An anti charter change (cha-cha) alliance urged fellow youth and students to oppose ongoing moves by the Ferdinand Marcos Jr. government to change the country’s constitution, saying proposed amendments to the country’s charter shall result in robbing them of a bright future.
The Movement Against Charter Change Youth Alliance (MATCHA) said among proposed changes that will severely impact the youth are plans to approve total foreign ownership of educational institutions that are feared to hamper quality education and intensify campus repression.
“Gusto natin ng nationalist, scientific and mass-oriented education. Hindi natin ‘yun makakamit under Marcos, lalo na ‘pag naipasa ‘yung cha-cha,” MATCHA convenor and Philippine Collegian journalist Gie Rodelas said in an interview.
“Commercialized na‘yung education natin at ‘pag pumasok pa ‘yung foreign ownership, lalo lang mapa-privatize ‘yung educational institutions,” Rodelas added.
The convenor explained that 100% foreign ownership of educational institutions will lead to regular tuition increase as well as constriction of academic freedom due to business considerations.
Launched last month, MATCHA is composed of student councils, campus publications and student organizations as founding members.
MATCHA declared it is a multi-sectoral youth alliance against the government’s “deceptive, anti-Filipino and self-serving efforts for charter change.”
After weeks of silence amid bickering members of both houses of Congress, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. finally came out in support of moves to change the country’s charter, ostensibly its economic provisions to allow for greater foreign ownership of business, including education.
MATCHA however said it will not be farfetched to assume that legislators moving to change the constitution would also lift term limits of elected officials, including the president.
“We don’t want Marcos to extend his power. Ngayon pa lang na two years pa lang tayo under Marcos, ramdam na natin yung repression [at] hindi naman umuunlad ang Pilipinas,” Rodelas said.
Rodelas encouraged the Filipino youth and student organizations to join MATCHA, announcing academic freedom and other education campaigns alongside opposition to charter change.
MATCHA noted the Marcoses have a history of changing constitutions to extend their term of office.
In 1972, the late dictator and the current president’s father Ferdinand Marcos Sr. declared Martial Law and created a new constitution, extending his term to a total of 21 years before being ousted in a popular uprising in 1986. #
https://kodao.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/chacha.jpg11892048Kodao Productionshttps://kodao.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/kodao.pngKodao Productions2024-03-04 02:01:322024-03-04 02:01:33Youth group: No future under Marcos cha-cha
Naalala ko ngayong buwan ng kababaihan ang isang kanta ng aking ina noong siya’y nabubuhay pa. Ani ng kanyang awit: “Mahirap nga pala itong mahirap / Api-apihan sa pagliyag / Mayaman sa dusang masasaklap / at aliwan ng dusa’t bagabag.”
Bagamat tila sagot ito sa isang harana, larawan ito ng pagtitiis ng mga ina, na siyang sariling danas at katangian ng aking ina. Hindi dumadaing kahit nahihirapan at sagad sa buto ang pagtatrabaho para sa pamilyang itinataguyod ng nag-iisa. Single parent ang siyang tawag ngayon sa mga katulad niya.
Ngunit nais kong bigyang halaga ngayon ang mga ina at kababaihan. Hindi maitatatwa ninuman ang kanilang papel sa buhay ninuman. Karaniwang katawagan na kabiyak sila ng buhay, ilaw ng tahanan ng isang pamilya. Sila ang punlaan ng buhay na nagluluwal ng mga anak na siyang magtutuloy ng lahi.
May mga babaeng tipong Maria Clara. Meron din namang tulad ni Gabriela Silang. Meron ding naghuhubad na para lang kumita at meron ding nagpapayaman lamang gamit ang bulok na pulitikang namamayani sa bansa.
Sa kasalukuyan, hindi na solong gawain ng kababaihan ang magluto, maglaba, mag-alaga ng mga anak, mamalengke, maglinis ng bahay o magtrabaho sa mga upisina at paggawaan. Malayo na ang inabot ng pakikibaka ng kababaihan sa buong mundo pagdating sa paglaya nila sa tradisyunal na konsepto sa papel ng kababaihan sa buhay. Mayroon nang mga drayber ng bus, dyip, traysikel at habal-habal, mga welder, construction worker, piloto, sundalong sumasabak sa gera at samutsari pang gawain sa ibang bansa.
Isa na rito si Rodaliza Baltazar. Babae. Ina.
Isa siyang babaeng katuwang ng asawa na nagtataguyod sa pamilya sa pamamagitan ng pagiging overseas Filipino worker (OFW) sa Middle East. Ina siya na nagsasakripisyong mawalay sa mga anak para lamang matiyak ang magandang kinabukasan. Nais niyang maging marino o seaman ang pinaslang niyang anak na bunso. Magpapadala pa sana siya ng pera sa kanya bilang regalo kahit nakalipas na ang kaarawan niya noong paslangin ito.
Umuwi sa bansa si Rodaliza noong Agosto 11, 2023 dahil napatay at “napagkamalan lamang” si Jerhode, 17 taong gulang at mas kilala bilang si Jemboy. Inakala ng mga pulis na ang menor de edad ay suspek sa isang kaso ng pagpatay. Gumuho ang pangarap ni Rodaliza para kay Jemboy at nagpasya itong huwag nang bumalik sa Qatar para tutukan ang paghahanap ng hustisya.
Nitong Pebrero 28, dalawang araw bago ang buwan ng kababaihan, tila pinatakan ng asin at kalamansi sa sugat sa puso ng pamilya. Nag-baba ng desisyon ang Regional Trial Court 286 ng Navotas ang kaso na hindi katanggap-tanggap sa pamilya.
“Lima silang makakalaya, isa lang ‘yung na-convict, tapos apat na taon lang. Pero ‘yung anak ko habambuhay siyang wala na,” hinagpis ni Rodaliza. Isa na namang kaso ito ng tila hindi pantay pagtimbang ng batas. Mula sa kasong murder, ginawa lamang itong homicide. Sentensyado si Staff Sgt. Gerry Maliban, PNP, at pinagbabayad ng tig-₱50,000.00 na bayad-pinsala kaugnay ng pananagutang sibil at moral. Ayon pa sa Huwes, “Walang dudang ginampanan lamang ni PSSgt. Maliban ang kanyang tungkulin sa pangyayari.”
“Hindi ba nila alam yung itsura nung hinuhuli nila? Tapos yung anak ko yung pinagbabaril nila, tapos pinabayaan nila sa ilog,” hinagpis ni Rodaliza.
Maraming katanungan ang namutawi sa labi ng mamamayan sa nangyari kay Jemboy. Bakit hindi muna nag-imbestiga ang mga pulis sa tinarget nila na nasa ilog? Bakit ninais na palabasin pa nila na may dalang baril at droga ang biktima, tulad ng testimonya ng kaibigan ni Jemboy na pinaglalabas siya ng salaysay para sabihing may dalang baril at droga noon ang pinaslang? Mga tanong ng pagdududa, ng paghahanap ng mga karagdagang impormasyon, ng patas na imbestigasyon, ng katiyakan bago kumitil ng buhay at, higit sa lahat, katarungan.
Maging ang estado ay hindi rin mapakali sa naging desisyon ng korte. May pabalat-bungang utos naman si Justice Sec. Jesus Crispin Remulla kay Justice Asst. Sec. Jose Dominic Clavano na repasuhin ang kasong ito dahil mukhang may mali sa desisyon at kung gayon ay maaaring mag-apela.
Ayon naman kay Clavano, batay sa inisyal nilang pag-aaral, may mga kailangang argumento para kwestyunin ang desisyon tulad ng elemento ng pagsasabwatan, kapasyahang pumatay, at ng pagiging makatwiran ng aksyong ginawa ng mga pulis.
Ang lahat ng ito ay panibagong hiwa sa puso ng nagdadalamhating ina, maging ng buong pamilya. Hindi na kayang sukatin ng dami ng luha at tindi ng hinagpis, ni ng mga pampalubag-loob para lamang pagtakpan ang kawalang-katarungan.
Hindi nag-iisa si Rodaliza Baltazar sa ganitong sinapit—isang inang naulila ng anak na biktima ng dahas ng estado. Hindi biro ang mga binitiwan niyang salita na larawan ng dalamhati at pagpupuyos sa desisyon ng korte kaugnay sa kaso ng pagpatay kay Jemboy. Ani Rodaliza, “Nararamdaman ko ngayon at ng pamilya ko ang sakit dahil inaasahan namin na anim silang mahahatulang may sala subalit kabaligtaran ang nangyari.”
Isang araw matapos ang pagbababa ng hatol ng korte, dagdag ni Rodaliza sa isang press briefing sa Senado: “Tila pinatay nila nang paulit-ulit ang anak ko dahil sa desisyon ng korte sa anim na pulis. Napakasakit nito para sa aming pamilya. Napakahirap talagang makakuha ng katarungan kung ikaw ay mahirap.”
Ramdam ko sa aking kaibuturan ang sakit na nararamdaman ni Rodaliza. Nakikita ko sa kanya ang wangis ng sarili kong ina.
Marami pang pamilya, hindi lamang ang kababaihan, ang dumaranas ng iba’t ibang uri ng pisikal, emosyunal at mental na karamdaman dahil sa matitinding dagok sa buhay. Maaaring ito ay aksidente, bunga ng pagkakasakit, mga maling desisyon sa buhay, mga suliraning hindi hinaharap nang mabuti o anupaman.
Subalit kung ang trahedya ay bunga ng patakarang ipinapataw ng estado sa mamamayan, tulad halimbawa ng pambobomba sa mga komunidad sa kanayunan, ekstrahudisyal na pamamasalang, sapilitang pagkawala, at iba pang paglabag sa mga karapatang pantao, para lamang malubos ang sabwatan, lansakang pagyurak sa mga saligang karapatan at para lamang may masabing may ginagawa ang pulisya at militar, hindi ito kailanman magiging katanggap-tanggap. Marapat itong tutulan at labanan.
Ang pagpaslang sa kanilang bunso at ang tila kawalan ng hustisya para kay Jemboy ang nagbubukas sa pintuan para kay Rodaliza at kanyang pamilya para humanay sa mamamayang naggigiit ng katarungan, kapayapaan at pagbabago ng sistema ng ating lipunan. Hindi dapat pahintulutang mamayagpag ang pwersa ng estado sa paggawa ng krimen laban sa mamamayan, ang inhustisya at kawalang-pananagutan sa mga kaso ng paglabag sa mga saligang karapatan ng mamamayan. Laging may paraan at angkop na entabaldo para lumaban na kasama ang nakikibakang taumbayan.
Ang mga inang naghahangad ng magandang bukas sa mga anak ay hindi dapat manahimik. Bagkus ay kailangang maging dagdag na tinig para sa hustisya, kaunlaran at pagbabago ng lipunan. #
= = = = =
Ang pitak na ito ay una sa serye ng awtor para ngayong Marso, buwan ng kababaihan.
https://kodao.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/babae-ako.jpg720960Kodao Productionshttps://kodao.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/kodao.pngKodao Productions2024-03-03 22:49:552024-03-03 22:58:56SERYE BABAE: Hinagpis ng isang ina't hamon sa kababaihang biktima ng dahas ng Estado
Today marks the 38th anniversary of the EDSA People Power revolt that ousted the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. who was replaced by Corazon Aquino of the landlord class. The Ferdinand Marcos Jr. government did not bother to declare today as an official holiday.
This performance by Chickoy Pura of The Jerks and Renato Reyes Jr. of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan was performed in a Benigno Aquino ouster rally in March 20, 2015. The song warns against blindly placing one’s hopes for social change in members of the ruling elite.
There have been two Marcoses and two Aquinos as presidents.
https://kodao.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/pinoy.jpg7691080Kodao Productionshttps://kodao.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/kodao.pngKodao Productions2024-02-25 10:49:332024-02-25 10:50:16[KODAO KLASIK] 'Sayaw sa Bubog' by Chickoy Pura of The Jerks, Nato Reyes of BAYAN
[CLARIFICATION: Ms Cesista deliberately chose not to take the oath and sign the roll of lawyers after passing the bar examinations last year. Instead, she chose to join the NPA full time. Technically, she was not a lawyer.]
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) accused the Philippine Army of massacre that killed a bar examinations passer and her four New People’s Army (NPA) comrades in Bilar, Bohol last Friday, February 23.
In a statement on its website, the CPP said the 47th Infantry Battalion (47IB) of the Philippine Army and the Bohol Philippine National Police (PNP) captured bar passer Hannah Cesista, Domingo Compoc, Parlio Historia, Marlon Omusura and Alberto Sancho in a house they stayed in Sitio Matin-ao 2, Barangay Campagao Friday morning.
“Contrary to international laws of war, the victims were tortured and killed,” the CPP said.
CPP’s statement was accompanied by a photo of Compoc, alledgedly a top CPP leader in the province, while being held captive by a government soldier.
Compoc, 60, was tortured in front of residents despite suffering from arthritis. He was hacked at his neck and torso, the CPP said.
The group added that according to a witness, young lady lawyer Cesista was ordered to crawl on mud before being executed.
Authorities said the five were killed in a three-hour gun battle that also killed a Police Corporal Gilbert Amper.
The CPP however insisted the NPA fighters were captured alive and publicly executed to intimidate the residents from supporting the guerrilla army.
The residents were also ordered to leave after the crime, the group further revealed.
It added that the so-called scene-of-the-crime report by the police is an attempt at whitewashing the massacre, also citing the statements given by the PNP over local radio stations that the victims put up a fight while being served a warrant of arrest.
“The 47th IB and the Bohol PNP, the AFP and the PNP leadership, as well as (President Ferdinand) Marcos himself are liable for this war crime and must be prosecuted and punished,” CPP chief information officer Marco Valbuena said.
Tribute to a martyred lawyer
Meanwhile, revolutionary youth group Kabataang Makabayan (KM) paid tribute to fellow youth Cesista.
In a statement Saturday, the group said it salutes Cesista and her four other comrades who shall serve as “fuel to the revolutionary flame in our hearts that can never be extinguished until the national democratic aspirations they offered their lives for are achieved.”
“We particularly raise our fists to our fellow youth, Hannah Jay “Ka Maya” Cesista, whose revolutionary martyrdom serves as inspiration in expressing our militancy through joining the ranks of the NP,” KM said.
“Her pursuit of championing human rights took her to the difficult path of armed struggle after witnessing state fascism and terrorism and, by extension reactionary law, as but utilities of the ruling class to exploit and oppress the people,” it added.
KM said Cesiste offered her expertise and intellect to strengthen the revolutionary ranks of the NPA in Bohol.
“Ka Maya’s life was far from wasted. In fact, she has proven, along with the thousands of martyred Red fighters, that the revolution continues through the ceaseless flow of new blood from the youth who are radicalized in the cities and the countryside, eager for genuine national democracy and lasting peace,” KM said.
Who was Atty. Cesista?
The slain NPA fighter was a graduate of the Political Science Department of the University of the Philippines-Cebu, trained in different theories that shaped her worldviews and analysis, a Kodao source wrote.
Cesista was a member of various campus organizations, including Youth For Christ-UP Cebu Chapter, Cebu Students for Justice and Peace, and Kabataan Partylist-UP Cebu.
She integrated into the different sectors in Central Visayas where she was further exposed to worsening conditions and plights of the basic sectors, the source said.
Cesista then proceeded to law school at the University of San Carlos (USC) and volunteered as a paralegal for human rights groups.
Earlier, AFP Visayas Command mistakenly described the victim as a University of Cebu (UC) – Banilad Campus law alumna, prompting Dean Ria Lidia Espina to issue a correction.
“On behalf of the University of Cebu School of Law, we would like to extend our condolences to the family and send prayers for the eternal repose of her soul, though she was not a UC Law graduate,” Espina said in a Manila Bulletin report.
Philippine Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala also alleged Cesista became an NPA fighter in 2020 at a time when the victim was a full time law student in Cebu.
As a USC law student, Cesista spent her free time volunteering giving free human rights and paralegal workshops to poor communities.
She was also one of the pioneer members of the National Union of People’s Lawyers Students-Cebu Chapter and was elected as secretary-general.
Cesista graduated in 2022 and passed the bar in 2023. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
The University of Santo Tomas’ Office of Student Affairs’ (UST-OSA) takedown of a student publication’s photo exposed the systematic student repression inside the campus, journalist Leo Laparan II said.
In an interview, Laparan, a journalism professor at the university who resigned as the publication’s adviser to protest the decision, shared that the takedown of the “controversial photo” goes beyond the issue of media censorship.
Last February 16, the UST-OSA had a photo of two College of Information and Computing Sciences students in front of a convenience store taken down because it alleged it has become a source of “public ridicule.”
The photo went viral as it showed the uniform’s likeness to the outfit worn by 7/11 workers.
TomasinoWeb, the online student publication that posted the photo in an album, was also asked to issue a public apology or face closure by school authorities.
The humorous TomasinoWeb photo UST-OSA did not find funny.
Media censorship
Laparan revealed that this is the fifth time under his advisory of TomasinoWeb that UST-OSA censored the publication.
“Matagal nang kinikitil ng OSA ang dapat ay malayang pamamahayag ng TomasinoWeb,” Laparan said.
UST-OSA also censored TomasinoWeb posts on the jeepney phase out struggle, student comments on student activities and a photo of LGBTQ+ couple, the lecturer added.
Laparan said TomasinoWeb was also not allowed to cover the university’s Homecoming Walk.
TomasinoWeb executive editor Miguel Angelo Sumalinog added that the UST-OSA only considers TomasinoWeb as a student organization even if “by nature, the work that we do falls under the publication category.”
“Being under OSA didn’t really stop us from producing news content that’s different from the likes of The Varsitarian or The Flame. Some complications that we do face however is that sometimes we don’t get invited to as much events as the others and some content that we put out, like the current trending one, are being stopped or asked to take down,” Sumalinog revealed.
Laparan said that it is very difficult for a media organization to be under a very controlling and restrictive office such as the UST-OSA.
Thomasian students’ reaction to UST-OSA’s media censorship and repressive policies. (Panday Sining-UST photo)
School intervention, intimidation
Laparan said that the issue exposed student repression in the university.
“‘Di lang Tomasinoweb ang nakakaranas niyan. Maraming student organization ang kinikitil ng OSA,” he added.
He said that the office requires student organizations to submit documents for events months before the actual date, only for the approval to be delayed.
Laparan said, “Ang aga sinasabmit pero ang tagal natutulog sa opisina ng OSA. ‘Di ba malaking problema yun sa mga estudyante na walang magawa kundi sumunod?”
Meanwhile, a student leader who participated in a condemnation rally last February 19 against the TomasinoWeb takedown was ordered to submit show cause letters by the UST-OSA.
Panday Sining-UST chairperson Raven Racelis revealed that the office ordered her to submit proof that they did not violate the university’s code of conduct in attending the rally outside the campus.
She said that the administration had been witch hunting and intimidating students for a long time.
Anakbayan UST chairperson Allen Ballesteros received a similar order last year, demanding they explain why he joined a so-called unrecognized organization.
Racelis said that in 2021, then Grade 12 student Datu Zaldy “Shoti” Ampatuan was dismissed for joining an organization not sanctioned by the school.
The student activist also said that the UST administration had long been intervening in student organization activities.
She cited the recent postponement of a Faculty of Arts and Letters concert in fear of the event turning out to be a venue to protest student censorship, she added.
“Hindi kinikilala ‘yung kapangyarihan ng mga kabataan na pamunuan ‘yung buong student body. Kahit yung Central Student Council (CSC) ay pinipigilan ng OSA na maglabas ng mga ‘politikal’ na mga statement,” Racelis shared.
Student initiatives such as the student code containing the rights of Thomasians and the CSC Constitutional Revision systematizing student leadership were difficult to process, also revealed.
“Wala daw kakayahan ang mga estudyante na bumuo ng mga polisiya,” the student leader said.
Thomasian students’ reaction to UST-OSA’s media censorship and repressive policies. (Panday Sining-UST photo)
Reflection of education system
Racelis said that recent developments in one of the country’s oldest universities are a reflection of the colonial, commercialized and repressive system of education in the Philippines.
She added that UST was originally built to pacify students during the Spanish colonization and is still continuing this orientation.
“Tinuturuan nilang maging tuta ang mga estudyante,” she said.
Laparan for his part said that the UST-OSA is going against the mandate of the university to nurture students.
“Tinatakot ang mga estudyante, hinahayaan maging sunud-sunuran lang. Paano mahuhubog ang mga talento at husay ng mga ‘yan?,” the journalist lecturer asked.
Continuing clamor
Laparan demanded accountability, saying that UST-OSA director Maria Cecilia A. Tio Cuison and her deputy should step down.
“Hindi dapat binibigyan ng kapangyarihan ang mga mapanggipit, mapaniil, at lango sa kapangyarihan,” he said.
Racelis said her organization supports Laparan’s call, adding however that the university must amend its policies on students.
“Kahit na sinong ipalit mo na opisyal sa pamantasan nandiyan pa rin ang pananakot at panunupil dahil ang problema ay hindi ‘yung tao kundi ‘yung sistema na kailangan natin baguhin,” she added.
The student activist said UST students should also demand for a nationalist, scientific and mass-oriented (NSMO) system of education as a solution to repressive school policies.
“Sa NSMO, hinuhubog ‘yung mga kabataang estudyante hindi para maging cheap and docile labor force at maging tuta na lamang. Huhubugin ang mga kabataang estudyante na maging makabayan at tuloy-tuloy na maglingkod sa malawak na hanay ng sambayanan,” she explained.
UST students and alumni meanwhile have mobilized to provide support to TomasinoWeb, condemning media censorship and student repression.
Student organizations held rallies at UST’s P. Noval gate while the alumni have signed unity statements condemning UST-OSA’s decisions.
Students also held a black mask event at the UST Grandstand and a prayer vigil in the front of the Arch of the Centuries last February 23, the first rally held inside the campus in nearly seven years. #
Sa dinaranas na mataas na presyo ng mga bilihin na tinutuwangan pa ng kawalan ng dagdag na kita o sahod, hibahib na si Juan dela Cruz sa kakakayod sa lansangan para lamang makaraos. Pinapasan niya ang krisis sa ekonomya na pinalalala ng mga garapal na patakarang pabor sa dayuhan at mga kapitalista at ng mga palsong hakbang ng pamunuan para sa pansariling interes.
Nakapako ang sahod ng manggagawa. Ang mga nagsitaasang presyo ng mga batayang bilihin tulad ng bigas, gulay, isda at marami pang iba ay natural na tendensya ng patakarang iasa sa importasyon para matugunan ang batayang mga pangangailangan ng bansa. Ang mga lokal na prodyuser ng mga produktong agrikultural ay ibayong pinahihirapan pa ng laganap na ismagling na siyang namamayagpag sa pagpapabaha ng mga angkat na produkto sa merkado. Kaya kung may anunsyo ng ayuda, asahang pipilahan ito ni Juan.
Sa isang taon at siyam na buwang panunungkulan ng pangkating Marcos Jr., kalabisan nang singilin ang rehimen kung nasaan na ang ipinangako nitong ₱20 na kilo ng bigas. Hindi ito plataporma kundi buladas ng isang tipikal na politiko. Ngayon, may bagong pambubuladas na muling inilalako sa mamamayan na gagastusan ng bilyun-bilyon na hindi maglulutas ng krisis sa ekonomya bagkus ay ibayo pang magsasapanganib sa lupa, kabuhayan, kalayaan at kasarinlan ng bansa—ang planong pagbago ng konstitusyon o Charter Change (ChaCha).
(Larawan ni N. Bacarra/Kodao)
Mamamayan ang puhunan sa pag-unlad
Kahit ang karaniwang masa sa kalsada ay nagsasabing hindi ang konstitusyon ang problema kundi ang mga pulitiko na may hawak ng kapangyarihan. Panis na ang linyang “para ito sa kaunlaran ng bansa.” Kung nais sana ng kaunlaran, dapat mamuhunan ang pamahalaan sa mamamayan na siyang tunay na tagapaglikha ng yaman ng bansa.
Dapat paunlarin, suportahan at pakilusin ang pinaka-produktibong pwersa ng lipunan na walang iba kundi ang mga magsasaka at manggagawa.
Hindi pa rin nagbabago ang komposisyon ng lipunan sa loob ng ilang dekada. Ang magsasaka pa rin ang dominanteng uri sa usapin ng bilang na aabot pa rin sa 70%. Kung lulutasin ang problema nila ng kawalan o kakulangan sa lupa, mas magiging produktibo sila at tiyak na uunlad dahil ang malaking bahagdan na dating inaangkin ng mga panginoong maylupa sa pamamagitan ng mataas na upa sa lupa, ng mga kumprador at usurero, sa pamamagitan ng mataas na interes sa pautang ay mapupunta na sa kanila.
Dahil pinakamalaking bilang sila ng bansa, sisigla ang mga industriya dahil magiging pangunahing konsyumer sila ng mga produkto nito ng mga pagawaan. Sila ang magtutulak sa bansa para mag-industriyalisa. Ang tunay na reporma sa lupa ang magpipihit ng direksyon para sa tunay na industriyalisadong pagsulong.
Kailangan ding ilapit sa tunay na pangangailangan ng mga manggagawa ang sahod nila. Kung pananatilihin ang sahod na nakasayad sa antas lamang ng “kape at pandesal,” na kundisyon ng pagpapatuloy lamang ng sikdo ng dibdib para huminga at makapagtrabahong muli, patuloy ang pagkabansot ang industriya.
Ang silbi ng mga manggagawa at magsasaka sa kasalukuyan ay tagalikha ng yaman ng mga kapitalistang dayuhan at lokal at pagtugon sa kapritso ng naghaharing uri.
Kailangang iwaksi ng pamahalaan ang pagsunod sa dikta ng dayuhan upang maiangat ang sarili tungo sa pag-unlad. Sa paglikha ng mga produkto para sariling pangangailangan ang susi. Bilang isang agrikultural na bansa, nakapanlulumo na inaangkat natin sa ibang bansa ang bigas, asukal, asin, maging isda (sa kabila ng pagiging pulu-pulo ng bansa natin) at gulay mula sa mga kanugnog na bansa. Hindi wasto na tinutugunan natin ang pangangailangan ng ibang bansa sa kapinsalaan ng lokal na produksyon para sa sariling pangangailangan na siyang susi para sariling industriyalisasyon.
(Larawan ni N. Bacarra/Kodao)
Mga kontra-mahirap na batas
Ano pa nga bang dapat asahan sa naghaharing uri? Interesado lamang sila kung ano ang pabuya sa kanila ng mga among imperyalista para sa pananatili sa poder at gamitin ito para makapagpayaman. Hindi kailangang baguhin ang konstitusyon ng Pilipinas dahil lamang sa ambisyon sa pulitika ng mga nagsusulong nito. Bagamat hindi sapat ang mga probisyong nagbibigay ng proteksyon sa mamamayan, agrikultura at industriya sa kasalukuyang konstitusyon, ang mga panukalang pagbabago rito ay lantarang ibayong magsasadlak sa bansa sa kahirapan sa pamamagitan ng todo-largang pagbubukas ng ekonomya sa dayuhang pagmamay-ari at pamumuhunan at pagtanggal sa mga probisyong nagpoprotekta sa lokal na industriya, agrikultura at sa mamamayan. Dagdag na papasanin na naman ito ng mga Juan at Juana bukod pa sa dati nang nariyan.
Nang isabatas ang Rice Tariffication Law o R.A. 11203, inilarga nito ang todo-todong importasyon ng bigas ng mga sindikato sa loob at labas ng gubyerno at lumumpo sa lokal na produksyon ng bigas. Nagdiwang ang malalaking korporasyon sa yutilidad sa pagsasabatas ng R.A. 9136 na mas kilala bilang Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA). Kanya-kanya ang kooperatiba sa kuryente sa pagtataas ng bayarin sa nakokonsumo ng publikong tagatangkilik. Tuliro ang sambayanang Pilipino nang isabatas ang Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act ng 1998 o R.A. 8479 dahil hindi na bumaba ang presyo ng mga produktong petrolyo sa nakaraang 25 taon taliwas sa propaganda ng gobyerno ng episyenteng regulasyon para mapababa ang presyo nito. Habang tila naman nanunuhol pa ang pamahalaan sa malalaking lokal at dayuhang negosyante noong panahon ng pandemya nang isabtabatas ang Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act o R.A. 11534 para diumano bigyan ng kaluwagan ang mga korporasyon sa mga bayaring buwis at makaakit pa ng pamumuhunan. Ang dating 30% buwis sa kita na ipinapataw sa mga korporasyon ay ibinababa sa 25% na lamang.
Sa ganitong tunguhin ng mga mga sinasabing batas para sa kaunlaran, hindi ito para sa mamamayan. Patuloy itong nilalabanan at hinahamon ng mga tunay na nagmamalasakit sa bansa. Ngayon, muling nahaharap ang bansa sa isang hamon ng katinuan kung talagang kailangang- kailangang baguhin ang konstitusyon.
(Larawan ni N. Bacarra/Kodao)
Galaw ng dayuhang kapangyarihan
Ang pagiging pursigido ng mga kongresista sa ilalim ni House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez at ng mga senador na isulong ang ChaCha, bagamat magkaiba ang nais na pamamaraan, ay udyok ng dayuhang kapangyarihan na pumaypay sa apoy na pansariling interes na makapanatili sa poder at para sa pagpapayaman. Kahit pabor lamang diumano si Presidente Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sa mga pang-ekonomyang probisyon, hindi maipagkakaila ang ganap na basbas niya sa pagbago ng konstitusyon dahil nasa interes niya ang manatili sa poder para buhayin pa rin ang imahe ng pamilya nila na hindi niya kakayaning gawin sa saklaw ng kanyang kasalukuyang termino. Buhay pa rin sa diwa ng mamamayan ang popular na pag-aalsa sa EDSA na siyang pangunahing dahilan sa pagkakaroon ng konstitusyon ng 1987. Gayunpaman, hindi ito inisyatibang bunga ng malasakit ng rehimeng Marcos Jr. sa bansa kundi lantad na maniobra para sa sariling kapakanan at tagapagpaganap ng programa ng dayuhan sa mas malaking saklaw.
Ang agresibo at butangerong postura ng China sa West Philippines Sea (WPS) ay reaskyon nito sa ginagawang pang-uupat ng gera ng US sa pamnamagitan ng mga ehersisyong militar sa Pilipinas, pagtatayo ng mga basa militar at pagmobilisa sa iba pang bansa kontra China. Paghahanda ito ng US sakaling okupahin ng China ang Taiwan.
Mula sa dating limang base militar sa ilalim ng kasunduang Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) noong 2014, sa maagang bahagi ng panunungkulan ni Presidente Marcos Jr, noong Abril 2023, idinagdag ang apat pang lugar para sa pagtatayo ng mga base militar ng US sa bansa na nakapwesto sa mga estratehikong lugar na malapit sa Taiwan. At nakatanggap ang rehimeng Marcos Jr. nang $100 milyong “pabuya” mula sa US.
Kaya kapag tumindi ang alitan sa pagitan ng US at China kaugnay sa Taiwan na maaaring lumundo sa aktwal na gera, hindi na kailangang pumunta pa ang mga aircraft carrier at jet fighters ng USsa mga base militar nito sa Japan at Guam para sa refueling dahil seserbisyuhan na sila sa mga base militar na nasa Lallo at Sta. Ana sa Cagayan at Gamu, Isabela o ng dalawa pang base militar ng US sa Palawan na nakaharap sa China. Agresibo itong ginagawa ng US dahil nasa balangkas pa ito ng programang “Asia Pivot” ng dating rehimeng Barrack Obama. Kaya asahan nang iigting pa rin ang pagiging butangero at agresibo ng China sa WPS.
Samantala, kapag ibinukas ang syento porsyentong pag-aari ng lupa at negosyo ng dayuhan dito sa bansa sa pamamagitan ng pagbago sa konstitusyon, ang mga komunidad ng mga pambansang minorya at mga lupain ng mga magsasaka ay maaaring maging pag-aari ng mga dayuhan para maging instrumento sa gera bilang mga base militar o ng mga dayuhang negosyo para sa ibayong pagsasamantala.
Malinaw na ang rehimeng Marcos Jr. ay tuta ng US kontra kay Duterte na maka-China. Ang pagkatig ng dating Pangulong Duterte sa China at ang banta nitong ipawalambisa ang Visiting Forces Agreement sa pagitan ng US at Pilipinas ay larawan ng pulitika sa bansa na nakaangkla sa kumpas at basbas ng dayuhang kapangyarihan. Ang ganitong hanayan ng malalaking pulitiko ay magkakahugis nang lubos sa darating na eleksyon sa 2025 at 2028 at kung anong kahihinatnan ng impestigasyon ng International Criminal Court na tila nagiging armas ng rehimeng Marcos Jr kontra kay dating pangulong Rdorigo Duterte.
(Bulatlat photo)
Tumindig at lumaban
Ang isang anim na taong termino ng isang presidente sa pwesto na nakasaad sa saligang batas ay sapat na upang patunayan ang kanyang kakayanang pamunuan at paunlarin ang bansa. Dahil kung kung may ekstensyon, pag-upo pa lamang sa pwesto, ang magiging prayoridad ng nakaupong presidente ay pagplanuhan na kung paano muling mananalo sa susunod na eleksyon.
Ang isang anim na taong termino ng presidente ay mekanismo ng konstitusyon para hindi maabuso ang kapangyarihan para sa pansariling interes.
Sa manera ng kondukta ng ChaCha, katakut-takot na ang anomalya para ihirit ito sa pamamagitan ng People’s Initiative na isang paraan na nasa konstitusyon mismo para baguhin ito. Ginamit ang pondo ng bayan, nangako ng ayuda na inireklamo na ni Juan dela Cruz na matapos makapirma ay nananatiling pangako lamang. Nasa yugto ngayon ang mamamayang nalinlang ng pakanang ito na bawiin ang pirma nila para hindi sila maging bahagi ng 12% na kailangan sa buong bansa para baguhin ang konstitusyon. Huwad ito kung gayon!
Ang Konstitusyon ng 1987 ay bunga ng pakikibaka ng mamamayan na nagpabagsak sa diktadurang US-Marcos noong 1986. Ginulantang ng pakikibakang ito ang kalakhan ng daigdig. Ito ay turo ng kasaysayan at aral na marapat isapuso laban sa mga mapagsamantala at mapang-api at sa mga pagtatangkang lapastanganin ang mga karapatan ng taumbayan.
Batbat ng anomalya ang mga isinasalaksak na pamamaraan para baguhin ang konstitusyon na ibayong naglalantad rito kung para kanino ito. Kailangang tumindig at labanan ito ng mamamayan.
Mayaman ang karanasan ng sambayanang Pilipino sa pakikibaka at sa pagkakataong ito, kumakaway ang pangangailangang isalba ang bansa sa nakaambang banta ng ibayong pagpapalakas ng kontrol ng dayuhan sa bansa at pagsasamantala sa mamamayang Pilipino dahil sa pagbago ng konstitusyon. #
https://kodao.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/c1.jpg720960Kodao Productionshttps://kodao.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/kodao.pngKodao Productions2024-02-23 16:51:582024-02-23 16:54:02Mga boladas sa pakanang ChaCha
State abduction survivors Jonila Castro and Jhed Tamano posted bail at the Dona Remedios Trinidad Municipal Trial Court in Bulacan province on Wednesday for the grave oral defamation charge against them by the Ferdinand Marcos Jr. government.
The environmental activists posted P18,000 each for their temporary liberty after being accused by the Department of Justice (DOJ) that they used a press conference to accuse the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict of abduction in Bataan Province.
In a press conference organized by the Plaridel Public Information Office last September 19, 17 days after their abduction in Orion, Bataan last September 2, the two victims revealed they have been abducted by the military and have not surrendered as the Philippine Army claimed.
Embarassed by Castro and Tamano’s brave revelation in front of their abductors, the military filed perjury charges that was dismissed by the DOJ in favor of the new defamation charge.
AFP’s ‘honor and reputation’
The new charge was filed by Lt. Col. Ronnel dela Cruz, commander of the 70th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army’s 7th Infantry Division based in Doña Remedios Trinidad.
Castro and Tamano were detained at the army unit’s headquarters during their ordeal.
In its resolution, the DOJ alleged the respondents “employed machinations and took advantage of the benevolence of the 70th IB (Infantry Battalion) and the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) to embarrass and put them in bad light.”
“There was a deep-rooted motive on the part of respondents to select a public forum that would express their sentiment. We consider the statement of respondents to be serious slander because the circumstances of the case show that they consciously, intentionally and on purpose waited and chose the press conference which would be held in public to air their grievance and plight,” the DOJ added.
“The slanderous words were obviously uttered with evident intent to strike deep into the character, honor and reputation of (the) complainant and the AFP,” the resolution reads.
Abductors and liars
In a joint statement, Tamano and Castro on Tuesday bewailed that the victims have become the respondents, even after the Supreme Court recently granted them Writ of Amparo and Habeas Data protection mechanisms.
“The abductors are very intent to jail those they’ve abducted,” the victims said.
The two also revealed that the Office of the Solicitor General has filed an omnibus motion appealing the writs granted them by the high tribunal.
“The only criminals here are the AFP and NTF-ELCAC abductors and liars, as well as the other government agencies that assist them,” the two added.
The only two victims who bravely revealed being abducted in the presence of their abductors, Tamano and Castro are being hailed as the faces of enforced disappearances and fake surrenders human rights organizations accuse the military of committing.
Their testimonies have also become instrumental in the issuance of recommendations for the abolition of the NTF-ELCAC by the United Nations special rapporteurs on climate change and freedom of expression and opinion. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
https://kodao.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/jhed-and-jonila.jpg9601600Kodao Productionshttps://kodao.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/kodao.pngKodao Productions2024-02-21 18:49:252024-02-21 18:49:26Jhed, Jonila post bail for defamation charge
“Third, the NTF-ELCAC was established by the previous administration six years ago for a different context. It does not take into account ongoing prospects for peace negotiations. I therefore recommend that the Task Force be abolished.” —UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan(February 2, 2024)
(Image by Jo Maois Mamangun)
[THIS IS THE SEVENTH AND LAST IN A SERIES OF NOTABLE STATEMENTS MADE BY UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND OPINION IRENE KHAN ON HER INVESTIGATION IN THE PHILIPPINES]
https://kodao.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_7922-scaled.jpg17072560Kodao Productionshttps://kodao.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/kodao.pngKodao Productions2024-02-20 13:54:412024-02-20 13:54:42The NTF-ELCAC should be abolished
“Second, I was pleased to hear that the National Human Rights Commission has embarked on consultations to help define the problem with a view to proposing legislation to define and prevent it. I encourage the Commission to prioritize the project. Needless to say, the law should be in line with international obligations, including the right to freedom of expression and reparations for victims.” —UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan(February 2, 2024)
(Image by Jo Maois Mamangun)
[THIS IS THE SIXTH IN A SERIES OF NOTABLE STATEMENTS MADE BY UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND OPINION IRENE KHAN ON HER INVESTIGATION IN THE PHILIPPINES]
Destructive mining operations led to the landslide that killed at least 71 last February 6 in Maco, Davao de Oro, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) said.
CPP chief information officer Marco Valbuena pointed a finger at mining operations in the region saying, “The disaster is clearly the direct result of the massive destruction of forests and mountains that characterize large parts of Mindanao, especially Davao de Oro and other Davao provinces.”
While noting that the latest in a series of mudslides and flooding came in the wake of weeks o torrential rains, the CPP officer said Apex Mining Company is responsible for the disaster.
“The Apex Mining operates open pit mines in the area. Zone 1 is a community of workers employed by Apex. Despite dangerous conditions resulting from weeks of rains, no precautions were made to evacuate the community,” Valbuena said.
Barangay Masara forms part of the area of mining operations of the Apex Mining Company, a company mainly owned by billionaire Enrique Razon, a close ally of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., he added.
Barangay Masara buried under tons of mud. (Presidential Communications Office photo)
Apex Mining denied culpability in the disaster, saying Masara is outside its actual mining concession.
“The area where the slide happened is outside the mine operations area of the Company but is used as a vehicle terminal for buses and jeepneys servicing the employees, its service providers and members of the community,” the company said in a statement last week.
“The Company is focused on fully supporting the rescue operations of the local government units by providing equipment, manpower and food supplies to affected residents, including our employees. The Company is on limited operations while it provides resources to the rescue operations,” it added.
Apex mines for gold in the area.
The CPP however pointed out that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has flagged Apex Mining for alleged violations of mining rules whose operations had been ordered suspended by the late environment secretary Gina Lopez in 2016.
The landslide area had been also been declared a “no build zone” after prior landslides in 2007 and 2008.
Earlier, labor federation Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) demanded an investigation on how the mining company treated its workers, allowing them and their families to live in danger areas adjacent to its open pit mines.
“The people must know exactly how destructive mining operations gravely affect lives, safety and livelihood of our compratriots,” KMU secretary general Jerome Adonis said.
“It must be asked: how did the company looked after their workers when they report for work and how they return to their homes after?” he added.
In a February 14 update, the Department of Social Work and Development has reported that a total of 1,944 families or 7,323 persons had been affected in four barangays in the municipality. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
https://kodao.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Masara.jpg636900Kodao Productionshttps://kodao.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/kodao.pngKodao Productions2024-02-15 10:44:532024-02-15 10:44:55Destructive mining led to Maco disaster—CPP
