PHILIPPINES - Akbayan slams Duterte's raid killings, threats vs. rights activists (tags)
Akbayan partylist condemns Duterte's public threat to shoot human rights groups. The threat comes at a time when Oplan Tokhang has reached its bloodiest and human rights groups are needed to watch over the government's operations.
PHILIPPINES: Sending 9-year-olds to jail is height of cruelty to poor (tags)
Members of Akbayan party-list together with child rights advocates today trooped to the House of Representatives to call on legislators to abandon plans to pass a proposed measure that would lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility from the current 15 to 9 years old.
Philippines: Marcos burial forms part of pattern towards authoritarianism (tags)
Akbayan joins the rest of the country in denouncing the unilateral, treacherous burial of the dictator Marcos as a hero.
Philippines: Duterte Enables Sneak Burial of Marcos’ Remains (tags)
The burial of Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB - Heroes Cemetery) was hurriedly and secretively carried out, with military-style logistical support. A military helicopter brought the body from Ilocos Norte, where the former dictator’s body was displayed in the Marcos Museum, to the LNMB. The marines and the police were mobilized to encircle the perimeter of the cemetery. They were placed on ‘red alert’.
Philippines: Duterte’s first 100 days (tags)
Greater than the sum of our fears
The Filipinos Fight Against Inequality Must Intensify (tags)
Nothing should inspire the public’s outrage more than the chasm that exists between the haves and have nots in Philippine society. And what better indicator can there be of inequality than when poor people suspected of involvement in drugs start dropping dead on the streets while the rich and powerful escape plunder charges through the courts?
Akbayan rejects Chinese call for dropping West Philippine Sea arbitration (tags)
With the upcoming commemoration of Philippine Independence, Akbayan party-list today called on government to hold steadfast in pursuing the arbitration case filed on the UNCLOS regarding Chinese occupation of the Scarborough shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
Philippines: No context will ever justify murder of journalists - Akbayan (tags)
Press freedom is a baseline principle of good governance, not a moving target that adjusts to the whims and caprices of those in power. It plays a crucial role in fiscalizing and speaking truth to power, and that Constitutionally-guaranteed right must be protected.
Philippines: Fast-track legislation to end hunger (tags)
Akbayan party-list today reiterated its call for the enactment of urgent reforms to address and stave off incidence of hunger across the country.
Walden Bello: Sanders as US President good for US, Philippines, and Asia (tags)
MANILA - “Bernie Sanders would be good not only for the United States but for the Philippines and Asia,” Walden Bello told the US media after he chatted briefly with the candidate for Democratic Party presidential nomination in Waterloo, Iowa on Sunday, 13 December 2015.
Philippines: Bongbong Marcos is a false prophet of unity (tags)
Akbayan PartyList today countered Senator Bongbong Marcos’s calls to elect politicians who will push for unity, saying the ambitious scion of the dictator does not fit the quality he endorses.
Philippines: Alarming incidents of political violence related to 2016 polls (tags)
Akbayan Party-List condemns in the strongest terms possible the recent spate of political violence In what seems to be a prelude to the coming May 2016 elections, involving elected officials and others running for public office.
Philippines: Bongbong’s whitewashing of Marcos name anathema to 2016 plans (tags)
Akbayan took exception to Senator Bongbong Marcos’s statement that there was no downside to being a Marcos should he decide to run for higher office in 2016.
Philippines: Binay tirades smack of desperation (tags)
Philippine Vice-President Jejomar Binay’s attempt at delivering a “True” State of the Nation Address (TSONA) suffers from a very basic flaw: a lack of credibility in the one delivering it. His antics reek of desperation against the mounting cases of corruption against him. Binay, in the course of losing his grip on the Presidency is trying to grasp at straws to deflect issues.
PHILIPPINES: Young progressives take the helm of Akbayan party leadership (tags)
Akbayan once again proves that progressive politics cuts across generations. With great pride, Akbayan members elected a significant number of young progressive activists to the Party Leadership at the recently concluded 6th Regular National Congress last 23-25th of April.
Philippines: One Year after Typhoon Haiyan (tags)
Statement of Akbayan Chairperson Risa Hontiveros
U.S. Marine Suspected in Killing of Transgender Filipina (tags)
Akbayan sends letter to US Ambassador demanding the surrender of PFC Joseph Scott Pemberton
The State of Reform in the Philippines (tags)
Akbayan on Aquino’s 5th State of the Nation Address
Philippine President told: Re-energize the campaign for reforms (tags)
Philippines: As President Benigno Simeon Aquino III prepares to deliver his 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA), Akbayan Party-list urged him to "re-energize the campaign for reforms" by carrying out "deeper and broader institutional changes" in his last two years in office.
Philippine Anti-Corruption Court called on to be decisive versus 3 Senators (tags)
Akbayan Partylist today called on the Sandiganbayan to “respond decisively” to the plunder charges formally filed against Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Juan Ponce Enrile, and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., by the Office of the Ombudsman regarding the P 10 billion PDAF scam.
Celebrate the RH victory in the Philippines, continue the struggle (tags)
On the Supreme Court decision declaring the Reproductive Health Law constitutional
Akbayan : Filipinas ' Nueva Izquierda en el 16 (tags)
Discurso de clausura de Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello en 16o Aniversario Evento de Akbayan , Buffet Cocina Internacional, Quezon City, 30 de enero 2014
Akbayan: the Philippines' New Left at 16 (tags)
Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello's closing remarks at Akbayan’s 16th Anniversary Event, Buffet International Cuisine, Quezon City, Jan 30, 2014
Akbayan welcomes Philippines-MILF deal with hopes for inclusive peace (tags)
Akbayan Party today said it welcomes with high hopes the signing of the last annex to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro between the Aquino government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
Philippines: Shield Yolanda rehab efforts from 'disaster capitalism' (tags)
Amid allegations of overpriced and substandard temporary shelters constructed for survivors of Typhoon Yolanda, Akbayan Partylist urged the government to shield the rehabilitation efforts from possible “disaster capitalism.”
On the passing of Comrade Nelson Mandela (tags)
Mandela has served as a symbol of strength and hope for South Africa and the world. As one of the leaders of the African National Congress (ANC), Mandela was at the forefront of the movement for national liberation for the black majority in South Africa. He was eventually detained by the apartheid regime for his participation in the national liberation movement and was imprisoned for 27 years. Despite such hardship, his dream of freedom for his people never ceased.
Philippines: Time to punish pork plunderers and reform the budget system (tags)
Akbayan Partylist welcomes the unanimous decision of the Supreme Court declaring unconstitutional the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) as well as all forms of congressional insertions with the aim of creating lump sum funds for projects primarily determined by lawmakers.
A Call for Donations to help the victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines (tags)
Akbayan Partylist, through its #Akbayanihan Relief Drive, is again calling on the public for donations and volunteers to help the victims of super typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda).
Philippines: Public urged not to be distracted from punishing pork plunderers (tags)
Amid the raging debate on the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), Akbayan partylist today warned the public not to be swayed by efforts from some quarters to use the issue to deflect attention on the plunder charges filed against several lawmakers involved in the multi-billion Janet Lim-Napoles pork barrel scam.
Four hundred thousand join people’s march in the Philippines (tags)
Akbayan (Citizens Action Party) congratulates Luneta marchers, describes event as “Filipino Habagat (Monsoon)” vs. corruption
Pork barrel scam scandalizes the Philippines (tags)
Five senators who were linked to the scam are the following: Ramon Revilla, Jr. – P 1.017 billion, Juan Ponce Enrile – P 641.65 million, Jinggoy Estrada – P 585 million, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. – P 100 million, Gregorio Honasan – P 15 million
Philippine Partylist Akbayan to President Aquino: Abolish the pork (tags)
Akbayan Party today called on President Benigno Simeon Aquino III to immediately and without conditions abolish the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) following the shocking revelations in the recent COA audit on the heels of the P 10 Billion Napoles-pork barrel scam. The progressive-coalition partner of Aquino said that the pork barrel is "incompatible with the President's reform agenda."
Increased rotational presence of US troops, decreased Philippine sovereignty (tags)
"Decreased sovereignty." This is how Akbayan Representative Walden Bello summed up the ongoing negotiations between the Philippine government and the United States to craft a framework for the increased rotational presence of American troops in the country.
Five-point approach to manage Chinese and US presence in the West Philippine Sea (tags)
Akbayan Partylist today proposed to the Aquino government a "five-point approach" in handling the current territorial dispute with China and the increasing involvement of the United States in the conflict.
PHILIPPINES: Millions of Votes for the Democratic Left (tags)
While the Commission on Elections has yet to announce the official results of the 2013 partylist elections, we would like to thank the Filipino voters and everyone who have made Akbayan Partylist's sixth straight electoral victory possible.
Philippines: 25,000 Workers March to Mendiola on Labor Day (tags)
Chiding President Aquino’s pronouncement that Labor Day should be celebratory with both labor and capitalists greeting each other for “doing a good job” for the past year, workers renewed the call for government to create “not just jobs” but “more regular jobs with living wage.”
Philippines: Akbayan slams Chinese incursion into Tubbataha Reef (tags)
Akbayan Party-list today slammed the incursion of a Chinese fishing vessel into the Tubbataha reef, which the group said is engaged in "state-led" poaching activities at the marine protected area in Palawan.
Wheels of justice in the Philippines must turn quickly and judiciously on Burgos case (tags)
Akbayan Partylist today called on President Benigno Simeon Aquino III to "shake the military establishment" and "weed out the corrupt, murderers and traitors" among its ranks. The partylist group made the call after the Court of Appeals' decision to hold elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) accountable for the enforced disappearance of Jonas Burgos in 2007.
International Women's Day in the Philippines (tags)
Women groups hail ‘triple wins,’ but warn of complacency
Akbayan takes poll campaign to Filipino-Americans (tags)
LOS ANGELES—Akbayan’s Rep. Walden Bello began a campaign tour of Filipino American communities to raise support for his party and President Benigno Aquino III’s common reform agenda in the coming May elections.
Philippine Congressman Walden Bello visits Filipino communities in US cities (tags)
IN several forums this month, Congressman Walden Bello is visiting Filipino-American communities in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle and Portland to talk about the upcoming May 13 mid-term congressional elections in the Philippines, and the role his political party, Akbayan Citizens’ Action Party, has played in the passing of progressive legislation during the just-concluded 15th Congress. Akbayan’s Risa Hontiveros is running for a Senate seat in May, and is in the circle of candidates deemed to have a chance of winning a seat – a first in the Senate for Akbayan. Akbayan is also running as a party-list organization to again have their House seats.
PHILIPPINES - Akbayan Celebrates Compensation Act to victims of Martial Law (tags)
Akbayan Party-list lauded the conclusion of the bicameral conference committee (bicam) on the Compensation Bill for victims of human rights violations during the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos, calling it a “victory of the Filipino people and of Philippine democracy” after a decades-long struggle of advocates and victims of Martial Law abuses for justice.
RH victory in Philippine Congress, a historic leap forward for women (tags)
Akbayan Party-list joins the Filipino people in celebrating our historic victory in the passage of the Reproductive Health bill in the second reading of the House of Representatives. Through Representatives Walden Bello and Kaka Bag-ao, Akbayan reiterated the voice of the people when it voted for life, choice, and reproductive health rights. We join the people in enjoying the fruit of more than a decade of struggle—a long and arduous journey towards the enactment of a law that will uphold and safeguard their right to a better future. Finally, after years of perseverance, the people have emerged triumphant.
Philippine Congress called to to pass "vital five" legislative bills (tags)
Akbayan Party-list urged Congress to pass important reform measures it dubbed as the “Vital Five” or the “VV” legislative bills. According to the party-list group, the “VV bills” composed of pending pieces of legislation in Congress namely the Reproductive Health bill, Freedom of Information (FoI) Bill, Anti-political dynasty Bill, the Sin Tax Bill, and the amendments to the Cybercrime Prevention Law, were necessary reform bills.
Philippine campaign against high electricity rates snowballs (tags)
QUEZON CITY, Philippines – Thousands of electricity consumers from 55 cities and municipalities from 15 provinces and 10 regions are expected to stage a multi-form protest on November 22, dubbed as “National Day of Action against Epira (Electric Power Industry Reform Act), high electricity rates and privatization of the power industry.”
Filipinos slams US over toxic dumping; renews call for abrogation of VFA (tags)
'Not the trash bin of a superpower': Philippine solons, groups denounce U.S. toxic waste dumping in Subic
PHILIPPINES: Akbayan pushes for institutional teaching of Martial Law atrocities (tags)
On the 40th year commemoration of the declaration of martial law, Akbayan Party filed a resolution urging the institutional teaching of the atrocities committed during martial law under the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos in all levels of education.
Young Filipinos urged to defend internet freedom (tags)
Manila, Philippines: Members of Akbayan Youth today hanged a banner on Welcome Rotonda expressing its opposition to the Cybercrime Prevention Act or Republic Act 10175. Akbayan Youth National Spokesperson JC Tejano today called on the youth to defend internet freedom as a necessary space for a growing democracy.
Filipinos Farewell Comrade Jesse Robredo (tags)
Akbayan Party joins the Filipino people in mourning the passing of Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo. The nation just lost a genuine servant of the people. His tragic death is a tremendous loss for our country’s campaign to reform the government.
Assad Resignation first Step to Peace and Democracy in Syria (tags)
Akbayan Party strongly condemns the continued violence and terror perpetrated by Bashar Al-Assad and the Syrian government forces against Syrian citizens who have long demanded democracy and freedom from Assad’s authoritarian leadership. The Assad regime’s aggressive crackdown on pro-democracy forces has emboldened elements within the opposition to respond in a similarly destructive manner and has left Syria in a virtual state of civil war.
Flood victims in the Philippines need urgent help! (tags)
Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon experienced heavy flooding yesterday after several days of non-stop rains.According to the country's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in this morning's news, 11 were reported dead and 4 others were hurt.
PHILIPPINES: Akbayan calls on Sandiganbayan to issue warrant of arrest against Arroyo (tags)
Akbayan Chairperson Risa Hontiveros called on the Sandiganbayan today to issue a warrant of arrest against former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (GMA) in connection with the plunder charge filed against her and several others before the anti-graft court by the Office of the ombudsman.
PHILIPPINES: Much has been won; much still to be fought for (tags)
Akbayan on President Aquino’s 3rd State of the Nation Address
Global May 11 protest vs 'China encroachment' on Philippine territory (tags)
MANILA, Philippines – Organizers of a multi-country protest against Chinese encroachment on Philippine territory are vowing to gather tens of thousands on May 11 in Manila alone, as they announced a roster of prominent Filipino personalities that they said have already pledged to show up in the rallies.
Akbayan calls on Filipinos to defend sovereignty against US and Chinese interests (tags)
Akbayan Party today called on Filipinos to be vigilant and engaged in defending the country's sovereignty from different foreign interests. The statement was made coinciding with the formal start of the United States' Balikatan military exercises with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and several allies, and amid the unresolved tension at the Panatag shoal involving the Philippines and China.
On Philippine Foreign Policy (tags)
1) Needed: Firm but Deft Diplomacy, not War Games 2) Akbayan to Chinese government: Defuse standoff, pull vessels out of Scarborough shoal 3) Akbayan condemns North Korea’s planned rocket launch 4) Akbayan (Citizens Action Party) congratulates Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy
PHILIPPINES: Retired armed forces officers should repudiate Palparan (tags)
Akbayan Party today called on the Association of General and Flag Officers (AGFO) to repudiate retired major general Jovito Palparan and declare him an enemy of the Filipino soldiers and the military institution.
Reform the Philippine Judiciary! Remove Chief Justice Corona! (tags)
The Bantay Gloria Network today said that with Chief Justice Renato Corona hounded by serious charges of amassing ill-gotten wealth, he should follow the example of former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez who opted to resign rather than face a prolonged impeachment trial.
Akbayan Youth Supports Occupy Wall Street Movement (tags)
Akbayan Youth applauds and supports Americans who have decided to occupy various centers of corporate greed in America, most notably Wall Street in New York. They represent the voices of poor and middle class Americans – 99% of American society – who demand that corporations shoulder the burden of salvaging the economy. We view the spontaneous and peaceful actions in New York, Boston, Washington D.C. and other major cities as an inspirations for our own struggles in the Philippines.
PHILIPPINES: SC Reversal on Hacienda Luisita, A Triumph of CARPER, Agrarian Justice (tags)
We in Akbayan Party welcome the Supreme Court's reversal of its previous ruling on the Hacienda Luisita case. It is a great victory not only for the beneficiaries but also for every Filipino farmer. Now it is crystal clear, land distribution is the sole, genuine avenue of agrarian reform. Likewise, this decision affirms the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program- Extension with Reforms (CARPER) - farmers must own the lands they till and it is the onus of government to guarantee it.
PHILIPPINES: Akbayan calls people to enforce own hold departure order for Arroyo (tags)
Akbayan Party today called on the public to enforce their own hold departure order to prevent former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo from "evading justice."
Philippines: No state burial for Marcos is step toward justice (tags)
Akbayan Party lauded President Aquino’s declaration that the administration will not accord a state burial for the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, saying that this is a positive step toward the issuance of justice and rectification of Marcos’ atrocities during the Martial Law.
PHILIPPINES: Akbayan Lawmakers want Marcos declared ?enemy of democracy? (tags)
Coinciding with the 39th year anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law, Akbayan lawmakers today filed a resolution urging the House of Representatives to officially declare former dictator Ferdinand Marcos an ?enemy of democracy.?
Akbayan and the Struggle for a New Philippines (tags)
(Speech at the Gene Viernes and Silme Domingo Awards Event, Seattle University, Seattle, Washington State, July 2, 2011.)
PHILIPPINES: The Rough and Rugged Road toward Change (tags)
Akbayan Party?s Statement on the First Year of the Aquino Government
No to Sabre-Rattling! A Negotiated Political Settlement to the Spratly Islands Dispute! (tags)
The Party of the Laboring Masses - Philippines condemns any actions that increase military tensions in the region and contribute to a regional military conflict, by countries that lay claim to the Spratly Islands. We are opposed to any sabre-rattling and stand for a negotiated, political settlement, of the disputed claims to the area. Therefore we deplore China?s strong-arm tactics and bullying, which undermines efforts towards a peaceful, political settlement, of the disputed claims.
Philippine Party says China violated its seas (tags)
Akbayan (Citizens Action Party) to Chinese Gov?t: Stop military bullying in Spratlys
End the US-led Armed Intervention in Libya (tags)
Akbayan (Citizens Action Party) supports the democratic opposition in Libya that seeks to end the 43-year-old dictatorship of Muammar Ghadafie. It cannot, however, support the massive armed intervention launched by the United States, France, and Britain on Sunday, March 20.
PHILIPPINES: Marcos' legacy cannot be rehabilitated (tags)
Akbayan Youth on the 25th Anniversary of EDSA and the Marcos burial issue
PHILIPPINES: Gloria Arroyo and Merceditas Gutierrez are “enemies of EDSA” (tags)
A day before the 25th celebration of the historic EDSA people power uprising, members of Akbayan (Citizens Action Party) conducted a “people power protest” in Quezon City calling on the Filipino people to defeat the “enemies of Edsa.”
Progressive Partylists in the Philippines support Reproductive Health Bill (tags)
Around a hundred members of the PM, Akbayan and PLM joined officials of government agencies and non-government organizations (NGOs) in a press conference that called on President Benigno C. Aquino III to include the RH bill among government’s priority measures.
PHILIPPINES: “Truth Action” in Support of Whistle Blowers (tags)
On Monday, members of Akbayan (Citizens Action Party) will conduct a creative action in Philcoa, Quezon City to support former Commission on Audit (COA) Auditor Heidi Mendoza and former military budget officer George Rabusa. The group will also condemn the prevalent corruption inside the Armed forces of the Philippines (AFP) which it said involved "GMA generals."
Appointment of Ronald Llamas as Philippine Presidential Adviser for Political Affair (tags)
Akbayan Youth, the Movement for the Advancement of Student Power (MASP), and the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP) welcome President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino’s (PNoy) appointment of Akbayan Party President Ronald Llamas as Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs. This appointment proves the president’s commitment to a pluralist government open to progressive politics.
PHILIPPINES: Reclaim EDSA II, punish Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (tags)
Saying that the fight to democratize Philippine society and realize systemic changes to ensure a pro-people government is far from over, EDSA 2 veterans led by former Akbayan Representative Risa Hontiveros on Thursday enjoined the public to “reclaim the spirit of Edsa” which she said was “hijacked” by the past administration.
On the Philippine hostage taking incident (tags)
Akbayan (Citizens Action Party) on the the Ill-fated Hostage Taking Incident at the Quirino Grandstand and the Necessary Reformation of the Police Force
PHILIPPINES: Keeping an eye on Aquino’s commitment to change (tags)
MANILA - The new administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III begins with an extremely high trust rating of 88 percent – higher than any of the post-dictatorship presidents. This is a measure of people’s belief in the commitment of the Aquino administration to reverse the anti-poor policies implemented during the regime of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
PHILIPPINES - Deny the "Arroyo 5" (tags)
Akbayan party-list launches campaign to deny the premier political family power in the 2010 elections
FIL-AM CAMPAIGN HEATS UP IN THE US AS ELECTION SEASON BEGINS (tags)
As the official election campaign begins for the Philippine presidential campaign for May 2010 elections last January 10, the Filipino-American campaign intramurals heats up in the United States. The NoyMar ( For Senators Benigno Aquino Jr. and Mar Roxas Liberal party). The current front runners in the Philippines, announced its activities for the campaign
Philippine Govt creating a climate of fear to put country under Martial law (tags)
Philippine Democratic Left Parties statements regarding Ampatuan Massacre and the declaration of Martial Law in Maguindanao
Philippines: Abduction and killings of journalists and politicians must be investigated (tags)
A group of about 45 people (latest news figure is now 57) were ambushed and abducted by about 100 armed men, according to reports. The military recovered the bodies of 13 women and eight men—some of them mutilated.
Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino for the next Philippine President (tags)
An administration that shall not enter into any compromises with Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (GMA), her family and her cronies. A government that shall commit to reverse the political and economic damages wrought by the Arroyo administration. A political leadership that shall use its authority and shall exercise political will to introduce basic reforms that would restore our faith in our own capacity to lead decent and honorable lives.
Philippines - Citizens’ Action is Best Response for Disaster (tags)
Saying that the country needs to unite in order to confront and address the calamities brought about by typhoon Ondoy, Akbayan Party-list Rep. Walden Bello on Monday asked every Filipino here in the Philippines and those overseas to summon their Bayanihan spirit and help the victims in any way possible.
PHILIPPINES: Lozada committed an act of valor and integrity, not destabilization (tags)
AKBAYAN Citizens Action Party Rep. Risa Hontiveros said that dismissing Lozada’s explosive statement as an attempt to destabilize the country would not do, saying that what Lozada divulged lays accountability on the National Broadband Network (NBN) deal at the doorstep of Malacanang Presidential Palace.
The CPP-NPA-NDF “Hit List” - a preliminary report (tags)
It is essential to understand the real scope of the assassination policy of Left activists pursued, after the 1992 crisis, by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), its military arm, the New People’s Army (NPA) and its politico-diplomatic arm, the National Democratic Front (NDF).
PHILIPPINES: On Makati Siege; A crisis of institutions (tags)
The incident unfolding in Makati City today is not surprising. It is a logical conclusion to the abuses committed by the Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (GMA) administration, from the dismissal of the impeachment complaint to the clamp down of democratic and constitutional processes.
Mammoth electoral fraud in Philippines elections: Padding and shaving (tags)
Nearly three weeks after election day, there are still no definitive results for the Philippine elections to the Senate and House of Representatives. Counting is still continuing and in a number of provinces it has not even begun. This has nothing to do with inefficiency and everything to do with ballot-rigging. The Philippines is one of the most corrupt ‘democracies’ in the world. During the 2004 presidential election, the victory of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was widely attributed to large-scale fraud. A tape was massively circulated of a conversation between the President and Virgilio Garcillano, head of Comelec, the national election commission. Arroyo was heard addressing him familiarly, ‘Hello Garci’, and the election chief proudly assured her that he would guarantee her a million-vote majority.
Filipino Workers urged: Vote for truth, full employment (tags)
Thousands of workers from the Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL) and the Confederation of Independent Unions (CIU) gathered in MetroManila, Lipa, Cebu, Davao City, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro City,Zamboanga City and Cotabato City to commemorate the 104th International Labor Day, urging other workers to support candidateswho would vow to unearth the truth behind the 'Hello Garci' controversy.
AKBAYAN denounces US intervention in Philippine elections (tags)
AKBAYAN Party-list condemned today the reported participation of US soldiers Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) initiated campaigns against leftist party-list organizations. The group said that it received reports from the local media in Zamboanga City that US soldiers are also campaigning against party-list groups that the AFP considers as “communist fronts.”
Philippines: On PERC Corruption Survey (tags)
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo reaping the fruits of her folly
PHILIPPINES: Ghost of the fraudulent 2004 elections will haunt this year’s polls (tags)
As the opposition and the administration finalize their line-up, AKBAYAN (Citizens Action Party) warned voters of opportunists who would cover up the single most important issue in this year’s elections – the ‘Hello Garci ’ controversy.
PHILIPPINES - Smith's illegal transfer: Arroyo's judgment will be through the ballots (tags)
AKBAYAN (Citizens' Action Party) today said that the Philippine President Arroyo's numerous crimes against the Constitution and the country's sovereignty, the latest of which is the patently illegal transfer of Smith's custody to the US Embassy, will tried through the ballots in the 2007 elections.
Philippines: Charter Change is Arroyo's Cover-up (tags)
AKBAYAN (Citizens Action Party) today stepped up efforts to derail attempts at the House of Representatives to initiate Charter Change (Cha Cha), calling the move as nothing more than an attempt to cover up the seething political crisis hounding Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (GMA).
Filipino women demand justice for Nicole, speedy resolution of subic rape case (tags)
Women from Akbayan (Citizens Action Party) converged at the Welcome Rotonda today joining nationwide protests for the speedy resolution of the Subic rape case and to call for justice for Nicole.
PHILIPPINES: Junk the Toxic Deal with Japan! Junk JPEPA! (tags)
With the battle shifting to the Upper House, AKBAYAN Partylist today trooped to the Senate to call for the junking of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA). “Japan may have done it once, but we will not allow the dumping of toxic wastes in the country again”, the group said referring to the 1999 incident, when 122 containers declared as “recyclable paper” (which turned out to be clinical wastes) arrived at the Port of Manila.
Philippines: AKBAYAN holds successful 3rd Congress (tags)
Amidst escalating repression and political crisis, the Akbayan Citizens Action Party recently held its Third Regular Congress last October 14 and 15, 2006, at the Riverbend Hotel in Marikina City. With the theme "Ipaglaban ang Dangal ng Pilipino, Ipaglaban ang Kinabukasan Ngayon" (Claim the Future Now), Akbayan marked its more than eight years existence as an alternative national political party in the Philippines.
PHILIPPINES: The worst regime post-Marcos (tags)
AKBAYAN (Citizens Action Party) commemorates Martial Law with condemnation of worst regime post-Marcos.
Philippines: AKBAYAN leads protests over SONA of lies, lies, lies (tags)
AKBAYAN (Citizens' Action Party) today joined the various groups which trooped to the streets to express opposition to the State of the Nation Adress (SONA) of Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (GMA), saying GMA's SONA promises will not make up for the fact that she is the center and crux of the country's crisis right now.
PHILIPPINES: Citizens' impeachment complaint against President Gloria Arroyo (tags)
AKBAYAN (Citizens' Action Party) solons today formally endorsed the second impeachment complaint against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (GMA) as more citizens and groups filed their complaints against the president.
International Women's Day in the Philippines (tags)
Women of different political groups and professions were present at the March. Thirteen major groups joined forces under the banner “Martsa ng Kababaihan”. Present in big numbers were members of Akbayan, LABAN ng MASA, Bayan, Black and White Movement, women advocate groups like Gabriela Women’s Party, Welga ng Kababaihan, and WomenSpeak. In an interesting twist of history, this was the first time that the women’s movements gathered together in a common cause since the Marcos dictatorship.
To bury the truth, GMA killed Philippine democracy (tags)
25 February 2006 AKBAYAN Party today denounced anew GMA's declaration of a State of National Emergency, saying that the draconian measures that the government imposed yesterday completely exposed the despotic inclinations of the ruling regime. "Yesterday's events were the last of the jigsaw pieces that revealed in full GMA's intention to rule the country through a dictatorship. What she has done is an insult not only to the millions of Filipinos who risked their lives to peacefully dismantle the Marcos dictatorship, but also to a world that was moved and inspired by the strength of our love for democracy and freedom. The dark days of Martial Law have been resurrected and they will haunt us as long as President GMA is in power and as long as systemic changes and democratic reforms are not in place," AKBAYAN Rep. Mayong Aguja said. "Just so she could evade the truth behind the 'Hello Garci' controversy, the President is willing to destroy the already shaky democratic structures of the country."
STATE of EMERGENCY has been imposed in the PHILIPPINES! (tags)
Several dozen demonstrators were arrested, mostly social movement activists and civil society leaders including Ronald Llamas, president of AKBAYAN and Professor Randy David, a well-known academic and vocal critique of the Arroyo government.
On the rape of a Filipina committed by 6 US marines (tags)
We demand that the Philippine Government pursue all means necessary to immediately prosecute the six U.S. servicemen charged with raping a Filipino woman in Olongapo City. The Philippine government should do no less. The government owes it to all Filipino women. - Laban ng Masa - Pinay (Fight of the Masses/ Filipino Women's groups)
Philippines: Protests will take off from where impeachment failed (tags)
September 07, 2005 : AKBAYAN (Citizens' Action Party) today joined the ranks of other progressive anti-Arroyo forces and luminaries of the Catholic church in a show of force to continue demanding for the ouster of Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (GMA) a day after the House of Representatives voted down the impeachment complaint.
AKBAYAN: Filipino people ready to oust GMA (tags)
13 July 2005 : AKBAYAN today warned the President that the Filipino people is capable of using extra-constitutional mechanisms to remove her if she continues to refuse to listen to the demands of various sectors that are pushing for her resignation. The group said that extra-constitutional means remain to be a legitimate and valid option, especially if the available constitutional remedies will just be tainted by the same traditional politicians who are interested in securing their political future.
Goodbye Philippine President Gloria Arroyo (tags)
8 July 2005 AKBAYAN Party today said that the speech made by the President last night announcing that she will not resign and will push instead for major constitutional reforms indicates that "house is already burning." Akbayan also called the speech of the President, which called for the resignation of all Cabinet members, as a feeble pitch to preempt the expected withdrawal of support from key Cabinet officials.
Walden Bello, Jose Maria Sison and Schisms in the Left (tags)
Despite efforts by many around the world to rise above sectarianism in the face of the USA's raw imperialism, Walden Bello, a prominent critic of neo-liberalism, has launched an international distancing campaign against the Communist Party of the Philippines and the democratic sectoral movements which draw political inspiration from them. Claiming that the CPP's military wing has targeted him with a “hit list,” which in fact is a mere diagram showing the international linkages of various Phillipino parties and individuals, Bello is playing a dangerous game. Included on the diagram is Bello's Akbayan parlimentary party.