“The commitment to protect and nurture the environment and national patrimony is not an easy road to take. Not only does it require patience and perseverance, energies and strength of will, but in other times, it also costs peoples’ lives.” – Frances Quimpo, Center for Environmental Concerns
‘At this point in its history, the American Republic has arrived under the theory that the President of the United States possesses limitless authority publicly to misrepresent and secretly to control foreign policy, foreign affairs and the war power.’
2013 was no different for OFWs as they continue to face government neglect. But the year also showed what OFWs could accomplish through their concerted action.
By Carol Pagaduan-Araullo Streetwise | Business World Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III (BS Aquino for short), the non-performing Congressman representing the Cojuangco-Aquino clan’s fiefdom in the second district of Tarlac, parlayed a senatorial seat then the presidency of the Philippines by riding the crest of the anti-Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo sentiment and donning the Aquino mystique derived…
“Look at our performers from the cities, our army (NPA), our leaders, the revolution is indeed young.”
Red local govt leader in Pablo-ravaged ComVal credits the CPP for helping them organize the farmers, implement communal farming system and help assure their food security.
QUESTION EVERYTHING Mong Palatino Bulatlat.com Second of four-part series First part | 13 natural and man-made disasters of 2013 Third part | Wrecking Ball and other Objects that Made News in 2013 2013 was a calamitous year for the Philippines – earthquakes, strong typhoons, bus crashes, corruption scandals. The reactions of various newsmakers to these…
The violent repression of Korean railway workers’ strike shows that neoliberal policies like privatization go hand-in-hand with fascist repression. — KMU
‘The assemblies serve as a propitious occasion for the Filipino people to celebrate the concrete victories which they have achieved through 45 years of revolutionary struggle.’ — CPP
At around 3 p.m., Dec. 21, policemen under the command of Tarlac City Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Bayani Razalan, Provincial Director Alex Sintin, chief of Great Star Security Agency, Mauro dela Cruz and Tarlac Development Corporation representative Villamor Lagunero arrested Hacienda Luisita farmers Vicente Sambo, Rod and his mother Eufemia Acosta, Ronald Sakay, husband and wife Jose and Elsa Baldiviano, and Manuel and Mamerto Mandigma. They are now detained at Camp Macabulos, headquarters of PNP-Tarlac. No charges have been filed against them as of Dec. 22.
2013 is the defining year for the Aquino administration. First, the country entered the midterm of the Aquino presidency. All that has been happening in the political, economic, social and cultural life of the country is now a result of the Aquino administration’s own policies. It could no longer shift the blame on its predecessor, the much-hated Macapagal-Arroyo administration. Second, the Aquino administration faced the very issues that it raised against the previous administration: corruption, bribery, trapo politics, and political dynasties; and impunity in human rights violations and killings of journalists. Third, President Benigno Aquino III declared that it would finally settle, this year, the decades-old land issue involving the Cojuangco-Aquino clan. Fourth, its ability to respond to crisis was severely tested by the strongest typhoon to ever make landfall and a devastating earthquake, which hit the country at a time when the Filipino people has barely risen from two strong typhoons that hit the country late last year.
So how did the Aquino administration fare?