Queen sacrifice is the call. “We will, we will oust you” (to the tune of the Queen’s “We Will Rock You”).
‘Sobra na. Resign!’
Arroyo warned of ‘boiling point’
BY ASHZEL HACHERO
and ANTHONY IAN CRUZ
THOUSANDS converged yesterday at the Ninoy Aquino
monument in Makati City to call for President Arroyo’s
resignation and prosecution of officials involved in
graft and corruption.
They also expressed support for
Rodolfo Noel "Jun" Lozada, the Senate’s main witness in
its inquiry into the national broadband network project
that Arroyo cancelled last year amid allegations of
payoffs.
Rally organizers said 10,000 to
12,000 participated in the protest action. The police
figure was 8,000 at the peak around 5:30 p.m.
Gloria mum on protests,
calls for focus on stability
BY JOCELYN MONTEMAYOR
PRESIDENT Arroyo yesterday said those
eyeing the presidency in 2010 to set aside their personal
ambitions for the moment and instead focus on stability
and moving the country forward.
She refused to comment on protest
actions organized by the opposition and civil society and
militant groups to press her resignation.
The fresh ouster calls were triggered
by allegations of corruption, particularly overpricing and
kickbacks the national broadband network project.
THE chief of the Presidential Security Group
yesterday said M/Sgt. Bong Fantillanan, one of four PSG men
present at the Terminal 1 last Feb. 5 an hour before the arrival
of ZTE star witness Rodolfo Lozada Jr., is in their roster.
But Brig. Gen. Romeo Prestoza said
Fantillanan had the "mandate" to be at the Terminal 1 as the PSG
contingent was anticipating the arrival of Jose Miguel Arroyo
the following day.
He said the PSG men were not there for Lozada
nor were they involved in the alleged attempt to prevent him
from testifying in the Senate.
