Groups denounce ?culture of impunity? against political activists, human-rights advocates and church people. 15 pastors, priests and lay church members killed under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. DAVAO CITY (mindanaotoday.com) ? A…
If Defensor and the rest of his posse want Satur Ocampo et al to disappear, then they better come up with something stronger against them. If they are convinced about the sins of these people, they better prove it in the court of law. Otherwise, they have no business turning our democratic justice system on its head.
There?s a reason why presumption of innocence is the foundation of our justice system. There?s also a reason why the burden of proving the guilt of the accused lies in the accuser.
That reason is this: democracy.
Without those basic rights, democracy would be a sham. Without those fundamental principles guiding our justice system, we would be in an autocratic state.
Those who cannot prove anything against their nemesis are inclined to twist these principles around, to suit their own purpose, to spread black propaganda and outright lies.
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In his blog, Davao Today editor Carlos Conde asks: Did the Left weaken because of Batasan 5? Why did the Arroyo regime arrest them in the first place?
AnakPawis leader in Pampanga remains missing after May 5 abduction. Rep. Beltran denounces attacks, harassment of AnakPawis members By Marilou M. Aguirre mindanaotoday.com DAVAO CITY ? Two members of progressive…
An international fact-finding mission says the military is being used by plantations in Southern Mindanao to harass and intimidate workers from forming or joining unions.
DAVAO CITY (davaotoday.com) ? A fact-finding mission composed of delegates from several countries questioned on Friday the Philippine military?s participation in union-busting and intimidation of workers in plantations in Southern Mindanao.
The delegates, who completed on Friday a four-day fact-finding mission in a banana plantation in Compostela Valley province, said the military is being used by plantations to harass workers, particularly when the workers? union is engaged in campaigns to improve wages and work conditions.
?We?ve heard complaints by the workers about soldiers present during union negotiations,? said Holly Patterson, a delegate from Australia. At one point, she told reporters in a press conference on Friday, soldiers confiscated the original copy of the union?s collective bargaining agreement.