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COMMENTARY

AT GROUND LEVEL

SATUR OCAMPO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One-fifth of world’s children live amid armed conflicts

More than 473 million young people, nearly one-fifth of all children in the world, suffer from the worst level of violence since World War II (1939-1945). This, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund, as lucidly reported by The Guardian.

Hiked use of anti-terror law under Marcos Jr.’s regime

During the first six months of this year, the human rights alliance Karapatan observed, the government has increasingly weaponized the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) of 2020 and the Terrorism Financing and Suppression Act (TFSA) of 2012 against human rights defenders, political activists and other dissenters.

Marcoses asked to pay P203-B overdue estate tax

Considering the devastations wrought by recent typhoons in many parts of the country, an activist group has urged Marcos Jr. and his family to pay their P203-billion estate tax deficiency that fell due 25 long years ago.

BALIK-TANAW

PROMOTION OF CHURCH PEOPLE’S RESPONSE

Balik-Tanaw | The Spirit, our Master

When we began our Novitiate, a Polish Redemptorist priest guided our group in a weeklong retreat. He was, technically speaking, our retreat master. But I can never forget what he said to us right before he presided the opening Mass: “The Holy Spirit is our ‘retreat master.’ In fact, the Holy Spirit is the true Master of your Novitiate journey.”

Balik-Tanaw | Christ-like love

As I make this reflection, let me share my aspirations for peace and global challenges. It is our understanding and knowledge about the 193 nations that signed the Charter of the United Nations Organization (UN). It has been 8 decades now that we have the development of friendly relations among nations and the attainment of international cooperation in solving all of the major problems that afflict humanity. Another important objective of UN is ensuring the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms in all nations.

BALIKSAYSAY

FRANCIS GEALOGO

Bagyo, baha at diktadura

Malawakan man ang pananalanta ng bagyo at pagbaha ng 1972, at ginawa man itong pamamaraan para sa konsolidasyon ng diktadura at katiwalian sa pamahalaan, makikita ring malaki ang ambag ng baha ng 1972 sa pagmomobilisa at pagmumulat sa mga mamamayan. Ang malawakang pagbaha ang nagbigay-daan upang mapasangkot ang maraming mga mamamayan sa pagbibigay ayuda dahil napagtanto nilang kulang o walang ginagawa ang pamahalaan upang maibsan ang pagdurusa ng marami.

Target: Obispo Ramento

Ilang mga Alberto Ramento na ang pinaslang ng mga iba't ibang rehimen hanggang kasalukuyan kaugnay ng di matapos na red tagging, panggigipit at karahasan ng mga nasa kapangyarihan. Hanggang sa kasalukuyan, pinagbabantaan pa rin ang mga taong simbahan na kumakalinga sa karapatang pantao, sa nagsusulong ng makatarungang kapayapaan, at pambansang kararinlan sa kapuluan.

Si Gregorio Aglipay, at ang pagtutol sa base militar ng Amerika sa Pilipinas

Sa panahong nasa ilalim pa rin ang bayan sa mga di pantay na kasunduan gaya ng Visiting Forces Agreement, ng Mutual Defense Treaty, at iba pang di pantay na tratado; sa panahong pinalalaya pa rin ang mga Amerikanong militar gaya ni Pemberto na pumatay sa kababayang gaya ni Jennifer Laude, makabuluhan pa ring balikan ang mga tinuran ng mga gaya ni Gregorio Aglipay sa pagpapakahulugan sa tunay na kasarinlan.

BLOODRUSH

SARAH RAYMUNDO

Pambansang wika at ang panghahalimaw ng NTF-ELCAC

Wala sa lugar ni kakayahan ng NTF-ELCAC na magsuri ng mga akda. Kung gustong magsulat nila Badoy at Celiz ng literaturang “di subersibo,” magsulat sila. Ngunit malaking insulto sa utak nating mga Pilipino na diktahan ng isang “task force” para sugpuin ang rebolusyonaryong kilusan ang ating sensibilidad, panlasa at kakayahang magproseso ng nababasa at bumuo ng sariling kritika.

US hawkish tilt toward Asia: a war on the Filipino people

The US aggressive military postures toward China entails a maximized implementation of the VFA and EDCA as well as a more extensive presence of US military troops and facilities through US military largesse swapped with local oligarchic fealty to US military and economic interests.

FIRST PERSON

BULATLAT CONTRIBUTORS

First Person | The Pope Who Spoke My Language

By all accounts, Pope Francis had impeccable timing. He passed from this world on the eve of Earth Day — a date freighted with symbolism, a secular feast day for the sacred theme that defined much of his pontificate: the care for our common home.

First Person | A journey of hope with the struggling people this Lent

For this, we must first experience hope in our faith. Amid the struggles of our brothers and sisters, there is hope if we continue to work for justice and peace; there is hope when we allow ourselves to be with our brothers and sisters in their struggle; there is hope when we journey together as brothers and sisters.

KALIBUTAN

KALIKASAN-PEOPLE’S NETWORK FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

In defense of the Philippines

Ever since Duterte declared the longest standing COVID-19 lockdown in the world back in March 15, 2020 up to the present, we have monitored at least 555 environmental defenders who have suffered human rights abuses.

KONTEKSTO

DANILO ARAO

Konteksto | Dinastiya

Kahit kailan, hindi matutugunan ng panukalang batas nina Dy at Marcos ang problema sa dinastiyang kontrol sa pambansa’t lokal na pamamahala. Magpapatuloy ang dominasyon ng iilang pamilya sa ehekutibo’t lehislatura. Magpapatuloy ang pagpapahirap sa mamamayan.

Konteksto | Sangkot

Para sa mga kakampi ng pamilyang Duterte, malaking bagay ang mga sinabi ni Co kahit na sa ngayo’y wala pang ebidensyang ibinibigay sa mga paratang. Kung paniniwalaan ang ilang hyperpartisan vloggers, si Co ay “bayani” dahil sa diumanong matapang na paglalahad ng katotohanan.

Konteksto | Sunog

Sadyang sinasadya. Sinusunog dahil may binabalak. Dahil nasa kapangyarihan, kayang pagtakpan ng retorika’t pera ang anumang ginagawang kontra sa interes ng mga nasa laylayan ng lipunan. Harap-harapan ang pagnanakaw, patalikod naman kung umasta para itago ang ebidensiya.

LAB NOTES

Advocates of Science and Technology for the People

Lab Notes | Rosario’s black sand: That which we call home

Juan is just one out of many fisherfolk unable to make a living from the sight that greets them in the morning and lulls them at night. When reclamation started in Manila Bay and in Bulacan Aerotropolis, it meant finding source material for dumping, and there is no need to look farther than Cavite whose coasts are rich in black sand. High in iron content, the black sand can be used for concrete and asphalt production—a vital ingredient for built infrastructure.

OPINION

BULATLAT EDITORS

SONA 2025: Anti-corruption, good governance as Marcos Jr. legacy?

The most obvious irony is that the flood control projects are his initiatives under the Build Better More infrastructure program, and that some of the public officials involved in the corruption behind the defective projects are the same ones who are applauding the President enthusiastically in the plenary hall.

ON THE FRINGES

BULATLAT STAFF

Peace is possible after an intense battle

When I went back to Cagayan de Oro, I recalled our visits to Camps Abubakar and Darapanan. It made me believe that the current situation there showed proof that peace is possible even after an intense battle. It made me also think that a similar success may be possible for a group that has been continuing its armed resistance. I hope the Philippine government will consider the resumption of the peace process with the Communist Party of the Philippines, the New People’s Army, and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.

#Bulatlat24 | My proudest commitment: choosing ‘journalism for the people’

I chose to be part of Bulatlat, the longest-running online alternative news site in the country and the authority in human rights journalism in the Philippines, primarily because I believe in its principles and brand of journalism, which amplifies the voices of marginalized and oppressed. Bulatlat frames their stories based on the perspective of ordinary Filipinos while adhering to the highest standards of journalism.

#Bulatlat24 | The decisiveness to give journalism a chance

Now, I write stories, join people’s organizations in fact-finding missions, and, like in my previous work, engage with partners. Sustaining relationships with our sources, especially those in the grassroots, is a significant part of my work. Communicating with sources, partners, and even readers makes me feel more grounded in reality.

QUESTION EVERYTHING

MONG PALATINO

Political Dynasties and their Plutogogues

Denialists, legalists, and apologists are the plutogogues of political dynasties who make a career in legitimizing the irrational and unjust rule of the few even if it contravenes the interests of the majority.

ROOT ACCESS

COMPUTER PROFESSIONALS UNION

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