By IGAL JADA SAN ANDRES Bulatlat.com MANILA – I remember an article I wrote for one of my Journalism classes way back in September of 2010. An electric post belonging to Meralco caught fire in Pook Ricarte that week because it was overloaded. Residents affected by the widening project in Magsaysay Avenue leading to Katipunan…
On The Fringes Blog
Questionable partylist groups accredited again by Comelec, says Bayan
The Comelec has accredited at least nine party-list groups identified with the Arroyo regime, according to Bayan.
Rebelyn's mom slams speedy release of AFP agent tagged in rape-slay
Ka Parago’s wife Evangeline Pitao, together with members of the organization of rights victims’ families, was dismayed after knowing that one of the primary suspects in the abduction, rape and killing of Rebelyn Pitao was immediately released by the Davao City Police office after being apprehended for violation of the gun ban.
Satur, others file House resolution to probe P330-billion Lucio Tan exposé
Rep. Satur C. Ocampo, Rep. Liza L. Maza, Rep. Rafael V. Mariano, Rep. Raymond V. Palatino, Rep. Teodoro A. Casiño and Rep. Luzviminda C. Ilagan have filed a resolution in Congress asking government agencies to look into allegations that tycoon Lucio Tan had defrauded the government of as much as P330 billion.
Auditing Maguindanao
The Commission on Audit’s annual reports on Maguindanao have always highlighted deficiencies in the province’s finances. In its 2008 audit report, the commission found that it could not ascertain the validity of the provincial government’s claim that the province had more than P107 million pesos deposited in banks. The COA also could not verify the existence of properties and assets worth P345 million pesos that the province said it had.
Rage against impunity
The unchecked rule of political warlords like the Ampatuans, army and police units like those controlled by President Arroyo’s mistahs, and warmongers in government like General Hermogenes Esperon and National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, make up a culture of tolerance for killings and contempt for the rule of law. Thus, this culture of impunity traces itself right back at the doorstep of Malacañang.
'Dukot' premiere set in UP
Dukot (Desaparecidos), a film about the worsening human-rights situation in the Philippines, will have its premiere showing on November 17, 2009, at the UP Film Institute, University of the Philippines-Diliman.
Mrs. Burgos talks about Jonas on BBC
Mrs. Edita Burgos, mother of abducted peasant organizer Jonas Burgos, left for the United Kingdom last week to attend a forum organized by Campaign for Human Rights in the Philippines-United Kingdom (CHRP-UK), Amnesty International-UK and the British trade union group Unison, which aims to highlight the problem of enforced disappearances in the Philippines.
Reyes, Nograles, Mikey on oil price hike: All bark, no bite
Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes, House Speaker Prospero Nograles and Congressman Mikey Arroyo seemed to have their roles down pat by now. When the big three oil companies raised oil prices yet again this Oct. 20, despite the disaster-wracked times and despite charges of persistent overpricing thrown their way, these three government officials just continued their role – speak like they want to change the situation but allow the oil companies to have their own profitable way in the end.
Philippines improves ranking in Press Freedom Index
Reporters Without Borders today released its Press Freedom Index for 2009. In it, the Philippines ranks 122, compared to last year’s 139. This suggests that press freedom in the Philippines has improved, regardless of the many killings, attacks and intimidation being faced by Filipino journalists. But over the years, the country’s rankings in the index indicate a worsening of press freedom.
Dams and how communities deal with them
Dams, among others, are packaged as part of development that people have to live with. But, as can be gleaned from Bulatlat’s stories on the subject, dams have proven to be a bane to the public.