An effigy of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo dressed as Santa Claus was burned by about 2,000 protestors while youth protestors staged an "oblation run" in major streets of Bacolod City, to commemorate the 57th year anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Saturday.

Thirty protestors from Alab Katipunan-Negros jogged from Rizal Park at Araneta Street to the Bacolod Rotunda to ask for justice for several human rights violations committed by the present government, Ben Solilapsi, AK spokesperson told the DAILY STAR.

The youth also demanded rights to free education, employment, just wage, rights to organize and free assembly, and right to know the truth.

Meanwhile, various protestors from Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, Alliance for the Advancement of the People's Right (Karapatan-Negros) and Promotion of Church People's Response also marched in major streets of Bacolod City, calling for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Father Jerry Sabado, PCPR spokesperson, said Arroyo has disappointed the Filipino people by allegedly corroborating with corrupt officials in using the country's funds.

Sabado said the PCPR joins other progressive organization calling Arroyo's administration to stop political killings and to demand justice for the death of activist church workers he claimed were killed by Arroyo's army of assassins.

Fred Cana, spokesperson of Karapatan-Negros said that this Christmas season, Arroyo is collecting fees from the people through the Expanded-Value Added Tax, instead of giving them gifts.*DMG

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