Defending a legislated wage increase is not just merely a result of one’s bleeding heart for the impoverished but has compelling empirical data that are interpreted in a way that seriously considers the rights and welfare of workers. BY DANILO ARAÑA ARAO Bulatlat Those who are against a legislated wage increase – government officials, employers…

Photo by Ace Alegre Bulatlat Gambling appears to be part of life for many people in the Philippines, a country where life has for the most part been harsh enough to make not a few turn to luck and chance for hope. In some areas people are “initiated” into various games of chance early on…

By Flon Faurillo Bulatlat President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has recently backtracked on her avowed pro-Charter change stance, in the wake of protests from various segments of society including major church groups. Her move was apparently intended to diffuse the outrage spawned by the Charter change drive, particularly the questionable manner in which House Resolution No. 1450…

In memory of Rev. Alfredo Faurillo, United Church of Christ in the Philippines [UCCP] pastor and human rights advocate, 1935-2006) BY ALEXANDER MARTIN REMOLLINO Posted by Bulatlat There are those who think they are Christians by their continually speaking out the words of Christ. In the end, however, it is not only the word that…

Kahit mayroong mahigit 10 milyong kababayan ang nagtatrabaho sa ibang bansa, nahihirapan pa ring makapangibang-bansa ang mga Pilipino. Makita pa lang ang berdeng pasport, maasahan na ang sangkatutak na tanong ng immigration officer kung bakit gustong umalis ng bansa ng kawawang Pilipino. NI ROLAND TOLENTINO Bulatlat Madalas ko na ring magamit ang aking pasport. Mula…

Postcapitalist Politics By J.K. Gibson-Graham University of Minnesota Press, 2006 Reading J.K. Gibson-Graham and their affiliation with Australian imperialism in the light of Edward W. Said’s project mentioned at the opening of this review is revealing. Thus we may see why Gibson-Graham’s relationship to the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) is not innocent. Indeed,…

Even if two police officers cannot agree as to the nature of the killing of an Ilocos Norte-based radio journalist, the Philippine National Police (PNP) now considers the case closed with the filing of murder against four suspects. BY ACE ALEGRE Northern Dispatch Reposted by Bulatlat LAOAG CITY— Is this a case of two police…

This incident is once more threatening to blow up in Mrs. Arroyo’s face revealing just how shaky her regime is and how fearful it is of losing the backing of the U.S. That is the real meaning of “strategic RP-U.S. relations” for this client regime – as it has been for those that preceded it.…

A town in Ilocos Sur tries to promote its products with the holding of the First Buri Festival and the parading of the world’s longest buri mat measuring 2.4 kilometers. BY ACE ALEGRE Northern Dispatch Reposted by Bulatlat SAN JUAN, Ilocos Sur (Dec. 29) — Thousands of Ilocano villagers, balikbayans (returning migrant Filipinos) and tourists…

BY THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PEOPLE’S LAWYERS-PHILIPPINES (IAPL) Posted by Bulatlat The Philippine Chapter of the International Association of People’s Lawyers (IAPL) vehemently denounces the recent escape of convicted rapist Lance Cpl. Daniel Smith to the US Embassy staged by conniving Philippine and US officials. As a national chapter of an international organization of human…

BY THE COUNSELS FOR THE DEFENSE OF LIBERTIES (CODAL) Posted by Bulatlat The surreptitious release of Cpl. Daniel Smith, in the middle of the night at that, to the custody of the United States, despite pending litigation in Philippine courts, is not only a violation of the Constitution, but also a complete disregard and disrespect…