More solons joining boycott of Arroyo’s SONA

MANILA, Philippines—At least eight party-list lawmakers said Monday they would also boycott the President's State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 27 and join street protesters instead in a "real SONA" outside the Batasang Pambansa complex in Quezon City.

The other day, four senators – Manuel Roxas II, Aquilino Pimentel Jr., Panfilo Lacson and Francis Pangilinan – announced they would boycott President Arroyo's report to the nation. Other senators said they would attend but would quickly "walk out" if members of the House of Representatives tried to transform the joint session into a constituent assembly (Con-ass) to amend the Constitution.

The militant representatives joining the boycott include Deputy Minority Leader Satur Ocampo, Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casiño, Gabriela Representatives Liza Maza and Luzviminda Ilagan and Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano.

They will be joined by three newly installed representatives: Bayan Muna's Neri Colmenares, Anakpawis's Joel Maglunsod and Kabataan's Raymond Palatino.

"We will emphasize that aside from our protest against the administration's failure to tell the country the truth and admit its shortcomings... another element is the clear signal to convene the constituent assembly, minus the Senate, not necessarily on July 27, but anytime after," Ocampo said in a press conference.

The House last month passed Resolution 1109, which seeks to convene a constituent assembly with the two chambers of Congress voting jointly, raising fears that it could be used to perpetuate Ms Arroyo in power.

"I am going to attend the SONA but the very moment that anyone tries to convert it into a constitutional assembly, I am going to get out of that session hall faster than a speeding bullet," said Sen. Rodolfo Biazon, a position echoed by colleagues.

Speaker Prospero Nograles assured everyone that the administration coalition had no intention of calling for a Con-ass during the SONA.

United Opposition (UNO) president and Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay, however, said he did not believe it.

"The assurances do not sound reassuring enough for us in the opposition to relax our vigilance," said Binay, adding that the administration "has a track record of doing the opposite of what it says."

Migrante, an alliance of overseas Filipino workers, said it would hold protest rallies in Hong Kong and Seoul, and public forums in other world capitals.

The Philippine National Police is preparing for a day of protest rallies on Monday.

Nearly 5,000 policemen will be out on the streets to keep traffic flowing and guard against any violence, according to Quezon City Chief Supt. Elmo San Diego. Close to a thousand more cops will be on reserve at police headquarters.

The Edsa Shrine, the site of two people power revolts, has been declared off-limits to protesters, according to Chief Supt. Lino Calingasan of the Eastern Police District. With reports from Allison W. Lopez, Julie M. Aurelio, DJ Yap and Tarra Quismundo