Human rights, gender equality, freedom of speech, environmental protection, and fighting climate change. “These are areas where my government is very active globally. And we like to advocate these matters also here in the Philippines. I appreciate that it’s easy to find partners in advocating our priority concerns.” Addressing a crowded hall filled with guests…
Benjie Oliveros
This Week on People’s History: Earth Day
This week, Bulatlat looks into the importance and relevance of commemorating World Earth Day.
Government covering up on Malayao murder—CPP
By RAYMUND B. VILLANUEVA Kodao Productions SAN PABLO, Isabela—The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) denounced efforts by the Rodrigo Duterte government for what it calls the “regime’s foulest move in sowing false information surrounding the murder” of National Democratic Front of the Philippines peace consultant Randy Malayao last January 30 in Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya.…
DepEd upholds lumad school
The Department of Education last Tuesday issued a statement that it “did not order the closure of any school serving indigenous people’s learners.” “This is in view of a recent claim,” it added, “that a Salugpongan learning center in the [Davao] region was closed down ‘upon the order of the Department.” Salugpongan Ta Tanu Igkanogon…
Enrile before history
What the media described as an “apology” last Oct. 24 from former Marcos Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile was in the same league as that of Marcos’s daughter Imee’s and son Bongbong’s. But unlike the “apologies” of those two, Enrile’s sounded like an appeal not only to the electorate but also to the judgment of…
Are we turning into a nation of bullies yet cowards?
President Duterte and Mocha Uson have rather emboldened trolls and netizens alike in attacking people they disagree with by issuing expletives, insults and curses.
Duterte gov’t’s proclivity for short cuts backfires
People have been saying this all along; the Duterte administration could not solve the illegal drug problem with the use of uncontrolled violence and shortcuts that disregard human rights. And they were right. The Duterte administration’s bloody war on drugs has not made a dent on the illegal drug trade despite more than 12,000 extrajudicial,…
Fading memory or a concerted effort to make people forget?
By BENJIE OLIVEROS Bulatlat perspective Thirty-two years since the first EDSA People Power and the celebrations continue to lose its spirit, and the crowds that attend it. I am referring, of course, to the official government celebrations. It is natural for the collective memory of the Filipino people about EDSA People Power to start fading.…
Are we getting anywhere with a tough talking president?
By BENJIE OLIVEROS Bulatlat perspective During his presidential campaign, Rodrigo Duterte vowed that if he becomes president, he would solve the illegal drug problem in six months, adding that the drug war would be bloody. He also promised to stamp out corruption. Well, barely after a year in office, in August 2017, President Duterte conceded…
Hold public discussions on proposed amendments to 1987 Constitution
By BENJIE OLIVEROS Bulatlat perspective What do the public know about the current initiative in Congress to amend the 1987 Constitution? First, the Duterte administration is proposing a shift to a Federal form of government. And second, there have been disagreements between the Lower House and the Senate on how to amend the 1987 Constitution.…
Vigilance and action needed to protect our rights
By BENJIE OLIVEROS Bulatlat perspective It could have been a simple case of a corporation being penalized by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for violations of corporate law or the Constitution. Usually the SEC acts when a complaint against a corporation is filed, in an intra-corporate battle, or when a corporation is remiss it…