the conversion of public utilities into private businesses, the notional authorship of graft and corruption
“Aquino is a living symbol that something is very wrong,” Archbishop Cruz added.
Whitewash of Mamasapano investigation expected
“At this point, we do not know if we have faith left in the Board of Inquiry (BOI). For as long as President Aquino is in power [and] there are people are protecting him,” said Betty Romero of the Scrap Pork Network.
“We expect a cover-up, former SAF-PNP Chief General Napenas and resigned PNP Chief General Purisima will take the fall, but President Aquino will most likely be absolved of his accountability,” said Casiño.
“We expect a cover-up, former SAF-PNP Chief General Napenas and resigned PNP Chief General Purisima will take the fall, but President Aquino will most likely be absolved of his accountability,” said Casiño.
The report of the Board of Inquiry report is slated to be released on Monday, March 9.
The BOI was created by the PNP Officer-in-Charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina a few days after the January 25 Mamasapano encounter.
Alternative government sought
“A people’s council will replace the Aquino government. We are not for constitutional succession, we are [advocating] for an extra-constitutional body,” said current Bagong Alyansang Makabayan spokesperson Teddy Casiño.
“The transition council will be composed of leaders with a long track record of fighting for the interests of the people, and this will undergo a democratic process of selection. Amongst the tasks of the transition council is to establish an independent body that will look into the truth behind the Mamasapano encounter,” added Casiño.
According to Casiño, the transition council, named ‘The People’s Council for National Unity, Reform and Peace’ would implement political and economic reforms in government.
“Electoral reforms will also be implemented to ensure clean, credible and honest elections in 2016. We will put an end to patronage politics and pork barrel politics which tends to weaken the people’s will during elections,” said Casiño.
The Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) and Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) scams were widely exposed in reports last year as sources of corruption in government.
“Economic reforms such as genuine land reform and national industrialization will also be implemented,” added Casiño.
“Nine out of 10 peasants remain landless” according to Rafael Mariano, Chairperson of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas. He further added that the land the defunct land distribution program previously implemented by the Aquino administration, CARPER, is a sham, with vast haciendas remain intact,under the control of big landlords and agri-businesses.
Casiño clarified further that the transition council sought by NOW! has no connection whatsoever to that of the transition council envisioned by the National Transformation Council led by Norberto Gonzales.
“We do not want a government that is composed of the wealthy elite. We are pushing for a truly democratic people’s council representing basic sectors and those who helped remove Aquino from power,” said Casiño.
“We do not want a government that is composed of the wealthy elite. We are pushing for a truly democratic people’s council representing basic sectors and those who helped remove Aquino from power,” said Casiño.
Norberto Gonzales was the former Defense Secretary and National Security Adviser of ex-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. He was also the head of the Inter-Agency Legal Action Group, claimed by human rights group Karapatan as the group behind persecution of activists during President Arroyo’s term.
According to Casino, the peoples’ council will pursue “earnest and serious peace talks between government and the National Democratic Front.” He also clarified that the transition council “will continue the peace process that has already been initiated between the government and Moro groups.”
Formal peace negotiations between the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines(NDFP) has reached an impasse, with 12 NDFP consultants and 491 political prisoners in jail.
Legal basis of People’s Council
“The Supreme Court itself has said that people power is legitimate,” added Olalia, citing the previous uprisings at EDSA that toppled the Marcos and Estrada administration as constitutional.
To the question of the legality of the proposed alternative government, Olalia answered “Any proposal by the people made in good faith, in furtherance of such ultimate power of the people, and for the public interest, welfare and good is legitimate and legal.”
“We have the prerogative and the right in selecting the forms and methods in electing and selecting our government,” added Olalia.
Widespread discontentment of various sectors
Professor Malou Turalde of Miriam College, spokesperson of POWER QC, assailed President Aquino’s ‘incompetence, ineptitude and subservience to foreign interests.’
Turalde narrated that during their signature campaign calling for PNoy’s resignation, the first to sign up were professionals.
“This is proof that the [middle class] professionals are frustrated, discontented and angered,” said Turalde.
POWER QC is a group of professionals and businessmen in Quezon City advocating social change.
Meanwhile, National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera lambasted President Aquino’s ‘lack of respect for Filipino culture’.
“There is a pending list of candidates recommended to be proclaimed as National Artists but until now, he is not doing anything about it, and some of the nominees has already passed away.” said Lumbera.
The Order of National Artist Awards is given to Filipinos with significant contributions to the development of Filipino arts and culture. Final approval of the nominees rests upon the President of the Republic, as mandated by law.
“This a crime, because it is President’s task to preserve and uphold Filipino culture but he is negligent of his duties,” added Lumbera
“Education is not accessible to the Filipino people,” complained Mico Pangalanan, UP Student Councilor and spokesperson of Youth for Truth and Accountability (Youth Act Now!).
“Education is hope for the Filipino people, but education broke the student,” said Pangalanan, referring to Rosanna Sanfuego, a freshman of Cagayan State University who committed suicide due to financial problems. Kristel Tejada, a 16-year old freshman student of UP Manila also committed suicide in 2013 allegedly due to being forcibly dropped from her subjects in the University of the Philippines Manila for failure to pay past tuition loans.
Bigger rallies ahead
“On March 8, in commemoration of International Women’s day, protests will be held in key cities in the Philippines and other key cities around the world call for President Aquino’s resignation,” said Joms Salvador, Secretary General of Gabriela.
Aside from marches to Mendiola and Metro Manila, women shall troop to protest centers in Luzon (Baguio, Angeles, Calamba, Cavite, Antipolo, Batangas, Lucena, Naga) Visayas (Bacolod, Iloilo, Roxas, Tacloban), and Mindanao (Davao, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, Butuan).
On March 13, Youth Act Now! will stage a protest dubbed ‘Nationwide Youth Action Day for Education, Accountability and Justice’.#####
