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‘U.S. Envoy Lying’; Critics Hit U.S. Hand in GRP-MILF Peace Talks

benjie — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 07:12:48 -0400

After a High Court justice branded as “patently illegal” the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain, the U.S. Ambassador was quick to deny any involvement in the aborted signing of the pact.

But critics have pointed to the prominent role that the U.S. had played in the GRP-MILF peace negotiations.

BY RONALYN V. OLEA
Bulatlat

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Indigenous Peoples: More Marginalized, Impoverished Under GMA

alex — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 06:21:50 -0400

The Philippines’ indigenous peoples – who comprise some 15 percent of the population and who are among the country’s poorest – have become more marginalized and impoverished under this government.

BY ALEXANDER MARTIN REMOLLINO
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES WATCH
Bulatlat
Vol. VIII, No. 27, August 10-16, 2008

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Poor Pays 90% of VAT on Power, Oil - Expert

benjie — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 07:35:59 -0400

Using government data, Ramon Ramirez, electrical engineer and spokesperson of People Opposed to Warrantless Electricity Rates, revealed that the poor pays for 90 percent of the VAT on oil and power.

BY RONALYN V. OLEA
Bulatlat
Volume VIII, Number 26, August 3-9, 2008

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‘Psywar Used vs Gumanoy Siblings’

benjie — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 07:56:18 -0400

As the Court of Appeals (CA) denied the petition for writ of habeas corpus for the Gumanoy siblings held by the Philippine Army, human rights groupS and children’s rights advocates decried the use of psywar tactics against the two. They said that threat and exploitation of poverty belied military’s claims of ‘voluntary custody.’

BY RONALYN V. OLEA

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Manila Pen Case Dismissal Hit: Police Warned Against Using Court Decision to Arrest Journalists

alex — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 05:12:27 -0400

The arrest and investigation of media practitioners who covered the Manila Peninsula incident by the police were justified, said a Makati regional trial court judge.

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Gasoline up by 626%, Diesel by 746%, since Deregulation

benjie — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 04:28:13 -0400

In April 1996, gasoline was only P9.50/liter, diesel P7.03. Unleaded gasoline is now priced at P59.47/liter and diesel at P52.48, a whooping 626-percent increase for gasoline, 746 percent for diesel.

BY ALEXANDER MARTIN REMOLLINO
Bulatlat
Vol. VIII, No. 21, June 29-July 5, 2008

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Mother of Pinay Rape Victim in Okinawa Seeks Justice

alex — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 06:14:22 -0400

“Maglakas-loob ka. Kaya mo ‘yan. Lumaban ka!” Nanay Melly sends out this message for her daughter Hazel, a Filipina allegedly raped by an American soldier in Okinawa, Japan.

BY RONALYN V. OLEA
MIGRANT WATCH
Bulatlat
Vol. VIII, No. 20, June 22-28, 2008

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Watchdog Says Gov’t in Denial of Rights Violations’ Causes, Solutions

alex — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 06:56:08 -0400

The Philippine UPR (Universal Periodic Review) Watch has assailed the Arroyo administration for being “in denial” about the causes of human rights violations in the Philippines. It also criticized the government for adamantly refusing to heed the recommendations of UNHRC members, which could have helped improve the human rights situation in the Philippines.

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EPIRA Cause of High Power Rates, Says Scientist, Consumer Group

benjie — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 05:54:03 -0400

“Government measures such as the subsidy and failed takeover of Meralco management will not result to lower power rates,” said Dr. Giovanni Tapang of AGHAM.

BY RONALYN V. OLEA
BULATLAT
Vol. VIII, No. 18, June 8-14, 2008

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VAT One of the Culprits in Oil Price Increases

benjie — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 05:59:35 -0400

Citing data that the VAT on oil is one of the main culprits in the surge in oil prices, consumer group Kontra-KulimVAT initiated a petition campaign for the scrapping of the value-added tax (VAT) on petroleum products as well as power rates.

BY RONALYN OLEA
Bulatlat
Vol. VIII, No. 17, June 1-7, 2008

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