As chief negotiator, Agcaoili led the NDFP peace panel in forging major agreements with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) Negotiating Panel such as free land distribution and national industrialization that may serve as the backbone of comprehensive agreements on social and economic reforms with future Manila governments.
The post BREAKING: NDFP’s Fidel Agcaoili dies appeared first on Kodao Productions.
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
Bulatlat.com
MANILA — Fidel Agcaoili, chief negotiator of the peace panel of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, has passed on in Utrecht, the Netherlands today, July 23.
In a statement emailed to the media, the NDFP announced he passed on at 12:45pm in Utrecht, The Netherlands.
“According to the doctor, the cause of his death was pulmonary arterial rupture which caused massive internal bleeding. It was not Covid 19 related,” the NDFP’s International Information Office said in a statement.
Agcaoili, 75, assumed the chairmanship of the NDFP peace panel in 2016.
He was the longest-detained political prisoner during the Marcos dictatorship and later served as the founding secretary general of Selda, an organization of political detainees.
Agcaoili also served as secretary general of the Partido ng Bayan, a national democratic political party that fielded candidates to both senatorial and congressional seats during the administration of then president Corazon Aquino.
NDFP said his remains will be flown to the Philippines per the wish of his family.
The post Fidel Agcaoili, NDFP peace negotiator passes on appeared first on Bulatlat.
Updated July 23, 9:16 p.m.
By ALYSSA MAE CLARIN
Bulatlat.com
MANILA— Journalists, artists, and free expression advocates filed the 13th petition today, July 23, before the Supreme Court against RA 114979, or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.
Joined by almost 40 individuals from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, the groups filed a petition for Certiorari and Prohibition seeking to nullify the new measures as they are a clear violation of press freedom and free expression.
In their petition, the group cited that even before the enactment of the draconian law, many of the petitioners have already suffered from red-tagging, threats, and harassment from authorities.
They also cited how the National Task Force to End the Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) regularly tags journalists and artists not only as supporters of communists terrorists, but as active members of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the New People’s Army (NPA).
The petition also described the law as ‘unconstitutionally overbroad and vague,’ particularly Section 4 of RA 114979; citing how it had failed to define key terms that would ensure that individuals airing out legitimate concerns against the government would not constitute as a violation of the law.
The group argued that the vague definition of terrorism that is mainly based on “intent” instead of actual acts of terrorism could be subjected to abuse. Section 9 of the law, ‘inciting to commit terrorism’ also includes free expression as one of the elements of the crime, a clear violation of Article 3 Section 4 of the 1987 Constitution.
The petition also pointed out how the law also violates the right to liberty and due process with Section 29 giving the Anti-Terror Council the power to arrest and put in detention ‘suspected individuals’ without a warrant. Additionally, it also violates the doctrine for separation of powers as the ATC will be mostly composed of Cabinet members of the Executive branch.
The group asks the higher court to put a temporary restraining order on the law, and to stop authorities from enforcing the law until the resolution of the filed petition.
“It is clear that the Terror Law is anathema to democracy,” said NUJP in their press statement.
“For all Filipinos who cherish liberty, there can only be one response: Resistance!” (Bulatlat.com)
Related articles:
Bulatlat Special Coverage: The Anti-Terror Act of 2020
Why the anti-terror bill is sanctioned state terrorism
Anti-terror bill removes safeguards, accountability
Original post states that the petition is the 13th filed before the Supreme Court. Apologies for the mistake.
The post Journalists, artists file 14th petition against terror law appeared first on Bulatlat.
By Reynard Magtoto
Legazpi City- “This is not the time to fear,” the families of Jenelyn Nagrampa and Pastor Dan San Andres said, who are demanding the release of the two human rights defenders arrested in separate incidents this month in Camarines Sur.
Bicol progressive groups Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN), Karapatan, and Bicolana Gabriela will lead the launch of the #FreeJenAndPastorDan campaign before Pres. Duterte’s 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA). The movement aims to gather support and campaign for the release of Jenelyn and Pastor Dan.
Jenelyn, Gabriela’s national vice chairperson and chairperson of Bicolana Gabriela, was arrested at her house in Nabua, Camarines Sur. Two days later, on July 9, 61-year-old Pastor Dan of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines was also arrested at his Pastoral house in Sipocot, Camarines Sur.
Both are being charged with double murder charges in relation to an alleged ambush by the New People’s Army, which resulted in the killing of two soldiers in Ragay, Camarines Sur in May 2018. According to Karapatan-Bicol, both have filed their respective counter-affidavits last year denying their participation in the alleged ambush.
On the day of the said incident, Pastor Dan was celebrating mass in his parish at the UCCP Church South Centro. Meanwhile, Nagrampa was campaigning for the upcoming barangay elections.
Both are currently detained at Camarines Sur Provincial Jail and are scheduled for arraignment on July 24 at Libmanan regional trial court.
Imelda San Andres, retired teacher and wife of Pastor Dan, expressed disappointment over the negative remarks online about her husband. “I hope that they will understand my husband’s work as a pastor and serving in the church. My husband should be freed because he has nothing to do with those charges,” Imelda said.
Leo Caballero, husband of Jen, shared that they have already learned the lesson of Martial Law during the Marcos dictatorship. “Reason teaches us how to stand up for what is right,” he said. “I think it is more urgent now to strengthen our resolve and stand firm in whatever trials come our way,” he said.
On the day of the arrest
Officers reportedly issued warrants for the two activists. But their relatives noted there were lapses in the conduct of the arrests, especially in the case of Pastor Dan.
According to Imelda, their family is still traumatized by the seeming brutality of the arresting officers. The warrant of arrest for Pastor Dan was issued 30 minutes after the arrival of the police but he was forced to drop on the ground with a gun pointed at him. Imelda also shared that 20 ununiformed men surrounded the vicinity.
In Jane’s case, the arresting officers did not handcuff the woman leader, seemingly to show respect. “Maybe the police officers were hesitant because Jen is respected in our barangay. However, there were several policemen who were not in uniform,” Leo said.
Active Rights Advocates in Bicol
Progressive groups condemned the arrest of Jen and Pastor Dan as part of the Duterte administration’s continuing crackdown and criminalization of human rights defenders.
Pastor Dan has been serving in the Church for almost 20 years. He became the Conference Minister of the North Bicol Conference during Bishop Eliezer Pascua’s term assigned to South Luzon Jurisdictional Area. Currently, he is the chairperson of the Christian Witness and Service Committee of the Conference with the mandate to protect and uphold human rights.
As an official of Karapatan Bicol, Pastor Dan is active in several fact-finding missions and speaks publicly about the plight of communities under militarization.
Jen, on the other hand is currently a barangay councilor in San Isidro, Nabua, Camarines Sur. She was also elected as BAYAN Bicol Chairperson during the 4th BAYAN Bicol Congress in 2018.
Before the PNP Ragay Municipal Police station under Police Major Ruben Perico filed a double murder case against the two in 2019, Jen was visited by alleged agents of DILG Region V, carrying a letter addressed to DILG Secretary Eduardo Año.
It was a DILG Memorandum Circular prohibiting support to so-called Left-Wing Rebel Groups. In the letter, it tagged Bicolana Gabriela as a regional women’s “left leaning organization (LLO) in Bicol region with Jen branded as “symphatizer”.
Jen raised the harassment case of the alleged DILG agents during a dialogue with the DILG regional officials in October 2019. DILG-V Assistant Director Arnoldo Escober Jr. clarified that they were unaware of such cases against progressive groups using the name of the DILG.
Escober added that they did not know the people who identified themselves as DILG members and harassed Jen Nagrampa and other members of progressive groups in Bicol. The said agency did not receive any report on this, he claimed.
The dialogue held in October was accompanied by a protest action by Tanggol Magsasaka in front of the DILG regional office. The groups condemned Memorandum Order 32, which they blamed as the reason behind the intensified police and military operations in the region.
MO 32, EO 70 and Anti-Terror Law
Human rights violations became rampant in Bicol with the implementation of MO 32 as well as Malacañang’s Executive Order 70, according to Karapatan.
The situation further worsened after the Anti-Terror Act of 2020 was signed, said Dan Balucio, secretary general of BAYAN Bicol. The group noticed that the practice of red-tagging progressive groups and individuals became more flagrant.
“It is a convenient tactic of the AFP and PNP in order to vilify human rights defenders, political activists, dissenters, environment advocates and other critics,” Balucio said.
“Red-tagging is a prelude to this monstrous legislation, the Anti-Terror Act of 2020, which will surely be used in the designation of progressive organizations and personalities as so-called terrorists.”
Jen’s husband said the accusations against the Gabriela leader were grave. “Whenever I come home, it is painful to explain to our children the situation of their mother. But I think my children understand and they know that their mother is innocent,” Leo shared.
Leo added that that his wife is bravely facing the case against her. “She believes she will be free. Maybe it will be a challenge for the members of Bicolana Gabriela that although their chairperson is in jail, there’s a need to be stronger,” he said.
Imelda said that she is proud of Pastor Dan, and called on women with same situation to be strong and to not lose determination. (Baretang Bikolnon)
The post Groups, kin of two detained activists in Bicol to launch #FreeJenAndPastorDan Movement appeared first on AlterMidya.
On July 22, the 100,000-mark for individuals testing positive for COVID-19 was breached. In the Department of Health (DOH) Situation Report on July 22 posted late on July 23, positive individuals have reached 100,407. This number represented 8.7% positivity rate of 1,154,206 individuals tested. The Health agency reported 1,594 cases on July 22, out of […]
The post More than 100,000 individuals tested positive for COVID-19, confirmed cases at 72,269 as of July 22 appeared first on Manila Today.
As COVID-19 wipes out whatever is left of the limited opportunities for Filipinos to earn a living, the Duterte administration’s lacking response, combined with an oppressive political environment, creates conditions for a perfect storm of social unrest.
By ARNOLD PADILLA
Bulatlat.com
MANILA – With the COVID-19 crisis, the stage is set for what could be the worst period so far in the country’s state of permanent economic decay. This as the traditional and illusory growth drivers such as labor export earnings that for so long used to conceal the deterioration of the Philippine economic crisis teeter on the edge of collapse.
Multilateral lenders, credit rating agencies, and the economic managers all project that the gross domestic product (GDP) will contract this year as the pandemic ravages production, consumption and trade, and wipes out millions of jobs and livelihoods. In the first quarter of the year, the GDP posted a decline of 0.2 percent, the country’s first economic contraction in more than two decades. The data reflect the economic impact of the first one and a half months of COVID-19 lockdown.
But even before COVID-19, GDP growth under Duterte was already on a decelerating trend as the domestic economy remained dependent on an increasingly uncertain global economy wrecked by and still reeling from a series of crises. From a 7.1 percent expansion in 2016, GDP growth steadily slowed down to 6.9 percent in 2017; 6.3 percent in 2018; and 6 percent in 2019. There are several factors behind the deceleration. One is the slower growth in domestic consumption, which historically comprises about three-fourths of the GDP and thus closely mirrors GDP growth trends. From a 7.1 percent growth in 2016, household final consumption expenditure (HFCE) slowed down to 6 percent in 2017 then further to 5.8 percent in 2018 before barely recovering to 5.9 percentlast year.
What has been driving domestic consumption in the country for decades are the remittances from Filipinos earning abroad. Based on World Bank data, the Philippines ranked fourth worldwide in terms of migrant remittances inflows in 2019. But relative to its economy, the Philippines is the most dependent on such inflows with remittances accounting for 9.9 percent of its 2019 GDP. The three countries ahead of the Philippines in the list of global top earners of migrant remittances last year have a far smaller GDP ratio. World’s number one India has a remittances-to-GDP ratio of just 2.8 percent; China has 0.5 percent while Mexico, 3 percent. In Southeast Asia, the Philippines has the largest remittances-to-GDP ratio where the average ratio of its neighbors is just 3.3 percent.
To be sure, Duterte inherited the defective four-decade old labor export strategy. But contrary to his campaign rhetoric of bringing home the Filipino diaspora, he did not only perpetuate the defective policy, he is also further institutionalizing the strategy in lieu of sustainable domestic job creation. Since taking over, his administration has been working hard to secure more overseas employment visas; has created a bank specifically intended for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs); and has been pushing for a Cabinet-level OFW department.
But as the world crisis deepens with every flare-up of economic recession and destruction of productive forces in the centers of global capitalism and their neo-colonies, the labor export strategy has been standing on more and more shaky ground. Migrant remittance inflows this decade have been growing annually by an average of just 5.8 percent, twice slower than its pace in the 2000s (11.7 percent yearly growth) and thrice slower than in the 1990s (19.8 percent). Under Duterte (2016-2019), remittances are flowing at a much slower pace with an annual expansion of 4.2 percent.
With COVID-19 further sparking off labor protectionist policies that are already on the rise even before the pandemic, the backward Philippine economy faces greater difficulties in the coming months and years. The Labor department estimates that OFW remittances could drop by as much as 40 percent this year due to COVID-19. Some 345,000 OFWs have already been affected by the pandemic that would add to the already massive and burgeoning domestic joblessness.
Domestic consumption should be fueled by locally-created jobs and locally-generated incomes, both of which have always been problematic in the Philippines and now made drastically worse by the pandemic. The grossly understated official unemployment posted 7.3 million jobless workers in government’s April 2020 survey, an all-time high based on government records. Official unemployment rate more than tripled from 5.1 percent in April 2019 to 17.7 percent in April 2020, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
However, the actual unemployment situation could be way bleaker than what official data claim, which exclude from the labor force and do not count as jobless those workers who did not look for work in the last six months prior to the government survey or are unable to immediately take up work. Note that adult joblessness as measured by the polling firm Social Weather Stations (SWS) averaged 9.3 million workers or an unemployment rate of 19.9 percent in 2019, already much higher than the COVID-19 jobless data of government.
Indeed, a problematic technical definition of unemployment could not hide the reality of a chronic crisis in job generation that Duterte, like his predecessors, has failed to reverse by strengthening in a sustained manner domestic productive sectors such as industry and agriculture. Long-term trends show a worsening local unemployment situation. Based on SWS surveys, the annual average rate of joblessness more than doubled in the past three decades – from 9.8 percent in the 1990s to 18.7 percent in the 2000s and then further up to 23.1 percent in the 2010s. Under Duterte (2016-2019), the annual unemployment rate is averaging 21 percent using SWS figures.
Not only has Duterte failed to create enough and productive jobs to boost domestic consumption, his policies and programs even further eroded the capacity of ordinary Filipino households to consume. The minimum wage, for instance, has increased the slowest during his administration compared to other presidents under the Wage Rationalization Act of 1989.
Since Duterte took over, the nominal minimum wage in the National Capital Region, for instance, has increased by only 9.8 percent, based on data from the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC). At a similar or comparable point during their terms, the minimum wage has increased by 16 percent under B. Aquino III (2010-2014); 39 percent under Arroyo’s second term (2004-2008); 13 percent under Arroyo’s first term (2001-2004); 17 percent under Estrada (1998-2000); 39.8 percent under Ramos (1992-1996); and 32.6 percent under C. Aquino (1989-1990).
At the same time, Duterte pushed his highly contentious tax reform program (TRAIN Law), which imposed additional taxes on basic goods and services, while continuing neoliberal policies like deregulation and privatization that make the cost of living more unaffordable for most Filipinos.
Under Duterte, the pump price of gasoline has already jumped by about 31.3 percent; diesel, 40.3 percent; and LPG, 31.8 percent to 34.6 percent. Power rates (Meralco) have increased by around 3.5 percent for households consuming 70 kilowatt-hours (kWh) to 4.6 percent (200 kWh) while water rates have increased by about 7 percent (Maynilad basic charge) to 14.6 percent (Manila Water). The cost of public transport has likewise jumped by around 18.1 percent (ordinary bus) to 33.3 percent (taxi).
Basic food items like rice has increased its retail price by 2.7 percent (regular-milled) to 10 percent (well-milled); fish, 25 percent to 28.6 percent; and meat, 35.7 percent to 63.6 percent. According to a study, the cost of basic food items comprises 62.3 percent of the current average minimum wage in the Philippines, the fourth largest in its survey of 54 countries, and higher than neighboring Thailand (51.6 percent), Vietnam (50.2 percent) and Malaysia (32.4 percent).
COVID-19 is wreaking havoc on a Philippine economy that has long been ravaged by underdevelopment and flawed economic programs. Amid a raging global crisis that is obliterating whatever is left of the limited opportunities for Filipino families to earn a living, the Duterte administration’s severely lacking response to the pandemic including social amelioration, combined with an increasingly oppressive political environment, creates conditions for a perfect storm of social unrest.
The post #SONA coverage | COVID-19 hastens PH economic decay appeared first on Bulatlat.
Twenty-two days of age baby River Emmanuelle would soon be separated from her mother, political prisoner Reina “Mae” Nasino. Her lawyers and various groups decried to order as “cruel and heartless.” Political prisoners’ kin group KAPATID said that “separating a 22-day old baby from her mother while that baby is breastfeeding is heartless and cruel, […]
The post Court order separating baby from mother is ‘cruel and heartless’ appeared first on Manila Today.
By Reynard Magtoto
Legazpi City- “This is not the time to fear,” the families of Jenelyn Nagrampa and Pastor Dan San Andres said, who are demanding the release of the two human rights defenders arrested in separate incidents this month in Camarines Sur.
Bicol progressive groups Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN), Karapatan, and Bicolana Gabriela will lead the launch of the #FreeJenFreePastorDan campaign before Pres. Duterte’s 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA). The movement aims to gather support and campaign for the release of Jenelyn and Pastor Dan.
Jenelyn, Gabriela’s national vice chairperson and chairperson of Bicolana Gabriela, was arrested at her house in Nabua, Camarines Sur. Two days later, on July 9, 61-year-old Pastor Dan of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines was also arrested at his Pastoral house in Sipocot, Camarines Sur.
Both are being charged with double murder charges in relation to an alleged ambush by the New People’s Army, which resulted in the killing of two soldiers in Ragay, Camarines Sur in May 2018. According to Karapatan-Bicol, both have filed their respective counter-affidavits last year denying their participation in the alleged ambush.
On the day of the said incident, Pastor Dan was celebrating mass in his parish at the UCCP Church South Centro. Meanwhile, Nagrampa was campaigning for the upcoming barangay elections.
Both are currently detained at Camarines Sur Provincial Jail and are scheduled for arraignment on July 24 at Libmanan regional trial court.
Imelda San Andres, retired teacher and wife of Pastor Dan, expressed disappointment over the negative remarks online about her husband. “I hope that they will understand my husband’s work as a pastor and serving in the church. My husband should be freed because he has nothing to do with those charges,” Imelda said.
Leo Caballero, husband of Jen, shared that they have already learned the lesson of Martial Law during the Marcos dictatorship. “Reason teaches us how to stand up for what is right,” he said. “I think it is more urgent now to strengthen our resolve and stand firm in whatever trials come our way,” he said.
On the day of the arrest
Officers reportedly issued warrants for the two activists. But their relatives noted there were lapses in the conduct of the arrests, especially in the case of Pastor Dan.
According to Imelda, their family is still traumatized by the seeming brutality of the arresting officers. The warrant of arrest for Pastor Dan was issued 30 minutes after the arrival of the police but he was forced to drop on the ground with a gun pointed at him. Imelda also shared that 20 ununiformed men wearing name tags surrounded the vicinity.
In Jane’s case, the arresting officers did not handcuff the woman leader, seemingly to show respect. “Maybe the police officers were hesitant because Jen is respected in our barangay. However, there were several policemen who were not in uniform,” Leo said.
Active Rights Advocates in Bicol
Progressive groups condemned the arrest of Jen and Pastor Dan as part of the Duterte administration’s continuing crackdown and criminalization of human rights defenders.
Pastor Dan has been serving in the Church for almost 20 years. He became the Conference Minister of the North Bicol Conference during Bishop Eliezer Pascua’s term assigned to South Luzon Jurisdictional Area. Currently, he is the chairperson of the Christian Witness and Service Committee of the Conference with the mandate to protect and uphold human rights.
As an official of Karapatan Bicol, Pastor Dan is active in several fact-finding missions and speaks publicly about the plight of communities under militarization.
Jen, on the other hand is currently a barangay councilor in San Isidro, Nabua, Camarines Sur. She was also elected as BAYAN Bicol Chairperson during the 4th BAYAN Bicol Congress in 2018.
Before the PNP Ragay Municipal Police station under Police Major Ruben Perico filed a double murder case against the two in 2019, Jen was visited by alleged agents of DILG Region V, carrying a letter signed by DILG Secretary Eduardo Año.
It was a DILG Memorandum Circular prohibiting support to so-called Left-Wing Rebel Groups. In the letter, it tagged Bicolana Gabriela as a regional women’s “left leaning organization (LLO) in Bicol region with Jen branded as “sympathizer”.
Jen raised the harassment case of the alleged DILG agents during a dialogue with the DILG regional officials in October 2019. DILG-V Assistant Director Arnoldo Escober Jr. clarified that they were unaware of such cases against progressive groups using the name of the DILG.
Escober added that they did not know the people who identified themselves as DILG members who harassed Jen Nagrampa of Bicolana Gabriela and other members of progressive groups in Bicol. The said agency did not receive any report on this, he claimed.
The dialogue held in October was accompanied by a protest action by Tanggol Magsasaka in front of the DILG regional office. The groups condemned Memorandum Order 32, which they blamed as the reason behind the intensified police and military operations in the region.
MO 32, EO 70 and Anti-Terror Law
Human rights violations became rampant in Bicol with the implementation of MO 32 as well as Malacañang’s Executive Order 70, according to Karapatan.
The situation further worsened after the Anti-Terror Act of 2020 was signed, said Dan Balucio, secretary general of BAYAN Bicol. The group noticed that the practice of red-tagging progressive groups and individuals became more flagrant.
“It is a convenient tactic of the AFP and PNP in order to vilify human rights defenders, political activists, dissenters, environment advocates and other critics,” Balucio said.
“Red-tagging is a prelude to this monstrous legislation, the Anti-Terror Act of 2020, which will surely be used in the designation of progressive organizations and personalities as so-called terrorists.”
Jen’s husband finds the accusations against the Gabriela leader excessive. “Whenever I come home, it is painful to explain to our children the situation of their mother. But I think my children understand and they know that their mother is innocent,” Leo shared.
Leo added that that his wife is bravely facing the case against her. “She believes she will be free. Maybe it will be a challenge for the members of Bicolana Gabriela that although their chairperson is in jail, there’s a need to be stronger,” he said.
Imelda said that she is proud of Pastor Dan, and called on women with same situation to be strong and to not lose determination. (Baretang Bikolnon)
The post Groups, kin of two detained activists in Bicol to launch #FreeJenFreePastorDan Movement appeared first on AlterMidya.