Archive for February, 2009
-
Journalists, Lawmakers Debate ‘Right of Reply’ Bill
PRESS FREEDOM / POLITICS By Ayi Muallam | Media insists that the proposed law is “anathema to democracy” while lawmakers contend that it is a measure to counter the tendency among journalists to resort to “trial by publicity.”
OFWs & MIGRATION / ECONOMY According to Migrante, women workers have been most affected by retrenchments brought by the global crisis. Seventy percent of the workers in the export processing zones in the country and majority of OFWs in the electronic and similar industries abroad are Filipino women.
HUMAN RIGHTS The US State Department said that “… arbitrary, unlawful, and extrajudicial killings by elements of the security services and political killings, including killings of journalists, by a variety of actors continued to be major problems.”
HUMAN RIGHTS Immediate passage of two major House Bills would raise government human rights policy and accountability to internationally accepted standards.
POLITICS Results of a recent survey by IBON Foundation show that 7 out of 10 Filipinos do not want President Arroyo to remain as the country’s chief executive.
ALAN DAVIS Philippine Human Rights Reporting Project | This Right of Reply Bill is incredibly sloppy — and is open to all manner of interpretation. It is a license for chaos and bully pulpits. The reported suggestion made by somebody this week during a Manila roundtable that it is an `act of terrorism’ against the media is silly – yet it is true to say the Bill can very easily be manipulated to effectively silence dissent.
HUMAN RIGHTS / PRESS FREEDOM Journalists in Cagayan de Oro City, Gingoog, Ozamiz, Iligan and Bukidnon will take to the streets to denounce the killing of Ernesto Rollin.
Migrante International, a global alliance of Filipino migrant organizations, accused President Arroyo of personally luring OFWs into the burrow of illegal recruiters, human traffickers and loan sharks when she graces a job fair which was held at the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) last Wednesday.
The group claims that the President practically ignored reports of illegal [...]
Farmers seeking the distribution of the 157-hectare Hacienda Bacan in Negros Occidental owned by First Gentleman Mike Arroyo got another disappointment after Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales told them that he could not act upon their request for registration of their certificate of land ownership award (CLOA) because Arroyo had managed to get a temporary restraining [...]
Anakpawis party-list Representative Rafael Mariano today filed House Resolution 1004 directing the House of Representatives’ committees on environment and ecology to immediately conduct a probe on the Manila-Bacoor road extension project expressing fears that “the project will displace 26,000 fisherfolk and urban poor families from their main source of livelihood and habitat.”
In HR 1004, Mariano [...]
POLITICS / GENDER ISSUES The recent walk-out of the CBCP during a Senate hearing only shows that the CBCP is not responsive to the needs of Filipinos, says group.
The US Chapter of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, or BAYAN USA, an alliance of 14 Filipino organizations across the United States, condemns the arrogant and costly continuance of the so-called “joint military exercises” between US and Philippine troops known as Balikatan under the auspices of the controversial Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), despite widespread opposition from the [...]
ALAN DAVIS Philippine Human Rights Reporting Project | The relationship between media and civil society and how each can help the other is an ongoing topic –but now is the time when we should also be thinking much more about building better synergies between the media and the justice system.
Insisting on his proposal for a three-year moratorium on tuition and other school fees, Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño today said the approval of his bill could form part of the government’s response to the global economic crisis.
“I would be very happy if the Arroyo administration includes House Bill No. 2440 titled “An Act [...]
POLITICS The spirit of EDSA I is dead, EDSA II was a big mistake, and a new EDSA movement is needed.
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