Gov't workers stage protest rally vs Aquino “dictatorship”

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Members of the Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees in Panay gathered on Thursday in front of the Iloilo Hall of Justice in this city to air their protest against the so-called dictatorship of the present administration of President Benigno Aquino III.

Irma Espinosa, spokesperson of COURAGE-Panay, said they staged the protest rally to make the people aware of the move of the Aquino administration to extend the president's term, as manifested by the moves of the cabinet secretaries and allies in both houses of Congress.

Espinosa said government employees benefited nothing during the term of Aquino in terms of salary increase and slashed instead other allowances intended for them.

Included in the COURAGE's opposition against extending the term of the president, is its support for the signature campaign for a People's Initiative to stop the pork barrel

system, said Espinosa, who was confident of being able to get three percent of the target number for signatures.  (FREEMAN)