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By MARYA SALAMAT
“For humanitarian consideration, it is appropriate that the government restrain all price hikes at this point.” -- Anakpawis
The Philippines seemed closer to reaching the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of reducing poverty by half than if the old poverty methodology were used
By MARYA SALAMAT
When President Aquino sought US support for joining the Trans Pacific Partnership during his US visit, the US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry K. Thomas Jr. declared…“[we] have to change laws, issue executive orders and frankly, introduce amendments to the Constitution.”
By RONALYN V. OLEA
“The budget continues to prop up defective policies imposed by foreign creditors such as privatization while allocating huge resources for CCT dole-outs to conceal the harsh social impact of such programs and automatically setting aside a significant portion for debt servicing.” – Bayan
By SONNY AFRICA/IBON Foundation
In closing the 2012 SONA, President Aquino asked rhetorically: “Isn’t the agenda for change moving forward?” Unfortunately after two years, there is clearly no fundamental change and no systematic economic reforms taking place.
‘Send Gloria Arroyo back to jail’ (Photo courtesy of Anakpawis Partylist / Bulatlat.com)
By RONALYN V. OLEA
“And so this is justice under Aquino – torturers are given plum positions in the military, and the rich, powerful and notorious human rights violators like Palparan and Arroyo are mockingly free as preying vultures.” – Karapatan
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
“It was so easy for the Aquino administration to let Arroyo get away with her crimes while political prisoners continue to languish in jail." – KMU
By MARYA SALAMAT
Aquino’s 90-minute speech, said to be one of the longest SONAs in recent memory, highlighted achievements that progressive groups shot down either as just a deception, a half-truth at best, or simply meaningless.
Sidebar: Groups press for release of activist, condemn violent dispersal of anti-SONA protests
Sidebar: Anti-SONA 2012 protests in regions against privatization, rights violations
Sidebar: Southern Tagalog, Central Luzon march vs land grabbing, militarization
ByRONALYN V. OLEA
Not only does the Aquino government remain deaf to calls for the freedom of all political prisoners, it has continued the practice of detaining political dissenters.
By MARYA SALAMAT
“Under the guise of counter-terrorism, the people of Mindanao are being held hostage by business interests. Communities who defy military presence are tagged as terrorist havens, its residents as supporters.” – Kawagib
By MARYA SALAMAT
“What is important to us is that we should have a (Bangsamoro) substate which we ourselves are governing.” – MILF
While the Philippines is not gaining any but even losing much of its sovereignty with the increased US military presence in its shores and airspace, the US is gaining a lot.
By MARYA SALAMAT
The partnership between US warship builder and developer AMSEC Huntington Ingalls Industries and Hanjin Heavy Industries practically transforms the Hanjin shipyard in Subic Bay into a US military base. – Gabriela Rep Luzviminda Ilagan
Sidebar: Groups disprove Aquino’s selling points in allowing greater US military presence
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