By MARYA SALAMAT
In a presidential forum on human rights, Noynoy Aquino, amid hemming and hawing and qualifiers, said he favors a pre-Marcos-like Anti-Subversion Law. He said he is not averse to curtailing rights in the name of national security, although, he hoped “we will not have a situation that will necessitate that.”
Category: Politics & Governance
Community Broadcasters Worldwide Condemn Impunity in the Philippines
By RAYMUND VILLANUEVA
More than 300 community broadcasters from 21 countries unanimously approved a resolution condemning the culture of impunity in the Philippines during the conclusion of the recent regional conference of the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC)-Asia Pacific in Bangalore, India.
2010 Bets Told: Act on Poor’s Needs, Demands
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
The demands of the urban poor communities included employment, housing projects and other pro-poor programs, which Kadamay pasted on a tarpaulin bearing photos of Philippine presidents since Marcos. All them, the group said, have failed to deliver on the demands of the urban poor.
Reynaldo Macabenta: A Loving Father, Devoted Co-Worker
By RONALYN V. OLEA
Mikaela Marie turned three years old last February 5. Her father, Reynaldo Macabenta, was on a health training that day but he promised her that he would come home the following day for her birthday celebration. She waited. He never came.
Benjie Oliveros | A Sinister Plan to Sneak Back to Power
I could not remember any precedent in history where there is such a mad rush for positions in Congress by officials, relatives, and close allies of an outgoing administration.
Raped and Impregnated, OFW Ends Up in Saudi Jail; DFA Clueless
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
Barely three months into her job as a janitor in a dental clinic in Dammam, Camille was raped. She got pregnant as a result. Accused of having an extramarital affair, she was jailed and subsequently suffered a miscarriage. She remains in jail, the Philippine government utterly clueless about her plight.
Groups Work Double Time to Save Jakatia Pawa from Death Row
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
Migrante said it would flood the Kuwaiti government with appeals for Pawa’s life this week . The emir usually gives clemency to individuals on death row during the Kuwaiti Independence Day on Feb. 25.
Despite SSL-3, Gov’t Health Workers Still Struggle for Better Wages
By MARYA SALAMAT
In the Philippines, the bulk of employed health workers and professionals are in the public sector. But over the years, the effect of government neglect on health, such as low wages and deplorable working conditions of health workers, coupled with the government’s active labor export policy, have combined to shrink the number of the country’s employed health professionals and workers.
Bulatlat Webcast: Get to Know Katribu Partylist
Live audio webcast interview with Nelson Mallari, secretary-general of Katribu Partylist, on his group’s platforms. He discussed with Bulatlat.com the many issues confronting the Philippines tribal communities. Interview held on Feb. 22 at 11 am.
Soldiers Hose Down Relatives, Supporters of Morong 43
Led by the group Hustisya!, the protesters were by the wall of the Camp Aguinaldo gate, posting blue cutouts of doves printed with the name of the 43 detainees, when the soldiers hit them with a water cannon.
‘Pagtatagpo sa Kabilang Dulo’: Literature for the Missing
By RONALYN V. OLEA
In the book Pagtatagpo sa Kabilang Dulo, letters and testimonials by the families of victims of desaparecidos reveal emotions ranging from guilt, hopelessness, anger, deep longing for their loved ones, hope and courage.