OBR takes on Aquino

One Billion Rising (OBR) Global Coordinator Monique Wilson takes on President Benigno Aquino III: “kung hindi mo na kayang mamuno, umalis ka na” (if you can no longer lead, scram”. The statement echoes the growing call for Aquino’s resignation.

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ONE BILLION RISING FOR TRUTH AND ACCOUNTABILITY :
GABRIELA QUESTIONS SENATE PLAN TO CLOSE MAMASAPANO HEARING

“Who’s pulling the strings?” Quoting from Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago during the Mamasapano hearing, GABRIELA is questioning the Senate why it is set to close the Senate hearing even if the role of Pres. Noynoy Aquino and the US remain unclear.

The women’s group earlier warned of a cover-up in the investigations after the main witnesses, Gen. Allan Purisima, ex-PNP-SAF Chief Getulio Napenas and Aquino allies avoided directly confronting the issue of the President’s involvement, and more importantly the US hand, in the Mamasapano bloodbath.

GABRIELA led more than a thousand women from all walks of life in the One Billion Rising Revolution today at the Bonifacio Shrine in calling for truth and accountability in relation to the Mamasapano bloodbath. “The people want clear and direct answers. There are so many inquiries yet so few answers and only fall guys and sacrificial lambs like Napenas. We want the truth behind Aquino and the US’s full involvement in the Mamasapano operation and we want the Commander in Chief accountable,” said Joms Salvador, Secretary General of GABRIELA.

Salvador also said that even the PNP and AFP rank and file personnel are seeking the truth but some quarters may be sounding a “coup-scare” to muddle mounting calls for the President’s resignation. “This may just be another ploy to subvert the people’s will at making Aquino accountable,” she added.

GABRIELA reiterated their call for Aquino’s resignation in the light of the Mamasapano disaster. The women’s group is calling for the formation of a transition council, composed of respected leaders, not associated with the current administration and are not corrupt. “Succession should not be an issue. Rather than an individual, a transition council can pave the way for the elections which is actually only 14 months for now,” said Salvador.

The One Billion Rising event kicks off the women’s campaign towards International Women’s Day on March 8 when GABRIELA will also highlight Aquino’s accountability in the escalating poverty and violence that Filipino women experience. “More than the Mamasapano bloodbath, Aquino is responsible for the misery that Filipino women and their families experience daily because of his implementation of the neoliberal policies dictated by the US,” Salvador said. “On March 8, which is also the 40th day of the Mamasapano victims, women and the Filipino people will echo a resounding call for Aquino’s resignation.” ###