Groups hold Black Friday protest vs. constituent assembly

CEBU, Philippines - Bayan together with other cause-oriented groups held a Black Friday protest yesterday against Charter Change on Colon Street in front of a downtown mall.

Bayan Partylist, Anak Pawis, Gabriela, and Nagkahiusang Drayber sa Sugbo were one yesterday in their cry against Cha-cha and its recent developments in the Congress. This was a simultaneous protest all over the country.

Arman Perez, Secretary General of Bayan Partylist, said that it was their fourth day in their ongoing protest against the move of the congressmen to amend the 1987 Constitution before the 2010 elections.

Perez said that Bayan conducted information drive to the community helping the people understand the effects of the efforts of the congressmen to push through with the Constituent Assembly (Con-ass). “Padayon ang atong lihok protesta. Padayon ang atong pag-apod sa mas lapad nga katawhan,” Perez told reporters in an interview.

Gabriela and NADSU representatives said they support the protest because they see that other important issues like the extension of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program and the Oil Deregulation Law were put aside for House Resolution 1109 which obviously has ulterior motives.

House Resolution No. 1109, passed last June 3, nearly midnight, calls for a convention of the Senate and Congress to vote jointly - not separately – to amend the 1987 Constitution.

Bebie Allere, council member of Gabriela, said that CARP, a program nearing its end, is being overlooked because of Con-ass. She expressed that the extension of the program will benefit a lot of people not just the farmers.

Eduardo Geolin from NADSU said that their demand to scrap the Oil Deregulation Law and the 12 percent Expanded Value Added Tax in oil are still not being tackled in Congress. Instead, an approval of a House Resolution calling for a constituent assembly was easily passed.   — Barbara Anne B. Ocaba, STC Masscom.intern/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)