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NO TO CENSORSHIP:
YES TO FILM CLASSIFICATION
NEWS RELEASE
26 March 2001
"Militant women's group GABRIELA today joined the Concerned Artists of the Philippines in a march to Mendiola against censorship and suppression.
Liza Maza, GABRIELA Secretary General and BAYAN MUNA Partylist Nominee said, "if we have young people who can choose and oust leaders in government, certainly they can choose the movies they watch and take responsibility. While we are against pornography, the fight against it should not be used to justify censorship-- a move that is tantamount to curtailing freedom of expression. Instead, let us implement film classification and give today's audiences due credit. "
"It is our observation that almost all presidents in our country's recent history, including Arroyo, begin with the so-called moral-recovery program to give a semblance of ethical and righteous governance. However, such programs are superficial, often addressing only issues of sexuality and culture. While the most indecent and immoral elements in our society remain free.
GABRIELA said it is not surprised that the Arroyo government is capitalizing on the "Live Show" issue to conceal its inaction. "Arroyo's so-called moral-recovery program remains an empty slogan, unless the one icon of indecency in this country-- ousted President Estrada is arrested."
"It is because of people like Estrada-- plunderers, gamblers and womanizers-- that women are degraded and deprived of decent livelihood, lands and wages, making them vulnerable to prostituion and violence."
Maza also said that pro-Estrada politicos, senatorial bets and local candidates are merely using the issue to gain publicity and score pogi points. "Funny that the likes of Honasan and Puno are now parading as champions of truth and freedom of expression when these are the same people who tried to suppress evidence in Estrada's impeachment trial. They are in fact harbingers of a regime that was dreadfully anti-women and repressive. Let us not vote for candidates who will give the anti-women Estrada another chance at power." ###
