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

Militants call for trade secretary’s ouster
But call on jobless not to apply for 3,000 police jobs in PNP

Leaders of the militant fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) on Friday asked Trade Secretary Peter Favila to relinquish his post to someone who knows the hearts and minds of jobless people.

“ Secretary Favila should step down. He is the absolute enemy of the Filipino working class and millions of their jobless peers across the country,” Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap said in a press statement.

Secretary Favila came under fire yesterday from two party list representatives for calling jobless people choosy. Party list representatives Joel Villanueva of Citizens Battle Against Corruption (Cibac) and Teddy Casiño of Bayan Muna took turns in berating the trade secretary.

“Secretary Favila should leave before millions of jobless Filipinos come to his office to ask for available jobs if there’s any. But for now, this guy will be remembered as another hate symbol for the Filipino workers’ point of view and collective interest,” Hicap added.

The controversial trade secretary said the unemployment problem was more of a lack of desire to work rather than the absence of jobs. Favila said the country has plenty of jobs, but the problem is some Filipinos are choosy.

“ From what planet did he come from? Secretary Favila is talking of something that does not exist. What kind of political animal is Secretary Favila? Probably a low-life political animal given break by the immoral and corrupt administration of President Arroyo,” Hicap added.

The Labor Education and Research Network said a total of 10.6 million out of 36 million total work force in the country can be considered jobless or in need of additional jobs to survive the high cost of living in the country.

But Pamalakaya information officer Gerry Albert Corpuz discouraged jobless Filipinos from going to Camp Crame and apply as cops, saying there are better ways to survive rather than to be recruited as cops under the bankrupt and immoral administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and PNP Director General Arturo Lomibao.

“ We appeal to the decent-thinking jobless people of this country to reconsider any plans of joining the PNP workforce at this point in time, given the political bankruptcy and massive crimes of corruption hurled against the Office of the President and the PNP establishment,” Corpuz said.

Corpuz said the people need work but not inside Camp Crame, but productive jobs that would be of great help to the Filipino people, jobs that would create more jobs and would elevate the standard of living of other people. “ The people need jobs, not jobs pertaining to the national security concern of the ruling syndicate in Malacañang,” he added.

The PNP yesterday announced that it would be recruiting 3,000 cops this year following assurances from Malacañang that there was enough money to hire more people. The national police is offering at least P 12,000 monthly salary for fresh graduates.

“ This is a desperate attempt of the Macapagal-Arroyo government to beef up its “ Salvation Army inside the PNP. The government is exploiting the poverty of the people for Mrs. Arroyo’s own game of political survival,” Corpuz said. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 07:46 | link | comments |

Militants asked administrators to
open universities for Chacha debates

Aside from parish doors, the anti-Charter Change group Pamalakaya on Wednesday urged administrators of different universities nationwide to open their schools for the education of the public on the proposed people’s initiative in amending the 1987 Constitution.

“ As personnel of higher learning, bearers of academic freedom and watchdogs for public interest, the country’s public and private universities should be opened for public discussion on the evils and sinister motives of the bogus people’s initiatives,” Pamalakaya information officer Gerry Albert Corpuz said in a press statement.

Corpuz initially identified the following schools for the through discussion and debate on Charter Change- the University of the Philippines and the entire UP system, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), the University of the Sto. Tomas (UST), the De La Salle University, St. Scholastica’s College and the Philippine Normal University (PNU).

“ These schools can initiate an “ open university campaign” for the no holds bar discussion on the immorality, illegality and unconstitutionality of Chacha. They can also act as anti-Chacha centers to gather more signatures from the members of the academe and intensify the people’s fight against the diabolical Chacha,” Corpuz added.

The Pamalakaya’s information chief also encouraged other private schools and state colleges and universities in Metro Manila and other parts of the country to allow lengthy discussions on the devastating impact of the proposed revision of the 19-year old charter.

“ If we want the truth to set us free, then let us open our doors for the carriers of truth to come in and bring the good news,” Corpuz said, stressing that the “ fake people’s initiative will be challenged by militant groups and other anti-Arroyo and anti-Chacha groups and personalities in the parliament of the streets, in any regular or appropriate court and in the court of public opinion.

Pamalakaya said among the contentious and objectionable recommendations carried out by the people’s initiative mode are the postponement of the 2007 national election and the lifting of term limits for elected officials, while allowing President Arroyo to serve in transition until 2010, allowing foreign companies 100 foreign ownership of land, including media, public utilities, natural resources and educational institutions, the massacre of civil liberties, removal of provisions on nuclear weapons and foreign troops and removal of provisions that limit the martial powers of the president.

“ The Chacha will make President Arroyo and her political gangland, the most powerful political syndicate across the country leaving civil liberties and political rights of our people at their mercy. History is calling us to take up the challenge and fight this evil project of the Arroyo ruling mafia in Malacañang,” the group said.

" This is the reason why President Arroyo is moving heaven and earth to make her impossible dream a political reality at the expense of everybody's rights and welfare. The people of heaven and earth stop her from doing her own project for political salvation," Pamalakaya said.

Earlier, Pamalakaya’s mother organization, the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) called on the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) to open their parishes nationwide for the massive education of people on the proposed people’s initiative. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 06:47 | link | comments (1) |

“ Mr. Untouchable is under the protective custody of the Office of the President”
Militants doubt PNP could effect arrest on Garci for faking passport

At this early, the militant fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) already predicted that the Philippine National Police (PNP) won’t serve the arrest warrant against former Comelec commissioner Virgilio Garcillano for faking his passport and perjuring himself during the House investigation into the Hello Garci scandal.

“ Even if the court serves warrant for the arrest of Garcillano, the PNP won’t serve it because he is highly protected by the cheating executive in Malacañang,” the group’s national chair Fernando Hicap said in a press statement.

“ Nobody believes the PNP will carry out the arrest of Garcillano. He is under the protective custody of Malacañang,” Hicap added.

The militant leader said Garcillano is untouchable as far Mrs. Arroyo’s cabinet members in are concerned. Hicap further said top police officials allied with President Arroyo ,by orientation and by design are tasked by Malacañang to provide the gate away plan for Garcillano for the second time around.

“The arrest of Garcillano will not take place. Malacañang will do anything, everything to keep the key link behind the May 2004 election fraud scandal away from the limelight. The Palace is desperate to close the book on the Hello Garci scandal and one way of doing it is to allow this political escape artist to hide again in one of Malacañang’s hideouts in and out of the country,” Pamalakaya said.

Pamalakaya said aside from enjoying the protective custody of Malacañang, the controversial election commissioner, being Malacañang’s fair-haired boy enjoys the support of Mrs. Arroyo’s major allies in the House of Representatives and Department of Justice headed by House Speaker Jose de Venecia and Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales.

“ Garcillano will re-stage his round-the-clock escape from justice at the behest of and in the interest of the ruling clique in Malacañang. The public will be treated again to another roller-coaster ride at the expense of truth and justice,” the group said.

The militant group said if Senator Lacson and the three opposition lawmakers from Congress want to put the former election commissioner behind bars, they should likewise ask the regular court to order Malacañang to stop from providing protective custody to Garcillano and enforce a court ruling on the arrest of Garcillano, whom the militant group claimed is enjoying first-rate protective custody of Malacañang.

Last Friday, opposition Senator Panfilo Lacson and three other opposition congressmen filed charges of perjury, falsification of public document and violation of Passport Act against the former election commissioner at the Quezon City prosecutor’s office.

Senator Lacson and opposition congressmen Taguig Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano, Bukidnon Rep. Teofisto Guingona III and party list lawmaker Rep. Joel Villanueva, on the strength of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) finding that Garcillano’s passport did not conform to standard on six counts, filed the 7-page complaint stressing that any one who used to doctoring election returns is also capable of faking his passport. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 03:37 | link | comments |

Leftwing activists defended Fr. Bernas from Sec. Gonzales’ attack
Pamalakaya says DoJ secretary lacks good manners and right conduct

“ Believe us, this government official masquerading as secretary of the Department of Justice lacks good manners and right conduct or he does not have those at all.”

The left-leaning fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) on Sunday lambasted Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales for calling Father Joaquin Bernas as the “ guru of destabilization” for his comments and articles allegedly critical of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Fr. Bernas over the weekend, said President Arroyo and other government officials were probably desperate in pushing Charter Change through a people’s initiative, saying there was no enabling law that would justify the signature drive for the proposed revision of the 1987 Constitution.

“ Secretary Gonzales exists not to render justice, but to persecute people found critical of her boss in Malacañang. He is Palace top political madman in charge of political and character assassination of Arroyo’s critics and his latest victim of course, is Fr. Bernas, one of the framers of the 1987 Constitution,” said Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap in a press statement.

Hicap further told Sec. Gonzales: “Why you are so rude? You are nothing but a political starlet before who rose to national fame by way of allowing yourself to become one President Arroyo’s stooges in Malacañang, covering up the truth and denying justice one after another and churning out incorrigible and ridiculous statements against anti-Arroyo groups and personalities.”

Pamalakaya reminded Sec. Gonzales that President Arroyo cannot be “ president forever” and time will come that he would join the President in the dustbin of history and they would be judged by history for making people’s lives miserable.

“ If he has sense of history, Secretary Gonzales knows what we are talking about. But at this point of history, we might as well thank him for earning more enemies and critics of her boss and the present administration,” the group said.

Pamalakaya also used the occasion to urge former Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., one those who framed the present charter and other living framers of the 1987 Constitution to join Fr. Bernas and stand up against what it called the all-out cannibalization of the 19-year old charter by the Macapagal-Arroyo administration.

Pamalakaya information officer Gerry Albert Corpuz said the former SC chief justice and one of the framers of the 1987 Constitution should lead the pack of the 48 members of the 1986 Constitutional Commission formed and tasked by President Corazon Aquino to draft the 1987 Constitution to oppose what it called an “ orchestrated cannibalization campaign of the present administration to effect amendments through the unconstitutional people’s initiative.

Corpuz issued the call, saying among the framers of the 1987 charter, it was only Fr. Bernas who is doing his job to challenge Malacañang’s plot to subvert the constitution to President Arroyo’s political survival.

“ The framers of the 1987 Constitution are politically and morally obliged and history bound to fight all machinations of Malacañang to pursue Chacha at the expense of the already mangled charter,” the group’s information chief said.

“ It seems, it is only Fr. Bernas who is doing his assignment at the very crucial moment against the sinister plot of the Arroyo administration to effect charter change at the interest of her imperialist master and her own glory to political power,” Corpuz asserted.

Fr. Bernas, earlier assailed the indiscriminate and desperate move of Malacañang to effect Charter Change through a people’s initiative despite the mode is declared unconstitutional and there’s no enabling law to support such move.

“ Chief Justice Davide and framers of the 1987 Constitution who are still alive up to this time must come together and denounce in strongest terms the Macapagal-Arroyo clique’s left-and right manipulation of the charter in vain attempt to perpetuate Mrs. Arroyo’s illegally acquired presidency,” Corpuz added.

Aside from former SC Chief Justice Davide, Pamalakaya likewise called on the attention of other living framers of the 1987 Constitution like former Comelec chair Christian Monsod, SC Justice Regalado Maambong, former Commissioner Napoleon G. Rama, former Commissioner Jose Calderon, former Commissioner and legal eagle Jose Nolledo, former Commissioner Ahmad Alonto, former Commissioner now Supreme Court Justice Adolf Azcuna and former Commissioner Jose Luis Martin “Chito” Gascon.

“ What is keeping them away from this highly provocative issue on Charter Change? It is now the time to left a historical political and legal legacy by throwing away this Palace-engineered maneuver and score a giant kill against this highly condemnable political act of Malacañang,” Pamalakaya stressed.

However, Pamalakaya did not include activist peasant leader Jaime Tadeo, expelled chair of the leftwing Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas in the early 90s for obvious political reason. “ We don’t expect anything from Tadeo. He is part of the rotten bureaucracy of Mrs. Arroyo, nothing more, nothing less,” the group said. #






Leftwing activists defended Fr. Bernas from Sec. Gonzales’ attack
Pamalakaya says DoJ secretary lacks good manners and right conduct

“ Believe us, this government official masquerading as secretary of the Department of Justice lacks good manners and right conduct or he does not have those at all.”

The left-leaning fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) on Sunday lambasted Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales for calling Father Joaquin Bernas as the “ guru of destabilization” for his comments and articles allegedly critical of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Fr. Bernas over the weekend, said President Arroyo and other government officials were probably desperate in pushing Charter Change through a people’s initiative, saying there was no enabling law that would justify the signature drive for the proposed revision of the 1987 Constitution.

“ Secretary Gonzales exists not to render justice, but to persecute people found critical of her boss in Malacañang. He is Palace top political madman in charge of political and character assassination of Arroyo’s critics and his latest victim of course, is Fr. Bernas, one of the framers of the 1987 Constitution,” said Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap in a press statement.

Hicap further told Sec. Gonzales: “Why you are so rude? You are nothing but a political starlet before who rose to national fame by way of allowing yourself to become one President Arroyo’s stooges in Malacañang, covering up the truth and denying justice one after another and churning out incorrigible and ridiculous statements against anti-Arroyo groups and personalities.”

Pamalakaya reminded Sec. Gonzales that President Arroyo cannot be “ president forever” and time will come that he would join the President in the dustbin of history and they would be judged by history for making people’s lives miserable.

“ If he has sense of history, Secretary Gonzales knows what we are talking about. But at this point of history, we might as well thank him for earning more enemies and critics of her boss and the present administration,” the group said.

Pamalakaya also used the occasion to urge former Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., one those who framed the present charter and other living framers of the 1987 Constitution to join Fr. Bernas and stand up against what it called the all-out cannibalization of the 19-year old charter by the Macapagal-Arroyo administration.

Pamalakaya information officer Gerry Albert Corpuz said the former SC chief justice and one of the framers of the 1987 Constitution should lead the pack of the 48 members of the 1986 Constitutional Commission formed and tasked by President Corazon Aquino to draft the 1987 Constitution to oppose what it called an “ orchestrated cannibalization campaign of the present administration to effect amendments through the unconstitutional people’s initiative.

Corpuz issued the call, saying among the framers of the 1987 charter, it was only Fr. Bernas who is doing his job to challenge Malacañang’s plot to subvert the constitution to President Arroyo’s political survival.

“ The framers of the 1987 Constitution are politically and morally obliged and history bound to fight all machinations of Malacañang to pursue Chacha at the expense of the already mangled charter,” the group’s information chief said.

“ It seems, it is only Fr. Bernas who is doing his assignment at the very crucial moment against the sinister plot of the Arroyo administration to effect charter change at the interest of her imperialist master and her own glory to political power,” Corpuz asserted.

Fr. Bernas, earlier assailed the indiscriminate and desperate move of Malacañang to effect Charter Change through a people’s initiative despite the mode is declared unconstitutional and there’s no enabling law to support such move.

“ Chief Justice Davide and framers of the 1987 Constitution who are still alive up to this time must come together and denounce in strongest terms the Macapagal-Arroyo clique’s left-and right manipulation of the charter in vain attempt to perpetuate Mrs. Arroyo’s illegally acquired presidency,” Corpuz added.

Aside from former SC Chief Justice Davide, Pamalakaya likewise called on the attention of other living framers of the 1987 Constitution like former Comelec chair Christian Monsod, SC Justice Regalado Maambong, former Commissioner Napoleon G. Rama, former Commissioner Jose Calderon, former Commissioner and legal eagle Jose Nolledo, former Commissioner Ahmad Alonto, former Commissioner now Supreme Court Justice Adolf Azcuna and former Commissioner Jose Luis Martin “Chito” Gascon.

“ What is keeping them away from this highly provocative issue on Charter Change? It is now the time to left a historical political and legal legacy by throwing away this Palace-engineered maneuver and score a giant kill against this highly condemnable political act of Malacañang,” Pamalakaya stressed.

However, Pamalakaya did not include activist peasant leader Jaime Tadeo, expelled chair of the leftwing Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas in the early 90s for obvious political reason. “ We don’t expect anything from Tadeo. He is part of the rotten bureaucracy of Mrs. Arroyo, nothing more, nothing less,” the group said. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 03:34 | link | comments |

MILITANT GROUP URGES PGMA, 6 OTHER OFFICIALS TO WATCH
“V FOR VENDETTA” AND JUDGE IF THE FILM IS SEDITIOUS

The left-leaning fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) on Wednesday urged President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and 7 other officials to watch the futuristic film “ V for Vendetta” and judge if the film does cite the Filipino people to sedition and rebellion.

Pamalakaya information officer Gerry Albert Corpuz said if the Movie and Television Review Classification Board (MTRCB) did not find any seditious or rebellious on the Natalie Portman and Hugo Weaving starrer, there’s no reason or justification for the government to push its’ rebellion charges against the six militant party list lawmakers and proceed with its political persecution of anti-Arroyo groups and personalities.

“ The fabricated rebellion cases filed against Batasan 5 and Anakpawis party list Rep. Crispin Beltran will ultimately suffer in comparison with the theme espoused by V for Vendetta in form and in substance,” Corpuz said.

Corpuz who watched the film last week said V for Vendetta tackled themes of people fighting state repression who had been threatened by a totalitarian state with possible charges of sedition and rebellion, terrorism and other high crimes if they participate in any movement that would lead to the downfall of a corrupt, brutal and anti-people government.

He remembered the classic line delivered by the film’s protagonist that “ People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people”, which Corpuz said could fall to President Arroyo and the Justice department category of seditious and rebellious statements.

“We ask President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and members of her national emergency gang to watch V for Vendetta and judge if the producers and distributors of this highly provocative but very timely motion picture deserved charges of inciting to sedition and rebellion,” Corpuz said in a press statement.

The group’s information chief said aside from President Arroyo, those who should watch V for Vendetta must include Department of Justice (DoJ) secretary Raul Gonzales, PNP Director General Arturo Lomibao, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye, National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, PMS Chief of Staff Michael Defensor and Defense Secretary Atty. Avelino Cruz Jr.

A film review of the film said V for Vendetta set against the futuristic landscape of totalitarian Britain after the Third World War, V For Vendetta narrates the story of a mild-mannered young woman Evey (Natalie Portman) who is rescued from a life-and-death situation by a masked vigilante known only as "V portrayed by Hugo Weaving.

The review said the masked vigilante ignited a revolution when he detonated two London landmarks and takes over the government-controlled airwaves, urging his fellow citizens to rise up against tyranny and oppression. As Evey uncovers the truth about V's mysterious background, she also discovers the truth about herself - and emerges as his unlikely ally in the culmination of his plot to bring freedom and justice back to a society burdened with cruelty and corruption.

“ Perhaps Mrs. Arroyo and the PP 1017 people in Malacañang, in the Armed Forces and in the national police could see their selves in the characters of people governing the totalitarian British state and what would be the consequences they might face in the very near future if they won’t stop their all-out persecution of people, including political forces opposed to Ms Arroyo’s unprecedented tyranny and massacre of civil liberties,” the group said. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 03:49 | link | comments |

Jueteng lords can operate STL in front of
their mansion, while illegal jueteng in their backyards
Small Town Lottery to pave way for Jueteng comeback

The purpose of Small Town Lottery is to provide “jueteng lords” the legal cover for the return of the illegal numbers game and not to replace the outlawed numbers game.

“The STL is nothing but a bluff, a grand cover up intended to facilitate the major comeback of jueteng to satisfy the administration’s fund raising campaign for La Gloria’s political survival and in the narrow interest of the ruling syndicate in Malacañang,” said Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap in a press statement.

The militant group said the STL bankrolled by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to replace jueteng was patterned after the illegal numbers game to allow jueteng lord clients of Malacañang to enjoy rooms for maneuver and use their acquired franchises as passport to revive the illegal numbers game in their respective jueteng fiefdoms.

Malacañang yesterday announced that newly DILG designated secretary Ronaldo Puno will take charge of STL but Presidential Management Chief of Staff Michael Defensor said the STL had been temporarily suspended because the PCSO and Palawan Edward Hagedorn, head of the National Anti-Jueteng Task Force failed to advise Puno on STL operations.

“ It is nothing but a money making scheme. President Arroyo will allow her jueteng lord allies to pass themselves off as STL operators so that they could use this new business franchise as shield or passport to revive the illegal numbers game in their respective localities, district and areas of operations,” Hicap said.

“ Malacañang and the new ruling Jueteng gangland in Malacañang headed by President Arroyo, DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno and Secretary Michael Defensor will surely deny this high heaven and they will continue to perform the same chorus of denial, but the truth cannot be suppressed,” Hicap added.

Pamalakaya said jueteng lords are capable of raising P 20 million for minimum capital stock and P 5 million for minimum paid up capital under the terms “ Authority to Conduct Test Runs”.

“ What is P 20 million and P 5 million to jueteng lords? If a jueteng lord has STL franchise, he can operate the lottery in front of his house, while operating jueteng inside his big backyard. That is the point and principal rationale behind this STL project peddled by Mrs. Arroyo, Secretary Puno and Defensor,” the group said.

Pamalakaya said the government’s move to run STL is a strong indication of gross immorality, pervasive corruptness and undeniable bankruptcy of the Macapagal-Arroyo government.

“ In order to save herself from public condemnation or divert public attention from a government accused of crimes of corruption and super betrayal of public trust, President Arroyo, the no.1 promoter of the culture and life of gambling is pushing the people to leave their future to any for of legal and illegal gambling in the name of corruption and political survival,” the group said.

“ From now on, Mrs. Arroyo will be officially called by the Filipino people as the “ Ultimate Jueteng Queen”, Secretary Puno as the Ultimate Jueteng King and Secretary Defensor as the Ultimate Jueteng Prince for transforming this country into a Jueteng Republic”, Pamalakaya said. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 02:58 | link | comments |

EYEBROWS RAISED ON PRES. ARROYO’S ORDER TO PROBE KILLINGS OF LEFTWING ACTIVISTS

Militant colleagues of slain leftwing activists on Wednesday raised their eyebrows to the highest level when they learned today that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo yesterday ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to look into the spate of political killings of political activists and bring those behind responsible in the interest of justice and rule of law.

“So what if she finally broke her silence on the issue of unbridled political killings? It does not make sense anymore. What are her cruel intentions this time? Score political points and make it appear to the international and national community that she cares for human rights and against extrajudicial killings? This is one big political bullshit. Give us a break!” Pamalakaya information officer Gerry Albert Corpuz said in a press statement.

“We want to inform President Arroyo that over 100 political activists were killed by her government’s state liquidation squad from 2001 to up to present and that we don’t expect anything from this super mockery of justice but empty promises, false hopes and incredible lies," Corpuz said.

" The issue of summary executions perpetrated by troops loyal to her was brought to her attention in 2001. Her Johnny come lately act is nothing but a psywar tactic and propaganda induced statement, nothing more, nothing less,” Corpuz added.

Press Secretary and Malacañang spokesperson Ignacio Bunye said President Arroyo had directed police authorities to act swiftly on these killings of military leaders, and to identify and arrest culprits.

Bunye admitted that the spate of killings had undermined the country’s peace and order situation and assured the family of the victims that no stone will be left unturned in the conduct of investigation.

“May the curse of heaven fall on President Arroyo and Secretary Bunye for their brazen lies and wholesale insult against the memories of our fallen colleagues and their struggling families and supporters. The Chief Executive and her press secretary are lying to their teeth,” Corpuz said.

Unidentified assailants on Monday shot dead the wife and son of a peasant leader in Zambales, hours after a student leader was gunned down in Legazpi City in Albay.

Gunmen in Castillejos town seriously wounded Amante Abelon, vice chairman of the militant Alyansang Magbubukid ng Gitnang Luzon-Zambales, in the attack. His wife, Agnes, 30, and five year-old son, Elvin John, died instantly in the shooting.

In Legaspi City, 20-year-old journalism student and political activist Cris Hugo was walking toward his home late Sunday when an unidentified assailant shot him. Hugo was a Bicol regional coordinator and national council members of the militant League of Filipino Students (LFS).

According to Karapatan, 43 left-wing activists have been killed in less than three months since January. Last year, 166 were slain and leftist groups accused the military and death squads put by the AFP as perpetrators of the crime. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 02:56 | link | comments |

Militant group backs claims of militant solons that President Arroyo met them vs. Estrada: GMA told: Remember, remember the 25th of November 2000

“Remember, remember the 25th of November 2000”.

A spokesperson of the leftwing fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) on Tuesday reminded President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that she attended a forum on that day in St. Theresa’s College in Quezon City at the height of the movement to force former President Joseph Estrada to step down from public office.

“ She was there to court the support of the militant groups and present herself as viable alternative and constitutionally mandated successor of then President Estrada,” Pamalakaya information officer Gerry Albert Corpuz said in a press statement.

The forum was sponsored by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), Erap Resign Movement and Bayan Muna and was attended by over 100 leaders of militant groups affiliated including Bayan Muna party list Rep. Satur Ocampo, Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran and Gabriela party list Rep. Liza Maza.

Corpuz said leaders of Kilusang Mayo Uno, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD), the urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) and Courage, a government employee group, also attended the forum.

Pamalakaya said Mrs. Arroyo, then Vice-President and fresh from her resignation as secretary of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) sought an audience with leaders of various left-leaning peoples’ organizations on issues in case she succeeds in replacing former President Estrada, the object of snowballing mass actions the ex-president’s ouster.

Corpuz made the disclosure because President Arroyo is now misrepresenting and attacking the Left with fabricated accusations and absurd rebellion charges, political assassinations and massive crackdown.

“Based on my personal account as one of those who attended the Bayan forum with then Vice-President Arroyo as special guest, she answered one by one the issues raised by Bayan leaders like peace talks, the proposed P 125 wage hike for private employees and P 3,000 monthly pay hike for government employees, land reform, the release of political prisoners and human rights,” Corpuz said.

The group’s spokesperson recalled that Ms. Arroyo was very receptive with the idea of having former President Estrada ousted and to take the presidency through constitutional succession, saying President Arroyo telling them she would do her best to accommodate their 20-point agenda if she succeeds Estrada.

Corpuz narrated that President Arroyo even shared the table with Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo and Anakpawis party list Rep. Crispin Beltran during the consultation and even cited her family’s ties with revolutionaries in not so distant past.

“ After spending a couple of hours with Bayan and Erap Resign Movement leaders, Mrs. Arroyo left happy and contended while grade school students greeted her with Erap resign slogans on her way out of St. Theresa’s College,” he said. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 02:06 | link | comments |

Militants tell AFP chief: Withdrawal of support from a president who violates 1987 Charter is an expression of soldiers’ constitutional duty

“How would the Armed Forces of the Philippines react if President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo violates the 1987 Constitution in furtherance of her own political interests?”

Leaders of the leftwing fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) on Sunday posed this question to AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Generoso Senga, after the armed forces chief over the weekend issued a 5-point command guidance enumerating the role of military during trying times.

“ How they would deal with President Arroyo who champions the political act of bastardizing the 1987 Constitution, the civil liberties of the people and press freedom? The so-called upholding of civilian supremacy over the military has become a motherhood statement because Senga’s clique in the AFP is actually protecting the Macapagal-Arroyo civilian-military junta in Malacañang,” Pamalakaya said in a press statement.

“ Please don’t give us this five-point guidance that certainly tolerates, justifies and glorifies President Arroyo and her national emergency gang’s crimes against the people. It is not worthy of our political acceptance because of its’ cruel intentions to let Mrs. Arroyo stay and continue to commit crimes against our people,” the group added.

Earlier, opposition Senator Rodolfo Biazon, a former AFP chief reminded the military that their mandate is to protect the country’s fundamental law and anyone who violates the constitution can be considered an enemy of the military referring to the acts made by President Arroyo when she declared PP 1017 and the abuses committed by the government during the execution of the proclamation and after the president lifted the controversial measure.

“President Arroyo violated the 1987 Constitution for the sake of her political survival. Everybody agrees to this political premise- the constitutional experts, the lawmakers, the church people, the cause-oriented sector, majority of the Filipino people, the media and court of public opinion and even the general’s colleagues in the military and police establishments,” said Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap.

“ We strongly believe a military’s withdrawal of support from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is an expression and performance of their constitutional duty. Unless they see their role as protector of a president pressed with left and right charged of election fraud, state repression and grand crimes of corruption,” Hicap added.

Pamalakaya said Senga’s statement about the military’s role as an apolitical entity during these trying times was not true. “ How could they be apolitical? They are siding with and serving at the pleasure of President Arroyo, the no.1 violator of the constitution and enemy of the people during these trying times,” the group said.

Citing the recent survey conducted by Pulse Asia from February 18 to March 4, the militant group reminded the AFP chief of staff that 65 percent of the Filipino people want President Arroyo out of Malacañang due to crimes of election fraud, violations of 1987 Constitution, economic hardships and brutal suppression of people’s rights and civil liberties under her regime. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 04:07 | link | comments |

Militants urged Bulacan execs to lead probe on spate of killings
Pamalakaya says pullout of troops in 3 towns necessary to kick off probe

Leaders of the leftwing fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) urged Bulacan top officials and congressmen to lead a no-holds barred investigation on the spate of politically motivated killings done on left-leaning activists and supporters of militant groups in at least three towns categorized as killing fields.

In a press statement sent to the Inquirer, Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap asked Bulacan Gov. Josephine dela Cruz to immediately form an independent body that would involve local government officials, the province’s congressmen, church organizations and representatives of cause-oriented and human rights groups.

“ It is time for Gov. dela Cruz to move a step higher after condemning the spate of political killings of mass activists perpetrated by state agents and military operatives in the province. She should follow it up with a full-blown inquiry,” Hicap said.

But the militant leader said Gov. dela Cruz should first insist to Malacañang and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to pullout government troops in Bulacan, especially military personnel deployed in the towns of San Ildefonso, San Miguel and Norzagaray.

“The pullout of government troops and para-military agents is politically necessary before a full-blown inquiry takes place. The people are willing to testify, but they are afraid of military’s reprisal. This is a condition or requirement that should be first met or accomplished before any investigation,” Hicap said, stressing the climate of fear is a major obstacle preventing the people to talk and give testimonies.

Insisting the principle of civilian supremacy over the military, Pamalakaya said Gov. dela Cruz, local government officials and Bulacan congressmen can assert their constitutionally mandated powers to have the military troops pulled out from the three towns so that an independent probe body could start its work.

“We hope Gov. dela Cruz and company will assert their civilian supremacy over the military in the performance of their jobs in the name of truth and justice. The political killings will continue and Bulacan province will remain in the map as one of the killing fields in RP, unless the provincial government and its’ elected lawmakers make a decisive confrontation against the spate of political killings,” Pamalakaya said.

The militant group likewise urged Bulacan congressmen to sponsor and file a house resolution urging Congress to immediately call a separate probe in aid of legislation regarding the political killings of mass activists identified with aboveground left-leaning organizations like Bayan Muna and Anakpawis party lists, Kilusang Mayo Uno and Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas.

“ This open season of political killings, state terrorism and character assassination in the name of the ruling Macapagal-Arroyo clique in Malacañang must be stopped. Justice must prevail because there’s no substitute for justice,” Pamalakaya said.

The Catholic Church headed by Diocese of Malolos Bishop Jose Oliveros and its affiliate organizations and civic groups over the weekend have joined calls for the end of the rash of violence in San Ildefonso and two other towns mentioned as killing fields.

In San Ildefonso alone, a total of 11 people, most of them suspected to be members of New People’s Army and members of militant organizations have been killed since January 2006, according to Mayor Edgardo Galvez.

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 04:05 | link | comments |

Ateneo Jesuit priest accused of using
Gospel in defense of Pres. Arroyo

Leaders of the left-leaning fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) on Saturday accused Ateneo-based Jesuit priest Fr. Romeo Intengan of exploiting the Gospel in defense of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

“This priest does not deserve any respect from the Roman Catholic Community or any religion that advocates truth and justice. He is nothing but a modern day Adolf Hitler passing himself off as a priest to save the day for the brutal, corrupt and bogus presidency of Mrs. Arroyo,” Pamalakaya said in a press statement.

Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap urged to the influential Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and the leaders of the Roman Catholic Church to reprimand, if not disown Fr. Intengan for espousing the Gospel of oppression, suppression and political assassination of people and groups identified with the broad anti-Arroyo movement.

“ Instead of speaking in behalf of the people and defending their civil liberties and basic human rights which are under attack from the ruling Macapagal-Arroyo syndicate, Fr. Intengan is exploiting the Gospel of the church to defend and save his no.1 client in Malacañang—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo,” Hicap stressed.

The Ateneo-based Jesuit priest last week said that although many of the leaders of the alleged failed coup attempt are in custody or restricted to quarters, the "second stringers" are capable of taking up the cudgels for them. “ Is he a priest or a paid hack and certified apologist of the ruling de facto military dictatorship? Your guess is as good as ours,” Hicap added.

Fr. Intengan, who heads the Center for Strategic Studies a second group of coup leaders can go to the next phase, which is the setting up of "enclaves" in the countryside. The priest, a close associate of National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, warned the government that it should not lower its guard because the threat against the president remains despite the thwarting the Feb.24 coup attempt against the president.

“ Fr. Intengan, the no.1 lackey of security adviser Gonzales and the pro-Arroyo generals in the Armed Forces of the Philippines is performing his role to the hilt as an intelligence analyst masquerading as a priest,” Pamalakaya added.

Fr. Intengan said the enclaves are areas in which the military is perceived to be weak and which the destabilizing forces can easily seize control. The Jesuit priest said the seizure of the enclaves was meant to shame the government and show that it has no control over the situation.

Intengan identified several areas in the country, which he says could be possible staging points for the formation of autonomous governments. He said Davao and Compostela Valley are at risk to such movement because the soldiers in those areas sympathizers of Sen. Panfilo Lacson or former Sen. Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan.

Aside from Davao and Compostela Valley, the Ateneo priest said Batangas, the Cordilleras, Palawan and the Bicol region are also vulnerable to setting up of enclaves where the support for the military’s withdrawal of support can be achieved. The priest said Baguio is another potential point for a seizure of power because the Philippine Military Academy is situated there.

Intengan ruled out the possibility of Cavite and the Visayas as possible staging areas for the establishment of enclaves because these remain loyal to the government. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 03:33 | link | comments |

PNP “5,000 wanted posters” will remind people
of Arroyo’s massacre of civil liberties

“It is terrible but it is fine.” The reaction came from the militant fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) in response to the 5,000 “wanted posters” bearing the 16 names and faces of left-leaning politicians and militant leaders and rebel soldiers accused by Malacañang and Philippine National Police of conspiracy to overthrow President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

“ We are very optimistic the Filipino people won’t put premium to such political garbage employed by Malacañang and the president’s national emergency gangmates in the justice department, the armed forces and the national police,” said Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap in a press statement.

Hicap added: “The 5,000 ‘wanted posters’ will remind the people, the decent thinking and patriotic population of this country about the national massacre of civil liberties by the ruling Macapagal-Arroyo syndicate. Those 16 people who would be featured in this character assassination campaign of the regime will be regarded as heroes and not as demons as the Palace wanted it to have projected to the public.”

Pamalakaya said the “ rogues gallery as manifested by the 5.000 wanted posters being printed by the PNP violated the 1987 Constitution concerning the fundamental rights of those falsely charged by the government like the right against deprivation of life and liberty without due process, and the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty of the crime charged in a court of law.

“ They said nobody is above the law, but here is Malacañang, the justice department and the national police headed by PNP Director General Arturo Lomibao grossly conspiring and violating the constitution and due process to achieve their sinister plot and agenda to persecute people critical of the corrupt, fascist and illegitimate presidency of Mrs. Arroyo,” the group said.

Pamalakaya asserted that the 5,000 wanted posters to be issued by the PNP upon the recommendation of President Arroyo and Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales was not only a demonization campaign against persons and groups effective in exposing the crimes of corruption and bankruptcy of the Arroyo government.

“ The 5,000 wanted posters orchestrated by the national emergency syndicate in the Macapagal-Arroyo administration is also a hit list that would endanger the lives and reputation of those falsely charged in connection with the Feb.24 mass action grossly misrepresented by the government as a coup attempt against the Macapagal-Arroyo administration,” the militant group added.

Earlier, Pamalakaya issued a directive to its leaders and mass members nationwide to launch an across the nation shame and hate campaign against President Arroyo and 6 other government officials who connived with Malacañang in declaring Presidential Proclamation 1017 and the ongoing filing of fabricated charges against militant lawmakers and leaders of activist groups calling for the resignation of Mrs. Arroyo from power.

The militant group put to task all its chapters all over the country to make the slashing and burning of photos of President Arroyo, PNP Chief Lomibao, Justice secretary Gonzales, National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, Presidential Management staff chief Michael Defensor, Defense Secretary Atty. Avelino Cruz and Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita a regular fixture in all anti-Arroyo rallies. #

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

Militant group warns lawmakers

One day PGMA will dissolve Congress, says Pamalakaya

 

Taking cue from what Senator Joker Arroyo’s assessment that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had practically reduced to a political hostage by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), a group of anti-Arroyo activists on Wednesday said lawmakers from both chambers of Congress will wake up one day with the Senate and the House of Representatives being locked up by military agents as ordered by the President and top AFP brass loyal or associated with Mrs. Arroyo.

 

“ Time will come Mrs. Arroyo and generals loyal to her will dissolve Congress if lawmakers will let their guards down or remain passive to what is going on,” said Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap, stressing that such was not a remote possibility given the propensity of President Arroyo to gamble people’s civil liberties and basic human rights in the name of her political survival.

 

Hicap added: “ President Arroyo is very much willing to share powers with generals loyal to her to the extent of massacring people’s civil liberties and human rights and reducing the legislative branch into another thing of the past by closing down these separate legislative branches at a given appropriate time.”

 

Pamalakaya said Executive Order 464 preventing government, military and police officials from testifying before any congressional inquiry on affairs of the executive branch and the military was the first step in dissolving the critical Senate and disempowering the opposition group at the House of Representatives.

 

The group said the position of the AFP to block efforts of the opposition groups to talk with the military regarding their issues and grievances was another form of clipping the powers and depriving rights and privileges given to the opposition party while violating the fundamental principle of civilian supremacy over the military.

 

Pamalakaya further said the statement of AFP spokesperson Col. Tristan Kison admitting its’ crucial role in keeping President Arroyo in power was a political statement impliedly telling this nation of 85 million people that the military loyal to President Arroyo is hell bent in keeping her only as a figurehead of the republic while imposing the AFP as the real preserver of order under a de facto martial law.

 

“The statement of Col. Kison reduced President Arroyo into a figurehead of this ill-fated republic. Senator Arroyo is right, the Chief Executive has become the rallying figure of the militarist bloc in Malacañang and in conspiracy with those generals allied or loyal to the ruling gangland in the Palace,” the group said.

 

Senator Arroyo said the one calling the shots now is the military, stressing that the role of the political minority had been taken over by elements of the AFP critical of President Arroyo more particularly the Scout Rangers, the Marines and the Special Action Force of the PNP.

 

“If lawmakers will not do their assignment and defy this grand muzzling of Malacañang and the AFP pro-Arroyo faction, they will find themselves “politically jobless and incapacitated and they would be reduced into political starlets from political celebrities,” Pamalakaya said. #

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

owever,

 

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

For retracting Inquirer story advising PGMA to face Hello Garci scandal
VP Noli has no balls, says critics

A group calling President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to step down on Tuesday lambasted Vice President Noli de Castro for retracting his previous statement advising the Chief Executive to face the Hello Garci issue squarely.

The militant fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) said Vice President de Castro lacks “palabra de honor” (word of honor) and has no balls to face the consequence of his “ unsolicited advice” to President Arroyo.

“ My goodness, the second highest official of the land has become the no.1 official lackey of the corrupt, brutal, puppet and bogus regime of Mrs. Arroyo. No wonder, despite of his status, the puppet master in Washington D.C had considered him nothing but a political starlet in the corrupt Macapagal-Arroyo administration,” said Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap in a press statement.

Hicap added: “ VP de Castro threw the opportunity for redemption in mid-air when disowned his own statement asking President Arroyo to face squarely the Hello Garci election fraud scandal.”

VP de Castro on Monday said he was not denying nor disowning the story of the Inquirer but only questioning the headline, which he tagged “iba ang dating [it came out differently].”

The Inquirer’s Sunday banner story “Noli: GMA must explain quoted the vice president expressing confidence that President Arroyo would be able to fully explain to the people her side on the Hello Garci scandal.
VP de Castro yesterday brought up and explained to President Arroyo what he meant in the article when they met early morning yesterday at Fort Bonifacio.

Pamalakaya said it was relieved when it found out the VP de Castro was not considered to be part of the Transition Council, an alternative caretaker government proposed by the broad anti-Arroyo movement, in case Mrs. Arroyo is ousted from power.

“ It is good thing, he is not included in the Transition Council. How can you rely on this politician who could not even defend himself and rise above the occasion?” the group said.

Quoting the same Inquirer story, Pamalakaya said de Castro told reporter Cynthia Balana in Filipino “ Sa palagay ko ay panahon na upang harapin ng ating Mahal na Pangulo ang problemang ito (I think it’s time our dear President addressed this problem).

The vice president also said,” Ipaliwanag niya sa taong-bayan ang Hello Garci tapes, at sa palagay ko naman at kayang-kaya naman niya itong gawin at maunawaan naman siya ng ating mga kababayan (She should explain to the people the Hello Garci tapes. I think she can do this very well and the people will understand her).

However, Pamalakaya said de Castro’s turn around only proved their assertion that President Arroyo was manning the affairs of the state like a female version of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos, who was deposed by a popular uprising in February, 1986.

“ VP de Castro is so afraid of the female dictator and bogus president in Malacañang for reasons only known to him and to his immediate staff,” the group said. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 02:37 | link | comments |

Lady solon enjoying her role to the hilt as warrantless arrest impresario
Militants told Miriam: Quit Senate and join police arresting team

A group calling President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to step down on Tuesday lambasted administration Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago for justifying warrantless arrests and giving policemen a bad idea about their supremacy over civilian populace, which only happens under a police or authoritarian state.

“Senator Santiago, a certified apologist of the bogus president in Malacañang is enjoying her role to the hilt as the arresting impresario of corrupt, illegitimate and brutal regime sitting in Malacañang,” according to Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap.

“ If she wants to perform or experience the role of a police officer arresting innocent and ordinary people without court warrants, then she should quit her job as a senator and join the police arresting team in her all naked glory. For us, she has no sense of history and no sense of justice, not even a legal luminary,” Hicap added.

Senator Santiago, who was yesterday’s guest of honor at the flag-raising ceremony at the Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame transformed the entire camp into a class room lecturing cops on when to effect warrantless and unlawful arrests without liability even if the damaged is done to arrested persons.

The administration senator also gave tips to policemen performing warrantless arrests on how they could defend themselves and avoid prosecution in case the court found out that acquitted those persons wrongly charged by the police.

“ Nobody in his or her state of mind would advise the police to commit unlawful and warrantless arrests given the long list and historical brutal records of the police establishment since the Marcos dictatorship, the current political mindset of the PNP and the ongoing campaign of the administration to persecute all critics in the name of political survival,” Pamalakaya stressed.

The militant group said the police in conspiracy with Malacañang and the Department of Justice (DoJ) is engaged in mass production of fake evidences and fake witnesses to justify the charges hurled against critics of the Macapagal-Arroyo administration and subject anti-Arroyo personalities and groups to round-the-clock surveillance and warrantless arrests and searches.

The group said, the PNP through their “star witness” Jaime Beltran Fuentes made up stories to drag the names of six militant lawmakers and other leaders of left-leaning organizations in the rebellion charges of the government which include Anakpawis, Bayan Muna (Nation First) and Gabriela Women's Party as well as leaders of mass organizations Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN), Bayan Muna, Gabriela, International League of Peoples Struggle-Philippine Chapter
(ILPC-PC), among others.

At least 15 leaders were named in the affidavit signed by a "star witness" produced by the DOJ at the preliminary investigation yesterday. They are KMU Secretary General Joel Maglunsod, KMU Vice President for Political Affairs Rafael Baylosis, KMP Secretary General Danilo Ramos, Bayan Chairperson Carol Araullo, Bayan Secretary General Renato Reyes, ILPS-PC Secretary General Rita Baua, Gabriela Secretary General Emy de Jesus, KMP National Council member Randy Echanis, Bayan National Council member Vicente Ladlad, Anakpawis Reps. Crispin Beltran and Rafael Mariano, Bayan Muna Reps. Satur Ocampo, Teddy Casino and Joel Virador and Gabriela Women's Party Rep Liza Maza.

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 02:36 | link | comments |

SHAME AND HATE CAMPAIGN
Militants to slash and burn photos
of GMA, advisers on PP 1017 during anti-Arroyo rallies

From now on, leaders and members of Pamalakaya will slash and burn photos of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and 6 other officials who advised her to declare Presidential Proclamation 1017 that placed the entire country under State of National Emergency.

“ The slashing and burning of pictures of President Arroyo and the national emergency gang composed of Secretary Michael Defensor, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales, national security adviser Norberto Gonzales, PNP Director General Arturo Lomibao, defense chief Atty. Avelino Cruz Jr, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye and Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita will be a regular fixture in any protest we would conduct in the immediate future,” Pamalakaya national chairperson Fernando Hicap said in a press statement.

The slashing and burning of photos of President Arroyo and members of her national security group was Pamalakaya’s response to the Chief Executive’s warning of her opponents to implement the rule of law in the streets despite having lifted the controversial PP 1017.

“ Please allow us to be brutally frank here. We want Ms Arroyo and her fascist clique to perish in the fires of hell. We all believe that justice will come one day to punish them for all their evil deeds including but not limited to warrantless arrests, political persecution of activists, violent break up of rallies and suppression of press freedom,” Pamalakaya said.

The militant group said they are now mass producing poster size photos of Ms Arroyo measuring 12 inches x 18 inches and showing the President in long hair, sporting a blue blazer and in pensive mood was a shot taken during her early days in Malacañang after assuming the presidency from deposed President Joseph Estrada with the " Sagisag ng Pangulo ng Republika ng Pilipinas" seal as her backdrop.

“As of now, we are reproducing some 100 of her poster size photos and we hope we could slash and set on fire these photos in the next mass action against President Arroyo anytime this week and the following week,” Pamalakaya added.

Last February 23, Pamalakaya activists burned 30 poster size photos of President Arroyo during a fluvial rally in Pasig River in Guadalupe, Makati City, a day before the February 24 mass actions marred by dispersal and arrests of activists and declaration of PP 1017.

The President had said despite lifting PP 1017, her government was still battling “ residual” threats, asserting that she was fully aware that some groups have not cease in their attempts to undermine the Filipino people’s democratic way of life.

“ Her threats are not taken lightly and in fact will be met with a roaring rampage of protest characterized by mass slashing and mass burning of her photos together with those who conspired with her in massacring civil liberties and press freedom through her diabolical PP 1017,” Pamalakaya’s Hicap said.

The militant group said if the government is engaging in the mass production of fake and bogus witnesses to have the six militant lawmakers charged of rebellion jailed and punished for their alleged acts of rebellion and conspiratorial moves to topple her government, Pamalakaya said such blasphemous and incorrigible act will be confronted this act with the mass production of their photos being slashed and burned before the Filipino public. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 04:31 | link | comments |

Abolition of NTC sought

Pamalakaya said let Journalist’s Code of Ethics guide practice

 

The left-leaning fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) on Saturday proposed the abolition of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), a day after Senate President Franklin Drilon denounced the government agency for abusing its authority when it threatened to shutdown broadcast stations and deployed police and military troops around their premises.

 

“ The NTC should be abolished and let media people practice their vocation and do their jobs as guided by the 11 point Journalist’s Code of Ethics to ensure press freedom and the right of people to information are protected,” said Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap in a press statement.

 

Hicap said the 11-point journalist code of ethics and not the vague memorandum circulars issued by the NTC on press practice should be followed. “ Press freedom is non-negotiable that is why we are proposing the abolition of NTC and prevent the national emergency gang in Malacañang from killing this vital component of civil liberty and free speech,” the militant leader said.

 

Hicap added: “ The NTC gamely played the game plan of the national emergency gang of Malacañang and it is now eliciting the public wrath for its’ undeniable conspiracy with the enemies of press freedom, nothing more, nothing less.”

 

Pamalakaya’s Hicap agreed with Sen. Drilon that the NTC, along with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) abused authority and went beyond their respective mandates when they collaborated and ordered the stationing of the troops at the gates of the television station in an attempt to muzzle the press and prevent the media from broadcasting events which were deemed by Malacañang as part of conspiracy to destabilize if not bring down the government.

 

“ The employment of the power of the barrel of the gun along with categorical threats against press freedom is nothing but a blatant act to kill the right of every citizen of this country to information. The NTC is not doing its job for public interest but for the survival of an illegitimate occupant in Malacañang,” Pamalakaya added.

 

The NTC in its submitted position paper to the Senate claimed that it had the power to suspend or revoke any certificate issued in case the franchise holder violated or willfully and contumaciously refused to comply with any order, rule or regulation of the commission or any provision of the 1936 Public Services Act.

 

But Drilon in yesterday’s Senate hearing said the NTC had no power to cancel franchises or takeover broadcast entities that air materials that are allegedly seditious, asserting that NTC’s only powers were to allocate frequencies and collect fees.

 

Drilon further added that since it was Congress that approved franchises, it should be the one to decide whether to cancel such franchises. Pamalakaya said if this is the case, then the NTC had no legal basis to suspend, cancel or approve franchises, and therefore, has not legal basis for its’ existence.

 

“ It is high time to give the NTC its’ walking papers. This particular issue on press freedom involving the NTC must be punctuated with the abolition of this agency and the filing of appropriate criminal and administrative charges against high officials of NTC, the PNP and the AFP who all conspired to kill the freedom of the press,” Pamalakaya said. #

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE JOURNALIST’s CODE OF ETHICS

 

I. I shall scrupulously report and interpret the news, taking care not to suppress essential facts nor to distort the truth by omission or improper emphasis. I recognize the duty to air the other side and the duty to correct substantive errors promptly.

II. I shall not violate confidential information on material given me in the exercise of my calling.

III. I shall resort only to fair and honest methods in my effort to obtain news, photographs and/or documents, and shall properly identify myself as a representative of the press when obtaining any personal interview intended for publication.

IV. I shall refrain from writing reports that will adversely affect a private reputation unless the public interest justifies it. At the same time, I shall fight vigorously for public access to information.

V. I shall not let personal motives or interests influence me in the performance of my duties, nor shall I accept or offer any present, gift or other consideration of a nature that may cast doubt on my professional integrity.

VI. I shall not commit any act of plagiarism.

VII. I shall not, in any manner, ridicule, cast aspersions on, or degrade any person by reason of sex, creed, religious belief, political conviction, cultural and ethnic origin.

VIII. I shall presume persons accused of crime of being innocent until proven otherwise. I shall exercise caution in publishing names of minors and women involved in criminal cases so that they may not unjustly lose their standing in society.

IX. I shall not take unfair advantage of a fellow journalist.

X. I shall accept only such tasks as are compatible with the integrity and dignity of my profession, invoking the “conscience clause” when duties imposed on me conflict with the voice of my conscience.

XI. I shall conduct myself in public or while performing my duties as journalist in such manner as to maintain the dignity of my profession. When in doubt, decency should be my watchword.

 

 

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 04:37 | link | comments |

Mike Defensor, Army Chief asked: Is military’ withdrawing support
from President Arroyo constitutes coup?

Leaders of the left-leaning fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) on Friday asked Presidential Management chief of Staff Michael Defensor and Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon if the act of withdrawal of support from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo constitutes the crime of coup d’ etat against the government and a crime against the state.

“ I don’t know what political dictionary was used by Sec. Defensor and Lt. Gen. Esperon to categorize the act of military’s withdrawal of support to President Arroyo is an act of coup d’ etat. As far as we are concerned, a coup is military led naked power grab characterized by the firing of guns and siege of government installations,” said Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap in a press statement.

Hicap added: “ What happened on February 24 is not coup , but a constitutionally guaranteed act of expression prevented by the pro Macapagal-Arroyo generals and officials to be exercised and misrepresented it either as a coup’ d’ etat or conspiracy to commit coup to justify the imposition of PP 1017.”

The militant made the reaction after Secretary Defensor and Esperon dismissed denials by Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, the sacked Scout Rangers commander that he had plotted to topple the Macapagal-Arroyo government, when the latter appeared at the National Bureau of Investigation two days ago clearing his name of the alleged plan to overthrow the government.

Pamalakaya ‘s Hicap said even AFP chief of staff Generoso Senga did not categorize the aborted withdrawal of support from President Arroyo as coup attempt. “ So where in heaven’s name did Sec. Defensor and Gen. Esperon get their common ideas that what took place on Feb.24 was a coup? Of course, from the national emergency gang of Malacañang.”

The militant leader said it was Malacañang that was guilty of a Palace-backed coup when it misrepresented the civilian protest and the aborted withdrawal of support from the president as part of the grand coup design against President Arroyo and declared State of National Emergency.

“President Arroyo, Defensor and Lt. Gen. Esperon along with Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, presidential security adviser Norberto Gonzales, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales and PNP Director General Arturo Lomibao—the national emergency mafia were guilty of coup d’ etat when they engineered and executed PP 1017 against civil liberties and press freedom,” Pamalakaya said.

Meanwhile, the militant group stressed that the detention on Capt. Ruben Guinolbay, the Scout Ranger’s personnel chief known as the Hero of the Lamitan siege in 2001 and 24 other elite officers and men for their alleged role in the Feb.24 withdrawal of support from the president was a living testimony that the military leadership as a whole is not supportive of the Macapagal-Arroyo administration.

“The AFP is not solid with Gloria. That is the implication of the ongoing crackdown in the military establishment. President Arroyo does not enjoy the trust and support of the AFP particularly from young officers, the rank-and-file and inactive and retired generals who still maintain great influence inside the establishment,” Pamalakaya added. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 03:58 | link | comments |

Rep. Beltran, Batasan 5 to file House resolution on Monday
to probe oil exploration in Visayan sea

Leaders of the left-wing fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilu