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As usual, our country is facing a lot of problems as if we haven¶t had enough already. There¶s theeconomic crisis, millions of starving Filipinos, and corrupt politicians who are very much interested intaking over the whole country should they be given the chance. One of these power ± hungry politiciansmade a stupid mistake of getting caught for the things that she supposedly did during the elections, whichdefinitely jeopardized the legitimacy of the whole political system. People are aware already that

politicians regularly exercise cheating and corruption but it¶s an entirely different thing when suchculprits are caught red ± handed. Worst of all, it¶s not just a local representative or a town mayor ± it¶s the

president of our country. We, the Political Science students of the University of the Philippines ± Manila,call for the ouster of President Gloria Macapagal ± Arroyo as soon as possible.

Gloria Macapagal ± Arroyo was caught in the act, uttered a hasty ³I¶m sorry´ to quell the alreadyangered Filipinos, and acted as if she did something dignified and honorable. Let¶s make this simpler.Supposing that we were caught cheating during a certain exam, we can make up for the offence that wehave just committed by saying a heartfelt sorry and being accountable by accepting a grade of zero for that exam. Sticking to that analogy, it seems that our honorable president is still pushing for an A in thatexam. She already cheated and she still doesn¶t want to save face by resigning.

Betraying public trust would have been enough to make her resign but she still held on to power.Her crimes committed against the nation are continuously growing in number and she still hasn¶texpressed any intention of stepping down. Her continuous connivance with the United States and other foreign powers produced devastating effects not only to the economy but to the sovereignty of our country as a whole. Her economic reform agenda produced nothing but falsified and adulteratedeconomic figures that indicate that the country is still growing despite rampant poverty. Even her familyis dragged into various messes ranging from jueteng scandals to money ± laundering activities. Not onlyis her capability tainted, even her character has become questionable. How can someone rule effectively if

people don¶t trust her anymore? How can someone initiate effective and progressive reforms if no one iswilling to even cooperate with her? It would have been bearable if the system could offer other possiblealternatives for Arroyo but it seems that Philippine politics lack real statesmen who are up to thechallenge of running a country selflessly. We don¶t have statesmen here ± only opportunistic and self ± serving politicians.

Since she¶s not intent on resigning, the best alternative would be through a combined effort of the people and those who are still in office to oust her from office. People can initiate mass movements stillwithin the boundaries of the law while those who are still in office can continue the battle within thesystem. While people are marching on the streets, people within the Congress are being called to fulfiltheir duty of serving the public instead of serving their personal political goals. Should these two succeed,the only thing left for GMA to do is get out of Malacanan Palace. We Political Science students denounceany unconstitutional methods like The Truth Commission or People Power Revolution. We clearly adhereto the provisions of the law and will not tolerate such deviations.

The goal of this mass movement to remove Arroyo is not to install any other traditional politicianlike Lacson, De Venecia, Ramos, or De Castro to the presidency. Instead of placing or promoting a

particular name, every sector would be represented in the Transitional People¶s Council (TPC). TheTraditional People¶s Council would be formed through various Consultative Assemblies among sectorswhich include farmers, workers, students, professionals, women, indigenous groups, religious minorities,and even the elites. Instead of following what the elites dictate during the EDSA 1 and EDSA 2, the eliteswould be just like everyone else and would not be given extra privileges. These Consultative Assemblieswould come up with the names who will sit in the Transitional People¶s Council.

The TPC¶s main duty is to address the immediate problems that the Arroyo administration left. Itwould continue to provide basic services and social welfare programs. It would also prepare the country

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for true national democracy where Filipinos would be able to decide for themselves without foreignintervention. The TPC would last for 6 months to 1 year depending on how long these agenda will beaccomplished but its duties should be accomplished as soon as possible. Its aims would be purely toaddress the problems the country is currently facing.

The issue of Charter Change would the addressed by the TPC when it is able to establish aConstitutional Convention duly elected by the people. The TPC would see to it that no traditional

politicians or power ± hungry elites would be able to monopolize or manipulate the proceedings.Following the principles of national democracy, the TPC would see to it that the ConstitutionalConvention won¶t be influenced by any foreign power or foreign organization. The ConstitutionalConvention would frame a new constitution that would cater to the interests of the many for it is terriblyimpossible to cater to the interests of all. Democracy would only work if the system works for thecommon good instead of the good of certain sectors only.

All of these would only be possible if the masses were consolidated and informed of the thingsthat are currently happening in the society today. The masses are still volatile for they seek short ± termsatisfaction provided by the elites instead of long ± term benefits they alone can provide for themselves.People are not tired of going out and fighting for their rights. There¶s no such thing as ³EDSA fatigue´

because the elites aren¶t suffering from ³exploitation fatigue´. The people are probably tired but how canthey be tired when they have to wake up each day and find something to eat since the government can¶t

provide better job opportunities and other income ± generating activities for them. The people are probably tired of being exploited but they will never get tired of finding means to live and fighting for their rights. We believe that the only way by which exploitation would be stopped is by having themajority of the Filipinos have a say in the government¶s actions.

It is undeniable of course, that each one of us is hoping for peaceful solutions to everything that ishappening to our country right now. It is also undeniable that the struggle will take a long time beforeexpected outcomes would be realized. We might not be aware of it but some masses are probably beingserenaded by the elites and traditional politicians with endless lists of promises of development and

progress that would never be realized. For once, just for once, why can¶t we think of the long ± term

effects instead of short ± term solutions to our country¶s problems? It¶s about time that we people shouldrealize that the only way by which development and progress could be achieved is through our ownhands, not through some opportunistic politician or some money- hungry elitist. The elitists havecontinuously used the system against the people. It¶s about time that the majority stands up and dosomething for themselves rather than accept what is being given to them.

No one said it would be easy. No one guaranteed that the developments that we are hoping for would come immediately. However, if we people can unite and vigilantly fight for a government whichruns under the principles of national democracy, we can realize how powerful we are as Filipinos. EDSA1 left us with promises and lessons that haven¶t really taught us anything. We are glorified with the ideathat we were admired by the world because we made the first peaceful revolution in world history. Now,they are all laughing at us because we seem to be having a knack for such revolutions without learning the

value of such actions. It¶s about time that such lessons would start to hurt us so that they will be realized.Certain sacrifices would indeed come a long way. EDSA 2 and EDSA 3 shouldn¶t have happened if weonly learned our lessons well. The heck, there won¶t be a need for a new mass movement if such lessonswere not neglected.

We, the Political Science students of the University of the Philippines ± Manila recognize that theonly way to achieve peace and development is by having a government ran by the principles of nationaldemocracy. We respect the government as an institution that protects the rights of every Filipino citizen.However, our loyalty remains and will forever remain with the Filipino people.