Statement of AMA and Makabayan on the Supreme Court decision at Hacienda Luisita

SC Decision on Hacienda Luisita a Farce Judgment,

A Dangerous Precedent against Agrarian Justice

The recent Supreme Court decision to the long-standing agrarian case of Hacienda Luisita is a farce judgment that besiege the quest for genuine agrarian justice not only for the beneficiaries of Hacienda Luisita but also to the millions of small farmers and agricultural workers still dreaming to till their own land.

The Supreme Court’s decision upholding the revocation of the Stock Distribution Option (SDO) of Hacienda Luisita while at the same time ordering a referendum to ascertain whether the beneficiaries of HLI wants stock or land is a poor and despicable attempt to forge a win-win decision in the agrarian dispute. Yet, the poor and aggrieved farmers of Hacienda Luisita won nothing from the decision. Lives and limbs of those who sacrifice to achieve agrarian justice have fallen in vain with the decision. It is only the oligarchs of Hacienda Luisita that benefitted from the decision. The order for a referendum will surely play within the powers of the oligarchs to corrupt, intimidate and emasculate the poor and powerless beneficiaries of Hacienda Luisita. With the decision, it is quite clear that at the end of the day lands of Hacienda Luisita will not be redistributed and will remain to under the oligarchs’ control. While the poor and powerless people of Hacienda Luisita will remain trap in poverty, powerlessness and worse, remains a victim of injustice.

The SC decision likewise, is a comic tragedy in the annals of justice delivery in our country. The first instance is when it opts to revoke the SDO yet setting it as well as a choice in its order for referendum. Second, it revokes the SDO but failed to declare it unconstitutional and simply based its decision on mere technicality of non-compliance of the terms and conditions of the SDO. Lastly, it does not put any real option for the poor and powerless beneficiaries of Hacienda Luisita. It makes a mockery of the people and their quest for agrarian justice and only shows the present SC’s dominant interest and true benefactors.

Dangerous Precedent

Worse, the SC decision sets a dangerous precedent against the quest for agrarian and social justice in the countryside. Despite revoking the SDO of Hacienda Luisita, the High Tribunal did not proclaim the scheme as unconstitutional and contrary to the letters and intents of agrarian reform. Instead, it stated, “the old pastoral model of land ownership where nonhuman juridical persons, such as corporations were prohibited from owning agricultural lands are no longer realistic under existing conditions.”

Such a statement in the decision sets the tone for justifying corporate take-over and control of large arable agricultural lands by declaring such prohibitions as non-realistic under existing conditions. It likewise undermines the intents of agrarian reform of upholding and implementing social justice in the countryside by dismantling monopoly control of a few in our vast agricultural resources. It set the stage for agrarian justice to again fail despite the extension and reforms of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL).

Now, landless farmers and agricultural workers will not only struggle against despotic landlords and oligarchs but will now be denied of their right to till their own land in the name of corporate interest on agricultural lands. It has once again provided justification and circumventing schemes for big landlords to avoid agrarian reform especially now that CARP target of more than one million hectares of agricultural are all large tracts of land owned and control by few but influential and powerful families like the Cojuangcos, Teves and Arroyo’s to name a few.

The decision of the Supreme Court is not only an injustice for the poor and landless farmers and agricultural workers of Hacienda Luisita but also an injustice to all poor and landless farmers and agricultural workers in the country. It is an impediment to the pursuit and realization of social justice in the countryside and will only worsen poverty, inequality and exploitation in the rural areas.

Hence, as national organization of small and landless farmers, fishers and agricultural workers, the Aniban ng Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (AMA) and Makabayan-Pilipinas is indignant and condemn the decision of the Supreme Court.

We challenge Pnoy to prove his proclaimed Social Contract with the people by stopping the referendum and immediately declare the distribution of Hacienda Luisita lands. Likewise, we also challenge Pnoy to declare the fast tracking of acquisition and distribution of all large tracks of private agricultural lands covered by CARP to the millions of landless farmers and agricultural workers in the country.

We also call on the poor and landless farmers and agricultural workers of Hacienda Luisita to be steadfast in their claim for justice and resist the sinister plot of the oligarch to deny again your rights to the land. Moreover, solidify your ranks and demand immediate land redistribution and full government support in developing the acquired lands.

We likewise call on all national peasants and farmers’ organization to unite, work together, create a strong peasant movement to defend and assert our democratic rights and force the government to complete its duty to uphold and realize genuine agrarian and social justice in the country.

UPHOLD AGRARIAN and SOCIAL JUSTICE, DISMANTLE LAND MONOPOLY

NO TO STOCK DISTRIBUTION, NO TO CORPORATE TAKE-OVER OF AGRILAND

REDESTRIBUTE LAND TO THE LANDLESS TILLERS

Aniban ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (AMA)

Makabayan – Pilipinas

July 07, 2011

Mag-People Power Laban sa Bulok na Sistema

MAG-PEOPLE POWER LABAN SA BULOK NA SISTEMA!

Lumaganap na ang people power sa iba't ibang bansa. Nakilala na ng masa na kung magsasama-sama lamang silang kikilos ay kaya nilang magpabagsak ng isang pangulo nang mapayapa. Naging halimbawa sa mamamayan ng daigdig ang Edsa 1 Revolution sa Pilipinas (1986) na nagpatalsik kay Marcos. Nasundan ito ng Singing Revolution sa Estonia, Latvia at Lithuania (1988), Velvet Revolution sa Czechoslovakia (1989), Bulldozer Revolution sa Yugoslavia (2000), Edsa 2 Revolution sa Pilipinas (2001), Rose Revolution sa Georgia (2003), Orange Revolution sa Ukraine (2004), Cedar Revolution sa Lebanon (2005), Tulip Revolution sa Kyrgystan (2005), Jasmine Revolution sa Tunisia (2011), at Day of Anger Revolution sa Egypt (2011).

Ngunit may mga pagkatalo rin, tulad ng 8888 Uprising sa Burma (1988), Tiananmen Students Protest sa Tsina (1989), Edsa 3 Urban Poor Revolution sa Pilipinas (2001), at Saffron Revolution sa Burma (2007).

Nagtagumpay ang mga mamamayan na mapatalsik ang kani-kanilang pangulo, ngunit karamihan sa kanila, inagaw pa rin ng naghaharing uri ang pamumuno. Dahil lahat ng ito’y pag-aalsa ng mamamayan, hindi pag-aalsa ng isang uri laban sa katunggaliang uri, hindi pag-aalsa ng uring manggagawa laban sa burgesya. Walang kapangyarihan ang masa. Wala ang uring manggagawang namumuno para sa pagbabago ng sistema. Dahil hindi lang relyebo ng pangulo ang kasagutan.

Sa ngayon, matapos mapatalsik ng mamamayan ng Egypt ang kanilang pangulo, pumutok na rin ang pag-aalsa ng mga mamamayan sa mga bansang Bahrain, Yemen at Libya. Nanalo nga ang mamamayan ng Egypt na mapatalsik ang pangulo nilang si Mubarak, ngunit dahil walang namumunong grupo o partido na gumagabay sa pag-aalsa, napunta sa kamay ng militar ang kapangyarihan, imbes na sa kamay ng mamamayang nagsakripisyo para mabago ang pamahalaan.

Ano ang kulang? Bakit sa Pilipinas na tatlong beses nang nag-Edsa, wala pa ring naramdamang pagbabago, kaya nanlalamig na ang karamihan sa people power? Naganap ang Edsa 1 at 2, napatalsik ang pangulo ngunit napalitan lang ng kauri nilang elitista. Si Marcos ay napalitan ni Cory. Si Erap ay napalitan ni Gloria. Walang lider-manggagawa, walang lider-maralita, walang lider-kababaihan, walang lider-magsasakang napunta sa poder. Wala ang isyu ng masa, wala ang isyu ng kahirapan, wala ang isyu ng trabaho, wala ang isyu ng pabahay, wala ang isyu ng salot na kontraktwalisasyon. Hindi umangat ang pakikibaka ng sambayanan sa tunggalian ng uri sa lipunan.

Dahil hindi sapat na ang layunin lang ng people power ay ang pagpapalit ng pangulo. Dapat itong itaas sa pagbabago ng sistema. Hindi sapat na demokrasya lang ang kasagutan. Dapat ipakita na may tunggalian ng uri sa lipunan, at ang pagpawi sa mga uri ang siyang kasagutan. Dapat ipakitang ang mga manggagawa’y hindi lang tahimik na masang nagtatrabaho, kundi isang malakas at pangunahing pwersa sa pagbabago.

Ano ang dapat gawin? Dalhin natin sa masa ang isyu ng kahirapan bilang pangunahing panawagan sa people power. Ipakita natin sa masa ang tunggalian ng uri. Ikampanya natin sa lahat ng pabrika’t komunidad, sa lahat ng lungsod at kanayunan, sa mga pahayagan, radio at telebisyon, sa internet, ang pagkasalot ng kapitalismo sa buhay ng mamamayan. Pag-aralan natin ang lipunan at iangat ang kamalayan ng masa tungo sa pagwawakas sa kapitalistang sistemang dahilan ng kanilang pagdurusa’t kahirapan.

Paputukin natin ang isyu ng pabahay, tulad ng ginawang pagkubkob ng mga maralitang lungsod sa Libya sa mga pabahay ng kanilang gobyerno nitong Enero 2011. Paputukin natin ang isyu ng kontraktwalisasyon bilang panawagan sa people power na pangungunahan ng uring manggagawa. Paputukin natin ang iba pang makauring isyu na maaaring magpabagsak sa mga elitista sa lipunan.

Panahon na para manawagan ng people power laban sa bulok na sistema, laban sa kapitalismo. Dapat mag-people power ang uring api laban sa uring mapagsamantala’t naghahari-harian sa lipunan!

Uring manggagawa, magkaisa! Ipakita ang inyong mapagpalayang papel para sa pagbabago ng lipunan! Mag-people power laban sa bulok na sistema!

BMP-SANLAKAS-PLM-PMT-KPML-ZOTO-PK-KALAYAAN-KPP-MMVA-AMA-MakabayanPilipinas

Pebrero 24, 2011

TEN Good Reasons to Pass RH Bill Now -TAGALOG Version

TEN Good Reasons to Pass the RH Bill Now

Sampung Magandang Dahilan para Ipasa ang Panukalang Batas sa RH Ngayon

Just a few years ago, say “RH” in ordinary talks and you’ll get blank looks. Now, most Filipinos know that RH is reproductive health. It has entered presidential debates, topped the news, been surveyed to death. Moreover, majority have plainly said their piece: “We support RH.” Why? Loads of reasons—from the practical “We need help” to the proud “It’s my choice!” But 10 good ones should be enough to convince rational people and thoughtful policy-makers. So here are our top picks.

Ilang taon na ang nakaraan, sabihin mo ang “RH” sa karaniwang usapan at tutunganga lang sila sa iyo. Ngayon, alam n ang maraming Pilipino na ang RH ay reproductive health o reproduktibong kalusugan. Pinasok nito ang mga presidensyal na debate, nanguna sa balita, at na-surbey pa. Dagdag pa rito, nagsalita na ang mayorya: “Sinusuportahan namin ang RH.” Bakit? Sa iba’t ibang dahilan – mula sa praktikal na “Nais namin ng tulong” hanggang sa mapagmalaking “Iyan ang pinili namin!” Ngunit 10 magagandang dahilan ay sapat na upang kumbinsihin ang mga taong makatwiran at mapag-isip na tagagawa ng polisiya. Kaya ito ang aming nangungunang pinili.

1 RH WILL: PROTECT THE HEALTH & LIVES OF MOTHERS

1. ANG RH AY: MAGPOPROTEKTA SA KALUSUGAN AT BUHAY NG MGA INA

The WHO (World Health Organization) estimates that complications arise in 15% of pregnancies, bad enough to hospitalize or kill women. From the 2 million plus live births alone, some 300,000 maternal complications occur yearly. This is 7 times the DOH’s annual count for TB, 19 times for heart diseases and 20 times for malaria in women. As a result, more than 11 women die needlessly each day.

Tinataya ng WHO (Pandaigdigang Organisasyon sa Kalusugan)na tumaas ang kumplikasyon ng 15% ng pagbubuntis, sadyang masama na nagpapaospital o pumapatay sa kababaihan. Mula lamang sa higit 2 milyong buhay na isinilang, nasa 300,000 kumplikasyong maternal ang nagaganap taun-taon. Ito’y nasa 7 beses ng taunang bilangng DOH sa TB,19 na beses para sa karamdaman sa puso at 20 besespara sa malarya sa kababaihan. Bilang resulta, mahigit 11 kababaihanang namamatay araw-araw ng walang katuturan.

Enough skilled birth attendants and prompt referral to hospitals with emergency obstetric care are proven curative solutions to maternal complications. For women who wish to stop childbearing, family planning (FP) is the best preventive measure. All these are part of RH.

Ang sapat na may kasanayang tagapag-aruga ng isinisilang at ang nasa oras na pagsangguni sa orpital na may emerhensiyang pag-aaruga sa panganganak (obstetric care) ay napatunayang nakalulunas na soulsuyon sa maternal na kumplikasyon. Para sa mga kababaihang nagnanais huminto sa pagbubuntis, ang pagpaplano ng pamilya (FP) ang pinakamabuting paraan. Lahat ng ito ay bahagi ng RH.

2 SAVE BABIES

2. KALIGTASAN NG MGA BATA

Proper birth spacing reduces infant deaths. The WHO says at least 2 years should pass between a birth and the next pregnancy. In our country, the infant mortality rate of those with less than 2 years birth interval is twice those with 3. The more effective and user-friendly the FP method, the greater the chances of the next child to survive.

Ang angkop na pagpapatlang ay nakakabawas ng pagkamatay ng sanggol. Sinabi ng WHO na dapat dalawang taon ang palipasin sa pagitan ng pagkapanganak at ng susunod na pagbubuntis. Sa ating bansa, ang rata ng pagkamatay ng sanggol na ang patlang ay hindi umaabot ng 2 taon ay doble ng may 3. Ang pinaka-epektibo at palakaibigang paggamit, ang pamamaraang FP, ang laki ng tsansa ng susunod na sanggol na mabuhay.

3 RESPOND TO THE MAJORITY WHO WANT SMALLER FAMILIES

3. PAGTUGON SA MAYORYA NA NAGNANAIS NG MAS MALIIT NA PAMILYA

Times have changed and people want smaller families. When surveyed about their ideal number of children, women in their 40s want slightly more than 3, while those in their teens and early 20s want just slightly more than 2.

Nagbabago ang panahon at nais ng mga tao ng mas maliit na pamilya. Nang sinurbey tungkol sa tamang bilang ng bata, nais ng mga babaeng nasa edad 40 pataas na bahagyang nais nila ng higit sa 3, habang yaong nasa kanilang kabataan at nasa maagang ead 20 ay bahagyang nagnanais lang ng higit sa 2.

Moreover, couples end up with families larger than what they planned. On average, Filipino women want close to 2 children but end up with 3. This gap is unequal, but shows up in all social classes and regions. RH education and services will help couples fulfill their hopes for their families.

Dagdag pa rito, tumungo ang mga mag-asawa sa pamilyang mas malaki pa kaysa kanilang plinano. Sa kainaman, nais ng kababaihang Pilipino ng malapit sa 2 anak ngunit tumutungo sa 3. Ang agwat na itoay hindi pantay, ngunit ipinapakita salahat ng panlipunang uri at rehiyon. Ang edukasyon at serbisyo ng RH ay makatutulong sa mga mag-asawa na matupad ang kanilang pangarap sa kanilang pamilya.

4 PROMOTE EQUITY FOR POOR FAMILIES

4. PAGTATAGUYOD NG PAGKAKAPANTAY SA MGA MAHIHIRAP NA PAMILYA

RH indicators show severe inequities between the rich and poor. For example, 94% of women in the richest quintile have a skilled attendant at birth, while only 26% of the poorest can do so. The richest have 3 times higher tubal legation rates. This partly explains why the wealthy hardly exceed their planned number of children, while the poorest get an extra 2. Infant deaths among the poorest are almost 3 times that of the richest, which in a way explains why the poor plan for more children. An RH law will help in attaining equity in health through stronger public health services.

Ipinapakita ng mga panukat ng RH na may malalang di-pagkakapantay sa pagitan ng mayayaman at mahihirap. Halimbawa, 94 bahagdan (94%) ng mga kababaihang nasa pinakamayamang kaayusan ang merong may kasanayang tagapangalaga sa pagkasilang, habang 26% lamang sa pinakamahirap. Ang pinakamayaman ay may 3 beses na mas mataas na rata ng pagtatali ng tubal. Bahagyang naipaliliwanag nito kung bakit hindi nahihigitan ng mga maykaya ang planong bilang ng anak, habang sumosobra naman ng2 ang pinakamahihirap. Ang pagkamatay ng sanggol sa mga pinakamahihirap ay nasa 3 beses ng pinakamayaman, na kahit papaano’y nagpapaliwanag kung bakit marami ang pinaplanong anak ng mga mahihirap. Makakatulong ang batas sa RH upang kamtin ang pagkakapnaty sa kalusugan sa pamamagitan ng mas malakas na pampublikong serbisyo sa kalusugan.

5 PREVENT INDUCED ABORTIONS

5. MAPIGILAN ANG SAPILITANG ABORSYON

Unintended pregnancies precede almost all induced abortions. Of all unintended pregnancies, 68% occur in women without any FP method, and 24% happen to those using traditional FP like withdrawal or calendar-abstinence.

Nauunahan ng di-ginustong pagbubuntis ang halos lahat ng sapilitang aborsyon. Sa lahat ng di-ginustong pagbubuntis, 68% ang nagaganap sa kababaihang walang anumang pamamaraan sa pagpaplano ng pamilya (FP), habang nagaganap ito sa 24% ng gumagamit ng tradisyunal na FP tulad ng withdrawal o pagpipigil gamit ang kalendaryo.

If all those who want to space or stop childbearing would use modern FP, abortions would fall by some 500,000. In our country where abortion is strictly criminalized, and where 90,000 women are hospitalized yearly for complications, it would be reckless and heartless not to ensure prevention through FP.

Sa lahat ng mga nagnanais na magpatlang o itigil na ang pagbubuntis ay dapat gumamit ng modernong FP, angaborsyon ay papatak ng nasa 500,000. Sa ating bansa kung saan ganap na itinuturing na krimen ang aborsyon, at 90,000 kababaihan ang naoospital taun-taon dahil sa mga kumplikasyon, magiging walang-ingat at walang puso kung hindi titiyakin ang kaligtasan nila sa pamamagitan ng FP.

6 SUPPORT & DEPLOY MORE PUBLIC MIDWIVES, NURSES & DOCTORS

6. SUPORTA AT PAGPAPADALA NG MAS MARAMING PAMPUBLIKONG HILOT, NARS AT DOKTOR

RH health services are needed wherever people are establishing their families. For example, a report by the MDG Task Force points out the need for 1 full-time midwife to attend to every 100 to 200 annual live births. Other health staff are needed for the millions who need prenatal and postpartum care, infant care and family planning. Investing in these core public health staff will serve the basic needs of many communities.

Ang serbisyong pangkalusugang RH ay kinakailangan kung saan binubuo ng mga tao ang kanilang pamilya. Halimbawa, tinukoy sa ulat ng MDG Task Force ang pangangailangan ng 1 buong-panahong hilot na dadalo sa bawat 100 hanggang 200 buhay na ipinanganganak taun-taon. Kailangan din ng iba pang kawani sa kalusugan para sa milyong nangangailangan ng pangangalaga bago at matapos manganak, pangangalaga sa sanggol at pagpaplano ng pamilya. Ang pamumuhunan sa mga sentrong pampublikong kawani sa kalusugang ito ay magsisilbi sa pangunahing pangangailangan ng maraming komunidad.

7 GUARANTEE FUNDING FOR & EQUAL ACCESS TO HEALTH FACILITIES

7. PAGGARANTIYA SA PAGPOPONDO AT PANTAY NA PAG-ABOT SA PASILIDAD NA PANGKALUSUGAN

RH will need and therefore support many levels of health facilities. These range from health stations that can do basic prenatal, infant and FP care; health centers for safe birthing, more difficult FP services like IUD insertions, and management of sexually transmitted infections; and hospitals for emergency obstetric and newborn care and surgical contraception. Strong RH facilities can be the backbone of a strong and fairly distributed public health facility system.

Kailangan ng RH at samakatwid susuporta sa maraming antas ng pasilidad na pangkalusugan. Umaabot ito mula sa himpilang pangkalusugan na nagsasagawa ng pangunahing pangangalaga bago manganak, sanggol at FP; mga sentrong pangkalusugan para sa ligtas na panganganak, mas mahirap na serbisyong FP tulad ng pagpasok ng IUD, at pamamahala sa mga impeksyong nakuha sa pakikipagtalik; at mga ospitalpara sa emerhensiyang pangangalaga sa panganganak at bagong panganak at kontrasepsyong surhikal. Ang matatatag na pasilidad ng RH ay maaaring maging gulugod ng isang matatag at pantay na pagbabahagi ng sistema ng pampublikong pasilidad na pangkalusugan.

8 GIVE ACCURATE & POSITIVE SEXUALITY EDUCATION TO YOUNG PEOPLE

8. PAGBIBIGAY NG TUMPAK AT POSITIBONG EDUKASYONG PANGSEKSWALIDAD SA MGA KABATAAN

Currently, most young people enter relationships and even married life without the benefit of systematic inputs by any of our social institutions. We insist on young voters’ education for events that occur once every few years, but do nothing guiding the young in new relationships they face daily. The RH bill mandates the education and health departments to fill this serious gap.

Sa kasalukuyan, karamihan sa mga kabataan ay pumapasok sa relasyon at kahit sa buhay may-asawa nang walang mga benepisyo ng sistematikong impormasyong ibinibigay mula sa ating mga panlipunang institusyon. Iginigiit natin ang edukasyon sa mga batang botante para sa mga pangyayaring nagaganap ng isang beses kada ilang taon, ngunit walang ginagawa para gabayan ang mga kabataan sa bagong relasyong nakakaharap nila araw-araw. Inaatas ng panukalang batas ng RH na punan ng departamento ng edukasyon at pangkalusugan ang seryosong puwang na ito.

9 REDUCE CANCER DEATHS

9. MABAWASAN ANG MGA PAGKAMATAY SA KANSER

Delaying sex, avoiding multiple partners or using condoms prevent HPV infections that cause cervical cancers. Self breast exams and Pap smears can detect early signs of cancers which can be cured if treated early. All these are part of RH education and care. Contraceptives do not heighten cancer risks; combined pills actually reduce the risk of endometrial and ovarian cancers.

Ang pagbinbin sa pakikipagtalik, pag-iwas sa maramihang partner o paggamit ng kondom ay makasasagka sa impeksyong dulot ng HPV na nagdudulot ng kanser serbikal. Ang pagsusuri sa sariling dibdib at pagkulapol sa uton (Pap smear) ang makakadiskubre sa maagang senyales ng kanser na malulunasan kung magagamot ng maaga. Lahat ng ito ay bahagi ng edukasyon at pangangalagang RH. Hindi pinatataas ng kontraseptibo ang panganib ng kanser; sadyang binabawasan ng pinagsamang tabletasangpanganib ng kanser sa endometriyal at obaryo.

10 SAVE MONEY THAT CAN BE USED FOR EVEN MORE SOCIAL SPENDING

10. MAKATIPID SA SALAPI NA MAGAGAMIT SA HIGIT PANG DAPAT PANLIPUNANG PAGKAGASTUSAN

Ensuring modern FP for all who need it would increase spending from P1.9 B to P4.0 B, but the medical costs for unintended pregnancies would fall from P3.5 B to P0.6 B, resulting in a net savings of P0.8 B. There is evidence that families with fewer children do spend more for health and education.

Ang pagtiyak ng modernong FP para sa lahat ng nangangailangan nito ay magtataas ng gastusin mula P1.9B hanggang P4.0B ngunit ang gastusing medical para sa di-ginustong pagbubuntis ay bumagsak mula P3.5B hanggang P0.6B, na magreresulta sa netong matitipid na P0.8 B. Maymga patunay na ang mga pamilyang may kaunting anak ay gumagastos ng higit para sa kalusugan at edukasyon.

KPP Press Release - on Balikatan Housing

PRESS RELEASE
November 24, 2010

PNOY GUARANTEES PROTECTION TO FOREIGN INVESTORS AS
THOUSANDS OF FILIPINOS STAND TO LOSE THEIR HOMES TO FOREIGN INVESTORS

Thousands of Filipinos are facing eviction from their homes by the BALIKATAN HOUSING, even as thousands more are threatened with eviction in the coming months with the lapse of government set cut-off deadline for settlement of arrears in mortgage payments low-cost housing and relocation/resettlement programs.

In a press conference called by KOALISYON PABAHAY NG PILIPINAS (KPP), homeowners affected by evictions brought to the public’s attention not only their plight but the fate of thousands of homeowners who entered government’s housing programs be it low-cost/ socialized housing program or its relocation/resettlement programs.

The Implementing Rules and Regulations of a law passed in 2008—RA 9507, covering low-cost housing and even relocation and resettlement programs, pertaining to condonation and restructuring of loans and mortgages, set a cut-off deadline of September 26, 2010 for the settlement of all arrears. Homeowners have since received “final foreclosure” notices and notices of “extra judicial resolutions” to auction off their houses.

According to Charito Anunciacion, president of KPP, “the impact of such a policy and deadline will be massive with the implementation of this law. About 70% to 80% of homeowners in low-cost housing programs are in default. But it is even higher in resettlement areas of government, about 80% to 90% are in default.”

Anunciacion added that the homes of the evicted families will suffer the same fate as those houses that fell into programs such as that of BALIKATAN HOUSING, after government repossessed and auctioned them off to foreign investors. Homeowners of Balikatan Housing are among those immediately facing eviction as they, even now, face down sheriffs throwing them out of their homes.

In 2004, Deutsche Bank won the bid to buy the 55,000 UHLP accounts from National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation at Php 13.4 Billion. As part of the agreement of the sale Deutsche Bank was given 51% of the share whereas the partner, National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation was given 49 % share. A joint venture with Asian Development Bank and World Bank, known as Balikatan Housing, to manage the accounts was forged in compliance with the requirement of the law on special purpose asset vehicle. Balikatan Housing designated Bahay Financial Services (BFS) as its collecting agency.

Bahay Financial Services (BFS), since its assignation, imposed unreasonable terms to the low cost homeowners. Case in fact are 5,000 KPP coalition members under the BFS account in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, Camarin in Caloocan and Kapayapaanville, Canlubang in Laguna. Anunciacion said, “Everyday these homeowners live in mortal dread of losing their homes with no visible hope for remedy or alternate shelter.”

Anunciacion argues, “Government’s low-cost housing programs are supposed to have been created for low-income earners. But BFS with its prohibitive terms of payment have not only made it impossible for them to meet regular amortization payments, much less pay off the entire loan. Because of these terms and rates we have documented many cases where homeowners have amortized as much as three times the original price of their housing loans but continue to amortize because the total value of their mortgages had compounded several times over. Similar cases are reported happening in other areas. Today thousands face imminent eviction because of a law that mirrors similar terms of payments for settling arrears and loan payments.”

KPP will actively take action along with thousands of threatened homeowners nationwide to defend and assert their rights to their homes and prevent further forcible evictions.

Anunciacion said, “PNoy is very quick to guarantee protection of foreign investors, but what about guarantees for the protection of our right to housing, or doesn’t being a Filipino citizen mean anything to this new government?”

3-Taong Moratoryum sa Demolisyon, Hiling ng Maralita ng San Roque

PRESS STATEMENT
July 26, 2010

3-Taong Moratoryum sa Demolisyon, Hiling ng Maralita
MGA MARALITA NG SAN ROQUE,
NAGMARTSA PATUNGONG TIMES ST.

Nagsagawa ng piket-martsa ang nasa dalawangdaang (200) maralita, isangdaan dito ay mga bata mula edad 7 pataas, mula sa Agham Road sa Sitio San Roque, Brgy. Pag-asa, Quezon City. Nagmartsa sila mula sa Agham Road patungo sa bahay ni Pangulong Noynoy Aquino sa Times St.

Ang kanilang isyu: ipatigil ang bantang demolisyon sa kanilang lugar bunsod ng proyektong CBD o Central Business District, kung saan tatamaan nito ang 10,000 hanggang 12,000 pamilyang nakatira sa North Triangle at East Triangle, at mula Veterans Hospital hanggang Esat Avenue Medical Center.

Ang nasabing pagkilos ay pinangunahan ng FRONT (Friends of North Triangle) na binubuo ng San Roque Community Council (SRCC), N3T, at United Muslim Association (UMA). Dalawang linggo ang nakararaan ng magbigay sila ng liham kay Pangulong Aquino na humihiling na itigil ang demolisyon at petisyon para sa tatlong taong moratoryum laban sa demolisyon sa buong Sitio San Roque.

Ayon kay Edwin Nacpil, tagapagsalita ng grupo, "Nararapat lamang na pakinggan ni P-Noy ang aming kahilingan dahil sabi nga niya sa kanyang inaugural address, “Kayo ang boss ko, kaya’t hindi maaaring hindi ako makinig sa mga utos ninyo.” Umaasa ang maralita na ang munting kahilingan nila ay agarang magkaroon ng katuparan.

Para sa karagdagang impormasyon, mangyaring kontakin si Lydia Lim sa 0918-7393524 o sa 09082030713

Polyeto para sa Unang SONA ni P-Noy

PAGBABAGO
PARA SA MASA

Sa Hulyo 26, haharap sa bayan si Benigno Aquino III, sa kanyang unang state-of-the-nation address. Sasabihin niya rito ang direksyon ng kanyang administrasyon at mga plano para ipatupad ito.

Sa araw na ito natin malalaman ang totoong ibig sabihin ng kanyang mga ipinangako noong kampanya: kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap; pagbabago sa tuwid na landas; kayo ang aking lakas; at kayo ang boss ko nitong nakaraang inagurasyon niya.

Sa araw na ito natin malalaman kung ang mga salitang ito ay simpleng gimik lang sa eleksyon;

O nangangahulugan ng totoong pagbabago para sa masang Pilipino:

— para itaas ang sweldo na makabubuhay ng pamilya;
— para sa sapat na retirement benefits ng retiradong manggagawa;
— para sa desente at abot-kayang pabahay upang wala ng iskwater sa sariling bayan;
— para sa ligtas at makataong kalagayan sa pagtatrabaho
— para sa seguridad sa trabaho at wala ng kontraktwal;
— para ayudahan ang mga manggagawa na makapag-organisa, makipagtawaran sa mga employer at matamasa nang lubos ang karapatan sa sama-samang pagkilos.
— para alisin ang assumption of jurisdiction o AJ sa mga hidwaan ng manggagawa at kapitalista.
— para bigyan ng boses at representasyon ang mga manggagawa at mamamayan sa lokal na pamahalaan at sa iba pang ahensya ng gubyerno na gumagawa ng desisyon.
— para sa tunay na repormang agraryo;
— para gumawa ng sapat at desenteng trabaho;
— para ilaan ang natitirang pondo ng bansa sa serbisyo publiko—edukasyon, kalusugan at pabahay at pagpapaunlad ng agrikultura at industriya—sa halip na ibayad sa utang.
— para paunlarin ang produksyon ng pagkain upang bumaba ang presyo nito at magkaroon ng seguridad sa pagkain.
— para ang industriya ng tubig at kuryente ay maibalik bilang serbisyo ng gubyerno hindi negosyo na pinagkakakitaan ng mga kapitalistang lokal at dayuhan;

Ilan lamang yan sa mga pagbabagong matagal na nating hinahangad. Pagbabagong di natin nakamit sa administrasyon ng lumipas na mga pangulo. Si Noynoy ba ay kaiba sa nakaraang mga pangulo? Na mas pinaboran ang mga dayuhang negosyo kaysa sa manggagawang Pilipino. Na ang sinunod ay utos ng gubyerno ng Amerika kaysa boses ng masa.

Mga kamanggagawa at kababayan. Sa oras na mag-ulat sa bayan si Noynoy sa Batasang Pambansa, iharap natin sa kanya ang ating tunay na kalagayan. Hamunin natin siya sa gusto nating pagbabago. Magdala tayo ng kanya-kanyang plakard. Isulat ang gusto mong pagbabago. Ito na ang tamang pagkakataon upang makita natin kung totoo nga ang kanyang binigkas na “Kayo ang boss ko,” at hindi isang pang-uuto!

Paapawin natin ang bulwagan ng batasan hanggang sa bakuran ng Kongreso at mga kalsadang nakapaligid dito. Tanda ito na seryoso tayo sa pagbabago. Tanda ito na sawang-sawa na tayo sa mga pangulo na pawang napako ang mga pangako. Tanda ito na ilalaban natin ang ating mga kahilingan hanggang sa makamit ang pagbabago para sa masang Pilipino.

SANLAKAS  PLM  BMP  KPML  SM-ZOTO  KPP  PMT  SANLAKAS YOUTH  SDK  TEATRO PABRIKA  MMVA  AMA  KALAYAAN!  SUPER  MELF  MAKABAYAN-PILIPINAS

Eight political prisoners released

http://www.thepoc.net/breaking-news/breaking-stories/8505-eight-political-prisoners-released.html

Eight political prisoners released
Thursday, 08 July 2010 07:06 PM Merck Maguddayao

The eight political prisoners who were supposed to be released last month are free men today, the Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) reported.

The so-called “Freedom 8,” whose release orders were signed by former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last June 25, are Orlando Bundalian Jr., Rogelio Galero, Rupert Lopez, Pedro Madera, Anacleto Mercader, Pedro Pascual, Mariano Reyes, and Rodolfo Tubera.

According to the TFDP, the eight are former activists in the early 1990s who were convicted of various criminal charges in connection with their alleged participation with various underground revolutionary groups and were detained for at least 15 years. Bundalian, one of the “Freedom 8,” was initially sentenced with the death penalty but was not executed due to the scrapping of the death penalty law in 2006.

According to Bundalian, who spoke for the "Freedom 8", their release was "conditional" and that they are required to report to the Bureau of Pardons and Parole every month as a condition for their release.

"Now that we are free, we will campaign for the release of other political prisoners. We urge the present administration of President Noynoy [Aquino] to release all political prisoners unconditionally," Bundalian said in a press conference held at the TFDP office.

Bundalian added that they are happy for their release but they are also sad at the same time because other political prisoners are still in jail.

The “Freedom 8” are the first batch of political prisoners to be released within the term of President Benigno Aquino III. According to TFDP, there are still 263 political prisoners detained in the Philippines.

Aquino's mother former President Corazon Aquino ordered the release of all political prisoners during her administration, which came after Martial Law. The younger Aquino, however, has not ordered the release of current political prisoners.

Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said that she will “review” the case of 43 health workers who were detained by the military last March in Morong, Rizal. The 43 are accused of being members of the New People's Army.