NEWSFLASH

---

ERAP AND NORA LEAD MARCH TO MALACANANG

Manila, Oct. 25, 1997 - The five-day Lakbayan rally of militant student, labor and farmers' groups ended peacefully near Malacanang Palace yesterday, led by former actor and presidential aspirant Joseph Estrada and movie superstar Nora Aunor.

Behind Nora and Vive President Estrada marched thousands, as they deplored the Ramos administration's anti-worker policies on the wage issue, anti-farmer position on land reform and the anti-consumer oil deregulation law.

Lakbayan and Kilusang Mayo Uno spokesperson Manuel Sarmiento spoke about the people's need for higher wages, lower prices of oil and basic commodities and a stop to the government's bigay-bawi land reform program. All that is needed for the citizenry to cope with the worsening economic crisis, he said.

Vice President Estrada and Nora Aunor spoke to the crowd about the need for change, for a leadership that's more responsive to the deplorable living conditions of the workers and farmers.

Nora has been very actively involved with what's called the parliament of the streets, both as a politically-sensitive individual and as spokesperson of the national association of artists.

---