Cha-cha at con-ass: Pananatili sa kapangyarihan, atake sa soberanya

Prepared by Bagong Alyansang MakabayanJan 2010Philippine situation: Issues and challenges

HISTORYThe Philippines was a colony of Spain, the United States, was placed under Japanish occupationAfter the granting of nominal independence in 1945, the Philippines became a neo-colony of the USIts economy, politics and culture are dictated upon by foreign interests, principally the US

HISTORYThe Philippines has a long history of revolutionary struggle1896 Philippine revolution against Spanish ColonialismRevolutionary struggle against US imperialismStruggle against Japanese occupation during WW 2Revolutionary struggle 1968 onwards against Imperialism, Feudalism and Bureaucrat CapitalismHISTORYBased on historical circumstances the Philippines is currently semi-feudal and semi-colonialRulling class comprador big bourgeoisie and local big landlordsOppressed classes Peasants, workers, petty bourgeoisie, national bourgeosieLegal mass movement, armed revolutionary movementHISTORYTwo People Power uprisings, 1986 that ousted the Marcos dictatorship and 2001 that ousted the Estrada regimeArroyo was brought to power in 2001 and served out the remained of Estradas termShe ran in 2004 and was widely believed to have engaged in massive electoral fraudOur current situationArroyo has been in power for nearly 9 years

PovertyCorruptionRepressionPuppetry

Nine years of Poverty

Number of poor2003: 23.8 M2006: 27.6 MTinipon ng Bayan gamit ang NSCB dataNine years of Poverty

Daily cost of living vs minimum wageNCRJan 2001NowDailyCOLUS$10.6$19.00Min.WageUS$5.60$8.00Tinipon ng Bayan gamit ang NWPC dataNumber of UnemployedTinipon ng Bayan gamit ang POEA data

1987-19911991-19971997-20002001-2008

Number of UnemployedUnemployed and underemployedJan01: 8.34 MApril09: 15.6 M

269 workers loose their jobs daily (2001-2008)

Tinipon ng Bayan gamit ang NSO at DOLE dataMigrationTinipon ng Bayan gamit ang POEA data

1987-19911991-19971997-20002001-2008Nine years of poverty

Onerous taxesFo every P10.00 collected, P6.00 goes to foreign debt paymentsForeign Debt

Legacy of CorruptionAnomalous projectsEstimated costIMPSA deal (2001)$ 2 millionPIATCO (2003)$ 20 millionNorthrail project (2004)$50 millionMega Pacific deal (2004)P500 millionDiosdado Macapagal Blvd. (2004)P600 millionNBN-ZTE broadband deal (2007)$32.9 millionWorld Bank road projects (2009)$33 millionTinipon ng Bayan gamit ang media reportsUnexplained wealth

Declared Net Worth2001: P67 M2008: P144 M

Does not include undeclared assets, investments etc.Lavish lifestyleAugust 7, 2009 - THE economic downturn hasn't persuaded everyone to pinch pennies. Philippines President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was at Le Cirque the other night with a large entourage enjoying the good life. Macapagal-Arroyo ordered several bottles of very expensive wine, pushing the dinner tab up to $20,000.

Lavish lifestylePHILIPPINE FEAST FRENZY, PART 2 August 12, 2009 BEFORE their $20,000 meal at Le Cirque, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and an entourage of about 65 -- complete with food tasters, Secret Service and a kitchen monitor to watch food preparation -- dined at Bobby Van's Steakhouse in DC on July 30. "The party spared no expense, and had lobster, steak and expensive wines," said a source. "They paid their $15,000 bill, including a generous tip, with cash -- which was counted out, unseen, underneath a table by a staff member."

Nine years of repressionHuman rights victims (Jan 2001 to Oct 2009) ViolationVictimsExtra-judicial, summary or arbitrary execution1,118Enforced or involuntary disappearance204Torture1,026Political prisoners255Data from Karapatan Nine years of repression activists and critics of the regime have been slapped with trumped- up charges like murder, arson, rebellion etc.

Nine years of subservience

Support for US war on terror Support for invasion of Iraq and AfghanistanPermanent and continuing US troop presence under the Visiting Forces AgreementCountry coordinator for US relations in ASEAN -- Obama

Nine years of subservienceUp to 50,000 US troops have entered the country since 2001Cases of abuses, rape and violations of the Philippine constituionIn June 2009, US Defense Sec. Gates announces retention of 600 US Special Forces in Southern Philippines

Nine years of subservience

Approved the Japan Philippines Economic Partnership AgreementForeign plunder, liberalizationPushing Charter change, 100% foreign ownership of land

Options to stay in powerCharter changeMartial lawFailure of 2010 elections

Threat of Martial LawArroyo declared Martial Law in Maguindanao province in the aftermath of the Ampatuan Massacre that claimed 57 livesIt was the first time Martial Law was used since 1972Legal and factual bases for declaring Martial Law was questionable

Election Fraud

Anomalous automation meant to undermine the integrity and credibilty of the national electionsFailure of elections is one scenario

2010 ElectionsSeveral candidates from the Opposition hoping to replace ArroyoOutright rejection of administration bet

2010 ElectionsNot likely to bring about fundamental changeMay bring about replacement of GMAMay be an opportunity to advance pro-people reforms, accountability of GMA and her cohorts

2010 ElectionsPeoples movement has fielded partylist groups and two senatorial bets at the national levelsEngagement in local elections tooAnti-fraud movementPeoples International Observers Missions

2010 ElectionsFailure of automation leading to failure of electionsWidespread election-related violence Declaration of martial lawCorruption and fraud by the incumbent

Bigger challengesMass movement is still the keyAnti-imperialist, anti-feudal and anti-fascist strugglesBroad United Front to stop Arroyos moves to stay in powerElectoral arenaInternational solidarity

What we are doing

Advancing the struggle for national democracyFor more info, check out www.bayan.ph Maraming salamat!4 F Erythina Bldg # 1 Maaralin St.Bgy. Central, Quezon CityTelefax 435-6930