The poem "Maghanda ka Juan" is written by Bro. Ronald Balgado C.Ss.R of the Redemptorists Church. He read the poem during the 45th anniversary commemoration of Martial Law in Roxas Avenue, Davao City on September 21, 2017
My grandparents’ house has an underground hole. It has been there since before I was born. For this reason, I was never bothered about its existence; I thought it was originally part of the house – like a basement where Lolo could store his farm equipment. Besides, the oldest houses in their neighborhood also have small underground holes, so it was never unusual for us.
Konsyensya Dabaw stands with fellow Dabawenyos who believe that regardless of how we voted last May 2016, we should not shirk from exacting accountability from public leaders that have been part of our city's history for the past three decades.
Are recent incidents on Lumad schools a prelude to Martial Law? A contingent from Lumad schools was derailed from taking a flight to attend a Manila conference, while a Lumad school in Indangan forcibly entered by fully-armed police happened last Saturday. Are these signs of Martial Law? Airport police barred 32 Lumad students, teachers and parents to fly to attend their scheduled attendance to the Save Our Schools Network national conference set on September 16 on 1 pm.
At the opening of the 17th Congress last year, we joined the Majority consistent with our stand to support the promise of change of Pres. Duterte. Back then, we were encouraged by his reformist and populist actions and pronouncements on a range of issues, including: resuming the peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), releasing political prisoners, ending neocolonial ties with the US and pursuing an independent foreign policy, addressing the roots of the Moro rebellion, ending labor contractualization, increasing government support to farmers, putting a stop to destructive mining practices, reducing income taxes of rank and file employees, and increasing social pensions, and prioritizing basic social services over infrastructure.