The following is an article was sent by Mr. Peter Lee of Sakdal-Laya. You can email Sakdal-Laya at: sakdal.laya@yahoo.com

group of Filipino immigrants in the United States launched a new organization called Sakdal-Laya to target the Philippine political system that they claim is responsible for the large-scale corruption and grinding poverty in the Philippines. After surviving a devastating Japanese occupation during the 1940's, the country rose during the 1950's to impressive economic he3ights. The Philippines was poised to become a leading economic power in Southeast Asia. Unfortunately, during the 1960’s successive political administrations starting with the dictator Ferdinand Marcos, brought the country to the brink of bankruptcy. Large-scale corruption, rampant cronyism and outright thievery were perpetrated by the ruling class and the oligarchy who dominated almost all aspects of political and social agenda of the nation. The present Filipino president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, is herself the daughter of a former president. Her predecessor Joseph Estrada, a popular actor turned politician was kicked out of office by a popular uprising. Charged with plunder because of his many excesses, not to mention his publicly flaunting his many mistresses, his multi-million dollar mansions and his “midnight” drinking bouts with his cabinet and shady associates, Estrada is suspected of looting the country to the ground.

It is estimated that eight to ten million Filipinos are now working across the globe as nannies, merchant sailors, engineers, construction workers and health care providers. The remittances they send to their families back home amounted to Twelve billion dollars in 2006. For years, these dollar remittances have kept the country's economy afloat.

In retrospect, the Overseas Filipino Workers, sarcastically idolized by devious and greedy politicians as the new “heroes” are now restive and indignant about the never ending unproductive squabbles, empty showmanship and political grandstanding displayed by the typical Filipino politician. The economic reality is that the country is now considered to be the poorest and most corrupt in Asia.

Our message is to "revolt" and not vote for the old names (traditional politicians and oligarchies) that have dominated the Philippine political scene. A continuing and sustained campaign of awareness and information dissemination through cyberspace and mobile phones appears to be an effective medium for the social protest, the first organized electronic revolt against what the overseas Filipinos call, the unholy alliance of the ruling class composed of corrupt oligarchies, traditional politicians and entertainment personalities turned politicians. For decades these people have robbed the country blind, and have driven a large portion of it’s disillusioned and exasperated citizens abroad.