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A deadlock was reached in the negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement after TV5 management refused to include in the talks its policy to declare certain positions as redundant.
“The heavy oil spill, which occurred during the height of super typhoon Yolanda, is not a fortuitous event nor an act of God, but a result of sheer criminal negligence and gross incompetence of the Office of the President, other key departments of the executive branch of the government and the state-owned Napocor which operates Power Barge No. 103, the source of oil spill.”
“Ruthless impunity and agrarian unrest hang over Hacienda Luisita. It’s like President Aquino is setting the stage for more bloodshed.” – Florida “Pong” Sibayan, Alyansa ng Manggagawang Bukid sa Asyenda Luisita (Ambala)
Also read BACK STORY| Hacienda Luisita Workers: Bloodied but Unbowed
Typhoon Yolanda destroyed lives and properties of as much as 10 million people in Eastern Visayas, but this “other Yolanda” represented by simultaneous price hikes “will affect most if not all Filipinos.” – Banking and Financial Unions
In its April 24, 2012 decision, the Supreme Court mandated the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to implement the land distribution of Hacienda Luisita to farmworker-beneficiaries. It was only in July this year that Ambala learned of Tadeco's claims over hundreds of hectares of land.
“It is simply callous and insensitive for big business and the government to connive and bring forth this pestilence to the people just weeks after our nation suffered from Typhoon Yolanda, and mere days before Christmas.” – Kabataan Rep. Terry Ridon
“First they tried to get rid of the Philippine Children’s Medical Center. Now they want to get rid of plants and trees. What is next? Pushing for the transfer of government offices like the Philippine Science High School and the Office of the Ombudsman to make way for even more commercial expansion?” – Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate
Malacañang claims that the culture of impunity has been solved because the Aquino government has been doing something about it. And yet, unsolved cases of extrajudicial killings under the current administration continue to pile up.
When President Aquino promoted, instead of punishing, military officers with pending cases of human rights violations, he is sending a message to the Armed Forces of the Philippines that those who commit human rights violations would not even be reprimanded, they would instead be rewarded with a promotion.
A few meters away from Malacañang, speakers from various sectors held the Aquino administration accountable for "the damage it has caused on the rights, lives and livelihood of the Filipino people, especially the poor majority."
RELATED STORY | Even in jail, political prisoners join protest
After her father disappeared, Jessamine let go of her reluctance to talk to government soldiers and approached her ex-soldier childhood friend, who confirmed that indeed, 'soldiers do bad things to people like (Ben Villeno).'
The government is insensitive to our plight and let big corporations like Meralco to profit even from the poorest people.”
“In Haiti, many people died when the earthquake struck, but a lot more people died when cholera hit the country.” – Linda Benoit, volunteer nurse and president of the Haitian American Nurses Association
“It would be a double blow for typhoon-ravaged schools if these impending budget cuts push through. The cuts are particularly lethal, as the government will not provide any capital outlay for the said schools. How will they rebuild damaged buildings without a single cent in their infrastructure budget?” – Kabataan Rep. Terry Ridon
"Ironically, under the government of BS Aquino, warlords and paramilitary groups were not dismantled. Worst, the same warlord group is said to be facilitating the entry of mining and oil palm plantations like that of A. Brown Company in the area."
“Balsa may be the biggest relief caravan we have ever conducted, involving at least three regions and hundreds of volunteers. Over the past week, the mass movement here and abroad have been collecting relief goods, other forms of assistance for the people of Eastern Visayas and Panay.” – Renato Reyes, Bayan
“We had thought we’d see the government or the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) busy at work, but we didn’t see them. We didn’t see anyone rushing to do relief and rehab.”– Connie Bragas- Regalado, Migrante, during a relief mission in Samar and Leyte November 23-24.
“…The best way to mark the 150th birthday of Bonifacio is to oppose a regime that has consistently put its interests ahead of Filipinos.” – KMU
“We deserve a government that does not play with 'human rights' rhetoric and inflicts grave human rights violations against women and the people.”– Cristina Palabay, convener of Tanggol Bayi and Karapatan secretary general
“What greater blow can an insensitive government give to the suffering people than privatizing the only public orthopedic hospital where the poor run for treatment?” – Emma Manuel, Alliance of Health Workers
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