Tag Archives: AKBAYAN youth

[Statement] No justice, no entry! – Akbayan Youth

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#HumanRights #DefendUP

No justice, no entry! A unity statement against the militarization of campuses amid the termination of the UP-DND accord

We, the organizations undersigned, stand with the UP community against President Duterte’s latest attempt for a crackdown against activists.

We say to the abusive state forces: no justice, no entry! The damning record of human rights violations by the PNP and the AFP under the control of President Rodrigo Duterte betrays their sorry attempt to instill trust with the academic community. If the state is unaccountable for systemic injustices that killed the Gregorios, the displacement of indigenous groups, and the murder of thousands under the drug war, Duterte’s men should not be allowed entry in the safe spaces of the campus.

The sudden, unilateral termination of the UP-DND accord is the Duterte government’s new deadly strain of repression against UP’s critical students, teachers, staff, and community members. It is no coincidence that the government is stripping off the protection accorded to the UP community as the dangerous Anti-Terror Act is in full swing. If the UP administration doesn’t act with urgency, the campuses will become hunting grounds for the likes of Debold Sinas and the AFP.

We believe that the campuses should be a safe space for students and the community from recruitment into acts of war by repressive state forces and non-state groups. We urge the UP administration to mobilize chancellors and deans in the different campuses to defy against this encroachment and uphold the principles of academic freedom, safety, and security in our campuses. We call on the public to resist this latest act of repression and fight for the safety of our schools.

DefendUP

NoToCampusMilitarization

JunkTerrorLaw

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[Statement] Don’t hold our children hostage -AKBAYAN youth

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Don’t hold our children hostage

When GMA passes this bill under her leadership in the House of Representatives, she can prove several things:

One, that she is capable of hijacking a long dead agenda to come to life just as how she was able to put herself back in power after years of pretending to be sick and weak. Playing dead is her go-to tactic for survival.

Two, that finally one of the administration’s priority bills can be passed into law after 3 years of trying—first, the death penalty bill, then this Batang Bilanggo bill, then later on ChaCha. None of which has actually passed, thanks to civil society’s vigilance and actions. We are truly more powerful together than the people in power.

Third, that she can distract us from her low trust ratings, and the even bigger economic crisis everyone is feeling now. This is the administration’s last attempt to save face after their ChaCha efforts went down the drain.

All these, in the name of our children. Not political will, not being against criminality, but sheer evil maneuvering even if it means hostaging our children’s future.

But she will prove one more thing: that the Filipinos will not allow our children’s future to be taken hostage by this government.

If we will not stand for the children failed by the system, we are letting down a generation taken into hostage by this administration. If the government cannot keep away illegal drugs from our communities, why do they hostage children to bring success stories of their failed war on drugs?

We challenge the Congress and Duterte’s administration: capture the adults in the drug and crime syndicates they are so obsessed about, arrest the corrupt old Marcos and Marcos-wannabe PDAF politicos, don’t lay your hands on our children.

#HandsOffOurChildren
#ChildrenNotCriminals
#NoToBatangBilanggoBill

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[From the web] Youth leaders urge voters to junk trapos -akbayanyouth.wordpress.com

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Youth leaders urge voters to junk trapos; support candidates who can sustain momentum of reforms
February 10, 2013

Akbayan youthTwo days before the official start of the campaign for the national and party-list elections, Akbayan Youth, the youth wing of Akbayan party-list called on voters to reject traditional politicians (trapos) and instead support “pro-change” candidates who can sustain the momentum of reforms.

According to Akbayan Youth spokesperson JC Tejano, traditional politicians have perennially used the elections to further entrench their interests while also serving as a stumbling block to meaningful reforms.

“Instead of the usual crop of trapos, the voting public should be more finicky and elect leaders who will uphold their sworn oath to faithfully serve the public and continue the momentum of reforms that have been started,” Tejano said.

Issue-based elections

Akbayan Youth also urged voters to ensure that the election season becomes a campaign based on issues by demanding from the candidates their platforms, programs and their stand on various political, social and economic issues and also go beyond the gimmicky and cheap tricks often employed by trapos to attract votes.

“We should raise the public’s level of political awareness beyond mere gimmicks and flare for pageantry and into a serious discussion of issues and platforms,” Tejano said.

“The people must build on the success of the significant reforms we have achieved in the past two years such as the reproductive health, sin tax, kasambahay, overseas voting laws, among others,” Tejano said.

Protect RH law, support pro-RH candidates

Tejano also urged the voters to support pro-RH candidates saying the recently RH law must be duly protected and defended from those that want to transform it into an unfunded mandate.

“We must guarantee that Congress will provide sufficient yearly funding for the implementation of the RH law. And one of the best ways to ensure that is to elect consistent and dependable RH advocates in the House of Representatives and Senate,” Tejano concluded. ###

Contact Person:
Sigrid Sibug @ 09157690439

Source: akbayanyouth.wordpress.com

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[Press Release] 6 days before SONA, Youth leaders launch campaign calling for justice to all victims of human rights violations during Martial Law – #rememberML@40

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6 days before SONA, Youth leaders launch campaign calling for justice to all victims of human rights violations during Martial Law

Youth leaders from different universities and colleges launch a kick off campaign calling for justice to all victims of human rights violations during Martial Law. This is in preparation for the commemoration of the 40th declaration of Martial Law on September 21, 2012 and six days before President Aquino’s SONA.

In a forum/press conference held yesterday, July 17, 2012, at the University of the Philippines College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP) in Diliman, Quezon City, the youth groups launch an information campaign which they call #rememberML@40. A youth counterpart of the broad campaign network of human rights defenders and NGOs which started last March 21, 2012.

We the youth are united in calling for President Aquino to be sincere in giving the long overdue justice to all victims of Martial Law. “Pass the Compensation Act now!” Said Noliver Barrido, spokesperson of the human rights defenders group, Youth for Rights (Y4R).

We are reminding P-Noy about his declaration during his 2011 SONA to compensate all victims of Martial Law, yet one year after the bill is still pending in the Senate. “What makes it difficult for the government to pass a bill which is due to the victims?” Alex Castro, UP University Student Council Vice Chairperson added.

Inspired by the heroism of youth leaders and activists who fought against the dictatorship in the 60’s and 70’s the group declared in a statement, “Hindi sila pumayag noon, hindi tayo papayag ngayon!” A commitment they pledge against the continuous human rights violations happening in the country.

According to the group they will solicit pinky pledges to symbolize commitment to truth, justice and human rights and as a way to popularize the campaign among the youth.

Through the combination of online and offline activities, we aim to reach the broadest number of our fellow youth. We want them to be informed and inspired with the truth and lessons that we as a nation learned from the struggle of martyrs and heroes in defending human rights against tyranny and suppression.” The group concluded.

The group was represented by Herat Dino and Alex Castro, Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of The University Student Council of UP Diliman, Noliver Barrido of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), Alvin Quinto of Center for Youth Advocacy and Networking (CYAN) and Shaina Santiago of UP-Kaisa.

###

The #rememberML@40 youth campaign coordinating committee is composed of: Youth for Rights, University Student Council-UP Diliman, UP Diliman League of College Councils, Kaisa-UP Diliman, Alyansa UP Diliman, Magkaisa CSSP, PLM-Kampi, CSA Advocacy Team-De La Salle –CSB, UPM, PUP, CYAN, SalinLahi, Y4R-DLS-CSB, Y4R-Marikina Polytechnic College, Y4R-University of Makati, Y4R-St Josephs College QC, Y4R-Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Akbayan Youth, Partido ng Mangagawa- youth, Youth for Nationalism and Democracy (YND), Sanlakas Youth, Stand-UP. Community youth: Y4R in Payatas QC, Cagayan, Bulacan, and Manila, Partido Lakas ng Masa Youth –Manila and Quezon City. Other supporting youth groups: IAMSAM-UST, Move-UP UPLB, Edsa People Power Foundation NCR-Youth, Bukluran-PLM

For more details please contact:
Noli Barido (Y4R spokesperson): 09159666109, brainiac_revilon@yahoo.com
Alex Castro (UP Diliman): 09065701029, alexandracruzcastro@yahoo.com
Egay Cabalitan (TFDP): 09219645017, egay.advocacytfdp@gmail.com
Rose Trajano (PAHRA): 09065531792, pahra@philippinehumanrights.org

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[In the news] Youth group disputes proposed Zambo power plant | ABS-CBN News | Latest Philippine Headlines, Breaking News, Video, Analysis, Features

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Youth group disputes proposed Zambo power plant | ABS-CBN News | Latest Philippine Headlines, Breaking News, Video, Analysis, Features.

By Jewel Reyes, ABS-CBN Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Members of Akbayan Youth conducted protests against the proposed operation of a coal fired power plant in Zamboanga City.

The protest rally was conducted at the Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone and Freeport Authority in Sitio San Ramon, the site where the plant is expected to be constructed.

Grace Baylon, Secretary General for Akbayan Youth, said the rally is a way of sending a message to the local government officials to reconsider their position on the issue.

The Sangguniang Panlungsod earlier passed a no-objection resolution favoring the establishment of a coal fired power plant by the Conal Holdings Corporation.

Simone Medson, youth leader of the Danish Social Development, said her group and Akbayan have united to educate people on global warming.

“No matter what they say about how environmentally innovated the coal fired power plants nowadays, it still contributes to burning and pollution,” she said.

Joseph Nocos, Vice President for Business Development of Conal Holdings, however, said that everyone is entitled to his own opinion. He assured that the proposed construction will submit the requirements imposed by the different government agencies.

A site survey is currently being conducted in a 60-hectare lot leased to Conal Holdings Corporation managed by Zambo Ecozone.

Nocos said this is part of their soil study if the site is feasible for the proposed construction.

Akbayan said their group and other cause-oriented groups vow to block the operation of a coal fired power plant in Zamboanga.

The groups call on local government officials to consider other alternative sources of energy to augment the energy deficiency in the region.