Groups Say Aquino’s First 100 Days a Failure

“It has been 100 days and we don’t see any major achievement or results as far as genuine change is concerned. There is plenty of rhetoric but too few accomplishments that could be felt by the poor.”– Bagong Alyansang Makabayan


By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL

Bulatlat.com ^[1]


MANILA – Contrary to the passing grade Aquino has received from a survey, farmers, workers, urban poor, students, migrants and other sectors gave Aquino a failing grade in his first 100 days of governance.

Members of progressive groups led by the umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) marched to Chino Roces (formerly Mendiola) bridge Oct. 8, to mark the 100 days of Aquino in office. The groups protested what they call as a continuing absence of any meaningful reform under Aquino, and his failure to address issues such as human rights, the prosecution of former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, land reform and pro-people economic development.

Solons call for probe of alleged P2M jueteng payola of two Aquino aides

House members today called for an investigation into the claim of retired Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz that two close and trusted officials of President Benigno Aquino are receiving a minimum of P2 million in monthly jueteng payola.

Rep. Teodoro Casino (Party-list, Bayan Muna) said Cruz's allegations are serious enough to merit an investigation by Congress. "If his claims are true, then the officials concerned should be sanctioned and charged appropriately."

Bloated by patronage funds, proposed 2011 budget prone to corruption

Bloated by patronage funds, proposed 2011 budget prone to corruption

There is a marked increase in the 2011 national government (NG) budget submitted to Congress, making the proposed budget alarmingly patronage-rich, says research group IBON.

The Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) in the proposed 2011 budget has increased by Php13.9 billion or 128.5% from Php10.9 billion in 2010 to Php24.8 billion.

Itigil ang Pagnanakaw ng GSIS sa kanyang mga Miyembro - Privilege Speech ni Rep. Antonio Tinio, ACT TEACHERS Partylist_8/16/2010

Nitong nakaraang mga buwan, sa panahon ng kampanya para sa pambansang eleksyon ng Mayo, nagkaroon ako ng pagkakataong umikot sa iba’t ibang probinsya ng ating kapuluan upang makapanayam ang mga public school teachers at mapag-usapan ang kanilang kalagayan at mga hinaing. Saan man ako magpunta, iisa ang kanilang pambungad. Dapat daw tugunan ang kanilang mga problema sa GSIS (Government Service Insurance System).

Teachers to PNoy: Justice for farmers and farm workers of Hacienda Luisita!

“The thorny issue of land distribution is once again awaiting a decisive action by PNoy. He should remember, that it was hailed then as a landmark law during her mother’s term as president of this land. So what are you waiting for Pnoy?”, said Ms.France Castro, Secretary-general of Alliance of Concerned Teachers. “Those farmers have waited for more than twenty years and so justice must be served,” she added.

Under Aquino III: Promoting Ties of Dependency with the U.S.?

Under Aquino III: Promoting Ties of Dependency with the U.S.?
By the Policy Study, Publication, and Advocacy
Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG)
August 14, 2010

Those who are watching the first 100 days of the new administration can now start focusing their lens on President Benigno S. Aquino III’s coming visit to the United States in September - his first major official foreign trip. The decision to make the U.S. as his maiden foreign destination is not only symbolic but will have far-reaching implications not only on foreign policy but also on the so-called special relationship between a former colony and a superpower. In the long run, it will have broad implications on the Filipino people.

DOLE affirms commitment to promote gender equality in workplace

Responding to the ever changing need for gender equality in the workplace, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) today said it will continue to evolve its policies and align itself to the demands of the Filipino workforce, especially on the need to address issues concerning gender and discrimination against women, lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBTs)

P-Noy calls for hourly broadcast of original Pilipino compositions

President Benigno S. Aquino III has directed the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to fully implement Executive Order No. 255 requiring all radio stations to play in the airwaves at least four original Filipino music every hour from hereon.

KMU to Lucio Tan: heed PAL workers’ demands

Amidst a brewing strike by the Philippine Airlines’ ground employees and cabin crew, labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno called on PAL owner Lucio Tan today to immediately heed the PAL workers’ demands, saying Tan has clearly gone overboard in implementing his anti-worker policies.

Aquino gov’t shouldn’t wash hands off VAT on toll fees

The umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan today criticized the Aquino administration for “washing its hands” in the issue of the Value Added Tax on toll fees set to take effect on Monday. The group said that Malacanang’s reasoning that the VAT is an old law from the previous administration is unacceptable.

RP Consulate General in Guangzhou Reiterates Warning Against Consequences of Drug-Related Offenses in China

The Philippine Consulate General in Guangzhou is reminding Filipinos of the uncompromising treatment of the Chinese courts on foreign nationals convicted of drug-related offenses in China. Recently, the Intermediate People's Court of Guangzhou sentenced to death a Chinese-French citizen for manufacturing, transporting and dealing large amounts of crystal methamphetamine.

Global youth unemployment rate at all-time high, UN labour agency reports

The global youth unemployment rate is at a record high and is expected to climb even higher as the year progresses, the United Nations International Labour Organization (ILO) announced today. According to a new report, of the world’s 620 million economically active youth between the ages of 15 and 24, 81 million were out of work at the end of 2009, the highest number ever.

UN agencies look to world’s youth to find solutions to global problems

United Nations agencies, peacekeeping missions and officials around the world marked the start today of the International Year of Youth with concerts and public forums and a call to celebrate the potential of the next generation to solve the problems of today. Speaking at the launch of the Year, as well as celebrations today for International Youth Day, senior UN officials said the estimated 1.2 billion people aged between 15 and 24 deserve greater attention from policymakers and governments.

Cojuangco-Aquinos Denounced for Using Millions to Lure, Deceive Luisita Farm Workers

Ulwu chairman Lito Bais said the financial package from Hacienda Luisita management was meant to lure farm workers into the compromise-agreement bait. “They exploited the poverty of the farm workers and used money to deceive them,” he said. Bais also accused the Cojuangco-Aquinos of “hoodwinking” farm workers of hundreds of millions from earlier land deals.

By RONALYN V. OLEA
Bulatlat.com
MANILA — A leader of the United Luisita Workers Union (Ulwu) has denounced Hacienda Luisita Inc. (HLI) for using the initial P20-million cash package to lure and deceive the farm workers of the hacienda into agreeing to the controversial compromise agreement.

The Strength of the PCS: COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAMS

by Dr. Jeanette Silao, FPCS

Congratulations to the Philippine College of Surgeons on its 75th Anniversary! In human years, one is usually thankful to God for having been given a long life. These twilight years are usually spent reminiscing the highlights of a fruitful life. The highlights of one's life, as everyone will agree, are what you have done for others.

In institution years, 75 years of existence is just a few decades from inception. Each year is seen as a milestone of growth and further strength, the development of newer programs and reaching greater heights. An institution’s growth is derived from good governance, while its strength is equivalent to the breath of the foundation it has laid down. A solid foundation is as solid as its programs. The PCS' foundation is nothing less than solid as its programs are directed to benefit the community.

KMU to Aquino: Investigate Lucio Tan’s Profits, Anti-labor Schemes

KMU to Aquino: Investigate Lucio Tan’s Profits, Anti-labor Schemes

As the controversy over the mass resignation of Philippine Airlines’ pilots since last Saturday rages on, labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno called on President Aquino to investigate PAL owner Lucio Tan’s profits and anti-labor schemes, saying labor issues are behind the recent imbroglio in the national flag carrier.

KMU made the call in a picket in front of PAL’s corporate office in Ayala Avenue this morning, where the labor center condemned the business tycoon for “intensifying the exploitation and causing the lay-off of workers” in the airline company.

Attending the picket were members of the PAL Employees’ Union or Palea, the union of PAL’s ground employees, the Laban ng Bagong Palea, KMU, and Anakpawis partylist.

Drilon files resolution calling for Senate probe on excessive salaries of gov't officials

Reacting to reports of excessive and unwarranted salaries and other perks received by certain top government officials, Senator Franklin Drilonl last Thursday filed a resolution directing the committees on Finance, together with the Committee on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises, to conduct an investigation into the matter.

"Reports of excessive and unwarranted monetary remuneration and perks accruing to the benefit of board directors and top officials of government owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) and government financial institutions (GFIs), in the guise of allowances, per diem, honoraria, and bonuses, is like rubbing salt to an already open wound," Drilon laments.

Pia urges employers: "Give breastfeeding moms a (lactation) break!"

Senator Pia S. Cayetano today called on heads of government offices and private employers to comply with a new law that allows breastfeeding employees to take time off during work hours to pump and store their milk, which they could later take home to feed their infant.

Signed into law in March this year, Republic Act 10024, or the "Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009" now permits paid "lactation breaks" to encourage working mothers to continue breastfeeding upon returning to work after giving birth.

"Reporting back to work should now pose less of a hindrance to working moms who want to continue giving breast milk to their newborn," said Cayetano, principal author of RA 10024 and Chairperson of the Senate Committees on Health and Demography and Youth, Women and Family Relations.

VP Binay Boosts Ties with Korean Officials

7 August 2010, DFA - The Philippine Embassy in Seoul reported to the Department the successful visit of Vice President Jejomar Binay to Korea on August 3-5.

Vice President Binay was in the country to preside over the 27th Asia Pacific Boy Scouts Jamboree in Suncheon City, in his capacity as chairman of the Asia-Pacific Scout Committee of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. During his visit, he also called on Prime Minister Chung Un-Chan, Foreign Minister Yu Myung-Hwan, and Suncheon Mayor Roh Kwan Yu.

They thanked the Vice President for the assistance by the Philippine government to defend democracy in the Korean Peninsula during the Korean War in 1950.

The officials also pledged to sustain the level of bilateral cooperation between the Philippines and Korea...

VP Binay Boosts Ties with Korean Officials; Meets Investors and Awards Outstanding Overseas Filipinos in Seoul

Cojuangco-Aquinos Used ‘Impostors’ Who Misrepresented Luisita Workers in ‘Sham’ Deal

By Ronalyn V. Olea
Bulatlat.com

MANILA — The so-called compromise agreement entered into by the Hacienda Luisita Incorporated (HLI) and the farm workers of the sugar plantation owned by the family of President Aquino is a sham, with the management having allegedly used as signatories individuals who misrepresented themselves as leaders of the hacienda’s farmers and workers.

Jobert Ilarde Pahilga, the lawyer of the group of farm workers who had earlier filed a petition for the revocation of the stock distribution option (SDO) in Hacienda Luisita, said he would file a petition citing HLI and these individuals in contempt of court...

Cojuangco-Aquinos Used ‘Impostors’ Who Misrepresented Luisita Workers in ‘Sham’ Deal