An Egyptian Voice of Democracy Says, Tell Old Pharaoh, Go

Friday 11 February 2011

by: Michael Winship, t r u t h o u t

"Then again today back to the square to find that the number of those who support the uprising is increasing tremendously. The charm of the Tahrir Square is attracting more and more people; some flew all the way from the United States, Canada, Germany, London and even South Africa to be there in the square at this very moment of ultimate hope. Others are coming from different Egyptian governorates, simple people who came a long way because they believe that this is a true revolution fighting for their rights and they were determined to give it all their support.

"One very simple lady from the rural Fayoum governorate told me, 'I am here to support the youth,' and added, 'When Mubarak's grandson died we all felt for him, we dressed in black and cried for the innocent child, why on earth is he now doing this to our sons? How many mothers are now crying for a child who is dead or lost?'

"Many analysts in the media speak of Egypt's economy, they say that the economic growth did not trickle down to the poor and this is why this is happening. This is too simplistic. This revolution is not about poverty or need. The people in the streets from all walks of life, rich and poor are there because they want freedom, freedom, freedom, freedom ...

"In the media they speak of an international community afraid of a power vacuum, they speak of a fear from Islamic radicalism. Others speak of the absence of the building blocks of democracy. This is exactly because they do not understand the nature of this revolution. The people, literally for the first time in history, are taking the lead and deciding for themselves. The government will continue to make its concessions and offers, and the street is the judge. It is a different process where the voting is a continuous process, as the street reacts to the government announcements and measures.

"The absence of a person or a group of persons as a recognizable leadership group or figures is intentional. The intellectual young people who started all this are actually leading by spreading awareness among the people in the square rather than by giving orders, and this is making the pressure of the street crowds even more forceful, simply because it is the people rather than this or that specific name who [are] reacting and deciding ...

"The people need a guarantee that whoever rules will at the end of the day, month, year go back to his home knowing that his initial identity is [as] an Egyptian citizen and not an everlasting ruler. Up till now the Egyptian government failed the transparency exam, trying hard to hide what is happening in the square from the eyes of the world ...

"The story of the Tahrir Square is not about who is with Mubarak and who is against; it is about a truly civilized, very peaceful people who decided to regain control of their destiny ... They will forever be responsible and work to rebuild the whole country."

An Egyptian Voice of Democracy Says, Tell Old Pharaoh, Go

New Way to Measure Poverty Denounced as Deceptive, Can Undermine Calls for Better Wages - Bulatlat

According to the NSCB, the annual growth rate in 2010 of 7.3 percent was the highest GDP growth since the 8.8 percent growth recorded in 1976 – the highest in 34 years, a claim that grassroots people’s organizations find impossible to believe.

Independent think-tank Ibon Foundation said that the government’s latest labor force survey pegs unemployment at 2.80 million in October 2010, slightly higher than the 2.72 million reported in the same period last year. The number of the unemployed could very well be pegged at 4.16 million instead, the economic research group said. The difference, it pointed out, is caused by the recently revised definition of unemployment and an estimate approximating the previous definition for comparability with previous years.

Ibon Foundation added that while the reported creation of over a million jobs from last year is welcome, the quality of over half these jobs leaves much to be desired. Out of the one million new jobs created, some 515,000 were in the economy’s lowest earning sectors: agriculture (201,000 jobs), wholesale and retail trade (251,000) and private households (62,000).

The stubbornness of high unemployment and rising underemployment despite the government’s declaration of a “scintillating” 6.5 percent economic growth in the third quarter affirms that joblessness remains a serious cause for concern.

Based on Ibon’s analysis, there is a problem if the economy is consistently able to register growth and deliver corporate profits but unable to create enough jobs and raise wages. The situation highlights the need for urgent reforms in the domestic economy and address its inability to create regular and productive jobs, the group said.

Indifference

Gaite said that this latest move of the Aquino administration to alter the poverty index by bringing the poverty line lower proves its indifference to the woeful plight of the common Filipino.

“It also shows Aquino’s complete inability to intervene and halt the unabated price hikes. The government’s systematic abandonment of its responsibility to provide accessible commodities and services for the people could very well lead to widespread discontent and protests,” he said.

New Way to Measure Poverty Denounced as Deceptive, Can Undermine Calls for Better Wages - Bulatlat

Beyond the Swindle of the Corporate University: Higher Education in the Service of Democracy

(Image: Jared Rodriguez / t r u t h o u t; Adapted: Earlham College, incurable_hippie)

by: Henry A. Giroux, t r u t h o u t | Op-Ed

"In spite of being discredited by the economic recession of 2008, neoliberalism, or market fundamentalism as it is called in some quarters, has once again returned with a vengeance. The Gilded Age has come back with big profits for the rich and increasing impoverishment and misery for the middle and working class. Political illiteracy has cornered the market on populist rage, providing a political bonus for those who are responsible for massive levels of inequality, poverty, and sundry other hardships. As social protections are dismantled, public servants are denigrated and public goods such as schools, bridges, health care services and public transportation deteriorate, the Obama administration unapologetically embraces the values of economic Darwinism and rewards its chief beneficiaries: mega banks and big business. Neoliberalism - reinvigorated by the passing of tax cuts for the ultra rich, the right-wing Republican Party taking over of the House of Representatives and an ongoing successful attack on the welfare state - proceeds, once again, in zombie-like fashion to impose its values, social relations and forms of social death upon all aspects of civic life.(1)

With its relentless attempts to normalize the irrational belief in the ability of markets to solve all social problems, neoliberal market fundamentalism puts in place policies designed to dismantle the few remaining vestiges of the social state and vital public services. More profoundly, it has weakened if not nearly destroyed those institutions that enable the production of a formative culture in which individuals learn to think critically, imagine other ways of being and doing and connect their personal troubles with public concerns. Matters of justice, ethics and equality have once again been exiled to the margins of politics. Never has this assault on the democratic polity been more obvious, if not more dangerous, than at the current moment when a battle is being waged under the rubric of neoliberal austerity measures on the autonomy of academic labor, the classroom as a site of critical pedagogy, the rights of students to high quality education, the democratic vitality of the university as a public sphere and the role played by the liberal arts and humanities in fostering an educational culture that is about the practice of freedom and mutual empowerment.(2)

Memories of the university as a citadel of democratic learning have been replaced by a university eager to define itself largely in economic terms. As the center of gravity shifts away from the humanities and the notion of the university as a public good, university presidents ignore public values while refusing to address major social issues and problems.(3) Instead, such administrators now display corporate affiliations like a badge of honor, sit on corporate boards and pull in huge salaries. A survey conducted by The Chronicle of Higher Education reported that "19 out of 40 presidents from the top 40 research universities sat on at least one company board."(4) Rather than treated as a social investment in the future, students are now viewed by university administrators as a major source of revenue for banks and other financial institutions that provide funds for them to meet escalating tuition payments. For older generations, higher education opened up opportunities for self-definition as well as pursuing a career in the field of one's choosing. It was relatively cheap, rigorous and accessible, even to many working-class youth. But as recent events in both the United States and Britain make clear, this is no longer the case. Instead of embodying the hope of a better life and future, higher education has become prohibitively expensive and exclusionary, now offering primarily a credential and, for most students, a lifetime of debt payments. Preparing the best and the brightest has given way to preparing what might be called Generation Debt.(5)

What is new about the current threat to higher education and the humanities in particular is the increasing pace of the corporatization and militarization of the university, the squelching of academic freedom, the rise of an ever increasing contingent of part-time faculty and the view that students are basically consumers and faculty providers of a salable commodity such as a credential or a set of workplace skills. More strikingly still is the slow death of the university as a center of critique, vital source of civic education and crucial public good. Or, to put it more specifically, the consequence of such dramatic transformations has resulted in the near death of the university as a democratic public sphere. Many faculty are now demoralized as they increasingly lose their rights and power. Moreover, a weak faculty translates into one governed by fear rather than by shared responsibilities, and one that is susceptible to labor-bashing tactics such as increased workloads, the casualization of labor and the growing suppression of dissent. Demoralization often translates less into moral outrage than into cynicism, accommodation and a retreat into a sterile form of professionalism. What is also new is that faculty now find themselves staring into an abyss, either unwilling to address the current attacks on the university or befuddled over how the language of specialization and professionalization has cut them off from not only connecting their work to larger civic issues and social problems, but also developing any meaningful relationships to a larger democratic polity.

As faculty no longer feel compelled to address important political issues and social problems, they are less inclined to communicate with a larger public, uphold public values, or engage in a type of scholarship that is available to a broader audience.(6) Beholden to corporate interests, career building and the insular discourses that accompany specialized scholarship, too many academics have become overly comfortable with the corporatization of the university and the new regimes of neoliberal governance. Chasing after grants, promotions and conventional research outlets, many academics have retreated from larger public debates and refused to address urgent social problems. Assuming the role of the disinterested academic or the clever faculty star on the make, these so-called academic entrepreneurs simply reinforce the public's perception that they have become largely irrelevant. Incapable, if not unwilling, to defend the university as a democratic public sphere and a crucial site for learning how to think critically and act with civic courage, many academics have disappeared into a disciplinary apparatus that views the university not as a place to think, but as a place to prepare students to be competitive in the global marketplace."

Read more...

Save PAL's jobs - fight for security of tenure

Credits to ITF for sharing this flyer/campaign banner

Aktibismo sa panahon ng administrasyong Aquino | Rising Sun

Kahit wala pang isang taon si Pangulong Aquino, sapat na ang unang 100 araw niya mula Hulyo 1 hanggang Oktubre 8 para magkaroon ng ideya sa pangkabuuang direksiyon ng kanyang pamamahala. Ang sinasabing “daang matuwid” ay tungo sa globalistang hangarin.

Oo, walang masama sa globalisasyon, kung ikaw ay nabibilang sa nakatataas na uri ng ating lipunan. Pero malinaw sa napakaraming pag-aaral ang negatibong epekto ng globalisasyon sa mahihirap – kawalan ng subsidyo mula sa gobyerno, maliit na suweldo, kawalan ng kaseguruhan sa trabaho, pagbaha ng mga imported na produkto, pagpatay sa agrikultural na produksyon. Napakahaba ng listahan ng masamang kahihinatnan, pero pilit na sinasagot ito ng mga nasa kapangyarihan sa pamamagitan ng isang teknikal na termino – safety nets.

Simple lang naman ang lohika ng safety nets sa konteksto ng globalisasyon. Maaaring masagasaan ang interes ng mga manggagawa, magsasaka at iba pang sektor basta’t siguraduhin lang na mabibigyan sila ng alternatibong kabuhayan. Sa unang tingin, walang masama rito. Pero katulad ng relokasyon sa mga maralitang tagalungsod na biktima ng demolisyon, hindi isinasaalang-alang ang kalagayan ng mga nasagasaan dahil sila ay napupunta sa sitwasyon ng kawalan. - Danny Arao

Aktibismo sa panahon ng administrasyong Aquino | Rising Sun

Aquino Asked, Prioritize Public Health Instead of Fraudulent Loans and War vs Filipinos - Bulatlat

“Whether the Aquino government admits it or not, the massive cases of dengue mirrors a government that puts its people’s health behind debt servicing and military spending. ” – Council for Health and Development.

Aquino Asked, Prioritize Public Health Instead of Fraudulent Loans and War vs Filipinos - Bulatlat

Pagbubukas ng FMAB, Pagbagsak ng Kalidad ng Serbisyo sa PGH

Nitong unang linggo ng Setyembre, dalawang “opening ceremony” ang naganap sa atin sa PGH. Una ay ang pagbubukas ng gate sa harap ng UP Manila Oblation Plaza na agad din namang isinara nitong huling linggo ng buwan dahil sa kakulangan ng kahandaan sa mga implikasyon nito sa pasyente, mga kawani at mismong serbisyong ipinagkakaloob ng ospital. At ang ikalawa, ay ang pormal na pagbubukas ng FMAB kasabay ang pagpapakalat ng mga anunsyo sa paglalako ng kanilang mga pribadong serbisyong medical.

Mapapansin natin na hindi pa bukas ang mga klinika para sa mga doktor. Mistulang pyesta sa dami ng tarpulin na halos mismong PGH na ang nagbebenta ng kanilang serbisyo.

Sa mga nagdaang mga araw, napag- alaman natin na malaki ang ibinaba ng kita ng ating Main Pharmacy bunga na rin ng biglaang paglipat ng main gate sa harap ng Oblation para sa pedestrian. Sa Laboratory, diumano ay marami ng procedures ang hindi nagagawa dahil sa kawalan ng reagent. Pati ang ating CT Scan ay normal procedures na lang ang kayang gawin at ang mga special procedures ay sa ibang clinic o ospital na inire-refer ng ilan nating mga doctor, ang ilan ay direktang sinasabi sa mga pasyente na sa FMAB ipagawa ang kanilang diagnostic procedure.

Nagkataon lang ba ito sa pagbubukas ng FMAB o ito na ang sitwasyon ng PGH sa mga susunod na mga araw?

Sa simple nating pagsusuri,malinaw na ang pagpasok ng isang pribadong ospital (FMAB) sa loob ng compound ng PGH gamit ang mga klinika ng PGH Consultants bilang pantakip sa kanilang pagkamal ng kita. At sa pakipagkutsabahan na rin ng ilang administrador ng PGH at UP Manila ay unti-unting papatayin o papahinain ang mga serbisyo ng PGH katulad ng pharmacy, laboratory, radiology at iba pang diagnostic/treatment units. Maliban dito malaki ang posibilidad na ang mga sumusunod ay mangyayari pa sa darating na panahon bunga ng kasalukuyang sitwasyon.

a) Pagbabawas ng Job Order/ Casual/Contractual na mga kawani (lalo na sa Pharmacy) at pagbabawas o pagkawala ng sabsidyo ng libreng antibiotic para sa mga pasyente sa charity dahil sa kakulangan ng kita sa PGH Pharmacy.
b) Kakulangan ng pondo para sa mga dagdag benepisyo ng mga kawani
k) Paglalagay ng bayad sa mga dating libre at pagdaragdag ng bayarin sa mga dati ng may bayad na mga serbisyong ibinibigay ng PGH
d) Tuluyang pagpasok ng pribatisasyon bilang negosyo imbes na libreng serbisyo sa mga pampublikong ospital katulad ng PGH.

Kami sa All UP Workers Union ay kinukondena ang mga administrador ng PGH at UP Manila na tahasang nakikipagsabwatan sa mga pribadong mamumuhunan tulad ng sa FMAB upang gawing negosyo ang serbisyong dapat sana ay libreng ibinibigay sa mamamayan sa abot ng kanilang kakayanan. Nakakalungkot at nakakagalit isiping kita at tubo na ang motibasyon ng ilan sa ating mga administrador sa kanilang paglilingkod sa PGH at UP.

ANG ATING MGA PANAWAGAN:
• BENEPISYO AT KASEGURUHAN SA TRABAHO, IPAGLABAN!
• SERBISYO SA TAO, WAG GAWING NEGOSYO !
• BADYET PANGKALUSUGAN, DAGDAGAN WAG BAWASAN!
• MGA ABUSADONG OPISYAL, TANGGALIN SA PUWESTO!
• DE KALIDAD at ABOT KAYANG SERBISYONG PANGKALUSUGAN, IALAY SA MAMAMAYAN!

All U.P. Workers Union – Manila
Ika-1 ng Oktubre 2010

Justice for Nurse-rape victim, Justice for All Nurses & Health Workers

Alliance of Health Workers
PRESS STATEMENT
October 1, 2010

Reference: Mr. Jossel I. Ebesate, RN
Secretary-General
Mobile No: 09189276381


We, nurses and health workers from different hospitals and health institutions nationwide, condemn the rape of Florence, a nurse in South Upi, Maguindanao. We call for immediate and swift justice for the nurse rape victim. We call for justice for all nurses and health workers.

It is indeed commendable that she chose to serve in rural area where nurses are needed most. In taking the road less taken, she became a victim of a crime and injustice.

Like Florence, many nurses and health workers endure injustice under the present situation. After painstaking years of studying nursing and passing the licensure examination, many nurses end up as job-orders or contractual, without benefits and with pay below that of a nurse with plantilla. Worse many nurses become volunteers, without salaries and even paying the hospital for the supposed “training” and “experience”. This is not what a licensed nurse should endure.

Nurses and other health workers employed as regular employees receive low salaries, inadequate benefits, if any at all, and suffer from understaffing, inhumane conditions at work, and repression.

Those health workers who chose to stay to serve the people are even illegally arrested for trumped-up charges, just like the case of Morong 43.

This is not what should happen to those who serve the people.

Because of these, nurses and other health workers are not encouraged to stay in the country, much more work in the rural areas.

We see that the government is remiss in two counts. First it failed to ensure the safety of nurses and other health care providers, be in rural or urban areas. Second, and more importantly, the government lends deaf ear to calls to provide adequate jobs, salaries, benefits and better working conditions to all health workers. The Department of Labor’s Nurses Assigned to Rural Areas (NARS) program, which Florence participated in, did not give permanent job and adequate remuneration for nurses. Six months of work, with allowance below that received by a plantilla- holder nurse in a government hospital, is not fair and just.

The Filipino patients in the end suffer from inadequate staff and health services.

We call for swift justice for the nurse rape victim. We hope that impartial investigation and trial will convict the wrong-doers.

We call for justice for all nurses and health workers. We call for adequate jobs, salaries, benefits and better working conditions for all health workers who have heroically decided to stay in the country and serve the Filipino people. We call on the government to release the 43 health workers and protect the welfare, rights and safety of all health care providers. This will redound to better services to the people. #

Smoke and Mirrors

Streetwise
By Carol Pagaduan-Araullo

“Pnoy the Magician” in bright yellow. This was how activists depicted President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino in effigy in last Monday’s annual State-of-the-Nation street demonstration. They were proven prescient in more ways than one as soon as Mr. Aquino started delivering his SONA that turned out to be vintage smoke-and-mirrors demagoguery.

Rather than lead the people to an understanding of the true state of the nation, his seemingly straightforward rhetoric was used instead to conjure illusions and deceive not unlike the way a magician uses optical illusions to create believability while actually performing tricks.

The main trick is to continue to appear as the harbinger of the “change that people can believe in” that worked well enough to get Mr. Aquino elected.

However, despite the effort to make the Aquino regime appear poised to undertake far-reaching reforms in government, in the economy, in resolving armed conflicts and even in turning around public sentiment from pessimism to hopefulness, cynicism to unity and cooperation, Mr. Aquino’s SONA only confirms that there is nothing new, innovative, not to mention any attempt at a radical break from the past, in his prescriptions.

Rather, what we heard are more of the same policies and programs of old dressed up to dazzle and give false hopes.

Once more corruption is presented as the overarching problem. Mr. Aquino’s speech used simple and folksy language to whip up the public’s hatred for corrupt politicians and other government officials by laying out more horror stories from the previous regime: Mrs. Arroyo’s pampering her province with government funds to boost her congressional bid; the over-procurement of imported rice at the cost of billions of pesos which was then left to rot in government warehouses; MWSS top officials wallowing in pelf and privilege while the country suffers a water crisis.

Salacious new details these but nothing surprising. Why not tell us the progress in case build-up on the biggest corruption scandals that plagued the Arroyo administration? Why is the Truth Commission still nowhere in sight, much less near to having Mrs. Arroyo and her partners in crime brought to the bar of justice?

Mr. Aquino stated categorically that his administration would not tolerate murderers and plunderers. He crowed about solving “50% of the cases of extralegal killings” that occurred soon after his assuming office or three out of six reported cases with the identification of suspects.

Assuming this to be true, however, his complete silence on government’s current counterinsurgency or COIN program as the underlying cause of most of the killings as pointed out by independent international human rights bodies places in serious doubt Mr. Aquino’s earnestness in putting a stop to and solving these murders by state security forces.

More specifically, the lack of immediate action to disband the legalized private armies called “civilian volunteer organizations” that the military uses to augment its COIN operations, renders Mr. Aquino’s boast inconsequential in ending criminal impunity. Such a reign of impunity gave rise to the still unresolved Maguindanao massacre on top of the more than a thousand unsolved extrajudicial killings in almost a decade of Oplan Bantay Laya.

It is not surprising that Mr. Aquino’s take on the peace talks reveals his apparently shallow and short-sighted view about armed conflicts and how to resolve them. His insistence on a permanent ceasefire as a precondition to the resumption of the talks with the CPP/NPA/NDF and his insinuation that the NDF has not made any worthwhile proposal on the matter indicates either ignorance of what has previously transpired or a dangerously militarist mindset intent on throwing a monkey wrench on the talks rather than in undertaking the fundamental reforms needed to attain a just and lasting peace.

Stopping corrupt practices, judicious use of government resources, and so-called private-public partnership are touted as the strategy to lift up the economy and miraculously solve all other related problems such as massive unemployment and underemployment, the budget deficit, decrepit social services as well as crumbling public infrastructure.

Mr. Aquino completely and conveniently overlooks genuine land reform not just as a basic social justice measure but a question of breaking free from a backward, semi-feudal agricultural economy.

He is completely mum about neoliberal policies that destroyed whatever was left of manufacturing, further undermined agricultural development and food self-sufficiency and rendered the domestic economy more than ever vulnerable to the vagaries of the international market as shown in the recent regional and global financial crises.

We can safely presume that his macro-economic policy framework will not depart from those of all his predecessors including Mrs. Arroyo.

So much ado about how Mrs. Arroyo wasted public funds for narrow political ends leaving the Aquino government with little left to undertake vital programs and services. But he says not a word about the P300 billion pesos automatically set aside for debt payments considering many of these are onerous debts that date back to the Marcos dictatorship as well as to graft-ridden Arroyo regime.

Ibon Data Bank puts forward concrete doable measures to address the fiscal deficit but apparently Mr. Aquino does not countenance any of them.

These include implementing increases in tariffs and withdrawing huge incentives given to foreign investors. IBON estimates government losses of around P200 billion in potential revenues each year because of tariff reduction. Fiscal incentives to foreign investors have in turn led to huge tax losses estimated by the Finance Department to be around P43 billion.

Mr. Aquino has a fondness for using the metaphor of crossroads to describe his administration’s core values and trajectory. He likens a leader’s choice to taking the straight path of “good governance” or the crooked one so dishonorably exemplified by the Arroyo regime. What all this clever use of metaphors has been concealing all along is the truth that corruption is not the root cause of our nation's poverty and hardship.

It is the wanton exploitation and oppression of our people by foreign powers, mainly the US, with the collaboration of the local ruling elite. Together they appropriate the social wealth produced by our people's labor. Together they impose and implement socio-economic and political programs and policies that deliberately favor foreign capital and their local agents while relegating our economy -- our local industries and agriculture -- to backwardness and dependency.

All this magic may serve to deceive and even entertain our hungry and suffering masses. But they will not forever drive away the pangs of hunger, the homelessness and the scourge of disease. No matter how many SONAs repeat the same deceptive tricks and clever lies, more and more in the streets, in homes, factories, fields and mountains, will see the through the smoke and mirrors, see the truth and find the real path to freedom, democracy, progress and peace. #

HEAD to Noynoy: “What is your health agenda?”

Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD)
Telefax: (02) 725 4760 Email: headphil@gmail. com

Media Release
05 July 2010

References:
Dr. Geneve E. Rivera
Secretary-General, 0920 460 3712

Dr. Darby S. Santiago
Chair, 0927 473 7700

What message is President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III sending by his appointment of Dr. Enrique Ona as health secretary? Perhaps the wrong one.

This concern was raised by Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD) as it continued to question the controversial appointment.

“Most of what Dr. Ona has pushed for as Director of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) are the same things he is articulating now as health secretary - the corporatization of government hospitals and medical tourism. Yet these are the exact opposite of what the Filipino people urgently need in terms of health care,” said Dr. Geneve Rivera, HEAD secretary-general.

According to Dr. Rivera, long-standing problems in health - the worsening state of public hospitals and health centers, the exodus of health professionals abroad, the lack of public funds for health services - are rooted in prevailing social inequities that are making the Filipino people suffer.

“Even Noynoy recognized this when he campaigned under a health agenda that included improved health infrastructure, benefits to government health personnel, and a national health budget that will be at least 5% of the national budget.”

“But what is Dr. Ona focusing on? The privatization of public hospitals and the opening up of the Philippine healthcare system to foreigners, even as this very healthcare system cannot even meet the most basic health needs of Filipinos.”

“The message now is: if you have money, we have health care for you; if not, sorry for you. Is this the kind of message that President Noynoy wants to deliver?”

The health group believes that the choice of health secretary, a socially sensitive post because of its direct effect on the lives of Filipinos, was not well thought-out by the Aquino administration.

“You do not have to choose the wrong if only to be different. This is the message we want to send to President Aquino,” concluded Dr. Rivera. “There is much to be done. We are hoping for change that will move forward, not backward, in terms of providing health for all.” ###

P-Noy is Committing Blunder by Appointing Dr. Ona - HEAD

Health Alliance for Democracy(HEAD)
Email: headphil@gmail.com Telefax: 632-7254760

Press Release
July 3, 2010

Reference: Dr. Geneve Rivera, Secretary General
Mobile: 0920-4603712

Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD) said that the appointment of new DOH chief reveals that the direction of the Aquino’s policy agenda on health is towards privatization. Through privatization the government relinquishes its responsibility in providing for the health needs of the Filipino people.

The wariness of the appointment comes from the fact that Dr. Enrique T. Ona, the former director of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) is a staunch advocate of privatization and commercialization of public health services.

The group noted that Dr. Ona is a leading peddler of medical tourism program in which the organ transplant is its core program. The program caters to the needs of those who can afford while it disregards the poor. HEAD criticizes this program for being pro-rich and exploitative of the poor.

Dr. Ona is one of the chief architect of the integration of government owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) - specialty hospitals into a “mega hospital” including the Philippine Heart Center, NKTI, Lung Center of the Philippines, East Avenue Medical Center, and the Philippine Children Medical Center.

The integration is geared towards developing health facilities and equipment to generate huge profit out of health services but not to provide affordable services to the majority of Filipinos.

Dr. Ona is also known for his revenue enhancement programs, user fee schemes that disregards charity patients and favors pay patients.

“The people needs a DOH secretary who has strong sense of public service and not profit oriented,” Rivera said.

“We view that wrestling the woes of the country’s public health system and addressing the health needs of the poor would be dangerous to be left in the hands of a bureaucrat heavily biased on revenue enhancement rather than service and public accountability” said Rivera.

Earlier, President’s Aquino said his cabinet appointments will be entirely based with the appointees’ agreement with his general plans of action. If Dr. Ona is President Aquino’s person of choice to fill the health department, then this will be telling of how government’s health program will be like.

“Privatization is one of the main obstacles in the accessibility of the people’s right to health and addressing it should be an utmost concern of the Aquino administration, by appointing the likes of Dr. Ona only worsens the situation.” Dr. Rivera said. ###

The Aquino Presidency: Challenges and Prospects

ISSUE ANALYSIS No. 05 Series of 2010
By the Policy Study, Publication and Advocacy (PSPA)
Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG)
June 8, 2010

With a president whose hands will be tied to compromise deals and powerful pressure groups, it would be a long shot whether Aquino will lock horns with the systemic problem of corruption.

A TV campaign ad of the presidential candidate shows him leading a flock of people – actually mostly showbiz personalities – all bearing torches as they march up a hill. The scene is reminiscent of the biblical prophet Moses who parted the Red Sea with his cane allowing the Hebrew people to cross away from the pursuing chariot-riding army of the Egyptian Pharaoh.

The TV ad exudes a strong biblical affinity to Filipino voters. Unlike Moses, however, the 21st century candidate stops atop a hill to scan the horizon – probably to await a new dawn, a promise land.

Then, what?

That is what Benigno Aquino III just did – he got the votes for the presidency in an automated election marred by systemic failures and inaccuracies. Now, he must do the Moses act – to perform the deliverance that he promised.

For Aquino, time is of the essence. The right hand that he raises in taking his oath as the country's 15th president must now be used to plough the field, so to speak, that now begs for action. The economy is in bad shape, joblessness is at its worst since the past 50 years, corruption has become endemic with billions of pesos lost every year. There has been no effective governance, with the system of accountability and justice system rendered toothless and the dynasties-dominated Congress less equal than – and virtually a rubber stamp of – the president. The human rights situation is at its worst since martial law. The peace process with the armed Left and the Moro secessionist movement is grounded for years leaving the country in a state of siege.

Three issues

Three major issues will hound Aquino from Day 1 of his presidency:
Corruption, the economy, and the peace process.

Having run on an anti-corruption and clean government platform, he must now summon presidential power to ensure that outgoing President Gloria M. Arroyo is brought to court to face charges of alleged large-scale corruption as well as election fraud, and culpable violation of the constitution. This move, however, should be done along with initiating the colossal task of weeding out corruption that has become systemic to the state bureaucracy from the national down to the local levels.

Under Arroyo's watch, the economy went into a nosedive aggravated even further by the global recession. There are high expectations for the provision of immediate economic relief especially to the poor, a freeze on new taxes, a wage increase, and measures to arrest high unemployment. The next economic program must now review erroneous institutional policies that look at economic growth from the narrow perspective of promoting the hegemonic interests of foreign and local investors. Economic strategies should be reoriented toward addressing the roots of social inequality, advancing the social and economic rights of the people, and ensuring
mechanisms where the interest of those who are less in life is reflected
in policy making.

'Peace process'

The government policy of forcing the capitulation of revolutionary movements as the main track of the “peace process” and, hence, the use of military solution no longer holds. Clearly, this track has failed for the past 25 years of peace talks with both the Marxist revolutionary movement and the Moro rebellion. The new government should consider the peace process as a step in the roadmap of addressing the fundamental roots of war through a thoroughgoing social, economic, and political reform. The resumption of peace process can be signaled with a clear and unequivocal commitment by the incoming president to stop the political killings and,
with respect to both the armed Left and the MILF, to remove their labeling as “terrorist organizations.”

There are high expectations for Aquino to show a “reform agenda” and a presidency different from Arroyo's. Aside from leadership, the push for a “reform agenda” needs to be propelled by a strong, reform-oriented government. On these aspects, Aquino faces what may emerge to be an executive department shared by contending Liberal Party factions, and PDP-Laban headed by Jejomar Binay, the new vice president. Congress may remain under Arroyo's Lakas-Kampi- CMD coalition unless Aquino's LP is able to increase its seats from 44 through a party-switching by members of the coalition and thus become the majority party. A divided Congress will tie the new president's hands to exercising patronage politics through the pork barrel mechanism in order to ensure legislative support. A Congress, whose ability to function is generally dictated by pork barrel and other self-serving interests with the president acting as the key provider can never be an effective forum for reform.

Same economic agenda

As the new administration machinery takes shape, current indications show that Aquino will basically continue the same economic policies pursued by Arroyo. The cabinet faces who will lead the economic management had served under Arroyo and previous presidents whose pro-globalization and pro-business policies proved to be inimical not only to the economy but the people as a whole. Right now, foreign business groups led by the American Chamber of Commerce have offered a blueprint for the country's economic growth. The pro-corporate and pro-foreign capital agenda of both these cabinet officials and Aquino himself will make the electoral promise
of giving up Hacienda Luisita to its rightful owners highly remote.

In the middle of the election campaign, Aquino also said he would continue Arroyo's counter-insurgency program ignoring the fact that it is the same coercive campaign marked by extra-judicial killing of at least 1,000 unarmed activists that partly led to the political isolation of the outgoing president. This commitment only means Aquino will be unwilling to support the prosecution of Arroyo in human rights terms because doing so will also implicate the security and military officials whose support he cannot sacrifice as the new commander-in- chief. Backing the Armed Forces of the Philippines' (AFP) counter-insurgency paradigm is always a
guarantee to ensuring the loyalty of the military – a power broker by itself – to the president.

Failure of the Aquino administration to make Arroyo accountable for the gross and systematic violations of human rights will only show that a reconciliation is in the works. Reconciliation can only mean choosing the side of repression and a readiness to part ways with some church-based human rights advocates who had backed his candidacy. Does this also mean Aquino will also consider the 2004 Hacienda Luisita massacre as a closed case even if security men were involved, according to witnesses?

Visiting Forces Agreement

Aquino's pro-counter insurgency policy is tied to a pre-determined support to the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) subject, so he had said, to its review insofar as criminal jurisdiction of erring U.S. personnel is concerned. This also means he will continue a strong defense partnership with the U.S. in exchange for continued economic and military assistance which the new government will badly need. Recent history tells that where a president leads a strong counter-insurgency campaign and support for U.S. defense objectives the peace process has always been undermined.

With a president whose hands will be tied to compromise deals and powerful pressure groups, it would be a long shot whether Aquino will lock horns with the systemic problem of corruption. His inaugural speech will talk of an avowed mission to deal with corruption. But an institutional malady requires not just messianic words of deliverance in the style of Moses but radical institutional solutions that will have to deal with the structural roots of corruption from the presidency and its extensive bureaucracy, to Congress, the LGUs, and the judiciary.

The presidency is a powerful institution and its vast powers can be used in accordance with law to deal with corruption. However, this requires not just a political will but also constructive confrontation with the occupant's own allies and powerful political dynasties that encourage – actually benefit from - corruption.

The question really is, will he do it?

For reference:


Bobby Tuazon
Director for Policy Studies
Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG)
3/F CSWCD Bldg., UP Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
TelFax +9299526; Mobile Phone No. 0929 8007965

Email: info@cenpeg. org; cenpeg.info@gmail.com
www.cenpeg.org; www.eu-cenpeg. com

The Struggle continues for the Sentosa Nurses

PRESS RELEASE:
Migrante International
Reference: Garry Martinez
Chairperson
09393914418

Migrante slammed NLRC’s latest decison

The largest alliance of Filipino migrants’ organization slammed the latest decision of the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) ruling in favor of the Sentosa Recruitment Agency (SRA) and dismissing the charges of the 31 health workers who accused Sentosa of contract substitution.

“The latest decision of the NLRC comes as a no surprise, as it only further proves what has been clear to us since the start of this case: that the Philippine government’s consistency in defending a labor/migrants’ rights violator rather than protecting the rights and welfare of migrant workers,” declared Garry Martinez, chairperson of Migrante International.

In 2006, 26 nurses and 1 physical therapist, known as the Sentosa 27++, quit their jobs in various nursing care facilities in protest of the various contract violations Sentosa has committed against them. They filed illegal recruitment charges and other labor complaints against Sentosa in the Philippines and a class action suit in New York against their employer, Sentosa Care Group, for breach of contract. In retaliation, Sentosa filed administrative and criminal charges such as patient endangerment against the healthworkers. US courts ruled in favor of the nurses. Meanwhile, with the NLRC decision, all the cases filed against SRA in the Philippines at the DOJ, at the POEA and at the DOLE have been decided in favor of SRA.

“It was clear the nurses will not get any justice from this government when no less than former POEA Administrator Rosalinda Baldoz told the families of the nurses that the POEA ‘could not sacrifice the thousands of jobs in the pipeline’,” disclosed Martinez. “The bias for SRA was patently clear, even from the start.”

“Nakakapanlumo na sa sarili nating bayan ay walang makamit na katarungan ang mga nabiktima ng SRA,” continued Martinez. “Mga dayuhan pa ang nagbigay depensa sa sarili nating mga kababayan laban sa pagsasamantala sa kanila ng Sentosa. Mukhang ang hangganan ng kagarapalan ng gobiyernong ito ay walang katapusan!”

Martinez also related the NLRC decision to the plight of workers in the Philippines who will not get any pay wage hikes on this year’s commemoration of Labor Day.

“For us –this is GMA’s legacy—paparaming nabibiktima na OFWs na di nakakakuha ng katarungan, paparaming mga kababayan na kumakapit sa patalim sa ibang bansa dahil hindi na makaya ang napakatinding kahirapan sa ating bayan.”###

Diliman Diary: U.P. Philippine General Hospital contract with DMMC to privatize portions of PGH may be lopsided

The University of the Philippines (U.P.) Philippine General Hospital (PGH) may have entered into a grossly disadvantageous relationship resembling a kind of corporate neocolonialism where the numerous assets and resources of one entity (PGH) are hijacked by a smaller but more technologically advanced entity (Daniel Mercado Medical Center) to the gross disadvantage of PGH, and consequently the Filipino people.

Diliman Diary: U.P. Philippine General Hospital contract with DMMC to privatize portions of PGH may be lopsided

Health Group Deplores Double Standards

Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD)
Telefax: (02) 725 4760 Email: headphil@gmail.com

Media Release

22 April 2010

Health Alliance for Democracy deplored the double standards of the Philippine justice system in the handling of the Maguindanao massacre suspects. The group was reacting to the Department of Justice decision to drop multiple murder charges against two members of the Ampatuan clan involved in the heinous Maguindanao massacre.

“The DOJ virtually absolved the Ampatuans despite overwhelming evidence,” said Dr. Geneve Rivera, HEAD secretary-general, “Yet it allowed the inquest of the 43 health workers even without any legal counsel and the filing of criminal cases despite the questionable evidence.”

“The rights of the detained so freely being given to the Ampatuans are the very same right being denied the Morong 43.”

The health group noted that even behind bars, the Ampatuans enjoyed so much privileges because the Arroyo government was only too willing to bend over backwards to accommodate its political allies.

In contrast, the families and relatives of the Morong 43 have to go through a military gauntlet every day when they visit the 43 health workers in Camp Capinpin. Even the food and water that they bring are examined and sometimes, are rendered unusable.

“When the Morong 43 were brought to Camp Crame, the Philippine National Police refused to take them into custody, citing a lack of facilities. Yet when the Ampatuans were brought to Manila, the Arroyo government built facilities to house them.”

“Worse, officials of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology even allowed a press conference to be held by the Ampatuans even while in jail!” said Dr. Rivera. “Now, these BJMP officials are harking on human rights to justify their actions.”

Very differently, the Morong 43 are denied even light and water in their detention cells. They are now on their sixth day of fasting to demand their immediate release if not transfer to Camp Crame.”

“Are human rights now only the privilege of the powerful?”

“Baliktad na talaga ang mundo (The world has really turned upside-down),” added Dr. Rivera. “The DOJ, PNP, BJMP, and Armed Forces of the Philippines are all instruments of injustice, allowing criminals to go scot-free while punishing the innocent. They are tools of the fascist Arroyo regime that has enforced the worst forms of repression against the Filipino people in recent history.”###

References:

Dr. Geneve E. Rivera
Secretary-General, 0920 460 3712

Dr. Darby S. Santiago
Chair, 0927 473 7700

Heed the court order, transfer the health workers now

References:
Dr. Julie Caguiat, Spokesperson - 0909-1133038
Philip Paraan, Media Officer – 0919-4861580

Free the 43 Health Workers Now! alliance today called for the military to follow the order issued by the Regional Trial Court of Morong, Rizal to transfer the 38 health workers to Camp Crame immediately.

“The alliance welcomes this development and look at it as a tactical victory for our campaign to free the 43. We are, however, saddened that the court ruled to retain the 5 Community Health Workers in the army’s custody,” Dr. Julie Caguiat, one of the spokespersons of the alliance said.

She maintained that the military’s claim that the 5 CHWs requested that they be retained in Camp Capinpin is preposterous. She cited their lawyers’ argument that allowing the 5 to remain in Camp Capinpin is tantamount to the idea that all detention prisoners have a right to choose their place of detention.

Dr. Caguiat argued that their group’s counsels motioned for the transfer of the 43 health workers to Camp Crame in Quezon City because of the grave human rights violations that the military continues to commit against the health workers. “Our petition for transfer is not because of the inadequate detention facilities in Camp Capinpin but because of the continued torture and threat that the military does to our colleagues. Their relatives are also made to endure different harassment and intimidation tactics. Visiting hours is limited to 10 minutes per detainee,” Dr. Caguiat said.

A detainee revealed to a relative that a soldier warned them, “mag-ipon na kayo ng tubig dahil hindi na namin kayo bibigyan,” (secure your water supply because we will not be providing you with water anymore).

Mrs. Evelyn Montes, wife of Dr. Alexis Montes said that the detainees’ families also had to endure everyday harassments from the military. “Even though they [military] see us and write to their log books every day as we come to visit our loved ones, we are repeatedly asked to identify ourselves and produce identification cards in every level of security until we reach the visiting area. One soldier even denied the voter’s ID of a relative saying that was not a valid ID. He was looking for the relative’s cedula instead!” Mrs. Montes shared in disbelief.

“We will not soften our demand that all of the 43 health workers be transferred to Camp Crame. We expect the military to heed the court order ASAP,” Dr. Caguiat added.

The group expressed hope that the detainees be immediately transferred to Camp Crame because of its proximity to the relatives and the Commission on Human Rights. ##

t r u t h o u t | Climate and Jobs: The Same Fight!

According to economist Alain Lipietz, conversion to a green economy creates more - and more stable - jobs...

In any case, today we can measure the extent to which each delay in the fight against climate change is also a choice in favor of mass unemployment ...

t r u t h o u t | Climate and Jobs: The Same Fight!

Bishops to AFP: Respect rights of ‘Morong 43’ - Nation - GMANews.TV

In a statement signed by its president Tandag Bishop Nereo Odchimar, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) branded the “illegal arrest and continued detention" of the 43 workers as a “serious threat to the civil liberties of the Filipino people."

“The CBCP follows with grave concern the shifting accusations of the military against the health workers, the conflicting positions of government authorities on the legitimacy of the arrest and detention, and the seeming lack of regard of the AFP for human rights and the rule of law," Odchimar said.

He added the CBCP is worried about the workers’ well-being, saying their detention in Camp Capinpin, a military camp in Tanay, Rizal, makes them vulnerable to abuses, torture, threats and intimidation.

“Sustained exposure to psychosomatic strains may eventually break the fortitude and resistance of the Morong 43 into admitting under duress the accusations made against them," he said.

Bishops to AFP: Respect rights of ‘Morong 43’ - Nation - GMANews.TV - Official Website of GMA News and Public Affairs - Latest Philippine News

Tuloy pa rin ang Kalbaryo sa PGH Dahil sa Pang-aabuso sa Kapangyarihan ng Administrasyong Roman

Ika-4 Abril 2010

Sa pagdiriwang natin ngayong araw ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay, nakakalungkot na tayo sa Philipppine General Hospital (PGH) at sa University of the Philippines (UP) sa pangkalahatan ay nababalot pa rin ng agam-agam at lungkot. Ang pagtanggal ng representasyon ng mga estudyante sa UP-Board of Regents, ang pagtanggal ng nakaupong PGH Director ng walang due process, ang pagpapatupad ng mga polisiya ng walang pag-uusap ng mga kinaukulan, ay ilan lamang sa mga mapang-api at pang-aabuso sa poder na isinagawa ng Administrasyong Roman na direktang sumisira sa reputasyon ng ating pamantasan at paglabag sa mga demokratikong prinsipyo na pinanday ng mga lider estudyante at mga patriyotikong kaguruan ng pamantasan may ilang henerasyon na ang nakaraan. Ang pinagpipitagang pamanang ito ay hindi natin kailan man hahayaang kalimutan at tanggalin ng isang Presidente lamang. Sa isang kumunidad, lalo pa’t pang-akademya, ang anumang tahakin nito ay naayon sa pangkalahatang pagpapasya, hindi ng iilan, at hindi ng Administrasyon lamang.

Kayat, kasabay ng mass leave ng mga PGH consultant/doktor, ang All UP Workers Union ay nanawagan ng picket-vigil ng mga kawani, kasama ang mga kaguruan at estudyante simula ng Lunes, ika-5 ng Abril 2010, sa pasukan ng PGH Main Lobby upang ipahayag at idiin ang pagkondena sa mali at abusadong pamamalakad ng Administrasyong Roman.

Mariin din nating kinukondena ang mga pananakot na ginagawa ng huwad na Direktor Domingo ng PGH tulad ng inilabas na Memorandum No. 2010-24 at ng CSC MC No. 6 s. 1987. Nais nating linawin na ang kilos protesta ng mga kawani ng UP-PGH at mga estudyante ay hindi isang strike kundi isang paggampan ng malayang pamamahayag na ginagantiya sa ilalim ng ating Saligang Batas (Sec. 4, Art. III). Wala ring mangyayaring temporary stoppage o disruption of public service dahil marami namang pasukan at labasan ang ospital.

Ang unyon ay nanawagan sa ating mga pasyente at sa publiko ng inyong pang-unawa, hindi po namin inaabandona ang aming simumpaang tungkuling maglingkod sa Sambayanan, ito ay temporaryong sagabal lamang upang idiin ang aming protesta.

Nanawagan din tayo sa ating kapwa kawani, tayo ay magkaisa, huwag nating hayaang magkawatak-watak ang ating hanay dahil sa pamumulitika at pang-aabuso sa poder ng UP Board of Regents at ng Administrasyong Roman. Ang pananahimik sa mga pangyayaring ito sa ating ospital at pamantasan ay pagpapayag na rin sa kanilang pagsaula sa mga demokratikong prinsipyo, sa kasiguruhan sa trabaho at sa due process. Dapat nating isipin na kung nagagawa nilang tanggalin sa puwesto ng walang dahilan ang isang opisyal katulad ng PGH Director, mas lalo nila itong magagagawa sa mga ordinaryong kawani.

Nananawagan din tayo sa mga doktor, kaguruan at mga opisyal ng iba’t-ibang kolehiyo ng UP Manila, hindi po sapat ang mga palihim na suporta, kailangang hayagan tayong manindigan para sa katotohanan, hustisya at demokratikong prinsipyo.

Itaguyod ang mga demokratikong prinsipyo ng konsultasyon, representasyon, at pagkakapantay-pantay! Ipaglaban ang kaseguruhan sa trabaho at due process!

Ipaglaban ang karapatan ng mamamayan sa edukasyon at serbisyong pangkalusugan!

Sa Lunes, ika-5 ng Abril 2010, sumama sa Kilos-Protesta, 7:00-10:00 AM, at Picket-Vigil (buong araw), PGH Flagpole/Main Lobby.

IBALIK ANG TAMA! ANG U.P. AT P.G.H. PARA SA BAYAN!

PGH doctors go on mass leave - INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines – Around 60 doctors of Philippine General Hospital (PGH), the teaching hospital of the University of the Philippines’ College of Medicine (UPCM), went on mass leave starting Monday to protest the removal of Dr. Jose Gonzales as PGH director.

Dr. Edelina dela Paz, who was among the doctors who went on mass leave, told the Inquirer that the hospital administration seemed to be in denial that there was a problem at the government facility.

“We want to show that all of the people here at PGH are disgruntled … There is something going on here,” she said.

The controversy at the hospital started in December when Gonzales was elected PGH director by the 11-member UP Board of Regents by a vote of 6-5.

The board, however, nullified the results after it voided the pro-Gonzales vote cast by student regent Charisse Bañez on the ground that she was not enrolled at UP at the time the election was conducted.

On February 25, the board held another election which led to Domingo being named as PGH director.

In a statement, the 60 doctors said they decided to take a mass leave of absence starting yesterday “to express our anger and dismay over the oppression and dubious removal from office of one of our own PGH doctors and to strongly protest the lack of democratic process in selecting our director.”

PGH doctors go on mass leave - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

UP-PGH doctors announce mass leave in protest of new chief - INQUIRER.net

By Jeannette Andrade
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 10:04:00 03/29/2010

MANILA, Philippines—Doctors, health workers, and students of the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital staged a protest action during the flag-raising ceremony on Monday.

They also announced a doctors' mass leave to protest the removal of the hospital head and the installation of the new PGH chief.

The move is to protest the ouster of Dr. Jose Gonzales as PGH director.

The protesters covered the Oblation statue with a black cloth to condemn the administration's "blatant disregard of the democratic processes" at the UP-PGH.

UP-PGH doctors announce mass leave in protest of new chief - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

LEAD: 3 foreigners overcome language barriers, pass national nurse exam

Japan, a rapidly aging society, began accepting foreign nurses and caregivers in 2008 due to domestic labor shortages in medical and nursing service fields.

Foreign nurses are required to return to their home countries if they fail to pass Japan's nurse qualifying exam within three years. Caregivers also need to clear Japan's qualifying exam within four years.

None of the foreign nurses passed last year's national exams held in February as kanji characters and technical terms used in the exam are thought to pose a high hurdle for foreign nurses.

LEAD: 3 foreigners overcome language barriers, pass national nurse exam+

Hindi Magiging Mabuti ang Kasaysayan*

ni: Rolando Tolentino
Today at 9:16pm

Hindi naman ito usaping personal. Mabuting makitungo si Emerlinda Roman, pangulo ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas. Makwento ito, at kahit paulit-ulit ang kwento sa iba’t ibang pagkakataon, buhay na buhay pa rin ang kwento. Noong Chancellor pa ito ng UP Diliman, decisive ito kapag may itinanong o hiniling ang unit.

Kaya nakakalungkot isipin na ang sentenaryong pangulo ng UP, ang unang babaeng pangulo nito, ay hindi paborableng huhusgahan ng kasaysayan. Hindi kakatwa na sa dulo ng termino nito bumulwak ang mga isyu, pawang pahiwatig sa kalidad o kawalan nito ng demokratikong governance sa unibersidad.

Dati rati pa nga ay kasama si Roman sa pagtutol sa CPDP (Commonwealth Property Development Plan) ng nauna nang presidente Emil Javier. Gayon naman pala, ang pinakamalaking proyekto ng pribatisasyon, ang UP-Ayalaland Technohub ay maisasakatuparan sa termino ni Roman sa mismong sityo ng CPDP.

Ang walang dangal na pagpataw ng 300 porsyentong pagtaas ng matrikula ay naganap din sa watch ni Roman. Sa isang desisyong itinago sa mga nagproprotestang komunidad, naetsapwera ni Roman ang dakilang misyon ng UP na bigyan ng pinakakalidad na tertiaryong edukasyon ang pinaka-deserving at mahihirap na estudyante.

Dagdag pa sa tiwaling pamamalakad ni Roman, ang malawakang subkontraktuwalisasyon ng mga serbisyo, pagpasok ng unibersidad sa mga kwestiyonableng kasunduan sa pribadong entidad, pagpapalakad ng Board of Regents, ang pinakamataas na policy-making body ng UP, na expired na ang termino ng tatlong Malacanang appointees, at matapos madiskubre ito, nang walang konsultasyon sa kanyang constituency, nirekomendang magkaroon ng full term pa ang mga ito.

Dahil sa sistematikong kawalan ng konsultasyon ni Roman, bumuyanyang ang bigat ng kanyang plano’t aksyon. Tinanggal ang rehente ng mga estudyante, tinanggal ang nahirang nang direktor ng Philippine General Hospital (PGH), inuluklok muli ang Chancellor ng UP Mindanao nang hindi tinutugunan ang mga komento ng Commission ng Audit hinggil sa inagurasyon nito, at iba pa.

Marami nang presidente ang UP. Marami ang makasaysayang pamumuno dahil sa ginawang Filipinisasyon ng unibersidad at sa termino ni S.P. Lopez, ang demokratikong konsultasyon na nauwi sa pagproprotekta nito sa mga lumahok sa Diliman Commune laban sa militar ni Marcos.

Ang di-demokratikong pamamalakad ni Roman ay sarili niyang kagagawan. Sinasabi niyang maliit na pumpon ng nagproprotesta lamang ang nasa Quezon Hall. Tunay na ngang nasa ivory tower si Roman. Wala na itong interes na makinig, itinatatwa na niya ang radikal na tradisyon ng unibersidad na naghirang sa kanya bilang sentenaryong pangulo.

At hindi ito kataka-taka para sa “reyna ng komersyalisasyon.” Pinindeho ni Roman ang kasaysayan ng UP sa poder ng negosyo at reaksyonaryong estado. Hindi hiwalay ang kinikilos ni Roman sa neoliberalismo at fasismo ni Gloria Arroyo, ang napagtagumpayan niyang i-bypass dahil nakakolekta ng bilang ng boto si Roman mula sa mga rehenteng niluklok ni Arroyo.

Hindi naman pala sila magkaiba. Magkahalintulad ang kanilang bisyon sa isang sitwasyon limitado ang resources at may engrandeng bisyon na maging globally competitive ang kanilang pinaghaharian: papasukin ang negosyo, supilin ang demokratikong proseso, buwagin ang natitirang espasyo ng demokratikong karapatan. Ang resulta ay ang pamamayani ng kultura ng impunity.

Walang takot sa parusa si Roman o si Arroyo, walang remorse sa pinaggagagawa kahit natitiyak na natitinag din ito sa ilang beses na paghiyaw na “Roman resign!” ng mga nagproprotesta. Sino ang hindi? Dagdag pa ito sa kanyang makasaysayang panunungkulan: sentenaryong presidente, unang babaeng pangulo, at unang pinanawagan magbitiw na sa panunungkulan?

Na pati ang fasistang Chancellor ng UP Los Banos ay nahawahan na ng kulturang ito, walang takot na naghahari at nananakot sa kanyang kampus? Pati ang iba pang hinirang ni Roman na maging reservoir ng kapangyarihan niya, kasama na ang midnight appointments ng tatlong rehente ng Malacanang, ay namamayagpag sa kanilang kingdom come.

Tulad ni Arroyo, si Roman ay hindi rin natatakot maparusahan, hindi rin bibitiw sa kapangyarihan, kaya ang kasaysayan ang huhusga sa kanila. At tulad ng mga linya sa puntod, dito nakahimlay ang empire ni Roman, magarang monumento pero mabilis na naaagnas na, tulad ng maraming naghari nang may pag-iimbot, naglilingkod sa makauring interes ng negosyo at gobyerno.

Nabigwasan na ng progresibong kilusan sa unibersidad ang akala ay toreng pinagtitirikan ng kapangyarihan ng empire ni Roman. Mula sa kanyang posisyon, di na lamang alapaap ng sariling kapangyarihan ang natatanaw. Nasira na ang view ng mga graffiti at nagproprotestang komunidad.

* This article was written after a successful protest action today, participated by students, faculty and staff in front of Quezon Hall thereby preventing the holding of another Board of Regents meeting without the participation of a Student Regent

A Violative Verdict, A Denial of Justice

Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD)
24 March 2010

Statement on the Court of Appeals Decision to Dismiss the Writ of
Habeas Corpus Petition of the 43 Illegally Detained Health Workers

When laws are used to subvert justice, what is left for the people to do?

The decision of the Court of Appeals Special Division of Five to dismiss the Writ of Habeas Corpus petition filed on behalf of the 43 health workers violates the most fundamental tenets of even the most token democracy.

The majority opinion, with its mechanical application of existing jurisprudence, has condoned the excesses of the State. Such act is erroneously predicated on the belief that “...the subsequent filing of criminal charges against the detainees cured whatever irregularities or infirmities were attendant to their arrest, even assuming arguendo that their warrantless arrest and detention were initially illegal.”

But since when does a “cure” cause more harm than good?

In contrast, the two dissenting opinions highlight what is at stake for Philippine society, particularly the attendant abuses that will reverberate due to the violative decision.

Justice Normandie Pizarro puts it succinctly as “in a habeas corpus as the one at bench, an inquiry to the legality of the proceedings...is necessarily called for as it is crucial in safeguarding the constitutional rights of the detainees...the paramount consideration...should be the respect for the majesty of the law, springing forth from our respect in the constitutionally-guaranteed rights of the people.”

Similarly, Justice Francisco Acosta waxes poetic with his ominous warning that “Allowing curative informations to justify illegal searches, arrests and detentions would definitely make every habeas corpus proceeding an exercise in futility, similar to a salt that has lost its taste. This is absolutely repugnant to the basic and primordial constitutional right to due process of law.”

Also cast into light is the abhorrent behavior of certain state prosecutors that reflect how the institution that should be a gatekeeper of justice has degenerated into the Department of Injustice under the current dispensation. Again, quoting Justice Pizarro, “Clearly, what the inquest officer should have done was to recommend to the Chief Prosecutor the immediate release of the persons who were arrested.”

Thus, it is not just a re-examination of the Ilagan doctrine that is required. We must likewise review the attitude of the courts, its officers, and the magistrates, upon whom much is expected when neither the executive nor the legislative branches of government are doing enough to protect the people.

That the Courts put more emphasis on process than on substance, on the letter of the law rather than on the spirit of the law, removes whatever real remedies are left for the people.

Worse, magistrates who perfunctorily perform their duties without weighing the issues at bar are no mere Pilates washing their hands. They become witting instruments of the fascist Arroyo regime. They perpetuate as legacy the vestiges, the abuses, and the violence of Marcos’ martial rule, all of which have been embraced by Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

It is therefore now that the system, rather than just its processes, that the people must judge. It is now more than ever that the people should seek and strive for meaningful change. A system that denounces its own sanctified rights and diminishes to naught all remedial measures is a system that will fester at the expense of its people.

This cannot be allowed to continue. Together, we must reclaim this nation and attain genuine freedom and democracy. We must build a society where there is equity, where rights are enjoyed, and where laws serve the rendering of justice.

We must begin now. Free the 43 health workers!

Dr. Geneve E. Rivera
Secretary-General, 0920 460 3712

Dr. Gene Alzona Nisperos
Vice-Chair, 0927 483 2325

Dr. Darby S. Santiago
Chair, 0927 473 7700

Faculty Regent's Report for 2009 (Part 1)*

JUDY M. TAGUIWALO
Faculty Regent
January 29, 2010

Contexts

I have completed my first year as your Faculty Regent, and I have another year to serve as your faculty representative to the highest policy-making body of the University of the Philippines. The 2008 UP Charter had set a two-year term for the Faculty Regent, and I have had the privilege of being the first Faculty Regent elected to serve under this new charter.

My report on the past year is in line with the platform of accountability and representation that I promised as Faculty Regent. I have, as best as I could, upheld my accountability to the faculty through regular consultations, reports circulated via email and the solicitation of feedback on issues, concerns, and decisions taken up in the Board of Regents (BOR). My effort at ensuring representation and accountability is now facilitated by the BOR’s adoption of my proposal to post the UP Gazette online. This may be accessed at http://www.officeofthesecretary.webs.com/gazette.htm

Revisiting My Plan of Action and
What I Have Done So Far to Implement It

1. To contribute to ongoing efforts at assessing and revising current university policies and practices on recruitment, renewal, tenure and promotion of faculty. This includes ensuring that scholarly requirements are balanced with enabling conditions for faculty development, and that provisions for transparency in the processes involved are in place.

I believe that at present, policies on recruitment, renewal, tenure and promotion are in place. In the past year, publication requirements for tenure (a major concern brought to the attention of previous Faculty Regents), was not raised as an issue at all. Faculty members intent on being tenured appear to have become aware of the need to publish in refereed journals.

The BOR has also approved the recommendation of a number of constituent universities (CUs) to waive the tenure rule for specific faculty members for at least one semester. This is to give these faculty members whose papers have been accepted for publication, some leeway for the publication to come out.

The main concern brought to my attention with regard to faculty tenure has been the denial of tenure for three faculty members in Diliman, all of whom have fulfilled all requirements for tenure. Unproved allegations of unethical behaviour as basis for the denial of tenure have been raised as unjust and unfair to untenured faculty members. The slow response of some administration officials on the appeals of the faculty has also been brought up.

Another concern raised is the inclusion of the year(s) of service of substitute faculty members in counting the five-year “up or out” rule for Instructors and the three-year “in or up rule” for Assistant or Associate Professors. As the substitute appointees are not on tenure track, there are suggestions that service as substitute faculty member should not be included in counting the number of years served by untenured faculty.

2. To initiate the review of existing rules on the process of Faculty Regent selection based on past experiences, and to propose necessary amendments to the University Councils (UCs).

The President of the University has issued a memorandum instructing the University Councils (UCs) of the seven constituent universities to submit proposals to amend the selection process of the Faculty Regent. The University Councils were mandated by the 2008 UP Charter to determine the qualifications and rules related to Faculty Regent Selection.

While the Offices of the Student Regent and the Staff Regent take charge of the selection processes for their successors, the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs (OVPAA) has taken charge of the Faculty Regent selection process.

Two questions need to be clarified:

a. Which office will consolidate the proposals coming from the seven University Councils?

b. In relation to the above, should the administration of the selection process for Faculty Regent remain with the OVPAA or should it be transferred to the Office of the Faculty Regent?

3. To continue to advocate for democratization in the governance of the University by working towards setting up a mechanism to implement Section 3, (h) of the UP Charter: "...promote the holding of fora for students, faculty, research, extension and professional staff (REPS), and alumni to discuss non-academic issues affecting the University."

The Office of the Faculty Regent, together with the Office of the Staff Regent and the Office of the Student Regent (collectively called the UP Sectoral Regents), sponsored two Sectoral Regents’ fora in Diliman.

On September 4, 2009, a forum entitled The UP 2010 Budget: Content, Process and Prospects was held. The main speakers were Former DBM Secretary Emilia Boncodin and Budget Director Jose Florendo. Meanwhile, a forum on the Back-COLA issue was held on October 15, 2009 with a message from Former Supreme Court Justice Artemio V. Panganiban.

These fora were well attended by faculty, staff and students.

4. To support proposed policies and initiatives that will enhance the promotion of women and gender studies and the adoption of more-gender responsive policies in the University.

Republic Act 9710 or The Magna Carta of Women became a law on August 14, 2009. RA 9710 is a “comprehensive women’s human rights law that seeks to eliminate discrimination against women by recognizing, protecting, fulfilling and promoting the rights of Filipino women, especially those in the marginalized sectors.”

In my September 25, 2009 report to the BOR, I proposed that the university initiate a process towards coming up with recommendations on how the University can ensure the implementation of the relevant provisions of RA 9710.

President Roman has since created a committee to make recommendations on how the University can best implement the Magna Carta of Women.

5. To work closely with university organizations advocating for the payment of Back-COLA to qualified UP personnel.

As mentioned above, the issue of Back-COLA still remains relevant and is now with the Supreme Court. Together with the Staff Regent and university organizations of faculty, REPS and staff, we need to work out a plan to resolve this issue.

6. To work closely with the Staff Regent in advocating for higher compensation and additional benefits for faculty, REPS and non-academic personnel, and to promote the democratic participation of UP personnel in the formulation of policies that concern our terms and conditions of work, and which affect the governance of the University.

a. Advocating for higher compensation and additional benefits for UP personnel.

Extending study leave privileges for children of faculty and staff with temporary appointments.

Proposal to increase “sagad” awards for “sagad” personnel. This is currently pending.

Proposal to adjust lecturers’ honoraria after the new salary standardization law (popularly known as SSL3) was made effective on July 1 2009. The proposal is based on the September 28 1995 BOR decision that “lecturers’ rates shall be adjusted at par with the adjustment of the salary of the equivalent faculty ranks, subject to availability of funds.” While it is true that the BOR approved adjustments in the rates of UP lecturers on March 26 2009, this was based on four previous salary increases for government employees in 2001, 2007 and 2008. With the implementation on July 1 2009 of the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Resolution No. 4, series of 2009, Executive Order 811 and National Budget Circular 521, an adjustment in lecturers’ rates should be forthcoming. This is currently pending.

Proposal to increase the 2009 Christmas grocery allowance from P1,500 to P3,000. This proposal was denied.

b. Promoting democratic participation of UP personnel.

Holding Sectoral Regents’ fora on UP budget formulation.

Continuing efforts of consulting and getting feedback from Faculty Regent’s constituency.

Involvement in the process of appointing University officials. In general, I have supported the recommended appointees to various administrative positions made by University officials who have had the support of faculty members. But I have been consistent in upholding the BOR policy limiting Deans, Directors and Chancellors to a maximum of two terms in the aggregate, and opposed appointments for a third or even fourth term. I believe that other faculty members who are qualified, who have been nominated and who are willing should be given the chance to serve the University. There were also several instances in which I voted against the nominee endorsed by UP administrators, based on verified information shared by faculty members.

7. To advocate for a University that is more responsive to national issues, supports science and technology for national industrialization and development, and which advances Filipino cultural identities especially under conditions of domestic and global crises.

Together with the Staff Regent, I have worked closely with university units and organizations in Diliman and Baguio to respond to the call for relief assistance in the aftermath of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng.

We have also come out with statements condemning the Ampatuan massacre, the 57 victims of which included journalists, lawyers and women, and participated in protest actions inside and outside the University.

I have also participated in lobbying for a higher budget allocation for UP and for all state universities and colleges in the 2010 Budget deliberations in Congress.

* Notes from the Faculty Regent:

I submitted this to the Board of Regents last January 29, 2010. This was supposed to be part 1 of a two-part report with part 2 covering some policy matters approved by the Board which I opposed. I haven't had the time to write the second part because of pressing current concerns in the BOR.

“AFP Using PNP as Scapegoat for Violations!” - HEAD

Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD)
Media Release
20 March 2010

The Armed Forces of the Philippines is now using the Philippine National Police as a convenient scapegoat for their illegal raid and human rights violations.

According to Health Alliance for Democracy, the AFP is desperately trying to justify the illegal raid they conducted last February 6 in Morong, Rizal, which led to the illegal arrest, detention, and torture of 43 health workers.

“The AFP has previously insisted that the raid was legitimate by virtue of a warrant that was to be served by the PNP. However, such excuses have cast the PNP in a bad light by showing them to be either totally inept or mere subordinates of the military,” said Dr. Geneve E. Rivera, HEAD secretary-general.

Recent statements made by PNP Director General Jesus Verzosa directly contradict claims made by military officers that the raid was a “police operation”. His statements on the search warrant also reveal that the police had very little control of the February 6 raid, which explains the blatant human rights violations and wanton disregard for due process and standard operating procedures.

“The alleged warrant is crucial to the lies being peddled by the military because they have used it since day 1 to show that they ‘respect’ the rule of law,” added Dr. Rivera.

“Now, it is not just the legitimacy of the warrant but the raid itself that is being put in question. By the sheer volume of violations committed by the raiding party that day, it will appear that the PNP does not even know how to conduct an arrest. At least, that is what the AFP is making it look like.”

The statements of Lt. Col. Noel Detoyato, spokesperson of the 2nd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, also reveal that the military had absolutely no intentions of following due process and merely used any warrant to justify their actions.

“If the military operation’s real targets were the so-called rebels, as Lt. Col. Detoyato admitted, then theirs was not a police operation as they earlier claimed,” added Dr. Rivera. “The military only used the warrant, and the PNP, to justify why they launched an attack on unarmed civilians.”

For HEAD, statements of PNP also belie claims by the military that the reason why the 43 remains in their custody is because the PNP has no adequate facility. “Such lame excuse is passing the buck of inefficiency to the PNP.”

Now, the AFP is again using alleged statements, supposedly from the Department of Health and other medical groups, to lend credence to their accusations that the 43 are rebels.

“The 43 are health workers. No amount of accusations or concocted stories made against them will negate this simple fact.”

“Instead, by the PNP statements, the detainees should be immediately released, since there is obviously no due process followed in their arrest and detention. Even the police acknowledge that!” concluded Dr. Rivera. ###

References:

Dr. Geneve E. Rivera
Secretary-General, 0920 460 3712

Dr. Darby S. Santiago
Chair, 0927 473 7700

PGH private clinics, labs plan tied to row - INQUIRER.net

PGH private clinics, labs plan tied to row - INQUIRER.net

Unity Statement

Coalition for Truth, Justice and Good Governance*
University of the Philippines Manila

March 14, 2010

We, the different organizations, representing the students, administrative staff, REPS and Faculty of the University of the Philippines Manila, realizing our roles and responsibilities both to our respective constituents and to the Filipino people hereby declare:

That the University of the Philippines Board of Regents’ (UP-BOR) (the highest policy-making and governing body of the national university, on its 1254th Meeting on February 25, 2010), decision of appointing a new Director for the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), thereby nullifying its decision on its 1252nd Meeting on December 18, 2009, is unjust, capricious, and reek of political interference;

That the removal of Dr. Gonzales as Director of PGH without due cause and due process are violative of constitutional guarantees on security of tenure and non-removal of civil service officer or employee except for cause provided by law;

That the UP-BOR’s decision to appoint a new PGH Director in spite of an existing valid appointment of Dr. Jose Gonzales as Director of PGH from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2012 has created divisiveness among the rank-and file hospital employees affecting morale and camaraderie.

We believe that Dr. Jose Gonzales was removed as Director of PGH because of his unflinching stand against the privatization of the hospital, starting on his opposition to privatized services at the proposed Faculty Medical Arts Building (FMAB).

We are aghast that the arbitrary removal of Dr. Jose Gonzales as Director of PGH, and the Machiavellian manipulation of technicalities to justify just about anything and to maneuver events to get precisely the desired results, the UP administration led by President Emerlinda Roman, had become even worse than the GMA administration except perhaps for the wanton killings and enforced disappearances.

We therefore call on our constituencies – students, administrative staff, REPS and Faculty of the University of the Philippines Manila: let us unite against impunity, abuse of power, and lack of democracy by the UP-BOR and Roman Administration; and against apathy and passivity in our ranks.

Oppose Roman’s undemocratic governance!
Oppose Malacanang intervention in decision-making in UP!
Oppose privatization of health services, fight for people’s right to health!
Uphold security of tenure and due process!
Uphold democratic representation in the university, and the principles of accountability and transparency in decision making!
___________

*All UP Workers Union Manila
All UP Academic Employees Union Manila
Laban UP-PGH
PGH Head Nurses League
PGH Nursing Attendants Association
PGH Utility Workers Association
University Student Council-UP Manila

Hundreds of hospitals closed due to lack of health personnel

Council for Health and Development
Media Release
March 12, 2010

In the midst of the exodus of health professionals and the lack of health workers in the rural areas, the government continues to allow the illegal detention of 43 health workers in Camp Capinpin, Tanay, Rizal. These health workers have chosen to dedicate their lives and careers to serve the underprivileged in most far-flung villages while they can be better-off practicing their professions in private and state-of-the art hospitals in the cities. Sadly though, the Court of Appeals decided to legalize the unlawful arrests made by the military by adhering to the Ilagan v Enrile document – a notorious Martial Law doctrine.

“Is Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo aware that while she decorates her generals involved in this unlawful arrest, 200 hospitals have shut down and 800 are partially closed because of lack of health personnel in the countryside? Is she fully aware of the role of Community Health Workers in far-flung villages that have no access to government services? Because Mrs. Arroyo is so busy exploring every nook and cranny of the law to get emergency powers, we believe she chose to turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to all the injustices that her military has done to the noble health workers serving government-neglected barangays,” Council for Health and Development Executive Director Dr. Eleanor A. Jara said.

To date, majority of doctors and nurses are employed in urban centers in the National Capital Region (NCR) and Southern Tagalog. Data from the Department of Health and the National Statistics Office reveal that as of 2007, doctors number to 125,899 and nurses at 5,426 in the NCR while there are 75,213 nurses and 3,876 doctors in Region 4-A.

In a report, among the hospitals that closed were the Almagro Community Hospital in Western Samar, Tapul Municipal Hospital, Tangkil Municipal Hospital, Pangutaran District Hospital, Siasi District Hospital and Panamao District Hospital in Sulu, and the Sergio Osmena District Hospital in Zamboanga del Norte. Meanwhile, the Calbayog District Hospital, Gandara District Hospital, Basey District Hospital and Tarangnan District Hospital in Western Samar, the Malipayon District Hospital, San Jose District Hospital and San Andres District Hospital in Romblon, and the Jolo Provincial Hospital remain partially closed.

In a country that suffers from a severe brain-drain due to the migration of health professionals for greener pastures abroad, it is indeed ironic for a government to allow the persecution of health workers instead of protecting them to encourage more health professionals to serve the barrios,” Dr. Jara lamented.

In conclusion, Dr. Jara challenged the Department of Health through its Secretary to act on her capacity to seek justice for the 43 and ensure the protection of all health workers especially those serving in the country side so as to break the chilling effect that the unlawful arrests have brought to the health community.##

Reference: Dr. Eleanor A. Jara – 0917-9789297/(+632) 929-8109

AFP should stop usurping civilian function

Free the 43 Health Workers

Media Release
March 12, 2010

The Alliance of Free the 43 Health Workers today demanded for the transfer of ALL 43 health workers to Camp Crame, Quezon City. The Alliance said that for more than a month now, the 2nd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army is usurping a civilian function that the police instead should perform.

Dr. Eleanor A. Jara, one of the spokespersons of the Alliance said that the military’s continuing and aggravating torture on the 43 should immediately prompt the courts to order the transfer of all the health workers presently detained at Camp Capinpin, Tanay, Rizal. She explained that the transfer to Camp Crame, which is distant from the military officers and officials, would at least make the health workers’ environment less hostile and more accessible to families, colleagues, and counsels of the 43.

“The transfer, however, does not and will not soften our demand for the immediate release of our colleagues because they should not have been detained in the first place. Their arrest was unlawful and they are victims of the military’s shameful violation of political and civil rights,” Dr. Jara added.

She further explained that on top of the physical and mental torture inflicted on the 43, the military continues to harass and take into custody some of the family members of the health workers. “The detainees’ families have reported this and we have no reason not to believe them because the military has every reason to do so – that is to force the 43 to admit to false accusations that they are members of the New People’s Army, hence to vindicate their unjust arrests,” she noted.

The doctor added that the families continue to suffer emotionally because of reports that the military continuously take some detainees out of their cells in the wee hours to either threaten or coax them to make false admissions. Despite the military’s claim that 5 of the health workers have “defected” to their side, Alliance maintains that such “admissions” are results of torture to the detainees and harassment to their families.

“That is why it is with utmost urgency that as we lobby and call for the immediate release of the 43 health workers, we appeal to the courts to transfer the custody of the 43 to Camp Crame and far from their torturers that is the Philippine Army in Camp Capinpin,” Dr. Jara ended.##

Reference: Dr. Eleanor A. Jara – 0917-9789297/(+632) 929-8109

35 Examiner Street, West Triangle Homes, Quezon City, Philippines 1104
Telefax: (+632) 929-8109
Email: chdmancom@gmail.com/headphil@gmail.com

Blog: http://freethehealthworkers.blogspot.com/
Petition Online: http://www.petitiononline.com/FreeD43/petition.html

From a Retired PGH Personnel on the PGH Directorship Issue « U.P. ISSUES

"The faculty doctors should also realize by now that they were used : free clinic spaces in FMAB were dangled so that a private group would be able to privatize and corner the lucrative pharmaceutical and laboratory business in PGH, and right within its premises ! Even Chairman Angeles had misgivings about allowing a private group to operate these services in PGH."

"Many retirees like myself have been joining the continuing efforts to give justice to Dr. Joegon because we are aghast to see our officials bastardizing revered institutions , ethics and collegial practices in the university. Its a sad day indeed, when “impunity” has reached the hollowed halls of the university that has nurtured us and taught us these values!"

From a Retired PGH Personnel on the PGH Directorship Issue « U.P. ISSUES

Group Releases Scathing Report on Violations of Workers’ Rights in Philippines - Bulatlat

The Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR), an NGO that documents and monitors human-rights violations committed against workers, released today a report that says that, in the past 50 years, unemployment in the country is highest in the nine years that President Arroyo is in power. “To date, 95 workers, trade unionists and labor rights activists had been killed extrajudicially, four were abducted and forcibly disappeared, and no one had been prosecuted for these murders,” the center said.

Group Releases Scathing Report on Violations of Workers’ Rights in Philippines - Bulatlat

Alliance of UP Student Councils on Cronyism & UP in Crisis « U.P. ISSUES

"The simultaneous outbreak of issues and unrest across UP is the manifestation of the crisis brought about by the drive for commercialization and privatization. Such drive has caused the further marginalization of the democratic rights and welfare of the students, workers, and faculty."

"Governance has degraded to the level of tyranny and cronyism – reminiscent of the national leadership of Pres. Gloria Arroyo that has brought this country to the quagmire of mal-development and perpetual crises."

-KASAMA SA U.P.

Alliance of UP Student Councils on Cronyism & UP in Crisis « U.P. ISSUES

HEAD: Appeals Court is Perpetuating Injustice Using Marcos-Era Doctrine

Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD)
Media Release
10 March 2010

Statement on CA dismissal of habeas corpus petition

Health Alliance for Democracy deplored the Court of Appeals’ decision to dismiss the petition for habeas corpus filed on behalf of the 43 illegally detained health workers.

“Justice is not served today. It is unfortunate that the expanded second division of the Court of Appeals chose to hark back to a Marcos-era doctrine to justify the unjustifiable,” declared Dr. Geneve Rivera, HEAD Secretary-General.

Dr. Rivera is referring to the Ilagan Doctrine, which seems to have been the basis of the decision. The doctrine, based on a 1985 Supreme Court decision, renders a habeas corpus petition “moot and academic” once a case is filed in court.

However, the health group is unconvinced.

“The Court of Appeals is not only perpetuating injustice, it is undermining ‘sacred constitutional rights’ by using a doctrine that legalized the abuses of the military during the Marcos dictatorship. It (CA) is now condoning the contemptuous disregard for due process and human rights of Arroyo’s state security forces.”

HEAD also questioned specific presumptions of the decision.

“What ‘reason of some supervening event’ can the CA justices cite in this instance, save perhaps the planted evidence and torture perpetrated by the military to substantiate its claims? What ‘virtue of a valid court process’ is being cited here, when even the Commission on Human Rights regards the inquest proceedings made by state prosecutors as dubious because of the lack of legal counsel for the accused?”

The health group learned that two of the three-member CA second division, Justices Normandie Pizarro and Francisco Acosta, favored the health workers’ petition. Unfortunately, the division was expanded and the two additional CA justices went against the petition.

“What remedy can the CA now propose, when the cases filed in the lower courts are themselves founded on questionable bases? How can citizens expect to find justice when the courts themselves condone the violation of due process and the presumption of innocence?” added Dr. Rivera.

Quoting former Supreme Court justice Claudio Teehankee in his dissenting opinion on the Ilagan case, HEAD believes that the criminal cases filed against the health workers are “railroaded proceedings” patently void because they have been “issued without jurisdiction under the well-settled rule that ‘a violation of a constitutional right divests the court of jurisdiction; and as a consequence its judgment [or order] is null and void and confers no rights.’”

As for the next step, the health group is seeking to elevate the issue to the Supreme Court. At the same time, they are reiterating their demand for the transfer of the health workers to Camp Crame, to prevent further torture at the hands of the military.

“Our quest for justice is not over. We will not stop until all 43 health workers are free!” concluded Dr. Rivera. ####

References:

Dr. Geneve E. Rivera
Secretary-General, 0920 460 3712

Dr. Darby S. Santiago
Chair, 0927 473 7700