The family of Sofronio “Tatay Poloy” Enoc, the peasant leader who was killed among five others in a massacre on April 15, 2002, in Pangyan, Marilog District, is still hopeful that justice will finally come. By Marilou M. Aguirre DAVAO CITY — Unmindful of her condition, Sofronita Enoc-Ingay, eight-month pregnant with her third child, traveled…
Month: December 2005
On a Temporary Downturn?
While President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo may claim the economic problems did not begin with her administration, she cannot escape the fact that she is presiding over an economy that is not on a mere temporary downturn, as government claims, but in an ever worsening state. By Benjie Oliveros Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Augusto Santos announced Dec. 12…
NPA Grew Beyond ‘Critical Mass’ in 2005
Dramatic increase in tactical offensives Rebel spokesman Gregorio “Ka Roger” Rosal claims the New People’s Army (NPA) now has an equivalent of 27 battalions or roughly around 13, 500 regular fighters. These exclude members of barrio militia units or what Rosal describes as “peasants by day, NPA fighters by night.” BY ALEXANDER MARTIN REMOLLINO A…
Sa mga Anak ng Bayan
(para kay Andres Bonifacio at kanyang mga apo) Ni Angelo San Pablo Sa loob at labas ng bayan kong sawi Maraming hiráp at lubog sa lugami Walang katapusan hibik na mahapdi Nagpasalin-salin sa maraming lahi. Sa loob at labas, ang Imperyalista! Nagpapakasasa’t nagsasamantala Ngiti nila’y pangil na nakaasinta Sa talas ng kinang ng sobrang ganansya.…
Literally Speaking
In memory of the Palo (Leyte) 10 BY RAYMUND VILLANUEVA The Good Book says: “From dust to dust.” But the government troops did not have to be Literal. The Palo peasants said: “Balik-uma!” (Back to the land!) But the government troops did not have to be Literal. The farmers said: “Let us enrich the soil…
Take My Picture, Please!
BAGUIO CITY – Her name is Ina Ubayyen and she claims to be 100 years old. She smokes her native tobacco as she waits for the next tourist to either to take her picture or rent her highland head gear for a photograph for only P5 ($0.09). Setting up shop in front of the Our…
Public Health on the Brink of Death
The Philippine public health system is on the brink of death, with the government spending less than a peso for the health of every Filipino each day while up to 50 percent of the national budget is automatically earmarked as payment for onerous debts. Result: doctors, nurses and other health professionals, working for low wages…
Luisita Strike Ends
The Hacienda Luisita strike, which paved the way for the revocation of the stock distribution option in the hacienda, is set to end this week. But both the Central Azucarera de Tarlac Labor Union (CATLU) and United Luisita Workers’ Union (ULWU) deem the strike as but “one chapter in the struggle of the hacienda people”.…
Power Companies Slam Napocor Rate Hike In December
Power rates are expected to increase this December not only due to the value-added tax but also the government’s approval of the National Power Corporation’s application to increase power rates. At this point, even business leaders and power companies have denounced the government’s failure to lower prices of electricity. BY JHONG DELA CRUZ In their…
Mayor Capitalizes on Poor Water Supply
Residents of an impoverished area are still deprived of steady water supply even if they regularly pay the rates imposed by the water company. While they initially welcomed their mayor’s support, they lament the inaction on the part of the water company and the mayor’s decision to use their plight as a way to increase…
Trade Liberalization and the Demise of the Local Shoe Industry
The demise of Philippine-made shoes is a result of decades of government neglect and intensified by just a few years of aggressive liberalization under the World Trade Organization. By JP Andaquig IBON Features Shoemaking has always been the bread and butter of 40-year-old Johnny Gaudia. Like nearly everyone else in Marikina City, shoemaking for Gaudia…