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“Australia’s relationships with other countries must go beyond trade and defense, we must live our values and defend those whose lives are being destroyed by political violence." - Senator Janet Rice
A people’s counter-SONA protest action, noticeably broader and bigger than that of the previous year, presaged bigger and broader protests during Marcos Jr’s second year in Malacañang.
It’s generally conceded that the Philippine criminal justice system grinds exceedingly slow. But for the Marcos Jr. administration, the system has been working well after just one year of the family’s being back in Malacañang.
CPP chief information officer Marco Valbuena said their group and the New People’s Army (NPA) firmly reject Marcos Jr.’s “treacherous offer of amnesty and surrender” as an additional instrument of deception and oppression.
In his second SONA, Marcos Jr. sang the same old tune on his supposed economic achievements and platforms that have never truly benefited the ordinary folk. By ARNOLD PADILLA Bulatlat.com MANILA – "Dumating na po ang Bagong Pilipinas," (The New Philippines has...
Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was silent on press freedom issues during his second State of the Nation Address. The situation on the ground is no better.
In his second State of the Nation Address, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was silent on human rights issues during his administration. Meanwhile, indigenous peoples of Gawaan, Balbalan, Kalinga stressed that their community was bombed twice in March 2023.
The burning of effigies dates back to the dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s rule. Burning effigies has become a regular staple during major protests in the Philippines.
President Marcos Jr. pledged to uphold press freedom. The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, however, recorded 84 incidents of attacks on the media from June 30, 2022 until July 22, 2023. This number is 42 percent higher compared to the documented cases during Duterte’s first 13 months in office.
Human rights violations, highlighted by extrajudicial killings and questionable arrests, detention and filing of nonbailable trumped-up charges following red-tagging, continued during the first year of Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s occupation of Malacañang.
For the People’s Summit organizers, Ferdinand Marcos Jr has “no love” for the Philippines as last year’s demands remain unheeded amid the worsening situation.
Mark Danielle pleaded to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to seek clemency for Mary Jane as she is a victim of human trafficking. “We hope that President Bongbong Marcos will heed our call. We miss her terribly. She is a victim,” Mark Danielle said.
Former agrarian reform secretary and former Anakpawis lawmaker Rafael Mariano said among those snubbed include the Rice Industry Development Bill as well as the proposed measures for the granting of P15,000 production subsidies for farmers and fisherfolks.
“We are here today to stand with the DC4 in their courageous protest on May 2 and celebrate the victory and the justness of our cause. This form of protest against Marcos and his cronies was so righteous that the US state could not even justify moving forward with charges."
One critic said certifying the bill as urgent is an “abuse of the presidential power to circumvent the constitutional requirements" in passing a law.
“Notably, none of the elements of the alleged importation of drugs into Indonesia took place in the Philippines. In fact, the Philippines as the sending country is where Veloso was illegally recruited in order to be trafficked or exploited in two other receiving states. Veloso is, thus, a victim, not a criminal who must be punished."
Even in the US, the message is clear: “Philippines is not for sale!”
Extrajudicial killings, fabricated charges, arbitrary arrests and detentions, red-tagging, and other human rights violations continue under Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s administration.
“It is our prayer that the ICC investigation will ferret out truth and evidence that can bring justice and accountability for the killings of our loved ones."
“When will President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his family pay for their estate tax dues?”
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