By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
According to IBON data, TNCs account for 50 percent of all oil, gas and coal extraction and refining. Only 10 TNCs account for about 41 percent of world production of oil and gas, and TNCs control 80 percent of land worldwide which is cultivated for cash crops. Only 20 TNCs account for about 90 percent of the sales of hazardous pesticides and other agricultural chemicals.
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
“We are alarmed that CMU, a center for education and formation of values, by its actions, is promoting a teaching of values that contradicts the intention of social justice. By denying the farmers the land that is very much attached to their lives, the CMU has become a despotic landlord rather than an educational institution.” – solidarity mission
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
“Obviously, Malacañang’s unseen hand played a major role in the anti-farmer decision of the Supreme Court.” Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
Using Einstein’s definition of insanity, Ibon’s Jose Enrique Africa said that with the Philippine Development Plan of President Benigno Aquino III, the government is doing the same things all over again and expecting different results.
By MARYA SALAMAT
Since the Moro Islamic Liberation Front submitted its draft comprehensive compact in February, the government’s counter-proposal has been highly anticipated, because putting the drafts on the table is expected “to lead to substantive talks,” said the MILF.
Sidebar:
Interview with MILF’s Iqbal on the current MILF-GPH ceasefire, peace talks
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
There can be no ‘Pilipinas Natin’ when majority of the people are poor, when 11 million are jobless and when millions experience hunger. There can be no ‘Pilipinas Natin’ if vast tracts of land are owned by a few families like the Cojuangco-Aquinos.” – Bayan
By RONALYN V. OLEA
“Development does not mean wiping out communities of farmers, fisherfolk and indigenous peoples.” – Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luson
Sidebar:
Aurora govt officials sow disunity, fear among indigenous peoples, settlers to grab their lands
By MARYA SALAMAT
“Saying that the ARMM needs reform and (that these) can only be done when Aquino appoints an OIC [officer-in-charge] is an act of chauvinism by Aquino against the Moro people and the constituents of ARMM.” – Ba Ali Indayla, secretary-general of KAWAGIB.
By RONALYN V. OLEA
“The Aquino administration has been contented in being a passive spectator, leaving the victims, relatives, human rights defenders and their lawyers on their own.” – National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
“Instead of making polluters pay, the national government pays polluters. Aquino condoned billions of pesos in terms of tax liabilities and obligations of foreign and private operators of coal plants.” – Kalikasan
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
“To our knowledge we are not aware of whether the CHR had indeed commenced an investigation; and if there had been, it fell short of what may be considered a ‘prompt investigation.'” – Asian Human Rights Commission.