By ACE ALEGRE Bulatlat.com BAGUIO CITY (September 13, 2011) – Claiming to respond to lingering issues over the passage of Mining Act of 1995, an Indigenous Peoples-responsive law is reportedly being pushed in Congress. Citing documented negative effects of mining operations on indigenous communities, Ifugao Rep. Teddy Brawner Baguilat, chairman of the House Committee on…
Day: September 16, 2011
Wikileaks bares extent of US interference in Philippine affairs

By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
“What makes this not-so-new discoveries amazing is how everything — the interference, the spying, the continuous intervention into even the Philippines’ legislative and judicial affairs – is written down.” – Renato Reyes of Bayan
Sidebar: US lobbied against Cheaper Medicines Act
US admits role in opposing Sison’s exclusion from terrorist List
US admits opposing Sison’s exclusion from terrorist list
By INA ALLECO SILVERIO Bulatlat.com Main Story: Wikileaks bares extent of US interference in Philippine affairs Sidebar: US lobbied against Cheaper Medicines Act In a series of cables, the US embassy admitted the US’ government’s role in the terrorist listing of Prof. Jose Ma. Sison, chief political consultant of the National Democratic Front of the…
US lobbied against Cheaper Medicines Act
By INA ALLECO SILVERIO Bulatlat.com Main Story: Wikileaks bares extent of US interference in Philippine affairs Sidebar: US admits role in opposing Sison’s exclusion from terrorist List From September 19, 2005 to January 15, 2010, dozens of cables were sent to the US Department of State from Manila regarding the disputes in the Philippines concerning…
After 60 years, US-RP defense pact ‘proved useless, disadvantageous to Philippines’

By MARYA SALAMAT
“This treaty and the US have not really helped in AFP modernization. It only enhanced its dependence and derogated Philippine sovereignty.” – Satur Ocampo
MDT, ‘license for US direct intervention’
By MARYA SALAMAT Bulatlat.com 1st Part: After 60 years, US-RP defense pact ‘proved useless, disadvantageous to Philippines MANILA — “Confirmed reports” about the deployment of US special operatives in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Philippines and probably on the ground in Libya, too, abound in newspapers, said Roland Simbulan, an expert on US-Philippine relations. These special operatives,…
Public Private Partnerships in education, health ‘more costly’– ACT Teachers Party

By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
“The financial cost of repaying the capital investment of Private Finance Initiative investors is therefore considerably greater than the equivalent repayment of direct government investment.” – England’s House of Commons Treasury Committee
Hacienda Looc farmers fight for right to land, call for halt to conversion
“Our land is not for sale. It is not a commodity that real estate developers can peddle to their rich clients.” – Ugnayan ng Mamamayan Laban sa Pangwawasak ng Lupa sa Hacienda Looc By RONALYN V. OLEA Bulatlat.com MANILA – Armando Lemita, 46, was born in Calayo village inside the Hacienda Looc in Nasugbu, Batangas.…
Piston sets Sept. 19 strike as Malacañang dialogue gave nothing “concrete”

By MARYA SALAMAT
Transport groups issued the notice of strike amidst efforts by Malacañang to scuttle and threaten the planned strike against oil overpricing, taxes, numerous fees and penalties.
Sidebar: Transport strike aims to affect the profits of the Big 3 – transport groups
Transport strike aims to affect the profits of the Big 3 – transport groups
By MARYA SALAMAT Bulatlat.com MANILA — The impending transport strike was not discussed in the recent dialogue with President Aquino, but San Mateo said Aquino has “diplomatically” threatened them against pushing through with the strike, as the president reiterated the LTFRB’s “reminder” to drivers that they are franchise holders with responsibility to ply their routes.…
Urban poor group urges Aquino to pursue talks with NDFP, address roots of poverty
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO Bulatlat.com MANILA — An urban poor group said it is high time for the government to take the peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines seriously and to look into the Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms (Caser) as an opportunity to address the roots of poverty in…