Bishops want Arroyo resignation, not snap polls
11/28/2007 | 06:34 PM
Anti-Arroyo bishops have rejected calls for snap polls due to fears the Commission on Elections cannot hold credible balloting.
Instead of snap elections, they called for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
“How can you conduct elections when Comelec is in such disarray?" Novaliches Antonio Tobias said at a press conference Wednesday at the St. Peter’s Parish on Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City.
“We want reforms in the government…a caretaker government under civilian rule or under [Chief] Justice (Reynato) Puno. This is the great divide," Tobias added.
Tobias, convenor of church-based group Kilusang Makabansang Ekonomista (KME), said bishops who are critics of the President are not in favor of snap elections because these are being pushed by “trapos" (traditional politicians).
He said groups pressing for snap elections are funded by trapos and they believe “no change in the system" would happen.
Tobias, however, asked Mrs Arroyo to step down and help in the peaceful transition of a new administration.
“We just wanted to say to her, Madame President, we’ve come to a point where you have become not credible. Will you please help us?" Tobias said.
He said as her last act as President, Mrs Arroyo should resign. “Please help us in the peaceful transition," the Bishop said.
On Friday, anti-Arroyo groups, including KME, are set to stage a nationwide protest and indignation rally.
Before marching to Plaza Miranda, KME said its members would assemble at 1 p.m. at the University of Santo Tomas gate on España, Manila.
Also Wednesday, the Interfaith Justice for Peace and Integrity of Creation network assembled near the St. Peter’s Church to criticize Mrs Arroyo.
“We affirm the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines (AMRSP) in denouncing a morally bankrupt administration," JPIC said in a statement.
“We call on people of goodwill to defend the marginalized majority against the litany of woes: Northrail contract, ZTE-national broadband deal, development aggression, all-out war, large scale mining, and so on. Enough for the agony of our people!" they added. - GMANews.TV
Instead of snap elections, they called for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
“How can you conduct elections when Comelec is in such disarray?" Novaliches Antonio Tobias said at a press conference Wednesday at the St. Peter’s Parish on Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City.
“We want reforms in the government…a caretaker government under civilian rule or under [Chief] Justice (Reynato) Puno. This is the great divide," Tobias added.
Tobias, convenor of church-based group Kilusang Makabansang Ekonomista (KME), said bishops who are critics of the President are not in favor of snap elections because these are being pushed by “trapos" (traditional politicians).
He said groups pressing for snap elections are funded by trapos and they believe “no change in the system" would happen.
Tobias, however, asked Mrs Arroyo to step down and help in the peaceful transition of a new administration.
“We just wanted to say to her, Madame President, we’ve come to a point where you have become not credible. Will you please help us?" Tobias said.
He said as her last act as President, Mrs Arroyo should resign. “Please help us in the peaceful transition," the Bishop said.
On Friday, anti-Arroyo groups, including KME, are set to stage a nationwide protest and indignation rally.
Before marching to Plaza Miranda, KME said its members would assemble at 1 p.m. at the University of Santo Tomas gate on España, Manila.
Also Wednesday, the Interfaith Justice for Peace and Integrity of Creation network assembled near the St. Peter’s Church to criticize Mrs Arroyo.
“We affirm the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines (AMRSP) in denouncing a morally bankrupt administration," JPIC said in a statement.
“We call on people of goodwill to defend the marginalized majority against the litany of woes: Northrail contract, ZTE-national broadband deal, development aggression, all-out war, large scale mining, and so on. Enough for the agony of our people!" they added. - GMANews.TV
