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Davao Councilor Decries ‘Threats’ of Terror Law


Terrorized. Councilor Angela Librado-Trinidad delivering a privilege speech at the City Council today denouncing the anti-terrorism bill that President Arroyo promised to sign. (davaotoday.com photo by Barry Ohaylan)

In a privilege speech at the City Council today, Davao City Councilor Angging Librado expressed the fear that the recently passed Anti-Terrorism Bill might be used against local officials. “Deceptively titled the ‘Human Security Act of 2007,’ there is nothing more perilous than this draconian measure which is certain to curtail the rights of critics of the present administration, the rights of ordinary folks, and even the rights and privileges of local public officials like us,” the activist councilor told her colleagues.

Related item: Congress — A Hall of Injustice

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Congress: A Hall of Injustice

The senators who voted for the anti-terrorism bill have nothing to say against the constitutional anomaly that while the measure gives the chief executive and the military vast authoritarian powers it is silent on Congress? lack of power as a ?check and balance mechanism? to executive abuse.

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Sulu Standoff Provoked by Peace Pact Violations

The ?detention? by Moro rebels of a military group led by Muslim convert Brig. Gen. Benjamin Dolorfino last week stemmed from the repeated postponement of a proposed tripartite meeting with the government and the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC). The proposed tripartite meeting was to tackle issues related to the implementation of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement between the GRP and the MNLF.

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Davao?s Anakpawis Blasts ?Pro-Landlord? DAR


Still Landless After All These Years. A peasant picketing the DAR office in Davao last year.

DAVAO CITY — The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has been challenged by Anakpawis, the partylist organization, to prove that the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) is effective. The group also criticized the department for its proposal to extend the program for 10 more years.

The DAR in Southern Mindanao recently boasted that it has surpassed its 2006 target in land acquisition and distribution, claiming that it has distributed a total of 7, 242 hectares of agricultural lands to 6,238 farm-beneficiaries.

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