Cory Aquino will join bishops' rally vs Arroyo allies' Cha-cha

Former President Corazon Aquino, a key figure in two people power revolts, will join a major prayer rally this Sunday against Charter change initiatives of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's loyal allies in the House of Representatives. In a statement, Mrs Aquino said that, "I will join the prayer rally on Sunday, December 17, at the Luneta to express my moral outrage at the attempt of administration congressmen to foist their processed idea of Charter change upon the nation by turning Congress into a constituent assembly." She added that, "I share the view that Charter change is a serious undertaking that would need careful and widespread deliberation not only by our lawmakers but by the citizenry they represent." Mrs Aquino broke her ties with President Arroyo during the height of the "Hello, Garci!" wiretap scandal in July 2005. She then joined the "Hyatt 10" resigned Cabinet secretaries in calling for Mrs Arroyo's resignation. Since her departure from the presidency in 1992, Mrs Aquino has continued to work closely with the influential Catholic church in calling for reforms in government. As this developed, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said on Tuesday that the administration congressmen's junking of the constitutional assembly (con-ass) proposal will not stop the coming prayer rally. According to the CBCP, House Speaker Jose de Venecia's dumping of con-ass for a constitutional convention (con-con) still does not solve the nation's problems. "What they did Monday night did not solve our problem. You will agree the Philippines' problems did not disappear because of de Venecia's act. Cha-cha does not solve our problem. What we still need is prayer," CBCP spokesman Msgr. Pedro Quitorio III, speaking in Filipino, said in an interview on dzBB radio. The CBCP earlier said its prayer rally will be for the enlightenment of national leaders, and to ask people to monitor officials who only think of their own interests. Quitorio said Sunday's prayer gathering "goes beyond con-ass and Cha-cha," adding the prayers which will be offered on Sunday will be for the nation. The CBCP had earlier announced that it would be leading a prayer-rally at the Quirino grandstand on Friday to protest the administration move to amend the Constitution through the convening of a constituent assembly. But the plan was aborted when it was learned that the government's gaming agency - Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. - had reserved and paid for the use of the area earlier. The CBCP on Monday then announced that it had moved the rally to Sunday but some groups were unable to adjust their schedules. Quitorio on Tuesday said some rallies will still be held Friday at dioceses in other provinces. "Some dioceses have not changed their plans so they will push through with their own rallies on Friday. Up to today, there are 15 dioceses that have committed," Quitorio said. He also said the nationwide prayer gatherings will be ecumenical, meaning it will be open to all religious denominations, sects and groups. "Originally this rally was against con-ass but now this goes beyond that. We will pray for the nation. There are so many reasons for us to pray for our country," he added. When asked how many will attend the rally, he declined to give an estimate, saying their focus now is still to mobilize and invite other groups. "We have been receiving commitments from many groups already," he said. At the request of organizers, at least 200 policemen will secure the Catholic Church-led prayer-rally against Charter change in Manila this Sunday. Radio station dzRH reported Tuesday that the Manila Police District dispatched 200 personnel to secure the event at the request of former Ambassador to the Vatican Henrietta de Villa. Organizers led by the CBCP said the Luneta rally, dubbed "Magmalasakit sa Bayan (Show Concern for the Country)," will be held 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. No political speeches or messages and no celebrities will be allowed during the three-hour rally against Charter change at the Quirino Grandstand, the organizers said. Expected to join the rally are bishops and priests of various religious groups including the El Shaddai of Mariano "Mike" Velarde. Also expected to join are students from member schools of the Catholic Education Association of the Philippines, and the Federation of Trans-Parochial Charismatic Community. Civil society groups and the Makati Business Club are also set to join the rally.-GMANews.TV