Noynoy dared: Prove you’re not a Gloria, stop mulling Cha-cha*
"Prove that you’re not a Gloria. Stop mulling Cha-cha." This was the early challenge aired by labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno to Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III amid talks of a special commission which he will form to study Charter change (Cha-cha).
"Sen. Aquino’s early mention of Cha-cha is troublesome, especially since he made the people believe that he is anti-Gloria throughout the campaign period. Now he is thinking of doing Arroyo’s signature move," KMU chairperson Elmer "Bong" Labog said.
"His mother consistently opposed changes in the 1987 Constitution. Now, he is saying he wants to know what the people think about the issue. The Filipino people have always opposed Cha-cha, as it will only make the Charter more pro-foreign and anti-Filipino," Labog added.
Labog said Aquino’s mention of constitutional amendments with just a day after the elections jibes with partymate and former Arroyo cabinet member Joey Salceda's avowed goal of further opening the local economy to attract more foreign investors.
"Salceda said Noynoy’s victory would mean more foreign investors coming in to the country. Just one day after the elections, Noynoy and his team are talking about Charter change. That indicates fundamental continuity with Gloria’s economic policies," he said.
KMU has been totally opposed to moves that will make the economy more dependent on foreign investors, as these will make Filipinos more prone to aberrations of the fragile global economy, aside from pushing Philippine labor into cheaper wages and repressed working conditions.
"Noynoy must now move on from his slogan 'Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap' because fighting corruption is not enough. He must move away from Gloria’s economic policies if he really wishes to reduce the number of mahirap," Labog said.
"His expression of being open to appointing Gilbert Teodoro, Gloria’s defense secretary, to a Cabinet position doesn’t augur well for the Filipino people. It indicates that he is also willing to continue Gloria’s militaristic policies. That is also not a good sign," he added.
Date:
12 May 2010
Reference Person:
Elmer "Bong" Labog, KMU chairperson
Contact information:
0908-163-6597 / 0919-416-3451
*Url: http://www.kilusangmayouno.org/news/2010/05/noynoy-dared-prove-you%E2%80%99re-not-gloria-stop-mulling-cha-cha
