Statement of the President, 26 May 2008
The non-stop increase in oil prices and the unprecedented food price shock now roiling the world are adversely affecting household incomes and forcing families to cut back on spending, if not do away altogether with certain necessities.
At an average of P450 per unit, parents are spending about P10,000 for [...]

In a night of songs and poems, activists and leaders of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) will be joined by mainstream artists and groups tonight, May 26, in paying tribute to labor leader and former Bayan chair Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran at the Philippine Independent Church in Manila.

Independent think-tank IBON Foundation criticizes the Department of Energy and Malacañang for passing the zero oil tariff cut, saying that reduced tariffs in the last three months has resulted in even higher prices of oil products.
Since the oil tariff was reduced from 3% to 2% in February and 2% to 1% in May, gasoline [...]

By Nene Pimentel
As a young man growing up in Cagayan de Oro in the 50s and the 60s, I hardly knew Crispin Beltran. I did read of him now and then in a Manila daily that we got in Cagayan de Oro which at the time was at least three hours by propeller planes and [...]

Pagbilao, Quezon, 24 May 2008–Greenpeace activists aboard Rainbow
Warrior, anchored alongside Pagbilao coal plant, painted the words ‘Quit
Coal’ on the hull of a 223 meter vessel ‘Sam John Spirit’ standing by to
unload yet another shipment of thousands of tons of coal at Pagbilao
power plant in the Philippines. The Rainbow Warrior is in the
Philippines on its [...]

HONOLULU (May 23) — The natural disasters that swept through Burma and western China in recent weeks throw into sharp relief the humanitarian, physical and even political challenges facing the region today, a panel of East-West Center experts said here this week.
In striking ways, the aftermath of the cyclone in Burma and the earthquake in [...]

By Fr. Shay Cullen
It’s good to know that there are idealistic and well-meaning military officers ready to oppose corruption and speak the truth. Some wrongly took up arms to oppose the government corruption last year and were conditionally pardoned recently by the President. Other military officers of conscience in the Armed Forces of the Philippines [...]

Inaanyayahan ng Anakpawis Partylist ang lahat ng mga kasama at kaibigan sa Parangal ng Bayan para kay
Crispin ‘Ka Bel’ Beltran
“Dakilang Lider Manggagawa,
Magiting na Lingkod Bayan”
May 22 – Parangal ng mga Kabataan (IFI Cathedral, Manila )
May 23 – Misa ng mga Obispo ng IFI – 6:30-7:30 ng umaga
Parangal ng [...]

Rep. Crispin Beltran, 1933-2008

Breaking News
Rep. Crispin Beltran of the AnakPawis party-list group died this morning after falling off the roof of his house in Bulacan. Relatives said he was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced “brain dead” due to severe head injuries.

The military may have cut off his head and mangled his face and body. But Rey Cayago’s face and name could never be forgotten by his colleagues, his family, and the migrants and their families whom he had helped.
BY EMILY VITAL
Bulatlat
Vol. VIII, No. 15, May 18-24, 2008
There is a face to the growing number [...]

BY JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
Bulatlat
Vol. VIII, No. 15, May 18-24, 2008
Hurting from the continuous oil price hikes, militant labor leaders echoed their sentiments along the streets of Quezon City during the recent transport strike. All of them were clamoring for changes. All of them were fighting for a better life. As they cheered [...]

Does snapping at journalists reflect culture of impunity?

BY ACE ALEGRE
Bulatlat
Vol. VIII, No. 15, May 18-24, 2008
BAGUIO CITY (246 kms from Manila) – Does snapping at journalists reflect the culture of impunity, which is the main reason for the unabated killing of not just journalists but also activists?
A media organization says so, going by its stand [...]

By Fr. Shay Cullen
A group of German visitors went with the staff of Preda Foundation last 5 and 6 of May, 2008 to visit the children at the Reception and Action Center (RAC) and the Manila Youth Reception Center (MYRC) to bring snacks and drinks and see the condition of the children detained as prisoners. [...]

San Miguel Corporation reported a strong start this year with first quarter consolidated revenues of P39.2 billion, up 11% over last year, driven by good results across the majority of its businesses.
Consolidated operating income of P3.85 billion is up 40% and net income of P11.0 billion is over four times [...]

San Miguel Pure Foods Company, Inc. (SMPFC) today reported both its 2008 first quarter and 2007 full-year results reflecting accelerated revenue growth, restructuring efforts and more efficient operations following a greater focus on innovation, productivity and cost controls.
Consolidated San Miguel Pure Foods revenues for the first three months grew by 18% to P16.05 billion [...]

House Deputy Minority Leader and Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Satur C. Ocampo today condemned the killing of an official of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas on Thursday in Davao City and blamed it on President Macapagal-Arroyo’s order to carry on counter-insurgency program Oplan Bantay Laya 2 that includes extra-judicial killings.
The KMP identified the victim as [...]

Certainly not the patients, who stand to gain much if prices of much-needed medicine are immediately reduced to low, very inexpensive levels. Definitely not the doctors, who will finally see their patients able to comply and adhere to their medical treatment. And absolutely not the general public, who may yet enjoy a better life when even the most essential and life-saving drugs become affordable.

Militant lawmakers at the House of Representatives today filed a bill that seeks to turn the Philippines into a self-reliant and self-sufficient rice producer in the next three years.
House Bill 3958 or the proposed “Rice Industry Development Act”, authored by Bayan Muna Reps. Satur C. Ocampo, Teodoro Casiño, Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran, Gabriela Reps. Liza [...]