Bacolod Bishop to Arroyo: Step Down Now
Another Catholic bishop has directly demanded that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo step down from office ? adding his voice to calls earlier made by Abp. Oscar Cruz and Bps. Julio Xavier Labayen, Deogracias I?iguez, and Antonio Tobias. Bp. Vicente Navarra of the Diocese of Bacolod expressed this call and has even led a prayer rally demanding the president?s resignation.
Media to Beat the Odds
Even after the lifting of Presidential Proclamation 1017, the issue of media repression continues to hit the headlines. However, while old-time journalists say that threats to a free press are dangerously real today, they believe that the media has gathered enough strength to be able to beat the odds.
Critical Radio Show Now Off the Air, Listeners Try to Bring It Back
Two days before it was supposed to celebrate its fifth anniversary, a radio program was suspended ?until further notice.? At first glance, it would appear to be no big deal since radio programs tend to come and go. What makes this particular case interesting is that the suspension happened last Feb. 24, the day that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed Proclamation No. 1017.
Filipino Women Workers Sinking Deeper into Poverty
Women minimum wage earners find it increasingly difficult to cope with ever increasing prices. With the practice of contractualization of labor, more women workers are being deprived of their rights.? Women?s groups hit this practice of the Arroyo administration as ?feminization of poverty?.? They cite this as one of the reasons for their demand that Arroyo step down.
Conditions of Women and Children: A Gauge of Poverty
A political economist once said that to gauge the extent of poverty in a society, one has just to look at the conditions of women and children.? Women and children are the most exploited sectors of society.
Rebellion Charge Baseless, Beltran?s Lawyers Say
Beltran?s Incarceration, a Dent in the Country?s Judicial Proceedings
The rebellion charge against detained Anakpawis (Toiling Masses) Rep. Crispin Beltran is ?baseless,? says Romeo Capulong, one of Beltran?s lawyers.? Capulong added that the continued detention of Beltran is ?too high a price to pay? for an innocent man and a ?dent in our judicial proceedings.?
Unfazed by harassment:
Beltran Asks to Attend Congress Hearings
Unbent even in illegal detention and in ill health, Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran remains focused on the fight for pro-people laws and national democracy inside and outside of Congress. While the legal battle for Beltran?s freedom started last week, the Anakpawis solon is also trying to return to the House of Representatives to work.
Repression Being Misrepresented as Freedom, Says Fil-Australians
Filipino-Australians hit what they called the ?increasing repression? and ?draconian measures? in the Philippines and have demanded for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) to step down, as they held protest actions in key cities of Australia.? With her in power, say Filipino-Australians, repression is being misrepresented as freedom.