Child advocates decry CHR decision on Grecil

They're urging for independent autopsy of Grecil's remains, particularly since there were traces of powder burns on the child's head -- an indication that she may have been shot at close range, the groups said.

The CHR, according to Kabiba, is ?passing the burden of proof to the victim and is trying to vindicate human-rights violators.? It added that the CHR?s conclusion -- that Grecil died in a crossfire during a legitimate encounter -- "is actually inconclusive because the CHR did not actually employ scientific and defensible probing methods like the conduct of autopsy.?


Lack of Merit? Grecil's parents, shown here during a press conference in Manila in April, have also filed charges against the soldiers before the courts and the ombudsman. (Photo by arkibongbayan.org)

Continue ReadingChild advocates decry CHR decision on Grecil

All in the family: Ampatuans, Garcias, other reigning lords

Political dynasties are a product of a society riven by income inequalities and lack of opportunities for social and economic uplift of the majority of the people.

(Last of two parts)


By the Policy Study, Publication and Advocacy (PSPA)
Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG

MANILA — Widely believed to have ensured Gloria M. Arroyo’s victory in the 2004 rigged elections is Datu Andal Ampatuan, who is now said to be at the center of alleged cheating in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). The Ampatuan dynasty based in Maguindanao province is Arroyo’s present conduit in helping ensure her influence over the whole of Mindanao, which hosts many of the country’s grizzled but otherwise powerful political clans. Datu Andal used to be a member of the House until he became governor of Maguindanao in 2004, a post which he expects to retain this year.
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Continue ReadingAll in the family: Ampatuans, Garcias, other reigning lords