Posts

Makabayan urges accountability after Quiboloy’s arrest

/in /by

Progressive parties and legislators long under fire by fugitive Apollo Quiboloy urged the Ferdinand Marcos Jr. government to ensure the accused rapist and smuggler is held accountable and not given preferential treatment.

In separate statements, Bayan Muna and other Makabayan coalition members ACT Teachers’ Party, Gabriela Women’s Party and Kabataan Youth Party welcomed Quiboloy’s arrest Sunday afternoon, September 8.

Bayan Muna executive vice president Karlos Zarate said justice must prevail, but cautioned that Quiboloy should not be used as a political trophy in the escalating feud between the Marcos and Duterte political dynasties.

Quiboloy is a known cohort of former president Rodrigo Duterte whose arrest is suspected by many as part of the Marcos administration’s ongoing tiff with its erstwhile allies.

The self-proclaimed “owner of the universe” endorsed the Marcos-Duterte “uniteam” in the 2022 presidential elections.

After receiving an ultimatum from the Philippine National Police (PNP) after a 15-day siege of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound in Davao City, Quiboloy reportedly “surrendered” to the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines that sent a C130 military cargo plane to fetch the so-called pastor and several of his co-accused.

Quiboloy was taken to the PNP Custodial Center at Camp Crame Sunday night.

His lawyer claimed the KOJC leader”surrendered” because his “dislike for violence.”

‘Justice for the victims’

As critics of Duterte, Quiboloy used his media corporation Sonshine Media Network International to red-tag and continuously batter the Makabayan coalition.

ACT Rep. France Castro Calls called for Quiboloy’s prosecution both in the country and in the United States of America where he is also accused of grave crimes.

Part of the poster issued by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation against the self-appointed son of god. (FBI image)

“The arrest of Apollo Quiboloy must lead to his full accountability before the law. The charges against him, both in the United States and the Philippines, are grave and demand thorough investigation and prosecution,” Castro said.

She added that his “number one protector” (Duterte) and all those who have enabled his evasion from justice,” should also be investigated.

Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas echoed Castro’s sentiment, saying the Marcos government must not only focus on Quiboloy but also investigate those who aided him during his time in hiding.

“This includes a thorough investigation into any possible involvement of individuals in positions of power who may have shielded him from accountability,” she said.

Brosas said the child abuse, sexual abuse and qualified trafficking charges against the self-styled “appointed son of god” has caused immeasurable harm to his victims, and he must be brought to justice without delay.

“Let this be a reminder to Quiboloy that he is not a God. Harapin niya ngayon ang taumbayan,” Brosas said. (He not must face the people.)

Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel also demanded justice for the reported victims of Quiboloy’s alleged criminal activities and an investigation on the protection provided him by the Duterte clan, Senator Ronald dela Rosa, and others.

Manuel said the people should be vigilant in ensuring accountability for the likes of Quiboloy.

“[W]ala pala sa ‘langit’ itong ‘Appointed Son of God,’” Manuel added. (This ‘appointed son of god’ is not in not in heaven after all.)

Former Bayan Muna and Gabriela Rep. Lisa Maza also urged for justice after Quiboloy’s arrest, “…para makakuha ng hustisya ang mga kababaihan at bata na kanyang naging biktima sa salang trafficking at pang-aabuso.” (For his women and children victims to receive justice for his trafficking and abuse crimes.)

The Makabayan candidate for Senate also called for an investigation into Vice President Sara Duterte’s efforts to mislead authorities about Quiboloy’s whereabouts.

The vice president said in an earlier interview that Quiboloy may no longer be in Davao City.

“Imbestigahan din si dating Presidente Duterte sa pag-aming alam niya kung nasaan ang puganteng si Quiboloy pero di nakipagtulungan sa pulisya para mahuli ito,” Maza said. (Also investigate former President Duterte for admitting knowing where the fugitive Quiboloy was but refusing to cooperate with the police for his capture.)

The protracted police siege of Quiboloy’s hideout, the KOJC compound in Davao City (Davato Today photo)

‘Investigate the siege’

Meanwhile, Zarate  expressed grave concern over the “alleged excessive force, reported abuses and overreach” by the police during the implementation of Quiboloy’s arrest warrant, warning that such actions could set a dangerous precedent.

KOJC members have accused the police and the Marcos government of using excessive force in serving the arrest warrant, involving repeated deployment of battalions of police personnel, the last siege lasting more than two weeks.

“The police’s excessive force and overreach in the supposed implementation of the arrest warrant should be investigated as it can be used as a dangerous precedent against perceived critics of the present administration,” Zarate said. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)

Hinggil sa pagkakahuli ni Alice Guo sa Indonesia

/in /by

“May mga biruan tuloy ngayon na buti at lumabas ng bansa si Guo kaya nahuli. Kasi malamang, kung hindi, ay di pa siya nahuhuli tulad na lang nina Quiboloy at Bantag. Sayang talaga ang confidential and intelligence funds na sana sa social services na lang inilagay.” — ACT Teachers Party Rep. France Castro

(Imaheng gawa ni Jo Maois Mamangun)

Makabayan denies alliance with Marcos-Romualdez dynasty

/in /by

Duterte accusation another ‘squid tactic,’ progressive lawmakers say

The Makabayan coalition of progressive lawmakers denounced Sara Duterte’s accusation it is in an alliance with the Marcos-Romualdez dynasty, saying the vice president’s allegation is another attempt at employing squid tactics to hide her misuse of public funds.

Following Duterte’s statement that the Makabayan is partnering with her erstwhile Uniteam allies President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and House of Representatives Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, ACT Teachers Party Rep. France Castro, Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Arlene Brosas and Kabataan Youth Party Rep. Raoul Manuel denied the accusation as a “fabrication.”

“It is imperative to set the record straight: no such alliance exists,” the progressives said in a statement.

In an interview Tuesday, September 3, Duterte said, ““There was no misuse of any funds. There is, however, [an] unending political attack by the Makabayan-Romualdez-Marcos alliance to mask the real problem of the country right now,” she said.

Duterte also said: “Dapat magtrabaho muna bago pulitika.” [You must work first before politicking.]

The Makabayan legislators however retorted the vice president is only trying to get back at them for leading the opposition against her controversial requests for confidential and intelligence funds they said are not part of her mandate.

Staunch anti-corruption advocates, Castro, Brosas and Manuel also initiated investigations into Duterte’s questionable expenditure of P125 million in intelligence funds in a matter of 11 days in December 2022.

The Commission on Audit’s (COA) issued a Notice of Disallowance against the Office of the Vice President (OVP) for alleged “surveillance” activities across 132 areas.  

The state auditor also demands the return of PHP 73 million from the said funds due to this egregious spending.

Makabayan again tangled with Duterte in the ongoing budget deliberations for the Office of the Vice President’s 2025, the vice president refusing to answer questions from legislators, even getting personal with the three progressives.

More misuse of funds

In yesterday’s budget briefing for the Department of Education (DepEd) that Duterte just vacated, billions worth of questionable expenditures were also revealed.

COA’s audit report on DepEd for 2023, the last full year of Vice President Sara Duterte as head of the agency, showed notices of suspension amounting to P10.1 billion; notices of disallowance worth P2.2 billion, and notices of charges worth P7.38 million due to “noncompliance with existing laws and regulations” in its implementation of department projects.

COA also reported the accumulation of un-liquidated cash advances amounting to nearly P7 billion that were either disallowed or had no specific purpose.

“Vice President Duterte must answer the extreme under utilization of the Department of Education budget while she had 100% utilization of confidential funds,” Makabayan said.

Vice President Sara Duterte with her controversial book “Isang Kaibigan. The former education secretary requested P10 million for the reproduction of the book. (DepEd photo)

‘Dismal low accomplishments’

Makabayan also pointed out that Duterte had “dismally low accomplishments”as DepEd secretary as revealed in Tuesday’s budget briefing.

The coalition said DepEd under Duterte’s watch was only able to repair 208 classrooms out of their own target of 7,550 and only three Last Mile Schools constructed out of its own target of 88.

It also underscored that according to the same COA report, DepEd also had a “zero-accomplishment rate” in its computerization project “due to the (central office’s) inability to complete the procurement process for 2023.”

Makabayan’s interpellations of Duterte’s replacement, Sonny Angara, also revealed that aside from delayed delivery of laptops for teachers, the government may have lost close to P1.6 billion during the questionable re-bidding for the DepEd computerization program.

“There is also the P5.6 billion DepEd feeding program issue, where “nutribuns” delivered were stale, moldy and insect-infested, while some of the milk were already spoiled,” Makabayan said.

Makabayan said it is ironic for Duterte to tell lawmakers to work (“Magtrabaho muna.”) when she has a very little to show as DepEd secretary.

“So, enough with VP Duterte’s squid tactics, we demand accountability. It is the right of the people to know how their money was spent, and it is our duty to ensure that public officials do not betray their trust as this becomes an impeachable offense,” Makabayan said.

The misuse of public funds of the OVP and DepEd is an impeachable offense, particularly given the severe lack of funding for social services, the coalition added. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)  

Bayan Muna tells Sara: It is France Castro’s duty to ask you questions

/in /by

Bayan Muna said Sara Duterte’s tirade against ACT Teacher’s Party Rep. France Castro at yesterday’s hearing by the House of Representatives for the Office of the Vice President’s proposed 2025 budget was “malicious intrigue and disinformation.”

Bayan Muna executive vice president and himself former congressman Carlos Isagani Zarate criticized fellow lawyer Duterte on her remarks that Castro should not be sitting in ongoing budget deliberations because of her recent conviction of some form of “child abuse.”

Zarate said Rep. Castro’s is simply fulfilling her legitimate role and vital oversight functions as a lawmaker.

“Kahit ang isang first year law student ay alam niya na kapag nakaapila pa sa Court of Appeals o maging sa Supreme Court ang ano mang decision ng Regional Trial Court (RTC), hindi pa ito final at hindi pa maaaring ipatupad,” Zarate stated.

(Even a first year law student knows that if a Regional Trial Court judgement is under appeal before the Court of Appeals or even the Supreme Court, it is not yet final and executory.)

Zarate pointed out that Duterte should know the principle and should not leverage Castro’s case to evade questions about the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP)’s budget, especially its use of so-called confidential funds.

He emphasized the constitutional right and duty of Rep. Castro and other congressional members to scrutinize the budget proposals of all government agencies, including the OVP.

Duterte turned her office’s budget hearing Tuesday upside down by refusing to answer questions from House Appropriations Committee members, even demanding that presiding officer and Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo be replaced.

READ: Makabayan resumes probe of Sara’s past confidential funds expenditure

The OVP is seeking a budget of P2.037 billion for 2025, an increase from the P1.885 billion for this year.

Misuse of funds

Duterte particularly refused to answer questions on how she spent P125 million in confidential and intelligence funds in a matter of 11 days in December 2022.

Zarate pointed that that the Commission on Audit (COA) red-flagged the misuse of P73 million of the confidential funds, ordering the OVP to return the amount to the national coffers.

The COA Notice of Disallowance revealed that at least P69 million of the P73 million involved P10 million for reward payment; P34.857 million for payment of reward (various goods); and P24.93 million for payment of reward (medicines).

COA said that the OVP did not submit documents showing the success of information gathering and/or surveillance activities to support the acknowledgment receipts for around P69 million of payments of rewards in cash, various goods, and medicines.

Likewise, COA said that P3.5 million of the disallowed P73 million “were used for payment for tables, chairs, desktop computers and printers without specifying that they were intended for the confidential operations/activities undertaken by the OVP, non-compliant with the requirement of Item 4.8.4 of the Joint Circular governing use of confidential fund.”

Commission on Audit’s Notice of Disallowance against the Office of the Vice President.

“Kapag humihingi ka ng budget galing sa pondo ng bayan o public funds, kailangang ipaliwanag mo kung saan, paano at bakit mo ito gagamitin, kahit pa pambili mo ito ng office supplies o pambili ng daing na pusit,” Zarate said.

(If you request for a budget from the people’s money, you must explain how, where and why you need it, including office supplies or dried squid.)

Zarate underscored the importance of transparency and accountability in government spending, calling on public officials to justify their use of taxpayer money rather than resorting to deflection and disinformation. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)

Makabayan resumes probe of Sara’s past confidential funds expenditure

/in /by

Duterte refuses to answer questions, turns budget hearing chaotic

The Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives resumed its probe into past confidential and intelligence funds expenditures by the Office of the Vice President (OVP), driving Sara Duterte into a familiar aggressive stance in the ongoing budget hearing.

In the 2025 budget deliberations for her office today, Duterte immediately refused questions from House appropriations committee members.

“I would like to forgo the opportunity to defend the budget in the question and answer format. I would leave it to the House to decide on the budget submitted,” Duterte said after her opening statement.

Duterte is seeking a budget of P2.037 billion for 2025, an increase from the P1.885 billion for this year.

Committee vice chairperson and Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo however went ahead with the usual hearing format, leading to Duterte tangling with Makabayan bloc representatives Deputy Minority Leader France Castro of ACT Teachers, House Assistant Minority Leader Arlene Brosas of Gabriela, and Kabataan Representative Raoul Manuel.

Castro asked Duterte about her confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) worth P125 million in 2022, of which P30million were spent on “tables, chairs, desktop computers.”

“Can you explain why these were purchased?” Castro asked.

Duterte however refused to answer the question and tried to direct the discussion instead to the lack of confidential funds request for next year.

Legislators regularly ask how agencies have spent previous years’ budgets as part of their deliberation of requested funds.

Castro also quizzed Duterte about how the P125 million in confidential funds were spent in just over 11 days, P72 million of which the Commission on Audit said were not used in accordance with Joint Circular No. 15-01.

The COA has subsequently ordered the return of the amount to the government.

Utilization of confidential and intelligence funds as reported by the vice president. (Supplied image)

Irritably, Duterte asked why Castro, recently controversially convicted of “other forms of child abuse” in connection with her rescue mission of evacuating indigenous children in Mindanao, is allowed to speak in the hearing.

Castro was quick with a quip of her own, saying: “Kapag nasusukol na ang pusit ay naglalabas ng maitim na tinta. Ayaw natin ng ganoon. Ang pinag-uusapan dito ay budget. Huwag naman mag-ugaling pusit ang Office of the Vice President.”

 (A squid is quick to squirt black ink when cornered. We do not like that here. We’re talking about the budget here. The OVP shouldn’t employ squid tactics.)

WATCH: “THERE’S A MILLION FISH IN THE SEA…BUT YOU’RE A PUSIT“

Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel for his part revealed that then Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sara Duterte used confidential funds in partnership with various military units to finance red-tagging activities in 2023.

Manuel said DepEd distributed pamphlets in so-called ‘Youth Leadership Summits’ and ‘Information Education Campaigns’ ordering those wearing “Serve the People” t-shirts should be reported.

“It seems it is DepEd’s accomplishment to endanger students and teachers’ lives,” Manuel said

It was the Makabayan bloc that first questioned the confidential and intelligence funds of the vice president that led to the eventual disallowance of such funds from her agencies in last year’s budget hearings.

It’s not only with the Makabayan representatives that Duterte displayed irritability, repeatedly interrupting Quimbo and even asking the appropriations committee be replaced with the finance committee in handling her budget request.

Last week, Duterte also picked a quarrel with Sen. Risa Hontiveros about her P10 million request for her controversial children’s book.

Activists urge Congress to abolish pork barrel in the 2025 national budget. (Photo by N. Bacarra/Kodao)

Unacceptable

Outside the House of Representatives, activist groups led by the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) condemned the proposed 2025 General Appropriations Act of the Ferdinand Marcos Jr. government that “features massive allocations for pork barrel programs and other items that can be used by politicians ahead of the midterm elections.”

Specifically, Bayan highlighted the presidential pork barrel amounting to two trillion pesos it said should instead be spent for social services.

“This includes the confidential and intelligence funds (P10 billion), unprogrammed funds (P156 billion), and special purpose funds (P1.89 trillion). These are all lump sum items which means their distribution is based on the discretion of the president,” Bayan said.

These funds can be used by Marcos Jr. for political patronage to consolidate power and dominate the 2025 elections,” it added.

Bayan said it is unacceptable that politicians are rewarding themselves with pork barrel funds at a time when there is rising hunger, poverty, and joblessness in the country.

The proposed budget reflects not just the distorted priorities of the government but also the systemic appropriation of public funds for shameless aggrandizement of those in power, it pointed out.

“Congress should realign the presidential pork barrel to ensure cheaper price of food, particularly rice, and accessible social services. The budget should also include adequate funding to compensate victims of flooding, EL Nino, and other disasters,” Bayan said.

Aside from Marcos Jr., Bayan also scored Duterte it said should be held accountable for her questionable use of her CIF in 2022.

“Even if the CIF of Sara Duterte has been withdrawn, her office should not be given funds for programs that are not part of her mandate or projects that are intended for her personal benefit,” Bayan said. # (Raymund B.Villanueva)

Makabayan fields biggest progressive slate for Senate race, presents 10 candidates on Heroes’ Day

/in /by

The Makabayan Coalition formally presented its 10 candidates for the Senate in the 2025 national elections in a gathering at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila today, August 26, National Heroes’ Day.

The slate is the biggest that progressive parties and organizations are fielding for the Senate, even more than Partido ng Bayan’s (PnB) storied run in the 1987 elections.

The coalition said it is also fielding PISTON chairperson Mody Floranda, Kadamay secretary general Mimi Doringo and Filipino Nurses United secretary general Jocelyn “Alyn” Andamo in next year’s elections.

PISTON’s Mody Floranda, KADAMAY’s Mimi Doringo and Filipino Nurses United’s Alyn Andamo are the latest additions to MAKABAYAN’s slate in next year’s elections for the Senate. (R. Villanueva/Kodao)

Floranda had been leading the country’s biggest and most militant transport organization against the government’s plan to take away jeepney franchises from individual drivers and operators.

Aside from campaigning for affordable housing, Doringo had been fighting for lower prices of basic commodities and better social services for the urban poor.

Andamo for her part is the nursing profession’s champion, campaigning for just wages and better working conditions for health workers in the country and abroad.

Earlier, ACT Teachers’ Party Rep. France Castro, GABRIELA Women’s Party Rep. Arlene Brosas, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) secretary general Jerome Adonis, former National Anti-Poverty Commission chairperson Lisa Maza, PAMALAKAYA vice chairperson Ronnel Arambulo, BAYAN chairperson Teddy Casiño, and Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas chairperson Danilo Ramos made separate declarations of their inclusion in the Makabayan slate.

“The unveiling of the Makabayan senatorial slate is a significant step towards promoting the interests of the marginalized sectors and advancing the struggle for genuine social change in the country,” Makabayan said.

“The slate embodies the principles of nationalism, democracy, and social justice that are at the core of the Filipino national democratic movement,” it added.

Since 2010, Makabayan had been fielding two candidates at most for the Senate.

It fielded former Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo and former Bayan Muna and Gabriela Rep. Maza in 2010.

Former Bayan Muna Rep. Casiño was its lone candidate in 2013 while former Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares  was its champion in 2016 and 2019.

In the 2022 national elections, its candidates were Colmenares and KMU chairperson Bong Labog.

Makabayan’s 10 candidates is the biggest slate progressive parties have fielded in any election for the Senate in history.

The PnB in 1987 had seven organic and two guest candidates in the first ever elections for the Senate after the fall of the Ferdinand Marcos Jr. dictatorship the year previous.

Labor leader Crispin Beltran, press freedom icon Jose Burgos Jr., New People’s Army co-founder Bernabe Buscayno, top notch human rights lawyer Romeo Capulong, former political detainee Horacio Morales, women’s rights activist Nelia Sancho, and peasant leader Jaime Tadeo were the progressives’ candidates.

Labor lawyer Augusto Sanchez and Wigberto Tañada were guest candidates. Sanchez lost but Tañada, also an administration candidate, won.

Last July, Makabayan said it planned on fielding a full slate in the May 2025 elections.

“Our primary consideration is whether they can present a comprehensive platform that would respond to the interest of the people. The track record of Makabayan shows consistent representation in the fight for decent wage, genuine land reform, and national sovereignty,” Makabayan executive vice president and former ACT Teachers’ Party Rep. Antonio Tinio said. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)

Talaingod 13 at ang nagpapatuloy na pakikibaka para sa katarungang panlipunan

/in /by

Ni Nuel M. Bacarra

Sa pagitan ng mga kwento at salaysay, ng mga progresibong awit, ng pakikipag-daupang palad, ng mga bulungan at higikhikan, sa aktwal na daloy ng programa ay nabuo ang isang mas mataas na pagkakaisa para higit pang igiit ang kapasyahang ipagpatuloy ang pakikibaka at iangat ito sa isang mas mataas na antas ng kolektibong paglaban.

Sinalamin ng pagtitipon para sa kampanyang Defend Talaingod 13 nitong Agosto 3 ang pagkikipagkaisa at ang diwa ng paglilingkod sa sambayanan. Ang mga lagda sa manipesto ng pakikiisa ay pasya at matibay na patunay sa paglarga hanggang makamit ang katarungan.

Ito ay naging isang okasyon para itudla sa hinaharap ang mga aral na armado ang estado ng makinarya para lubusin ang lahat ng paraan sa pagpapatahimik sa mamamayang lumalaban. Hindi na epektibo para sa estado na patayin lamang ang mga rebolusyonaryo, ikulong at pahirapan ang mga aktibista at supilin ang pag-ehersisyo ng mamamayan ng kanilang mga karapatan, kabilang na rito ang pagwasak sa mga istrukturang ibinunga ng sama-samang pagkilos.

Ganito ang konteksto kung bakit ang makataong misyon para isalba ang mga bata at mga guro sa Talaingod na naipit sa pagharang ng mga militar at paramilitar na pwersa ng estado ay naging isang kasong kriminal at sistematikong pinilipit ang katotohanan sa kabila ng aktwal na danas ng panggigipit.

Kodao file photo

Katutubong Paaralan

Sa panahon ng rehimeng Rodrigo Duterte, ipinasara ang 216 na paaralan ng mga katutubong Lumad sa buong Mindanao. Apektado rito ang mahigit 10,000 estudyanteng katutubo. Ang pagkakaroon ng mga eskwelahan sa kanilang lugar ay ipinaglaban ng henerasyon ng mga Lumad na naniniwala sa kahalagahan ng edukasyon para sa kanila.

Sa pagsisikap mismo ng mga katutubo at mga organisasyong di-gubyerno, naitayo ang mga paaralang ito na angkop at umaayon sa sosyo-kultural ng pangangailangan ng mga komunidad. Kaya may mga asignatura sila na maliban sa regular na aralin ay meron silang nakalaan para sa araling pang-agrikultura at teknolohiya at aktwal na naisasapraktika ang kaalaman para sa kapakinabangan ng buong komunidad. Ang ganitong uri ng kurikulum ay hindi gusto ng pamahalaan kung kaya inakusahan ito ni Duterte mismo na mga eskwelahan ito ng mga New People’s Army (NPA).

Mga paaralan itong nakatayo sa gitna ng mga bulubunduking bahagi ng kanayunan kung saan nagaganap ang mga armadong labanan sa pagitan ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at ng NPA. Subalit kalabisan na tatakan ang mga paaralang ito bilang eskwelahan para sa pagsasanay ng mga NPA. At dahil sa ganitong balangkas ng pangangatwiran, pwersahan itong ipinasara mismo ni Duterte at AFP sa pamamagitan ng pasistang dahas at pananakot.

Ang utos na ito ay ipinatupad ni national security adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. simula noong 2019. Ipinasara ang 55 eskwelahan na pinangangasiwaan ng Salupongan Ta’Tanu Igkanogon Community Learning Center sa Southern Mindanao, mga paaralang awtorisado mismo ng Department of Education (DepEd). Gayundin ang sinapit ng mga iskul sa ilalim ng ALCADEV (Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural ang Livelihood Development) at TRIFPPS (Tribal Filipino Program of Surigao del Sur) at iba pang paaralan ng mga Lumad sa buong Mindanao.

Isang kabalintunaan na sa kabila ng kakulangan ng mga paaralan sa iba’t ibang lugar sa bansa, ipinasara at winasak ang mga paaralan ng mga Lumad dahil sa “kontra-insurhensyang” programa ng gubyerno at ang armadong pwersa ng estado ang pangunahing instrumentong ginagamit sa pagwasak ng mga istruktura maging ng pangarap ng buu-buong komunidad na magkaroon ng edukasyon.

Soldiers occupying a Lumad school. (SOS photo)

Makataong misyong naging krimen

Hindi na bago kay Rep. France Castro ng ACT Teachers’ Party ang mga humanitarian mission. Noong gurong unyonista pa lamang siya, madalas na siyang naglilingkod sa mga katutubong komunidad. Nakapag-serbisyo na siya sa mga katutubo ng Cordillera, sa pagbibigay ng school supplies sa mga Mangyan sa Mindoro, naging bahagi rin siya ng relief operations sa mga Aeta nang pumutok ang Mt. Pinatubo. Hindi bago para sa kanya ang mga makataong misyon sa kanayunan.

Gayundin si Ka Satur Ocampo, dating kinatawan ng Bayan Muna na 85 taong gulang na ngayon at mahigit 60 taon nang aktibista. Marami siyang sinamahang mga fact-finding at rescue missions.

Silang dalawa ay kabilang sa 13 na sentensyado sa kasong child abuse sa ilalim ng batas na R.A. 7610 o Anti-Child Abuse Law.

Noong panahon ng rescue mission nila sa Talaingod, Davao del Norte noong Nobyembre 2018 kahit may pakikipag-usap nang ginawa si Ka Satur sa hepe ng pulisya para salubungin ang mga bata at mga guro, hindi napigilan ang pagharang sa kanila ng mga militar. “Under military order” umano at ayon mismo may Ka Satur, may interbensyong ginawa si Duterte at may mandong kasuhan sila.

Photo by Kilab Multimedia

Tunay na Usapin

Ang husga sa kanilang nagkasala sa batas ay isang uri ng miscarriage of justice, ayon na rin kay Ka Satur. Ito ay malinaw na hudisyal na pang-uusig. Isa itong sabwatan ng mga armadong pwersa ng estado, ng lokal na gubyerno at iba pang ahensya nito. Ipinataw mismo ni Duterte ang batas militar sa Talaingod para bigyang-katwiran ang pagwasak sa mga paaralan. At sa pangyayaring hinusgahang maysala sina Ka Satur at Teacher France, nagdiwang ang National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict na matagal nang minimithi ng reaksyunaryong gubyerno kay Ka Satur.

Para kay Ka Satur na ilang beses nang kinasuhan ng murder, multiple murder, kidnapping with serious illegal detention at iba pa ay nalampasan niya ito lahat dahil walang katotohanan ang mga ito. Pero sa pagkakataong ito na sinentensyahan siya, lahat ng sirkunstansya ay nakaturo sa garapal na pagsasabwatan at sistematikong maniobra.

Hindi rin pwedeng tanggalin sa hinala ang galaw ng mga Duterte sa kasong ito at hindi kataka-taka ito para kay Rep. France Castro. Siya ang malakas ang loob na nagkwestyon sa ₱125 milyong confidential fund ni Vice President Sara Duterte na ginasta sa loob ng 11 araw at sa kawalang-silbi nito bilang hepe ng DepEd. Sa pamamagitan din Rep. Castro, naisabatas ang Republic Act 11997 o ang Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act na nagtatakda ng pagtaas ng alawans sa pagtuturo mula ₱5,000 tungong ₱10,000.

Nang mag-anunsyo si Rep. France ng maagang kandidatura para tumakbong senador sa eleksyon sa 2025, Buena-manong bala ang kaso ng Talaingod 13 ng rehimeng Marcos Jr. para siraan ang mga patriyotikong mga indibidwal at organisasyon na balak na kumpletuhin ang buong listahan ng mga kandidato para sa Senado sa darating eleksyon sa isang taon na ikinagulat ng reaksyunaryong estado.

Kodao file photo

Mitsa ng Pakikibaka

Ang kaso ng Talaingod 13 ay tagos sa iba’t ibang sektor—mga pambansang minorya, guro, mambabatas, manunulat, kabataang-estudyante. Sumalubong ito sa papalalang krisis sa edukasyon. Lantad ang hindi pantay na timbangan ng hustisya. Sangkot sa sabwatan ang armadong pwersa ng estado, lokal na gubyerno, at iba pang ahensya nito maging ang hudikatura.

Hindi biro ang 216 na paaralang ipinasara at winasak. Kulang ang mga paaralan para sa lumalaking bilang ng mga estudyante sa buong bansa at hindi biro ang paghinto sa pag-aaral ng sampung libong kabataan habang ang mga gurong matyagang nagtuturo ay sinentensyahan sa mga kasong gawa-gawa lamang kasama nina Ka Satur at Rep. France Castro.

Hamon ito sa sambayanan na kitlin ang pananahimik dahil ang mga tunay na naglilingkod sa bayan ay inuusig. Ang edukasyong pinangarap ng Kalumaran ay binura sa listahan ng serbisyong panlipunan sa panahon ni Pangulong Duterte pero nakumpleto sa panahon ng rehimeng Marcos Jr. ang kawalang katarungan.

Kahit anong away sa pulitika ng dalawang nag-uumpugang pulitikong angkang ito, pareho ang pamamaraan nila sa pagsupil sa paglaban ng mamamayan. Nangyari ang kaso ng Talaingod 13 sa Mindanao pero sumambulat ang kawalang-katarungan nito sa Kamaynilaan. Mula rito, magiging mitsa ito pakikibakang masa para sa katarungan sa buong bansa. #

Sino ang Talaingod 18 sa mga katutubo?

/in /by

“Ang mga gurong ito, kasama si Cong. France at si Ka Satur, ay tumutulong sa amin at taus-puso kaming nagpapasalamat sa kanila dahil umunlad ang aming komunidad. At lagi naming tinitingnan na ito ang pag-asa na makakamit namin, ang malayang kinabukasan sa mga susunod na henerasyon. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit kami humingi ng tulong upang makapagtayo ng mga paaralan dahil ito ang wala sa amin at ipinagkait ng gubyerno sa amin.”–EUFEMIA CULLAMAT, Former Bayan Muna Representative/Council Member, SANDUGO, July 16, 2024

Imahe ni Nuel Bacarra/Kodao

Makabayan defies ‘attacks’ as Gabriela’s Brosas announces Senate bid

/in /by
Gabriela Women’s Party said their champion to carry the ‘Babae, Bata, at Bayan’ agenda

Undeterred by new hindrances, such as the controversial conviction of two of its stalwarts in alleged child abuse charges, another Makabayan coalition representative announced her candidacy for a seat in the Senate in next year’s national elections.

Gabriela Women’s Party (GWP) Rep. Arlene Brosas today announced her run for the Senate in 2025 amid “relentless attacks” against progressive parties that recently announced plans to field a slate for the other congressional house.

Set to complete her three terms in the House of Representatives next year, Brosas said her bid is backed by a diverse coalition of women leaders and various women’s groups across the country.

“I am deeply grateful to the Committee of 100 Women – representing various sectors and professions – who will lead the charge in bringing Gabriela from Congress to the Senate,” Rep. Brosas said in a press conference in Quezon City on Tuesday.

“This decision is driven by the urgent need to defend women’s rights against the ongoing onslaught of patriarchal and anti-women policies,” she added.

Brosas is the second Makabayan bloc representative after ACT Teachers’ Party Rep. Castro to announce a bid for the Senate.

Her announcement came a day after Castro, along with former Bayan Muna representative Satur Ocampo as well as indigenous people’s teachers and educators, were convicted of “child abuse” charges by a Tagum Regional Trial Court on Monday, a decision many local and foreign groups dubbed as “outrageous.”

The Communist Party of the Philippines on Monday warned that the court decision against Castro and Ocampo is the Ferdinand Marcos Jr. government’s “opening shot” against Makabayan’s plans to field a slate in next year’s Senate race.

READ: CPP warns verdict against Castro, Ocampo is Marcos Jr’s ‘opening shot’ vs Makabayan’s 2025 Senate bid  

Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Arlene Brosas announcing her 2025 Senate bid. (GWP photo)

Women’s champion

With two decades of experience as an activist prior to being nominated to three successive three year terms as GWP representative, Brosas was mainly responsible for the passage of the Occupational Safety and Health Law, the Expanded Maternity Leave Law, the Safe Spaces Law, the Increasing the age for statutory rape law, and the Expanded Solo Parent Welfare Act.

“These laws are crucial protections for women, yet we see continuous attempts to water them down or obstruct their implementation,” Rep. Brosas noted.

 “In the Senate, I will not only defend these laws but push for more comprehensive legislation to safeguard women’s rights,” she said.

In her announcement, Brosas emphasized the urgency to elect “genuine leaders” in the Senate given the current socio-political climate and the intensifying attacks on women’s rights and welfare.

“The unprecedented crisis doubly burdening women, the severe oppression and discrimination, and the various forms of state-sponsored violence give me even greater determination to serve the oppressed and those in need,” she said.

Brosas assailed what she called the systematic attempt to roll back hard-won gains for women’s rights, she said the people must resist “with all our might.”

Pro-people platform

Brosas said she pledges to push for wage increases, genuine agrarian reform, and national industrialization if elected to the Senate, emphasizing that women’s liberation is inextricably linked to national development and economic justice if elected.

She added she is appalled by the indifference of government leaders who prioritize personal interests and engage in petty squabbles as the country approaches the 2025 elections.

“If what the people see are the same rotten, criminal, corrupt, oppressive leaders subservient to the interests of the few and foreign powers, I, Arlene Brosas – like you and many other women who aspire for genuine change – will not remain silent and merely watch,” she said.

GWP meanwhile said Brosas’s senatorial bid represents a significant step in advancing the representation of women’s rights and progressive policies in the upper chamber of the Philippine Congress.

“Her campaign is expected to focus on addressing the pressing issues faced by Filipino women, combating the relentless attacks on women’s rights, and advocating for comprehensive national development that truly serves the interests of women and the broader masses,” the group said.

Brosas is the second GWP representative to run for the Senate after Lisa Maza in 2010. She is also the second woman Makabayan bloc leader to vie for a higher seat after Maza. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)

CPP warns verdict against Castro, Ocampo is Marcos Jr’s ‘opening shot’ vs Makabayan’s 2025 Senate bid  

/in /by

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) has warned that the conviction of ACT Teachers Party Rep. France Castro, former Bayan Muna representative Satur Ocampo and Lumad school educators for “child abuse” may be an initial attack against the progressive bloc in Congress.

Following the Makabayan coalition’s recent announcement of fielding a senatorial slate in next year’s national elections, the Ferdinand Marcos Jr. regime has “obviously” fired an “opening shot” against the group, CPP chief information officer Marco Valbuena said in a statement.

Branch 2 of the Tagum Regional Trial Court today said it finds Castro, Ocampo and more than a dozen others guilty of “potentially endangering” Lumad schoolchildren when they participated in a mass evacuation of their schools and community in Talaingod, Davao del Norte in November 2018.

The CPP however said the “wrongful conviction” is a “gross political and historical distortion that Castro, Ocampo et.al. are being painted as criminals for rescuing and providing safe haven for lumad Manobo children and their teachers amid the attacks by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).”.

“The conviction is obviously an opening shot of the fascist Marcos regime against the Makabayan coalition of patriotic and democratic parties, which has recently announced plans to vie for senate seats in the upcoming elections,” Valbuena said.

“This forms part of the Marcos regime’s campaign to stifle the people’s dissent,” he added.

Valbuena said the “unjust guilty verdict” is a direct attack of the “US-Marcos regime”against democratic and patriotic forces and the CPP joins in the quick and massive condemnation of the “political persecution.”

The CPP said it was the AFP, under direct orders by former president Rodrigo Duterte, that occupied the civilian communities and shut down more than 200 Lumad schools across Mindanao.

“This will surely backfire against the US-Marcos regime as it will only rouse further the indignation of the masses of the Filipino people who are suffering from gross oppression, exploitation and political repression under their rule,” the CPP said.

More condemnations

Meanwhile, labor federation Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) joined other in condemning the decision against Castro and others, saying the charges against them were “baseless and acceptable.”

“From the start, the charges were trumped up and clear lies filed by the NTF-ELCAC (National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict) with the purpose of threatening and instilling fear against the Lumad and their supporters,” the KMU said.

The federation added that the decision is a clear example of Marcos Jr.’s perpetuation of his predecessor’s anti-people policies that disrespects the Filipinos’ basic rights.

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) earlier expressed the same sentiments, saying case is emblematic of the weaponization of laws and judicial processes against human rights defenders and critics of the Rodrigo Duterte government.

“[The] Marcos Jr government is responsible for the continuing human rights abuses inflicted on Lumad communities and brutal counterinsurgency operations that disrupt the lives and education of Lumad children,” it said in a statement prior to the reading of the verdict this morning.

The Unyon ng Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (UMA) also said the court decision is “unjust,” adding it is not only as a direct attack on the 14 activists but a warning from “the fascist US-Marcos Jr. regime” that anybody who undermined US imperialist interests in Mindanao, militarized since martial law under Rodrigo Duterte, would be met with judicial harassment and other rights violations.

“Moreover, it revealed that in spite of the worsening political rivalry between Duterte and Ferdinand Marcos Jr., both still aligned on upholding the US counter-insurgency directive of quashing even civilian obstacles to landgrabbing efforts in Mindanao, enabling corporate plantations and mining companies to flourish,” the agri workers said. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)