National Media Release

Sentiment amongst Filipino-Canadians Growing to Oust President Arroyo

July 15, 2005

Sentiment is growing amongst the Filipino-Canadian community to demand the immediate resignation or ouster of Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Reports from Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal with high concentrations of Filipinos reveal the majority of Overseas Filipinos in Canada are demanding the ouster of Arroyo.

"Filipinos from all walks of life, including the middle-class are expressing their disgust over Arroyo’s stubborn refusal to step down despite the blatant evidence that she cheated in last year’s presidential elections," said Cecilia Diocson, National Chairperson of the National Alliance of Philippine Women in Canada (NAPWC).

At a posh $50 per plate farewell dinner for Philippine Consul General Zenaida Rabago in Vancouver last week around 30 Filipinos and their supporters rallied outside the Hilton Hotel to call for unity amongst the Filipino community to oust Arroyo. Discussions with those attending the event revealed many believe Arroyo’s ouster is justified and that it is merely a matter of time before she resigns or is ousted.

With news of protests in the Philippines growing, (the last July 13 rally drew a reported 40,000) Filipinos across Canada, according to reports are desperately trying to make sense of the current political crisis in the Philippines. Many are staying up late to monitor TV news and flooding the websites of Philippine news outlets. Other Filipino workers who cannot afford to take time to research the news are discussing the issue with their families and other Filipinos in restaurants, churches, buses and homes.

Canada is home to an estimated 500,000 Filipinos spread out across all major cities in Canada. Filipinos are the fourth largest visible minority group in Canada.

In Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal discussions with domestic workers, service workers and factory workers revealed Filipinos are more than ready to demand Arroyo’s ouster.

"Kailangan talaga tanggalin ‘yan," (She really needs to be removed.) said one domestic worker in Toronto. "Abusado siya at nagdaya ng eleksyon," she added. (She’s abusive and cheated in the election.)

"Oo naman dapat lang magresign si Arroyo," (Of course Arroyo should resign.) said Louie a 23 year-old convenience store worker over his dinner in a Vancouver Filipino restaurant. "Nasaan ang petition ninyo?" (Where’s your petition?)

Groups of progressive Overseas Filipinos began circulating a petition letter addressed to Arroyo demanding her immediate resignation as well as a flyer, "Seven reasons why we should oust Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo."

"In light of the damning evidence that you have committed massive electoral fraud in the 2004 election, you have lost any legal and moral basis to hold your seat as president," reads the petition letter, "But the legitimacy of your presidency has been questioned even before the controversial tapes came out." The petition cited increased poverty, Arroyo’s increased dependence on foreign remittances and exploitation of migrant workers through the Labor Export Policy, massive corruption and fascism as reasons for igniting the Filipino people’s anger.

Groups across Canada vowed to intensify their actions in coordination with people’s organizations in the Philippines to call for Arroyo’s ouster. They said they would hold a variety of activities including forums, rallies, vigils, petition-signing and marches on July 19 and 24 in front of Philippine consulates and in areas of high concentrations of Filipinos to coordinate with July 20 and 25 massive protests to be held in the Philippines. Arroyo is set to deliver her State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 25.