Groups commemorating the 35th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law in 1972 marched today in Manila to protest what they described as a “steady drift towards Marcosian rule.” The late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos declared Martial Law in September 21, 1972. This triggered the arrests of the political foes of the regime, a clamp down on the media, and various other human rights violations. Throughout his 20 year term, Marcos was believed to have amassed billions of pesos in ill-gotten wealth.
“The Arroyo government has not learned the lessons of Marcos. In fact, the Arroyo regime often repeats the mistakes of the dictatorship. It has engaged in gross human rights abuses such as killings and abductions. It has even rivaled previous regimes in terms of corruption,” said Bayan chair Carol Araullo.
“What’s worse is that Arroyo also seems bent on staying in power to protect herself from suits that may arise from rights violations and corruption,” she added.
Bayan believes that the reason why fears of term extensions and outright dictatorial rule have not been assuaged is because of the crisis plaguing the administration itself.
“There is always the apprehension that the Arroyo regime will resort to martial law measures because we can see how unstable the regime has become. It has been pummeled by one political crisis after another. It desperately wants to cling on to power no matter what. It has an entire arsenal of fascist measures, the latest of which is the Human Security Act or Anti-terror Law,” Araullo explained.
“Arroyo is courting the same fate as Marcos. So long as she treads the path of Marcosian rule, she may yet end up like Marcos who was deposed by people power,” she added.
Bayan secretary general Renato M. Reyes, Jr. said that more protests can be expected with the ongoing controversy involving the National Broadband Network project which is allegedly tainted by huge payoffs to public officials.
“The broadband deal is inciting the people to protest. In a time of grinding poverty, acts of shameless corruption will only fuel the people’s indignation. It’s just the latest in the long list of abuses by the current regime,” Reyes said.
“Gloria and Mike Arroyo symbolize the new conjugal dictatorship. The Marcos cronies have been replaced by the cronies and golfing buddies of the Arroyo regime. It’s as if the administration has dragged the country back in time,” Reyes added.
“The Arroyo government has not learned the lessons of Marcos. In fact, the Arroyo regime often repeats the mistakes of the dictatorship. It has engaged in gross human rights abuses such as killings and abductions. It has even rivaled previous regimes in terms of corruption,” said Bayan chair Carol Araullo.
“What’s worse is that Arroyo also seems bent on staying in power to protect herself from suits that may arise from rights violations and corruption,” she added.
Bayan believes that the reason why fears of term extensions and outright dictatorial rule have not been assuaged is because of the crisis plaguing the administration itself.
“There is always the apprehension that the Arroyo regime will resort to martial law measures because we can see how unstable the regime has become. It has been pummeled by one political crisis after another. It desperately wants to cling on to power no matter what. It has an entire arsenal of fascist measures, the latest of which is the Human Security Act or Anti-terror Law,” Araullo explained.
“Arroyo is courting the same fate as Marcos. So long as she treads the path of Marcosian rule, she may yet end up like Marcos who was deposed by people power,” she added.
Bayan secretary general Renato M. Reyes, Jr. said that more protests can be expected with the ongoing controversy involving the National Broadband Network project which is allegedly tainted by huge payoffs to public officials.
“The broadband deal is inciting the people to protest. In a time of grinding poverty, acts of shameless corruption will only fuel the people’s indignation. It’s just the latest in the long list of abuses by the current regime,” Reyes said.
“Gloria and Mike Arroyo symbolize the new conjugal dictatorship. The Marcos cronies have been replaced by the cronies and golfing buddies of the Arroyo regime. It’s as if the administration has dragged the country back in time,” Reyes added.
