Thursday, August 04, 2005
Anti-Arroyo rally peaceful
By Victor L. Camion
SPEAKERS from different sectors lambasted President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Monday saying she lost the moral ascendancy to govern the country and called for her resignation to pave the way for a transition government.
Two separate rallies were held, one at Quezon Park, the other at Freedom Park to call on the President to resign.
Nothing marred the peaceful holding of the mass protest with riot police looking on in corners of the two venues to preempt any "untoward incident".
Braving drizzles and ominous clouds, rallyists estimated by organizers to number more than 2,000 but downplayed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) at 500, convened at Quezon Park at around two o'clock after a march starting from Rizal boulevard to Silliman avenue and Perdices street.
Ronald Ian Evidente, Negros vice chairman of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) told Sun.Star the rallyists were composed of multisectoral groups headed by lawyers belonging to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Negros Oriental chapter, the protestant United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP), some priests from the Roman Catholic Church, and people's organizations.
The Dumaguete groups were augmented by hundreds of farmers and members of people's organizations ferried by at least two cargo trucks from the towns of Sta. Catalina in southern Negros Oriental and Pamplona, Bais City, Manjuyod, Vallehermoso, and Guihulngan in the north.
The rally ended at six o'clock in the afternoon with a symbolic burning of an effigy depicting the President as a lizard with her face, that according to the rallyists, symbolized her tenacious intent to hold on to the Presidency.
Aside from Evidente, the leaders of the rally composing the No More Gloria alliance were provincial heads Engr. Trelly Marigza of Gabriela, Rene Rombo of Kaugmaon-Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, Zephanie Repollo of Youth-Dare, Roy Danieles of Anakbayan, Hannah Liezel Cadili of Student Christian Movement of the Philippines (SCMP), and the League of Filipino Students (LFS) led by Teejay Nuico.
Also present were Rev. Reuel Marigza of church-based Kasimbayan, Silliman University professor Cookie Ablong, businessman Antonio Tony Rem's Remollo of FPJPM-KNP, Springzeal Bacarro of Anakbayan, and lawyer Rodrigo Icao, president of IBP-Negros Oriental accompanied by several lawyers.
Lawyer Joel Obar of Guardian Brotherhood, with several of his members, was also present.
(July 28, 2005 issue)
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