“We cannot rely on DAR to implement genuine land reform. We cannot rely on Noynoy Aquino. We must continue implementing our own version of agrarian reform.” – United Luisita Workers Union
Month: April 2013
Cardinal Tagle calls on those holding Jonas, other desaparecidos to surface them
“Why do such human rights violations persist with impunity even under the Aquino administration?” – Fr. Rex Reyes, general secretary of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP)
Poverty, an anathema to democracy
By BENJIE OLIVEROS Bulatlat.com Two recent poverty surveys – from the government’s National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) and the Social Weather Stations (SWS) – came up with similar results showing that the Aquino government is not making a dent in the poverty situation. According to the NSCB survey, the July 2012 poverty rate of 27.9…
Luisita farmers begin 4-day trip to Manila
“We cannot trust the DAR to distribute the lands as it is clearly an instrument of the Cojuangco-Aquinos to perpetuate their control over our lands.” – ULWU
Kapunan admits ordering surveillance on Olalia, denies involvement in murders
Corroborating state witness Baretto’s statement, but limiting the extent of his involvement to just ordering the surveillance of Olalia, Kapunan admitted that he “asked Barretto to help Sumido in the surveillance of Olalia because of the slow progress (in Sumido’s work).”
‘Road widening’ project looms in North Triangle, demolition feared
Urban poor residents along North Triangle believe that the so-called road-widening project is just an excuse to demolish their homes.
Family, friends celebrate birthday of missing activist
“He missed to celebrate four of his birthdays with us. This is the fifth. Nevertheless, we never forget to celebrate it with or without him. It feels empty to celebrate a birthday without him though. But what can we do? He was taken away from us forcefully and we were left with no choice but to deal with this emptiness.” — Nonette Balao.
Critics of large-scale mining bat for ‘pro-people’ mining
“We are not against mining. We recognize the need for mining. But it’s different if foreigners are the ones utilizing our mining resources…”
Groups ask high court to strike down Mining Act
“What have we gained from the Philippine Mining Act of 1995? Environmental disaster, economic dislocation, food insecurity and militarization that wreak havoc in communities.” — Cordillera Peoples Alliance
Bulatlat Interviews: Migrante on Stranded Filipinos in Saudi Arabia
Bulatlat.com managing editor Benjie Oliveros interviews John Monterona, regional coordinator of Migrante Middle East, and Emilyn Bulaclac, wife of Elju Bulaclac, a stranded overseas Filipino worker in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Two Earth day celebrations, two views on the state of the environment
“We are now on the road to recovering the environment we have lost,” claimed the DENR. While progressive groups say, “With the forests being converted into plantations and logging permitted by the government, the area has been denuded up to a point wherein a mere rain shower could cause a catastrophic landslide.”