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

After Erap pardon
Militants fear Palace will let deposed President
keep his P 876 million ill-acquired wealth

Rabid critics of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Tuesday expressed fear that Malacañang will soon let pardoned former President Joseph Estrada to keep his ill-acquired wealth estimated at P 876 million to further neutralize the camp of ousted President Estrada and divide further the broad anti-Arroyo camp.

“Mrs. Arroyo champions the act of political accommodation in the name of her political survival. The sum of all our fears is that after granting pardon to Mr. Estrada, she might go further to the extent of stopping the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court from going after Estrada’s hundreds of millions of ill-gotten fortune,” the left-leaning fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) said in a press statement.

Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap was referring to P 545.291 million in “jueteng payoffs” with interest, including the P 200 million deposited in the bank account of the Erap Muslim Youth Foundation, the P 189 million in commission from the purchase of Bell Corp. share and the P 142 million “Boracay Mansion” in New Manila, Quezon City, which the anti-graft court decided that should be returned to national coffers when it convicted the former President for acts of plunder last Sept. 12.

“What if President Arroyo tells the Sandiganbayan court to stop chasing Estrada’s ill-acquired wealth in the name of that bogus national reconciliation program of her government? Will the Sandiganbayan court follow their principal in Malacañang? Whether Malacañang admit it or not, the next step to seal the GMA- Erap peace pact is the immoral immunity of Erap wealth from government confiscation,” the Pamalakaya leader said.

“This is a possibility,” Hicap said referring the situation where the government will no longer pursue the ill-acquired assets of Estrada. “ Gloria does not want her assets to be the object of people’s confiscation in the near future, and the Estrada case is a good precedent to set her own walk-in-the park escape on or before or even after 2010,” Pamalakaya’s Hicap stressed.

Sandiganbayan acting spokesperson and executive clerk court Renato Bocar yesterday said the anti-graft court can go after the personal assets of deposed President Estrada if it fails to find his illegally amassed wealth, estimated at P 876 million, should the ousted leader refuse to give up the money and property specified in the Sept. 12 decision.

Of the listed items, Bocar said, only the P 200 million deposited in the Equitable-PCI bank account of the Erap Muslim Youth Foundation remained intact. The rest of the money have yet to be found. The Sandiganbayan is set to enforce the writ of execution today of confiscation of on the money and property in favor of the government.

Estrada said the government can have the money deposited in Equitable-PCI bank account, but they cannot touch his rest house in Tanay, Rizal and mansion on Polk Street in Greenhills, San Juan because these are hard-earned assets.

“President Arroyo is exploiting Mr. Estrada, using the former President as political figure that would help her administration divert the cycle of scandals of corruption and politically motivated crimes hounding the presidency, which involves the highest office of the land, the presidential husband and close associates of Mr. and Mrs. Arroyo,” Pamalakaya said. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 01:19 | link | comments |

Pamalakaya tells Iggy: Stop being a bench warmer, do your job and probe Rapu-Rapu fish kills

A day after it learned that massive fish kills hit five coastal barangays of Rapu-Rapu Island allegedly due to disposed toxic wastes from the Australian-owned Lafayette Mining Ltd., the militant fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) called on Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo to immediately call a legislative inquiry as to the real score behind the newest fish kills in the island.

“Stop being a political benchwarmer. You must do your job as chair of the House committee on environment and natural resources and call a full-blown inquiry on the latest environmental tragedy in Rapu-Rapu Island,” Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap said in a press statement.

Pamalakaya’s Hicap noticed since Rep. Arroyo assumed the chairmanship of the house committee on environment, the presidential brother-in-law has not called any hearing regarding a number of issues confronting the environment.

“Hundreds of kilos of mutilated fish were washed away to the sea due allegedly due to Lafayette operations in Rapu-Rapu Island, but Iggy is not saying anything. Can’t he say something? How come he is the chair of the House committee on the environment? It is time for him to open his big mouth,” the Pamalakaya leader said.

Likewise, Hicap put to task Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Joselito Atienza to immediately stop the operations of Lafayette following the environmental tragedy which is similar to what occurred on October 11 and 31, 2005, when incidents of toxic spills took placed and resulted to massive fish kills.

“Like Rep. Arroyo, Secretary Atienza is not doing his homework as secretary of the environment department. All he wants is mining, mining and mining to make people in Malacañang financially stable and happy,” Pamalakaya said.

The militant group dared Sec. Atienza to issue a cease and desist order to Lafayette within the next 24 hours. “If he can’t do that, he better quit and wait for the next elections in 2010 .We are sure he is excited to face Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim,” Pamalakaya added.

Reports reaching the headquarters of Pamalakaya and its main partner, the environmentalist group Kalikasan-People’s Network for the Environment in Quezon City confirmed that the fish kills occurred beginning October 26 up to around 3:00 a.m of October 28.

The reports of fish kills forwarded by fisherfolk leader Antonio Casitas, spokesperson of the Rapu-Rapu based environmental group Sagip Isla Sagip Kapwa, said massive fish kills swept the coastal barangays of Pagcolbon, Malobago, Santa Barbara, Carubcob and Poblacion.

Barangays Pagcolbon and Malobago are direct impact areas of Lafayette mining operations, according to Kalikasan-PNE and Sagip Isla Sagip Kapwa groups. Casitas said within three minutes, a variety of dead fish washed up on the shore.

He said some fish had their eyes missing or protruding, were smelly and squashy, and had bloated stomachs. The pier and the coastal barangays are starting to stink because of so many dead fish. Casitas estimates that hundreds of kilos of dead fish are washed out to the sea. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 01:19 | link | comments |

Cebu, Negros governors asked
to heed scientists call to stop oil exploration

One of the groups opposed to offshore mining in Tañon Strait today asked Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Marañon to immediately stop the oil and gas exploration conducted by Japan Petroleum Exploration Co. Ltd. (Japex).

The-left leaning fisherfolk federation Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) made the call a day after 170 scientists from all over the country asked the national government and the Department of Energy (DoE) to halt oil exploration in the protected seascape because of threats it poses on whales, dolphins, fish and other marine lives, people’s livelihood, and potential irreplaceable and invaluable natural heritage.

“We strongly suggest to Governors Garcia and Marañon to act decisively and stop the destructive business of Japex in Tañon Strait. This is a matter of life and death to the people of Cebu and Negros, so they better move positively and concretely and send Japex and its exploring ships back to their homebase in Japan,” Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap said in a press statement.

“It is high time Gov. Garcia and Marañon sign the walking papers for Japex and tell them to leave this protected seascape within 24 hours upon the signing of the discharge order. The governors have no choice but to do the act or face wholesale condemnation in the very near future for doing great disservice to the environment and to the people of the Visayas,” Hicap added.

The scientists issued the call at the end of the 9th National Symposium on Marine Science convened by the Philippine Association of Marine Science in Iloilo City. They said seismic surveys, exploratory drilling and actual oil mining would adversely affect the marine ecosystem and organisms dependent on it.

According to the scientists, sound is very important to whales and dolphins as they use to it for hunting, navigation and communication. Dr. Lemuel Aragones, associate professor of the Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City, who has an ongoing study on Tañon Strait said his study shows a drop in sightings of spinner dolphins since the DoE-initiated seismic surveys started in 2005.

The scientists said the process used to evaluate the potential impact of seismic surveys and exploratory oil drilling had procedural lapses, lacked transparency and appropriate consultation with stakeholders. They asserted that the proponents failed to consider substantial scientific evidence on the potential detrimental impacts of such activities to marine animals like mammals and fish.

“The scientists affirmed our previous assessments on the devastating impacts of Japex oil and gas hunt in Tañon Strait. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and governors Garcia and Marañon cannot invoke the usual Jurassic line of thinking and reasoning that this project is meant for the development of the energy sector. We are talking here of objectivity and exact science. It is time to drop this project like a hot potato,” the Pamalakaya group added.

Two years ago, Pamalakaya and its local chapter in Cebu- Pamana-Sugbo, together with the Cebu Relief and Rehabilitation Center, Rural Concern’s Network, Cebu Alliance for Renewable Energy and FIDEC conducted an Enviromental Investigative Mission (EMI) September 9-11, 2005 in the communities affected by seismic tests namely in the fishing barangays of Toledo City, Pinamungajan and Aloguinsan to find out the effect made by oil exploration;

The investigative mission undertaken by Pamalakaya, FIDEC and other fisherfolk and environmental groups yielded the following results: 1). Average fish catch (in areas where seismic tests were conducted) were drastically reduced by 67 to 75 percent or from pre-oil gas exploration of 15 to 20 kilos average catch per day to 3-5 kilos of fish per day. 2). A total of 120 “gangos or payaos”, local name for artificial coral reef and indigenous fishing methods were destroyed in Toledo City and municipalities of Pinamungajan and Aloguinsan. Only 33 payao owners were paid by Forum and Japex, during the early phase of oil and gas exploration. 3). Fish kills occurred in coastal barangays of Talavera, Luray II, Calong Calong, Ibo and Bato in Toledo City, Tajao, Pandacan, Tutay and Cabiangon in Pinamungajan, and Cantabogon, Boho, Poblacion and Bonbon in Alguinsan. 4) Skin rashes and other types of skin diseases occurred victimizing mostly children ranging from 5 years to 12 years old.

Pamalakaya asserted that an average exploration well for natural gas could generate 50 tons of nitrogen oxides, 13 tons of carbon monoxide, 6 tons of sulfur dioxide and 5 tons of volatile organic hydrocarbons;

It also said the oil and gas drilling operations in Tañon Strait could produce huge amount of water waste ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 metric tons of highly toxic water waste materials per drilling.

Pamalakaya said oil and gas explorations could lead to massive production of other toxic waste materials such as cadmium which causes lung cancer, lead which causes mental retardation, effects on the nervous system, gastrointestinal diseases, blood and kidney disorders, chromium which causes lung and liver cancers, kidney and other respiratory illness and arsenic which causes lung, liver and skin cancers. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 01:18 | link | comments |

Militants ask Estrada: Will you remain an opposition or will you join the GMA camp?

Critics of the Macapagal-Arroyo administration on Monday asked former President Joseph Estrada if he has jumped to the Arroyo camp following his release yesterday from house detention in Tanay, Rizal after accepting the pardon from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The militant fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya), one of the groups belonging to the broad Oust GMA Movement asked the deposed President if he is still part of the broad anti-Arroyo group seeking the impeachment, resignation or ouster President Arroyo from Malacañang.

“Is he joining the Arroyo syndicate in Malacañang either openly or discreetly as part of the exchange deal with Mrs. Arroyo? Or he will he remain a staunch critic of the corrupt and brutal ruling syndicate despite the presidential pardon granted by Mrs. Arroyo?” Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap asked in a press statement.

Pamalakaya’s Hicap posed his “political inquiry” on Estrada, a day after the deposed President rebuked calls for Mrs. Arroyo to step down to pave way for the setting up of a transition government that would be led by Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno, as proposed by some top religious leaders and civil society groups.

Estrada branded the proposal elitist, saying it is the people, specially the poor sector which is the largest part of our society who should choose and decide who they want to run or replace the government, not the few elitists and churchmen.

“The question is how Estrada will accept the fact the majority of the people do not want Mrs. Arroyo to run this country until 2010, and that majority of the populace also rejected the presidential pardon granted to him by President Arroyo,” Hicap said.

Pamalakaya assailed the proposal of Malacañang to deposed President Joseph Estrada to help the government in its aim to defeat poverty by offering him an anti-poverty post in the Macapagal-Arroyo administration.

“In strictly political sense, the offer is a very, very indecent proposal that could be summarized into three words—shameless, blasphemous and incorrigible,” the group said.

After having released from detention by virtue of the executive clemency granted by President Arroyo, convicted plunderer and former President Estrada was offered to work with Malacañang in campaign against poverty. The idea was brought by Presidential Management Staff Cerge Remonde in yesterday’s press conference attended by Palace beat reporters.

Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap said President Arroyo’s politics of political accommodation and gross massacre of truth, justice and accountability should be condemned to the highest order, further describing Mrs. Arroyo as the ultimate queen of all political prostitutes in the country”.

“President Arroyo is exploiting Mr. Estrada, using the former President as political figure that would help her administration divert the cycle of scandals of corruption and politically motivated crimes hounding the presidency, which involves the highest office of the land, the presidential husband and close associates of Mr. and Mrs. Arroyo,” the militant leader said.

Pamalakaya’s Hicap added:” For the political animals in Malacañang, the issue of former President Estrada and his eventual released from detention is a goldmine as far as their objective to overshadow the pressing issues confronting the Arroyo presidency and eliminate the Estrada camp from the equation of the broad anti-Arroyo alliance.”

However, Pamalakaya said the Arroyo camp failed to realize their objective, since more and more people are calling for the President’s impeachment, resignation and ouster from power, adding that Arroyo is further exposing herself to the people as the most corrupt, brutal and detestable president this country has ever had.

The militant group asked ex-President Estrada if he has jumped to the Arroyo camp following his release last Friday from house detention in Tanay, Rizal after accepting the pardon from President Arroyo. “Is he joining the Arroyo syndicate in Malacañang either openly or discreetly as part of the exchange deal with Mrs. Arroyo or he will he remain a staunch critic of the corrupt and brutal ruling syndicate despite the presidential pardon granted by Mrs. Arroyo?”, Pamalakaya asked.

The fisherfolk alliance had previously advised the deposed president to admit his crimes to the Filipino people , apologize and seek pardon from them and undertake the required restorative justice if he wants to achieve the real pardon from the Filipino people.

“That’s the problem with Mr. Estrada. He sought pardon from Mrs. Arroyo who is the most undeserving political animal to effect presidential pardon on this part of the earth. The Filipino people, including his supporters will think that Estrada has sold his soul to the grandmother of all evil who is Mrs. Arroyo for his own good and not for the interest of the Filipino people,” Pamalakaya said.

As a first test case regarding his political standing on the present administration after accepting the presidential pardon,, Pamalakaya asked former President Estrada what is his view on allegations of Jose “Joey” de Venecia III that President Arroyo and husband, First Gentleman Atty. Juan Miguel Arroyo were the masterminds of the controversial $ 329 million National Broadband Network (NBN) project.

“We ask former President Estrada if Mr. and Mrs. Arroyo did commit a conjugal crime of corruption in pursuing the broadband project. Is the husband and wife team should face their accuser Joey in the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee and tell the truth and nothing but the truth”, Pamalakaya asked Estrada.

Joey, son of House Speaker Jose de Venecia, at the resumption of the Senate hearing on NBN scam last week told Senate probers that President Arroyo instructed ex-NEDA chair Romulo Neri not to accept the bribe of P 200 million being offered to him, and endorsed the controversial government project with China’s ZTE.

De Venecia also said during a conversation with businessman Enrique Razon Jr. he learned that former Comelec chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. had informed the First Gentleman that the latter would get $ 70 million in total commission if the ZTE project would be pursued by the government and the Chinese communication group.

“Is former President Estrada amenable to suggestion that Senator Alan Cayetano, chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee to explore all the legal and constitutional remedies available to the Senate as a separate branch of government to compel President Arroyo and the First Gentleman?”, the militant group said.

“Is former President Estrada amenable to suggestion that Sen. Cayetano should challenge the Jurassic notion of immunity of Mrs. Arroyo and the hard-to-get attitude and political bastardization of the legal system by Mr. Arroyo in the name of national interest?”, Pamalakaya added.

The group reminded Estrada, as part of the opposition and the broad anti-Arroyo movement, he is politically and morally bound to uphold the collective interest of 87 million Filipinos to find the truth about the corruption tainted $ 329 million NBN contract should matter decisively above and beyond the present status of Mr. and Mrs. Arroyo as the country’s first couple implicated in multi-billion peso scam. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 01:17 | link | comments |

Militant group slams antipoverty job offer to Erap
Shameless, blasphemous, incorrigible, says Pamalakaya

As expected, staunch critics of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Sunday assailed the proposal of Malacañang to deposed President Joseph Estrada to help the government in its aim to defeat poverty by offering him an anti-poverty post in the Macapagal-Arroyo administration.

“In strictly political sense, the offer is a very, very indecent proposal that could be summarized into three words—shameless, blasphemous and incorrigible,” the militant fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) said in a press statement.

After having released from detention by virtue of the executive clemency granted by President Arroyo, convicted plunderer and former President Estrada was offered to work with Malacañang in campaign against poverty. The idea was brought by Presidential Management Staff Cerge Remonde in yesterday’s press conference attended by Palace beat reporters.

Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap said President Arroyo’s politics of political accommodation and gross massacre of truth, justice and accountability should be condemned to the highest order, further describing Mrs. Arroyo as the ultimate queen of all political prostitutes in the country”.

“President Arroyo is exploiting Mr. Estrada, using the former President as political figure that would help her administration divert the cycle of scandals of corruption and politically motivated crimes hounding the presidency, which involves the highest office of the land, the presidential husband and close associates of Mr. and Mrs. Arroyo,” the militant leader said.

Pamalakaya’s Hicap added:” For the political animals in Malacañang, the issue of former President Estrada and his eventual released from detention is a goldmine as far as their objective to overshadow the pressing issues confronting the Arroyo presidency and eliminate the Estrada camp from the equation of the broad anti-Arroyo alliance.”

However, Pamalakaya said the Arroyo camp failed to realize their objective, since more and more people are calling for the President’s impeachment, resignation and ouster from power, adding that Arroyo is further exposing herself to the people as the most corrupt, brutal and detestable president this country has ever had.

The militant group asked ex-President Estrada if he has jumped to the Arroyo camp following his release last Friday from house detention in Tanay, Rizal after accepting the pardon from President Arroyo. “Is he joining the Arroyo syndicate in Malacañang either openly or discreetly as part of the exchange deal with Mrs. Arroyo or he will he remain a staunch critic of the corrupt and brutal ruling syndicate despite the presidential pardon granted by Mrs. Arroyo?”, Pamalakaya asked.

The fisherfolk alliance had previously advised the deposed president to admit his crimes to the Filipino people , apologize and seek pardon from them and undertake the required restorative justice if he wants to achieve the real pardon from the Filipino people.

“That’s the problem with Mr. Estrada. He sought pardon from Mrs. Arroyo who is the most undeserving political animal to effect presidential pardon on this part of the earth. The Filipino people, including his supporters will think that Estrada has sold his soul to the grandmother of all evil who is Mrs. Arroyo for his own good and not for the interest of the Filipino people,” Pamalakaya said.

As a first test case regarding his political standing on the present administration after accepting the presidential pardon,, Pamalakaya asked former President Estrada what is his view on allegations of Jose “Joey” de Venecia III that President Arroyo and husband, First Gentleman Atty. Juan Miguel Arroyo were the masterminds of the controversial $ 329 million National Broadband Network (NBN) project.

“We ask former President Estrada if Mr. and Mrs. Arroyo did commit a conjugal crime of corruption in pursuing the broadband project. Is the husband and wife team should face their accuser Joey in the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee and tell the truth and nothing but the truth”, Pamalakaya asked Estrada.

Joey, son of House Speaker Jose de Venecia, at the resumption of the Senate hearing on NBN scam last week told Senate probers that President Arroyo instructed ex-NEDA chair Romulo Neri not to accept the bribe of P 200 million being offered to him, and endorsed the controversial government project with China’s ZTE.

De Venecia also said during a conversation with businessman Enrique Razon Jr. he learned that former Comelec chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. had informed the First Gentleman that the latter would get $ 70 million in total commission if the ZTE project would be pursued by the government and the Chinese communication group.

“Is former President Estrada amenable to suggestion that Senator Alan Cayetano, chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee to explore all the legal and constitutional remedies available to the Senate as a separate branch of government to compel President Arroyo and the First Gentleman?”, the militant group said.

“Is former President Estrada amenable to suggestion that Sen. Cayetano should challenge the Jurassic notion of immunity of Mrs. Arroyo and the hard-to-get attitude and political bastardization of the legal system by Mr. Arroyo in the name of national interest?”, Pamalakaya added.

The group reminded Estrada, as part of the opposition and the broad anti-Arroyo movement, he is politically and morally bound to uphold the collective interest of 87 million Filipinos to find the truth about the corruption tainted $ 329 million NBN contract should matter decisively above and beyond the present status of Mr. and Mrs. Arroyo as the country’s first couple implicated in multi-billion peso scam. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 01:16 | link | comments |

Pamalakaya advised ex-President Estrada
to seek pardon from people, not from Gloria

Critics of the Macapagal-Arroyo administration on Wednesday advised ouster President Joseph Estrada to ask pardon from the Filipino people and not from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, whom the group described as the “grandmother and full-time author” of all present crimes against the nation and the 87 million Filipinos.

“Seeking pardon from Mrs. Arroyo is another crime. Don’t commit such blasphemous and horrendous act. Instead of asking pardon from the Arroyo camp, the former president should admit his sins against the people and do the act of restitution to gain respect and eventually forgiveness of the people,” Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap said in a press statement.

The militant leader said President Arroyo is not the right person to be asked by pardon, saying her camp was merely engaged in gross political prostitution of the justice system in the country to advance its own sinister political agenda.

Pamalakaya’s Hicap said the pardon to be given by President Arroyo this Christmas to the former President is like a near future political investment because she wants to be spared from the next trial regarding plunder and national robbery of people’s wealth.

“At this point, President Arroyo wants to settle a score with the Estrada camp. It is like President Arroyo telling the Erap camp, “I pardon Estrada, you owe it to me, so spare me from the plunder trial or do the same once you have the presidency in 2010,” he said.

Pamalakaya stressed:” The political pardon being offered by GMA to Estrada is like a peace offering from a syndicate in an intense war against another powerful mafia. At the same time, it is a political psywar, the purpose of which is to eliminate the Estrada camp from the broad anti-GMA movement, pacify the former president and contain his supporters.”

The militant group accused President Arroyo, Department of Justice secretary Agnes Devanadera, Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno and the rest of Palace officials of engaging in 24/7 gross political prostitution of the justice system.

“These political prostitutes in the Macapagal-Arroyo administration are nothing but stinking termites trying the sabotage the cause of the Filipino people for truth and justice,” Pamalakaya ended it statement. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 23:56 | link | comments |

GOVERNORS’ ONE PAGE PRO-GLORIA PAID AD SHOCKS MILITANTS
Pamalakaya told governors: Don’t sell your souls to GMA

A hard-hitting critic of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Tuesday appealed to governor officers and members of League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) not to sell their souls to the President, reminding them that they were elected to serve the Filipino people and fight for national interest and not for the survival of the corrupt regime in Malacañang.

The militant fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) made the appeal after the LPP came out with a full-page advertisement in the Philippine Daily Inquirer entitled ‘Stop the Political Noise, Focus on Economic Growth’ expressing its “wholehearted support” for President Arroyo and her administration’s “unwavering commitment to genuine local autonomy and efforts in sustaining and accelerating the growth of the economy.

“These rabid pro-GMA governors are displaying extreme acts of puppetry. They sold their souls to the ruling corrupt, criminal, puppet and brutal regime to Malacañang. This is a gross betrayal of national interest in the name of Mrs. Arroyo’s political survival in exchange for something private among themselves,” Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap said in a press statement.

Hicap added: “The LLP should be changed from League of Provinces of the Philippines to League of Puppets of the President. That’s the correct political term for their gross misrepresentation of our people’s will and collective interest against Mrs. Arroyo.”

The one-page full advertisement was signed by Agusan del Norte Gov. Erlpe John Amante, Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado, Romblon Gov. Natalio Beltran III, Abra Gov. Eustaquio Bersamin, Davao del Sur Gov. Douglas Cagas, Marinduque Gov. Jose Antonio Carrion, Batanes Gov. Telesporo Castillejos, Zamboanga del Sur Gov. Aurora Cerilles, Nueva Viscaya Gov. Luisa Cuaresma, Mt. Province Gov. Maximo Dalog, Lanao del Norte Gov. Mohammad Khalid Dimaporo, Eastern Samar Gov. Ben Evardone, Siquijor Gov. Orlando Fua Jr., Bataan Gov. Enrique Garcia, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, Sorsogon Gov. Sally Lee, Negros Oriental Gov. Emilio Nacias II, Sultan Kudarat Gov. Suharto Mangudadatu, Misamis Occidental Gov. Loreto Leo Ocampos, Oriental Mindoro Gov. Arnan Panaligan, Surigao del Sur Gov. Vicente Pimentel Jr., Agusan del Sur Gov. Maria Valentina Plaza, North Cotabato Gov. Jesus Sacdalan, Oriental Mindoro Gov. Josephine Sato, Ilocos Sur Gov. Deogracias Victor Savellano, Camarines Sur Gov. Raymund Villafuerta Jr., Dinagat Island Gov. Geraldine Villaroman, Tarlac Gov. Victor Yap and Zamboanga del Norte Gov. Rolando Yebes.

Pamalakaya suspected that governors closed to Malacañang, including Arroyo’s favorite puppets and lapdogs of President Arroyo as main authors of the one-page paid advertisement which came out in the Inquirer and other national broadsheets today.

“The one page paid advertisement roughly costs between P 350,000 to P 380,000 based on industry estimates. We will no longer ask where the funds came from since it is obvious,” the militant group said.

The LPP said certain quarters are capitalizing on a trumped-up incident at Malacañang last October 11 to resurrect their ludicrous call for President Arroyo to step aside halfway through her constitutional term of office.

The governors’ group said the recycled call for a national-leadership change is certainly an absurd one at this point, given that no such incident of alleged impropriety had taken place at the Palace to warrant the President’s resignation.


The LLP said President Arroyo’s resignation is something our nation needs like a hole in the head. They believed the country needs President Arroyo now more than ever to remain at the helm of the government so she can pursue further structural reforms that are necessary to keep the country’s economy on its growth course.

In said one page paid advertisement, the LPP reiterated that the governors’ group as a whole did not receive cash gifts from any Palace functionary to rally them against the third attempt to impeach President Arroyo in the House of Representatives.

But Pamalakaya rebuked the governors’ claim that Mrs. Arroyo is needed. The militant group said the Filipino people have long wanted to Mrs. Arroyo to step down from power because of her government’s failure to implement meaningful reforms in the economy, Malacañang’s involvement in high crimes of corruptions, political legitimacy and unresolved killings and abductions of leftwing activists and critics across the country since 2001.

“The governors are lying to their teeth. They are talking not on behalf of their constituents, but on the behalf of their political interest and what their pockets dictate. Please allow us to remind them that it is a sin to tell a lie,” the militant group added. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 02:28 | link | comments |

Independent probe body on Glorietta 2 bombing sought
Pamalakaya says SC Chief Justice, CBCP President could lead independent, credible probe on Glorietta blast

Critics of the Macapagal-Arroyo administration on Tuesday said an independent probe body on the bombing of Glorietta 2 last week is the right group to undertake an investigation rather than entrust it to military and police authorities, saying the government is suffering from extreme crisis of credibility.

In a press statement, the leftwing fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) said it is time a “well respected group composed of real truth seekers and advocates” should be given a chance to work on Glorietta blast that claimed lives of 11 people and harmed over 100 others.

Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap said the independent fact finding body should be composed of political analysts, human rights advocates, forensic experts, acknowledged scientists and chemists, church leaders from the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, independent lawmakers, lawyers and paralegal groups, former justices of the Supreme Court and objective groups capable of determining the truth and unmasking the perpetrators of Glorietta 2 bombing last Friday.

The Pamalakaya leader said Supreme Court Justice Reynato Puno and CBCP President and Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo could lead the independent probe to generate and galvanize the public support to the independent body.

“The high tribunal’s chief justice and Archbishop Lagdameo are perceived by the Filipino public as credible, objective and logical thinkers and they are politically and morally fit to lead the probe,” Hicap said.

“There are people like Senator Antonio Trillanes who want to testify, but they don’t want to give their statements to police and military authorities controlled by Malacañang and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s puppets and lapdogs in the PNP and AFP. To accommodate them, an independent and well trusted group is a must,” Hicap said.

The Pamalakaya leader said once the independent body begins working on its assignment, officials like Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, Department of Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon Jr. and PNP chief Avelino Razon should either resign or take an indefinite leave of absence.

“Ermita and company should resign or take a leave of absence once the independent body begins its work, to prevent them and President Arroyo from influencing the outcome of the investigation. The Senate, the House of Representatives and the Supreme Court must ensure their protection from any kind of harassment as well,” Pamalakaya said.

Pamalakaya said Trillanes’ thesis on Oplan Greenbase, which asserted that top officials of the defense department had a hand in the spate of bombings in Mindanao could be working clue to identify the perpetrators of the Glorietta 2 blast last Friday.

In July 2003, Trillanes led several junior officers in staging a mutiny to protest the rampant corruption in the Macapagal-Arroyo administration and the series of bombings in Mindanao, including the bombing of Davao International Airport and Sasa Wharf in Davao City allegedly orchestrated by military elements. In March 2006, some 30 young officers and soldiers talked to Senator Rodolfo Biazon, chair of the Senate committee on defense about an alleged order from higher authorities to orchestrate bombings in Metro Manila and other parts of the country. “These are working leads that could unmask the perpetrators and their motives,” said Pamalakaya. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 02:27 | link | comments |

Militant group puzzled: What did Esperon whisper to PNP officials during yesterday’s briefing in Camp Crame on Glorietta blast?

The left-leaning fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) on Sunday was puzzled why Armed Forces Chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon Jr. at one point of discussion in last Saturday’s briefing of the National Security Council (NSC) in Camp Crame, rose from his seat and whispered something to PNP Chief Inspector Grace Eustaquio and Senior Supt. Albert Ferro of the PNP Bomb Data Center, when the two presumed that the kind of bomb used in the Glorietta bombing are of military ordnance components.

“What’s the big deal? I mean, what we was up too, when at the middle of the spirited discussion, Mr. Esperon suddenly rose from his seat and approached the two PNP officials and whispered something. What’s the buzz all about?” Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap said in a press statement.

In yesterday’s briefing at Camp Crame, which was presided by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Eustaquio reported that traces of RDX- a main ingredient of the C4 explosive used by the military had been found at the site.

“It (RDX) is the main component of C4 and is a high explosive. As such, the extent of damage it cause is really tremendous,” Eustaquio, head of the PNP Crime Laboratory’s chemistry division. On the other hand, Ferro of the PNP Bomb Data Center said the police can presume those explosives are of military ordnance components and those explosives could be that origin.

The reporters covering the briefing also witnessed that NCRPO Chief Geary Barias also took his turn to confer Eustaquio and Ferro, but they were not privy as to what the Esperon and Barias said to the two PNP officials.

Like, Pamalakaya’s Hicap said Gen. Esperon, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzalez should explain to the public in detailed, substantive and credible form why the explosives of military ordnance were in the hands of the perpetrator or perpetrators who carried out the bombing in Glorietta 2 in Makati City last Friday that killed 10 people and injured 100 others.

“Esperon, Teodoro and Gonzalez, the three stooges of Mrs. Arroyo should convince the public why they have no reason to opine that the Glorietta 2 bombing was the handiwork of the ruling political syndicate in Malacañang,” the Pamalakaya leader said.

“The facts of the case are coming out in the open and they should explain these objectively and truthfully to evade speculations that this is another dirty operation of the Palace to divert public attention from scandals of corruption rocking the present administration,” Hicap added.

Pamalakaya said Senator Antonio Trillanes IV’s thesis on Oplan Greenbase, which asserted that top officials of the defense department had a hand in the spate of bombings in Mindanao could be working clue to identify the perpetrators of the Glorietta 2 blast last Friday.

In July 2003, Trillanes led several junior officers in staging a mutiny to protest the rampant corruption in the Macapagal-Arroyo administration and the series of bombings in Mindanao, including the bombing of Davao International Airport and Sasa Wharf in Davao City allegedly orchestrated by military elements.

In March 2006, some 30 young officers and soldiers talked to Senator Rodolfo Biazon, chair of the Senate committee on defense about an alleged order from higher authorities to orchestrate bombings in Metro Manila and other parts of the country. “These are working leads that could unmask the perpetrators and their motives,” said Pamalakaya. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 00:35 | link | comments |

Pamalakaya urges 133,000 rejected Guimaras
oil spill victims to apply claims to Petron

The left-leaning fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) on Monday urged the 133,000 victims of Guimaras oil spill whose claims were rejected by the London-based International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund (IOPCF) to file compensation claims to Petron Corp.

“The failure of IOPCF to deliver justice and just compensation packages to victims of last year’s environmental catastrophe is one of the biggest injustices ever done to human kind. But this is not the end of the road for all Guimaras oil spill victims. We encourage them to file compensation claims at Petron’s national office in Manila and pursue their class suit against this corporate oil giant,” Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap said in a press statement.

IOPCF Claims Manager Patrick Joseph announced last week the rejected claims included 125, 480 in Guimaras and 7,416 in Iloilo, as stated in the Sept.24, 2007 report of the international oil pollution compensation body.

“Now that IOPCF has totally abandoned its obligation to compensate the victims of Guimaras oil spill, the victims have no recourse but to run after Petron, the principal corporate author of last year’s environmental disaster in Guimaras Strait,” Pamalakaya’s Hicap added.

The IOPCF only accepted 134 claims from Guimaras and 229 from the 6,090 claims from seaweed farmers. The claims were rejected by the Fund executive committee they were incomplete and a significant number were from people under the age of 18. It said it was improbable the oil spill affected 80 percent of the island’s population of around 154,000.

The IOPCF has paid a total of P 906,669, 948.00 in economic compensation and refund for expenses in the clean up and preventive measures in connection with the Aug.11, 2006 oil spill. But 80 percent of which or P 725,317,664 were spent for clean up activities, while P 174,176, 143 were allocated for payment of claims.

Last month, Pamalakaya questioned the IOPCF for allowing Petron Corp. to reimburse P 118 million for the costs of clean up, adding that Petron as the principal actor in the Guimaras oil spill tragedy should not be reimbursed, and in fact, should have been compelled to shoulder the clean up and pay the victims and for the rehabilitation costs of Guimaras Strait;

Likewise, the militant fisherfolk federation reiterated its’ inquiry on the status of the P 863 million for the rehabilitation of Guimaras which was released sometime in February this year.

The P 863 million fund was allocated to the Department of Agriculture (P 100 million), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (P 30 million), Department of Health ( P 22 million), Department of Social Work and Development ( P 247 million), Department of Interior and Local Government ( P 250 million), UP-Visayas ( P 50 million) and other government agencies ( P 64 million).

The DBM released 30 percent of the budget for Guimaras rehabilitation and promised to release the remaining 70 percent or P 663.5 million after the election period. But three months after the May 14 elections, people of Guimaras told Pamalakaya and an Iloilo City based environment group that no rehabilitation projects were undertaken by concerned government agencies and local government units. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 00:34 | link | comments |

Arroyos will not get a single centavo for their lands under proposed radical land reform, says Pamalakaya

The left-leaning fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) on Thursday said the Arroyo family will not get a single centavo for their land holdings that would be subjected to automatic expropriation without compensation under the proposed Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill.

The Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill currently being drafted by leaders, members and advocates of agrarian justice seeks to nationalize all agricultural lands in the country and immediately distribute these lands for free to qualified farmer beneficiaries.

The vast landholdings subject for compulsory acquisition without compensation will include those hectarages of lands leased to foreign corporations and those haciendas owned and maintained by big landlords across the nation.

Pamalakaya said fishponds, prawn farms and other aquaculture farms, which were exempted from CARP shall be covered by the proposed radical land reform bill, and shall be distributed to fisherfolk associations and cooperatives.

“The Arroyos will not receive a single centavo for the lands they acquired through questionable means. Only landlords with good track records of supporting progressive land reform will be given compensation,” Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap said in a press statement.

Hicap said the 1,000 hectare of sugar lands in Negros Occidental owned by the family of First Gentleman Atty. Jose Miguel Arroyo, including the 157-hectares of sugar land in Hacienda Bacan, Guintubhan, Isabela, Negros Occidental will be subjected to expropriation without compensation.

The Genuine Land Reform Bill will also place all agricultural lands of business tycoon Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco in Negros Occidental, Isabela, Tarlac and other parts of the country under the same scheme.

Likewise, the 6,453-hectare Hacienda Luisita owned by the family of former President Corazon Aquino will be placed under expropriation without compensation and shall be nationalized and subsequently distributed for free to agricultural workers union and peasant associations and cooperatives.

Hicap said the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), the peasant women federation Amihan, the agricultural workers union group Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (UMA) and Pamalakaya together with the regional and provincial chapters of these rural-based groups have been conducting consultations and workshops since July to craft the bill that would be submitted to Congress for legislative action.

“The Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill seeks to address the centuries old feudal bondage and agrarian injustice all over the country. It aims to replace the anti-farmer Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program and thwart any move to extend this pro-landlord and pro-corporate interest land reform program,” Pamalakaya’s Hicap added.

CARP which started in 1988 under the administration of former President Corazon Aquino was supposed to distribute 10.3 million of hectares of land to farmer beneficiaries across the Philippine archipelago. The law mandates the Department of Agrarian Reform and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to undertake distribution of 3.8 million hectares and 6.5 million hectares of land respectively. #

In 1995, the national government reduced CARP scope to 7.5 million hectares, with the agrarian reform department tapped to distribute 4.3 million hectares and the environment department 3.5 million hectares. The CARP, which was extended from 1998 to 2008, merely achieved a poor 57 percent performance rating, according to Ibon Philippines, an independent think tank by the end of 1997.

From 1987 to 1992, the Aquino administration distributed a total of 1,104, 380 hectares, the Fidel Ramos administration from 1993-1998, distributed 1,778, 371 hectares and the Joseph Estrada administration distributed 242, 547 hectares from 1999-2000. The present Arroyo government distributed 548,916 hectares of agricultural lands from 2001 to 2005. The total aggregate number of hectares distributed over 18 years of CARP was 3,584,214 hectares from the scope of 10 million hectares of land eyed for distribution in 1988.

But Ibon Philippines and other farmers groups in the Philippines agreed that government land reform reports should be taken with a grain of salt and high rate of doubts because these reports were not credible indicators of the true state of landlessness in the Philippines.

On the other hand, the KMP said 65.9 percent of the total 12 million agricultural lands in the Philippines were exempted from the government’s land reform program. Worse, the government is engaged in left-and-right and continuous confiscations of land reform awards such as emancipation patents, certificate of land ownership awards and certificate of land transfers to pave way for land remonopolization and land refeudalization and land use conversions for industrial and commercial purposes.

Pamalakaya, KMP, Amihan and Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (UMA) said Charter Change and the proposed extension of CARP is attuned to satisfy the agricultural land, raw materials and labor force requirements of bilateral agreements entered into by the Philippine government with foreign economic powers like Jpepa, RP-China Agreement, RP-India Agreement, RP- New Zealand Agreement and the forthcoming RP-US Free Trade Agreement.

“The proposal to resurrect the Chacha and extend CARP is meant for the survival of the agricultural sectors of Japan, China, India, New Zealand and the United States and intensify the landlord class grip on the country’s agricultural lands and resources,” Pamalakaya said.

Today, peasant activists belonging to Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luzon (AMGL) will spearhead a 20-vehicle caravan to support the proposed Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill. The caravan which will start from San Fernando City in Pampanga to Department of Agrarian Reform national office in Quezon City will be participated by farmer leaders from Pangasinan, Tarlac, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija and Aurora provinces.

AMGL secretary general Joseph Canlas the proposed radical land reform law will be submitted to the House of Representatives next month, and it would be endorsed by militant party list solons like Satur Ocampo and Teddy Casiño of Bayan Muna, Liza Maza and Luzviminda Ilagan of Gabriela and Crispin Beltran of Anakpawis.

“The proposed radical land reform bill will face an uphill battle, and we are ready for this,” Canlas added. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 04:33 | link | comments |

Devanadera sees nothing wrong with Palace cash gift
Fishers say acting DoJ chief speaks like Gonzalez

“She is Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez trapped in a woman’s body.”

This was how the left-leaning fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) regarded acting Department of Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera, a day after the latter defended the distribution of cash gifts to congressmen, governors and local government officials during a meeting held last week in Malacañang.

“What kind of justice secretary she is? She’s the female version of Secretary Gonzalez and this is bad for the cause of truth and justice in this country,” said Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap in a press statement.

Acting justice secretary Devanadera on Wednesday said she does not see anything illegal in the cash handouts given to lawmakers, governors and other local government officials allied with President Arroyo, because the source of money had not been traced and no unlawful reasons for gifts had been established.

“People in their right state of minds will not buy Devanadera’s argument. Even her colleagues in the law profession will just treat her as one of the biggest laughing stocks in the Macapagal-Arroyo government next to budget secretary Rolando Andaya, environment secretary Lito Atienza and other pro-Arroyo shenanigans who rushed to the side of Malacañang to cover up this high crime of corruption,” Pamalakaya’s Hicap added.

“We will not look for something objective and something rational from Devanadera. She’s a protégée of the President, the Executive Secretary and Justice Secretary Gonzalez that’s why she thinks that way,” Hicap said.

Pamalakaya said it seems that all Cabinet secretaries are being mobilized to defend President Arroyo from the latest bribe scandal that has rocked Malacañang since last week. The militant group said it will not come as a surprise if other department secretaries will speak in the coming days justifying the handing out of cash gifts to congressmen and local government officials.

“President Arroyo was shocked to discover the political impact and repercussions of her early Christmas gifts to loyal political lieutenants in the House of Representatives and local government units. The Palace is now busy working out for the damage done to the embattled presidency of Mrs. Arroyo,” the militant group added.

Earlier, Pamalakaya urged Central Luzon bishops to convince other governors, city and municipal mayors in the region to come out in the open and tell their stories on the newest bribe scandal involving the Palace.

The group asked the Catholic bishops of Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Zambales, Aurora and Pangasinan to convince their governors to reveal what they know about the biggest bribe scandal of 2007. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 04:32 | link | comments |

Bribe to LGUs is tied to GMA renewed call for Charter Change, says group

An anti-Charter Change group on Monday said aside from eliciting support from local government units against the impending impeachment case against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the bribe money distributed last week among governors and other local government units was meant to revive local officials’ support to the President’s revived call to amend the 1987 Constitution.

In a press statement, the leftwing fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) said brown envelopes containing between P 200,000 to P 500,000 could be part of a strategy to revive the interest of local officials on Charter Change to pave way for the change in the form of government from presidential to parliamentary and allow Mrs. Arroyo to stay in power beyond 2010.

“In a political point of view, the bribe was made as an advancer to Mrs. Arroyo’s announcement that she is re-starting the debate on Charter Change,” the militant group said.

Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap said the bribe money was meant to rejuvenate congressmen, governors and other local executives’ interest on Charter Change. “The announcement made by President Arroyo on the creation of panel that would draft a ‘roadmap of federalism by 2012’ is presided by the awarding of bribes last week. The bribe campaign undertaken last week is political precursor for the revival of Chacha campaign,” he said.

In her speech this morning at the regional workshop on the Establishment of National Human Rights Situations in Asia , President Arroyo ordered the creation of a special panel that would lead Malacañang’s offensive on Chacha.

The panel will include secretaries of justice, interior and local government, the Presidential Management Staff, National Economic Development Authority, local government unit officials, congressmen and opposition leaders advocating federalism.

“It is like President Arroyo saying, “congressmen, governors and local government officials, now you have your brown envelopes with you, it is time for me to say what I want you to do for me. Let’s dance again the Chacha,” Pamalakaya’s Hicap said.

Pamalakaya said aside from political survival, Chacha is being revived by the Macapagal-Arroyo administration because the present Charter, despite its loopholes and reactionary character remains a major stumbling block against scores of agreement entered into by the government with different countries.

The group said the controversial Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (Jpepa) is hardly being criticized because majority of its provisions are contrary to the 1987 Constitution like provisions on trade and investments, entry of Japanese factory ships in the Philippine exclusive economic zone among others.

Pamalakaya said the RP-China agreement and other foreign agreements entered by the Philippine government have serious constitutional questions, aside from being hounded by allegations of irregularities and charges of bribe and corruption.

“President Arroyo revived Chacha to save these one-sided agreements, and the only way to do it is to massacre the 1987 Constitution and make it tailor fit to objectives of political survival and puppetry to foreign economic powers like US and Japan,” the militant group said. #

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

PAMALAKAYA wants Senate to invite DENR Sec on Palace bribe policy as hostile witness
Fishers hit Atienza for calling Palace bribe normal

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Joselito Atienza came under fire from a left-leaning fisherfolk alliance for defending Malacañang over allegations that it bribed congressmen, governors and other local officials to rally against any impeachment case against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

"What you see is what you get. Secretary Atienza is endorsing this kind of high crime of corruption. DENR is again in under extreme danger based on what he said that the Palace cash giving policy is a normal practice and he does not see anything wrong on it," says the activist fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) in a
press statement.

Atienza, a former Manila Mayor said the national government helping the local government is normal. He admitted that during his term as mayor of the capital city, he also received help from the national government and the national leadership.

"That's the problem with Mr. Atienza. He equates bribe as help from the national government and the national leadership. With that kind of thinking, corruption and plunder of taxpayers' money is so easy," said Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap.

When asked in what form he received the assistance from the national government, Atienza said some were in the form of cash, sometimes checks coming from the discretinary fund of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The statement of Atienza, admitting that he even received cash gifts in the form of cold cash or cash checks, prompted Pamalakaya to ask Senator Panfilo Lacson to summon Atienza in the proposed Senate probe into allegations of bribes ranging from P 200,000 to P 500,000 to congressmen, governors, city and municipal mayors.

"Secretary Atienza can be categorized as a hostile witness on the bribe operations of Malacañang. So we oblige Senator Lacson and the entire Senate to subpoena him and let him talk and talk about what he called a normal practice," Pamalakaya said.

Senator Lacson yesterday said he would summon Pampanga Gov. Eddie Panlilio and Bulacan Gov. Jonjon Mendoza to testify in a Senate probe on alleged bribes to lawmakers and local government officials.

Earlier, Pamalakaya urged Central Luzon bishops to convince other governors, city and municipal mayors in the region to come out in the open and tell their stories on the newest bribe scandal involving the Palace.

The group asked the Catholic bishops of Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Zambales, Aurora and Pangasinan to reveal what they know about the biggest bribe scandal of 2007. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 04:30 | link | comments |

“Militants bring protest vs. revived Chacha, CARP and Jpepa to Pasig River

Fisherfolk activists float and sail Styrofoam made fishing boats in Pasig River and stage a blood compact in Cebu City to protest the renewed call of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to amend the 1987 Constitution, her intent for immediate ratification of the controversial Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (Jpepa) and her urgent call for both houses of Congress to pass a new law extending the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

The left-wing fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) said the flotilla protest was their immediate response to President Arroyo’s revived pitch for Charter Change.

Aside from Chacha, Jpepa and CARP, the group is also calling for a national ban on all off-shore mining projects in the Philippines, of which, two of offshore mining projects are found in Tañon Strait and in Cebu-Bohol Strait separating the island provinces of Cebu and Negros and Cebu and Bohol respectively.

Some 20 fisherfolk activists let go fishing boats towards Malacañang to dramatize their opposition against Chacha, the RP-Japan economic pact, against CARP and the extension of the agrarian reform program and offshore mining across the Visayan Sea, while Cebu fishermen held a blood compact in Malacañang of the South in Cebu City.

In Bacolod City, Pamalakaya activists picketed the office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Western Visayas and the provincial capitol to press the executive officials and local government units to withdraw their support to the offshore mining conducted by Japan Petroleum Exploration (Japex).

Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap said the protest coincided with the global commemoration of World Food Day. He said the protest is part of the weeklong farmers’ protest starting October 15 up to October 19 against the bogus CARP organized on a nationwide scale by the activist peasant group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP).

“The weeklong rural peoples’ uprising is just the beginning of more nationally coordinated protests in the next three years of the Macapagal-Arroyo administration. Next month, a radical bill on agrarian reform will be filed by rural people and their advocates in the House of Representatives to challenge the class rule of landowning lawmakers inside their own political turf,” Hicap said referring to the draft Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill that would replace the anti-farmer and obsolete CARP.

Pamalakaya, KMP, Amihan and Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (UMA) said Charter Change and the proposed extension of CARP is attuned to satisfy the agricultural land, raw materials and labor force requirements of bilateral agreements entered into by the Philippine government with foreign economic powers like Jpepa, RP-China Agreement, RP-India Agreement, RP- New Zealand Agreement and the forthcoming RP-US Free Trade Agreement.

“The proposal to resurrect the Chacha and extend CARP is meant for the survival of the agricultural sectors of Japan, China, India, New Zealand and the United States and intensify the landlord class grip on the country’s agricultural lands and resources,” Pamalakaya said.

“Where is their sense of patriotism and love for 87 million Filipinos? They are pushing us to a simultaneous free fall to the valley of death. This is unpardonable, detestable and totally unacceptable. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 04:29 | link | comments |

Japanese offshore mining in Tañon Strait, a preview of Jpepa, says fishers group

The oil and gas exploration being conducted by Japan Petroleum Exploration Corp. (Japex) in Tañon Strait, a protected seascape separating the island provinces of Cebu and Negros is a preview of what is going to happen under the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (Jpepa), a militant fisherfolk alliance said on Thursday.

The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) said while the national government through the Department of Energy (DoE) declared that all energy resources belong to the Philippine government, Japex as a service contractor has been given national preferential treatment by the Macapagal-Arroyo administration under the contract.

Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap said Japex was able to get from the government the following privileges given to any Filipino capitalist: 1). Japex will get 40 percent of the net proceeds, 2). Exemption from all national taxes except income taxes, easy repatriation of investments and profits, 3). Free market determination of crude oil and natural gas prices, 4). Special income tax rate for sub-contractor of 8 % of the Philippine gross income and 5). Special income tax rate for foreign employees of service contractor and sub-contractor of 15% of the Philippine gross income.

“The case of Japanese oil and gas exploration in Tañon Strait is Jpepa in action. It is a preview on how Jpepa will work to the advantage of Japanese investors in the Philippines at the expense of national interest,” the Pamalakaya leader said.

Hicap added: “In this particular Japanese investment, Japex was already able to invoke national preferential treatment, the most favored treatment, general fair and equitable treatment, the prohibition of performance requirements, prohibition on expropriation or nationalization of compensation, transfers of investment and taxation measures as expropriation, all elements of Jpepa.”

Pamalakaya said the Japanese offshore mining is conducted and manned purely by Japanese staff and personnel, an offshoot of article 93 of Jpepa which allows Japanese investors to prohibit the national government from requiring Japanese investors to hire or employ a certain level of Filipino workers in the operations of offshore mining.

The militant group said the privilege given to Japex to expatriate its investments and profits is reflected in Article 97 of Jpepa which states that a Japanese investor is allowed to transfer his investment in and out the Philippines, including his capital investment, additional investments, profits and other gains.

Pamalakaya said the tax exemptions and other tax holidays awarded to Japanese investors and their nationals were offshoots of the most favored national and most favored treatment provisions of Jpepa, where foreign groups or entities are given the same rights as Filipino investors.

Meanwhile, 1992 Ramon Magsaysay awardee Dr. Angel Alcala revealed that sometime ago this year, an assistant secretary of the Department of Energy and a Japanese official of the Japan Petroleum Exploration co., Ltd. (JAPEX) came to see him in his office at the Siliman University Angelo King Center for Research & Environmental Management to explain the oil and gas exploration project.

The direct impact area has a radius of 1.5 kms and the secondary impact area has a radius of five kms. The project will use a floater rig.

The project plans to drill this year a well 3,000 meters below the sea surface. Drill cuttings will not be discharged to the immediate area but will be collected and dumped into the sea elsewhere, I was told.

Because the project is exploratory, the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) is not necessary according to the DENR, and only an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) is needed. A copy of this IEE was given to me for our review.

In this IEE, a list of five groups of data is presented in a table. Another table listed eight names that composed the EIA Study Team, some of them I know personally. It is assumed that the report of this team is the basis for the environmental and resource information discussed in the IEE. This information was reviewed by our team of marine biologists at SUAKCREM, which is the subject of today’s column.

Alcala concluded that the environmental and resource survey was extremely rapid, lacking in critical data essential for valid and meaningful comparisons in order to determine the impacts of the exploratory drilling. The following discussion gives the details:

1. The baseline data (DENR 7 PCRA) are too old and not suitable for the project. PCRA data are meant for use by stakeholder communities, and not suitable for the project, and a more detailed technical methodology was not presented. This is needed for an environmentally sensitive project such as this one. A more detailed technical assessment of marine habitats is required. The methodology has to be properly documented (examples, how many transects were surveyed by what procedures, density of fishes and other marine organisms per unit area, total number of target species, of indicator species, etc.)

Fish densities presented were too low – 2,000 fish individuals per square kilometer; we have found 2,000 individuals per 500 square meters around Cebu and Negros; something wrong here!

To put it bluntly, the methodology employed, and consequently, the data gathered, do not meet acceptable standards, cannot be used as baselines for future monitoring of drilling effects, and therefore, not acceptable.
2. Of prime importance is the construction of a fisheries profile. For this, the IEE document should be clear on how the data are gathered so they can be verified for credibility in any future inquiry.
3. On fish data composition (p.39, Chap. 5), technical data and graphs with units need to be presented so they can be compared to other existing data within the whole country.
4. On catch composition per gear type, the data presented are old (2001). If the catch was this bad back in 2001, it is expected to be worse now. A proper catch per unit effort spans at least one year, and not done instantly. A detailed methodology was not presented in the study.
5. Substrate types were not determined, and major coral growth forms were not reported including those most vulnerable to pollution such as sedimentation. Susceptibility of vulnerability indices of sites was not assessed.
6. The disposal of drill cuttings presents a problem. One area identified is the Sulu Sea. But the Sulu Sea is a prime fishing area and has high biodiversity! Dumping cuttings into this sea unnecessarily creates additional problems.

In brief, Alcala found the IEE document wanting in the critical survey data and information needed for determining the environmental and socio-economic impacts of the proposed drilling operation of Japex. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 02:48 | link | comments |

Fishers group slams business groups over Jpepa endorsement
Modern-day “makapilis” dressed in business suits-Pamalakaya

One of the groups opposing the controversial Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (Jpepa) on Wednesday assailed a coalition of 20 groups representing business chambers, workers and industry sectors for urging the Senate to ratify the trade pact.

Describing these pro-Jpepa groups are “modern day makapilis”, the left-leaning fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) called on these groups to engage in “patriotic reflection” and quit from saturating the Filipino people with false claims and false hopes on Jpepa.

“Please in the name of truth and justice, we ask these business groups to refrain from selling this national sell out of our national sovereignty and patrimony to an all-time imperialist power,” Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap said in a press statement.

Pamalakaya’s Hicap said pro-Jpepa groups like the Confederation of Garments Exporters of the Philippines, the Philippine Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Philippine Exporters Confederation, Employers Confederation of the Philippines, Federation of Free Workers, Semiconductor and Electronics Industries of the Philippines, Management Association of the Philippines, Chambers of Commerce of the Philippines Foundation, Makati Business Club, Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Port Users Confederation, Trade Union Congress of the Philippines and Philippine Food Processors and Exporters Association have desperately joined the roster of apologists for the Japan-RP trade pact.

“Where is their sense of patriotism and love for 87 million Filipinos? They are pushing us to a simultaneous free fall to the valley of death. This is unpardonable, detestable and totally unacceptable. Let me remind these pro-Jpepa groups that they do not represent the 87 million Filipinos, what they represent is capital and the accumulation of capital which is against the collective interest of the people,” Pamalakaya’s Hicap added.

The militant group also scored the moderate groups TUCP and FFW, saying their position on Jpepa further revealed and exposed their true colors to the Filipino working class. “Their pro-Jpepa position betrays the every working Filipino in this country. They will sell their soul to the imperialist devil in the name of their bankrupt ideology and service to exploiting capitalist system,” Pamalakaya said.

The group did not spare Department of Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap from their scathing attack against pro-Jpepa groups. Pamalakaya said Secretary Yap was engaged in delusional argument passing of doctored data and magical statistics to convince the Senate and the Filipino people that Jpepa will lead to the entry of local agricultural products to Japan.

Yap said the approval of Jpepa and subsequent elimination of tariff will secure export of some
$ 353 million worth of earnings from exports of agricultural and fishery products to Japan.

Pamalakaya also raised the unconstitutionality of Jpepa, adding that Articles 28 and 29, Chapter 2 of Jpepa will allow Japanese factory ships and fishing vessels to gain entry in the Philippine waters, including the exclusive economic zone is a wholesale violation of the 1987 Constitution, saying the exclusive rights and enjoyment of the country’s territorial waters for Filipino citizens is clearly mandated under the 19-year old charter.

The Pamalakaya leader said Article 28, Chapter 2 of Jpepa defines the factory ships or vessels of the Party (Japan or Philippines) that is allowed to access in either party’s EEZ provided that it is registered in the party, sail under its’ flag, owned at least 60% by the party, masters and officers are nationals of the party and at least 75% of the crew are nationals of the party.

Hicap said Article 29, Section 2 of Jpepa specifies the manner of wholly-obtaining the goods from the party which includes hunting, trapping, fishing, gathering, capturing, goods produced on board of factory ships, goods of sea-fishing and other goods taken from the seabed or subsoil. With such broad scope of fishing, not only tuna and tuna-like species are covered but a wide range of marine species found in Philippine waters can be fished by Japanese factory ships and vessels.

Pamalakaya said three other articles, specifically Articles 88, 93 and Article 97 of Jpepa are also gross violations of the 1987 Constitution, saying these two provisions in the economic partnership agreement practically reduced the Filipino fisherfolk and the entire nation of 87 million Filipinos as modern-slaves of Japan.

In further asserting our its view against the exploitative character and nature of Jpepa against the Filipino public interest, Pamalakaya said under Article 93 of Jpepa, if Japanese investors will invest in deep sea fishing in the Philippines, the Philippines will be prohibited from requiring fishing fleets to be manned by Filipinos or hire a given number of Filipinos as masters, officers, workers and deckhands.

According to Pamalakaya, the same article prohibits the country in setting up of quota, the setting of certain volume for export or set certain percentage of domestic content, the assignment of inspectors or monitors of catches or processing within the vessels, as well as prohibition for Japanese vessels to source fuels, supplies, repair or raw materials from Philippine suppliers or service providers and transfer of technology to the Philippines.

Under Article 97, a Japanese investor is allowed to transfer his investments “freely into and out of its area without delay. The investments that can be freely transferred in and out of the country includes the investors’ initial capital, additional investments, profits, capital gains, dividends, royalties, interests, feed and other incomes accruing from investments, loan payments, earnings from remuneration of personnel gains.

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 02:47 | link | comments |

Fishers thinking of filing impeachment rap vs. Ombudswoman Gutierrez if she fails to act this time
Pamalakaya laments: Ombudswoman sitting on fishers’ case vs. execs for 1 year, 8 months

Leaders of the left-leaning fisherfolk alliance group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) on Thursday accused the Office of the Ombudsman headed by Atty. Ma. Merceditas Gutierrez of ignoring the anti-graft complaint they filed against top government officials and private entities about almost 1 year and 8 months ago.

Pamalakaya, along with its chapters in Bicol, Central Visayas and Negros Island had filed an anti-graft complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman on February 14, 2006 against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, former environment secretary Michael Defensor, former energy secretary Rafael Lotilla, undersecretaries and regional heads of DENR and DOE in regions V and VII and owners of Rapu-Rapu mining company and Japan Petroleum Exploration Corp. Ltd.

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), all took place in 2005.

“Ombudswoman Gutierrez has yet to act on the fisherfolks’ case against government officials and private groups filed last year but the turtle like response is seemed to last until 2010 or even beyond. How long we will wait? Where is Gutierrez’ passion for truth and sense of justice?” the Pamalakaya leader said.

Hicap said the silent mode and non-committal gesture displayed by Ombudswoman Gutierrez might compel them to more drastic action like possible filing of an impeachment case at the House of Representatives, if Gutierrez will not take action on their complaint.

“She’s forcing us to file an impeachment case against her. She’s not doing her assignment,” the Pamalakaya leader said.

On February 14, 2006, Pamalakaya leaders representing fisherfolk groups in Cebu, Bohol, Negros, Masbate, Sorsogon and Albay filed a 20-page complaint to seek truth and justice for thousands of fisherfolk families victimized by government and private groups’ gross disregard for the environment and livelihood on small fisherfolk.

“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,” Pamalakaya’s Hicap said.

On June 1, 2006, Pamalakaya leaders filed a motion for the speedy resolution of the case at the Office of the Ombudsman, urging Atty. Gutierrez to start the process of investigation on their complaints against President Arroyo and other officials named in the Feb. 14 charge sheet.

In their 6- page motion, Pamalakaya said the Office of the Ombudsman should proceed with the investigation, asserting that the complaint instituted by group is one of urgent and paramount importance.

The fisherfolk group also asserted that there is enough prima facie evidence to start with. Pamalakaya leaders said the complaint clearly and unmistakably shows culpability of the said respondents to the offenses charged.

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.

Pamalakaya said this is not the first time it filed an anti-graft complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman. In June 2004, right after the May 12, 2004 election, the group along with Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) and Amihan-National Federation of Peasant Women filed a plunder complaint against President Arroyo, former agriculture secretary Luisito Lorenzo and agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn “Jocjoc” Bolante on the P 728-million fertilizer fund allegedly used to fund the campaign activities of President Arroyo and her political allies in the 2004 election. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 04:27 | link | comments |

Militants exorcised Atienza’s office over Jpepa pitch
Group warns DENR: Japan wants to fish 1/3 of its tuna consumption from RP

One of the groups opposing the controversial Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (Jpepa) today performed exorcism rites at the main gate of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) national office in Quezon City to drive away ”bad spirits and undesirable elements” working triple time to convince the Senate to ratify the economic pact with Japan.

Fogging the DENR office with “insenso”, members of the leftwing fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) took turns in berating DENR Secretary Joselito Atienza and Undersecretary Demetrio Ignacio for doing sales pitch for Jpepa at the expense of the country’s environment and sea-based livelihood of millions of small fishermen across the country.

“Secretary Atienza and Undersecretary Ignacio are playing their roles to the hilt as second-rate puppets and apologists of Malacañang on Jpepa. But sad to say, their performance is substandard, mediocre and lacks basis,” Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap said in a press statement.

Holding placards with anti-Jpepa messages like “Save Our Tunas, Save our Seas”, “Atienza, puppet and apologist of Japan” and “Junk Jpepa”, Pamalakaya activists challenged DENR Secretary Atienza and undersecretary Ignacio to “back off from Jpepa”, and instead support the anti-Jpepa activists position if the two environment officials really care for the environment and the people’s sovereign rights and national patrimony.

Pamalakaya’s Hicap took the occasion to lecture Secretary Atienza and Undersecretary Ignacio on the impact of Jpepa to marine environment and small fishermen across the archipelago and why his group is actively opposing the Japan-RP trade pact.

“For Mr. Atienza and Mr. Ignacio’s information, one of Japan’s sinister agenda is to source its yearly tuna needs from the Philippines exclusive economic zone, specifically from our country’s marine waters known for their rich tuna deposits,” the militant leader said.

According to Pamalakaya, Japan transnational fishing corporation plans to field at least four factory ships accompanied with support fleet to fish for at least 200,000 metric tons of prime-catch tuna from the country’s territorial waters.


Pamalakaya said a single 3,000-ton Japanese factory ship, accompanied by support fishing vessels could get as much as 50,000 metric tons of tuna from Philippine waters with gross earnings of $ 242.5 million per year. If Japan employs four factory ships, total annual gross earnings would be $ 970 million or roughly P 43.50 B based on the current exchange rate. *

“Imagine, Japan factory ships siphoning our tuna resources every year with total harvest of 200,000 metric tons and gross profits of P 43.5 B. If this is not super exploitation of the marine environment, then what is it? If this is not an across the nation plunder to the highest order, then what is it?” the militant group said.

Pamalakaya said, Japan is known to consume 630,000 metric tons of tuna per year or 11 pounds of tuna per person. Due to depleted fishing grounds and diminishing tuna supply because of overfishing and day-to-day exploitation, Japan is compelled to look for major fishing ground abroad to address its problematic tuna supply. #

• * Note: Single factory ship 50,000 metric tons of tuna
- 65% x 50,000 metric ton x $ 1,000/metric ton (landed price in Japan) = $ 32.5 million
- 35% x 50,000 metric ton x 80% yield meat x 1,000 kgs x $ 15/per kg)= $ 210 million
Total gross earnings of single factory ship = $ 242.5 million
x 4 factory ships
Total earnings of four factory ships = $ 970 million

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 02:57 | link | comments |

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