Another week, another call for the resignation of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. From AP-
MANILA, Philippines - Activists criticized Roman Catholic bishops Wednesday for failing to join their calls for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's resignation, and planned another rally to keep up the pressure on her. After an emergency meeting that many had hoped would inject fresh energy into efforts to topple Arroyo on allegations of corruption, the influential Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines merely urged the president to take the lead in combating graft.I'm no fan of Arroyo as can be seen from the two Knucklhead awards I've given her. Her removal from office is unlikely to change anything. Philippine political corruption is so endemic, Arroyo's removal is just going to put another crook in office. As my Philippine born wife says, 'Same collar, different dog'.The bishops' group "refuses to acknowledge the roots of corruption," said Renato Reyes, secretary-general of the largest left-wing umbrella group, Bayan.
He said their statement was "like asking the Abu Sayyaf to lead the fight against kidnapping," a reference to al-Qaida-linked extremists in the southern Philippines who regularly take hostages.
The bishops, who played a key role in nonviolent revolts that ousted two leaders in the last two decades, slammed endemic corruption and urged Arroyo to rescind restrictions on officials testifying without her permission.
Political instability isn't good for a country wishing to get foreign investment. The Philippines needs outside money to help improve its economy. Right now one of the country's exports is its own people. Poverty and lack of economic opportunity drive thousands of Filipinos to find work elsewhere every year.
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