Groups call for mass resignation of top gov’t officials

By: Aries Joseph Hegina - 10 years ago

Video by Noy Morcoso III/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Various groups gathered at the Our Lady of Edsa Shrine on Sunday to call for the ouster of President Benigno Aquino III and other government officials following the Mamasapano incident.

The groups, who identified themselves under the “Edsa 2/22 coalition,” asked for the resignation of Aquino, Vice President Jejomar Binay, Senate President Franklin Drilon, House Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte and their colleagues in Congress in order to enforce “system and reform change.”

“We are calling for their resignation. They should follow their conscience. The country will face a grim future if they won’t resign,” said Atty. Jose Malvar Villegas, founder of Citizen’s Crime Watch.

He said that their group is not backing any incumbent government official in the event of Aquino’s resignation as it will just follow the provision on presidential succession prescribed in the Constitution.

“We are backing no one. We are also calling for the resignation of Binay, Drilon, and Belmonte if they love the country,” Villegas said.

The groups are supporting the establishment of a transition government following the mass resignation of government officials.

Ting-ting Conjuangco

The groups staged a motorcade which traveled to the cities of Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasay and Manila before they conducted a program at Edsa shrine where they clashed with the police.

At Edsa, the groups were joined by Peping and Ting-ting Conjuangco, the President’s uncle and aunt. Also seen at the rally was whistleblower Jun Lozada.