A few of us have been touring the local blogosphere lately, mainly to learn how bloggers feel about the current political crises. It made for really interesting reading, there were a myriad opinions and suggestions. Many ideas were quite constructive. It was heartening to read comments about us, most especially the critical comments, for it is from these that we gain the most.
One thing stood out, though - a lack of clarity on who we are and what we stand for. So, just to cut through the haze and set things straight, here is a reprint of our flier:
What is the Black & White Movement? What does it stand for?
Formed on August 5, 2005 and formally launched on August 21, 2005 at the La Salle Greenhills Auditorium, the Black & White Movement is composed of groups and individuals who have sought the truth about the allegations that Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo cheated in the 2004 elections since June 2005, and have reached the conclusion, based on available evidence, the actuations of Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo and her close allies, that the President committed electoral fraud. This is a conclusion already shared by majority of the Filipinos, as shown by SWS and Pulse Asia opinion surveys.
Thus, members of the Black & White Movement are committed to actively campaign, through democratic and non-violent means, for the resignation, impeachment or ouster of GMA.
What is the alternative of the Black & White Movement to Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo?
The Black & White Movement stands by constitutional succession as the main option for resolving the current leadership crisis of the country. Instead of providing leadership to our people in this time of crisis, Vice President Noli De Castro has chosen to stick with GMA and put his loyalty to her above the common good of the Filipino people. We thus also call on Vice President De Castro to resign and pave the way for special elections for President and Vice President as provided for in our Constitution. This will allow our people to choose leaders of credibility and integrity.
We also believe that whoever succeeds GMA should immediately institute basic reforms, including electoral, judicial, economic and political reforms. He or she should also immediately call for a Constitutional Convention to institutionalize more fundamental reforms that will address the current political crisis that was spawned by defects in our present political system.
Why the colors black & white?
The choice of black and white as the movement’s colors is to emphasize that the specific issue we now face is as clear as “black and white” – that the issue is about the GMA committing electoral fraud during the May 2004 elections to win the Presidency. It is not about labeling individuals or groups as either representing the sides of good or evil.
However, having been convinced that she did cheat during the recent elections, the question now is, should GMA be allowed to continue to govern the nation? And, our answer to this is as “clear as black and white” - NO!
We also believe that the issue of cheating, being a moral issue, has no gray area. It is either right or wrong. It’s either black or white. No justifications. No rationalization. Only admission, penance and acceptance of sin’s consequences. There can be no compromise solution that will keep her in office.
The colors black and white are in contrast to attempts by GMA and Malacanang to muddle the issue by raising the matters of her credentials or the lack of it by her successor or her detractors. We cannot justify the act of cheating by invoking the need to make a choice in behalf of the lesser evil.
It’s about cheating. It’s as simple as black and white.
Convenor Groups:
Bangon Pilipinas
Caucus of Development NGO Networks (CODE-NGO)
Citizens for ConCon (C4CC)
Citizens for Truth (C4T)
Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute (GZO-PI)
Local Governance Citizens Network (LGCNet)
National Institute for Policy Studies (NIPS)
National Peace Conference (NPC)
People's Alternative Study Center for Research and Education on Social Development (PASCRES)
People's Campaign for Agrarian Reform Network (AR Now!)
Philippine Community Organizers Society (PhilCOS)
Social Democratic Caucus (SDC)
The Moral Majority
Contact information:
2nd Floor, Hoffner Building
Social Development Complex
Ateneo de Manila University
Loyola Heights, Quezon City
Tel/Fax (632) 426-6064
Tel. (632) 426 6001 local 4826
Email - info@BlackNWhite-Movement.com
Text: (0917) 88GARCI
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