Pubdate: Sat, 28 Feb 2009
Source: Manila Times (Philippines)
Copyright: 2009, The Manila Times
Contact:  http://www.manilatimes.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/921
Author: Angelo S. Samonte

PRESIDENT TO LEAD BIGGEST RALLY AGAINST ILLEGAL DRUGS

The Philippines will attempt to post a Guinness record when President 
Gloria Arroyo leads more than 500,000 elementary and high school 
students in the biggest march against illegal drugs next month in Manila.

"The country's fight against drug abuse that the President is 
personally leading is one for the record books," Press Secretary 
Cerge Remonde said on Friday.

In a show of force versus drug abuse, President Arroyo, together with 
Pagcor officials and other government heads, will lead 500,000 
elementary and high school children and their parents in the march 
dubbed the Batang Iwas or Bida March from Cultural Center of the 
Philippines to the Quirino Grandstand along Roxas Boulevard on March 21.

"We hope to earn for the country a place in history and a shot at a 
Guinness world record," Remonde said, adding the Bida March will also 
be supported by government agencies and non-government organizations.

Mrs. Arroyo has taken charge of the government's anti-narcotics 
campaign and named herself the country's anti-drug czar last month in 
the wake of a bribery scandal that had the Department of Justice 
locking horns with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

Remonde said President Arroyo would remain anti-drug czar "for as 
long as it is necessary to put every agency's acts together.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom