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STOP OIL PRICE
INCREASES
OR
RESIGN NOW
GABRIELA News Release
01 February 2000
As two oil companies hiked their prices anew, the militant women's group GABRIELA forewarns the Estrada government of further destabilization and isolation from the people.
"Once more we have this display of inutility from a president who once dished out promises to the poor. He dwells on the government's seeming helplessness against oil deregulation and speaks in behalf of his oil company commanders. Amid such lack of political will and lack of sympathy for a people in deep crisis, the clamor for his resignation grows," GABRIELA Secretary General Liza Maza said.
Women, GABRIELA explained, has been plagued by oil price increases under Estrada.
"Estrada and the oil companies are devouring the lifeblood out of us. Women
have shouldered at least P60 in the increase in LPG. And while oil companies
may have held its increase in LPG this time, it is no assurance. We know another
dreaded increase will come choke us anew,"
Maza furthered that it is such poverty that causes the further degradation of the women's situation under the Estrada presidency. Such torment women said, amid economic and political distress is unbearable. GABRIELA and its regional representatives in a press conference earlier echoed the general population's clamor, and urged Estrada to Resign As President.
"It has been repeatedly cited that among those that has caused Estrada's decline in popularity was the series of oil price increases and the growing poverty. He has adamantly refused to address this. If he cannot do anything about this very basic problem of the people, he is not worthy of his seat in Malacanang. The people do not deserve him. Estrada should resign." ###
