Bayan Muna’s Jeppie Ramada lost in his bid for a council seat. Bayan Muna itself ended up second to Kalahi, the party-list group of the Nograleses that allegedly bought votes massively. It’s a disappointing loss, Bayan Muna concedes, but one that is very instructive for the Left. BY MARILOU M. AGUIRRE Davao Today Posted by…
Day: May 26, 2007
Benguet Farmers Tested for Pesticide Exposure
Benguet farmers exposed to pesticides have submitted to physical, medical and blood examination to determine the level of pesticide toxicity in their blood and how it affects their health. BY LYN V. RAMO Northern Dispatch Posted by Bulatlat Vol. VII, No. 16, May 27-June 2, 2007 LA TRINIDAD, BENGUET – Benguet farmers exposed to pesticides…
‘Among Ed’ Panlilio: A Victory with Double Effect
The canvassing of election returns has not yet been completed. Tension still rises from every corner in the country. But in Pampanga, they are experiencing a first, the election of a priest Fr. Ed Panlilio as governor and his supporters, as well as those who shun traditional politics are overjoyed. BY MAC BRYAN N. BAUTISTA…
Negros NGO is Finalist in UK Green Energy Tilt
The Negros-based Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation, Inc. (AIDFI) has been selected as one of the 10 finalists for London’s Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy. BY KARL G. OMBION Bulatlat Vol. VII, No. 16 May 27-June 2, 2007 BACOLOD CITY – The body that gives the world’s leading green energy prize, the Ashden Awards for Sustainable…
Election-time Adventures
I had volunteered twice before as poll watcher for the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting during the 2001 and 2004 polls. But nothing prepared me for the grueling tasks I had to do as poll watcher for Kabataan Party-list. And yet, more than a week after the polls, my task as a citizen is…
Spectacle of a Problematic Election
The elections are a period when these conflicting forces play out an act in a long-running drama. For those who control power, each election is crucial. They cannot afford to lose. They can, in another sense, afford to win through “guns, goons, gold and Garci.” BY PROF. GILL H. BOERINGER* Contributed to Bulatlat ELECTION WATCH…
A Sickness Called Garci
The reports of massive fraud are staring the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the face and Comelec Chair Benjamin Abalos, Sr. and Commissioner Rene Sarmiento still refuse to conduct a thorough investigation and act swiftly to prevent further damage. And they refuse to do so only because there are no witnesses. Perhaps the Comelec is…
Amnesty International Report, May 2007-PHILIPPINES
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES Head of state and government: Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Death penalty: abolitionist for all crimes International Criminal Court: signed A one-week State of Emergency was declared in response to alleged coup conspiracies. Rights of peaceful assembly were restricted and rebellion charges filed against prominent leftist politicians and others. Political killings of leftist…
Military Behind Killing of Pollwatchers in Bicol – Kabataan Party-list
Witnesses and evidences gathered by human rights and people’s organizations point to the military as the perpetrators in the abduction and killing of two Kabataan (Youth) Party-list poll watchers last May 15. BY ZOFIA LEAL Bulatlat Vol. VII, No. 16 May 27-June 2, 2007 Last May 15, Ronilo Brezuela, 16 years old, and Roberto “Jun…
Wrong Medication
The issue regarding the signing of Republic Act 9439 into law is not so much on the greed for profit, nor people trying to escape from their responsibility to pay, but the issue is more anchored to the fact that it is the consequence of government’s failure to deliver basic social services to the people,…
Ka Paeng: Representing and Living the Life of the Marginalized
Washing and ironing his clothes, cleaning the house, washing the dishes, and weeding the farm. Other politicians would hire maids to do these things for them. But Anakpawis (Toiling Masses) Rep. Rafael “Ka Paeng” Mariano, the poorest congressman in the country, lives up to his sector’s way of life. BY AUBREY SC MAKILAN Bulatlat Vol.…