Morong 43 file formal charges against GMA and military officials behind their arrest

 

  Reference:        Carlos Montemayor, R.N. – (+63922) 499-6237 / (+632) 929-8109

Quezon City, Philippines -- Taking their struggle to the next level, former detainees and members of the so called Morong 43 trooped to the Quezon City Hall of Justice today to formally file a civil case against top ranking government and military officials believed to be behind the gross injustices they were made to suffer in the 10 months that they were unlawfully detained. 

The plaintiffs are suing for damages totaling P15 million for physical and psychological torture and other forms of indignities they suffered during their illegal arrest and detention. Defendants named in the suit are former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, former Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales, former Chief of Staff Gen. Victor Ibrado, Gen. Delfin N. Bangit, former commander of the 2^nd Infantry Division (ID) Gen. Jorge Segovia, commander of the intelligence unit of the 2^nd IDPA Lt. Col. Cristobal Zaragosa, 2^nd IDPA Warden Major Manuel Tabion, commander of the 202^nd Infantry Batallion (IB) Col. Aurelio Baladad, 16^th IBPA commander Lt. Col. Jaime Abawag, and Rizal Provincial Police Office commander P/Supt. Marion Balolong.

The case was filed by six of the Morong 43 health workers namely, Dr. Merry Mia-Clamor, Dr. Alexis Montes, registered nurse Gary Liberal, registered midwife Ma. Teresa Quinawayan, Reynaldo Macabenta, and Mercy Castro. 

With the filing of the suit, the health workers said that they are taking on a new chapter in their quest for justice. “We want to send a strong message that one cannot just get away with human rights violations. This is our contribution to efforts in making sure that human rights violators are made accountable for their actions,” Liberal, one of the plaintiffs, said.

Liberal furthered that they are aware of the red-scare tactics the military is once again attempting to employ citing the AFP’s press releases that their troops identified four former Morong 43 detainees in 2 separate clashes between the New People’s Army and AFP soldiers in Luzon.  “If there is one thing that the military is very good at, it is recycling terrible arguments such as the Morong 43 being members of the NPA.  Their own lies further expose their institution as prime human rights violators.  Nobody believes them anymore,” Liberal stressed. 

He added that the Filipino people and thousands of citizens from more than 32 countries, many of them prominent in their fields of expertise, serve as their inspiration in the filing of civil case. 

Free the 43 Health Workers! Alliance’s Carlos Montemayor added that their group  fully support the Morong 43’s quest for justice.  He said that their group will never tire of “beating the gongs of human rights issues” even if most of the Morong 43 are now free.  Two of them, Rogelio Villarasis and Mario Delos Santos, are still detained at Camp Bagong Diwa because of  trumped up charges against them.  Their legal counsels are still working for their release.

As the new commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, the alliance challenged the Aquino government to ensure that the military and police will fully cooperate in the court hearings.  They also enjoined the public to keep their vigilance to avoid any whitewash.##

MORONG 43 HEALTH WORKERS to file 1st case vs GMA et. al. on grave human rights violations

MEDIA ADVISORY
1 April 2011

MORONG 43 HEALTHWORKERS TO FILE 1^st CASE VS GMA et. al. ON GRAVE HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS

The Morong 43 will file countercharges against former President Gloria Macapacal-Arroyo and other top military and police officials for their illegal arrest, torture and detention on April 4, 2011, 11:00 a.m. at the Quezon City Hall of Justice. The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers and the Public Interest Law Center, counsels for the Morong 43, and leaders of Free the 43 Health Workers Alliance, Karapatan, and SELDA will accompany them in the said filing.

This is the first among a series of cases on human rights violations that will be filed all over the country against the former president and notorious human rights violator Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Help us defend and promote human rights through the media.

please extend full media coverage.

References:

Carlos Montemayor, Spokesperson, Free the 43 Alliance (+639224996237)

Angge Santos, Karapatan Media Liaison (+63918-979-0580)

Kat Berza, Free the 43 Health Workers Alliance Media Liaison (+63927-925-9413)

Ephraim Cortez, NUPL Asst. Sec. Gen. for Legal Services (+63917-345-6550)

Appeals court upholds ruling against director of PGH

THE COURT of Appeals has upheld a trial court ruling that prevented the director of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) from assuming his post after his appointment was questioned in court.

In a decision promulgated March 18, the appellate court’s Special Sixteenth Division affirmed the resolution of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court that granted a writ of preliminary injunction on Dr. Rolando Enrique D. Domingo from assuming his post as director of PGH.

In his stead, the trial court ordered Dr. Jose C. Gonzales to continue serving as the director of the hospital in Manila.

The issue started after the University of the Philippines (UP) Board of Regents elected Mr. Gonzales as PGH director effective Jan. 1, 2010 until Dec. 31, 2012, in its meeting on Dec. 18, 2009. Mr. Gonzales took his oath of office on Dec. 21, 2009.

However, one of the regents, Abraham F. Sarmiento, contested the appointment of Mr. Gonzales, saying that there were irregularities in the election after the student regent of UP in Los Baños, Laguna was allowed to vote despite his being not qualified to do so.

Mr. Sarmiento had also claimed that the then chairman of the board had a high stake in the case.

The Board of Regents afterwards decided to declare as null and void the appointment of Mr. Gonzales and held another round of voting, during which Mr. Domingo was named the new PGH director.

Mr. Gonzales was informed of his dismissal on Feb. 26, 2010, during which Mr. Domingo assumed the position.

Mr. Gonzales haled the issue to the trial court, which eventually issued an injunction.

In its decision, the appellate court upheld the trial court ruling on three points: the applicant is entitled to the injunction, Mr. Domingo’s stay in office will probably bring injustice to Mr. Gonzales, and that Mr. Domingo could be performing acts in violation of the rights of Mr. Gonzales. -- NRM

BusinessWorld Online Edition |Appeals court upholds ruling against director of PGH

Magtiwala sa tunay na kinatawan ng mga kawani sa BOR

Notes:  Hereunder is the Vision Statement of the All U.P. Workers Union's official candidate for the Staff Regent Election on April 13, 2011.  The Staff Regent will serve for a term of two years (Section 12 (1)(h), RA 9500), starting May 2011.

Jossel I. Ebesate
National Executive Vice President
 All U.P. Workers Union

Epektibong Representasyon at Tuloy–tuloy na Pagsulong para sa Kagalingan at Karapatan ng mga Administratibong Kawani at R.E.P.S.
U.P. at P.G.H. Bilang Unibersidad at Ospital ng Bayan, at Para sa Bayan

ni G. Jossel I. Ebesate

Sa mga nakuhang aral sa karanasan ng ating unang Staff Regent, ating mithiin na tuluyan nang pawiin ang diskriminasyon sa loob ng pamantasan lalo na sa pagkakaloob ng mga benepisyo at mga karapatan bilang kawani. Ang UP at PGH bilang mga pampublikong institusyon ay dapat maging huwarang institusyong mapagkalinga sa mga kawani nito, at kumikilala sa karapatang pantao ng may pagkakapantay-pantay. Bilang bukod tanging ”national university” nararapat lamang na maging huwaran at moog rin ito sa pagharap sa mga isyu ng bayan at sa pagbibigay ng de-kalidad at abot-kayang serbisyo sa Sambayanan.

Bilang kinatawan ng kawani at REPS sa BOR, tungkulin ng Staff Regent na maghapag ng mga patakaran kaugnay ng kagalingan at karapatan ng ating hanay, makibahagi sa pag-apruba ng mga patakaran na may kinalaman sa buong unibersidad, tumindig sa mga apela ng mga kawani, REPS at faculty sa Lupon bilang pinakahuling antas ng pagdedesisyon sa loob ng unibersidad. Titiyakin nating magampanan ito nang lubusan sa pamamagitan ng konsultasyon sa mga kawani at REPS sa iba't ibang campus ng UP.

Sa partikular, nais nating isulong ang mga sumusunod, sa loob ng dalawang taon:

1. Magkaroon ng makatarungan at makatotohanang position classification at salary scale na may makabuluhang pagtaas ng sahod para sa lahat ng mga administratibong kawani at REPS, simula sa Salary Grade 1. Kasama na ang pagkakaroon ng sariling career path ng mga kawani at REPS, at ang awtomatikong promosyon sa mga nagkaroon ng doktorado o Ph.D, tulad ng ginagawad sa mga faculty.
2. Siguraduhin ang malinaw at makatarungang pamantayan sa pagbibigay ng mga benepisyo sa lahat na mga kawani ng unibersidad. Kasama nito ang pagkakaroon ng pantay na hatian ng budget para sa lahat ng sektor (faculty, admin, reps) tuwing magkakaroon ng merit promotion at sapat na pondo para sa lahat na mga kwalipikado sa “sagad award”.
3. Pagtitiyak na ang nilalaman ng Collective Negotiation Agreement (CNA) na nilagdaan sa pagitan ng UP Administration, ang All UP Workers Union at ng All UP Academic Employees Union (para sa mga REPS) ay maipapatupad at mapalawak pa. Kasama ang paggiit sa implementasyon ng mga benepisyo sa ilalim ng Magna Carta of Public Health Workers.
4. Patuloy sa pakikibaka para magkaroon ng additional two-week sick leave (na pwedeng ma-monetize kapag di nagamit) ang mga kawani at REPS katulad ng naibigay sa faculty.
5. Maisaayos ang kalidad ng serbisyo ng mga UP Health Service Clinics sa iba’t-ibang Constituent Units sa pamamagitan ng integrasyon ng mga klinikang ito sa mga Residency Program ng ilang departamento/service units ng PGH at Kolehiyo ng Medisina.
6. Pagpapatibay sa demokratikong partisipasyon ng lahat ng sektor sa unibersidad sa pagbabalangkas ng mga polisiyang may kinalaman sa kagalingan at interes ng mga sektor at ng buong unibersidad. Halimbawang istruktura ay ang Pamantasang Asambleya.
7. Pagbibigay ng makabuluhang pansin sa kalagayan ng mga empleyadong kaswal at kontraktwal, lalo na ang umaabot na sa 10 taon sa serbisyo o higit pa subalit patuloy na pinagkaitan ng regular aytem.
8. Pagkakaroon ng mahusay na staff development program at sapat na staff development fund para sa mga kawani at REPS.
9. Patuloy na pagsusulong na ang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas ay unibersidad ng Sambayanang Pilipino at kritikong panlipunan; at ang Philippine General Hospital bilang ospital ng bayan.
10. Sa pakikipagtulungan sa Department of Pediatrics ng PGH/Kolehiyo ng Medisina, isulong ang pagtatayo ng UP Integrated School sa UP Manila bilang laboratory school nito, at magsilbing dagdag na benepisyo para sa mga anak ng mga kawani, REPS at faculty.

 

Ika-7 Manila Chapter Assembly matagumpay na ginanap

Noong ika-17 ng Marso 2011 ay matagumpay na ginanap ang ika-7 Chapter Assembly ng All U.P. Workers Union Manila.  Ito ay ginanap sa PGH UPMASA Science Hall dakong ika-2 hanggang ika-5 ng hapon.  Dinaluhan ng mahigit 200 mga kasapi, ito na marahil ang pinakamaraming dumalo sa lahat ng mga Chapter Assembly ng Manila Chapter kung saan ito ay ginagannap tuwing ikatatlong taon simula noong 1988.

Ang ika-7 Chapter Assembly ay dinaluhan nina UP Manila Vice Chancellor for Administration Orlino Talens at PGH Director Jose Gonzales bilang mga panauhing pandangal na kung saan nagbigay din sila ng mga mensahe.  Ang Secretary General ng Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) na si Renato Reyes ang pangunahing tagapagsalita kung saan tinalakay nya ang mga kasalukuyang pang-ekonomiya at pampulitikang kaganapan sa bansa at ang matinding atake nito sa kabuhayan nga mamamayan lalo na ang tuloy-tuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng langis at mga bilihin subalit ang tugon ng pamahalaan sa ilalim ni Pnoy ay mas lalong pasakit sa pamamagitan ng programang public-private partnership.  Ito'y walang iba kungdi ang matagal na nating nilalabanang pribatisasyon, medyo pinamulitian lang para mas katanggap-tanggap sa mamamayan.  Pero kung ito'y masusing pag-aralan ay mas masahol pa sa mga nakaraang programng pribatisasyon ng  mga nakaraang rehimen.

Samantala, kasama sa ginanap na asambleya ay ang pagpili ng mga bagong opisyal ng chapter na manunungkulan ng tatlong (3) taon simula Abril 2011.  Sila ang mga sumusunod:

Pangulo - Benjamin Santos (SOJR)
Pangalawang Pangulo - Ma. Rita Sevilla (CENICU)
Kalihim - Rosalina Cruz (DOPS)
Ingat-yaman - Eliseo Estropigan (OETS)
Tagasuri - Josefina Castillo (Internal Audit)
PRO - Elenita Jamison (Ward 4)

Para sa tatlong Board of Directors ay napagkasunduan ng kapulungan na ipanukala ang amyenda sa Konstitusyon ng Unyon para gawing kinatawang sektoral pero pangkalahatan ang eleksiyon sa mga Board of Directors. Ito ay para mas magkaroon ng boses sa loob ng Chapter Executive Board and lahat na sektor sa UP Manila/PGH.  Napagkasunduan din na pangalangan at mag-eleksiyon na upang maisakatuparan kaagad ang pagbabago dahil wala namang nakikitang balakid at siguradong maipasa ito kung ipapanukala sa ika-7 Pangkalahatang Asambleya sa ika 7-8 ng Abril 2011.  Ang mga sumusunod ang nahalal na Sectoral Board of Directors sa susunod na tatlong taon:

Sa PGH:

Nursing - Yolanda Trapani (Ward 4)
Administrative - Ernesto Ragudos (Grounds)
Paramedical - Karen Faurillo (MSSD)
NA/WA - Francisca Mangundayao (Ward 7)
UW - Edgardo Faldas (Ward 15)

UP Manila:

CAD/NIH - Elizabeth Ladeza (HRDO)
Acad Units - Freddie Waje (CPH)

Napagkasunduan na ang panunumpa sa tungkulin ng mga bagong halal na opisyales ay gaganapin na lang sa ika-8 ng Abril 2011 sa ika-7 Pangkalahatang Asambleya ng unyon sa UP-SOLAIR.

Dahil sa kakapusan ng oras, napagkasunduan din ng kapulungan na ang 60 delegado ng chapter para sa ika-7 Pangkalahatang Asambleya na may hatiang 40 mula sa PGH at 20 mula sa UP Manila ay papangalanan na lang ng mga Sektoral Board of Directors at isumite sa Pangulo ng chapter para sa memorandum at paghingi ng official time.

Ang kasalukuyang Pambansang Pangalawang Pangulong Tagapagpaganap (National Executive Vice President) at Kalihim ng chapter na si Jossel Ebesate ang nagpadaloy sa panukalang amyenda sa Konstitusyon at eleksiyon ng mga bagong opisyales samantalang ang Pangalawang Pangulo ng chapter na si Ma. Rita Sevilla ang siyang nagpadaloy ng buong programa.

Ang pulong ay nagtapos ng lagpas sa ika-5 ng hapon sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng souvenir t-shirt at meryenda sa mga dumalong kasapi.

Students, faculty call for removal of UP Cebu dean | Philippine Collegian

Students, faculty & staff call for removal of UP Cebu dean | Philippine Collegian

Students, faculty members and staff from UPCC launched a series of protests on March 1, 8 and 11 to call for the removal of Avila.

Avila was accused of undermining student participation in the governance of the UPCC when he removed the student representative position inthe College Executive Committee (ExeCom), the highest policy-making body of UPCC.

Also, Avila is said to have breached the principle of democratic governance when he disregarded the College Security Committee’s recommendation of rehiring fifteen security personnel, said Nagkahiusang Kusog sa Estudyante Spokesperson and incoming UPCC Student Council Vice Chairperson Kristian Jacob Abad Lora.

Avila allegedly abused his discretionary powers when he denied the appeal for tenure of qualified faculty and filled up administrative and academic positions without holding a democratic search process, said UPCC Computer Science Professor Chito Patiño.

Aside from violating the UP Charter, the dean also breached provisions of the Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act when he did not act on complaints of graft and corruption against UPCC Budget Officer Alsidry Sharif and Administrative Officer Ernesto Pineda, said Patiño.

“The UP-cherished values of collegiality, informed debate, and democratic governance must be upheld [but] this is not possible with Avila and his cohorts in the college’s midst. [They] should go,” said Lora.

Editoryal: Pangwakas na Puna | Philippine Collegian

"Higit kaninuman, marapat lamang na ang mga mag-aaral, guro at empleyado ang magkaroon ng mas malawak na representasyon sa isang pamunuang nagpapasya para sa unibersidad. Wala mang ganap na kontrol ang iba’t ibang sektor sa pagpili ng pinunong kritikal sa paghubog sa kapalaran ng UPD, mahalagang manindigan para sa pagpili ng isang pinunong tumatangkilik sa kapakanan ng karamihan. Sapagkat sinuman ang mapili at namimili, sapat ang lakas at dami nating lahat na pinamumunuan upang piliin ang landas na tatahakin ng unibersidad."

Editoryal: Pangwakas na Puna | Philippine Collegian