By NDFP Negotiating Panel
The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) Negotiating Panels, including its consultants and staff, conveys its heartfelt condolences to the family, relatives and many friends of Josie Lichauco on the sad occasion of her death last Sunday, February 14. We join them in mourning the loss of a true friend of the Filipino people, a valiant and persistent fighter for justice, human rights and good governance.
Josie Lichauco was a fearless critic of corruption in government as proven in her vigorous opposition to Gloria Arroyo's massive fraud in the elections and the NBN-ZTE scandals. She stood up to vigorously denounce the extrajudicial killings and other human rights violations of the Arroyo regime. When the progressive congress persons, the Batasan 6, were persecuted by the Arroyo regime, she did not hesitate to lend her open support to them.
She joined protest marches, rallies and demonstrations, such as mass actions at the State of the Nation Address (SONA). She was creative, witty and effective in her protest actions, as in the Pamaypay protest against election fraud in 2007, in which she and her companions used pamaypays to condemn “the Election Terrorists” (Gloria Arroyo, Benjamin Abalos, and Virgilio Garcillano).
At a time when the Filipino people need leaders with integrity and commitment to serve the people, the example of Josie Lichauco, brave fighter for the people's rights, for truth, justice and human rights, will continue to be an inspiration.
(Sgd) LUIS G. JALANDONI
Chairperson, NDFP Negotiating Panel
