| Home | Bookmark | Tell | Active petitions in over 75 countries | Follow GoPetition |
Petition Tag - philippines
The possession in public places of firearms and deadly weapons should be authorized only for those directly and primarily engaged in police, military, or security services, and even then, only to enforce the law under strict and clearly defined guidelines. Such measure does not in any way impair the privilege of responsible and qualified citizens to keep licensed firearms at home or sports clubs.
On 21 September 2010, Pro-Life Philippines Foundation, Inc., ABA Party-List and Ang Kapatiran Party petitioned the House of Representatives to enact the Citizen Protection Act (CPA) of 2010 – an Act to Regulate the Bearing of Firearms and Deadly Weapons in Public Places, Provide Penalties for its Violation, Provide General Amnesty and Financial Rewards for Voluntary Surrender and Decommissioning of the Same and Appropriate Funds Therefor, and for Other Purposes.
The CPA of 2010 is a practical measure that, among others, will:
1. Bring Down Gun-related Crimes: Statistics from the PNP show that from 2004 to 2008, 97.7 percent of gun-related crimes involved loose firearms, making the Philippines 10th in gun homicide rates worldwide. However, during the imposition of the five-month gun ban in the 2010 elections, the incidence of crime in the country fell by nearly 70 percent as compared to the same period in 2009, from 502,655 reported crimes to 157,674 cases nationwide.
2. Assist the PNP and Empower Communities in Peace-Keeping: This Act will help the police fight crime and violence on the streets, isolate and easily identify outlaws and violators of this Act, thus facilitating their arrest and confiscation of their weapons. Concerned citizens can blow their whistle without fear that they are pointing to the wrong person. Without this Act, it is difficult to distinguish criminals from plainclothesmen or from those with permit to carry, or from bodyguards. Sometimes, criminals pretend to be plainclothesmen, at other times plainclothesmen pretend to be criminals. It is about time to separate the grain from the chaff.
3. Keep in Jail Gun-bearing Criminals and Insurgents: Criminals and insurgents, who are caught with the illegal possession of firearm even on crimes in which bail is allowed and whose cases are being heard, are immediately liable for the violation of this Act, punishable by imprisonment of not less than 12 years and 1 day nor more than 20 years without parole and a fine of not less than P50,000 nor more than P300,000. What this Act seeks to implement are measures to control if not eradicate the presence of firearms in the streets and unauthorized areas or places. We cannot allow our country to have a proliferation of firearms, which are the main instruments of violence in the country and also the main instruments used by threat groups like the CPP-NPA, the renegade MNLF and MILF, and even the syndicates.
4. End Private Armies. Section 6 (Who may be assigned security personnel or bodyguards) of the Act provides: When circumstances warrant, including but not limited to threats to life and security, a private individual or public official, may, upon application, be assigned regular members of the PNP or the AFP or the National Bureau of Investigation, and as augmentation, duly licensed/authorized Protective Agents of Private Detective Agencies, to provide security, for a specified duration.
5. Put an End to Illegal Firearms: Section 10 (General Amnesty) of this Act provides for financial rewards to those who take advantage of the general amnesty whereby individuals may voluntarily surrender unlicensed firearms with no questions asked and without incurring any criminal or civil liability. Section 11 provides for decommissioning of surrendered and confiscated firearms and deadly weapons.
The CPA of 2010 brings with it a counterpart bill in the Senate, SB No. 129 or the Firearms Regulation Act of 2010, filed by Sen. Franklin Drilon.
In an open letter dated 30 January 2011, supporters of both bills - Mga Tagatulak ng Kapayapaan - beseeched President Benigno Aquino III to certify both bills as urgent for immediate approval by both House of Congress.
Among all Filipinos, only a little over 1% have registered firearms and a fraction of this with permits to carry.
Government's indifference to this measure is inconceivable.
For more details, go to www.angkapatiranparty.org.
2. Reduce Electric Power Rates in the Philippines 
Recent study shows that the Philippines has the highest residential power rates not just in Asia but in the entire world. An article recently released by one of the national papers in the Philippines states that the Philippines has already overtaken Japan as the country with the highest residential power rates.
The Philippines is still a developing country but ironically it charges higher power rates compared to other highly developed countries.
3. Justice for Century-old Acacia Trees and Local Heritage
The matter stemmed from the cutting of two (2) century-old acacia trees in front of the public market of Guindulman, Bohol on August 19, 2009 without permit from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and no consultation with residents, considering said trees were of rich historical, cultural value to the town, protected and covered by environmental laws like R.A. 3571, P.D. 953, among others.
We want a full investigation and comprehensive recommendations.
4. Implement the Tridentine Latin Mass
A petition for the endorsement and the strict implementation of the Tridentine Latin Mass in every diocese.
5. Taylor Swift, come back to the Philippines!
Please Filipino Swifties! Sign this petition! I know you love Tay Swift!!
Taylor Alison Swift (born December 13, 1989) is an American country pop, singer-songwriter, musician and actress.
In 2006, she released her debut single "Tim McGraw", then her self-titled debut album, which was subsequently certified multi-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. In November 2008, Swift released her second album, Fearless, and the recording earned Swift four Grammy Awards, including the Album of the Year, at the 52nd Grammy Awards. Fearless and Taylor Swift finished 2008 at number-three and number-six respectively, with sales of 2.1 and 1.5 million. Fearless topped the Billboard 200 for 11 non-consecutive weeks; no album has spent more time at No. 1 since 2000. Swift was named Artist of the Year by Billboard Magazine in 2009. Swift released her third album Speak Now on October 25, 2010 which sold 1,047,000 copies in its first week.
In 2008, her albums sold a combined four million copies, making her the best-selling musician of the year in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Forbes ranked Swift 2009's 69th-most powerful celebrity with earnings of $18 million and 2010's 12th-most powerful celebrity with earnings of $45 million. Swift was ranked the 38th Best Artist of the 2000–10 decade by Billboard. In January 2010 Nielsen SoundScan listed Swift as the most commercially successful country (or country/pop crossover) artist in music history with over 33 million digital tracks sold. As of March 2011, she has sold over 20 million albums and 33 million singles worldwide.
Source: wiki
Rumors: That maybe "Big Bang" will be the one who'll have the concert here not the SUPER JUNIOR.
But as an ELF we want to catch the last glimpse & at least see Angel Eeteuk & Heechul celebrate their birthday in JULY! Before they'll be send in Military
7. Campaign for a Digital radio station for the Philippine Community
There are well over 250,000 Filipino's living all over the United Kingdom, many of which are working in our schools, hospitals, community centres and many other vital areas here in the UK, including our transport, leisure and entertainment industry and are actively contributing to the success of this country.
For Filipino families here in the UK who do not have broadband internet or satellite TV, it is often hard to keep up to date with life back in the Philippines.
This campaign is calling on major British broadcasters like the BBC and ITV to help the Filipino community here establish a Digital radio station catering for the needs of Filipino families living here in the UK.
For several months now, there have been persistent reports in the media that President Aquino is preparing to remove Secretary Jesse Robredo from his post at the Department of Interior and local Government (DILG) and transfer him “to head a new agency that would supervise a resettlement program for informal settlers.” President Aquino was quoted in November by the Manila Bulletin as saying that “Robredo has done well at the DILG helm but may be more useful in programs addressing informal settlers in the country.”
As January 2011 dawns, the reports persist. The alarming situation moves us to respectfully urge President Aquino to retain Secretary Jesse Robredo in his post at the DILG and appoint him as full-pledged Secretary. There are many things going for Secretary Robredo's retention. These are as follows:
1) Robredo is an Asian Nobel Prize laureate having been named as Ramon Magsaysay Awardee for Government Service in 2000.
With all due respect, we believe that President Aquino needs to demonstrate an overridingly compelling reason to remove Secretary Robredo instead of simply citing "differences over 'style and philosophy' during the election campaign" for him to surmount or countervail the Award’s formidable prestige and reputation.
Aside from the Ramon Magsaysay Award, the website www.citymayors.com lists Robredo’s other international accolades as follows: the Most Cost-Effective City in Asia by the United Kingdom's Foreign Direct Investment Magazine (2005); Public Service Awardee for Local e-Governance from the United Nations Department of Public Administration and Finance (2004); Women-Friendly City Award from the UN-Habitat and the UN Development Fund for Women (2004); Model City for Government Procurement from the World Bank and Procurement Watch (2003); CyberCity Awardee for its i-Governance initiatives from the United Nations Development Program (2002); Dubai International Awardee for Improving the Living Environment from UN Habitat (1998). Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World (1996) and the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines (1990). He also received the Konrad Adenauer Medal of Excellence as Most Outstanding City Mayor of the Philippines (1998) and the first ever "Dangal ng Bayan" Award of the Civil Service Commission.
2) Robredo is the champion of transparency and accountability in governance, twin concepts of governance that underpins President Aquino’s avowed platform of government. The Aquino administration will pull the good governance rug from under its feet by shutting down its finest practitioner. Pursuing the program of good governance can be done best within the department in charge of local governments and Secretary Robredo is unquestionably the finest man for that job.
3) Among the members of President Aquino’s cabinet, it is Secretary Jesse Robredo who best symbolizes in the eyes of millions of Filipinos the ideals of good governance and ethical leadership. Striking him out of the Aquino cabinet would have the same effect as dropping Jupiter or Uranus out of the solar system.
4) The vital part played by our youth in nation building was reaffirmed by Secretary Robredo when he supported the retention of the Philippine youth councils officially known as the SK (Sangguniang Kabataan) with major reforms. We personally believe that with proper example and guidance from us adults, the youth of this country -- the fair hope of the motherland as Dr. Jose Rizal referred to them -- will prove their worth every single time.
5) Secretary Jesse Robredo is fast-tracking the resolution of the more than 2,000 pending cases against policemen before the National Police Commission (Napolcom) targeting a zero backlog on administrative cases against police officers and a 30-day time frame in resolving future cases. This is expected to enhance integrity of the police forces as well as increase police morale and efficiency.
6) Secretary Robredo went out of his way to address the issue of multiple term barangay officials (“multiple termer” refers to a barangay chairman or kagawad who has been elected and served 3 consecutive terms for the same position) when his department submitted to the COMELEC the list of multiple termers and uploaded it on the DILG website weeks before the October 25, 2010 barangay elections. As a result, the Filipino electorate became aware about the presence of these multiple termers causing many of them to be voted out of office by an informed electorate. We need somebody like Secretary Robredo in the DILG working with the COMELEC and civil society to finally deal with the handful of multiple termers who were still able to file their COCs, run, win and still get proclaimed.
We will not give up on Secretary Jesse Robredo. His removal from the DILG will send a powerful signal to our people and to civil society that the President is backtracking on his promise of change. It is but fair that President Aquino should appoint Secretary Robredo as full-pledged DILG Secretary with all the powers of the office, give him a year or two of time to run the department and then judge him on the basis of his performance. To remove him before giving him the opportunity to show the best that he can do at the DILG would be unfair to our people.
President Aquino’s stated desire to utilize Robredo’s expertise in the DILG by addressing the problem of informal settlers in the country is not incompatible with keeping him in the DILG. Whoever advised the President of this move ought to realize that the issue of informal settlers lies within the mandate of the DILG or the local government units. Secretary Robredo can very effectively address the informal settler issue by remaining in the DILG because there, he will have real, direct clout and power to address the complex problem relating to informal settlers.
Even as we support Secretary Robredo, we also call upon him to scale even higher his implementation of good governance. Together with COA, he should call on concerned local government units to discontinue their so-called “exclusive suppliers” system as well as the ghost employees in local governments featured recently by Mr. Mike Enriquez in GMA 7's Imbestigador. These schemes drain billions in taxpayers’ money that could have gone to programs to feed our people, build them houses and give them jobs. Properly formatted balance sheets, income statements and expense reports duly uploaded to government websites mean nothing if they represent transactions involving goods and equipment procured at twice or three times their actual prices in the market. The Aquino government need not impose new or higher taxes on our suffering people if billions of pesos in taxpayers' money can be saved by plugging this giant procurement loophole.
We call on Filipinos everywhere who seek meaningful change in our country – who are committed to seeing change within themselves, their communities, their towns, cities, provinces, regions and eventually the entire country itself to support the call to retain DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo in his post and keep him there permanently. It will be a resounding setback for good governance and ethical leadership in this country if Secretary Robredo loses the DILG post without the nation coming to his side.
God has given us a capable and committed leader in the person of Secretary Robredo and it appears we’re not even prepared to make a stand to back him up. Binigyan tayo ng Panginoon ng pagpapala ngunit mukhang hindi natin handang pahalagahan! Sayang! We need to make President Aquino realize that he made the right decision when he appointed Secretary Robredo to head the DILG in the first place. Ang sabi po ni Pangulong Aquino ay “Kayo, ang boss ko!” Sana po ay makinig ang ating Pangulo sa pakiusap na ito ng sambayanan.
Take a stand for good governance by supporting DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo. Please sign this petition for good governance!
Please tell your friends through text, Facebook, Twitter or whatever other means to do likewise. Please sign it to secure a better future for our country and our children!
God bless the Philippines! God bless Filipinos all over the world! Mabuhay ang Pinoy! Purihin ang Panginoon!
(Sgd.)
Rolando G. Ocampo
Representative for External Affairs
Movement for Change and Good Governance
Edwin B. Aligora
Head, Public Affairs Committee
Movement for Change and Good Governance
Two months ago, on the 12 September 2010, Carole Day, a long-term British expat in Hong Kong, went missing in the Philippines. There is still no news on where she is and no evidence to suggest what has happened to Carole.
We need to keep pressure on the British government and the National Bureau of Investigation in the Philippines to ensure they pursue all avenues to find Carole.
For more information: http://ukinthephilippines.fco.gov.uk/en/news/?view=News&id=28230682
10. Continue Katekyo Hitman Reborn
It is confirmed that Katekyo Hitman Reborn will end on September 25, 2010 (at 203 episodes). It is unknown if they will put in on a temporary or permanent hiatus. For those who did not want this news, please sign in this petition.
11. Justice for Century-Old Acacia Trees in Guindulman, Bohol, Philippines
On August 19, 2009, two weeks before the September 8 town fiesta, the century-old acacia trees lining the national highway of the historic town of Guindulman, Bohol, Philippines were cut for the purpose of giving a prominent view of the building claimed by the municipal administration as its major accomplishment.
The mayor’s decision to cut the trees was on the pretext of public safety, however, there was no official report pointing to its hazardous existence. Environmental and structural experts declared the tress safe, part of the scenic sights of the national highways.
She failed to realize how important trees nowadays and their significance in the socio-cultural and historical heritage of the people in Guindulman and the entire Bohol povince.
12. No discrimination against MA Students of UST-AMV
We, the students of University of Santo Tomas - Alfredo M. Velayo College of Accountancy (Management Accounting students), feel bad re the admin of our college. We VISIBLY WITNESS the discrimination against MA students. (e.g. SCHEDULE of CLASSES 4pm - 8pm).
Update on the SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME of OUR PETITION
(11/24/2011) Supreme Court Decision:
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/239494/nation/voting-14-0-supreme-court-orders-distribution-of-luisita-land
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/239524/nation/dar-to-implement-luisita-land-distribution-once-sc-order-becomes-final
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/239524/nation/dar-to-implement-luisita-land-distribution-once-sc-order-becomes-final
----------------------------------------------------------------
Background of our petition
The Central Bank Monetary Board resolution from 1957 required distribution of Hacienda Luisita’s land to small farmers within 10 years. When 1967 came and went with no land distribution taking place, the farm workers began to organize themselves to uphold their cause.
A case was filed on May 7, 1980 by the Marcos government against the Cojuangco company TADECO for the surrender of Hacienda Luisita to the Ministry of Agrarian Reform, so land could be distributed to the farmers at cost, in accordance with the terms of the government loans given in 1957-1958 to the late Jose Cojuangco, Sr., who died in 1976. (Republic of the Philippines vs. TADECO, Civil Case No. 131654, Manila Regional Trial Court, Branch XLIII).
On January 16, 1986, (Cory) Aquino delivered her second major speech in Davao and said, "Land-to-the-tiller must become a reality, instead of an empty slogan." In the same speech, Aquino also said, "You will probably ask me: Will I also apply it to my family’s Hacienda Luisita? My answer is yes." The snap elections took place on February 7, 1986. Marcos was declared winner, but was ousted by the People Power revolution. Cory Aquino was sworn in as President on February 25, 1986.
On January 22, 1987, eleven months into the Aquino administration, the Mendiola massacre happened. Thousands of frustrated farmers marched to Malacañang demanding fulfillment of the promises made regarding land reform during the Aquino campaign, and distribution of lands at no cost to beneficiaries. At least a dozen protesters were killed in the violent dispersal. More were seriously injured. The Stock Distribution Option (SDO) was a clause in the 1988 Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) that allowed landowners to give farmers shares of stock in a corporation instead of land. The landlords then arranged to own majority share in the corporations, to stay in control. This went against the spirit of land reform, which is to give "land to the tiller".
On May 18, 1988, the Court of Appeals dismissed the case filed in 1980 by the Philippine government—under Marcos—against the Cojuangco company TADECO to compel the handover of Hacienda Luisita. It was the Philippine government itself—under Aquino—that filed the motion to dismiss its own case against TADECO, saying the lands of Hacienda Luisita were going to be distributed anyway through the new agrarian reform law.
A month after the case was dismissed, on June 10, 1988, Aquino signed the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law. Soon after, Hacienda Luisita was put under the Stock Distribution Option (SDO) that Aquino included in the law. Through the SDO, landlords could comply with the land reform law without giving land to farmers.
On May 9, 1989, Luisita’s farm workers were asked to choose between stocks or land in a referendum. The SDO won 92.9% of the vote. A second referendum and information campaign were held on October 14, 1989, and again the SDO won, this time by a 96.75% vote. Luisita’s SDO agreement spelled out a 30-year schedule for transferring stock to the farm workers:
"At the end of each fiscal year, for a period of 30 years, the SECOND PARTY (HLI) shall arrange with the FIRST PARTY (TADECO) the acquisition and distribution to the THIRD PARTY (farm workers) on the basis of number of days worked and at no cost to them of one-thirtieth (1/30) of 118,391,976.85 shares of the capital stock of the SECOND PARTY (HLI) that are presently owned and held by the FIRST PARTY (TADECO), until such time as the entire block of 118,391,976.85 shares shall have been completely acquired and distributed to the THIRD PARTY (farm workers)."
About 5 years after the SDO was implemented, management began to claim that HLI was losing money. The farm workers’ wages plateaued and their work days were cut. Meanwhile, a mall and industrial park were sprouting on the portion of the hacienda closest to McArthur Highway. Losing money but building a mall? the farmers brooded. Something was up.
Conversion—the real plan
On September 1, 1995, the Sangguniang Bayan of Tarlac passed a resolution reclassifying 3,290 out of Luisita’s 4,915 hectares from agricultural to commercial, industrial, and residential. The governor of Tarlac province at that time was Margarita "Tingting" Cojuangco, wife of Jose "Peping" Cojuangco, Jr. Out of the 3,290 reclassified hectares, 500 were approved for conversion by the DAR.
As land was being converted, the area left for farming grew smaller and smaller. More work days were cut, and wages were practically frozen. Mechanization also reduced the need for manual labor.
Mass retrenchment
By 2003, the farm workers’ daily wage was down to P194.50 (P9.50 after deductions for salary loans and other items), and work days were down to 1 per week. They finally saw the futility of having four board seats against management’s seven (the SDO agreement allotted 4 board seats to the farm workers ahead of the 30-year waiting period for their stocks). They were always going to be outvoted. They also feared that their board representatives could easily be manipulated because they were not as well-versed as management in corporate matters.
The SDO had to go, they concluded.
The union leaders scrabbled together a petition to revoke the SDO and stop land conversion in Luisita. It was signed by 5,339 farm workers and filed at the Department of Agrarian Reform on December 4, 2003. In July 2004, the union tried to negotiate a wage increase to P225 per day. They also asked for an increase in work days to 2-3 days per week. Management said no, saying the company was losing money.
Management then issued notices retrenching 327 farm workers effective October 1, 2004. A month later came the workers’ strike, then the massacre. Under pressure from public outrage over the November 2004 massacre, the Arroyo administration, through the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), formed Task Force Stock Distribution on November 25, 2004 to study the causes of the workers’ strike. The Task Force was later renamed Task Force Luisita. In March 2005, teams were sent by the DAR to Luisita’s 10 barangays to investigate the SDO... the DAR’s Task Force Luisita submitted the findings and recommendations of its investigation. This formed the basis for the government’s decision a few months later to revoke Luisita’s Stock Distribution Option (SDO) and order the distribution of the hacienda’s land to the farmers.On December 23, 2005, the Presidential Agrarian Reform Council (PARC) formally ordered Luisita’s SDO revoked, and its lands put under compulsory acquisition.
But the Cojuangco family would not give up the land without a fight. A Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) was obtained from the Supreme Court by June 2006 preventing PARC from revoking the SDO and distributing Hacienda Luisita’s land. This TRO has been in force for more than three years now...
Source: gmanews.tv/story/181877 published in four series
By STEPHANIE DYCHIU 01/18/2010
14. Support Bamboo Planting and Utilization: Best Solution to Climate Change
After the conduct of the 2009 INBAR training/workshop on Non-Timber Forest Products in Zheijang, China, it has been established that one of the best if not the best solution to the climate change problem is massive planting of bamboo worldwide. This is considering the natural characteristics of this miracle plant as follows:
1. It is the fastest growing plant in the planet. Some species can actually grow up to 4 feet per day.
2. It is much more sustainable compared to trees. 1 tree planted equals 1 tree harvested at a minimum waiting time of 10 years, whereas, 1 bamboo planted equals more than a hundred that can be harvested at a maximum waiting time of only 5 years and it just grows and grows and multiplies continuously.
3. It is much easier to grow compared to trees. It can grow at any elevation, does not require fertilization and requires little water.
4. It ABSORBS 35% more carbon dioxide and also EMITS 35% more oxygen compared to trees making it the best solution for CARBON SEQUESTRATION. Even finished products like boards, floors, furniture, activated charcoal, cloth, paper, etc will retain carbon for decades.
5. It is the BEST SOURCE OF BIO-OIL/FUEL and BIO-COAL. Copra, oil palm, jathropa, sugar cane, sorghum, cassava, moringa and other sources could not compare with bamboo. This will result in significantly reducing our dependence on fossil fuel which is one of the major causes of climate change and air pollution. Other advantages that can be derived in utilizing bamboo for bio-fuel are;
a. reduce GHG emissions, another major cause of climate change,
b. establishment of land cover which will also result in water conservation and flood control.
6. If massive planting of bamboo will be done worldwide, the climate change problem will be TOTALLY GONE in a matter of only 6 YEARS.
Incidentally, bamboo planting and utilization will also significantly reduce poverty as evidenced by China's bamboo-based industries.
1. Income from bamboo farming is 7 times more compared to rice farming.
2. The bamboo-based industries income of China derived from its 7 million hectares of bamboo plantations last year 2008 was US$15billion.
3. It is the best substitute for wood and its tensile strength is higher than that of soft steel. More use of bamboo and less of wood will be good for the planet.
4. Bamboo is a source of food, lumber, charcoal, pulp for paper, medicines, cloth, some chemicals, bio-oil/fuel, bio-coal and a lot more.
5. Investing in bamboo-based industries will;
a. generate more jobs
b. save foreign exchange
c. motivate countryside economy which will be good for overall economy.
15. Commend the Magellan's Cross as a World Heritage Site
The Magellan's Cross is located in Cebu City, in the Republic of the Philippines.
On April 21, 1521, Portuguese and Spanish explorers, upon orders by Ferdinand Magellan, planted this beautiful artifact of Christianity (specifically Roman Catholicism) in the Philippines.
The Asian Transnational Corporation Monitoring Network (ATNC) strongly condemns the closure of the Triumph International Philippines factory inside the FTI Complex in Taguig City and the nearby Star Performance Incorporated as well, as the layoff of nearly 50% of the workforce in the Body Fashion Thailand (BFT), Triumph International's Thai subsidiary.
17. A Petition to Protect Filipino Migrant Teachers and All Migrant Workers
We are deeply concerned about the welfare of Filipino migrant teachers in the United States that went through some shady placement agencies. We are aware that many Filipino workers fall victims to these agencies that are out to exploit the vulnerability of a worker-parent who is adamant at providing a more stable future for his/her family.
While these recruitment agencies are accredited with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), many have a history of suspensions and violations; or even exploitative policies that have hurt a lot of Filipino workers, both financially and psychologically. The operations of these agencies are bordering on human trafficking.
We are particularly appalled by the experiences of our brothers and sisters now deployed in Louisiana who utilized the following placement agencies: PARS International Placement and Universal Placement International (UPI). They have been subjected to unjust treatment and oppressive polices by these agencies.
These placement agencies, under the control of Navarro has put in place a web of measures and modus operandi to guarantee that they squeeze the maximum amount of cash from their clients and at the same time ensuring that these teachers will remain dependent upon them.
UPI, headed by Lourdes Navarro aka Lulu Navarro, is based in Los Angeles, California. PARS, represented by Emilio Villarba (brother of Navarro), on the other hand handles their operations in the Philippines and is based in Quezon City.
We are doubly concerned as Lourdes Navarro, also known as Lulu Navarro, is a manipulative criminal who is a convicted felon in the State of California for fraud, grand theft, money laundering, and identity theft.
UPI and PARS will make everyone believe that there is a job waiting for all “approved” applicants. The problem however is that these agencies qualify and process more candidates than the slots required for a certain employer. Clearly, the more people they send, the more placement fee they collect. Many end up in the receiving country unemployed.
Further, UPI and PARS illegally charges exorbitant fees. Before a client leaves, they will charge an upfront 20% of projected annual gross income, which is over the 10% and staggered basis allowed by law. This overcharging of placement fees and its premature collection is tantamount of illegal recruitment, a violation of a Republic Act 8042 or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995 and P.D. 442 or the Labor Code of the Philippines.
On top of it all, UPI and PARS employ deceit and intimidation to ensure conformity from these teachers. To silence and threaten the teachers, Navarro always makes it a point to underscore that she can influence their employers and have them fired.
18. Support the Clean Air 10 Declaration
The Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 is now 10 years old. While the Clean Air Act phased out leaded gasoline and set new clean air standards, we need to strengthen the enforcement of this landmark law.
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Clean Air Act, the "Clean Air 10 Declaration" was drafted to provide 10 priority actions for the coming years.
19. Surface Filipina-American Activist Melissa Roxas Now
HELP SURFACE FILIPINA-AMERICAN ACTIVIST MELISSA ROXAS, ABDUCTED BY SUSPECTED ELEMENTS OF THE PHILIPPINE MILITARY!
An Open Letter of Concern
To: US President Barack Obama; US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie A. Kenney; US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton; US Senator Barbara Boxer; and California State Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg
20. Petition For The Protection Of Mr Edgar Paez , Secretary General Of Sinaltrainal, Colombia
Our comrade and friend from Colombia, Mr. Edgar Paez, the Secretary General of Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores dela Industria de Alimentos (SINALTRAINAL) is under surveillance and was put in the Order of Battle by the Colombian Military last May 15, 2009.
This petition requests the Colombian Authority to please give Mr. Edgar Paez the necessary protection for his life and liberty as provided for under the International Declaration of Human Rights and respect his rights as a trade unionist in accordance to the ILO Convention 87 and 98.
21. Condemnation for the Brutal Killing of Mrs. Lilia de Vera's Family
We, the Filipinos residing in the Philippines and overseas, strongly condemn the brutal killing of Mrs. Lilia de Villa's husband and 7-year old daughter by policemen pursuing a robbery gang on Dec. 5, 2008 in Paranaque City. This wanton act of savagery and blatant disregard for "Rules of Engagement" by the very same policemen who are supposed to be the guardians of public safety show the ineptitude of our law enforcers and their utter disregard for human life.
According to the account of Mrs. de Vera "my husband's face was unrecognizable because he was shot in the head at close range while he was kneeling with his head bowed down. My daughter's young body was riddled with bullets, one hit her head, blowing her brains out, all from powerful guns and ammunition fired by the men in uniform on two innocent and defenseless persons." What was the only crime of the victims? They were mistaken for robbers while driving their SUV Crosswind in the vicinity of the shoot-out. Based on some eyewitness accounts, the police sprayed bullets on the van, despite the absence of any provocation from the van and in an effort to save their lives, Mr. De Vera grabbed his already bloodied daughter and run away from the van to seek cover from a parked jeepney. Nonetheless, he was shot at close range. How can one mistake a man clutching a bloodied girl for a robbery suspect? Or was this a case of eliminating the only witness who could pinpoint the killers of the girl?
As usual, after a few days in the news and as the victims are not well-known or influential persons in Philippine society, media stopped news coverage and the public is not aware whether the perpetrators of the crime have been brought to the bar of justice.
22. Campaign against the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant in the Philippines
House Bill 4631 proposing to commission the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) for commercial use is before Congress today. This is the very same BNPP built thirty-five years ago, was proven to be riddled with defects, steeped in corruption and anomaly and shut down in 1986 due to overwhelming public opposition.
Reviving the BNPP would be a grave disservice to the public at large especially since the claims of the proponents belie the truth:
Not a Solution to the Power Crisis
We see no reason to revive the BNPP when data from the Department of Energy show that we are currently generating 4,212 MW in excess of what we need. Also, renewable sources of energy from geothermal, wind and hydro resources have yet to be exhausted. Why make the public pay more for a superfluous and undesirable energy source?
More Expensive than Fossil-based plants.
The idea that nuclear energy is ‘too cheap to meter’ has been proven a fallacy since the first nuclear plant was built. In reality, nuclear power plants end up costlier to maintain and we may find ourselves replacing oil dependency with uranium dependency as we would need to import uranium in order to make our reactors work.
The sheer size of the project makes it vulnerable for corruption and shady deals. Just like the first BNPP deal which was valued at USD 600 Million but ballooned to USD 2.3 Billion, the estimated USD 1 Billion may balloon when the refurbishing is underway.
There are no logical reasons to revive the BNPP, in fact, the reasons for its rejection in the past still stand today.
The BNPP is:
UNSAFE and DEADLY
The risks and danger posed by the BNPP to the public has not been dimmed by the passage of 35 years. The plant in question is riddled with defects from its cover design, construction, quality assurance, workmanship and project management; it sits on a geologically unsafe location and poses a very high risk to the lives and livelihood of underlying communities and provinces.
Also, there is yet to be any effective technology to store or dispose nuclear waste.
ANOMALOUS AND BURDENSOME
For more than 30 years, debts from the BNPP made up 20% of the budget for debt servicing. It was the Filipino people who paid the price for the bad deal made. A 2004 estimate puts the price the public had to pay for the behest loans incurred with the BNPP at US$155,000 per day.
The price tag for reviving the BNPP is US$1 billion. This amount will most likely take the form of loans that would be shouldered, again, by the public, and most likely, will also be prone to corruption.
Henceforth,
The BNPP is neither for the public good or gain. With a nuclear plant such as the BNPP in our midst, the public would be in a perpetual state of insecurity.
The only logical alternative is to build the broadest possible network of anti-BNPP veterans and advocates who will come together to oppose the resuscitation of the BNPP. We have to defend the victory of the Nuclear-Free Bataan Movement and the Filipino people in shutting down the BNPP. We can’t allow the comeback of the “Monster of Morong “.
The Nuclear-Free Bataan Movement Network (NFBM-Net)
The NFBM-Net stemmed from the Nuclear-Free Bataan Movement (NFBM). Composed of people’s organizations, groups and individuals of Bataan and supported by national and international networks, the NFBM was at the forefront of the Filipino people’s struggle to oppose the operation of the BNPP. At the height of the anti-BNPP campaign in the 80’s, the NFBM led the successful ‘welgang bayan’ in December ’84 and June ’85 in Bataan. This finally led to the closedown of the BNPP in 1986.
Now, with moves to revive the BNPP, we are in another defining moment. The NFBM, with the anti-BNPP veterans at its core, has again taken the challenge to lead the anti-BNPP people’s struggle. They will need the support of the broadest to again foil the sinister plot to release the ‘Monster of Morong’, seal its coffin and bury it forever. Thus, the formation of the NFBM-Net.
The NFBM-Net is a loose network of organizations, institutions, groups and individuals united on the basis of working together to achieve the immediate rejection and scrapping of HB 4631 and all moves to revive the BNPP.
The NFBM-Net reaches out to and encourages the participation of the broadest number of people who are willing to work on a tactical campaign and struggle to put up the strongest possible pressure to shut down the BNPP once and for all.
The campaign will depend on independent but coordinated initiatives and active support of all NFBM-Net participants in their capacity as convenors or as participating groups and individuals. NFBM-Net respects and recognizes that member groups and individuals have their own contributions, capabilities, resources and initiatives in different forms and protests against the BNPP.
The NFBM-Net is led by a group of convenors. The number of convenors increases relative to the breadth and depth of the network.
The group of convenors is assisted at the national level by the national secretariat. For purposes of grassroots reach and widest possible coverage and coordination, it is proposed that NFBM-Net be organized at the territorial level i.e., NFBM-Central Luzon Network, NFBM-Visayas Network, etc. and at the sectoral level - NFBM-Youth Network, NFBM-Teachers Network, etc. Local secretariats at the level of respective territories will likewise be formed.
Participating organizations/individuals are encouraged to initiate activities in their areas and to coordinate these with the secretariat for purposes like the presence of convenors and spokespersons and education/information materials.
The NFBM-Net will work on particular areas of concern such as:
1. Massive information dissemination – education and propaganda campaigning on BNPP:
a. Conduct forum and symposia;
b. Develop modules which are given to interested parties especially schools, parishes and other institutions which have the capacity to reach a broader audience directly;
c. Conduct assemblies and meetings and other information dissemination activities at the grassroots level;
d. Conduct education and propaganda activities at the grassroots level – in schools, workplaces, communities, local parishes, etc. and create a speakers’ pool for such purposes;
e. Develop popular and creative forms of information dissemination
2. Popular actions and solidarity building:
a. Launch actions/mobilizations and call on the participation of the broadest number of people in these activities;
b. Popular actions and mobilizations will be in the form of street rallies/demonstrations, Congress/Senate lobbying and other forms that may either be indoor or outdoor;
c. Link up with other local, national and international networks and organizations;
d. On the basis of the campaign, establish working and cooperative relations and conduct coordinated campaigns or joint projects.
23. Monumento World Heritage Global Campaign
The Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan City is considered by many Filipinos to be the greatest monument to valor and to love of freedom on earth honoring as it does the Philippines' greatest revolutionary hero, Andres Bonifacio, and the brave band of selfless men and women who joined him in igniting the firestorm of the Philippine Revolution in August 1896.
Its creation was mandated by Act No. 2760 of the Philippine Legislature on February 23, 1918 to be a lasting monument to the memory of Gat Andres Bonifacio and to the Katipuneros he led in 1896 in Asia's first national uprising against European colonial misrule. Act No. 2760 predated by three years the passage of Act No. 2946 by the Philippine Legislature on February 16, 1921 making November 30 of each year a legal holiday to commemorate the birth of Andres Bonifacio. Aside from Dr. Jose Rizal, Bonifacio is the only national hero to have a legal holiday marked in his honor. The passage in 1918 of Act No. 2760 is that much more remarkable and historic because, at that time, the Flag Law which forbade the display of the Philippine flag (and even emblems of the Katipunan) was still in effect and would be lifted only on October 22, 1919 when the Flag Law was repealed by Act No. 2871.
The Monumento World Heritage Global Campaign and this online petition signing effort are part of the year-long commemoration of the diamond jubilee (75th anniversary) of the Monumento which was completed by renowned Filipino national artist Guillermo Tolentino in 1933.
Today, the integrity of the Monumento, as the Bonifacio Monument is fondly called, is under threat with the closing of the loop of the LRT and MRT. It is ironic but the greatest monument to freedom faces the risk of being imprisoned by the light rail ring of concrete and steel that is steadily going up around it. Today, giant billboards have sprung up around the Bonifacio Monument thereby unduly diminishing its stature and importance.
Filipinos everywhere are called upon to appeal to the government of the Philippines and the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) to save the Monumento from further desecration. The best way this can be done is by having the Monumento enshrined in its rightful place among the UNESCO World Heritage cultural sites. Andres Bonifacio gave us our freedom. The least that we can do is to defend the integrity of the monument that is the enduring symbol of our nation's honor and dignity.
We call upon the Philippine government and its various instrumentalities and the UNESCO together with its parent organization, the United Nations, to take every step necessary to ensure the eventual inclusion of the Bonifacio Monument in the UNESCO list of World Heritage cultural sites.
(Sgd.)
Rolando G. Ocampo
Founding Member, Caloocan City People's Council
Lead Convenor, Monumento World Heritage Global Campaign
This petition is supported by the Caloocan City People's Council and its component organizations, among them SAMATRIP and the PD 1517 Coalition, primary defender of the Heroes del 96 community. Heroes del 96 is the largest urban community nearest the Bonifacio Monument. The history of this locality is closely interlinked with that of the Monumento and its people are the proud bearers of a magnificent cultural heritage and identity. Host convenor of the Caloocan City People's Council is Mrs. Luz Ambre of Bagong Silang, Caloocan City, Philippines.
24. Dignity and Respect for the Filipino Worker
There is now a significant Filipino population in the United Kingdom. Over the past twenty years, the number of Filipinos living and working in the UK has increased by more than 833% from roughly 18,000 in 1986 to more than 150,000 by 2006. Of this number, about 70% live in Greater London area.
The Filipino community works in a variety of sectors, ranging from IT, aviation, education, hospitality sector (hotels, restaurants and casinos) and healthcare, chefs, and house managers. Increasingly, Filipinos have been recruited to the UK in significant numbers. Over the past five years, thousands have been recruited for the hospitality and healthcare sectors.
Perhaps the Filipino community is best known for the contribution it makes to the healthcare sector. Filipino nurses are consistently recognized for their high standards of professionalism. In the past eight years, more than 45,000 Filipinos were recruited into the health service, most of whom are nurses serving in the National Health Service while the remainder are working in the independent healthcare sector – mostly in private nursing homes.
Equally well received are the thousands of domestic workers who are housekeepers, cleaners and nannies. They are often employed by the members of the British establishment. Young professional women entrust their children to be looked after by Filipina nannies. Filipino domestic workers are well known to be hard-working, trustworthy and responsible.
Almost all of these domestic helpers are well educated with most of them having a degree-qualification as their background. Hence their high-demand as preferred employees by various sectors of the international society living in London.
A survey conducted amongst a limited sample of Filipinos living in the UK at present yielded some interesting findings:
65% of Filipinos are nurses and/or in the allied medical fields.
More than 10% are in domestic service.
A growing number of entrepreneurs of about 5%.
10-20% of the second-generation youths has gone to university or are still finishing university courses. Some of them have also become known as 'celebrities' due to their high profiles as models, actresses or musicians.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS MESSAGE TO ALL?
"On 26 September 2008 at 9 p.m., BBC 1 aired the comedy series Harry and Paul starring Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse. The opening scene showed Paul seated on a chair on his front lawn, while still in his pyjamas. A young Asian-looking female was shown gyrating in front of him in a lascivious manner. The postman arrived to ask Harry, Paul's friend, what was going on. Harry told him that he is trying to see if his ‘Filipina maid' can seduce Paul who obviously looks depressed.
Harry then continued to shout instructions to the young girl and to Paul to 'hump' the Filipino maid. He remained unmoved while the girl even played with his hair. On further instructions from Harry, she continued to gyrate sexually in front of Paul. Harry then instructed the maid to 'present her rear' which she did while wiggling her bottom in a seductive manner. The maid did not succeed in seducing Paul as he got up from his chair to go to his house. Harry shouted at the girl in an angry voice to leave as she was useless in doing her job. The girl walked towards the pavement looking upset. While walking on the pavement, the postman looked at her in a leering way and followed her. After catching up with her, he was shown to be whispering in her right ear and the girl then walked off with the postman."
While the BBC series did have a warning that the contents of the show may be of an offensive nature and has been rated 16, this particular sketch is completely disgraceful, distasteful and a great example of gutter humour. The sketch reflected insensitivity on the part of the producers and the British Broadcasting Corporation who did not seem to worry that by particularly naming the girl as a 'Filipina maid' and with her employer ordering her to openly behave in a lascivious manner toward the neighbour on the front lawn of a house where the public can watch what she was doing, was tantamount to racism and worst sexual abuse and exploitation of the hapless young Filipina domestic worker employee.
You can watch the actual video by clicking here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00dnf21/
Actual video clip courtesy of YouTube
Click here to find out how to complain about the BBC and its programs.
25. Bring THE GAZETTE to Manila Philippines! [from Filipino fans]
In March of 2002, Ruki, Uruha, and Reita (all former band mates), and Aoi and Yune (also former band mates) formed a band under the name Gazette. Originally signed to Matina, they released their first single, "Wakaremichi", and a video release in April. By September they had released two more singles and another video, headlining a show for the first time in October.
In early 2003, Yune decided to leave the band, and he was replaced by Kai. Shortly after, they signed with the PS Company label, and in May released their first EP, Cockayne Soup. They started their first tour, with the band Hanamuke, and along with the tour, the bands collaborated on two songs. A second tour followed with the band Vidoll, and the bands were featured together on the November issue of Cure, a magazine focusing on Visual Kei bands.
In early December they played a co-headlining show with Deadman. On December 28 they performed at Fool's Mate magazine's Beauti-fool's Fest which was later released on DVD.
On January 16, 2004 they recorded a solo performance at the Shibuya-AX, which was released on DVD as Tokyo saihan ~Judgement Day~. On March 30, 2004 they released their Madara mini-album, which reached #2 on the Oricon Indie Charts. Madara was followed in May by a companion DVD, which included six music videos and an in-the-studio documentary. The same month, Gazette was featured in Shoxx magazine's Expect Rush III, a catalogue of independent Visual Kei artists. A second live DVD, Heisei Banka, was released in August. During September and October they toured with fellow PS Company bands Kra and BIS. Their debut album, Disorder, was released in October, and made it to the top 5 of the indies Oricon Daily Charts.
The band spent the remainder of 2004 and 2005 touring extensively, releasing Gama (another mini album) in August.
In 2005 the band released their first major label single, Cassis, in December.
Starting 2006 with a name change—from Japanese characters to a romanized script—they released Nil, their second full-length album, on February 8, 2006, and embarked on another Japanese tour, ending at the venue Nippon Budokan. That July, The Gazette performed at the Beethovenhalle in Bonn, Germany, their first show outside of Asia. The concerts were arranged in conjunction with the AnimagiC anime and manga convention.
Three more singles were released followed by another studio album, Stacked Rubbish on July 4, 2007. It reached #2 on the Oricon charts within a day from the release. The album debut was followed by a promotional tour from July through September. In October, The Gazette started their first European tour stopping England, Finland, France, and Germany.
A single called "Guren" was released on February 13, 2008, which landed a #1 spot on the Oricon Charts, and it was announced that a new DVD would be released in August, and a new single in Autumn 2008.
In August 2008 it was announced that a new single called "Leech" will be released on November 12th this year, but a few weeks later was announced to be postponed when the band's tourbus was involved in a car accident. They were all declared in good health except Reita who suffered a serious injury and was sent to the hospital. The media has yet to confirm the outcome of his condition but their tour in October has not been cancelled.
26. Justice for Marichu! End Trafficking and Modern-Day Slavery of All Filipina Domestic Workers!
Filipino domestic workers in New York and New Jersey, and our families, allies and supporters are demanding that Phil. Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s administration and the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) conduct a full investigation of former United Nations Ambassador Lauro Baja, wife Norma Baja, daughter Elizabeth Baja Facundo and their travel agency, the Labaire International Travel Inc. on charges of human trafficking, involuntary servitude, racketeering and US wage and hours violations filed by our fellow domestic worker Marichu Baoanan on June 24, 2008 at the US District Court Southern District of New York.
We call on the United Nations Human Rights Council Vice President Erlinda Basilio to head the DFA investigation on the charges against the former Ambassador who was also the former UN Security Council President.
We also support the demand of Marichu Baoanan for a public apology from the Bajas for violating her human dignity and subjecting her to involuntary servitude.
Like Marichu, about 30,000 Filipino domestic workers in New York work for very long hours and low wages, for less than the US minimum wage, and no overtime pay. In the private homes of our employers, we have no protection against abuse, maltreatment and slavery. We suffer from exclusion from major federal and state labor laws. We are also subjected to discrimination and harassment due to immigration status.
According to the preliminary results of a DAMAYAN survey of 210 Filipino domestic workers in the New York metropolitan area, 63 percent reported experiencing one or more wage and hour violations, and 34 percent of survey respondents reported being abused.
We are outraged by the thought that the Department of Foreign Affairs is not our haven, and that even top ranking Philippine officials could be traffickers instead of our protectors.
We are the lifeline of the Philippine economy. We will remit about $16 billion dollars, and more than $20 billion including informal channels to the Philippines this year. We were forced to leave our homeland due to the poverty and lack of opportunities in the Philippines. For these reasons, we demand respect and dignity.
27. Super Junior Visit to the Philippines
Ever since the popularity of Super Junior in the Philippines, restless fans have been asking and talking about their coming to the Philippines.
Some, like us, are doubting that this is just a rumor. So, here we are asking a petition for everyone to sign so that they can come and visit the said country.
28. Ph Gen!! Code: Save The Kids
Have you ever wondered what happened to the kids in the Philippines? How the government is so corrupt with the war and money?
Well kids in the Philippines are being killed because their parents are Human Right Activists.
This causes war.. from war comes death and death causes more war... This can all be stopped if the Philippines president stopped the war and helped the children in the Philippines.
So please Sign and help save the children who are being killed in the Philippines.
29. More Cardinals for the Republic of the Philippines (RP)
Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion, with 81% of the population belonging to this faith in the Philippines.
The country has a significant Spanish Catholic tradition, and Spanish style Catholicism is highly embedded in the culture, which was acquired from [priest]s or friars (prayle in Filipino). This is shown in traditions such as Misa de Gallo, Black Nazarene procession, Santo Niño and Aguinaldo procession, where large crowds gather, honouring their patron saint/s.
Processions and fiestas are conducted during feast days of the patron saints of various barrios or barangays.
Every year on October 31 to November 2, Filipino families celebrates the Day of the Dead which they spend much of the 3 days and 3 evenings visiting their ancestral graves, showing respect and honor to their departed relatives by feasting and offering prayers.
Christmas in the Philippines is a celebration spanning just more than the day itself. Many traditions and customs are associated with this grand feast, along with
Sen. Joker Arroyo urged the new Papal Nuncio Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams to look into the "disproportionate" number of Filipino cardinals representing the 73 million Catholic population in the Philippines.
Arroyo has filed a resolution pointing out what he called "grossly disproportionate" appointment of three cardinals representing a country in Asia with the biggest number of Catholics.
30. BOYCOTT ABC-DISNEY UNLESS A REAL APOLOGY IS ISSUED TO THE FILIPINO PEOPLE
Filipinos Around the World Unite to Defend Our Reputation and Integrity as World-Class Medical Professionals and Migrant Workers; Call for Boycott Unless ABC-DISNEY Issues a Sincere and Authentic Apology for Racial Slur.
