PHILIPPINES: Protesters disrupt Congress

PHILIPPINES: Protesters disrupt Congress

MANILA — Five members of the Philippines Socialist Party of Labour (SPP) were detained on July 18 in the Batasan (parliament) hall. The SPP members interrupted a special session of Congress called to pass the emergency powers bill with which the government hopes to "stabilise" the situation in Mindanao.

Several SPP activists, chanting "Oppose Erap's [Philippines President Joseph Estrada's] emergency powers! Oust the Erap regime! Build a government of the poor!", rushed towards the rostrum. Security guards swooped on them and dragged them out of the hall. They were charged with disturbing Congress proceedings.

The emergency powers bill will ban strikes and freeze the implementation of land reform in Mindanao. It will also allow the government to sign contracts without putting them up for public tender.

From GLW issue 413