Gerry Albert Corpuz presents

This is Gerry Albert Corpuz and this is my life and political journey to the world of class struggle and class emancipation

Arroyo’s House allies told: Anti-impeachment is ’kiss of death’

One of the complainants in the fresh impeachment bid against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Saturday warned allies of the President in the House of Representatives that their plot to massacre the second impeachment case against the Chief Executive would cost their respective political career at the local and national level.

“ President Arroyo’s pork barrel offensive will not save their grossly clouded political career. An anti-impeachment stance is a kiss of death, a suicidal position,” the left-leaning fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) said in a press statement.

Pamalakaya information officer Gerry Albert Corpuz issued the fresh warning after House Majority Floor Leader Prospero Nograles assured critics of President Macapagal-Arroyo that the dismissal of the complaints filed by citizens complainants would be faster than the previous impeachment case lodged against the President.

Two administration congressmen, Representatives Monico Puentevella of Bacolod City and Isidro Real of Zamboanga del Sur disclosed last week that the pro-administration majority had reached a consensus to junk the impeachment case against President Arroyo.

But Pamalakaya’s Corpuz lashed back at Nograles, Puentevella and Real and accused them of plotting to murder the second impeachment complaint, stressing that the three pro-Arroyo congressmen have no sense of truth, justice and accountability.

He said the three pro-Arroyo lawmakers were only obsessed to the pork barrel and other goodies Mrs. Arroyo would give them as reward in case they succeed in killing the citizens’ complaint against Mrs. Arroyo. Corpuz branded Nograles and other anti-impeachment solons as dirty and Jurassic politicians who all deserved to be thrown to the dustbin of history.

“ Public opinion and mass movement will punish those who would collaborate with this corrupt, criminal and illegitimate regime. The likes of Nograles, Puentevella and Real should realize that they could not win electoral positions in 2007 through their association with Mrs. Arroyo and her pork barrel gifts,” Corpuz said.

The group’s spokesperson said they are now monitoring the respective act and position of each congressman on the second impeachment case against President Arroyo. Pamalakaya’s Corpuz said they would keep a monitoring chart that would evaluate each lawmaker, those who would conspire with Malacañang to shoot down the impeachment case will automatically included in the reject list for the 2007 national elections.

“ We will campaign for their outright rejection. We will expose to the public their gory crimes against the Filipino people, including but not limited to the national murder of the impeachment case against Arroyo,” Pamalakaya said.

Pro-Arroyo lawmakers at the Lower House argued that most of the charges ranged against President Arroyo were rehashed, saying no new issues were raised against President Arroyo and the House of Representatives headed by Speaker Jose de Venecia would never be party to the misuse of constitutionally-mandated process for partisan ends, like a de facto power grab, or gaining political mileage for next year’s senatorial elections. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 10:36 | link | comments |

Owwa says it’s’ intact, but RP envoy to Lebanon says there’s no money: Which is which?
COA pressed to audit P 8-billion Owwa fund

Staunch critics of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Saturday urged the Commission on Audit (COA) to immediately conduct a through audit to determine the real status of P 7.6 B Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa) fund.

The leftwing fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) pressed COA to examine the financial statement of the Owwa fund after Marianito Roque, head of the overseas workers agency and Philippine Ambassador to Lebanon Al Francis Bichara trade barbs over the real status on the fund.

“The Owwa said the fund is still intact, but the Philippine ambassador to Lebanon was crying out loud there was no sufficient money to repatriate 34,000 overseas Filipino workers in Lebanon. Which is which? The COA must come to the picture and tell the real score,” Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap said in a press statement.

“ If the Owwa fund is still intact, how come Roque cannot show any financial statement or report about the overseas workers’ welfare fund? Is he saying something that does not exist.? Is he keeping a big secret regarding the real status of the Owwa fund?” Hicap queried.

Hicap said national interest and public trust hereby direct COA to perform an aboveboard audit of the Owwa fund because of the gross failure of the Office of the President to explain to the public what really happen to the P 7.6 B Owwa fund and why President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo only released P 150 million for their evacuation.

“ There are 34,000 OFWs in Lebanon, but it seems to us that the government is discouraging our Filipino overseas workers to come home and avail of their right to be repatriated because Malacañang, operating merely on P 150 million budget allocation, limited the number to be sent back home,” Hicap said.

Roque said the Owwa fund stood at P 8.1 B as of December 2004. But Pamalakaya said that was 2004, and a lot of things could happen between 2005 and 2006.

Pamalakaya asserted that COA’s action is needed to give the public a thorough assessment about the condition of the Owwa fund. “ Did President Arroyo use the Owwa fund in her election campaign last May 2004 elections? Did she use the money to buy votes? Mrs. Arroyo cannot hide from public accountability over this grand misuse and malversation of people’s funds and COA must do its constitutionally mandated job to look for the truth ”, the group said.

The militant group expressed support to the plan of Senator Jinggoy Estrada, chair of the Senate oversight committee on labor and employment to look into the status of Owwa funds and investigate claims of Philippine Ambassador to Lebanon Alfrancis Bichara that he was running out of money for the OFWs in Lebanon and had yet receive funds from the national government.

“ A full-blown inquiry on the status of Owwa fund is highly necessary. The situation calls for the all-out mobilization of Owwa funds to repatriate thousands of Filipino compatriots in Lebanon and bring them home alive, sound and healthy,” Pamalakaya said. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 10:34 | link | comments |

Militant group dared PGMA: Condemn Israel attack on Lebanon
Palace gambling Filipinos’ lives in Lebanon, says Pamalakaya

The militant fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) on Sunday said the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is gambling the lives of 34,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Israel by refusing to condemn the latter’s attack on Lebanon and for playing deaf on the UN call for a three-day ceasefire in the war-stricken Middle East country.

“ Aside from the issue of missing Owwa funds, President Arroyo has not taken bolder step to call on the Israeli government to stop its senseless and unjust war against the Lebanese people. We challenge Mrs. Arroyo and Malacañang to condemn the brutal attack of the Israeli government and support the UN demand for a 72-hour truce to allow the safe return and repatriation of over 30,000 Filipino workers in Lebanon,” Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap said in a press statement.

Hicap said President Arroyo should support the United Nations (UN) call for three-day ceasefire in Lebanon to allow food and medicine to reach thousands of civilians trapped in Southern Lebanon after 18 days of war and pave way for the return of 34,000 Filipino compatriots in the war-torn Middle East country.

“ It seems to us that President Arroyo is afraid of the United States government, the principal backer of Israel in its stupid war against Lebanon. This is the real score and Malacañang cannot deny this obvious political reason to high heavens,” the militant leader added.

“If justice and peace and the safety of 30,000 Filipinos are the real concerns of President Arroyo, then she would not hesitate and would not entertain second thoughts of supporting the UN call for a 72-hour truce to prevent further damage and allow relief operations to come in to the war-ravaged Lebanon,” Hicap said.

But President Arroyo, Pamalakaya asserted, does not want to irritate the US government, which is supportive of the ongoing conflict between Israel, the United States principal ally and no.1 goon in the Middle East and Lebanon.

“ This kind of absurd and stupid political attitude and position will continue to place our OFWs in Lebanon as perennial collateral damage. President Arroyo and her officials should now act according to the sense of 34,000 OFWs and not on the US-Israel syndicated war against Lebanon,” the militant group added.

Pamalakaya likewise urged the Senate leadership under Senate President Manuel Villar to immediately tackle and approve Senate Resolution No.512 filed by opposition Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr. that sought to express the August chamber support for UN Secretary General Kofi Annan’s appeal for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon.

“We urge the Senate leadership to immediately tackle and approve the resolution to add our voice to the growing voice of the global people opposing the US-backed military attack of Israel armed bullies in Lebanon,” the group added.

However, the resolution was blocked by Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile arguing that the resolution should be first discussed at a hearing of the appropriate Senate committee since the country has an alliance with the United States, which is supportive of Israel’s military action against Lebanon over the past 18 days. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 10:33 | link | comments |

Comelec told to probe Sigaw ng Bayan signature
buying in Makati City

Critics of Charter Change on Thursday urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to investigate allegations of Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay that charter change advocates under Sigaw ng Bayan were engaged in signature buying to get the required three percent in his jurisdiction for the people’s initiative.

The rabid anti-Chacha group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) put to task Comelec chairman Benjamin Abalos and other poll commissioners to immediately conduct a full-blown investigation on Binay’s allegations, saying if there’s truth to Makati Mayor’s report, then pro-Chacha advocates under Sigaw ng Bayan are committing a national betrayal of public trust through signature buying, which Pamalakaya further said was also a form of election fraud.

Invoking public interest and national accountability, Pamalakaya national chairperson Fernando Hicap said Commissioner Abalos must jumpstart the investigation within this week and summon Sigaw ng Bayan leaders Atty. Raul Lambino and former Makati Vice Mayor Roberto Brillante, whom Mayor Binay accused of leading the signature buying in Makati City.

“ Something must be done to stop to this cheating and bribing escapades by pro-Chacha groups like Sigaw ng Bayan at the expense of truth, public interest and accountability. We strongly condemn such immoral, illegitimate and brazen attempts just to please the bogus presidency of Macapagal-Arroyo,” Hicap said in a press statement.

“ If Abalos has balls, he would immediately declare Sigaw ng Bayan signature buying activities in Makati City null and avoid and against public interest, and condemn the ring leaders of this pro-Chacha syndicate to the highest order,” Hicap added.

Binay disclosed last July 18 that Brillante would allegedly spend P 10 million for the signature drive. The Makati mayor, who is also the president of the United Opposition (Uno) said a highly placed source told him that on July 15, a meeting was held at Jade Valley Restaurant in Quezon City, which was attended by several Makati residents .

Binay said Sigaw ng Bayan plans to tap eight councilmen in each the city’s barangay. Each councilman will recruit 20 more people to act as coordinators for the signature drive. Each councilman will be paid P 3,000, while coordinators will receive P 1,000 each, and those who would sign would get P 300.

Binay also said those who attended the clandestine meeting were fetched by an official bus of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

“ Who are the corporate and individual interests supporting this highly questionable camp, which came out from nowhere and publicly claimed itself as a people’s movement for charter revision? Is Sigaw ng Bayan a campaign arm group of Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines or the other way around?” says Pamalakaya information officer Gerry Albert Corpuz.

“ Sigaw ng Bayan is suffering from identity and credibility crisis because it is closely link with local government officials collectively known as rabid pro-Arroyo and pro-Chacha supporters. How come they have enough money for weekly paid advertisements, across the country tour and extravagant assemblies if they don’t have the backings of big business groups, local government officials and Malacañang?” Corpuz added.

Pamalakaya dared Sigaw ng Bayan Atty. Raul Lambino to go aboveboard and inform the public his group’s connection with Ulap identified both as supporters of President Arroyo and proponents of Charter Change.

“ It seems to us that Sigaw ng Bayan and Ulap are engaged in a syndicated gentleman’s agreement to preserve the illegitimate rule of President Arroyo through the full-blown cannibalization of the 1987 Charter. This is a national foul play to the highest order,” the group said.

Pamalakaya noticed that Lambino’s group, which claimed to be an independent group has co-sponsored joint activities with Ulap, another machinery of Malacañang to promote charter revisions through People’s Initiative.

The group said the recent event where Sigaw ng Bayan collaborated with local government officials was the Ulap’s summit last Tuesday held at Century Park Hotel, where Consultative Commission chair and former UP President Jesus Abueva served as one of the key speakers.

Speaking before members of Sigaw ng Bayan and Ulap, Abueva assailed the anti-Chacha group One Voice, a group composed of bishops, businessmen and former government officials, which was also opposed to people’s initiative.

“ How much of taxpayers’ money had been spent for this People’s Initiative campaign for Charter Change? Sigaw ng Bayan and Ulap are legally and politically obliged to report to the nation how much public funds had been spent for this ridiculous and self-serving pro-Chacha stints,” Pamalakaya asserted.

Meanwhile, Pamalakaya believed that Malacañang has not abandoned the people’s initiative as mode to push Chacha. The militant group said the renewed campaign of local executives and Sigaw ng Bayan to press Chacha through people’s initiative after President Arroyo’s State of the Nation Address has the go-signal and blessings of Malacañang.

“Malacañang’s chacha campaign will concentrate on super mega regions identified by the President during her Sona speech. It is virtually implied in Mrs. Arroyo’s back to the future Sona stint last Monday,” the militant group added. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 06:14 | link | comments |

PAMALAKAYA does not care if she has flu
Gloria dared: Explain where’s P 8-billion Owwa fund

Staunch critics of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Friday urged her to explain to the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) what happen to the P 7.6 B Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa) fund.

“ National interest and public trust hereby direct the Office of the President to disclose to the public the real score about the P 7.6 B Owwa fund and why President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo only released P 150 million for their evacuation,” the left-leaning fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) said in a press statement.

“ We don’t care if she has flu right now. What is important is her explanation what her government did to those billions of hard-earned money of our OFWs, nothing more, nothing less,” said Pamalakaya information officer Gerry Albert Corpuz.

“ There are 34,000 OFWs in Lebanon, but it seems to us that the government is discouraging our Filipino overseas workers to come home and avail of their right to be repatriated because Malacañang had just limited the number to be sent back home to a few thousands because the government has only set aside P 150 million out of the 8 billion OWWA funds for reasons only Malacañang should now,” Corpuz said.

Pamalakaya said aside from President Arroyo, Owwa administrator Marianito Roque and former Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas should also be called for investigation on the status of the overseas workers welfare fund.

Roque said the Owwa fund stood at P 8.1 B as of December 2004. But Pamalakaya’s Corpuz said that was 2004, and a lot of things could happen between 2005 and 2006.

“ Why is it only a small number of OFWs were repatriated from Lebanon despite the big amount of money they contributed for purpose of emergency like this? President Arroyo must come forward to tell the truth and nothing but the truth,” Corpuz added.

“ Where is the remaining P 7.45 B Owwa fund? Did Malacañang put it in the election or corruption chest of the ruling syndicate in the Palace? President Arroyo is legally, politically and morally obliged to face the people in this national search for truth and accountability,” the group’s spokesperson said.

Pamalakaya asserted that it is only President Arroyo who could explain the public where is the Owwa fund or the status of the overseas workers fund. “ Did she use the Owwa fund in her election campaign last May 2004 elections? Did she use the money to buy votes? Mrs. Arroyo cannot hide from public accountability over this grand misuse and malversation of people’s funds”, the group said.

The militant group expressed support to the plan of Senator Jinggoy Estrada, chair of the Senate oversight committee on labor and employment to look into the status of Owwa funds and investigate claims of Philippine Ambassador to Lebanon Alfrancis Bichara that he was running out of money for the OFWs in Lebanon and had yet receive funds from the national government.

“ A full-blown inquiry on the status of Owwa fund is highly necessary. The situation calls for the all-out mobilization of Owwa funds to repatriate thousands of Filipino compatriots in Lebanon and bring them home alive, sound and healthy,” Pamalakaya said. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 06:13 | link | comments |

Pro-Lafayette business group told: Mind your own business

Pro-Lafayette business group told: Mind your own business

One of the militant groups, which filed a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the 30-day test run of the mining operations of Lafayette Philippines Inc. (LPI) before the Makati Regional Trial Court on Tuesday lashed the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) for rushing on the side of the Australian mining firm.

The left-leaning fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) said the TRO and the injunction order ranged against Lafayette was in defense of people’s livelihood and environment.

“They better mind their own business and stop exercising influence peddling in the name of super profits at the expense of truth, justice and accountability,” said Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap.

FPI President Jesus Arranza had expressed alarm that any injunction order stopping the mining operations of Lafayette on Rapu-Rapu Island in Albay could derail the entry of more foreign mining investments into the country.

Arranza said the target of the national government to raise mining investments to $ 122 million by yearend has been imperiled by the injunction case filed against Lafayette last week. The FPI president mentioned the fresh investment in mining recorded by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) amounting to $ 47.91 million from January to April this year.

“ Please allow us to remind the FPI that we don’t need Lafayette’s money. What our people need is an environment of justice, freedom and sustained development anchored on the needs and basic rights of the people. Not monkey business or any kind of business that glorifies super profits at the expense of people and environment,” Pamalakaya’s Hicap added.

Last week, Pamalakaya and environmental groups Kalikasan-People’s Network for the Environment and Defend Patrimony, beauty queen turned TV host and actress Miriam Quiambao and multi-awarded actress Chin-Chin Gutierrez led over 800 petitioners who sought a injunction order stopping Lafayette and environment secretary Angelo Reyes from pursuing the 30-day test run of Lafayette.

In their 33-page complaint, the three groups and personalities together with residents of Rapu-Rapu island, Albay and Sorsogon, religious groups, students, academicians and other concerned citizens stressed, “ the petitioners primarily residents of Rapu-Rapu want to permanently restrain the ongoing acts of respondents Secretary Reyes and LPI as well as claim damages for the injuries sustained by the residents in two tail spills last October 2005.”

“ The case People of Rapu-Rapu and the Philippines vs. Secretary Angelo Reyes and Lafayette Philippines Inc. will be carried out not only in this regular court, but also in the parliament of the streets and in the court of public opinion,” Pamalakaya said.

Hicap added: “ Lafayette paid propagandists and their apologists like Sec. Reyes can flaunt their millions and empty promises to the people, but they cannot buy or cover up the truth, that this Australian mining firm in Rapu-Rapu will not to create jobs or give fortune but will further destroy the future of the people in the name of monopoly profits.”

This is not the first legal action taken by Pamalakaya regarding the Lafayette case. On February 14, Pamalakaya leaders, together with militant lawmakers Crispin Beltran and Rafael Mariano of Anakpawis party list and Liza Maza of Gabriela party list filed graft complaints at the Office of the Ombudsman against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, former DENR Sec. Michael Defensor and Lafayette country manager Rod Watt in connection with Lafayette’s mining spills.

“ The 30-day test run granted to Lafayette is extremely opposed to the collective interest of the Rapu-Rapu fisherfolk and residents. Secretary Reyes and the Lafayette capitalists are again gambling people’s lives and the fragile environment in the name of super profits and fat kickbacks of those in power,” the group asserted.

Pamalakaya stressed the damning evidence against Lafayette eclipses the prima facie evidence required by law to advance the case. “Facts and figures show the Australian mining is guilty beyond reasonable doubt of massacring the livelihood of the people and the environment. We hope the court will uphold this statement of facts and reason and deliver justice to Lafayette’s victims last year,” the group added. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 09:13 | link | comments |

800 petitioners sought court injunction vs. Lafayette

800 petitioners sought court injunction vs. Lafayette

Some 800 petitioners last week filed a temporary restraining order (TRO) before the Makati Regional Trial Court (Makati RTC) seeking to enjoin Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Angelo Reyes and Lafayette Philippines Inc. from performing a 30-day test run in Rapu-Rapu Island in Albay.

Kalikasan-People’s Network for the Environment in an e-mailed sent to Bulatlat.com said, “ In a new bid to stop the polymetallic mining project, residents of the island, Sorsogon and Albay, environmental activist groups, fisherfolk organizations, church people, militant groups and television personalities filed a class suit against Lafayette.”

In their 33-page complaint, Kalikasan, staunch allies Defend Patrimony and Pamalakaya (National Federation of Small Fisherfolk Organizations in the Philippines), residents of Rapu-Rapu island, Albay and Sorsogon, religious groups, students, academicians and other concerned citizens stressed, “ the petitioners primarily residents of Rapu-Rapu want to permanently restrain the ongoing acts of respondents Secretary Reyes and LPI as well as claim damages for the injuries sustained by the residents in two tail spills last October 2005.”

“ We likewise seek to enjoin respondents from further mining Rapu-Rapu area in view of the grave injustice and irreparable damage to the environment caused by Lafayette’s mining activities and all those that may still be caused by them as a result of ongoing operations,” the petitioners said.

Sec. Reyes had granted the 30-day test run to Australian mining firm to determine if Lafayette is capable to perform responsible mining in Rapu-Rapu island, which last year suffered twin toxic spills and caused huge damage to the marine environment and the livelihood of small fishermen.

Nature of Petition

The petitioners said the TRO and injunction case filed at the Makati RTC was a class suit because the complainants represent the citizens of the Republic and residents and non-residents of Rapu-Rapu Island who are entitled to the full benefit, use and enjoyment of natural resources in Rapu-Rapu area.

They said the petition was filed in the name of the preservation of the Rapu-Rapu island resources with claims for damages representing environmental, economic and health-related problems emanating from operations of Lafayette.

Since most of the petitioners were classified under the law as pauper litigants comprised mostly of poor fishermen, farmers, students and other indigent members of the community without adequate income, money, property for food, shelter and basic necessities, they applied for exemptions from paying filing fees, posting bond and other expenses incidental to the petition as required by the Rules of Court.

Atty. Howard Calleja, one the legal counsels of the 800 petitioners said the petition for the issuance of TRO and injunction is based on Rule 58 of the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure seeking the enjoin the respondents from performing mining operations under the 30-day test run period.

The group’s legal counsel said allowing Lafayette’s mining activities in Rapu-Rapu island will continue to set a very dangerous precedent to future mining activities in the area since the Australian mining group is the first foreign-owned mine in the country, and despite its’ relatively small size is regarded by the Philippine government as key to attracting other transnational mining companies.

“ As for the petitioners, they are invoking their constitutionally guaranteed right to balanced and healthy ecology as well as their right to health,” the lawyer said.

Star power

Providing star power to the petitioners’ class suit against Lafayette were 1999 Miss Universe first runner up and television host Miriam Quiambao and multi-awarded actress and environmental activist Chinchin Gutierrez. The two television and movie personalities were joined by artists Gary Granada, Chickoy Pura of The Jerks and character actor Roy Alvarez in said petition.

Quiambao and Gutierrez joined Rapu-Rapu residents and environmental activists in the actual filing of the case against Lafayette at the Makati RTC.

Asserting the need to protect life and environment, the Filipina beauty queen said,” It is a shame that people’s lives and the environment are being put at risk for the sake of the mining operation. I hope that people in the government will make decisions that will be beneficial to more people than a few. Lives, especially people’s lives, are too precious.”

Gutierrez for her part, said environmentalists are not against mining per se. “ What we are against is how mining is being done in this country, without regard to people, without regard to environment, and the country’s future. The present situation barely provides for economic, social and cultural sustainability for the present generation. Why should people and the environment always have to pay the cost to benefit a few” she said.

Voices from the grassroots

Sixty year old Nenita Como, a grandmother of 7 children and resident of Rapu-Rapu Island told Bulatlat.com that she joined as one of the petitioners to stop Lafayette’s destruction of the area and to save the environment and the future of Rapu-Rapu’s children.

Antonio Casetas, another Rapu-Rapu local and head servant of the island wide environmental group Sagip Isla, Sagip Kapwa said it was difficult to understand how the government can allow Lafayette to continue mining when it has already seen how the Australian mining company violated the country’s laws, cheated the government of taxes, undermined the safety of the communities and caused irreversible damages to the environment.

Fisherfolk leader Arieto Radores of Lambat-Bicol, a regional alliance of small fisherfolk groups in Bicol region said the protests in the streets will continue, in spite the heavy deployment of military troops in the Rapu-Rapu Island.

“ Rapu-Rapu, which was once a peaceful and productive island is now wrapped in apprehension and fear,” he said.

People of Rapu-Rapu vs. Reyes, Lafayette

“ The case People of Rapu-Rapu and the Philippines vs. Secretary Angelo Reyes and Lafayette Philippines Inc. will be carried out not only in this regular court, but also in the parliament of the streets and in the court of public opinion,” said Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap.

Hicap added: “ Lafayette paid propagandists and their apologists like Sec. Reyes can flaunt their millions and empty promises to the people , but they cannot buy or cover up the truth, that this Australian mining firm in Rapu-Rapu will not to create jobs or give fortune but will further destroy the future of the people in the name of monopoly profits.”

This is not the first legal action taken by Pamalakaya regarding the Lafayette case. On February 14, Pamalakaya leaders, together with militant lawmakers Crispin Beltran and Rafael Mariano of Anakpawis party list and Liza Maza of Gabriela party list filed graft complaints at the Office of the Ombudsman against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, former DENR Sec. Michael Defensor and Lafayette country manager Rod Watt in connection with Lafayette’s mining spills.

“ The 30-day test run granted to Lafayette is extremely opposed to the collective interest of the Rapu-Rapu fisherfolk and residents. Secretary Reyes and the Lafayette capitalists are again gambling people’s lives and the fragile environment in the name of super profits and fat kickbacks of those in power,” the group asserted.

Pamalakaya stressed the damning evidence against Lafayette eclipses the prima facie evidence required by law to advance the case. “Facts and figures show the Australian mining is guilty beyond reasonable doubt of massacring the livelihood of the people and the environment. We hope the court will uphold this statement of facts and reason and deliver justice to Lafayette’s victims last year,” the group added. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 09:12 | link | comments |

Reaction to President Arroyo’s SONA

Reaction to President Arroyo’s SONA
“A Third World Puppet and Dictator addressing a terrorized, human rights less and impoverished 86 million people”, says Pamalakaya

Leftwing activists belonging to Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) on Monday said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s State of the Nation Address (Sona) reflected the vision of a third world puppet and ruthless dictator addressing a nation of approximately 86 million people under extreme state terror, less human rights and civil liberties and total impoverishment.

“ President Arroyo’s SONA was nothing but a syndicated speech made fit for a full blown third world puppet and dictator,” said Fernando Hicap, Pamalakaya national chair in a press statement.

“ What do we expect from a presidency ruled by criminal syndicates, first-rate puppets and topnotch militarists? Nothing but endless hardships, misfortunes and definitely not happy endings,” Hicap said.

“ She appeared like the modern female version of Adolf Hitler ready to command her 16,000 cops and military troops and 150 allies in the House of Representatives for another grand invasion and devastation of people’s lives and welfare,” Hicap said referring to the security forces and the rabid pro-Arroyo lawmakers, who were mobilized to defend Mrs. Arroyo from critics, but as well provide audience for her six Sona this year.

Pamalakaya’s Hicap asserted all President Arroyo’s SONAs since 2001 were all death warrants, saying the economy failed to rebound during her six years in office and what she accomplished as far her military group and national security cluster are concerned was the summary executions of more than 700 civilians, nearly 300 of those killed were political activists critical of her administration.

“ State terrorism, brutal killings, economic depression, unbridled corruption, severe bribery, terrible cheating and acute puppetry to the United States summed up the six SONAs of President Arroyo since 2001, nothing more, nothing less,” Hicap stressed.

The militant group asserted that President Arroyo has nothing to claim as achievements in her Sona, citing the recent facts and figures released by independent think tank Ibon Foundation that unemployment rate in the country grew to 11.4 percent, while 14 percent of the total labor force were compelled to look for jobs abroad due to diminishing job opportunities across the country.

Indicative job scarcity rate was pegged at 43 percent, while 3,000 workers are forced to leave the country to seek high paying jobs abroad. Using Ibon studies, Pamalakaya said an average of 8 establishments were either forced to shut down or lay off an average of 156 workers everyday due to globalization.

As for standard of living, the present daily minimum wage of P 300 is far behind the P 675.54 daily cost of living, which a family of six need in order to survive. But under Arroyo’s term 75 percent of the total number of establishments was asking for exemption from the implementation of the daily minimum wage.

Pamalakaya said prices of prime commodities like sugar, fish and chicken went up by an average of P 7, 27 and 12 pesos per kilo respectively due implementation of the 12 percent value added tax and unstoppable increases in the prices of petroleum products. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 09:10 | link | comments |

Rotary International pressed to expel Bolante

Rotary International pressed to expel Bolante

One of the groups, which filed a plunder complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman on June 3, 2004 in connection with the P 728-million fertilizer fund scam, had asked the top leadership of Rotary International to expel former agriculture secretary Jocelyn “ Joc-joc” Bolante as member of the global organization of business and professional leaders.

In a press statement, the leftwing fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) urged Rotary International President William B. Boyd of New Zealand and President-elect Wilfrid J. Wilkinson of Canada to endorse the expulsion of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s point man from the roster of Rotary members.

“ The fertilizer fund scam victims of the Arroyo-Bolante gangland strongly appeal to the top leadership of Rotary International to end the Rotarian career of Bolante who is engaged in big crimes of corruption and massive deception of Filipino people,” the group said.

The militant group said the 1.2 million Rotarians, the 32,000 Rotary clubs and 529 Rotary districts in more than 200 countries and geographical areas across the globe should come out with a common decision disowning Bolante as active member and former treasurer of the Rotary International. Bolante was appointed as treasurer of Rotary International from 2005-2006.

“ Rotarians worldwide are known for their practice of high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace across the globe. Mr. Bolante gravely violated this organizational tenet and deserves his walking papers as active member of the Rotary International,” Pamalakaya national chairperson Fernando Hicap said.

“ Bolante had extremely violated the Rotary motto ‘ Service Above Self’, having been involved in several first-rate crimes of corruption as former undersecretary of agriculture and as Palace point man in the department. We hope Rotary international will consider this very pressing issue as sound basis for his expulsion in Rotary International,” Hicap added.

Pamalakaya asserted that Bolante as international treasurer of the Chicago based Rotary International was not involved in community service projects to address critical issues such as children at risk, poverty and hunger, environment and literacy and state violence, but was merely active in the corruption activities in conspiracy with the Office of the President and top officials of the Macapagal-Arroyo administration.

Hicap likewise urged local chapters of Rotary in the Philippines, including the Rotary Club of Makati, which is the local organization of Bolante to come out with a resolution calling for the expulsion of the alleged Mrs. Arroyo’s bagman in the Department of Agriculture.

“ The local Rotarians must purge their ranks of corrupt members, who are using their membership in the Rotary as a camouflage to advance their own narrow and sinister interests at the expense of the organization and the Filipino public. Mr. Bolante as top official of Makati Rotary must go,” the leftist leader said.

The former agriculture secretary who was implicated in the fertilizer fund scam was arrested by US authorities on July 7 upon his arrival at the Los Angeles International Airport is currently detained at Federal Correctional Institution in Los Angeles, California for unknown reason.

An official of the US Customs and Border Protection in Los Angeles said the visa of Bolante was cancelled upon the request of the US Embassy in Manila, but American Ambassador to the Philippines Matthew Lussenhop neither confirmed nor denied that it was behind the Bolante’s visa cancellation. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 06:20 | link | comments |

Palparan extends war theater to Bulacan 6  towns, says militant group
600 troops, 100 troops per town

Controversial Army Maj. General Jovito Palparan has extended his war against communist guerillas and leftwing activists in 5 coastal areas and 1 adjacent town of Bulacan province, according to the leftwing fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya).

Reports reaching the group's national headquarters in Quezon City revealed that Palparan had ordered the deployment of army troops in Obando, bulacan, Malolos, Paombong,  Hagonoy  and Calumpit towns, all in Bulacan province.

Pamalakaya staff in Bulacan said army troops belonging to the 71st Infantry Batallion of the Philippine Army and under the command of Palparan had set up military detachments in each town located along the national highway and deployed an average of 10 to 20 Army size contingent engaged in house-to-house campaign asking the residents if there are New People's Army in their area or if they are members of Pamalakaya or other militant groups such as Anakpawis and Bayan Muna.

" What is wrong in being an officer or member of Pamalakaya? Our group is two-decades older now and it is nationally and internationally recognized as the biggest federation of small fisherfolk organization in the country. Pamalakaya is a legal association standing for the rights and welfare of small fisherfolk across the country," the group said.

" We will assert our legal, political, moral and rightful standing in the Filipino society before any regular court, in the parliament of the streets and in the court of public opinion," Pamalakaya said.

Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap said detachments were yesterday set up in several fishing barangays in San Roque, Sagrada, Mercado, San Miguel and San Isidro, which Palparan declared as communist infested or Pamalakaya-influenced coastal barangays in Hagonoy town.

Hicap also said they received a report from their local chapter in Bulacan that yesterday, all entrance and exit points going to and from Hagonoy were blocked by the military.

In Barangay San Roque, around 30 Army arrived at 8:30 a.m yesterday and started looking for leaders and mass members of Pamalakaya. Since last month, a total of 22 detachments had been set up in Obando, Malolos, Paombong and Hagonoy, and Palparan had deployed over 300 Army in four coastal towns to flush out the communist rebels or hunt down members of Pamalakaya and other militant groups.

Prior to the deployment of troops and establishment of military detachments yesterday in Hagonoy, Bulacan, on June 26, 15 Army men swooped down Barangay San Miguel in Hagonoy and abducted two student-researchers from UP Diliman identified as Sherlyn Cadapan, 29 years old and Karen Empeño, 23 years old and the student's companion Manuel Merino, 57 years old. The military insisted the three were members of the NPA operating in Hagonoy.

"This unjust and senseless war will continue the spate of unbridled political killings and mass murder of basic human rights and civil liberties in the province courtesy of Palparan and his bosses in the national security cluster. All in the name of President Macapagal-Arroyo's political survival," Hicap said.

" Palparan's reign of terror will continue in Bulacan unless Gov. Josie dela Cruz, the province congressmen and other top local government officials make their move and stop the Butcher's madness in the province," Hicap added. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 04:17 | link | comments |

Who’s next to Bishop Iñiguez?
More bishops urged to file impeachment complaint vs. Arroyo

Leaders of the left-leaning fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) urged more Catholic bishops to follow the path taken by Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez in finding out the truth, when he filed the third impeachment complaint against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at the House of Representatives last Tuesday.

“ The filing of impeachment complaint against Mrs. Arroyo is not only a political process. It is a religious and moral crusade that every members of the Roman Catholic faith should advocate in the name of truth, justice and accountability. The Gospel is very clear on this concern,” Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap said in a press statement.

Hicap added: “ We believe Bishop Iñiguez is only doing his job as leader of the Roman Catholic church, as a tax paying Filipino citizen and as patriot fighting against Palace-bred crimes of corruption and crimes against humanity.”

“ If more bishops will file impeachment complaints against President Arroyo, then that is good. The more, the holier and this divine and moral intervention by top leaders of Catholic church will contribute to the success of the citizen complaint against the bogus and criminal presidency of Mrs. Arroyo,” Hicap said.

Pamalakaya urged bishops critical of the Macapagal-Arroyo administration to file their respective or collective impeachment complaint against President Arroyo either this week or next week.

The militant group, one of the early filers of the impeachment complaint against the President last Monday said the likes of CBCP President and Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz, Novaliches Bishop Antonio Tobias and Bishop Teodoro Bacani can file impeachment complaints against President in their capacity as moral crusaders, private citizens and taxpayers.

The three impeachment complaints filed against President Arroyo this week focused on a number of issues such as grave violations of the 1987 Constitution emanating from the implementation of several controversial decrees such as EO 464, calibrated preemptive response and Presidential Proclamation 1017, crimes against humanity because of the president’s failure to stop political killings of activists by alleged agents of the state, corruption and election fraud.

At the same time, Pamalakaya defended the Caloocan bishop from criticisms hurled by allies of President Arroyo at the House of Representatives, saying pro-Arroyo lawmakers in Congress were advocating the suppression of truth in the name of their principal benefactor in Malacañang.

House Majority Floor Leader and rabid pro-Arroyo supporter Rep. Prospero Nograles slammed Bishop Iñiguez for participating in a political activity like impeachment process. In a joint statement, Arroyo allies led by Cebu Representative Antonio Cuenco and Leyte Rep. Eduardo Veloso also assailed Bishop Iñiguez, saying that the bishop’s filing of impeachment case against President Arroyo shows that some church leaders are politically charged.

“ The Gospel of Bishop Iñiguez and the Jurassic politics of House of Majority Floor Leader Prospero Nograles can be likened to a battle royale between the forces of good and the forces of evil, with this traditional politician raised and trained from Davao playing the villain role by heart, by orientation and by practice,” Pamalakaya said. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 04:13 | link | comments |

Militants deride First Gentleman’s pilgrimage in Spain
“Please give us a break”- Pamalakaya

Please give us a break.

Leaders of the leftwing fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) on Sunday took turns in berating First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo’s decision to stay more days in Spain to go on a religious pilgrimage to pay homage to his saintly ancestors, preventing the president’s husband from joining President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on her way back home.

The reaction was in sharp contrast to Pamalakaya’s endorsement of the impeachment complaint filed by Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez against President Arroyo, which was publicly criticized by Malacañang and pro-Arroyo lawmakers at the House of Representatives.

The president over the weekend confirmed that her husband wouldn’t join in her return trip to Manila after a weeklong diplomatic travel to the Vatican City, Italy and Spain, because the First Gentleman will go to the place of Sta. Teresa of Avila because it is where the family of Atty. Arroyo came from.

“ Mr. Arroyo should stop this very insulting kind of entertainment. This is a bad joke,” said Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap on the decision of FG Arroyo to stay for the possible beatification of two saintly nuns-Maria Teresa Arroyo y Lacson and Rosario Arroyo y Pidal.

“ Mother Teresa and Mother Rosario were gone. They should be spared from this cheap publicity stunt of Malacañang and the Arroyo brothers. This gimmick deserves an all-out immaculate condemnation and revolution,” Hicap stressed.

Pamalakaya said the decision of Atty. Arroyo to stay for few more days in Spain for “ pilgrimage” was sanctioned by the Malacañang encyclical that is to explore everything, anything for good public image building and for propaganda.

Earlier, Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio Arroyo said they would be “ adding more saints to the family “ with the possible of beatification of Mother Teresa and Mother Rosario. According to the congressman, Mother Rosario founded the Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary of the Philippines and she was born to wealthy and pious family in 1916 in Molo, Iloilo.

Mother Teresa, who was born in 1884 and died in 1957, was described by Rep. Arroyo as the sister of my father Ignacio Arroyo who was closer to his family.

“ Sainthood is one sacred thing that should not be flaunted for the sake of achieving political gains or prestige. The Arroyo brothers, known for their checkered pasts are again manipulating people, events and places to beef up their highly tainted reputation before the Filipino public,” Pamalakaya’s Hicap said.

“ We will not be surprised that one day, the Arroyo brothers will put halo crowns on their heads just to prove they too are candidates for sainthood. Give us a break!” Hicap added.

Pamalakaya appealed to “ heaven” to curse the Arroyo brothers for exploiting the beautiful memories of their saintly nun relatives to achieve media mileage and good publicities for their heavily tainted standing in the Filipino communities, both here and abroad. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 04:12 | link | comments |

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