Davaoeños hold ‘power merienda’ today

DAVAO CITY – A "Merienda para sa Tanan" (merienda for all), similar to the "power lunch" employers and workers had along Ayala Avenue in Makati City recently, will be held here today as part of continuing protest actions to seek the resignation of President Estrada.

Organized by the various "Erap Resign" groups in Davao, the merienda is expected to be participated in by about 6,000 people from the city’s business and affluent sectors, the labor groups and poor communities.

The merienda, to be prepared by donor bakeshops here, will consist of pan de sal with meat stuffing and fruit juice.

Instead of a march rally, a motorcade will be held at 1 p.m. after which a Mass will be celebrated at the San Pedro Cathedral.

The protesters will then proceed to the Centennial Park across the cathedral where a torch will be lighted in a symbolic message to the senators who are acting as jurors in the ongoing impeachment trial against the President.

The protesters will then partake of the merienda which food stalls will serve at the Centennial Park.

Meanwhile, a municipal mayor in Davao del Norte alleged that President Estrada recently gave P5 million and P10 million each to mayors and governors, respectively, who will support his administration. Recipients reportedly included those who earlier had resigned from the ruling Lapian ng Masang Pilipino.

The funds were reportedly intended for projects of local officials supportive of Mr. Estrada. — Edith Regalado