The protesters said that no amount of reports or studies could cloak the workers’ slide into worse conditions, and the more appalling poverty in urban poor communities where they also live.
“Aquino is acting in the fashion of his kind: an arrogant, despotic, aristocratic landlord whose orders can never be deemed wrong or unfair.” Pia Malayao, Kalipunan ng mga Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas
“Four years under the Aquino administration saw skyrocketing prices of basic goods, utilities and services. We remain homeless, jobless or low-wage contractual workers. Our fellow country men and women victimized by supertyphoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan) are not receiving aid -- what ‘reform’ is Aquino talking about?” – Kadamay
There is an “ugly truth that does not get published in the Western media. Over the last 13 years, on average, one Palestinian child has been killed by Israel every three days. Since the outbreak of the second Intifada in September 2000, 1,523 Palestinian children have been killed by Israeli occupation forces. Over the same time period, 129 Israeli children have been killed.” – International League of Peoples’ Struggle
“Not only did President Aquino violate the constitution in having implemented DAP, he is now betraying public trust in loudly and publicly rejecting the ruling on DAP.” – ACT Teachers’ Party Rep. Antonio Tinio
The Stop and Go coalition said the new joint order imposing higher fines and penalties affects not only drivers and operators of public utility vehicles but private motorists as well.
Calls to hold Aquino, gov’t officials accountable for unconstitutional acts mounting
“In order to put a final lid on the pork barrel system, specifically in the legislative and executive branches of government, we support the proposal from anti-pork barrel groups in the whole country that the sovereign people use the 1987 Philippine Constitution provision on the passage of a law through the people’s initiative.” – Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma
“As one of the around 500 political prisoners under the Aquino government, I couldn’t help but sympathise with my fellow political prisoners who have to deal with poor prison conditions, some considered inhuman. In comparison, those charged with plunder cases are being given much leeway.” – Kim Gargar
“Years of the United States’ domination of our economy, influence in politics and culture, and military intervention, have proved that friendship isn't the sane word to describe the US-PH relationship. Slavery is much more precise.” – League of Filipino Students
On top of Kapunan being out on bail, and only two of the accused in custody, “some of the perpetrators of the beastly torture and cold-blooded murders are still at large, and some of the widely-perceived masterminds are even also implicated in other past shenanigans and present anomalies including the Pork Barrel scam.” – Edre Olalia, National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers
RELATED STORY | ‘Jail Kapunan, Enrile’ – workers’ group
“The special treatment being given to [Ret. Col,. Eduardo ] Kapunan and being denied to his co-accused further exposes the rotten judicial system in the country. It definitely bodes ill for the quest for justice in the Olalia-Alay-ay double murder case.” – Kilusang Mayo Uno
“President Aquino knows that the DAP, which is basically an impoundment of budget funds and realigning these to nonexistent projects, is wrong. In fact, he filed a bill SB 3121 as senator illegalizing Pres. Gloria Arroyo’s impoundment of the budget without congressional approval. “ -- Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares
'Aquino’s flimsy logic and arrogant moralism are not enough bases to withhold the award that Aunor deserves as an artist.'
Given the supposed numbers of Aquino allies in Congress and the all-powerful sway of pork barrel that continues to exist in public funds, impeaching Aquino is “a daunting task,” Rep. Terry Ridon of Kabataan Partylist admitted. But, he said, they are prepared to fight, anyway.
Related story: Allies defend Aquino, progressive groups push for impeachment
BIEN Philippines, a duly certified BPO employees association, explained that such shuttle services could help ensure the safety of call center agents and BPO employees especially since they work in shifting schedules and many in graveyard shifts.
“Let there be no doubt about it: We are serious in wanting the EDCA to be junked. We do not want any of its provisions implemented. The Supreme Court should side with the Filipino workers and people on this most important issue.” – KMU
“When Camp O’ Donnel was built, they drove away the Aetas. Now they (US and Philippine military) are expanding, and they are once again driving away Aetas.” – Edwin Danan, Central Luzon Aeta Association
Nora Aunor and her most memorable films represented the opposite of what the Aquino administration stands for.
“The Aquino government is reducing the issue of USS grounding in Tubbataha as a mere financial compensation issue, disregarding the clear violations of Philippine sovereignty.” –Kalikasan-PNE
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