Mindanaoans divided on street protests (Arroyo / Philippines)

[struggle4progress]

<snip> The Inquirer conducted a random survey in major areas of Mindanao and here are some responses:

<snip> “It is a must that she steps down from office. She has not served the public well enough.” <snip>

“Lawmaker, lawbreaker. After they junked the impeachment , people have no other venue but the streets.” <snip>

“It is about time the Filipino people shake off apathy and be vigorous in demanding the ouster of President Arroyo. The highest official of the country trying to shut out the truth from coming out and shunning an opportunity to clear her name is a big disgrace.” <snip>

“Gloria is not my President anymore. She should go.” <snip>

http://news.inq7.net/regions/index.php?index=2&story_id=49814&col=40

[autorank]

1. I've been covering this in the Electionn Research & News posts

This is one great story. They caught her on tape telling an elections official to fix the election because she was behind. The opposition has faught for impeachment, producd a ton of evidence. They couldn't get a vote, went to the supreme court, the court told congress to vote, and they lost the vote. The Arroyo supporters who think this is wrong (fixing electoins) backed off of supporting impeachment at the last minute. The President has no legitimacy (sound familiar).

Only differences between Philippines and USA: despite two stolen elections our party does nothing (not even enough to give up) and all we have is tons of proof but no recording (yet?).

Great story, read it.

[libbygurl]

2. Yes, fascinating story! The similarities between Bush and Arroyo...

...are eerie:

Both are children of ex-Presidents (Arroyo's father was Pres. Diosdado Macapagal from early '60s), both are blatantly corrupt regimes (nothing new in Phils, but she has taken it to different heights), both speak with arrogance and ignore anything bad said about them...among others.
Difference, too, I'd like to add, is that the mainstream Philippine press is MUCH FREER and BOLDER in criticizing Arroyo's administration, something that really continues to surprise me to this day. The Philippine journalists are braver, methinks, since they could easily be taken out ("salvaged," in the local twisted police lingo), and violence is more common there.

But Arroyo's so far survived this latest imbroglio, despite the compelling "smoking gun" evidence, and what happens to her usually reflects what happens to Bush. And yet - even the military people have grown restive with discontent. At least 75% of the people surveyed a month ago agree that Arroyo should be impeached. Quite different numbers from surveys of the US population, which, despite the 40% approval rating in the latest Newsweek poll, still seems too high for an administration specializing in grand, disastrous, slaughterous ventures.