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
Showing posts with label government. Show all posts
Showing posts with label government. Show all posts
Monday, August 23, 2010
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
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
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)
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
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
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
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.#
Monday, August 9, 2010
KMU to Aquino: Investigate Lucio Tan’s Profits, Anti-labor Schemes
KMU to Aquino: Investigate Lucio Tan’s Profits, Anti-labor Schemes
As the controversy over the mass resignation of Philippine Airlines’ pilots since last Saturday rages on, labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno called on President Aquino to investigate PAL owner Lucio Tan’s profits and anti-labor schemes, saying labor issues are behind the recent imbroglio in the national flag carrier.
KMU made the call in a picket in front of PAL’s corporate office in Ayala Avenue this morning, where the labor center condemned the business tycoon for “intensifying the exploitation and causing the lay-off of workers” in the airline company.
Attending the picket were members of the PAL Employees’ Union or Palea, the union of PAL’s ground employees, the Laban ng Bagong Palea, KMU, and Anakpawis partylist.
“The PAL management continues to bombard us with Lucio Tan’s canard that the pilots who resigned were merely motivated by personal interests. If there is a party to this issue that has consistently advanced nothing but his personal interests, that is Lucio Tan,” said Roger Soluta, KMU general secretary.
“We are therefore calling on the Aquino regime: investigate and expose Tan’s profiteering and anti-labor schemes. Not only will this get us to the bottom of the pilots’ resignation, more importantly, this will be a first step in improving the worsening lot of PAL workers,” Soluta added.
The labor center said the investigation that it is calling for will force open “no less than a can of worms” that will expose the PAL management’s statements “for what they really are – lies in the service of superprofits.”
“Accusations that the pilots were thinking only of their own interests when they resigned will be refuted by no less than a can of worms of anti-labor schemes: increases in workloads and decreases in wages, illegal termination, moratorium in CBA negotiations, promotion of contractualization, use of dummy corporations, among others,” Soluta added.
“In various venues, and especially during negotiations for collective bargaining agreements, the PAL management is often heard whining about decreasing profits and the possibility of closing down. How could that be, when Lucio Tan continues to be the second richest Filipino with a net profit of P90 billion? When PAL continues to be the top carrier in the country, handling 35% of international flights?”
Soluta said investigating Tan’s profits and labor practices will yield “instructive insights” into the country’s labor laws and policies.
“We will definitely be shocked by how much of what Tan does in PAL and his other companies are illegal. But we will also be shocked by how much of his profiteering and anti-labor schemes are made legal, sanctioned by the country’s anti-worker labor laws and policies,” Soluta concluded.
http://www.bulatlat.com/main/2010/08/05/kmu-to-aquino-investigate-lucio-tan’s-profits-anti-labor-schemes/
As the controversy over the mass resignation of Philippine Airlines’ pilots since last Saturday rages on, labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno called on President Aquino to investigate PAL owner Lucio Tan’s profits and anti-labor schemes, saying labor issues are behind the recent imbroglio in the national flag carrier.
KMU made the call in a picket in front of PAL’s corporate office in Ayala Avenue this morning, where the labor center condemned the business tycoon for “intensifying the exploitation and causing the lay-off of workers” in the airline company.
Attending the picket were members of the PAL Employees’ Union or Palea, the union of PAL’s ground employees, the Laban ng Bagong Palea, KMU, and Anakpawis partylist.
“The PAL management continues to bombard us with Lucio Tan’s canard that the pilots who resigned were merely motivated by personal interests. If there is a party to this issue that has consistently advanced nothing but his personal interests, that is Lucio Tan,” said Roger Soluta, KMU general secretary.
“We are therefore calling on the Aquino regime: investigate and expose Tan’s profiteering and anti-labor schemes. Not only will this get us to the bottom of the pilots’ resignation, more importantly, this will be a first step in improving the worsening lot of PAL workers,” Soluta added.
The labor center said the investigation that it is calling for will force open “no less than a can of worms” that will expose the PAL management’s statements “for what they really are – lies in the service of superprofits.”
“Accusations that the pilots were thinking only of their own interests when they resigned will be refuted by no less than a can of worms of anti-labor schemes: increases in workloads and decreases in wages, illegal termination, moratorium in CBA negotiations, promotion of contractualization, use of dummy corporations, among others,” Soluta added.
“In various venues, and especially during negotiations for collective bargaining agreements, the PAL management is often heard whining about decreasing profits and the possibility of closing down. How could that be, when Lucio Tan continues to be the second richest Filipino with a net profit of P90 billion? When PAL continues to be the top carrier in the country, handling 35% of international flights?”
Soluta said investigating Tan’s profits and labor practices will yield “instructive insights” into the country’s labor laws and policies.
“We will definitely be shocked by how much of what Tan does in PAL and his other companies are illegal. But we will also be shocked by how much of his profiteering and anti-labor schemes are made legal, sanctioned by the country’s anti-worker labor laws and policies,” Soluta concluded.
http://www.bulatlat.com/main/2010/08/05/kmu-to-aquino-investigate-lucio-tan’s-profits-anti-labor-schemes/
Pagbabalik ng ROTC haharangin ng kabataan
Pagbabalik ng ROTC haharangin ng kabataan
Darius Galang, Pinoy Weekly
Tinututulan ng iba’t ibang grupo ng kabataan, maging ng kabataang kinatawan sa Kamara, ang panukala sa Kamara na ibalik ang Reserved Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) sa mga estudyante sa kolehiyo.
“Tinuturuan ng ROTC na magbulag-bulagan at walang-imik ang mga estudyante. Ginagamit pa ng AFP ang programa sa red-baiting laban sa progresibong mga grupong pang-estudyante, sa pamamagitan ng mga lektura nila sa ROTC na ang mga aktibistang grupo na ito ay may-ugnay sa rebeldeng New People’s Army,” ayon kay Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raymond Palatino.
Iminungkahi ni Cebu Rep. Eduardo Gullas sa Kamara na ibalik ang mandatory na (ROTC) at lusawin ang National Service Training Program (NSTP) para sa mga mag-aaral ng mga kolehiyo at unibersidad. Bahagi raw kasi ng programa ng ROTC, na pinamumunuan ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) ang pagtuturo ng patriyotismo sa mga kabataan.
Sinusugan ni Sek. Voltair Gazmin ng Department of National Defense ang panukala sa Kamara, dahil maibabalik daw ang disiplino at pagmamahal sa bayan ng mga kabataang Pilipino kung ibabalik ang ROTC.
Ngunit sinabi ni Palatino na maliban sa mapanupil na kulturang itinatanim ng ROTC sa mga estudyante, nagsisilbi rin ito para sa paniniktik sa kabataang mga aktibista sa iba’t ibang unibersidad. Sinabi ni Palatino na dati nilang naidokumento ang paniniktik ng mga estudyanteng opisyal ng ROTC sa militanteng mga organisasyon, at pagtatag ng mga student intelligence network sa mga kampus.
Noon pang 2006, nagpalaganap ang mga ito ng mga polyeto na pinipigilan ang mga estudyante na tutulan ang noo’y isinusulong na 300% tuition hike sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas, at inaakusahan ang mga lider ng mga protesta na “tagarekluta ng NPA.”
Napaulat na nangyari rin ang kahalintulad na insidente noong 2007 sa Politeknikong Unibersidad ng Pilipinas, at, nitong taon lang, sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas-Los Baños nang nanawagan ang walkout ang mga lider-estudyante.
Ayon naman kay Anton Dulce, pangalawang tagapangulo ng Anakbayan, “Sa pagbabalik ng mga protesta sa kampus laban sa pagtaas ng matrikula at iba pang bayarin, kasama pa ang di-makatarungang polisiya ng administrasyon ng mga paaralan, natatakot kami na ang mandatory ROTC ay gagamitin bilang kasangkapan laban sa mga mag-aaral na lumalaban para sa kanilang mga karapatan.”
Kasama sa isinususog na dagdag sa programa ng ROTC ang pagtutuon ng pansin sa serbisyong pangkomunidad at pagtugon sa mga kalamidad at sakuna.
Ngunit para kay Terry Ridon, tagapangulo ng League of Filipino Students (LFS), “Ang mga diumano’y mabubuting intensiyon na ito ng AFP ay isinasagawa na ngayon ng citizen-driven na mga komponent ng NSTP tulad ng Literacy Training Service at Community Welfare Training Service, at epektibo naman ang pagsasagawa nito sa implementasyon ng batas ulok sa NSTP. Ang balakin ng AFP ay nauuwi lamang sa pagpapaulit ng programa. (program redundancy).”
Dagdag pa niya na sa halos isang dekadang pagsasagawa ng NSTP ay binigyan nito ng laya ang mga mag-aaral na pumili para sa kanilang sarili ng programang maghahasa sa kanila at magbigay ng serbisyong pampubliko. “If it ain’t broke, why fix it?” sambit pa ni Dulce.
Mariin na tinututulan ni Palatino ang programang pagbabalik ng ROTC sa mga paaralan, at isinasaad niya na walang puwang ang puwersang-militar sa mga paaralan.
“Dahil sa madugo at malagim na rekord nila sa karapatang-pantao, walang karapatan ang AFP sa pang-akademikong pakikisali ng ating kabataan. Ang isang warmongering at mersenaryong institusyon ay hindi dapat hayaang makapasok sa mga paaralan at magturo sa mga mag-aaral,” ani Palatino, na nangakong lalabanan ang pagpapasa ng panukalang-batas sa Kamara.
Sa ulat ng alyansang pangkarapatang pantaong Karapatan, umabot sa 23 biktima sa mahigit 1,000 kaso ng ekstrahudisyal na pamamaslang sa ilalim ng pamahalaang Arroyo ay mula sa mga grupong kabataan tulad ng Anakbayan, ang League of Filipino Students, at Kabataan Partylist.
Tatlong miyembro pa ng Anakbayan ang kasama sa mahigit 300 kaso ng enforced disappearances sa ilalim ni Arroyo.
“Ang isang institusyong nabahiran ng dugo ng maraming kabataan ay hindi dapat na palapitin lomampung metro sa kahit anong kampus. Hindi pa ba sila kuntento sa kanilang pagpaslang at pagdukot sa karamihan ng ating kasamang lider-kabataan?”dugtong ni Dulce.
Nawala sa kurikulum ang ROTC noong 2001 bunsod ng malawakang protesta ng mga kabataan at mga biktima ng panggigipit at napaulat na pangingikil sa mga paaralan. Ang pagkamatay ni ROTC cadet at mag-aaral ng Unibersidad ng Santo Tomas na si Mark Chua bunsod sa ROTC “hazing” ang lalo pang nagpatingkad sa isyu ng ROTC sa kabataan.
[update Agosto 7, 2010]
Naglunsad na ng petition signing campaign ang mga grupong pangkabataan upang humiling sa mga estudyante, magulang at mga guro na tutulan ang panunumbalik ng ROTC sa mga pamantasan.
Samantala, nananawagan ang Kabataan Party-list kay Pang. Benigno Aquino III na basagin ang kanyang pananahimik ukol sa isyu ng panunumbalik ng nasabing programa.
Nakapagsalita na ang kabataan ngunit ang tindig ni Aquino sa isyu ng mandatory ROTC ay hindi marinig saan man. “Talagang nakakabingi ang kanyang pananahimik,” dugtong ni Palatino.
Ayon kay DND Spokesperson Eduardo Batac, ang naturang panunumbalik ng programa ay tutugon sa suliranin ng AFP’s sa kakulangan ng tauhan bukod sa kanilang “kakarampot na badyet.”
Bagay na ikinadismaya ng nakababatang kongresista. “Una, ang pagmomodernisa ng AFP sa pamamagitan ng public-private partnerships. Ngayon ito naman. Maguumpisa silang bumuhay ng batalyones ng laruang sundalo mula sa abo para sa ikabubuhay ng isang insitusyong militar,” pagtatapos ni Palatino.
Darius Galang, Pinoy Weekly
Tinututulan ng iba’t ibang grupo ng kabataan, maging ng kabataang kinatawan sa Kamara, ang panukala sa Kamara na ibalik ang Reserved Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) sa mga estudyante sa kolehiyo.
“Tinuturuan ng ROTC na magbulag-bulagan at walang-imik ang mga estudyante. Ginagamit pa ng AFP ang programa sa red-baiting laban sa progresibong mga grupong pang-estudyante, sa pamamagitan ng mga lektura nila sa ROTC na ang mga aktibistang grupo na ito ay may-ugnay sa rebeldeng New People’s Army,” ayon kay Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raymond Palatino.
Iminungkahi ni Cebu Rep. Eduardo Gullas sa Kamara na ibalik ang mandatory na (ROTC) at lusawin ang National Service Training Program (NSTP) para sa mga mag-aaral ng mga kolehiyo at unibersidad. Bahagi raw kasi ng programa ng ROTC, na pinamumunuan ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) ang pagtuturo ng patriyotismo sa mga kabataan.
Sinusugan ni Sek. Voltair Gazmin ng Department of National Defense ang panukala sa Kamara, dahil maibabalik daw ang disiplino at pagmamahal sa bayan ng mga kabataang Pilipino kung ibabalik ang ROTC.
Ngunit sinabi ni Palatino na maliban sa mapanupil na kulturang itinatanim ng ROTC sa mga estudyante, nagsisilbi rin ito para sa paniniktik sa kabataang mga aktibista sa iba’t ibang unibersidad. Sinabi ni Palatino na dati nilang naidokumento ang paniniktik ng mga estudyanteng opisyal ng ROTC sa militanteng mga organisasyon, at pagtatag ng mga student intelligence network sa mga kampus.
Noon pang 2006, nagpalaganap ang mga ito ng mga polyeto na pinipigilan ang mga estudyante na tutulan ang noo’y isinusulong na 300% tuition hike sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas, at inaakusahan ang mga lider ng mga protesta na “tagarekluta ng NPA.”
Napaulat na nangyari rin ang kahalintulad na insidente noong 2007 sa Politeknikong Unibersidad ng Pilipinas, at, nitong taon lang, sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas-Los Baños nang nanawagan ang walkout ang mga lider-estudyante.
Ayon naman kay Anton Dulce, pangalawang tagapangulo ng Anakbayan, “Sa pagbabalik ng mga protesta sa kampus laban sa pagtaas ng matrikula at iba pang bayarin, kasama pa ang di-makatarungang polisiya ng administrasyon ng mga paaralan, natatakot kami na ang mandatory ROTC ay gagamitin bilang kasangkapan laban sa mga mag-aaral na lumalaban para sa kanilang mga karapatan.”
Kasama sa isinususog na dagdag sa programa ng ROTC ang pagtutuon ng pansin sa serbisyong pangkomunidad at pagtugon sa mga kalamidad at sakuna.
Ngunit para kay Terry Ridon, tagapangulo ng League of Filipino Students (LFS), “Ang mga diumano’y mabubuting intensiyon na ito ng AFP ay isinasagawa na ngayon ng citizen-driven na mga komponent ng NSTP tulad ng Literacy Training Service at Community Welfare Training Service, at epektibo naman ang pagsasagawa nito sa implementasyon ng batas ulok sa NSTP. Ang balakin ng AFP ay nauuwi lamang sa pagpapaulit ng programa. (program redundancy).”
Dagdag pa niya na sa halos isang dekadang pagsasagawa ng NSTP ay binigyan nito ng laya ang mga mag-aaral na pumili para sa kanilang sarili ng programang maghahasa sa kanila at magbigay ng serbisyong pampubliko. “If it ain’t broke, why fix it?” sambit pa ni Dulce.
Mariin na tinututulan ni Palatino ang programang pagbabalik ng ROTC sa mga paaralan, at isinasaad niya na walang puwang ang puwersang-militar sa mga paaralan.
“Dahil sa madugo at malagim na rekord nila sa karapatang-pantao, walang karapatan ang AFP sa pang-akademikong pakikisali ng ating kabataan. Ang isang warmongering at mersenaryong institusyon ay hindi dapat hayaang makapasok sa mga paaralan at magturo sa mga mag-aaral,” ani Palatino, na nangakong lalabanan ang pagpapasa ng panukalang-batas sa Kamara.
Sa ulat ng alyansang pangkarapatang pantaong Karapatan, umabot sa 23 biktima sa mahigit 1,000 kaso ng ekstrahudisyal na pamamaslang sa ilalim ng pamahalaang Arroyo ay mula sa mga grupong kabataan tulad ng Anakbayan, ang League of Filipino Students, at Kabataan Partylist.
Tatlong miyembro pa ng Anakbayan ang kasama sa mahigit 300 kaso ng enforced disappearances sa ilalim ni Arroyo.
“Ang isang institusyong nabahiran ng dugo ng maraming kabataan ay hindi dapat na palapitin lomampung metro sa kahit anong kampus. Hindi pa ba sila kuntento sa kanilang pagpaslang at pagdukot sa karamihan ng ating kasamang lider-kabataan?”dugtong ni Dulce.
Nawala sa kurikulum ang ROTC noong 2001 bunsod ng malawakang protesta ng mga kabataan at mga biktima ng panggigipit at napaulat na pangingikil sa mga paaralan. Ang pagkamatay ni ROTC cadet at mag-aaral ng Unibersidad ng Santo Tomas na si Mark Chua bunsod sa ROTC “hazing” ang lalo pang nagpatingkad sa isyu ng ROTC sa kabataan.
[update Agosto 7, 2010]
Naglunsad na ng petition signing campaign ang mga grupong pangkabataan upang humiling sa mga estudyante, magulang at mga guro na tutulan ang panunumbalik ng ROTC sa mga pamantasan.
Samantala, nananawagan ang Kabataan Party-list kay Pang. Benigno Aquino III na basagin ang kanyang pananahimik ukol sa isyu ng panunumbalik ng nasabing programa.
Nakapagsalita na ang kabataan ngunit ang tindig ni Aquino sa isyu ng mandatory ROTC ay hindi marinig saan man. “Talagang nakakabingi ang kanyang pananahimik,” dugtong ni Palatino.
Ayon kay DND Spokesperson Eduardo Batac, ang naturang panunumbalik ng programa ay tutugon sa suliranin ng AFP’s sa kakulangan ng tauhan bukod sa kanilang “kakarampot na badyet.”
Bagay na ikinadismaya ng nakababatang kongresista. “Una, ang pagmomodernisa ng AFP sa pamamagitan ng public-private partnerships. Ngayon ito naman. Maguumpisa silang bumuhay ng batalyones ng laruang sundalo mula sa abo para sa ikabubuhay ng isang insitusyong militar,” pagtatapos ni Palatino.
‘Dato’s melodramatic privilege speech: pathetic,’ says IAM
Due to the crimes of the former First Family to the Filipino people
‘Dato’s melodramatic privilege speech: pathetic,’ says IAM
Reference: Mark Louie Aquino, IAM Spokesperson
The Imprison Arroyo Movement (IAM) today said that Camarines Sur Second District Representative Diosdado ‘Dato’ Arroyo’s privilege speech on Monday is indeed melodramatic and pathetic. They also said that it is very obvious that the former First Family only wants to solicit sympathy and appeal to emotions of the Filipino people to be able to save themselves over criticisms to their vast crimes against the Filipino people.
IAM insisted that the ‘son-defending-mom’ picture that we witnessed is not effective and will no longer make the Arroyos innocent to the massive corruption and human rights violation cases that Pampanga’s Second District Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and minions executed during her nine years stay as president.
On Monday, the youngest Arroyo in Congress gave his privelege speech at the Lower House shielding his mom against critics, particularly Bayan Muna Party-List Representative Teddy Casino. IAM believes that this ‘telenovela-inspired scene’ only aims to whitewash their criminal obligations to the people and pacify attacks against them.
‘If there’s anyone that should be pitied of, it is definitely not GMA nor the members of their family. It should be the Filipino people who were long-been victims of social injustices under the Arroyo administration,’ says Mark Louie Aquino, spokesperson of IAM.
He added, ‘It is indeed incredible for someone like Dato Arroyo to talk of rights on his privilege speech where in fact they were the ones involved in various loads of attacks on human rights.’
‘Dato’s “in-defense-of-mother-speech” is a pathetic hogwash trying to smother the former first family’s crime against Filipinos. Dato’s pity-us fashion of soliciting of sympathy is not going to work. The Filipino people’s call for justice is louder than Dato’s privilege speech,’ explained Aquino.
IAM further calls on the attention of President Benigno ‘Simeon’ Aquino III to conduct speedy trial and prosecution of GMA. They said that after almost 41 days of PNoy in office, nothing substantial, concrete and meaningful measures have been put forward.
‘The time for PNoy to realize his promise to serve justice to the Filipinos is running out. We can no longer wait to see GMA behind bars and there will be no other time to do that but now,’ Mark Louie Aquino ended. ###
‘Dato’s melodramatic privilege speech: pathetic,’ says IAM
Reference: Mark Louie Aquino, IAM Spokesperson
The Imprison Arroyo Movement (IAM) today said that Camarines Sur Second District Representative Diosdado ‘Dato’ Arroyo’s privilege speech on Monday is indeed melodramatic and pathetic. They also said that it is very obvious that the former First Family only wants to solicit sympathy and appeal to emotions of the Filipino people to be able to save themselves over criticisms to their vast crimes against the Filipino people.
IAM insisted that the ‘son-defending-mom’ picture that we witnessed is not effective and will no longer make the Arroyos innocent to the massive corruption and human rights violation cases that Pampanga’s Second District Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and minions executed during her nine years stay as president.
On Monday, the youngest Arroyo in Congress gave his privelege speech at the Lower House shielding his mom against critics, particularly Bayan Muna Party-List Representative Teddy Casino. IAM believes that this ‘telenovela-inspired scene’ only aims to whitewash their criminal obligations to the people and pacify attacks against them.
‘If there’s anyone that should be pitied of, it is definitely not GMA nor the members of their family. It should be the Filipino people who were long-been victims of social injustices under the Arroyo administration,’ says Mark Louie Aquino, spokesperson of IAM.
He added, ‘It is indeed incredible for someone like Dato Arroyo to talk of rights on his privilege speech where in fact they were the ones involved in various loads of attacks on human rights.’
‘Dato’s “in-defense-of-mother-speech” is a pathetic hogwash trying to smother the former first family’s crime against Filipinos. Dato’s pity-us fashion of soliciting of sympathy is not going to work. The Filipino people’s call for justice is louder than Dato’s privilege speech,’ explained Aquino.
IAM further calls on the attention of President Benigno ‘Simeon’ Aquino III to conduct speedy trial and prosecution of GMA. They said that after almost 41 days of PNoy in office, nothing substantial, concrete and meaningful measures have been put forward.
‘The time for PNoy to realize his promise to serve justice to the Filipinos is running out. We can no longer wait to see GMA behind bars and there will be no other time to do that but now,’ Mark Louie Aquino ended. ###
‘Arroyos must be in jail, not in the halls of Congress,’ says IAM
Anti-Arroyo movement cries foul over proclamation of Mikey as party-list representative
‘Arroyos must be in jail, not in the halls of Congress,’ says IAM
Reference: Mark Louie Aquino, IAM Spokesperson
The Imprison Arroyo Movement (IAM) today cries foul over the recent proclamation of Mikey Arroyo as party-list representative for Ang Galing Pinoy (AGP). This movement calling for the imprisonment of the Arroyos against their crimes against the Filipino people said that the junking of the disqualification case against AGP representative is a clear bastardization of the entire party-list system.
IAM stresses that the former First Family, including Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Mike Arroyo and the rest of their kin and minions deserves to have detention cells rather seats inside the halls of the House of Representatives or any other government posts. They said that the proclamation of Mikey Arroyo will serve as a bad precedent to future nomination in the party-list race.
‘The Arroyos must be in jail not in Congress,’ says Mark Louie Aquino, spokesperson of IAM and Youth Revolt.
Aquino insists, ‘This is a clear betrayal of the Arroyo-backed Commission on Elections against their own rules and to the will of the Filipino people. We will not allow this kind of connivance among the number one enemy of our people and of the poll body.’
IAM also challenged President Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III to break silence on the matter and condemn the said proclamation. Anti-Arroyo groups further told P-Noy to block the entry of the Arroyos and their cohorts in their corrupt practices and violations of human rights. IAM said that to start cleaning his government, P-Noy must not allow Arroyo allies to stay inside his backyard.
Mark Louie Aquino said, ‘It is indeed a strong political will that is badly needed by P-Noy in order for him to realize what he promised on his inauguration speech that reconciliation will not be possible if justice will not be served. It is in high time also for P-Noy to prove that the alleged alliance between him and GMA is really non-existence.’
Finally, IAM will closely monitor every move of the Arroyos and their allies inside the House of Representatives. They also vow to pursue all possible means of action to imprison the Arroyos in the soonest possible time. ###
‘Arroyos must be in jail, not in the halls of Congress,’ says IAM
Reference: Mark Louie Aquino, IAM Spokesperson
The Imprison Arroyo Movement (IAM) today cries foul over the recent proclamation of Mikey Arroyo as party-list representative for Ang Galing Pinoy (AGP). This movement calling for the imprisonment of the Arroyos against their crimes against the Filipino people said that the junking of the disqualification case against AGP representative is a clear bastardization of the entire party-list system.
IAM stresses that the former First Family, including Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Mike Arroyo and the rest of their kin and minions deserves to have detention cells rather seats inside the halls of the House of Representatives or any other government posts. They said that the proclamation of Mikey Arroyo will serve as a bad precedent to future nomination in the party-list race.
‘The Arroyos must be in jail not in Congress,’ says Mark Louie Aquino, spokesperson of IAM and Youth Revolt.
Aquino insists, ‘This is a clear betrayal of the Arroyo-backed Commission on Elections against their own rules and to the will of the Filipino people. We will not allow this kind of connivance among the number one enemy of our people and of the poll body.’
IAM also challenged President Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III to break silence on the matter and condemn the said proclamation. Anti-Arroyo groups further told P-Noy to block the entry of the Arroyos and their cohorts in their corrupt practices and violations of human rights. IAM said that to start cleaning his government, P-Noy must not allow Arroyo allies to stay inside his backyard.
Mark Louie Aquino said, ‘It is indeed a strong political will that is badly needed by P-Noy in order for him to realize what he promised on his inauguration speech that reconciliation will not be possible if justice will not be served. It is in high time also for P-Noy to prove that the alleged alliance between him and GMA is really non-existence.’
Finally, IAM will closely monitor every move of the Arroyos and their allies inside the House of Representatives. They also vow to pursue all possible means of action to imprison the Arroyos in the soonest possible time. ###
Drilon files resolution calling for Senate probe on excessive salaries of gov't officials
Reacting to reports of excessive and unwarranted salaries and other perks received by certain top government officials, Senator Franklin Drilonl last Thursday filed a resolution directing the committees on Finance, together with the Committee on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises, to conduct an investigation into the matter.
"Reports of excessive and unwarranted monetary remuneration and perks accruing to the benefit of board directors and top officials of government owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) and government financial institutions (GFIs), in the guise of allowances, per diem, honoraria, and bonuses, is like rubbing salt to an already open wound," Drilon laments.
"As public officers, we are all accountable to the people," explained the senator, while asking, "how can we expect people to trust us when they see that top government officials are given bonuses left and right, yet we cannot even grant them (the people), their clamour for higher wages?"
Drilon was referring to President Noynoy Aquino's state of the nation address wherein the President mentioned the case of MWSS, whose board of directors reportedly received millions on top of their regular salaries, in the guise of allowances, bonuses and other benefits.
"In these difficult times when workers both in public and private sectors are clamouring for more decent pay, such reports of excessive and unwarranted benefits and privileges being enjoyed by top officials and board directors of GOCCs and GFIs only exacerbate the level of discontent on the part of our poor countrymen," Drilon said.
"These alleged excesses in the use of public funds have to stop," Drilon said, adding that "this seemingly anomalous situation has been going on for too long, primarily because of the powers vested in the boards of these institutions to determine and fix their own compensation and benefits."
"The Aquino administration vowed to eradicate corruption in government, and it is my duty to help the President achieve this by ensuring that transparency and good governance will be in effect from this moment forward, Drilon added."
"As the chairman of the committee on Finance, I am recommending for the Senate to come up with the appropriate legislative measures to rationalize, and standardize, to a reasonable level, the compensation package of the top officials and board directors of GOCCs and GFIs, with the end in sight of promoting public trust, and protecting much needed public funds."
"Reports of excessive and unwarranted monetary remuneration and perks accruing to the benefit of board directors and top officials of government owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) and government financial institutions (GFIs), in the guise of allowances, per diem, honoraria, and bonuses, is like rubbing salt to an already open wound," Drilon laments.
"As public officers, we are all accountable to the people," explained the senator, while asking, "how can we expect people to trust us when they see that top government officials are given bonuses left and right, yet we cannot even grant them (the people), their clamour for higher wages?"
Drilon was referring to President Noynoy Aquino's state of the nation address wherein the President mentioned the case of MWSS, whose board of directors reportedly received millions on top of their regular salaries, in the guise of allowances, bonuses and other benefits.
"In these difficult times when workers both in public and private sectors are clamouring for more decent pay, such reports of excessive and unwarranted benefits and privileges being enjoyed by top officials and board directors of GOCCs and GFIs only exacerbate the level of discontent on the part of our poor countrymen," Drilon said.
"These alleged excesses in the use of public funds have to stop," Drilon said, adding that "this seemingly anomalous situation has been going on for too long, primarily because of the powers vested in the boards of these institutions to determine and fix their own compensation and benefits."
"The Aquino administration vowed to eradicate corruption in government, and it is my duty to help the President achieve this by ensuring that transparency and good governance will be in effect from this moment forward, Drilon added."
"As the chairman of the committee on Finance, I am recommending for the Senate to come up with the appropriate legislative measures to rationalize, and standardize, to a reasonable level, the compensation package of the top officials and board directors of GOCCs and GFIs, with the end in sight of promoting public trust, and protecting much needed public funds."
Sunday, August 8, 2010
She-Who-Cannot-Be-Named-in-the-Plenary
She-Who-Cannot-Be-Named-in-the-Plenary
Privilege Speech of Kabataan Partylist Rep. Raymond Palatino
August 4, 2010
Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues.
I wish to speak about the events this week which I think might affect my duties as a member of this House. We are all adjusting to the new situation: a former president is now a member of Congress.
Sabi ng marami, we are now at the crossroad of history. In the President’s own words, narito tayo ngayon sa isang punto kung saan pipili tayo kung alin ang tatahakin nating landas—ang daang baluktot o ang daang matuwid.
Cliché as it may sound, it is imperative that we assess the previous roads we have taken in order to properly determine the best route towards national progress. It is required that we deliver a post mortem to the previous administration. We should not entirely abandon this duty to the Truth Commission. As the representatives of the people, we have to articulate the sentiments of our constituents. It may not be good news for some, but there are people in this country who do not echo the sentiments of the previous government, who do not equate infrastructure with performance, GDP growth with genuine progress, people who do not live in delusion.
Sa proseso ng paglalagom sa nakaraang administrasyon, it is inevitable that something unpleasant will be delivered on the floor about the previous government. Because the truth Mr. Speaker and fellow representatives, outside this confined space of bright lights and grandeur is a world of darkness, of glaring poverty, of suppressed freedoms.
This is the dilemma, and this is I ask to all of you: How do we perform our duty without offending “She-Who-Cannot-Be-Named” in the plenary? Which should we value more: the sensibilities of House members or the right of the people to hear the truth about the past government?
I fear that 50 years from now, when historians will review our journals, they will only find glowing remarks about You-Know-Who or She-Who-Cannot-Be-Named-In-the-Plenary? Why? Because all the remarks that deal with the unpleasant, the ugly realities of the past government have been removed from the records under the guise of upholding decency and decorum. Sadly, this was backed by the House leadership which is affiliated with the new government that promises an era of change. The same government which proclaims, “there can no reconciliation without justice.”
This week, Representatives Walden Bello and Teddy Casino were accused of disrespecting a fellow member by delivering allegedly “unparliamentary” remarks in their speeches. Parts of their speeches were removed from the records particularly those referring to the corruption and human rights violations of the past administration. Your honor, this sets a bad precedent.
I have been here only for one year, 16 months to be exact, but long enough for me to hear speeches of fellow members criticizing fellow members.
Let me cite a few examples:
June 1, 2009: Former ANAD partylist Representative Jun Alcover blatantly and without basis named progressive partylist representatives as a “scourge of deceit and brutality.” He accused Representatives Maza and Ocampo as adherents of an inhuman ideology.
December 4, 2009: Former Bantay Partylist Representative Jovito Palparan accused Samar Representative Reynaldo Uy of having a private army.
Last day of session of the 14th Congress. Former A Teacher Partylist Representative Piamonte accused Representative Sarmiento of the same partylist of corruption and told him to “resign and shut up.”
In these instances, no one objected. No one moved to strike from the record such accusations that reek of malice and fallacy. The leadership allowed the speech to be included in the records.
My point is this: striking off the perceived unparliamentary remarks is not the only option. The body, the leadership, can tolerate to hear negative remarks. It is not encouraged but we have a practice of allowing members to stand on the floor and criticize, sometimes viciously criticize, a fellow member.
Today, there seems to be this worrisome obsession to find “unparliamentary” words in our speeches. It might send a bad signal to other members, especially to new members, that privilege speeches about the past government is ok, as long as they are not unpleasant in the ears of the supporters of “She-Who-Cannot-Be-Named-In-The-Plenary.”
I listened to the speeches of Bello and Casino, and I didn’t find any shocking expose, no new revelation. To use the words of Minority Representative Lagman, “bitin nga ako.” What they merely delivered was the sentiment of the people. Believe it or not, we have fellow Filipinos who believe that the previous government is guilty of spectacular crimes against the people. And maybe Representatives Bello and Casino think that the use of strong words to drive a point is needed. And the political situation today is such that colorful language must be used to remind us that “She-Who-Cannot-Be-Named-In-The-Plenary.” must be held accountable.
I understnd where Bello and Casino are coming from, especially Representative Casino who was holed up here in Batasan for several months in 2005. They are both part of the movement which attempted year after year to force the Congress to probe the alleged wrongdoings of the past government. The problem is wala kasi tayong closure. Now that the “She-Who-Cannot-Be-Named-In-The-Plenary.” is part of congress, would you expect the two to sing praises for her?
Lahat na lang ba ng negative remarks about “She-Who-Cannot-Be-Named-In-The-Plenary.” ay dapat tanggalin? Should I expect to hear only pro-You-Know-Who speeches in the next 3 years? What if a supporter of She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named stand on the floor and begin to enumerate the so-called achievements of the previous government? What if I also stand on the floor and move for the removal for what is to me offensive words? Would that be allowed by the leadership?
I hope the recent mania to scrutinize the speeches of anti-“She-Who-Cannot-Be-Named-In-The-Plenary.” solons is not a symptom of the reflection of our unwillingness to accept the truth about what happened in the past government.
It is tragic that we are more offended by the use of words that speak to truth, words that refer to acts of crime, rather than with the crimes itself.
My proposal is to give House members, especially members of the former opposition the freedom to speak and speak without fear of being censured about the past government. If it is founded on lies, it will not hold water. No one will believe them. Trust fellow members that they are capable of substantiating these allegations. Do not censor our speeches. Let the people judge. Let history be the judge. Do not purify and cleanse the records in the name of decorum.
Privilege Speech of Kabataan Partylist Rep. Raymond Palatino
August 4, 2010
Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues.
I wish to speak about the events this week which I think might affect my duties as a member of this House. We are all adjusting to the new situation: a former president is now a member of Congress.
Sabi ng marami, we are now at the crossroad of history. In the President’s own words, narito tayo ngayon sa isang punto kung saan pipili tayo kung alin ang tatahakin nating landas—ang daang baluktot o ang daang matuwid.
Cliché as it may sound, it is imperative that we assess the previous roads we have taken in order to properly determine the best route towards national progress. It is required that we deliver a post mortem to the previous administration. We should not entirely abandon this duty to the Truth Commission. As the representatives of the people, we have to articulate the sentiments of our constituents. It may not be good news for some, but there are people in this country who do not echo the sentiments of the previous government, who do not equate infrastructure with performance, GDP growth with genuine progress, people who do not live in delusion.
Sa proseso ng paglalagom sa nakaraang administrasyon, it is inevitable that something unpleasant will be delivered on the floor about the previous government. Because the truth Mr. Speaker and fellow representatives, outside this confined space of bright lights and grandeur is a world of darkness, of glaring poverty, of suppressed freedoms.
This is the dilemma, and this is I ask to all of you: How do we perform our duty without offending “She-Who-Cannot-Be-Named” in the plenary? Which should we value more: the sensibilities of House members or the right of the people to hear the truth about the past government?
I fear that 50 years from now, when historians will review our journals, they will only find glowing remarks about You-Know-Who or She-Who-Cannot-Be-Named-In-the-Plenary? Why? Because all the remarks that deal with the unpleasant, the ugly realities of the past government have been removed from the records under the guise of upholding decency and decorum. Sadly, this was backed by the House leadership which is affiliated with the new government that promises an era of change. The same government which proclaims, “there can no reconciliation without justice.”
This week, Representatives Walden Bello and Teddy Casino were accused of disrespecting a fellow member by delivering allegedly “unparliamentary” remarks in their speeches. Parts of their speeches were removed from the records particularly those referring to the corruption and human rights violations of the past administration. Your honor, this sets a bad precedent.
I have been here only for one year, 16 months to be exact, but long enough for me to hear speeches of fellow members criticizing fellow members.
Let me cite a few examples:
June 1, 2009: Former ANAD partylist Representative Jun Alcover blatantly and without basis named progressive partylist representatives as a “scourge of deceit and brutality.” He accused Representatives Maza and Ocampo as adherents of an inhuman ideology.
December 4, 2009: Former Bantay Partylist Representative Jovito Palparan accused Samar Representative Reynaldo Uy of having a private army.
Last day of session of the 14th Congress. Former A Teacher Partylist Representative Piamonte accused Representative Sarmiento of the same partylist of corruption and told him to “resign and shut up.”
In these instances, no one objected. No one moved to strike from the record such accusations that reek of malice and fallacy. The leadership allowed the speech to be included in the records.
My point is this: striking off the perceived unparliamentary remarks is not the only option. The body, the leadership, can tolerate to hear negative remarks. It is not encouraged but we have a practice of allowing members to stand on the floor and criticize, sometimes viciously criticize, a fellow member.
Today, there seems to be this worrisome obsession to find “unparliamentary” words in our speeches. It might send a bad signal to other members, especially to new members, that privilege speeches about the past government is ok, as long as they are not unpleasant in the ears of the supporters of “She-Who-Cannot-Be-Named-In-The-Plenary.”
I listened to the speeches of Bello and Casino, and I didn’t find any shocking expose, no new revelation. To use the words of Minority Representative Lagman, “bitin nga ako.” What they merely delivered was the sentiment of the people. Believe it or not, we have fellow Filipinos who believe that the previous government is guilty of spectacular crimes against the people. And maybe Representatives Bello and Casino think that the use of strong words to drive a point is needed. And the political situation today is such that colorful language must be used to remind us that “She-Who-Cannot-Be-Named-In-The-Plenary.” must be held accountable.
I understnd where Bello and Casino are coming from, especially Representative Casino who was holed up here in Batasan for several months in 2005. They are both part of the movement which attempted year after year to force the Congress to probe the alleged wrongdoings of the past government. The problem is wala kasi tayong closure. Now that the “She-Who-Cannot-Be-Named-In-The-Plenary.” is part of congress, would you expect the two to sing praises for her?
Lahat na lang ba ng negative remarks about “She-Who-Cannot-Be-Named-In-The-Plenary.” ay dapat tanggalin? Should I expect to hear only pro-You-Know-Who speeches in the next 3 years? What if a supporter of She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named stand on the floor and begin to enumerate the so-called achievements of the previous government? What if I also stand on the floor and move for the removal for what is to me offensive words? Would that be allowed by the leadership?
I hope the recent mania to scrutinize the speeches of anti-“She-Who-Cannot-Be-Named-In-The-Plenary.” solons is not a symptom of the reflection of our unwillingness to accept the truth about what happened in the past government.
It is tragic that we are more offended by the use of words that speak to truth, words that refer to acts of crime, rather than with the crimes itself.
My proposal is to give House members, especially members of the former opposition the freedom to speak and speak without fear of being censured about the past government. If it is founded on lies, it will not hold water. No one will believe them. Trust fellow members that they are capable of substantiating these allegations. Do not censor our speeches. Let the people judge. Let history be the judge. Do not purify and cleanse the records in the name of decorum.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
The role of the progressive party list bloc in the 15th Congress
The role of the progressive party list bloc in the 15th Congress
Privilege speech delivered by Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño
August 3, 2010
Mr. Speaker, my distinguished colleagues.
At the opening session of the 15th Congress last week, Bayan Muna and the other partylist organizations comprising the progressive party list bloc – Gabriela Women's Party, Anakpawis, Kabataan, and Act Teachers Party – voted with the majority in electing Congressman Feliciano Belmonte as Speaker of the House.
Marami ho ang nagtatanong. Ngayong nasa mayorya kami, kami ba daw ay mananahimik na? Pipigilan ba daw namin ang sarili sa pag-kwestyon sa mga disisyon at legislative agenda ng administrasyon at ng liderato ng Kamara? Magbabago na daw ba ang aming papel bilang mga kritiko ng status quo at ng gobyernong nagtataguyod nito?
Mr. Speaker, ang mga tanong na ito'y nagpapakita ng kalituhan sa papel ng mga progresibong kinatawan ng party list sa Kamara. Nakadagdag ang nakaraang eleksyon sa kalituhang ito. Ang pag-domina ng mga party list group na sinuportahan ng mga makapangyarihang political dynasty at malalaking interes sa negosyo ay nagsasalaula sa sistema ng party list at nagbibigay duda sa kakayanan nitong kumatawan sa mga dehado at walang boses sa Kongreso.
Indeed, what is the role of the partylist representatives? To answer the question, may I first quote the Supreme Court in its landmark 2001 decision in Bayan Muna vs. the Solicitor General.
“It is ironic” the High Court said, “that the marginalized and underrepresented in our midst are the majority who wallow in poverty, destitution and infirmity. It was for them that the party-list system was enacted – to give them not only genuine hope, but genuine power; to give them the opportunity to be elected and to represent the specific concerns of their constituencies; and simply to give them a direct voice in Congress and in the larger affairs of the State.
“In its noblest sense,” the Court further said, “the party-list system truly empowers the masses and ushers a new hope for genuine change. Verily, it invites those marginalized and underrepresented in the past – the farm hands, the fisher folk, the urban poor, even those in the underground movement – to come out and participate, as indeed many of them came out and participated during the last elections. The State cannot now disappoint and frustrate them by disabling and desecrating this social justice vehicle.”
Ayun po, Mr. Speaker, my distinguished colleagues. Malinaw na malinaw. The party lists are in Congress to represent and fight for the oppressed and downtrodden. To be a powerful voice to those whose voices are hardly heard in the corridors of power. We are here to use every opportunity for social change and the betterment of the marginalized masses. To be the genuine opposition to the oppressive and bankrupt social system that has afflicted our nation for so long.
We are at our best as a conscience bloc, as proponents of progressive and alternative policies, as champions of social reform and the politics of change. For us in the progressive party list bloc, our work in Congress is a mere extension of the people's movement for justice, freedom and national democracy.
It is in this context that we join the Majority in the 15th Congress.
Hindi ito ang unang beses na kami'y makikipagtulungan sa ruling coalition. In 2001 until 2005, we sided with the majority while retaining our independence and initiative within this working relationship, taking positions on important issues and legislative measures pushed by the majority consistent with our principles.
In 2001 as in today, we had a new administration claiming to be a product of People Power. On that premise of change and the promise of reform, we joined the Majority and expressed our readiness to overcome our historic and well-grounded skepticism of the ruling elite, provided the new leadership deliver on its promises. Alas, our skepticism turned out correct. By 2005, we quit the Majority and initiated the first of four impeachment proceedings against the former President.
Mr. Speaker, naging isang bangungot sa amin at sa mamamayang Pilipino ang rehimen ni Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Nabiktima tayo ng isang pangulong tinaguriang sinungaling, magnanakaw, mandaraya at mamamatay tao. Isang pangulong tila hindi nagdalawang-isip na baluktutin ang ating mga batas; suhulan ang ating mga mambabatas; takutin, dukutin at patayin ang kanyang mga kritiko; upang manatili sa poder at magpayaman sa pwesto. Hindi ko na po iisa-isahin pa ang mga krimen at pagkakasala ng dating pangulo at kanyang mga alipores, at baka umabot tayo hanggang bukas. Ang importante, kailangan nilang managot. At sisiguraduhin naming sila ay mananagot.
The question now, Mr. Speaker, is will the incumbent President be any better?
Curiously, President Noynoy Aquino's innaugural speech and SONA expressed much the same things as Mrs. Arroyo's in 2001 although in more mundane but populist terms. Sabi niya: “Kayo ang boss ko. Walang wangwang, walang counterflow, walang kotong. Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap.”
Magagandang salita, Mr. Speaker. Noon at ngayon, magagandang pangako. Ngunit ang tanong, nasaan ang pagbabago ng sistema na matagal na nating inaasam-asam?
Mr. Speaker, we are an underdeveloped country still dominated by the colonial powers led by the United States and continually being exploited and plundered by their big banks, corporations and multilateral financial and trade institutions.
In the countryside, our farmers are mired in chronic poverty, shackled by age-old feudal and semi-feudal structures and oppressed by big landed families that comprise the political dynasties in their areas.
Genuine democracy remains a pipe dream, with the political system dominated and systematically corrupted by the ruling elite. The civilian bureaucracy and military forces are mere adjuncts of whoever is in power, and government is treated as one big business meant to be plundered for the benefit of oneself and one's relatives and friends.
We need change and we need it badly. But will the new administration deliver?
We in the progressive party list bloc can not help but be more skeptical this time around. Nowhere in the President's pronouncements did we hear any policy change or proposal addressing these root problems. Mga lumang problema ang hinaharap ng bagong administrasyon. Mga luma ring solusyon ang hinahapag. Nasaan ang pagbabago?
It was no surprise, Mr. Speaker, that the Minority Leader, Congressman Edcel Lagman, in his contra-SONA last week, boasted that the Aquino government is actually adopting many of the programs and policies of the previous administration. It seems that under President Aquino, we will see even more liberalization of the economy, more deregulation of strategic sectors, and more privatization via public-private partnerships. I am particularly apprehensive about such partnerships considering the key government posts now occupied by former executives of big companies involved in electricity generation and distribution, water distribution, infrastructure, real estate and telecommunications. From being service oriented, our utilities will now be profit oriented.
Ang sabi ng Pangulo, maling pulitika daw ang pagpigil sa pagtaas ng presyo ng tubig, kuryente at pasahe sa MRT. Ano ho ang ibig sabihin nito, itataas na ang presyo ng tubig, kuryente, pamasahe at iba pang batayang serbisyo? Siguradong pumapalakpak ang mga bangko at mga negosyanteng may interes sa mga proyektong ito.
When the President spoke to us, there was no mention of agrarian reform. No mention of the plight of our workers and their demand for just wages and better working conditions.
We hoped that the efforts to hold the Arroyo regime accountable for its crimes would include not only cases of plunder, graft and corruption but human rights violations as well, which is a bigger concern even in the international community. To our dismay, it seems the more than one thousand victims of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and other human rights atrocities under Arroyo will not find justice under Aquino. Cases of human rights violations were left out of the Truth Commission's mandate. The Alston report continues to gather dust, its recommendations ignored. The state of denial continues, the killings have not stopped.
It also seems that under the new administration, the prospects for peace are dim with the President's insistence on various preconditions, like a ceasefire, for the talks to resume. It was inappropriate for President Aquino to dare the NDF to give concrete proposals because in fact, the various agreements and talking points since the 1992 Hague Agreement, including the 1996 agreement on human rights and international law and the proposed agreement on social and economic reforms in 1998, show so many concrete proposals from the NDF that were never reciprocated by the Philippine government.
I can go on, Mr. Speaker, but I think the point is clear. Ang tanong ng bayan, nasaan ang pagbabago? Hanggang wangwang na lang ba? May makabuluhang pagbabago ba para sa mahihirap at inaaping mamamayan na aming kinakatawan?
Ang sabi ng iba, bigyan natin ng pagkakataon ang Pangulo na patunayan ang kanyang mga sinasabi. Kailangan daw ng panahon para madama ang pagbabago. Sana nga. Sana nga. Subalit sa aming nakikita at naririnig, mukhang malabo.
Sa ganitong kalagayan, Mr. Speaker, ang papel namin ay hindi lang tiyaking tinutupad ng administrasyon ang kanyang mga pangako, subalit itulak at palawakin pa ito para maging tunay na makabuluhan para sa masang Pilipino. Sa ganitong balangkas kami'y nakahandang makipagtulungan.
Sa kabilang banda, hindi kami mangingiming ilantad at tutulan ang anumang kontra-mamamayang patakaran o batas na itinutulak sa Kongreso o kahit na anong ahensya ng gobyerno, maging ito'y galing sa administrasyon o oposisyon. Sa ganitong balangkas kami'y nakahandang makipagtunggalian.
Sa ganang akin, may isang dosenang kagyat na kahingian ang sambayanan na dapat matugunan ng administrasyong Aquino:
1. Panagutin at parusahan ang dating pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at mga kasabwat niya sa kanilang mga krimen sa bayan.
2. Bigyan ng hustisya ang mga biktima ng human rights violations, ipatupad ang mga rekomendasyon ng Alston report kaugnay ng Oplan Bantay Laya at iba pa.
3. Ipamahagi ang lupa ng Hacienda Luisita sa mga magsasaka at ipatupad ang tunay na reporma sa lupa.
4. Ipasa ang isang legislated, across the board wage hike, itigil ang kontraktwalisasyon sa paggawa.
5. Ibaba ang presyo ng mga bilihin, tanggalin ang VAT sa langis, kuryente, tubig at mga batayang serbisyo't produkto.
6. I-repeal ang PD 1177 at ire-channel ang badyet ng debt service patungo sa edukasyon, kalusugan, pabagay at ibang batayang serbisyo.
7. Bigyan ng subsidyo ang mga magsasaka at protektahan ang mga manggagawa at negosyong Pilipino laban sa mga dayuhang produkto at kapital.
8. Baliktarin ang liberalisasyon sa mga produktong may lokal na katumbas, i-atras ang deregulasyon at pribatisasyon sa power generation, distribusyon ng tubig, industriya ng langis at pagmimina, at paggamit ng ating likas yaman.
9. Ibasura at bumaklas sa mga kontra-mamamayang kundisyon ng mga free trade agreements at iba pang dikta ng IMF, WB at WTO.
10. Paigtingin pa ang laban sa korapsyon. Lansagin ang sistema ng pork barrel, ipasa ang mga batas para sa pagpapalakas ng papel ng mamamayan sa pagsugpo ng korapsyon.
11. Ibalik ang peace talks ng walang kundisyon.
12. Itigil ang Balikatan exercises at ibasura ang MDT, VFA, MLSA at iba pang di-makatwirang kasunduang pang-militar.
Ginoong Speaker, mga kagalang-galang na kasama, asahan ninyong sa ika-15 Kongreso, isusulong namin ang mga ito upang higit pang mapaglingkuran ang masang Pilipino.
Maraming salamat po.
Privilege speech delivered by Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño
August 3, 2010
Mr. Speaker, my distinguished colleagues.
At the opening session of the 15th Congress last week, Bayan Muna and the other partylist organizations comprising the progressive party list bloc – Gabriela Women's Party, Anakpawis, Kabataan, and Act Teachers Party – voted with the majority in electing Congressman Feliciano Belmonte as Speaker of the House.
Marami ho ang nagtatanong. Ngayong nasa mayorya kami, kami ba daw ay mananahimik na? Pipigilan ba daw namin ang sarili sa pag-kwestyon sa mga disisyon at legislative agenda ng administrasyon at ng liderato ng Kamara? Magbabago na daw ba ang aming papel bilang mga kritiko ng status quo at ng gobyernong nagtataguyod nito?
Mr. Speaker, ang mga tanong na ito'y nagpapakita ng kalituhan sa papel ng mga progresibong kinatawan ng party list sa Kamara. Nakadagdag ang nakaraang eleksyon sa kalituhang ito. Ang pag-domina ng mga party list group na sinuportahan ng mga makapangyarihang political dynasty at malalaking interes sa negosyo ay nagsasalaula sa sistema ng party list at nagbibigay duda sa kakayanan nitong kumatawan sa mga dehado at walang boses sa Kongreso.
Indeed, what is the role of the partylist representatives? To answer the question, may I first quote the Supreme Court in its landmark 2001 decision in Bayan Muna vs. the Solicitor General.
“It is ironic” the High Court said, “that the marginalized and underrepresented in our midst are the majority who wallow in poverty, destitution and infirmity. It was for them that the party-list system was enacted – to give them not only genuine hope, but genuine power; to give them the opportunity to be elected and to represent the specific concerns of their constituencies; and simply to give them a direct voice in Congress and in the larger affairs of the State.
“In its noblest sense,” the Court further said, “the party-list system truly empowers the masses and ushers a new hope for genuine change. Verily, it invites those marginalized and underrepresented in the past – the farm hands, the fisher folk, the urban poor, even those in the underground movement – to come out and participate, as indeed many of them came out and participated during the last elections. The State cannot now disappoint and frustrate them by disabling and desecrating this social justice vehicle.”
Ayun po, Mr. Speaker, my distinguished colleagues. Malinaw na malinaw. The party lists are in Congress to represent and fight for the oppressed and downtrodden. To be a powerful voice to those whose voices are hardly heard in the corridors of power. We are here to use every opportunity for social change and the betterment of the marginalized masses. To be the genuine opposition to the oppressive and bankrupt social system that has afflicted our nation for so long.
We are at our best as a conscience bloc, as proponents of progressive and alternative policies, as champions of social reform and the politics of change. For us in the progressive party list bloc, our work in Congress is a mere extension of the people's movement for justice, freedom and national democracy.
It is in this context that we join the Majority in the 15th Congress.
Hindi ito ang unang beses na kami'y makikipagtulungan sa ruling coalition. In 2001 until 2005, we sided with the majority while retaining our independence and initiative within this working relationship, taking positions on important issues and legislative measures pushed by the majority consistent with our principles.
In 2001 as in today, we had a new administration claiming to be a product of People Power. On that premise of change and the promise of reform, we joined the Majority and expressed our readiness to overcome our historic and well-grounded skepticism of the ruling elite, provided the new leadership deliver on its promises. Alas, our skepticism turned out correct. By 2005, we quit the Majority and initiated the first of four impeachment proceedings against the former President.
Mr. Speaker, naging isang bangungot sa amin at sa mamamayang Pilipino ang rehimen ni Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Nabiktima tayo ng isang pangulong tinaguriang sinungaling, magnanakaw, mandaraya at mamamatay tao. Isang pangulong tila hindi nagdalawang-isip na baluktutin ang ating mga batas; suhulan ang ating mga mambabatas; takutin, dukutin at patayin ang kanyang mga kritiko; upang manatili sa poder at magpayaman sa pwesto. Hindi ko na po iisa-isahin pa ang mga krimen at pagkakasala ng dating pangulo at kanyang mga alipores, at baka umabot tayo hanggang bukas. Ang importante, kailangan nilang managot. At sisiguraduhin naming sila ay mananagot.
The question now, Mr. Speaker, is will the incumbent President be any better?
Curiously, President Noynoy Aquino's innaugural speech and SONA expressed much the same things as Mrs. Arroyo's in 2001 although in more mundane but populist terms. Sabi niya: “Kayo ang boss ko. Walang wangwang, walang counterflow, walang kotong. Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap.”
Magagandang salita, Mr. Speaker. Noon at ngayon, magagandang pangako. Ngunit ang tanong, nasaan ang pagbabago ng sistema na matagal na nating inaasam-asam?
Mr. Speaker, we are an underdeveloped country still dominated by the colonial powers led by the United States and continually being exploited and plundered by their big banks, corporations and multilateral financial and trade institutions.
In the countryside, our farmers are mired in chronic poverty, shackled by age-old feudal and semi-feudal structures and oppressed by big landed families that comprise the political dynasties in their areas.
Genuine democracy remains a pipe dream, with the political system dominated and systematically corrupted by the ruling elite. The civilian bureaucracy and military forces are mere adjuncts of whoever is in power, and government is treated as one big business meant to be plundered for the benefit of oneself and one's relatives and friends.
We need change and we need it badly. But will the new administration deliver?
We in the progressive party list bloc can not help but be more skeptical this time around. Nowhere in the President's pronouncements did we hear any policy change or proposal addressing these root problems. Mga lumang problema ang hinaharap ng bagong administrasyon. Mga luma ring solusyon ang hinahapag. Nasaan ang pagbabago?
It was no surprise, Mr. Speaker, that the Minority Leader, Congressman Edcel Lagman, in his contra-SONA last week, boasted that the Aquino government is actually adopting many of the programs and policies of the previous administration. It seems that under President Aquino, we will see even more liberalization of the economy, more deregulation of strategic sectors, and more privatization via public-private partnerships. I am particularly apprehensive about such partnerships considering the key government posts now occupied by former executives of big companies involved in electricity generation and distribution, water distribution, infrastructure, real estate and telecommunications. From being service oriented, our utilities will now be profit oriented.
Ang sabi ng Pangulo, maling pulitika daw ang pagpigil sa pagtaas ng presyo ng tubig, kuryente at pasahe sa MRT. Ano ho ang ibig sabihin nito, itataas na ang presyo ng tubig, kuryente, pamasahe at iba pang batayang serbisyo? Siguradong pumapalakpak ang mga bangko at mga negosyanteng may interes sa mga proyektong ito.
When the President spoke to us, there was no mention of agrarian reform. No mention of the plight of our workers and their demand for just wages and better working conditions.
We hoped that the efforts to hold the Arroyo regime accountable for its crimes would include not only cases of plunder, graft and corruption but human rights violations as well, which is a bigger concern even in the international community. To our dismay, it seems the more than one thousand victims of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and other human rights atrocities under Arroyo will not find justice under Aquino. Cases of human rights violations were left out of the Truth Commission's mandate. The Alston report continues to gather dust, its recommendations ignored. The state of denial continues, the killings have not stopped.
It also seems that under the new administration, the prospects for peace are dim with the President's insistence on various preconditions, like a ceasefire, for the talks to resume. It was inappropriate for President Aquino to dare the NDF to give concrete proposals because in fact, the various agreements and talking points since the 1992 Hague Agreement, including the 1996 agreement on human rights and international law and the proposed agreement on social and economic reforms in 1998, show so many concrete proposals from the NDF that were never reciprocated by the Philippine government.
I can go on, Mr. Speaker, but I think the point is clear. Ang tanong ng bayan, nasaan ang pagbabago? Hanggang wangwang na lang ba? May makabuluhang pagbabago ba para sa mahihirap at inaaping mamamayan na aming kinakatawan?
Ang sabi ng iba, bigyan natin ng pagkakataon ang Pangulo na patunayan ang kanyang mga sinasabi. Kailangan daw ng panahon para madama ang pagbabago. Sana nga. Sana nga. Subalit sa aming nakikita at naririnig, mukhang malabo.
Sa ganitong kalagayan, Mr. Speaker, ang papel namin ay hindi lang tiyaking tinutupad ng administrasyon ang kanyang mga pangako, subalit itulak at palawakin pa ito para maging tunay na makabuluhan para sa masang Pilipino. Sa ganitong balangkas kami'y nakahandang makipagtulungan.
Sa kabilang banda, hindi kami mangingiming ilantad at tutulan ang anumang kontra-mamamayang patakaran o batas na itinutulak sa Kongreso o kahit na anong ahensya ng gobyerno, maging ito'y galing sa administrasyon o oposisyon. Sa ganitong balangkas kami'y nakahandang makipagtunggalian.
Sa ganang akin, may isang dosenang kagyat na kahingian ang sambayanan na dapat matugunan ng administrasyong Aquino:
1. Panagutin at parusahan ang dating pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at mga kasabwat niya sa kanilang mga krimen sa bayan.
2. Bigyan ng hustisya ang mga biktima ng human rights violations, ipatupad ang mga rekomendasyon ng Alston report kaugnay ng Oplan Bantay Laya at iba pa.
3. Ipamahagi ang lupa ng Hacienda Luisita sa mga magsasaka at ipatupad ang tunay na reporma sa lupa.
4. Ipasa ang isang legislated, across the board wage hike, itigil ang kontraktwalisasyon sa paggawa.
5. Ibaba ang presyo ng mga bilihin, tanggalin ang VAT sa langis, kuryente, tubig at mga batayang serbisyo't produkto.
6. I-repeal ang PD 1177 at ire-channel ang badyet ng debt service patungo sa edukasyon, kalusugan, pabagay at ibang batayang serbisyo.
7. Bigyan ng subsidyo ang mga magsasaka at protektahan ang mga manggagawa at negosyong Pilipino laban sa mga dayuhang produkto at kapital.
8. Baliktarin ang liberalisasyon sa mga produktong may lokal na katumbas, i-atras ang deregulasyon at pribatisasyon sa power generation, distribusyon ng tubig, industriya ng langis at pagmimina, at paggamit ng ating likas yaman.
9. Ibasura at bumaklas sa mga kontra-mamamayang kundisyon ng mga free trade agreements at iba pang dikta ng IMF, WB at WTO.
10. Paigtingin pa ang laban sa korapsyon. Lansagin ang sistema ng pork barrel, ipasa ang mga batas para sa pagpapalakas ng papel ng mamamayan sa pagsugpo ng korapsyon.
11. Ibalik ang peace talks ng walang kundisyon.
12. Itigil ang Balikatan exercises at ibasura ang MDT, VFA, MLSA at iba pang di-makatwirang kasunduang pang-militar.
Ginoong Speaker, mga kagalang-galang na kasama, asahan ninyong sa ika-15 Kongreso, isusulong namin ang mga ito upang higit pang mapaglingkuran ang masang Pilipino.
Maraming salamat po.
Privilege speech delivered by Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño
August 3, 2010
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