Declaration Of The Hong Kong

"Erap Resign Network"

We, the undersigned organizations and individuals are setting up a network that would strive to end this scandal of a regime that is plagued with greed, corruption, cronyism, human rights violations and economic disaster.

What with more than 20 counts of oil price increases, the further devaluation of the Peso and the privatization and decontrol of the National Power Corporation, the Philippine National Bank and the Waterworks System. He had put in place a mini-Martial Law further suppressing the people’s freedom of expression and assembly in school, in the media; declaring war against the Abu Sayyaf but bombing as well non-Abu Sayyaf-controlled civilian communities about thousands of kilometers away from their declared "target"; and criminalizing political opponents.

Philippine President Joseph Estrada has brought immense misfortune to the lives of the Filipino people while giving all the privileges to his cronies - the likes of the Marcoses, Danding Cojuanco, Lucio Tan and Atong Ang – to his friends as well as to his many families. Also, he has tripled the burden of overseas Filipinos - milking them through cornering remittances, enforcing onerous fees and imposing taxes while depriving them of government protection and assistance.

Estrada has been unmasked of his apparent connections with the underworld particularly with gambling. He is the biggest gambling lord by taking the largest cut of the profit from jueteng and other illegal activities.

"Oust Erap! Erap, Resign!" has already been the longstanding clamor by cause-oriented organizations from different social strata since his first year as president. Now, there is mounting pressure for him to resign, being isolated and compelled to step down or be ousted by whatever means. Even his closest allies are now distancing from him. The resignation call of Cardinal Sin, and the cascading resignations of political leaders notably Vice Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Sen. Ramon Magsaysay, Jr., and Rep. Roilo Golez, marks a turning point in the people’s campaign to oust Estrada.

We unite with them and the entire Filipino people and therefore commit ourselves to be part of the growing movement for the resignation or ouster of the corrupt and rotten Estrada presidency.

16 October 2000

(Sgd.)

"ERAP RESIGN NETWORK"

Hong Kong SAR

"ERAP RESIGN NETWORK" - Hong Kong SAR

Organizations, Institutions and Churches:

The Mission for Filipino Migrant Workers (HK) Society ₁

United Filipinos in Hong Kong (UNIFIL-HK) ** ₁

Asia Pacific Mission for Migrant Filipinos (APMMF) ₁

Abra Tinguian Ilocano Society (ATIS) **

Cordillera Alliance (CORALL) **

United Pangasinan Hong Kong OCW Association **

Iloilo Federation **

Migrant Ilonggo Association (MIGA Int’l) **

Philippine Independent Church – Hong Kong (PIC-HK)

Friends of Thai (FOT)

Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge

Friends of Bethune House (FBH)

Filipino Friends in Hong Kong (FFHK)

Association of Concerned Filipinos (ACFIL)

Abra Migrant Workers Welfare Association (AMWWA)

Pinatud a Saleng ti Umili (PSU)

Bataan Migrant Workers Union (BMWU)

Maharlika Association of Hong Kong (MAHK)

Methodist Filipino Fellowship (Wanchai)

Unified Friends in Hong Kong (UFHK)

Women of Philippine Independent Church (WOPIC-Antique)

San Vicente Migrants Organization (SVMO)

Dolores (Abra) Civic Association (DCA)

LIKHA Cultural Group

Labor Rights Commune

Grassroots Development Center (GDC)

International Young Christian Workers - Asia Pacific (IYCW)

Migrante Anak Pamilya (MAP) Foundation

Asia Monitor Resource Center (AMRC)

TNT (Hong Kong) Foundation

Filipino Migrant Workers Union (FMWU) **

Asian Students Association (ASA)

Alay-Kapwa Catholic Group (AKCG)

Individuals:

Fr. Emilio D. Lim, SVD

Sis. Aida Casambre, RGS

Bruce Van Voorhis (Asian Human Rights Commission)

Daisy Mandap (The Sun)

Reverend Father Exequiel M. Dimaculangan (RC Chaplain to Filipino Migrants)

Mrs. Alegria Toquero (Methodist Shelter)

Sr. Marilu Limgenco (Maryknoll Sister)

Mrs. Linda Mendoza

Ms. Monique Wilson (Actress - Purple Rose Campaign advocate and MFMW friend)

Rosanna Abueva (New Voice Company – Producer)

Fr. Aloysius Nato, SVD

Franklen "Gullit" Choi

Miranda Yip (AI)

Pastor Barry Prior (Methodist Church - English Speaking)

Jimson Dator

Ma. Lourdes Donna dela Cruz

Mary Ann Benitez (Journalist)

Sis. Gloria Nubla, RGS

Fr. Midas C. Tambot, SVD

Pastor Cora Tabing-Reyes

Linda R. Layosa

(1 convenors)

(** alliances, federations, or with several chapters)