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Sunday, April 30, 2006
Cabaero: Calibrated May 1 actions
By Nini B. Cabaero
Beyond 30
May 1 in the Philippines is traditionally a day of protest. Tomorrow's marking of Labor Day would likely follow tradition.
Except rally organizers would be armed with one more weapon---the decision of the Supreme Court declaring as illegal the government's penchant to disperse protest actions under its policy of a calibrated preemptive response of the police to such activities.
On the other side of the picket, however, is the government still with yet one other weapon---the power to declare a national emergency. The Supreme Court has not ruled it illegal.
Police in Manila went on alert since last Friday to prepare for mass actions for Labor Day. Some 5,000 police personnel will be fielded on the streets tomorrow when groups of various orientations are set to join forces in marches and rallies. Their cry would be a mix of political and economic, with those calling for the scrapping of taxes and increasing of minimum wages expected to join those demanding the ouster of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
It was May 1 of five years ago when people from poor communities tried to storm Malacañang to remove Arroyo from office. Police and military officials fear organizers of tomorrow's activities would want a repetition of that or the attempt to overthrow the President in late February this year.
Rally organizers are counting on the Supreme Court ruling this week to pursue their plans for tomorrow. The Supreme Court, in a vote of 13-0 last Tuesday, declared Arroyo's policy of calibrated preemptive response in dealing with street protests as unconstitutional because it violates the people's freedom to assemble. Following the High Court decision, those arrested in earlier protests filed complaints against their captors for arbitrary detention and other offenses.
The government, on the other hand, is banking on its inherent powers to keep the situation peaceful and orderly. Rally organizers would still be required to secure permits and must vow to keep their assemblies peaceful. Otherwise, as Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr. warned, government could re-impose emergency rule and exercise police powers.
Both sides are calibrating their actions for Labor Day; but it does not mean their plans are designed to address the troubles of Filipino workers here and abroad.
Job security and employment opportunities are tied to the overall political and economic standing of the country, but May 1 or Labor Day happens only once a year to recognize the contribution of the labor force to development and to seek ways to give workers what is due them.
Let the calibrated actions tomorrow even out the imbalance in the workforce's welfare.
(ninicab@sunstar.com.ph)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (April 30, 2006 issue)
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