Anti-GMA force taking shape in Arroyo stronghold

By Ronilo L. Pamonag

Various opposition groups here in the City are set to launch a
coalition to put up a united front that would demand the resignation of President Arroyo.

Former City Councilor, lawyer Joshua Alim said yesterday that they are scheduled to launch the Arroyo Resign Movement (ARM) Monday next week, during which they will also be revealing their plan of action.

Alim explained that the ARM includes the United Opposition-Iloilo, of which he is a member, professionals, and cause-oriented groups, particularly the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) and party-list group Bayan Muna. Alim ran for Vice Mayor last year under the camp of late Fernando Poe Jr. but lost to comebacking Vice Mayor Guillermo dela Llana. UNO itself already has a core group composed mostly of lawyers and incumbent councilors who asked to be identified for the meantime, he said.

He said that they are now coordinating with all groups who are demanding Arroyo's resignation.

“We are getting stronger and stronger everyday,” he claimed, saying that people are already asking him when their group would be circulating petitions for Arroyo's resignation.

Calls on Arroyo to relinquish the presidency have mounted from the time she admitted calling a commissioner of the Commission on Elections during the canvassing period for the 2004 elections; though she denied manipulating votes to favor her reelection bid.

Iloilo is considered Arroyo bailiwicks.

For one, First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo traces his roots to the City's Molo district. Also, there are two Cabinet members who are from Iloilo- Justice Sec. Raul Gonzalez and Land Reform Sec. Rene Villa.

In last year's elections, it was an easy victory for Mrs. Arroyo in Iloilo, where she got her second highest lead, next only to Cebu, over her rival Poe.

In the province, Ms. Arroyo had 512,812 votes. Poe, who came in second, only had 82,244 votes.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas said that Arroyo leads by over 70,000 votes from Poe. The said that the President had 105,700 plus votes, while Poe only had about 35,000. This is despite the fact that two mayoralty candidates-Vice Mayor Victor Facultad and Councilor Ma. Rita Bascos-Sarabia-are for Poe. Both lost to Treñas.