8,000 people to attend Makati rally vs Chacha - leaders

- MANILA, Philippines - Over 8, 000 people from various sectors are expected to attend Friday’s inter-faith and anti-Charter change (Chacha) rally in Makati, organizers said Wednesday. In a weekly Fernandina forum at Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan, Solidarity Movement convener Fr. Joe Dizon said that they seek to “politically isolate" President Macapagal-Arroyo and her allies, and to rebut all their efforts to stay in power beyond 2010. “We expect from 5, 000 to 8, 000 people to come. This (Charter change) is one issue where we can place GMA and her allies in a politically isolated situation. But what is important here is the broad coalition that have made their stand known against any move to amend the Constitution at present," Dizon said. “This unity will make Mrs. Arroyo politically isolated and warn her that the people will not allow her and her allies in the Lower House to trample upon the 1987 Constitution by pushing this Chacha. The issue of Charter change is a rare opportunity for the otherwise fragmented opposition forces, civil society groups and religious organizations to band together against the Arroyo administration," he said. This, as Dizon said that Former president Joseph Estrada has confirmed his attendance in Friday’s inter-faith rally scheduled from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Ninoy Aquino Monument at the corner of Ayala and Paseo de Roxas Avenues. Dizon said that aside from Estrada, those who have confirmed their attendance in the rally where Senators Panfilo Lacson, Manuel Roxas III, Francis Escudero and Loren Legarda. United Opposition (UNO) and Makati mayor Jejomar Binay has already confirmed his attendance. Likewise, the influential Makati Business Club (MBC) has also said they will join the gathering, the group’s executive director Alberto Lim said. Lim said the MBC suspects that moves to amend the 1987 Charter target the "political provisions" rather than the economic ones. “If the Arroyo administration should push Charter change, it may shorten its life," Lim said. On the other hand, Dizon said former House Speaker Jose De Venecia was invited but begged off because he is abroad for the launching of his book. Instead his son and namesake, Joey De Venecia III, who disclosed alleged kickback and the involvement of First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo in the $329 million National Broadband Network. “We urge the people to participate and the rally and make their voice heard. Ayaw naming sa Cha-Cha lalo na kay Gloria," he said, adding that talks s are also underway for the participation of former Senate President Manuel Villar. Meanwhile, Bro. Mike Valenzuela who represented De La Salle during the forum likewise urged the public to be discerning of the motives of the proponents of Chacha even as he said that the time is right for the people to act against it. “This is the time for the people to say no to this kind of maneuvering. This is the time to act," Valenzuela said. But Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines (AMRSP) Chairperson Sr. Mary John Mananzan said their position against Charter change was not stiff. “Our opposition against Cha-Cha is not an absolute position dahil kailangan naman talaga na amyendahan ang ilang provision nito, but it should be done after 2010 and the real voice of the people should be heard," Mananzan said. Mananzan likened the situation of Filipinos to a laboratory rat conditioned to becoming immobile every time it was given an electric shock in its cage. "We should not be victims of learned helplessness," she said. Aside from Bayan Muna, Gabriela, Kilusang Mayo Uno, Sanlakas and Akbayan, other organizations that will be joining are: the Black and White Movement, Bangon Pilipino, Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Task Force Detainees of the Philippines, People’s Union of Prayers, United Church of Christ in the Philippines, Ecumenical Bishops Forum and the Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines. - GMANews.TV