This poem was written by Gelacio Guillermo in 1998 in the heat of the debates on the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). Written in Filipino, this creates scenarios if the VFA were approved, a decision that the Philippine Senate eventually did in 1999. The recent case of the alleged rape of a young woman by six…
Bulatlat Contributors
Why the Media Love ‘Digong’
He is comfortable around journalists, who are, in turn, easily fascinated by him. By Germelina Lacorte DAVAO CITY — Just by looking at how media people swarm City Hall every time he is around, he is probably the city’s most covered mayor. He attracts journalists without even trying, says Jon Joaquin, editor of the local…
The Rise and Rise of Rodrigo Duterte
To those who fear him, Duterte is “the punisher,” as Time magazine described him three years ago. To those who respect him, he is the man who keeps the peace. To his political adversaries, he plays dirty. To others whose lives he touched through his generosity, he has a heart of gold. To keen political…
Rody’s War: In Full Control
Using his unmatched political savvy, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has kept the City Council under his thumb. By Germelina Lacorte DAVAO CITY – A few months ago, war erupted at the City Council. It was between a large group of people identified with Mayor Rodrigo Duterte against a smaller group of people identified with Mayor Rodrigo…
Hacienda Serafica Farm Workers Hold Picket
While most people rared to go back to work last Nov. 6 after a long vacation, farm workers of Hacienda Serafica who have long been suffering from unjust working conditions have decided to stop working and hold a picket. According to them, they intend to stay until their demands are met. By Johann Hein B.…
Luisita Strikers Nabbed, Detained
Union condemns harassment Human rights violations at the Hacienda Luisita continue as 10 strikers and a striker’s son, were arrested, detained and beaten up last Nov. 14. The military is said to be once again behind the dastardly act. BY ABNER BOLOS At about 2 a.m. of Nov. 14, 10 strikers and a 15-year old…
U.S. Custody of 6 Marines Unconstitutional:
Philippine Laws Prohibit Their Transfer Abroad By Atty. Neri Javier Colmenares COUNSELS FOR THE DEFENSE OF LIBERTIES (CODAL) Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will be committing a culpable violation of the 1987 Constitution if she allows the United States to continue exercising absolute custody over the six US Marines accused of rape and transfer the accused to…
Business Alive
While visiting their dead last Nov. 1, All Saints’ Day, this family in La Loma Cemetery in Quezon City took the opportunity to earn some money by selling pre-paid loads passed from cellphone to cellphone, popularly known as the e-load. The e-load allows one to load a smaller amount of credits but expires more quickly.…
Counterpoint
Bulatlat.comBy Sarah Raymundo Posted by Bulatlat.com “they should have not let his brain spattered on the floor like that; or his eyes dismembered from his face it’s the kids, it’s too painful for them to have seen him so horribly lifeless or worse, remember him that way!” this widow’s work of mourning is as habitual…
The Reign of Empress Glorius Marius Arius the Terrible
By Tomas Talledo Posted by Bulatlat.com I. Our Empress shoves us into scoundrel time. Her terrible reign inverted our simple world: right is wrong and wrong is right. She wants us to praise her fineries but struts naked unashamed. She urges us to labor night and day but pays us clinks of coins. She bids…
Dousing the Embers of Hope: Canadian Gov’t Fails to Address Mining Abuses in RP
The Canadian government is not taking any drastic action against human rights and environmental abuses of Canadian mining companies abroad, including the Philippines By Jennifer del Rosario-Malonzo Ibon Features Posted by Bulatlat.com The chances of getting the Canadian government to act on the proposals of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade…