Joma prods Arroyo: No compromise with Estrada

The self-exiled leader of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), Jose Ma. Sison, warned leaders of the so-called "united opposition" against striking a compromise deal with President Estrada to give him a "graceful exit" from Malacañang.

Anticipating the resignation of Mr. Estrada "before the Christmas holidays," the mainstream communist movement has thrown its "tactical" support behind efforts to install Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as president.

But Sison cautioned that Arroyo "will start her presidency from a weak and vulnerable position if she condones the crimes of Mr. Estrada in exchange for his resignation."

"She will be in the morass of a bankrupt government that has to undertake a program of austerity at the expense of the people," said Sison, who is living in self-exile in the Netherlands.

Backdoor talks

Sison was apparently reacting to reports that Finance Secretary Jose Pardo has been holding talks with former President Corazon Aquino for a possible graceful exit for Mr. Estrada.

Calls for Mr. Estrada’s resignation have mounted following the exposé of Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson that the President received millions of pesos in payoffs from jueteng operators.

Militant groups identified with the CPP have joined the clamor, and even forged a "tactical alliance" with the united opposition.

These groups, however, insisted that even if Mr. Estrada decides to step down and forego the impeachment process in the Senate, he should still be prosecuted and jailed along with his cronies for alleged corruption in government.

Protest actions

In other developments:

• In Bulacan, church leaders and lay people will hold a prayer rally on Nov. 14, while various militant groups will stage a protest action in the capital town of Malolos, to intensify their call for Mr. Estrada’s resignation or impeachment.

The Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston) is also reportedly staging a provincewide transport strike, in support for anti-Estrada activities spearheaded by the Archdiocese of Malolos.

• A Pangasinense group, calling itself Agco (local word for reject), is calling on all anti-Estrada forces nationwide to constitute a body which will synchronize all protest actions to hasten Mr. Estrada’s removal from office.

Lawyer Delmer Cruz, Agco secretary-general, said sustained and well-coordinated protest actions will surely jolt the Estrada government and trigger the President’s immediate ouster.

Agco recently staged a noise barrage, a candlelight protest and march rally, and will spearhead a motorcade dubbed "Sakbayan Erap Resign" on Nov. 18 and 25 in Pangasinan’s three cities and 45 towns. — With James Mananghaya and Eva de Leon