All Set for Friday’s protest rallies; No vacation for anti-Arroyo groups

MANILA, Philippines - The leftist group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan on Thursday announced that it is all set to join the March 14 rally at the Liwasang Bonifacio organized by anti-Arroyo groups just before the Lenten break. Bayan secretary general Renato M. Reyes, Jr. said the Arroyo administration is “sorely mistaken" if it thinks that anti-Arroyo protesters are all set to pack up and go on a summer vacation next month. “Malacañang is hoping that the Lenten break and summer vacation will break the momentum of protest actions. However, with so many unanswered questions and new issues coming up, it is too early for Malacañang to rejoice. The fight is not over, not by a long shot," Reyes said. While the expected numbers on March 14 are “modest" compared to the huge turn out last February 29, Bayan still believes that it is important for people to continue their “communal action" in the fight against corruption. “There are many outstanding issues like Malacañang’s continuing insistence on using executive privilege to cover up the truth. There’s the Supreme Court’s impending decision on Romulo Neri’s case. There’s the issue of the sell-out of our national patrimony in the Spratlys. All these require the people’s collective response," Reyes said. Bayan hopes to highlight the issue of worsening poverty given recent news of an increase in the poverty rate and rising oil prices and prices of other basic commodities. “The poor are the worst hit by corruption. They are deprived of much needed services just so some ‘greedy group’ can pocket kick-backs. This is on top of the economic hardships they are already experiencing due to price hikes and low wages," Reyes said. Urban poor groups led by Kadamay are expected to hold a “Kalbaryo" protest also on March 14 before linking up with the broad gathering at Liwasang Bonifacio. The March 14 protest action will be held at the Liwasang Bonifacio from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Organizers are expecting new faces and groups to also attend the Manila activity. “There will be religious leaders, people from the business community, students, urban poor, union workers, film industry workers and other professionals. Those who missed the protests in Ayala can still come to Liwasan and join different groups in making a stand on the issues," Reyes said. - PinoyPress/GMANews.TV