Has the Philippine party-list system served its avowed purpose of providing representation for the country’s “marginalized and under-represented” sectors? Dr. Wilfrido Villacorta, a co-sponsor of the 1987 Constitution’s party-list provision, together with Christian Monsod, does not think so. His views are expressed in this interview with Bulatlat. BY ALEXANDER MARTIN REMOLLINO Bulatlat Has the Philippine…
Month: November 2008
Faux Democracy: A Report on Conditions in the Philippines*
The basic point that I want to make, and have previously made as a result of serving in Manila and Mindanao as a member of the Peoples’ International Observers Mission to monitor the May 2007 mid-term elections, is that the country has the trappings of democracy but is, in fact, a faux democracy. Using that…
Bishop-Ulama Conference Deemed a Farce
Muslim religious leaders, members of the Jamaah (congregation) at the mosque, students, the academe and civil society groups criticized the Bishop-Ulama Conference (BUC) for its ‘one-sided program of activities’ and alleged ‘malicious and suspicious process’ of event organization. BY LEILA ASANI HALUD Contributor Bulatlat JOLO, Sulu – “Allahu Akbar!” (God is great!) Thousands of protesters…
Cha-Cha Proposal to Legalize Foreign Plunder of Philippines’ Resources
The proposed amendment in the Constitution seeking to allow the foreign corporations to own land will legitimize the all-out and ongoing exploitation and plunder by foreign corporations of the country’s natural resources. BY IBON FOUNDATION Posted by Bulatlat The proposed amendment in the Constitution seeking to allow the foreign corporations to own land will legitimize…
Kay Pablo Garcia
NI RUSTUM CASIA Inilathala ng Bulatlat “Our Lord Jesus Christ lost in the survey and he was crucified and that’s how we’re going to judge President?” — Cebu Rep. Pablo Garcia (Kampi) Akala ko, nakita at nadinig ko na ang lahat ng kabulastugan sa Kongreso. Pero ito at humirit na naman ang isang kuneho.* Mantakin…
The Plunderer’s Escape and the Activists’ Arrest
BY HELEN ASDOLO Secretary General, Gabriela Southern Tagalog 5th Nominee, Gabriela Women’s Party Posted by Bulatlat The junking of the impeachment complaint is a glaring demonstration of injustice in this country. It is proof that big time plunderer and murderers in this country can go scot-free while human rights defenders, advocates and activists like me…
Height of Indecency, Foolishness
BY FR. JERRY SABADO, O.Carm Convenor, Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation Order of Carmelites Posted by Bulatlat The process to seek the truth is arduous. The hearing at the House of Representatives (HOR) Committee on Justice is frustrating. The numbers power prevailed over the strength of truth and morality. Congressman Pablo Garcia of Kampi…
More Than a Thousand OFWs Laid Off in Taiwan, More to Follow
The Department of Labor and Employment reported that 300 overseas Filipino workers have been terminated in Taiwan so far. But migrant groups said the number of retrenched OFWs is much bigger, hovering around more than a thousand. And that more would be laid off. BY BULATLAT MIGRANT WATCH The Hong Kong-based Asia Pacific Mission for…
‘Shortened Absentee Voting Registration to Disenfranchise OFWs’ – Migrante
On Nov. 25, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc passed a resolution moving the date of the OAV registration to February 2009 instead of this December. This, in effect, shortens the time allotted for the OAV registration from nine to seven months. Migrante said this would result in the disenfranchisement of OFWs working in…
Drop Baseless Charges vs Filipino Women Activists – US-Based Women’s Group
A New York City-based women’s group of Filipino-Americans condemned what it calls unfounded charges against 72 activists in Southern Tagalog. Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment (FiRE), a member of GABRIELA, said the “recent spate of state repression and violations of civil liberties is a continuation of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s deteriorating administration and governance.” BY BULATLAT…
Not Surprising
It did not come as a surprise that the Committee on Justice of the Lower House voted 48-2 to junk the fourth impeachment complaint against President Arroyo. It would also not come as a surprise if the Arroyo government forces charter change to its completion. But the Filipino people may yet spring a surprise. BY…