In an unprecedented show of unity, multi-sectoral groups and individuals calling for Pres. Benigno Aquino III’s removal from office announced the formation of Noynoy Out Now! (NOW!).

A national movement calling for Aquino’s resignation or ouster, NOW! proposed that a “People’s Council,” composed of ordinary Filipinos with a “track record of leadership in the people’s movement” replace the Aquino administration on a temporary basis to pave the way for democratic reforms, including electoral reforms, measures against corruption and political dynasties, economic policies for the poor and middle class, and the resumption of peace talks.

In a press conference yesterday in Quezon City, NOW! said that 40 days after the Mamasapano incident, Aquino continues to cover up his own accountability. “More than ever we are convinced that for truth and accountability to happen, President Aquino should resign from office,” the alliance said.

The gathering included church leaders (Cebu Archbishop Oscar Cruz and Bishop Garon of the United Churches of Christ in the Philippines), the academe (National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera), leaders of civil society groups (Teddy Casiño of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, Betty Romero of Scrap Pork Network, Martin Diño of Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption, Atty. Jose Malvar Villegas of the Citizen Crime Watch) and sectoral organizations.

Cruz enumerated the basis for their call for Aquino’s removal from office, which he said includes “incompetence and failed leadership”; subjugation of the legislative and judicial branches by the executive; “conversion of public utilities for private businesses”; “institutionalization of poverty”; high prices of basic commodities; “malfunction of railways”; and the pork barrel scam, among others.

Meanwhile, Atty. Edre Olalia of the National Union of People’s Lawyers said that there is enough legal basis for Aquino’s resignation or ouster. He cited the liability of Aquino in the pork barrel scam particularly the unconsitutional Disbursement Acceleration Program; the midnight signing of the similarly unconstitutional Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement; criminal negligence of the victims of Typhoon Yolanda; multiple liabilities in human rights violations; and the Mamasapano incident, in which Aquino allegedly committed at least six illegal acts.

The alliance said that “People Power”—an extra-constitutional measure based on the people’s constitutional right to exercise their sovereign will—is the only way to pressure or force Aquino to resign or step down.

“Even the Supreme Court has said that (People Power) is still constitutional. So there is nothing to be ashamed or afraid of. It is taking back power from those who abuse or misuse it,” Olalia said.

Casiño explained that they are not in favor of constitutional succession, unlike what happened in People Power 2, which removed former president Joseph Estrada from power and installed Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Seating corrupt and traditional politicians after People Power is no longer acceptable, he said.

Instead, he said, “The interim People’s Council shall replace Aquino from ranks of people who mobilized to remove him from office.”

According to the alliance’s manifesto, “We call for Aquino’s resignation in order to put in place a new government that better responds to the people’s clamor for political, economic and social reforms. It cannot be business as usual.”

The manifesto states that the proposed People’s Council for National Unity, Reform and Peace will only rule for one to two years and be formed “through a democratic process, from the wide array of groups and individuals involved in the movement to compel Aquino’s resignation.”

Asked by the media how the “People’s Council” is different from the “National Transformation Council” (NTC) proposed by former National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, Casiño answered that the People’s Council will not include traditional politicians and rich businessmen, and has a clear agenda. The alliance said that it has no links with the NTC.

According to the manifesto, the People’s Council will undertake the following:

• Create a commission to investigate and prosecute those that are accountable for the Mamasapano fiasco;
• Pave the way for clean and credible elections by putting in place much needed reforms that would prevent electoral cheating and fraud, reduce patronage politics and prohibit political dynasties;
• Abolish the pork barrel system and prosecute those responsible for the DAP and the PDAF scams; ensure transparency through a freedom of information law and accountability through a whistleblowers’ protection law;
• Introduce key economic policies to ensure food sufficiency, land reform, national industrialization, higher incomes and basic social services for the poor and middle class and;
• Review lopsided agreements such as the Visiting Forces Agreement and Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA);
• Earnestly pursue peace negotiations with the MILF and NDFP by honoring agreements and addressing the root causes of the armed conflicts.

Olalia reiterated that the People’s Council is “legal,” since the people are empowered by the 1987 Constitution to determined how they want to be governed.

“We cannot afford another Mamasapano blunder, another PDAF-DAP scheme, another MRT mishap, another disastrous response to natural calamities, a Zamboanga siege or Luneta hostage crisis. We cannot sit by while poverty and joblessness worsens despite glowing growth rates, criminality engulfs our communities and our public assets and national patrimony are being sold down the river,” the manifesto further said.

Various groups under the alliance vowed for more widespread nationwide protests starting March 8, International Women’s Day, which will bring Aquino resignation calls to the gates of Malacañang Palace.

“Under Aquino, we have seen the highest incidents of violence against women and children, highest rates of unemployment, highest prices of electricity and basic commodities,” said Joms Salvador of Women for Aquino’s Resignation Now and Gabriela.

Mico Pangalanan of Youth Act Now meanwhile said, “We shouldn’t be afraid of what will happen after Aquino’s removal, we should be more afraid of what will happen if this corrupt system is allowed to continue.” He said that students nationwide are ready for even bigger school walk-outs to call for Aquino’s resignation.