Youth groups call on government to stop oil price, tuition hikes

Press Release
January 24, 2012

“Hindi makakain ang impeachment”
Youth groups call on government to stop oil price, tuition hikes

Amidst the impeachment trial of Suprement Court Chief Justice Renato Corona in the Senate, hundreds of youth and students marched to Mendiola today to call on the government to stop the incessant oil price hikes and impending tuition increases.

“Hindi makakain ng mamamayan ang impeachment. Dapat bigyan din ng atensyon ang pagpigil sa pagtaas ng presyo ng langis, matrikula at mga bilihin. Ang prublema, mukhang ginagamit pa ang impeachment para pagtakpan ang kawalan ng aksyon,” said Vencer Crisostomo, Anakbayan national chairperson.

The groups believe that the Aquino government is using the impeachment trial to cover up its inability to stop rising poverty and hunger.

“Aquino and his allies want us to believe that they are against abuse and injustice. But we must ask them: what about the abuse and corruption being done by the big oil companies? Why can’t they exercise the same diligence in solving the more essential problems of the people?” he asked.

He said the “meager” rollback implemented by the oil companies after hiking prices four times by as much as P2.70 pesos clearly show the abuse and overpricing being done by the corporations.

“The government inaction shows that Aquino is in cahoots with the oil cartel. It is outrageous that Aquino is doing nothing despite the clear abuse being done by the Big 3. Aquino and his allies have proven in the impeachment campaign that when they want something passed in Congress, they can do it swiftly. Why not wield the same power to scrap the Oil Deregulation Law, scrap the VAT on oil and stop oil overpricing?” he said.

Crisostomo said the government inaction regarding “the more essential problems of the people” affirms that the real motive behind the impeachment is not justice and accountability but the control of the Supreme Court to reverse the ruling ordering the distribution of Hacienda Luisita.

Amidst the rise in the prices of commodities, meanwhile, the youth groups warned of impending tuition increases this year. The groups say about 400 private tertiary institutions are epected to increase tuition again this year by as much as 15%, not including various hikes in miscellaneaous fees.

“The Aquino government promised to regulate tuition hikes and questionable fees last year. But like his other promises, nothing has been actually done,” said Crisostomo.

Crisostomo reminded the government that it has promised to release a new tuition “rationalization” policy last year amidst complaints of “exhorbitant” fees. The Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) has failed to release such policy and in effect, maintained a 1998 memo allowing “unabated and skyrocketing” tuition hikes, students say.

The groups are gearing up for bigger nationwide protests in the coming weeks and are calling on the people to rise up, “unleash the dragon” and fight for genuine change.

“New year na, pero wala pa ring nagbabago. Hindi na madadala ng resolution si Aquino, baka revolution ang hinihintay niya,” Crisostomo said.

Reference: Vencer Crisostomo, 09174416739, 09224290258