Among other provisions, the CARPER bill mandates that private agricultural lands – the type that the Arroyos and the Cojuangcos own – can only be distributed if the original CARP managed to distribute 90 percent of its target. But CARP, despite the two decades it had, only distributed less than half of it. It’s an impossible provision that only underscores what progressive farmers have been saying all along – that CARPER is bogus.
Category: Must-Reads
Jeepney Drivers as Milking Cows of ‘Crocodiles’ in Arroyo Administration
Steep increases in fines and penalties, imposed by the Arroyo regime to make up for its chronic revenue shortfalls, are hitting jeepney drivers particularly hard. As if that were not enough, buwayas (crododiles) masquerading as traffic enforcers in colorful uniforms lurk in the streets, waiting to pounce on them at every turn.
Kin of Luisita Martyrs Benefit from Union Struggle
They did not die in vain. The families and co-workers of the Hacienda Luisita martyrs said that in spite of the tragedy, they are slowly benefiting from what their kin and comrades gave their lives for.
Lafayette Mining Deliberately Leaked Cyanide, Says Fact-finding Mission
DENR urged to permanently close Albay Mine An environmental group has accused a mining company of being responsible for the fish kill in Rapu-rapu Island in Albay province, not just once, but twice, last October. Based on the results of its fact-finding mission, the mining company must be permanently closed. The ecological damage, after all,…
Destroying Rapu-rapu Through Mining
What used to be a haven for endangered species has now become a site for mining operations. The residents call it destruction, but the government calls it development. BY AUBREY SC MAKILAN RAPU-RAPU ISLAND – In 2001, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo visited Rapu-Rapu island (about 600 kilometers from Manila) and said that development will finally happen…
Saving an Island
The residents of Rapu-Rapu know fully well the importance of unity in struggle. For six years, they have strengthened their organization, maintaining an unwavering stand to continue the fight against big mining companies. They have even taken their struggle to the Internet. BY AUBREY SC MAKILAN RAPU-RAPU ISLAND – For almost 22 years, Nida Bandal…
Surprise Witness
Hadji Abdullah Dalidig was a picture of calm when he testified at the second session of the Citizens’ Congress for Truth and Accountability. Just as he was calm when he faced Namfrel chairman Jose Concepcion, who kept banging on the table, and Lanao del Sur provincial election supervisor Ray Sumalipao, who theatrically promised to kill…
Witnesses Show Arroyo’s Electoral Fraud
Fourth hearing of `People’s Court’ Three witnesses presented evidence last Nov. 16 that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her allies cheated in the 2004 presidential election. By Jhong dela Cruz An independent study by a computer expert which supported earlier claims that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s win in the 2004 election was fraudulent, was one of the…
Witness to Subic Rape Case Breaks Silence
A new witness to the alleged rape by six U.S. marines of a 22-year old Filipina has emerged. In an exclusive interview with Bulatlat, the witness narrated how an “almost naked woman” from a Starex van was dumped almost in front of her on that fateful night of November 1. She also said an orange…
Journalists View Anti-Terror Bills as Threat
The pending anti-terrorism bills in the Senate and the House of Representatives are normally seen as a “leftist concern” given that those who have expressed opposition to them are identified with militant organizations. At a recent roundtable discussion, however, journalists analyzed the controversial bills and concluded they threaten press freedom and civil liberties in general.…
Gov’t Provoked Sulu Fighting for War on ‘Terror’ – MNLF Leader
The secretary-general for internal affairs of the Central Committee, Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) has categorically stated that government forces provoked the present fighting in Sulu. This, said Ustadz Moshir Ibrahim, is to get the support of other countries involved in the U.S.-led “war on terror.” BY ALEXANDER MARTIN REMOLLINO The secretary-general for internal affairs…