Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Ang Kasarinlan at Pagbabago








Ang Kasarinlan at Pagbabago
By Herbert Curia


Kahirapan!!! Kahirapan!!! Ang isinisigaw ng mga dukha, mahihirap, sila’y nanlilimahid sa gutom at pawang kapus palad. Iyan ang aming hinagpis sa buhay sa bansang ito……Sino ang tutulong at magaahon samin sa kinasasadlakang ito?…….Ano ba ang pagunlad at paano ito matatamo sa isang lipunang may Gobyernong Namamahala…..

Sino kami sa Bansang ito pawang pulubi at kapus palad at maralita kami ba ay may puwang pa sa mundong ito at gumalaw ng may pagasa at maayos na buhay….. ito ang palaging tanong ng mga maralitang Pilipino na ating makakasalamuha sa lansangan, May  mga nakikibaka sa pagbabago upang makaahon sa sumpa ng katatayuang ito, May nagbabakasakali sa mundong ginagalawan na baka swertihin at palarin, May nawalan na ng pagasa at kumakapit sa patalim upang mabuhay ang iba’y tinakbuhan na ng ulirat sa kaisipan, Paano tayo susulong upang makamit ang pagasa at tagumpay…

Pambansang Demokrasyasigaw ng ilan, makibaka at makipaglaban sa Pambansang Demokrasya upang makamtan at Makita pa natin ang maayos na hinaharap…..Tayo ay susulong at uunlad kung maninindigan sa Pambansang Demokrasya, paninindigan para sa kalayaan at sariling kapasyahan upang matamo ang pagbabago at kasarinlan at makaahon sa sumpa ng kahirapan.  

Anong pagbabago sa pakikibaka ng Pambansang Demokrasya kung tayo ay papaslangin ng mga ganid sa tungkulin at mga namumunong sila lamang ang nakikinabang sa bansang Pilipinas.  Sakripisyo ang kanilang sigaw para sa pagbabago at kasarinlan at kinabukasan ng ating mga saling lahi upang makamit ang tagumpay at makaahon sa sumpa ng kahirapan at di pantay na karapatan at kaapihan sa kamay ng mapangaping uri. Hirap, Dugo at Pawis at buhay ay handang iaalay upang makamit ang parehas na pamumuhay…..   

Gumising at makibaka magkaisa tungo sa pagunlad at tutulan ang mga hindi pantay na Pamamahala at mga pamamalakad.  Ipaglaban ang karapatan para sa kapakanan ng bawat isa, Ipaglaban ang Pambansang Demokrasya ito ang sigaw sa EDSA ng mga maralita at kapus palad at naglalayon ng pagbabago at kasarinlan…..

Nakakaawa ang Bansang Pilipinas sa kamay ng mapang-aping uri, mga Burukrata kapitalista at mga dayuhang kumokontrol sa ating bayan. Walang makain namamatay sa kahirapan at nagugutom, pinapasalang sa kahirapan at sa nais na pagbabago at pakikipaglaban ng wasto at karapatan. Anong sumpa mayroon ang bansang ito at dumadanas ng ganitong paghihirap at pighati.  Ang digmaan ay magkabilang panig at ipinaglalaban ang kanilang layon na sa kanila’y wasto at pagbabago. 

Alin nga ba ang wasto o pangkalahatang kabutihan, ang Pulitika nino, pulitika ba ni Pedro ni Juan o Pulitika ko!!!!, Pulitika ng mayaman o mahirap sino ang tama at wasto?…….Ang bawat isay nagsasabing silay wasto at tama, tama nga ba sila?……Sino ang aking susundin at tatangkilikin sinong pulitika? Akoy isang hamak at gutom na pinoy lamang paano ko pa malalaman ang pulitikang ito kundi isaisip ko ang paglaman ng kalam ng aking sikmura maging ano pa mang paraan iyan ang palaging daing at katwiran ng iilan. Sabagay ay may punto kahit mali at tayong may mga isip at mataas ang antas ng kaisipan at katatayuan sa buhay na mulat at kayang imulat ang kaisipan sa ating lipunan ay ating simulan at punuan ito upang tayo ang maging ehemplo ng pagbabago at kasarinlan…..

Sanay maging matagumpay ang naglalayon ng tunay na wasto at mabuti para sa lahat at ang patnubay ng Diyos ay palaging sumakanila….. naway makamtan ng Lipunang Pilipino at Bansang ito ang tunay na pagkakaisa para sa tunay na pamumuhay…… 

Ano mang Pulitika kung ito ay magbibigay ng pagbabago at kasarinlan at tunay at pantay na pamumuhay sa bansang ito ay sanay pagkalooban ito ng lakas at biyaya upang isulong ito……

Ang Patnubay ng Diyos ay suma ating lahat……sa mga Pilipino at buong mundo…..

Pagbabago at kasarinlan sa Bansang Pilipino

Promote Human Rights


This Story and Message are for courage and unity for every Filipino to see the Right Politics on the Poverty situations in the Philippine Archipelago and fight for the Change and Freedom…….


End……..  


By: Herbert Curia
      Story and ideas of Changes and Freedom

Friday, November 11, 2011

Deles: Miracles are waiting to happen in peace talks













From the Website of PRWC
Links:  http://www.opapp.gov.ph/news/deles-miracles-are-waiting-happen-peace-talks



Deles: Miracles are waiting to happen in peace talks


Manila, Nov. 11 – “I persist in believing – that on the peace table are miracles waiting to happen.”


Albeit challenges in the peace process, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles remains hopeful that government's efforts in the negotiating table will soon bear fruit.


She said that the peace negotiations with the MILF and the CPP-NPA-NDF are still on track. “Discussions are still happening. We have issues on the tables, but neither has said no, tapos na ito (this is finished). Miracles will happen at the table,” she said.

Further, Deles thanked the public for its support to the government’s peace efforts, particularly in conflict areas where aid is needed the most.



Deles, along with government peace panel chairs Marvic Leonen and Alexander Padilla, who are negotiating with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF), respectively, faced the media at a peace forum held on Wednesday at the Gateway Suites in Cubao, Quezon City.


The forum was held to shed light on the emerging issues surrounding the peace process, as well as garner media support to the advocacy of peace.


MILF talks moving forward


Of late, issues have been hounding the peace process with the MILF, but Leonen affirmed that both parties are still committed to the process. In fact, informal talks were recently held in Kuala Lumpur where both parties agreed to formally meet again “very soon.”

“In spite of what has happened on the ground, both parties decided that it’s time to move forward on the substantive agenda,” he said.


Leonen also clarified some issues particularly on the P5-million funding assistance given to the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute (BLMI), a training center whose establishment has been agreed by the government and the MILF during the 10th formal exploratory talks held in February 2006 in Port Dickson, Malaysia.


On this, Leonen reiterated that the check, which was a commitment from the government to jumpstart the institute’s operations, was granted to the BLMI, not to the Moro group.

Commenting on Rep. Pastor Alcover Jr.’s plan to file an impeachment complaint against President Benigno Aquino III for allegedly violating the Constitution and betraying public funds by giving such amount to the MILF, Leonen said: “I’m not sure on what basis it is an impeachable offense, but it is something that the administration should be congratulated for because it is recognizing the need to capacitate Moros to become good leaders,” he said.


On the matter of MILF fugitive commander Dan Laksaw Asnawi, whom the MILF has refused to surrender to government authorities, Leonen declined to comment on the ongoing operations. “We will leave the statement to the military. Suffice it to say, there is a difference in opinion between the government and the MILF.”


Asnawi is allegedly involved in the ambush and killing of 23 soldiers in Basilan in 2007.

“We have a warrant of arrest on Asnawi,” he continued. “But regarding the facts on the incident, dadaanin na lang natin sa (we will course them through the) CCCH.”

When asked if there is a possibility for peace talks to collapse should the MILF fail to surrender Asnawi, Leonen answered: “We will deal with it when it happens. I cannot speculate.”


Dialogue with reds not suspended


Usec. Padilla, on the other hand, affirmed that talks with the CPP-NPA-NDF are not suspended despite continuous attacks by the NPA on civilian and military targets.

“I don’t want to say that talks are indefinitely suspended. We never suspended the talks. We are still open to negotiations especially on socio-economic reforms,” he said. “In fact, the Royal Norwegian Government (RNG) has been shuttling back and forth working on the continuation of the talks. It is ongoing but there is no meeting date yet.”


The NDFP has been demanding the release of its detained alleged consultants before agreeing to meet the GPH panel. “The RNG had arranged for talks to happen on November 2 but two weeks before that, the NDFP released a statement that they won’t engage in peace talks without the release of their consultants. This is a serious violation of the agreement we reached in the Oslo talks in February and the Hague Declaration,” Padilla related.


He added that out of 18 names in the NDF's priority list of consultants they want released, the government has already released five as confidence building measure. But the GPH panel has received reports that one of them has returned to the underground.


Padilla said the government has never closed its doors to the possible release of detained NDFP consultants. “If there will be any releases, it will surely be a confidence building measure, but we hope to see this also on the part of the NDFP,” he said, stressing that the government is seriously considering the possibility of proposing a ceasefire with the communist group.






CPP doubts peace agreement to be reached by 2012 due to Aquino intransingence













From website of PRWC
Links:  http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/2011/11/cpp-doubts-peace-agreement-to-be.html#more


CPP doubts peace agreement to be reached by 2012 due to Aquino intransingence

Information Bureau
Communist Party of the Philippines
November 10, 2011

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today said it is becoming "increasingly doubtful" that a peace agreement between the Philippine government (GPH) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) will be reached by 2012 or any time within Benigno Aquino III's term.

The CPP issued this reaction after GPH chief negotiator Alexander Padilla said yesterday that the GPH has moved its target of forging an agreement with the NDFP to the end of next year, instead of June 2012.

"It is becoming increasingly doubtful that the GPH will succeed in forging a peace agreement with the NDFP due to its adamant refusal to comply with its standing obligations, particularly its commitment in January, February and September to release the detained consultants of the NDFP covered by the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG)," said the CPP.

"There remain at least 13 NDFP consultants who are being detained in military and police camps," pointed out the CPP. "How can the GPH expect the NDFP to sit down in peace negotiations when a significant number of its representatives who are supposed to participate in the talks are being kept behind bars by the GPH?"

"The release of the JASIG-protected consultants of the NDF is a matter of palabra de honor on the part of the GPH," said the CPP. "This year alone, the GPH has made the committment to release the NDF consultants in at least three occasions, the last of which was made last September in a meeting hosted by the representative of the Norwegian government. Now it is reneging on those commitments."

"If the GPH expects to forge a peace agreement, whether with the NDFP or the MILF, it will have to prove itself capable of keeping its promises and its complying with its commitments," said the CPP. "In both the peace talks with the NDFP and with the MILF, the GPH is showing itself incapable of fulfilling its obligations, thus making a mockery of the negotiations."

"The GPH's conduct in its peace negotiations with the NDFP shows that it is not really interested in forging a political settlement that would resolve the fundamental socio-economic and political concerns that lie at the root of the armed conflict," said the CPP. "It is becoming increasingly clear that Aquino has a very myopic view of peace negotiations with the NDFP and deems them useful only if they effect the pacification and surrender of the revolutionary forces."

"Aquino is demonstrating clearly that he does not understand what just and lasting peace is," said the CPP. "His regime's policies, which have not deviated from the past policy-impositions of the IMF and Word Bank show that he is not interested in addressing poverty and unemployment, in achieving social justice and empowering the people under a progressive and genuinely democratic political system."

"While confining the peace negotiations to a narrow side alley, Aquino is widening the road of war for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)," added the CPP. "Under the Aquino regime's Oplan Bayanihan, its armed forces have been given free rein to conduct brutal military operations in the countryside."

"There is a renewed campaign of extrajudicial killings with at least one victim killed every ten days since Aquino assumed power," said the CPP. "The political, economic, civil and cultural rights of hundreds of thousands of people, especially in the countryside are daily being trampled on by the AFP in the conduct of its so-called 'peace missions' which achieve nothing but the 'peace of the silenced'."

"Aquino's road of war, however, will only lead to greater resistance and can only steel the people's determination to wage revolutionary struggle."






ILPS condemns TPPA as US scheme to further control Trans-Pacific trade


From the Website of ILPS
Links:  http://www.ilps.info/joomsite/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=418:ilps-condemns-tppa-as-us-scheme-to-further-control-trans-pacific-trade&catid=45:public-statements-and-calls-to-action&Itemid=57


ILPS condemns TPPA as US scheme to further control Trans-Pacific trade


Saturday, 29 October 2011 23:00

By Prof. JOSE MARIA SISON
Chairperson, International League of Peoples' Struggle


The International League of Peoples' Struggle resolutely condemns the drive of the US government and its monopoly capitalists to realize the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) as a scheme to impose their power over trade and investment flows. This would aggravate the exploitation of the working people and the environment as a way of raising superprofits and seeking to cope with the grave economic, social and economic crisis.


The TPPA was initiated by the Bush regime. Since March 2010, negotiations have been proceeded, with the objective of creating a a legally-binding free trade agreement for the Asia-Pacific region. Right now, the TPPA talks involve nine countries – the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Brunei, Peru, Chile, Viet Nam, Malaysia and Singapore. Japan is poised to join. The USA has free trade agreements (FTAs) with four of the nine countries.

The TPPA is conceived of as an economic dimension of the growing US confrontation with China. This is a confrontation which is a growing danger to world peace. Peoples’ organizations in the nine countries covered by the TPPA have therefore agreed to expose and oppose the callous and unjust demands of the US corporations and the US Trade Representative regarding the TPPA.

At first, the talks on the TPPA advanced when the US delegation put forward specific text, revealing that the entire TPPA process is US-driven. Delays arose when the US Trade Representative waited for the FTAs of the US with Colombia, Panama and South Korea to be ratified by the US Congress.

What are the objectives of the US corporations in the TPPA?

These are: 1) to subordinate the health and medicines policies of all o
ther countries to the demands of giant US pharmaceutical companies, including the extension of patent rights to allow the charging of higher prices for a longer period, and restrictions on the right of governments to control prices for medicines; 2)to require that all government procurement be open to US corporations – no local content or local training polices; 3) to require that all media policies that support local cultural content be abolished, allowing complete domination by US media corporations; 4) to impose US copyright law on all other countries – greatly extended copyright and royalty payments which greatly favour US corporations; 5) to make internet service providers criminally liable for any copyright piracy on their networks; and 6) to demand tariff-free access for US exports into all markets, while limiting corresponding access to US markets.

What would be the result?

This neo-liberal over-reach by the giant US corporations would deliver a disastrous blow on jobs, health, and freedom of communications and information in the entire Asia-Pacific region.

The just response to these outrageous dictates of US monopoly capitalism is for the people to mobilize themselves and and protest! And the people's protests have taken place in Auckland New Zealand, Chicago and Peru, three of the sites of negotiating rounds.
The people's campaign has been effective. The initial objective was for the TPPA deal to be signed by November 2011, and unveiled at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leader Summit in Honolulu as the blueprint for all member economies, including most of the ASEAN nations, Russia and China. But now that won't happen.

Instead some kind of progress report may be given to APEC and then talks will proceed into 2012. The opposition of trade union, health and media sectors to the US corporations in the US itself and in other countries has delayed this obnoxious scheme. The ILPS is determined to work vigorously in cooperation with other forces in order to expand and intensify the people's protest movement against the TPPA.






Top UN officials stress need to boost protection of civilians in armed conflict











From the Website of United Nations
Links:  http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=40344&Cr=protection+of+civilians&Cr1=

Top UN officials stress need to boost protection of civilians in armed conflict




Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addresses Security Council meeting on Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict

9 November 2011 – Top United Nations officials today stressed the need to do more to protect civilians who are increasingly bearing the brunt of the various conflicts taking place around the world, as well as enhance accountability to hold perpetrators to account.
“All of us share a fundamental responsibility to do more to protect civilians caught up in the horrors of war,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in his remarks to the Security Council’s open debate on the issue.


He noted that in conflicts worldwide, women, girls, boys and men continue to be subjected to blatant and frequent violation of international human rights and humanitarian law, including killing, torture, kidnapping, rape and mutilation.
All of us share a fundamental responsibility to do more to protect civilians caught up in the horrors of war
“Let us remember that civilians suffer such horrors not because they are in the wrong place at the wrong time and become what is still euphemistically referred to as ‘collateral damage.’ Civilians suffer more and more frequently because they are deliberately targeted,” said Mr. Ban.

He highlighted five priorities regarding the protection of civilians in armed conflict, beginning with enhanced compliance with international human rights and humanitarian law, and more consistently and effectively engaging non-State armed groups to improve their compliance with the law. 

Also crucial is pro-active, well-trained and appropriately resourced peacekeepers; improved humanitarian access to affected populations; and enhanced accountability.
While protection is essential, the Secretary-General added, it is important not to lose sight of the need to address the causes of conflict, not just its symptoms. 

“Humanitarian actors can contribute to the survival of affected populations. Ultimately, though, only political solutions can end and prevent the vast majority of conflicts and ensure the safety and well-being of those who would otherwise bear the brunt,” he stated. 

The Council expects to hear from around 50 speakers during its day-long debate. Among them was High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, who stressed that where national authorities fail to investigate credible allegations of the most serious violations, it is incumbent on the international community to “rigorously establish the facts.” 

Over the last two decades, the High Commissioner’s office (OHCHR) has supported more than 30 commissions of inquiry and similar mechanisms, which she said provide a solid basis to inform international action and national processes on justice, truth and reconciliation. She encouraged the Council to play a more active role in securing follow-up to their recommendations. 

The Council also has an important role to play in ensuring practical arrangements to secure accountability, the establishment of facts, the identification and prosecution of perpetrators, and, importantly, the right to reparation for gross violations of human rights, she added.

“Without it, impunity emboldens perpetrators and breeds more violations that will undermine peace and progress,” said Ms. Pillay.

The High Commissioner touched on a number of situations around the world, ranging from civilian deaths in Afghanistan to ongoing violent clashes in South Sudan. She voiced concern that the killing of civilians has not stopped in Syria, where the death toll since March has now passed 3,500. 

Ms. Pillay noted that while the Syrian Government has made commitments to stop the violence, “we have to see actual progress on the ground.” A human rights monitoring presence can help ensure that, she added.

“The international community must insist that the Government end the killing of civilians, release all those arbitrarily detained for their peaceful protest and finally provide full and unimpeded access to the International Commission of Inquiry, which was established by the Human Rights Council,” she stated.

Catherine Bragg, the Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, also voiced concern at events in Syria, where the situation falls short of armed conflict but military operations are exacting a “heavy toll.” She also described an array of other situations where violations of humanitarian and human rights law are being perpetuated.

“Equally common to most of these situations is a failure to hold accountable those responsible for such violations and to provide any form of justice or redress for their victims,” she said in remarks delivered on behalf of UN humanitarian chief Valerie Amos.
“This failure of accountability has to end,” she stated. “We cannot continue to ignore war crimes and serious violations of human rights law in conflict. Nor can we ignore the need to ensure that victims see justice and reparations for the wrongs they have suffered…
“We must do more to advance the protection of civilians and ensure progress where it most matters – in the midst of conflict.”





Bago ang kanyang pagdalo sa 19th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting













From the Website of the GPH - Government of the Philippines
Links:  http://www.gov.ph/2011/11/11/departure-statement-of-president-aquino-before-attending-the-19th-apec-economic-leaders-meeting-november-11-2011/



Pahayag
ng
Kagalang-galang Benigno S. Aquino III
Pangulo ng Pilipinas
Bago ang kanyang pagdalo sa 19th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting
[Inihayag sa NAIA Terminal 2 noong ika-11 ng Nobyembre 2011]

Magandang hapon po. Maupo po tayong lahat.

Unang una po, bumabati ako ng happy birthday kay Vice President Jejomar Binay—batambata po sa araw na ito. [Applause] Marami po siyang hinanda; dumalo lang po kayo sa kanya. Ako po’y ikain na lang n’yo. [Laughter

Ating kagalang-galang na miyembro ng gabinete, Senator Drilon; Mayor Tony Calixto; Representative Emi Calixto-Rubiano; Chief of Staff General Eduardo Oban; Police General Nick Bartolome; Admiral Ramon Liwag of the Coast Guard; Lieutenant General Oscar Rabena of the Airforce; Vice Admiral Alexander Pama of the Navy; Major General Emmanuel Bautista of the Philippine Army; honored guests; fellow workers in government; ladies and gentlemen:

Good afternoon.
Ngayong hapon, luluwas po tayo patungong Estados Unidos upang dumalo sa 19th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting sa Honolulu, Hawaii. Sa loob ng mahigit dalawang dekada, naging entablado na ang APEC para sa mga bansa sa Asya-Pasipiko, hindi lamang para maiangat ang estado ng kani-kaniyang mga nasyon, ngunit upang makaambag din sa pagsusulong sa pangkalahatang ekonomiya ng rehiyon.

Pangunahing tungkulin ng inyong lingkod na tiyaking matatag at tuloy-tuloy ang pag-unlad ng ating pambansang ekonomiya. At taon-taon, ang serye ng mga pagpupulong na ito ay naglalatag ng magandang pagkakataon upang makipag-uganayan sa mga pinuno mula sa Asya-Pasipiko at matalakay ang mga inisyatibang maghahatid sa atin palapit sa kaunlaran. Higit pang mahalaga ang pakikiisa natin sa APEC sa taong ito dahil naaapektuhan din tayo ng mga problemang kinakaharap ng ilang mga nasyon sa iba’t ibang panig ng mundo, gaya ng malawakang rebolusyon sa Gitnang Silangan, o ang paghina ng ekonomiya ng Estados Unidos at Europa—mga bansang akala natin ay di-kailanman matitinag. Bawat estratehiya, mungkahi at kaalaman na makakalap natin sa APEC ay maaari nating gamitin upang solusyunan ang mga suliranin sa ating bansa, at isulong ang interes ng ating mga kababayan. Ilan sa mga paksang inaasahan nating matututukan dito, at layon nating mapagbuti, ay ang seguridad ng ating ekonomiya, ang mainam na paggamit ng enerhiya, at ang paglikha ng mga karagdagang trabaho.

Ikalawang pagkakataon po ng ating administrasyon na makibahagi sa APEC, at tulad noong nakaraang taon, hangad nating lalo pang mapatibay ang ating relasyon sa ibang mga bayan. Kasabay nito, mabubuksan ding muli ang pinto upang maipakilala ng ating pamahalaan ang panibagong liwanag na tumatanglaw sa Pilipinas—mas bukas at maaliwalas sa kalakal at pamumuhunan, at mas handang makipagbayanihan sa mga katuwang na bansa sa rehiyon.
Sa tatlong araw nating pamamalagi sa Hawaii, inaabangan din natin ang mahahalagang pagpupulong kasama ang mga pinuno ng ibang bansa, partikular na kay Punong Ministro ng Australia na si Julia Gillard.

Hindi estranghero sa Hawaii ang lahing Pilipino. Kaya naman, nananabik din tayong kamustahin ang mga kababayan nating nasa Hawaii at makibalita sa kanilang kalagayan doon.
Tulad ng ibang mga bansang kasapi ng APEC, layon din nating magkaroon ng isang nagkakaisang rehiyon, na tumatahak sa landas patungo sa mas masaganang kinabukasan. Sa pagbalik po natin dito sa Pilipinas sa darating na Martes, tiwala akong uuwi tayo nang may mas matibay na ugnayan sa mga karatig-bansa at may bitbit na mas maraming pagkakataon para sa atin pong mga minamahal na kababayan.

Maraming maraming salamat po. Magandang hapon po sa lahat.




Saturday, November 05, 2011

Anti-people neoliberal dogma in G20 Summit means aggravation of global economic crisis


From Website of ILPS

links:  http://www.ilps.info/joomsite/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=417:anti-people-neoliberal-dogma-in-g20-summit-means-aggravation-of-global-economic-crisis&catid=45:public-statements-and-calls-to-action&Itemid=57


Anti-people neoliberal dogma in G20 Summit means aggravation of global economic crisis

Thursday, 27 October 2011 18:00
By Prof. JOSE MARIA SISON
Chairperson
, International League of Peoples' Struggle 

The G20 summit is to be held in Cannes, France on November 3 and 4. Assisted by their finance ministers and heads of central banks, the heads of governments of the world’s twenty largest economies are supposed to confront once more the global economic and financial crisis and seek solutions.

As in previous summits, they will fail to solve the crisis, bound as they are by the laws of motion of capitalism and imperialism and by the neoliberal dogma. They are driven by the profit-making interest of the monopoly bourgeoisie and financial oligarchy and continue to pass the burden of the crisis to the broad masses of the people.

Public funds in trillions have been used to bail out the big banks and corporations from the crisis of their own making and to wage wars of aggression to please the military-industrial complex. They have brought about spikes and plunges in the financial markets but have not stimulated civil production and employment. As a result, public deficits and public debts have mounted. And now the public debt bubble is bursting in a number of the G20 member-countries, especially the US and certain EU countries.

Solving the crisis of overproduction and the extreme abuse of finance capital is beyond the purview of the G20 summiteers, especially because of their neoliberal blinders. They are now most concerned with the problem of debt defaults plaguing major capitalist countries, including the U.S. and those in the European Union, and still many others.

Apparently their main objective is to contain the threats of default by further pushing austerity measures at the expense of the people. These measures, which include tax hikes for the people and tax cuts for the corporations and the wealthy, pressing down of wages, cutting back on pensions and social benefits, reducing social services and public sector employment and rising fees for social services, can only aggravate the economic and financial crisis.

We anticipate the G20 summit to come out with further plans to skirt the fundamental problems of capitalism and imperialism, to further exploit the people under the auspices of the IMF, World Bank and the WTO and thus to aggravate the crisis. The imperialist powers will impose themselves on the rest of the summitteers and defeat or coopt any contrary view from the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa).

The G20 summit is held at a time that the dominant imperialist powers are gloating over their success at conquering Libya and taking over its oil resources with the use of barbaric air attacks in combination with their Libyan puppets and rabble brigades directed by NATO special forces. They are expected to dance over the graves of close to a hundred thousand Libyan people massacred by NATO bombs and puppet butchers under the pretext of humanitarian intervention and protecting civilians.

They are poised to claim the mass uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa.as the victory of their brand of democracy as well as the invincibility of capitalism. They will once more go through the ritual of shedding crocodile tears over Africa and all the impoverished and underdeveloped countries of the world now further brought down by global depression.

The US and other imperialist powers are carried away by their wanton use of financial means and hightech weapons of mass destruction to destroy the lives, homes and social infrastructure of peoples with impunity. They are oblivious of the fact that the world capitalist system is practically falling apart because of its grave crisis, bankruptcies, state terrorism and wars of aggression as well as the rising wave of people's resistance driven by the needs and aspirations for national and social liberation.

We, the International League of Peoples' Struggle, call on our member-organizations, all allied forces and the broad masses of the people to take up all the urgent issues against imperialism and reaction, further strengthen themselves organizationally, occupy the public squares and the major streets and undertake all other forms and means of mass mobilization. We must intensify resistance and build the movement for national liberation, democracy and socialism.



ILPS Website


links:



Thursday, November 03, 2011

Ban calls on G-20 countries to lead sustainable and jobs-rich economic recovery













From the United Nations Website
Links:  http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=40296&Cr=G-20&Cr1=


Economic Rights - Right To Work



Ban calls on G-20 countries to lead sustainable and jobs-rich economic recovery


Young people have protested around the world for more jobs and equality
3 November 2011 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on leaders of the world’s biggest economies meeting in Cannes to ensure a global recovery that is sustainable, inclusive and creates real change for those hit hardest.

“We come together at a critical moment,” Mr. Ban said in remarks to the 2011 Labour Summit (L20). “Dark clouds have gathered once again over the global economy. Some may speak of ‘recovery.’ Too few actually feel it.”


“On the contrary, all too many people cannot even see the light at the end of a long, long tunnel,” the Secretary-General told the gathering, held on the margins of the summit of the Group of 20 (G-20) major economies that began today.
Dark clouds have gathered once again over the global economy. Some may speak of ‘recovery.’ Too few actually feel it.
He noted that unemployment is rising almost everywhere, and more and more young people have no jobs and few prospects of finding one. In addition, economic inequalities are widening and poverty is growing.

“That’s why people are marching. They are anxious, angry and indignant,” he stated. “At heart, this is a call for human dignity – the dignity and respect that comes from decent work.”

He stressed that the two-day summit of the G-20 must be about more than “financial fire-fighting.”

“It is must be about global economic recovery – growth that is sustainable and inclusive. It must bring real recovery in the real economy.”

The time has come, he stated, to write “a new social contract for the 21st century” – one that includes a global jobs pact.

“We need a job-rich recovery. Policy-makers must make employment a priority, not an afterthought. The new social contract must also include a social protection floor with stronger safeguards for the poorest and most vulnerable.”

He noted that in recent decades, labour’s share of income has fallen, and the gap between those who work hard and those who reap the greatest rewards continues to grow.

“To get out of this mess, we need a revolution in our thinking,” the Secretary-General told world leaders, highlighting the sorts of investments that make the most sense for the most people.

The first priority, he said, is to invest in sustainable development. “Economic recovery and sustainable development are one and the same fight,” he stated.

“Sustainable energy fuels jobs – jobs that recharge economies, jobs to build infrastructure, above all, jobs to protect the planet and the poorest.

“We cannot burn our way to the future. We cannot consume our way to greater prosperity. Economic recovery and sustainable development must go hand-in-hand. Growth and development must be sustainable.”

He also highlighted the need to invest in women and youth, who together make up more than two thirds of the global population, as well as in the most vulnerable.

Mr. Ban also noted that over the last century, the trade union movement led the way to a fairer and more just world.

“You helped create our modern era of prosperity. In the process, you did much more than simply benefit your own members. You lifted millions out of poverty into a better life. You proved that the better more of us do, the better all of us do,” he said.

“At this time of crisis and confusion, discord and division, inequality and injustice – we are all called to moral battle once again.”

While at the summit, Mr. Ban will also take part in a number of G-20 working sessions, including on the global economic situation and on development and trade, as well as hold bilateral talks with leaders on the margins of the forum. 

He met earlier today with the President of the Republic of Korea, Lee Myung-bak, and later with Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. 

Mr. Ban also conferred with José Manuel Barroso, the President of the European Commission, and Herman Van Rompuy, the President of the European Council, with their discussions focusing on innovative sources of development and climate change financing.
The Secretary-General expressed his hope that the EU would play a strong leadership role in the run up to the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), and at the meeting itself in Brazil in June next year.

Mr. Ban, Mr. Barroso and Mr. Van Rompuy also exchanged views on the situation in Syria, as well as on the Middle East peace process and the Palestinian UN membership issue. They also touched on progress in the UN-facilitated talks aimed unifying Cyprus.






Statement of Former Chief Negotiator Silvestre Afable On the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute













From the Website OPPAP
Links:  http://www.opapp.gov.ph/milf/news/statement-former-chief-negotiator-silvestre-afable-bangsamoro-leadership-and-management-in

PEACE TALKS
MILF


Statement of Former Chief Negotiator Silvestre Afable On the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute



"One must be creative in offering alternatives to those who have been used to live by the gun."
Silvestre Afable 

I am glad President Aquino gave the MILF P5 million for the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute (BMLI).


I was the Government’s chief negotiator with the MILF when, in 2006, we reached agreement (across the negotiating table in KL) to set up the BMLI. Secretary Jess Dureza was then the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process. He may have just forgotten that event.


The BMLI is an offshoot of an earlier agreement (2001) to form the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA). At that time, the MILF wanted to try its hand at implementing its own development projects.


As the BDA grew, it needed more personnel who could receive, disburse and account for funds; and supervise incipient development teams. The BMLI was the envisioned training school for these personnel. We requested the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) to work on the basic curriculum and devote trainors to the project, which was done with enthusiasm and zeal.


Institutions such as the BDA and the BMLI must not be treated negatively, because these, alongside the ceasefire, provide the necessary climate for negotiations and stem the urge among fighters to shoot each other. One must be creative in offering alternatives to those who have been used to live by the gun.  


When the government and the MILF restored the ceasefire in 2001, we needed to follow up on two key items: first, to get in an International Monitoring Team to help make sure the truce holds; and create the basic institutions to re-channel the energies of MILF fighters-on-hold.


Confidence-building measures lie in the meat of any peace process anywhere in the world. While we seek a political solution in the peace talks, we try to safeguard the ceasefire like precious life itself, and carve out a positive direction for fighters-on-hold—who will hopefully trade their guns for ploughshares when a final settlement is reached. 

The MILF itself has tried its level best to abide by this negotiation-ceasefire-development model as a transitional mechanism to a final political settlement. Many Filipinos are cynical about this, but I appreciate the fact that President Aquino is not. 



Silvestre C. Afable Jr.
Former GPH Chief Negotiator in Talks with the MILF

November 3, 2011







A November 3, 2011 press release from the Department of Budget and Management












From the Website of GPH - Government of the Philippines
Links:  http://www.gov.ph/2011/11/03/dbm-p1-15-billion-more-released-for-basic-education-millennium-development-goals/



Right to Educations



A November 3, 2011 press release from the Department of Budget and Management


Consistent with the government’s agenda to promote and develop basic education in the country, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released P1.15 billion to fund various projects of the Department of Education (DepEd).


“The Aquino administration is committed to strengthening basic education as a core strategy of the government in investing in our country’s greatest resource: the people,” Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad said.

 “The learning process in basic education is critical, for it assures the basic building blocks that will capacitate our children to take on higher education or already work after graduation. With this, the government ensures significant funding support not only to meet our Millennium Development Goals in basic education but also to help our youth achieve their full potential,” he added.

He said DepEd is serious in expediting its progress towards the achievement of the Education for All (EFA) and Millennium Development Goals by 2015, and that is why it is aggressively pursuing training and development across all public schools.

Of the P1.15 billion recently released to DepEd, P500 million will cover the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE), particularly in improving the learning outcomes determined in the Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) of the schools; as well as to procure school supplies necessary in classroom teaching. This was released directly to DepEd’s 16 regional units.

Meanwhile, a total of P483.8 million was released to fund teachers’ training, scholarship and fellowship grants, capacity building for non-teaching personnel, among other human resourced development activities. This release is charged from the P1.157-billion budget for Human Resources Training and Development.

Of the P483.8 million, P179 million will be used for the National English Proficiency Program.  Also, P74.7 million has been released for the Madrasah Education Program of DepEd in the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao.

Another P104 million was infused by the government to cover the repair and rehabilitation of elementary and secondary school buildings in various locations. Lastly, P60 million was released to cover the acquisition of 52,630 armchairs and 1,169 teachers’ tables and chair will furnish 1,169 classrooms (725 for elementary and 444 for secondary) out of the 1,430 classrooms to be constructed from current year’s releases from the P1-billion DepEd School Building Program.

Of the P192-billion regular budget of DepEd for 2011, P171.2 billion have already been released by DBM to the agency as of September 30, 2011.
dbm.gov.ph


GPH Government Website




Links:



Stop torture and accord Tanay 3 with Prisoner of War status, CPP demands












From the PRWC Website

Links:  http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/2011/11/stop-torture-and-accord-tanay-3-with.html#more


IHL - International Humanitarian Laws and Human Rights Violations



Stop torture and accord Tanay 3 with Prisoner of War status, CPP demands

Information Bureau
Communist Party of the Philippines
November 02, 2011

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today demanded that the Philippine government accord Prisoner of War (POW) status to the three personnel of the New People's Army (NPA) who were captured by men of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) last October 26, 2011 at Brgy. Sta. Inez, Tanay, Rizal while conducting consultations with local residents.

The CPP called for the immediate and unconditional release of Marissa Espedido, Hermogenes Reyes Jr. and Jared Valero Morales, residents of Rizal and former students of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. The three were taken into custody by combined armed elements of the 16th IB Patrol Base under Sgt. Rudy Bautista, CAFGU and police personnel.

"In outright violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CAHRIHL) and international humanitarian law, the three were subjected to torture when they were detained overnight at a detachment of the 59th IB. The following day, they were hogtied and blindfolded and brought to the headquarters of the 16th IB in Pinugay, Baras, Rizal," said the CPP, citing reports by the NPA provincial command in Rizal.

"According to reports, they have been denied their right to counsel, prevented from having visitors and were not afforded the opportunity to inform their families of their conditions," added the CPP.

Trumped-up charges of illegal possession of firearms, ammunition and explosives have been filed against the three in an effort to criminalize their status, subject them to procedures of the reactionary regime and prolong their illegal detention.

"The CPP demands that the Philippine government accord the Tanay 3 Prisoner of War status and treat them in accordance with the CARHRIHL and Geneva Conventions," said the CPP. "They should be treated humanely, not be tortured and kept in solitary confinement."

"The cruel and inhumane treatment of the Tanay 3 is in stark contrast to the humane and lenient treatment of AFP soldiers and armed agents of the Philippine government who have been captured by the NPA, including the recent case of four GPH police and jail personnel who were captured in July in Bukidnon and released early last month," cited the CPP.

"The cruel treatment of the Tanay 3 and the recent brutalities committed by the AFP in Tineg, Abra last October 10 underscore the fascist orientation of the Aquino regime's Oplan Bayanihan," said the CPP. "The 'peace and human rights' rhetoric being mouthed by Aquino and his military officials fails to hide the fascist brutalities committed in the conduct of its antipeople counterrevolutionary war."

Peace talks, human rights, POWs, torture, illegal arrest



PRWC Website




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