For Melchor Deinla, a 64 year-old farmer, the dream of owning the land they have been tilling was already within their reach when it was placed under CARP. But that was more than 13 years ago. BY DABET CASTAÑEDA Bulatlat Vol. VII, No. 49, January 20-26, 2008 Malacanang may have decided in favor of the…
Day: January 19, 2008
On EDSA II Anniversary: EDSA II Forces, Erap Groups Unite in Anti-GMA Protest
The seventh anniversary of what is now known as the EDSA II or People Power II uprising was marked by a coming together of political blocs that were not and could not have been seen talking to each other seven years ago: the EDSA II forces, on the one hand; and the pro-Estrada forces, on…
Militants Score Extension of MLSA, Seek Congressional Review
The umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan or New Patriotic Alliance) urged Congress to look into the reported extension of the Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA). Bayan maintained that the circumstances surrounding the extension of the pact are ‘shrouded in secrecy…[and]…raises serious questions regarding the real intentions of both the Philippine and U.S. governments. BY…
Gov’t Left with Nothing More to Sell: More Taxes, Budget Deficit Likely in 2008
The Arroyo administration was able to log a P12.6-billion ($273.02 million at last year’s average exchange rate of $1:P46.15) budget surplus in the first 11 months of 2007, mainly through revenues generated from the privatization of government assets. But with not much left for the government to sell, new taxes and a budget deficit are…
Gov’t Jobs Data Excludes 1.4 Million Jobless Filipinos
Independent think-tank IBON Foundation disputes government data on employment, estimating that government statistical manipulation removed over a million Filipinos from the official unemployment count. BY IBON FOUNDATION Posted by Bulatlat Vol. VII, No. 49, January 20-26, 2008 Independent think-tank IBON Foundation disputes government data on employment, estimating that government statistical manipulation removed over a million…
New Youth Formation Calls for GMA’s Ouster
As different sectors renew their call for the ouster of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, youth organizations in the National Capital Region (NCR) decided to assemble themselves into one group that will call for “political, economic and social change and reforms in the country.” BY REYNA MAE TABBADA Bulatlat Vol. VII, No. 49, January 20-26, 2008 As different…
Norwegian Medicine for Vedanta
Should one welcome the decision by the Norwegian sovereign fund to sell off its stake in Vedanta Resources? The answer is an affirmative “Yes.” If globalization can facilitate the movement of capital, goods and services across borders, the same instrument could also be used to build alliances and solidarity with like-minded groups across the borders…
The Promises of EDSA
After two People Power uprisings, how far have we gone in the struggle for good governance, for democracy, and for a better life and future? BY BENJIE OLIVEROS ANALYSIS Bulatlat Vol. VII, No. 49, January 20-26, 2008 EDSA 2 is about the struggle for good governance and the rejection of a corrupt government. It is…
Power to the People*
The phenomenon of “people power” cannot be reduced to a purely spontaneous event triggered by some outrage but the result of an accumulation of favorable developments, build-up in the strength of organized forces and in the momentum of the mass movement as well as a triggering event. No one can predict way in advance when,…
Paalala Bilang Pananakot
Wala namang masama sa mga babala. Maraming pagkakataong kailangan natin ang mga ito. Pero ibang usapin na kung ang isang tinaguriang babala ay pumipigil sa kalayaan ng isang tao. NI DANILO ARAÑA ARAO Konteksto / Pinoy Weekly Inilathala ng Bulatlat Vol. VII, No. 49, January 20-26, 2008 Wala namang masama sa mga babala. Maraming pagkakataong…
Why I Believe Bush Must Go
Nixon Was Bad. These Guys Are Worse. The nation would be much more secure and productive under a Nixon presidency than with Bush. Indeed, has any administration in our national history been so damaging as the Bush-Cheney era? How could a once-admired, great nation fall into such a quagmire of killing, immorality and lawlessness? BY…