New steel fences near Batasan gates scored

MANILA, Philippines – The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) yesterday scored the leadership of the House of Representatives for putting up new steel fences near the gates of the Batasang Pambansa in time for the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Arroyo.

Renato Reyes Jr., Bayan secretary-general, said the open area in front of the Batasang Pambansa where protesters used to hold mass actions “is now surrounded by permanent steel fences embedded in concrete.”

Reyes said the construction of the steel fences is anticipated to be complete before the SONA. Militants are expected to stage protest actions for the ninth SONA of Mrs. Arroyo on July 27.

“With all these steel fences, it appears that there are now two steel cages in front of the Batasang Pambansa. Not only is the façade ugly, it is also a waste of people’s money to be erecting these unnecessary structures. The Batasang Pambansa now looks more like a penitentiary from the outside,” Reyes said.

“These structures are symbolic of how far and isolated the House of Representatives is from the people,” he added.

Bayan also challenged the President to declare categorically in her coming SONA that she will step down and not seek any elective position after her term expires in June 2010.

The group has been pressing the Chief Executive to make such a statement amid continuing efforts by administration allies to change the Constitution and persistent rumors that Mrs. Arroyo plans to run for a congressional seat representing her hometown in Pampanga.

“Since President Arroyo has already delivered eight SONAs – the most by any recent president – she could at least be more forthright in her ninth and last SONA,” Reyes said.

He noted that Mrs. Arroyo’s refusal to speak on the matter of stepping down would only fuel more speculations and protests.

The President has been criticized by various sectors and recently, by former President Fidel Ramos, about her staying in office beyond 2010.

Ramos has said that stepping down is mandatory.

Reyes said protests will mar the President’s SONA, which would also serve notice to the US government and President Barack Obama, who will meet Mrs. Arroyo on July 30.

As this developed, Filipino activists in the US are set to stage a “silent protest” today against Mrs. Arroyo and “her human rights violations against the Filipino people” at the 5 Corners Jersey City (intersection of Newark Ave. and Summit Ave.).

Members of the Anakbayan New York/New Jersey said the activity is also in line with their protest on the ninth SONA of Mrs. Arroyo.

“The Filipino people have been living under an undeclared martial rule under Arroyo’s regime since 2001,” said the group.

Anakbayan NY/NJ claimed that since the President came to power, there has been 1,013 cases of unexplained killings; 1,036 cases of torture; and 202 cases of enforced disappearances/abduction, including that of Filipino-American Melissa Roxas, among other human rights violations.