Filipinos in HK intensify call for Arroyo resignation

HONG KONG - In a show of unity with various sectors in the Philippines, Filipino groups here are intensifying protest actions to keep up the pressure for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as they denounce anomalies under her administration. Various Filipino groups here have formed a loose coalition to call for the resignation of President in the wake of an expose linking her to a US$130 million corruption scandal on the $329.48-million contract for the government's national broadband network project. The Gloria Step-down Movement – Hong Kong (GSM-HK) is made up of migrant Filipino workers and members of various religious groups, from Catholics to Christians and Muslims. Coalition members held an interfaith prayer-rally on Chater Road in Central on Feb. 24. The protest was also said to be a show of support for whistleblower Rodolfo “Jun" Lozada, Jr., whose testimony in the Philippine Senate on the corruption-tainted NBN-ZTE deal led to the shrillest calls yet for the President’s resignation. Lozada linked not only President Arroyo to the canceled national broadband network project with the Chinese firm, ZTE, but also her husband, Mike Arroyo and their close ally, former Commission on Election chairman Benjamin Abalos. GSM-HK was formed as early as four months ago, but rapidly gained adherents after Lozada’s expose in the Senate. The group says it is not only for stepping up the pressure on the President to resign, but also for any other move that will put an end to her rule, including impeachment or ouster. In its unity declaration, GSM-HK said, “We, the undersigned organizations and individuals in Hong Kong bind ourselves to a common call for Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to step down in the face of massive corruption and bribery hounding her government, gross human rights violations that have been condemned but remain unaddressed, and economic deterioration that her administration has brought down to the Filipino people." In calling on more people to join the group, convenor Eman Villanueva said it was time for Filipinos in HK to make a stand: “Lahat na ng sektor sa atin ay nagsalita na. Dahil this time, ang hindi pagsasalita ay pag-condone na sa corruption and greed ng mga nasa posisyon. It’s about time that we speak out against this morally bankrupt government." The HK rally came one day ahead of a nationwide protest led by the militant group, Bayan, to mark the 22nd anniversary of the Edsa 1 revolt that toppled the Marcos administration, and five days before a massive anti-GMA interfaith rally scheduled in Manila. A week earlier, about 10,000 Filipinos took to the streets of Makati City, to join the call for the President’s resignation, notably members of the business sector, represented by the Makati Business Club and representatives from the Catholic Church. In the succeeding days, many other groups took up the call, from student and youth groups to members of the academe. GSM-HK plans to hold various activities to gain more adherents and help keep up the pressure for a change in the country’s leadership by holding more protests, a signature campaign, and round-table discussions. Pro-GMA OFW group still loyal An OFW group that has openly supported President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo says it remains loyal to her, despite the growing uproar in the Philippines over her purported involvement in the botched US$130-million payoff over the NBN-ZTE deal. Jojo Sapio, president of the Galing Manggagawang Pinoy Abroad (GMPA)---formerly GMA Pa Rin—said, “We still support her because we don’t think there is anyone out there who could replace her." Asked if he believes Lozada’s expose linking the President to the ZTE scandal, Sapio said, “We don’t discuss it (in our group). Wala sa isip namin iyan." But he says he does not begrudge the other groups, made up mainly of his fellow OFWs, who are openly calling for the President’s ouster. “Karapatan nila iyan," he said. Sapio’s group was formed shortly before the first overseas absentee voting for Filipinos was held in 2004. Filipinos in HK that time gave Mrs Arroyo a massive lead over her closest rival, the late actor Fernando Poe, Jr. - Daisy C.L. Mandap, GMANews.TV