NR0805:Throw the book at Gloria, say 'no!' to Cha cha

From the Office of Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran
News Release August 5, 2005

Progressive partylists, peopl’es groups’ rallying call for Congressional hearings next week: “Throw the book at Gloria, Say ‘No!’ To Cha-cha!”

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that Speaker Jose de Venecia and Majority Floor Leader Prospero Nograles were deliberately pitting the hearings on the impeachment complaint against Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo against the deliberations on Charter Change. He said that the majority is very well aware that solons from the minority and particularly the members of the independent bloc of progressive party-lists Anakpawis, Bayan Muna and Gabriela Women’s Party were determined to defend the impeachment complaint against machinations of the majority to kill it, while opposing all moves to alter the 1987 Constitution.

“Speaker de Venecia and Malacanang clearly think that this is a masterstroke, “ he said. “They want to pull the public’s attention away from the impeachment process and direct it towards the made-up debate over charter change. Filipinos are in no way supportive of their campaign to change the Constitution, but are focused on political developments that have to do with the removal of the corrupt and illegitimate Macapagal-Arroyo presidency,” he said.

Beltran said that he and his fellow lawmakers from the independent block of progressive party-lists will serve as direct links between the mass movement outside of congress and the deliberations inside the House on the impeachment complaint. He said that the people’s organizations are also main complainants against Mrs. Arroyo, and among these groups are the Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (KADAMAY), Kilusang
Mayo Uno (KMU), Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) and Gabriela.

“It’s most unfortunate that the committee hearings on the impeachment complaint will be held in such small, limited spaces because there is no doubt that thousands of Filipinos want to hear and see the deliberations. This is what will help safeguard the deliberations from any attempts of pro-Arroyo diehard solons to junk the complaint and unjustly dismiss it on the grounds of insufficiency of content or form,” he said.

The veteran labor leader said that members of the majority led by Speaker de Venecia should be warned that the entire nation will be monitoring the impeachment deliberations. “They’re mistaken if they think that by junking the impeachment complaint the campaign to remove Macapagal-Arroyo from office will be finished. On the contrary, any underhanded attacks against the impeachment complaint or its dismissal on unjust and unjustified grounds will serve to fuel the determination of Filipinos to oust Mrs. Arroyo.”

Beltran said that militant people’s organizations under the umbrella of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) and the progressive partylists will be holding a week-long series of activities within and without the halls of the House of Representatives to signify their support for the impeachment complaint and their
opposition to Charter Change. He said that among the rallying calls for next week are “Yes to Impeachment, No to Charter change, ” “Throw the book at Gloria, Say No to Cha cha.”

“Speaker de Venecia and the majority are mistaken if they think that they will be able to manipulate the public’s attention so easily. These political developments are more compelling than any soap opera or drama series, and they can make sure that Filipinos will keep a watchful eye on the House of Representatives,” he said. “Solons who want their names to end up on the tally-board of infamy can go ahead and be cheerleaders for Mrs. Arroyo and attack the impeachment complaint; otherwise we urge fellow lawmakers to help bring the truth to light and push for Pres. Arroyo’s impeachment,” he concluded.#