Not only does rice importation hurt local farmers, it is also the culprit behind the billions of pesos in losses incurred by the National Food Authority (NFA) over the years.
Day: September 20, 2008
The Cruelty of Enforced Disappearances: An Abhorrent Crime Against Humanity
They are victims of the same abhorrent acts, although three decades apart. One has searched for a sister, the other is still looking for his parents. One shared the same belief as his sister, the other could not fully understand his parents’ work. But whether it happened during Martial Law or now that we are supposedly under a democracy, whether the relative is a sister, a brother, or a parent, or whether one is an activist or not, the pain one feels in having his or her relative forcibly disappeared by state security agents is still the same; it does not diminish the cruel effects of the crime.
Fact-Finding Mission Confirms Reports of Rights Violations in Negros Town
A fact-finding mission organized by the regional office of Karapatan (Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights), the Promotion of Church People’s Rights (PCPR) and the Kapunungan Alang sa Ugma sa Gagmayng Mag-uuma sa Oriental Negros (KAUGMAON) has confirmed massive human rights violations against the peasants in the countryside of Sta. Catalina town in Negros…
Cordi Honors Northern Luzon Rights Defenders
Seven lawyers, three nuns, two women, one bishop and one educator received the first Gawad Tanggol Karapatan, a tribute to human rights defenders by human rights organizations in Baguio City last week. BY LYN V. RAMO Northern Dispatch HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH Posted by Bulatlat BAGUIO CITY (246 kms north of Manila) — Seven lawyers, three…
On the Global Economic and Financial Crisis
BY IBON FOUNDATION* INTERNATIONAL The deep problems of the imperialist-dominated world capitalist system are in very sharp focus today. The majority of humanity has long suffered unremitting poverty and exploitation – but the people are being pushed into even greater difficulties by the current episode of intense economic and financial crisis which is feared to…
Capitalism Has Proven Karl Marx Right Again
Time for a Marxist interlude. Inherent contradictions of capitalism, anyone? Intrinsic instability? Or perhaps we could risk the simple rhetorical questions Herr Marx somehow forgot to ask. To wit: have you ever seen a poker game in which no-one can ever lose? And would you, in your right mind, ever trust such a game? BY…
Groups Stage Protest vs Global Forum on Migration
he Philippines will host the 2nd Global Forum on Migration and Development (GMFD) this October. Filipino migrant workers, however, deem that the forum will only aggravate their conditions. BY ANGIE DE LARA MIGRANT WATCH Bulatlat Various groups led by Migrante International staged a protest action in Manila, Sept. 19 to oppose the 2nd Global Forum…
US Bankruptcies, A Portent of Worse Things to Come
The bankruptcies of five global financial services firms based in the US are not yet the worst that could happen. There is yet no end in sight to the current convulsion of the crisis in the US. If things do not bode well for the US, more so for the Philippines. There is not truth…
US Troops Back
Seventeen years ago, the Philippine Senate voted to reject the renewal of the RP-US Military Bases Agreement, ending more than 40 years of US military presence and activity in the Philippines. The decision was met with acclaim from nearly all quarters, indicating it had broad support from the population. Within a year, the Filipino people once…
The Bangsamoro Crucible
Readers grappling with issues engendered by the aborted signing of the controversial MOA between government and MILF negotiators may find helpful the new book Rethinking the Bangsamoro Crucible published by the Center for People Empowerment and Governance (CenPEG). BY ELMER A. ORDOÑEZ The Other View / The Manila Times Posted by Bulatlat I Readers grappling…
Golden Lessons of Lubo
The land of Lubo in Kibungan has been reshaped by earth-moving activities. Its present environment unfolds a landscape of contrasts. Its mountains are covered by the growing “green gold” and young pine trees while the lower area is an expanse of dug up layers of soil and rock. Its lowest spot, once a part of…