MANILA, Philippines—They came to express their rage. They described the object of their rage the worst Philippine president since World War II and, shouting expletives, urged the people to thwart her alleged intention to be President for life.

“P___ ina! (SOB) ... Patayin ang Gloria-forever Cha-cha na ito! (Let us kill this Gloria-forever Charter change!)” opposition Sen. Mar Roxas, normally known for keeping his decorum, screamed at a rally in Makati Friday held to denounce moves by Malacañang allies to revise the Constitution through a Constituent Assembly (Con-ass).

Some protesters wore shirts printed with the words “Evil” and “lucky bitch.” One banner said in Filipino: “Con-ass is for ass-holes.”

Evangelist Brother Eddie Villanueva declared that righteous people would rise and “oppose the act of the devil.”

To twist Constitution

“Gloria wants to twist the Constitution so she could stay in power,” Roxas told the crowd. He also denounced the various political scandals that had rocked the Arroyo administration, including the P728-million fertilizer scam and the confiscation of P6.9 million in undeclared cash from a Philippine delegation visiting Russia.

Later, Roxas apologized to those who were present, especially to the nuns, saying in Filipino that he had to say what he said “because I don’t want this day to pass without GMA knowing what we feel.”

Other rally leaders also cursed, insulted and mocked Ms Arroyo in songs and speeches.

A folk singing duo led by Danny Fabella drew cheers with their song “Baliktad na Talaga ang Mundo.’’ The crowd heartily cheered the lines “Sa Pilipinas ang talo, nagiging Pangulo (In the Philippines, the loser became President).’’

Despite gloomy skies, crowds estimated by media people at about 7,000 to 8,000 gathered at the intersection of Ayala Avenue and Paseo de Roxas and lambasted Con-ass, a mode of changing the Charter which would allow congressmen loyal to Ms Arroyo to introduce amendments even without the consent of the recalcitrant Senate.

The protesters represented all colors of the political spectrum—from members of the largely conservative Roman Catholic Church and big business to leftist militants.

During the rally, protesters grabbed a man they identified as Police Inspector Teddy Mina Erum, of the Philippine National Police intelligence group, for allegedly infiltrating the rally. They said they found on Erum a mission order to conduct intelligence work at the rally.

Makati police confirmed Erum was assigned for intelligence work at the demonstration.

Not after numbers

The numbers of protesters failed to match the more than 15,000 people who attended a similar anti-Arroyo interfaith rally last February, but they were as festive and colorful as the previous demonstrations.

The militants expressed their sentiments by coming with Christmas lanterns bearing the words “Paskong Walang Gloria (No Gloria on Christmas)” and “Junk Cha-cha, Oust Gloria.”

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. said his group was not after numbers but to show the broadness of the opposition to Charter change. He estimated the crowd at 10,000.

Police indicated there were at least 5,000 people.

‘Worst president’

Sister Mary John Mananzan said the public must not allow Ms Arroyo to postpone the elections and declare martial law just to stay in power.

Former Trade Secretary and Sen. Vicente Paterno read a position paper from former senior government officials in which Ms Arroyo was branded the worst President since President Manuel Quezon.

Among former Arroyo Cabinet men in attendance were Dinky Soliman, Cesar Purisima, Avelino Cruz, Imelda Nicolas and Teresita “Ging” Deles.

Lawyer Harry Roque led the audience in chanting: “Ayoko sa Cha-cha, lalo na sa tyanak (I don’t like Cha-cha, specially I don’t like dwarves).’’

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada apologized to the crowd that his father, former President Joseph Estrada, could not attend, saying the condition of the ex-president’s ailing mother had deteriorated.

Christmas lights

Brother Eddie also delivered a sharp rebuke at the planned Charter change.

“All the people of righteousness will rise to oppose the act of the devil even at the risk of war,” said Villanueva, head of the Jesus Is Lord Movement and a presidential candidate in 2004.

“Stop Satan from making a mess out of this country,” Villanueva said as a fireworks display exploded in the background.

The Christmas lights along Ayala blazed as night came and speaker after speaker attacked Ms Arroyo and Cha-cha.

Danger of war

Villanueva also said that Cha-cha brought dangers of provoking fighting in the Philippines.

“Cha-cha… is a recipe… for civil war,” he said, pausing between words to hear the crowd repeat after him. Villanueva made the crowd chant several times.

Whistle-blower Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada expressed disappointment that a year after he had told the Senate and various public fora about the ZTE-NBN scandal, nothing substantial had come in the way of change.

“There may have been change but it is for the worse,” he said.

Teasing the Church

One of the political opposition’s presidential hopefuls, Sen. Panfilo Lacson, teased the crowd and the country’s Catholic hierarchy.

“To the leaders of the Church, start now. Lead us now and we will follow you,” Lacson said. Teasingly, he also said: “It’s up to you what you will start.”

Reyes, the militant leader, said there could have been more protesters from the provinces but there were reports that they were blocked by police on their way to Makati. This was denied by the police.

Missing in action

Besides Roxas, other Liberal Party members present were Senators Noynoy Aquino and Rodolfo Biazon, and former Senate President Frank Drilon.

Supporters of Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay carried posters with his pictures while Sen. Loren Legarda, in her signature white shirt, shook hands all around.

Missed was former President Corazon Aquino, who is undergoing treatment for colon cancer.

Despite his absence, Estrada’s followers from Tondo and Mandaluyong still joined the rally, carrying small flags in his signature color.

For GMA

Call center agent Eric Cayanan, who worked for an IT company, said he never thought of joining the rally because he was for Charter change.

“For me, GMA is the ideal President. She’s well educated. Why don’t we just support her?” said the 28-year-old employee.

Most uniformed cops were seen only at the perimeter of the rally zone, sitting by their unused shields and truncheons, and waiting for the rally to finish at around 9 p.m.