On the 26th anniversary of EDSA People Power I: The Daan Matuwid remains a mirage

“Nothing is celebratory about the 26th EDSA People Power Anniversary. Nothing is celebratory about incessant oil price hike, power rate hike and increases in the price of basic good and commodities, and lack of basic social services for the marginalized Filipinos,” says GWP Rep. Emmi De Jesus about the 26th year of EDSA People Power I.

“Militant women must renew their commitment and strength to fight the perpetrators of poverty and hunger: the oil cartel that continue to rake in huge profits at the expense of the poor, and the Aquino government which has been deaf to the plea of marginalized women to repeal EVAT, Oil Deregulation Law and EPIRA,” added De Jesus.

The GWP representative stressed that oil companies jacked up the oil prices 6 times this year and is expecting another round next week, and this is further aggravated by the recent power rate hike and LPG price increase. This amid the scarcity of jobs and absent basic social services. This troika is nailed to the poor women by the President’s statement that VAT will stay.

Amid hunger and poverty, I am asking the President, ano pa ang itinaya mo para sa Pilipinas? Habang nananatili ang EPIRA, Oil Deregulation Law, EVAT, habang malaya at tuloy-tuloy ang pagpasok ng mga sundalong Amerikano sa bansa, habang walang seguridad sa trabaho at lupa ang mga manggagawa at magsasaka, naitataya na ang buhay at dignidad ng mga kababaihan, ang kinabukasan ng mga bata, ang kalayaan ng bansa,” ended the Gabriela solon.