“What is happening in our country today is that the feelings of the people are already kindled. Once the wind of truth blows, it will ignite the fire.” – Jun Lozada, NBN-ZTE scam whistleblower
A 17-year-old told Human Rights Watch that Philippine soldiers beat him up to force him to admit he was a rebel fighter. He said he eventually lied and said he was with the MNLF so that the beatings would stop.
“Justice begins when we speak, release and acknowledge the truth in solidarity and community. One Billion Rising for Justice is an invitation to break free from confinement, obligation, shame, guilt, grief, pain, humiliation, rage and bondage. It is a call to bring on revolutionary justice.”
“Apart from being used as a tool to control Congress, the DAP may prove to even be illegal and unconstitutional.”– Kabataan Party Rep. Terry Ridon
“The fact that as early as 2007, the transactions of the bogus NGOs have already started should have been enough reason not to continue with their accreditation. But, the DA did not lift a finger to delist and file criminal cases against the said NGOs. As such, it could be reasonably concluded that the respondents-officials of the DA have conspired and benefited from the scam.”
It has been a long way since from the culture of the Katipunan to the present pork barrel system in the Philippines, a legacy of colonial US to the country to make its political protégées follow its bidding.
Read also Second Part: Participative democracy: substitute to the pork barrel system
“Don’t our officials feel betrayed? We are being bullied by China, we go to the US for help. In return, they sold us junk materials at a very high price, only to find out that US is also talking to China about possible mutual defense arrangements.” – Bayan Muna Rep.
“Where are the funds for the poor?” – Kadamay
Asked for an official definition of “neutralization,” DND officials, citing another joint DND-DILG memorandum, said that it is “any counteraction intended to render any subject ineffective or inoperative using reasonable force such as physical restraint and similar acts.” DND said that the term “render ineffective” might include killing if it is “reasonable.”
“The Aquino government fails to grasp the historical roots of the Bangsamoro struggle.” – Dean Julkipli M. Wadi, Institute of Islamic Studies, University of the Philippines
Lawyers for former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo filed several petitions to suspend the proceedings and dismiss the class suit, but all were denied.