Thousands expected to join call for PGMA's ouster

By Ronilo L. Pamonag

Convenors of the Arroyo Resign Movement-Panay, a broad multisectoral group, flash the thumbsdown sign symbolic of their call for the ouster of Pres. Arroyo. A.CHRIS FERNANDEZ

At least 2,000 Ilonggos are expected to troop to the streets Wednesday to demand the resignation of President Arroyo. This comes in the wake of the launching of the Arroyo Resign Movement-Panay, a broad multisectoral group, yesterday (July 11) afternoon.

Hope Hervilla of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Panay, one of the members of the ARM-Panay, expects that number to go up to 5,000.

Lawyer Joshua Alim of the United Opposition-Iloilo, which is also one of the convenors of the ARM, has said that Wednesday's march rally will show that there exists an anti-Arroyo movement in Iloilo, which is considered to be one of the Chief Executive's bailiwick.

The ARM, according to its statement, is “an alliance of individuals, groups, parties and coalitions (which) believes that this present president is an illegitimate and corrupt president that has brought nothing but more and more misery to the people. A president of this kind does not deserve to last a day more.”

Present during yesterday's launching were Provincial Administrator Manuel Mejorada, representing Gov. Niel Tupas, former Iloilo City Mayor Mansueto Malabor, former 5 th dist. Board Member Victorino Salcedo, lawyers Dan Cartagena, Eugenio Original, Neri Colmenares, as well as officials from Aklan and Capiz.

“There,” the group's two-page statement of unity adds, “is no way to go for Mrs. Arroyo but out of Malacañang. Resignation is her ultimate choice.”

The group is proposing a transition council that “…will serve as a caretaker government after Arroyo's resignation which will be led by somebody as transition president, as stated by the Phil. Constitution.”

The head, they add, “…could also be somebody who will arise as a credible leader in the process of GMA resignation campaigns.”

Among the other proposals of the group is the revamp of the Commission on Elections, of the country's economic policies, and charter change for a new form of government that would incorporate parliamentary, unicameral and federal systems.

Mrs. Arroyo is under flak for admitting a ‘lapse in judgment' when she called an elections official during the canvassing for the 2004 presidential elections. She has, however, denied fixing votes to favor her.