[Message from Liza Maza] With or Without Proclamation 1017, Stop Political Persecution of Partylists now!

In reaction to today's lifting of Proclamation #1017, Gabriela Women's Party Representative Liza Largoza Maza said that the political persecution of progressive Partylist solons should stop and that Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran be released immediately."If indeed times are back to normal, threats to our life and liberties, the crackdown of our leaders should stop, so should DOJ secretary Raul Gonzales and National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales be censured for threatening that crackdowns will continue against our leaders and members. Otherwise, Mrs. Arroyo's lifting of this Draconian measure is as fake as her presidency." Maza said.She also demanded that Executive Order #464 and the Calibrated Pre-Emptive Response be revoked.According to Maza, there should be no accolade for Mrs. Arroyo for the lifting of Proclamation 1017, nor should people be fooled that the President had a change of heart towards critics and organizations opposed to her. "We have no illusions that her policy against critics and the opposition will change."Maza said, "Her statement today came with a veiled threat, that she will continue to use her powers against forces opposed to her rule.""Despite the lifting of Proclamation 1017, we must not fall silent. The people's vigilance and militant opposition to all attempts to stifle legitimate expressions of dissent will continue."For Reference: REP. LIZA LARGOZA MAZA 0920-9134540 Tels: 9316268, 9315001 loc7230; Jang Monte (Public Information Officer) 0917-8226635