Only 5 Out of 91 Party-List Groups from Mindanao


By Tyrone Velez
davaotoday.com

DAVAO CITY — Of the 91 partylists vying for the 2007 elections, five are based in Mindanao. Four of them represent Moro and indigenous sectors while the other carries the causes of farmers and fisherfolk in Southern Mindanao.

The party-list system aims to ensure the representation in the House of Representatives of so-called marginalized sectors. Under Republic Act 7941, the country’s party-list law, 20 percent ? or at least 50 seats — of the membership of the Congress should be allotted to groups representing these sectors. (Read the primer on the party-list system.)

(more…)

Continue ReadingOnly 5 Out of 91 Party-List Groups from Mindanao

AFP Cites Minors in Propaganda Offensive vs NPA


The Philippine military seems to be on the propaganda offensive again against the New People’s Army, this time accusing the communist movement of recruiting minors and children. In this news report, the military claims that a 12-year-old member of the NPA was killed in an encounter in New Bataan, Compostela Valley on Saturday. In two earlier press releases, the military said it captured seven NPA guerrillas — all allegedly minors — in Agusan del Sur and Bukidnon. The military says three of the alleged NPA guerrillas in the picture above are minors. (Photo: Public Affairs Office, 6th Infantry Division/AFP)

(more…)

Continue ReadingAFP Cites Minors in Propaganda Offensive vs NPA