Hostage crisis ends in bloody carnage; 4 hostages dead
JERRIE M. ABELLA, GMANews.TV
08/23/2010 | 10:06 PM
The hostage crisis in Manila ended in a bloody carnage Monday night, after a SWAT team assaulted a tourist bus full of mostly Chinese nationals, resulting in the death of hostage-taker Rolando Mendoza, a disgruntled former Manila police officer, and at least four hostages.
The police attacked shortly before 8:30 p.m. after Mendoza was heard firing his gun from inside the bus. Bus driver Alberto Lubang, 38, had escaped minutes before the attack and told police that hostages had already been killed.
Policemen spent several minutes trying to enter through the doors and windows, using sledgehammers. They threw tear gas inside the bus before forcing open the emergency exit in the back. By that time, Mendoza was dead, and so were apparently some of the hostages.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Dismissed cop hijacks busload of tourists
Dismissed cop hijacks busload of tourists
By Mynardo Macaraig, Jeannette Andrade
Agence France-Presse, Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 11:09:00 08/23/2010
MANILA, Philippines—(UPDATE 4) A dismissed police captain on Monday took hostage a busload of Hong Kong (not Koreans as earlier reported) tourists at the Quirino grandstand.
The armalite-wielding Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza is holding some 25 people aboard a Hong Thai travel bus with plate number TUU-799.
Mendoza has posted a message on a piece of paper for the world to see: "Big mistake to correct a big wrong decision."
By Mynardo Macaraig, Jeannette Andrade
Agence France-Presse, Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 11:09:00 08/23/2010
MANILA, Philippines—(UPDATE 4) A dismissed police captain on Monday took hostage a busload of Hong Kong (not Koreans as earlier reported) tourists at the Quirino grandstand.
The armalite-wielding Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza is holding some 25 people aboard a Hong Thai travel bus with plate number TUU-799.
Mendoza has posted a message on a piece of paper for the world to see: "Big mistake to correct a big wrong decision."
Morong 43′s New Mom Asserts Her Rights and That of Her Child
Twenty armed men in three vehicles took her from her hospital room in handcuffs. She was separated from her baby. They took her away swiftly while her mother was settling her hospital bills. This detainee is not a high profile, dangerous criminal, but a health worker and political detainee.
Morong 43′s New Mom Asserts Her Rights and That of Her Child
By RONALYN OLEA
Bulatlat.com [1]
“I felt like I am an Ampatuan,” Carina Judilyn Oliveros blurted out as she described how the guards of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) took her and her baby out of the hospital on Aug. 18.
Oliveros, one of the Morong 43, gave birth to her first child on July 22 at the Philippine General Hospital in Manila. The 43 health workers were arrested on Feb. 6 in Morong, Rizal by virtue of a search warrant against a certain Mario Condes who was never found. They were held in military captivity for almost three months before they were transferred to Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan. They have been charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
The Ampatuans, meanwhile, are suspects in last November’s massacre of 57 individuals, mostly journalists, in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao.
“There were about 20 of them, all armed,” Oliveros said in describing the soldiers who took her and her baby out of the hospital. “Some were carrying long firearms. About ten went inside our [hospital] room.” Oliveros initially refused to go with the BJMP guards but she was told the court has ordered her immediate transfer to Camp Bagong Diwa.
Judge Gina Cenat Escoto of Morong Regional Trial Court Branch 78 rejected the petition filed by Oliveros’ counsels for her temporary release on recognizance due to humanitarian reasons. In a decision dated Aug. 16, the court ordered the BJMP to immediately return Oliveros to the detention facility. The court said there was no basis for granting the release.
“I just wanted to hold my child but they did not allow that until we got inside the vehicle,” Oliveros said.
“They handcuffed me but they did not want the public to see it. I told them, ‘Don’t cover the handcuffs.’ As I was being brought out of the room, I shouted repeatedly ‘Free the 43!’” Oliveros said. “The people looked at us. They have probably seen my picture at the posters outside the hospital,” she said.
“Why would I be ashamed? I told them I am not ashamed of what I’m doing. We, the 43, are not criminals,” Oliveros explained. She was accompanied by Fr. Dionito Cabillas of Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Para sa Amnestiya (Selda) and a staff of the Health Alliance for Democracy (Head) back to Camp Bagong Diwa. Oliveros noted that the BJMP had used three vehicles to fetch her.
In a separate interview, Oliveros’s mother Sheila expressed disgust at the BJMP personnel. “They told me to arrange the hospital billing but when I came back to the room, Judilyn and my grandson were gone. They took them away and I did not even get a chance to talk to my daughter,” she said.
Oliveros said that before the vehicle sped away, she saw her mother outside the hospital lobby, crying. “I was crying, too. I knew that she felt bad that I was treated like a criminal,” Oliveros said as she fought back tears.
At the Detention Cell
Determined to breastfeed her three-week-old baby, Oliveros brought her child to the detention cell she shares with 22 other women detainees, all members of the Morong 43.
The cell was damp, overcrowded and poorly ventilated. Oliveros said there were bed mites and a big rat in their room.
She said the BJMP promised to provide her baby a separate wooden bed, but it never came.
“On our first night here, my baby found it hard to sleep. The next few days have been slightly better,” she said, adding that her colleagues help her take care of the baby. “They all wanted to kiss him and hold him. Later, we agreed that a maximum of three women may hold him for a day,” Oliveros said.
She said the jail warden told her that after a week, they would take the baby out of the detention cell. “They told me to give him to my mother or else, they would give my baby to the DSWD [Department of Social Welfare and Development],” Oliveros said.
Additional Injustice
“This is an additional injustice to Judilyn. As much like being illegally arrested and detained, being pregnant while in prison is an additional suffering and sacrifice on her part. She was not spared from psychological and physical torture in the hands of the military,” the Morong 43 said in a statement released to the media.
“After being blindfolded and handcuffed for 36 hours, she was placed under solitary confinement. In her cell, she had been interrogated anytime at night or day by one or more military men. She was also threatened to be electrocuted when she joined our protest action against the military who forcibly took or ‘kidnapped’ our five companions from their cells in Camp Capinpin, Tanay, Rizal,” the Morong 43 statement read. “Need Judilyn and baby have to suffer more? Is justice and humaneness elusive again as in the era of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo?”?
“It is cruel and deplorable,” said Gabriela Women’s Party Representative Luz Ilagan.
“Camp Bagong Diwa is no place to rear a child, much less a baby. Jails are not safe and healthy places for infants,” she said. To subject a newborn to these unhealthy conditions is downright heartless. Judilyn Oliveros should be allowed to care and breastfeed her baby outside of Camp Bagong Diwa,” said?Ilagan.
The congresswoman further said that the court’s decision violates the baby’s right to be fed, to be raised and to develop in a healthy and normal environment and in conditions of freedom and dignity, in accordance with the United Nations’ Declaration on the Rights of the Child.
Continuing Protests
The women of Morong 43 held a noise barrage the day after Oliveros was transferred to the BJMP. On Aug. 19, no visitors were allowed inside as a “disciplinary measure against the Morong 43 women,” according to the BJMP personnel.
“We are outraged at the prison official’s drastic and inhumane response to the female detainees’ peaceful expression of discontent. They did not violate any prison policy and thus did not deserve such maltreatment,” Carlos Montemayor, spokesperson of the Free the 43 Health Workers! Alliance, said.
“Prison officials should also be reminded that under Republic Act 7438, every arrested or detained person shall be allowed visits or conferences with any member of his/her immediate family, among other individuals and institutions,” said Cristina Palabay of Tanggol Bai, an association of women human-rights defenders.
“This manifests the worse injustices being experienced by Oliveros and child, as well as the rest of the Morong 43, who are already victims of illegal arrests, torture and detention. Justice remains elusive for the doctors and community-based health workers, even pregnant and nursing mothers like Oliveros. Such is the deplorable state of the more than 400 political prisoners in the country, many of them were illegally arrested and imprisoned under the Macapagal-Arroyo administration,” Cabillas of Selda said.
Appeal
Ilagan said the court’s decision is ‘an injustice to Judilyn and her baby and should immediately be reconsidered.’
The counsels of the Morong 43 have filed a motion for reconsideration.
Oliveros said Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Commissioner Ma. Victoria Cardona and CHR lawyers visited them on Aug. 20. “They told me they would support our appeal to the court for my temporary release,” she said.?
“We call on Pres. Aquino to exercise prudence and understanding on the plight of political prisoners as his late father, Senator Benigno Aquino, was himself a victim of political persecution under the Marcos administration. Free the 43 health workers; free all political prisoners,” the Morong 43 said.
Ilagan pressed for the immediate dismissal of cases lodged against the 43 health workers. She said “The cases filed against the health workers were fabricated and their arrest was clearly illegal. Every day that they remain in detention is a testament of injustice.” (Bulatlat.com) [1]
Morong 43′s New Mom Asserts Her Rights and That of Her Child
Morong 43′s New Mom Asserts Her Rights and That of Her Child
By RONALYN OLEA
Bulatlat.com [1]
“I felt like I am an Ampatuan,” Carina Judilyn Oliveros blurted out as she described how the guards of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) took her and her baby out of the hospital on Aug. 18.
Oliveros, one of the Morong 43, gave birth to her first child on July 22 at the Philippine General Hospital in Manila. The 43 health workers were arrested on Feb. 6 in Morong, Rizal by virtue of a search warrant against a certain Mario Condes who was never found. They were held in military captivity for almost three months before they were transferred to Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan. They have been charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
The Ampatuans, meanwhile, are suspects in last November’s massacre of 57 individuals, mostly journalists, in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao.
“There were about 20 of them, all armed,” Oliveros said in describing the soldiers who took her and her baby out of the hospital. “Some were carrying long firearms. About ten went inside our [hospital] room.” Oliveros initially refused to go with the BJMP guards but she was told the court has ordered her immediate transfer to Camp Bagong Diwa.
Judge Gina Cenat Escoto of Morong Regional Trial Court Branch 78 rejected the petition filed by Oliveros’ counsels for her temporary release on recognizance due to humanitarian reasons. In a decision dated Aug. 16, the court ordered the BJMP to immediately return Oliveros to the detention facility. The court said there was no basis for granting the release.
“I just wanted to hold my child but they did not allow that until we got inside the vehicle,” Oliveros said.
“They handcuffed me but they did not want the public to see it. I told them, ‘Don’t cover the handcuffs.’ As I was being brought out of the room, I shouted repeatedly ‘Free the 43!’” Oliveros said. “The people looked at us. They have probably seen my picture at the posters outside the hospital,” she said.
“Why would I be ashamed? I told them I am not ashamed of what I’m doing. We, the 43, are not criminals,” Oliveros explained. She was accompanied by Fr. Dionito Cabillas of Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Para sa Amnestiya (Selda) and a staff of the Health Alliance for Democracy (Head) back to Camp Bagong Diwa. Oliveros noted that the BJMP had used three vehicles to fetch her.
In a separate interview, Oliveros’s mother Sheila expressed disgust at the BJMP personnel. “They told me to arrange the hospital billing but when I came back to the room, Judilyn and my grandson were gone. They took them away and I did not even get a chance to talk to my daughter,” she said.
Oliveros said that before the vehicle sped away, she saw her mother outside the hospital lobby, crying. “I was crying, too. I knew that she felt bad that I was treated like a criminal,” Oliveros said as she fought back tears.
At the Detention Cell
Determined to breastfeed her three-week-old baby, Oliveros brought her child to the detention cell she shares with 22 other women detainees, all members of the Morong 43.
The cell was damp, overcrowded and poorly ventilated. Oliveros said there were bed mites and a big rat in their room.
She said the BJMP promised to provide her baby a separate wooden bed, but it never came.
“On our first night here, my baby found it hard to sleep. The next few days have been slightly better,” she said, adding that her colleagues help her take care of the baby. “They all wanted to kiss him and hold him. Later, we agreed that a maximum of three women may hold him for a day,” Oliveros said.
She said the jail warden told her that after a week, they would take the baby out of the detention cell. “They told me to give him to my mother or else, they would give my baby to the DSWD [Department of Social Welfare and Development],” Oliveros said.
Additional Injustice
“This is an additional injustice to Judilyn. As much like being illegally arrested and detained, being pregnant while in prison is an additional suffering and sacrifice on her part. She was not spared from psychological and physical torture in the hands of the military,” the Morong 43 said in a statement released to the media.
“After being blindfolded and handcuffed for 36 hours, she was placed under solitary confinement. In her cell, she had been interrogated anytime at night or day by one or more military men. She was also threatened to be electrocuted when she joined our protest action against the military who forcibly took or ‘kidnapped’ our five companions from their cells in Camp Capinpin, Tanay, Rizal,” the Morong 43 statement read. “Need Judilyn and baby have to suffer more? Is justice and humaneness elusive again as in the era of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo?”?
“It is cruel and deplorable,” said Gabriela Women’s Party Representative Luz Ilagan.
“Camp Bagong Diwa is no place to rear a child, much less a baby. Jails are not safe and healthy places for infants,” she said. To subject a newborn to these unhealthy conditions is downright heartless. Judilyn Oliveros should be allowed to care and breastfeed her baby outside of Camp Bagong Diwa,” said?Ilagan.
The congresswoman further said that the court’s decision violates the baby’s right to be fed, to be raised and to develop in a healthy and normal environment and in conditions of freedom and dignity, in accordance with the United Nations’ Declaration on the Rights of the Child.
Continuing Protests
The women of Morong 43 held a noise barrage the day after Oliveros was transferred to the BJMP. On Aug. 19, no visitors were allowed inside as a “disciplinary measure against the Morong 43 women,” according to the BJMP personnel.
“We are outraged at the prison official’s drastic and inhumane response to the female detainees’ peaceful expression of discontent. They did not violate any prison policy and thus did not deserve such maltreatment,” Carlos Montemayor, spokesperson of the Free the 43 Health Workers! Alliance, said.
“Prison officials should also be reminded that under Republic Act 7438, every arrested or detained person shall be allowed visits or conferences with any member of his/her immediate family, among other individuals and institutions,” said Cristina Palabay of Tanggol Bai, an association of women human-rights defenders.
“This manifests the worse injustices being experienced by Oliveros and child, as well as the rest of the Morong 43, who are already victims of illegal arrests, torture and detention. Justice remains elusive for the doctors and community-based health workers, even pregnant and nursing mothers like Oliveros. Such is the deplorable state of the more than 400 political prisoners in the country, many of them were illegally arrested and imprisoned under the Macapagal-Arroyo administration,” Cabillas of Selda said.
Appeal
Ilagan said the court’s decision is ‘an injustice to Judilyn and her baby and should immediately be reconsidered.’
The counsels of the Morong 43 have filed a motion for reconsideration.
Oliveros said Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Commissioner Ma. Victoria Cardona and CHR lawyers visited them on Aug. 20. “They told me they would support our appeal to the court for my temporary release,” she said.?
“We call on Pres. Aquino to exercise prudence and understanding on the plight of political prisoners as his late father, Senator Benigno Aquino, was himself a victim of political persecution under the Marcos administration. Free the 43 health workers; free all political prisoners,” the Morong 43 said.
Ilagan pressed for the immediate dismissal of cases lodged against the 43 health workers. She said “The cases filed against the health workers were fabricated and their arrest was clearly illegal. Every day that they remain in detention is a testament of injustice.” (Bulatlat.com) [1]
Morong 43′s New Mom Asserts Her Rights and That of Her Child
Sa kabila ng pagkakapiit ng Morong 43: Manggagawang pangkalusugan tuloy sa paglilingkod
By Darius Galang
Hindi natatakot ang mga panggagawang pangkalusugan sa bansa na maglingkod sa mga maralita sa kabila ng pagdukot at pagpapahirap ng militar ang tinaguriang “Morong 43.”
Ito ang napatunayan ng Council for Health and Development (CHD) matapos matagumpay na nakapaglunsad ang organisasyon ng kanilang ika-10 General Assembly of Community-Based Health Programs (CHBP) in the Philippines.
Bitbit ang temang “Reaffirm Our Commitment To Serve People Amidst Intensifying Repression And Worsening Economic Crisis,” nagtipon ang mga manggagawang pangkalusugan mula sa iba’t ibang panig ng bansa upang ipagtibay ang pagbibigay ng serbisyo sa mga mahihirap na komunidad.
“Despite the odds, community-based health programs staff and CHWs hold on to their commitment to serve the poor and put people’s interests above self,” saad ni Sr. Edit Eslopor, OSB, tagapangulo ng Board of Trustees ng CHD.
Dumalo sa pagtitipon ang mga delegado mula sa Bikol, Timog Katagalugan, Gitnang Luzon, National Capital Region, Hilaga, gitna at Kanlurang Visayas, Hilagang Mindanaw, Caraga, Socksargen at Zamboanga Peninsula.
Kasama sa kanilang ipinaglalaban ngayon ang pagpapalaya at pagbibigay hustisya sa tinaguriang “Morong 43” na kapwa nila manggagawang pangkalusugan na dinukot noong Pebrero, tinortyur at patuloy na ikinukulong ng militar at pulisya.
“What happened to the ‘Morong 43′ may have sowed fear among our CHWs and CBHP staff, but it is only temporary,” banggit ni Eslopor.
Dagdag niya na mula pa noong 1973 dinanas na ng mga CBHP ang iba’t ibang balakid ngunit patuloy ang pangangailangan sa kanilang serbisyo dahil sa palalang kondisyon ng serbisyo medikal at kakulangan ng batayang serbisyong panlipunan, laluna sa mga komunidad sa kanayunan.
Samantala, tumungo ang mga pamilya’t tagasuporta ng Morong 43 sa Kongreso upang dumulog ng dagdag tulong mula sa mga mambabatas. Umaasa silang ang oversight functions ng Kongreso makikita kung ano ang constitutional rights ng Morong 43 na nilabag ng iba’t ibang puwersa ng estado at ng nakaraang administrasyong Arroyo.
Nagbigay rin ang mga kaanak at tagasuporta ng mga puting rosas at liham ng apela kay Quezon Rep. Lorenzo Tañada III para sa suporta sa pag-usad ng kaso ng Morong 43.
Pinamunuan ng CHD at Community Medicine Development Foundation o COMMED ang health skills training na isinagawa sa Morong, Rizal noong Pebrero nang salakayin militar ang kanilang pagtitipon. Umabot sa 43 manggagawang pangkalusugan ang ilegal na inaresto ng mga elemento ng Philippine Army at Philippine National Police, tinortyur, pinagkaitan ng kanilang mga karapatan at patuloy na idiniditine hanggang ngayon.
Sa kabila ng pagkakapiit ng Morong 43: Manggagawang pangkalusugan tuloy sa paglilingkod
Hindi natatakot ang mga panggagawang pangkalusugan sa bansa na maglingkod sa mga maralita sa kabila ng pagdukot at pagpapahirap ng militar ang tinaguriang “Morong 43.”
Ito ang napatunayan ng Council for Health and Development (CHD) matapos matagumpay na nakapaglunsad ang organisasyon ng kanilang ika-10 General Assembly of Community-Based Health Programs (CHBP) in the Philippines.
Bitbit ang temang “Reaffirm Our Commitment To Serve People Amidst Intensifying Repression And Worsening Economic Crisis,” nagtipon ang mga manggagawang pangkalusugan mula sa iba’t ibang panig ng bansa upang ipagtibay ang pagbibigay ng serbisyo sa mga mahihirap na komunidad.
“Despite the odds, community-based health programs staff and CHWs hold on to their commitment to serve the poor and put people’s interests above self,” saad ni Sr. Edit Eslopor, OSB, tagapangulo ng Board of Trustees ng CHD.
Dumalo sa pagtitipon ang mga delegado mula sa Bikol, Timog Katagalugan, Gitnang Luzon, National Capital Region, Hilaga, gitna at Kanlurang Visayas, Hilagang Mindanaw, Caraga, Socksargen at Zamboanga Peninsula.
Kasama sa kanilang ipinaglalaban ngayon ang pagpapalaya at pagbibigay hustisya sa tinaguriang “Morong 43” na kapwa nila manggagawang pangkalusugan na dinukot noong Pebrero, tinortyur at patuloy na ikinukulong ng militar at pulisya.
“What happened to the ‘Morong 43′ may have sowed fear among our CHWs and CBHP staff, but it is only temporary,” banggit ni Eslopor.
Dagdag niya na mula pa noong 1973 dinanas na ng mga CBHP ang iba’t ibang balakid ngunit patuloy ang pangangailangan sa kanilang serbisyo dahil sa palalang kondisyon ng serbisyo medikal at kakulangan ng batayang serbisyong panlipunan, laluna sa mga komunidad sa kanayunan.
Samantala, tumungo ang mga pamilya’t tagasuporta ng Morong 43 sa Kongreso upang dumulog ng dagdag tulong mula sa mga mambabatas. Umaasa silang ang oversight functions ng Kongreso makikita kung ano ang constitutional rights ng Morong 43 na nilabag ng iba’t ibang puwersa ng estado at ng nakaraang administrasyong Arroyo.
Nagbigay rin ang mga kaanak at tagasuporta ng mga puting rosas at liham ng apela kay Quezon Rep. Lorenzo Tañada III para sa suporta sa pag-usad ng kaso ng Morong 43.
Pinamunuan ng CHD at Community Medicine Development Foundation o COMMED ang health skills training na isinagawa sa Morong, Rizal noong Pebrero nang salakayin militar ang kanilang pagtitipon. Umabot sa 43 manggagawang pangkalusugan ang ilegal na inaresto ng mga elemento ng Philippine Army at Philippine National Police, tinortyur, pinagkaitan ng kanilang mga karapatan at patuloy na idiniditine hanggang ngayon.
Sa kabila ng pagkakapiit ng Morong 43: Manggagawang pangkalusugan tuloy sa paglilingkod
Balik-tanaw sa muling binubuhay na patay: Kasaysayan ng ROTC sa bansa
By Darius Galang
Isang bangkay ng binatang lalaki ang natagpuang lulutang-lutang sa Pasig River noong Marso 18, 2001. Balot na nga ang kanyang katawan ng isang karpet, binalutan pa ng packing tape ang kanyang mukha. Nakagapos pa ang kanyang mga paa at kamay.
Ang binata ay si Mark Welson Chua, isang estudyante ng University of Sto. Tomas. Ayon sa mga imbestigasyon, biktima si Mark ng pamamaslang matapos isiwalat niya sa pahayagang pangkampus na The Varsitarian ang mga anomalya at pangungurakot sa loob ng programang Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC) sa kanyang pamantasan.
Ito ang nagbunsod sa sunud-sunod na mga pagkilos ng kabataan upang lansagin ang ROTC sa kani-kanilang mga paaralan at maging mismo sa legal na balangkas ng Konstitusyon ng bansa.
Ngunit nitong nakaraang mga linggo, tila ibinubuhay pa ng administrasyong Aquino ang naturang programa. Iminungkahi ni Cebu Rep. Eduardo Gullas sa Kamara ang revival ng mandatory na ROTC, habang aktibo namang itinutulak ni Defense Sec. Voltaire Gazmin kay Pang. Benigno Aquino III ang panukalang ito.
“Palagay namin, panahon na para hilingin muli natin sa mga kaibigan sa Kongreso na iisponsor ang panukalang batas na gawing mandatory muli (ang ROTC)…Palagay namin, wala namang dapat ipag-alala rito,” ani Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr., tagapagsalita ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Depensa naman ni Gazmin, kailangang buhayin ang ROTC dahil nagiging mas makabayan ang kabataang napapasailalim sa naturang programa. Siyempre, maraming organisasyon ng kabataan ang umangal. Ayon kay Kabataan Rep. Raymond Palatino, isang kultura ng panunupil at militarismo lamang ang pinalalaganap ng ROTC, bukod pa sa matagal nang naisiwalat na mga kaso ng korupsiyon at pagmamalupit sa pagitan ng mga kadete at opisyal ng programa.
Balik-tanaw
Taong 1862 nang unang itinatag ang ROTC sa US bilang isang college elective na nakatuon sa pagsasanay at disiplinang militar. Lahat ng alyadong bansa ng US ay sumunod sa programa. Kasama rito ang Pilipinas, na kolonya ng US, noong 1912. Kauna-unahang yunit ng ROTC ang itinatag sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas.
Matapos ang direktang kolonisasyon ng US sa bansa, nagpatuloy ang ROTC bilang college elective sa lahat ng lalaking estudyante ng Pilipinas. Nakasaad sa Saligang Batas ang mandato ng ROTC bilang isang malaking haligi ng defense structure ng bansa. Dito kukuha ng lakas-pantao ang armadong puwersa sa lahat ng sangay nito – ang army, navy at air force – sa panahon ng giyera.
Dalawang taon noon na mandatory sa mga estudyante upang tapusin ang Military Science. Sa mga gustong magkaroon ng reserbadong mataas na ranggo sa serbisyong militar, apat na taon silang mapapasailalim sa naturang programa.
Biktima ng ROTC
Ngunit sa pagdaloy ng panahon, nakita ang ilang mga anomalya hanggang sa korupsiyon sa loob ng programa nito, hanggang humantong pa ng pagkamatay ng isang estudyante at kadete na sumasailalim sa pagsasanay ng programang ROTC.
Ayon sa ama ni Mark Welson Chua, “mahal na mahal (ng kanyang anak) ang programa kaya gusto niyang iwasto ang kamalian nito, at maghain ng reporma.”
Isang paglalathala ukol sa mga katiwalian ng mga opisyal ng ROTC hanggang sa kultura nito ang kanyang inilabas sa The Varsitarian, ang pahayagan ng mga mag-aaral ng UST, noong Marso 2001. Tinanggal sa puwesto ang commandant ng UST kasama ang kanyang staff. Nakatanggap rin ng death threats si Chua matapos ang mailathala ang artikulo. Ilang araw bago natagpuan ang kanyang bangkay, asignatura niya ang isang security training sa Fort Bonifacio.
Sa awtopsiya, buhay pa siya nang itapon siya sa ilog. Isa sa akusado ay nahatulan na ng kamatayan, habang nagtatago pa rin ang tatlo pa.
Balik-tanaw sa muling binubuhay na patay: Kasaysayan ng ROTC sa bansa
Isang bangkay ng binatang lalaki ang natagpuang lulutang-lutang sa Pasig River noong Marso 18, 2001. Balot na nga ang kanyang katawan ng isang karpet, binalutan pa ng packing tape ang kanyang mukha. Nakagapos pa ang kanyang mga paa at kamay.
Ang binata ay si Mark Welson Chua, isang estudyante ng University of Sto. Tomas. Ayon sa mga imbestigasyon, biktima si Mark ng pamamaslang matapos isiwalat niya sa pahayagang pangkampus na The Varsitarian ang mga anomalya at pangungurakot sa loob ng programang Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC) sa kanyang pamantasan.
Ito ang nagbunsod sa sunud-sunod na mga pagkilos ng kabataan upang lansagin ang ROTC sa kani-kanilang mga paaralan at maging mismo sa legal na balangkas ng Konstitusyon ng bansa.
Ngunit nitong nakaraang mga linggo, tila ibinubuhay pa ng administrasyong Aquino ang naturang programa. Iminungkahi ni Cebu Rep. Eduardo Gullas sa Kamara ang revival ng mandatory na ROTC, habang aktibo namang itinutulak ni Defense Sec. Voltaire Gazmin kay Pang. Benigno Aquino III ang panukalang ito.
“Palagay namin, panahon na para hilingin muli natin sa mga kaibigan sa Kongreso na iisponsor ang panukalang batas na gawing mandatory muli (ang ROTC)…Palagay namin, wala namang dapat ipag-alala rito,” ani Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr., tagapagsalita ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Depensa naman ni Gazmin, kailangang buhayin ang ROTC dahil nagiging mas makabayan ang kabataang napapasailalim sa naturang programa. Siyempre, maraming organisasyon ng kabataan ang umangal. Ayon kay Kabataan Rep. Raymond Palatino, isang kultura ng panunupil at militarismo lamang ang pinalalaganap ng ROTC, bukod pa sa matagal nang naisiwalat na mga kaso ng korupsiyon at pagmamalupit sa pagitan ng mga kadete at opisyal ng programa.
Balik-tanaw
Taong 1862 nang unang itinatag ang ROTC sa US bilang isang college elective na nakatuon sa pagsasanay at disiplinang militar. Lahat ng alyadong bansa ng US ay sumunod sa programa. Kasama rito ang Pilipinas, na kolonya ng US, noong 1912. Kauna-unahang yunit ng ROTC ang itinatag sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas.
Matapos ang direktang kolonisasyon ng US sa bansa, nagpatuloy ang ROTC bilang college elective sa lahat ng lalaking estudyante ng Pilipinas. Nakasaad sa Saligang Batas ang mandato ng ROTC bilang isang malaking haligi ng defense structure ng bansa. Dito kukuha ng lakas-pantao ang armadong puwersa sa lahat ng sangay nito – ang army, navy at air force – sa panahon ng giyera.
Dalawang taon noon na mandatory sa mga estudyante upang tapusin ang Military Science. Sa mga gustong magkaroon ng reserbadong mataas na ranggo sa serbisyong militar, apat na taon silang mapapasailalim sa naturang programa.
Biktima ng ROTC
Ngunit sa pagdaloy ng panahon, nakita ang ilang mga anomalya hanggang sa korupsiyon sa loob ng programa nito, hanggang humantong pa ng pagkamatay ng isang estudyante at kadete na sumasailalim sa pagsasanay ng programang ROTC.
Ayon sa ama ni Mark Welson Chua, “mahal na mahal (ng kanyang anak) ang programa kaya gusto niyang iwasto ang kamalian nito, at maghain ng reporma.”
Isang paglalathala ukol sa mga katiwalian ng mga opisyal ng ROTC hanggang sa kultura nito ang kanyang inilabas sa The Varsitarian, ang pahayagan ng mga mag-aaral ng UST, noong Marso 2001. Tinanggal sa puwesto ang commandant ng UST kasama ang kanyang staff. Nakatanggap rin ng death threats si Chua matapos ang mailathala ang artikulo. Ilang araw bago natagpuan ang kanyang bangkay, asignatura niya ang isang security training sa Fort Bonifacio.
Sa awtopsiya, buhay pa siya nang itapon siya sa ilog. Isa sa akusado ay nahatulan na ng kamatayan, habang nagtatago pa rin ang tatlo pa.
Balik-tanaw sa muling binubuhay na patay: Kasaysayan ng ROTC sa bansa
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Friday the 13th ‘Massacre’ at ABS-CBN as Media Giant Axes 37 More Workers
The ABS-CBN IJM Workers Union asks President Aquino to stop the illegal dismissals, contractualization and union-busting at his “favorite” media network.
By MARYA SALAMAT
Bulatlat.com
MANILA – Thirty-seven more workers at the country’s largest media network, ABS-CBN, have been dismissed, bringing to 92 the number of employees fired from the company’s “Internal Job Market,” the ABS-CBN IJM Workers Union said.
The firings, which occurred nine months after the workers were first officially disowned as employees by the Lopez-owned ABS-CBN, occurred in the same week that the network announced a staggering 179-percent increase in earnings for the first half of 2010.
In a report by Business Mirror, ABS-CBN said last Tuesday that its net income in the first six months hit a record P2.27 billion, higher than the P813 million it earned in the same period last year and also higher than its full-year net income of P1.7 billion in 2009.
The 37 workers of the broadcasting company’s news and current affairs department were reportedly invited into “private talks” by human resources managers of ABS-CBN last Friday the 13th, only to be told they had lost their jobs, said the labor center KMU (May First Movement) in a statement.
The mass termination swells the number of employees set to file cases of illegal dismissal tomorrow at the National Labor Relations Commission, while the first batch of terminated employees and fellow unionists will attend the hearing on their illegal dismissal cases.
Last June, Gabby Lopez, the company’s CEO, threatened to fire employees who refuse to waive their demands for regularization as well as those who persisted in forming a union.
The ABS-CBN IJM Workers’ Union, an independent union, was denied certification by the labor department last November, when the labor department took the word of ABS-CBN that the union’s members are not employees of ABS-CBN. The unionists have since appealed the decision, citing their payroll, identification cards and years of service in ABS-CBN as proofs of their employment here. The employees also pointed to the fact that the IJM is an integral part of ABS-CBN.
The union’s appeal, said its vice president Alain Cadag, is still up for review and approval by labor secretary Rosalinda Baldoz. But in the meantime, their union is being busted while their members are compelled to agree to “bogus” or “discriminatory” regularizations that are also packaged with “waivers” such as the unionists turning their back on their union and on their assertion that they are indeed employees of ABS-CBN.
The most recent employment offers refused by the newest batch of terminated employees will have them as short-term contractual employees or employed on per program basis, the KMU said.
Bong Osorio, head of corporate communication of ABS-CBN, had denied last month that they were “dismissing or retrenching employees.” Instead, Osorio described what is happening with ABS-CBN personnel as an “ongoing process” that is “not a mass termination or dismissal.”
Government Intercession Only “Favored” ABS-CBN
With President Benigno Aquino’s promised change still ringing in their ears — the ABS-CBN was perceived to have helped a great deal in broadcasting Aquino’s presidential campaign — the unionists said they had trooped to his residence last June to seek Aquino’s intercession in the “unjust dismissals, contractualization and union-busting at ABS-CBN.”
Their case was reportedly referred to the labor department, who called on the union a few days later. But instead of their complaints being acted upon, the union-busting and mass firing seemed to have worsened with the latest biggest number of terminated employees.
“Despite the talks called upon by the DOLE with the ABS-CBN workers, bigger retrenchments attacked them afterward. Instead of the situation getting better after talks with government officials, things got even worse,” KMU’s Elmer Labog said. He asked if letting ABS-CBN “get away with its anti-worker schemes” is Aquino’s way of thanking the network for “being instrumental in keeping up a good image of President Aquino.”
“We remind the Lopezes that they will never be able to build the biggest media firms today if not for their workers. So the right to regularization and to organize a union are basic rights long due the Kapamilya workers; it is the Lopezes who have no right to deny them that, and much more to terminate them just like that,” Labog said.
He added that President Aquino should intervene not for the Lopezes but to “bring back the dismissed workers, and grant them their due regularization and right to form a union.” (Bulatlat.com)
Friday the 13th ‘Massacre’ at ABS-CBN as Media Giant Axes 37 More Workers
By MARYA SALAMAT
Bulatlat.com
MANILA – Thirty-seven more workers at the country’s largest media network, ABS-CBN, have been dismissed, bringing to 92 the number of employees fired from the company’s “Internal Job Market,” the ABS-CBN IJM Workers Union said.
The firings, which occurred nine months after the workers were first officially disowned as employees by the Lopez-owned ABS-CBN, occurred in the same week that the network announced a staggering 179-percent increase in earnings for the first half of 2010.
In a report by Business Mirror, ABS-CBN said last Tuesday that its net income in the first six months hit a record P2.27 billion, higher than the P813 million it earned in the same period last year and also higher than its full-year net income of P1.7 billion in 2009.
The 37 workers of the broadcasting company’s news and current affairs department were reportedly invited into “private talks” by human resources managers of ABS-CBN last Friday the 13th, only to be told they had lost their jobs, said the labor center KMU (May First Movement) in a statement.
The mass termination swells the number of employees set to file cases of illegal dismissal tomorrow at the National Labor Relations Commission, while the first batch of terminated employees and fellow unionists will attend the hearing on their illegal dismissal cases.
Last June, Gabby Lopez, the company’s CEO, threatened to fire employees who refuse to waive their demands for regularization as well as those who persisted in forming a union.
The ABS-CBN IJM Workers’ Union, an independent union, was denied certification by the labor department last November, when the labor department took the word of ABS-CBN that the union’s members are not employees of ABS-CBN. The unionists have since appealed the decision, citing their payroll, identification cards and years of service in ABS-CBN as proofs of their employment here. The employees also pointed to the fact that the IJM is an integral part of ABS-CBN.
The union’s appeal, said its vice president Alain Cadag, is still up for review and approval by labor secretary Rosalinda Baldoz. But in the meantime, their union is being busted while their members are compelled to agree to “bogus” or “discriminatory” regularizations that are also packaged with “waivers” such as the unionists turning their back on their union and on their assertion that they are indeed employees of ABS-CBN.
The most recent employment offers refused by the newest batch of terminated employees will have them as short-term contractual employees or employed on per program basis, the KMU said.
Bong Osorio, head of corporate communication of ABS-CBN, had denied last month that they were “dismissing or retrenching employees.” Instead, Osorio described what is happening with ABS-CBN personnel as an “ongoing process” that is “not a mass termination or dismissal.”
Government Intercession Only “Favored” ABS-CBN
With President Benigno Aquino’s promised change still ringing in their ears — the ABS-CBN was perceived to have helped a great deal in broadcasting Aquino’s presidential campaign — the unionists said they had trooped to his residence last June to seek Aquino’s intercession in the “unjust dismissals, contractualization and union-busting at ABS-CBN.”
Their case was reportedly referred to the labor department, who called on the union a few days later. But instead of their complaints being acted upon, the union-busting and mass firing seemed to have worsened with the latest biggest number of terminated employees.
“Despite the talks called upon by the DOLE with the ABS-CBN workers, bigger retrenchments attacked them afterward. Instead of the situation getting better after talks with government officials, things got even worse,” KMU’s Elmer Labog said. He asked if letting ABS-CBN “get away with its anti-worker schemes” is Aquino’s way of thanking the network for “being instrumental in keeping up a good image of President Aquino.”
“We remind the Lopezes that they will never be able to build the biggest media firms today if not for their workers. So the right to regularization and to organize a union are basic rights long due the Kapamilya workers; it is the Lopezes who have no right to deny them that, and much more to terminate them just like that,” Labog said.
He added that President Aquino should intervene not for the Lopezes but to “bring back the dismissed workers, and grant them their due regularization and right to form a union.” (Bulatlat.com)
Friday the 13th ‘Massacre’ at ABS-CBN as Media Giant Axes 37 More Workers
All Eyes Today on SC as Farm Workers, Cojuangco-Aquinos Battle Over Luisita
Lawmaker says Supreme Court itself will be on trial. “The Hacienda Luisita land dispute is the first acid test of the Supreme Court under the Aquino administration. The Cojuangco-Aquinos have put the Supreme Court on trial here,” says Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano.
By RONALYN V. OLEA
Bulatlat.com
MANILA — Farm workers belonging to Alyansa ng Manggagawang Bukid sa Hacienda Luisita (Ambala) will troop today to the Supreme Court to reiterate their demand to revoke the stock distribution option (SDO) and distribute Hacienda Luisita, the sugar estate owned by President Benigno S. Aquino III and his family.
The SC will hold today oral arguments on the petition for certiorari filed by the Hacienda Luisita Inc. (HLI) management against the 2005 resolution of the Presidential Agrarian Reform Council (PARC) and Department of Agrarian Reform revoking the SDO and ordering the distribution of land to the farm workers.
Today’s oral arguments is the “first agrarian dispute to be heard by justices in open court and involves the President’s landlord clan,” said Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano. “We call on the Supreme Court justices to put an end to the historical injustice suffered by landless farmers and farm workers of Hacienda Luisita at the hands of the Cojuangcos.”
To evade land distribution, HLI in 1989 implemented the SDO as one of the non-land transfer schemes stated in the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL).
In its resolution, the PARC said that the policy of “no-work no-shares” – workers who supposedly co-own the hacienda do not earn shares if they do not work — is contrary to law and public policy. It also said the setup under the 1989 memorandum of agreement is one-sided in favor of the HLI and that the farm workers remain ordinary farmers and the land remain under the full ownership and control HLI. It concluded that the farm workers’ economic conditions become onerous, their lives becoming more miserable.
According to the guidelines released by the high court, the oral arguments will focus on the following:
* Whether or not PARC has jurisdiction, power and/or authority to revoke the 1989 SDO agreement, and whether the council, in 2006, followed due process in ordering the revocation of the agreement;
* Whether or not there is a legal basis to revoke the SDO agreement;
* Whether the DAR and PARC are the real parties-in-interest in the case;
* “Whether or not the rights, obligations, and remedies of the parties to the SDOA are now governed by the Corporation Code and not by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law;” and
* “Whether Luisita Industrial Park Corporation (LIPCO) and Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC), as transferees of a portion of Hacienda Luisita, may invoke the doctrine of innocent purchaser for value in the instant case.”
But Gleoresty Guerra, assistant chief of the Supreme Court public information office, said the oral arguments may also discuss the controversial compromise deal hatched by HLI management on Aug. 6. The HLI management and persons claiming to be representatives of the farm workers signed a compromise agreement. The so-called deal purportedly offers two options: SDO or land, and the HLI management claimed that the farm workers voted for SDO, the same scheme that led to the death of seven striking farm workers in the 2004 massacre.
“Even if it (compromise agreement) is not mentioned in the guidelines, there is no prohibition (against it being tackled),” Guerra told reporters on Tuesday.
Mariano said the Supreme Court will also be put “on trial” on the controversial agrarian dispute involving the HLI.
“The Hacienda Luisita land dispute is the first acid test of the Supreme Court under the Aquino administration. The Cojuangco-Aquinos have put the Supreme Court on trial here,” Mariano said.
“The world is watching how the Supreme Court will handle the Luisita case,” Mariano added. “Will it allow itself to be an accessory to the crime of the Cojuangco-Aquinos, circumvention of the law, and foul play? Or will it act as the people’s sentinel over rights and welfare, and the very essence of social justice?”
Mariano, also chairman of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), said that the “strongest argument of farmers against the SDO is that it was used by the Cojuangco-Aquinos to evade land distribution.” With the sham deal, the President’s relatives are deceiving the farmers for the second time around,” Mariano said.
“The Cojuangco-Aquinos’ aim is to prevent our big chance of winning at the Supreme Court. The agreement is a desperate measure to preempt or influence the Supreme Court in its decision,” Lito Bais, acting president of the United Luisita Workers Union (Ulwu), said in an open letter addressed to his colleagues.
“It is scandalous how the Cojuangco-Aquinos lord over on the land that should have been ours since 1967 and again in 1985. They pocketed billions of profit from land use conversion which is prohibited under CARL,” Bais said.
In 1985, a Manila trial court ordered the distribution of Hacienda Luisita land to the farm workers. When Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino became president, the case was dismissed by the Court of Appeals (CA).
Jobert Ilarde Pahilga, Ambala legal counsel and executive trustee of the Sentro Para sa Tunay na Repormang Agraryo (Sentra), said that the SDO is unconstitutional. “The law states that land, not pieces of paper, must be distributed to the farmers,” he said in an earlier interview with Bulatlat.
“The Cojuangco-Aquinos will not succeed in their schemes. No matter how long it takes, we will never give up the fight because we are the legal and legitimate owners of the Hacienda Luisita land,” Bais told his co-farm workers.
Aquino’s “hands-off policy” was also criticized by Bais. “Those who voted for Noynoy [Aquino] are disgusted for he has not shown any semblance of good will and fulfill his promise. Now, the true colors of a president raised from the sweat of the toiling farm workers are exposed. He is mum and just waiting, hoping that the scheme of his relatives would succeed.” (Bulatlat.com)
By RONALYN V. OLEA
Bulatlat.com
MANILA — Farm workers belonging to Alyansa ng Manggagawang Bukid sa Hacienda Luisita (Ambala) will troop today to the Supreme Court to reiterate their demand to revoke the stock distribution option (SDO) and distribute Hacienda Luisita, the sugar estate owned by President Benigno S. Aquino III and his family.
The SC will hold today oral arguments on the petition for certiorari filed by the Hacienda Luisita Inc. (HLI) management against the 2005 resolution of the Presidential Agrarian Reform Council (PARC) and Department of Agrarian Reform revoking the SDO and ordering the distribution of land to the farm workers.
Today’s oral arguments is the “first agrarian dispute to be heard by justices in open court and involves the President’s landlord clan,” said Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano. “We call on the Supreme Court justices to put an end to the historical injustice suffered by landless farmers and farm workers of Hacienda Luisita at the hands of the Cojuangcos.”
To evade land distribution, HLI in 1989 implemented the SDO as one of the non-land transfer schemes stated in the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL).
In its resolution, the PARC said that the policy of “no-work no-shares” – workers who supposedly co-own the hacienda do not earn shares if they do not work — is contrary to law and public policy. It also said the setup under the 1989 memorandum of agreement is one-sided in favor of the HLI and that the farm workers remain ordinary farmers and the land remain under the full ownership and control HLI. It concluded that the farm workers’ economic conditions become onerous, their lives becoming more miserable.
According to the guidelines released by the high court, the oral arguments will focus on the following:
* Whether or not PARC has jurisdiction, power and/or authority to revoke the 1989 SDO agreement, and whether the council, in 2006, followed due process in ordering the revocation of the agreement;
* Whether or not there is a legal basis to revoke the SDO agreement;
* Whether the DAR and PARC are the real parties-in-interest in the case;
* “Whether or not the rights, obligations, and remedies of the parties to the SDOA are now governed by the Corporation Code and not by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law;” and
* “Whether Luisita Industrial Park Corporation (LIPCO) and Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC), as transferees of a portion of Hacienda Luisita, may invoke the doctrine of innocent purchaser for value in the instant case.”
But Gleoresty Guerra, assistant chief of the Supreme Court public information office, said the oral arguments may also discuss the controversial compromise deal hatched by HLI management on Aug. 6. The HLI management and persons claiming to be representatives of the farm workers signed a compromise agreement. The so-called deal purportedly offers two options: SDO or land, and the HLI management claimed that the farm workers voted for SDO, the same scheme that led to the death of seven striking farm workers in the 2004 massacre.
“Even if it (compromise agreement) is not mentioned in the guidelines, there is no prohibition (against it being tackled),” Guerra told reporters on Tuesday.
Mariano said the Supreme Court will also be put “on trial” on the controversial agrarian dispute involving the HLI.
“The Hacienda Luisita land dispute is the first acid test of the Supreme Court under the Aquino administration. The Cojuangco-Aquinos have put the Supreme Court on trial here,” Mariano said.
“The world is watching how the Supreme Court will handle the Luisita case,” Mariano added. “Will it allow itself to be an accessory to the crime of the Cojuangco-Aquinos, circumvention of the law, and foul play? Or will it act as the people’s sentinel over rights and welfare, and the very essence of social justice?”
Mariano, also chairman of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), said that the “strongest argument of farmers against the SDO is that it was used by the Cojuangco-Aquinos to evade land distribution.” With the sham deal, the President’s relatives are deceiving the farmers for the second time around,” Mariano said.
“The Cojuangco-Aquinos’ aim is to prevent our big chance of winning at the Supreme Court. The agreement is a desperate measure to preempt or influence the Supreme Court in its decision,” Lito Bais, acting president of the United Luisita Workers Union (Ulwu), said in an open letter addressed to his colleagues.
“It is scandalous how the Cojuangco-Aquinos lord over on the land that should have been ours since 1967 and again in 1985. They pocketed billions of profit from land use conversion which is prohibited under CARL,” Bais said.
In 1985, a Manila trial court ordered the distribution of Hacienda Luisita land to the farm workers. When Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino became president, the case was dismissed by the Court of Appeals (CA).
Jobert Ilarde Pahilga, Ambala legal counsel and executive trustee of the Sentro Para sa Tunay na Repormang Agraryo (Sentra), said that the SDO is unconstitutional. “The law states that land, not pieces of paper, must be distributed to the farmers,” he said in an earlier interview with Bulatlat.
“The Cojuangco-Aquinos will not succeed in their schemes. No matter how long it takes, we will never give up the fight because we are the legal and legitimate owners of the Hacienda Luisita land,” Bais told his co-farm workers.
Aquino’s “hands-off policy” was also criticized by Bais. “Those who voted for Noynoy [Aquino] are disgusted for he has not shown any semblance of good will and fulfill his promise. Now, the true colors of a president raised from the sweat of the toiling farm workers are exposed. He is mum and just waiting, hoping that the scheme of his relatives would succeed.” (Bulatlat.com)
Teachers to PNoy: Justice for farmers and farm workers of Hacienda Luisita!
“The thorny issue of land distribution is once again awaiting a decisive action by PNoy. He should remember, that it was hailed then as a landmark law during her mother’s term as president of this land. So what are you waiting for Pnoy?”, said Ms.France Castro, Secretary-general of Alliance of Concerned Teachers. “Those farmers have waited for more than twenty years and so justice must be served,” she added.
It is now the fundamental challenge for Pnoy’s political leadership. He must be decisive on the Hacienda Luisita case. Will he take the road to genuine development or turn a blind eye on the centuries –old bondage and exploitation of peasant and farm workers on the hands of big landlords of haciendas like Hacienda Luisita?”asked Ms. France Castro.
“Go , for social justice!” Ms. France Castro said . “ Our agriculture has long been backward and battered by trade and investments liberalization, privatization of agricultural extension services, and deregulation of government’ s role including its default on the implementation of a genuinely redistributive agrarian reform program.”
At the same time, agricultural production is small scale and technology is backward. The corporate firms such as those for export crops such as fruits and sugarcane, are concentrated in the hands of few families and transnational corporations.” Prominent families such as PNoy’s have made fortune out of these export crops and yet,’ kapit-tuko’ pa rin sila sa Hacienda Luisita,” Ms. Castro exlaimed.
The exacerbation of landlessness is most telling in regions designated as growth areas for foreign investments and export production resulting to new norms of exploitation, especially the increasing number of farmers becoming farm workers to augment their incomes.
Inhumane and deplorable working conditions of work and slave wages for land and agricultural workers such as in Hacienda Luisita is prevalent. We heard enough how globalization has intensified the destruction of the agricultural productive forces and landlessness and sunk millions of Filipino peasant families deeper into poverty.
By infusing profit-driven market oriented schemes and measures relying on foreign funding, the government has defaulted on its responsibility to implement a genuine land reform program.
“If PNoy wants to move forward to genuine development of our Motherland, then he must start fixing the problem in his own backyard. He must break the land monopoly which breed various exploitative relations in agriculture like rent and usury. He better set a good example, or else gain the wrath of the people including teachers who are closely watching this issue.” added Ms. Castro.
Teachers to PNoy: Justice for farmers and farm workers of Hacienda Luisita!
It is now the fundamental challenge for Pnoy’s political leadership. He must be decisive on the Hacienda Luisita case. Will he take the road to genuine development or turn a blind eye on the centuries –old bondage and exploitation of peasant and farm workers on the hands of big landlords of haciendas like Hacienda Luisita?”asked Ms. France Castro.
“Go , for social justice!” Ms. France Castro said . “ Our agriculture has long been backward and battered by trade and investments liberalization, privatization of agricultural extension services, and deregulation of government’ s role including its default on the implementation of a genuinely redistributive agrarian reform program.”
At the same time, agricultural production is small scale and technology is backward. The corporate firms such as those for export crops such as fruits and sugarcane, are concentrated in the hands of few families and transnational corporations.” Prominent families such as PNoy’s have made fortune out of these export crops and yet,’ kapit-tuko’ pa rin sila sa Hacienda Luisita,” Ms. Castro exlaimed.
The exacerbation of landlessness is most telling in regions designated as growth areas for foreign investments and export production resulting to new norms of exploitation, especially the increasing number of farmers becoming farm workers to augment their incomes.
Inhumane and deplorable working conditions of work and slave wages for land and agricultural workers such as in Hacienda Luisita is prevalent. We heard enough how globalization has intensified the destruction of the agricultural productive forces and landlessness and sunk millions of Filipino peasant families deeper into poverty.
By infusing profit-driven market oriented schemes and measures relying on foreign funding, the government has defaulted on its responsibility to implement a genuine land reform program.
“If PNoy wants to move forward to genuine development of our Motherland, then he must start fixing the problem in his own backyard. He must break the land monopoly which breed various exploitative relations in agriculture like rent and usury. He better set a good example, or else gain the wrath of the people including teachers who are closely watching this issue.” added Ms. Castro.
Teachers to PNoy: Justice for farmers and farm workers of Hacienda Luisita!
Monday, August 16, 2010
Bukas na ang Interactive Website ng Pangulo sa Taong-bayan
Bukas na ang Interactive Website ng Pangulo sa Taong-bayan
Binuksan na ng Malakanyang ang isang bagong interactive website na magbibigay ng pagka-kataon sa taong bayan na malaman ang official events ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III at upang magsilbi ring makabuluhang feedback mechanism na gamit ang digital media.
Inilunsad ni Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma ang opisyal na website ng Palasyo na “www.president.gov.ph” sa media briefing sa Malakanyang noong Lunes, ika-16 ng Agosto.
Sa paglulunsad na ito, sinabi ni Coloma na ang Phase I ng bagong media communications ng Malakanyang ay nagtatampok ng tatlong mahalagang pahayag: “Piliin Natin ang Daang Matuwid; “Kayo ang BOSS Ko,” at “Iba na tayo ngayon BAGONG Pilipinas.
Ayon kay Coloma, ang unang pahayag ay kumakatawan sa pangako ng sambayanan na susundin ang bagong daang itinakda ng Pangulo, samantalang ang ikalawa naman ay naglala-rawan ng pansariling pangako ng Pangulo na kanyang inihayag sa kauna-unahan niyang Ulat sa Bayan o SONA noong Hulyo 26.
Ang ikatlong pahayag na “Iba na tayo ngayon, Bagong Piliipinas” ang kumakatawan sa pangako ng pambansang liderato tungo sa pagbabalik ng tiwala sa gobyerno, pagsugpo sa katiwalian at pagpasok sa isang bagong panahon ng isang bagong kultura ng pamamahala.
Bukod sa matutunghayang mga pinakabagong balita, larawan at video releases, sinabi ni Coloma na maaari ring ihayag ng taong bayan ang kanilang kuru-kuro at hinakdal sa tulong ng social media links na gaya ng Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Friendster at Multiply na madaling masasagot o magagawaan ng karampatang hakbang ng kinauukulang mga ahensiya ng gobyerno.
Idinagdag ni Coloma na ang Phase II ay sa Oktubre ng taong ito bubuksan at ito ay ang Citizen’s Concern Website na para naman sa messaging, electronic mail (email), telepono at Snail Mail para magkaroon ng iba’t-ibang paraan ang publiko sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa pamahalaan.
Idinagdag ni Coloma na ang Phase II ay magiging isang malawakang pag-alam ng damda-ming bayan, pagsusuri sa hinaing at mga isyu at maging pagsubaybay sa ginagawang hakbang ng iba-ibang tanggapan at ahensiya ng pamahalaan.
Hiningan pa ng tulong ni Coloma ang mga kompanya ng telekomunikasyon (TelCos) bilang bahagi ng kanilang saguting panlipunan ukol sa higit na makatuwirang halaga sa paggamit nito upang higit na maraming mamamayan ang mahimok makiisa sa feedback mechanism na gaya ng SMS o text messaging.
Ang Phase III naman, ayon kay Coloma, ay sa Enero 2011 pa bubuksan at siyang magpapa-tupad ng e-serbisyo na digitally-enabled frontline services na ginagawa sa iba-ibang transak-siyon ng gobyerno upang madaling makakuha ang taong bayan ng clearances, sertipiko, pasaporte at iba pang kauri nitong mga bagay.
Ang Digital Volunteerism ay makabayang grupo o digitally empowered advocates.
Umaasa ang Kalihim na sa Phase III ay maaaring magrehistro at makiisa ang mga volunteer groups sa website upang makita ang kaibahan ng karaniwang grupong boluntaryo at digital volunteers groups.
Idinagdag ni Coloma na sa ika-2 SONA ng Pangulo sa Hulyo 2011, maibubukas na sa publiko ang Phase IV o Open Government portal kung saan ang taong bayan ay maaaring tumingin at umalam kung ano na ang nagawa ng gobyerno at kung ano pa ang ginagawa ng bawa’t kaga-waran na gaya ng paglalabas ng badyet, ilang porsiyento na ang tapos ng mga proyekto at mga programa at iba pang bagay na ibubukas sa madla para matiyak na nasa ayos ang lahat ng transaksiyon ng pamahalaan.
Binuksan na ng Malakanyang ang isang bagong interactive website na magbibigay ng pagka-kataon sa taong bayan na malaman ang official events ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III at upang magsilbi ring makabuluhang feedback mechanism na gamit ang digital media.
Inilunsad ni Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma ang opisyal na website ng Palasyo na “www.president.gov.ph” sa media briefing sa Malakanyang noong Lunes, ika-16 ng Agosto.
Sa paglulunsad na ito, sinabi ni Coloma na ang Phase I ng bagong media communications ng Malakanyang ay nagtatampok ng tatlong mahalagang pahayag: “Piliin Natin ang Daang Matuwid; “Kayo ang BOSS Ko,” at “Iba na tayo ngayon BAGONG Pilipinas.
Ayon kay Coloma, ang unang pahayag ay kumakatawan sa pangako ng sambayanan na susundin ang bagong daang itinakda ng Pangulo, samantalang ang ikalawa naman ay naglala-rawan ng pansariling pangako ng Pangulo na kanyang inihayag sa kauna-unahan niyang Ulat sa Bayan o SONA noong Hulyo 26.
Ang ikatlong pahayag na “Iba na tayo ngayon, Bagong Piliipinas” ang kumakatawan sa pangako ng pambansang liderato tungo sa pagbabalik ng tiwala sa gobyerno, pagsugpo sa katiwalian at pagpasok sa isang bagong panahon ng isang bagong kultura ng pamamahala.
Bukod sa matutunghayang mga pinakabagong balita, larawan at video releases, sinabi ni Coloma na maaari ring ihayag ng taong bayan ang kanilang kuru-kuro at hinakdal sa tulong ng social media links na gaya ng Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Friendster at Multiply na madaling masasagot o magagawaan ng karampatang hakbang ng kinauukulang mga ahensiya ng gobyerno.
Idinagdag ni Coloma na ang Phase II ay sa Oktubre ng taong ito bubuksan at ito ay ang Citizen’s Concern Website na para naman sa messaging, electronic mail (email), telepono at Snail Mail para magkaroon ng iba’t-ibang paraan ang publiko sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa pamahalaan.
Idinagdag ni Coloma na ang Phase II ay magiging isang malawakang pag-alam ng damda-ming bayan, pagsusuri sa hinaing at mga isyu at maging pagsubaybay sa ginagawang hakbang ng iba-ibang tanggapan at ahensiya ng pamahalaan.
Hiningan pa ng tulong ni Coloma ang mga kompanya ng telekomunikasyon (TelCos) bilang bahagi ng kanilang saguting panlipunan ukol sa higit na makatuwirang halaga sa paggamit nito upang higit na maraming mamamayan ang mahimok makiisa sa feedback mechanism na gaya ng SMS o text messaging.
Ang Phase III naman, ayon kay Coloma, ay sa Enero 2011 pa bubuksan at siyang magpapa-tupad ng e-serbisyo na digitally-enabled frontline services na ginagawa sa iba-ibang transak-siyon ng gobyerno upang madaling makakuha ang taong bayan ng clearances, sertipiko, pasaporte at iba pang kauri nitong mga bagay.
Ang Digital Volunteerism ay makabayang grupo o digitally empowered advocates.
Umaasa ang Kalihim na sa Phase III ay maaaring magrehistro at makiisa ang mga volunteer groups sa website upang makita ang kaibahan ng karaniwang grupong boluntaryo at digital volunteers groups.
Idinagdag ni Coloma na sa ika-2 SONA ng Pangulo sa Hulyo 2011, maibubukas na sa publiko ang Phase IV o Open Government portal kung saan ang taong bayan ay maaaring tumingin at umalam kung ano na ang nagawa ng gobyerno at kung ano pa ang ginagawa ng bawa’t kaga-waran na gaya ng paglalabas ng badyet, ilang porsiyento na ang tapos ng mga proyekto at mga programa at iba pang bagay na ibubukas sa madla para matiyak na nasa ayos ang lahat ng transaksiyon ng pamahalaan.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Under Aquino III: Promoting Ties of Dependency with the U.S.?
Under Aquino III: Promoting Ties of Dependency with the U.S.?
By the Policy Study, Publication, and Advocacy
Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG)
August 14, 2010
Those who are watching the first 100 days of the new administration can now start focusing their lens on President Benigno S. Aquino III’s coming visit to the United States in September - his first major official foreign trip. The decision to make the U.S. as his maiden foreign destination is not only symbolic but will have far-reaching implications not only on foreign policy but also on the so-called special relationship between a former colony and a superpower. In the long run, it will have broad implications on the Filipino people.
Of course, the presidential spokesperson says Aquino III, together with other heads of state, is going to address the United Nations General Assembly when it convenes next month. The more important agenda, however, pertains to the event that will happen at the White House and other meetings with high U.S. officials. The new president will make a courtesy call to the world’s most powerful leader – a traditional ritual performed by the Philippines’ past presidents from Manuel Quezon to Ferdinand Marcos and until recently, Gloria M. Arroyo who made several visits to Washington, DC.
A meeting with the U.S. president will underscore the importance given by the Philippine government to “special ties” with a former colonial master. But these “special ties” have nothing to do with people-to-people friendly relations. These ties have been shaped largely by economic and military considerations that were proven to be inimical to the Filipino people’s sovereign and territorial rights even if being friendly with Uncle Sam guaranteed support for any sitting Philippine president.
In the post-World War II era official visits by Philippine presidents to the U.S. embodied the country’s commitments to onerous economic and defense agreements that laid the foundations of an unequal neo-colonial relationship between the two countries. Time was when the Philippines had to undergo economic reconstruction as a result of the destruction wrought by the war between the U.S. and Japan yet American rehabilitation funds were tied to extending parity rights to Americans, allowing the stay of U.S. military bases and supporting wars of aggression in Korea, Indochina, and elsewhere. Ferdinand E. Marcos was propped up by the U.S. as America’s spokesman in Southeast Asia when the U.S. needed a coalition of forces from the region to support its wars of aggression in Indochina. Marcos played the role of America’s mouthpiece so well that his dictatorship lasted long enough thanks to continued U.S. support. The Americans dumped him when he became a liability and built up Corazon C. Aquino as the “third force” for succession. As a president, Aquino backed the renewal of the U.S. military bases and unleashed a U.S.-inspired “total war” policy against rebels leading to more human rights violations.
Bush regime
During the Bush regime, Mrs. Arroyo paid several visits to Washington, DC where she also met Pentagon and Congress leaders. The numerous agreements that she forged – most of them confidential – led to the Philippines playing the role as America’s “second front” against terrorism thus paving the entry of U.S. forces and military installations in the guise of war exercises and special trainings. Since 2001 the increase of U.S. military aid and intervention led to the escalation of extra-judicial killings and other war crimes amid the intensification of Arroyo’s counter-insurgency campaign against the Left, whether armed or unarmed. Yet, despite the financial commitments made by the U.S. government Arroyo’s nine-year presidency saw the highest unemployment rate in 50 years, widening income disparities, corruption, election fraud, plunder, and political repression.
In late May this year when the results of the presidential race had yet to be completed the U.S. ambassador to Manila, Harry Thomas, Jr., was the first foreign envoy to congratulate Aquino III. Their talks at Times Street touched on continued U.S. support, special ties between the two countries, and an invitation for an early state visit by the president-apparent. The Times Street talks have been followed by high-level meetings with U.S. state department officials led by Secretary Hillary Clinton, a new military assistance package, an offer of a missiles and war aircraft sale, and port calls by warships from the U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM). This week, the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) announced the release of $434 million to fund three projects in the Philippines for five years. The MCC board is chaired also by Clinton.
In reciprocity, Aquino III said he is looking forward to the U.S. visit with an upbeat expectation of bringing “gifts” back to the country.
America’s current interest
Begging an immediate answer is what America’s current interest is in the Aquino III presidency and what possible “commitments” are on the table to emphasize the two countries’ “historic ties.” The lingering economic recession, increasing unemployment, and budget cuts or streamlining in the U.S. raise questions how much economic or military assistance is left that can be given to the Philippines and other countries - and in exchange for what.
The recent visits of high U.S. officials in the Philippines signal a continuing interest in the country in the context of America’s geo-strategic interests in the region and the rest of the world. The underlying framework of these objectives is chiseled in U.S. President Barack Obama’s National Security Strategy (NSS, May 2010) and the U.S. military’s new counter-insurgency (COIN) guide of January 2009. Although both doctrines reiterate the need to maintain the superpower’s access to world resources especially oil and other energy materials, they also stress America’s right to pre-emptive and unilateral strikes against “terrorism,” rogue regimes, and emerging powers, such as China, seeking to challenge the U.S.’ global power.
Recently, Obama secretly deployed new special operations forces (SOFs) to the Philippines and 69 other countries. The deployment is in line with the NSS and the new COIN which essentially continues U.S. counter-insurgency programs in as many countries especially in “failed (or weak) states” and in partnership with host governments and their armies. COIN, however, gives equal emphasis on the use of civilian components such as humanitarian missions; engaging NGOs, civil society, and diaspora communities; and an increasing role of the USAID and other agencies to promote “governance, transparency, the rule of law, and anti-corruption”. Not that both papers believe in democracy per se but they see the imperative of maintaining political stability and the elimination of “rogue enemies” as vital to U.S. imperial global interests.
Under Arroyo, the U.S. succeeded in inserting its forces and military outposts in the Philippines particularly in Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and Zamboanga. The U.S. claims that the Philippines, particularly Mindanao, is part of the “arch of instability” in Southeast Asia and the rest of East Asia where America’s strategic oil and other commodities pass through the South China Sea. China’s irredentist claim over the sea is now being contested by the U.S. which considers it as an “open territory”.
Consistent
There is no question that Aquino III will remain consistent with the traditional support for U.S. military presence in the country and the whole region. Likewise, he has made it clear that he supports the controversial Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and has continued the Mrs. Arroyo’s U.S.-backed counter-insurgency campaign despite the fact that it has led to the killing of activists and other atrocities.
Influential rightist think tanks in the U.S., particularly the Heritage Foundation, are pressing Obama to continue supporting the AFP’s modernization program with bigger funds. The modernization assistance is being geared toward upgrading the Philippines’ territorial defense especially over the Spratly islands which are claimed by China and other countries.
An increased defense alliance with the U.S. leading to a quiet escalation of its military presence will make the Philippines a pawn in the Pentagon’s plan of containment and encirclement of China. If Aquino III makes the mistake of succumbing to this pressure, he runs the risk of antagonizing Beijing’s trade ties with Manila and its growing investments in mining, electronics, and other industries. It could provoke retaliation from China in the disputed Spratly islands.
The U.S. government’s strategic military operations in the Philippines in the guise of fighting terrorism are driven by America’s war industries that are supported by big defense spending in the midst of recession. In the U.S. recession the only prospects of recovery and employment are provided by Boeing, and other corporations involved in the war industry. The presence of U.S. forces in the Philippines and elsewhere in the world has been profitable to engineering, construction, electronics, aircraft, shipping, and other war manufacturing corporations in the U.S. Globally, U.S. forces and installations along with wars of intervention that are raging in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other flashpoints help sustain the powerful military-industrial complex in the U.S.
When Aquino III goes to Washington, DC his commitment of support for continued U.S. military operations in the Philippines will also be a tacit promotion of the war industries that market weapons of mass destruction and wars of intervention in the world. Such pledge of support is expected to reap financial and military assistance for the new administration but it will also bind Aquino III – like past Philippine presidents - to a master-slave relationship.
The Philippine government’s exclusivist ties with America have continually jeopardized not only potentially productive ties with other countries but also deepened the country’s neo-colonial, superior-subordinate bondage to its former colonial master. In fact, the continued U.S. influence in the Philippine presidency has deprived the Filipino people of their sovereign right to self-determination, to non-intervention by a foreign country, while bitter economic pills are imposed by U.S.-influenced multilateral agencies. This relationship also helps sustain U.S. meddling in counter-insurgency operations turning the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) into a surrogate army of the Pentagon and a power broker of sorts insofar as the Philippine presidency is concerned.
Aquino III the presidential contender had promised change in the system of governance. What is unfolding as far as dealing with the U.S. is concerned may exactly be the opposite.
There is thus a compelling reason for patriotic forces in the Philippines, including progressive elements in Congress, to call for the abrogation of the VFA and other onerous agreements with the U.S. and an end to U.S. military presence. The overarching imperative is to work for an independent Philippine foreign policy as an important element of governance.
By the Policy Study, Publication, and Advocacy
Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG)
August 14, 2010
Those who are watching the first 100 days of the new administration can now start focusing their lens on President Benigno S. Aquino III’s coming visit to the United States in September - his first major official foreign trip. The decision to make the U.S. as his maiden foreign destination is not only symbolic but will have far-reaching implications not only on foreign policy but also on the so-called special relationship between a former colony and a superpower. In the long run, it will have broad implications on the Filipino people.
Of course, the presidential spokesperson says Aquino III, together with other heads of state, is going to address the United Nations General Assembly when it convenes next month. The more important agenda, however, pertains to the event that will happen at the White House and other meetings with high U.S. officials. The new president will make a courtesy call to the world’s most powerful leader – a traditional ritual performed by the Philippines’ past presidents from Manuel Quezon to Ferdinand Marcos and until recently, Gloria M. Arroyo who made several visits to Washington, DC.
A meeting with the U.S. president will underscore the importance given by the Philippine government to “special ties” with a former colonial master. But these “special ties” have nothing to do with people-to-people friendly relations. These ties have been shaped largely by economic and military considerations that were proven to be inimical to the Filipino people’s sovereign and territorial rights even if being friendly with Uncle Sam guaranteed support for any sitting Philippine president.
In the post-World War II era official visits by Philippine presidents to the U.S. embodied the country’s commitments to onerous economic and defense agreements that laid the foundations of an unequal neo-colonial relationship between the two countries. Time was when the Philippines had to undergo economic reconstruction as a result of the destruction wrought by the war between the U.S. and Japan yet American rehabilitation funds were tied to extending parity rights to Americans, allowing the stay of U.S. military bases and supporting wars of aggression in Korea, Indochina, and elsewhere. Ferdinand E. Marcos was propped up by the U.S. as America’s spokesman in Southeast Asia when the U.S. needed a coalition of forces from the region to support its wars of aggression in Indochina. Marcos played the role of America’s mouthpiece so well that his dictatorship lasted long enough thanks to continued U.S. support. The Americans dumped him when he became a liability and built up Corazon C. Aquino as the “third force” for succession. As a president, Aquino backed the renewal of the U.S. military bases and unleashed a U.S.-inspired “total war” policy against rebels leading to more human rights violations.
Bush regime
During the Bush regime, Mrs. Arroyo paid several visits to Washington, DC where she also met Pentagon and Congress leaders. The numerous agreements that she forged – most of them confidential – led to the Philippines playing the role as America’s “second front” against terrorism thus paving the entry of U.S. forces and military installations in the guise of war exercises and special trainings. Since 2001 the increase of U.S. military aid and intervention led to the escalation of extra-judicial killings and other war crimes amid the intensification of Arroyo’s counter-insurgency campaign against the Left, whether armed or unarmed. Yet, despite the financial commitments made by the U.S. government Arroyo’s nine-year presidency saw the highest unemployment rate in 50 years, widening income disparities, corruption, election fraud, plunder, and political repression.
In late May this year when the results of the presidential race had yet to be completed the U.S. ambassador to Manila, Harry Thomas, Jr., was the first foreign envoy to congratulate Aquino III. Their talks at Times Street touched on continued U.S. support, special ties between the two countries, and an invitation for an early state visit by the president-apparent. The Times Street talks have been followed by high-level meetings with U.S. state department officials led by Secretary Hillary Clinton, a new military assistance package, an offer of a missiles and war aircraft sale, and port calls by warships from the U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM). This week, the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) announced the release of $434 million to fund three projects in the Philippines for five years. The MCC board is chaired also by Clinton.
In reciprocity, Aquino III said he is looking forward to the U.S. visit with an upbeat expectation of bringing “gifts” back to the country.
America’s current interest
Begging an immediate answer is what America’s current interest is in the Aquino III presidency and what possible “commitments” are on the table to emphasize the two countries’ “historic ties.” The lingering economic recession, increasing unemployment, and budget cuts or streamlining in the U.S. raise questions how much economic or military assistance is left that can be given to the Philippines and other countries - and in exchange for what.
The recent visits of high U.S. officials in the Philippines signal a continuing interest in the country in the context of America’s geo-strategic interests in the region and the rest of the world. The underlying framework of these objectives is chiseled in U.S. President Barack Obama’s National Security Strategy (NSS, May 2010) and the U.S. military’s new counter-insurgency (COIN) guide of January 2009. Although both doctrines reiterate the need to maintain the superpower’s access to world resources especially oil and other energy materials, they also stress America’s right to pre-emptive and unilateral strikes against “terrorism,” rogue regimes, and emerging powers, such as China, seeking to challenge the U.S.’ global power.
Recently, Obama secretly deployed new special operations forces (SOFs) to the Philippines and 69 other countries. The deployment is in line with the NSS and the new COIN which essentially continues U.S. counter-insurgency programs in as many countries especially in “failed (or weak) states” and in partnership with host governments and their armies. COIN, however, gives equal emphasis on the use of civilian components such as humanitarian missions; engaging NGOs, civil society, and diaspora communities; and an increasing role of the USAID and other agencies to promote “governance, transparency, the rule of law, and anti-corruption”. Not that both papers believe in democracy per se but they see the imperative of maintaining political stability and the elimination of “rogue enemies” as vital to U.S. imperial global interests.
Under Arroyo, the U.S. succeeded in inserting its forces and military outposts in the Philippines particularly in Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and Zamboanga. The U.S. claims that the Philippines, particularly Mindanao, is part of the “arch of instability” in Southeast Asia and the rest of East Asia where America’s strategic oil and other commodities pass through the South China Sea. China’s irredentist claim over the sea is now being contested by the U.S. which considers it as an “open territory”.
Consistent
There is no question that Aquino III will remain consistent with the traditional support for U.S. military presence in the country and the whole region. Likewise, he has made it clear that he supports the controversial Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and has continued the Mrs. Arroyo’s U.S.-backed counter-insurgency campaign despite the fact that it has led to the killing of activists and other atrocities.
Influential rightist think tanks in the U.S., particularly the Heritage Foundation, are pressing Obama to continue supporting the AFP’s modernization program with bigger funds. The modernization assistance is being geared toward upgrading the Philippines’ territorial defense especially over the Spratly islands which are claimed by China and other countries.
An increased defense alliance with the U.S. leading to a quiet escalation of its military presence will make the Philippines a pawn in the Pentagon’s plan of containment and encirclement of China. If Aquino III makes the mistake of succumbing to this pressure, he runs the risk of antagonizing Beijing’s trade ties with Manila and its growing investments in mining, electronics, and other industries. It could provoke retaliation from China in the disputed Spratly islands.
The U.S. government’s strategic military operations in the Philippines in the guise of fighting terrorism are driven by America’s war industries that are supported by big defense spending in the midst of recession. In the U.S. recession the only prospects of recovery and employment are provided by Boeing, and other corporations involved in the war industry. The presence of U.S. forces in the Philippines and elsewhere in the world has been profitable to engineering, construction, electronics, aircraft, shipping, and other war manufacturing corporations in the U.S. Globally, U.S. forces and installations along with wars of intervention that are raging in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other flashpoints help sustain the powerful military-industrial complex in the U.S.
When Aquino III goes to Washington, DC his commitment of support for continued U.S. military operations in the Philippines will also be a tacit promotion of the war industries that market weapons of mass destruction and wars of intervention in the world. Such pledge of support is expected to reap financial and military assistance for the new administration but it will also bind Aquino III – like past Philippine presidents - to a master-slave relationship.
The Philippine government’s exclusivist ties with America have continually jeopardized not only potentially productive ties with other countries but also deepened the country’s neo-colonial, superior-subordinate bondage to its former colonial master. In fact, the continued U.S. influence in the Philippine presidency has deprived the Filipino people of their sovereign right to self-determination, to non-intervention by a foreign country, while bitter economic pills are imposed by U.S.-influenced multilateral agencies. This relationship also helps sustain U.S. meddling in counter-insurgency operations turning the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) into a surrogate army of the Pentagon and a power broker of sorts insofar as the Philippine presidency is concerned.
Aquino III the presidential contender had promised change in the system of governance. What is unfolding as far as dealing with the U.S. is concerned may exactly be the opposite.
There is thus a compelling reason for patriotic forces in the Philippines, including progressive elements in Congress, to call for the abrogation of the VFA and other onerous agreements with the U.S. and an end to U.S. military presence. The overarching imperative is to work for an independent Philippine foreign policy as an important element of governance.
Lawmakers hit P-Noy for SK abolition
Two youthful legislators today lambasted the proposal of President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III to abolish the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections for its failure to be functional and effective in the delivery of public services under the Local Government Code.
Rep. Raymond V. Palatino (Party-list, Kabataan) said the aim of the Sangguinang Kabataan is to encourage the youth to take active part in governance and to serve as an educational experience for them. It should contribute to the political education of the youth, Palatino said.
"We don't discourage students to join student councils since we believe these extra-curricular activities can improve the leadership skills of the youth. We should view SK in the same way. SK is even broader and better since it also involves out of school youth. If PNoy will insist this argument, will he also discourage students to stay away from campus politics?" Palatino argued.
Palatino said young people can become SK officers without abandoning their studies. "SK candidates should be aware that they need to balance their studies and SK work. There should be no conflict between education and SK work," Palatino said.
"If corruption is the issue here, then we should abolish barangays and other LGU units too. SK members can't access funds without approval of local officials. Abolishing SK does not eradicate corruption. If there are corrupt SK members, blame LGU leaders and even national leaders for being bad role models," Palatino stressed.
Palatino debunked statement that there are corrupt SK members. He said this is unfair to many SK officers who are performing their duties well and to many LGUs, which have successful partnerships with SK members. He believes that majority of SK members are not corrupt.
"Now there is a proposal to elect a single youth representative in the barangays. This proposal is inconsistent with the 2nd argument that youth should not be exposed to corruption at a young age. We don't want the SK to be contaminated with corruption but we can allow a single youth leader to take the risk of being seduced by corruption practices?" Palatino stressed.
Rep. Marcelino R. Teodoro (1st District, Marikina City) said the mandate of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) should be carefully reviewed but not totally abolished. Since there are instances of corruption as stated by the President, the system needs to be reviewed if not strengthened, Teodoro said.
Teodoro said instruments of corruption within the system can be abolished to dispel claims that SK is a breeding ground for corrupt officials.
"We should maintain a representative from the youth sector through the Sangguniang Kabataan less the budgeting, disbursement and procurement processes," Teodoro said.
Teodoro said it is not the SK that is corrupt but the system itself. The SK falls prey and is taken advantage of by unwieldy and unscrupulous contractors.
"The youth should play an important part in nation-building and should not be immediately dismissed without reviewing their mandate and finding ways to reform the SK system," Teodoro said.
Lawmakers hit P-Noy for SK abolition
Writer: Lorelei V. Castillo, MRS-PRIB
Transform SK into network vs corruption, misgovernance – Kabataan Partylist
Kabataan Partylist Representative Raymond Palatino today called on the government to “reorient” the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) and transform it into a youth watchdog vs corruption and misgovernance amidst proposals to abolish the youth council.
“We should not put to waste this large network of young Filipinos who want to participate in government and community service. Why not tap the SK and launch a nationwide campaign against corruption and misgovernance, train the youth to be advocates of new politics from the barangay level up,” said Palatino.
Palatino said this will “invigorate” the SK and will help develop a new breed of leaders. He said that the young people just need “a little encouragement” and a “progressive framework.”
Palatino also assailed the proposal of Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo to abolish the SK and instead give one seat to a youth representative in the barangay council.
“Robredo’s proposal to abolish the youth council and instead have only one representative will weaken youth representation and will make them more vulnerable to the influence of traditional politics,” he said.
Palatino said Robredo’s proposal will kill the Katipunan ng mga Kabataan (KK), a transparency and accountability mechanism of the youth council.
“This will only make the young people in the barangays less involved in governance and community affairs. This proposal will worsen the problem we have today with SK: it has been coopted and is now becoming a breeding ground for trapos precisely because the SK is not empowered enough,” he adds.
Palatino said the government should not undermine the capability of the youth to lead. “We need a new breed of leaders if we want change, those who will stand for patriotic change and social justice,” said Palatino.
“The more the young people participate in governance, the more they will be able to expose corrupt acts, anti-people policies and become inspired to rake on the role for social change. This way, we can tap the youth for the change we want in our society.”
Palatino filed HB 1963 or SK Reform and Strengthening Bill last week aiming to improve and further empower the SK.
Rep. Raymond V. Palatino (Party-list, Kabataan) said the aim of the Sangguinang Kabataan is to encourage the youth to take active part in governance and to serve as an educational experience for them. It should contribute to the political education of the youth, Palatino said.
"We don't discourage students to join student councils since we believe these extra-curricular activities can improve the leadership skills of the youth. We should view SK in the same way. SK is even broader and better since it also involves out of school youth. If PNoy will insist this argument, will he also discourage students to stay away from campus politics?" Palatino argued.
Palatino said young people can become SK officers without abandoning their studies. "SK candidates should be aware that they need to balance their studies and SK work. There should be no conflict between education and SK work," Palatino said.
"If corruption is the issue here, then we should abolish barangays and other LGU units too. SK members can't access funds without approval of local officials. Abolishing SK does not eradicate corruption. If there are corrupt SK members, blame LGU leaders and even national leaders for being bad role models," Palatino stressed.
Palatino debunked statement that there are corrupt SK members. He said this is unfair to many SK officers who are performing their duties well and to many LGUs, which have successful partnerships with SK members. He believes that majority of SK members are not corrupt.
"Now there is a proposal to elect a single youth representative in the barangays. This proposal is inconsistent with the 2nd argument that youth should not be exposed to corruption at a young age. We don't want the SK to be contaminated with corruption but we can allow a single youth leader to take the risk of being seduced by corruption practices?" Palatino stressed.
Rep. Marcelino R. Teodoro (1st District, Marikina City) said the mandate of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) should be carefully reviewed but not totally abolished. Since there are instances of corruption as stated by the President, the system needs to be reviewed if not strengthened, Teodoro said.
Teodoro said instruments of corruption within the system can be abolished to dispel claims that SK is a breeding ground for corrupt officials.
"We should maintain a representative from the youth sector through the Sangguniang Kabataan less the budgeting, disbursement and procurement processes," Teodoro said.
Teodoro said it is not the SK that is corrupt but the system itself. The SK falls prey and is taken advantage of by unwieldy and unscrupulous contractors.
"The youth should play an important part in nation-building and should not be immediately dismissed without reviewing their mandate and finding ways to reform the SK system," Teodoro said.
Lawmakers hit P-Noy for SK abolition
Writer: Lorelei V. Castillo, MRS-PRIB
Transform SK into network vs corruption, misgovernance – Kabataan Partylist
Kabataan Partylist Representative Raymond Palatino today called on the government to “reorient” the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) and transform it into a youth watchdog vs corruption and misgovernance amidst proposals to abolish the youth council.
“We should not put to waste this large network of young Filipinos who want to participate in government and community service. Why not tap the SK and launch a nationwide campaign against corruption and misgovernance, train the youth to be advocates of new politics from the barangay level up,” said Palatino.
Palatino said this will “invigorate” the SK and will help develop a new breed of leaders. He said that the young people just need “a little encouragement” and a “progressive framework.”
Palatino also assailed the proposal of Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo to abolish the SK and instead give one seat to a youth representative in the barangay council.
“Robredo’s proposal to abolish the youth council and instead have only one representative will weaken youth representation and will make them more vulnerable to the influence of traditional politics,” he said.
Palatino said Robredo’s proposal will kill the Katipunan ng mga Kabataan (KK), a transparency and accountability mechanism of the youth council.
“This will only make the young people in the barangays less involved in governance and community affairs. This proposal will worsen the problem we have today with SK: it has been coopted and is now becoming a breeding ground for trapos precisely because the SK is not empowered enough,” he adds.
Palatino said the government should not undermine the capability of the youth to lead. “We need a new breed of leaders if we want change, those who will stand for patriotic change and social justice,” said Palatino.
“The more the young people participate in governance, the more they will be able to expose corrupt acts, anti-people policies and become inspired to rake on the role for social change. This way, we can tap the youth for the change we want in our society.”
Palatino filed HB 1963 or SK Reform and Strengthening Bill last week aiming to improve and further empower the SK.
DOLE affirms commitment to promote gender equality in workplace
Responding to the ever changing need for gender equality in the workplace, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) today said it will continue to evolve its policies and align itself to the demands of the Filipino workforce, especially on the need to address issues concerning gender and discrimination against women, lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBTs)
In a statement, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda D. Baldoz said that “although much has been achieved in the country’s struggle for gender equality and fairness over the years, much, still has to be done. The pressing issue of discrimination against women and LGBTs has to be remedied.”
“This is in line with the 22-point labor and employment agenda of President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III that highlights the promotion and protection of workers’ rights,” the Labor Chief said, adding the Labor Department will continue to develop and find new ways to bring forth solutions in addressing the gender issues in the workplace.”
“This has led us to delve deeper to find lasting solution to the issue,” Baldoz said, as she referred to the recently concluded Working World Trialogue held at the Bayview Park Hotel in Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City.
“The inputs from the discussions will be taken into account by the ILS and will be used in research to formulate solutions surrounding the gender issue,” Baldoz said.
Meantime, the DOLE Chief called on employers to provide for a policy on “meritocracy,” where job applicants and employees are hired and promoted on the basis of their qualifications, abilities and merits relating to the performance of their jobs, and not on the basis of gender, sex, creed, beliefs and nationality.
“This effort is the first step in promoting equal rights for women, LGBTs and other workers affected by discrimination in the Philippines,” Baldoz said.
The forum, dubbed “Working World Trialogue Series 10.10 Discrimination in the Workplace: Beyond the Stereotypes,” has achieved considerable success in bringing together a unique mix of gender experts, workers’ groups, employers and civil society to discuss issues confronting the workplace on rights at work, employment opportunities, social protection and social dialogue.
Speakers from diverse range of stakeholders, from government, trade unions and employer groups, including representatives from the International Labor Organization (ILO), Philippine Commission on Women, UP-Manila Center for Gender and Women’s Studies, Rainbow Rights Alliance, People Management Association of the Philippines, Center for Migrant Advocacy, PS-Link, Akbayan, and Ang Ladlad participated and shed light to the burning issue of gender-based discrimination in the workplace.
Baldoz said that the Labor Department is now in the process of organizing other fora of this type to help bridge the gap between the genders and bring about gender equality in the workplace.
Among the DOLE officials who participated in the event are Assistant Secretary Ma. Joji V. Aragon, ILS Executive Director Cynthia R. Cruz, representatives from the ILS, Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Labor Communications Office (LCO).
DOLE affirms commitment to promote gender equality in workplace
In a statement, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda D. Baldoz said that “although much has been achieved in the country’s struggle for gender equality and fairness over the years, much, still has to be done. The pressing issue of discrimination against women and LGBTs has to be remedied.”
“This is in line with the 22-point labor and employment agenda of President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III that highlights the promotion and protection of workers’ rights,” the Labor Chief said, adding the Labor Department will continue to develop and find new ways to bring forth solutions in addressing the gender issues in the workplace.”
“This has led us to delve deeper to find lasting solution to the issue,” Baldoz said, as she referred to the recently concluded Working World Trialogue held at the Bayview Park Hotel in Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City.
“The inputs from the discussions will be taken into account by the ILS and will be used in research to formulate solutions surrounding the gender issue,” Baldoz said.
Meantime, the DOLE Chief called on employers to provide for a policy on “meritocracy,” where job applicants and employees are hired and promoted on the basis of their qualifications, abilities and merits relating to the performance of their jobs, and not on the basis of gender, sex, creed, beliefs and nationality.
“This effort is the first step in promoting equal rights for women, LGBTs and other workers affected by discrimination in the Philippines,” Baldoz said.
The forum, dubbed “Working World Trialogue Series 10.10 Discrimination in the Workplace: Beyond the Stereotypes,” has achieved considerable success in bringing together a unique mix of gender experts, workers’ groups, employers and civil society to discuss issues confronting the workplace on rights at work, employment opportunities, social protection and social dialogue.
Speakers from diverse range of stakeholders, from government, trade unions and employer groups, including representatives from the International Labor Organization (ILO), Philippine Commission on Women, UP-Manila Center for Gender and Women’s Studies, Rainbow Rights Alliance, People Management Association of the Philippines, Center for Migrant Advocacy, PS-Link, Akbayan, and Ang Ladlad participated and shed light to the burning issue of gender-based discrimination in the workplace.
Baldoz said that the Labor Department is now in the process of organizing other fora of this type to help bridge the gap between the genders and bring about gender equality in the workplace.
Among the DOLE officials who participated in the event are Assistant Secretary Ma. Joji V. Aragon, ILS Executive Director Cynthia R. Cruz, representatives from the ILS, Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Labor Communications Office (LCO).
DOLE affirms commitment to promote gender equality in workplace
P-Noy calls for hourly broadcast of original Pilipino compositions
President Benigno S. Aquino III has directed the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to fully implement Executive Order No. 255 requiring all radio stations to play in the airwaves at least four original Filipino music every hour from hereon.
The President issued his directive during the oath taking of the officers of the Organisasyon ng mga Pilipinong Mangaawit (OPM) at the Rizal hall of Malacañang on Friday afternoon.
“I am directing the head of the PMS to call up the DOTC and remind the NTC to fully implement the existing Executive Order as soon as possible,” the President said.
E.O No. 255 was issued in July 1987 by the President’s mother, the late President Corazon “Cory” C. Aquino, requiring all Radio Stations with Musical Format Programs to Broadcast a Minimum of Four Original Pilipino Musical Compositions in Every Clockhour and for Other purposes.”
The directive was an immediate answer to the request of OPM president Ogie Alcasid who, in behalf of the industry, expressed support for the President’s sincere leadership to bring about change and social transformation through good governance, transparency and moral ascendancy.
Alcasid said Cory was the “great icon of democracy” while the President has emerged as “the new symbol of change and social transformation.”
Alcasid also requested the President’s support for the professional development of young musicians and artists including assistance for the sick and elderly members of the industry.
The President suggested to the OPM officers the possibility of putting up an organization much like the Movie Industry Welfare Fund (MOWELFUND) through the funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) or even the President’s Social Fund (PSF).
The President said his administration will also support the protection of the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) of musicians which he said contributes some 4.25 percent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The President thanked the music industry which, he said, has been at the forefront in promoting the country’s arts and culture and in uplifting the hopes and dreams of every Filipino.
“For a country that is developing like us that has so many problems, the arts for man’s sake really deserves all the support we can have,” the President said.
Aside from Alcasid, the President administered the oath of office of OPM chairman Mitch Valdez, OPM executive director Elmer Beltran Ingles, Gary Valenciano (VP for internal affairs), Noel Cabangon (VP for external affairs), Christian Bautista (VP for special projects), Jose Mari Chan (treasurer), Dingdong Avanzado (secretary) and ex-officio trustees Jim Paredes and Celeste Legaspi-Gallardo.
The officers, beefed up by Regine Velasquez and Jessa Zaragoza, later rendered the song “Kaya Natin,” which was composed in the aftermath of the massive flooding and devastation caused by Typhoon Ondoy last year.
Established in October 1986, the OPM is the leading and most respected organization of Filipino professional singers in the country.
P-Noy calls for hourly broadcast of original Pilipino compositions
The President issued his directive during the oath taking of the officers of the Organisasyon ng mga Pilipinong Mangaawit (OPM) at the Rizal hall of Malacañang on Friday afternoon.
“I am directing the head of the PMS to call up the DOTC and remind the NTC to fully implement the existing Executive Order as soon as possible,” the President said.
E.O No. 255 was issued in July 1987 by the President’s mother, the late President Corazon “Cory” C. Aquino, requiring all Radio Stations with Musical Format Programs to Broadcast a Minimum of Four Original Pilipino Musical Compositions in Every Clockhour and for Other purposes.”
The directive was an immediate answer to the request of OPM president Ogie Alcasid who, in behalf of the industry, expressed support for the President’s sincere leadership to bring about change and social transformation through good governance, transparency and moral ascendancy.
Alcasid said Cory was the “great icon of democracy” while the President has emerged as “the new symbol of change and social transformation.”
Alcasid also requested the President’s support for the professional development of young musicians and artists including assistance for the sick and elderly members of the industry.
The President suggested to the OPM officers the possibility of putting up an organization much like the Movie Industry Welfare Fund (MOWELFUND) through the funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) or even the President’s Social Fund (PSF).
The President said his administration will also support the protection of the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) of musicians which he said contributes some 4.25 percent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The President thanked the music industry which, he said, has been at the forefront in promoting the country’s arts and culture and in uplifting the hopes and dreams of every Filipino.
“For a country that is developing like us that has so many problems, the arts for man’s sake really deserves all the support we can have,” the President said.
Aside from Alcasid, the President administered the oath of office of OPM chairman Mitch Valdez, OPM executive director Elmer Beltran Ingles, Gary Valenciano (VP for internal affairs), Noel Cabangon (VP for external affairs), Christian Bautista (VP for special projects), Jose Mari Chan (treasurer), Dingdong Avanzado (secretary) and ex-officio trustees Jim Paredes and Celeste Legaspi-Gallardo.
The officers, beefed up by Regine Velasquez and Jessa Zaragoza, later rendered the song “Kaya Natin,” which was composed in the aftermath of the massive flooding and devastation caused by Typhoon Ondoy last year.
Established in October 1986, the OPM is the leading and most respected organization of Filipino professional singers in the country.
P-Noy calls for hourly broadcast of original Pilipino compositions
Friday, August 13, 2010
KMU to Lucio Tan: heed PAL workers’ demands
Amidst a brewing strike by the Philippine Airlines’ ground employees and cabin crew, labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno called on PAL owner Lucio Tan today to immediately heed the PAL workers’ demands, saying Tan has clearly gone overboard in implementing his anti-worker policies.
“PAL’s workers are sending a clear message to Lucio Tan: stop implementing your anti-worker policies. PAL workers can never take so much. They are only demanding the upholding of their basic rights as workers – to have a decent job, job security and proper compensation, and the right to collectively bargain,” said Elmer “Bong” Labog, KMU chairperson.
“To maintain huge profits throughout the years, Lucio Tan has pressed down workers’ wages and benefits. He has contractualized huge segments of PAL’s workforce through outsourcing and spin-off schemes. He has imposed a 10-year moratorium on CBA negotiations and de facto extended this. The workers want an end to all these,” he added.
PAL’s employees, led by the PAL Employees’ Association or Palea, warned the PAL management of launching a strike, citing PAL’s plan to outsource or spin-off segments of its operations which threaten to displace 2,600 workers. Palea also decried the PAL Management’s refusal, for two years now, to start negotiations with the union for a collective bargaining agreement.
Despite a much-publicized P80-Million package offer to PAL’s flight attendants, the Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines or Fasap has expressed its willingness to go on strike. The group cited the PAL management’s refusal to budge on the attendants’ main demand of raising the retirement age of 40 and scrapping PAL’s “no-motherhood” policy.
“Tan, through his spokespersons in the PAL management, is citing profit losses to make PAL workers, and the public as well, accept the present state of affairs in PAL and management moves that do little to address workers’ demands. This is hogwash. The PAL workers are the first people to know if the company is losing or gaining,” Labog said.
“Tan is still the second richest man in the country today, whose net worth continues to grow. And a huge reason for this is his exploitative and anti-worker policies in PAL. There is a limit to his greed, as the recent statements and actions of PAL workers show. While he has been fighting for his superprofits, workers are fighting for social justice,” Labog added.
KMU cited a Forbes Asia Magazine report showing Tan to be the second wealthiest person in the country today, with a net worth of P1.9 Billion. PAL workers also cite PAL’s recent payment of previous debts and buy new aircrafts.
Reposted from: KMU to Lucio Tan: heed PAL workers’ demands
“PAL’s workers are sending a clear message to Lucio Tan: stop implementing your anti-worker policies. PAL workers can never take so much. They are only demanding the upholding of their basic rights as workers – to have a decent job, job security and proper compensation, and the right to collectively bargain,” said Elmer “Bong” Labog, KMU chairperson.
“To maintain huge profits throughout the years, Lucio Tan has pressed down workers’ wages and benefits. He has contractualized huge segments of PAL’s workforce through outsourcing and spin-off schemes. He has imposed a 10-year moratorium on CBA negotiations and de facto extended this. The workers want an end to all these,” he added.
PAL’s employees, led by the PAL Employees’ Association or Palea, warned the PAL management of launching a strike, citing PAL’s plan to outsource or spin-off segments of its operations which threaten to displace 2,600 workers. Palea also decried the PAL Management’s refusal, for two years now, to start negotiations with the union for a collective bargaining agreement.
Despite a much-publicized P80-Million package offer to PAL’s flight attendants, the Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines or Fasap has expressed its willingness to go on strike. The group cited the PAL management’s refusal to budge on the attendants’ main demand of raising the retirement age of 40 and scrapping PAL’s “no-motherhood” policy.
“Tan, through his spokespersons in the PAL management, is citing profit losses to make PAL workers, and the public as well, accept the present state of affairs in PAL and management moves that do little to address workers’ demands. This is hogwash. The PAL workers are the first people to know if the company is losing or gaining,” Labog said.
“Tan is still the second richest man in the country today, whose net worth continues to grow. And a huge reason for this is his exploitative and anti-worker policies in PAL. There is a limit to his greed, as the recent statements and actions of PAL workers show. While he has been fighting for his superprofits, workers are fighting for social justice,” Labog added.
KMU cited a Forbes Asia Magazine report showing Tan to be the second wealthiest person in the country today, with a net worth of P1.9 Billion. PAL workers also cite PAL’s recent payment of previous debts and buy new aircrafts.
Reposted from: KMU to Lucio Tan: heed PAL workers’ demands
Aquino gov’t shouldn’t wash hands off VAT on toll fees
The umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan today criticized the Aquino administration for “washing its hands” in the issue of the Value Added Tax on toll fees set to take effect on Monday. The group said that Malacanang’s reasoning that the VAT is an old law from the previous administration is unacceptable.
The previous government of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo enacted a law that expands the coverage of the VAT to include oil, power and other services. The Bureau of Internal Revenue is pushing for the coverage of VAT on toll fees. Some lawmakers have opposed this saying that government services like toll ways should not be covered by the VAT. A petition is now pending before the Supreme Court asking it to issue a temporary restraining order on the implementation.
“The Aquino government cannot hide behind the feeble defense that the VAT is an Arroyo-era law that needs to be implemented. The present government has all the powers to stem the implementation of onerous taxation and spare the people from further hardship. The VAT on toll has not been implemented since 2005. Why is the BIR in a hurry to implement it now when there are many questions as to its validity?” said Bayan secretary general Renato M. Reyes, Jr.
Bayan believes that the implementation of the VAT sets the tone of the Aquino government’s fiscal policy.
“It seems that the Aquino government’s fiscal policy is to pass the burden to the people. Fast-tracking the VAT on toll is meant to pass on to the people the humongous budget deficit and public debts incurred by the past regime. Instead of providing immediate economic relief, the Aquino government is promoting additional economic burdens for the people,” said Reyes.
“Aside from the VAT on toll fees, government is also readying a fare hike for the MRT, another added burden on the people,” he added.
Bayan believes that the revenues from the VAT on toll fees will not go to poverty alleviation programs but rather to paying off government debts incurred over the last nine years.
“The claim of Sec. Lacierda that poverty alleviation programs will be the result of additional taxes is something we’ve heard before. That was the same promise given by Arroyo when she first implemented the EVAT,” Reyes said.
“The reality is that for every P10.00 raised by government, P6.00 goes to debt spending. That is how it has been for some time now. The new government doesn’t seem to be departing from that,” he added.
Quoting reports from the Bureau of Treasury, Bayan said that as of the first half of the year, national government debt spending has risen to 12% or some P406 billion compared to the same period last year when it spent P361.5 billion.
“Let’s not mislead the people that poverty alleviation projects will come about when what the government is really spending for is paying off debts,” Reyes said.### Aquino gov’t shouldn’t wash hands off VAT on toll fees
The previous government of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo enacted a law that expands the coverage of the VAT to include oil, power and other services. The Bureau of Internal Revenue is pushing for the coverage of VAT on toll fees. Some lawmakers have opposed this saying that government services like toll ways should not be covered by the VAT. A petition is now pending before the Supreme Court asking it to issue a temporary restraining order on the implementation.
“The Aquino government cannot hide behind the feeble defense that the VAT is an Arroyo-era law that needs to be implemented. The present government has all the powers to stem the implementation of onerous taxation and spare the people from further hardship. The VAT on toll has not been implemented since 2005. Why is the BIR in a hurry to implement it now when there are many questions as to its validity?” said Bayan secretary general Renato M. Reyes, Jr.
Bayan believes that the implementation of the VAT sets the tone of the Aquino government’s fiscal policy.
“It seems that the Aquino government’s fiscal policy is to pass the burden to the people. Fast-tracking the VAT on toll is meant to pass on to the people the humongous budget deficit and public debts incurred by the past regime. Instead of providing immediate economic relief, the Aquino government is promoting additional economic burdens for the people,” said Reyes.
“Aside from the VAT on toll fees, government is also readying a fare hike for the MRT, another added burden on the people,” he added.
Bayan believes that the revenues from the VAT on toll fees will not go to poverty alleviation programs but rather to paying off government debts incurred over the last nine years.
“The claim of Sec. Lacierda that poverty alleviation programs will be the result of additional taxes is something we’ve heard before. That was the same promise given by Arroyo when she first implemented the EVAT,” Reyes said.
“The reality is that for every P10.00 raised by government, P6.00 goes to debt spending. That is how it has been for some time now. The new government doesn’t seem to be departing from that,” he added.
Quoting reports from the Bureau of Treasury, Bayan said that as of the first half of the year, national government debt spending has risen to 12% or some P406 billion compared to the same period last year when it spent P361.5 billion.
“Let’s not mislead the people that poverty alleviation projects will come about when what the government is really spending for is paying off debts,” Reyes said.### Aquino gov’t shouldn’t wash hands off VAT on toll fees
RP Consulate General in Guangzhou Reiterates Warning Against Consequences of Drug-Related Offenses in China
The Philippine Consulate General in Guangzhou is reminding Filipinos of the uncompromising treatment of the Chinese courts on foreign nationals convicted of drug-related offenses in China. Recently, the Intermediate People's Court of Guangzhou sentenced to death a Chinese-French citizen for manufacturing, transporting and dealing large amounts of crystal methamphetamine.
The Chinese-French citizen is a member of the eight-man drug ring operating in Guangdong and Henan province. Another member, a Chinese national, was also sentenced to death while two members of the drug ring were also sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve.
Three other members were sentenced to life imprisonment while another member was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment.
Five foreign nationals-four Japanese and a British-have already been executed for smuggling illegal drugs into China.
Filipinos who receive invitations to work in high-paying jobs in China are warned that this is the usual modus operandi of drug syndicates in recruiting "drug mules" or drug couriers.
The payment offered to drug mules range from US$500 to US$2000, depending on the amount of drugs involved.
The most common job offer is to bring into or out of China some goods where the drugs are hidden, which will be delivered to the unsuspecting courier before the scheduled flight.
Currently, there are 205 drug-related cases in China. Five have been meted the death penalty without reprieve and 70 with death penalty with two-year reprieve. There are 35 cases given life imprisonment sentences, 68 with fixed-term imprisonment and 27 pending cases.
Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Esteban B. Conejos said that there is a continuing trend of Filipinos being arrested for carrying drugs, and warned of the stiff penalties that would be imposed on anyone who is found to be carrying illegal drugs.
"We warn our countrymen not to accept packages which they suspect are drugs. If they are caught carrying illegal drugs, they will face very dire consequences. We also appeal to our public to be wary of the modus operandi used by drug-trafficking syndicates," he said.
"The country is doing everything to arrest the drug menace, and with the cooperation of all, we hope that we can eradicate it once and for all. But ultimately, our people must take full responsibility for their actions by always being on guard against the inducements," Undersecretary Conejos added.
Reposted from
RP Consulate General in Guangzhou Reiterates Warning Against Consequences of Drug-Related Offenses in China
The Chinese-French citizen is a member of the eight-man drug ring operating in Guangdong and Henan province. Another member, a Chinese national, was also sentenced to death while two members of the drug ring were also sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve.
Three other members were sentenced to life imprisonment while another member was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment.
Five foreign nationals-four Japanese and a British-have already been executed for smuggling illegal drugs into China.
Filipinos who receive invitations to work in high-paying jobs in China are warned that this is the usual modus operandi of drug syndicates in recruiting "drug mules" or drug couriers.
The payment offered to drug mules range from US$500 to US$2000, depending on the amount of drugs involved.
The most common job offer is to bring into or out of China some goods where the drugs are hidden, which will be delivered to the unsuspecting courier before the scheduled flight.
Currently, there are 205 drug-related cases in China. Five have been meted the death penalty without reprieve and 70 with death penalty with two-year reprieve. There are 35 cases given life imprisonment sentences, 68 with fixed-term imprisonment and 27 pending cases.
Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Esteban B. Conejos said that there is a continuing trend of Filipinos being arrested for carrying drugs, and warned of the stiff penalties that would be imposed on anyone who is found to be carrying illegal drugs.
"We warn our countrymen not to accept packages which they suspect are drugs. If they are caught carrying illegal drugs, they will face very dire consequences. We also appeal to our public to be wary of the modus operandi used by drug-trafficking syndicates," he said.
"The country is doing everything to arrest the drug menace, and with the cooperation of all, we hope that we can eradicate it once and for all. But ultimately, our people must take full responsibility for their actions by always being on guard against the inducements," Undersecretary Conejos added.
Reposted from
RP Consulate General in Guangzhou Reiterates Warning Against Consequences of Drug-Related Offenses in China
Global youth unemployment rate at all-time high, UN labour agency reports
The global youth unemployment rate is at a record high and is expected to climb even higher as the year progresses, the United Nations International Labour Organization (ILO) announced today. According to a new report, of the world’s 620 million economically active youth between the ages of 15 and 24, 81 million were out of work at the end of 2009, the highest number ever.
The youth unemployment rate climbed from 11.9 per cent in 2007 to 13 per cent in 2009.
Such trends, the report noted, will have “significant consequences for young people as upcoming cohorts of new entrants join the ranks of the already unemployed.”
ILO warned of a possible ‘lost generation’ of young people dropping out of the labour market, “having lost all hope of being able to work for a decent living.”
The agency forecasts that the youth unemployment will reach 13.1 per cent this year before declining to 12.7 per cent, cautioning that youth unemployment rates have been more sensitive to the global economic downturn than those of adults.
Further, it said, the recovery of the job market for young men and women will probably lag behind that of adults.
In developing economies, home to 90 per cent of the world’s young people, youth are more vulnerable to unemployment and poverty. In 2008, nearly 30 per cent of all of the world’s young workers were employed but remained mired in extreme poverty in households surviving on less than $1.25 per day.
“In developing economies, crisis pervades the daily life of the poor,” said ILO Director-General Juan Somavia.
“The effects of the economic and financial crisis threaten to exacerbate the pre-existing decent work deficits among youth,” he added. “The result is that the number of young people stuck in working poverty grows and the cycle of working poverty persists through at least another generation.”
The new report found that unemployment, underemployment and discouragement can have a negative impact on young people in the long-term, compromising their future work prospects.
The cost of idleness among youth, it said, is that societies lost their investment in the education of young people, while governments receive fewer contributions to social security systems and must boost spending on remedial services.
“Young people are the drivers of economic development,” Mr. Somavia stressed. “Forgoing this potential is an economic waste and can undermine social stability.”
The current recession, he said, provides an opportunity to reconsider how to tackle the serious obstacles young people face when they enter the labour market. “It is important to focus on comprehensive and integrated strategies that combine education and training policies with targeted employment policies for youth.”
The report was launched to coincide with the start of the UN International Year of Youth, under the theme “Dialogue and Mutual Understanding.” The Year seeks to further the ideals of peace, respect for human rights and solidarity across generations, cultures, religions and civilizations.
Reposted from:
Global youth unemployment rate at all-time high, UN labour agency reports
The youth unemployment rate climbed from 11.9 per cent in 2007 to 13 per cent in 2009.
Such trends, the report noted, will have “significant consequences for young people as upcoming cohorts of new entrants join the ranks of the already unemployed.”
ILO warned of a possible ‘lost generation’ of young people dropping out of the labour market, “having lost all hope of being able to work for a decent living.”
The agency forecasts that the youth unemployment will reach 13.1 per cent this year before declining to 12.7 per cent, cautioning that youth unemployment rates have been more sensitive to the global economic downturn than those of adults.
Further, it said, the recovery of the job market for young men and women will probably lag behind that of adults.
In developing economies, home to 90 per cent of the world’s young people, youth are more vulnerable to unemployment and poverty. In 2008, nearly 30 per cent of all of the world’s young workers were employed but remained mired in extreme poverty in households surviving on less than $1.25 per day.
“In developing economies, crisis pervades the daily life of the poor,” said ILO Director-General Juan Somavia.
“The effects of the economic and financial crisis threaten to exacerbate the pre-existing decent work deficits among youth,” he added. “The result is that the number of young people stuck in working poverty grows and the cycle of working poverty persists through at least another generation.”
The new report found that unemployment, underemployment and discouragement can have a negative impact on young people in the long-term, compromising their future work prospects.
The cost of idleness among youth, it said, is that societies lost their investment in the education of young people, while governments receive fewer contributions to social security systems and must boost spending on remedial services.
“Young people are the drivers of economic development,” Mr. Somavia stressed. “Forgoing this potential is an economic waste and can undermine social stability.”
The current recession, he said, provides an opportunity to reconsider how to tackle the serious obstacles young people face when they enter the labour market. “It is important to focus on comprehensive and integrated strategies that combine education and training policies with targeted employment policies for youth.”
The report was launched to coincide with the start of the UN International Year of Youth, under the theme “Dialogue and Mutual Understanding.” The Year seeks to further the ideals of peace, respect for human rights and solidarity across generations, cultures, religions and civilizations.
Reposted from:
Global youth unemployment rate at all-time high, UN labour agency reports
UN Recognizes RP as “Serious Ally and Partner” in Integrating Gender Perspective in Peacekeeping Work
At the launching of the Guidelines in Integrating the a Gender Perspective into the Work of the United Nations Military in Peacekeeping on August 9, the United Nations recognized the Philippines as a "serious ally and partner," with the Undersecretary General for Peacekeeping Operations noting the presence and contributions of Filipina peacekeepers deployed around the world.
Undersecretary General for Peacekeeping Operations Alain Le Roy praised the Philippines for "taking its role seriously in peace consolidation and for recognizing the importance of women as valuable partners in peacekeeping."
Speaking after the launch of the guidelines and a roundtable discussion on integrating gender perspective into the work of the United Nations military in peacekeeping operations here, Undersecretary General Le Roy said "The Philippines does not need to be convinced of its (integrating gender perspective) value. We are thankful to the Philippines for its contributions to peacekeeping and in the efforts to integrate gender perspective in our peacekeeping work," added Roy.
Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations Libran N. Cabactulan welcomed USG Le Roy's statement and stressed anew the Philippines' commitment to integrating gender perspective in peacekeeping operations.
"Women have played an important role in peacekeeping around the world and we take pride in our female peacekeepers' contributions. The guidelines issued by the UN will certainly help us move forward in our own gender integration efforts with our peacekeepers," Permanent Representative Cabactulan said.
The Guidelines issued by the UN's Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and the Department of Field Support (DFS) seeks to support practical translation of existing mandates on women, peace and security among UN military peacekeeping personnel.
The Guidelines are intended to inform force generation goals in line with specific operational requirements for the selection and deployment of male and female military personnel, pre-deployment preparations and training of military personnel.
The Philippines sends peacekeeping troops and police to eight of 19 UN Missions. 68 Filipino women peacekeepers are present in Philippine troops serving in UN Missions in Haiti, Darfur, Golan Heights, Liberia, Sudan and Timor Leste.
Reposted from:
UN Recognizes RP as “Serious Ally and Partner” in Integrating Gender Perspective in Peacekeeping Work
UN agencies look to world’s youth to find solutions to global problems
United Nations agencies, peacekeeping missions and officials around the world marked the start today of the International Year of Youth with concerts and public forums and a call to celebrate the potential of the next generation to solve the problems of today. Speaking at the launch of the Year, as well as celebrations today for International Youth Day, senior UN officials said the estimated 1.2 billion people aged between 15 and 24 deserve greater attention from policymakers and governments.
“Young people have the energy and motivation to propose innovative solutions to today’s global challenges and the aspiration and tools to build bridges of dialogue across cultures,” UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Director-General Irina Bokova said in a message marking International Youth Day, which is observed every 12 August.
She appealed for stepped-up public investment in youth, noting that the current global downturn has made the world more insecure for young people, especially those from vulnerable or marginalized groups.
“Youth policies that promote equity and directly engage young people must be strengthened,” Ms. Bokova stressed. “Development assistance policies should be better geared to address youth’s needs and concerns.”
The World Food Programme (WFP) has enlisted young people in its campaign to end world hunger, with more than 1 billion people are currently chronically hungry.
“You are the generation that will end hunger,” the agency’s Executive Director, Josette Sheeran, said at a seminar in London last month. “In the future, we want our grandchildren to ask us what hunger and starvation were.
For its part, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is hoping to employ the tremendous energy, imagination and initiative to promote peace and development.
The agency said that poor young people living in rural areas can help to feed the world’s population as tomorrow’s farmers and producers, but cautioned that they are also among the most vulnerable members of society.
“We should remember that these young women and men, with their hopes and dreams, hold our planet’s future in their hands,” IFAD President Kanayo F. Nwanze said. “Helping them gain access to investment and financial services means empowering them to start and expand businesses.”
He pointed to unemployment as a major problem that youth face, stressing that underemployment and outright exploitation are often harsh facts of life for young people in rural areas.
“In order to make a real difference to the lives of these young women and men, governments and development agencies must invest in agriculture and boost economic growth in rural areas,” Mr. Nwanze underscored, calling for increased resources for education, empowerment and access to finance.
The UN’s peacekeeping missions are also getting involved in the launch of the International Year.
The joint UN-African Union mission in Darfur, known as UNAMID, is organizing a concert for the youth of the war-ravaged Sudanese region. Entitled Together as One, the event will showcase the music of internationally-renowned Sudanese musicians Omar Ihsas and Nancy Ajaj.
Meanwhile in Timor-Leste, the UN mission there, UNMIT, took part in the opening of a National Youth Forum allowing young Timorese to share their visions of the future and their aspirations for their country.
“This event is about you, your lives, your opportunities, hopes and dreams,” Finn Reske-Nielsen, the acting Special Representative of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, told participants. “So, too, is the International Year of Youth. “Use these platforms well. I can assure you, the UN is listening and will hear your voices.”
The UN first marked the International Year of Youth in 1985. A decade later, the General Assembly adopted the World Programme of Action for Youth, setting a policy framework and guidelines for national action and international support to improve the situation of young people.
Reposted from:
UN agencies look to world’s youth to find solutions to global problems
“Young people have the energy and motivation to propose innovative solutions to today’s global challenges and the aspiration and tools to build bridges of dialogue across cultures,” UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Director-General Irina Bokova said in a message marking International Youth Day, which is observed every 12 August.
She appealed for stepped-up public investment in youth, noting that the current global downturn has made the world more insecure for young people, especially those from vulnerable or marginalized groups.
“Youth policies that promote equity and directly engage young people must be strengthened,” Ms. Bokova stressed. “Development assistance policies should be better geared to address youth’s needs and concerns.”
The World Food Programme (WFP) has enlisted young people in its campaign to end world hunger, with more than 1 billion people are currently chronically hungry.
“You are the generation that will end hunger,” the agency’s Executive Director, Josette Sheeran, said at a seminar in London last month. “In the future, we want our grandchildren to ask us what hunger and starvation were.
For its part, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is hoping to employ the tremendous energy, imagination and initiative to promote peace and development.
The agency said that poor young people living in rural areas can help to feed the world’s population as tomorrow’s farmers and producers, but cautioned that they are also among the most vulnerable members of society.
“We should remember that these young women and men, with their hopes and dreams, hold our planet’s future in their hands,” IFAD President Kanayo F. Nwanze said. “Helping them gain access to investment and financial services means empowering them to start and expand businesses.”
He pointed to unemployment as a major problem that youth face, stressing that underemployment and outright exploitation are often harsh facts of life for young people in rural areas.
“In order to make a real difference to the lives of these young women and men, governments and development agencies must invest in agriculture and boost economic growth in rural areas,” Mr. Nwanze underscored, calling for increased resources for education, empowerment and access to finance.
The UN’s peacekeeping missions are also getting involved in the launch of the International Year.
The joint UN-African Union mission in Darfur, known as UNAMID, is organizing a concert for the youth of the war-ravaged Sudanese region. Entitled Together as One, the event will showcase the music of internationally-renowned Sudanese musicians Omar Ihsas and Nancy Ajaj.
Meanwhile in Timor-Leste, the UN mission there, UNMIT, took part in the opening of a National Youth Forum allowing young Timorese to share their visions of the future and their aspirations for their country.
“This event is about you, your lives, your opportunities, hopes and dreams,” Finn Reske-Nielsen, the acting Special Representative of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, told participants. “So, too, is the International Year of Youth. “Use these platforms well. I can assure you, the UN is listening and will hear your voices.”
The UN first marked the International Year of Youth in 1985. A decade later, the General Assembly adopted the World Programme of Action for Youth, setting a policy framework and guidelines for national action and international support to improve the situation of young people.
Reposted from:
UN agencies look to world’s youth to find solutions to global problems
94 Year-old Fil-Am Oldest Philippine Dual Citizen Applicant in San Francisco
The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco reported that Consul General Marciano A. Paynor, Jr. administered the oath of allegiance to Mr. Oscar Lolarga Miles.
At age 94, Mr. Miles became the oldest Filipino American in the Bay Area to apply for Dual Citizenship under Republic Act 9225.
The law grants former natural-born Filipinos who have lost their Filipino citizenship through naturalization in a foreign county, the opportunity to retain or re-acquire their Filipino citizenship.
For more information on Dual Citizenship, interested parties may visit the Consulate General website at www.philippinessanfrancisco.org
Reposted from:
94 Year-old Fil-Am Oldest Philippine Dual Citizen Applicant in San Francisco
At age 94, Mr. Miles became the oldest Filipino American in the Bay Area to apply for Dual Citizenship under Republic Act 9225.
The law grants former natural-born Filipinos who have lost their Filipino citizenship through naturalization in a foreign county, the opportunity to retain or re-acquire their Filipino citizenship.
For more information on Dual Citizenship, interested parties may visit the Consulate General website at www.philippinessanfrancisco.org
Reposted from:
94 Year-old Fil-Am Oldest Philippine Dual Citizen Applicant in San Francisco
Cojuangco-Aquinos Denounced for Using Millions to Lure, Deceive Luisita Farm Workers
Ulwu chairman Lito Bais said the financial package from Hacienda Luisita management was meant to lure farm workers into the compromise-agreement bait. “They exploited the poverty of the farm workers and used money to deceive them,” he said. Bais also accused the Cojuangco-Aquinos of “hoodwinking” farm workers of hundreds of millions from earlier land deals.
By RONALYN V. OLEA
Bulatlat.com
MANILA — A leader of the United Luisita Workers Union (Ulwu) has denounced Hacienda Luisita Inc. (HLI) for using the initial P20-million cash package to lure and deceive the farm workers of the hacienda into agreeing to the controversial compromise agreement.
The P20 million is part of the P150-million financial package stated in the so-called compromise agreement between the HLI management and individuals who claim to represent farm workers.
The HLI management said it is a “sign of goodwill” and that the remaining P130 million will be given to the farmers once the deal is approved by the Supreme Court.
Ulwu chairman Lito Bais, however, said that the financial package was meant to lure farm workers into the bait of the Cojuangco-Aquinos, owner of the Hacienda Luisita estate.
“They exploited the poverty of the farm workers and used money to deceive them,” Bais said, adding that the HLI management spent much money for the referendum, in which farm workers were given two options: land or shares of stocks.
Hacienda Luisita management has defended the financial package. (Click here to read more of their side.)
To evade land distribution, the Cojuangco-Aquinos implemented the stock distribution option (SDO) in 1989 as one of the non-land transfer schemes indicated in the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL).
Jobert Ilarde Pahilga, executive trustee of the Sentro Para sa Tunay na Repormang Agraryo (Sentra) and lawyer of the farmers’ group Ambala, said the P150 million is “miniscule” amount compared to what the Cojuangco-Aquinos actually owe the farm workers.
Pahilga cited the sale of the 500-hectare land in 1995 to be used for medium-cost and low-cost housing and an industrial estate. He said that as shareholders under the SDO, farm workers are entitled to 33 percent of the P2.5 billion, or valued at P750,000 per hectare. “The farm workers were supposed to receive P666 million but they were only given three percent of the sale amounting to only P33 million.” “Meanwhile, the HLI management got 97 percent.”
Pahilga argued that the Cojuangco-Aquinos manipulated the determination of shares of stocks of the farm workers, saying that what remains of the agricultural land have been undervalued while the HLI management’s assets were overvalued.
“Even based on an unfair computation, the farm workers were shortchanged,” Pahilga said. (Related video: Economist Winnie Monsod Shows How Cojuangco-Aquinos Deceived Luisita Farmers All These Years)
Bais, meanwhile, related that from the P84 billion paid to the HLI for the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), the 10,000 farm workers were only given P2.4 million.
“Some of us got 50 centavos, others 25 centavos,” Bais said, adding that that the Cojuangco-Aquinos gave them were “mumo,” or discarded rice.
Under the compromise agreement, farm workers will waive and agree to withdraw any and all claims, including those arising from employer-employee relationship, complaints, petitions filed, or to be filed, with the DAR [Department of Agrarian Reform], PARC [Presidential Agrarian Reform Council], administrative, quasi-judicial and/or judicial bodies, or any other matter arising from or incidental to the MOA [memorandum of agreement], or any dispute between HLI and the farm workers, and hereby release and hold harmless each other from any and all other liabilities or claims, of any form and kind, which one may have against the other and its officers, or which may arise now or in the future between HLI and the farm workers, or as a result of or incidental to the implementation of the MOA.
Pahilga said this is a violation of the law as it insulates the HLI from any future cases.
“This provision makes the farm workers virtual slaves, as they were and are already regarded as such by the Cojuangcos,” Pahilga said. It strips the farm workers the right to question any criminal, illegal and unjust acts of HLI management, he pointed out.
Cojuangco-Aquinos Denounced for Using Millions to Lure, Deceive Luisita Farm Workers
(Bulatlat.com)
By RONALYN V. OLEA
Bulatlat.com
MANILA — A leader of the United Luisita Workers Union (Ulwu) has denounced Hacienda Luisita Inc. (HLI) for using the initial P20-million cash package to lure and deceive the farm workers of the hacienda into agreeing to the controversial compromise agreement.
The P20 million is part of the P150-million financial package stated in the so-called compromise agreement between the HLI management and individuals who claim to represent farm workers.
The HLI management said it is a “sign of goodwill” and that the remaining P130 million will be given to the farmers once the deal is approved by the Supreme Court.
Ulwu chairman Lito Bais, however, said that the financial package was meant to lure farm workers into the bait of the Cojuangco-Aquinos, owner of the Hacienda Luisita estate.
“They exploited the poverty of the farm workers and used money to deceive them,” Bais said, adding that the HLI management spent much money for the referendum, in which farm workers were given two options: land or shares of stocks.
Hacienda Luisita management has defended the financial package. (Click here to read more of their side.)
To evade land distribution, the Cojuangco-Aquinos implemented the stock distribution option (SDO) in 1989 as one of the non-land transfer schemes indicated in the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL).
Jobert Ilarde Pahilga, executive trustee of the Sentro Para sa Tunay na Repormang Agraryo (Sentra) and lawyer of the farmers’ group Ambala, said the P150 million is “miniscule” amount compared to what the Cojuangco-Aquinos actually owe the farm workers.
Pahilga cited the sale of the 500-hectare land in 1995 to be used for medium-cost and low-cost housing and an industrial estate. He said that as shareholders under the SDO, farm workers are entitled to 33 percent of the P2.5 billion, or valued at P750,000 per hectare. “The farm workers were supposed to receive P666 million but they were only given three percent of the sale amounting to only P33 million.” “Meanwhile, the HLI management got 97 percent.”
Pahilga argued that the Cojuangco-Aquinos manipulated the determination of shares of stocks of the farm workers, saying that what remains of the agricultural land have been undervalued while the HLI management’s assets were overvalued.
“Even based on an unfair computation, the farm workers were shortchanged,” Pahilga said. (Related video: Economist Winnie Monsod Shows How Cojuangco-Aquinos Deceived Luisita Farmers All These Years)
Bais, meanwhile, related that from the P84 billion paid to the HLI for the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), the 10,000 farm workers were only given P2.4 million.
“Some of us got 50 centavos, others 25 centavos,” Bais said, adding that that the Cojuangco-Aquinos gave them were “mumo,” or discarded rice.
Under the compromise agreement, farm workers will waive and agree to withdraw any and all claims, including those arising from employer-employee relationship, complaints, petitions filed, or to be filed, with the DAR [Department of Agrarian Reform], PARC [Presidential Agrarian Reform Council], administrative, quasi-judicial and/or judicial bodies, or any other matter arising from or incidental to the MOA [memorandum of agreement], or any dispute between HLI and the farm workers, and hereby release and hold harmless each other from any and all other liabilities or claims, of any form and kind, which one may have against the other and its officers, or which may arise now or in the future between HLI and the farm workers, or as a result of or incidental to the implementation of the MOA.
Pahilga said this is a violation of the law as it insulates the HLI from any future cases.
“This provision makes the farm workers virtual slaves, as they were and are already regarded as such by the Cojuangcos,” Pahilga said. It strips the farm workers the right to question any criminal, illegal and unjust acts of HLI management, he pointed out.
Cojuangco-Aquinos Denounced for Using Millions to Lure, Deceive Luisita Farm Workers
(Bulatlat.com)
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Teachers oppose 12-year basic education program
Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) opposed the Department of Education (DepEd) 12-year basic education program.
ACT Secretary General France Castro said that adding years to the basic education program is not the solution to the crisis in Phil. Education. “We say NO to this plan being pushed by the DepEd and P-Noy. The 12- year basic education program will further deepen the chronic crisis of Philippine education which is caused and reflection of the chronic crisis of poverty and corrupt politics in the Philippines,” said Castro.
The militant teacher organization said that the problems in the country's education is not in the number of years, but inherent to its content and character as colonial, feudal, repressive and commercialized that cares and serve the colonial subservient character and backward economic system of the Philippines.
"The content of Philippine education only means to produce graduates that will merely fill the needs of big multi-national companies for skilled but subservient workers," deplored Castro.
ACT also said the 12-year education cycle will definitely and heavily add to the burden of Filipino family which majority belongs to the poor and further exploit our teachers to more work loads and less and less pay in real value.
Castro pointed out that “all education program of the government implemented from Marcos dictatorship up to the Arroyo regime, like voc-tech, bridge program, etc., does not serve as a solution to the crisis and to the so called “lack of quality” of our education. Instead, this resulted in more intense crisis and problem like decrease in education budget, growing shortages of schools basic needs, higher rate of school drop-outs, and increase of tuition and other miscellaneous fees.”
“We see that the youth who will graduate from this 12- year basic education program of DepED and PNoy will not necessarily lead to more employment, as we all know that the our backward economy cannot provide local employment and the world economic crisis gives no assurance to provide global employment to our Filipino youth,” Castro said.
ACT expressed concerns that the people behind in pushing for this program belongs to the local and international big private business-bankers and technocrats. “We wonder what economic gain do they have in pushing for this program?”
“Unless the government will decisively push for a self reliant economy based on national industrialization and genuine agrarian reform, any move to reform our education will only further its crisis and will definitely fail,” Castro concluded.#
ACT Secretary General France Castro said that adding years to the basic education program is not the solution to the crisis in Phil. Education. “We say NO to this plan being pushed by the DepEd and P-Noy. The 12- year basic education program will further deepen the chronic crisis of Philippine education which is caused and reflection of the chronic crisis of poverty and corrupt politics in the Philippines,” said Castro.
The militant teacher organization said that the problems in the country's education is not in the number of years, but inherent to its content and character as colonial, feudal, repressive and commercialized that cares and serve the colonial subservient character and backward economic system of the Philippines.
"The content of Philippine education only means to produce graduates that will merely fill the needs of big multi-national companies for skilled but subservient workers," deplored Castro.
ACT also said the 12-year education cycle will definitely and heavily add to the burden of Filipino family which majority belongs to the poor and further exploit our teachers to more work loads and less and less pay in real value.
Castro pointed out that “all education program of the government implemented from Marcos dictatorship up to the Arroyo regime, like voc-tech, bridge program, etc., does not serve as a solution to the crisis and to the so called “lack of quality” of our education. Instead, this resulted in more intense crisis and problem like decrease in education budget, growing shortages of schools basic needs, higher rate of school drop-outs, and increase of tuition and other miscellaneous fees.”
“We see that the youth who will graduate from this 12- year basic education program of DepED and PNoy will not necessarily lead to more employment, as we all know that the our backward economy cannot provide local employment and the world economic crisis gives no assurance to provide global employment to our Filipino youth,” Castro said.
ACT expressed concerns that the people behind in pushing for this program belongs to the local and international big private business-bankers and technocrats. “We wonder what economic gain do they have in pushing for this program?”
“Unless the government will decisively push for a self reliant economy based on national industrialization and genuine agrarian reform, any move to reform our education will only further its crisis and will definitely fail,” Castro concluded.#
"State of the Climate"
Senator Loren Legarda in her "State of the Climate" privilege speech today called for the synchronized implementation of the following laws - Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, Climate Change Act of 2009 and the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010;
"Never before in history have humans proactively worked together to avert a global catastrophe, as what we now attempt to achieve with the threatening challenge of climate change."
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Climate change asserted, "Eradicating extreme poverty and hunger is impossible to achieve without taking extensive measures to minimize the impacts of recurring floods, droughts, and other hazards that push Filipinos back into poverty. "
"It is time to recognize that disasters, turbocharged by a changing climate, have undone years of development gains, and that unsound and short-sighted development practices themselves are playing a significant role in worsening disaster risk, " Legarda cautioned.
"We need to improve our scientific and technical capacity to forecast the shifting hazards and their links to disasters. "
"I strongly urge local leaders to drive and push for environmental protection and energy initiatives in their respective jurisdiction and the private sector to invest in new technologies, adopt energy efficiency measures and help their local communities adapt to climate change."
"The looming water crisis is the result of a combination of rapid population growth, pollution, the destruction and mismanagement of freshwater resources, and climate change."
"The scientific and research community should prioritize focusing on risk science and innovation to help us prepare for localized impact assessments."
Legarda also called on members of the academe to share practical knowledge to their communities and to teach our youth the urgency and importance of climate change action.
Legarda cited several priority bills she filed this 15th Congress as solutions to the impact of climate change:
1. P. S. Resolution No., 45 urging the Department of Public Works and Highways to implement a 21-year-old law, Republic Act No. 6716, or the Rainwater and Spring Development Act of 1989. Why has the DPWH not constructed wells and rainwater collectors, developed springs and rehabilitated existing water wells in all barangays during the last 21 years?
2. Senate Bill No. 1406 or the PAGASA Modernization Act of 2010, will give the agency PhP5 billion for the acquisition of modern equipment and communication systems, providing for the necessary information requirements.
3. P. S. Resolution No.7 resolution proposing that the Metro Manila Development Agency (MMDA) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) implement a comprehensive river rehabilitation program in order to recover the length, width and depth of our rivers, and promote better water flow along our major tributaries to prevent flooding.
4. Senate Bill No. 6 Barangay Greening and Forest Land Rehabilitation Act, which empowers local officials as frontliners to advance the greening, rehabilitation and protection of the different forest lands in our country. This shall be a priority adaptation strategy that will be implemented from the provincial down to the barangay level.
"Based on a study by the Asian Development Bank on the economics of climate change, the country stands to lose 6% of its GDP annually by 2100 if it disregards climate change risks. However, this same study found that if the Philippines invests 0.5% of its GDP by 2020 in climate change adaptation, it can avert losses of up to 4% of its GDP by 2100 -- clearly a short term investment with a long term eight-fold gain."
"The task before us can no longer be ignored. The time for action is now. The Philippines is a climate hotspot, ranking 12th of the most number of deaths because of disasters."
" If we change our individual attitudes and actions to generate awareness, build the critical mass needed to influence political will, we can avert these challenges and together chart humanity's path to a safer tomorrow, " Legarda concluded.
from http://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2010/0810_legarda1.asp
"Never before in history have humans proactively worked together to avert a global catastrophe, as what we now attempt to achieve with the threatening challenge of climate change."
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Climate change asserted, "Eradicating extreme poverty and hunger is impossible to achieve without taking extensive measures to minimize the impacts of recurring floods, droughts, and other hazards that push Filipinos back into poverty. "
"It is time to recognize that disasters, turbocharged by a changing climate, have undone years of development gains, and that unsound and short-sighted development practices themselves are playing a significant role in worsening disaster risk, " Legarda cautioned.
"We need to improve our scientific and technical capacity to forecast the shifting hazards and their links to disasters. "
"I strongly urge local leaders to drive and push for environmental protection and energy initiatives in their respective jurisdiction and the private sector to invest in new technologies, adopt energy efficiency measures and help their local communities adapt to climate change."
"The looming water crisis is the result of a combination of rapid population growth, pollution, the destruction and mismanagement of freshwater resources, and climate change."
"The scientific and research community should prioritize focusing on risk science and innovation to help us prepare for localized impact assessments."
Legarda also called on members of the academe to share practical knowledge to their communities and to teach our youth the urgency and importance of climate change action.
Legarda cited several priority bills she filed this 15th Congress as solutions to the impact of climate change:
1. P. S. Resolution No., 45 urging the Department of Public Works and Highways to implement a 21-year-old law, Republic Act No. 6716, or the Rainwater and Spring Development Act of 1989. Why has the DPWH not constructed wells and rainwater collectors, developed springs and rehabilitated existing water wells in all barangays during the last 21 years?
2. Senate Bill No. 1406 or the PAGASA Modernization Act of 2010, will give the agency PhP5 billion for the acquisition of modern equipment and communication systems, providing for the necessary information requirements.
3. P. S. Resolution No.7 resolution proposing that the Metro Manila Development Agency (MMDA) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) implement a comprehensive river rehabilitation program in order to recover the length, width and depth of our rivers, and promote better water flow along our major tributaries to prevent flooding.
4. Senate Bill No. 6 Barangay Greening and Forest Land Rehabilitation Act, which empowers local officials as frontliners to advance the greening, rehabilitation and protection of the different forest lands in our country. This shall be a priority adaptation strategy that will be implemented from the provincial down to the barangay level.
"Based on a study by the Asian Development Bank on the economics of climate change, the country stands to lose 6% of its GDP annually by 2100 if it disregards climate change risks. However, this same study found that if the Philippines invests 0.5% of its GDP by 2020 in climate change adaptation, it can avert losses of up to 4% of its GDP by 2100 -- clearly a short term investment with a long term eight-fold gain."
"The task before us can no longer be ignored. The time for action is now. The Philippines is a climate hotspot, ranking 12th of the most number of deaths because of disasters."
" If we change our individual attitudes and actions to generate awareness, build the critical mass needed to influence political will, we can avert these challenges and together chart humanity's path to a safer tomorrow, " Legarda concluded.
from http://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2010/0810_legarda1.asp
The Strength of the PCS: COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAMS
by Dr. Jeanette Silao, FPCS
Congratulations to the Philippine College of Surgeons on its 75th Anniversary! In human years, one is usually thankful to God for having been given a long life. These twilight years are usually spent reminiscing the highlights of a fruitful life. The highlights of one's life, as everyone will agree, are what you have done for others.
In institution years, 75 years of existence is just a few decades from inception. Each year is seen as a milestone of growth and further strength, the development of newer programs and reaching greater heights. An institution’s growth is derived from good governance, while its strength is equivalent to the breath of the foundation it has laid down. A solid foundation is as solid as its programs. The PCS' foundation is nothing less than solid as its programs are directed to benefit the community.
SURE PROGRAM
Since its inception, surgical missions were the main fodder of every surgical organization. Organized and large-scale community service programs have only been recently documented at the start of the millennium. In the 1980s, then PCS president Dr. Alfredo T. Ramirez organized the SURE program, short for Surgery in Underserved Regions for Education. Each year six to seven underserved regions nationwide are targeted by PCS chapters and affiliated societies. Wet clinics, surgical missions and a surgical forum are organized for them. Continuing Medical Education is provided for the local doctors. Health education is provided for the lay people and surgical services are provided for the poor.
More recently in September 15-22, 2005, as part of the SURE program, a memorandum of agreement was signed with the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) for a nationwide Surgical Mission. Signatories were PCS Vice President, Dr. Eduardo Gatchalian; President of the Philippine Society of Anesthesiologists, Dr. Ernie Nagtalon; Chairman of the Committee of Services Dr. Beda R. Espineda; Coordinator of LPP Special Concerns, Dr. Nathan Magpantay; and National President of the LMP, Mayor Ramon N. Guico Jr. In a nutshell, PCS will provide the surgical manpower while PSA provides the anesthesia manpower for surgical missions conducted nationwide. And LPP will provide the logistical support necessary for its success. This project was also in collaboration with the GMA Kapuso Foundation and the ABS-CBN Foundation.
STOP DEATH PROGRAM
In 1994, the Department of Health and PCS, under the guidance of then president, Dr. Modesto Llamas, organized the STOP DEATH PROGRAM, which is short for Strategic and Tactical Options for the Prevention of Disasters, Epidemics and Trauma for Health. The Options centered mainly on preventive education on accidents and man-made disasters. A disaster response team was organized as one of the strategies. Some of the advocacies allied with this program were the WEAR THE SEATBELT campaign and the STOP SMOKING campaign. BLOOD LETTING activities were held to beef up the blood bank supply in each training institution. Currently, this latter activity is being held every September during PCS Foundation week.
BANTAY KALIKASAN-PCS PROGRAM
In September 8, 2001, as part of the PCS Foundation Celebration, then President Alberto B. Roxas and ABS-CBN Kalikasan Foundation joined forces to organize the “Adopt –a-Tree” program and sponsor a Tree-planting activity. Our PCS President, PCS External Committee Chairman and committee members, their family, friends, and invited guests spent a day at the La Mesa Dam. That day started with a lecture on the current status of our environment and Bantay Kalikasan on-going projects and accomplishment at the La Mesa Dam Area. Attendees were lectured on how to properly plant a tree. Each one planted his own tree at a designated portion of the La Mesa Dam. Arrangements were made for future site visits and to adopt a larger area to nurture and tend the trees. This project went on for four years until its maintenance was deemed too expensive. Other tree planting activities were conducted at the Quezon Circle as well as in various regions nationwide care-of the various PCS Chapter organizations. In the various chapter regions, this project is going on in strong, nurturing larger stretches of reclaimed “green” land. The trees to this day remain standing as a testament to our concern for the environment.
“ANG GALING MO DOC”
A catchy title adopted from Dr. Eduardo Gathchalian’s constant email sign out greeting to the PCS regents is now the title of a famous nationwide radio program of DZRH that delivers correct and scientifically based health education on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of surgical diseases to the people every Sunday just before noon. Since its inception on the 68th PCS Foundation Day celebration on September 12,2004, 200 radio stations of DZRH has been broadcasting health information on four major topics each month: trauma or geriatric health, children’s diseases, women’s diseases and health concerns and cancer. This brainchild of Dr. Edgar do Cortez, Dr Art De La Pena, Dr. Armand Crisostomo, Dr. Eduardo Gatchalian, in conjunction with MBS Management and Production, to this day, enjoys favorable reviews from the Nielsen Media Radio Audience Measurement.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY-PCS PROGRAM
As Dr. Jose A. Solomon covers this project in the 2005 PCS Newsletter vol.25 no. 3, he writes, “ A new activity of the PCS was launched on Saturday, September 10,2005 as part of the 69th PCS foundation week-long celebration. Through the PCS-MMC, more than 60 Fellows, residents, medical interns and clerks, as well as the PCS Secretariat, painted houses in Baseco, Tondo, Manila through a tie-up with Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit organization providing affordable housing for our less fortunate brethren. Dr. Eduardo Gatchalian led the group painting the units orange and blue in the Dutch-sponsored ING Village. This initial venture may just be a stepping-stone of the College in the realization of a future PCS Village as part of its community service. ” This project was spearheaded by then president Dr. Art de la Pena.
SAFE KIDS PROJECT
This PCS project, in collaboration with Safety Kids International and the Department of Health, has the objective of decreasing child death due to trauma and accidents through proper preventive education.
VOLUNTARY STERILIZATION PROGRAM
PCS president, Dr. Art de la Pena and Vice-president, Dr Eduardo Gatchalian in conjunction with Dr. Juan Flavier of the Department of Health and USAID, spearheaded voluntary sterilization for males by providing free vasectomy and ligation services for women. The project was successfully initiated in Marikina under the auspices of Mayor Marides Fernando. However, the project had to be terminated upon advice of the Board of Regents.
KLINIKA NG BAYAN AT KAMIRIN, KALOOCAN
In 2007, PCS, under the stewardship of then president, Dr. Rey Melchor Santos, donated a self-supporting clinic for the recipients of habitat for humanity in Kamirin, Kaloocan. The clinic provides free prenatal care and midwife services, minor surgeries, and medical consultations. Medical services are provided for free by the Department of Family Medicine of FEU-NRMF. Health education is given by PCS Fellows on a regular basis to the members of the community. Non-medical projects such as rag-making, selling of used clothes, soap making, and the making of party favors such as balloon designs help keep the clinic a self-supporting entity and teach community members of other sources of income.
PCS has always been actively engaging in community service and strengthening its role and credibility in the community as the bearer of goodwill and good health. As long as the college goes full steam in this direction, we will be celebrating for more decades to come.
The Strength of the PCS: COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAMS
Congratulations to the Philippine College of Surgeons on its 75th Anniversary! In human years, one is usually thankful to God for having been given a long life. These twilight years are usually spent reminiscing the highlights of a fruitful life. The highlights of one's life, as everyone will agree, are what you have done for others.
In institution years, 75 years of existence is just a few decades from inception. Each year is seen as a milestone of growth and further strength, the development of newer programs and reaching greater heights. An institution’s growth is derived from good governance, while its strength is equivalent to the breath of the foundation it has laid down. A solid foundation is as solid as its programs. The PCS' foundation is nothing less than solid as its programs are directed to benefit the community.
SURE PROGRAM
Since its inception, surgical missions were the main fodder of every surgical organization. Organized and large-scale community service programs have only been recently documented at the start of the millennium. In the 1980s, then PCS president Dr. Alfredo T. Ramirez organized the SURE program, short for Surgery in Underserved Regions for Education. Each year six to seven underserved regions nationwide are targeted by PCS chapters and affiliated societies. Wet clinics, surgical missions and a surgical forum are organized for them. Continuing Medical Education is provided for the local doctors. Health education is provided for the lay people and surgical services are provided for the poor.
More recently in September 15-22, 2005, as part of the SURE program, a memorandum of agreement was signed with the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) for a nationwide Surgical Mission. Signatories were PCS Vice President, Dr. Eduardo Gatchalian; President of the Philippine Society of Anesthesiologists, Dr. Ernie Nagtalon; Chairman of the Committee of Services Dr. Beda R. Espineda; Coordinator of LPP Special Concerns, Dr. Nathan Magpantay; and National President of the LMP, Mayor Ramon N. Guico Jr. In a nutshell, PCS will provide the surgical manpower while PSA provides the anesthesia manpower for surgical missions conducted nationwide. And LPP will provide the logistical support necessary for its success. This project was also in collaboration with the GMA Kapuso Foundation and the ABS-CBN Foundation.
STOP DEATH PROGRAM
In 1994, the Department of Health and PCS, under the guidance of then president, Dr. Modesto Llamas, organized the STOP DEATH PROGRAM, which is short for Strategic and Tactical Options for the Prevention of Disasters, Epidemics and Trauma for Health. The Options centered mainly on preventive education on accidents and man-made disasters. A disaster response team was organized as one of the strategies. Some of the advocacies allied with this program were the WEAR THE SEATBELT campaign and the STOP SMOKING campaign. BLOOD LETTING activities were held to beef up the blood bank supply in each training institution. Currently, this latter activity is being held every September during PCS Foundation week.
BANTAY KALIKASAN-PCS PROGRAM
In September 8, 2001, as part of the PCS Foundation Celebration, then President Alberto B. Roxas and ABS-CBN Kalikasan Foundation joined forces to organize the “Adopt –a-Tree” program and sponsor a Tree-planting activity. Our PCS President, PCS External Committee Chairman and committee members, their family, friends, and invited guests spent a day at the La Mesa Dam. That day started with a lecture on the current status of our environment and Bantay Kalikasan on-going projects and accomplishment at the La Mesa Dam Area. Attendees were lectured on how to properly plant a tree. Each one planted his own tree at a designated portion of the La Mesa Dam. Arrangements were made for future site visits and to adopt a larger area to nurture and tend the trees. This project went on for four years until its maintenance was deemed too expensive. Other tree planting activities were conducted at the Quezon Circle as well as in various regions nationwide care-of the various PCS Chapter organizations. In the various chapter regions, this project is going on in strong, nurturing larger stretches of reclaimed “green” land. The trees to this day remain standing as a testament to our concern for the environment.
“ANG GALING MO DOC”
A catchy title adopted from Dr. Eduardo Gathchalian’s constant email sign out greeting to the PCS regents is now the title of a famous nationwide radio program of DZRH that delivers correct and scientifically based health education on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of surgical diseases to the people every Sunday just before noon. Since its inception on the 68th PCS Foundation Day celebration on September 12,2004, 200 radio stations of DZRH has been broadcasting health information on four major topics each month: trauma or geriatric health, children’s diseases, women’s diseases and health concerns and cancer. This brainchild of Dr. Edgar do Cortez, Dr Art De La Pena, Dr. Armand Crisostomo, Dr. Eduardo Gatchalian, in conjunction with MBS Management and Production, to this day, enjoys favorable reviews from the Nielsen Media Radio Audience Measurement.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY-PCS PROGRAM
As Dr. Jose A. Solomon covers this project in the 2005 PCS Newsletter vol.25 no. 3, he writes, “ A new activity of the PCS was launched on Saturday, September 10,2005 as part of the 69th PCS foundation week-long celebration. Through the PCS-MMC, more than 60 Fellows, residents, medical interns and clerks, as well as the PCS Secretariat, painted houses in Baseco, Tondo, Manila through a tie-up with Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit organization providing affordable housing for our less fortunate brethren. Dr. Eduardo Gatchalian led the group painting the units orange and blue in the Dutch-sponsored ING Village. This initial venture may just be a stepping-stone of the College in the realization of a future PCS Village as part of its community service. ” This project was spearheaded by then president Dr. Art de la Pena.
SAFE KIDS PROJECT
This PCS project, in collaboration with Safety Kids International and the Department of Health, has the objective of decreasing child death due to trauma and accidents through proper preventive education.
VOLUNTARY STERILIZATION PROGRAM
PCS president, Dr. Art de la Pena and Vice-president, Dr Eduardo Gatchalian in conjunction with Dr. Juan Flavier of the Department of Health and USAID, spearheaded voluntary sterilization for males by providing free vasectomy and ligation services for women. The project was successfully initiated in Marikina under the auspices of Mayor Marides Fernando. However, the project had to be terminated upon advice of the Board of Regents.
KLINIKA NG BAYAN AT KAMIRIN, KALOOCAN
In 2007, PCS, under the stewardship of then president, Dr. Rey Melchor Santos, donated a self-supporting clinic for the recipients of habitat for humanity in Kamirin, Kaloocan. The clinic provides free prenatal care and midwife services, minor surgeries, and medical consultations. Medical services are provided for free by the Department of Family Medicine of FEU-NRMF. Health education is given by PCS Fellows on a regular basis to the members of the community. Non-medical projects such as rag-making, selling of used clothes, soap making, and the making of party favors such as balloon designs help keep the clinic a self-supporting entity and teach community members of other sources of income.
PCS has always been actively engaging in community service and strengthening its role and credibility in the community as the bearer of goodwill and good health. As long as the college goes full steam in this direction, we will be celebrating for more decades to come.
The Strength of the PCS: COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAMS
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