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News ReleaseMay 26, 2014        

References: Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares, 09178350459 Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, 09177174014

BAYAN MUNA: WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM, PRELUDE TO CHA-CHASays Pres. Aquino secretly pushing for Cha-cha for Ph TPP membership

Bayan Muna Reps. Neri Colmenares and Carlos Zarate described the recently concluded World Economic Forum (WEF) as a prelude and justification for Charter change as the debates for the controversial measure is set for this week at the House of Representatives.

According to Rep. Colmenares, “the participants in the WEF essentially want one thing and that is the intensification of neo-liberal economic policies in the world. They want to open up more economies and aspects of economies that are not yet liberalized, deregulated or privatized. All their talk about supposed ‘inclusive growth’ is just designed to sugar coat the fact that the neo-liberal policy would mean more disadvantages for the Filipino people-higher unemployment rates, displacement of peasants from their lands, higher prices for basic commodities and depressed wages.”

As the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and former Finance Secretary Jose Isidro “Lito” Camacho said at the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) on East Asia the government should figure out ways to open up restricted industries to foreign investors. “That is their true target in the Philippines, to open up and exploit our economy and resources with or without Charter Change but as can be seen now they are going full force for Cha-cha,” said the senior deputy minority leader. As for his part Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate said that the WEF is very deceptive because it gives very little and takes away everything. The driving force of the WEF is to gain more profits for businesses regardless if more people would suffer,” “Pres. Aquino should also stop pretending that he is against Cha-cha because he is secretly pushing for it. His dream of the Philippines becoming a member of the Trans-Pacific Partnership would not come true if Cha-cha does not push through because it is one of its requirements. Pres. Aquino should stop pining for the TPP if he is truly against Cha-cha,” he added. The TPP is an agreement being pushed by the US to further open up economies in the Pacific region and usher in a revitalized neo-liberal agenda. “The WEF and Pres. Aquino are just a few of the greedy proponents of Cha-cha and it should be exposed for what it truly is. It wants more profits for foreigners and it is not for the interest of the Filipino people. As it is we would do all we can to stop it,” ended Rep. Zarate. ###

For more information, please contact Bayan Muna media officer Carl Ala at 09175110459