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AKBAYAN urges to be vigilant against 'creeping Cha-Cha' in Batasan
by AKBAYAN Youth
Sunday, Jan. 21, 2007 at 4:56 PM
Several youth activists, EDSA Dos young leaders, and first time voters gathered today in front of the Faculty Center of UP Diliman to commemorate EDSA Dos and relive "a promising moment that was betrayed and degraded by traditional politics."
edsa-2.jpg, image/jpeg, 384x288
The gathering was initiated by AKBAYAN Youth and the First Time Voters Project to call on young Filipinos to re-launch the spirit of People Power in the country by exercising their right to vote conscientiously. The event was attended by AKBAYAN Rep. Risa Hontiveros, a veteran of the earlier People Power I that toppled the Marcos dictatorship, and by Patsy Abad, the daughter of Rep. Henedina Abad who held the bible used when Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was sworn in as President during the 2001 popular uprising.
"EDSA Dos should be remembered as the victory of the Filipino youth's exuberant and righteous indignation. It's a good reminder to politicians, GMA in particular, where sovereignty and power really reside. It is a refreshing proof, too, against the cynicism and apathy of young Filipinos these days. Their collective passion is their strength, and their transformative power is their birthright," Rep. Hontiveros said.
"However, as we commemorate the strength of our unity, we should not also fail to forget those who betrayed the spirit of EDSA Dos, especially those who have benefited from the people's indignation. We should continue to exact accountability from politicians like GMA who merely exploited the gains of the people to advance their personal interests," she said.
She added that the spirit of EDSA Dos is not that it was able to topple a corrupt regime, but that it promises of complete transformation and political rebirth. "Reliving the spirit of EDSA I or EDSA Dos should happen everyday," Rep. Hontiveros stressed.
During the gathering, young voters were urged to use their votes to hold the GMA administration accountable for fraud and human rights violations.
FTV Coordinator Machris Cabreros said that young voters to bring the spirit of EDSA in the ballots. "Casting one's vote in favor of truth and new politics is a form of revolution. When young voters speak out for decency and dignity in their ballots, they are proving that the spirit of EDSA Dos is very much alive," Cabreros said.
January 19, 2007
www.akbayan.org/
AKBAYAN Youth and the First Time Voters Project
by AKBAYAN Youth
Sunday, Jan. 21, 2007 at 4:56 PM
edsa2.jpg, image/jpeg, 324x432
www.akbayan.org/
AKBAYAN Youth and the First Time Voters Project
by AKBAYAN Youth
Sunday, Jan. 21, 2007 at 4:56 PM
edsa-people-power.jpg, image/jpeg, 384x512
www.akbayan.org/
AKBAYAN Youth and the First Time Voters Project
by AKBAYAN Youth
Sunday, Jan. 21, 2007 at 4:56 PM
edsa_2.jpg, image/jpeg, 384x288
www.akbayan.org/
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