[Kadamay sees no reason for Aquino’s continued stay in the Palace] Thousands march in Manila to call for drastic change in PH politics

PRESS RELEASE I MARCH 23, 2012
Referenctie: Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national secretary-general (0921.3927457)

Led by militant group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay), a militant alliance of urban poor in the country, some 4,000 Filipinos from different urban poor organizations marched Manila roads today from Supreme Court to Mendiola calling for a significant change in the country’s political system. The big march in Manila had simultaneous urban protest actions in Metro Baguio, Davao and Cebu, among other cities and urban centers nationwide.

The series of militant protests in the national capital in the last few days were fueled by the inaction of the current Aquino regime on the incessant hikes in the prices of oil and petroleum products, and the consequent hikes in the cost of basic commodities and transportation. Violent demolitions of homes also added up to the fury of hungry masses.

“We are terribly disgusted of this system that obviously serves the interests of the ruling few, while it subjects the majority of our population to deep penury,” said Gloria Arellano, national secretary-general of Kadamay. “While our stomachs remain empty because of the record high unemployment rate and the less than livable wage of the workers, the poor have no choice but to bring their demands to the streets, and call for an immediate overhaul of the system that has subjected them to chronic poverty in decades.

No reason to stay in the Palace
“President Aquino is highly incapable to lead the nation as his administration remains subservient to the dictates of the big foreign and local businessmen. “Completely battered by the chronic crisis, the urban poor don’t see any reason for his continued stay in the Palace. He is not just inutile, he is pretending to be competent leader with record of human right violations as worse as his predecessor Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo,” said Arellano.

Arellano also cited the Aquino administration's continuing demolition rampage on urban poor communities, which has already left 16,000 families homeless in Metro Manila alone under the Aquino administration, given legality by the anti-poor Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA) that will turn 20 years tomorrow.

Kadamay also slammed today the dismissal of the Palace to veto the implementation of the 12% E-VAT on oil and petroleum products despite the deafening call of the public, for as Palace spokesperson Abigail Valte claimed, the action would only be detrimental to the majority of the population.

Widespread Pessimism
“In the light of the incessant oil price hikes and demolition of urban poor communities, the poor are very pessimistic that our condition will be better off under Aquino,” Arellano said. The leader added that unless the government implements a genuine agrarian reform to give equal right to every Filipino for a sure access to source of livelihood, and a national industrialization program uncontrolled by the imperialists primarily oil companies and financial capitalists, there will be no significant changes in the lives of the urban poor.

Different sectors also joined today's march today in Metro Manila led by umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN). While the police were on alert the entire day, Kadamay said they had only exercised a militant assertion of their right to stage protest at the foot of Mendiola. Some 4,000 urban poor started their march from Taft Avenue in Manila through the McArthur Bridge to the populous Avenida Avenue and Recto Avenue. Agitated Kadamay members removed the barricades at the foot of Mendiola and headed to the Mendiola Peace Arch where they staged a program.

Simultaneous protest actions nationwide
The protest march today had simultaneous urban poor protest actions in Davao City Hall, and a march from Plaza Independecia to the front of Gaisano Metro in Cebu City. Urban poor groups also held Stations of the Cross in Baguio City that highlighted the misery of the urban poor sector.

Other urban poor groups under Kadamay in General Santos City and Cagayan de Oro City also expressed their support for the big march in Manila in their statements. Kadamay has labeled today's action as a national day of protest against oil price hikes and demolitions.###