What happened to SigawngBayan.com?

With another planned People's Initiative 2, will the website of Sigaw ng Bayan resurrect itself again soon?

Christmas Message from One Voice Convenors

A Christmas message from the conveners of One Voice
to our signatories and valued allies:

We thank you all for speaking out when the cha-cha train threatened to misuse democratic processes for self-serving purposes, and many were silent. We thank you for the trust and the unwavering commitment. Together, we battled in the trenches when it mattered the most. As we all look back and survey the havoc and waste that the battle left in its wake, we may wonder if it was worth the effort.

We may wonder if this is indeed a new beginning to finally get the country and the government we deserve or if this will be just another lost opportunity, another inconsequential footnote in our history. We may wonder if, after the back-slapping and merriment of the moment and the hopeful picture of solidarity, we will again go back to our separate lives and leave the country to the political games and agendas of those who were voted to serve but have repeatedly failed the people.

We think we can all say it was worth it. But we cannot let history repeat itself for the nth time. Our country is too precious and too often betrayed to be left alone to face that fate. Let us celebrate the moment and enjoy the good cheer, and then prepare for the many more battles ahead.

Remember our 5-point program:
(I) stop the so-called people's initiative;
(2) social reform program now;
(3) electoral reform now and credible 2007 elections as an indirect referendum on the present administration
(4) a constitutional convention, not a constituent assembly. if necessary;
(5) work collectively in restoring the trustworthiness of our democratic institutions

Much has been achieved. But clearly, there is more work ahead of us, more difficult
than before. But there are more of us now, The silent majority are finding their voice and are speaking out loudly for our leaders to hear -- we want real change.

We will work with all groups who want real change. We will learn from one another, share our expertise and resources and take the lead on issues and concerns when that leadership is called for. Otherwise, we are all foot soldiers in the service of a nation. What is important is to broaden and deepen the national dialogue and to work together harmoniously for the good of all, but especially for those who deserve a better life than what democracy has given them.

After the holidays, after we have spent time communing with our families and friends, after we have renewed our faith in the real meaning of Christmas, and have thanked the Lord for His many blessings, let us get together, pray together and plan for the days ahead. There is work to be done.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all.

66% say “NO” to Cha-Cha; 73% did not know the nature of the Sigaw ng Bayan proposals

For the third consecutive quarter, two of every three Filipinos say they will vote “No” in a plebiscite on a new constitution “that President Arroyo wants,” according to the November 2006 Social Weather Survey.

The new SWS survey found the balance of opinion opposed to the critical proposals that: (1) the members of Parliament and the Prime Minister may be re-elected any number of times; (2) the interim Parliament will serve until the next election, but will also set the date of the election, and thus there is no limit to its term; and (3) the interim Parliament will make additional amendments or revisions to the Constitution within 45 days.

When asked if they had known that these proposals were part of the Sigaw ng Bayan’s “people’s initiative,” 73% said “No,” validating the Supreme Court’s conclusion that the public could not have known the nature of these crucial proposals, singled out by the Court.

Even those satisfied with GMA say “No” to Cha-Cha
Even among those satisfied with the performance of President Arroyo, the majority say that they disapprove of a new Constitution that she wants.

The “No” vote on Cha-Cha is 79% among those dissatisfied with the President, 57% among those neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, and 54% among those satisfied with her performance.

“No” dominates in all areas
Three-fourths (74%) in Metro Manila will vote “No” in a plebiscite for a new constitution, compared to 85% in September and 83% in June.

The new “No” vote in the rest of Luzon is 67%, compared to 68% in September and 64% in June.

In the Visayas the “No” vote is now 57%, from 56% in September and 60% in June.

In Mindanao the “No” vote is now 69%, from 65% in September and 68% in June.

Three-fourths are likely to vote in a plebiscite
As to their likelihood of voting in a plebiscite on charter change, 44% will surely vote, 29% will probably vote, 9% might be doing something else, and 15% will not be able to vote.

Seventy-eight percent in Mindanao, 72% in Luzon outside Metro Manila, 70% in the Visayas, and 67% in Metro Manila will surely/probably vote if a plebiscite were held today.

Opposition to specific proposals
Following up the Supreme Court’s ruling that the great majority of Sigaw ng Bayan’s signatories did not see the full text of the proposed changes before signing, and therefore could not have known the nature and effect of the proposed changes, the SWS survey asked for opinions about the three critical changes identified by the Court, without naming any proponent.

On allowing the members of the Parliament and the Prime Minister to be re-elected any number of times, the survey found that 37% disapprove, 26% are undecided, and 25% approve.

On allowing the interim Parliament to serve until the next election, and also to set the date of the election, thus putting no limit to its term, 43% disapprove, 26% are undecided, and 19% approve.

On allowing the interim Parliament to make further amendments or revisions to the Constitution within 45 days, the survey found that 34% disapprove, 29% are undecided, and 25% approve.

Failure to identify the proposals with Sigaw ng Bayan
In all areas, most people were unaware that the three proposals were part of Sigaw ng Bayan’s “people’s initiative.”

Seventy-six percent in the rest of Luzon, 74% in Mindanao, 69% in the Visayas and 68% in Metro Manila came to know who was the proponent only when polled.

In all socio-economic classes, most had been unaware of Sigaw as the proponent: 76% in class D, 71% in class E, and 60% in class ABC.