When Press Secretary Jesus Dureza prayed last November 18 in a Cabinet meeting that Gloria Arroyo will continue to lead the country “even beyond 2010,” he actually meant it. The President herself also meant it, even as she pretended to be embarrassed, as the events before and after the prayer indicate that the Charter change is set up once again for an Arroyo dictatorship beyond 2010.

After its failed attempt to use the MOA on Acestral Domain with the MILF to initiate constitutional amendments, the US-Arroyo regime is now more desperate than ever to clear the way for the Charter change express. Arroyo’s last ditch effort to extend her term is without the usual theatrics and pretensions – the danger of term extension is now staring us at the eye.

On November 17, Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, an Arroyo ally, assumed the Senate presidency following a political move that ousted Senator Manuel Villar. Such change in leadership in the Senate favors the bid for a Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass) that has been gaining support at the House of Representatives since the start of the month. And at present, Arroyo’s wish for Con-Ass for Charter change is just a few votes away.

Instead of addressing the plight of millions of Filipinos locally and abroad who suffer under the worsening economic crisis, Arroyo busies herself with paving the way for her term extension. By focusing on prolonging her presidency, she is also prolonging her neoliberal policies that have squeezed much wealth and resources from the country for the benefit of US imperialism – which is now crumbling due to sheer greed for wealth.

At the wake of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, the stay of a tyrant and US lapdog in power is highly favorable for US imperialism to grapple with its crisis. Arroyo’s term extension means further transforming the country into a sponge that will absorb the global financial mess. Eventually, massive layoffs and worse hunger will confront millions of Filipinos who are now barely meeting the standards of decent living. And those who will decry injustice will simply be punished with brutal force.

Yet with such bleak prospect, compliance is not an option for the people that have tasted Arroyo’s atrocities and oppression for years. As Arroyo allies in Congress railroad the new Charter change bid, they also expedite the advance of the mass movement that will trigger the downfall of the US-Arroyo regime. During these critical times, we are left with the sole option to revolt against tyranny and exploitation. We are challenged to avert the prolonged Arroyo dictatorship and make a historical feat by searching for a better alternative social project.

Cha-cha at Gloria, Ibasura!
Papet, Pasista, Pahirap sa Masa!
Patalsikin si Gloria!

Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights – UP (STAND-UP)