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

Militant group slammed PNP chief’s threat on media
“He is acting like a national
editor-in-chief of a totalitarian state- Critics

The fisherfolk activist group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) on Sunday denounced PNP Director General Arturo Lomibao for threatening all media organizations of possible takeover if they would not follow standards set by the government during the state of national emergency.

In a press statement, Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap said the PNP Chief was taking an illegal and unconstitutional order and could be held liable for violating the guarantees on press freedom and free speech as set by the 1987 Constitution.

“ Instead of making threats and direct assaults to the constitutional rights of the press to practice truth and fearless reportage of events and opinions, we ask Lomibao to respect the rights of the people and the media to free speech and free press,” Hicap said.

“The Government Order No.5 and Proclamation 1017 make Gen. Lomibao like a political monster in the midst of escalating political repression and wholesale massacre of civil liberties. He is acting like a national editor-in-chief of a totalitarian state ruled by a corrupt and brutal regime of President Arroyo,” Hicap added.

Pamalakaya said the standards set by Proclamation 1017 and GO No.15 were standards set by a regime of greed, betrayal and deception. The group said Malacañang and the police have no business in curtailing press freedom at any given time and whatever circumstances.

“ What standards Director Lomibao is talking? The standards for state terrorism, political repression and left and right suppression of truth and mass arrests of people seeking for truth and justice? These blasphemous edicts engineered by Malacañang should be challenged in any appropriate court, the court of public opinion and the parliament of the streets,” the group said.

The militant group urged all media organizations to band together and defy the national and gross curtailment of press freedom and free speech imposed by Malacañang and the pro-Arroyo generals in the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

“ The media should band together and fight back to preserve the gains of press freedom. We cannot allow the dark forces of evil and state terrorism to push their sinister agenda at the expense of civil liberties and press freedom,” Pamalakaya said.

GO No.5 and Proclamation 1017 give the police and military powers to carry out necessary and appropriate actions and measures to suppress and prevent acts of terrorism and lawless violence. The orders said violations of standards will be left to the judgment of the PNP and other agencies empowered to implement the orders.

They include alleged actions, which are detrimental to the state by obstructing governance, including hindering growth of the economy and sabotaging the people’s confidence on the president.

“ Who gave Mrs. Arroyo the idea that the police has the intellectual capacity and political and moral rights to judge what is good and what is bad for the country, especially concerning the practice of media and free press? She is moving heaven and earth for the sake of her political survival,” Pamalakaya said.. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 00:54 | link | comments |

Over 5,000 hectares of critical areas
Militants, concerned citizens up in arms
Lucio Tan over Palawan mining

A militant alliance of small fisherfolk and a group of concerned citizens in Palawan on Monday declared war against business tycoon Lucio Tan over a large scale mining operation in the municipality of Brooke’s Point owned by Tan’s Macro Asia Corp.

In separate statements, the activist fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) and the Palawan-based People’s Alliance for Good Governance (PAGG) assailed the nickel mining exploration project of Macro Asia Corp. which falls under the Environmental Critical Area Network Zones of the province.

“ Something must be done to stop the Office of the President and its’ client- the Macro Asia Corp. from pursuing its’ recipe for destruction. We cannot afford to have another major catastrophe in the offing in the tradition of Southern Leyte landslides or Rapu-Rapu toxic spills,” says Fernando Hicap, Pamalakaya national chairperson.

Hicap said more than one-third or a total of 9, 935 signatures of the 27,000 voting population of Brooke’s Point municipality had already signed the petition urging Malacañang, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the provincial government of Palawan and municipal government of Brooke’s Point asking for scrapping of Macro Asia’s permit to explore mining for two years.

“ The people of Palawan are earning enough from fishing, upland farming and other agricultural activities. Lucio Tan’s mining exploration is not welcome and we will not entertain another apocalypse and major disaster in the offing,” the leftist leader added.

The PAGG, a broad coalition composed of Palawan’s members of the academe and environmental NGOs, indigenous peoples’ organizations, peasant and fisherfolk groups, small business groups, health organizations and employees’ associations had maintained that the project is not incompatible with the fragile situation of Palawan.

The Palawan multisectoral alliance also said the nickel mining exploration of Macro Asia will also endanger investments in agri-business and eco-tourism projects and the livelihood of small fisherfolk and indigenous communities.

“ Palawan is the last ecological frontier in the country and perhaps in the entire Southeast Asia. This will be endangered by the mining activity pushed by Lucio Tan’s Macro Asia Corp.”, PAGG said.

Data provided by PAGG revealed that Tan’s Macro Asia Corp. filed an application for a Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA), designated as AMA-1V-76 with an area of 4,730 hectares on September 15, 1977 and additional area of 410 hectares assigned as AMA-IVB-143 was filed on June 16, 2003.

Based on field evaluation conducted last June 21-22, 2005 conducted by the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) and Macro Asia staff the applied area for exploration falls within different zone categories: core (4,379 hectares), controlled (373 hectares) and traditional use zones (386 zones).

The MPSA applications shall include two years exploration work program with a total project cost of P 12.8 B. The project is located in barangays Ipilan, Mambalot and Maasin, all in the municipality of Brooke’s Point.

The PAGG said the sub-surface investigation work program will utilize a 3-5 centimeter portable rotary spindle type core of drilling machine. It is projected that 10 units of drilling equipment will be used over a period of 4 months. It is projected that 3,000 holes will be drilled or a hole for every one-and-a-half hectares.

The Palawan multisectoral group against mining likewise denounced the Brooke’s Point municipality’s endorsement of Macro Asia Mining, adding that no public consultations were made among the affected residents and that the mining exploration violated a number of environmental laws and procedures. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 06:49 | link | comments |

Leftist group calls people, People Power 1 veterans
to boycott PGMA led EDSA rites

Rabid critics of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today asked the people and leading personalities of People Power 1 to boycott the separate events to be led by the two former presidents in connection with the 20th year anniversary of the first EDSA that deposed the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos.

“ We cannot allow ourselves to be part of this merry making anchored on the political ambition of an illegitimate, corrupt, brutal and puppet presidency to stay on power at the expense of our warm bodies. The GMA led Edsa celebration deserves a stirring boycott,” the left-leaning fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) said in a press statement.

Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap said the EDSA rites celebration to be led by Ms Arroyo will not make it at the political box-office, adding that the people would welcome the 20th year of the first Edsa uprising with roaring rampage of protest in the National Capital Region and other parts of the country directed Macapagal-Arroyo administration.

“ Mrs. Arroyo is harboring illusions that the people would put premium to her EDSA 1 political stage shows on February 24. She is totally paranoid and extra-delusional at this point of her career as a power-starved politician,” Hicap said.

Pamalakaya said the government led celebration of the 20th year of the first successful People Power was nothing but a gathering of politicians and power brokers that betrayed the spirit and legacy of the first Edsa uprising.

“ The spirit and legacy of Edsa 1 will never be in the hearts of President Arroyo and the ruling political gangland in Malacañang. If that is the case, how come they are still in Malacañang and refuse to step down despite their illegitimate and immoral status?”, the militant group said.

Pamalakaya said instead of wasting their time watching a bogus and corrupt presidency doing its own celebration on the occasion of EDSA 1, their members will stage fluvial protests in a number of provinces on February 24 to call for the removal of President Arroyo.

On February 24, Pamalakaya members in Cebu will ride on 20 pump boats from Talisay City to Malacañang of the South in Cebu City to protest Ms Arroyo’s illegally acquired presidency, the corruption in her government, the oil drilling projects in the Visayan Sea and scores of human rights violations committed by the military over the past five years.

Similar protest actions in the form of fluvial protests and slash-and-burn demonstrations are scheduled on February 24 in Bacolod City, Bohol, Digos City, Legaspi City, Sorsogon and other provinces in Southern Tagalog region.

In Manila, fisherfolk activists in Rizal and Batangas will come to People Power Monument on Feb.24 to join Metro Manila-based activists in a People Power Caravan from Edsa to Liwasang Bonifacio where they will hold protest from 4 pm to 9 pm.

Organizers of the February 24 big protest rally led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) and Gloria Step Down Movement initially pegged their mobilization to 20,000 people. Other anti-Arroyo political groups belonging to the camp of ex-President Joseph Estrada and United Opposition (UNO) are expected to deliver 30,000 to 40,000 protesters and will join the Bayan led rallies in NCR. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 06:48 | link | comments |

Pamalakaya fears Palace to skirt Senate role on new defense treaty
Defense chief asked: Will Malacañang submit new security pact with the US to Senate for concurrence?

Opponents of American military presence in the country today asked Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Atty. Avelino Cruz if Malacañang will submit the proposed security pact with the United States to the Senate for concurrence.

The left-leaning fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) advanced the inquiry a day after Sec. Cruz revealed that the Philippine government is negotiating a more modern security arrangement with the United States to cover militants, bird flu, piracy, natural disasters and other threats to national security.

“ There is a strong indication that Malacañang will skirt Senate’s role and keep the controversial security agreement away from national debate,” says Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap in a press statement.

Hicap said the new security pact being eyed by Malacañang either will revive the Mutual Defense Treaty signed by the government in the early 50s or the RP-US Bases Treaty of 1991 rejected by the Senate on September 16, 1991.

“ As a matter of historical record, Washington’s imperial army has been violating the Filipino people’s sovereign right since time immemorial. Sec. Cruz should stop acting as if he is the US’ military ambassador to the Philippines,” the militant leader said.

Pamalakaya said Sec. Cruz is giving a “ dignity to a paper pact” that would only trample the sovereign rights of the people in the name of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s puppetry to the world’s no.1 terrorist nation.

Officials of the defense department said the new pact will be ready for signing by April 1, but Secretary Cruz refused to state when the new security pact with the US would wrap up. The militant group said Cruz’s behavior merely reflects the policy of Malacañang to clinch the agreement behind backdoor and without the benefit of through debate and consultation.

The defense chief also said he was also studying status of forced agreements used by the likes of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as templates for similar pacts the Macapagal-Arroyo government is seeking with Australia and several countries in Southeast Asia.

But Sec. Cruz guaranteed that the new security pact with US would be consistent with the Philippine Constitution and laws to avoid a repeat of the controversy generated by the Subic rape case last year.

“ This system of guarantees is nothing but a pure paper pact. It is a traditional pattern that has glorified American military intervention at the turn of the 20th century that made us hostage for life by Washington’s military,” Pamalakaya said.

The Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) signed in 1998, 7 years after the Senate rejected the proposed 1991 bases agreement between the two countries, today covers the presence of US military forces in the country. But leftist groups and other anti-US military forces organizations are calling for its immediate abrogation, citing the rape case involving four US marines last year. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 06:47 | link | comments |

Militant groups urges lawmakers to
donate pork barrel to victims of Leyte fatal landslides

Leaders of the militant fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) on Sunday urged senators and congressmen to donate a significant portion of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) also known as pork barrel to the victims of fatal landslides in Southern Leyte last Friday.

“ We appeal to our senators and congressmen to rise above the occasion by allocating a significant portion of their pork barrel funds to the victims of the Leyte tragedy. Since these funds are taxpayers money, public interest is calling them to do the appropriate act in the name of public trust and national interest,” says Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap in a press statement.

But Pamalakaya’s Hicap did not set any standard or ceiling regarding how much the lawmakers should provide for assistance to the victims of the Leyte tragedy, saying it is up to senators and congressmen how much of their pork barrel funds they would give up or set aside for the victims of the fatal landslides.

“ It is up to them. 20 percent, 30 percent, I don’t know. What is important is that they share and help in rebuilding lives ruined by corporate logging clients of Malacañang. It is public interest and their conscience that should dictate how much they would allocate for the victims. The bottom line is that they should help and that is the tall order of the day,” the militant leader added.

Last year, pork barrel allocations for senators were reduced to P 120 million from P 200 million last 2004, while pork barrel allocations for each congressman was reduced by 30 million pesos from P 70 million last 2004 to P 40 million each last year.

Pamalakaya likewise proposed both chambers of Congress to passed a joint resolution seeking the re-allocation of the P 8 billion Presidential Social Fund currently tucked in the Office of the President for the ongoing immediate relief and rehabilitation operations in Southern Leyte.

“ This is another doable proposal. Remove from Ms Arroyo’s corrupt hands the P 8 billion Kilos Asenso Fund and re-channel it for the speedy relief and rehabilitation efforts in Southern Leyte. This is not a tough act to follow, because it only requires political will and signatures of lawmakers,” the group said.

The militant group also asked both Houses to immediately conduct a separate or joint congressional inquiry on the Leyte tragedy, saying the House of Representatives failed to act on two House Resolutions- HR 047647 and HR 171 last year filed by Southern Leyte Rep. Roger Mercado and Ilocos Norte Rep. Imee Marcos respectively calling for the investigation on the Leyte mudslides which occurred in 2004.

Both resolutions, according to Pamalakaya asked Congress to look into the possible culpabilities of big time logging activities in Southern Leyte, but the House of Representatives made no appropriate actions.

As of 7:20 pm Saturday, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) reported that the number of dead had reached 56, while more than 1,000 villagers were feared buried in the six-hectare peasant village. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 06:51 | link | comments |

Pamalakaya sets fluvial parade, flotilla protests on Feb.24
GMA warned: 20th year of Edsa 1 will be different

Leaders of the leftwing fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) on Sunday warned President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that the commemoration of the 20th year anniversary of EDSA1 uprising which deposed the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos will deliver a strong political message against her administration.

In a press statement, Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap said his group will stage a nationally coordinated fluvial and flotilla protests on Feb.23 and Feb.24 that will serve as curtain raiser for the major political event on Feb.24. Small fishing boats and Styrofoam rafts will be sailed away off the seas to dramatize their plight and propagate their battle cry demanding the ouster of Ms Arroyo from power.

Hicap said fluvial and flotilla protests will be conducted in Cebu, Bohol, Negros, Davao del Sur, General Santos City, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Laguna Lake, Taal Lake, Batangas and the National Capital Region on February 23 and 24 as part of the Edsa 1 protest activities against the incumbent administration.

“ This one different. It is more politically earth shaking coupled with the roaring rampage of protests and pockets of resistance all over the country. We will bring the search for truth and justice not only in the parliament of the streets, but also in the archipelagic waters of the country,” the militant leader said.

Pamalakaya’s seaside, bayside, lakewide and riverside fluvial protests and anti-GMA flotilla activities will serve as a precursor or opening act and opening statement for the Feb.24 anti-Arroyo rallies on the occasion of the 20th year commemoration of first Edsa Revolution, according to the organizers.

“ What we suffered under the Macapagal-Arroyo regime is comparable if not surpassed the brutality of the US-backed Marcos dictatorship and the succeeding regimes. We have to live up and relive the spirit and legacy of Edsa 1 because we are facing the same kind of political animal and situation under the new dictatorship of a female dictator,” Hicap added.

Pamalakaya members from Laguna Lake and Taal Lake will first assemble at the People Power Monument along Ortigas Avenue in the morning of February 24 and will join the People’s Caravan from Edsa to Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila.

The group said anti-Arroyo activists belonging to Pamalakaya, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, Kilusang Mayo Uno, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, Anakpawis, Bayan Muna, Gabriela and Anakbayan are expected to muster not less than 25,000 protesters in this year’s first big rally calling Ms Arroyo to step down from power.

Earlier, Pamalakaya will greet President Arroyo, on-leave DENR Secretary Michael Defensor and a number of private groups with complaints and charges before the Office of the Ombudsman.

Pamalakaya chapters from Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Cebu, Bohol, Northern Leyte and Negros will file criminal, administrative and civil charges on February 14. The cases stemmed from the national government’s inaction on the Lafayette twin mining spills last year, the oil and gas search in Tañon and Cebu Straits, the approval of 4,968 environmental compliance certificates (ECCs) last year and DENR Administrative Order 24 issued on November 17, 2005 opening up the country’s all coastal areas to foreign and local investors. The cases to be filed against Ms Arroyo and Sec. Defensor include violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, environmental laws and the 1987 Constitution. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 06:50 | link | comments |

Antipolo Rep. acting like an absentee landlord, wants the bests of both worlds as congressman and DILG secretary, charged Pamalakaya
Rep. Puno asked: What do you mean by DILG secretary designate?

What do you mean by DILG secretary designate?

The leftwing fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) posed this question to Antipolo Rep. Ronaldo Puno a day after the controversial staunch ally of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said he would remain a congressman while still a secretary-designate of the Department of Interior and Local Government.

“ Mr. Puno, the president’s right hand man in the Kampi syndicate is taking the public into another roller coaster ride by issuing statements that run contrary to public interest, public trust and public morals,” said Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap in a press statement.

At the turnover ceremony yesterday, the lawmaker said he would remain a mere designate secretary until he is given nod by the Commission on Appointments (CA) rebuking earlier statements of some senators the he had assumed the post as secretary of the interior and local government.

“ This lawmaker is violating their own rules of the game by assuming two posts—that of secretary of DILG and legislator in the 13th session of the House of Representatives and President Arroyo in the name of political accommodation is tolerating this incorrigible act of her political allies,” Hicap said.

Rep. Puno said as a designated DILG secretary awaiting his confirmation by CA, he will provide officials of the department with support from the outside and would give advice on how to run the government if asked by other top officials of the department.

But Pamalakaya said the Antipolo lawmaker in spirit and in essence had assumed the chieftainship of the DILG as an absentee landlord directing the agency from the outside and issuing directives from his office at the House of the Representatives.

The militant group agreed with Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. that it was illegal and unconstitutional for Puno to assume the DILG post while in the middle of a Congress in session.

Pimentel and Senator Joker Arroyo also said Puno was already assuming the DILG post to campaign for Charter Change and had met with local government officials in preparations for the pro-Chacha drive.

Pamalakaya charged that President Arroyo’s appointment of Puno as DILG secretary was in violation of the 1987 Constitution, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Official when he appointed Puno to the DILG while Congress is still in session, unless Rep. Puno leaves Congress and officially assumes the civilian post.

“ Rep. Puno is afraid to face CA because he is guilty of corruption charges against his person and does not want to be stripped off of his congressional post in case the commission rejects his appointment. This lawmaker, lawbreaker ally of President Arroyo wants the best of both worlds, both as congressman and secretary of DILG,” the group said. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 09:32 | link | comments (2) |

40 pairs of fisherfolk and tilapia fish in a 5-minute kissing spree
Pamalakaya staged “ fishpalooza” to unwelcome new DENR chief

Fisherfolk activists belonging to Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) staged “fishpalooza” at the entrance gate of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to “ unwelcome” newly appointed environment chief Angelo Reyes.

Holding a piece of tilapia, some 40 members of Pamalakaya gamely kissed 40 pieces of tilapia fish before members of the press to dramatize their plight against the appointment of Sec. Reyes as new DENR chief, adding that Reyes presence in the environment department will jumpstart the militarization of bureaucracy and fast-track approval of other mining projects pending before the department.

The fishpalooza was a spin off of lovapalooza held in Baywalk area along Roxas Boulevard in Manila last February 12. The group said this is just the first year of the fishpalooza and they would intend to do it yearly at the DENR national office as a form of post-Valentine protest action against the government and its’ anti-people and anti-environment policies.

Regarding their rejection of Reyes as the new DENR chief, Pamalakaya said the new secretary’s statement in an international mining conference in South Africa last week was a strong indication that the newly designated secretary of the DENR will fast track the approval of all mining applications pending before the office.

“ His sales pitch during the mining conference in South Africa about the Philippines’ readiness to open its’ mineral deposits and rich oil reserves to gold and oil syndicates across the globe is an open sell-out of the country’s national patrimony. This guy will surely move heaven and earth to sell our souls to the transnational plunderers at all cost,” Pamalakaya said.

The group said there would be more environmental disaster like mining spills, oil spills, landslides and flashfloods with Sec. Reyes at the helm of the DENR, which Pamalakaya said is one of most corrupt and later militarized departments next to Department of National Defense (DND).

“ Sec. Reyes is a fascist general and an all time puppet of transnational mining corporations by heart. He is even worse than his predecessor- Sec. Michael Defensor, who champions the immoral cause of transnational mining exploiters in the country last year,” says Fernando Hicap, Pamalakaya national chair and lead organizer of the first “ fishpalooza”.

The militant leader said the environment portfolio given to a certified human rights violator and corrupt military officer should spark protest and wholesale condemnation, asserting that Reyes has no moral and political right to head the DENR.

Last Tuesday, Pamalakaya leaders representing its’ chapters in Cebu, Bohol, Negros, Masbate, Albay and Sorsogon filed graft complaints before the Office of Ombudsman against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, former DENR secretary Defensor and DENR regional officials in Region V and Region IV for violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards of Public Officials and other environmental laws in connection with the Lafayette mining spills, the oil explorations in Visayan Sea and the distribution of
4, 968 environmental compliance certificates (ECCs) last year.

Pamalakaya’s Hicap said it would submit a position paper before the powerful Commission on Appointment (CA) questioning the designation of Reyes as the new DENR chief. “ His appointment is going to face rough sailing before the CA. Definitely we would be there to make things hard for him,” he added. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 09:31 | link | comments |

“ Atienza’s scrap Senate call merits his resignation”
—anti Chacha group

Manila Mayor Lito Atienza call to scrap the Senate to pave way for Charter Change merits his resignation as the top official of the city capital. In a press statement, the anti-chacha group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) urged Mayor Atienza to quit his post after he led some 10,000 “hakot crowd” for the administration’s nationwide campaign to amend the 1987 Constitution.

Pamalakaya said Mayor Atienza committed a gross violation of the 1987 Constitution when called for scrapping of the Senate to pave way for the anti-people, anti-national Charter Change, stressing that the act was only meant to please his principal in Malacañang—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

“ Mayor Atienza is playing his role to the hilt as the town crier and open advancer of Malacañang for charter change to the extent of calling the abolition of Senate to allow a bogus regime to perform an illegally acquired presidency,” says Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap in a press statement.

“ The Manila Mayor, a certified puppet of Ms Arroyo had insulted the collective intelligence and interest of the people, by pushing Chacha and by acting like Big Brother to Ms Arroyo’s abominable Chacha. Something must be done to prevent other politicians allied with Ms Arroyo from repeating the mayor’s detestable political acrobatic,” he added.

In yesterday’s launching of nationwide movement to amend the 1987 Constitution to pave way for the shift to unicameral legislature, Mayor Atienza called the Senate “obstructionist” adding that the Senate had a history of obstructionism in other administrations, from the time of President Elpidio Quirino, pitting itself against the President and making politics rather than political paramount.

“ The Senate must teach Mayor Atienza a lesson of a lifetime. Giving him the appropriate political and legal punishment is necessary to preempt other moves of pro-Arroyo local government officials to insult the people and exercise political arrogance on anybody that would stand on Ms Arroyo’s way to finish a term that is illegally and brutally acquired,” Hicap said.

Pamalakaya, one of the groups opposed to Charter Change said aside from allowing Ms Arroyo to finish her questionable presidency, the proposed Chacha would also allow transnational corporations to plunder the country’s resources and violate national patrimony, justify foreign military basing and intervention in the country and eliminate basic constitutional rights such as free speech, freedom of assembly and free press.

The militant group said the Manila Declaration for Charter Change led by Mayor Atienza does not represent the voice of the Manileños, adding that it was just a” show off to make it appear to the public that there was a snowballing support for Chacha”.

Pamalakaya’s Hicap said the rally yesterday in Manila in support of Charter Change relied on the strength of “ hakot crowd” and “ paper organizations” to convince the public that the proposed shift in the 1987 charter enjoys mass support from the people.

“ People who attended yesterday’s launching of the bogus nationwide people’s initiative regarding chacha don’t even know what Chacha is all about, much more the changes proposed by the organizers. They were compelled to attend without the benefit of consultation or debate regarding the issue,” the militant leader said. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 05:39 | link | comments |

Newly appointed anti-graft chief given 10 days to act on complaint
Pamalakaya file raps vs. PGMA, Defensor before Ombudsman

Fisherfolk leaders all the way from Central and Western Visayas and Bicol region today filed criminal and civil charges against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and former environment secretary Michael Defensor in connection with the massive oil and gas hunt in the Visayan sea and the environmental disaster in Rapu-Rapu, Albay caused by two mining spills last year and the highly questionable distribution of close to 5,000 environmental compliance certificates (ECCs) by the DENR also last year.

In their 20-page complaint submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman, leaders of the militant fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) representing fisherfolk groups in Cebu, Bohol, Negros, Masbate, Sorsogon and Albay said aside from the president and her newly appointed presidential management staff (PMS) chief, other key government officials and private corporations will be included in the charge sheets.

Pamalakaya national chairperson Fernando Hicap said the filing of charges against President Arroyo, former DENR secretary Defensor and scores of private firms including owners of Lafayette Philippines and oil exploring corporations will be their “Valentines Day gift” to the President and her favorite Cabinet official.

Pamalakaya’s Hicap said President Arroyo and other key government officials made violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act or RA 3019, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards or RA 6713 and other pertinent environmental laws in allowing Lafayette to conduct operations in Rapu-Rapu, Albay, in allowing oil and gas explorations in Tañon Strait (a protected seascape between Cebu and Negros islands) and Cebu Strait (Cebu) separating Cebu and Bohol and for distributing 4,968 environmental compliance certificates (ECCs) last year.

“ All of them moved heaven and earth and sold their souls to the transnational devils at the expense of our fisherfolk, their livelihood and the people’s environment and national patrimony,” Hicap said in reference to the respondents.

The complainants are led by Pamalakaya chapters’ Pamana-Sugbo headed by its chairperson Victor Lapaz, Pamalakaya-Negros led by its secretary general Editho Namion, Bokkana-Bohol spokesperson Paulita Distor, Lambat-Masbate chair Darwin Abila and Lambat-Bicol secretary general Arieto Radores, representing the victims of Lafayette two mining spills last year.

Also joining the fisherfolk groups in the complaint against President Arroyo, Sec. Defensor and other public and private officials are militant lawmakers Rafael Mariano and Crispin Beltran of Anakpawis party list and Liza Maza of Gabriela Women’s Party.

Hicap said aside from Ms Arroyo and ex-DENR Secretary Defensor, those who will be charged include Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, former energy secretary Vince Perez, Lafayette country manager Rod Watt and officials of the DENR and DOE in Regions V and Region VII.

But Pamalakaya complainants from Cebu, Bohol, Negros, Masbate, Sorsogon and Albay only gave Atty. Merceditas Gutierrez 10 days to act on their complaint, saying her failure to act accordingly to the collective interest of fisherfolk complainants to graft case against Ms Arroyo and company would spill the protest from the streets to the offshores of the Visayan sea and Albay Gulf.

“ I think ten days is enough to have this case addressed and solved. It is just a matter of political will. If she refuses to act on our legitimate concern, we have no other option but to pull out the complaint and heighten the resistance in the streets and spill it over to the seas across the archipelago,” said Victor Lapaz, chair of Pamana-Sugbo, an affiliate of Pamalakaya.

On Feb.24, the 20th anniversary of the People Power 1, Pamana-Sugbo in Cebu will hold a fluvial rally from Talisay City to Malacañang of the South in Cebu City to protest the oil drilling in Cebu, Negros and Bohol waters. Lapaz said they would also float water proof placards in several coastal towns in the island province to demand the scrapping of oil exploration projects in Cebu and

Also on Feb. 24, Boholano fisherfolk belonging to Bokkana-Bohol will sail away streamers and placards in District 1 and fluvial protest in District 2. if the island province. The group’s spokesperson, Paulita Distor said fisherfolk are ready to confront and physically stop the commercial vessel that would be used by the oil explorers in case the Office of the Ombudsman failed to stop the “ Arroyo gang” from extracting the oil and gas reserves in Cebu Strait, a passage separating the island of Cebu and Bohol provinces.

Editho Namion, secretary general of Pamalakaya-Negros said not less than 1,000 fisherfolk will stage a camp-out outside the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) office in Bacolod City, while a fluvial parade will be staged on Feb. 24 infront of said office the following day.

For his part, Lambat-Bicol secretary general Arieto Radores will stage a fluvial rally from Rapu-Rapu Island to Legaspi City in Albay to press for the closure of Lafayette Philippines Inc. In the case of Lambat-Masbate, fisherfolk will cross the sea from Masbate City to Donsol town in Sorsogon to protest the oil exploration activities in Visayan Sea.

“Malacañang always say that charges against President Arroyo should be filed in appropriate venue to give her a day in court. Well, this is it. Although Ms Arroyo’s days are numbered because of the looming people power, we will still give her a day in court that is why we are filing this case against her and her colleagues of anti-people officials and private associates before the Office of the Ombudsman,” he asserted. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 09:33 | link | comments |

Lafayette’s letter to PGMA shows Palace coerced, ordered by Australian mining firm to OK operations, opponents say

The letter of Lafayette Philippines Inc. (LPI) dated February 26, 2004 to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo asking the Chief Executive to direct the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) to forward the application of the Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project to her office showed that the Australian mining firm exerted undue influence, coerced and commanded the highest office in the land to act favorably on the demand of LPI.

This was revealed by the militant fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) which yesterday filed a complaint at the Office of the Ombudsman against President Arroyo, Foreign affairs secretary Alberto Romulo, former DENR Secretary Michael Defensor, Rod Watt, country manager of Lafayette Philippines and Wilhelm Ortaliz, Lafayette’s project manager.

“ Is Lafayette’s Rod Watt over and above and powerful than the Office of the President? The tone of the letter is so obvious. He was instructing, commanding and ordering Ms Arroyo to act favorably on the request of the Australian mining firm. This is disgusting and shows the high level of Ms Arroyo’s puppetry and Lafayette’s political arrogance and exploitation,” said Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap in a press statement.

In their 20-page complaint filed at the Office of the Ombudsman, the militant group cited the Feb. 26, 2004 Lafayette’s letter to Ms Arroyo, asking her to order PEZA to direct the application of the mining firm to her office where it can be acted favorably even without the concurrence of the Rapu-Rapu mayor Dick Galicia.

“ Lafayette acted as if it is a sovereign economic and political power in the country even commanding Ms Arroyo to violate the country’s laws and shortcut processes to facilitate the entry of this toxic emitting giant from the country. Ms Arroyo really betrayed national interest and public trust on Lafayette’s case by playing their game religiously,” Pamalakaya’s Hicap said.

“ Imagine the country manager of Lafayette not only calling the shots inside Lafayette, but calling the shots as well inside the Office of the President. This is totally and grossly revolting and damaging to 85 million Filipinos,” Hicap added.

The mining firm signed by Lafayette’s country manager Rod Watt said only the Office of the President can act on the company’s request to proceed with the operations without the approval of the Rapu-Rapu mayor and justify the approval of PEZA declaring the island as economic zone.

Watt further said,” unless the OP acts swiftly, as we have mentioned above, the project development will not proceed. It is of urgency therefore that we are very concerned about the PEZA status of the project in particular the timetable of its proclamation. We anticipate, that except for the mayor’s concurrence, our PEZA application will be ready for proclamation by third week of March 2004 at the latest.”

On November 19, 2003, the Sangguniang Bayan of Rapu-Rapu allegedly passed Resolution No.150-2003, which purportedly approved Lafayette mining operations and endorsed LPI’s application to PEZA. On December 13, 2003, the PEZA approved resolution No. 03-320 granting pre-qualification clearance for the declaration of Barangays Malobago and Pagcolbon, municipality of Rapu-Rapu as special economic zone.

On December 16, 2003, Lilia de Lima , director general of PEZA wrote Rapu Rapu Mayor Galicia requesting for the concurrence on the proposed establishment of the Rapu-Rapu Ecozone, but the mayor in his letter dated January 22, 2004 to de Lima said, the Sangguniang Bayan resolution cannot be a basis for such attestation since it did not pass through the Mayor’s office for appropriate action.

On April 14, 2004, PEZA endorsed LPI application to the Office of the President without the concurrence of the Rapu-Rapu mayor and on May 1, 2004, President Arroyo issued proclamation No.625 entitled “ Creating and Designating Certain Parcels of Land of the Private Domain Situated at Barangays Malobago and Pagcolbon as special economic zone pursuant to RA 7916 as amended by RA 8748.

On November 17, 2004, the Secretary of Sangguniang Bayan of Rapu-Rapu –Mr. Allan Asuncion informed Lafayette project manager Ortaliz that SB Resolution No. 150-2003 was never adopted or approved by the Sangguniang Bayan of Rapu-Rapu, Albay.

On January 5, 2005, the Sangguniang Bayan of Rapu-Rapu adopted and approved SB Resolution no. 068-2005 declaring null and void the previous resolution of the municipal council supporting the Rapu-Rapu mining operations in the area. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 09:31 | link | comments |

On the 19th year of the Mendiola Massacre
Peasants' Blood Compact Signals 100 Days of Protest vs. GMA, Chacha

On January 22, 1987 at the historic Mendiola Bridge, soldiers drew first blood as they opened fire on demonstrators calling on the government to implement genuine agrarian reform. Since this resulted in 13 demonstrators being killed, this came to be known as the Mendiola Massacre, which has been commemorated ever since. In remembering what happened 19 years ago, peasants once more literally shed blood.
BY GERRY ALBERT CORPUZ
Bulatlat




On the 19th year of the Mendiola Massacre, the peasants' blood flowed once more, this time to seal an oath to give justice to the martyrs in the struggle for genuine agrarian reform.
Leaders of the progressive peasant alliance Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP or Peasant Movement of the Philippines), survivors of the 1987 Mendiola massacre and the 2004 Hacienda Luisita massacre signed their names with their blood as they pledged their commitment to a manifesto to continue the peasant struggle and to oust the Macapagal-Arroyo regime.

The blood compact was the highlight of the protest in commemoration of the 1987 Mendiola Massacre as well as the 5th year of the EDSA People Power uprising. The protesters were blocked by a phalanx of police on Recto Avenue, about 200 meters away from the historic Mendiola Bridge.

KMP Secretary General Danilo Ramos led the blood compact which he called "an oath as well as a declaration of war of the oppressed classes against President Arroyo and her regime’s move to make the 1987 Constitution more reactionary and submissive to the dictates of imperialist U.S."

Beginning of GMA’s end

"This is the beginning of President Arroyo's end," declared Ramos as he and 10 other peasant leaders from Central and Southern Luzon went up a makeshift stage, cut themselves on their left arms, and let the blood flow into a coconut shell. One by one they dipped a rice stalk in blood and wrote Oust Gloria and other slogans on the manifesto, which was pasted on a white cloth.

"Land and justice to victims of Mendiola Massacre! Junk Chacha, Junk Gloria!" chanted the crowd estimated at 3,000.

"This is it. There is no turning back. We will give what Mrs. Arroyo wants, and that is the peasant revolt in the next three months," Ramos said. "The peasant blood compact promises 100 days of disquiet and stirring protests against the illegitimate President Arroyo and her gang of puppet, brutal and corrupt associates and their syndicated move to clinch Chacha and scrap the 2007 national elections," said Ramos.

The protesters belonged to Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan or New Patriotic Alliance), Gloria Step Down Movement, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU or May First Movement), Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay or Alliance of Urban Poor Associations), Confederation for the Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (Courage), Migrante (Migrants), Anakbayan (Sons and Daughters of the People), Gabriela, party-list groups Bayan Muna (People First) and AnakPawis (Toiling Masses).

Ramos, a Mendiola Massacre survivor noted that the 1987 Constitution prior to its ratification through a plebiscite in February 1987 was presided with "mass slaughter of peasants by state troops. Mrs. Arroyo's cha-cha (charter change) is a national political curse. It will set the stage for more political and economic massacres and allow the criminal and illegitimate administration of GMA to finish an illegally and brutally acquired presidency till 2010. This is unacceptable and unpardonable to the Filipino peasantry," Ramos asserted.

Willy Marbella, KMP deputy secretary general for internal affairs, said that KMP affiliate organizations in 59 provinces and 15 regions nationwide will stage pockets of peasant resistance and protests that would culminate on or before May 1, 2006.

"January 20 marks the beginning of Mrs. Arroyo's end. This is not a prophecy but a political assessment of the situation, based on the determination and collective sentiment of the Filipino peasantry," Marbella said.

KMP said that the 100-percent foreign equity ownership of land, the foreign takeover of media and other vital installations and the watering down of the Bill of Rights provisions of the 19-year old charter are compelling reasons to reject cha-cha and its proponents, led by Mrs. Arroyo, former President Fidel Ramos and House Speaker Jose de Venecia.
"These three patrons of cha-cha are underestimating the Filipino peasants and other progressive forces in the fight against cha-cha and for Ms Arroyo's ouster," he added.

Support for the Magdalo Four

The KMP also praised the patriotism of the four escaped Magdalo junior officers who called on the Filipino people to continuously refuse the bogus Arroyo regime. "The high level of patriotism and recognition of the Filipino people's sovereign will is a political testament and statement that the Magdalo Four will not resort to military adventurism contrary to statements issued by the pro-Arroyo generals in the AFP."

The four young officers implicated in the July 2003 Oakwood mutiny escaped from detention last week and vowed to contribute more to the cause of the Filipino people and the ouster of Arroyo. The escape of Capt. Nathaniel Rabonza, 1st Lieutenants Lawrence San Juan, Sonny Sarmiento and Patricio Bumidang from Fort Bonifacio on Jan. 17 was reportedly facilitated by a clandestine group called Young Officers Union new generation (YOUng).

KMP stressed, “These patriotic military officers are expressing the right political prescription: uphold the principle of civilian supremacy over the military in ousting the bogus regime of Ms Arroyo."

The militant group said that the relatives of victims and survivors of Mendiola Massacre and other forms of state terrorism shared the same views with the patriotic officers that the Arroyo regime, her loyal supporters in the House of Representatives and among the police and military are the real enemies of the people.

"The Magdalo officers and the YOUng patriots are right. President Arroyo champions the system of illegitimacy, corruption and neglect and perpetuates herself to power at the expense of the majority of the Filipino people," KMP said. Bulatlat

© 2006 Bulatlat ■ Alipato Publications

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 09:49 | link | comments |

The HK MTR gang? Yup and they did mind the gap!

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 08:53 | link | comments |

Testing my stamina against winter Genova

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 08:52 | link | comments |

Going indy with the 1st SlowFish Festival, Genova, Italy

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 08:51 | link | comments |

Sit down strike?

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 08:48 | link | comments |

PCGG chair, coconut farmer leader doing agent
work to seal GMA-Danding deal

One of the groups which filed a plunder complaint against businessman Eduardo “ Danding” Cojuangco in November 2003 on Thursday accused chairman of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) and leader of a moderate coconut farmers of group of working as agents to seal the alleged compromise agreement between Malacañang and Cojuangco camp.

In a press statement, the left-leaning fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) said PCGG chair Camilo Sabio and coconut farmer leader Efren Villaseñor of Pambansang Koalisyon ng mga Magsasaka at Manggagawa sa Niyugan (PKSMMN) were misinforming the public when they said that coconut farmers’ groups had decided to endorse the compromise deal proposed by the PCGG with the Cojuangco over estimated P 130-B coconut levy fund.

“ The Sabio-Villaseñor partnership is acting as agent of the compromise deal between Ms Arroyo and Danding Cojuangco as an alternative and attractive model to resolve the more than-three-decade dispute for reasons only known to them,” Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap said in a press statement.

The militant group reminded Sabio and Villaseñor of the Supreme Court decision declaring the controversial coconut levy fund as public in character and they are not empowered to decide on the fate of the P 130-B coco levy fund , but the 1.3 million coconut farmers through their recognized organizations, associations and cooperatives.

Pamalakaya said even the Macapagal-Arroyo administration and Cojuangco’s party are strictly prohibited by the recent high court ruling on coconut levy fund to engage in any form of compromise deal. “ Nobody has given the GMA-Cojuangco gang and the Sabio-Villaseñor partnership the right to speak in behalf of millions of coconut farmers,” the group said.

“ Whatever the reason for this treacherous and blasphemous act, we are sure that won’t serve the collective interest of Filipino coconut farmers,” Hicap added referring to alleged moves of Sabio and the controversial coconut farmer leader in support of the reported compromise agreement between Ms Arroyo and Cojuangco.

Earlier another group of coconut farmers’ group kicked off a signature campaign to contradict an alleged compromise agreement between coconut farmers and San Miguel Corp. Chairman Eduardo Cojuangco on the 27-percent share of the Coconut Industry Investment Fund in the company.

The Multi-sectoral Task Force on the Coco Levy Recovery headed by Vic Fabe, chairman of Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka on Tuesday said it plans to gather half a million to one million signatures to prove that they disapprove of the settlement.

Villaseñor’s group which claims a total mass membership of 750,000 nationwide said that at least 96 percent of the organized coco farmers and workers’ groups agreed on the compromise agreement. He said it was a result of a series of regional consultations initiated by PKSMMN and the Coconut Producers Federation.

The PCGG said the government has yet to forge an agreement with San Miguel Corporation regarding the coconut levy funds, but chairman Sabio said efforts to forge a compromise deal are underway. However, the PCGG chief assured coconut farmers that any finalized deal would be beneficial to both coconut farmers and the government. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 03:20 | link | comments |

Fisherfolk groups eye P 1 billion initial damage claim from Lafayette

Three fisherfolk organizations representing victims of last year’s toxic spills off waters of Rapu-Rapu island and adjacent coastal towns in Sorsogon province on Thursday urged the owners of Lafayette Philippines to set aside an initial P 1 billion peso indemnification fund to make up for the loss of livelihood since October last year.

“ Aside from the P 10.7 million fine slapped against Lafayette, concerned agencies and local government should also demand an initial P 1 billion fee for the damage the twin mine spills had caused to subsistence fisherfolk and affected residents,” the fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya), Lakas ng mga Maliliit na Mangingisda ng Bicol (Lambat-Bicol) and Pamalakaya-Sorsogon said in a joint statement.

Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap said the amount should be properly distributed among the fisherfolk and affected residents of Rapu-Rapu, Albay and in Bulusan, Prieto-Diaz, Donsol, Gubat, Barcelona, Sorsogon City and Bacon towns in Sorsogon province devastated by the mining spills.

“ The fisherfolk through their recognized organizations, associations and cooperatives should undertake the management and distribution of the proposed P 1 billion funds for relief and recovery efforts for the livelihood lost during the environmental tragedy,” Hicap said.

Pamalakaya’s Hicap said Lafayette should also set aside billions of pesos for the rehabilitation of Albay Gulf, specifically the waters surrounding and encompassing Rapu-Rapu and entire coastal towns of Sorsogon province.

“ The indemnification and relief aspects, including the rehabilitation process are just part and partial of the comprehensive social and economic responsibilities of Lafayette. The permanent closure of this Australian mining corporation is the principal demand of the people that should be addressed by the national government and local authorities to make sure this catastrophic event won’t happen again,” he added.

Lambat-Bicol secretary general Arieto Radores likewise urged Sorsogon Gov. Raul Lee. Albay Gov. Fernando Gonzales and the local government units in the provinces of Albay and Sorsogon to declare Lafayette Philippines an illegal foreign entity after yesterday’s hearing by the House Committee on Natural Resources found out that Lafayette was 100 percent owned by foreign investors.

“ Lafayette Philippines has been robbing us of our mineral resources for two years. They are conducting illegal and anti-people mining operations in Rapu-Rapu,” Radores said citing the violation of the 60-40-capitalization requirement in favor of Filipinos under the 1987 Constitution.

Lafayette’s newly installed chairman, president and chief executive officer Carlos Dominguez said LPI was 74 percent owned by Lafayette Mining Ltd. an Australian listed company and that the remaining 26 percent was being held by Philco, Malaysian corporation.

But Dominguez lawyer Atty. Bayani Agabin said under the Mining Act of 1995 mineral processing plant can be owned 100 percent by foreign corporation and such act was validated by no other than the Department of Justice.

“ Is the Mining Act of 1995 is over and above the 1987 Constitution which prohibits 100 percent foreign ownership? I don’t think so. Lafayette is pushing the issue to the wall to justify its’ illegal takeover and corporate plunder at the expense of our national patrimony,” Radores said. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 03:19 | link | comments |

Visayan fishers come to Manila to file raps vs. GMA, Defensor

Leaders of Panaghiusa ng Gagmay’ng Mangingisda Sugbo (Pamana-Sugbo), Bol-anong Kahugpongan sa mga Kabus nga Nanagat (Bokkana-Bohol) and Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya sa Negros (Pamalakaya-Negros), all affiliates of the left-leaning fisherfolk alliance Pamalakaya will come to Manila next week to file criminal and civil raps government officials and private corporations involved in massive oil and natural gas explorations in the Visayan Sea.

Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap said charges like violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, certain environmental laws and the 1987 Constitution will be filed against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, former Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Michael Defensor and other government officials before the Office of the Ombudsman next week.

The charges stemmed from the oil and gas explorations conducted in Tañon Strait last year and the scheduled oil and gas drilling this year in Cebu Trait and deep waters off Northern Leyte province. Those included in the charge sheet are Forum Exploration Inc., Canadian oil mining firm and the Japanese Petroleum Exploration (Japex), two oil and gas oil explorers blamed for last year’s environmental disaster in Tañon Strait- a protected seascape between Cebu and Negros.

Pamalakaya will also file criminal and other appropriate charges against Alcorn Gold Resources Corp., Petro Energy Resources Corp. and Trans-Asia Oil and Energy Development Corp. – the consortium tapped to explore the oil and gas reserves in Cebu Strait separating the island provinces of Cebu and Bohol and Northern Leyte.

Bokkana-Bohol said they are monitoring the entry of barges and ships that would enter the Cebu Strait anytime this month. The group said they will confront the consortium’s barges used for seismic testing once they get into the fisher people’s territory.

Pamana-Sugbo chairperson Victor Lapaz said their group have set up a monitoring team in Argao and would conduct appropriate actions if warranted to stop the oil exploration in the South Cebu Strait.

“ It would not be a walk-in-the park entry to Cebu Strait. We are determined to stop and end this corporate plunder to be executed by top violators of national patrimony in Malacañang and transnational clients of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo,” Lapaz added.

On March 18, 2005 DENR Visayas Director Jun Erasmo E. Villafañe and William P. Cuñado issued a Certificate of Non-Coverage (CNC) to Trans-Asia Oil and Energy Development Corp. project proponent of the oil and gas exploration with business office address located at Pearlbank Center, 146 Valerio St. Salcedo Village, Makati City to conduct seismic survey activity in South Cebu Strait located between the islands of Cebu and Bohol provinces.

On July 18, 2005 the Department of Energy (DoE) issued a letter of endorsement signed by Ranilo Abando, Director Energy Resources Development Bureau informing the public that it was pleased to announce that it had awarded a petroleum service contract over parts of East Visayan Basin designated as Service Contract No.51 to an all Filipino consortium composed of Alcorn Gold Resources Corp., Petro Energy Resources Corp. and Trans-Asia Oil and Energy Development Corp.

The DoE said the seismic survey will cover 250-kilometer 2D seismic survey over the Cebu Strait between the islands of Cebu and Bohol. The energy department asked all local government officials, concerned groups and stakeholders to extend their full support and understanding and cooperation because the oil and gas exploration will help reduce the country’s overdependence on imported oil.

Based on the map provided by DoE, the consortium will conduct an oil and exploration activity known as Parcel 1 in the East Visayan basin covering marine waters and 6 coastal towns of Northern Leyte province (Isabel, Palompon, Villava, Tabango, San Isidro and Naval Island) and 8 coastal towns of Cebu (Tabagon, Bogo, Borbon, Catmon, Sogod, Malapascua, Bantayan Island and Camotes Island). The 6 towns of Leyte and 5 towns of Cebu facing each other were part of the 240,000-hectare marine waters covered by the oil and exploration permit endorsed by the DoE.

Parcel of 2 the oil and gas exploration in East Visayan basin is the Cebu Strait proper covering the 7 coastal towns of Cebu namely Argao, Carcar, Sibogon, Dalaguete, Alcoy, Boljoon and Oslob and five coastal towns of Bohol namely Calape, Loon, Maribojoc, Tagbilaran and Panglao island. Parcel 2 of the oil and exploration activity will cover 204,000 hectares of marine waters in Cebu Strait separating Cebu and Bohol.

The AustralAsian Energy Limited has joined the consortium of oil and gas exploration corporations and the company will provide barges and ships that would accompany personnel and workforce that would undertake the seismic tests in Cebu Strait and Northern Leyte.

The regional directors of DENR and DoE in Central Visayas echoed they were not in the position to hold back these exploration projects because these oil and gas exploration undertakings were national projects and approved by the Office of the President.

Pamana-Sugbo and Bokkana-Bohol said 39 fish species that would be affected by seismic tests for oil and gas exploration project in Cebu Strait (Parcel 2 covering 204,000 hectares of marine waters separating the island provinces of Cebu and Bohol). #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 03:19 | link | comments |

Committee on natural resources starts toxic spill probe without ex-DENR chief : Lafayette victims ask House probers: “ Where’s Mike Defensor?”

The House Committee on Natural Resources will begin today its own investigation on the Lafayette mining spill upon the recommendation of House Minority leader Rep. Francis “ Chiz” Escudero, Sorsogon Rep. (2nd district) Jose Solis and Anakpawis party list representatives Rafael Mariano and Crispin Beltran, according to one of the resource groups invited in the hearing.

But fisherfolk organizations representing victims of the Lafayette mining spills last year were puzzled with the absence of former Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Michael Defensor, stressing his presence in the house inquiry is politically necessary for the truth to come out.

“ We strongly recommend the House Committee on Natural Resources to summon Secretary Defensor and compel him testify in the next scheduled hearings of the committee on the Lafayette tragedy. This inquiry in aid of legislation will not be completed without the Palace point person being investigated and grilled before the public,” the fisherfolk groups Pamalakaya and Lambat-Bicol said in joint press statement.

Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap said he would personally ask Agusan del Norte Rep. Leovigildo Banaag, chair of the House Committee on Natural Resources to subpoena the former environmental chief who was given new assignment of Malacañang as chief of the Presidential Management Staff.

“ We appeal to Rep. Banaag to summon Sec. Defensor in the next hearing of the committee. His absence bastardized the noble intention of committee and the House Resolutions 1058, 1083 and 1086 filed by Representatives Francis Escudero III, Jose Solis and Anakpawis party list lawmakers Rafael Mariano and Crispin Beltran” Hicap added.

Anticipating that Secretary Defensor would invoke EO 464 banning all government officials to testify before any legislative inquiry, Lambat-Bicol Secretary General Arieto Radores said the issue of Lafayette mining spill was not an issue of national security.

“ Sec. Defensor cannot invoke this grossly stupid EO 464 of Malacañang. That would be highly preposterous and grossly inflammatory. He must submit himself to the house committee investigating one of local history’s mining tragedies,” Radores asserted.

At the hearing, Pamalakaya and Lambat-Bicol presented a 5-point resolution that would address the Lafayette case. 1). Permanently close Lafayette mining operations and revoke its permit to operate. 2). Compel Lafayette and the national government to indemnify all victims of the twin mining spills last year and including the rehabilitation of Rapu-Rapu and Sorsogon waters damaged by the twin toxic spills last year. 3). Nullification of contract between Lafayette Australia and Lafayette Philippines tasking the group of Carlos Dominguez to takeover the mining firm’s local operations in the country. 4). Recommend the filing of criminal, civil and other appropriate charges against government officials and Lafayette owners and management for the loss of livelihood and environmental catastrophe caused by toxic spills. 5). Repeal the Mining Act of 1995.

The list of invited guests and resource persons include newly appointed DENR Secretary Angelo Reyes, DOST Sec. Estrella Alabastro, Malcom Sarmiento, Director of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Benjamin Philip Romualdez, President of Chamber of Mines, Sorsogon Gov. Raul Lee, Albay Gov. Fernando Gonzales, Rep. Edcel Lagman (1st district, Albay), Rep. Carlos Imperial (2nd district, Albay), Rep. Joey Salceda (3rd district, Albay), DENR undersecretaries Armando de Castro and Deinrado Dimalibot, Jeremias Dolino, director of Mines and Geosciences Bureau and Director Lolibeth Medrano of the Environmental Management Bureau.

The Lafayette mining firm is represented by Roderick Watt, country manager Lafayette Philippines, Carlos Dominguez, Chief Executive Officer of Lafayette Philippines Inc.

The regional officers of DENR Region V were also invited in today’s hearing together with local government officials of Rapu-Rapu and nearby towns of Sorsogon headed by Rapu-Rapu Mayor Dick Galicia, Mayor Greg Azore of Barcelona, Sorsogon, Mayor Benito Doma (Prieto Diaz, Sorsogon), Mayor Deogracias Ramos Jr. (Gubat, Sorsogon), Mayor Juan Guysayko (Bulusan Sorsogon) and Sorsogon city mayor Sally Lee.

The Lafayette Mining company had disclaimed any responsibility in the two mining spills last year off the waters of Rapu-Rapu island in Albay, adding that they had done everything to prevent their mine tailings from spilling into the sea and that the fish kill which created huge damage to the fisherfolk was caused by natural factors such as rise in temperature.

The Australian mining firm was authorized by the Macapagal-Arroyo government through the DENR to explore 4,486.63 hectares in Rapu-Rapu and was touted as the government’s flagship project in mining, after the Supreme Court reversed its’ ruling on the constitutionality of the Mining Act of 1995. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 23:41 | link | comments |

GMA playing teacher to Grade 1 pupils irks militant
group: " She's no Julie Andrews?"- Pamalakaya

" She's no Julie Andrews."

This was how Gerry Albert Corpuz, spokesperson of the leftwing fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng
Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) reacted to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's
roleplaying as elementary school teacher during her visit to the Andres Bonifacio Integrated School in
Welfareville Compound at Barangay Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City.

" Ms Andrews who played Maria in the 1965 classic musical film Sound of Music is a million miles away
compared to Ms Arroyo, yet here is Malacañang desperately repackaging an unwanted President to
become the Julie Andrews of the Philippines with her cheap shot yesterday," said Corpuz.

In the 1965 movie musical, the veteran Andrews played the role of a nun who left the convent and served as
governess for the seven children of a wealthy Austrian widower and military man who fought the Nazi regime of
Adolf Hitler.

Maria, the character played by Andrews also served as teacher of the 7 children and made fun with them, the
same way Ms Arroyo acted and played with the Grade 1 pupils of Andres Bonifacio Elementary School.

Borrowing a famous line from the Sharon Cuneta movie--Bituing Walang Ningning, Corpuz said ms Arroyo was
nothing but a second rate, copy cat version of Andrews in the 1965 hit movie, which ruled the history of US
box-office for ten years from 1965 to 1975.

Corpuz said President Arroyo's essaying Ms Andrew's role in Sound of Music was a desperate act and purely
a photo-op session to score points at the political box-office.

" Nothing was sincere about it. It was meant for good PR. That is the intention of Ms Arroyo when she did
that stupid, incorrigible act," he said.

President Arroyo played teacher to grade 1 pupils and spoke to them in English, teaching geography, and
pledging textbook assistance. Ms. Arroyo also announced that she was instructing the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to release 500 million pesos to buy textbooks for elementary students nationwide.

Arroyo stayed in a classroom for half-an hour with some 50 students, mostly scholars of the Petron
Scholarship Foundation.

The president likewise taught geography and read a story to the students. She also asked the
gradeschoolers to point on the map the location of countries and to which continent they belonged.

After her visit at the Andres Bonifacio Integrated School, President Arroyo proceeded to the warehouse of
the Department of Health in Manila to inspect the medicines being sold at half price.

DOH Secretary Francisco Duque assured her that common medicines such as amoxicillin, paracetamol, and
lagundi were available in government centers at discounted or cheaper prices. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 23:39 | link | comments (2) |

Pamalakaya decries appointment as militarization of bureaucracy
Militants rebuke Angie Reyes’ appointment as new DENR secretary

Leaders of the leftwing fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) on Saturday rejected Malacañang’s appointment of Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Angelo Reyes as new chief of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) replacing former Secretary Michael Defensor, now serving President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s chief of Presidential Management Staff (PMS).

“ Malacañang’s appointment of Reyes as new DENR chief is ultimate militarization of bureaucracy, an concrete expression of political accommodation and a virtual reward for political patronage rolled into one,” says Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap in a press statement.

The militant group Pamalakaya, a staunch critic of Sec. Reyes since his stint as Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines during the administration of deposed President Joseph Estrada and secretary of national defense during the post-Edsa 2 uprising under the Macapagal-Arroyo administration, said Sec. Reyes is as worse as Sec. Defensor.

“ What does Malacañang intend to do with DENR under Reyes’ tutelage? Make this office like a virtual military camp and pursue government program aided with military expertise and strategy in the name of Palace transnational clients under Reyes’ mercenary type leadership and approach? President Arroyo’s designation of a military man in a civilian bureaucracy recycles an old Marcosian tactic,” Pamalakaya’s Hicap asserted.

Pamalakaya said the appointment of Sec. Reyes as head of the DENR should be rejected not only by environmentalists and victims of human rights violations across the country, adding that the influential Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and anti-Arroyo groups in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) should also resent the appointment of the former highest ranking military officer in the DENR vacated by Sec. Defensor.

“ We are expecting a bloody response from the legitimate social and environmental issues to be raised against the DENR like mining and other concerns under the Arroyo-Reyes partnership. This is something that should send chills down our spines. Reyes is there to induce militarist response on matters pertaining to environment-related people’s issues like mining,” the group said.

Pamalakaya warned the public that the appointment of Sec. Reyes to DENR will signal a new wave of former military and police officers’ appointment to sensitive and juicy posts to the government which are of civilian character.

The militant group said over 100 generals are set to retire this year and the group believed that most of them would be appointed to various civilian posts to complete the process of militarization of bureaucracy.

“ Reyes appointment as DENR secretary is an omen. A preview of what Ms Arroyo will do in the next three to six months to save her administration from collapse. The environment portfolio given to Sec. Reyes, a hardline and hardcore military personnel suggests the present policy of Malacañang, which is to saturate the bureaucracy with military bigwigs and top guns identified with the present ruling clique,” Pamalakaya said. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 04:40 | link | comments |

House sets Lafayette probe tomorrow

The House Committee on Natural Resources will begin its investigation on the Lafayette mining spill beginning tomorrow upon the initiatives of House Minority leader Rep. Francis “ Chiz” Escudero, Sorsogon Rep. (2nd district) Jose Solis and Anakpawis party list representatives Rafael Mariano and Crispin Beltran, according to one of the resource persons invited in the hearing.

In a press statement, Fernando Hicap, chair of the left-leaning fisherfolk alliance Pamalakaya said Agusan del Norte representative (1st district) Leovigildo Banaag, chair of the House Committee on Natural Resources will conduct the hearing in response to House Resolution 1058 filed by Rep. Solis, HR 1083 authored by Rep. Escudero and HR 1886 authored jointly by Anakpawis representatives Mariano and Beltran, all urging the committee to conduct an in-depth inquiry on the toxic spill last year.

“The House probe on Lafayette mining spill is a welcome news. We will explore this venue to fight this transnational toxic giant and convince our lawmakers that they should put an end to this flagship mining project to avoid another environmental tragedy in the future in aid of legislation,” Hicap said.

Pamalakaya’s Hicap said about 90 percent of Rapu-Rapu more than 5,000 total population had already signed the petition calling for the permanent closure of the mining firm. The militant leader said they would submit the signatures to the committee on natural resources hearing to prove that Rapu-Rapu folks want Lafayette mining out of their coastal communities.

The Lafayette Mining company had disclaimed any responsibility in the two mining spills last year off the waters of Rapu-Rapu island in Albay, adding that they had done everything to prevent their mine tailings from spilling into the sea and that the fish kill which created huge damage to the fisherfolk was caused by natural factors such as rise in temperature.

The Australian mining firm was authorized by the Macapagal-Arroyo government and the DENR to explore 4,486.63 hectares in Rapu-Rapu and was touted as the government’s flagship project in mining, after the Supreme Court reversed its’ ruling on the constitutionality of the Mining Act of 1995.

Pamalakaya will be joined by its’ affiliate Lakas ng mga Maliliit na Mangingisda ng Bicol (Lambat-Bicol) and support groups like Sagip Isla, Umalpas Ka Sorsogon and Task Force Kontra Lafayette represented by Antonio Casitas, Rev. Michael Imperial and Angel Ayala including Fr. Fidelino Baguisa, assistant parish priest of Rapu-Rapu.

The list of invited guests and resource persons include newly appointed DENR Secretary Angelo Reyes, DOST Sec. Estrella Alabastro, Malcom Sarmiento, Director of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Benjamin Philip Romualdez, President of Chamber of Mines, Sorsogon Gov. Raul Lee, Albay Gov. Fernando Gonzales, Rep. Edcel Lagman (st district, Albay), Rep. Carlos Imperial (2nd district, Albay), Rep. Joey Salceda (3rd district, Albay), DENR undersecretaries Armando de Castro and Deinrado Dimalibot, Jeremias Dolino, director of Mines and Geosciences Bureau and Director Lolibeth Medrano of the Environmental Management Bureau.

The Lafayette mining f