This story
was taken from Bulatlat, the Philippines's alternative weekly
newsmagazine (www.bulatlat.com, www.bulatlat.net, www.bulatlat.org).
Vol. V, No. 26, August 7-13, 2005
NEWS AT A GLANCE Migrante hits prospective
envoy to Italy “How can we expect Mrs.
Lopez to fight for the rights and welfare of domestic workers and other OFWs
when she doesn’t even respect her own household help?” asked Santiago. Sisters Ma. Salve H.
Serrado and Ma. Isabel Lorecca Hernandez, from Camarines Sur and Rosario
Quiambao of Dinalupihan, Bataan, who are being assisted by the Public Interest
Law Center’s Atty. Amy Sato and Wennie Flores from Umangat, a migrants group in
Italy, filed affidavits against Lopez with the Makati City Police Station July
21. The three said Lopez hired them as “trainees” for jobs in Italy once she is
confirmed by the Commission on Appointments as Ambassador to that country. Migrante said there are
ongoing campaigns to recall Ambassador Bahnarim Guinomla from Saudi Arabia and
Consul General Cecilia Rebong from New York for alleged criminal negligence and
betrayal of the interests of OFWs. Bulatlat
Solon hits House Speaker for “unstatesmanly”
remarks
Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño condemned Aug. 4
House Speaker Jose de Venecia’s statements that the impeachment complaint is
dead on the water whatever the evidence.
“It was unstatesmanly, uncalled for, and an
insult to the majority block member lawmakers,” said Casiño. “It is immoral and
criminal to force congressmen to ignore the truth just for the sake of party
alliances.”
Casiño said that the Speaker’s statements were
an insult to congressmen in the majority block because it presupposed that, “the
speaker has them in his pocket and follows all his commands, whims and
caprices.” Despite the speaker’s
statement, Casiño said that it is “the convincing power of the public (that)
should come.” He also urged the people to “lobby with their Congressmen, either
through rallies of whatever form, letters and lobbying…to adhere to their
conscience, be guided by the truth, and vote to send the Articles of Impeachment
to the Senate.” Bulatlat
* * *
PhP1 million for Nasugbu fisherfolk
livelihood
About a million pesos in investment is expected
to pour into the municipality of Nasugbu, Batangas after Bayan Muna Rep. Joel G.
Virador signed a Memorandum of Agreement together with the local city officials
on August 4.
The fund will be used to centralize and
systematize product transportation in the market. Dubbed as Proyektong
Pangkabuhayan ng Habagat, the cooperative buy and sell business project is
designed to benefit the Haligi ng Batangueñong Anak Dagat, Inc. (HABAGAT)
members and their families. Virador said that “fishing
is the main source of livelihood of Nasugbu people but poor and obsolete fishing
equipment hamper the fisherfolks’ capability to catch more fish.” Bulatlat © 2004 Bulatlat
■
Alipato Publications Permission is granted to reprint or redistribute this article, provided its author/s and Bulatlat are properly credited and notified.
Migrante International, an alliance of groups of overseas Filipinos and their
families, hit August 4 the possible appointment of former Guimaras Governor
Emily Relucio Lopez as the new Philippine Ambassador to Italy. Maita Santiago,
its secretary general, said that Lopez is unfit for the position since she is
allegedly “guilty of grossly violating the rights and attacking the dignity of
at least three Filipino women that she employed as domestic workers – on the
pretext that she would take them to Italy.”
* * *