PIMENTEL SCORES DELAYED RELEASE OF FUNDS FOR HUNGER PROGRAM

MANILA -- Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Nene" Q. Pimentel,
Jr. (PDP-Laban) today said the Arroyo administration
has nobody to blame but itself for the worsening
hunger incidence, which contradicts its oft-repeated
claim that the economy has recovered.

Pimentel said the administration should stop making
Congress a scapegoat for the rise in the incidence of
hunger to a record-high 19 percent of Filipino
households, comprising 3.5 million families, according
to the Feb. 24-27 survey of the Social Weather
Stations.

He said the hunger problem was aggravated by the
government's failure to release funds for the
supplemental feeding and day-care centers for
malnourished children being supervised by the
Department of Social Welfare and Development and
Department of Education.

Pimentel cited an admission by DSWD Secretary
Esperanza Cabral that these food subsidy programs had
been suspended for the last four or five months for
lack of fund releases.

He said Congress should not be blamed for the
non-release of funds because it approved a P47 billion
supplemental budget, which included food subsidy
funds, in November, 2006.

"Since there was already an approved supplemental
budget, Malacañang and the Department should have
released the funds for supplemental feeding and day
care centers by as early as November or December,
2001," the minority leader said.

Pimentel sought an explanation from the Palace and DBM
for the apparent freezing of funds to address the
problem of malnutrition and hunger among
schoolchildren during the past four months (from
November, 2006 to February, 2007) when funds were
already available through the supplemental budget that
had been approved by Congress.

The minority leader cited statements by Palace and
budget officials that funds for food subsidy were
released only in the third quarter of March this year.
This includes P1 billion to DepEd and P290 million to
the DSWD.

Pimentel said the delay in the fund releases for
hunger mitigation program has cast doubts on the
sincerity and seriousness of the Arroyo administration
to solve the problem.

"The Palace should stop barking at the wrong tree for
the rise in the hunger incidence. There was money
available to address the problem. The question is why
was the money not released on time?" he said.
-o0o-

Dutch envoy insults victims by calling PPT a kangaroo court

MANILA - "It's such a shame that the Dutch ambassador dismissed an
international juridical body as a kangaroo court. He had just faulted
victims for filing their complaints at the Permanent Peoples' Tribunal
(PPT)."

This was the statement of the Philippine human rights group Karapatan
after Dutch Ambassador Robert Vornis said that the Permanent People's
Tribunal is a kangaroo court.

"That he dismissed an esteemed international juridical body to be a
kangaroo court is insulting to victims and rights advocates," said
Karapatan Public Information Officer Ruth Cervantes.

Cervantes said Vornis' statement has been wittingly or unwittingly
used by Malacañang to boost its flagging credibility on the unending
phenomena of extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearances and
other human rights violations.

"We urge Mr. Vornis to read the verdict and to know the other side of
the coin," Karapatan said, adding that Mr. Vornis could be
misinformed when the ambassador said the Philippine government was not
invited by the PPT.

Karapatan said that in accordance with the PPT's statutes, a formal
invitation to attend the Second Session on the Philippines was sent
earlier to Mrs. Arroyo and President George W. Bush of the United
States of America, through their respective governments' embassies in
Rome, Italy and in The Hague, The Netherlands. The invitation to hear
the side of the accused parties or their representatives was once
again extended during the opening session of the PPT last 21 March. No
reply was received by the Tribunal.

"We hope that he will exercise caution in issuing statements and not
make hasty conclusions so as to please the Philippine government while
offending the victims who have been frustrated in their quest for
justice in this country," Cervantes said.

The PPT heard testimonies of witnesses of political killings and
abductions, expert testimonies and boxes of documents, and other
evidences to support three major charges against the two governments.
"The complainants sought the tribunal because they believed it was
independent and credible. They argued their case and won, no one has
the right to deny them of the victory and justice they deserved."###

Cardinal Rosales indirectly absolving the AFP, Arroyo over extrajudicial killings

MANILA -- On his sixth day of fasting, Anakpawis Representative and
political detainee Crispin Beltran today said that Manila Archbishop
Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales 'completely missed the whole point' on the
issue of the extrajudicial killings and worsening human rights
situation in the country. He said that Rosales was essentially
defending the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and absolving the
institution and its members from culpability over the killings by
giving credence to its arguments that the New People's Army (NPA) were
also guilty.

"It's most unfortunate that Cardinal Rosales can even think to say
that the extrajudicial killings under the incumbent government are
nothing compared to those perpetrated by the Marcos dictatorship. It's
like he's trying to downplay the urgency of the need to find justice
for the victims and put an end to the killings. Is he saying that we
should wait for the number of extrajudicial killings under
Macapagal-Arroyo reach or exceed the record set by Marcos before we
sound the alarm?"

"Cardinal Rosales has begun to be convinced by the twisted arguments
and lies of the AFP that the progressive party-lists are fronts for
the NPA and the Communist Party of the Philippines, and this is a very
terrible mistake. The victims of the extrajudicial killings are
unarmed civilians, members and leaders of the progressive party-lists,
and all the signs point towards the AFP as the perpetrators of the
killings. Cardinal Rosales sounds like he is already giving up on the
campaign to find justice for the victims and is now just spreading the
blame around instead of focusing on the institution that's mainly
responsible for upholding human rights in the country but is now
violating them: the Macapagal-Arroyo government," he said.

Beltran expressed hope that other bishops, cardinals and priests will
not take the same tack as Rosales and instead see the issue of the
extrajudicial killings as it really is: the responsibility of the
Macapagal-Arroyo government. He also lauded Manila Auxiliary Bishop
Broderick Pabillo and his report endorsing the public call for the
pull-out of AFP troops from the urban poor communities and residential
areas in the National Capital Region.

In the meantime, Beltran said that he was already preparing to welcome
the delegation of the Inter-Parliamentary Union as the IPU conducts
its own human rights mission in the Philippines in April. He expressed
thanks to the IPU for its continued support to his case and to that of
fellow detained lawmaker Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo.

"The more the international community speaks out in condemnation of
the extrajudicial killings and over-all worsening of the human rights
situation in the country, the greater the chances of the Arroyo
government being compelled to stop the killings, as well as the
harassment against the progressive party-lists and their lawmakers,"
he said.

He also said that he will also update the IPU on the slow
developments in thelegal proceedings on the cases surrounding his
arrest and continuing detention. Beltran and his lawyers are set to
file a petition for certiorari on Beltran's sedition case at the
Quezon City Municipal Trial Court. Beltran's attorneys want to elevate
the case to the Quezon City Regional Trial Court and there press for
the immediate dismissal of the sedition charges against Beltran.

Beltran is being charged of inciting to sedition and rebellion on two
separate counts. The rebellion charges were filed at the Makati
Regional Trial Court. #
--

Beltran to Joker: Be ‘the Good Arroyo’

MANILA -- A former client of senatorial candidate Joker Arroyo today
said that the voting public's less than enthusiastic response to his
latest bid to return to the senate might well be likely a result of
the public's disappointment with his decision to run under the
administration banner. "Many are also surprised with the line that
Sen. Arroyo is taking on the issue of extrajudicial killings and the
international attention the issue has been getting. People expect more
Joker – after all, he's the 'good Arroyo," said Anakpawis
Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran.

Arroyo was one of the Beltran's lawyers from 1984-1986 when Beltran
was a political detainee under the Marcos dictatorship. Now, Beltran
is again a political detainee and has been under detention since
February 25, 2007.

Beltran himself said that he was very surprised and disappointed with
Joker's stance on pressing political issues such as human rights and
the extrajudicial killings. He said that Joker's vote in support of
the Human Security Act or the anti-terrorism law was also tragic.

"He became known as a human rights lawyer and a civil rights defender;
but now his stance seems to vary from day to day. It's most
unfortunate that he has chosen to side with the Arroyo administration
and defends its from ultimate responsibility and criminal liability
for the extrajudicial killings. Many see him now as an apologist for
the Arroyo government, and it has caused much confusion in how voters
perceive him. If he didn't want to join the Genuine Opposition, he
should have gone independent instead of throwing his lot with Team
Unity and his infamous namesake of an illlegitimate president," said
Beltran.

Beltran said that it the supporters and sympathizers of the
progressive party-lists Anakpawis, Bayan Muna, and Gabriela Women's
Party are not encouraged to include Joker in the list of candidates
they will vote for in the senate elections. "However much we want to
support and endorse Arroyo's candidacy, it's become difficult for us
because of his inconsistent stand on human rights and the
extra-judicial killings. Many were shocked to hear him defend the
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Arroyo government itself
from culpability. It was a disappointment," he said.

"Joker would win more votes and once more secure a seat in the senate
if he once more takes up the cudgels for human and civil rights in the
Philippines. This is what the Filipino people expects of him."

Finally, the veteran labor leader turned legislator said that it was
it was not too late for Joker Arroyo to disaffiliate himself from Team
Unity and take a more correct and humane, internationalist stand on
the issue of extrajudicial killings.

This morning, Beltran was allowed by the Makati Regional Trial Court
Branch 150 under Judge Elmo Alameda to attend the Comelec hearing on
the disqualification case filed by members of Akbayan Party-List.
Beltran is Anakpawis Party-List's chairman and first nominee. Other
nominees are Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano who also stands as party
president; Kilusang Mayo Uno secretary general Joel Maglunsod,
Pamalakaya chair Fernando Hicap, and president of the Confederation
for the Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees
(COURAGE) Ferdinand Gaite. #

Bayan stands by PPT verdict, refutes “kangaroo court” label

MANILA -- The umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, one of the
complainants in a case filed before the Permanent Peoples Tribunal in
Europe, stood by the verdict of the international opinion court in
blaming the Arroyo administration for gross human rights violations in
the Philippines. The group took to the streets today and held a
program in Plaza Miranda to celebrate the PPT verdict.

At the same time, the group slammed critics of the tribunal, saying
these people have hardly done anything to stop the spate of
extrajudicial killings and disappearances in the country.

"The tribunal was convened to hear evidence and receive complaints
regarding rights violations in the Philippines. It aims to draw global
attention to the human rights situation in the country so that the
killings would stop. In truth and in fact, this is far more helpful
than what our own government agencies are doing," said Bayan secretary
general Renato M. Reyes, Jr.

"Those government officials complaining about the verdict are ignorant
of the facts. The Arroyo government was duly informed of the charges
by the PPT secretariat through the Philippine consulates in Rome and
the Netherlands. There was ample time for the Arroyo government to
give a reply and send a representative for its defense during the
hearings, but they did not. It merely snubbed the indictment and
boycotted the hearings. Now the Arroyo government is complaining that
its side was not heard. The Philippine government is acting like a
spoiled brat," Reyes said.

Sour-grapping officials

Reyes said that Malacañang officials complaining about the guilty
verdict have not done much themselves to stop the killings.
"Sour-grapping officials like Norberto Gonzales, Raul Gonzales,
Hermogenes Esperon and Hermogenes Ebdane have not done anything to
stop the killings despite the powers of their offices. Now they rant
like madmen against the PPT."

Reyes also criticized Dutch ambassador to the Philippines Robert
Vornis for echoing the line that the PPT was a kangaroo court.
"What does Mr. Vornis hope to accomplish with his vigorous
denunciation of the PPT? What has Mr. Vornis done to aid victims of
human rights violations to begin with? His remarks are grossly
misplaced. He too is ignorant of the fact that the accused was
informed of the charges and was invited to attend the hearings," Reyes
said.
Reyes said that Vornis should have followed the example of Alistair
Macdonald of the European Commission who said that they would not
issue a statement on the PPT verdict because the latter was a
non-governmental organization.

PNP reports show complainants vs. Bayan Muna are lying in nuisance disqualification case

Three widows from Nueva Ecija are asking the COMELEC to disqualify
party list groups Bayan Muna, Anakpawis and Gabriela for allegedly
ordering the killing of their husbands but official police reports say
otherwise.

An official police report on the killing of Carlito Bayudang, husband
of complainant Isebelita Bayudang, indicate that her husband's killing
was due to a land dispute. In fact, the 2004 report, signed by Police
Chief Inspector Welmer Carillo, cites Isabelita as saying her husband
was killed by suspected hitmen hired by the owners of a piece of land
being claimed by her husband's group.

"Nowhere in the police records did Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Gabriela or
any of its representatives or members ever figure in the Bayudang
killing. The sudden involvement of Bayan Muna in 2007 is a mere
afterthought, concocted more than three years after the killing in
time for the election period," says Bayan Muna legal counsel Neri
Colmenares.

Meanwhile, police reports also belie the claim of self-confessed
killer Julie Sinohin that he killed a certain Jimmy Peralta on orders
of Representatives Satur Ocampo, Liza Maza, Rafael Mariano and Teddy
Casiño. Official police records, inadvertently submitted by the widows
themselves, show that Peralta died from a traffic accident when his
motorcycle accidentally hit a pedestrian, causing him to lose control
and hit an oncoming vehicle.

The same self-confessed killer, Sinohin, claims to have killed Danilo
Felipe, wife of complainant Medelyn Felipe, allegedly on orders of the
four party list representatives.

However, as with the Bayudang and Peralta killings, no party list
group or representative ever figured in official police records of the
Felipe murder until lately.

"Bayan Muna will cite official police reports, among others, to prove
that neither the party nor its congressional representatives had
anything to do with the deaths of these three men and that such
allegations were just concocted for partisan political objectives,"
said Colmenares.

Yesterday, Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño filed charges of perjury and
libel against Bayudang, Felipe, Peralta and Sinohin at the Manila
fiscal's office. An earlier civil suit against the four was filed at
the Quezon City regional trial court by Rep. Ocampo.

According to Casiño, "the very allegation of the petitioners that in
1998 Bayan Muna ordered a stop to Akbayan campaigners in Bongabon,
Nueva Ecija is an obvious lie. Our party only joined the partylist
elections in 2001 and did not have any reason to campaign for votes in
1998."

Colmenares said that the complainants and their witnesses will surely
crack under cross-examination, the reason why the complainants
recently asked the COMELEC not to conduct hearings but instead decide
the issue on the basis of written pleadings only. Because their
allegation against the party list groups were fabricated, they are
bound expose themselves and their handlers, and to betray the people
who ordered them to publics libelous and perjured statements against
us."

"The real parties of interest here are not Bayudang and Felipe. They
are merely marionettes of General Hermogenes Esperon and National
Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales who use foul means to discredit us
and to stop our march to victory," said Casiño. "These shady
characters are behind the trumped up charges against us."

Bayan Muna is asking the Commission on Elections to junk what it calls
a "nuisance disqualification case that is based on perjured
statements, ridiculous allegations and outright fabrications."

"This case should be immediately dismissed just like the previous
disqualification cases against Bayan Muna in 2001 and 2004, which were
resoundingly quashed by the Supreme Court and the Comelec
respectively" he said. ###

“No Basis for Disqualification” – Rep. Maza

MANILA -- "With the allegations of petitioners shrouded by false and
malicious lies, there is clearly no basis for this move to disqualify
Gabriela Women's Party and other progressive party lists," said
Representative Liza Maza of Gabriela Women's Party during a hearing
today at COMELEC on a petition for disqualification against their
party list.

"If the petitioners can lie about something as basic as their
addresses, they can lie about the rest of their allegations," added
Maza.

According to Maza, the petitioners were no longer residents of
Barangay Cruz and Barangay Curva, Bongabon, Nueva Ecija long before
the petitioners filed their cases at the COMELEC.

"This fabricated murder charge plus the military harassment of our
members in communities and Norberto Gonzales' gung-ho yet tiresome
red-baiting is clearly a part of a whole government choreography to
discredit us and keep us from taking seats in the Congress," added
Maza

"We would not be surprised if behind the cloaks of the petitioners –
who up to now have yet to show their real selves -- we will find the
faces of Gonzales, Eduardo Ermita and even Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo,"
Maza said. ###

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DAVAO TODAY
Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines
http://www.davaotoday.com
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GMA can run, but she can’t hide ­ GABRIELA

MANILA -- The Permanent People's Tribunal (PPT) has validated the
Filipino people's accusations against this murderous regime.

"It is futile for the administration to label the Tribunal as a mere
kangaroo court. That is plain propaganda. And no amount of black
propaganda can match the way this regime continue to isolate itself
from its people," GABRIELA Secretary General Emmi De Jesus said during
today's indignation rally in Manila.

Hundreds of women joined other people's groups and partylists to laud
the success of the second session of the PPT and to express
indignation over GMA's crimes against the Filipino women. De Jesus
explained, "The verdict of the PPT only strengthens the mounting
sentiment against Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her rabid dogs in
Malacañang and in the military."

"The crimes against the Filipino people, especially against women and
children, are grave crimes against humanity. We are confident that we
have the support of the other peoples of the world in condemning GMA
for turning the nation into her very own killing field."

She concluded, "GMA can run but she can't hide. Soon, the whole world
will know about her crimes and there will be an international uproar
against her administration louder than the one that felled the Marcos
regime. Soon, even the US government, true to its parasitic
characteristic, will abandon her."

"Women unite, onward with the struggle! Down with GMA and victory to
the people whom she has made pushed to fight back." ###

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DAVAO TODAY
Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines
http://www.davaotoday.com
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