By BAYAN MUNA PARTYLIST
www.nordis.net

Days before Noynyoy Aquino takes his oath, the outgoing Arroyo administration seems hell bent on embarrassing the incoming President by building a permanent barricade at the foot of Mendiola bridge.

The so-called peace arch being erected on Mendiola bridge is perhaps the stupidest thing that the incoming administration will inherit from the Arroyo regime. It is obviously meant to embarrass the incoming President who is supposed to be an heir of the EDSA People Power revolt.

In fact, there is already a permanent barricade and military checkpoint before reaching the palace’s main gates. This “peace arch” serves no other purpose but to intimidate the public, especially those who have legitimate grievances against the Executive.

I am bringing this to the attention of my former colleague in the House, now President-elect Noynoy Aquino. He should personally visit Mendiola bridge and see the craziness happening there. He should not allow this monstrosity to taint his incoming administration. Calling this barricade a “peace arch” is like calling the Berlin Wall a “unity fence.” It’s just plain bad taste and an affront to his platform of transparency and public accountability in government.

The erection of such a huge and formidable barrier between the people and Malacanang sends the message that the next administration is afraid of the people and wants to hide behind a concrete-fortified iron gate. If I were Noynoy, I’d order the immediate destruction of the thing and order that the gates of Malacanang be opened to the people.# nordis.net