Letter to the Editor - The Cha-cha of FVR, GMA and JDV

Amidst the ever-growing sentiment of the people for the stepping down of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the former militarist president, Fidel V. Ramos, now aims to maneuver a charter change along with his trusted disciple Speaker Jose De Venecia. This move intends to conserve their previously attained economic interests and maintain their political party's clout and control over the country's politics. This also intends to contain the participation of the broad masses to a people power that advances the alternative programs being pushed for by the progressive and patriotic forces for a meaningful change in society.

For us, workers, the said move bows to the interests of big foreign capitalists and their local big comprador business concessionaires. They urgently demand to amend the Basic Charter for an easy and trouble-free implementation of the now controversial "mining law," the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, which was passed by Congress years ago during the term of president Ramos. The Philippine Mining Act of 1995 was previously declared by the Supreme Court to be unconstitutional because of its violations of our present Basic Charter.

Part of this move is to divert the people's attention away from the serious issues that question the morality and leadership of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. These issues have plunged her popularity to levels much lower compared to those of our past presidents. In addition, former president Ramos is just reviving his failed attempt to amend our Constitution during his term.

We must remember that former president Ramos' bid for a charter change back then was aimed to fulfill his ambition for a term extension as president. The bid failed due to the opposition of the broad masses because of his anti-nationalist and anti-people policies and programs that took shape through his "Medium Term Philippine Development Plan" popularly known as Philippines 2000.

Thus, we, workers, who have been marginalized and are now experiencing great hardships and poverty, continue to feel immense displeasure. We will make sure that President Arroyo's and her cohorts' schemes will be put to naught by launching aggressive protest and education campaigns. We firmly believe that only through raising the political consciousness of the broad masses of workers and society can we obtain their contribution to the national political campaign.

Now, we put our hopes on the unity of the patriotic and progressive forces of society and the formation of a council of leaders that will put forward and implement reforms in our government. A reformed government that we hope would ensure the voice and interest of the broad masses.
(Sgd.) Elpedio S. Caterbas
Secretary-General
AMA-Sugbo-KMU
Contact No. 09173592112