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.
Ni Joi Barrios Kumusta naman ang iyong kape sa umaga, Habang nanonood o nagbabasa ng balita, Sa mga naganap sa huling SONA? A, oo, isisi natin ang lahat sa raliyista. Isisi natin ang trapik, nasirang gamit, Dumi sa kalyeng hindi nailigpit. Oo, pati kasawain natin sa pag-ibig. Isisi natin ang lahat sa rallyista, Pati ang…
By RONALYN V. OLEA Bulatlat.com MANILA – They braved the heavy downpour and then the extreme heat to air their grievances. Some 1,000 protesters from Southern Tagalog, under the banner of the local chapter of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) and Save Bondoc Peninsula Movement held a three-day Lakbayan (people’s march) from San Pedro, Laguna to…
Protests against the “true state of the nation” were held simultaneously across the country. By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO em> Bulatlat.com MANILA — It was not only in the National Capital Region (NCR) where protests erupted against President Benigno Aquino III’s third Station of the Nation Address (Sona). Elsewhere in the country, people’s organizations decried…
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
By IBON Features In his upcoming third State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Benigno Aquino III will surely attempt to highlight how the Philippine economy has improved under his watch to show how his administration is an improvement over its predecessor. Pres. Aquino will bring to the fore supposed economic successes such as the…
By SONNY AFRICA Ibon Foundation In his state of the nation address (SONA) on Monday, Pres. Noynoy Aquino will likely highlight so-called economic achievements such as the recent economic growth, stock exchange performance, strengthening peso, credit upgrades and the like. These are indicators that are meaningless to the public and only give the appearance of…
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
“For several months now, local movements all over the Philippines have been picketing local offices of the Department of Health to protest the Aquino administration’s drive to either sell off or corporatize 26 public hospitals.” – Gabriela
“While countries abroad are reversing their privatization schemes, we are selling these services at a bargain despite its inimical costs to our people.” By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO Bulatlat.com MANILA – For six months now, an urban poor community in Navotas has finally gotten access to potable water. But at a steep price. Lina Gentulizon,…
By BENJIE OLIVEROS Bulatlat.com It has been two years since Pres. Benigno Aquino III assumed the presidency and now is the time to expect results. For sure, during President Aquino’s second state of the nation address, the nation would once again hear him extol the achievements of his administration, which most likely would include the…
By RONALYN V. OLEA
The Aquino government has not taken any action to address the impunity in extrajudicial killings and other human rights violations under Arroyo, thus, resulting in the continuing increase in human rights violations, which have taken the same pattern as during the dark days of the previous administration.
Sidebar: Martial law victims slam Aquino’s inaction on indemnification bill