Why does the Inquirer (Dec. 31) persist in calling the Bagong Alyasang Makabayan (BAYAN) a "major anti-Marcos group"?

It was "major" when its membership was much larger and when its leaders were respected across a wide political spectrum. Today, BAYAN consists mainly of those strident, hard-line extremists who, thank God, were deserted by droves of moderates who refused to be used and dominated by these people.

Refusing to admit their isolation, these self-righteous characters still arrogantly pretend that they speak for the people. Yet, they blithely ignore the fact that the majority of the people favor the snap elections which BAYAN boycotts as a useless exercise.

Out of one side of his mouth, BAYAN leader Leandro Alejandro shrieks that Cory Aquino has no chance to win; out of the other side, he whimpers that her supporters "ignore BAYAN’s requests for an appointment" with her.

And why should Cory meet with BAYAN?

Nothing is to be gained from an alliance this splinter group which antagonizes more people that it wins and destroys every group it cannot dominate.

Allying with BAYAN is like ingesting a tapeworm.

JOSE MEDRANO