WOMEN DANCE TO STOP CHACHA MOVES IN CONGRESS

dance the chacha. Dubbed as “Women Dance to Stop Chacha”, participants danced the chacha while chanting: “Pilipinas not for sale! Stop, stop Charter Change! Itigil na ang Charter Change!”

Gabriela Women’s Party-Marikina coordinator Jessica Buligan said this was but one way for women to express their opposition to moves in Congress to amend the economic provisions in the Constitution. Congress resumes session today.

“Sa pamamagitan nito, gusto naming iparating sa mga taga-Kongreso ang paninindigan ng kababaihan laban sa Charter Change. Ang pagbibigay ng malalawak na lupain at pagbibigay pabor sa dayuhan habang kami at ang aming mga pamilya ay nanantiling nakikipaglaban para sa karapatan sa paninirahan ay isang malaking inhustisya na dapat hadlangan.”

Joining the protesters was Gabriela Women’s Party Representative Luz Ilagan who said that it was indeed high time for Congress to listen to what women from the grassroots have to say.

“Pushing through with committee deliberations and inter-parliamentary maneuverings for Charter Change and its potentials to open our economy and our resources to the wanton destruction and exploitation of foreign investors is an act of treason. It is a tremendous blow against our people. I urge my colleagues to immediately abandon all initiatives to amend the Constitution,” said Ilagan.

Meanwhile, Rep. Emmi De Jesus, also of Gabriela Women’s Party stressed that it is an injustice to allow foreigners to own land while millions of Filipino families do not own the land they till or are being threatened with demolitions.

“Charter Change will spell displacement for many Filipino women and their families.” Jang Monte, Office of Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan, Gabriela