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By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
A total of 431 natural and human-induced disasters were reported in the Philippines in the past year. These killed 1,774 people, and affected more than three million families or 15.3 million people, and caused over P26 billion in economic damages.
By RONALYN V. OLEA
“We are happy and sad at the same time. This is the fruit of our long, arduous struggle. We dedicate this victory to the martyrs of Hacienda Luisita and to all our supporters,” Rodel Mesa, Unyon ng Manggagawa sa Agrikultura
By MARYA SALAMAT
A week before May 1, as P125 wage hike proposal nears Congress approval, the labor secretary and regional wage boards suddenly realized there is a need indeed for a wage hike.
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
“It's obvious that Aquino is coddling private energy corporations, particularly those using dirty fuels."
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
"UDHA's existence for the past 20 years did nothing but to further the attacks on the lives and livelihoods of the poor. The law did not serve the people" -- Kadamay
Sidebar: Back Story: Urban Development and Housing Act merely meant to delay demolition of urban poor communities
By RONALYN V. OLEA
“The culture of impunity in the Philippines must end. Extra-judicial killings of respected pastors and church leaders, most of whom were speaking against injustice in our country, show how horrible and unacceptable the human rights situation in our nation has been.” – UCCP Bishop Reuel Norman Marigza
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
"While Corona’s removal from the SC will, to some extent, help in the prosecution of Arroyo, the people should be reminded that it is still the Executive branch which has the ultimate responsibility in ensuring that GMA is held accountable." – Bayan
By INA ALLECO SILVERIO
"The growing poverty, unemployment and landless in our country exponentially increase the vulnerability of women and children to sex trafficking." – Rep. Luz Ilagan, Gabriela Women's Party
By BILL FLETCHER, JR.
Is the so-called “special relations” with the US beneficial to the Philippines? Is the Left a spent force? What are the prospects for real change? In an interview, Professor Jose Maria Sison tackles these questions and more.
By RONALYN V. OLEA
“The Ombudsman, being an investigative and prosecutorial body, should take a pro-active role in the investigation of this case, rather than be a mere passive repository of evidence.”
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
"For the homeless, the kariton is a dwelling place. For the jobless, a wooden pushcart is their means of livelihood. As long as we see the poor living and working in wooden pushcarts, it would be a reminder that people continue to be deprived of their right to life." Joy Lumawod, Kadamay-NCR
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
“Mendiola is not only a street. That is why Chino Roces’s monument was built here because it is a symbol of the people’s struggle.” – Vencer Crisostomo, Anakbayan
The legality or not of the hold departure order and eventual arrest of Arroyo rests on hairsplitting arguments. But one thing is sure: Arroyo, her family and allies have a lot to answer for.
By RONALYN V. OLEA
“Agreements are binding and not only pieces of paper. One of the basic principles of international law is that agreements must be executed in good faith. There are no documents without obligation.” – Jan Fermon, professor of law at the University of Maastricht and a member of the International Legal Advisory Team
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
"It's criminal that the government continues to allow these corporations to take over our forests, deplete our mineral resources and destroy our forest ecosystem.” – Kalikasan People's Network for the Environment
By MARIETA BASTE-HERNANI and MARILOU AGUIRRE-TUBURAN
“Father Pops told us, Jesus Christ sacrificed his life for the people. What about us humans? Can’t we sacrifice our lives for our fellowmen and women, too?”
Sidebar: Musings in the first hours following Fr. Pops murder?
By MARYA SALAMAT
The GPH talks whether with the MILF or with the NDFP remain bogged down until today, mired as these are in the GPH’s efforts to “box it in its counter-insurgency program called Oplan Bayanihan.” – Satur Ocampo of Makabayan
Sidebar: A saga of all-out euphemisms vs peace, the Moro and the ordinary people
By INA ALLECO SILVERIO
'The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process is given charge of P569.64 million ($13.2 million), a strangely huge amount when it is not an implementing agency. It has no regular staffing, yet it claims to be implementing a multi-million project covering 970 villages.'
By RONALYN V. OLEA
“Branding political prisoners as criminals and heaping upon them common crime charges conveniently hide the political nature of their acts; allow the government to shamelessly declare them as common criminals not motivated by a higher goal, thereby violating these prisoners’ rights even more.” – Angie Ipong, Selda secretary general
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
"It is very alarming that the Aquino government opts to collude with mining firms and multinationals in implementing a military solution in order to continue operations and pursue profits at the expense of our communities.” – Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Luz Ilagan
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