Philippines: Youth groups heighten call for GMA’s ouster

COTABATO CITY – Youth groups here intensify calls for the ouster of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo amidst anomalies and scandals plaguing the present regime, vehemently stress, “Enough of Corruption, Oust Gloria Now.”

The Alyansa ng Kabataan Laban sa Panghihimasok ng Amerikanong Sundalo (AKLAS) enumerates Hello Garci, National Broadband Network project with China’s ZTE Corporation deal scam and Balikatan 2008 as major reasons among others to overthrow GMA from her post.

Yousri Usop, spokesperson of AKLAS, is heated over the deepening intervention of United States in the affairs of the Philippines; most recent are the conduct of Balikatan 2008 all over Central Mindanao and the cover-up of Malacañang on the corruption of ZTE-NBN deal in Senate.

“GMA administration has no political will to set restrictions on the intervention of US despite the unified stand of the people and sound sentiments regarding human rights violations committed especially to Bangsamoro people. Added to this is the limbo investigation on ZTE-NBN deal in the Senate and Department of Justice (DOJ),” Usop detailed.

Liga ng Kabataang Moro spokesperson, Michael Dumamba, also an AKLAS convenor said that the recent anomalies in the ZTE-NBN deal has again proves that GMA and her cohorts has no moral ascendancy to lead the country.

“Aside from enriching themselves with public funds with immunity, GMA is continuously covering the truth to the people. The $130 million-“kickback” (or P5.2 billion in current exchange rate) from the $329-million NBN-ZTE project could have been paid for additional textbooks, classrooms, school seats and new teachers. This government is so inutile to protect our welfare and preserve our country’s patrimony and sovereignty,” Dumamba said.

The AKLAS, comprise of fraternities, student councils, student publications and youth mass organizations, will be conducting series of symposia, fora and film showings in different schools and communities all over Greater Cotabato to intensify the calls for GMA’s ouster.

“We will broaden our ranks to further heighten our call for GMA to step down. We will start in an all-youth leaders’ forum on the 23rd of February and will participate in a picket-rally lead by GMA Step Down Movement on the 25th. We will untiringly conduct education and protest actions until GMA will collapse from power,” Usop concluded.

For reference: Yousri Usop, AKLAS spokesperson, Mobile # 0926.4690.338 / Michael Dumamba, LKM spokesperson, Mobile # 0920.8805.923

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