Marilou Ranario, 35, is known to many as a person with a kind heart and a lending hand. But witnesses to her good deeds are saddened that despite her kindness, she seemed to be helpless behind bars and is languishing in death row in a foreign land. BY AUBREY MAKILAN MIGRANT WATCH Bulatlat Vol. VII,…
Month: September 2007
Flash of Hope
The relatives of victims of forced disappearance have seen a flash of hope with the Supreme Court’s recent approval of the rules for the writ of amparo. The writ of amparo orders military and police officials to produce or actively search for victims of enforced disappearances, provides access to military camps for relatives searching for…
The Many Faces of Boracay, the Popular Haven for Tourists
BY JHONG DELA CRUZ Bulatlat PHOTO ESSAY Vol. VII, No. 34, September 30-October 6, 2007 1. At first sight, one would not believe this is part of the world-known island of Boracay, in the southern Philippine province of Aklan. Inside this island-resort are thriving communities whose people are largely dependent on tourism, fishing and in…
Multiple Cover-ups*
Once again the attempt to confuse, mislead and deceive: a series of denials by Malacañang and Mrs. Arroyo’s herd of loyalists among the congressmen and local government officials; then pseudo-investigations by the PAGC and the Ombudsman. Finally, after almost two weeks, officials of the LPP led by Gov. Ben Evardone, known presidential defender and apologist,…
Court Halts Approval of GMO Rice
In a landmark decision last September 18, a Philippine court has ordered a preliminary injunction stopping the government’s approval of a genetically modified rice in the country. BY GREENPEACE Posted by Bulatlat Democratic Space Vol. VII, No. 33, September 23-29, 2007 In a landmark decision last September 18, a Philippine court has ordered a preliminary…
Bakit Tagilid Lumakad ang Talangka?
NI RAUL FUNILAS Inilathala ng Bulatlat Vol. VII, No. 33, September 23-29, 2007 Ang ama daw nila ay may disiplinang Ipina-iiral sa kanyang pamilya, Titing pagkasala’y grabeng magparusa – Lahat nang kapitan, inihaharumba. Sa haplit ng lupit na lintik ang sakit, Kaya kung lumakad ay nakatagilid; Dahil sa ang turo ay laging kumapit Hilahing pababa…
25 Lawmakers Want UP Tuition Hike Probed, Halted
House Resolution No. 245 directs the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education to investigate the effects of the recent increase in tuition and other fees at the country’s premier state university. BY AUBREY MAKILAN Bulatlat Vol. VII, No. 33, September 23-29, 2007 At least 25 members of the House of Representatives have demanded an…
Penalize GMA, Not Sugar Workers – Sugar Workers’ Group
A leader of the National Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW) has raised concern over reported plans by the U.S. to impose penalties on all sugar exports from the Philippines should the Arroyo government fail to address a complaint initiated a few months back by the International Labor Rights Forum (ILRF). He said that penalties should…
Edjop, Lean Remembered
Two men who lived in different times and who died in the hands of state agents under fascist regimes were remembered and honored Sept. 20 at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani. BY EMILY VITAL Bulatlat Vol. VII, No. 33, September 23-29, 2007 Two men who lived in different times and who died in the hands…
Back in Business
Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo’s name cropped up in a corruption scandal once again. It has barely been a week since the Sandiganbayan found Joseph Estrada guilty of plunder and a scandal has erupted again involving the husband of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. BY BENJIE OLIVEROS Analysis Bulatlat Vol. VII, No. 33 September 23-29, 2007 Jose Miguel…
Basilan Military Bans Reporter from Coverage, Columnist Gets Death Threats due to NBN Exposé
A Zamboanga-based reporter of the Philippine Daily Inquirer was reportedly banned from covering military operations in Mindanao. A columnist of the Philippine Star meanwhile received death threats due to his exposé of an anomalous government contract. BY ACE ALEGRE Bulatlat Vol. VII, No. 33, September 23-29, 2007 A Zamboanga-based reporter of the Philippine Daily Inquirer…