“Consciously put in place protections for human rights during martial law in Maguindanao,” the independent Commission on Human Rights urged the government including the military during International Human Rights Day (10 December).

CHR chair Leila de Lima: “In spite of the scale of efforts to directly or indirectly curb corruption, we come face to face with the realization that the breadth of the problem is not only significantly larger than the efforts against it, but corrupt practice has enjoyed a longevity and permanent entrenchment that requires nothing short of a society-wide transformation. Nothing illustrates the breadth of the issue more completely than the very issue occupying the most of the front page news – the Maguindanao Massacre. Maguindanao and the entrenchment of its political elite expounds the pervasiveness of a culture subservient to corruption across all stakeholders, from local and national duty-bearers, to an entire provincial population of rights-holders.”

The brutal killing of 57 people in Maguindanao, including some 30 journalists, should be seen as a watershed moment for the Philippines, according to two United Nations human rights experts.

PCCI believes that further discussion or debate on this issue will just exacerbate, if not derail the current efforts by both the government and private sector in concretely addressing the challenges of the global recession and allowing the economy to function effectively for the benefit of our citizenry.

Commission on Human Rights: “Now that the people have done their part, it is our turn to do ours. It is the government’s turn to vindicate our people’s faith in our institutions, in our Constitution and laws.”

Anakpawis Rep. Joel Maglunsod strongly condemned Malacanang’s appointment of National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales as the new Department of National Defense (DND) chief replacing Gilbert Teodoro Jr.
Maglunsod described Gonzales’ appointment as ‘hell on earth’ as human rights violations are expected to further escalate with Gonzales, a known militarist, at the helm of the defense [...]

Amid the national jubilation over the latest win of Manny Pacquiao, cause oriented groups and farmers today retained an air of sadness as they commemorated the 5th anniversary of the Hacienda Luisita Massacre.

OIL CRISIS   Amid the uproar over the Malacañang-imposed oil price ceiling, Executive Order (EO) 389 is apparently a mere government public relations gimmick, according to Ibon Foundation.

U.S. MILITARY   The umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan said that it will raise the issue of the Visiting Forces Agreement and US military aid during protests timed with the visit of United States Secretary of State Hilary Clinton.

HUMAN RIGHTS   US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton should press President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of the Philippines to prosecute military members responsible for politically motivated killings, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch said that the historically close relations between the US and the Philippines and the direct US support for the Philippine military, places particular responsibility on the United States to press the government to end the military’s involvement in human rights violations and to prosecute those responsible.

POLITICS   Former Bayan Muna representative and human rights defender, Joel Virador, announced plans Saturday to enter local politics by seeking a council seat for the first district this city come 2010 local elections.

POLITICS   “We challenge the Comelec to explain to us and to the many OFWs who have been clamoring for MSP to run why, at this time that we are stronger now to run for a seat, COMELEC is denying us this legitimate right!” said Connie Bragas-Regalado, chairperson of Migrante Partylist.

Salamat, Cory. Tuloy ang Laban!
by Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño
Icon of Philippine democracy. Freedom fighter. Ina ng Bayan. First woman president of the Republic. National symbol of faith, strength of character, sincerity, and the ardent desire to uplift the Filipino people.
The world salutes former president Cory Aquino for being all of [...]