Filipinos will be happier if GMA jumps from airplane

GMA and her family riding an airplane.

GMA: What if I throw 1 check worth a million pesos out of the window to make a least 1 Filipino happy?

Mike Arroyo: Honey why not throw 2 checks worth half a million pesos to make 2 Filipinos happy?

Luli Arroyo: Mom, why not 4 checks worth quarter of a million to make 4 Filipinos happy?

Finally her grand daughter spoke: Grand, why not simply THROW YOURSELF out of the window to make ALL FILIPINOS happy?

Defend Patrimony demands permanent closure of Rapu-Rapu mine, accountability and responsibility from Arroyo, DENR, and Lafayette

Anti-mining liberalization alliance Defend Patrimony today pressed for the permanent closure of the Arroyo administration’s first foreign-owned showcase mining project in the Philippines owned by financially-troubled Lafayette Mining Limited (LML) of Australia.

Suspect in Aklan broadcaster’s slay surrenders to cops

Nestor P. Burgos Jr., Inquirer Visayas

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — A suspect in the 2001 murder of Aklan broadcaster Rolando Ureta surrendered to police on Tuesday, three
weeks after another suspect was arrested.

Jessie Ticar disclosed his plan to surrender during an interview aired over radio station dyKR of Radio Mindanao Network, of which Ureta was program director when he was gunned down on January 3, 2001.

Media Position Paper for the Senate’s Committee on Justice and Human Rights

By: Maria A. Ressa
Head, ABS-CBN News & Current Affairs Division

On November 29, 2007, more than 30 journalists were arrested, handcuffed and transported to Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan. 12 of the journalists were from ABS-CBN, detained as “witnesses and suspects,” according to the police. Others were told they would be released as soon as their identities were verified. Our Head of Newsgathering, Charie Villa, went immediately to the Peninsula Hotel to identify our people; yet, she was told they would still have to be arrested and brought to Bicutan. We believe this move sets a dangerous precedence and erodes our nation’s democracy.

Ranario’s Death Sentence Commutation Credit to Family, People’s Groups

It is the Ranario family and the individuals and groups who relentlessly campaigned for Marilou Ranario who should be given credit for the commutation of her sentence from death by hanging to a life term, said Migrante International in a statement.
BY AUBREY MAKILAN
Bulatlat
MIGRANT WATCH
Vol.VII, No. 44, Dec. 9-15, 2007

It is the Ranario family and the individuals and groups who relentlessly campaigned for Marilou Ranario who should be given credit for the commutation of her sentence from death by hanging to a life term, said Migrante International in a statement.

Militant workers to lead nationally-coordinated protest actions on December 13

Hundred of workers affiliated with Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) will troop to the streets nationwide to lead the Nationally-coordinated Protest Actions Against Oil Price Hike this coming December 13.

KMU Chairperson Elmer ‘Ka Bong’ Labog said that the nationally-coordinated protest actions with nationwide transportation strike is a stern warning to the Arroyo government that ‘widespread unrest’ will still rock the remaining two years of the unpopular administration.

DEFEND LIFE, UPHOLD HUMAN RIGHTS - Bishop Bastes

Statement On the Occasion of the 59th Declaration of International Human Rights Day

Life is the most precious gift that man has ever received from God. Man shares in the grace of the Divine Life and man’s image is created according to its Creator. Such likeness magnifies God’s goodness to man and no one has any right to put a sunder. This pristine dignity is inalienable to man. This is the HUMAN RIGHTS.

BARANGAY DEFENSE SYSTEM (BDS): STATE GARRISONS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE

On the Occasion of the International Human Rights Day

Vibrant life has been lost in the countryside especially in the far-flung barrios in the Province of Sorsogon. It is no longer a place of KASANGGAYAHAN (place of abundance and peace) but rather state garrisons where military rules the life of the people. Military posts have been installed in the barangays; the movement of the folks are regulated and made to log their whereabouts in the journal of the post. People who enter and leave the area are obliged to give their names and their purpose. Dangerously, the civilians particularly the women (mothers usually bring their siblings in the barrios because they do not have “yayas”) and youth are made to watch the military posts. There are even measures to regulate the supplies coming in the barrios such as limiting the rice purchase to 5 kilos only, more than that is not allowed and would mean supporting the rebels. At times, curfew is implemented in the area; hitherto the economic and social life of the people is affected, not disregarding the political straightjacket that tightens the barrio atmosphere. Members of progressive organizations like Bayan, Bayan Muna, Gabriela, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas are subjected to intensive surveillance and threatened to cease their activism if they hold their lives precious or their loved ones. Even the traditional civic organizations are asked to disclose their members, the nature of the organization and the source of fund. Fear and suspicion envelop the once tranquil life of the people.

Camp-out vs GMA’s flagship mining project kicks off

Lafayette mine should be closed, affected communities compensated – Kalikasan PNE

Amidst reports of financial woes plaguing the Arroyo administration’s flagship mining project in Rapu-Rapu island, local residents are launching a week-long rally and camp-out in front of the Albay Provincial Capitol to call for the permanent closure of Australian-owned Lafayette Mining Limited’s open-pit mine and compensation for mining-affected communities, green watchdog Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE) announced today.

Protest against Lafayette mining heats up

Albay board to review memorandum of agreement between Australian firm and provincial govtProtest against Lafayette mining heats up
By Rhaydz B. Barcia, Correspondent-Manila Times

Legazpi City: Finally the provincial government of Albay agreed to reinvestigate the fish kill incident off the shores of Rapu-Rapu a month ago and finally settle the issue.

The move came following the appeal made by the villagers from Rapu-Rapu when they stormed the session hall of the Sanguniang Panlalawigan of Albay on Wednesday.