The country’s sugar workers called on Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to reopen the Central Azucarera de Don Pedro, Inc. (CADPI) in Nasugbu, Batangas, to boost the country’s sugar supply and ethanol production.
Marcos Jr. urged to prioritize local sugar mills
Year: 2023
Health workers hold ‘Black Hearts’ protest over unpaid benefits, possible displacements
Filipino health workers celebrated Valentine’s Day with a “Black Hearts Day” protest as they called anew for a substantial salary increase and the release of their still unpaid COVID-19 allowances.
Group fears looming train fare hikes amid crisis
“Private companies always come after big profit margins. Under LRMC’s contract, the government will pay once the corporation is not able to charge a fare hike. This is unclear and anti-people,” said Bayan.
Samahan ng mga Warm pa rin ang Valentines
By DEE AYROSO
Balik-Tanaw | Wisdom in the least
Time and time again, we are reminded of keeping our connections and relations with our kapwa. Just as the pandemic has taught us. Sadly though, it seems like the world is not learning and listening to the wisdom in the least. The world is still focused on producing more than what is needed, is fixated on owning and consuming more and more. Our modern lifestyle is contributing to the destruction of mother nature. We seem to be forgetting to see and hear our brothers and sisters that are hurting the most – the poor, the indigenous peoples, the farmers, the laborers, the women, the children. More and more women and children are still becoming victims of domestic abuse and sexual harassment. We, peoples of these islands seem to have forgotten the value of kapwa that is part of our spirituality.
Vantage Point | Foreign policy predicament
The Marcos II administration has declared that part of its foreign policy is strengthening Philippine relations with other ASEAN countries and with China. But it is still the US on which the country has to depend for its external defense because, despite the billions spent on its supposed “modernization,” the Armed Forces of the Philippines cannot even protect Filipino fisherfolk from Chinese harassment and is most expert only at the suppression of dissent and social unrest. No government is to blame for this predicament except the Philippines’ own.
At Ground Level | US touts its aid to boost AFP modernization plan
Last month, the Philippine Navy acquired its first ground-based air defense system (GBADS), consisting of Israeli-made SPYDER missile batteries. Objective: to “neutralize” any potential aerial threat or foreign aircraft intrusion in the country’s airspace. However, this system is categorized as a secondary air defense cover after the PAF’s FA-50PH light jet fighters, earlier acquired from South Korea. This acquisition – costing P6,846,750,000 – is not mentioned in the USSD report.
Filipino women rise for freedom
This year, the OBR is celebrating its 10th year of putting a spotlight on plight of women all over the world. Here, One Billion Rising Philippines collaborated with the local government of Quezon City, women’s group Gabriela and Gabriela Women’s Partylist.
Parts of an onion (crisis)
By DEE AYROSO
Rights group blames draconian government policies to the non-resolution of extrajudicial killings
Karapatan called for the UN Human Rights Council and UN Special Procedures to conduct an independent investigation of extrajudicial killings and other rights violations. “These international organizations should see through the Marcos Jr. government’s attempts to window-dress the dire human rights situation in the country.”
Remembering and moving Forward: Jose Maria Sison’s select writings published as part of year-long study campaign
The book also tackles Sison’s insights on patiently building the mass movement and the proletarian international duty to support the revolutions going on in countries at the forefront of imperialist struggles such as Turkey, Philippines, Palestine, and India. It also contains his solidarity statements for militant Filipino LGBTQ+ organizations, national students federation of Pakistan, anniversary statements for progressive organizations, and statements on ongoing debates about global issues.