Category: Human Rights

By MARYA SALAMAT
“If you take the proper nurse to patient ratio in this country more than 364,000 nurses are actually needed…but owing to the volunteer-for-a-fee practice of private health facilities, compounded by the low government budget for health,.. the Philippines finds itself today in a situation where it has seemingly surplus nurses but it also has a pressing need for their services.”

By RONALYN V. OLEA Bulatlat.com MANILA – Media organizations here and abroad have raised alarm over the possibility that one of the suspects in the Ampatuan massacre would be released from detention. The gruesome Ampatuan massacre on Nov. 23, 2009 claimed the lives of 58 individuals, including 32 journalists and media workers. It has been…

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)

By LUIS V. TEODORO Vantage Point | BusinessWorld “Behind every great fortune,” said the French novelist Honore de Balzac, “is a great crime.” The Marcoses most certainly have a great fortune, estimated at somewhere between US$30 billion and $50 billion — much of it acquired, despite claims otherwise, during the martial law years from 1972…


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 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.

Press Release February 22, 2011 MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Feb. 22, 2011) – Gay activists in the Philippines have appealed Tuesday for the release of more than 120 Arab homosexuals arrested by police a week before massive protests swamped the oil-producing kingdom of Bahrain. Goya Candelario, spokesperson of the Progressive Organization of Gays in…

Press Release 28 February 2011 Environmental activist group Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment, College Editors Guild, League of Filipino Students and Hustiya! held a picket at the Department of Justice (DOJ) preliminary hearing on Dr. Ortega’s slay to support his family and to demand swift justice. “Justice is being delayed. Thirty four (34) days…

February 28, 2011 Attention: Ambassador Vicente ANT Admin Jovencion Catbagan Welfare officer Rosauro Octiavano Dear Sir, Nais ko po alamin sa inyong tanggapan riyan sa ating embahada sa Tipoli libya kung ano po ang kalagayan sa 17 ofws ng CKG na naiwanan ng kanilang employer? Midyo matagal na po ito sa shelter ng embassy? Sana…