This year’s elections could have the lowest voters’ turnout in recent years, given the 77-percent turnout in 2004 and 85 percent in 2001 BY THE CENTER FOR PEOPLE EMPOWERMENT IN GOVERNANCE (CenPEG) Posted by Bulatlat ELECTION WATCH/ANALYSIS Vol. VII, No. 15 May 20-26, 2007 The voters’ turnout in the May 14 mid-term elections could be…
Category: Commentary
Poll Fraud, Killings Perpetrated by Powers-that-Be
Contrary to government claims, electoral fraud and violence are not integral to Philippine culture and politics. It is perpetrated by those who profit from the existing system of Philippine politics and governance. BY BENJIE OLIVEROS Bulatlat ANALYSIS Vol. VII, No. 15 May 20-26, 2007 “Generally peaceful” – this is how the Commission on Elections (Comelec)…
Like Thieves in the Night
Not only thieves prowl the night. In the dead of night, the Macapagal-Arroyo administration tried to transfer Rep. Satur Ocampo of Bayan Muna (People First) party to Leyte. It was also late evening when the government transferred Lance Cpl. Daniel Smith to the custody of the U.S. embassy. In Ocampo’s case they did so to…
Oplan Bantay Laya: U.S.-Arroyo Regime’s ‘Final Solution’
Having run out of counterinsurgency options Bantay Laya I and II appear to be the U.S.-Arroyo regime’s “final solution” to the long drawn-out conflict. A novel and significant feature is its special emphasis on punitive measures in dealing with the political component of the insurgency. This includes suppressive measures against Congressional Party List representatives and…
Reign of Impunity
By Carol Pagaduan-Araullo Posted by Bulatlat The vital flaw which undermines the utility of much of the (Philippine) judicial system is the problem of virtual impunity that prevails. This, in turn, is built upon the rampant problem of witness vulnerability. The present message is that if you want to preserve your life expectancy, don’t act…
Crossing the Bridge
The U.S. government has been criticized for its inconsistent human rights policy and for using it as part of its proverbial “carrots and stick” strategy chiefly to gain concessions from governments. It supports tyrannical governments and deals with states that have gained notoriety for committing atrocities against their own nationals. By the Policy Study, Publication…
Human Security Act: License to Kill*
How are we to believe de facto president Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo when she proclaims that the new anti-terrorism bill, euphemistically named the Human Security Act, will be used against supposed bombers and not protesters? On the contrary, such fascist legislation will certainly give further license to the Arroyo regime-sanctioned death squads responsible for the political…
Run-up to the 2007 Elections
Philippine elections have always been tainted with fraud, marred by violence, dominated by political dynasties, and characterized by broken promises of politicians. It has never resulted in the betterment of the lives of majority of the Filipino people. But the way things are shaping up, this may be the worst elections yet. BY BENJIE OLIVEROS…
Metro Militarization: Part of a Bigger Plan?
The deployment of troops in Metro Manila completes the militarization of the whole countryside which has been intensifying under Arroyo. The whole blueprint smacks of a bigger plan in the offing. It is even more chilling that local executives have shown no sign of alarm over this blatant display of military supremacy over civilian rule.…
DAGLI SA KRISIS: Balita nang Nakaraang Linggo
Hindi nauubusan ng isyu ang bansang ito. Malalim ang balon ng pandarahas at pandarambong. Mabuti na lamang at mayroong gising – nangangampanya, tumututol, nagsasalaysay, gumugunita at nag-aaklas – habang ang marami ay natutulog na, o ipinaghehele ng mga jingle at indayog na “Boom Tarat Tarat” at “Itaktak Mo,” nagmo-malling na parang zombie (gising at nakakalakad…
Semantics of Colonization and Revolution
A review of Philippine history shows an analysis of certain events and historical figures like Andres Bonifacio that border on the ridiculous and the sinister. BY ROSALINDA N. OLSEN Contributed to Bulatlat Too often we transfer ourselves into what we see, hear or read. The author’s meaning and intent can therefore affect our own predisposed…