From RVerzola at phil.gn.apc.org Thu Sep 18 23:20:17 1997 From: RVerzola at phil.gn.apc.org (RVerzola) Date: Thu, 18 Sep 1997 06:20:17 -0800 Subject: [asia-apec 410] Philippine Greens observe 25th martial law declaration Message-ID: <988_9709180710@phil.gn.apc.org> AREA:TALK.GREEN Those who are following the developments in the Philippines may be interested in the following statement by the Philippine Greens, an emerging political formation in the country. In the text, "Bantayog ng mga Bayani" means "Monument to Heroes," and "dagdag-bawas" (literally, add-subtract) refers to the massive, nationwide cheating in the 1995 elections during the votes tabulation, in which systematically, nationwide, with the participation of some election officials, votes were consistently subtracted from some senatorial candidates, and then added to other candidates. At least one, maybe two, got into the winning circle, through this method. They are now serving as senators in Congress. Roberto Verzola PS. I am one of those who will be fasting for three days. --------- 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.] From RVerzola at phil.gn.apc.org Thu Sep 18 23:40:47 1997 From: RVerzola at phil.gn.apc.org (RVerzola) Date: Thu, 18 Sep 1997 06:40:47 -0800 Subject: [asia-apec 411] Philippine Greens observe 25th anniversary of martial law Message-ID: <987_9709180710@phil.gn.apc.org> 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@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.]