By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
Even as the 1,644-hectare land was already awarded to the farmers in 1972 through Presidential Decree 27 or the Marcos Land Reform Law, the Araneta family was able to get the Court of Appeals to rule in its favor in 2003. Now the case is before the Supreme Court.
By LYN V. RAMO
With their small parcels of land no longer producing enough for their families, peasant women and men try to make do with odd jobs.
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
In 1948, a disillusioned American physicist gave up her promising career, left her country and lived with the people of China. She was Joan Hinton, an internationalist, revolutionary scientist and socialist who serves as an inspiration to many Filipino activists.
By RONALYN V. OLEA
Karapatan, Kilusang Mayo Uno and Anakbayan point out that Akbayan’s Etta Rosales had, in the past, mouthed the military line that the extrajudicial killings were part of “internal purges” in the CPP-NPA. “Appointing her to the commission is highly unreasonable, if not insane,” the KMU said.
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
The abduction and imprisonment of Myrna Cruz-Abraham, an activist in Cagayan Valley, shattered her family but also made her children stronger. It is prisoners of conscience like her that present a challenge to President Aquino to be true to his promise of justice and respect for human rights.
By DAISY C. GONZALES, MARILOU AGUIRRE-TUBURAN and JOSE HERNANI
After eight years of government control, the mineral reservation site in Diwalwal has been eyed by big interest groups, leaving Velasco and more than 40,000 villagers in a constant threat of displacement. Small miners resent government’s policy allowing big private mining firms to take over the site.
By RONALYN V. OLEA
Doctors who have examined the Morong 43 in jail said the pregnant detainees would be giving birth soon and their detention raises the possibility of complications. The sick ones are also at risk of more danger, they said.
By RONALYN V. OLEA
Fernando Baldomero was shot in front of his house in Estancia, Kalibo, Aklan while preparing to bring his son Philip to school. He suffered three gunshot wounds in the head.
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
Women’s group Gabriela has put forward ten demands ranging from the promotion of national sovereignty through the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement, to the release of women and all political prisoners, to providing social services and immediate relief to the people.
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
Migrante is calling on the Aquino administration to prosecute former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for misusing funds for OFWs, repeal anti-migrant policies, provide more services to OFWs and their families, including special protection to migrant women and minors, review and increase the budget for services for OFWs, to establish special courts to try complaints of abuses against OFWs, and to forge bilateral agreements with receiving countries for the protection of OFWs, among others
By MARYA SALAMAT
Instead of getting closer to their dream of owning the land they have been tilling for decades, Hacienda Luisita farmers are being told by soldiers to stop their struggle for land or else ‘something will happen’ to them.