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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.)

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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)

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Asean migration pact seen to push low-skilled workers into further risk

by JEREMAIAH M. OPINIANO
www.ofwjournalism.net

MAKATI CITY?LESS protected under an international convention, domestic helpers and low-skilled temporary migrant workers still couldn?t find solace within a pact among Asean countries, analysts pointed out recently.

Advocates say this omission by member-countries in a non-binding declaration on migrant workers? protection by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations could push millions of transient workers into accepting more dirty and demeaning jobs and weak bargaining positions.

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Gov?t says open to redeploy Pinoys not ready to return

by KRISTY ANNE C. TOPACIO-MANALAYSAY
www.ofwjournalism.net

MANILA — SUCCESSFULLY building a business after working abroad, Alberto Limbo Perez still couldn?t be pinned down in his own country. Luckily for him, a recently-built government center can give him that chance.

?Who would reject the opportunity of working abroad?? the 47-year-old Perez said in Tagalog. ?Earnings from abroad are a big help to meet our needs. It?s a waste to let the opportunity pass.?

This comes from a man whose seven-year-old work abroad is being poured on a house with swimming pool at a cost of P4 million, almost half of what the Philippine government spent on a building to mold Filipinos like him to either stay home for good or go back to migrant work.

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