Militant workers prepare noisy gift for Arroyo

When President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo turns 63 next Monday, her last birthday as Malacanang's main tenant, militant groups in Metro Manila will bang on pots and pans and honk their car horns to bid her goodbye. Militant groups Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and Anakpawis have said they are planning a noise barrage around Metro Manila to mark Mrs. Arroyo’s birthday. “Sa Abril 5, birthday ni Gloria, Babay Day ng masa para sa kanya. Sa pamamagitan ng ingay, sabihin natin kay Gloria: Ba-bye (On April 5, Gloria’s birthday, we will bid her goodbye)!" KMU vice president for women Nenita Gonzaga said in an article on the KMU website. Gonzaga said the noise barrage, meant to prompt Mrs. Arroyo into stepping down from office on June 30, will be from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday. “Hindi maligayang bati ang iparirinig ng mga mamamayan, kundi daing at galit. Hindi papuri, kundi paghiling ng pag-alis. Sa kahit anong paraan, iparinig natin ang ating mensahe sa Malakanyang: Huling birthday mo na dyan Gloria sa kaitaasan!" Gonzaga said. (We will not wish her Happy Birthday, but we will air our grievances and rage; not praises but a call for her to step down on June 30. This should be her last birthday as president!) The KMU said the noise barrages will be synchronized in Novaliches Bayan, Litex, Commonwealth-Luzon Avenue area, Kalentong in Mandaluyong, Marikina Sports Complex and Trabajo Market and Plaza Hernandez in Manila. On the other hand, the KMU plans to bring a gift to Mrs. Arroyo from Trabajo Market to the Palace. “Siguradong no-proclamation ang birthday wish ni Gng. Arroyo. Ang wish ng masa sa birthday niya, no more! Tama na ang mga pakana! Harapin mo ang mga kaso at parusa!" Gonzaga said. (If Mrs. Arroyo’s birthday wish is a no-proclamation scenario, our wish is no more! Enough of her attempts to stay in power. She should face the charges against her and be punished accordingly.) — with a report by Nikka Corsino/LGB/RSJ, GMANews.TV