Category: News

Dear Friends and Compatriots,

     On Monday, July 27, President Rodrigo Duterte will face the joint session of Congress to deliver his 4th State of the Nation Address (SONA) at a time of great uncertainty and mounting protests against his administration’s huge failures and tyrannical abuse of power.

     Duterte’s late, bungling and militaristic response to the Covid-19 pandemic, his failure to use hundreds of billions at his disposal to help the millions of families who lost their jobs and livelihoods under the prolonged lockdowns, the misprioritization of the Anti Terrorism Law and closure of the ABS-CBN Network of his allies in Congress, and his submissiveness to China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea while leveraging US backing, have broadened and galvanized the resistance to his tyrannical rule.

     In this light, a broad array of individuals, sectoral organizations, and political and social movements have banded together to hold joint and coordinated protest actions on July 27 under the banner “SONAgKAISA”. In particular, we would like to invite you to participate in the following activities for that day:

1. SONAgKAISA rally – 10am-12nn along Commonwealth Avenue fronting the Commission on Human Rights Complex, Quezon City.
2. Mass for Justice and Peace – 12:15pm at the Manila Cathedral (limited seating) to be  broadcast live over TV Maria, Radyo Veritas, and various social media accounts.
3. Metro-Wide protest and noise barrage – starting at 6pm in various areas in and around Metro Manila (details to be announced)
4. Ribbons of Resistance – whole day tying of red and black ribbons on our gates, fences, vehicles and wrists as a symbol of resistance.

     For activities where people will gather, physical distancing, wearing of face masks, and other Covid-19 protocols will be observed.

     For more details as well as to coordinate your participation in the said activities, please contact Ms. Gel Marcelino at mobile no. 09475891578 or via email at stopryrannyph@gmail.com.

     Thank you and keep safe.

     Yours in solidarity,

“Sow for yourselves justice, reap in mercy. Break up for yourselves a new field, for it is time to seek the Lord, till he comes and rains justice upon you.” (Hosea 10:12)

Dear Fellow Filipinos,

A few days ago, we received a letter from His Eminence, Charles Cardinal Maung Bo,

 Archbishop of Yangon, Myanmar and President of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences. It was an ardent request for prayers for Hongkong, on account of the signing into law of a new National Security Act. He explained in his letter how this new law poses a threat to the basic freedoms and human rights of the people of Hongkong, and how it potentially undermines especially their freedom of expression.

Apparently, the Chinese government assures the people of Hongkong that they have nothing to be afraid of, as long as “they don’t get involved in any activity that threatens national security.” Why does this sound eerily familiar to us Filipinos? Because we are in a similar situation. And so, while we responded with an assurance to His Eminence, Cardinal Bo, that we would join him in praying for the people of Hongkong, we also asked him to pray for the Philippines and explained why we are as seriously in need of prayers as the people of Hongkong. Like them, we are also alarmed about the recent signing into law of the Anti-Terror Act of 2020.

We are still in disbelief about the manner in which the contentious Anti-Terror Bill was fast-tracked and approved in both Houses of Congress while the whole country’s attention was focused on the Covid-19 pandemic. They did not even seem to care that many of the people they represent were against it—lawyers’ associations, the academe, the business sector, labor groups, youth organizations, NGO’s, political movements, faith-based communities, and even the Bangsamoro government.

The dissenting voices were strong but they remained unheeded. None of the serious concerns that they expressed about this legislative measure seemed to be of any consequence to them. Alas, the political pressure from above seemed to weigh more heavily on our legislators than the voices from below. It only made more evident the blurring of lines between legislative and the executive branches of our government.

In particular, the legal experts and constitutionalists in our country are seriously concerned that this newly signed law has many elements that are “oppressive and inconsistent with our Constitution.” They have pointed out convincingly how this new law poses a “serious threat to the fundamental freedoms of all peaceful Filipinos.”

And yet, the people in government and their allies have dismissed these fears as unfounded. The assurance that they give sounds strangely parallel to that which the Chinese government gave to the people of Hongkong: “Activism is not terrorism. You have no reason to be afraid if you are not terrorists.” We know full well that it is one thing to be actually involved in a crime and another thing to be merely suspected or accused of committing a crime.

Have we not heard of people active in social advocacies who are accused of being communists? Have we forgotten the bishops, priests and religious who were included among those falsely charged by the Philippine National Police with crimes of sedition and inciting to sedition? Are we not aware of the thousands of people who have been killed in police operations on the basis of mere suspicion of involvement in criminality and illegal drugs? Have we not followed the news about Senator Leila de Lima who continues to languish in jail, also on the basis of mere allegations? Have we not heard of media personalities being harassed by a multitude of criminal charges? Have we not felt the chilling effect of the closure of the country’s biggest broadcast network, the ABS- CBN, after being denied renewal of its franchise? Is it not evident to us how this pattern of intimidation creates an atmosphere detrimental to the freedom of expression in our country?

A Statement in Support of the Persecuted Members of the U.P. Visayas Academic Community

July 17, 2020

I pray for all people of goodwill to join me in the urgent call to stop the persecution of some members of the University of the Philippines-Visayas (UPV) faculty members.

For the past weeks of July, the integrity and lives of some members of the U.P. Visayas academic community were seriously endangered by on-line red tagging posts and abusive threats to their lives.

Through Facebook posts, UPV faculty members Professors Randy Madrid, Ruchiemar Pototanon, Early Sol Gadong, and Tomasito Talledo were accused as members of so-called “legal fronts” of the underground and as recruiters of the rebellious armed group. Prof. Tomasito Talledo was reported to have received a threat to his life few days ago.

Thus, their teaching voices have been forcibly muzzled. When life of the mind should have been nourished, the modes of learning by undergraduate, graduate students and alumni are being suffocated breathless. We believe that the conscience of individuals, their God endowed will to reason and faith in UPV should be affirmed and protected.

July 10, 2020

Dear Friends of the Indigenous Peoples,

A peaceful & healthy CoVid-free greeting to you!

Our indigenous brothers and sisters in the remote communities in the Sierra Madre mountains, the Dumagats, appeal for your generous and heartfelt assistance during this Covid-19 pandemic and support for the rehabilitation of their native houses and livelihood as victims of Typhoon Ambo. Some three hundred Dumagat families in isolated communities of General Nakar, Real and Infanta in Quezon Province are in dire need of food due to the difficulty in securing harvests from their long-neglected “kaingin” due to CoVid lockdown.

SANDIWA is a broad network of different IP advocates groups, institutions and individuals that serves as a coordinating service center of support for Indigenous People in the country. It also works hand in hand with Lingkod Katribu, a service-oriented program of the different Indigenous Peoples organizations based in the urban center of the National Capital region in the Philippines. Sandiwa together with LK will conduct a Relief Delivery Operation on August 1 and 2, 2020 in coordination with the local government units and the Prelature of Infanta, in selected Dumagat tribe communities in General Nakar, Real and Infanta, Quezon including other severely affected sectors in the area with total number of beneficiaries of 1,000 families.

Rice as staple food for the IP will be the priority item to be given together with some sugar, coffee, sardines and at least two pieces of notebooks for the school children as their individual personal learning kits who are excited to join the blended education system in this time of pandemic. Dumagat families living near the sea shore facing the Pacific Ocean were badly hit by typhoon Ambo (VongFong) last month of May 2020.  They are also asking for canvass tarpaulin to repair their houses. Also, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as face mask, face shield, alcohol and hand sanitizers will also  be donated to the Mayor’s office in the municipalities of Real,  Infanta and General Nakar as our way of showing our appreciation in their fight for CoVid19.

Since our mobility is limited due to this pandemic, cash donations will be very much appreciated. Please send through Palawan Express c/o Gina Cambronero cp#09476180881 or BDO Savings Account 00130007264.

SANDIWA Network deeply appreciates your favorable response to the plea of our Dumagat   brothers and sisters.

Sincerely yours,

GINA CAMBRONERO
SANDIWA Coordinator, Relief Operation to Quezon

7 July 2020

Various leaders of civil society organizations, faith-based institutions, and humanitarian and development networks read their statement calling to junk the newly enacted Anti-Terror Law or Republic Act 11479.

“Sa totoo lang, ang Anti-Terror Law ay hindi panglaban sa terorista. Ito ay pampanakot sa mga tao na nakakaranas ng kapalpakan ng pamahalaan,” The Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Manila, Bishop Broderick Pabillo said in a statement during a virtual presser church groups and CSOs on Tuesday, July 7, 2020.

The Bishop added that the law can easily be misused against groups and people who are legitimately expressing dissent and at the same time those who are indiscriminately helping vulnerable groups who are in need.

“The fear that this law is creating and the potential harm it poses on people who are helping because there have already been cases on the ground of legitimate organizations being tagged even before this law was enacted is very detrimental to the work of CSOs,” Philippine Misereor Partnership Incorporated (PMPI) legal counsel Mario Maderazo added.

The lawyer added that our laws must emphasize the primacy of our fundamental rights.

“Nanawagan na i-veto ang bill upang mas mapagusapan kasi ito ay minadaling ipasa nang walang malawakang konsultasyon sa mamamayan  (we called for the bill to be vetoed but they were railroading it without wider public consultation),” the Bishop Pabillo added.

Bishop said in his statement that that we needed to address the social issues, poverty, joblessness, transportation issues, and lack of access to basic social services, which are part of the root causes of terrorism.

“The anti-terror law does not address these issues,” Bishop added.

Meanwhile a national network of faith-based organizations, the Philippine Misereor Partnership, Inc. (PMPI) questions the priority of the administration.

“On the same day that the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country breached the 40,000-mark, President Rodrigo Duterte signed the controversial Anti-Terror Bill into law without much regard to the clamor of people for a dialogue and to veto the bill,”  Yolanda Esguerra said.

A representative from the Caucus of Development NGO Networks (CODE-NGO) expressed their networks’ support in actions to repeal this “draconian” law.

“We need concrete steps that uphold the bayanihan spirit, not a law endangers human rights and civil liberties,” Sandino Soliman of CODE-NGO said in this statement.

The Humanitarian Imperative

Meanwhile Citizen Disaster Response Center, a 35-year old humanitarian organization has also expressed that the law is not compatible with the Humanitarian Imperative.

“The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet has recently raised her concern on the R.A. 11479, stating that “the law could has a chilling effect on human rights and humanitarian work, hindering support to vulnerable and marginalized communities,” Kim Leduna, CDRC’s Executive Director said.

She added that even Section 13 of the RA 11479 gives “broad powers to the implementers of the law in selecting which groups can provide aid without incurring penal liability, and which ones will be burdened by being arbitrarily implicated or vilified or discriminated.”

“This provision goes against the humanitarian imperative and independence of aid providers. Humanitarian Imperative refers to the right to receive and offer humanitarian needs,” Leduna added.

Refer to the Philippine Constitution

The lead convener of the Disaster Risk Reduction Network-Philippines (DRRNetPhils) in a statement encouraged the policy-makers to not forget to look at Philippine Constitution as guide in crafting the laws.

“Development work is anchored on the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, where our rights as Filipino people are promoted and upheld to enjoy “independence and democracy under the rule of law and a regime of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace,” Ms. Loreine De La Cruz said.

De la Cruz, who is also the Executive Director of the Center for Disaster Preparedness (CDP), added that It is not uncommon that many of the DRRNetPhils member organizations duly recognized by the state experience harassment, discrimination, and red-tagging in rural areas riddled with conflict.

“What we do not need are policies and laws that will only authorize further abuses, sow fear and terror that are already realities on the ground,” she added.

Refer to the Philippine Constitution

The networks including the humanitarian, development and advocacy arm of the Catholic Church expressed support in filing petitions to question the constitutionality of the new law.

National Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA)/Caritas Philippines through Jing Henderson in a statement said that they will actively campaign to ensure that this battle goes to the top court and be repealed.

“We have received overwhelming support from our dioceses, parishes, and other religious institutions to join us in our call to protect our democracy,” Henderson said. “As part of a broader civil society movement that advocates for upholding our bill of rights contained in the fundamental law of the land, as well as laws protecting the rights of the vulnerable groups, we oppose this measure because its vagueness and over-broadness is prone to abuse and can be used to  suppress dissent and our activism,” Esguerra added.

Statement on the Signing of the Anti- Terrorism Act

The Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas strongly condemns the rail-roading of and the signing into law of the 2020 Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), especially at this epoch when the confirmed cases of Covid 19 are peaking and that millions of Filipinos are going through extreme suffering.

We support the legal luminaries, constitutionalist and lawmakers who petitioned the Supreme Court to declare the 2020 ATA as unconstitutional and a threat to the basic freedoms we continue to fight for in a democratic society.

No less than the United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights, in its Report on the Human Rights Situation in the Philippines, has taken cognizance of the clear and present danger posed by this Anti-Terrorism Act, stating:

“The proposed 2020 Anti-Terrorism Act, slated to replace the already problematic Human Security Act, dilutes human rights safeguards, broadens the definition of terrorism and expands the period of detention without warrant from three to 14 days, extendable by another 10 days. The vague definitions in the Anti-Terrorism Act may violate the principle of legality.” *

We call on the magistrates of the highest court of our land to heed the call of Truth, Justice and Peace and declare the 2020 Anti-Terrorism Act as undemocratic, unconstitutional and anti-Filipino!

For the Laiko Board of Directors,

July 10, 2020

July 11, 2020

Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas holds online forum on Ecumenism and Inter-religious Dialogue with Mona Lisa Pangan of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro.

As Framers of the 1987 Constitution, we are compelled to take a strong and clear stand against a law that betrays the letter and spirit of our fundamental law and divides our people when our greatest need is to unite against a common foe, a deadly contagion that threatens not only the health of our people but their sources of livelihood. What is at stake is the survival of the most vulnerable in our society.

The Charter was drafted and popularly approved in a plebiscite in the aftermath of one of the darkest chapters in our history when the rule of law was violated with impunity. The people, long inured to the rule of despots and oppressors cast their hopes in the Constitution as the bulwark against the abuses of the State, and thus as the protector of people’s rights by limiting the exercise of the extraordinary powers of the State..

Welfare of the Filipinos, social protection of workers shall be the priority; not the anti-terror law that suppresses the rights of people.
Most Rev. Gerardo A. Alminaza, D.D.
Bishop, Diocese of San Carlos
Co-Chairperson, Church People-Workers Solidarity

Church People-Workers Solidarity joins the Filipino people in condemning the passage of the Anti-Terrorism Act. We demand the immediate abolition of the said law as it will further endanger the human rights of the Filipino people.

In this hard time amid the Covid 19 pandemic, we believe that our government should prioritize the basic and urgent needs of the people and not the legislation and passage of a law that suppresses the legitimate outcry of people for universal health care, mass testing, protection of frontliners, humane repatriation of OFW’s, wage subsidy, unemployment benefits,  social protection, livelihood of jeepney drivers and respect to human rights and civil liberties.

In the past four months, workers consistently demanded for social protection measures amidst the serious health crisis. Yet, the government has turned a deaf ear on their demands.  Millions of workers did not receive the promised financial assistance which left their families starving and homeless.  Tens of thousands of workers lost their jobs due to the shutdown of many companies.  This concern should be the priority of the government to be resolved and not the passage of the Anti-Terrorism Act which basically removes hard won rights of workers and people.

We stand that with the very vague definition of terrorism in the Anti-Terror Act, anyone could be surveilled, arrested and detained on mere suspicion of being a terrorist or for airing complaints to the government.  Legitimate protests, strikes and other forms of collective actions by workers demanding just wage, job security, health and safety in the workplace and better working condition can be tagged as a terrorism act under the said law.  Therefore, Anti-Terrorism Law would only heighten the repression of trade unions and basic democratic rights of workers and people to free speech and freedom of assembly.

We have witnessed how the existing laws were used to attack workers’ rights to peaceful assembly such as the dispersal of strikes and protest actions in Nutri Asia, Pepmaco, Sumifru Philippines Inc. among others. These incidents happened despite legality and constitutionality of the said protest actions. With the passage of the Anti-Terrorism Act and the creation of the so called Anti-Terrorism Council that exercises the powers of both executive and judiciary and determines who is a terrorist and who will be arrested and detained, we are concerned that there will be more trade unionists and workers’ advocate will be illegally arrested and detained because of their stand for workers’ rights.

Hence, we stressed our call to the government to prioritize the WELFARE of the FILIPINO PEOPLE amidst the Covid 19 pandemic:

1.       Covid 19 Mass testing, contact tracing, isolation and treatment.
2.       Wage Subsidy and unemployment benefits for affected workers.
3.       Adequate and decent jobs for those who lost their jobs.
4.       Resumption of Traditional Jeepney operations.
5.       Humane repatriation of Overseas Filipino Workers.
6.       Health and safety and better working conditions for workers reporting back to work.

Finally, we appeal to our brothers and sisters to continue our prayers for respect of human rights, peace and justice and without letting up, we join the broad unity of people to JUNK THE ANTI TERROR LAW. ###

Signed:

Co-Chairperson, Church People-Workers Solidarity