UP's Position

The President Must Resign Now

Statement of the University Council (UC) of the University of the
Philippines (UP) in Diliman, Quezon City on the political crisis
facing the Arroyo administration

13 July 2005

The pursuit of the truth and the quest for a democratic society are
integral to the university's mission in society. In the conduct of its
work, the University of the Philippines is strictly guided by the
paramount values of honesty, personal integrity, and responsibility.

We have strong reason to believe that the recent actions of the Arroyo
administration in relation to the so-called "Gloriagate" tapes -- the
initial attempt at a cover-up, the use of threat and intimidation to
prevent public access to these tapes, and the clever admission of
half-truths to conceal a serious offense, among others -- constitute a
direct assault on nearly all the values we hold sacred in academe.

A careful analysis of the content and context of the recorded
conversations between the President and Commission on Elections
(COMELEC) Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano clearly shows that there
has been a betrayal of public trust, if not a subversion of the
people's will in the last presidential election.

Grave economic problems confront the nation today. At no other time
have we needed a leader who can heal the divisions in our society and
inspire hope especially among our young people. President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo has done enough damage to our public institutions and
to the country's self-esteem. We cannot afford to be led any further
by a dishonest president who has shown no qualms about using the
awesome powers of her office for purely personal interests.

The University Council (UC) of UP Diliman, Quezon City - composed of
professors, associate professors and assistant professors and chaired
by the
Chancellor - calls on the people to guard against foreign meddling and
military takeover in charting the nation's future in the event of her
removal from office. UP Diliman faculty members will join the people
in their struggle to build a progressive society and a responsible
government and in their commitment to uphold civilian supremacy in
government and governance.

We thus call on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to immediately
resign.