On the deployment ban of health workers abroad:
“We cannot blame our nurses and other healthcare workers who want to seek better paying jobs abroad despite the risks to their own health and anxieties of leaving their own families behind…[O]ur government leaders have clearly proven that their labor, remarkable contributions, sacrifices and voices are not valued.”–Joanna Concepcion, Chairperson, Migrante International
“President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to block access to records of police killings in the drug war is a clear and undeniable pronouncement that this government openly encourages impunity.” — Cristina Palabay, Secretary-General, Karapatan
At last week’s hearing by the House of Representatives hearing on the raid conducted by the police and the social work department on the Bakwit School at the University of San Carlos in Cebu City last February, Presidential Communications Operations Office undersecretary and National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict co-spokesperson Lorraine Badoy showed ignorance of parliamentary procedures and attempted to interrogate other resource persons. She was promptly told that she told that she could not ask questions as she is not a member of Congress. #
“Tama na ang pambabarat sa mamamayan, habang laging buhos ang pondo sa militar at sa mga gyera ni Duterte. Unahin ang serbisyo gaya ng edukasyon, hindi pasismo sa pangunguna ng NTF-ELCAC. Unahin ang ayuda, hindi CHA-CHA. Ito ang giit ng mga guro at ng mamamayan, at ‘yan ang dapat tugunan ng gobyerno.” — Raymond Basilio, Secretary General, Alliance of Concerned Teachers
“Kalokohan ang P54.6-bilyon para sa retired military dahil hindi ito ang kagyat, at ang kailangang buhusan ng pondo ngayon ay ang produksyon ng pagkain at pag-angat sa lubog nang kalagayan ng mga maralitang sektor, laluna na ng mga magsasaka at nasa kanayunan. Bahagi na naman ito ng ‘Duterte Palpak’ dahil prayoridad na naman ang militar kaysa pagkain na pangunahing kailangan ng taumbayan.” — Zenaida Soriano, Tagapangulo, Amihan
“Hiling namin sa Kongreso na ibigay ang hustisya sa mga bata, datu at guro na biktima ng dahas at iligal na pag-aresto. Panagutin ang PRO 7, militar, DSWD 7 at iba pang ahensya sa patuloy na pagdetine sa 18 mga mag-aaral na lumad at buwagin ang NTF-ELCAC.” — Rius Valle, Tagapagsalita, Save Our Schools Network
“Malaking bagay ang suporta ng 33 na Kongresista para sa P10K na ayuda. Ito ay isusulong natin nang tuloy-tuloy para mapakinggan pa sa Kongreso. Kailangang ulit-ulitin ang panawagan na P10K ayuda para sa lahat, lalo na sa mga na-dislocate na mga manggagawa at OFW sa panahon ng pandemya.” — Inday Bagasbas, Tagapagsalita, Ayuda Network
Never has there been a Philippine President that scandalized the country by his statements and public behavior as much as Rodrigo Duterte. He is on record to have ordered mass killings, rape, shooting women in the vagina, cussing the Pope, dismissing the occupation of Philippine territory by foreign countries, among many others. He also sexually harassed overseas workers, journalists, and fellow government officials in public. All the while, his apologists dismiss these as mere “jokes”. #
“Itong bira nila sa Makabayan, lalo na sa oposisyon, preparasyon na nila ‘yan sa eleksyon. Gustong lumpuhin ng gobyerno ang oposisyon bago pa man mag-halalan. Hindi na lang ito red-tagging kundi using the government funds for electoral purposes to defend the administration. May tulog talaga ang Duterte candidates at para ma-ensure na manalo sila, lulumphin nila ang oposisyon long before 2022. It’s a combination of red-tagging and electioneering using public funds.” — Atty. Neri Colmenares, Chairman, Bayan Muna
In a public address last week, President Rodrigo Duterte tried to explain that his campaign promise to ride a jet ski to the disputed islands at the West Philippine Sea to assert Philippine sovereignty was merely a campaign joke. He however contradicted himself in what could be one of the more bizarre rants by the chief executive already notorious for often bizarre rants. #