By RONALYN V. OLEA Bulatlat.com MANILA — The chairman of the then Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) peace panel during the collapse of the talks with the failure to sign a Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) laid down lessons he deemed important in resolving the Mindanao conflict. Speaking at a…
Category: Other Stories
RH Bill Proponents to Push For Passage of Bill Despite Malacañang’s Retreat
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO Bulatlat.com MANILA — Gabriela Women’s Party Representative Luz Ilagan expressed disappointment after Malacañang reently announced that it is excluding the Reproductive Health Bill from the list of priority bills for 2011 because it does not fall under the category of disasters. Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda on February 7 said Malacañang…
After Successful Strike, Footwear Workers Face Another Hurdle
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO Bulatlat.com MANILA — After their successful strike last year, members of the Bleustar Workers Labor Union (BWLU) face more challenges as the union prepares for a certificate election (CE) on February 18. This, despite finalizing a collective bargaining agreement with the management of the Bleustar Manufacturing and Marketing Corporation (BMMC).…
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…
Cordillera LGBTs Back Anti-Discrimination Bill
By KIMBERLIE OLMAYA NGABIT-QUITASOL Northern Dispatch Posted by Bulatlat.com LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community of Cordillera rallied behind Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño, calling for the enactment of an anti-discrimination law. Lesbians for National Democracy (Lesbond) and Progressive Organizations of Gays-Metro Baguio (Progay) recently called on all LGBTs…
Bring Home Stranded OFWs in Saudi Arabia – Bayan Muna
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO Posted by Bulatlat.com MANILA — A progressive lawmaker takes up the cudgels for Filipinos stranded in Saudi Arabia, saying that they did not go abroad to live under bridges like storm-drain rats. Last February 7, Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy A. Casino delivered a privilege speech on the problems confronting distressed…
Scientist Group Slams Privatization, Planned Transfer of NFA Functions to DSWD
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO Bulatlat.com MANILA — Privatizing the National Food Authority (NFA) will endanger food security and lead to greater price destabilization. Transferring the NFA’s functions to the DSWD will put food security issues at the hands of big business. This was the warning the Advocates of Science & Technology for the People…
Lawmaker Calls Attention to Increasing Number of OFW ‘Drug Mules’
As per records of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), there are 630 Filipinos languishing in various jails in Asia, the United States, and in the Middle East. By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO Bulatlat.com MANILA — Bayan Muna lawmaker Neri Colmenares recently urged the House Committee on Drugs to look into the alarming number of…
Election Watchdog Against Postponing ARMM Polls
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO Bulatlat.com MANIla — A Lanao del Sur-based electoral watchdog expressed strong opposition to proposals to postpone the August 8 2011 elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Healing Democracy, a Maranao grassroots project aiming to organize and educate the Lanao del Sur electorate, said postponing the polls would…
MILF Pooh-Poohs Split, Says It Will Present Draft Peace Pact When Talks Resume
By RONALYN V. OLEA
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said it is ready for the resumption of peace talks with the Manila government this month even as the front confirmed reports of a split within its ranks.
Residents, Small-Scale Miners Act to Stop Encroachment of Large Mining Firms
By CHERYLL D. FIEL
Residents of Pantukan, a coastal town in Compostela Valley province, are locked in battle against two large-scale mining companies attempting to wrest full control of the area’s mineral resources. They also bewail the unfair advantage the government gives to these companies at the expense of small-scale miners.