Teachers hold midday protest against con-ass bid
Militant teachers and education workers led by the Alliance of Concerned
Teachers held a protest action at a high school this afternoon to denounce
renewed attempts by the Arroyo administration to push through with Charter
change.
ACT held the protest during the midday break outside the Ramon Magsaysay High
School along Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue in Quezon City . It was attended by
public school teachers as well as university faculty and employees.
The protesters held a brief noise barrage and program and unfurled a large
streamer saying “Teachers say no to Arroyo’s cha-cha!”
“We’re here to express our outrage at the House of Representatives’ latest
attempt to railroad amendments to the Constitution,” said ACT national
chairperson Antonio Tinio. “By declaring its intention to push through with
constitutional amendments without the participation of the Senate, it reveals
how desperate Malacañang’s ruling coalition is to prolong its stay in power.
Once again, Mrs. Arroyo and her allies are betraying their utter disregard for
democratic principles.”
“No wonder she’s distrusted by 48% of the population,” said Tinio, citing the
findings of a Pulse Asia survey published yesterday.
Tinio criticized the House majority for passing House Resolution 1109, declaring
Congress as a constituent assembly, while refusing to grant public school
teachers a Php 9,000 salary increase and failing to act on the Genuine Agrarian
Reform Bill as well as the controversial reproductive health bill.
“Malacañang’s agenda for Charter change is to prolong the hold on power of
Arroyo and her allies, further opening up of the economy by allowing 100%
foreign ownership of businesses and land, removing constitutional prohibitions
on the presence of foreign troops and bases, and further restriction of the
people’s civil liberties. Militant and progressive teachers and education
workers nationwide will do their share in opposing their efforts,” said Tinio.
ACT called on teachers and the public to join the big rally against charter
change to be held on Ayala Avenue in Makati at 5 p.m. tomorrow. #
