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Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Critics ask Glo to kill CPR
Six party-list lawmakers filed yesterday a resolution asking the House of Representatives to investigate Malacañang’s “calibrated preemptive response” (CPR) and “no permit, no rally” rule for street demonstrations.
In Cebu, anti-Arroyo groups said they will not heed President Arroyo’s rules and will fight for their right to peaceful assembly.
Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, however, discouraged militant groups against holding rallies without getting permits.
“To establish order in society and the safety of the participants as well, they should secure the permits. We have to ensure that the streets are safe,” Vidal said.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita has provoked a debate over his statement that the policy of maximum tolerance for protests should no longer apply, and that rallies without permits should be dispersed outright.
Unlike President Arroyo’s critics, however, Cardinal Vidal said he didn’t see the “no permit, no rally” rule as a sign that the administration is out to infringe on people’s rights.
“If ever she would declare Martial Law, she knows how badly it would affect the community. I don’t think she would do that to the people,” Cardinal Vidal said.
Challenge
Lawyer Vic Biaño, one of the convenors of the Coalition of Cebuanos Against Gloria (CCAG), said in a press conference yesterday that they will challenge the administration to arrest them when they hold rallies.
“We appeal to our government officials in Cebu not to echo this blatant disrespect for our people’s sovereign will. And we call on all concerned Filipinos to remain vigilant and rise in defense of our civil liberties,” CCAG’s statement read.
While Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia already expressed her support for Arroyo’s policy, Leny Ocasiones of the White Ribbon Movement appealed for “the sound judgment” of local officials on the issue.
Bayan Central Visayas head Paul Rodriguez said that except for pickets, they have been informing Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña of their planned activities, like political gatherings and rallies, so the local government could prepare, especially in traffic management.
The CCAG hopes to organize a big rally next month, when they will invite presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr.’s wife, the actress Susan Roces, and members of the Arroyo Cabinet who resigned last July.
Kaira Alburo of the Gloria Step-Down Movement said they aim to keep Cebuanos abreast of developments in the capital by inviting House minority leader Francis Escudero to Cebu today. He is scheduled to attend five gatherings.
In a resolution filed with the House committee on human rights, six lawmakers warned that government will be held liable, should its operatives use force to disperse peaceful rallies.
Besides, “the policy of the government against the people’s freedom of expression will fuel resistance to an already very unpopular government,” said Rep. Joel Virador.
Virador filed the resolution along with Bayan Muna colleagues Satur Ocampo and Teddy Casiño; Crispin Beltran and Rafael Mariano of Anakpawis; and Liza Maza of Gariela Women’s Party. They said the Palace’s policies on rallies “are inconsistent with the 1987 Constitution.”
Commission on Human Rights Chairperson Purificacion Quisumbing agreed that the government’s CPR and “no permit, no rally” policies are illegal, and that government should respect freedom of speech and assembly, “with or without a permit.” (CYR/With LLV & Sunnex Manila)
(September 28, 2005 issue)
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