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The 25th anniversary of the 1986 Edsa popular uprising again stirred feelings of pride and frustration among Filipinos. The pride stems from our having successfully carried out the first “people power” that ousted a dictatorship through peaceful mass action. The frustration boils out of the unfulfilled promises of post-dictatorship reforms. (By Satur C. Ocampo / bulatlat.com)
Recently, there were two positive developments in the Filipino people’s quest for justice: the victims of the Marcos dictatorship finally got what is due them and the impeachment case against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez is finally being heard. (By Benjie Oliveros / bulatlat.com)
The "war on terror" policy pursued by the past Macapagal-Arroyo administration should be declared as good as dead and should be abandoned by the incumbent President. That policy was based hook, line, and sinker on former U.S. President George W. Bush, Jr.'s neo-conservative theory linking Iraq to the 9/11 bombings. Now, an Iraqi defector who was the primary source of so-called intelligence reports that were used to make a case for Bush's Operation Iraqi Freedom has confessed that he made the whole story up. (By Center for People Empowerment in Governance / bulatlat.com)
The lolas (grandmothers) of Lila Filipina, an organization of former “comfort women,” stormed the Japanese Embassy in Manila on Wednesday to demand justice from the government of Japan for the crimes they committed during World War II. The lolas proceeded to Don Chino Bridge near Malacañang gate and brought with them a letter addressed to President Benigno S. Aquino III, asking why he failed to fulfill his promise of obtaining any measure of justice for them. (Photos courtesy of Gabriela / bulatlat.com)
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
An essential aspect of the bill is the reorientation of the country's mining industry based on the principles of social justice, respect for people’s rights and welfare, environmental conservation, defense of national sovereignty and patrimony, national industrialization, and agricultural modernization.
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
Data from the Gabriela Women’s Party show that there is one death every two hours due to complications during pregnancy. Eleven women are dying everyday. Gabriela's landmark bill can provide much needed relief to poverty-stricken women and their families by ensuring full access to health services.
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
Kabataan Partylist Rep. Raymond Palatino said there is an urgent need to control tuition and other fee increases and to promote the practice of democratic participation in the decision-making process.
By RONALYN V. OLEA
Out of the 9,539 original complainants in a class action suit filed against the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos, only 7,526 victims would receive compensation. "Are they telling us that we are not genuine victims? Where is justice for us?" said martial-law victim Carlos Bolito, 60, after learning he was not included in the list of claimants.
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
Migrante International criticized the Aquino administration's crisis management -- from the repatriation of OFWs to simply responding to the calls via their hotline numbers -- as slow and inept. The group challenged the government to provide more than just livelihood assistance in dealing with jobless OFWs who would be flocking the country in the coming days.
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
Bulatlat.com will provide live updates on the 2nd day of the House Committee on Justice hearings on the impeachment cases filed against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez.
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
Maria Victoria Cavanes and her fellow OFW Maricel Busbos, who are working as domestic helpers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, are being routinely physically abused by their employers. Their families are desperately appealing for their rescue.
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)
Finally the congressional move to oust Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez (for the second time since 2009) has regained momentum. With the new administration’s avowed war against corruption and its majority control of the House, the militant party-list representatives hope the impeachment game will be played fairly this time. Nonetheless, they don’t rule out delaying tactics by the Ombudsman and her backers in the House. By SATUR C. OCAMPO
It is only through the people’s support that the two parties can draw the strength needed to withstand all negative pressures, ensure the efficacy of bilateral agreements and the successful end-result of the peace negotiations. In the final analysis, that is the meaning of the people being the true sovereign power, a fact which neither side disputes. By CAROL PAGADUAN-ARAULLO
The Philippine government should by all means protect Filipinos in trouble abroad, and see to it that their rights are respected. Even more fundamentally, should it put its own house in order, and create the conditions at home that will provide its citizens the means to sustain themselves in the present and to guarantee their future. By LUIS V. TEODORO
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