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IBP calls for nationwide protests against gov’t

By CARMELA FONBUENA, abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak | 12/03/2008 5:10 PM

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In a strongly worded statement published in the Philippine Star, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) on Wednesday called on the public to “make the corrupt and uncaring government feel the chill of fear from our collective anger.”

Asked in a phone interview what form of action the IBP wants the public to do, its president Feliciano Bautista told abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak, “We want them to stage protests to show indignation against the government.”

“We are the solution to our problem. Let us not be passive. If a government has little or no respect for the rule of law, we in the Integrated Bar of the Philippines would unhesitatingly support our people’s efforts at making those who betray the people’s trust account and face the dire consequences of their transgressions,” the statement said.

“If there’s any interested person or group who will join our cause, we will join. We are coalescing with any group that will espouse the same causes,” Bautista said in the interview.

Asked when is the best time to stage protests, “anytime is a good time. As soon as the people are ready,” he said.

The IBP is the latest among normally politically conservative groups to openly call on the public to fight corruption in government. “We have made a stand to be an active stakeholder in the solution of national issues,” Bautista said.

In October, five bishops of the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines issued a statement saying that “the time to prepare a new government is now.” A month later, the Makati Business Club and the Management Association of the Philippines—in a joint statement—said, “We should now prepare for a new kind of governance.”

“There’s commonality in action. It’s a continuous reaction to what is happening,” Bautista said.

In December 2007, the IBP also issued a statement calling for the prosecution of corrupt officials. It was triggered by the bribery expose of Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio involving President Arroyo for allegedly giving away P500,000 each to governors and congressmen.

String of government controversies

The IBP statement condemned the string of controversies involving all three branches of government—the executive, the legislative and the judiciary.
· The killing of the impeachment complaint.
· The push for Charter change, which IBP believes is meant to remove politicians’ term limits.
· The dismissal of the graft case against former DOJ Secretary Nani Perez.
· The P728-million fertilizer fund mess.
· The Russian caper of involving 8 police generals and 105,000 euros.

“This is not the government we deserve. We pine for government servants who work for lasting peace for the entire country, who toil for economic security in the face of a global financial crisis, who put national interest way above and before self-interest. Sadly, these are not the qualities people in government now have,” the statement said.

“As the saying goes, however, we merely get what we deserve. If we continue to remain silent and do not rise and shout our indignation, our sorry fate shall persist. If we continue voting for and supporting these people who in turn appoint and position people of the same corrupt and inept mold, then we should not hope for anything bright for us., our children, and our children’s children,” the statement added.

The statement is co-signed by the eight IBP governors—Abelardo Estrada of northern Luzon, Ernesto Gonzales Jr. of central Luzon, Marcial Magsino of greater Manila, Bonifacio Barandon Jr. of Bicolandia, Evergisto Escalon of eastern Visayas, Raymund Jorge Mercado of western Visayas, Ramon Edison Batacan of eastern Mindanao, and Carlos Valdez Jr. of western Mindanao.

Open to coalescing with militants

Asked if they will welcome the leftist militant groups, Bautista said, “Any group that is sympathetic to our cause will be appreciated. We are different shades of the equation. If we have a common denominator, we will join them.”

Asked what the common denominator could be, Bautista said, “that could be arrived at in a consensual meeting.”

Bautista clarified that “we are not militants. We are legal personalities. We have our own cause of action. We are not playing politics. We are reacting to a dirty brand of politics.”

No call to rebellion

When the bishops made the call for “new government,” they were criticized by administration allies for being “seditious.” Among them was Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, who interpreted the bishops’ statement as a call for the removal of President Arroyo.

When asked about the possibility that their statement may be interpreted as seditious, Bautista said, “Expression of one’s opinion is not rebellion. To express one’s belief is protected by the Constitution. What is forbidden is the taking of arms. When you use your freedom of expression, that is not forbidden. That is Constitutionally provided.”