Tag Archives: MindaNews.com

[In the news] CDO green group to file Writ of Kalikasan vs city gov’t -MindaNews.com

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CDO green group to file Writ of Kalikasan vs city gov’t
By Cong Corrales
January 5, 2013

MindaNewsCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY(MindaNews/5 January)—A local civil society group will file a civil suit against City Hall, as the legal trust fund they have launched online has been receiving generous donations, the group’s leader said Friday.

In an interview, Richard Nixon Baban, Bangon Kagay-an chair, said that they will slap a Writ of Kalikasan case against the city government this week.
“While we are still waiting for the board resolutions of Sendong Survivors Collective and Task Force Macajalar, we are collating all evidences and testimonies which we will use in our case,” said Baban.

He added that the complainants who are already on board in the filing of the case are his group and the Save CDO Movement, represented by its chair Ralph Abragan.

A Writ of Kalikasan is the environmental counterpart of the Writ of Amparo, which mainly protects a citizen’s civil rights. It is a legal remedy provided for in Section 16, Article II of the 1986 Constitution that guarantees every citizen’s right to a “balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.”

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[In the news] PH under fire for anti-cyber crime law -MindaNews

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MindaNews » PH under fire for anti-cyber crime law.

By Edwin G. Espejo
September 29, 2012

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/28 September) — More media organizations and a New York-based human rights monitor have joined calls for the immediate repeal of the newly passed Philippine anti-cyber crime law which included internet libel as a criminal offense.

“Cybercrime Prevention Act actually broadens the scope of a libel law so antiquated and draconian that the United Nations Human Rights Council itself declared it excessive and called on the Philippine government to review the law with the end of decriminalizing libel,” said Nestor Burgos,” president of the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines.

The new law, signed by President Benigno Aquino III on September 12, also increased the penalty of internet libel to 6 to 12 years.  Under the Revised Penal Code, libel carries a prison term of not more than six years.  Internet libel is not defined as a criminal act under the said penal code.

In an interview with http://www.rappler.com, University of the Philippines professor Theodore Te said the law “poses real danger” to people who make a living online.

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Human Rights Online Philippines does not hold copyright over these materials. Author/s and original source/s of information are retained including the URL contained within the tagline and byline of the articles, news information, photos etc.

[In the news] Teacher shortage in R-12 high schools almost 3000 -MindaNews.com

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Teacher shortage in R-12 high schools almost 3000
By Allen V. Estabillo, MindaNews.com
June 16, 2012

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/15 June) – The teacher shortage in Region 12’s 396 public high schools has increased to 2,657 as the total enrollment in the area was seen to hit nearly 240,000 by the end of the month.

Herlita Caraan, National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) Region 12 chief, said data released by DepEd Region 12 showed that the area’s high school population for school year 2012-2013 was projected to grow by two percent or reach a total of 239,058 students.

Enrollment in public schools in the region will continue until the end of June as set by DepEd.
Region 12 covers the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.

Caraan said that based on DepEd 12’s projections, the teacher requirement in the region’s secondary schools this year has increased to 8,849 from last year’s 8,680.

DepEd 12 presently has 6,534 regular high school teachers, increasing by 214 from last year’s 6,320, she said.

In school year 2011-2012, the official said the region’s teacher shortfall reached 2,360 based on its total enrollment of 234,371.

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Human Rights Online Philippines does not hold copyright over these materials. Author/s and original source/s of information are retained including the URL contained within the tagline and byline of the articles, news information, photos etc.

[In the news] Bukidnon, Agusan, Surigao farmers to picket Malacanang -MindaNews.com

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Bukidnon, Agusan, Surigao farmers to picket Malacanang
By Cong Corrales, MindaNews.com
February 12, 2012

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MindaNews/11 February) — Farmers from different towns of Bukidnon gathered here Saturday for a send-off mass before sailing to Manila to ask President Benigno Simeon Aquino not to terminate but complete land distribution under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms (CARPer).

At least 100 members of Alyansa Bukidnon heard mass at Kiosko Kagawasan, D.V. Soria, celebrated by Fr. Nathaniel Lerio of the Social Action Center of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, who told the farmers to sustain their “righteous demand for land rights.”

“United we can pressure government to give in to our demands. I believe this government is still a Christian government so they should have conscience for the oppressed and the poor,” Fr. Lerio said.

Task Force Mapalad-Bukidnon coordinator Joseph Coles said 15 of their members from Bukidnon and another 15 members from Agusan and Surigao provinces will sail to Manila for a massive protest action in front of Malacañang on Monday.

“Most of our members are already in Manila for the protest action at the door steps of Malacañang on Monday,” Coles said.
Bannering streamers: “CARPer until 2014: Completion not Termination,” the farmers marched from D.V. Soria to Puntod Wharf after the mass.

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[In the news] Davao hosts int’l conference on mining in Mindanao- MindaNews.com

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Davao hosts int’l conference on mining in Mindanao
By Mindanews
January 23, 2012
 DAVAO CITY -The Ateneo de Davao University and the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines are hosting a two-day international conference on mining in Mindanao on January 26 and 27.

The conference will focus on business and economics of mining, environmental impacts, human rights, international standards and state of play in the Philippines.

Dr. Catherine Coumans, Research Coordinator of MiningWatch Canada, will deliver the keynote address. Coumans has done extensive work on mining in the Philippines and on international framework on responsible mining.

In his invitation letter, Fr. Joel E. Tabora, SJ, ADDU President, said the conference’s four-point objectives are “to get updated on and analyze current mining operations in Mindanao and how these impact on the environment, livelihood, rights and lives of people within and outside mining communities in Mindanao; to share people’s initiatives and gains in addressing the negative effects of mining and to promote the need for new mining policies in the country that are pro-Filipino and pro-Environment; to strengthen the networking among people’s organizations and NGOs doing work on mining and help ensure that continuing information and education activities on mining are sustained; and to promote greater participation in dialogue and exchange among the peoples of Mindanao affected by mining, and by doing so, to strengthen the national and local call for responsible mining.”

According to the conference kit, proceedings of the conference will be published with a focus on policy recommendations and as a resource for educators and legislators. Recommendations will be forwarded to the Executive, Legislative body and/or pertinent government agencies “in the re-assessment of the Mining Act of 1995 to regulate mining in the country according to the concept of sustainability.”

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