Militants hold rally near Senate gates

MANILA, Philippines–A few hours before the start of the impeachment proceedings against Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona Monday, militant groups have formed about 250 meters from the gates leading to the Senate of the Philippines.

Militant groups led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) have formed as early as 9 a.m., in between two checkpoints by the police, to call on the impeachment of Corona.

Carrying the letters “CONVICT,” the group Gloria Panagutin! said it was hopeful that Corona, which they referred as “one obstacle to the prosecution of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo,” would be removed.

“This is a historic moment. Rarely has the institution of the judiciary been under this kind of scrutiny. All of our institutions are on trial here. Aside from the judiciary, even the executive and legislative are virtually on trial as far as the bar of public opinion is concerned. All of them will be watched and judged by the public,” the group said.

‘To the public prosecutors, do not underestimate the defense. Adhere to substance over grandstanding. To the senator judges, we ask for fairness and a swift trial. To the defense, we hope they will not engage in dilatory tactics and instead address the issues head on. To President Aquino, we hope the impeachment would not be a convenient scapegoat for its weakness in going after Arroyo. To the Filipino people, we urge vigilance on all fronts,” said group convenor Fr. Joe Dizon.

Meanwhile, women’s group GABRIELA also called for the impeachment of Corona. “We believe that the Chief Justice is a major impediment in the
speedy resolution of the cases against former President Gloria Arroyos,” said Secretary General Lana Libanan.

Libanan said the people should be more vigilant in ensuring that the Corona impeachment would ultimately lead to the conviction of Arroyo. She pointed out that the Aquino government was using the impeachment “to exact vengeance against the Supreme Court on its decision on Hacienda Luisita and score pogi points.”

“Let us not be distracted from the real reason for the impeachment, and that is, to remobve the hindrance against exacting justice for the people against the number one plunderer and human rights violator, Gloria Arroyo,” she said.

The mass action is expected to end at noon, said Renato Reyes Jr, Secretary General of Bayan.

He said that hundreds are expected to attend the protest.