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[Statement] Ating Guro Partylist brings the battle to Supreme Court

Posted on June 24, 2016 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

Ating Guro partylist brings the battle to Supreme Court

During the proclamation of the winning party list groups on May 19, ATING GURO was one of the parties that should have been given 1 seat out of 59 seats reserved for party list representation for the 17th Congress as evidenced by the Comelec-prepared program of proclamation, draft canvass report & seat allocation. However, the COMELEC suddenly allocated 2 seats for COOP-NATCCO and none for ATING GURO.

Thus, on May 23, we filed the PETITION FOR CORRECTION OF MANIFEST ERROR with motion to annul proclamation/suspend awarding of certificate of proclamation to 2nd seat of Coop-Natcco. On that day, we also started the camp out/vigil and protests in front of COMELEC office in Manila which lasted until June 10 (we have to prepare for June 13 school opening). In a period of three weeks, the COMELEC never acted on our petition.

But on the night of June 21, COMELEC executive director Jose Tolentino, Jr., handed us the copy of a minute resolution dated June 9, 2016. On the said minute resolution, the poll body denied our petition for alleged lack of legal basis. However, they submit to our main legal argument that COOP-NATCCO, which failed to secure a whole integer upon application of Carpio formula prescribed under Supreme Court’s ruling in BANAT vs. COMELEC is not entitled to additional seat and only 1 guaranteed seat.

The COMELEC en banc decision based on National Board of Canvassers (NBOC) Supervisory Committee recommendation gave second seat to COOP-NATCCO, while in the same recommendation, it says that COOP-NATCCO is not entitled to additional seat. COMELEC ruled in excess of what the SC says in Banat by still including COOP-NATCCO in the list of parties to be given the remaining 35 seats. By doing such is tantamount to giving COOP-NATCCO a second seat after its own ruling said it is not.

COMELEC denied due process to ATING GURO by not giving us a chance to comment on the recommendation of NBOC Supervisory Committee submitted to en banc. We made a follow-up before the Comelec legal and asked for the copy of recommendation when we were informed that there was already an en banc decision. We proceeded to ask for copy of the resolution from the Commission Secretary, but instead we were given copy of the minutes of June 9 hearing which was supposed to be administrative in nature.

This afternoon at around 2:00PM, we will file the Petition for Certiorari (with prayer for immediate issuance of a writ of preliminary injunction and Temporary Restraining Order/Status Quo Ante Order) before the Supreme Court.

We will continue our indignation protests in front of COMELEC office in coming days to denounce the abuse of authority and the gross neglect of the due process of law committed by its officials who vowed to ensure the integrity of the electoral process. #

For details:
Emmalyn Policarpio, Spokesperson, 0998-4865628
Benjo Basas, First Nominee/ Petitioner, 0927-3356375

Statement

[People] Lupa at Hustisya para sa mga Magsasaka: Mensahe ni Walden Bello sa paglulunsad ng Martsa ng Magsasaka

Posted on April 17, 2016 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

Lupa at Hustisya para sa mga Magsasaka: Mensahe ni Walden Bello sa paglulunsad ng Martsa ng Magsasaka
12 April 2016

Isang maalab na pagbati sa inyong lahat. Narito tayo ngayon sa Sariaya upang ilunsad ang isang martsa na naglalayong kalampagin at gisingin ang ating gobyerno. Gobyernong patuloy na isinasawalang bahala ang sunod-sunod na dagok na naglulugmok sa sektor agraryo sa gutom, kawalan ng katarungan, at pagkait sa karapatan sa lupa.

Nagulantang ang bansa sa bangis na ipinakita ng pamahalaan sa mga kapatid nating magbubukid na nagprotesta sa Kidapawan. Nakalulungkot na kailangan pang humantong sa ganitong uri ng karahasan bago mapansin ng buong bayan ang krisis na kinasasangkutan ng mga magsasaka—hindi lang sa Mindanao kundi sa buong Pilipinas.

Dito lang sa Sariaya, nakaamba ang pagkabawi ng Certificate of Land Ownership (CLOA) na sumasakop sa 4,800 ektarya. Halos apat na libong pamilya ang mawawalan ng lupang binubungkal kapag maisapinal ang pagkansela ng kanilang CLOA. Sa Leyte naman, hindi pa rin hawak ng labing apat na libong magbubukid ang mahigit labindalawang libong CLOA na dapat ay naipamahagi nila, at naiulat na ng DAR na accomplished land distribution. Dahil wala sa kanila ang kanilang CLOA, hindi makatanggap ng tulong ang mga magbubukid nang nasalanta sila ng bagyong Yolanda. Walang habas pa rin ang kumbersyon ng lupa at kakulangan sa suportang serbisyo na ilang dekada na ring pinapasan ninyong magsasaka. At hindi pa rin umuusad ang ipinangakong pagsasakumpleto sa implementasyon ng repormang agraryo sa bisa ng CARPER. At tulad ng nakita natin sa Kidapawan, hindi lang karapatang agraryo kundi pati karapatang pantao ng mga magsasaka ang niyuyarakan ng mga puwersa ng pamahalaan. Nang may 300 pamilya ng magsasaka ang napalayas sa Hacienda Dolores, Porac, Pampanga noong 2014, dalawa ang pinatay, habang ikinulong at hindi pa nakakalaya hanggang ngayon ang pinuno nila.

Kaisa at kaagapay ninyo ako sa inyong pakikibaka. Batid ninyo na sa aking panunungkulan sa Kongreso, repormang agraryo at rural development ang isa sa mga naging pangunahing tutok ko. Kung palaring mahalal sa Senado ngayong Mayo, maaasahan ninyo ang patuloy kong pagkakampeon sa inyong interes. Ngunit hindi lang ako ang tumatakbo, at hindi lang Senado ang ating ihahalal ngayong Mayo. Kailangan nating usigin at usisain ang lahat ng mga tumatakbo—lalo na para sa pagka-Pangulo—kung ano ang maitutugon nila, hindi lamang sa karahasan at kawalan ng katarungang nagaganap laban sa inyong ranggo ngayon. Kailangan din nilang ipahayag kung ano ang posisyon nila ukol sa kapalaran ng CARPER at ng coco levy funds (kasama na ang 20% San Miguel Corporation shares na iginawad kay Danding Cojuangco ng Korte Suprema). Tandaan din natin na ang susunod na Pangulo ay mag-aappoint ng hanggang 10 Supreme Court justices sa loob ng kanyang termino. Marapat lang nating matamo ngayon pa lang ang kanilang panata at commitment upang masingil natin ang sinumang mahalal.

Sa ganang akin, manalo man ako o matalo, hindi ako titigil sa pagtataguyod sa minimithi nating lahat—repormang pansakahan, seguridad sa pagkain, at masagana at maunlad na kita at kabuhayan para sa ating mga magsasaka. Mabuhay ang martsa ng magsasaka! Alam kong simula pa lang ito ng tuloy-tuloy na pagkilos ng lahat ng batayang sektor, kasama na ang ating mga kapatid na manggagawa sa darating na Mayo Uno. Sa maigting na pakikibaka ng ating pinagakaisang puwersa, matatamo rin natin ang dignidad sa kanayunan at sa buong bayan. Mabuhay tayong lahat!

People

[Video] Our History: The Marcos Legacy. ISINUKA NA, ISUSUBO PA ULI by Martial Law Chronicles

Posted on April 17, 2016 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

Our History: The Marcos Legacy. ISINUKA NA, ISUSUBO PA ULI by Martial Law Chronicles

https://www.facebook.com/MartialLawChronicles/videos

[Press Release] Labor group dares Presidentiables to ‘Walk the Talk’ on contractualization -UPAC

Posted on April 15, 2016 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

Labor group dares Presidentiables to ‘Walk the Talk’ on contractualization

IN A press conference held in Quezon City, a coalition of union presidents challenged all candidates vying for the presidency to regularize their employees now and not simply pledge to act on the scourge of contractualization only after an electoral victory in the May National elections.

“All politicians will promise heaven on earth to edge out their rivals but since all of them has spoken against contractualization, the next best thing for them to do is walk the talk and begin with their own companies and those they have investments in,” said Crisanto Ami, official of Union Presidents Against Contractualization (UPAC) and the union president of Dusit Thani Hotel.

“If they truly disapprove of contractualization and its disempowering impact to the lives of more than seventy percent of the forty one million national labor force in both the public and private sector then it would be admirable for them to practice what they preach,” he added.

The veteran labor leader took notice that all candidates have released statements condemning contractual labor but has done nothing concrete during their incumbency at the respective posts to prevent the systemic onslaught of workers even after the Kentex fire in Valenzuela City last year.

Ami cited that among the presidentiables only Miriam Defensor Santiago filed a resolution before the Senate to conduct an inquiry on the alleged promotion of contractual employment by the labor department in its Department Order 18-A two days after the Kentex tragedy.

“With media hounding these politicians everyday and dissecting their every statement, candidates may speak all they want about the evils of contractualization but are only negating each other. Worse, words without actions particularly during the campaign period will only reinforce their Trapo (traditional politician) image”.

UPAC leaders also took a swipe at candidates who have long been in government service but only recently have taken a position against contractualization and have the gall to ask the ranks organized labor for its votes when they have done nothing during their incumbency.

“With only more than three weeks into the campaign, it will be crucial for all presidentiables to take up our challenge and prove their sincerity and worth to the electorate by regularizing their employees, divest from companies who employ contractual, disengage from their financiers who employ thousands of temps in their workforce as well as endorse local candidates known to be in the business of sub-contracting labor,” he explained.

The group likewise announced that they are willing to support any candidate who takes up on their challenge. .

Ami clarified that, “Organized labor even with its dwindling numbers is a crucial voting bloc and can effectively influence the electoral results since the top bets are statistically tied, based on recent surveys”.

UPAC also announced that they shall be holding a rally at the office of labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz Monday next week to denounce the department’s circumvention of labor laws and her rabid anti-workers stint for the past six years.

Press Release
14 April 2016

Contact person:
Gie Relova 0915-2862555

Press Release

[Statement] ATM Statement to Presidential Candidates—Take progressive stand on mining

Posted on April 14, 2016 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

ATM Statement to Presidential Candidates—Take progressive stand on mining

Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM), a national coalition of more than 130 members including mining-affected communities, non-governmental organizations, faith-based groups, academic institutions, and other groups collectively challenging the promotion of destructive large-scale mining in the Philippines, call on the Presidential Candidates to take a progressive stand on mining. We have 21 local multi-sectoral alliances in the provincial Sites of Struggles we are present.

ATM works to protect Filipino communities and natural resources that are threatened by large-scale mining operations. The alliance aims to shift the policy framework on extracting minerals in the Philippines, from simply “extracting and profiting from mining minerals” to “mineral management towards national industrialization”. ATM also believes this shift will drive local sustainable development, promote resilient communities and facilitate national industrialization.

ATM is strongly supporting human rights groups pushing for a 10-Point Human Rights Electoral Agenda for the next Administration to institutionalize rights-based governance and act to realize its Constitutional mandate to protect, respect and fulfill human rights.

In its General Assembly last April 7-8, 2016,after looking at the different influences and links of players in the mining industry to the candidates, ATM members resolved that candidates be sought to publicly state their positions on proposed changes in the mining policy. Specifically ATM calls for (a) the enactment of a new mining law or a minerals management law that will repeal Republic Act No. 7942; (b) revocation of PGMA’s Executive Order 270-A on the aggressive promotion of the mining industry; and the (c) moratorium on all mining operations while a new policy is put in place.

Further, as a core member of the Green Thumb Coalition, a national initiative calling for an environmental agenda in the candidates’ platforms and future program of government, ATM demands that the candidates respond to the scorecards indicating their positions on certain environmental issues including mining, biodiversity conservation and climate change.

ATM calls for a Green Candidate to lead the Philippines in the next six years. For ATM, the “Green President” should: i) support the passage of a new mining law, embodied in the Alternative Minerals Management Bill or (AMMB); ii) expansion and implementation of the “No-Go Zones” map of DENR and MICC; iii) address human rights violations and abuse in mining-affected areas; iv) resolve land use conflicts between mining, ancestral domains, protected areas, geo-hazard areas and watersheds; v) strongly support local autonomy on mining issues; and vi) increase transparency in the mining industry.

We want a new government that will have human rights and environment in its agenda and that will cater to the peoples’ needs versus corporate agenda. We want leaders who will echo our voice, as we demand justice for the ravage and plunder of our lands, the ecological destruction and disasters, the killings and human rights violations.

Alyansa Tigil Mina – April 13, 2016

Statement

[Press Release] Candidates to Reflect on Rights Questionnaire to Inform Voters of Presidential Contenders’ Stance on Key Issues -HRW

Posted on March 23, 2016 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

Philippines: Candidates to Reflect on Rights
Questionnaire to Inform Voters of Presidential Contenders’ Stance on Key Issues

Link to HRW’s letter to candidates: https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/03/22/letter-2016-presidential-candidates

(New York, March 23) – Candidates in the May 2016 Philippine presidential election will have an opportunity to explain to voters their positions on major human rights issues, Human Rights Watch said today.

Human Rights Watch sent a 10-question human rights survey to the five presidential candidates on March 21. Responses will be posted on the website in late April.

“The Philippines’ next president will inherit immense human rights problems requiring leadership and commitment,” said Brad Adams, Asia director. “Filipino voters should demand to hear from their presidential candidates exactly what they would do to protect and strengthen human rights.”

The election is slated for May 9. The Philippine constitution allows a president a single six-year term. President Benigno Aquino III, in office since 2010, is barred from running for re-election. The five candidates seeking to succeed Aquino have formed election tickets, each with a vice presidential candidate.

The Human Rights Watch questionnaire seeks responses on “death squad” killings; torture; attacks against journalists; accountability of state security forces; rights of indigenous peoples; reproductive health rights; displacement caused by conflict; and the country’s HIV/AIDS epidemic, among other subjects.

“The upcoming presidential election is crucial if the Philippines is to end pervasive abuses and impunity and become a genuinely rights-respecting country,” Adams said. “When Filipinos go to the polls on May 9, they will want to know where the candidates stand on these critical concerns.”

Press Release

[Press Release] #PilipinasDelayed: Youth sector decries absence of youth agenda in electoral debate -SPARK

Posted on March 22, 2016 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

#PilipinasDelayed: Youth sector decries absence of youth agenda
in electoral debate

“The fiasco we have seen transpired in national television is the reason why more and more members of the youth are becoming disillusioned with Philippine politics,” said one youth leader concerning the three-hour long COMELEC-organized debate which aired Sunday on TV5.

SPARK – Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan National Coordinator Arvin Buenaagua expressed disappointment over the outcome of the second national debate consisting of candidates vying for the position of President, as the event set the stage for mere “slander, mudslinging and name-calling.”

Buenaagua denounced how key issues concerning the youth, specifically education and the lack of regular jobs for newly-graduates, were left out in the debate. “Not even one candidate cared to bring up what they would do for the one million new graduates who are likely to join the ranks of the unemployed,” he said. SPARK expressed concern over the decreasing opportunities for regular jobs, as at least 75% of the work force in the Philippines remains contractual or casual workers.

“With the current policy of contractualization, made possible by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Order 18-A, the prospects for social mobility to be experienced by the youth become less and less,” Buenaagua said.

Youth organizations also expressed dismay with the presidentiables’ lack of a clear educational platforms or policy direction. “Year after year we experience tuition fee-related suicides from students of public universities, and with the current implementation of the K to 12 program, education is becoming increasingly expensive, especially for marginalized sectors,” said Joanne Lim of UP Nagkakaisang Iskolar para sa Pamantasan at Sambayanan (UP KAISA).

“Adding to that, the past administration has proven that it is incompetent in providing assistance to those students who rely on scholarships in order to pursue their studies.” Lim cited the report by the Commission on Audit (COA) that P1 Billion worth of funds allotted for scholarships remained unreleased by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), citing several inefficient and dubious measures employed by the office.

Both student leaders decried the “rude and undignified” behavior of all candidates, as no presidentiable stood above the rest in how they related with each other and addressed issues.

“Only last week there was outrage over the alleged ‘impoliteness’ of a UP Los Banos student who asked one of the candidates a legitimate and serious question,” Lim recalled. “And yet, today we see how these bastions of courtesy scramble for attention and dominance at the expense of substance.”

Buenaagua found it disturbing that candidates could get away with glorifying extrajudicial killings and unrestrained outbursts in national television. “We must hold candidates to a higher standard. If society looks to the youth as its hope, it must look to its leaders and find inspiration, not fear or disgust,” he concluded.

Press Release
21 March 2016

Contact details:
Arvin Buenaagua 0915-3523951
SPARK National Coordinator

Press Release

[Press Release] “Take a stand against destructive mining! Pass a new minerals management law!” candidates urged -ATM

Posted on March 11, 2016 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

“Take a stand against destructive mining! Pass a new minerals management law!” candidates urged

Photo by ATM

Human rights and environment advocates visited the headquartes of Presidential and Vice Presidential tandems Mar-Leni, Grace-Chiz and BinGo to challenge them to take a stand against destructive mining and support the passage of a new minerals management bill on Thursday.

Activists wearing green first gathered at the campaign headquarters of the Liberal Party candidates and called on the candidates to reveal their positions on the industry despite their links to mining investments and the support they receive from players in the industry.

“Almost all of the candidates have support from people who have stakes in the industry, the question is, if in case they get elected: What will they do to address the problems with the mining industry and the outdated and flawed policies that allow it? Our demand is for these candidates to genuinely work for the people’s good and not the corporate agenda or the agenda of the elite and powerful,” said Jaybee Garganera, national coordinator of Alyansa Tigil Mina.

Mining is inarguably one of the most destructive industries and one that is opposed by many communities and their support groups—environmental and human rights organizations—because of argued negative impacts that outweigh supposed benefits from it. ATM assert that mining will only truly benefit the Philippine economy and communities if we repeal the current Mining Law (RA 7942) and enact the Alternative Minerals Management.

Max de Mesa, Chairperson of the Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates said: “The next leaders, who are duty-bearers of human rights, are obligated to give justice for all the victims of mining-related killings and human rights violations. The Aquino administration has acquiesced to impunity against economic,social and cultural rights of people in the areas of mining. The people must vote for those who would determinedly uphold the dignity of every person and guarantee full respect for human rights as embodied in our Constitution.”

On Monday, the ATM and its partners called on the public to vote for pro-environment, pro-people, anti-mining candidates. Independent Senatorial Candidate Walden Bello said in a statement: “I join Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) in calling for transparency in these coming elections and for the candidates to come out with their positions on mining and environment, and their links to mining interests, if any. I echo ATM’s challenge for the candidates to articulate their position on human rights, and environment in their agenda. In May, let us vote for the environment, for our natural resources, for the peoples of tomorrow.”

The group is calling on the next Administration to have the environment and human rights in their agenda and to resolve, among others, the issues with the Philippine mining policy.

Local actions with the same call were also led by Ang Aroroy ay Alagan (4As) in Masbate, Marinduque Council for Environmental Concerns in Marinduque and Sibuyan Against Mining (SAM) in Romblon.

Alyansa Tigil Mina is an alliance of mining-affected communities and their support groups of NGOs/POs and other civil society organizations who oppose the aggressive promotion of large-scale mining in the Philippines. The alliance is currently pushing for a moratorium on mining, revocation of EO 270-A, repeal of the Mining Act of 1995, and passage of the Alternative Minerals Management Bill.

For more information:
Jaybee Garganera, ATM National Coordinator (0917) 549.82.18 <nc@alyansatigilmina.net>
Farah Sevilla ATM Policy Research and Advocacy Officer (0915) 331.33.61 <policy@alyansatigimina.net>

Press Release

[From the web] “Make Human Rights the core of your governance.”- HR groups challenge candidates -PAHRA

Posted on March 4, 2016 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

“Make Human Rights the core of your governance.”- HR groups challenge candidates

Photo by Olegs Olegario

Human rights groups today challenged all candidates in the 2016 national and local elections to support the Human Rights Agenda as their electoral platform.

Gathering in the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, Quezon City, at a media forum in celebration of the 30th anniversary of EDSA, entitled “Human Rights from Aquino to Aquino: EDSA @30: A Civil Society Assessment of Gains, Reverses and Challenges”, about one hundred (100) human rights defenders led by the Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) has launched the Human Rights Agenda 2016 in the lead up to the May 2016 elections.

“The Human Rights Agenda will be brought to the attention of all candidates and political parties in this coming May elections. This agenda also presupposes a range of human rights violations in the different branches of government that must be addressed in developing a National Human Rights Action Plan (NHRAP) for the next administration,” Max de Mesa, PAHRA Chairperson said. “Furthermore,” he stressed, “we must progressively struggle for greater freedoms and fuller enjoyment of our rights.”

The changing landscape offers a significant opportunity for ensuring protection and promotion of human rights in the agenda of the next administration.

The Human Rights Agenda outlines 10-point areas for Rights-Based governance; fulfilment of international human rights obligations; ending impunity; ensuring peace and security; promotion of economic, social and cultural rights; environmental protection; national actions towards climate justice; respecting and protecting the land and resource rights of indigenous peoples; and protection of human rights defenders.

Likewise, the Human Rights Agenda presents an opportunity to systematically consider the Philippine government’s strengths and address its shortcomings in human rights laws and practice.

Rose Trajano, PAHRA Secretary-General added the Executive’s Second Philippine Human Rights Plan (PHRP II) that was presented by the Presidential Human Rights Committee (PHRC) in November 2015 at “Ugnayang Bayan”. The PHRC II supposedly contained information about the government’s accomplishments based on various United Nations Treaty Bodies is a source of great concern to the civil society community. The said concern was due to lack of transparency and public participation in the development of the PHRP II.

Much like the past national elections, the runoff to the country’s May 2016 national elections has brought together a cast of old and new characters from the Philippines’ on-going democratic evolution. Such political mixture, without the people’s extra diligence for vigilance, could well erode our gained freedoms and rights not yet obtained by some of our ASEAN neighbours.

The Constitution provides for anti-political dynasty law. However, the anti-political dynasty bill will not be passed by the end of the term of President Benigno Aquino III next year.

In the media forum, after 30 years of EDSA PAHRA stressed that when Aquino term ends, his administration will be remembered for lost ground on bold measures in breaking through impunity, especially in the face of increased violations in the arena of economic, social and cultural rights.

The government’s Witness Protection Program (WPP) is not sufficiently implemented since it hardly inspires confidence in the witnesses that they are well protected if they participated in the trial. Six years since the Ampatuan massacre, the trial against 197 accused, including eight members of the Ampatuan family and 70 police and military officers, started in January 2010. Two other prosecution witnesses have been killed since.

Aquino’s pledge of revoking Executive Order (EO) No. 546 s. 2006, is nothing more of a publicity stunt as paramilitary groups continues to wreak havoc in mining affected communities in Mindanao, such as the Magahat-Bagani, a paramilitary group that had been tagged for allegedly killing the executive director of a tribal school in Lianga town in Surigao del Sur province on Sept. 1, 2015 that caused the evacuation of some 2,000 residents of Diatagon village.

“We challenge all the candidates to put human rights at the center of electoral platforms. The challenge now is to ensure the public make an informed decision who they should vote for based on issues in determining the outcome of the May elections,” de Mesa continued.

“The Human Rights Agenda highlights that taking action to address those issues not only strengthens the human rights at stake, it ultimately helps ensure that economic growth is more sustainable and inclusive, criminal justice more effective, women and girls more empowered, and freedom and democracy more robust,” PAHRA Chairperson Max de Mesa concluded.-end-

Contact:

Rose Trajano, Secretary-General, PAHRA
53-B Maliksi St. Brgy. Pinyahan, Quezon City
Tel/fax (632) 436-26-33
Mobile phone no.: 0917-308-2409
E-mail: pahra@philippinehumanrights.org

From the web

[Press Release] DIGNIDAD movement launched in march rally 30 years after EDSA uprising, activists pledged to fight for life of dignity for all

Posted on February 26, 2016 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

DIGNIDAD movement launched in march rally 30 years after EDSA uprising, activists pledged to fight for life of dignity for all

Photo grabbed from DIGNIDAD para sa lahat FB page

An alliance of social movements advancing universal, comprehensive and transformative social protection was formally launched today through a march rally that culminated in Bantayog ng mga Bayani with each of the more than 1,000 advocates pledging to campaign vigorously to realize a life of dignity for all.

DIGNIDAD, a broad coalition engaging electoral candidates to adopt its social protection agenda, marched from EDSA-SM North to Bantayog ng mga Bayani where leaders spoke at various stops to highlight the current state of governance and how there remained unequal distribution of wealth and of opportunities after 30 years since the Marcos dictatorship was toppled through the EDSA uprising.

Ana Maria Nemenzo, DIGNIDAD co-convener and lead convener of Kampanya para sa Makataong Pamumuhay or KAMP, explained that to correct the prevailing unjust system, universal, comprehensive and transformative social protection policies are needed towards attaining social justice, equality and the elimination of discrimination. She stressed the important role of state as duty bearer “social protection programs need to be state-driven with public partnership and control, legislated and institutionalized nation-wide and universalized or for all Filipinos.”

“Especially in the era of climate change, social protection must also enable our people to survive and prevail over disasters by having guaranteed income or cash support throughout their life-cycle, access to essential services, and building disaster-resilient communities with state leadership and support,” she added.

“The problems of social exclusion, inequality, poverty, joblessness and weak or limited social protection for the many cannot be solved under the present system of neo-liberal economic governance,” she said. “There is a need to overhaul the system and place people’s rights at the center of the development agenda.”

Nemenzo explained that post-EDSA administrations failed to change the governance system as reflected in the kind of socio-economic policies that have been pursued in the last three decades.

“Marcos left a legacy of plunder that has bled the nation dry and further widened the gap between the rich – including Marcos cronies – and the poor,” said Walden Bello, DIGNIDAD champion and a former member of House of Representatives. “Nearly three decades after EDSA, there remains terrible inequity due to the neo-liberal policies of previous administrations that put private sector profit first at the expense of protective measures that could have eased the lives of the poor majority.”

Through a symbolic signing of the DIGNIDAD card, where the demands and entitlements that guarantee a life of dignity are written, members of grassroots organizations and civil society groups, including members of the five party-list groups that are part of DIGNIDAD forged to fight for the following: 1) ?secure and decent work and livelihood; 2) decent and ?affordable housing, 3) ?free and quality health care; 4) adequate, safe and affordable food; 5) safe, reliable and affordable public transport; 6) free education? up to the tertiary level; 7) ?living pension?s for all senior citizens, child subsidy ?and income support to persons with disabilities, unemployed, and calamity victims.

Another DIGNIDAD co-convener Dr. Ed Tadem of the Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC) highlighted that the dire situation of the poor majority have been ignored by previous administrations despite the Constitutional order that the highest budgetary priorities should be given to the enhancement of the welfare and security of the people. “The government violated the Constitution many times over by sticking to a Marcosian law guaranteeing foreign and domestic creditors automatic debt servicing at the expense of guaranteeing access to social services and social protection by the people.”

“In this scheme of governance — growth promotion via unilateral economic liberalization, debt servicing first before social expenditure and tax collection from all regardless of capacity — the basic social needs of the poor such as health and education, water and power, housing and transportation, staple food and so on are predictably neglected,” Dr. Tadem added.

DIGNIDAD members urged the public to seriously consider who to elect in the coming May 2016 national polls.” Only candidates who can fully commit to ensuring social protection measures deserve our votes,” Dr. Tadem concluded. “We challenge particularly the presidential candidates to address our specific demands in order ensure a dignified life for every Filipino citizen.”

DIGNIDAD members were joined by renowned musicians like Tres Marias composed of Cooky Chua, Bayang Barios and Lolita Carbon, a former member of band ASIN known for its protest songs during the Marcos years. The musicians crooned out their desires for genuine change.-end-

Press Release

[Off the shelf] Philippine Electoral Almanac Revised And Expanded

Posted on February 11, 2016 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

Philippine Electoral Almanac Revised And Expanded

In light of the upcoming national and local elections, the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) and the Presidential Museum and Library has published the newly-revised and expanded edition of the Philippine Electoral Almanac, a go-to resource of Philippine electoral history from pre-colonial period to the present. It is available for download on archive.org.

The almanac explores the political relationships between the Presidency, the Legislature, and the Filipino electorate. It features write-ups, maps, pie charts, bar graphs, and infographics.

For more related resources, visit the Presidential Museum and Library and Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines websites.

[Featured Site] Green Thumb Coalition! facebook page

Posted on February 8, 2016 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

We are the Green Thumb Coalition! We are a confluence of different organizations who want to discuss socio-environmental issues here in social media. We dare the presidential, senatorial and other political candidates to make a stand for the environment.

https://web.facebook.com/GreenThumbCoalition/videos/vb.1555870994728210/1555875398061103/?type=2&theater

It is a broad and united front that will launch solid and deeply-rooted green electoral platform campaign.

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[Press Release] Teachers recognize Senate approval of optional poll duties, reiterate higher pay for teachers sitting as election workers -TDC

Posted on January 28, 2016 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

Teachers recognize Senate approval of optional poll duties,
reiterate higher pay for teachers sitting as election workers

Public school teachers welcome the Senate approval of Election Service Reform Act (ESRA) on third and final reading the other day. The bill seeks to make election duty non-compulsory for state teachers.

“Under the existing laws, teachers are compelled to work as election inspectors and a mere refusal may constitute an election offense.” Said Benjo Basas, the group’s chairperson. “Thus, we are thankful that this bill, which we are pushing since we were established in 2006 has reached this far and I believe it will soon be enacted into law because the House gave its similar affirmation last year.” He added.

Basas said teachers are thankful for the support of the legislators particularly Representative Fred Castro of Capiz and Senator Koko Pimentel, the respective chairpersons of House and Senate suffrage committees.

“We acknowledge this measure because at the moment, we cannot refuse the assignment to sit as election workers, even if this task may expose us to harm, even death. We cannot negotiate with the Comelec on the amount they want us to be paid. We can never demand for a lawyer to defend us when we are in trouble.” Basas said.

This proposal if enacted into law, however would not be implemented for national elections of May 2016, thus, they reiterate the request for a higher compensation package for teachers sitting as members of the board of election inspectors (BEI).

“We believe the P3, 000 total per diem for members of the BEI is not enough to compensate our teachers, this is one of the reasons why we want to make this duty optional.” Basas explained.

The group last year said that per diem for 2016 elections should raise to P10, 000 for every BEI member, but the Comelec Resolution 10031 relating to composition, appointment and compensation of the BEI retained the P3, 000 honoraria, ESRA provides for a total of P6, 000 for BEI chairman and P5, 000 for two other members.

“In the absence of law, the Comelec en banc may decide on our request for higher compensation.” Basas ended. #
For details: Benjo Basas, 0927-3356375

PRESS RELEASE
January 27, 2016

Press Release

[Event] #TheLeaderIWant President-VP Forum by RAPPLER.com

Posted on January 15, 2016 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

#TheLeaderIWant President-VP Forum

In 2013, Rappler brought together journalism, technology and community in its coverage of thesenatorial and local elections.

For the 2016 Presidential Elections, technology will bring together compelling journalism, an informed citizenry and an engaged crowd in one common journey: the search for #TheLeaderIWant.

To guide voters along this journey, Rappler and its partners will provide voters with content, tools, conversations and events that will help them assess and choose the leader they want based on issues that matter and make informed decisions.

#TheLeaderIWant Tandem Forum
Moderated by Maria Ressa
WHEN: Wednesday, January 20, 2016, 2 PM
WHERE: De La Salle University’s Theresa Yuchengco Auditorium

More details @ www.rappler.com

Event

[Campaign] KARAPATANG PANTAO Dapat sa 2016 Election -TFDP/Y4R

Posted on December 10, 2015 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

KARAPATANG PANTAO Dapat sa 2016 Election

-Campaign for the HR Agenda on 2016 Election

Ang December 10, 2015 ang huling HR Day sa termino ni Pnoy bago ang paparating na eleksiyon 2016 sa Mayo. Pagkakataon ito upang tasahin ang kaniyang performance sa HR at ilunsad ng HR community ang kampanya para sa HR Agenda for 2016 Election.

Habang hindi naging prayoridad sa termino ni PNoy ang karapatang pantao, nagbabanta naman ang pagwawalang bahala at paglabag sa karapatang pantao ng sinumang papalit na mga pinuno ng bansa.

Nagpapatuloy ang paglabag sa karapatang pantao.

Ang kahinaan ng tuwid na daan ni PNoy ay ang kawalan nito ng paninindigan sa maraming usapin ng karapatang pantao. Nangibabaw ang pagpapahalaga sa kita ng iilan at pag-unlad na agresibong sumagasa sa karapatan ng maraming sektor sa bansa.

Binabaha’t binabagyo na ng sakuna ng kalikasan, binabaha’t binabagyo pa ng paglabag sa karapatang pantao ang mga mamamayang mahirap sa bansa.

Marami sa mga kapatid na katutubo at lumad ang pinatay, inagawan at pinalalayas sa kanilang lupaing ninuno. Habang humaharap pa ang mundo sa delubyo’t sakunang dulot ng papalalang pagpapalit ng klima, patuloy na winawasak ang kalikasan at hinuhuthot ang likas na yaman ng bansa ng mga malalaking abusadong kumpaniya, binibiktima pa ang kanayunan ng militarisasyon, pandarahas at gera.

Patuloy ang mga demolisyon sa ngalan ng pangangapital. Nanalanta rin ang kontraktualisasyon sa manggagawa habang patuloy ang atake sa karapatang mag-unyon at mag-organisa. Hindi naaksiyunan ang isyu ng mga magsasaka at mga kinukurap at pinagsasamantalahan pa ang pambansang kaban sa halip na matugunan ang mga pangangailangan.

Habang ang mga nagtatanggol naman ay pinapatay, kinakasuhan, hinuhuli at ikinukulong. Sunod-sunod ang libelo sa mga Human Rights Defenders. Marami ang may banta sa kanilang seguridad. Sa halip na proteksiyon ay pagsasawalang aksiyon pa sa mga kasong katulad ng tortyur, enforced disappearance, extra judicial killings atbp.

Nahirapan ding maipasa ang mga batas para sa mamamayan halimbawa ay ang Freedom of Information Bill, ang pagrepeal ng Mining Act of 1995 at pagreporma sa industriyang nananalanta sa buhay at kalikasan atbp.
Inuna kasi ang kita kaysa kapakanan at karapatan. Sinagasaan ang karapatan ng mamayan sa tuwid na daan.

Patuloy ang pagsagasa sa HR

Sa maagang yugto pa lamang ay masisilip na natin kung anong uri ng pamumuno mayroon ang mga susunod na mahahalal.

Kung si Roxas ay ipagpapatuloy lamang ang tuwid na daang nasubok na, may Binay namang pro mining din at puno ng isyu ng kurapsiyon at kapit tuko sa kapangyarihan ang dinastiya.

Malaking kapahamakan din ang dala ng pamumunong Duterteng nagwawasiwas ng kamay na bakal at isang Grace Poe na tahimik din sa isyung katulad ng mina atbp.

Sampal din sa atin ang pamamayagpag ni Bong-bong Marcos sa hanay ng kabataan, ang lantarang pagtatanggi at pagsisinungaling sa nagawang kasalanan sa kasaysayan.

Mula dito ay ilulunsad natin ang kampaniyang edukasyon, popularisasyong akma at napapanahon… sa layuning…

1. Educate the youth about the HR Agenda
2. Empower the youth about their rights to a clean election
3. Campaign against Human Rights Violators and their violations (Marcos, Duterte, Binay etc.)
4. Generate commitments from candidates to the HR Agenda
5. Get media attention
6. Generate network support to the campaign
7. Popularize the HR Agenda

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