By Arnold Padilla, IBON Senior Researcher A recent article by Reuters tried to explain why oil prices are high. It gave five major reasons: Rising demand driven in particular by Chinese and Indian markets, lack of spare supply capacity, political tensions in the Middle East and financial crisis of Russian oil giant Yukos, stricter environmental…
Year: 2004
Kerry/Edwards Follow the Failed Bush/Cheney Policy on the Middle East
By SAMAR ASSAD Counterpunch Statements by presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry and his running mate Sen. John Edwards on issues concerning the Palestinian-Israeli conflict indicate that if elected this coming November 2nd, they would follow the same policies as the Bush-Cheney administration concerning the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Four years of unbalanced Bush-Cheney policies have failed to…
Oil Giants Can Control Surge in World Prices
By IBON Foundation Global oil prices are reaching record highs not because of unmanageable factors. In reality, giant transnational oil corporations that exert monopoly control over the global oil industry have the capacity to bring down oil prices. Super companies like Exxon Mobil (US), Chevron Texaco (US), Royal Dutch Shell (Britain-Netherlands), British Petroleum (Britain), Total…
NPA Dies in Manila Prison
A New People’s Army rebel died Oct. 21 while detained at the Maximum Security Compound of the National Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa after suffering from severe diarrhea and mental disturbance. By DABET CASTAÑEDA Bulatlat.com A New People’s Army rebel died Oct. 21 while detained at the Maximum Security Compound of the National Bilibid Prison in…
Marcopper Death Toll Reaches 3: Community, Environmental Groups Press for Justice
The mining operations have long been stopped but the toxic wastes dumped by Marcopper and Placer Dome from 1975 to 1991 into Marinduque’s Calancan Bay, a major water and food source in the area, has claimed yet another life. By Bulatlat.com Ambeth Relloque, 18, was to be brought by ambulance to the Philippine General Hospital…
Tracing the Colonial Roots of Halloween
The malls and department stores in the Philippines, particularly in Metro Manila, are cashing in on Halloween. They are adorned with cobwebs, bats and other creepy items while some of their workers are required to dress as witches or devils. This is their way of advertising the Halloween costumes that are very much in demand…
Samar Folk Struggle to Regain a Paradise Lost
A mining company has allegedly destroyed a historic and stunningly beautiful island in Eastern Samar. Now, the residents are fighting back to protect their environment, themselves and their future, facing a formidable enemy that has been, according to them, deceiving the residents and pitting them against each other. By MAUREEN JAPZON Bulatlat.com TACLOBAN CITY –…
Deregulated Fares Loom in the Wake of Oil Deregulation
The call to nationalize not only aims to protect the downstream oil sector. It also helps stem the tide of deregulation, liberalization and privatization of related economic sectors like transportation. By DANILO ARAÑA ARAO Bulatlat.com Deregulated land transportation fares, anyone? The deregulation of the downstream oil industry will not only result in continued increase in…
Tracing the Colonial Roots of Halloween
The malls and department stores in the Philippines, particularly in Metro Manila, are cashing in on Halloween. They are adorned with cobwebs, bats and other creepy items while some of their workers are required to dress as witches or devils. This is their way of advertising the Halloween costumes that are very much in demand…
Ka Daning: From the Church to the Parliament of the Streets
Danilo “Ka Daning” Ramos struggled early in life to provide for his family’s needs. He may not have impressive academic credentials, having finished only Grade 6, but his knowledge of the national situation is more impressive and credible than some government officials. Ka Daning has a distinct advantage: He knows poverty because he lives it…
Poor Man’s Diet: Of Noodles, Chicken Skin and Isaw
“Kumakalam ang tiyan,” “mahapdi ang sikmura,” and “namumuti ang mata sa gutom” are all expressions pertaining to hunger. That there are so many of them in Filipino indicates how prevalent hunger is among Filipinos. Meanwhile, the most commonly eaten food today – noodles and streetfoods such as isaw (grilled chicken intestine) – are not enough…