BY DABET CASTAÑEDA Bulatlat Vol. VII, No. 36, October 14-20, 2007 The trail of the P847 million ($19,228,149 at an exchange rate of $1=P44.05) funds for the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) seemed to have vanished, said Danilo Ramos, secretary-general of the peasant group (Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP or Peasant Movement of the Philippines),…
Day: October 13, 2007
Letter to the Producers of Desperate Housewives and ABC
BY GLADYS GUEVARRA DEMOCRATIC SPACE Posted by Bulatlat Vol. VII, No. 36, October 14-20, 2007 My name is Gladys Guevarra. I am a well-known singer/actress entertainer in the Philippines and I am writing regarding the infamous 09/30/07 episode that has recently received much attention. I do not write this letter alone, but rather I represent…
Nahan Ka Na?
NI NOEL SALES BARCELONA Inilathala ng Bulatlat Vol. VII, No. 36, October 14-20, 2007 Patuloy kitang hinahanap kahit dulo man lamang ng anino ang masilayan. Pilit na inaapuhap sa lumang polo blusa at palda mo ang halimuyak na nakagawian nang samyuin. Gabi-gabi, sa bawat pagpupumilit na umidlip – nananalangin ako sa kung Sinuman na ibalik…
Smokescreens
As the smoke from the Glorietta bombing clears, public attention is once again expected to focus on the Malacañang bribery scam, in which Palace officials handed out “cash gifts” to local officials amid threats of an impeachment bid against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The Glorietta bombing – in which there are strong indicators of military involvement…
Black and White
A tired-looking sidewalk vendor patiently pushes his cart across a pedestrian crossing along Session Road, Baguio City (256 kms north of Manila). The white, straight lines across the pedestrian crossing, viewed together with the vendor’s black shirt, create a view of life as many of the country’s poor see it – a seemingly lifelong struggle…
Francis Ver and the Pulido Impeach Rap
The existence of lawyer Francis Ver was practically unknown until last Oct. 9, when Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran delivered a privilege speech at the House of Representatives accusing him of having offered a P2-million bribe three days before in exchange for supporting what was described as a “fake impeachment complaint” against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. BY…
Recall of Japanese Mining Company’s ECC Urged
The Central Visayas Fisherfolk Development Center together with several small fisherfolk organizations in Cebu City have reiterated a long-standing demand for the recall of the Environmental Compliance Certificate issued by the Environmental Management Bureau-Central Visayas to the Japan Petroleum Exploration Co., Ltd. BY KARL G. OMBION Bulatlat Vol. VII, No. 36, October 14-20, 2007 The…
Philippines’s Food Safety ‘Generally Low’; Global Travel, Trade Increase Spread of Virulent Diseases
In this age of “fast lanes,” “fastfoods” and “fast habits,” a significant number of people in the country have obviously taken for granted the quality and safety of the food they eat, and something must be done to prevent the trend from worsening. BY KARL G. OMBION Bulatlat Vol. VII, No. 36, October 14-20, 2007…
Arroyo’s Flagship Mining Project in the Red
Two years after it caused its first mine tailings spill in the island of Rapu-Rapu in Albay on October 11 2005, the Arroyo administration’s flagship mining project is now in the red and has left its promises of prosperity for Rapu-Rapu’s residents unfulfilled. BY KALIKASAN PEOPLE’S NETWORK FOR THE ENVIRONMENT Posted by Bulatlat Vol. VII,…
JPEPA Undermines Philippine Constitution, Shuts Door to Real Economic Dev’t
The Japan Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) violates provisions of the 1987 Constitution which are vital to the country’s future economic development, according to independent think-tank IBON Foundation. BY IBON FOUNDATION Posted by Bulatlat Vol. VII, No. 36, October 14-20, 2007 The Japan Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) violates provisions of the 1987 Constitution which…
Small Farmers Unlikely to Benefit from ‘Agri Export Boost’ under JPEPA
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is trying to gain public support for the ratification of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) by flaunting that the free-trade pact will secure some US$353 million (P15.6 billion) worth of existing agricultural and fishery exports to Japan. But the benefits, if indeed there will be any, will be cornered…