San Beda alumni criticize Duterte’s ‘defeatist’ stance on WPS
In a statement Sunday evening, an informal group of SBU alumni called on Duterte to uphold the Philippine Constitution by retracting his “defeatist” statements on China’s occupation of internationally-recognized Philippine islands at the West Philippine Sea.
‘Preparasyon na nila ‘yan sa eleksyon’
“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.
CPP: All 19 in ATC list ‘courageous, honorable revolutionaries’
“Unlike Duterte, these revolutionaries have only the clothes on their back to count as their wealth. They do not accumulate money from the government nor fleece the people with taxes,” CPP spokesperson Marco Valbuena said.
CHR, Red Cross asked to ensure safety of jailed peace consultants in ATC list
The Commission on Human Rights and the International Committee of the Red Cross had been asked to regularly check on the condition of three political prisoners designated by a government task force as alleged terrorists.
Bizarre ‘debate’
President Rodrigo Duterte’s challenge to retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio to a debate on the West Philippine Sea issue has gone more weirder and weirder. After the latter has accepted the challenge, presidental spokesperson Harry Roque said the president is ready anytime. The President has since gone silent however, followed by Roque’s announcement that he had been designated to be his representative. Roque then enumerated issues to be debated upon, an imposition promptly rejected by the retired magistrate.
Gov’t hyping employment gains to avoid giving more ayuda, stimulus – IBON
“The seeming improvement in the jobs situation from the reported higher employment and lower unemployment is an illusion, said Sonny Africa, IBON Executive Director. “Many Filipinos have still not regained their full-time work and small businesses. They’re just trying to get by on informal and irregular work with likely low and uncertain incomes.”
Lawyer, CHR score Duterte’s order vs non-mask wearers
“We may be in quarantine due to the pandemic, but rights should not be on lockdown,” the Commission on Human Rights said.
Canada conducts hearing on the human rights crisis in the Philippines; urged to take action
“We implore the Canadian government to take action on these concerns with urgency, as our country further descends into an authoritarian state,” Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay told the Canadian Parliament.
Ayuda urgent: Jobs crisis still worse than before pandemic — IBON
Reported employment increased by 610,000, from 42.5 million in January 2020 to 43.2 million in February 2021. But this was far from enough for the labor force which grew by 2.4 million over that same period to 47.3 million, said the group, resulting in even greater unemployment.
Sold
In one of his latest public addresses, President Rodrigo Duterte said the Philippines owes a big debt of gratitude to China and justified its occupation of islands inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone at the West Philippine Sea. His remarks received widespread condemnation from the Filipino people, including segments of the military.