March 30th, 2008 at 12:04 am (General, National Politics, Human Rights)
After braving a journey from Bukidnon to Malacañang to reclaim their land, the Sumilao farmers have finally reached a settlement with San Miguel Corporation. 50 hectares will be given to the farmers, while San Miguel will acquire 94 hectares else where.
January 28th, 2008 at 8:32 am (General, Environment, National Politics, Health, Human Rights, Elections 2010)
While the US Presidential Elections are already heating up with caucuses, debates, and rallies everywhere, the 2010 Philippine Presidential Elections is also starting to get serious attention on the internet via the Filipino blogosphere.
Right now, the media has given a lot of focus on the selection of candidates, of both the administration and the opposition (not to mention the many others in between). Meanwhile, Janette Toral has tagged several bloggers to tackle the issues they feel should be included in the 2010 Agenda.
Off the top of my head, I can easily point out several, no, many issues that should be in the agenda of the candidates. But I feel like there are some that should be given more attention. Right now, here’s my short list:
August 31st, 2007 at 1:44 am (Davao City, Human Rights)
On August 15, 2007, nine college students of the Ateneo de Davao University were apprehended by the school’s security guard for violating the school’s ID policy. That same day the students were verbally reprimanded by the school’s Office of Students’ Affairs (OSA) Director Riki Enriquez. Allegedly, Enriquez verbally reprimanded the students and even called them “liars.” They were not formally informed of the sanctions given to them for their violation. The next day, OSA displayed “wanted posters” of the bulletin boards of the three entrances of the school, and on the OSA bulletin board. The posters displayed the “wanted” students for violating the school’s ID policy as stated in the school’s Students’ Handbook.
July 17th, 2007 at 12:13 am (National Politics, Writable Writes, Military Affairs, Human Rights)
In their editorial today (July 17, 2007) the Philippine Daily Inquirer describes the Human Security Act of 2007 (HSA) as a scary law:
Its enforcement could be twisted to serve the political ends of the enforcers. Given the records of the principal enforcers — Acting Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo — there is reason to be afraid that abuses would be committed in its enforcement.
March 8th, 2007 at 11:50 pm (Human Rights)
A few weeks ago, a graduate of the Philippine Science High School - Southern Mindanao Campus (PSHS - SMC) was barred from leaving the country. The reason? Apparently, all 819 graduates of the PSHS-SMC are on the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation (BID) watchlist. Allegedly, this is the school’s way of knowing if the graduates complied with their contract that they should take a science or engineering course. This is a clear violation of the graduates’ human rights.
February 25th, 2007 at 10:37 pm (National Politics, Military Affairs, Human Rights)
The full text of the Report of the Independent Commission to Adress Media and and Activist Killings created under Administrative Order 157 can now be read and/or downloaded here.
