Both the Democrats and Republicans come from the same corporate elite which exerts a strong influence on U.S. foreign policy. They may differ on some domestic issues but they are of the same mold with regard to America’s global trade, investment and security objectives. By BOBBY TUAZON Bulatlat The Philippine Daily Inquirer’s Nov. 9 banner,…
Category: Bulatlat Perspective
A Centuries-Old Problem
A government which is not serious in implementing a genuine agrarian reform program with a weak law such as the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law of 1988 is a recipe for more feudal exploitation and peasant unrest. A government which is not serious in agrarian reform with a strong law and program may be forced to…
Initial Analysis on the Philippine Amparo
This paper is an initial study of the writ of amparo, which has yet to become effective. Considering that the Supreme Court has not yet decided on any case involving the writ, it is unclear how certain provisions will be interpreted by the Court. BY NERI JAVIER COLMENARES Spokesperson, Counsels for the Defense of Liberties…
It’s a Shame
They have stolen the vote; they are stealing taxpayers’ money; they have been stealing the lives of those whose only sin is to work for the common good; and they continue stealing what is left of our national pride. If we let them get away with it, the shame will be on us all. BY…
A Disgrace
From fair-haired boy to whipping boy, from a position of influence to becoming a disgrace – such is the fate of Commissions on Elections (Comelec) Chair Benjamin Abalos Sr. BY BENJIE OLIVEROS Analysis Bulatlat Vol. VII, No. 34, September 30 – October 6, 2007 From fair-haired boy to whipping boy, from a position of influence…
A Scourge in the Arroyo House
The political stakes involved in the NBN fiasco are high that administration officials and their allies may just likely bury it. BY THE POLICY STUDY, PUBLICATION, AND ADVOCACY PROGRAM (PSPA) CENTER FOR PEOPLE EMPOWERMENT IN GOVERNANCE (CENPEG) ANALYSIS Posted by Bulatlat Vol. VII, No. 34, September 30-October 6, 2007 Among the scoundrels in government, there…
Back in Business
Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo’s name cropped up in a corruption scandal once again. It has barely been a week since the Sandiganbayan found Joseph Estrada guilty of plunder and a scandal has erupted again involving the husband of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. BY BENJIE OLIVEROS Analysis Bulatlat Vol. VII, No. 33 September 23-29, 2007 Jose Miguel…
A Monumental Historical Precedent
Presiding Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro and Associate Justices Francisco Villaruz Jr. and Diosdado Peralta should be applauded not for upholding the rule of law – for it is their task as justices to do so – but for setting a momentous historical precedent. Sadly, the historical significance of all these are lost when taken within…
An Insidious Plan
It may seem that the arrest of Jose Maria Sison, August 28, was a simple case of the Dutch police enforcing its laws; it may also seem that the announcement of the Philippine National Police, also last August 28, that it is the New People’s Army who abducted Jonas Burgos is a simple case of…
Of Joma and Jonas, Doble and Abalos
A lot of news seems to be competing for the deadlines: the arrest of Jose Maria Sison, the enforced disappearance of Jonas Burgos, the expose of Vidal Doble and the “Hello Garci” tapes, and the NBN deal and the alleged involvement of Comelec Chair Benjamin Abalos. However, these seeming disparate news are actually connected. BY…
The Bane of Urban Militarization
The fascist mindset of the Arroyo government is reflected in the logic of Marikina City Mayor Marides Fernando, in justifying urban militarization, that “order precedes peace.” That is the logic of the all-out wars in Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog, Bicol, Samar and Leyte, Cagayan Valley, CARAGA region, among others, and recently in Basilan and Sulu.…