AT THE FOREFRONT

AT THE FOREFRONT
USC Statement on the current national situation
Distributed last Advocacy for Sustained Accountability and Reform (ASAR) protest action last February 22.


The Arroyo Administration has gone far enough. The current scandal involving the National Broadband Network (NBN) has to be the last straw.

Now, we find ourselves caught in the national drama unfolding with Jun Lozada blowing the whistle on Gloria Macapagal Arroyo accusing First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo and former COMELEC Chair Benjamin Aalos of receiving an obscene amount of money for the ZTE NBN project. Malacanang also allegedly intervened by hindering him from testifying on the issue before the Senate.

This is definitely now what we deserve. Scandal after scandal, we have witnessed how the Arroyo administration has shamelessly made a mockery of the trust we have given to it. Not too long ago, this administration has been plagued by the fertilizer scam and the Hello Garci scandal; but even before it has absolved itself, it is now again being plagued by another one. Arroyo has gone far enough and we, the Filipino people, have had enough. We have had enough corruption. We have had enough of scandals. And we have had enough of Gloria Macapagal Aroyo. She must step down now.

But this cannot be translated to our desired result with our seeming culture of tolerance that allows those who commit crimes against the nation escape unscathed. At this important juncture in history, we Iskolars ng Bayan, must act. Let us not be limited by the vague alternatives, yet let us be empowered by our clear agenda. We know what we want and what we need for this country and it is high time that we be at the forefront for the struggle for social justice in order to bring back genuine democracy.

We, the University Student Council of UP Diliman, call on our fellow Iskolars ng Bayan to be on with the Filipino people in various forms of action seeking the removal of Arroyo from the Presidency, ultimately ensuring the attainment of our goals as a nation. We urge our fellow students to join the mobilization led by the Law Student Government (LSG), which will be attended by Jun Lozada, today at 5:00pm at the College of Law Lobby. There will be assemblies at Vinzons Hall, Palma Hall, and other key points around the Academic Oval at 3:30pm. The contingent from the College of Law will lead the march around the Academic Oval which shall terminate the program venue.

FIGHT FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY!
UPHOLD GENUINE SOCIAL JUSTICE AND DEMOCRACY!
GMA OUT NOW!!!



University Student Council
University of the Philippines - Diliman