Archive for April, 2008
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JPEPA Highlights Philippines’s Insensitivity to Its Nurses
Apologists for the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) continue to claim that the treaty’s ratification will mean more employment and foreign remittances for Filipinos. But according to independent research group IBON, JPEPA highlights the Philippine government’s insensitivity to nurses and caregivers.
IBON research head Sonny Africa says that government is trying to portray that [...]
Greenpeace slams DA for ignoring warnings on US rice shipments
Manila — Greenpeace revealed last week that despite their
repeated warnings, two GMO-contaminated rice varieties have slipped into
the Philippines once again. Greenpeace commissioned tests have detected
the presence of GMOs (genetically modified organisms) in two imported US
long grain rice brands, Blue Ribbon Texas Long Grain and Riceland
Arkansas [...]
Government Should Protect Ahmadis, not Persecute Them
(New York, April 23, 2008) – The Indonesian government should reject proposals to ban the minority Ahmadiyah faith and not align itself with the extremists who have fomented violence against them, Human Rights Watch said today.
The Religious Affairs Ministry, the Home Ministry and the Attorney-General’s Office are drafting [...]
The consumer group, Cut the Cost, Cut the Pain Network (3CPNet) hits the Senate panel in the bicameral committee deliberating the cheaper medicines bill as they accuse Senators Pia Cayetano of holding the bill hostage as she hard presses the bicam to drop the drop the generics only provision.
“The public deserves to know the truth. [...]
A recently-signed free trade agreement between Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) would grant Japanese corporations unhampered access to the region’s markets, prohibiting ASEAN members to protect their own economy while allowing Japan to protect its domestic advantages.
According to IBON research head Sonny Africa, the signing of the Agreement on Comprehensive Economic [...]
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) lauds the Department of Agriculture (DA) for acting upon its proposals to post a moratorium on land conversion as a means to strengthen food security in the country.
In a presentation before the delegates of the recently concluded National Food Summit in Clark, Pampanga, Mr. Roberto Amores, [...]
These tobacco victims cannot nag the legislators enough to hurry up and approve HB 3364, the picture-based tobacco warnings bill.
Speaking during a press conference held Monday by tobacco control group Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance-Philippines (FCAP), Elizabeth Pomer expressed her support for HB 3364 in light of her plight as a tobacco victim who [...]
Senator Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. today called on the Senate and House of Representatives not to succumb to Malacañang’s pressure to water down the bill delineating the archipelagic baselines of the Philippines.
As the Senate resumes its sessions today, independent think-tank IBON Foundation again urged senators to reject the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) saying that the P365 billion in investments that the deal will supposedly bring is too high a price to pay for the death of the local manufacturing sector.
As it is, the long-term liberalization [...]
RICE IMPORTS DON’T SPELL CHEAPER PRICES; GOV’T URGED TO STRENGTHEN LOCAL RICE SECTOR INSTEAD
As government continues to turn to importation as remedy for the current rice crisis, this time with the proposal to further cut the powers of NFA and increase private importation, research group IBON reminds the administration that rice imports, based on experience, [...]
Singapore and Hong Kong, April 21, 2008 – IDC’s preliminary results show that the Asia/Pacific (excluding Japan) PC market grew 19% year-on-year to 17 million units in 1Q08. This was 2% ahead of forecasts, with portable PCs being the primary contributor. Nearly every country posted double-digit sequential growth in this form factor, allowing total portable [...]
LOS ANGELES – Sharon Sarmiento knew it was time to unplug when she realized she was blogging in her dreams and hearing imaginary instant messages.
For Ariel Meadow Stallings, it was the hours lost while surfing the Internet that left her feeling like she had been in a drunken blackout.
Both women are part of a new [...]
Kumpara daw kasi sa agham at teknolohiya, wala kang kailangang gawin sa peryodismo (journalism) kundi sumulat ng kung anu-ano, isang bagay na kayang gampanan ng kahit sino. Read the blog
The JPEPA can be best described in three words: unequal, defeatist and destructive. Recent government propaganda, however, has been trying to depict the JPEPA as an indispensable agreement– even as the country is currently reeling from a food crisis brought about by the same neoliberal framework that JPEPA was designed from.
The East-West Center now is accepting applications for 12 Fall 2008 Jefferson Fellowships, which provide three weeks of professional dialogue, study and travel for print and broadcast journalists from the United States, Asia and the Pacific Islands.
The program will take place October 18 – November 9, 2008. It will begin at the East-West Center in [...]
Reds seek activation of NPA hit squads in cities After Ampatuan Massacre, 2009 a Record Year for Journalist Killings Worldwide CHR to military: Respect and protect human rights during martial law in Maguindanao Maguindanao, its political elite and a culture subservient to corruption U.S. Must Improve Responsiveness to Mass Atrocities; Absent UN Action, Make Clear Willingness to Act on Its Own, Says New CFR Report Martial law dilutes the Philippines’s human rights and democratic gains Martial law in Maguindanao sets ‘most dangerous precedent’ Lawyers will wear black armbands, ribbons in courts Law group shall file plunder cases against President Arroyo et al. UN Experts: Maguindanao massacre must be the start of a major reform process
Arroyo’s oil-price control a publicity stunt, cries Ibon Political Bloodbath Continues: Widow of Slain Activist Shot Dead New Wave of Protests Against Charter Change Set in April Comelec’s Automation to Worsen Election Fraud — Watchdog 2008: Another Bad Year for the Philippine Press ‘Unemployment Figures Wrong; Number of Jobless Higher’ ‘Nicole Is Not the Enemy’ ‘Nicole’: ‘My Conscience Bothers Me’ Is the Call Center Industry a Bright Spot for New Graduates? 6 Great Ways to Vent Your Frustrations Eating Dirt Is Actually Good For Children Australia Offers 150 Scholarship Slots for Philippines, Asia-Pacific mamert dolera: The horrible maguindanao massacre displays the “crueltiest 221; act of political warlordism... Don Untalan: I am also interested to buy (AROD) and the tall hybreed variety. Pls advice where to buy from Manila,... scott: Sports and politics do not mix. But the economy of the Philippines relies on Pacqiao. How much money would a... Bernadine Ebo: nov.11,2009 4:45 my husband and i wants to adopt