DECLARATION AND STATEMENT OF POSITION
On the Current Crisis in Philippine Government

WHEREAS, Proclamation No. 1017 issued by the Philippine President on February 24, 2006, declaring a "state of national emergency" has worsened political and public crisis, panicking the nation, curtailing the rights not only of oppositionists but also of ordinary citizens, and sending a message to other countries that the Philippines is in a state of revolt.

WHEREAS, the raid on the offices of The Daily Tribune and Abante Tonite media headquarters following Proclamation can be construed as an attempt to suppress the basic right to freedom of expression and freedom of the press;

WHEREAS, in the wake of the government?s crackdown on dissenters and by virtue of Proclamation 1017, scores of women and children including a seven year old, while en route to the EDSA Shrine to commemorate the 20 year anniversary of the February 1986 People Power Revolution, were arrested on February 24, detained, fingerprinted, taken mug shots of, deprived of food and herded to Camp Karingal's firing range.

WHEREAS, no presidential authority or proclamation can justify such a brazen assault upon the children's civil liberty, which is an outright violation of the "United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child"

WHEREAS, Proclamation 1017 is a step towards authorizing warrantless arrests, media takeover, dispersal of people's assemblies and systematic suppression of the Filipino people's right to participate in collective actions;

WHEREAS, Proclamation 1017 only serves to intensify the relentless pursuit of the truth and justice by the community as a whole, and the people's growing discontent with the President's inability to address issues on accountability and good governance;

WHEREAS, this Declaration and Statement of Position is a demonstration of the values we share as a people concerned with human rights, and our desire for constructive and thoughtful resolution of crucial issues, rejecting violence, fear and hate, and helping Filipinos regain trust and confidence in their government;

NOW THEREFORE WE, concerned Filipinos in the United States, Philippines and abroad, with no intent other than to help improve the deteriorating social conditions in our native country, do hereby declare that we have united as a single voice to demand integrity, accountability, credibility and transparency from the President and all elected public officials in addressing the urgent concerns of our country of origin. WE STRONGLY URGE:

1) That Proclamation 1017 be lifted and considered as counterproductive and in violation of the 1987 Philippine Constitution and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights;

2) That Filipinos from all classes demand good, accountable, competent and responsible government, and condemn patronage, fraud, political bossism, corruption, intimidation, and misgovernance of public office;

3) That the President of the Republic of the Philippines be held legally, ethically, and morally responsible and obligated to address the concerns of the people that she has vowed to serve, and the perception of impropriety that continues to escalate and erode public trust in government, even if it means stepping down from office;

4) That the President and her government be replaced, not by the opposition, but by a new set of leaders with proven integrity and not self-serving, imbued with a whole new set of values and capabilities, and no longer dominated by traditional political parties, political rules, and political practices;

5) That ill-gotten wealth be sequestered from their possessors, and be rightfully used instead, to end the scourge of absolute poverty; to protect our children and elders; to educate our people, especially the young; to rebuild the physical infrastructure of our country; to protect our environment from long-term damage; and to undertake the necessary transformation that will create a truly stable government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

6) That more attention be given to agriculture and agricultural productivity in the Philippines, and the potential of developing modern technological advances to improve our agricultural/ aquaculture/ livestock productivity;

7) That rebel and insurgent groups including Muslim-led separatists and Lumad Filipinos be re-integrated and motivated to become productive by undertaking the development of industries based upon agricultural products that can be grown and processed on Mindanao's resource-rich lands, to .ensure their survival and eventual inclusion into the mainstream of Filipino life and democratic participation.

8) FINALLY, that concerned Filipino leaders (political, social, civic and business) develop a strong sense of partnership and be prime examples of what they are advocating for, by collaboratively and closely working with the government to help develop check and balance policies for oversight, as well as provide workable and sustainable solutions on matters that concern public interest and help restore trust in government.

IN WITNESS HEREOF, the undersigned, of their own volition and in their individual capacities, have affixed their names as initial signatories for this Position Statement:

1) Ernesto Ramos - Florida, USA
2) Joy Bruce - Florida, USA
3) R. Sonny Sampayan - New York, USA
4) Perfecto Caparas - California, USA (Coalition to Stop Child Detention Through Restorative Justice)
5) Eric F. Mallonga - Manila, Philippines (Founding President, Child Justice League, Inc., Founding President, HILOM Inc., Founding President, Philippine Chapter, World Association of Children's Friends)

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