On Wednesday, three progressive Cabinet members — Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Gina Lopez, Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo, and Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano — will be up for confirmation by the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA). They have been twice bypassed by the CA and subsequently twice reappointed in the interim by President…
“The long and arduous struggle and sacrifices of Hacienda Luisita farmers for the land are slowly being repaid. The CLOA distribution to Luisita farmers is just the start.” By CERES BUSY Bulatlat HACIENDA LUISITA, Tarlac — The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) chose this day to grant Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) to some…
Colleagues of Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano in the progressive movement surprise him on his 60th birthday. Mariano or Kaps/Ka Paeng served as chairperson of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas for more than 20 years.
“We are elated by Ka Paeng’s words. He said no one would be harassing us anymore. We could now go back to our farms.” –Florida Sibayan, chairperson of Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Asyenda Luisita (Ambala)
Known for his sharp memory, Ka Paeng admitted that he deliberately memorized the facts and figures about agrarian reform programs of all the administrations.
Incoming Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano and incoming Social Welfare and Development Secretary Judy Taguiwalo vowed to continue serving the people. Mariano said he would strengthen the possession of farmer-beneficiaries to the lands while Taguiwalo said she would ensure that the services and programs of government actually reach the people.
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
“At times, I just want to leave this case in God’s hands. But every time I think of how these people are helping me, especially the party-list groups, I know I have to fight. I am his mother.” – Glenda Leonor, mother of Arnel who was killed during a violent demolition.
Sidebar: Urban, rural poor gather to demand for social justice
By RAYMUND VILLANUEVA
The delegates urged the implementation of the “north-south Joint Declaration” as a prerequisite to the hastening of the reunification of the Korean Peninsula.
By RONALYN V. OLEA and INA ALLECO SILVERIO
President Benigno Aquino III has classified Apeco as a flagship project under his government’s public-private partnership program. Critics point out that Aquino supported the project to clinch the support of Angaras .
PRESS RELEASE 15 August 2011 MANILA — “Faced with workers’ continuing clamor for a significant wage hike, the Department of Trade and Industry is resorting to the age-old tactic of blackmailing workers with threats of massive layoffs.” This was the statement of labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno as it picketed the Department of Trade and…
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
Because there seems to be no end to the increases in the prices of oil products, people’s organizations are calling for a nationally-coordinated strike on March 31 saying that oil companies are lying when it cites world crude prices in justifying increases in local pump prices.