Estrada: Only change in leadership can address poverty, hunger in RP

MANILA, Philippines – Deposed President Joseph Estrada on Sunday said the only remedy to poverty and hunger in the country is to replace the present administration. In a statement, Estrada said as long as the country has a President “who not only fails to understand the plight of the impoverished but also who refuses to extend true compassion for the poor," the country will not progress. “Our only hope for change now is through a change in administration, a change in leadership. Because this country needs someone who respects government institutions, someone who respects electoral processes, and most importantly, someone who respects the citizens of this republic, be they rich or poor." Estrada said. Speaking at the People’s Movement Against Poverty’s (PMAP) National Congress in San Juan City, Estrada deplored that even as the government proclaimed economic growth for the third quarter, Filipinos continue to grow poorer and hungrier. The former president cited the recent results of the World Food Survey by Gallup International in which the Philippines ranked fifth among 56 countries where hunger is prevalent. He said that 36 million Filipinos or 40 percent of the population remain hungry because “the incumbent administration lacks an understanding of the needs and lacks sincerity and compassion for the poor." Estrada then called on PMAP members to thwart efforts to introduce Charter change and to be vigilant on any attempts to extend government officials’ terms beyond 2010. “We must fight any efforts to steal again the power of the people to choose their leaders. With you, we will reject any moves to change the Constitution to make it favor selfish and self-serving interests," Estrada said. A resolution seeking to convene the House of Representatives and Senate into a Constituent Assembly forwarded by some of the President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s party-mates at the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino has been gaining ground at the House of Representatives. The resolution, filed by party stalwart Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte, has generated 156 signatures, its author claimed. - Sophia Dedace, GMANews.TV