['Prove you're not an Arroyo's bootlicker'] Group dares Corona to issue TRO on demolition of urban poor communities

PRESS RELEASE l 11 JANUARY 2012
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP (KADAMAY)

QUEZON CITY, Philippines--A militant urban poor group challenged Chief Justice Renato Corona to take popular pro-poor actions in order for the magistrate to earn the support of the sector and the people.

Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay), which is based in urban poor communities, has called on the Chief Justice to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) on Aquino’s demolition rampage on urban poor communities nationwide citing the gross human right violations that it entails.

"The Supreme Court can, by its power, stop the violent demolition of urban poor communities like Corazon de Jesus in San Juan City, and North Triangle in QC that both face threats of demolition this week.

Previous cases of demolition of homes in the said communities have resulted to scores of injuries among women and children, which the Aquino administration has condoned according to Kadamay.

Pro-impeachment
Kadamay, though, supported the impeachment case against Corona.

Kadamay national chairperson Leonila Zarsuela in its statement simply said, "We will be supporting the coming proceeding as it is one way of making Arroyo accountable of her crimes to the people."

The group also expressed its doubt on the sincerity of the Aquino administration in making Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo accountable for her crimes to the people.

"Aside from getting back at Corona for the Supreme Court's decision on the disputed 6,500-hectare Luisita land, the impeachment case might just be another popular move of the Aquino administration to cover-up its failure to address the apparent widespread poverty of its people," Zarsuela said.

Pro-poor actions
Meanwhile, Zarsuela added that "by taking pro-poor actions, Corona can easily prove to the people that he is not an Arroyo's bootlicker, and get the upper hand in this political rift.

“We have long been waiting for someone to intervene on the attacks of the Arroyo and Aquino administrations to the urban poor," the leader added.

"By issuing Supreme Court decisions that directly serve the interests of the poor, the judiciary and the Chief Justice will surely earn the sympathy of the wider public in this highly critical political battle," she said. ###

REFERENCE: Bea Arellano l National secretary-general (09213927457)