Gerry Albert Corpuz presents

This is Gerry Albert Corpuz and this is my life and political journey to the world of class struggle and class emancipation

Tit For Tat ( Talking Points at inq7.net)

2004-10-27, 08:35:00,

Talking Points -- The Fil-Am Vote
I was such in a hurry when I responded to one of your reader's comments to my previous letter that I didn't realize I had written the wrong last name.

I didn't have my glasses on when I wrote the letter, but that's no excuse for my mistake and I apologize to Mr. Gerry Albert Corpuz whose last name I initially read as Cruz.

I should also add that I can't believe Mr. Corpuz actually believes that the American people would be so dumb enough to let their president behave like a madman (as he insinuated) without the people calling for his impeachment or removal.

Americans have their shortcomings, but absence of sanity is not one of them.


-- Juanito T. Fuerte
Glen Allen, VA

Talking Points -- The Fil-Am Vote
Attn:
Mr. Gerry Allbert Cruz
Information Officer
Pamalakaya
Quezon City

I don't know why I'm dignifying Mr. Cruz's rather out-of-line comments to my letter. But, being an "information officer" that I noted he is, I have to say that his title should probably be corrected to "disinformation or uninformed officer."

Why? Because that's exactly what he's doing -- spreading gross and baseless information without hard facts to back it up!

-- Juanito T. Fuerte
Yes, very proud Vietnam Vet
Glen Allen, VA

Talking Points -- The Fil-Am Vote
The Fil-Ams in the United States should go out and vote on November 2. We appeal to our Fil-Am brothers and sisters to reject US President George W.
Bush and uphold global people's verdict against the war freak and terrorist Bush.

Let him suffer the rousing defeat the old Bush had when he lost to former US President Bill Clinton. Bush should ge tried for war crimes and should not get a second chance to lead the American people.

As for Kerry, Fil-Ams should remind him that the American people are clamoring for meaningful economic reforms as well as significant changes in
US foreign policies that used to favor transnational interests, military syndicates, oil giants and economic plunderers holding national headquarters in the US and maintaining financial and economic satellites
outside mainland USA.

Let's do it and make our our presence felt in the forthcoming US presidential elections.

-- Gerry Albert Corpuz
Information officer
Pamalakaya

Dear Talking Points moderator,

As expected apologists of imperial America came to the picture to defend the No.1 terrorist, US President George W. Bush, and Washington's global plunder
and war of aggression. Hindi na ako nagtataka, if a certain Tristan Cupida came to the rescue and presented himself as a political entity with knowledge
of world history to serve at the pleasure of US President Bush.

History always reminds us of puppets and town criers of US imperialism are generally obsessed with defending the criminal and corporate syndicate holding public office at the White House.

We urge Mr. Cupida to check facts, listen carefully and be objective about Bush' criminal records, not only in Iraq but also in Afghanistan. To say that the US invasion and occupation of Iraq liberated the Iraqi people from the clutches of Saddam Hussein is grossly immoral, highly revolting and a brazen display of political stupidity. That is the problem with Mr. Cupida, a certified propagandist for the criminal Bush -- he is for Bush and Washington's evil activities even if these political acrobatics would mean death to millions of people.

For Mr. Cupida's information, the US at the turn of 1900 had killed over 11 million people worldwide, including 600,000 Filipinos during the Philippine-American war. Why not check the US military literature just to prove what US imperialism meant to global people so he could have a better and
objective standing of world history and perhaps quit from saying halleluiah to Bush and the ring leaders of his Washington-based mafia.

Sorry Mr. Cupida, but just the same, you will always remain an apologist for Bush and his war freak officials inside the White House. I would suggest
you better apply as campaign aide for Bush if it is not too late for you to do so and refrain from the Jurassic practice of anti-Left bashing and red-baiting. That politics is as old as US imperialism. Try to reinvent yourself, who knows you might get someone on your side, aside from Bush and the equally super puppet Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

-- Gerry Albert Corpuz
Information officer
Pamalakaya

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 03:57 | link | comments (1) |

10-yr debt moratorium will give govt P3 trillion
13 September 2004 09:24 AM

By GERRY ALBERT CORPUZ
of Bulatlat

THE government can generate P3 trillion in total savings and avert the looming collapse of the economy if it stops paying the country’s debts for at least 10 years. This was the main argument raised by the fisher-folk alliance Pamalakaya in its proposal for Congress to pass a law on 10-year debt moratorium.

Fernando Hicap, chair of Pamalakaya, said in a forum: “The 10-year debt moratorium law if translated to national policy would enable the government to save at least P3 trillion in next 10 years. The savings could be used in mass creation of jobs and opportunities and raise productivity and standard of living of both urban and rural people nationwide.”

Hicap issued the challenge during the launch of the anti-tax coalition Alliance of Concerned Citizens Opposed to Unjust, New Taxes (Account).

Pamalakaya kicked off a legislative campaign to convince legislators about the pet bill seeking a 10-year respite from the religious practice of debt servicing which has eaten up nearly two-thirds or 66.66 percent of the national budget.

Hicap’s group is counting on the support of the militant party list bloc in the House composed of Bayan Muna party list representatives Satur Ocampo, Teddy Casiño and Joel Virador, Anakpawis party list solons Crispin Beltran and Rafael Mariano and Liza Maza of Gabriela Women’s Party.

The government will peg payment of the country’s debts to one-third or 33 percent of the national budget as reflected in its 2005 proposed national budget. For next year, the government has set aside P 310.3 billion out of the P901 billion total national budget.

But Pamalakaya said the decision to reduce debt servicing to 33 percent of the national budget will not make any significant impact in resolving the present economic and fiscal woes. The best the government can do, the group said, is to pass a 10-year debt moratorium at the minimum or enact debt repudiation of all fraudulent loans at the maximum.

“The debt issue is a political one,” Pamalakaya said. “What the government need is strong political will, big fighting heart and high sense of patriotism to a score a major victory for the people and debt-burdened economy.”

Moronic

Rep. Eduardo Zialcita was even more stinging against the government policy on debt servicing. He said for every one peso the government shells out for debt payments, 48 centavos go to interest payment of loans, which he described as fraudulent and criminal loans.

He said next year, 58 centavos of every one peso the government allocates for debt payment will go to payment of interest alone.

“The government’s debt policy is a criminal act, immoral and sometimes moronic,” Zialcite said. “Why can’t the government choose life over debt and if necessary repudiate these anomalous loans. It must be stopped and the government should pursue accountability of public officials behind those bad and anomalous debts.”

The congressman, a convenor of Alliance of Legislators Against Regressive Taxes (Alert), also lambasted the government’s debt policy on the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) and cited it as an example on how the government had wasted taxpayers money.

He said the government is spending roughly P210 million a month or P2.4 billion a year for interest payment of the controversial nuclear power plant in Morong, Bataan.

It would take a lifetime to the BNPP loans unless the government negotiate or renegotiate the mode of payment in our own people’s terms or better repudiate payment of outstanding debts, Zialcita said.

Sign up

Meanwhile, Renato Reyes Jr., Account convenor and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) secretary general said anti-tax groups belonging to Account coalition would lead a nationwide signature campaign against Malacanang’s new tax measures.

Account, which is composed of concerned groups, individuals, former government officials, lawmakers and consumer organizations, expects to gather tens of thousands of signatures against unjust taxes which will be submitted to Congress, the Malacañang presidential office and other tax-related agencies of the government.

Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr. leads the cast of Account among the individual members of the group which include Zialcita, Bayan Muna party list representatives Casiño and Satur Ocampo; anti-Estrada movement stalwart Carmen Deunida, Vice chair of Anakpawis party list; former budget secretary Salvador Enriquez Jr.; former Bureau of Internal Revenue commissioner Liwayway Vinzons-Chato, Trixie Concepcion of Txt Power; labor leader and Kilusang Mayo Uno chair Elmer Labog; and peasant activist and Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) secretary general Danilo Ramos.

“Tax paying citizens will be involved in this advocacy campaign against unjust new taxes through petition signing and other forms of protest” Reyes said. A copy of Account’s statement of unity urged the President and Congress not to impose new and additional taxes and feeds to the people at this time.

Account said the Arroyo administration should muster the political will to address the immediate and long-term causes of the country’s fiscal crisis. He said government revenue collecting agencies should prioritize the big-time evaders, plug the loopholes and tax leakages and eliminate graft and corruption in their ranks.

“As much as P400 billion is lost annually due to drastic cuts in import duties and tariffs and fiscal incentives awarded to foreign investors on top of VAT and income tax evasion and tax credit scams and leakages prevalent in the country’s taxation system,” Account added.

Txt Power

Fresh from a major triumph against the proposed tax on text, the group TxtPower will also spearhead a text campaign against unjust taxes. “We call on all texters to send their opposition to GMA’s hotline numbers. Please send ‘Tax Me Not: No 2 New Taxes to 0919898462, 09198984622 and 09178398462,” the group’s statement said.

The group’s spokesperson said: “Be it gas tax or other terror taxes, the people can count on us in opposing new burdens that make life even more intolerable especially to workers, farmers, the youth and professionals. President Arroyo is hitting the poor most with these taxes.”

Txt Power is also supporting the debt moratorium proposal of other militant groups adding that the government would do some awesome good by declaring a moratorium on billions of pesos in foreign debt allocations that only go to payment of onerous and fraudulent debts.

The group National Network of Agrarian Reform Advocates (Nnara)-Youth Sector blamed former presidents Fidel Ramos and Joseph Estrada and President Arroyo over the country’s fiscal mess. The group’s secretary general Reggie Vallejos said are grossly accountable for the increasing total debts the country is facing at the moment.

“Ramos, Estrada and Arroyo should be held accountable for the present financial crunch and looming economic crash. The three stooges and protégés of imperialist globalization pushed this country to chronic crisis and economic catastrophe,” Vallejos said.

Vallejos said from 1997 to 2003, the government’s total debt rose to P 5.39 trillion or an increase of P2 trillion in six years. He said the country’s government-owned-and-controlled corporations (GOCCs) accounted for 37 percent of the two trillion increase in total debts with 43 percent accounted for by the national government and 19 percent due to depreciation of peso.
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Printed from the website of Mindanao Gold Star Daily and the Daily Tribune

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 11:02 | link | comments |

Talking Points and Tit For Tat regarding Bush and Kerry's fight for the US presidency

Talking Points -- The Fil-Am Vote
Attention:
Mr. Gerry Albert Corpuz
Information Officer
Pamalakaya
Quezon City

I cannot help but cringe at your over-the-top reaction to Mr. Fuerte’s comments. Equating Bush with Hitler and Mussolini is too much of a stretch -- an assertion that betrays a patent ignorance of history.

The American invasion of Iraq liberated a long-suffering people from the murderous clutches of Saddam Hussein -- Hitler’s invasions led to genocide and untold suffering to millions of people.

The world has yet to see the millions of bodies of people you claim Bush killed. As to your modern-day slavery card -- it's downright hilarious.

As for the Kerry proposition, it is the height of naiveté to assume that Kerry would pursue radically different policies from Bush. In the end, countries pursue their own interests -- as demonstrated by la affaire Angelo de la Cruz.

You would better serve your cause if you argue issues based on the merit of facts. Ideologically- driven polemics -- moreso, if argued from a parallel universe of creative imagination, do not contribute to human enlightenment.

Finally, I hate to prick your leftist balloon, but in addition to Hitler and Mussolini, historical facts show that these men do not have the monopoly of evil -- they are joined by men with names like Mao Tse Tung, Josef Stalin and Pol Pot. I’m just curious with the omission.

Cheers!

-- Tristan A. Cupida

Talking Points -- The Fil-Am Vote
Attention:
Juanito T. Fuerte
Vietnam war veteran
Apologist for US President George W. Bush

Heaven forbid you. Heaven forsake you for praising the US occupation of Vietnam in the 60s and for acting as one of those ill-fated apologists for US President George W. Bush.

At this point it is you and the rest of the so-called Vietnam war veterans-cum-apologists who should evaluate your political position and thinking regarding the US hegemonic conquest of the world through economic plunder and wars of aggression.

Bush is the No. 1 terrorist leader in the world. The international community put him in the league of Adolf Hitler (Germany) and Benito Mussolini (Italy), two of the world's worst fascist and terrorist rulers ever produced in world history.

In fact, Bush, in the name of corporate and militaristic America, killed millions of people in the course of his action as the ruthless global policeman in this age of modern-day slavery and US military expansionism.

The American people, including millions of Filipino-Americans in the US, must put an end to the political career of this top criminal. His presidential bid must be rejected through the ballots and the electoral box office come November 2, 2004.

But the same stern warning should be given to Sen. John Kerry that rejection becomes him if he insists in following Bush's war freak career and the US super obsession with destroying the world peoples' economic, political and cultural life at the behest and interest of transnational giants, financial oligopolies and military institutions in the US.

America should teach Bush a lesson he would not forget. America should junk Bush and put Kerry on day-to-day political monitoring and evaluation and prevent him from repeating Bush's crimes and follies.

-- Gerry Albert Corpuz
Information Officer
Pamalakaya
Quezon City

Talking Points -- The Fil-Am Vote
Frankly speaking, both presidential contenders in the highest US political trophy belong to the same league.

There would be no changes in Washington's anti-global people foreign policies. However, we ask the American people to junk the war freak Bush and teach him a lesson of a lifetime.

The anti-Bush vote should remind Kerry that he would follow Bush's political fate in case he wins the election and proceeds with Bush's global crimes against nations and the people of the world.

-- Gerry Albert Corpuz
PAMALAKAYA
Quezon City

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 10:17 | link | comments |

Activists as film critics published in the November 10-16, 2002 issue of Bulatlat.com

Brocka, La Aunor Movies Top Activists' 10 Best Films by Gerry Albert Corpuz

Three award-winning movies of the late filmmaker Lino Brocka and five films featuring superstar Nora Aunor were cited by activists in their list of the 10 best Filipino films of all time, with the much-heralded opus Maynila Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag (1976) emerging as the top choice.

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Three award-winning movies of the late filmmaker Lino Brocka and five films featuring superstar Nora Aunor were cited by activists in their list of the 10 best Filipino films of all time, with the much-heralded opus Maynila Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag (1976) emerging as the top choice.

The survey was conducted from Oct.1-21. A total of 37 activists representing people's organizations and non-government groups were asked to name their 10 best films in random order; 29 of them replied.

Maynila, written by award-winning novelist Edgardo Reyes, was a general indictment of a decaying urban life under the death bed of martial law, says Raymond Palatino, chair of the National Union of Students of the Philippines, who admits being a lover of foreign and local art films.
Lino Brocka

Says 43-year old critic Bert Santos, now a staff of the militant fisherfolk group Pamalakaya, “Maynila was dark and gory, sad and disturbing, but it was really beautiful. I saw it 26 years ago but the vivid pictures of life and struggle in Manila shown in that film is amazingly true at this point of our history.”

A student leader of a peasant-youth group also says he saw the Brocka film twice in cable channel Cinema One and was astounded by the sad plight of lovers Julio Madiaga and Ligaya Paraiso who were exploited by other people's greed for lust, corporate exploitation and the moribund social system.

The film garnered 24 votes among the list of over 80 films cited by activists as their best local films of all time, besting Brocka's other works like Orapronobis, Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang, including the Nora Aunor classic Himala penned by award-winning scriptwriter Ricky Lee and directed by the late National Artist, Ishmael Bernal.

Eye opener

It was not surprising that another Brocka film, Orapronobis, came a close second to Maynila, having been popular among activists from the late ‘80s up to the present. It was considered an "eye-opener film" among the present crop of activists, including the pre- and post-Edsa 1 and Edsa 2 activists because of the film's capacity to politically agitate its viewers.

Produced during the Aquino administration, the film was banned for commercial exhibition because of its anti-militarization theme but was previewed at the UP Film Center. Activist writer Rachel Anne Calabia, a high school junior then, recalled the scene where one character is being tortured while "No Where" by Diana Ross and the Supremes plays on the background.

Orapronobis was cited 22 times – including international awards - and was often referred by activists as the most agitating film in the ‘80s.

Bernal at his best

Bernal will be remembered by his contemporaries and succeeding generations of activists as one "serious and deep director" for his critique of society and the artistic and political polemics on religion as a tool for class rule and exploitation by the elite. These themes are stressed in a number of his films, including Wating, the last film he directed before he died some years back.

Bernal was remembered for his films like Nunal Sa Tubig, Manila By Night, Pagdating sa Dulo and Ikaw Ay Akin, but his most cherished film was Nora Aunor's classic Himala produced in 1982 by the Experimental Cinema of the Philippines.

Himala, the most honored entry in the Metro Manila Film Festival (MFFF) in 1982, had Aunor as Elsa, the barrio lass who claimed she saw the Virgin Mary in the village of Cupang and became the toast of the town for her unexplained ability to heal sick people.

"I like how it dissected the evils of religious feudal beliefs in the country. Magaling talaga si Nora Aunor," says Calabia.

Another activist from Bagong Alyansang Makabayan says Himala was among her best local films because of its brave stand on religion and how the ruling class used it as political tool to maintain the status quo and exact class rule. "Definitely it’s Bernal's most provocative film since Nunal sa Tubig and it was La Aunor's best performance in her entire career as a film actress," she says.

Himala, a regular feature in several international film festivals abroad and often served as the opening or closing film of the yearly Pelikula at Lipunan festival, was adjudged by activists as the third best film of all time, with 19 votes from 29 respondents.

Justice to Ka Dencio, Kuala

Filipino activists gave justice to slain labor leader Ka Dencio (played by the late Tony Santos Sr.), one of the main characters in the movie Sister Stella L produced by Regal Films and directed by Mike de Leon. It was the fourth best film among our activist respondents, citing Lily Monteverde's film 13 times.

The film about an activist nun played by Vilma Santos was shown in 1984, two years before the first Edsa uprising. It was inspired by the people's fight against the US-backed Marcos dictatorship with the labor front as its political backdrop in denouncing the fascist rule.

Amy Dural of the Promotion of Church for People's Response (PCPR) says Sister Stella L should be cited for its clear depiction of the struggle of workers against the exploiting capitalist class and the Church peoples' involvement in this fight for class emancipation.

"I gave this film a two-thumbs up for its courageous stand on the issue of labor, state fascism and its rallying call for Church people to absorb the workers' fight for a just and humane society in flesh and in spirit," says Dural.

Brocka's Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang tied with Sister Stella L in the fourth spot. "If Ka Dencio was given justice, the same was done to Kuala played superbly by seasoned actress Lolita Rodriguez who was abandoned by a rich playboy acted by Eddie Garcia," says a former UP student and now staff of the peasant group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP).

Films against colonial powers

Two anti-colonial films cited 12 times by respondents were tied at No.5, namely the anti-bases Minsan May Isang Gamu-Gamo and the Japanese war time drama Oro Plata Mata produced by Premiere Productions in 1976 and the Experimental Cinema of the Philippines in early ‘80s respectively.

UP-Manila student Christopher Reginald Vallejos says he had seen the movie twice on ABS-CBN 2 cable channel. Viewing Aunor's film, he says, is always a delight for staunch anti-bases activist like him.

"The anti-bases film managed to escape the scissors of the Board of Censors that time under the military regime of ex-President Marcos. It is good this film is still preserved and currently used as reference for anti-bases discussions in schools and communities. The film is also a good material for our campaign against the US war of aggression and basing rights in the Philippines," the student leader says.

Minsan May Isang Gamu-Gamo, one of the gems in the so-called Golden Age of Philippine Cinema (the mid-‘70s), won the Famas Best Picture in 1977. It starred Nora Aunor as a Filipina nurse who dreamt of working in the United States but later canceled her trip in the land of milk and honey after her brother played by Aunor's younger brother in real life Eddie Villamayor was shot by an American serviceman who mistook him for a wild boar. The classic punchline, "My brother is not a pig!" became one of the best-remembered film dialogues in local cinema.

Oro, Plata, Mata, one of the early directorial jobs of Peque Gallaga, won the Gawad Urian's Best Picture trophy in 1984. According to one respondent, the film was a great portrayal of the angst of a big landlord family during the Japanese colonial occupation of the Philippines and World War II.

Gallaga used graphic sex and violence in depicting the reactionary and fragile nature of the rich and privileged people even in times of war and national distress, according to activist critics.

La Aunor shines

The Flor Contemplacion Story, Bakit May Kahapon Pa? and Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos tied at 6th place. Incidentally, the three films were all Nora Aunor movies.

First Quarter Storm activist and multi-awarded director Joel Lamangan directed the first two and underrated director Mario O' Hara directed the critically-acclaimed war drama which was officially part of the Golden Year of Philippine Cinema in 1976.

Respondents cited Flor Contemplacion for pinpointing the Ramos government and its labor export policy as the culprit behind the death of the ill-fated Filipina domestic helper in Singapore, while Bakit May Kahapon Pa? earned favorable reviews for its anti-militarization stand that challenged ex-President Ramos' Philippine 2000.

O’Hara's Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos, a period film about the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, was noticed by activist critics for its anti-colonial and anti-imperialist war message. The three La Aunor films were cited 9 times in the survey.

Rizal movies and long hair Sakay

The film Jose Rizal directed by Marilou Diaz Abaya and starred in by Cesar Montano was the local activists' 7th best local film (8 votes), followed by another Rizal movie Bayaning Third World and Raymond Red's Sakay in 8th and 9th places (7 and 6 votes each), respectively.

Abaya's collaboration with Montano was cited for its cinematography and production design, while Mike de Leon's Bayaning Third World got raves for deconstructing Rizal -- in a candid, tongue-and-cheek manner – as a national hero. Red's long- haired Sakay was cited for its anti-US stand during the American occupation of the Philippines.

Bayaning Third World was funny, intelligent with Filipino petty bourgeoisie humor, says one of the respondents.

Women, Manila and Eddie Romero

Abaya scored another triumph with Moral, a film about independent women, along with Bernal's full-force exposition of decaying life in the main capital in Manila By Night and Eddie Romero's national historical drama Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon?, was cited five times by respondent-activists and ranked 10th in the Bulatlat.com survey.

Other worthy films cited a couple of times but failed to land in the top 10 were Batch 81 (Mike de Leon), Bagets I (Maryo J. delos Reyes), Bayan Ko: Kapit sa Patalim (Lino Brocka), Insiang (Lino Brocka), Sakada (Behn Cervantes), Ligaya ang Itawag Mo Sa Akin (Carlitos Siguion-Reyna), Scorpio Nights I (Peque Gallaga), Nunal Sa Tubig (Ishmael Bernal), Kisapmata (Mike de Leon), Lucia (Mel Chionglo) and Sana Maulit Muli (Olivia Lamasan).

Brocka and his contemporary, Bernal, died a few years ago. Founding members of the Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP), both were active in the anti-dictatorship years. Cervantes still directs plays and supports Bayan Muna. The rest of the directors acclaimed in the activists’ list are still active in the film industry where they reap more awards. Bulatlat.com

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 08:03 | link | comments (10) |

Published Press Release on Manila Declaration

One million signature drive for Gloria’s ouster launched

By Amita O. Legaspi
Sunday, 10 17, 2004

While saying they can no longer bear President Arroyo's regime, disappointed at her apparent weakness in solving the current problems besetting the Filipinos, militant peasant groups all over the country have intensified their call for her immediate ouster with a campaign that would gather one million signatures to ensure that she steps down from Malacañang before the end of the year.

The campaign, spearheaded by groups of fishermen, farmers and peasant women, will carry a political statement titled “Manila Declaration,” calling on Mrs. Arroyo to resign for her failure to address the widespread landlessness, hunger and poverty across the country.

The one-million signature drive will kick off this week.

“The 'Manila Declaration' will be the beginning of (President) Arroyo's end. It is a forthcoming collective decision of the rural people against the corrupt, fascist and terrorist administration of Mrs. Arroyo,” Fernando Hicap, national chairman of the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) said yesterday.

Aside from Pamalakaya, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas and Amihan, a peasant woman federation, will spearhead the one million signature drive for the President's resignation.

Hicap said the Manila Declaration will be the political output of the peasant and rural summit against landlessness, hunger and poverty slated on Oct. 20.

The event intends to draw farmers, peasant women and fishermen from the regions of Bicol, Southern Tagalog, Central Luzon, Ilocos and Cordillera and Cagayan Valley.

According to Hicap, the planned protest actions are expected to hit the cities of Cebu, Davao, Tagbilaran, Cotabato and Iloilo.

Around 5,000 peasant and rural activists from Southern, Central and Northern Luzon provinces are expected to participate in the big rally in the National Capital Region.

“We intend to gather at least one million signatures in the next three months and later deliver these signatures to the doorsteps of Malacañang, the House of Representatives and the Senate, including other venues of political expressions,” the Pamalakaya chairman said.

Hicap stressed the impending protest actions is a preview of the snowballing political storm against the corrupt, militarist and puppet regime of the Chief Executive.

Pamalakaya expressed optimism it would be able to “spread the gospel” of Mrs. Arroyo's resignation before the end of the month.

“Let's call spade a spade. (President) Arroyo, aside from betraying the rural people's fight against landlessness, hunger and poverty, is politically corrupt, grossly immoral and graphically repressive. It is about time to deliver the strongest message to her administration,” he charged.

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 15:00 | link | comments |

Leyteño fisherfolk want to keep sunken US war ship

USS St. Lo (CVE 63)

By Gerry Albert Corpuz ( An article contributed to Bulatlat.Com)

MacArthur,Northern Leyte- Fisherfolk in this sleepy coastal town of Northern Leyte are opposing the salvaging of 61-year old US Naval Ship which sunk in the municipal waters of MacArthur on October 25, 1944 during imperialist war between the American and Japanese invading forces.

" There is a paramount need to save St. Lo (CVE 63) from vested interests", said Pamalakaya-Eastern Visayas, a regional alliance of small fishermen in Region 8 that is leading the campaign against the salvaging of the 61-year old sunken ship in Barangay San Pedro.

The fisherfolk group kicked off its year -round campaign against the salvaging of St. Lo last month with a fluvial rally in MacArthur last September 27 participated by fisherfolk residents from eight coastal barangays of said fishing town.

The sunken ship developed into an artificial reef and a sanctuary hosting and breathing life to variety of fish species and seashells rewarding livelihood to subsistence fishermen surrounding Leyte Gulf and had prevented the proliferation of destructive fishing vessels.

In 1996, the local government of MacArthur signed a resolution declaring the sunken ship a tourist spot and a fish sanctuary. But incumbent mayor Leonardo Leria nullified the resolution and allowed La Naval to salvage the ship despite protest lodged by fisherfolk and residents in nearby coastal barangays.

Class escort carrier

The St. Lo (CVE63), a class escort carrier and a veteran of World War II was lost during the Battle off Samar after Japanese suicide planes concentrated its' air attacks on the ship which the United States remembered as one of the most memorable engagements in the history of US naval battle.

The 10,400-ton full load ship carrier was used to travel at the speed of 19 knots and carry 28 fighter planes. Built by Kaiser Shipbuilding Company the naval ship carrier measured 512.5 or approximately in length with flight deck width of 108 feet.

The US naval ship was laid down as Chapin Bay 23 on January 1943 and was renamed Midway on April 3 of the same year. As an escort carrier, St. Lo used to carry replacement aircraft and participated in a number of US air strikes. The ship was instrumental in the US invasion of Saipan on June 15, 1943.

St. Lo also played key role in the US military invasion of other territories occupied by the Japanese imperial forces. On October 12, 1943, the ship sailed to the Philippines to participate in the liberation of Leyte from the Japanese occupation forces.

The ship provided air coverage and close air support during landings of US Ranger units in Dinagat and Homonhon islands in the eastern part of Leyte Gulf arrived off Leyte on October 17. It was finally stricken off from the US navy list on November 1944 following its defeat from the Japanese invading forces in the Philippines.

Object of salvaging, retrieval operation

The sunken ship is now the object of salvaging and retrieval operation of LA Naval Commercial Diving and Marine Services Cooperative, a certified salvor company based in Dasmariñas, Cavite. The firm is headed by Ricardo Asis, a retired high-ranking official of the Philippine Navy.

On August 23, 2004, Commodore Alejandro N. Flora, district commander of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) signed the permit allowing LA Naval to salvage the wrecked ship.

Pamalakaya-Eastern Visayas assailed the ongoing retrieval operations demanding the salvor group to quit from extracting whatever is left in the sunken ship.

The group said the salvor company could only proceed with the extraction activity only if such permit is granted and signed by the Office of the President and if requirements are met to make the retrieval operations legal or in accordance with the Salvaging Law or Republic Act 5173 and PCG Memorandum Circular 06-96.

Under the Philippines' salvaging law, the World War II carrier could only be retrieved if the following requirements are met by the retrieving group: 1). The sunken ship obstructs the navigational line, 2). It is hazardous, 3). The area is used for any port development and 4). It is proven dangerous to marine and human lives.

Pamalakaya-Eastern Visayas secretary general Albert John J. Maña said it is impossible for the sunken ship to obstruct navigational activities in Leyte Gulf since St. Lo (CVE63) is only 1 and ½ kilometers away from the shoreline.

Maña also rebuked claims that the sunken ship was hazardous to people's health adding no fish kill took place or no account of human or marine lives died or injured due to chemical poisoning in the area.

The group's spokesperson likewise invoked the importance of national heritage and historical value of the sunken World War II naval vessel in arguing against the salvaging of St. Lo (CVE63).

" The World War II ship is now part of the country's national heritage. This ship will remind us the cruelty of imperialist war between the United States and Japan. Perhaps Washington and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo want to erase this ship from the memories of the Filipino people and the global community that is why they want to take this ship out of Leyte Gulf", Maña said. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 06:32 | link | comments (1) |

Peasants' Manila Declaration on GMA resignation

Militants ready “ Manila Declaration” on GMA resignation next week
1 million signatures target for Arroyo’s voluntary resignation

By Gerry Albert Corpuz, Bulatlat.com

Leaders of the militant fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya), Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP-Peasant Movement in the Philippines and Amihan (a federation of peasant women alliances) last week said leaders of militant groups, critics of the Macapagal-Arroyo administration will sign the historic Manila Declaration calling for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

“ The Manila Declaration will be the beginning of President Arroyo’s end. It is a forthcoming collective decision of the rural people against the corrupt, fascist and terrorist administration of Mrs. Arroyo”, they said.

Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap said around 3,000 leaders belonging to his group and staunch allies Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas and Amihan, a peasant women federation will gather in Manila next week to sign the political declaration urging President Arroyo to drop the presidency for failing to address widespread landlessness, hunger and poverty across the country.

" Let’s call a spade a spade. President Arroyo aside from betraying the rural people’s fight against landlessness, hunger and poverty is politically corrupt, grossly immoral and graphically repressive. It is about time to deliver the strongest message to her administration”, Hicap said.

KMP Secretary General Danilo Ramos said that the “ Manila Declaration”, a political statement that will press President Arroyo to undo her six-year term is the expected political output of the Peasant and Rural Summit Against Landlessness, Hunger and Poverty on October 20. The event will draw over 5,000 farmers, peasant women and fisherfolk participants from Bicol and Southern Tagalog regions, Central Luzon, Ilocos and Cordillera and Cagayan Valley regions.

On October 21, farmers, fisherfolk and peasant women across the country, according to Pamalakaya will not attend to their farms and refrain from fishing activities to join the nationally coordinated protests against landlessness, hunger and poverty and to call Arroyo’s resignation.

Protests are expected to hit Cebu City, Davao City, Tagbilaran City, Cotabato City, Iloilo City to mention a few.

In Manila, around 5,000 peasant and rural activists from Southern Luzon provinces, Central Luzon and northern provinces are expected to troop to the main capital for a big rally in the National Capital Region.

Hicap, one of the organizers of the anti-GMA gathering next week said Pamalakaya, KMP and Amihan will spearhead a nationwide signature campaign asking President Arroyo to step down from Malacañang before the end of this year.

“ We intend to gather at least 1 million signatures in the next three months and later deliver these signatures to the doorsteps of Malacañang, the House of Representatives and Philippine Senate and other venues of political expression”, the militant leader added.

“ This is a preview of the snowballing political storm against the corrupt, militarist and puppet regime of President Arroyo”, said Hicap.

Ramos said KMP and other staunch allies of the peasant movement were optimistic that they would be able the spread the gospel of Arroyo’s resignation before the end of the month.

“ President Arroyo, the class enemy of the rural people should step down and discontinue her six-year term for the good of this country and the rural people, whom she betrayed and compelled to a life of endless landlessness, hunger and poverty” he said.

GMA gained from AFP corruption

Is President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo the presidential candidate referred in Garic’s List who gained much from the string of corruption in the Armed Forces of the Philippines?

While it remained a puzzle for over a week now, militant groups insisted that President Arroyo was the one who being referred as the presidential candidate named in the controversial list of public officials who benefited from corruption in the military.

Nnara-Youth, a group of agrarian reform advocates in the academic sector said President Arroyo had not made any disclaimer and opted to remain silence regarding allegations that a certain presidential candidate made money from massive corruption in the AFP.

Pamalakaya said the “ blind item” seemed to be an allusion to Mrs. Arroyo.

“ Who was that presidential candidate in the May 2004 presidential elections who had his or her lion’s share in the massive corruption in the military? Definitely not Senator Raul Roco and Bro. Eddie Villanueva, they don’t have clout in the military. Mr. Fernando Poe Jr has supporters in the AFP, but they are not in power. President Arroyo is the most likely candidate”, the group said.

A retired military officer last week said embattled Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia, who was facing investigation for alleged unexplained wealth said the embattled military officer maintained a shady list of AFP generals, legislators and a presidential candidate in the May 2004 elections were involved in string of corruption in the Armed Forces.

“ The Garic’s List must be shown to the public. This short list of top corrupt officials, including AFP generals, legislators and a presidential wannabe in the May 10 elections must be exposed to the public come what may”, the group added.

KMP and Pamalakaya in a joint statement said since the expose was revealed to the public last week, President Arroyo and her loyal generals in the AFP had tried to reduce the issue mainly on Maj. Gen. Garcia’s own crimes of corruption to prevent him from spilling the beans and stop him from naming those officials in the Garic List in exchange for possible cover up and whitewash of his case.

Earlier, the militant groups pressed Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, interior and local government secretary Angelo Reyes and transportation and communications secretary Leandro Mendoza after a retired Navy commodore revealed that the US government was investigating the three Cabinet officials for dollar salting activities.

“ It appears to us that the consensus of the ruling Macapagal-Arroyo syndicate is to silence Maj. Gen. Garcia and block off any possible revelation that would emanate from the Garic List, a short list of public officials named as ring leaders and top beneficiaries of the widespread crimes of corruption in the military establishment”, Pamalakaya and KMP added.

Pamalakaya, however, said Maj. Gen. Garcia can still redeem himself from public condemnation if he admits his own crimes of corruption and tell the people who are those public officials, military generals, lawmakers and a presidential candidate in the May 10 elections who corrupted the AFP funds for their own vested interests.

“ Gen. Garcia still has a chance and he must not allow this opportunity to let go. He can turn himself into a people’s witness in the military by naming names, while retuning his own loot to the people’s treasury”, the group said. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 02:59 | link | comments |

October 16- PUP activists Grand Reunion/ Please come and share the fun... Dekada 80 Movement-PUP Chapter on the occasion of PUP's 102nd year anniversary

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 16:00 | link | comments |

October 15, 2004

Welcome to the world of Gerry Albert Corpuz.. full-time activist, freelance journalist, patriot, artist, a confidante, a loving comrade and true-blue friend. Thank you Mong Palatino, a dear comrade and friend for introducing me this kind of wonderful stuff in the internet.

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 15:53 | link | comments |

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