MANILA, Philippines - Staunch critics of the administration have this fervent wish for Christmas: No more Gloria Macagapal-Arroyo as president and head of state.
The umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said it has been a difficult year with President Arroyo at the helm.
“The year 2009 has seen some of the worst in Mrs. Arroyo – from the persistent Charter change moves, the sell-out of sovereignty in the Visiting Forces Agreement, the lavish US dinners, the coddling of warlords in Maguindanao, the declaration of martial law and her attempt to stay in power via a congressional run,” said Renato Reyes Jr., secretary-general of Bayan.
“It is thus the collective Christmas wish of the people to see her out by 2010, the sooner the better,” he added.
The activist-leader recounted the many firsts of the Arroyo regime. He said the administration was the first to impose martial law since 1972, and she is the first sitting president to run for a lower position.
Reyes further said that the Arroyo administration had the most attempts at Charter change, and that it was under Arroyo’s watch that the most number of journalists were killed in just one event and in only one day.
But Bayan also warned that seeing Mrs. Arroyo out of power might not be that easy since she will attempt to secure a congressional seat, in what many believe to be the first step towards becoming prime minister under a parliamentary form of government.
There are also lingering fears of a failure of elections with the still untested automated election system, the group likewise cautioned.
“To the Filipino people’s credit, while we faced one bleak Christmas after another under Mrs. Arroyo, the people never lost hope that change will come. As the new year approaches, our people will undoubtedly strive to bring about changes,” Reyes said.
“So, we have to remain vigilant and ensure that the people’s issues will be taken up during the elections. We have to be conscious of the rottenness that still dominates this political exercise,” he also stressed.
By Katherine Adraneda
The Philippine Star
Updated December 26, 2009 12:00 AM
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