PHILIPPINES: Thousands of protestors in Manila call for resignation of Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

Record ID: 872602

  • Title: PHILIPPINES: Thousands of protestors in Manila call for resignation of Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
  • Date: 22nd February 2006
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) RENATO CONSTANTINO JUNIOR, ANTI-PRESIDENT ARROYO PROTESTER SAYING: "She has no capacity to govern this country, she does not have the mandate of the people. She lied, she cheated and she stole the elections."
  • Embargoed: 9th March 2006 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Philippines
  • City:
  • Country: Philippines
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA9J3GYNHKIPVSSDPFGJD3DYSS0
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Thousands of protesters calling for the resignation of Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo took to the streets of the capital Manila on Wednesday (February 22) ahead of the 20th anniversary on Saturday (February 25) of the People Power movement which deposed dictator Ferdinand Marcos as President.
    Police estimated that up to 10,000 demonstrators took part in the march.
    Marchers filed towards the city centre People Power monument carrying anti-Arroyo banners and chanting slogans.
    "We want Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo out in Malacanang because she is the root cause of all our problems here in the Philippines," said protester, Leody de Guzman, General Secretary of Solidarity of Filipino Workers.
    As the People Power anniversary draws near, Arroyo's critics point to on-going corruption scandals, economic woes and the mass exodus of the nation's middle class as signs that little has changed since deposed the Marcos dictatorship in 1986.
    Arroyo herself has been embroiled in impeachment attempts related to allegations of election-rigging during the 2005 polls, but support from allies in the House of Representatives blocked the impeachment bids against her.
    "She has no capacity to govern this country, she does not have the mandate of the people. She lied, she cheated and she stole the elections," said protester, Renato Constantino Junior.
    Officials said protesters were largely peaceful but brief clashes with police did break out when a group of marchers toppled a steel barrier.
    Earlier in the day, Arroyo used the up-coming anniversary to call for political stability. The President said the country could not withstand another government being deposed.
    The Philippines has already undergone two military-backed "people power" coups, the first in 1986 that deposed Marcos' 20-year reign and the second in 2001 when President Joseph Estrada was replaced by Arroyo.
    The country will hold People Power celebrations throughout the week to mark the historic street demonstrations that erupted in 1986 calling for then President Marcos to resign.
    More than one million people, including nuns, students and opposition leaders, spontaneously staged a massive sit in on the streets of the capital to protect two military leaders that had broken ranks with Marcos and called for him to resign.
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