The Philippines, being a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, is scheduled to report to the UNCRC regarding the government’s compliance to the said convention on the first week of June. This early, Philippine permanent representative to the UN ambassador, Hilario Davide, Jr. is already lobbying for the delisting of…
Duterte Says He Won’t Allow Witch Hunt vs Activists
Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said he will not allow a “witch hunt” against political activists in the city even as he ordered a prompt investigation on the killing of a peasant leader here recently. BY GERMELINA A. ALCORTE Davao Today HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH Posted by Bulatlat Vol. VIII, No. 16, May 25-31, 2008 DAVAO CITY —…
Bayani Abadilla: Hero of the Filipino People
Bayani Abadilla is not a simple teacher, poet and journalist. He lived a life dedicated to the Filipino people. From the dark days of martial rule, he went underground to fight the Marcos dictatorship and later on became a fighter in the cultural sphere. As what his colleague said, his mind is always fresh when…
On Zero Oil Tariff Cut: Relieve Consumers, Not Oil Firms
Independent think-tank IBON Foundation criticizes the Department of Energy and Malacañang for passing the zero oil tariff cut, saying that reduced tariffs in the last three months has resulted in even higher prices of oil products. BY IBON FOUNDATION Posted by Bulatlat Vol. VIII, No. 16, May 25-31, 2008 Independent think-tank IBON Foundation criticizes the…
Study Other Revenue Measures Outside VAT, Gov’t Urged
If government increases its tax collection efforts from 14 percent of the gross domestic product to 16 percent, this can produce at least P94 billion ($2,163,904,235) in a year. These revenues are more than enough to cover the revenue losses from the removal of VAT on oil and power. BY IBON FOUNDATION Posted by Bulatlat…
Rainbow Warrior Docks at Albay with the message: ‘Quit coal, save the climate’
“We are here to expose the role of coal in climate change, the greatest threat to life and biodiversity on the planet. We are here to highlight the urgent need for adoption of strong mitigation and adaptation measures to tackle the worst impacts of climate change,” said Mike Fincken, skipper of the Rainbow Warrior. BY…
Don’t be Rushed into Trade Deal with E.U., Think-Tank Warns
IBON research head Sonny Africa said the EU Ambassador’s statement that the Philippines was slow in negotiating for a PCA compared with neighboring countries Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand was merely a way of pitting Asean member-countries against each other to coerce and rush them into concluding a free trade agreement (FTA) with the EU. BY…
Ka Bel: the Man and his Principles
Family, friends and neighbors, colleagues, the media, and kasamas (comrades) are heaping praises on Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran; and rightfully so, for who can question the integrity and commitment to serve of a man who was true to being from the working class till the time of his death. BY BENJIE OLIVEROS ANALYSIS Bulatlat Vol.…
Crispin Beltran: Most Outstanding Legislator
In session, Beltran stood tall and dignified among many, untainted by the corruption that soiled many multimillionaire-congressmen’s seats. BY THE CENTER FOR PEOPLE EMPOWERMENT IN GOVERNANCE ANALYSIS Posted by Bulatlat Vol. VIII, No. 16, May 25-31, 2008 As the Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG) prepares its assessment of the first 10 years of…
Ka Bel’s Legacy
The accolades coming the way of Anakpawis Representative Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran, in his untimely death, salute his honesty and self-sacrifice, his courageous resistance against all forms of political repression, his unwavering commitment and service to the cause of the working class, his example of humility, good cheer and sincere concern for the lowly and…
Condolences to the Family and All Comrades of Our Beloved Crispin ‘Ka Bel’ Beltran
BY PROF. JOSE MARIA SISON CHAIRPERSON, INTERNATIONAL COORDINATING COMMITTEE INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE OF PEOPLES’ STRUGGLE May 21, 2008 DEMOCRATIC SPACE Posted by Bulatlat Vol. VIII, No. 16, May 25-31, 2008 On behalf of the International Coordinating Committee (ICC) and all participating organizations of the International League of Peoples’ Struggle (ILPS)), I wish to convey most heartfelt…