Also joining as complainants to the same impeachment case were representatives of the left-leaning peasant organizations – Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura, Pamalakaya, and NARRA-Youth that implicated Mrs. Arroyo in the R728-million fertilizer fund scam and accused her government of consenting to the unabated killings of their leaders and members.

"Bagsak ang grade na ibinibigay ng mga guro sa Pangulo. Taumbayan na ang nagpapaalis sa kanya (Failing grade was given by teachers to the President. The citizens are now the ones who want to oust her)," said University of the Philippines Professor Joy Barrios.

At least 48 private and public school teachers took yesterday’s declaration of suspension of classes as a chance to sign the impeachment complaint that has now garnered about 300 signatories.

Antonio Tinio, chairman of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers, said the decision of his teaching colleagues to support the bid to unseat Arroyo is part of "our search for justice" in connection with the slaying of suspected leftist personalities.

Tinio said that many of those who signed the impeachment complaint were public school teachers who served as precinct level election officials in the May 2004 elections.

The 2004 presidential polls is one of the many grounds complainants cited in pushing for Arroyo’s removal via impeachment.

Tinio said that the appointment of Tarlac Rep. Jesli Lapus as secretary of education further strengthened their belief that Arroyo has no qualms about improving the country’s educational system.

The group declared their disgust over the Lapus appointment even as they pressed for the retention of Department of Education officer-in-charge Fe Hidalgo who was described as an "educator."

Minda Galang, president of the Manila Public School Teachers Association, said the 11,650 members of the group are joining the impeachment bid.

"The students are beginning to unlearn the virtues of honesty because of the dishonesty being committed by the President," Galang complained.

The Quezon City Public School Teachers Associated, headed by Teresita Busadro, said educators should make it their moral obligation to support the impeachment.

"As teachers who served in the 2004 elections, we have a moral obligation to find out the whole truth about the cheating that took place in the presidential elections," said Busadro who claimed that the 9,650 QC public school teachers are supportive of her action.

As this developed, even Novaliches Bishop Antonio Tobias is willing to file an impeachment complaint against President Arroyo.

Tobias, in a recent gathering in Quezon City, spoke of his willingness to file an impeachment case against the President like what his fellow Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez did weeks ago.

This confirmed the statement by Iñiguez in an earlier interview that if the two other member bishops of the Kilusang Makabansang Ekonomiya (KME) were available at the time he filed the complaint at the House of Representatives, they would join him.

The two member bishops of the KME that the Caloocan prelate was referring to were Bishops Julio Labayen of Infanta and Antonio Tobias.

"Bishop Tobias was abroad. I’m not sure if they were able to contact Bishop Labayen because he was not there in our meeting. I’m not sure if they would go there if they were here but I have this feeling that they would have joined. So I’m not alone in this," Iñiguez said.

When Iniguez filed the complaint, the administration and its allies did not only invoke the separation of the Church and State but even asked the CBCP to sanction the former for violating Church doctrines.

Contrary to what Malacañang expected, the CBCP did not sanction Iñiguez but even supported the bishop’s personal decision.

The CBCP stressed that the bishop did not commit any violation because he only exercised his right as a citizen.

Meanwhile, three more bishops are expected to file an impeachment complaint against the President. (With a report by Leslie Ann G. Aquino)

Binay condemns abduction of 2 UP students, farmer

By HANNAH L. TORREGOZA

The reported abduction of two students of the University of the Philippines (UP) and a farmer allegedly by the military has shown that Malacanang "has gone too far and too low" to rid itself of political enemies, opposition leader Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay said.

Binay, United Opposition (UNO) president, said the abduction last June 26 of activist students Karen Empeno and Sherlyn Cadapan, and a farmer identified as Manuel Merino shows proof that the country is in a state of "undeclared martial rule" under the governance of the Arroyo administration.

"The only difference is the former dictator made an official statement declaring the country under military rule," the opposition mayor said.

Binay noted that the unsolved killings, abductions, and warrantless arrests have been attributed to the government and the military since President Arroyo declared an all-out war against communist groups and those perceived to be enemies of the State. Malacanang even released a R1 billion fund to boost its anti-insurgency drive, he said.

"The military’s actions constitute a violation of human rights. This only shows that the Arroyo administration is ready to disregard human rights in its misguided campaign against perceived enemies," Binay said.

The opposition stalwart also noted that series of killings and abductions increased since the government abolished the death penalty.

Binay said the opposition remains undaunted in calling for the ouster of Mrs. Arroyo, citing that UNO, along with other militant and opposition groups, will hold a mass action coinciding with the President’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 24 at the House of Representatives.

"Definitely there’ll be mass actions, we’re planning on it," the opposition mayor said. He said the rally will be a multi-sectoral gathering and a reprise of last year’s demonstration at Makati’s Central Business District.

"The people have legitimate grievances, from the illegitimacy of GMA’s stay in the Palace due to electoral fraud, to numerous corruption issues and to the rampant killings all over the country. This is why there is still mass action in the streets," Binay said.

Binay reminded NCRPO chief Director Vidal Querol of the need to ensure the protection of the freedom of speech and assembly.

The appeal came as Querol had issued guidelines for the expected mass assemblies on July 24.

The opposition leader deplored the long prevailing political situation where the national government officials are obviously scared of the people, instead of freely facing up to their legitimate complaints.