People’s wrath vs Cha-cha, Arroyo boils at Makati rally

MANILA, Philippines - Friday's multi-sectoral interfaith rally should serve as a warning to pro-Arroyo lawmakers that tweaking the Constitution before the 2010 elections is bound to fail, key lawmakers said. Opposition groups joined left-wing and religious organizations in a rally Friday to protest moves by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's allies to amend the Constitution — and possibly extend her term. Administration officials have said Mrs Arroyo will step down when her term expires in 2010, but she has not made any categorical statement. In a text message to reporters, Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casiño said the rally showed that congressmen should refrain from further trying to tweak the Constitution. Arroyo downfall? "The Ayala anti Cha-cha rally has successfully sent the message that the widest spectrum of political forces and social movements representing the whole nation is united and ready to defeat [Mrs Arroyo's] Cha-cha," Casiño said. About 10,000 people attended the rally in Makati. "The people have spoken: back off! Administration congressmen be warned. They are putting the Arroyo regime on the brink of ouster," Casiño added. Liberal party member and Muntinlupa City Rep. Rozzano Rufino Biazon, who also participated in the rally, made a similar statement. "The interfaith rally proves that the anti Cha-cha sentiment cuts across classes and sectors. The House of Representatives should take note of this and not rush into jamming con-ass down into the throats of the people," Biazon said in a text message to GMANews.TV. Thousands of people from religious, political, and civil society groups gathered at Makati City on Friday afternoon to show their opposition to current moves in Congress to amend the Constitution. Among these moves is a yet unfiled resolution by Kampi president and Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte seeking to convene Congress into a constituent assembly. It has been backed by 167 lawmakers, just 30 signatures short of three-fourth of the total number of Congress members. Villafuerte had said he is hoping that mustering 197 signatures will create a justiciable controversy that will compel the Supreme Court to rule on whether Congress should vote jointly or separately on constitutional amendments. Ousted President Joseph Estrada, who did not attend the gathering but supported the protesters, urged Arroyo to "not only speak publicly but also sign a statement, along with all the congressmen and her sons, that they will not push charter change." Arroyo took office after Estrada was ousted in a people power revolt against his alleged corruption in 2001. Her second term came after a win in the 2004 presidential election, which opposition groups claim she stole. She has survived four power grabs and four impeachment attempts on grounds of corruption and human rights violations. She has denied any wrongdoing. The administration-dominated 238-seat House of Representatives has been pushing for a revision of the 1987 constitution. In a rare show of unity, all 23 members of the opposition-controlled Senate passed a resolution Thursday rejecting any move by the House to revise the charter on its own. The Senate action and Friday's rally "should send a clear message to Mrs. Arroyo and her allies that it is time to quit moves to revise the charter and extend her term in office," said Carol Araullo, head of the left-wing alliance Bayan. - GMANews.TV/AP