The relevance of The Forbidden Book lies not only in the wealth of historical information and insights that it provides. It comes at a time when the U.S. is engaged in another imperialist war, this time in Iraq. Leafing through the book, one finds himself or herself confronted by similarities between the Philippine-American War and…
Day: February 26, 2005
Kalingas Forge Peace the Bodong Way
How are the rules of bodong (traditional peace pact) and state laws used to settle conflicts between two tribes? This question elicited a thousand and one responses from Kalinga tribes who, in an assembly here last week, moved for the holding of a bodong congress soon. By Lyn V. Ramo and Marlon Gomarcho Northern Dispatch…
Baguio Students Win Fight vs P24,000 Fee
Student power produced results in Baguio last week then Nursing and midwifery students succeeded in reducing “affiliation fees” by several thousands of pesos. BY ABI TAGUBA BENGWAYAN Northen Dispatch Reposted by Bulatlat BAGUIO CITY – In a time of tuition increases nationwide, nursing and midwifery students of the Baguio Central University (BCU) had a 71…
Life of the Homeless
At Sitio Top Hill, Cebu City, there is always someone in each house who stays awake at night, boiling water for coffee. Ever since the attempted eviction of its urban poor residents several months ago, they have learned to be alert and keep their guard – to protect themselves and their homes. BY JANE CATHERINE…
P8,000 Daily for a PMA Cadet; a Paltry P43 for the State Scholar
Unlike all other state universities and colleges (SCUs), the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) remains the learning institution most favored by government. While the budget of the SCUs has been slashed anew several-fold this year, that of the PMA has been increased. By Ronalyn Olea Bulatlat.com Compared to all other state universities and colleges (SCUs), the…
Anti-Terror Bill: Legalizing A Monster
With the country’s human rights situation already in dire straits, rights advocates say the passage of an anti-terror bill is like creating a new monster that would trample on the rights of innocent Filipinos. As a human rights lawyer said, “Fighting its implementation is protecting the innocent.” BY DABET CASTAÑEDA Bulatlat.com It took only a…
Feminist activist, writer Ninotchka Rosca: RP Is Major Exporter of Sex Slaves
“The sex trade and trafficking of women and children is tantamount to virtual slavery, an act of violence and a grave violation of the fundamental tenets of human rights and the guarantees enshrined in the UN Charter of Rights and Freedoms.” – Ninotchka Rosca By Edwin C. Mercurio Bulatlat.com TORONTO, Canada – The Philippine government’s…
Anti-VAT Hike Protest Sends Waves through Senate
As it is, Malacañang seems adamant in its resolve to bat for the bill seeking to raise value-added tax (VAT) rates from the present 10 percent to 12 percent. But whether Malacañang is sure of getting its wish is another matter. BY ALEXANDER MARTIN REMOLLINO Bulatlat.com The Philippine Senate remained divided last week whether to…
Mindanao Blasts a Ploy for U.S. Armed Presence?
Is there a connection between the Valentine’s Day bombing in Davao City and plans to hold more military exercises between the Philippines and the United States? By CHERYLL D. FIEL Bulatlat.com DAVAO CITY – Was the Valentine’s Day bombing here self-inflicted? Anti-U.S. military forces in Davao City stressed that the recent bombing could be part…
A Legacy of Failure
The violence in Sulu the past weeks, which was punctuated by the series of bombings in three key cities on Feb. 14, indicate that the objectives of the 1996 peace agreement are far from achieved. By Carlos H. Conde Bulatlat.com MANILA – Nearly a decade ago, the Philippine government and the Moro National Liberation Front…
Shift of U.S. Forces from Okinawa to Philippines Seen
The Macapagal-Arroyo government is reportedly deeply involved in defense talks with U.S. and Japanese defense officials that would pave the way for the transfer of U.S. forces from Okinawa to the Philippines for a long-term stay and the increased role of Japanese security forces in Asia Pacific and elsewhere. Posted By:Bulatlat.com The Macapagal-Arroyo government is…