Farm workers condemn latest attacks, call for land distribution in Hacienda Luisita

Farm workers condemn latest attacks, call for land distribution in Hacienda Luisita

“It is a testament to how the President’s family mobilizes state security forces to suppress the just and legitimate assertion of the farm workers over the lands.” – KMP
By RONALYN V. OLEA
Bulatlat.com
MANILA – Eight gunshots failed to break the resolve of farm workers of Hacienda Luisita in defending their right to cultivate the 300-hectare land being claimed by the Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC).

On February 20, 100 security guards, ten elements of the Tarlac provincial police and 15 members of the Philippine Army escorted the fencing of agricultural lands at Balete village, the very site of the cultivation campaign of the farm workers.

More than 300 members of Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Asyenda Luisita (Ambala) blocked the putting up of fences. The security guards, police and military fired shots eight times..

“They thought we would be cowed by the gunfire. We had it when we were massacred on November 16, 2004. But we stayed put and continued to block the fencing. It is a triumphant defense of our rights to the land,” said Felix Nacpil Jr., Ambala chairman, referring to the massacre that claimed seven lives and wounded hundreds.

Nacpil said the RCBC, in collusion with the Cojuangco-Aquinos, wants to harass leaders and members of Ambala.

The RCBC also filed charges of grave coercion and illegal occupation of real property against 23 leaders and members of Ambala.

Farm workers started cultivating the land after the Supreme Court issued a decision in July 2011, stating, among others, that the farm workers must be given the option to choose between owning land or stocks. In a decision in November 2011, the high court unanimously ordered the distribution of more than 4,000 hectares of land to farm worker beneficiaries but also upheld that the RCBC is a “buyer in good faith.”

Farm workers of the Hacienda Luisita call on the Supreme Court to declare its decision with finality.(Photo by Ronalyn V. Olea / bulatlat.com)

According to Jobert Pahilga, lawyer of the Ambala and executive director of the Sentro para sa Tunay na Repormang Agraryo (Sentra), the RCBC acquired the 500-hectare land on November 24, 2004 as payment for the loan of Luisita Industrial Park Corporation (Lipco). The transfer was made eight days after the massacre.

“How could it be that the whole world, except the RCBC, knows that the land is under dispute?” Pahilga said in a forum last January..... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2012/02/22/farm-workers-condemn-latest-attacks-call-for-land-distribution-in-hacienda-luisita/

Squealing justice? EDITORIAL e 02/25/2012

Squealing justice?

EDITORIAL

Click to enlarge

02/25/2012
Senators Sonny Trillanes and Panfilo Lacson, Noynoy’s staunch allies in the Senate, as well as the prosecutors, know that the prosecution has no solid evidence with which to establish their charge of partiality against the Chief Justice (CJ).

Despite having had their ally, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima testify lengthily on the alleged partiality of CJ, relying solely on the dissenting opinion of one Supreme Court junior justice Lourdes Sereno, that partiality charge was not backed up by evidence, as her testimony was clearly hearsay. De Lima, even as she quoted Sereno on what supposedly went on in the closed door en banc session of the justices, was not present in that same en banc reserved only for justices and therefore she had no personal knowledge on what she was testifying on that alleged partiality of CJ Renato Corona.

Trillanes now wants Sereno to be “interrogated” through a questionaire from the senator-judges..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120225com1.html

Mainscream: US media Iran hysteria (w/ Video)

Mainscream: US media Iran hysteria

Americans perceive Iran as Evil #1 on the planet, the latest Gallup poll shows. Since neither the US military nor intelligence believes Iran could strike America, why do the US media whip up hysteria about Iran, some 10,000 kilometers away?

­According to a new Gallup World Affairs poll released Monday, 32 per cent of those surveyed rank Iran as America’s greatest enemy – compared to just 25 per cent a year ago.

Many more – 87 per cent – gave the Islamic Republic a negative rating, making the country the worst in the survey..... MORE

Source:  RT.com

URL: http://rt.com/news/us-mass-media-iran-095/

Google’s prying eyes to get closer

Google’s prying eyes to get closer

The countdown is on for Google to make controversial changes to its site that have privacy campaigners up in arms. All of their users’ personal data will be gathered and stored in personal profiles for use at Google’s discretion in one week’s time.

­The changes are set to come into effect on March 1 and it seems that users will not have any choice but to comply. Internet users will be given the option to accept the new privacy policy or lose access to a large number of sights.

The alteration to their privacy policy could allow Google to share the compiled personal information with advertisers..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://rt.com/news/google-tracking-spying-obama-129/

Families of slaughtered children to sue the CIA

Families of slaughtered children to sue the CIA

President Barack Obama condoned America’s drone program last month, dismissing allegations that it's caused more harm than good. In Pakistan, the families of civilians killed in these strikes are pleading with the UN to tell America otherwise.

Reprieve, a legal action charity based out of London, UK, has delivered a complaint to the United Nations on behalf of the families of slain Pakistani civilians. More than a dozen families in Pakistan have appealed to Reprieve for assistance after their own pleas for the abandonment of drone use in their country have been ignored by the US. Now with the aid of the British-based organization, they hope that the UN will intervene and put an end to American drone attacks.

Drone strikes have taken the lives of as many as 775 civilians so far, the authors of a Bureau of Investigative Journalism warned in a report made last year. American officials insist, however, that the strikes are necessary to continue fighting the War on Terror..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://rt.com/usa/news/pakistan-drone-un-reprieve-043/

10th year of legalization of contractualization marked with nationwide protests

10th year of legalization of contractualization marked with nationwide protests

“Contractuals who comprise the majority of the country’s workers receive lower wages, do not receive benefits, have no job security, and are denied their trade union rights.” – KMU
By MARYA SALAMAT
Bulatlat.com

MANILA – Last Thursday February 16, the hundred-plus janitors of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) were gripped with terror when they reported for work and found almost 200 new workers ready to take over their jobs. The new janitorial agency contracted by the university had brought in new people.

“We wasted no time,” said Rey Cagomo, president of the janitors’ organization, the Samahan ng Janitors sa Polytechnic University of the Philippines (SJPUP). They assembled themselves, brought in a sound system, laid down placards on the ground and started a program. “We showed the PUP administration that we are united and determined to fight for our jobs and our lives,” Cagomo said.

What was supposed to be an ordinary working day for the janitors turned into a picket-protest in front of the PUP main building, as they demanded to be retained in their job and be absorbed as regular workers of the university.

Their mass action prompted the PUP administration to hold a dialogue with the union, together with representatives of students and teachers. They later crafted an agreement, which stipulated that the workers will be absorbed by the new agency for a one-year contract.

Workers under the banner of Kilusang Mayo Uno call for a stop to contractualization in a rally Feb. 20.(Photo by Marya Salamat/ bulatlat.com)

The workers viewed the temporary victory as just “another step forward” in their struggle to become regular employees of the university. “We will be absorbed, which is good, but still as contractuals,” said Cagomo.

Apparently, such struggle happens on a yearly basis for these janitors who have been working in PUP for many years now. “Every year, we face the prospect that we will not be absorbed by the new agency to which the PUP administration will grant a new contract,” Cagomo said.

Scourge of Filipino workers

More than 60-percent of Filipino workers today suffer the same job insecurity. In fact, they have coined a name for it — “endo,” short for end of contract. Most workers suffer this every three to five months..... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2012/02/22/10th-year-of-legalization-of-contractualization-marked-with-nationwide-protests/

Unfit to sit as president EDITORIAL 02/23/2012

Unfit to sit as president

EDITORIAL

Click to enlarge

02/23/2012
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) and even the Malacaang tenant can deny their hand in having had a copy of the bank records of Chief Justice Renato Corona and could have been leaked out to Malacaang and passed on to the prosecutors until they are blue in the face, but what cannot be denied by them is the fact that they had examined the Philippine Savings Bank (PSBank) records of Corona and even other politically exposed persons (PEP) without any court order.

There are more undeniable facts, such as the BSP auditors being accompanied by their anti-fraud expert, Jerry Leal, who was investigating the P1-milllion raffle prize said to have been won by the CJ, as informed by a BSP official, which means that they had targeted the CJ and his bank records. The BSP had found that the bank records of the CJ had no marking of PEP, which tends to prove that the BSP and its anti-fraud specialist did get hold of the records..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120223com1.html

Legal nincompoops FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 02/23/2012

Legal nincompoops

FRONTLINE

Ninez Cacho-Olivares

02/23/2012
House prosecutors saw their impeachment case against the Chief Justice crumble, right before their eyes, as not only were the alleged “perks” of CJ Renato Corona from Philippine Airlines (PAL), such as his and his spouse’s platinum cards along with the inconsequential number of trips they had taken, but also that the illegally obtained bank records of the CJ, as well as the testimonies of the Philippine Savings Bank officials — being the fruit of a poisonous tree — will very probably be barred by the impeachment court as evidence for Article 2.3 on his statement of assets and liabilities networth (SALn).

The problem has always lain with the hastily done impeachment articles against the CJ, owing to the fact that not only was this document railroaded — on orders of the master at Malacañang — but also that the House members did not have any evidence backing up their Articles of Impeachment..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120223com2.html

EU suspends ACTA ratification, refers treaty to court

EU suspends ACTA ratification, refers treaty to court

The EU has suspended the ratification of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) and referred the text to the European Court of Justice to investigate possible rights breaches.

The European Commission decided on Wednesday to ask the EU's top court "to clarify that the ACTA agreement and its implementation must be fully compatible with freedom of expression and freedom of the internet."

The ACTA debate "must be based upon facts and not upon the misinformation or rumor that has dominated social media sites and blogs," says EU Trade Com.... MORE
Source:  RT.com

URL: http://rt.com/news/eu-suspends-acta-ratification-955/

Kim Dotcom out of jail but still facing US extradition

Kim Dotcom out of jail but still facing US extradition 

Kim Dotcom, the founder of the now defunct file-sharing site Megaupload, has been released on bail following more than a month behind bars in New Zealand. Now he’s preparing to fight extradition to America.

Dotcom, born Kim Schmitz in Germany, was apprehended by authorities on January 20 over allegations that the website he founded in 2005, Megaupload, was the centerpiece of a vast online conspiracy. Authorities attested that through the operation of the site, Dotcom and his associates immensely profited by selling subscriptions and advertisements for a file-storage service that is alleged to have hosted and distributed pirated material..... MORE

Source:  RT.com

URL: http://rt.com/usa/news/dotcom-bail-megaupload-extradition-973/

US to pump weapons into Syrian warzone? (w/ Video)

The White House and US State Department are considering arming Syria's rebels, claiming ongoing reports of government crackdowns would legitimize their actions. But it remains unclear what form the assistance would take.

Both US bodies made statements yesterday saying that new tactics would have to be adopted in order to curtail Regime forces’ bombardment of the city of Homs.

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said that the US did not want to “take actions that would lead to the further militarization of Syria,” while at the same time signaling that “additional measures” would have to be adopted if the international community fails to reach an agreement on a resolution..... MORE
Source:  RT.com

URL: http://rt.com/news/us-syria-arms-opposition-907/

On top of the situation VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 02/23/2012

On top of the situation

VIEWPOINTS

Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz

02/23/2012
Taken either in the good or pejorative sense, someone said to be “on top of the situation” implies and says one and the same thing. It means that the person concerned has controlling coverage over an issue under consideration, has commanding dominance on a case under deliberation. In other words, anything and everything remain under the order and in the reign of the same individual such that his personal will is followed, his personal desire are realized with assurance and certainty.

This brings to mind the now grand and spectacular ongoing impeachment trial of the Chief Justice (CJ) at no less than the definite and categorical instance of the Chief Executive himself — with the avowed partisan loyalty of majority of the House of Representatives plus the perceived political fidelity of some members of the Senate acting as an impeachment court..... MORE
Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120223com6.html

Don’t give in to Noy’s Hacienda pressure, farmers urge SC 02/23/2012

Don’t give in to Noy’s Hacienda pressure, farmers urge SC

02/23/2012
More than 200 farmers in Hacienda Luisita held an indignation rally at the Supreme Court yesterday, urging the magistrates to stand by their ruling placing the sugar plantation owned by the family of President Aquino under the government’s agrarian reform program.

“Aquino will move heaven and earth to remain steadfast on his campaign to preserve his vested interest in Hacienda Luisita. His deep resentment not only with the court (SC) but also to farmworkers (is) written all over his putrid yellow rhetoric of accountability, transparency and respect of the law while at the same time hitting and neglecting the democratic rights of the people including the Hacienda Luisita farm workers to live with dignity,” farmers’ groups Unyon ng Mangagawa sa Agrikultura (UMA) and Alyansa ng mga Mangagawang Bukid sa

Asyenda Luisita (Ambala) said in a joint statement.

The SC had earlier ordered the distribution of the vast sugar plantation to its 6,296 farmer-beneficiaries in compliance with the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL)..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120223hed4.html

BSP, AMLC execs face Senate on PEP probe By Angie M. Rosales 02/23/2012

BSP, AMLC execs face Senate on PEP probe

By Angie M. Rosales 02/23/2012

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) officials are now in hotter water as a result of the unathorized “probe” or joint audit with the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) on the examination of the chief magistrate’s bank records and other personalities, uncovered during the ongoing impeachment trial.

They face an inquiry before the Senate, whose hearings are known to have different rules by way of senators’ questioning guests and resource persons, as Senate hearings are not a courtroom and rules of court do not apply.

In yesterday’s plenary session, senators agreed to take up in another proceeding, separate from the impeachment trial of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, the alleged violation of the bank secrecy law and a “witch hunt.”.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120223hed1.html

Gambling tycoon bribed Pagcor’s Genuino, Naguiat—US lawsuit 02/23/2012

Gambling tycoon bribed Pagcor’s Genuino, Naguiat—US lawsuit

02/23/2012
Japanese gambling tycoon Kazuo Okada was accused Tuesday in a US lawsuit of paying off Philippine regulators and cheating his powerful Las Vegas partner.

The two regulators named are former Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) chairman Efraim Genuino and incumbent chairman Cristino “Bong” Naguiat and their family members as the recipients of the payoffs which dated from 2008 until 2011.

Steve Wynn of Wynn Resorts said Okada spent more than $110,000 to Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, jeopardizing Wynn’s own reputation in the process..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120223hed6.html

House minority junks impeach bid vs Noynoy 02/23/2012

House minority junks impeach bid vs Noynoy

02/23/2012
The House of Representatives’ minority bloc has junked the impeachment complaint of a certain Danilo Lihaylihay against President Aquino.

House Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez, in a press briefing yesterday, said that based on their review and deliberation, the evidence in the Lihaylihay complaint against the President is weak.

“We in the Minority have decided not to endorse the impeachment complaint filed against the President by taxpayer lawyer Danilo Lihaylihay. In the first place, we have not yet seen evidence of an impeachable offense in this complaint, although we are still conducting our own investigation,” he said.

Suarez said, the minority realized that they should be able to practice what they preached..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20120223nat4.html

RP lifts ban on ‘au pairs’ for all European countries By Michaela P. del Callar 02/23/2012

RP lifts ban on ‘au pairs’ for all European countries

By Michaela P. del Callar 02/23/2012

After 15 years, the Philippines yesterday announced that it is lifting its ban on “au pairs” for all European countries as it was able to craft improved safety nets and protection policies for Filipinos who will be hired for the job.

An au pair, a French term meaning “on par” or “equal to,” is a temporary domestic assistant working for and living as part of a host family. Au pairs, who are between 18 to 30 years old, unmarried and without children, normally perform house work and child care and receive monetary allowance from their host families. They are placed under a cultural exchange arrangement with a European host family for a maximum stay of two years, unless otherwise allowed by host countries..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20120223nat1.html

Metro Manila police placed on high alert for 26th anniversary of Edsa Revolt 02/23/2012

Metro Manila police placed on high alert for 26th anniversary of Edsa Revolt

02/23/2012
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) yesterday disclosed that the Metro Manila police was placed on heightened alert in connection with the 26th anniversary of Edsa People Power Revolution that will be celebrated on Saturday.

NCRPO Director Alan Purisima said security measures have been in place as thousands of uniformed and non-uniformed policemen are set to be deployed in Edsa where related activities will be held.

Purisima said the alert level in Metro Manila has not been lowered since December.

The NCRPO chief expressed optimism that no untoward incidents will take place during the Edsa Revolt anniversary activities on Saturday (Feb. 25)..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20120223met3.html

Photos of female model in skimpy attire spark angry reaction from Arabs By Michaela P. del Callar 02/23/2012

Photos of female model in skimpy attire spark angry reaction from Arabs

By Michaela P. del Callar 02/23/2012

Photos of a woman wearing sexy clothing deemed offensive under Islam that was uploaded on social networking site Facebook by a Filipino group in Saudi Arabia drew angry reactions from locals, the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh said.

The photos, according to the embassy, showed a Saudi-based female “model” wearing a transparent night outfit.

Saudi nationals called the embassy’s attention through e-mail which contained comments from offended locals..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20120223met6.html

Proposed executive order on mining deceptive – KMP

Proposed executive order on mining deceptive – KMP
 
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
Bulatlat.com

The militant peasant group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) today assailed Malacañang’s draft executive order on the mining industry saying “the draft EO is deceptive.”

“The anti-people and anti-environment Mining Act of 1995 remains as the political backbone of Malacañang’s draft EO on the mining industry. This proposed EO is packed with trickery and deception,” said KMP spokesperson Antonio Flores.

Malacañang recently announced that it is intent on coming out with an executive order that will tighten regulations on mining, cut tax breaks for mining firms, and review resource contracts. The planned EO for mining , Malacañang said, aims to raise state revenues from the mining industry while limiting the negative impact of mining operations on the environment.

Review mining contracts for increased valuation

According to a report on Bloomberg News, President Benigno Aquino III is going to release an EO that will introduce competitive bidding for mining rights. The proposed EO was also said to include a wider ban on mining in some areas of the country, as well as a provision on increased economic valuations on projects before they are approved.

The eight-page document directly came from Malacañang and sent to various agencies for feedback. Bloomberg News managed to obtain a copy. The existence of the draft has already been confirmed by Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima.

Aquino’s proposals call for a review of all existing mining contracts to ensure that these are in line with the new policies, “provided however that the review shall not result in the impairment of contracts,” according to the document, which was accompanied by a letter from the Office of the President of the Philippines signed by Aquino’s executive secretary, Paquito Ochoa.

The letter, entitled Memorandum from the Executive Secretary, was addressed to Finance Secretary Purisima, Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, as well as the head of the National Economic Development Authority and the secretaries of science and technology and agriculture.

In a previous interview with the media, Purisma said, the government’s shares in mining should be increased. This was, according to mining industry reports, connected to the move of 11 other countries to increase taxes or royalties on sales of resources such as gold and coal.

Among the mining firms with massive investments in the country are Xstrata Plc which has a stalled $5.9 billion project; and OceanaGold Corp., the Australian gold producer with mines in New Zealand and the Philippines. Oceana is operating a project reportedly worth $185 million in Didipio mine in Northern Luzon.
According to the draft EO, the move toward competitive public bidding for mining rights will depart from the current first come-first serve procedure. The Aquino administration wants to increase revenues from mining by revoking an income tax holiday for miners and reviewing mining fees, taxes and incentives.

There is also the plans to downstream mineral processing and ban direct shipping of raw or unprocessed strategic metallic ores three years after the proposed EO order takes effect.

In the meantime, the EO also states that some areas will not be allowed for mining such as prime agricultural lands and eco-tourism zones.

A move to legitimize large-scale mining

The KMP is not impressed by the proposed order, saying that its was designed to weaken local ordinances against large-scale mining.

KMP’s Flores said the creation of a so-called Mining Industry Development and Sustainability (MIDAS) Council was “another layer of bureaucracy to strengthen and legitimize large-scale and destructive mining.”.... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2012/02/16/proposed-executive-order-on-mining-deceptive-kmp/