2 new books on outgoing RP President ridiculed

By Gerry Albert Corpuz, Bb. Joyce Cabral and Bb. Tayuman Recto-Yap

MANILA, Philippines- Rabid critics of outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo dismissed as garbage the two books written for her by two of her closest allies in Malacanang. The books narrate how the scandal rocked Arroyo handled the different crises that hounded her administration and the good jobs accomplished during her nine-year stay in power but skipped two of the most controversial issues—the NBN-ZTE scandal and the Hello Garci election scandal in 2005.

In a press statement, the left-leaning fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) said the books entitled “Beating the Odds” penned by Secretary Ricardo Saludo and Renato Velasco, a UP political science professor and current board member of Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) and “Beat The Odd” authored by deputy Press Secretary Gary Olivar are nothing but a compilation of lies and should be regarded by the Filipino public and book lovers as stinking garbage.

“The high crimes of corruption, the extreme brutality and the first-rate puppetry of President Arroyo to Washington D.C is an open secret to 94 million Filipinos and all these lies peddled by Arroyo associates in their books will not score a giant kill at the political box-office,” said Pamalakaya vice chairperson Salvador France.

Secretary Saludo told reporters the books are all about governance which students and academicians could use as reference material. He said the books would be helpful to people in the academe and government. He said the two books which will be released anytime before June 30 were not an attempt to put the President in good light.

“Beating The Odds” authored by Saludo and Velasco tackles the July 2003 Oakwood Mutiny, the threat posed by the SARS virus, terrorism and illegal drug trade, as well as the budget deficit—and President responded to these challenges and passed the tests with flying colors. A newspaper ad on Thursday described the book as a “crisis-management bible for the 21st century.

“Let Arroyo and her gang fool themselves on periodic and perpetual manner. No one will believe these books are product of intellectual honesty,” Pamalakaya’s France added.

However, Pamalakaya suggested Mrs. Arroyo to write her own book detailing her sins and crimes to the Filipino people. The militant group even suggested a title for the book. “How about a book written by Mrs. Arroyo herself aptly titled “The Day I Robbed Your Glory”, I Am Sorry or “The Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Scandal” which will have Arroyo confessing her sins and top notch crimes to the Filipino people that include but not limited to NBN-ZTE scandal, Hello Garci and the bloody series of extrajudicial killings from 2001 to 2010.

“I guess the “I Am Sorry” is the more appropriate title for her book and this is a potential blockbuster that could rival the best-selling novel of all time,” Pamalakaya added.

Saludo said he and Velasco only “selected” the crises that happened between 2001 and 2004. “These were the topics that we felt we could handle,” they explained.

Saludo said he and Velasco felt the wiretapping scandal should not be lumped together with the other crises because it required a “more extensive treatment.”

The other book Beat The Odds,” is more about Ms Arroyo’s accomplishments and written by Olivar whose title is based on the acronym Ms Arroyo coined when she assumed power in 2001 to summarize her 10-point agenda. With a report from Trinity Biglang Awa.

Aquino flirting with Arroyo, critics charge

By Bb. Joyce Cabral, Bb. Tayuman Recto-Yap and Gerry Albert Corpuz

MANILA, Philippines-The militant fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) today warned President proclaimed Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III to refrain from engaging in either open or discreet political flirtation with outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, saying the national interest and demand for truth and justice of the Filipino people should prevail over narrow factional interests and politics of accommodation.

Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap said he was very worry over the turn of events that led to the proclamation of Aquino as the 15th President of the Republic.

The activist fisherfolk leader recalled that Aquino issued recent a statement that he was accepting Palace offer for smooth transition of power by June 30 and that Aquino received a phone call from Mrs. Arroyo congratulating him for winning the presidential derby in the last May 10 elections and that Mrs. Arroyo offered to tour the 50-year old bachelor president in Malacanang anytime Aquino at any given time before June 30.

“Mr. Aquino is a certified political flirt. And our worry is that his game of political flirtation would result to horse trading and political accommodation at the expense of public interest and collective sentiment of the Filipino people which is the urgent and unconditional prosecution of Arroyo over charges of crimes against humanity, election fraud and top notch corruption offenses,” Pamalakaya’s Hicap said.

The militant group wondered why Aquino became silent on his plan to form a truth commission which will probe scores of scandals that rocked the Arroyo administration over the last 9 nine years which include the series of extrajudicial killings and other grave human rights violations committed against political activists and critics of the previous administration.

“So what’s the truth about this Truth Commission? The US installed Aquino presidency should tell the truth and nothing but the truth about this truth commission hyped by the Aquino camp at the height of the May 10 presidential campaign season,” said Pamalakaya.

During his campaign in Alaminos, Pangasinan, Aquino said many people were volunteering to join the Truth Commission which he promised to establish to prosecute Arroyo on charges of big time corruption and human rights violations.

Pamalakaya recalled that Aquino promised to investigate scandals in Arroyo administration including the Hello Garci scandal in 2005, the P 728 million fertilizer fund scam, the $ 328.49 ZTE scandal and the scores of extrajudicial killings perpetrated by state security forces under Oplan Bantay Laya 1 and Oplan Bantay Laya 2.

Meanwhile, Pamalakaya challenged Aquino on first day in office to come up with a presidential executive order declaring the immediate, unconditional and free distribution of 6,453-hectare Hacienda Luisita to 10,000 farm worker beneficiaries within his first 100 days in office.

“Noynoy should face this issue fair and square in his first 100 days office. He should not evade the issues pertaining to Luisita and act like long-running political escape artist. An executive order can take place at any given time between 9 am to 5 pm at any given working day in Malacanang,” said Pamalakaya.

The militant group noticed that the ongoing dispute of Hacienda Luisita was not among the issues Aquino included in his first order of business on July 1, the newly elected president’s first working day in office.

In an interview with reporters, President elect Aquino said among the issues his administration would attend to were the problems he would inherit from outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from budget deficit to speeding up of prosecution of criminal and other cases filed against President Arroyo and other government officials of the outgoing administration.

“To Mr. Aquino and company we dare ask—how do you solve a problem like Hacienda Luisita? This issue is a matter of life and death and they cannot escape this political calling searching an end to landlessness, exploitation and injustice inside the 6,543-hectare Cojuangco-Aquino sugar estate,” Pamalakaya said. #

Makati Business Club exec entry in Aquino cabinet assailed

By Gerry Albert Corpuz, Bb. Tayuman Recto-Yap and Cherry Pie Eggpie Sandoval

MANILA, Philippines-A leader of the activist fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) on Tuesday scored presumptive President elect Senator Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III for appointing one of the top executives of the influential Makati Business Club as a member of his incoming cabinet.

“Mr. Aquino is playing the game of big business with the highly questionable entry of MBC Executive Director Alberto Lim to the incoming Yellow clique expected to rule Malacanang like a high prized political and economic syndicate in the next six years. This is unfair and totally inimical to public interest,” says Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap in a press statement.

In an interview on dwIZ radio today, Lim refused to say what government position Aquino had offered to him but expressed willingness to serve the country by joining the Aquino government in its fight against corruption. Lim’s group supported Aquino in the presidential race and was perceived as influential among the groups which backed the 50-year old lawmaker in the last May 10 presidential elections.

Lim said he is not sure what position Aquino would offer to him although there were reports from some quarters that Aquino is considering him to head either the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) or Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

“It is payback time for Mr.Aquino and it is happening at this very early with close associates dividing the spoils among themselves. Is this what the US-installed presidency has to offer to the 94 million Filipinos?” said Hicap.

The Pamalakaya leader accused Aquino of dividing the spoils among the favored blocs in his camp that include but not limited to the Kamag-Anak Incorporated, a group which close relatives of Aquino who started their corrupt career during the administration of the late President Corazon Aquino and the Hyatt 10 composed of former cabinet members and civil society groups formerly allied with outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who deserted the latter at the height of Hello Garci election fraud scandal in 2005.

Hicap advised the MBC official to turn down the offer of Aquino, saying he and his group would be in better, and in politically and morally correct position to act as watchdog for good governance and against corruption if Lim and his group would stay outside the Aquino camp.

“The Aquino camp is also being perceived as week and prone to high crimes of corruption. If Mr. Lim wants to fight corruption and promote good governance, he and his group could do it better if they maintain a high level of independence from Aquino and his upcoming gangland in Malacanang,” the Pamalakaya leader added.

The MBC executive director is the fourth “confirmed” member of Aquino’s prospective official family, after Corazon Soliman as social welfare secretary and Teresita Deles (adviser of the government peace panel) and longtime friend Paquito “Jojo” Ochoa who is being groomed as the next executive secretary or justice secretary or presidential legal chief. #

Aquino pressed to review Manila-Tokyo trade deal

By Gerry Albert Corpuz in Manila, Philippines and Tomada Sakaguchi in Tokyo City, Japan

Via-PLDT-The leftwing fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) on Friday urged leading presidential candidate Sen. Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III to immediately review the controversial Japan Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement(Jpepa) which was ratified by the Philippine Senate in 2008.

Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap the review and possible abrogation of the bilateral trade pact between the Philippines and Japan could happen in the first 100 days of the Aquino administration.

“This is a make or break for Aquino and his Yellow Republic. We are giving him 100 days to serve the death sentence to this one-sided agreement whose only claim to fame is the awarding of 30 caregiving jobs to 30 Filipino nurses in 2009,” said Hicap.

The Pamalakaya leader said the Japanese government and the Japanese corporations are engaged in indirect bribe to ensure the incoming Aquino administration will continue to uphold and support the anti-Filipino economic and partnership treaty.

Citing a recent report of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Hicap said the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) recently renewed its offer to provide at least $ 700 million in aid to the Aquino administration.

NEDA said the JICA country assistance to the Philippines is meant for the country to achieve its next Medium Term Philippine Development Plan that involves support programs and projects in the areas of capacity building, operation and maintenance and climate change. But Pamalakaya’s Hicap said the money was meant to fast track the implementation of Jpepa.

“This seven hundred million US dollar economic aid to RP is part of the pro-Jpepa offensive of Japan. If this is not a direct or indirect bribe, then what is it? A charity work from Japanese corporate syndicates? We don’t think so,” Hicap added.

According to Pamalakaya, a single 3,000-gross ton Japanese factory ship is capable of harvesting 50,000 metric tons of tuna a year or 150 metric tons of tuna per day. Based on industry standards, a single factory ship could earn as much as $32.5 million in gross profitsfrom the sale of skipjack tuna.

Pamalakaya said the bulk of the profit will come from the remaining 35 percent of the 50,000metric ton tuna catch, which is $210 million. “A single medium size factory ship thus will earn $242.5 million a year, and since Japan at the very least, employs four factory ships in its regular tuna fishing expedition per country, we expect them to earn a total of $ 970 million or P43.5 B per year,” the group said.

At present the local tuna industry yearly produces 400,000 metric tons of tuna, with 15 percent of the production going to domestic market and 85 percent for exports.

The European Union accounts for 40 percent of the country’s fresh and canned tuna exports or roughly 64,000 metric tons per year. The rest of the exports are shipped to tuna markets of Japan and the United States.

Pamalakaya recalled that during the Senate deliberation of Jpepa, Sen. Aquino voted against the controversial treaty. The group said Aquino can challenge anew the treaty by calling the Philippine Senate to review Jpepa and compel the 23-member of the August chamber to recall its ratification in 2008. #

Incoming Philippine President urged to suspend debt payment

By Gerry Albert Corpuz and Mimaropa France

MANILA, Philippines- Anti-debt activists belonging to the fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) on Saturday challenged leading presidential candidate Sen. Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III to radically overturn the decision of the 14th Congress to allot P 726.63 billion for debt servicing this year.

“We strongly recommend to the incoming Yellow Republic in Malacanang to scrap the P 726 billion budget for debt servicing earmarked by his predecessor President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to the inglorious money market bastards and corporate financial gangsters of International Monetary Fund and World Bank,” said Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap in a press statement.

The Pamalakaya leader added: “Mr. Aquino and the recycled Hyatt 10 economic managers can do that in their first 100 days in office. That can be done without much fanfare. We hope Noynoy and his self-proclaimed economic experts will face these all time money laundering giants and pursue the collective interest of the Filipino people”.

“Billions of pesos of hard-earned taxes by the 94 million taxpaying Filipinos go to payment of debts incurred by all time financial monopolies, business syndicates, money market gangs and bureaucrat capitalists. Aquino is hereby tasked to stop this modern day financial oligarchy and slavery,” said Hicap.

The Pamalakaya official advised Aquino to issue a marching order to Senate and the House of Representatives suspending debt payment this year. Hicap said Aquino can put to task the 23 senators of the Philippine Senate and the 270 members of the House of Representatives to review the approved 2010 national budget, and in aid of legislation passed a joint resolution suspending debt payment for 2010.

Pamalakaya said the next thing Mr.Aquino should do is to call Congress to amend if not repeal the automatic 40 percent appropriation to debt servicing as enshrined in the General Appropriations Act to empower Congress and the Office of the President to pursue the budget in accordance with public interest and opposed to the financial interest of foreign creditors and big financial groups here and abroad.

The militant group also learned the Philippine government is posed to allocate some P 829.41 B for debt servicing, which is P 102.78 B or 13.7 percent higher from this year budget for debt payment. Pamalakaya said of the P 829-B debt budget set aside for next year’s debt servicing program, P 367.28 B will go to interest payment, P 40.55 billion higher compared to 2010’s P 326.73 B.

The Bureau of Treasury said principal payment will reach P462.13 billion next year, 15.6 percent above the current year’s allocation of P399.9 billion. Of the total debt, treasury officials said P1.954 trillion was loaned from foreign creditors while P2.403 trillion was sourced from domestic creditors.

On the other hand, the Department of Finance (DoF) said the country’s total debt for 2010 would reach P4.83 trillion, higher than the previous forecast of P4.723 trillion. #

CHR asked to probe brutal eviction of Laguna farmers

By Billy Javier Reyes

Southernt Tagalog farmers stormed the gate of military HQ in Lucena City to demand justice to victims of human rights

CALAMBA CITY, Laguna-Supporters of striking farmers in Hacienda Yulo in Calamba City on Tuesday appealed to Commission on Human Rights (CHR) chairperson Atty. Lilia de Lima to lead an investigation on the brutal dispersal of agrarian reform beneficiaries inside the 7,100 hectare Hacienda Yulo in Sitio Buntog, Barangay Canlubang, Calamba City in Laguna province.

In a press statement, the activist fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) urged CHR chair de Lima to personally lead the proposed investigation regarding the brutal eviction of farmers on Friday by 50 members of striking force composed of Laguna SWAT team, the local and regional PNP and the private security guards of Yulo landed clan.

“We appeal to CHR chair Atty. de Lima to personally attend to reports about grave human rights violations perpetrated by the local and regional police force of Laguna against striking farmers of Hacienda Yulo. The situation merits an urgent CHR probe with or without the formal filing of cases before the CHR chief office,” Pamalakaya vice chair Salvador France said in a press statement.

France said the terrifying incident in Hacienda Yulo also merits the immediate suspension and investigation of the PNP Southern Tagalog chief, as well as the chiefs of PNP- Calamba City and PNP-Laguna and the 50 members of the composite police force who were with the private goons of the Yulo during the violent dispersal of the peasant camp-out and the illegal arrest and detention of 10 peasant activists.

The Pamalakaya official said the incident in Hacienda Yulo might also be brought to the House and Senate committees on Human Rights for investigation in aid of legislation.

“The Senate and the House committees on human rights should entertain and pursue their respective parallel probe on the Hacienda Yulo carnage that led to the injury of more than 100 farmers and illegal arrest of 10 farmers pursuing their rights to land,” France said.

Reports from the Katipunan ng Samahang Magbubukid ng Timog Katagalugan (Kasama-TK) said Dan Calvo, land surveyor and architect of Yulo owned Laguna Estate Development Corp. and San Cristobal Realty Corp., refused to honor the peasants’ document on a pending petition for revocation of DAR Exemption Order.

With the surveyor were 50 combined members of the SWAT, the local and regional PNP, and private security guards all with high-caliber rifles who violently pushed the residents blocking their path and illegaly arrested the peasants at their protest camp.

Kasama-TK said of the 10 peasants who remain behind bars at a local police station, 4 of them are women (including an old-aged) while 3 minors namely: Maria Garcia (39 yrs old); Dorotea Mangubat (46 yrs old); Annabel Natanauan (28 yrs old); Francisca Mangubat (71 yrs old); Mario Mangubat (36 yrs old); Gilbert Caraan (25 yrs old); Lamberto Caraan (40 yrs old); Roger Nedia, (16 yrs old); Jhefe De Leon, (15 yrs old); and Melvin Natanauan , (16 yrs old). Twelve-year old Jorge Mangubat was also illegaly detained but was released Friday night at around 8 pm.

The peasants were also charged with direct assault, alarm and sacandal, serious resistance and disobedience and grave coercion.

Eric Laurel, secretary general of Samahan ng mga Mamamayang Nagkakaisa sa Buntog (SAMANA-Buntog), demanded to the police to at least spare the 3 minors from the dispute. A prosecutor suggested to bring the 3 minors to “rehabilitation” but Laurel countered it could only lead to “brainwashing” these minors away from their legal struggle.

The Hacienda Yulo, 7,100 hectares of land owned by the Jose Miguel Yulo clan, is to be converted into a subdivision and golf course instead of granting ownership to the farmers. Laurel said that the land ownership to the farmers should have been granted as early as the 1960’s.

Fishers say DQ case vs. Yap will reach SC

By Manila Legarda and Bb. Tayuman Recto-Yap

MANILA, Philippines-

Pamalakaya activists accused former agri chief Arthur Yap of pocketing P 455 million in taxpayers money over purchase of 98 ice-making machine

The current legal battle involving the disqualification case filed by the fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) may soon reach the Supreme Court according to petitioners Fernando Hicap and Salvador France, chair and vice chairperson of the activist fishermen group.

“Definitely we will challenge the decision of the Commission on Elections before the highest court of the land. The fight against unlawful and immoral claim of Mr. Yap to represent the third congressional district of Bohol will be vigorously pursued in any appropriate court, in the parliament of the streets and in the court of public opinion. There’s no turning back,” the Pamalakaya leaders said in a joint statement.

Hicap and France, the petitioners to the Supreme Court move will be presided by the filing of motion for reconsideration before the Comelec, and if the poll body rejected the motion, they will elevate the case before the high tribunal for proper legal disposal of the disqualification case.

“It is going to be lifetime nightmare for Secretary Yap unless this most favored Cabinet member of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo atone for his political, legal and moral follies and pay for his crimes against the Filipino public,” the Pamalakaya leaders said.

Pamalakaya is now preparing a people’s petition urging senators and congressmen of incoming Congress to investigate Yap on charges of big time corruption in the Department of Agriculture under his watch as secretary of the department.

“It is going to be addressed to the next Senate President and House Speaker of the House of Representatives. Imagine, Secretary Yap, the congressman of Bohol third district is being called to answer charges of top notch crimes of corruption,” the group said.

On January 6, Pamalakaya filed a plunder case against Sec. Yap and President Arroyo in connection with the P 455 million ice making fund scam, which the group said was overpriced by 100 percent per unit. Pamalakaya said Yap and other officials of National Agribusiness Council (NABCOR) should also be investigated on the P 7.14 billion which the Commission on Audit (COA) cited in its’ 2008 report was missing, diverted or bungled.

The Second Division of Comelec last week junked the disqualification case filed by the group.

Pamalakaya received a copy of the 10-page resolution penned by Comelec second division presiding Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer and members Lucenito Tagle and Elias Yusoph dated May 13, 2010 denying the instant petition for disqualification of Yap.

“After thorough examination of the proofs presented by both parties, we are convinced that Respondent Yap has met such requirement. The term “residence” is to be understood not in the common acceptation as referring to “dwelling” or “habitation” but rather to “domicile” or legal residence, that is, “the place where a party actually or constructively has his permanent home, where he, no matter where he may be found at any given time, eventually intends to return and remain,” the Comelec second division said.

The poll body further said: “It has been established that the domicile of origin of the respondent is in Metro Manila. When respondent Yap decided to make Loboc, Bohol as his residence, such a decision did not begin and end by his intimation to Judge Fernandez of his intention. In 2007, Yap was laying the groundwork for his transfer to the said municipality.”

The Comelec said Yap visited local government officials and neighboring towns whenever his regular visits to the place permitted him. The election body said Yap’s intention was made clearer when he finally purchased the house of his mother-in-law in Barangay Buenavista in Loboc, Bohol.

“Although property ownership is not an indicia of domicile, the fact that the respondent bought the property wherein he resides adds to his foothold to the municipality. His attendance in barangay assemblies as member of barangay is indicative of his desire to integrate himself in the community,” the poll body added.

The Comelec noted that Yap’s contributions in the community were recognized when he was conferred the title “adopted son of Loboc, Bohol by way of Resolution No. 131 adopted on October 24, 2005. The commissioners said the law does not state that in abandoning his domicile, the candidate must divest any and all of his properties and interest attached to his previous domicile.

“His electoral victory is a product of political horse trading, highly questionable and totally ridiculous. We will explore all legal remedies to stop Sec. Yap from misrepresenting the third district of Bohol and use his illegally acquired position to get away with high crimes of corruption he committed during his tenure as chief of the agriculture department,” Pamalakaya said. #

Aquino in cheap publicity stunt, says critics

by Bb. Joyce Cabral, Sarsi Pimentel and Trinity Biglang Awa

MANILA, Philippines- The left-wing fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) on Monday accused apparent President elect Senator Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino of blatantly engaging in cheap publicity stunt over his plan to take oath before Tarlac barangay captain Edgardo Aguas, the head of Barangay Central at Hacienda Luisita where Aquino is a registered voter.

“This is image building and a cheap publicity stunt rolled into one,” said Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap in a press statement. “We have nothing against barangay captain Aguas. The issue here is Noynoy who is brazenly engaged in all-out propaganda escapade to impress the public that he is a down-to-earth and pro-poor person,” the fisherfolk leader stressed.

The Pamalakaya leader said Aquino’s plan to push the oath taking at Barangay Central in Hacienda Luisita will not erase the crimes of the Cojuangco-Aquino on the Filipino farmers, particularly the denial of land rights to 10,000 farm worker beneficiaries in Hacienda Luisita and the brutal murder of 7 farm workers and injury of more than 100 others during the Nov.14, 2004 massacre.

“There is no such thing as forgive and forget. The bloody carnage in Hacienda Luisita and the more than half- a-century resistance of the Cojuangco-Aquino clan to give up their immoral and unlawful claim on the 6,453-hectate sugar estate will be forever etched in the minds and memories of the Luisita folk in particular and the more than 90 million Filipino public in particular,” added Hicap.

Pamalakaya said Noynoy’s decision to take his oath in Hacienda Luisita is a symbolic way of saying that he and his family will not yield the sugar estate to 10,000 farmer worker beneficiaries, and that the controversial lands would remain untouched under his six-year term.

“Aquino’s insistence to have his oath taking ceremony before the barangay captain of Luisita Central is an open declaration of war to exploited sugar farm workers that as long as he is in power, the across-the-hacienda landlessness and exploitation of sugar workers will continue,” the group said.

Earlier, Pamalakaya announced there would be no honeymoon period with Noynoy, saying the first day of the Aquino administration will be met with challenges, demands and protests.

“There’s no honeymoon. Noynoy is dreaming of having a 100 day honeymoon with the people. The total political exposition of and opposition to Aquino and the newly installed ruling Mafia in Malacanang is the top order of the day,” the group said.

The statement of the Pamalakaya was contrary to the call of senatorial topnotchers Senators Ramon Revillar Jr. and Jinggoy EstradaJinggoy Estrada for the filipino people to unite and support the incoming Aquino presidency.

The group predicted Aquino will face an early political turbulence if his administration will not push for the prosecution of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and his men implicated in high crimes of corruption, extra judicial killings, enforced disappearances and the still unclosed case of Hello Garci election fraud in 2004.

Pamalakaya pressed Aquino to push the Office of the Ombudsman to decide on plunder cases filed by various groups against Arroyo and his men before the ombudsman’s office. He said his group had a pending plunder case against Arroyo and former agriculture officials in connection with
P 728-million fertilizer fund scam and the P 130-billion coconut levy fund.

The group had also filed another plunder case against President Arroyo and agriculture secretary Arthur Yap in connection with the P 455-million ice making machine scam. Hicap said Arroyo and former environment secretary Michael Defensor were also facing administrative and criminal charges before the Ombudsman’s office for allowing offshore mining companies to destroy Tanon Strait separating the island provinces of Cebu and Negros and Cebu-Bohol Strait separating Cebu and Bohol island provinces.

Pamalakaya also warned Aquino of accommodating members of the Hyatt 10, all former members of the economic team of President Arroyo, whom Hicap said were responsible for the economic disaster the people experienced during the first five years of the Arroyo administration.

“This so-called team of economic managers connived with Arroyo in executing ill-advised economic policies that further impoverished millions of Filipinos. These charlatans and puppets of neo-liberal globalization should not be allowed to prescribe poisonous economic prescriptions to the more than 90 million populace,” added Pamalakaya.

A week before the May 10 elections, Pamalakaya issued a national political memorandum to all its 43 chapters nationwide to reject the presidential bid of Aquino, dismissing the 50-year old Liberal Party standard bearer as Arroyo trapped in a man’s body. #

Leftists slam looming return of Hyatt 10 under Aquino presidency

By Sugar Hicap and Chocolate Moose Fernandez

The left-wing fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) assailed on Tuesday President elect Senator Benigno Simeon “Noynoy’ Aquino III for the looming return of members of Hyatt 10, who are all former members of the economic team of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who dumped the latter at the height of Hello Garci election fraud scandal in 2005.

“The economy was really bad during their time. There’s no compelling reason why they should be accommodated again. The US installed presidency of Mr. Aquino should refrain from bringing back these people who sold the economy to all-time exploiters and slave holding corporations,” Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap said in a press statement.

Hicap said his group has this sound inkling that Aquino will soon name Arroyo’s former economic managers to his Cabinet, an act which the Pamalakaya leader viewed as nothing but product of payback politics and political patronage.

“The economy remains in shambles because of the bitter economic pills imposed by this group of economic managers who shared the same mindset with Arroyo. These are IMF-World Bank bred technocrats whose common motto in life is to let the economy dictated by foreign monopoly capital. To set the record straight, these people supported Arroyo’s 12-percent expanded value added tax, rejected the proposed P 125 across-the-board pay hike and justified the weekly increases in the prices of petroleum products. So what sound economy they would offer? Nothing,” the Pamalakaya leader added.

Hicap said the immoral return of Hyatt 10 to government posts under the Aquino presidency was highly evident with the announcement of former DSWD secretary Dinky Soliman to take again the social welfare portfolio once the 50-year old senator is proclaimed as elected President.

The Pamalakaya official said other members of Hyatt 10 like former education secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad and former anti-poverty commission Chief Imelda Nicolas might be nominated for their previous posts or they would be given other Cabinet level positions in the government.

Pamalakaya said Aquino should be closely watched on how his administration would deal with the rejuvenated Kamag-Anak Incorporated composed of Aquino’s close relatives led by former Tarlac Rep. Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr.

Earlier, Pamalakaya scored Aquino over his plan to take oath before Tarlac barangay captain Edgardo Aguas, the head of Barangay Central at Hacienda Luisita where Aquino is a registered voter.

The group said what Aquino did was pure image building and a cheap publicity stunt. Pamalakaya said Aquino’s plan to push the oath taking at Barangay Central in Hacienda Luisita will not erase the crimes of the Cojuangco-Aquino on the Filipino farmers, particularly the denial of land rights to 10,000 farm worker beneficiaries in Hacienda Luisita and the brutal murder of 7 farm workers and injury of more than 100 others during the Nov.14, 2004 massacre.

“There is no such thing as forgive and forget. The bloody carnage in Hacienda Luisita and the more than half- a-century resistance of the Cojuangco-Aquino clan to give up their immoral and unlawful claim on the 6,453-hectate sugar estate will be forever etched in the minds and memories of the Luisita folk in particular and the more than 90 million Filipino public in particular,” the group said.

Pamalakaya said Noynoy’s decision to take his oath in Hacienda Luisita is a symbolic way of saying that he and his family will not yield the sugar estate to 10,000 farmer worker beneficiaries, and that the controversial lands would remain untouched under his six-year term. #

Nemesis won’t give Aquino “honeymoon period”

By Gerry Albert Corpuz, Sugar Hicap and Bb. Joyce Cabral

MANILA, Philippines-The left-leaning fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) on Sunday said there would be no honeymoon period with apparent Philippine president elect Sen. Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III, saying the first day of the Aquino administration will be met with challenges, demands and protests.

“There’s no honeymoon. The total political exposition of and opposition to Aquino and the newly installed ruling Mafia in Malacanang is the top order of the day,” said Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap in a press statement.

Hicap said militant groups are now planning coordinated and separate protest actions on the first day of Aquino administration. “It is a declaration of round-the-clock vigilance and just war against Mr.Aquino, who is no different to Mrs. Arroyo,” he said.

The statement of the Pamalakaya official was contrary to the call of senatorial topnotchers Senators Ramon Revillar Jr. and Jinggoy EstradaJinggoy Estrada for the filipino people to unite and support the incoming Aquino presidency.

Political turbulence

Hicap said Aquino is facing an early political turbulence if his administration will not push for the prosecution of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and his men implicated in high crimes of corruption, extra judicial killings, enforced disappearances and the still unclosed case of Hello Garci election fraud in 2004.

Hicap pressed Aquino to push the Office of the Ombudsman to decide on plunder cases filed by various groups against Arroyo and his men before the ombudsman’s office. He said his group had a pending plunder case against Arroyo and former agriculture officials in connection with
P 728-million fertilizer fund scam and the P 130-billion coconut levy fund.

The Pamalakaya leader also filed another plunder case against President Arroyo and agriculture secretary Arthur Yap in connection with the
P 455-million ice making machine scam. Hicap said Arroyo and former environment secretary Michael Defensor were also facing administrative and criminal charges before the Ombudsman’s office for allowing offshore mining companies to destroy Tanon Strait separating the island provinces of Cebu and Negros and Cebu-Bohol Strait separating Cebu and Bohol island provinces.

No to Hyatt 10

The Pamalakaya leader also warned Aquino of accommodating members of the Hyatt 10, all former members of the economic team of President Arroyo, whom Hicap said were responsible for the economic disaster the people experienced during the first five years of the Arroyo administration.

“This so-called team of economic managers connived with Arroyo in executing ill-advised economic policies that further impoverished millions of Filipinos. These charlatans and puppets of neo-liberal globalization should not be allowed to prescribe poisonous economic prescriptions to the more than 90 million populace,” added Hicap.

Pamalakaya also challenged Aquino to compel his family who controls 66 percent of Hacienda Luisita to yield their unlawful and immoral claim on the 6,453- hectare sugar estate and ask the court to lift the temporary restraining order (TRO) and allow the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to proceed with urgent, unconditional and free distribution of lands to sugar workers.

A week before the May 10 elections, Pamalakaya issued a national political memorandum to all its 43 chapters nationwide to reject the presidential bid of Aquino, dismissing the 50-year old Liberal Party standard bearer as Arroyo trapped in a man’s body. #