MANILA — Although without the usual pomp and fanfare, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo welcomed warmly today the People?s Champ and boxing idol Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao by personally greeting him at the foyer of Malaca?ang?s Rizal Hall before proceeding to the Music Room for a closed-door meeting.
MANILA — The incidence of poverty in the country has continuously been decreasing, what with the bullish economy and the progress-oriented and pro-poor programs under the Arroyo administration.
MANILA — Malacanang welcomed today the appeal of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) for a halt to renewed fighting between government forces and the secessionist Moro National Liberation Front, saying it has consistently worked with international allies and stakeholders for peace in the south.
Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio R. Bunye stressed however that the government couldn?t have a peace hostaged to the victims of lawless.
Reference: Lorena Sanchez & Shirley Cuyugan-O’Brien, Coordinators, Philippine Forum-KABALIKAT, email: pf_kabalikat@yahoo.com
Consulate’s Partial Repatriation Concession for Fely Garcia Marks Victory for Domestic Workers Campaign
Domestic Workers Push for Fixed Assistance Policy from DFA, POEA, OWWA
New York– In a Filipino community townhall meeting held yesterday in Elmhurst, members of the domestic workers support network Philippine Forum-KABALIKAT and others realized the result of weeks of community-based campaign when a pinned-down Philippine Consulate announced it would offer $4900 in financial assistance towards the repatriation of Felisa “Fely” Garcia, a 58 year old Filipina domestic worker found dead in her home last March 14, 2007 in the Bronx. Philippine Forum-KABALIKAT members and their supporters also continued to pressure for a second round of investigation in a case that the New York Police Department has already dismissed as suicide with no sign of foul play. The said townhall was also attended by Philippine Vice Consul Leandro Lachica.
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Indian government shutters Burmese exile-run news Web site
New York, April 17, 2007?After the forced closure of the New Delhi-based Mizzima News, an exile-run Web site popular for hard-hitting reports on neighboring Burma?s military-run government, the Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Indian authorities to fully explain the move.