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Petition Tag - philippines
1. Remove 'Team Buhay, Team Patay' Posters in Philippine Catholic Churches 
When the Commission on Elections of the Philippines asked some Catholic dioceses to remove their 'Team Buhay, Team Patay (Team of Life, Team of Death)' posters, posters suggesting who senatorial candidates must their respective constituents vote in the near May 2013 elections, with their stand on the reproductive health (RH) law as basis, the Catholic Diocese of Bacolod insisted that only the Vatican can order the removal of mentioned posters and they released that statement during the 'sede vacante (vacant seat)' period of the Catholic Church.
Now that the 'sede vacante (vacant seat)' period was over and the Catholic Church has a new pope, His Holiness Pope Francis, it is now the appropriate and proper time to ask the Vatican to order the removal of the said poster. It is an unethical and improper act to put such posters in a place supposed to serve the spiritual needs of the Catholic faithful. The separation of Church and State, both agreed on by the Church and the State, must be upheld always by both sides.
The Church must never involve itself in partisan politics, just like what His Holiness Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI said.
2. Stop the Killing in Sabah, North Borneo
Beginning March 1, Malaysian Special Forces attacked 250 men, women and children from Sulu, Philippines, who have a solid claim to the land with court judgments in their favor.
Many have died on both sides. It could go on for a geneation if not stopped early.
Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile has no right to remain as Senate president. He has squandered the people's money by giving it as bonuses to his allies in order to secure his seat as Senate president. He should resign!
Sixty-five (65) years to the day, Resolution 181 was passed in the United Nations General Assembly recognizing the right of the Jewish people to their own State. Rejection by the Arab nations may have rendered Resolution 181 politically irrelevant. But the prophetic significance of the resolution’s passage remains undiminished. Leading up to the declaration of the State of Israel in May 14, 1948, the resolution marked the beginning of the fulfillment of Ezekiel’s dry bones prophecy - the restoration of the nation of Israel, at long last, in Eretz Israel, the land promised by HASHEM to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob:
‘O dry bones, hear the word of HASHEM! Thus says the Lord HASHEM/ELOHIM to these bones: Behold, I bring a spirit into you, and you will come to life. I will put sinews upon you, I will bring flesh upon you, and I will coat you with skin; then I will put a spirit into you and you will come to life; then you will know that I am HASHEM…He said to me, “Son of Man, these bones – they are the whole House of Israel.” Ezekiel 37:4-6
Yet, from Day 1, statehood for Israel has been fraught with challenges quite unlike any faced by other nations :
• Israel is the only state whose right to exist has been relentlessly questioned;
• Israel is the only UN member state that has been openly targeted for annihilation by another member state (Iran);
• Israel is the only country whose right to defend its citizens from aggression from its enemies, is up for debate among other nations;
• Israel is the only nation whose capital, Jerusalem, other nations have refused to recognize;
• Israel is the only country that has won all its major wars for self-defense, whose defeated adversaries get away with dictating the terms of peace;
• Israel is the only country that has been censured repeatedly by the UN Human Rights Council, which has adopted more resolutions condemning Israel than it has all other member states combined.
• Today, November 29, 2012, leaders of the Palestinian Authority, with the support of the United Nations, will take another major step towards statehood. A resolution will again be introduced at the UN for the recognition of Palestinian-controlled areas of Israel as “observer state” ultimately to be carved out of Israel as a separate state of Palestine, with Jerusalem as capital.
• More chilling is supreme guide of the Muslim Brotherhood Sheikh Mohammed Badie’s dismissal of the idea of a Palestinian State by UN efforts. Instead, Badie threatened that Jihad (war) on Jerusalem is the only way to seize control.
Against Your nation they plot deviously, they take counsel against those sheltered by You. They said, “Come, let us cut them off from nationhood, so Israel’s name will not be remembered anymore!” For they take counsel together unanimously, they strike a covenant against You … Psalm 83:4-6
Political dynasties continue to dominate the country’s electoral system with almost 70% candidates coming from a political clan. According to the study by the Asian Institute of Management Policy Center (AIMPC), poverty is more prominent on areas under a political dynasty. The same study also shows that legislators belonging to a political dynasty are wealthier than those who are not.
This provision was ratified on Feb.2, 1897 but no law has been passed to implement it, mainly because the legislators themselves are members of a political clan.
According to the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, Article II, Declaration of Principles and State Policies, Section 26, The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.
6. P-Noy 2 rescind PRC foreign medmission regulations
PREAMBLE
The Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) approved in a resolution dated June 21, 2012 a new set of requirements regarding fees, admin civil penal sanctions, liability malpractice insurance applied to foreign medical professionals who are conducting humanitarian medical missions in the Philippines. The PRC is an office attached to the Office of President Noynoy Aquino.
Although, some Filipino professionals may opt to renew their old PRC medical licenses for the purpose of qualifying as non foreign practitioners, however, there is a requirement to pay a penalty equivalent to the number of years they allowed their license to expire.
excerpts:
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/08/15/12/fil-am-mds-protest-vs-new-ph-rules
“To me this is R.I.P. to our enviable, proud tradition of giving back to our less fortunate fellow countrymen” Dr. Juan Montero II of Chesapeake, Va.
“When the requirement becomes too difficult, less physicians will volunteer their time to join medical missions” Dr. Zorayda Lee-Llacer of Maryland
The need for help from overseas Filipinos couldn’t have been more relevant with days of torrential rains flooding large parts of the Metro Manila region and surrounding provinces
http://globalbalita.com/2012/08/16/medical-missions-to-the-philippines-may-disappear/
"several missionary groups have cancelled their forthcoming Medical Mission...we feel we are unwanted...subjected to superfluous admin, civil, criminal & malpractice liabilities. We do not wish to be subjected to unscrupulous/frivolous medical lawsuits in our humanitarian medical services" Dr. Cesar D. Candari of Henderson, Nevada
7. Build a Flood-free Philippines
Over the past 5 years, the Philippine Nation has experienced disastrous flooding. The Filipinos, though a resilient and optimistic people, can only endure so much. Not so long ago, Typhoon Ketsana (PAGASA: Ondoy) claimed the lives of over 400 citizens and displaced thousands of families from their homes. Then in December 2011, Tropical Storm Sendong devastated our brothers in Mindanao and left us with a death toll of over 1000.
The Filipinos, as a nation, must act to ensure that these tragedies do not affect us ever again.
By signing The Flood-free Philippines Petition, you are accepting that it is your moral and civic obligation to do your part in the rehabilitation of our environment and that you will continue to call on your Leaders to start an honest to goodness flood way plan.
Scientists, Engineers, Volunteers, Educators, we call on you to share your expertise by making this plan truly foolproof.
8. PNOY officials and employees of the Philippines government, please sign the waiver
Preamble
During the recent impeachment trial of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, we witnessed the ambiguities of competing laws enacted by the legislative bodies against those laws enshrined in the Constitution regarding pesos and foreign account deposits.
Although, there is already a waiver in favor of the Office of the Ombudsman provided for in the Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN), however, its limitation because of the strict confidentiality of foreign account deposits, was understood even by those among us, not versed in the legal complexities of the on-going trial.
The limitation of the SALN waiver has been further validated when after the impeachment trial, the:
1) Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) found it necessary to avail of the WAIVER voluntarily submitted to the Impeachment Court by the defendant
2) the Constitutional body convened for the purpose of vetting the name of applicants to the vacant position of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, added the submission of the WAIVER in addition to the SALN as a new requirement
Furthermore, our research at the online archives of the Senate reveals the unsucessful passage of legislative bills introduced religiously since 2001 to compel the submission of WAIVER. Senators Lacson, Escudero and the bill co-sponsors believe that the WAIVER is a necessary tool to fight the endemic graft and corruption in the Philippines.
We, therefore, humbly submit this petition.
9. MANILA wants KIDS IN GLASS HOUSES
We want them here coz they're awesome.
Kids in Glass Houses are a Welsh rock band from Cardiff. The band's name is inspired by the lyrics "not throwing stones at you anymore" from Glassjaw song "Tip Your Bartender".
The band achieved success on the strength of the singles "Give Me What I Want" and "Saturday" off their debut album Smart Casual in 2008. The band released their second album Dirt in early 2010, releasing four singles; most notably "Matters at All". The band's third album, In Gold Blood, was released on 15 August 2011.
10. Support for ICC Judge Miriam Santiago
This is a declaration of support for Dr. Miriam Santiago on her successful election to the 9-year term International Criminal Court (ICC) Judge position.
Dr. Santiago is the first Filipino and the first Asian from a developing state to serve as ICC judge.
The possession in public places of firearms and deadly weapons should be authorized only for those directly and primarily engaged in police, military, or security services, and even then, only to enforce the law under strict and clearly defined guidelines. Such measure does not in any way impair the privilege of responsible and qualified citizens to keep licensed firearms at home or sports clubs.
On 21 September 2010, Pro-Life Philippines Foundation, Inc., ABA Party-List and Ang Kapatiran Party petitioned the House of Representatives to enact the Citizen Protection Act (CPA) of 2010 – an Act to Regulate the Bearing of Firearms and Deadly Weapons in Public Places, Provide Penalties for its Violation, Provide General Amnesty and Financial Rewards for Voluntary Surrender and Decommissioning of the Same and Appropriate Funds Therefor, and for Other Purposes.
The CPA of 2010 is a practical measure that, among others, will:
1. Bring Down Gun-related Crimes: Statistics from the PNP show that from 2004 to 2008, 97.7 percent of gun-related crimes involved loose firearms, making the Philippines 10th in gun homicide rates worldwide. However, during the imposition of the five-month gun ban in the 2010 elections, the incidence of crime in the country fell by nearly 70 percent as compared to the same period in 2009, from 502,655 reported crimes to 157,674 cases nationwide.
2. Assist the PNP and Empower Communities in Peace-Keeping: This Act will help the police fight crime and violence on the streets, isolate and easily identify outlaws and violators of this Act, thus facilitating their arrest and confiscation of their weapons. Concerned citizens can blow their whistle without fear that they are pointing to the wrong person. Without this Act, it is difficult to distinguish criminals from plainclothesmen or from those with permit to carry, or from bodyguards. Sometimes, criminals pretend to be plainclothesmen, at other times plainclothesmen pretend to be criminals. It is about time to separate the grain from the chaff.
3. Keep in Jail Gun-bearing Criminals and Insurgents: Criminals and insurgents, who are caught with the illegal possession of firearm even on crimes in which bail is allowed and whose cases are being heard, are immediately liable for the violation of this Act, punishable by imprisonment of not less than 12 years and 1 day nor more than 20 years without parole and a fine of not less than P50,000 nor more than P300,000. What this Act seeks to implement are measures to control if not eradicate the presence of firearms in the streets and unauthorized areas or places. We cannot allow our country to have a proliferation of firearms, which are the main instruments of violence in the country and also the main instruments used by threat groups like the CPP-NPA, the renegade MNLF and MILF, and even the syndicates.
4. End Private Armies. Section 6 (Who may be assigned security personnel or bodyguards) of the Act provides: When circumstances warrant, including but not limited to threats to life and security, a private individual or public official, may, upon application, be assigned regular members of the PNP or the AFP or the National Bureau of Investigation, and as augmentation, duly licensed/authorized Protective Agents of Private Detective Agencies, to provide security, for a specified duration.
5. Put an End to Illegal Firearms: Section 10 (General Amnesty) of this Act provides for financial rewards to those who take advantage of the general amnesty whereby individuals may voluntarily surrender unlicensed firearms with no questions asked and without incurring any criminal or civil liability. Section 11 provides for decommissioning of surrendered and confiscated firearms and deadly weapons.
The CPA of 2010 brings with it a counterpart bill in the Senate, SB No. 129 or the Firearms Regulation Act of 2010, filed by Sen. Franklin Drilon.
In an open letter dated 30 January 2011, supporters of both bills - Mga Tagatulak ng Kapayapaan - beseeched President Benigno Aquino III to certify both bills as urgent for immediate approval by both House of Congress.
Among all Filipinos, only a little over 1% have registered firearms and a fraction of this with permits to carry.
Government's indifference to this measure is inconceivable.
For more details, go to www.kapatiranparty.org
12. Reduce Electric Power Rates in the Philippines
Recent study shows that the Philippines has the highest residential power rates not just in Asia but in the entire world. An article recently released by one of the national papers in the Philippines states that the Philippines has already overtaken Japan as the country with the highest residential power rates.
The Philippines is still a developing country but ironically it charges higher power rates compared to other highly developed countries.
13. Justice for Century-old Acacia Trees and Local Heritage
The matter stemmed from the cutting of two (2) century-old acacia trees in front of the public market of Guindulman, Bohol on August 19, 2009 without permit from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and no consultation with residents, considering said trees were of rich historical, cultural value to the town, protected and covered by environmental laws like R.A. 3571, P.D. 953, among others.
We want a full investigation and comprehensive recommendations.
14. Implement the Tridentine Latin Mass
A petition for the endorsement and the strict implementation of the Tridentine Latin Mass in every diocese.
15. Taylor Swift, come back to the Philippines!
Please Filipino Swifties! Sign this petition! I know you love Tay Swift!!
Taylor Alison Swift (born December 13, 1989) is an American country pop, singer-songwriter, musician and actress.
In 2006, she released her debut single "Tim McGraw", then her self-titled debut album, which was subsequently certified multi-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. In November 2008, Swift released her second album, Fearless, and the recording earned Swift four Grammy Awards, including the Album of the Year, at the 52nd Grammy Awards. Fearless and Taylor Swift finished 2008 at number-three and number-six respectively, with sales of 2.1 and 1.5 million. Fearless topped the Billboard 200 for 11 non-consecutive weeks; no album has spent more time at No. 1 since 2000. Swift was named Artist of the Year by Billboard Magazine in 2009. Swift released her third album Speak Now on October 25, 2010 which sold 1,047,000 copies in its first week.
In 2008, her albums sold a combined four million copies, making her the best-selling musician of the year in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Forbes ranked Swift 2009's 69th-most powerful celebrity with earnings of $18 million and 2010's 12th-most powerful celebrity with earnings of $45 million. Swift was ranked the 38th Best Artist of the 2000–10 decade by Billboard. In January 2010 Nielsen SoundScan listed Swift as the most commercially successful country (or country/pop crossover) artist in music history with over 33 million digital tracks sold. As of March 2011, she has sold over 20 million albums and 33 million singles worldwide.
Source: wiki
Rumors: That maybe "Big Bang" will be the one who'll have the concert here not the SUPER JUNIOR.
But as an ELF we want to catch the last glimpse & at least see Angel Eeteuk & Heechul celebrate their birthday in JULY! Before they'll be send in Military
17. Campaign for a Digital radio station for the Philippine Community
There are well over 250,000 Filipino's living all over the United Kingdom, many of which are working in our schools, hospitals, community centres and many other vital areas here in the UK, including our transport, leisure and entertainment industry and are actively contributing to the success of this country.
For Filipino families here in the UK who do not have broadband internet or satellite TV, it is often hard to keep up to date with life back in the Philippines.
This campaign is calling on major British broadcasters like the BBC and ITV to help the Filipino community here establish a Digital radio station catering for the needs of Filipino families living here in the UK.
For several months now, there have been persistent reports in the media that President Aquino is preparing to remove Secretary Jesse Robredo from his post at the Department of Interior and local Government (DILG) and transfer him “to head a new agency that would supervise a resettlement program for informal settlers.” President Aquino was quoted in November by the Manila Bulletin as saying that “Robredo has done well at the DILG helm but may be more useful in programs addressing informal settlers in the country.”
As January 2011 dawns, the reports persist. The alarming situation moves us to respectfully urge President Aquino to retain Secretary Jesse Robredo in his post at the DILG and appoint him as full-pledged Secretary. There are many things going for Secretary Robredo's retention. These are as follows:
1) Robredo is an Asian Nobel Prize laureate having been named as Ramon Magsaysay Awardee for Government Service in 2000.
With all due respect, we believe that President Aquino needs to demonstrate an overridingly compelling reason to remove Secretary Robredo instead of simply citing "differences over 'style and philosophy' during the election campaign" for him to surmount or countervail the Award’s formidable prestige and reputation.
Aside from the Ramon Magsaysay Award, the website www.citymayors.com lists Robredo’s other international accolades as follows: the Most Cost-Effective City in Asia by the United Kingdom's Foreign Direct Investment Magazine (2005); Public Service Awardee for Local e-Governance from the United Nations Department of Public Administration and Finance (2004); Women-Friendly City Award from the UN-Habitat and the UN Development Fund for Women (2004); Model City for Government Procurement from the World Bank and Procurement Watch (2003); CyberCity Awardee for its i-Governance initiatives from the United Nations Development Program (2002); Dubai International Awardee for Improving the Living Environment from UN Habitat (1998). Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World (1996) and the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines (1990). He also received the Konrad Adenauer Medal of Excellence as Most Outstanding City Mayor of the Philippines (1998) and the first ever "Dangal ng Bayan" Award of the Civil Service Commission.
2) Robredo is the champion of transparency and accountability in governance, twin concepts of governance that underpins President Aquino’s avowed platform of government. The Aquino administration will pull the good governance rug from under its feet by shutting down its finest practitioner. Pursuing the program of good governance can be done best within the department in charge of local governments and Secretary Robredo is unquestionably the finest man for that job.
3) Among the members of President Aquino’s cabinet, it is Secretary Jesse Robredo who best symbolizes in the eyes of millions of Filipinos the ideals of good governance and ethical leadership. Striking him out of the Aquino cabinet would have the same effect as dropping Jupiter or Uranus out of the solar system.
4) The vital part played by our youth in nation building was reaffirmed by Secretary Robredo when he supported the retention of the Philippine youth councils officially known as the SK (Sangguniang Kabataan) with major reforms. We personally believe that with proper example and guidance from us adults, the youth of this country -- the fair hope of the motherland as Dr. Jose Rizal referred to them -- will prove their worth every single time.
5) Secretary Jesse Robredo is fast-tracking the resolution of the more than 2,000 pending cases against policemen before the National Police Commission (Napolcom) targeting a zero backlog on administrative cases against police officers and a 30-day time frame in resolving future cases. This is expected to enhance integrity of the police forces as well as increase police morale and efficiency.
6) Secretary Robredo went out of his way to address the issue of multiple term barangay officials (“multiple termer” refers to a barangay chairman or kagawad who has been elected and served 3 consecutive terms for the same position) when his department submitted to the COMELEC the list of multiple termers and uploaded it on the DILG website weeks before the October 25, 2010 barangay elections. As a result, the Filipino electorate became aware about the presence of these multiple termers causing many of them to be voted out of office by an informed electorate. We need somebody like Secretary Robredo in the DILG working with the COMELEC and civil society to finally deal with the handful of multiple termers who were still able to file their COCs, run, win and still get proclaimed.
We will not give up on Secretary Jesse Robredo. His removal from the DILG will send a powerful signal to our people and to civil society that the President is backtracking on his promise of change. It is but fair that President Aquino should appoint Secretary Robredo as full-pledged DILG Secretary with all the powers of the office, give him a year or two of time to run the department and then judge him on the basis of his performance. To remove him before giving him the opportunity to show the best that he can do at the DILG would be unfair to our people.
President Aquino’s stated desire to utilize Robredo’s expertise in the DILG by addressing the problem of informal settlers in the country is not incompatible with keeping him in the DILG. Whoever advised the President of this move ought to realize that the issue of informal settlers lies within the mandate of the DILG or the local government units. Secretary Robredo can very effectively address the informal settler issue by remaining in the DILG because there, he will have real, direct clout and power to address the complex problem relating to informal settlers.
Even as we support Secretary Robredo, we also call upon him to scale even higher his implementation of good governance. Together with COA, he should call on concerned local government units to discontinue their so-called “exclusive suppliers” system as well as the ghost employees in local governments featured recently by Mr. Mike Enriquez in GMA 7's Imbestigador. These schemes drain billions in taxpayers’ money that could have gone to programs to feed our people, build them houses and give them jobs. Properly formatted balance sheets, income statements and expense reports duly uploaded to government websites mean nothing if they represent transactions involving goods and equipment procured at twice or three times their actual prices in the market. The Aquino government need not impose new or higher taxes on our suffering people if billions of pesos in taxpayers' money can be saved by plugging this giant procurement loophole.
We call on Filipinos everywhere who seek meaningful change in our country – who are committed to seeing change within themselves, their communities, their towns, cities, provinces, regions and eventually the entire country itself to support the call to retain DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo in his post and keep him there permanently. It will be a resounding setback for good governance and ethical leadership in this country if Secretary Robredo loses the DILG post without the nation coming to his side.
God has given us a capable and committed leader in the person of Secretary Robredo and it appears we’re not even prepared to make a stand to back him up. Binigyan tayo ng Panginoon ng pagpapala ngunit mukhang hindi natin handang pahalagahan! Sayang! We need to make President Aquino realize that he made the right decision when he appointed Secretary Robredo to head the DILG in the first place. Ang sabi po ni Pangulong Aquino ay “Kayo, ang boss ko!” Sana po ay makinig ang ating Pangulo sa pakiusap na ito ng sambayanan.
Take a stand for good governance by supporting DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo. Please sign this petition for good governance!
Please tell your friends through text, Facebook, Twitter or whatever other means to do likewise. Please sign it to secure a better future for our country and our children!
God bless the Philippines! God bless Filipinos all over the world! Mabuhay ang Pinoy! Purihin ang Panginoon!
(Sgd.)
Rolando G. Ocampo
Representative for External Affairs
Movement for Change and Good Governance
Edwin B. Aligora
Head, Public Affairs Committee
Movement for Change and Good Governance
19. Find Carole Day
Two months ago, on the 12 September 2010, Carole Day, a long-term British expat in Hong Kong, went missing in the Philippines. There is still no news on where she is and no evidence to suggest what has happened to Carole.
We need to keep pressure on the British government and the National Bureau of Investigation in the Philippines to ensure they pursue all avenues to find Carole.
For more information: http://ukinthephilippines.fco.gov.uk/en/news/?view=News&id=28230682
20. Continue Katekyo Hitman Reborn
It is confirmed that Katekyo Hitman Reborn will end on September 25, 2010 (at 203 episodes). It is unknown if they will put in on a temporary or permanent hiatus. For those who did not want this news, please sign in this petition.
21. Justice for Century-Old Acacia Trees in Guindulman, Bohol, Philippines
On August 19, 2009, two weeks before the September 8 town fiesta, the century-old acacia trees lining the national highway of the historic town of Guindulman, Bohol, Philippines were cut for the purpose of giving a prominent view of the building claimed by the municipal administration as its major accomplishment.
The mayor’s decision to cut the trees was on the pretext of public safety, however, there was no official report pointing to its hazardous existence. Environmental and structural experts declared the tress safe, part of the scenic sights of the national highways.
She failed to realize how important trees nowadays and their significance in the socio-cultural and historical heritage of the people in Guindulman and the entire Bohol povince.
22. No discrimination against MA Students of UST-AMV
We, the students of University of Santo Tomas - Alfredo M. Velayo College of Accountancy (Management Accounting students), feel bad re the admin of our college. We VISIBLY WITNESS the discrimination against MA students. (e.g. SCHEDULE of CLASSES 4pm - 8pm).
Update on the SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME of OUR PETITION
(11/24/2011) Supreme Court Decision:
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/239494/nation/voting-14-0-supreme-court-orders-distribution-of-luisita-land
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/239524/nation/dar-to-implement-luisita-land-distribution-once-sc-order-becomes-final
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/239524/nation/dar-to-implement-luisita-land-distribution-once-sc-order-becomes-final
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Background of our petition
The Central Bank Monetary Board resolution from 1957 required distribution of Hacienda Luisita’s land to small farmers within 10 years. When 1967 came and went with no land distribution taking place, the farm workers began to organize themselves to uphold their cause.
A case was filed on May 7, 1980 by the Marcos government against the Cojuangco company TADECO for the surrender of Hacienda Luisita to the Ministry of Agrarian Reform, so land could be distributed to the farmers at cost, in accordance with the terms of the government loans given in 1957-1958 to the late Jose Cojuangco, Sr., who died in 1976. (Republic of the Philippines vs. TADECO, Civil Case No. 131654, Manila Regional Trial Court, Branch XLIII).
On January 16, 1986, (Cory) Aquino delivered her second major speech in Davao and said, "Land-to-the-tiller must become a reality, instead of an empty slogan." In the same speech, Aquino also said, "You will probably ask me: Will I also apply it to my family’s Hacienda Luisita? My answer is yes." The snap elections took place on February 7, 1986. Marcos was declared winner, but was ousted by the People Power revolution. Cory Aquino was sworn in as President on February 25, 1986.
On January 22, 1987, eleven months into the Aquino administration, the Mendiola massacre happened. Thousands of frustrated farmers marched to Malacañang demanding fulfillment of the promises made regarding land reform during the Aquino campaign, and distribution of lands at no cost to beneficiaries. At least a dozen protesters were killed in the violent dispersal. More were seriously injured. The Stock Distribution Option (SDO) was a clause in the 1988 Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) that allowed landowners to give farmers shares of stock in a corporation instead of land. The landlords then arranged to own majority share in the corporations, to stay in control. This went against the spirit of land reform, which is to give "land to the tiller".
On May 18, 1988, the Court of Appeals dismissed the case filed in 1980 by the Philippine government—under Marcos—against the Cojuangco company TADECO to compel the handover of Hacienda Luisita. It was the Philippine government itself—under Aquino—that filed the motion to dismiss its own case against TADECO, saying the lands of Hacienda Luisita were going to be distributed anyway through the new agrarian reform law.
A month after the case was dismissed, on June 10, 1988, Aquino signed the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law. Soon after, Hacienda Luisita was put under the Stock Distribution Option (SDO) that Aquino included in the law. Through the SDO, landlords could comply with the land reform law without giving land to farmers.
On May 9, 1989, Luisita’s farm workers were asked to choose between stocks or land in a referendum. The SDO won 92.9% of the vote. A second referendum and information campaign were held on October 14, 1989, and again the SDO won, this time by a 96.75% vote. Luisita’s SDO agreement spelled out a 30-year schedule for transferring stock to the farm workers:
"At the end of each fiscal year, for a period of 30 years, the SECOND PARTY (HLI) shall arrange with the FIRST PARTY (TADECO) the acquisition and distribution to the THIRD PARTY (farm workers) on the basis of number of days worked and at no cost to them of one-thirtieth (1/30) of 118,391,976.85 shares of the capital stock of the SECOND PARTY (HLI) that are presently owned and held by the FIRST PARTY (TADECO), until such time as the entire block of 118,391,976.85 shares shall have been completely acquired and distributed to the THIRD PARTY (farm workers)."
About 5 years after the SDO was implemented, management began to claim that HLI was losing money. The farm workers’ wages plateaued and their work days were cut. Meanwhile, a mall and industrial park were sprouting on the portion of the hacienda closest to McArthur Highway. Losing money but building a mall? the farmers brooded. Something was up.
Conversion—the real plan
On September 1, 1995, the Sangguniang Bayan of Tarlac passed a resolution reclassifying 3,290 out of Luisita’s 4,915 hectares from agricultural to commercial, industrial, and residential. The governor of Tarlac province at that time was Margarita "Tingting" Cojuangco, wife of Jose "Peping" Cojuangco, Jr. Out of the 3,290 reclassified hectares, 500 were approved for conversion by the DAR.
As land was being converted, the area left for farming grew smaller and smaller. More work days were cut, and wages were practically frozen. Mechanization also reduced the need for manual labor.
Mass retrenchment
By 2003, the farm workers’ daily wage was down to P194.50 (P9.50 after deductions for salary loans and other items), and work days were down to 1 per week. They finally saw the futility of having four board seats against management’s seven (the SDO agreement allotted 4 board seats to the farm workers ahead of the 30-year waiting period for their stocks). They were always going to be outvoted. They also feared that their board representatives could easily be manipulated because they were not as well-versed as management in corporate matters.
The SDO had to go, they concluded.
The union leaders scrabbled together a petition to revoke the SDO and stop land conversion in Luisita. It was signed by 5,339 farm workers and filed at the Department of Agrarian Reform on December 4, 2003. In July 2004, the union tried to negotiate a wage increase to P225 per day. They also asked for an increase in work days to 2-3 days per week. Management said no, saying the company was losing money.
Management then issued notices retrenching 327 farm workers effective October 1, 2004. A month later came the workers’ strike, then the massacre. Under pressure from public outrage over the November 2004 massacre, the Arroyo administration, through the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), formed Task Force Stock Distribution on November 25, 2004 to study the causes of the workers’ strike. The Task Force was later renamed Task Force Luisita. In March 2005, teams were sent by the DAR to Luisita’s 10 barangays to investigate the SDO... the DAR’s Task Force Luisita submitted the findings and recommendations of its investigation. This formed the basis for the government’s decision a few months later to revoke Luisita’s Stock Distribution Option (SDO) and order the distribution of the hacienda’s land to the farmers.On December 23, 2005, the Presidential Agrarian Reform Council (PARC) formally ordered Luisita’s SDO revoked, and its lands put under compulsory acquisition.
But the Cojuangco family would not give up the land without a fight. A Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) was obtained from the Supreme Court by June 2006 preventing PARC from revoking the SDO and distributing Hacienda Luisita’s land. This TRO has been in force for more than three years now...
Source: gmanews.tv/story/181877 published in four series
By STEPHANIE DYCHIU 01/18/2010
24. Support Bamboo Planting and Utilization: Best Solution to Climate Change
After the conduct of the 2009 INBAR training/workshop on Non-Timber Forest Products in Zheijang, China, it has been established that one of the best if not the best solution to the climate change problem is massive planting of bamboo worldwide. This is considering the natural characteristics of this miracle plant as follows:
1. It is the fastest growing plant in the planet. Some species can actually grow up to 4 feet per day.
2. It is much more sustainable compared to trees. 1 tree planted equals 1 tree harvested at a minimum waiting time of 10 years, whereas, 1 bamboo planted equals more than a hundred that can be harvested at a maximum waiting time of only 5 years and it just grows and grows and multiplies continuously.
3. It is much easier to grow compared to trees. It can grow at any elevation, does not require fertilization and requires little water.
4. It ABSORBS 35% more carbon dioxide and also EMITS 35% more oxygen compared to trees making it the best solution for CARBON SEQUESTRATION. Even finished products like boards, floors, furniture, activated charcoal, cloth, paper, etc will retain carbon for decades.
5. It is the BEST SOURCE OF BIO-OIL/FUEL and BIO-COAL. Copra, oil palm, jathropa, sugar cane, sorghum, cassava, moringa and other sources could not compare with bamboo. This will result in significantly reducing our dependence on fossil fuel which is one of the major causes of climate change and air pollution. Other advantages that can be derived in utilizing bamboo for bio-fuel are;
a. reduce GHG emissions, another major cause of climate change,
b. establishment of land cover which will also result in water conservation and flood control.
6. If massive planting of bamboo will be done worldwide, the climate change problem will be TOTALLY GONE in a matter of only 6 YEARS.
Incidentally, bamboo planting and utilization will also significantly reduce poverty as evidenced by China's bamboo-based industries.
1. Income from bamboo farming is 7 times more compared to rice farming.
2. The bamboo-based industries income of China derived from its 7 million hectares of bamboo plantations last year 2008 was US$15billion.
3. It is the best substitute for wood and its tensile strength is higher than that of soft steel. More use of bamboo and less of wood will be good for the planet.
4. Bamboo is a source of food, lumber, charcoal, pulp for paper, medicines, cloth, some chemicals, bio-oil/fuel, bio-coal and a lot more.
5. Investing in bamboo-based industries will;
a. generate more jobs
b. save foreign exchange
c. motivate countryside economy which will be good for overall economy.
25. Commend the Magellan's Cross as a World Heritage Site
The Magellan's Cross is located in Cebu City, in the Republic of the Philippines.
On April 21, 1521, Portuguese and Spanish explorers, upon orders by Ferdinand Magellan, planted this beautiful artifact of Christianity (specifically Roman Catholicism) in the Philippines.
The Asian Transnational Corporation Monitoring Network (ATNC) strongly condemns the closure of the Triumph International Philippines factory inside the FTI Complex in Taguig City and the nearby Star Performance Incorporated as well, as the layoff of nearly 50% of the workforce in the Body Fashion Thailand (BFT), Triumph International's Thai subsidiary.
27. A Petition to Protect Filipino Migrant Teachers and All Migrant Workers
We are deeply concerned about the welfare of Filipino migrant teachers in the United States that went through some shady placement agencies. We are aware that many Filipino workers fall victims to these agencies that are out to exploit the vulnerability of a worker-parent who is adamant at providing a more stable future for his/her family.
While these recruitment agencies are accredited with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), many have a history of suspensions and violations; or even exploitative policies that have hurt a lot of Filipino workers, both financially and psychologically. The operations of these agencies are bordering on human trafficking.
We are particularly appalled by the experiences of our brothers and sisters now deployed in Louisiana who utilized the following placement agencies: PARS International Placement and Universal Placement International (UPI). They have been subjected to unjust treatment and oppressive polices by these agencies.
These placement agencies, under the control of Navarro has put in place a web of measures and modus operandi to guarantee that they squeeze the maximum amount of cash from their clients and at the same time ensuring that these teachers will remain dependent upon them.
UPI, headed by Lourdes Navarro aka Lulu Navarro, is based in Los Angeles, California. PARS, represented by Emilio Villarba (brother of Navarro), on the other hand handles their operations in the Philippines and is based in Quezon City.
We are doubly concerned as Lourdes Navarro, also known as Lulu Navarro, is a manipulative criminal who is a convicted felon in the State of California for fraud, grand theft, money laundering, and identity theft.
UPI and PARS will make everyone believe that there is a job waiting for all “approved” applicants. The problem however is that these agencies qualify and process more candidates than the slots required for a certain employer. Clearly, the more people they send, the more placement fee they collect. Many end up in the receiving country unemployed.
Further, UPI and PARS illegally charges exorbitant fees. Before a client leaves, they will charge an upfront 20% of projected annual gross income, which is over the 10% and staggered basis allowed by law. This overcharging of placement fees and its premature collection is tantamount of illegal recruitment, a violation of a Republic Act 8042 or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995 and P.D. 442 or the Labor Code of the Philippines.
On top of it all, UPI and PARS employ deceit and intimidation to ensure conformity from these teachers. To silence and threaten the teachers, Navarro always makes it a point to underscore that she can influence their employers and have them fired.
28. Support the Clean Air 10 Declaration
The Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 is now 10 years old. While the Clean Air Act phased out leaded gasoline and set new clean air standards, we need to strengthen the enforcement of this landmark law.
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Clean Air Act, the "Clean Air 10 Declaration" was drafted to provide 10 priority actions for the coming years.
29. Surface Filipina-American Activist Melissa Roxas Now
HELP SURFACE FILIPINA-AMERICAN ACTIVIST MELISSA ROXAS, ABDUCTED BY SUSPECTED ELEMENTS OF THE PHILIPPINE MILITARY!
An Open Letter of Concern
To: US President Barack Obama; US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie A. Kenney; US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton; US Senator Barbara Boxer; and California State Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg
30. Petition For The Protection Of Mr Edgar Paez , Secretary General Of Sinaltrainal, Colombia
Our comrade and friend from Colombia, Mr. Edgar Paez, the Secretary General of Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores dela Industria de Alimentos (SINALTRAINAL) is under surveillance and was put in the Order of Battle by the Colombian Military last May 15, 2009.
This petition requests the Colombian Authority to please give Mr. Edgar Paez the necessary protection for his life and liberty as provided for under the International Declaration of Human Rights and respect his rights as a trade unionist in accordance to the ILO Convention 87 and 98.