Arroyo abuses presidential immunity to promote bribery
Submitted by KMU on Wed, 2007-05-02 22:20. :: Election 2007
Non-wage package equivalent to vote buying
Labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno said that Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is hiding behind presidential immunity while insinuating vote buying with her promise to enact tax exemption for minimum wage earners if workers vote for candidates of the administration's Team Unity. "She cannot
buy off votes by simply giving empty promises to workers. We warn her not to insult the workers' intellect and capacity as responsible voters."
"The non-wage package and other plans bared by Arroyo yesterday are not really sincere efforts to uplift workers' lives. They are empty promises. We do not trust Arroyo to deliver significant wage hikes, tax breaks and sufficient jobs. This is a "political gambit". Her moves are politically-motivated and geared towards ensuring the victory of her bets in the upcoming polls. Presidential immunity does not authorize Arroyo to just prance around and bribe the public to vote for her candidates.
"Arroyo's pronouncement is no different from the earlier acts of bribery of Department of Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales who offered P10,000 each for barangay leaders who will ensure the 12-0 victory of pro-administration candidates," said KMU Chairperson Elmer Labog.
The group is not at all satisfied with Malacanang's non-wage package which also includes lending program for government employees, affordable prices of basic goods and commodities, access to Gwapotel dormitory and discounts on Pag-ibig housing loans. "How can workers avail of this supplemental package when current wages are very low and not even enough to buy foodstuff for families of workers. We are not compromising the need for urgent wage hikes. We need wage hikes to survive," Labog said.
Burgos' abduction a preview of what will happen under Human Security Act
Meanwhile, the labor group also condemned the abduction of JJ Burgos, the son of the late journalist and press freedom advocate Joe Burgos.
"JJ was abducted inside a populated mall in Quezon City. He was forcibly taken by armed men in broad daylight and with the presence of many eyewitnesses. We are alarmed by this brazen act of abuse. This incident only shows us a preview of what will happen under Arroyo's Human Security Act. Mass abductions, warrantless arrests are likely to take place once the Human Security Act is in effect," the labor leader said.
The implementation of the Human Security Act is scheduled to commence immediately after elections or three months after it was ratified by the Congress last February. KMU believes that this ominous law will serve as a legal blanket to authorize warrantless arrests, abductions, summary executions and all forms of human rights violations against
civilians.
Labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno said that Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is hiding behind presidential immunity while insinuating vote buying with her promise to enact tax exemption for minimum wage earners if workers vote for candidates of the administration's Team Unity. "She cannot
buy off votes by simply giving empty promises to workers. We warn her not to insult the workers' intellect and capacity as responsible voters."
"The non-wage package and other plans bared by Arroyo yesterday are not really sincere efforts to uplift workers' lives. They are empty promises. We do not trust Arroyo to deliver significant wage hikes, tax breaks and sufficient jobs. This is a "political gambit". Her moves are politically-motivated and geared towards ensuring the victory of her bets in the upcoming polls. Presidential immunity does not authorize Arroyo to just prance around and bribe the public to vote for her candidates.
"Arroyo's pronouncement is no different from the earlier acts of bribery of Department of Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales who offered P10,000 each for barangay leaders who will ensure the 12-0 victory of pro-administration candidates," said KMU Chairperson Elmer Labog.
The group is not at all satisfied with Malacanang's non-wage package which also includes lending program for government employees, affordable prices of basic goods and commodities, access to Gwapotel dormitory and discounts on Pag-ibig housing loans. "How can workers avail of this supplemental package when current wages are very low and not even enough to buy foodstuff for families of workers. We are not compromising the need for urgent wage hikes. We need wage hikes to survive," Labog said.
Burgos' abduction a preview of what will happen under Human Security Act
Meanwhile, the labor group also condemned the abduction of JJ Burgos, the son of the late journalist and press freedom advocate Joe Burgos.
"JJ was abducted inside a populated mall in Quezon City. He was forcibly taken by armed men in broad daylight and with the presence of many eyewitnesses. We are alarmed by this brazen act of abuse. This incident only shows us a preview of what will happen under Arroyo's Human Security Act. Mass abductions, warrantless arrests are likely to take place once the Human Security Act is in effect," the labor leader said.
The implementation of the Human Security Act is scheduled to commence immediately after elections or three months after it was ratified by the Congress last February. KMU believes that this ominous law will serve as a legal blanket to authorize warrantless arrests, abductions, summary executions and all forms of human rights violations against
civilians.