ALL UP ACADEMIC EMPLOYEES UNION CALLS FOR THE OUSTER OF ARROYO FROM THE  PRESIDENCY

February 23, 2008

The ALL UP ACADEMIC EMPLOYEES UNION is one with the Filipino people in their collective outrage and disgust at the extent of the corruption, deceit and mayhem that the Arroyo regime has reached. The rottenness of this government, which include the most recent ZTE-NBN scam with attempted murder, the series of political assassinations and  a host of anomalous deals, cannot be concealed any longer even from those who refuse to be involved. Indeed, anyone who remains at the crossroad in this tumultuous period of our history shall be judged harshly by history.

The brutal and corrupt Arroyo government has only fully unmasked the nature of our socio-political system where a privileged few with their foreign patrons control and exploit the resources and labor of our people, who are made to endure heavy taxes and onerous debts. Foreign debts, currently at $54 billion, have only lined the pockets of public officials and enriched foreign creditors with their interests but are passed on to a long suffering people. Miseries in the land have increased with 80% of Filipinos living below the poverty line, while the upper classes continue to wallow in their opulence. The Arroyo regime is only the epitome of this unjust and iniquitous social structure.

What can we bequeath our children in these malodorous times but only an existence of bleakness and want? What future can we assure them but only one beset with insecurity and the necessity to abide by the rule of greed and hypocrisy in order to survive? As academics, we reject this government which negates all the values of principles and integrity that we assiduously teach our students. We condemn this government which rewards lies and murder and punishes truthfulness and honor. We abhor this government which speaks of democracy and freedom, while violating and trampling on the basic rights of our people. We refuse to have our youth  grow up in this cankerous atmosphere engendered by the Arroyo administration which reeks to all corners of the earth.

 We are utterly dismayed at Macapagal Arroyo and her cohorts who hail from the UP, like Secretary Neri, who have grievously besmirched the name of the University. Arroyo, besides being an illegitimate president, is an intellectual pretender who boasts of economic success, with dubious statistics, while the majority classes are mired in misery and hunger. She talks of peace and order while her hands are soaked with the blood and guts of her critics. She appeals to unity, while carrying a dagger behind her back ready to stab her enemies. All right-minded Filipinos must not suffer such hideousness to prevail in their midst and Macapagal Arroyo and her cabal must go.

We therefore call on all sectors of our society to join us in an affirmative action to oust Macapagal Arroyo from the presidency. We call on them to participate in concerted movements to intensify the struggle to boot her out office. The hour has struck for all who still cherish decency and justice to take this first step to rid the reign of evil in our society.