Health workers join call for GMA to quit

The Alliance of Health Workers in Cebu has joined the call for President Gloria Arroyo's resignation and concedes to the proposal of forming a transitional council composed of patriotic and progressive forces.

Health Alliance for Democracy spokeswoman Rosalie Bajado said that health workers do not believe that due process can be assured through an impartial impeachment proceeding by a largely pro-administration Congress.

"When the credibility of such constitutional option is smeared with doubt, resignation is the only objective and patriotic option left," Bajado said, "should Arroyo still refuse to resign, we uphold that it is the highest exercise of democratic freedom and principle for the people to exert due process on her."

Bajado said that they are calling for Arroyo's resignation due to the decrease in budget for the health sector paralleled with the increase in Value Added Tax, the increase in the cost of basic commodities including medicines and medical care.

She also said that the state health policy has relinquished the government's responsibility on health through such deceiving schemes as fiscal autonomy, privatization of government hospitals in order to rechannel funds intended for social services and debt servicing. - Jasmin R. Uy and Norvie MisaF