Three columns assembled at the Mabuhay Rotonda, Taft Avenue and Intramuros converged at the Liwasang Bonifacio at around 6 p.m.
Organizers have said that “Martsa Kontra Cha-cha,” kicks off a month-long protest leading up to the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Arroyo on July 27.
The protesters carried placards that read, “Oust the corrupt Arroyo regime,” “No to Gloria forever rule,” and “Junk Cha-cha now.” Marchers also brought whistles and noisemakers, for use in the noise barrage.
Violinist Coke Bolipata played Nicanor Abelardo’s Mutya ng Pasig, while activists from Bayan, Karapatan, the Concerned Artists of the Philippines, and the UP Alay Sining sang Joey Ayala’s “Wala nang Tao sa Sta.
Filomena.” Among the personalities were Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, NBN-ZTE whistle-blower Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada, Sister Mary John Mananzan of the Association of Major Religious Sectors of the Philippines, movie director Carlitos Siguion-Reyna and wife Bibeth Orteza, Bayan Muna Rep.
Noong una, at hanggang sa ating panahon, inuuri ng platero ang ginto sa pamamagitan ng isang pirasong batong-buhay.
1) Manileño contingent 2) Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila against Con-Ass 3) Among those leading the march: Mayor Fred Lim, PLM President Adel Tamano, Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada, Bayan Muna Rep. Mon Palatino.1) Protest march became a torch parade when darkness started to set in 2) This young boy asked me to take his picture 3) Precy Lopez-Psinakis, Gina de Venecia, Harry Roque and other members of the Concerned Citizens Movement Cha-Cha protesters start countdown by JP Lopez Malaya STUDENTS and young professionals led by the Movement of the Youth for Empowerment, Reform, Advocacy and Progress (my ERAP), a group aligned with President Joseph Estrada, yesterday served a symbolic “notice of eviction” to President Arroyo near Malacañang.
“From 2001 to 2010, Arroyo would be the second longest serving president next only to the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
Arroyo however leaves Marcos in the dust in terms of corruption and violation of human rights,” said Ginno Jaralve, spokesman for my ERAP.“Today, we start the year-long wait for Arroyo to finish her term with a fervent prayer that Arroyo and her cronies turn away from their wickedness and greed for power and step down next year,” said Goodbye Gloria campaign spokesman Lloyd Zaragoza. My Erap also launched an online countdown to June 30, 2010 at Anti-riot policemen and members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) were able to turn away the group at the J. It said the online countdown also details the scandals, exposes, and significant dates detailing instances of the Arroyo administration’s legacy of plain bad governance.More than 5,000 students and young professionals joined militant groups Anakpawis, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN), Gabriela and Bayan Muna yesterday in marching to Liwasang Bonifacio for the “Martsa Laban sa Cha-Cha”.The march aims to send a message that the public will oppose moves to tinker with the Constitution to enable President Arroyo to remain in power beyond 2010.The students were from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Adamson’s University, University of the Philippines-Manila and Diliman, De La Salle University, College of St. Scholastica’s College, Jose Rizal University and Arellano University.