ITANONG MO KAY PROF: Podcast on Cuba
Kodao Podcast
“Itanong mo kay prof” with Prof. Jose Maria Sison
December 19, 2014
As a multimedia group, Kodao publishes news stories, opinion essays, cartoons, photos and others here.
Lightning rally ng rebolusyonaryong sektor pangkalusugan, tagumpay
Nagdaos ng lightning rally kaninang umaga ang Makabayang Samahang Pangkalusugan – National Democratic Front (MSP-NDF) sa panulukan ng CM Recto at Abad Santos, Maynila bilang pagdiriwang sa ika-36 na taon ng kanilang pagkakatatag. Ang MSP-NDF ay binubuo ng mga rebolusyonaryong doktor, narses, istudyante at manggagawang pangkalusugan na hayagang nananawagan na ibagsak ang rehimeng Aquino dahil sa patuloy na pagkatuta nito sa Estados Unidos, sa malawakang korapsyon at malalang paglabag sa karapatang pantao. Ang kanilang pagkilos ay bunsod din ng ika-46 na taong anibersaryo ng Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
Manila
December 16, 2014
“Detention and Defiance Against Dictatorship”
Ipinakilala sa publiko ang bagong libro ni Prof. Jose Maria Sison na may pamagat na Detention and Defiance against Dictatorship na ginanap sa University of the Philippines-Diliman. Dumalo ang marami sa mga kabataan na galing sa iba’t ibang pamantasan at komunidad. Ito ay bahagi rin ng pagdiriwang ng ika-50 taong anibersaryo ng Kabataang Makabayan (KM). Marami sa mga aktibista noong dekada ’70 ang dumalo sa pagtitipon kagaya nina Dr. Carol Aurollo, Rey Casambre, Daning Ramos, Vicente Ladlad at marami pang iba. Si Luis Jalandoni, Chairperson NDFP Peace Panel, ang isa sa pangunahing tagapagsalita sa okasyon.
Ang Aklat ng Bayan, Anakbayan at Bayan ang nangasiwa sa pagtitipon.
UP Diliman, Quezon City\
December 15, 2014
Human rights defenders declare Aquino guilty of violations
Human rights defenders from all over the Philippines commemorated the 66th International Human Rights Day in Manila by staging a symbolic trial of President Benigno for his government’s violations.
They proclaimed the Aquino government is guilty of about 175,000 documented cases of human rights violations ranging from extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture, rape and many others in its four-and-a-half year reign so far.
They blame the Manila government’s implementation of its US-sponsored counter-insurgency program called Oplan Bayanihan for non-stop harassment and forced evacuation specially of indigenous peoples’ communities in the regions.
The protest actions last December 10 concluded with the burning of a US flag-draped effigy of Aquino.
http://www.karapatan.org/2014+monitor+year-end
International Support — Human Rights Day in Manila 2014
Affiliated mass organizations of the Philippines Chapter of the International League of Peoples’ Struggle (ILPS-Philippines) mark Human Rights Day in Manila. They joined a protest march and rally of rights victims led by KARAPATAN to indict the US-Aquino regime for crimes against the Filipino people. Among those who expressed support are international delegates of the People’s Coalition on Food Sovereignty and Asian Peasant Coalition. Performing with cultural groups from the Manilakbayan of Mindanao is One Billion Rising (OBR) Global Director Monique Wilson.
Pooled Editorial | Fight for genuine freedom of information law
There is no reason to rejoice over the recent approval of the consolidated bill on Freedom of Information (FOI) in the House at the committee level, and the approval of the Senate version earlier this year.
We, alternative media practitioners united under Altermidya, believe that the FOI versions restrict rather than enhance public access to information.
The consolidated bills, both in the Lower House and the Senate, fail to meet the minimum international standards set by Article 19 for an FOI law to be effective. These include, among others, the following:
- a strong presumption in favor of disclosure (the principle of maximum disclosure);
- broad definitions of information and public bodies;
- positive obligations to publish key categories of information;
- clear and narrowly drawn exceptions, subject to a strong harm test and a public interest override; and
- effective oversight of the right by an independent administrative body.
Both FOI bills adopted all of the exceptions proposed by Malacañang in its own version. Contrary to Palace claims that these are necessary, the list institutionalizes the absence of transparency and accountability.
Exempting from public access the minutes, drafts of resolutions, orders, memoranda etc., including drafts of bilateral and multilateral agreements from public scrutiny, precludes citizen participation in decision-making on issues of public interest.
Subjecting access to income tax returns, and statement of assets, liabilities and networth (SALN) of public officials to existing laws, rules and regulations further undermines efforts to curb corruption.
The provision exempting from disclosure matters involving national security is also so broad that it could be used to hide cases of human rights violations perpetrated by state agents.
With regard to the public interest override, both bills state that “The President, the Supreme Court, the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the Constitutional Commissions may waive an exception with respect to information in the custody of offices under their respective supervision or control, when they deem that there is an overriding public interest in disclosure.” (Emphasis supplied)
This provision does not provide a mechanism for checks and balance. In both bills, no independent administrative body that will have effective oversight of the right to information will be created.
Journalists and ordinary citizens have been demanding enactment of a genuine freedom of information law. We cannot settle for a law that will make truth telling even more difficult: a bad law is worse than no law at all.
AlterMidya is a nationwide network of independent and progressive alternative media outfits and practitioners in the Philippines that promotes journalism for the people.
Environmentalists, Manilakbayanis pay tribute to Francis Morales
Francis Morales would have joined the hundreds of Mindanaoans who are now in Metro Manila to demand food and peace for Mindanao from the Manila government. But he succumbed to complications of leukemia a few weeks ago.
“Tatay Francis” (Father Francis) was a seminarian who thumbed down privileged treatment so he can be dissuaded from his activism. Only short of his ordination, he chose instead to work full time among peasants and indigenous peoples teaching them literacy and sustainable agriculture. He joined the New People’s Army when the Philippine Army was out looking for him. In jail, he never wavered in his commitments to the people. Until he reached old age he was still in the forefront working for the people’s interest.
Francis was active calling for justice for the victims of natural and human disasters. He put high and mighty government officials to task in whatever forum. Mindanaoans feel orphaned by his death.
This video shows the humble tribute organized by Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment and the Manilakbayan who could not attend his funeral in Davao.
The struggle continues…
The members of Alliance of Health Workers (AHW) and Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) held a protest to denounce the four year Aquino administration for not giving them any single salary increase amidst endless price increases of basic commodities and services.
Mendiola, Manila
November 27, 2014
Political prisoners go on fast, call for release and end to criminalization of political acts
Countdown to International Human Rights Day
Political prisoners go on fast, call for release and end to criminalization of political acts
Political prisoners in the Philippines launched a seven-day fast today, as members of the International League of People’s Struggle (ILPS) commemorate the International Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners. The fast will last until December 10, International Human Rights Day.
Close to a hundred political prisoners in different jails in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao announced participation to the fast to call for their release and as a gesture of solidarity to various people’s protest actions leading to December 10.
Those fasting are political prisoners in various detention centers in Metro Manila, at the Special Intensive Care Area-Metro Manila District Jail (SICA-MMDJ) and Taguig City Jail-Female Dorm in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City; New Bilibid Prisons-Maximum Security Compound in Muntinlupa City; and PNP Custodial Center in Quezon City.
In the provinces, fasting political prisoners are those detained in the following jails: Aurora Provincial Jail in Southern Tagalog; Ormoc City Jail, Tacloban City Jail, and Dancalan Provincial Jail in Bobon, Northern Samar and Bohol Detention and Rehabilitation Center in the Visayas; and in Valencia City Jail, Malaybalay City Jail, Gingoog City Jail, Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center in Misamis Oriental, and Cagayan de Oro City in Mindanao. Jailed peace consultants of the National Democratic Front are also joining the fast.
Some political prisoners will also hold noise barrages and hanging of streamers as protest. These activities culminate on Human Rights Day, “as their way of highlighting the government’s practice of criminalizing political actions and filing trumped up charges against those perceived as ‘enemies of the state’,” said Jigs Clamor, SELDA national coordinator.
As support to the political prisoners, various progressive organizations led by Karapatan and SELDA held picket actions today at the Manila Regional Trial Court and at the Department of Justice.
The protesters first went to the Manila Regional Trial Court for the hearing of the multiple murder case against peace consultants Benito Tiamzon, Wilma Austria-Tiamzon, Randall Echanis, Raphael Baylosis, Vicente Ladlad, and Makabayan Coalition Chair Satur Ocampo. The case is considered the “mother” of all trumped-up charges implicating Ocampo et al in a supposed mass grave found in Monterico Village, Baybay Leyte. All those accused in the case, except the Tiamzon couple are on conditional bail.
Joined in by Manilakbayan from Mindanao and Karapatan-Southern Tagalog, the protesters marched to the Justice Department. “This department cannot simply say they cannot do anything on these trumped up cases lodged against political prisoners,” Clamor said. “The military weaves stories with prosecutors so they can arrest and detain people who are actively defending their rights and their communities,” he added.
As of November 2014, there are 491 political prisoners, 220 of them were arrested under the BS Aquino regime. There are 43 female political prisoners, 53 are ailing, 42 are elderly, and six are minors.
“The political prisoners are not the enemy of Filipino people. The plunderers and those who perpetuate human rights violations, killings, disappearances, torture and harassment are those who should be jailed. We need the political prisoners back in the streets and in the communities to continue their selfless work and advocacies. They should be immediately released,” he concluded. ###
Manila, December 3, 2014
Bonifacio Day 2014 — Robin Padilla, Juana Change…
Actor Robin Padilla, comedienne Juana Change and other luminaries join militants in commemorating the 151st birth anniversary of Filipino revolutionary martyr Gat Andres Bonifacio. ILPS-Philippines and Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) Chair Elmer Labog vows to continue the struggle for freedom and democracy. Also in the rally are Makabayan President Satur Ocampo, Archbishop Oscar Cruz, Manobos from Mindanao and leaders of various sectoral social movements.