Enough of Lies and Deceit! Enough of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo!
The Continuation of Her Regime Is Untenable and Unconscionable
UP Alliance Working for Arroyo's Removal
“Ang ningning ay nakasisilaw at nakasisira sa paningin. Ang
liwanag ay kinakailangan ng mata, upang mapagwari ng buong katinuan
ang mga bagay-bagay. Ang ningning ay maraya. Ating hanapin ang liwanag...”
Emilio Jacinto, 1896
We, faculty, students, research and extension personnel, and administrative
staff of the University of the Philippines join the clamor of various
sectors to demand the resignation, impeachment or ouster of Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo.
The appearance of the taped conversation between Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
and Comelec Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano is merely the latest
indictment of the Arroyo administration and confirms the widespread
view that Arroyo’s victory in the May 2004 elections was fraudulent
and manipulated. Even without the admission of GMA’s spokesman
that the woman on the tape is the President herself, the voice is
unmistakable. It is GMA’s voice and it is GMA caught red handed
in cheating in the last elections.
But this is not the only indictment of Arroyo.
We have had enough of corruption in the Arroyo administration and
within her family.
The list of scandals and corruption involving Arroyo’s official
family and her relatives is long. Rolando Golez, President/CEO of
the Coconut Industry Investment Fund, Winston Garcia of GSIS, Maj.
Gen Carlos Garcia, former comptroller and treasurer of AFP, and Angelo
Reyes Secretary of DILG have all been accused of corruption.
The jueteng scandal involved Arroyo’s immediate family with
charges that First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo,
Pampanga Rep. Mikey Arroyo and Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio Arroyo
received amounts of from P7 million to P3 million a month from jueteng
collections.
We have had enough of the freeze in salaries of government employees
and the continuous reduction in the budget allocation for social services
while the Arroyo government dutifully prioritizes debt payments
During Arroyo’s term, government employees have not received
any salary increase. The budget for education, health and housing
has been reduced as percentage of the total budget. But total debt
payments have increased from P274.4 billion in 2001 to P645.8 billion
in 2005.
We have had enough of political repression!
Since 2001 more than 73 leaders and members of progressive organizations
have been killed and since 2000, more than 20 journalists have been
killed in connection with their work, making the Philippines the deadliest
country in the world for the profession, according to the New York-based
Committee to Protect Journalists. Arroyo’s silence and inaction
with regard to these killings are unacceptable.
We have had enough of a president who does not enjoy the trust of
the people!
The Ibon survey in the first quarter of 2005 indicated that 56% of
survey respondents gave a failing grade to GMA while 59% said she
should be replaced.
PULSE ASIA in its 1st Quarter Nationwide Survey conducted from March
3 to 16, 2005 stated, “President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo scores
an approval rating of 38% – her lowest approval rating since
she assumed the presidency in January 2001” The Social Weather
Survey of May 14-23, 2005 found “26% of Filipinos satisfied,
and 59% dissatisfied, with the performance of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo,
giving her a Net Satisfaction Rating of -33, which is a new record
low for Presidents since 1986.”
We have had enough of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo!
The silence and lies of the Arroyo administration leave us no recourse
but to seek the truth for ourselves and to stand up for this truth.
We should reject a leadership founded on lies and deceit. As members
of the University of the Philippines community -- as professors, researchers,
students, and support staff members, we join the Filipino nation in
condemning the lies perpetuated and the injustices committed by the
Arroyo administration. Let us, instead, heed the call of Emilio Jacinto
and fight for justice and freedom.
The continuation of GMA’s presidency is untenable and unconscionable.
We call on representatives of patriotic and progressive organizations
and individuals to come together and agree on a process of succession
and a program for bringing about economic justice, freedom and democracy.
We call on members of the military and police to withdraw their support
from the illegitimate and corrupt regime, reject any call for a military
junta and uphold civilian supremacy.
