Politics

Arroyo, the press and international pressure

The killings of journalists have long been the focus of attention of international media groups. But instead of responding positively, this regime has done nothing but deny, deny, deny the fact that the Philippines is the second-most dangerous country in the world for journalists, next to Iraq. ?

A bit of good news today: the US Senate has put more pressure on the Arroyo regime regarding the killings of journalists. In an inquiry, U.S. senators expressed their concern about the deteriorating press-freedom situation in the Philippines.

?Democracy depends on the free flow of information to the public, which depends on a press free to do its work without government intimidation,? said Richard Lugar, the chairman of the foreign-relations committee, as quoted by the Inquirer.

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Duterte Urges Congress to Pass Wage-Hike Law, Denounces Abusive Companies

?There could never be any peace if the people are hungry,? Duterte told thousands of workers at Labor Day rally

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* Destabilization Plots, 1017 Threat Meant to Undermine Wage Demands: KMU

By Germelina A. Lacorte
davaotoday.com

DAVAO CITY — An agitated Mayor Rodrigo Duterte took centerstage at the Labor Day rally here today, Monday, and called on Congress to legislate the long-awaited demand by workers for a 125-peso across-the-board wage increase.

?I understand how hard it is for workers to survive at this very difficult time,? Duterte said. ?If companies try to scare us with closures once we increase the workers’ wages, then let them close! If they want to get out of the country, then let them get out!? the mayor said, to the delight of the crowd at the Rizal park composed mostly of workers.

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Wage Hike Justified, Says Ibon; KMU to GMA: Don?t Sabotage Labor Day

Satur appeals for calm on May 1, but directs call to Palace

Dole schedules various Labor Day-related activities

DAVAO CITY (davaotoday.com) — Aside from the spiraling cost of living, increasing labor productivity is another justification for granting a wage hike to the country?s workers, according to independent think-tank Ibon Foundation.

Figures from the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) show that labor productivity, or the contribution of each worker to the local economy, increased in all of the country?s regions, although it decreased by a negligible 1% on the national level.

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