A group composed of different political blocs and organizations calling for the ouster of President Gloria Arroyo is joining the Church-initiated rally to seek the truth and oppose corruption at the Bacolod Public Plaza on Monday.

Laban ng Masa is urging the public to join, not only Monday's rally, but continuous mass protests until another people power materializes, Edwin Balajadia of the Laban ng Masa-Negros said yesterday.

Laban ng Masa is composed of the Kilusan para sa Pambansang Demokrasya, Partido ng Manggagawa, Sanlakas-Negros, Akbayan Negros, Freedom from Debt Coalition, Padayon, Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement and Pandayan.

Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra earlier said the church would not spearhead the call for president to step down, but would leave that to the people to do.

NEW BRAND OF PEOPLE POWER

Navarra yesterday said the Diocese of Bacolod supports the call of Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines , for a new brand of “people power” that would spur people to bring out the truth and end corruption.

That is why a series of mass activities are being held with the theme “seek the truth, rise up to corruption and reclaim the nation,” he said.

The bishop said that, aside from a massive rally set Monday, an inter-faith prayer rally to coincide with activities in other parts of the country called by the CBCP is also set of Feb. 29 in Bacolod .

Among the speakers at Monday's rally is Neri Colmenares, lawyer of Senate witness Rodolfo Lozada, and Navarra.

Build-up activities to Monday's rally that have been confirmed are a clergy and school representatives unity meeting this afternoon; and tomorrow simultaneous masses for truth and accountability starting 8 a.m. at the University of Saint La Salle, La Consolacion College, Colegio de San Agustin, University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos and Riverside College, a multi-sectoral meeting at 2 p.m. at the Bishop's House, and a motorcade and noise barrage at 4 p.m. to start from the Capitol Lagoon Park in Bacolod City.

OFFICIALS' REACTIONS

Negros Occidental officials, who have issued a statement in support of the President to allow the continued economic growth of the country, said Church-initiated activities calling for the truth are part of the democratic process.

Acting Gov. Isidro Zayco said “In a democracy everyone has the right to air their sentiments as long as it is done in a peaceful and orderly manner.”

“This is a free country enjoying the beauty of democracy. Nothing can beat prayers…so be it,” Rep. Monico Puentevella ( Bacolod ) said.

“People have the right to assemble peacefully,” Rep. Alfredo Marañon III (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) said.

“Time and again I say that any rally held within the bounds of the law to voice out the sentiments of the people is a legitimate act under a democratic system,” Rep. Jose Carlos Lacson (Neg. Occ., 3 rd District) said.

Rep. Genaro Alvarez (Neg. Occ., 6 th District) said he has no problem with rallies set to be held as long as they are designed to seek the truth and are not for propaganda.

CHURCH CALL HAILED

Rep. Satur Ocampo (Bayan Muna) yesterday hailed Archbishop Angel Lagdameo's call for a "new brand of people power" amid the looming political crisis brought by the multi-million dollar National Broadband Network-ZTE scandal.

"The CBCP president's pronouncement is a reading of the signs of the times, and a step forward from previous positions of the Roman Catholic Church hierarchy," Ocampo said. "The call for people power is also much clearer."

"Mass organizations' initiative together with the people's collective response to the Church's call could develop into a strong political storm against the immoral, corrupt and illegitimate Arroyo administration," Ocampo added.

Ocampo also described the so-called "solidarity walk" in Malacañang Tuesday as "a desperate move to put on a brave front in the face of an outraged nation."

Ocampo called on the people to heed the call for people power by joining the scheduled street protest on February 25 , the 22 nd anniversary of the 1986 people power, and the ecumenical prayer rally on February 29 .

"It's time for the Filipino people to stand up for the truth, morality and change," he said.*CPG

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