Politics & Governance Archives | Page 100 of 352

As Workers Reel from Layoffs, They Find Enemy – Not Ally – in Labor Department

By MARYA SALAMAT
The massive layoffs in the Philippines brought about by the global financial crisis and the increasing appetite of companies for more profit have exposed yet again the Arroyo regime’s sympathy not for workers but for capitalists. And instead of ensuring that workers’ rights are protected, the Department of Labor and Employment has become an even more willing tool by companies to satisfy their greed.

Marya Salamat | Aug 30, 2009

Carol Pagaduan-Araullo | Standing On the Wrong Side of History

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Bulatlat Staff | Aug 29, 2009

Hopes Are High for Passage of Law Criminalizing Torture by Philippine Forces

By RONALYN V. OLEA
Under the bill, no justification can be offered that would allow torture and other inhuman punishments. Those who torture will be penalized as principals, as well as their superiors in the military, police or law enforcement establishments who ordered it.

Ronalyn V. Olea | Aug 29, 2009

The Philippines Under Imperial America: A Continuing History of Servitude

By BENJIE OLIVEROS
The presence of US troops exemplifies and strengthens US domination of the Philippines. When the Philippines was named as “the coordinating country” of the US in its dealings with the Asean, it meant that Manila could be counted on to promote US interests not only in the country but in the whole region.

Benjie Oliveros | Aug 29, 2009

US Troops in Philippines: America Pursues Expansionism, Protects Economic Interests

By ALEXANDER MARTIN REMOLLINO
In her revelations of the violations committed by US troops while on Philippine soil, former Navy officer Nancy Gadian also affirmed what has always been the core of US expansionism: using its military power to exploit the wealth and resources of another country. This was the core strategy in practically all the wars America had fought. Its so-called “war on terror” in the Philippines is no exception.

Alexander Martin Remollino | Aug 28, 2009

Court Affirms Melissa Roxas’s Abduction, Torture Claim But Clears Arroyo, Military

By RONALYN V. OLEA
The Court of Appeals has granted the Filipino-American activist's amparo and habeas data petitions, saying that Melissa Roxas’s story was credible. But it also pointed out that Roxas failed to show that the military was behind her abduction and torture, hence President Arroyo and elements of the armed forces cannot be made respondents in the case.

Ronalyn V. Olea | Aug 27, 2009

Overpriced Shampoo, Needles, Otoscopes: DepEd Faces New Set of Corruption Scandals

By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
Progressive lawmakers want to investigate how the DepEd is spending its large annual budget, given that the department has been hounded with an endless stream of corruption allegations.

Janess Ann J. Ellao | Aug 26, 2009

Video: ‘Disrespectful’ US Troops in Philippines ‘Treat Us Like Dogs’

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US Troops ‘Treat Us Like Dogs’

Ronalyn V. Olea | Aug 26, 2009

American Troops in Philippines Involved in Combat Operations – Ex-Navy Officer

In a press conference in Quezon City on Wednesday, former Lt. Senior Grade Mary Nancy Gadian said US troops gather intelligence information – through the use of special intelligence equipment – and participate in the planning of combat operations.

Alexander Martin Remollino | Aug 26, 2009

The Internet as Tool for Activism

Developments that show the popularity of activism through social networks and other online media have led some people to believe that activism online would be sufficient in addressing issues of general concern. But is it really?

Alexander Martin Remollino | Aug 18, 2009

Arroyo’s US ‘Food Trip’ Reflects Poor Policies, Arrogance

Malacañang officials claimed they merely had “a simple dinner” in Le Cirque, but Nanay Evelyn Monicario cannot imagine what a lavish dinner for Arroyo and her cohorts would be, considering that she herself considers sardines a lavish meal these days.

Janess Ann J. Ellao | Aug 17, 2009

Despite Arroyo Order Cutting Some Prices, Drugs, Medicines Will Remain Expensive

Even if seriously implemented, the Cheaper Medicines Law would still fail to bring down the prices of medicines because it did not break “the monopoly control of transnational corporations on all aspects” of the drug industry. This monopoly is the main reason why drug prices in the Philippines are among the highest in Asia.

Marya Salamat | Aug 17, 2009

Arroyo Regime Scuttling Resumption of Peace Talks — NDF

The National Democratic Front accuses the Arroyo government of showing bad faith by not complying with an agreement that provides immunity guarantees to members of the NDF’s panel.

Alexander Martin Remollino | Aug 15, 2009

Benjie Oliveros | Impunity in Profligacy

By the way Arroyo and her officials spent money left and right in paying for expensive meals and the plane fares and hotel accommodations of the whole entourage during its recent US trip, it seems as if they treat the nation’s coffers as their own expense account.

Benjie Oliveros | Aug 15, 2009

By Justifying Torture of Melissa Roxas, Regime Violates International Agreements

Freedom from torture is a non-derogable right, meaning that states cannot violate this right under any circumstances, even in a state of emergency or martial law. By insisting that Melissa Roxas is a communist guerrilla, the Arroyo regime not only practically admits that it tortured her -- it seeks to justify the atrocity, thus violating the very international instruments that it had earlier agreed on.

Ronalyn V. Olea | Aug 12, 2009

Arroyo’s Claim of ‘8 Million Jobs Created’ a Statistical Hocus-Pocus

In her recent State of the Nation Address, President Arroyo claimed to have created eight million jobs, or an average of a million jobs per year in the past eight years. But where exactly did this figure come from? A closer look at the government’s own data yields a statistical distortion.

Arnold Padilla | Aug 11, 2009

Slideshow: Groups Mourn Arroyo’s Choices for National Artists

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Groups Mourn Choices for National Artists

Bulatlat Contributors | Aug 11, 2009

National Artist Fiasco ‘Defiles’ Culture – Critics

Though there had been some controversy in past conferments of the National Artist Award, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's blatant political accommodation this year tainted the much-revered cultural institution, according to dissenting artists. View slideshow of protest

Alexander Martin Remollino | Aug 11, 2009

Photo of the Week: Not Quite Le Cirque

Not Quite Le Cirque. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her party spent nearly one million pesos on dinner during their recent visit to New York, ordering such items as caviar and expensive wine. In the meantime, poor Filipinos -- like this little girl having lunch, or what passes for it, in Isla Puting Bato, a slum area in Manila -- have to make do with what they have, which is often not enough. (By Ayi Muallam)

Bulatlat Staff | Aug 10, 2009

An Appraisal: Cory Aquino and Human Rights

While Cory Aquino restored democratic institutions and became a symbol of integrity in governance, her regime remained beholden, if not hostaged, by the military and Washington. This resulted in massive human-rights abuses that were even worse in terms of number of victims than those committed so far under the Arroyo regime.

Ronalyn V. Olea | Aug 9, 2009

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