1. Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (New Patriotic Alliance) September 17, 2010

2.  Assumed office last June 30  Marked the end of 9 years of the corrupt and fascist Arroyo regime  Told the people: ‘Kayo ang boss ko’ (You are my boss)

3.  Has used a lot of anti- corruption rhetoric  Promised to take the “straight path” in governance  Has formed a Truth Commission to investigate corruption allegations involing past regime

4.  No real change expected in the neo-colonial and semi- feudal Philippine social system  He is still expected to uphold the interests of the domestic elite

5.  Cabinet appointments are primarily representatives of big business, officials who served under Pres. Cory Aquino, officials who served under Arroyo, neo-liberal technocrats and other close associates

6.  Foreign Affairs secretary – Alberto Romulo, a former Arroyo official who defended the RP-US VFA and the JPEPA (RP-Japan FTA)  Finance secretary – Cesar Purisima, former Arroyo official responsible for imposing onerous taxes on the people

7.  Cabinet wracked by factional in- fighting by groups that supported him during campaign  Justice Secretary - Leila de Lima, former chair of the Commission on Human Rights, appears to be the only bright spot amon all cabinet appointees

8. IN HIS INAUGURATION SPEECH, AQUINO SAID:  “No reconciliation without justice”  “True and complete justice for all”  Formation of a “Truth Commission”  Rehash of “Emergency Employment”  “Level the playing field” for investors (free trade, liberalization)  “Government not as hindrance but enabler”  Improve revenue collection

9.  RECENTLY….  Touted Private-Public Partnership (privatization) as solution to fiscal crisis  Proposed additional revenue measures such as raising train fares, taxing toll fees etc  Embroiled in land dispute involving relatives who own a huge sugar estate

10.  Increase the number of troops (AFP) to cope with doubled populaton  Has laid down “ceasefire” as precondition for peace talks  Shallow Human Rights Program if any  No clear policy statement on LAND REFORM

11. WHAT ABOUT GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO?

12.  Arroyo is now a member of Congress, has lost presidential immunity  Will use her position in Congress as political leverage to ward of prosecution  May have long term plans to change form of government

13.  Arroyo is accused of massive corruption, gross human rights violations and the sell-out of national interests  As president, she has blocked all legal venues to make her accountable

14.  Viewed as toothless  Can only compel public officials under the Executive. Cannot compel private individuals  Did not include human rights violations in its scope (considering that historically, this is the impetus of Truth Commissions)  Questions on the credibility of the TC chair  May serve as Aquino’s way out should it fail to prosecute Arroyo

15.  Truth Commission is tasked to investigate and recommend  Prosecution will still be done by Ombudsman or the DOJ  Ombudsman is perceived to be close to the Arroyos  Ombudsman has fixed term, until 2012

16.  Prosecution has been left to DOJ  New chair of Commission on Human Rights is viewed as biased, a politically ally of Aquino  Aquino seems to have no plan of how to go after top officials who were responsible for policy of EJK  Aquino has denied a policy existed in the past  AFP has extended the US-directed counter- insurgency plan Bantay Laya  Aquino trying to secure AFP loyalty

17.  Biggest test so far is the bungled Aug.23 hostage crisis involving the deaths of 8 Chinese nationals

18.  Has indicated support for Aquino during the campaign  Will continue to support Aquino in order to preserve unequal agreements, US neo- colonial rule  VFA and permanent US military presence  US Military “aid”  Counter-insurgency

19.  First 100 days in October  It appears it won’t take much time before Aquino is truly exposed  Failure to make Arroyo accountable  Increased economic burdens on the people  Cut-backs in social spending  No land reform program  Fall-out due to Manila hostage crisis  Subservience to foreign dictates

20.  Continue advancing the movment for genuine freedom and democracy  Hold Arroyo et al accountable for their crimes  Strengthen the struggle for peoples democratic rights and welfare, land reform and national sovereignty  Fight the anti-people and anti-national policies of the Aquino regime

21. www.bayan.ph @bayandotph