[asia-apec 411] Philippine Greens observe 25th anniversary of martial law

[RVerzola]

Those who are following the developments in the Philippines may be
interested in the following statement of the Philippine Greens, an
emerging political formation in the country.

In the text, "Bantayog ng mga Bayani" means "Heroes' Monument".
"Dagdag-bawas" (literally, "add-subtract") refers to the massive
nationwide cheating in the 1995 Philippine elections, in which at
least one, possibly two, got into the winning circle of senators
through massive cheating during the tabulation of municipal/provincial
(sub-national) election returns, with the cooperation of election
officials, in which votes were systematically deducted from some
candidates (by removing several zeroes), and the same number of votes
added to the count other candidates. One or two candidates
consistently benefitted from this modus operandi, enough to get into
the winning circle and dislodge the real winner(s). They are still
serving as senators today. (Senators have a six-year term.)

Roberto Verzola

PS. I will be one of those going on a three-day fast. Those who are
interested in communicating with the Greens can send email to me or to
Green Forum (greenfm at phil.gn.apc.org).

-------------------

                  THREE-DAY FAST IN MEMORY OF THOSE
                    WHO DIED FIGHTING DICTATORSHIP


The Philippine Greens, a political formation of activists advocating
ecological principles, join the nation in commemorating the 25th
anniversary of the declaration of martial law on Sept. 21, 1972.

Our members and sympathizers will hold a three-day candle vigil on
September 19-21, at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani, the national shrine
for those who died fighting the Marcos dictatorship. In addition,
seven of us will go on a three-day fast.

Through our three-day vigil and fast, the Philippine Greens hope to
call attention to the following:

1. We want to recall the suffering and martyrdom of those who died in
the struggle against the Marcos dictatorship.

The martyrs of that struggle include thousands of peasants, workers,
and indigenous peoples, who died in the struggle for land, labor
rights, ancentral domain, and democratic freedoms; hundreds of
students, intellectuals and religious, who left a promising future or
a comfortable life to fight the dictatorship; and the handful of
politicians who transcended their traditional roles and found the
courage to resist the Marcos regime. Many of the martyrs were women.

We hold our three-day fast and vigil to recall their self-sacrifice
and heroism.

2. In honoring the martyrs of 1972-1986, we will also ask ourselves:
what did they fight for?

They defended democratic freedoms, and worked to preserve the national
patrimony for Filipinos against exploitation by foreign corporations.
They fought the wanton destruction of our natural resources and the
environment. They opposed foreign military bases and troops. They
fought for land, against development aggression by government and
corporations, which imposed giant projects that displaced the local
population and destroyed local resources. They opposed nuclear weapons
and power plants, which posed incalculable dangers to the people. And
they fought against corruption, for honest government.

We hope our fast will sharpen our thinking and tune our minds better
to these noble principles which the martyrs of 1972-1986 died for.

3. The anti-dictatorship struggle of 1972-1986 culminated in the 1986
EDSA uprising, one result of which was the 1987 constitution.

Although conservative drafters diluted many of its contents, the
charter still bears the marks of a popular uprising. Popular demands
of social movements are clearly reflected in these provisions:

     - the provisions reserving national patrimony, the professions,
       and certain strategic industries to Filipinos, and other
       pro-Filipino provisions;
     - the provision against foreign military troops and bases;
     - the anti-nuclear provision;
     - the bill of rights;
     - the constitutional safeguards against military rule;
     - the anti-dynasty provision; and
     - the term limits for elective officials.

In fact, because subsequent Congresses failed to enact the laws
necessary to implement them, many of the better provisions languished
without effect. These provisions should be strengthened, not diluted.

4. We are concerned that the current debate on charter change revolves
mainly around the issue of term extension versus term limits. This is
mainly a debate between those politicians who are out of power and
those who are now in power. There is hardly any debate on other
substantial issues such as the following:

     - amendments to align our constitution with the World Trade
Organization (WTO) and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
(GATT), chaining our people to these anti-community and
anti-environment instruments of recolonization.

     - calls to remove the pro-Filipino charter provisions,
particularly those that reserve the national patrimony, the
professions, and certain strategic industries to Filipinos only.

     - the resumption of a government nuclear program.

     - the return of U.S. and other military forces.

We believe that the pro-Filipino, anti-globalization, anti-nuclear and
anti-bases provisions are a major target of charter change proponents.
We oppose efforts -- before or after the 1998 elections -- to dilute
or remove these provisions, which are direct results of popular
pressure by social movements.

5. We also call attention to a national shame no less evil than
dictatorship: an electoral mechanism that subverts instead of reflects
the people's vote. The massive nationwide "dagdag-bawas" in the 1995
count remains unpunished; the COMELEC under which this abomination
occurred sits unrepentant; and those shameless cheats who didn't win
the people's vote continue to govern us as senators in Congress.

We have absolutely no confidence in the present COMELEC. We remind
all, that plebiscites and elections have a basic prerequisite: an
electoral process that is free and honest, whose final count will
actually reflect the way the people voted. Such an electoral process
does not exist in the Philippines today.

The Philippine Greens call on all who share our message to join us at
the Bantayog national shrine (along Quezon Ave., between EDSA and
Agham Road). Together, let us honor the fallen martyrs of 1972-1986,
learn the lessons of the past, and express our concern for the future.

The Philippine Greens
September 16, 1997
[For details, please call 921-6805.]