Educators say NO to Arroyo’s charter change

June 3, 2009


PRESS STATEMENT

Reference: Neil Legaspi, National Coordinator
ACT Teachers Partylist
+63 918-418-6439


We, the members of ACT Teachers Partylist, denounce the efforts made by the Arroyo administration to push for changes in the 1987 Constitution and to prolong her stay in power beyond 2010.

We condemn the railroading of the pro-Administration congressmen, who approved House Resolution 1109, which called for the convening of a constituent assembly

The administration’s avowed justification for the so-called cha-cha is the economic agenda. They are pushing for 100% foreign ownership in the economy, including land ownership. This will remove whatever restrictions remain in the Constitution that protect the economy from outright plunder and result in the further underdevelopment of our country.

But aside from the economic agenda, charter change is obviously an ill-disguised effort to prolong the hold on power of the ruling clique, by postponing the 2010 elections, extending the term of incumbents, and removing limits on reelection. This is what is causing renewed outrage among teachers and the general public. Other amendments could easily be introduced as the administration succeeded in convening Congress as a Constituent Assembly. These will include amendments that will allow foreign troops and bases back into the country, and restrict civil liberties such as free expression and assembly, enshrined in the Bill of Rights.

Another school year has already started and still, the same problems of shortages in the schools and classrooms have yet to be addressed to by the government. Teachers and their students still bear the brunt of these problems in education. But Mrs. Arroyo and her cohorts are more than pre-occupied with keeping themselves in power and serving their foreign masters.

Under the Arroyo government, teachers suffered through six years without a salary increase, and has just recently pushed for a new salary scheme that is so unfair, deceptive and divisive for the rank-and-file employees like teachers. We’re also suffering from the unfair and illegal policies of the Government Service Insurance System. These problems will only be resolved with a genuine change in government.

No way will we allow term extensions for this administration.

As teachers, we’ll do our part in educating the public on why we must oppose charter change.

We vow to participate in the growing dissent and mass actions of the people against a government who does not heed the calls of the people.#