100th International Women’s Day
Anne Marxze Umil
Cutting Back on a Meager Budget to Cope with Soaring Prices
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
Menyer Ligmon’s family budget of $8 a day is spent for one and a half kilos of rice, $0.46 for the snack of each of her six children, who are attending school, $0.46 for one fourth kilo of sugar, $0.46 for kerosene gas for her lamp for one week .. and the rest for noodles and vegetables, cooking oil, salt and the cheapest milk for her two-year old child.
On 100th International Women’s Day, Groups Press Aquino to Act on Women’s Demands
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
“Aquino’s ninth month in office coincides with the militant action of Filipino women on March 8. Just like giving birth to a child, the protest of women all over the country and overseas would be born after nine months of discontent over an administration found inadequate in action.” — Lana Linaban, Gabriela secretary-general
Groups Mark 25th Anniversary of Edsa People Power I with Protests
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL Bulatlat.com MANILA — Contrary to the festive celebration being sponsored by the Aquino government, various cause-oriented groups marked the 25th anniversary of People Power I uprising with a protest against price increases. Members of people’s organizations under the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan or New Patriotic Alliance) marched along Epifanio delos…
Witnesses, Local Police Contradict DOJ-NBI Report, Company Blames Military for Co’s Death
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
John Quiniones Sosito, former police senior superintendent and acting director of the Leyte Provincial Police Office, said there were no other adversarial forces during the supposed crossfire incident that killed Leonard Co, Sofronio Cortez, and Julius Borromeo.
News in Pictures: Edsa People Power I at 25
President Benigno S. Aquino III spearheaded the unveiling of the Cardinal Sin Statue as part of the celebrations of the 25th anniversary of Edsa People Power I. Earlier, the Yes Pinoy Foundation organized the formation of a human mosaic composed of 1,600 students from Rizal High School in Pasig City. Amid the festive celebrations sponsored by the Aquino administration, various progressive groups marked the 25th year since Edsa People Power I with protests actions, criticizing all post-Edsa I regimes for failing to deliver on the promise of change. (Photos by Gregorio B. Dantes Jr. and Anne Marxze D. Umil / bulatlat.com)
Before Rabusa, There Was Pogoy: Court-Martialed for YouTube Exposé, Ex-Captain Decries ‘Prevalent Corruption’ in Military
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
Former Air Force Captain Joenel S. Pogoy, who spent two years in detention after being court-martialed for exposing corruption in the Air Force, says corruption in the military is worse than what is publicly known. The truth is, he says, many military officers — from the time they are still lieutenants to the time they become generals — are being taught by unscrupulous superiors to become corrupt.
‘Impeaching Ombudsman Is Important Step Toward Justice’
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
Groups welcome the Supreme Court’s decision junking the petition by Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez that sought to stop the impeachment case against her in Congress.
‘Midnight Approval’ of MRT-LRT Fare Hike Feared
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
Bayan asks the government to be transparent in the decision-making process involving the fare increases. It also denounces the “element of deception” on the matter, pointing out, for example, that commuters of LRT 1 will be paying for the debts incurred by LRT 2.
Cash Handouts in the Philippine Military
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL Bulatlat.com MANILA — Lt. Col. George Rabusa, former budget officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines from 2000 to 2002, revealed the skeletons in the closet of the military. Rabusa testified anew Feb. 7 at the Senate inquiry on the plea bargain agreement forged by the Office of the…
Groups Want Arroyo Probed for Role in Spread of Corruption in Military
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
Fr. Joe Dizon of Pagbabago said the recent exposé on corruption in the military is another test for the current administration. “This is a golden opportunity to show that he (President Aquino) is serious (in fighting corruption).”