 |
|
|
Bu-lat-lat (boo-lat-lat) verb: to search, probe, investigate, inquire; to unearth facts Volume 2, Number 47 January 5 - 11, 2003 Quezon City, Philippines |
|
|
|
Bu-lat-lat (boo-lat-lat) verb: to search, probe, investigate, inquire; to unearth facts Volume 2, Number 47 January 5 - 11, 2003 Quezon City, Philippines |
|
NEWS AT A GLANCEChristmas
vacation for Erap condemned
The
anti-corruption watchdog Plunder Watch condemned the Christmas furlough granted
to ousted President Joseph Estrada. Carolina
Pagaduan-Araullo, convenor of the group, said the furlough and house arrest
would imperil the ongoing plunder trial against Estrada. Araullo
said, ”It is a disgrace that both Arroyo and Estrada are using the Christmas
season to propagate false ideas of justice.” Plunder Watch Spokesperson Fr. Joe Dizon warned President Arroyo not to mistake as “healing” the past future compromises with the ousted president. *** Marcos
bust bombed
Former
President Ferdinand Marcos’ bust in Tuba, Benguet was destroyed by New
People’s Army, Dec. 29. The
forehead, eyes and nose of the 30-meter high bust were blasted off.
In
a statement, Martin Montana, nom de guerre of the leader of the Chadli Molintas
Command or New People’s Army (NPA) Cordillera Command, said it is but an
initial and symbolic step.
Montana said the Marcoses have yet to pay for their crimes against the
people. In another statement, Gregorio ‘Ka Roger’ Rosal, spokesperson of the Communist Party of the Philippines, said that the bust has been transformed from a symbol of dictator-worship to a symbol of the dismal justice and human rights situation in the Philippines. *** Water
rate hikes greet 2003
The
new year has started with the implementation of water rate hikes. Manila
Water Company increased by P17 per cubic meter while Manila Water charged its
consumers by another P4.25 per cubic meter. Renato
Reyes Jr., spokesperson of the militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, said
that January 1 would have been the first test to President Arroyo’s promises
of ‘reform.’
Reyes said, “Consumers who have long suffered under a regime of
privatization and high water rates are eagerly awaiting what President Arroyo
would do regarding this terrible news.” The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) recently approved the P17-water rate hike for the Ayala-owned Manila Water. The increase is part of the government’s move to soften the impact of foreign exchange losses of the company’s loans amounting to P654.9 million. *** Bayan
Muna slams new presidential commission
The
political party Bayan Muna claimed the Arroyo administration has unwittingly
admitted many offenses against the urban poor with the creation of the
Presidential Urban Poor Commission (PUPC). Last
December, Arroyo signed Executive Order No. 152 requiring the acquisition of
clearance from Malacañang through the PUPC before demolishing shanties.
Robert
de Castro, Bayan Muna deputy secretary general, said, “Notwithstanding the
indirect admission that unlawful demolitions do take place, the PUPC merely
serves as a one-stop clearance center and does not guarantee that inhumane and
unlawful eviction and demolition will not occur.” De
Castro added that the PUPC only confers direct responsibility of demolition to
Malacañang as it remains a token institution that ignores the legitimate need
of the people for decent resettlement and housing. Based on the computations by the labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (May First Movement), the national budget this year allocates ten pesos for the housing of every poor Filipino. We want to know what you think of this article.
|
