PRESS RELEASE l 16 JANUARY 2012
QUEZON CITY, Philippines--A militant urban poor alliance has expressed its fear that the urban poor sector could be used by certain political factions to amplify their narrow demands and serve their interests related to the impeachment case faced by the Chief Justice Renato Corona.
Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) in its statement said, "We receive reports that a group close to the Aquino administration as well as other groups notorious for their pay-to-mobilize scheme have been courting several urban poor organizations in Metro Manila in time for today's big mobilization at the Senate."
As the impeachment trial against Corona will start today, protests supporting both camps are to be expected involving various political groups.
Kadamay, for one, has already expressed its support for the impeachment of Corona. Carmen 'Ka Mameng' Denunida, the 83-year-old veteran activist, will lead this morning the urban poor rank together with other militant organizations under Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN).
Kadamay national chairperson Leonila Sarzuela said, "As long as Corona sits as the Supreme Court chief justice, making the Arroyos accountable of their crimes to the people is virtually impossible."
Urban poor sector
Sarzuela also noted that, "The urban poor have played a significant role in the big mobilizations that changed the course of Philippine history, partly because of their number and their proximity to the battleground. The other reason is that they are easy to mobilize for a very measly amount of money for as low as P20-50, and sometimes for just a single meal."
"We are threading on a significant point in our history similar during the two EDSA revolutions, and the urban poor must again be critical not to let the ruling class only further its interest," Sarzuela said.
According to the leader, 'It must be clear that the recent rift among the ruling class is but an opportunity for the urban poor to advance its demand for substantial change and benefit."
TRO on demolition
Kadamay, which is an nationwide organization 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 on the basis of the gross human right violation that it entails, and on the implementation of RA 7279 or the Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA).
"By issuing Supreme Court decisions that directly serve the interests of the poor, the chief justice will surely earn the support of the wider public in this highly critical political battle," she said.
“Corona must also act on other pressing issues of the poor including the price hikes, massive unemployment, measly wage of the workers and land reform," Sarzuela said.
Meanwhile, the group has also called on the urban poor in Metro Manila, and nearby regions to be critical and not be blinded by the measly amount poured on urban poor communities by some political groups. ###
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP (KADAMAY)
Militant Center of the Filipino Urban Poor
Reference: Gloria Arellano, national secretary-general (09213927457)
No comments:
Post a Comment