The Melo Commission, in marked contrast to the Palace hype, is widely perceived to be neither powerful, credible nor independent. By Carol Pagaduan-Araullo BusinessWorld Posted by Bulatlat.com Malacañang’s creation of a supposedly “independent commission to address media and activist killings” headed by former Supreme Court Justice Jose Melo, has been met with much skepticism, if…
Bulatlat Contributors
Palparan’s Legacy in CL: Lives Disrupted, Reign of Fear
Even if controversial Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan is set to retire on September 11, residents of Central Luzon are still gripped in fear. They said that Palparan has failed in what he has set out to do and that the full extent of the damage he has done may only be known after all the…
The Melo Probe: Gloria’s Latest Fraud?
With the Melo Commission just a phony, the President exonerating the AFP from any involvement in the extra-judicial killings and the CHR in limbo with regards its own investigation, whom will the families of the victims of political murders turn to for justice? By Bobby Tuazon Bulatlat.com Being toothless and seemingly beholden to the President,…
Liberalizing the Philippine Media: Pros and Cons
We have gone this far holding mass media as our own, having our trusty old watchdog, though limping and perhaps infested with fleas, bite the hands off dictators and dishonest leaders. Why let a strange collie, no matter how attractive it is, do the gate keeping? By ROANNE DURAN Contributed to Bulatlat.com The ownership and…
Going After Serial Killers outside RP
There are legal and political courses of action available internationally which the victims’ families, rights groups, lawyers and civil libertarians can take to seek redress for the unmitigated killings including the prosecution of those responsible. There have been legal precedents under which state governments, prime ministers and individual generals who have committed war crimes and…
Nang Ilibing ng mga Kongresman ang Impeachment
NI RAUL FUNILAS Bulatlat.com Bakit pumanig ka sa banig na bitbit ng mababagsik Na kongresmang maglilibing sa kasong impeachment Ni GMA? “Dahil ang halalan ay malaong lumalapit, Kaya dapat ay mahigpit na kaming sa tapis ay kumapit.” Maraming nagluksa sa pagsasaya ng mga tunggak, Maraming nagsasaya sa pagluluksa ng mga hinamak; Iniuumang na ng palasyo…
Solon’s Prolonged Detention Assailed in 2-Day Vigil, Rally
Marking the sixth month of Rep. Crispin Beltran’s illegal detention, the Free Ka Bel Movement (FKBM) together with Anakpawis Party List led a two-day vigil and protest rally of labor unions, progressive organizations and Beltran’s supporters demanding the legislator’s immediate release. BY MAUREEN HERMITANIO Bulatlat.com Hundreds of supporters of Anakpawis (Toiling Masses) Rep. Crispin Beltran…
Business Not Dampened
Photo by Ace Alegre / Bulatlat Do storms and typhoons dampen business? Not so for umbrella repairmen like Mang Ramon here, photographed in Baguio City (246 kms. north of Manila). In fact, for him, business is at its prime during the strongest rains as customers flock to him one after the other, their umbrellas worn…
Stolen Shots
NI MARK ANGELES Bulatlat.com Tinawag nilang camera obscura, “babasaging salaming may alaala” ang maysa-de-gulat na makinang dumudukot ng mga kaluluwa. Ibinababad ang huwad na liwanag sa nakayukyok na birheng kambas. Doon naglalatak ang mantsa ng gutom, sakit, at giyera… Mahihirati sa pagkaabstrakto ang dayukdok na potograpo, kaya ihihilera ang mga biktima (sa black & white,…
EV Groups Slam Task Force Usig Report, Demand Justice for Slain Activists: Ex-PNP chief in EV ‘surprised’ by Task Force Usig findings
“We are appalled by the statement of the Task Force Usig branding the people’s martyrs and heroes, who died protecting and upholding the interests of the masses, as ‘thieves’ only to cover up the inutility of the government to solve these cases of political assassinations in the regions,” said Bayan-Eastern Visayas spokesperson Flor Pong Acbo,…
Underpaid, Under Fire, Under Pressure
Media workers may bask in the limelight and may wield tremendous amount of influence. But, as four topnotch Davao journalists tell davaotoday.com, they are not spared from poverty and the corruption and danger that it brings. BY GRACE S. UDDIN davaotoday.com Bulatlat.com DAVAO CITY – Print and broadcast journalists may have relative popularity or notoriety…