By MARYA SALAMAT
After more than a year of fighting for the recognition of their union and for their regularization, ABS CBN workers are now being offered regular status. But it comes with a price, which includes turning their back on their union.
By GRACE S. UDDIN
“With the new government, there is hope (in resuming peace talks),” said Paulynn Sicam, representative of the GRP panel secretariat, during a forum sponsored by the Bishops Ecumenical Forum (BEF) two days after the elections.
By MARYA SALAMAT
“Despite the media-created belief that positive change for the Filipino peasantry would be possible under the Aquino administration, we are discouraged by Noynoy’s frequent attempts to dissociate himself from the Hacienda Luisita problem and in refusing to admit to the failure of CARP [Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program] despite the dehumanizing plight to which it has consigned the majority of farmers,” a peasant leader said.
By SONNY AFRICA
The disturbing divergence between the fortunes of a few and the welfare of the many is the most troubling legacy that the Arroyo presidency leaves behind– and among the greatest challenges that the incoming administration has to confront to deliver any real change.
By RONALYN V. OLEA
Under the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo regime, from January 2001 to March 2010, Karapatan’s data showed that there are 317 political prisoners languishing in different jails all over the country, including the 43 health workers.
By RONALYN V. OLEA
In prison, would-be mothers Carina Oliveros and Mercy Castro struggle for freedom. They try to be strong for the babies they would soon give birth to.
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
”For so many years, the government has failed to regulate tuition increases because of the Education Act of 1991 which grants free rein to school-owners to hike their tuition, consistent with the policy of deregulation,” said Rep. Raymond Palatino of Kabataan Party.
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
Peasant leaders are challenging president-elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino to act on the case of the farmers of Sitio Buntod in Hacienda Yulo. The violent dispersal of the barricade of the farmers of Hacienda Yulo is the first attack against peasants since the election season began during the start of the year.
By MARYA SALAMAT
A foreign investment-led, export-led growth economic model never led to genuine, sustainable development nor to the betterment of the living and working conditions of the country’s working population.
By MARYA SALAMAT
Peasants from haciendas in Luzon knocked on Aquino’s Times St residence with a letter outlining farmers’ suggestions on how Aquino could deliver his promised change, starting with real improvement in agriculture.
By RONALYN V. OLEA
During the 14th session of the United Nations human Rights Council, the Ecumenical Voice for Peace and Human Rights asked the help of the council to push the next government to fulfill the promise of incoming president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III that he would have the perpetrators of extrajudicial killings captured and sent to jail.