The largest farmers organization in the Philippines Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) scoffed at the statement of Camilo Sabio, presidential adviser of constitutional reforms, saying that Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo won't cut or extend her term. According to Danilo Ramos, secretary general of KMP "this statement means nothing because Gloria has proven to be a compulsive liar."

   As can be remembered, GMA promised not to run for president on her December 30,2002 speech. During the campaign period she said that she is willing to be a transition president and to step down in 2007. Most importantly she has promised to uplift the lives of the people, when she was courting people's organization during the oust Estrada period. All of these promises came to naught.

 "Furthermore the primary purpose of Cha-cha is to prolong the terms of its proponents and to open up our economy to foreign trans-national corporations, an example of which is the proposed 100% foreign ownership of land," added Ramos.

   The group also lambasted Gloria for not addressing the current burning problems faced by the Filipino people like the increase in the prices of oil, power, water, fares, toll fees etc. and instead focused on her personal favorite topic which is Cha-cha.

 "If Gloria is saying that she is trying to unite to country, she is only succeeding in uniting the country against her," Ramos concluded. ###
 

KMP - 8 July 2004