RETRENCH ROQUE, FIRE GMA! SOUTHERN TAGALOG WOMEN WORKERS PROTEST TO STOP LAY-OFFS AND RETRENCHMENT

RETRENCH ROQUE, FIRE GMA!
SOUTHERN TAGALOG WOMEN WORKERS PROTEST TO STOP LAY-OFFS AND RETRENCHMENT

Women workers led by Gabriela ST and the Kilusan ng Manggagawang Kababaihan marched to the Department of Labor and Employment today calling on the Arroyo government to take immediate action against the spate of retrenchments especially n the Southern Tagalog region.

Data collated by the Kilusan ng Manggagawang Kababaihan Southern Tagalog and PAMANTIK reveal that in Laguna and Cavite, at least 35,000 workers have lost their jobs beginning in January of 2009 alone while some 40,000 more are being subjected to flexible labor schemes and practices like reduced work hours, forced leaves and early retirement, all resulting to massive joblessness in the region. It is estimated that for every 100 workers that are laid off, 70 to 80 among them are women.

“What we need are jobs in the face of this worsening economic and financial crisis. We do not need a government that connives with manufacturers, capitalists and foreign investors in passing on the burden of this crisis to the workers. By allowing these flexible labor practices, the DOLE and the Arroyo government is revealing its anti-worker character,” said Leona Entena Gabriela Women’s Party Vice Chairperson for Luzon and GABRIELA Laguna chairperson.

‘More than the workers, it is Mrs. Arroyo and Labor Secretary Marianito Roque who should be laid off and retrenched! They have not done their job to protect and uphold the interests of workers. Their continued stay in their offices is a waste of people’s money.”

For Reference:     Leona Entena (09106660574)
Gabriela Women’s Party Vice Chairperson for Luzon
GABRIELA Laguna chairperson

SOUTHERN TAGALOG WOMEN TROOP TO US EMBASSY; CALL FOR IMMEDIATE EXIT OF US TROOPS

“Hindi kami titigil. There will be no stopping us from making our protest against the Visiting Forces Agreement and the presence of US troops in our country known.”

This was according to Leona Entena Gabriela Women’s Party Vice Chairperson for Luzon and GABRIELA Laguna chairperson as women from the Southern Tagalog region trooped to the US embassy today.

“The VFA has brought much violence and abuse to women, children and communities where US troops hold their military exercises, rest and recreation activities as well as their so-called socio-civic activities. Their continued presence in our country, from Mindanao to Bicol and even in Cavite in the Southern Tagalog region is a threat to women and children” said Entena.

Protesters from Southern Tagalog said they do not want to experience the threat and violence of the presence of US troops in their communities. “The way that they have meddled with and interfered with political economic and social affairs, as well as the delivery of services in communities in Mindanao. This outright interference and trampling of our sovereignty is slowly spreading to other regions and we must not allow this to happen.”

Balikatan military exercises are slated to be conducted not just in Bicol but in Sangley Point and Ternate in Cavite as well.

“The presence of US troops is a testament of the Arroyo government’s subservience to US interests and her inutility to the pleas of women, children and communities. We demand that this outright offensive on our sovereignty, national security be stopped immediately.”

For Reference:     Leona Entena (09106660574)
Gabriela Women’s Party Vice Chairperson for Luzon
GABRIELA Laguna chairperson

PAHAYAG MULA KAY HELEN ASDOLO SA PAGGUNITA NG MARSO 8: ARAW NG KABABAIHAN

Para sa lahat ng aking mga kabaro!

Isang mapagpalayang hapon sa ating lahat!

Muli ay ginugunita natin ang Pandaigdigang Araw ng mga Kababaihan. Narito tayo at nagtitipon upang muli ay iparinig natin ang ating tinig sa malawak na hanay ng mamamayan. Saan mang panig, may mga pagkilos na isinasagawa ang kababaihan sa pangunguna ng GABRIELA at ng iba pang militanteng kilusan ng kababaihan.

Hindi na maitatanggi, ang patuloy na paglakas ng kilusan ng kababaihan, dahil naniniwala tayo na ang kababaihan ay may malaking bahagi sa lipunang ating ginagalawan, at bilang kalahati ng populasyon, malinaw na hindi na lamang sa mga tahanan ibinubuhos ng mga kababaihan ang kanilang talino at lakas.

Sa kasalukuyan, batbat ng kahirapan ang dinaranas ng mayorya ng mamamayang Pilipino, habang ang pamilya nitong si Gng. Gloria Arroyo kasama ng kanyang mga alipores ay nagpapasasa sa kabang yaman ng ating bansa. Sa araw na ito ay ililitanya natin sa malawak na hanay ng mamamayang Pilipino ang kataksilan at kapalaluan ng Gubyernong US Arroyo sa hanay nating mga kababaihan. Mula sa krisis na ating kinakaharap, ang paglobo o pagtaas ng lahat ng pangunahing bilihin, ang walang patumanggang ng mga bayarin sa kuryente at tubig na pasan-pasan nating mga kababaihan, kasalukuyang dumadagdag pa dito ang paglobo ng bilang ng mga walang hanapbuhay at patuloy na tanggalan ng mga manggagawa sa mga pagawaan, kawalan ng lupa para sa mga magsasaka, ang patuloy na pagpapalayas sa mga maralita at kawalan ng tunay na  serbisyong panlipunan. Saan man sumuling pawang karahasan sa iba’t ibang anyo nito ang nakikita’t pangunahing biktima ang kababaihan.

Patuloy ang pakikipagkutsabahan ng gubyernong ito para sa mga kontramamamayang patakaran, katulad ng, Liberalisasyon, Deregulasyon, Pribatisasyon at Globalisasyon na tuwirang nagpapahirap sa sambayanang Pilipino.

Ang Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) na isa pangunahin nating  titnututulan ay nananatili pa ring kasunduan sa pagitan ng ating gobyerno at ng Imperyalistang US. Malinaw ang pagsasamantala sa pambansang soberanya dahil sa pananatili nito. Hanggang sa kasalukuyan, bagamat, nalitis, at hinatulan na ang GI na si Danile Smith subalit batid nating lahat na hindi pa rin nakakamtan ng biktimang si Nicole ang tunay na katarungan dahil sa pananatili ng kostudiya ni Smith sa US Embassy.

Gayundin ay wala pa ring katarungan sa biktimang si Hazel na isa rin sa mga Pilipinang biktima ng sundalong Amerikano sa Okinawa kaya’t malinaw na kinasusuklaman ng kababaihan ang Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) dahil habang nanatili ang kasunduang ito marami pang kababaihan ang mapapahamak sa kamay ng mga hayok na mga sundalong ito ng America.

Ang karahasan sa kamay ng estado ay nanatiling nararanasan ng mga kababaihan. Mula sa pang-ekonomiya, Pulitika at kultura, nanatili ang mababang pagtingin sa ating mga kababaihan. Ang pampulitikang panunupil ng estado sa mga progresibong organisasyon, ang pag-iimbento ng mga gawaw-gawang kaso laban sa mga lider aktibista ay ilan lamang sa mga ipinapakitang karahasan ng estadong ito.

Pinatunayan ng track record ng papet na rehimen ang kanyang pagiging berdugo sa kanyang mamamayan mula sa pamamaslang, pagdukot, pagtorture at iba pang krimeng isinasagwa nito. Ito ay upang busalan ang umaalsang galit ng mamamayan sa estadong nagpapabaya at dumudurog sa kanyang mamamayan.

Muli, iguguhit natin sa araw na ito ang dumadagundong nating sigaw na kahit magtatapos na ang kanyang termino ay patuloy pa rin nating ipananawagan ang pagpapatalsik sa pekeng pangulong ito. Patuloy tayong mag-oorganisa sa malawak na hanay ng mga kababaihan upang ipakita natin ang ating lakas para sa mga susunod pang hamon.

Kaya’t lubhang napapanahon ang panawagan ng ating pagkilos na ito Kababaihan, Kumilos, Magkaisa, Patalsikin ang Papet, Pahirap sa Masang si Gloria!  Tama na! Sobra na!

Maraming salamat sa patuloy nating pakikiisa at pagsasama-sama.

Maraming salamat,

Helen Asdolo

Si Helen Asdolo ang Pangkalahatang Kalihim ng GABRIELA Southern Tagalog at kabilang sa tinaguriang Southern Tagalog 72 — ang 72 lider aktibista na tinutugis ng pamahalaang Arroyo sa batayan ng gawa-gawang kaso ng murder at multiple frustrated murder bunga ng isang ambush sa isang detachment ng pulis sa Mindoro.

SOUTHERN TAGALOG WOMEN WORKERS STORM SSS OFFICE IN CALAMBASTEALING WORKERS FUNDS AMID RETRENCHMENTS A DEATH BLOW TO WORKERS – GABRIELA

Members of Gabriela Women’s Party Southern Tagalog and the Pagkakaisa ng Manggagawa sa Timog Katagalugan (PAMANTIK-KMU) held protest today at the Social Security Office in Bgy. Parian, Calamba City, Laguna. They demanded the immediate retraction of SSS’ P12.5B commitment to President Arroyo’s “economic stimulus package” and called for the resignation of SSS head Romulo Neri.

“Ang pera ng SSS ay pera ng manggagawa. Walang karapatan si Gng. Arroyo at mga kasapakat nito tulad ni Romulo Neri na paki-alaman, waladasin at kurakutin ang pondo ng manggagawa. SSS funds are for the workers and not for this corrupt government to meddle with. Hands off SSS funds now!” said Leona Entena, Gabriela Women’s Party Vice Chairperson for Luzon.

“Meddling with the workers’ funds in the SSS is a most inappropriate action for this government to take in the midst of a worsening global financial crisis. Manggagawa na nga ang tinatanggal sa trabaho, tinatanggalan ng benepisyo tapos ngayon, manggagawa pa rin ang pupuntiryahin ng gubyernong Arroyo para lalo pa papasanin ng krisis! Pinapatay nila ang mga manggagawa,” said Entena who likened the scheme to a death blow to workers.

Entena said that in the Southern Tagalog provinces of Cavite and Laguna alone some 34,000 workers have been laid off and retrenched in semi-conductors and electronics factories while over 40,000 workers are made to suffer various schemes of labor flexibilization such as reduced work days, forced leaves and voluntary resignation which are al tantamount to joblessness and the loss of livelihood for many workers. Entena further said that 75-80% of these retrenched workers in Cavite and Laguna are women as most electronics, semi conductors ad garments factories employ mostly women. “Excess or reserve funds of the SSS are best allocated for workers who are in dire need of assistance and benefits to tide them over the global financial crisis”

GABRIELA Women’s Party Southern Tagalog and PAMANTIK-KMU gathered signatures in a petition to protect workers’ funds and vow to gather more in protest.

FOR REFERENCE:Leona Entena (GWP Vice Chairperson for Luzon) 09106660574

Southern Tagalog Women Seek Congress Intervention for Spate of Illegal Legal Attacks on Activists

Gabriela Southern Tagalog today joined families and human rights advocates in trooping to the House of Representatives to seek the support of members of the House of Representatives on the legal offensives that have been launched by the PNP, AFP, DOJ and the IALAG against Southern Tagalog progressive leaders and activists. They wore black shirts printed with “ACTIVISTS: GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT -DOJ”

Gabriela Women’s Party Representative Liza Maza has taken cudgels for the beleaguered activists and has delivered her privilege speech on the issue, dubbing it as a clear case of political persecution launched by the Inter Agency Legal Action Group.

Two sets of fabricated charges of multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder and; arson and rebellion have been filed against a total of 72 spokespersons, leaders of progressive partylists and mass organizations as well as activists in Southern Tagalog.

“This illegal legal attack against us is a clear attempt to silence the dynamic protest movement in Southern Tagalog that has led protests against the anti-people policies of the Arroyo regime,” said Leona Entena, Gabriela Women’s Party regional coordinator and vice chairperson for Luzon.

Among those facing warrants for these charges are Gabriela Women’s Party 5th Nominee and Gabriela Southern Tagalog Secretary General Helen Asdolo, Gabriela coordinator for Cavite Amy Sto. Tomas, Kaparapatan-ST Secretary General Doris Cuario and PAMANTIK-KMU Secretary General Luz Baculo. Of those chareged, six have already been arrested and detained including KMU counsel Atty. Remigio Saladero.

For Reference: HELEN ASDOLO (GABRIELA-ST Secretary General) 0918-4698497
JANG MONTE (GABRIELA-ST Secretariat) 0917-4049119

OBL NI GLORIA MAS MALALA SA BATAS MILITAR NI MARCOS

Sa pagunita ng anibersaryo ng Batas Militar, muling nanindigan ang mga kababaihan ng Timog Katagalugan laban sa panunupil, militarisasyon, pagdukot at pamamaslang at sa nagpapatuloy na paghahasik ng lagim ng Oplan Bantay Laya sa mga lalawigan ng Timog Katagalugan.

“Walang pinagkaiba, bagkus ay mas masahol pa ang rehimeng Gloria Arroyo kaysa kay Marcos. Matagal nang nahigitan ng rehimen ni Gloria ang rekord ni Marcos sa usapin ng paglabag sa karapatang pantao,” pahayag ni Helen Asdolo, pangkalahatang kalihim ng Gabriela Timog Katagalugan.

Ayon pa kay Asdolo, “nasa mga madudugong kamay ni Gloria ang pananagutan sa pagpaslang sa maraming kababaihan sa Timog Katagalugan sa ilalim ng OBL 1 at OBL 2 — mga patakaran ng tahasang pamamaslang, pagdukot at pananakot sa mga aktibista at mga progresibo. Marami nang mga kababaihan, katulad ni Milagros Belga, Mely Carvajal, juvy Magsino, Manuela Albarillo at Eden Marcellana– mga kababaihang naninindigan para sa karapatan at kagalingan ng mamamayan– ang pinaslang sa ilalim ng rehimeng Arroyo.”

Sa huling tala ng Karapatan Timog Katagalugan nitong Hulyo 2008 ay umaabot na sa 167 ang bilang ng mga biktima ng pampulitikang pamamaslang o extra judicial killings sa rehiyon, 31 naman ang dinukot at nawawala habang may 27 bilanggong pulitikal.

“Labis na mapanganib ang rehimeng Gloria Macapagal Arroyo kung kaya’t wala nang dahilan para manatili pa ito sa kapangyarihan at maghasik ng lagim. Dapat na itong patalsikin.”

PROTESTA NG MARALITA SA CALAMBA, TULOY-TULOY

“Pabahay, serbsyong panlipunan, kuryente at kalusugan. Ilan lamang ito sa mga makatarungang kahilingan ng mamamayang maralita dito sa Calamba, na dapat ay agarang mabigyang aksyon ni Mayor Chipeco at ng pamahalaang lungsod.”

Ito ang pahayag ni Helen Asdolo, pangkalahatang kalihim ng Gabriela Timog Katagalugan sa piket-dayalogong inilunsad ngayong umaga sa City Hall ng lungsod ng Calamba. Mahigit sa 200 maralita mula sa relokasyon ng Bgy. Looc, sa Sitio Kabute at Barangay 1 ang dumalo sa pagkilos at nakipagharap sa tanggapan ni Mayor Joaquin Chipeco.

Anila, hanggang sa kasalukuyan ay wala pa ring kuryente at mga batayang serbisyo sa relokasyon ng  Bgy. Looc habang naka-amba naman ang demolisyon sa Sitio Kabute ngayong nalalapit na ika 26 ng Setyembre. Pinalalayas rin sa kanikanilang mga pwesto ang mga manininda sa Bgy. Uno.

“Humahaba ang listahan ng kasalanan ng lungsod ng Calamba sa mga maralitang mamamayan nito. Patuloy ang mga planong pagpapalayas sa mga maralita habang wala namang makataong paninirahang ibinibigay bilang alternatibo. Patunay nito ang kasalukuyang kalagayan ng mga relocatees sa Bgy. Looc na sa kasalukuyan ay may 204 nang kabahayan.”

Dagdag pa ni Asdolo, “patuloy kaming mangangalampag sa mga opisyal ng lungsod ng Calamba. Hangga’t hindi naibibigay ang aming mga kahilingan ay hindi kami titigil.”

Nakatakda ring magtayo ng protest camp sa Crossing, Calamba bukas ang mga maralita.

KABABAIHAN NG TIMOG KATAGALUGAN, TUTOL SA CHACHA

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“Ang anumang pakana na naglalayong panatilihin pa sa kapangyarihan si Gng Arroyo ay dapat na tutulan. Hindi maaaring maisagawa ang Charter Change at nakahanda kaming kumilos para tutulan ito.”

Ito ang naging pahayag ni Helen Asdolo, pangkalahatang kalihim ng Gabriela timog Katagalugan at isa sa mga convenors ng People’s March – ST o People’s Movement Against Charter Change. Sa isang pagtitipon sa Crossing, Calamba ay ipinagtibay ng mga indibidwal at organisasyong bumubuo sa People’s March ang kanilang layuning biguin ang pakanang Charter Change ng rehimeng Arroyo.

“Mapanganib ang ChaCha. Oras na umayon rito ang Kongreso at nabuksan na ang proseso wala nang makpipigil pa kay Gng Arroyo at sa mga alyado nito sa pagpapasok ng mga probisyong makapagpapatagal pa ng kanyang termino,” paliwanag ni Asdolo.

Dagdag pa nito, “tiyak ring mareretoke ang Konstitusyon para umayon sa mga mapanupil na patakaran ng rehimeng ito, gayundin tiyak na ibubuyangyang pa ng rehimen ang ating mga likas na yaman para maging pag-aari ng dayuhan.”

Babala rin ni Asdolo na manunumbalik na ng lubos ang presensya ng mga sundalong Amerikano sa bansa na napatunayan nang naging sanhi ng paglala ng prostitusyon at karahasan sa kababaihan.

“Walang dahilan para ayunan ng mamamayan ang pagbabago ng Konstitusyon. Dapat labanan ang ChaCha.”

SOUTHERN TAGALOG WOMEN SLAM RECTO’S NEDA APPOINTMENT

GABRIELA Southern Tagalog today slammed the recent appointment of former Senator Ralph Recto to the NEDA.

“Hindi na nga siya binoto mismo ng kanyang mga kababayan dito sa Timog Katagalugan, ngayon ipinagkakatiwala pa ni Gng Arroyo ang NEDA sa kanya. Bilang pangunahing isponsor ng batas na VAT, malaki ang kasalanan ni G. Ralph Recto sa mamamayan,” said Helen Asdolo, Gabriela Southern Tagalog secretary general.

Asdolo further said, “We have rejected him in the senatorial elections. Even the women of Batangas refused to throw their 100% support. He has been unmasked as anti-poor. The proponent of the burdensome 12% Value Added Tax should not be placed at the helm of the Philippine economy. “

According to Asdolo,  “That he has been placed in NEDA only shows the Arroyo government’s resolve to pursue its anti-poor policies. It is evidence of the Arroyo government’s refusal to listen to the people’s demands to remove the VAT.”

“Lalong walang maaasahang alwan ang mga maralita sa ilalim ng rehimeng Arroyo lalu pa’t ang mismong may pakana pa ng VAT ang itinatalaga sa NEDA.” #

For reference: HELEN ASDOLO (GABRIELA-ST Secretary General (0918-4698497)

Child Rights Advocates Appeal for the Release of Fatima Gumanoy

Advocates of children’s rights led by SALINLAHI Alliance for Children’s Concerns scored the military for the continued detention of Fatima Gumanoy, 17 years old, daughter of slain peasant leader Eddie Gumanoy.  SALINLAHI demanded the Armed Forces of the Philippines to immediately release Fatima, a minor, and respect the right of Nanay Maria Gumanoy to take custody of her child especially at a time when her daughter needed her most.  “We demand the immediate and unconditional release of Fatima from the custody of the AFP, as we know, Fatima has not been charged with any case and should therefore not be held by the military,“said Alphonse Rivera, spokesman of SALINLAHI.

‘If it is true that Fatima contracted German measles or any disease for that matter, the more she needs the care of her biological mother,” Rivera added.  He also said that the anxiety and desperation of Nanay Maria on Fatima’s condition is fueled by her fear that the military will use Fatima against her will.

Citing Article 10 section 22-26 of RA 7610, Rivera said that the abduction and continuing detention of Fatima is a clear violation of existing national and international laws. “, The military has no right to deny Nanay Maria her maternity right over her daughter because Fatima did not commit any crime“.

For its part, the Children’s Rehabilitation Center, a Non-Government Organization working with children affected by armed conflict and a member of Salinlahi Alliance, expressed doubt over the intention of the AFP in ‘taking care’ of the Gumanoy sisters.  “The wound inflicted by the AFP on the Gumanoy family when Tatay Eddie was killed had not been completely healed. The family has been constantly on the run due to threat and harassment by the military.  So on what moral ground can they claim that they are after the welfare of the sisters?” said Eilek Manano, a registered Social Worker of the CRC.

Manano further added that the AFP as an institution has long list of cases of children being used as bait against their parents citing the case of “Nena”, an 8 year old from Cebu who was abducted by the military and Mary Jane Opo, 14 years old who remains missing to this day.

Salinlahi and CRC  appeal to the international organizations especially the UNICEF and UN Special Representative to the Secretary-General for children and armed conflict, Ms. Raadhika Coomaraswamy who is set to visit the Philippines later this year, to look into the case of Fatima’s abduction. “Fatima’s case and other child rights violation perpetrated by the state’s Armed forces should be investigated by national and international bodies, these violations are widespread and committed with impunity by the Armed Forces who are supposedly protector of the children” ended  Rivera. #