People’s Unity to Defeat Chacha convenes

NO TO CHACHA NETWORK
People’s Unity to Defeat Chacha
February 15, 2024
 
Thirty eight years ago, the people’s struggle for freedom, justice and democracy culminated in a four-day popular uprising in EDSA that toppled the corrupt and brutal Marcos dictatorship.
 
Among the fruits of that struggle was the 1987 Constitution, which prohibited political dynasties, set term limits for elected officials, mandated a bicameral legislature for better checks and balances, and ensured that the economy, land, natural resources and key educational and cultural institutions would remain in the hands of Filipinos.
 
Today, there are efforts to amend these and other provisions via people’s initiative or Congress forming itself as a constituent assembly. We strongly oppose these efforts at this time for being unnecessary, divisive, expensive, and aimed mainly at entrenching those in power.
 
Rather than pursue their self-serving agenda, we urge our country’s leaders to focus on things that really matter to our people - increasing wages and livelihoods, reducing prices of food and basic utilities, improving government and social services, reducing red tape and corruption, upholding human rights, justice and peace, protecting our sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea, caring for the environment, ensuring free and credible elections. These are things that can and should be done without having to amend the Constitution.
 
To defeat Chacha, we shall: 1) Conduct public information and education drives in all levels down to the grassroots; 2) Initiate bawi-pirma campaigns in our communities; 3) Hold mass actions and other forms of social mobilization; and 4) File properly timed legal actions.
 
Despite the victory of EDSA in 1986, much more remains to be done. The Marcoses, Dutertes and other political dynasties remain entrenched in power. An elite few have maintained, if not strengthened, their grip on our economy and political structures. Widespread poverty and injustice remain. Chacha does not address these problems.
 
To mark the 38th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Uprising, we urge our people to join the nationwide mass actions and activities against Chacha. In Metro Manila, we will hold an anti-Chacha rally at the EDSA Shrine from 4-6 p.m., followed by a mass at 6 p.m. to be officiated by CBCP Pres. Bp. Pablo Virgilio David. ###
 
Justice Antonio Carpio
Commissioner Rene Sarmiento, Member, 1986 Constitutional Commission
Most Rev Gerardo A. Alminaza, DD, One Negros Ecumenical Council (ONE-C) Coalition vs. Cha-Cha
Bp. Virgilio Amihan, Jr., IFI, Diocese of Negros Occidental, ONE-C Coalition
Bp. Broderick Pabillo, DD, Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay, Palawan
Rep. Arlene Brosas, Gabriela Party List
Rep. France Castro, ACT Teachers Party List
Rep. Raoul Manuel, Kabataan Party List
Sr. Mary John Mananzan, OSB, Movement Against Tyranny
Atty. Howard Calleja, 1Sambayan
Atty. Neri Colmenares, Bayan Muna
Former Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan
Heidi Mendoza, Former UN Undersecretary General and COA Commissioner
Former BSP Deputy Gov Diwa Guinigundo
Assoc. Prof. Cielo Magno, UP School of Economics, #WagKangKuCorrupt Coalition
Former NAPC Chairperson Liza Maza, Co-Chairperson, Makabayan Coalition
Former Cong. Erin Tañada
Former Cong. Teddy Baguilat�
Former Gov. Rafael Coscolluela, Paghimud-os Negros
Fr. Daniel Franklin Pilario, CM, President, Adamson University
Dean Anna Maria D. Abad, Adamson University College of Law
Ina Claustro, Advocacy Coordinator, Catholic Educators Association of the Philippines
Teddy Casiño, Chairperson, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan
Ka Leody de Guzman, Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM)
Atty. Aaron Pedrosa, Sanlakas
Engr. Maria Belinda V. Sevalla, Bunyog Party
Judy Taguiwalo, Campaign Against the Return of the Marcoses and Martial Law
Rene Ofreneo, President, Freedom from Debt Coalition
Dr. Gay Manodon, One Faith, One Nation, One Voice
Mervin Toquero, National Council of Churches in the Philippines
Atty. Sonny Matula, President, Federation of Free Workers
Julius Cainglet, Vice President, FFW
Jerome Adonis, Secretary General, Kilusang Mayo Uno
Atty. Luke Espiritu, Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino
Rafael Mariano, Chairman Emeritus, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas
Former Cong. Rene Magtubo
Iya Trinidad - UP Student Regent
Kim Modelo - PUP Student Regent
Marc Rechelle Buntag - Spokesperson, LFS
Kej Andres - Spokesperson, SCMP
Boni Macaranas, People’s Choice Movement
Josiah David Quising, Project Gunita
Atty. Gwen Pimentel-Gana, Initiator-Convenor, Kababaihan para sa Inang Bayan
Clarice Palce, Secretary General, Gabriela
Flora Asiddao-Santos, ORIANG
Dr. Soc Reyes, Regional Gender and Governance Adviser, Center for Legislative Development International
Mae Paner, Kawa Pilipinas
Prof. Rolando Tolentino, UP Film Institute
Giovanni Reyes, indigenous Community Conservation Areas (ICCA), Philippines
Beverly L. Longid, KATRIBU
Amirah Lidasan, Moro Christian Peoples Alliance (MCPA)
Atty. Lutgardo Barbo, PDP Laban and office of Sen Koko Pimentel
Danny Ricohermoso, People's Action Coalition
Al Mayoralgo, Makati Villages
Dr. Reyron del Rosario, President, Philippine Innovation Entrepreneurship Mission, Inc.
Carmina Bergara, Pilipinas Riders
Prof Ley Ordenes, West Philippines Seatizen
Women Writers in Media Now (WOMEN)
Prof. Carl Marc Ramota- UP Faculty Regent
Perlita Raña- National President, All UP Academic Employees Union
Dr. Diosa Labiste- Congress of Teachers and Educators for Nationalism and Democracy
Prof. Paulo Benedicto Villar, PUP Teachers and Education Personnel Against Chacha
Vladimir Quetua, Chairperson, Alliance of Concerned Teachers
Atty. Ephraim B. Cortez, President, National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers
Atty. Ma. Kristina Conti, Secretary-General, NUPL-NCR Chapter
Alyssa Belda, Convenor, Ilog Pasiglahin
Teacher Ruby Anna Bernardo, President, ACT NCR Union
Eufemia Doringo, Secretary General, Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap
Hans Bautista, Chairperson, Inclusive Communities Action Network
Bp Ciriaco Francisco, Ecumenical Bishops Forum
Bp. Joel Tendero, Ecumenical Bishops Forum
Former COMELEC Commissioner Rowena Guanzon
Dr. Reynaldo Lesaca Jr., Solidarity of the Health Sector Against Cha-Cha (SHACC)
Karen Mae S. Faurillo, RSW, President, All UP Workers Union-UP Manila/PGH
Dr. Anselmo Tripon, Jr., Movement for Good Governance and Genuine Democracy (MG3D)
Dr. Edelina P. Dela Paz, Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD)
Therese Gadaza Philippine Medical Students Association (PMSA)
Sophia Macam, Philippine Nursing Students Association (PNSA)
Ernesto Bulanadi, Jr. , Tondo Medical Center Employees Association (TMCEA), Alliance of Health Workers
Dr. David Michael San Juan, President, Association of Faculty and Educators of DLSU
Prof. Arlan Camba, President, Unyon ng mga Guro sa PUP
Prof. Ronald Taggaoa, President, Union of Faculty and Employees of Saint Louis University (UFESLU)
Arman Hernando, Chairperson Migrante-Philippines
Xavier Bayoneta, Chairperson, Concerned Seafarers of the Philippines
Rechilda Desunia, Vice Chairperson, Samahan ng mga Domestic Workers sa Gitnang Silangan (SANDIGAN)
Br. Bernie Oca, FSC, President, De La Salle University
Engr. Ramir Cruz, Faculty Regent, Polytechnic University of the Philippines
Bryan Lim Madrid Corpuz, President, St. Scholastica's College Faculty Association
Mody Floranda, President, Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON)
Dean Tony La Viña, constitutional law professor and President, Movement Against Disinformation
Prof. Reginald Vallejos, SUKI Network Spokesperson
Ruben Felipe, Pi Sigma Fraternity, UP SAMASA Alumni Assoc., ATOM
Free the Artist Movement
Prof. Temario Rivera
Prof. Roland Simbulan
Dr. Carol Araullo
Monique Wilson
Vergel Santos
Noel Leyco
Zena Bernardo
Mary Jane Real
Atty. Evalyn Ursua
Raye Baquirin
Dean Manny Quibod, Ateneo de Davao
Dean Domnina Rances, Ateneo de Naga
Dean Ma. Soledad Deriquito-Mawis
Alab Cruz
Dr. Ason Hipolito
Nerissa Pasamba
Pinky Tam
Salvio de Lima
Regina Dyseng
 

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