27 July 2004

Press Statement: TONGTONGAN TI UMILI – CORDILLERA PEOPLES ALLIANCE

SONA 2004: MASS OF RECYCLED RHETORICS AND ABSURD PROPOSITIONS

 “YOU HAVE A GOVERNMENT – INDEED YOU HAVE A COUNTRY – THAT CARES.  YOUR LIFE IS HELD MORE DEARLY THAN INTERNATIONAL ACCLAIM AND YOU HAVE A PRESIDENT WHO IS YOUR FRIEND.”

Gloria MacapagaL-Arroyo (GMA) had exploited Angelo de la Cruz’ release for her renewed propaganda.  Posturing as a courageous hero, she capitalized the pullout of RP contingent in Iraq to save an OFW (a human being, a Filipino)

Repeatedly, GMA used arrogant and self-fulfilling words to prove her sincere interest for the safety and welfare of Filipinos.  Never did she recognize that Angelo de la Cruz was put in a risky condition due to the outright negligence of government and its all out support to the US led war of aggression.  De la Cruz like the 8 million OFWs had braved war-torn countries like Iraq and other foreign continents for them and their families’ subsistence.

A country that cares means it can nurture and provide for its people.  A president who is a friend must base his/her agenda on people’s employment, defense of people’s resources and social services.  GMA’s anti-people policies fall short of these basic requirements and claiming that she valued a Filipino than international acclaim is an overstatement.

The unalterable fact is that de la Cruz was freed due to intense nationwide protests.  She cannot claim this victory.  It was through the peoples’ wide support for pull-out and withdrawal of RP’s support on US wars of aggression that made her retract her earlier decision.

“WE MUST BEAR THE PAIN AND SHARE THE PAIN TO ENJOY THE GAIN TOGETHER.”

In admittance, GMA stated that we have an urgent problem of budget deficit.  This will be resolved through additional revenues.  Eight revenue measures will be implemented to raise P 80 billion, cross-cutting in government services, abolition of 30 more offices under the Office of the President, privatization of NAPOCOR, land appropriations etc, are her proposed solutions.  

Taxes will multiply the peoples’ burden. Profit-driven corporations will easily pass them to end-consumers.  Cross-cutting in government services refers to the wanton privatization of basic social services leading to uncontrollable increases in prices and fees.  NAPOCOR’s privatization is the cause of a never-ending battle for lower electricity rates and rural electrification.  Land reforms and respect of ancestral land rights had proven to be a historic failure due to the government’s bias on private/corporate interests and denial of indigenous peoples’ control over their land and resources.  Minimizing the bureaucracy is minimizing government’s expenditures but would also mean mass lay-offs of government employees and deprive people of basic social services.

These measures to revive the economy are destructive ploy against the masses.  With 80-90% Filipinos living below the poverty threshold, do we still have the means and patience to sacrifice?

GMA’s ambitious 10-point agenda was reiterated in the SONA, with a stress on employment, education and reforms in the government.  These agenda do not have viable details.  Like any administration, these are empty promises aimed at making the people believe on the competence of the Arroyo’s administration to resolve the chronic national crisis.

Charter Change also falls in the focal agenda of GMA.  Again, a scheme of deception, Cha-Cha would fully liberalize Philippine economy through 100% foreign ownership while jeopardizing the our sovereignty and national patrimony. It would also intensify political strife as the parliament and prime minister work with unending power grab.  It also legitimizes the rule of political dynasties through the federal system.

“MY TERM WOULD BE THE IRREVERSIBLE TURNING POINT.”

GMA’s past 3-year term was characterized with severe economic distress and political factionalism.  Social unrest intensified and widened in rapid magnitude.  Thus, rebellion remains unresolved, crisis in Mindanao worsened and legitimate people’s demands reverberated at all fronts.

After a fraudulent plunderous and violent national election, GMA would find it difficult to prove her capability. In the end, her anti-people policies will logically lead her to severe isolation. 

In her inauguration and SONA she claimed that she would make an irreversible turning point but with the beleaguered state of the nation --- she better talk to herself. #