80 groups unite, urge Arroyo to resign amid ZTE deal 'stink'

Groups critical of the present administration have renewed their calls for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to step down amid Rodolfo Noel Lozada Jr’s revelation on the alleged anomalies behind the controversial National Broadband Network (NBN) project that was linked to the President’s husband, Jose Miguel Arroyo. On Tuesday, a day after the Senate’s second hearing on the NBN project, 80 multi-sectoral groups from the opposition, militant organizations, and the civil society met at the Manila Polo Club and formed the Concerned Citizens Movement to show their indignation over the alleged widespread corruption in the Arroyo administration. While they think that their protest actions will not instantly bring down the President, the groups are content to start activities where the public could give vent to their anger sparked by Lozada’s testimony on the NBN project. “Whether or not it leads to the removal or the resignation of the President, hindi na namin iniisip ‘yon (we’re not thinking about it anymore). We’re taking one step at a time," said Dr Minguita Padilla, the movement’s co-convenor. Silence According to Vicente “Enteng" Romano III, convenor of the Black and White Movement, it is now high time for the people to show their disgust over the worsening corruption in government (Read here Lozada’s letter “What is Neri afraid to say and why," disseminated by Romano). “Panahon na rin para ipakita ng taumbayan ang kanilang nararamdaman. Kasi ako, ang pagtingin ko, kaya nandito tayo sa ganitong kalagayan is because we are actually suffering the consequence of our silence. (It’s time for the people to show what they feel. I think we are stuck in this situation because we are actually suffering the consequence of our silence)," he said. During the meeting, the groups proposed different forms of protest actions. Initially, they agreed to stage rallies in Makati City Friday afternoon, and participate in a Mass on Sunday at the La Salle Greenhills where Lozada had disclosed to the public what he knew about the NBN project. “We call on our people. If you still cannot find it in your heart to declare your outrage publicly, can you at least join in praying for Jun Lozada and his family. President Cory Aquino and the La Salle Brothers will be celebrating mass at the La Salle Greenhills grounds on Sunday, Feb. 17, 10 am for that purpose – pray for Jun and his family," said Romano. Outrage Meanwhile, the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan said it would join forces on Friday at Makati City's central business district to condemn the rampant corruption in the government and call for President Arroyo's ouster. "We will join the protests to show our outrage over the shameless cover-up of corruption. The arrogance and impunity of the Arroyo regime and its brazen use of state machinery to silence and harass people like Jun Lozada are too much," said Renato Reyes Jr, Bayan secretary general. Reyes said protests would snowball as public indignation on the alleged NBN scam and the abduction Lozada intensifies. Members of the Concerned Citizens Movement have also extended their support to Lozada, who they say lives the difficult life of a whistleblower. They said they were ready to help Lozada financially, including providing him with volunteer lawyers who could defend him from charges that could be filed by his enemies and detractors. While at the meeting, the groups passed jars where supporters could pitch in money to help Lozada. Greed Lozada testified before the Senate that Benjamin Abalos Sr, former chairman of the Commission on Elections asked for a $130-million "commission" from the $329.48-million project of the Philippine government and China's Zhong Xing Telecommunications Equipment (ZTE) Corp. He also claimed that Abalos called up the President’s husband to complain about the refusal of the National Economic Development Authority to bankroll the NBN project through a loan. Lozada also said that on February 5, he was snatched at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City minutes after his arrival from Hong Kong, in an apparent bid to prevent him from testifying before the Senate. Also on Tuesday, the Makati Business Club (MBC) urged the public to join the clamor for change by ending corruption and greed in the government. “We call on all Filipinos to proclaim, tama na ang kasinungalingan, sobra na ang kasakiman, manindigan na, bayan (enough with lies, greediness is already too much, let us take a stand)" the MBC said in a statement. The MBC said it could not content itself with the rise of the peso amid the moral collapse of the government. “As business people, we cannot console ourselves in the strength of the peso and the mirage of inequitable growth. These are ephemeral gains that have not translated into a better life for most Filipinos," it said. Exit plan? Meanwhile, President Arroyo has reportedly forged an "exit plan" with vice president Manuel "Noli" de Castro Jr and some members of her Cabinet. The Daily Tribune newspaper's online edition for Wednesday quoted a Palace insider — who rejected the plan — as saying that Arroyo would invoke Section 11, Paragraph 2 of Article VII of the Constitution. "Whenever a majority of all the Members of the Cabinet transmit to the President of the Senate and to the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice-President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President," the constitutional provision says. According to the report, De Castro will take over, but provide Arroyo "protection from any and all charges in court and maintain her immunity from suit, as well as ensure that the presidential couple will retain their ill-gotten wealth." In return, De Castro was reportedly assured that because he would only be serving two years of the term of Mrs Arroyo, he could, as incumbent run for the presidency in 2010, "and use up all the resources of government to win the race." "He stays on for 8 years as President. He won't say no to such a deal," the Tribune story quoted its source as saying, adding many Cabinet officials are also said to be in on the Gloria-Noli exit plan. The deal also reportedly states that de Castro, once installed as President, is to retain the majority of the Cabinet members. - GMANews.TV