ADVISORY: Academe calls for Aquino resignation tomorrow (February 11)

MEDIA ADVISORY
February 10, 2015

Academe calls for Aquino resignation tomorrow (February 11)

“Kahit ang impeachment ay ibinasura noon, ang resignation ay isusulong ngayon!”

Concerned faculty members of the University of the Philippines (UP), together with members of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), will publicly call for President Noynoy Aquino’s resignation on February 11 (Wednesday), 10 a.m. at Vinzons Hall, UP Diliman, Quezon City.

The call for his resignation is a continuation of last year’s decision of various teachers’ groups to file an impeachment complaint against Aquino on the issue of the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP). Given the dominance of the pro-administration legislators, the House of Representatives Committee on Justice junked the impeachment complaints against Aquino.

At that time, ACT and other concerned educators accused Aquino of corruption and culpable violation of the Constitution.

The current issue surrounding the botched police operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last January 25 has to do with the break in the chain of command. Just like the pork barrel issue which became a basis for the impeachment complaint, Aquino’s handling of the Mamapasano tragedy reeks of patronage politics as manifested by his decision to protect his friend, the now resigned Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Alan Purisima. In his address to the nation, Aquino blamed instead the Special Action Force (SAF) commander who lost 44 police officers last January 25.

That Aquino also remains subservient to US interests will also be a point of discussion tomorrow, given that the operation against Marwan and Usman is part of the so-called US war on terror and US troops are said to have been involved in both the planning and actual operation.

From an academic viewpoint, it is also necessary to appreciate the bigger context of the issue as there are also other casualties like five-year old Sarah in Mamasapano.

The concerned academics will also answer practical questions related to what will happen should Aquino resign or be ousted from office.

Media coverage is requested. Interviews and photo opportunities are available. A scene of “Noynoy Aquino” and “Alan Purisima” washing their hands in a transparent bowl of red-colored water will be presented in a backdrop of a US flag. “Ordinary citizens” will then put handcuffs on best friends “Noynoy” and “Alan.”

For verification and more details, please call Prof. Danilo Arao (Department of Journalism) at (0908) 866-2726.

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