Militants give GMA, Gwen bogus awards

President Arroyo and Cebu governor Gwendolyn Garcia bagged the top awards as "best actress" and "best cheerleader," respectively in the first ever "Yarian Awards 2005" launched by the militant groups at the IBP social hall yesterday.

Impersonators of both leaders received the symbolic trophies, while members of Gloria Step down Movement booed them.

After receiving a "Pinocchio" trophy, which best describes her as liar, "Arroyo" gave her speech touting of all her accomplishments amid the constant booing of the audience, who said all what she says are lies.

GSM spokesperson Glemmar Bacusmo said Arroyo had no rival for the award, making her the runaway winner.

"Garcia" was awarded with a crown made of barbwire with crocodiles with money in their mouths. Bacusmo said this best describes Garcia and her allies: barbwire represents how Arroyo's allies prevent the people from expressing their anti-Arroyo sentiments while the crocodiles are her allies who cling to their posts just to commit corrupt.

Gloria Dalawampu, who read the statement of the GSM said that even before Arroyo delivered her state of the nation address, 45 percent of the Filipinos already said they no longer believe in whatever she has to say.

GSM said that instead of addressing issues and other problems of the country like the fiscal and political crisis, Arroyo touted her plan to change the constitution of the country. - Wenna A. Berondo