By Satur C. Ocampo At Ground Level | The Philippine Star It seems the land of opportunity isn’t America anymore (nor Europe). For Filipinos, anyway. Not right now. Despite the recovery of the big banks through massive government bailouts, the US economy — in deep recession since 2008 — grew by only 1.1 percent in…
Month: September 2011
US, Dutch and Philippine governments conspired to demonize Professor Sison – Committee DEFEND
By D. L. MONDELO Bulatlat.com AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands – The recent Wikileaks expose’ of a 2007 cable from the US embassy in Manila (which was published in Manila newspapers) revealing the collaboration between the Dutch, Philippines and US governments to file false murder charges against Filipino political exile Prof. Jose Ma. Sison is merely a…
Bayan Muna tells Aquino to slow down on plans to forge new deals with China
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO Bulatlat.com In the wake of President Benigno Aquino III’s exuberant report regarding his supposedly successful business and diplomatic trip to China, Bayan Muna Representative Neri Colmenares said the president should not be too eager to forge new deals. Aquino led a delegation of almost 300 business leaders on a trip…
GPH-MILF peace talks heading for an impasse
By MARYA SALAMAT
The MILF leadership, particularly its negotiating panel headed by Mohagher Iqbal, views the “3 in 1” proposal of the Philippine government for a peace agreement as “detached,” has “no connections” and has in fact “derogated the past agreements and consensus reached by the two parties in the past 14 years of negotiations.”
The long, difficult road to justice for mothers of 2 missing UP students
By RONALYN V. OLEA
“While we commend the courage of the mothers of Karen and Sherlyn, now human rights defenders themselves, in pursuing the criminal case, it is equally significant that the Aquino government must take concrete steps in making the roads to justice accessible for the victims and their families.” – Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law, and Development
Palparan bodyguard linked to abduction of 2 UP students a ‘no show’ during hearing
By RONALYN V. OLEA Bulatlat.com MANILA – One of the soldiers linked to the abduction of two University of the Philippines (UP) students and his counsel was a no-show at the Department of Justice (DOJ) hearing today. Staff Sgt. Edgardo L. Osorio did not appear at the DOJ hearing on the preliminary investigation on the…
TRB postpones implementation of VAT on toll fees, BIR disagrees
By MARYA SALAMAT Bulatlat.com MANILA – Amid protests over what progressive groups call as “bogus public hearings” conducted by the Toll Regulatory Board this week over the planned imposition of the 12-percent Value-Added Tax (VAT) on toll fees, which it would pass on to motorists, the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) announced yesterday they may not…
NATO-led rebels abducting, killing civilians in Libya, including migrants, immigrants
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO Bulatlat.com Rebel forces allied with the United States and the Northern Alliance Treaty Organization (NATO) might be targeting migrants and citizens of other nationalities in Libya. This is the fear of Migrante International after reports have surfaced that in the worsening conflict in Libya, rebel forces seeking to oust Libyan…
Proposed 4-day work week poses health risks, would result in income loss for workers
By RONALYN V. OLEA Bulatlat.com MANILA – At first glance, the proposed four-day work week for workers in public and private sectors may seem beneficial but a closer look proves otherwise. According to the Institute for Occupational Health and Safety Development www.IOHSAD.org, implementing a four-day work week with a minimum of ten hours per day…
Jalandoni: NDFP remains committed to peace talks
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
“This is not something we can give up on easily. We are talking about our country’s chances of securing a just and lasting peace and putting an end to the armed conflict. These are aspirations that all peace-loving Filipinos share, and we should persevere in the peace talks. If there are problems, we have to find solutions to them; if there are obstacles, then they should be overcome.”
News in Pictures: Junk Oil Deregulation Law
TEXT AND PHOTOS BY GREGORIO B. DANTES Jr.