On GMA being a Hands-Off President

Press Release

25 April 2008

On GMA being a Hands-Off President:

“We’ve had enough of her!” – BMP, Sanlakas, KPML

BUKLURAN NG MANGGAGAWANG PILIPINO (BMP), together with allied organizations— Kongreso ng Pagkakaisa ng Maralitang Lungsod (KPML) and SANLAKAS held a picket at Welcome Rotonda in Quezon City today to protest the recent power rates increase, the continuing surge in the prices of basic commodities such as rice, pandesal and meat products, and to demand for a just family living wage (FLW) to enable the ordinary Filipino to afford the increasing prices of commodities and now even public utilities such as electricity. The protest action is still part of a series of activities in commemoration of this year’s Labor Day highlighted via a Lakbayan on April 29 kicking off from CALABARZON and marching onward to hold a protest rally in Mendiola on May 1 dubbed as “Martsa Laban sa Kagutuman, Kahirapan, at Katiwalian.”

BMP President Leody de Guzman blames Malacanang for not being able to immediately resolve the rice and food crisis and/or stop the power rates increase. De Guzman states, “The GMA administration has abandoned its primary responsibility of taking care of the welfare of its people. Instead of putting forward and implementing solutions that would provide both immediate relief and a strategic framework to the rice and food crisis, GMA offers “band-aid” solutions such as the DSWD and DA’s rice coupons and food stamps and passing on the urgent task of increasing the poor Filipino’s capacity to pay via the Regional Wage Boards instead of a legislated wage increase.”

Meanwhile, Pedring Fadrigon of KPML points out that the new power rates increase which would add 67.17 centavos per kwh to this month’s billing of average Meralco consumers is like adding insult to injury. Fadrigon explains, “There is no way that the average masa can still afford to pay this increase. The 27 million Filipinos or 1/3 of the population living below poverty line do not have enough cash to put food on their table much less spend a few more pesos to pay for increased electricity rates. ”

Sanlakas spokesperson Rasti Delizo adds, “Arroyo’s effort to address the rice and food crisis and even its policy of rendering our economy akin to neo-liberal strategies and market volatilities instead of prioritizing food security and ensuring that there is food on the table especially for the country’s poor, only proves that GMA is not only a “lame duck president”, but worst, is a “hands-off president”. This only means that she couldn’t care less if majority of Filipinos remain hopeless, defenseless and unable to survive even their family’s basic food and non-food needs.”

De Guzman submits, “The Filipino have had enough of GMA! If we can no longer expect significant and decisive resolutions from the Arroyo government, then there remains no reason for her to stay in power. Her presidency diminishes every day not only because of her syndicate-style politics and corrupt activities, but mainly because of her government’s incapacity to resolve the main issues of the country today such as poverty and hunger. Thus, we call on poor and working men and women of this country to join us in our campaign to put and end to our problems and finally take a stand: Kagutuman, Kahirapan, Katiwalian: Sobra Na! Patalsikin si Gloria! Reject Noli! Itayo Democratic Transitional Council, Pagbabago Ngayon Na!”

BMP, KPML and Sanlakas conducted a brief program at Welcome Rotonda and held their banners with the following slogans which intend to put forward concrete demands and/or solutions to the country’s current issues: “Ibasura ang Meralco rate increase!”; “Ipatupad ang price control sa lahat ng basic commodities tulad ng bigas, pandesal, atbp.!”; and “Ipatupad ang Family Living Wage (FLW)!”. More actions are scheduled in the following days leading to May 1.

- 30 -

Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP)

Kongreso ng Pagkakaisa ng Maralitang Lungsod (KPML)

SANLAKAS