To its own credit, the Arroyo administration has been successful in agitating Filipinos to rebel against its brazen corruption and cover up.

With President Arroyo refusing the face the media and the public, as well as the Ombudsman, to answer questions on her role in the ZTE-NBN scandal, more Filipinos are now ready to take to the streets in protest.

OFW group Migrante announced today that a Global Day of Action will coincide with the expected big gathering on Feb. 29. The group has asked OFWs worldwide to “storm” embassies and consulates to register their protest.

Bayan has vowed to launch its own actions on Monday.

Groups in the US, the Middle East and Hong Kong have all expressed displeasure about Jun Lozada’s maltreatment, and took turns in lambasting Mrs. Arroyo in separate statements sent to Philippine media.

Locally, I am happy that students and young people are being turned into militants. By that, I mean that cynicism and apathy are fast losing their grip on youngsters who cannot escape the unending litany of crimes by those in the upper echelons of power.

Young folks have formed a coalition called Youth Act Now! which stands for Youth for Accountability and Truth, and they started the ball rolling yesterday with the first in a series of forums dubbed Campus Tour for Truth. Their guest yesterday was Joey de Venecia.

Earlier today, students of St. Scholastica’s College welcomed Lozada in their own forum.

I do not think Catholic students really need to be required by bishops to attend rallies. They are incensed and revolted by the events. But, surely, things will be propelled if the bishops bless the “communal actions” by students, including perhaps a nationwide student strike that will cripple major colleges and universities. Students view Mrs. Arroyo as the prime negative example on honest and good government.

The bishops should not be scared. Otherwise, they likewise lose their ascendancy as society’s  “moral guardians”.