‘Noy Out Now’ group ready to lead if they succeed

MANILA, Philippines–They will lead if they succeed.

A day before the 40th day of mourning for the victims of the Mamasapano tragedy, another movement pressing for President Aquino’s ouster was launched.

If the group succeeds in toppling the Aquino administration, a People’s Council, to be composed of representatives of different organizations that took part in the movement, would lead the country, said former Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño.

“Noynoy Out Now (NOW!)” is so far the “biggest and widest” gathering of organizations that want Aquino out of power, Casiño said.

NOW! consists of organizations from different sectors that earlier launched a similar movement, such as the teachers’ group Save Our Nation Aquino Resign (Sonar) and Women for Aquino’s Resignation (WARN), and new ones.

Casiño said NOW!would strengthen the grassroots campaign.

Also part of the movement are Archbishop Oscar Cruz, Bishop Art Asi of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, Bishop Lito Cruz of Iglesia Filipino Independiente and various people’s organizations under Bagong Alyansang Makabayan.

No names yet

Mobilizing forces would be sent to communities, schools and churches to gather “warm bodies” to join NOW! in the call for Aquino’s resignation, Casiño added.

“These groups have the muscle,” he said in a press conference in Quezon City.

Once the President is ousted, the group envisions a People’s Council that would serve as a transition government for one to two years.

“Not another high-profile politician who is rich and powerful” would replace Aquino, Casiño said.

The members of the council would be chosen from the different sectors that joined the movement through a “democratic process,” the former lawmaker said.

No names yet, Casiño stressed.

Truth commission

The People’s Council would create a truth commission to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the Mamasapano fiasco.

At least 58 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos, Moro rebels and civilians died on Jan. 25 in an operation to take down two terrorists in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

Casiño said NOW! was expecting a “cover-up” in the Philippine National Police board of inquiry (BOI) findings, which are expected to be released Friday or Monday.

Only the sacked SAF head, Director Getulio Napeñas, and former Philippine National Police Director General Alan Purisima would be implicated in the BOI report, Casiño said.

“Aquino will be absolved,” which is why the group is pushing for the creation of the truth commission, he added.

The council would “pave the way for a clean and credible elections that would prevent electoral cheating and fraud, reduce patronage politics and prohibit political dynasties,” NOW! said in its manifesto.

It would also introduce key economic policies, review “lop-sided agreements,” such as the Visiting Forces Agreement and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, and pursue peace negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.

Edre Olalia, secretary general of the National Union of the People’s Lawyers, said the creation of the people’s commission was “legitimate and legal.”

“There is nothing to be afraid of or ashamed of for acting for a change in government and exercising power as a people in taking back power from those who have abused, misused or not used it,” Olalia said.