Burying the dead is an important ritual for Muslims and they had to do it within 24 hours. With the lone Muslim cemetery in Metro Manila severely congested, those with the means are forced to transport their dead to Mindanao costing at least P10,000 in air fare alone. The establishment then of a second Islamic…
Tags: Bayan Muna
Bullets Rain Over Palo Farmers
“Without any warning, they just started shooting at us with their armalite rifles, followed by six to nine explosions from M203 grenade launchers. I shouted at the top of my lungs: Hindi kami kalaban, magsasaka lang kami, sir!…Tama na! (We’re not enemies, we are just farmers…stop it!) But they continued peppering us with bullets,” said…
A Second Brush with Palparan
Two of those who were recently killed in Central Luzon have had brushes before with Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan, the man the victims’ relatives and friends claim as behind the killings. BY DABET CASTAÑEDA Bulatlat.com ANGELES CITY, Pampanga – The eldest son of slain Bayan Muna (BM) member Francisco Rivera, 34-year old Ricardo, was a…
Water War: Ayalas Pit Themselves against Calamba Villagers
One of the Philippines’ mega-rich families – the Ayalas – are finding themselves locked in a war over water in Calamba City. Calamba residents their water source could be contaminated and worse, depleted because of a world-class golf course the Ayalas are building. By DENNIS ESPADA Bulatlat.com CALAMBA CITY – Residents of this city, which…
Bayan Muna Eyes Repeal of Oil Deregulation Law
When Congress reopens late July, Bayan Muna and two other progressive party-list groups will spearhead the repeal of the oil deregulation law and a review of the country’s commitments to the GATT-WTO. Another party, Suara Bangsamoro, is set to file charges against poll officials in Mindanao for fraud and other election irregularities. By AUBREY SC…
Post-Election Assessment: Elections in Eastern Visayas Marred by Fraud, Violence
The conduct of the May 10 elections in Eastern Visayas is no different from the rest of the country. The report by an election watchdog set up by people’s organizations showed rampant fraud, violence and irregularities. By MAUREEN JAPZON Bulatlat.com TACLOBAN CITY – Contrary to the declaration of the Commission on Elections, Philippine National Police…
2004 Budget Based on Flawed Speculation
A review of the macroeconomic assumptions prepared by the Department of Budget of Management (DBM) shows that there are glaring contradictions in government projections. By DANILO ARAÑA ARAO Bulatlat.com According to news reports, the Senate took only five days to approve the national budget for 2004. A senator says that its swift passage “would ensure…
Electoral Firsts: Militant political parties vie for more House seats
For the militant cause-oriented movement, 2004 is not just an election year; it is also a year of “firsts” related to its entry into the electoral struggle. It will be fielding up to 20 nominees from Bayan Muna and five other new Party-list groups for House seats. By Alexander Martin Remollino Bulatlat.com For the militant…
Politics of the Masses: Mendiola Massacre survivor, labor leader and urban poor luminary lead new party-list electoral bid in May 2004
Scores of presidentiables and senatoriables attended recently the convention of the new sectoral party for the basic masses, Anakpawis, vowing to support their legislative cause. Their appearance only confirmed that Anakpawis, which boasts of 250,000 organized members nationwide not only has a vote power but also showed that the time has come for the poor…
Face to Face: The Progressive Party-list Groups Through Their Nominees
This early, the 2004 national elections have given rise to unconventional and non-traditional political figures through the party-list system. Progressive groups are in fact supporting six party list groups: Bayan Muna (People First) which topped the 2001 party-list elections, and the newly formed Anakpawis (Toiling Masses), Gabriela Women’s Party, Anak ng Bayan (Youth Party), Migrante…
The Bayan Muna experience: How the Left Fared in Congress
“Politics of change.” This was the platform that the militant group Bayan Muna carried in its successful campaign for seats in the House of Representatives. Three years after and with only a few weeks of sessions left, only two of the bills it actively supported got passed the labyrinth of intertwining personal and political interests…