By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
Literally, Pangarap Village is the fulfillment of the dreams of the residents. The land was awarded to them in 1973 by then president Ferdinand E. Marcos. But the Aranetas came back to once more stake its claim to the land, emboldened by a Supreme Court order in 1988 and the ascension to power of one of their own Mar Roxas.
SECOND PART: Aquinos and Aranetas conspiring vs ‘land to the landless’ and the urban poor
By RONALYN V. OLEA
“If the GPH does not want [to proceed with the talks], the revolutionary struggle is there. We will not abandon our instrument for national and social liberation.” – Luis Jalandoni, NDFP
By MARYA SALAMAT
“The Aquino government should not treat our expressways like a milking cow; it should recognize it as a form of social service to the public.” TUTOL-SLEX
By RONALYN V. OLEA
“We all know that Nueva Ecija is the country’s rice granary but farmers still do not own the lands they till and worse, they are being displaced because farm lands are being converted.” – Joseph Canlas, AMGL chairman.
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
Reports of how the AFP has been attacking and preventing the victory of progressive party-list groups abound. But the smoking gun that would prove these allegations was finally discovered: it was contained in the testimonies that the Mayuga report suppressed.
By RONALYN V. OLEA and INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
“We would like to appeal to both panels to iron out their differences and proceed with the formal peace talks. We believe that it is better to engage in principled debate over the negotiating table rather than other venues.” – Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
Gabriela said the CBCP should issue specific directives to Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos to stop coddling the accused priest. It also welcomed the statement earlier made by Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz, head of the Catholic Bishops National Tribunal of Appeals, that it is the duty of the Diocese of Butuan to commence Cabonce’s trial under canon law.
By MARYA SALAMAT
There would be at least 300 protesters in about 50 protest centers in communities, highways and factory belts in Metro Manila alone on Aug 31, said Elmer ‘Bong’ Labog, chairman of progressive labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU).
By MARYA SALAMAT
Mohagher Iqbal, chairman of MILF peace panel, said a “heaven and earth” gap exists between the GPH proposed peace settlement and the draft compact submitted by the MILF last February.
By RONALYN V. OLEA
While victims and their families continue to suffer, torturers walk free. So how can I be at ease in the world when human rights violations and torture exist? – Melissa Roxas
By MARYA SALAMAT
Mar Roxas’ proposed budget slashed by 38-percent the government subsidy on MRT for 2012—from P6.9 billion ($162.7 million) to P4.29-billion ($101.15 million), despite reports of annual increases in passenger load.