The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expresses deep concern over a barangay ordinance in Abra that proposed the death penalty for a third offense of illegal garbage dumping. This ordinance not only represents a severe disregard for human rights but also trivializes the most fundamental right of all–the right to life.

According to reports, six barangay officials, including one barangay chairperson, four barangay councilors or kagawad, and one Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairperson, were suspended from their positions after passing an ordinance penalizing garbage dumping with P1,000 for the first offense, P1,000 and eight hours of community service for the second offense, and “getting shot” for the third offense.

While we recognise the importance of proper waste management and ordinances that will improve residents’ waste disposal practices within their communities, such cruel directives and offenses does not address the problem, instead, it only perpetuates confusion, perplexity, and distress among the constituents. These heinous remarks have not only caused social unrest but also posed a direct threat to the right to life. The Commission urges everyone, particularly local leaders and people in power, to refrain from making light of such sensitive topics. The right to life is a fundamental human right that must be respected and protected at all times.

Moreover, ordinances serve as crucial guidelines for local communities and barangays, in providing a framework for governance and the enforcement of laws. It is important to reiterate that the death penalty is prohibited under the 1987 Philippine Constitution, and its reimposition was officially abolished in 2006. Such ordinances must align with national laws and respect fundamental human rights, ensuring that they do not overstep legal and ethical boundaries.

We reaffirm our stance against capital punishment. The CHR has similarly stressed the aforementioned concerns, notwithstanding our legal obligations to uphold the right to life as mandated by the 1987 Philippine Constitution and our obligation to uphold the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which completely and perpetually banned the imposition of the death penalty in the country.

In line with this, we acknowledge the swift action taken by Bangued town Mayor Mila Valera to hold the involved barangay officials accountable. Local leaders are responsible for serving the immediate interests of their constituents. Above all, they should embody the morals and values of leadership, particularly in respecting everyone’s rights.

The CHR is firm in our resolve to defend the sanctity of human life. We invite everyone to continue to understand the different facets and counterproductive effects of death penalty. It is crucial to recognize that such extreme measures not only undermine human dignity but also fail to address the root causes of crime, often leading to further social injustice and inequality.

There is always something to look forward to when it comes to exploring SM City Baliwag. Aside from boasting a diverse mix of global and local retail shops, food options, and specialty stores, the mall stays true to its commitment to making shopping a lot more exciting as it introduces its newest attraction, the Rainbow City, captivating the hearts of mallgoers, young and old.

Bringing a blast of colors to the 47×35 feet area in the Mall Atrium, the Rainbow City at SM City Baliwag celebrates the vibrant colors of the rainbow and offers shoppers a chance to capture memorable moments while enjoying the fun-filled elements surrounding the area. Each 3 x 4-meter rainbow installation mesmerizes shoppers with its bright hues and whimsical design, while the exhibition of lights and colors served as a visual feast for the onlookers.

“We consistently find ways to provide experiential shopping for our dear customers,” said Rodora Tolentino, Mall Manager at SM City Baliwag. “As such, we are happy to introduce exciting attractions, like the Rainbow City, to make their visit a lot more fun while creating lasting memories.”

More than just a photo opportunity, the Rainbow City at SM City Baliwag is part of the mall’s exciting innovations designed to bring mallgoers a delightful and immersive shopping experience.

The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) recently launched a new digital tool called Property Inventory Application (PIA) which is aimed at enhancing the management of government properties. PIA is part of the GSIS’s commitment to strengthen the protection and stability of government infrastructure.

“With PIA, we are not just making it easier to manage property records, we’re also enhancing how we assist government agencies in protecting their assets through insurance. It’s a major step towards strengthening our country’s infrastructure,” GSIS president and general manager Wick Veloso said.

Developed internally by GSIS, PIA addresses the challenge of annually accomplishing and submitting the property inventory form, a mandate enforced by both GSIS and the Commission on Audit (COA).

Traditionally, tracking government property records was a manual, slow, and error-prone process that often resulted in incomplete data and risks in asset management. PIA simplifies this process, ensuring that all government property are well-documented and properly managed. With the information at our fingertips through PIA, government response to calamities will also be enhanced.

PIA is being rolled out initially to last year’s GSIS Seal of Protection awardees, including the city governments of Pasig and Makati (Gold); Valenzuela, Navotas, San Juan, Pasay, Paranaque, Quezon (Silver); and Manila and Muntinlupa (Bronze). Property officers from these cities attended the “Introduction and Hands-on Training on How to Navigate the Property Inventory Application” workshop last May 7 where they were trained on how to effectively use the system.

“By introducing this technology, GSIS is enhancing its capability to fulfill its responsibilities, helping to make the Philippines’ infrastructure safer and more stable. It will future proof the gains of the government,” Veloso added.

The ILPS Commission 10

The ILPS Commission 10 stands in solidarity with Charlotte Kates, and Samidoun in pushing back against Zionist and imperialist repression. Charlotte is the International Coordinator of Samidoun (Palestinian Prisoner Network), and has been a strong voice of international solidarity against the US-backed Zionist occupation and for Palestine’s liberation. 

This week, while commuting home, Charlotte was arrested by Vancouver Police for a speech she gave last April 26. In the speech, Charlotte has called for support to the Palestinian peoples resistance and the delisting of Palestinian organizations from the “terrorists list” in Canada. Because of her anti-genocide, anti-Zionist and anti-imperialist stance, Charlotte is now being charged with “public incitement of hatred” and “willful promotion of hatred.”

In the past couple of years, Charlotte has worked closely with the ILPS Commission 10 in facilitating solidarity in many of the commission’s discussions and webinars in solidarity with Palestine. She has been an active voice in raising the concerns of political prisoners especially of the Palestinians, oppressed minorities, nations, Indigenous Peoples. Her unwavering support of the Palestinian and anti-imperialist cause has greatly contributed in exposing the crimes of Zionism and imperialism in Palestine and elsewhere. 

As we draw near towards the anniversary of Nakba, Zionism and imperialism’s effort to save face from its own moral and political bankruptcy seems to see no end. These attacks against anti-genocide and peace-loving activists are in essence an attack to the Palestinian people and their cause to liberate themselves. Zionism and its imperialist-backers try to delegitimize our cause by conveniently branding us people that “incite hate”, “terrorists” and other derogatory terms. 

Despite these barbaric and fascist efforts, the Palestinian people is steadfast in its goal to end Zionism and rid Palestine of imperialist domination. We take inspiration from the Palestinian people’s courage and determination to struggle for liberation and self-determination.

ILPS Commission 10 calls for the immediate dropping of these absurd charges against Charlotte Kates. We likewise reaffirm our commitment to continue standing in solidarity with the Palestinian people against Zionist occupation, imperialist war, and fascist reaction. 

Drop the charges against Charlotte Kates!
Free Palestine!

This May 15, the International League of Peoples’ Struggle, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, Philippines-Palestine Friendship Association, Peoples’ Coalition on Food Sovereignty, International Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self Determination and Liberation, and other allied organisations in the Philippines are one with the Palestinian people and the rest of the international community in commemorating the 76th Nakba Day, a gruesome history of institutionalized oppression and ethnic cleansing against the Palestinians in 1948.

The Zionist forces expelled over 750,000 Palestinians from their lands and occupied the majority of historic Palestine.

Backed by the US, Israel has been operating a vast military apparatus across the world. The unconditional backing of the US Imperialists and the lack of international accountability have allowed Israel to continue committing unspeakable crimes against Palestinians and the rest of the world.

The Philippines is the third biggest buyer (worth $275 million) of Israeli arms between 2018 to 2022. The Israel Defence Forces which has committed war crimes in Gaza trains the Philippine Military and police forces.

The US and Zionist Israel continue to arm the Marcos Jr. regime through these military deals in support of the US imperialist agenda to dominate the region and contain China. Through the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), the US has time and again used the Philippines as a springboard of waging its aggressive wars in the Asia-Pacific region and the Middle East.

With US imperialism brazenly supporting Zionist Israel’s decades-long carnage of the Palestinian people it remains our duty to resist and forge stronger international solidarity.

We are calling on all freedom-loving Filipinos to join our 76th Nakba Day commemoration protest to amplify our support to the Palestinian resistance so they can return to their homeland.

From Palestine to the Philippines, Stop the US War Machine!

From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be Free!

Free Palestine! Stop the Genocide!

Social Security System (SSS) President and Chief Executive Officer Rolando Ledesma Macasaet today announced that labor leader Eva B. Arcos will be joining the Social Security Commission (SSC), the highest policy-making body of SSS, as one of its members for the fourth time.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. appointed Arcos as a full-fledged Member of the SSC on April 18, 2024. She took her oath of office before Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma, who also sits as an Ex-Officio Member of the SSC, on April 24, 2024.

Macasaet said that Arcos was previously appointed as an Acting Member of the SSC on March 23, 2023 and served in that capacity until her appointment as a full-fledged Member last month. She also served in the SSC in 2015 and 2016 as one of the three Workers’ Group Representatives.

Arcos is a member of several SSC committees, such as the Information Technology and Collection Committee, Risk Management and Investments Committee, Audit Committee, and Governance Committee. “Commissioner Arcos will continue to be critical in shaping the policies that govern the SSS,” Macasaet said.

She completed her bachelor’s degree in Business Economics from the University of the Philippines Diliman, and has masteral studies in Labor Policy and Administration, and Psychology from the same university.

She obtained diplomas/certificates in the areas of labor, psychology, theology, and spirituality from various institutions such as Notre Dame University, Indiana, USA; Mexican American Cultural Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA; Turin International Training Centre, Italy; the Asian Productivity Organization and Iranian Productivity Organization, Tehran, Iran; Centro de Enseñanza para Extranjeros, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico; and International Institute – Histadrut, Israel.

Currently, she is also a member of the Global and Asia-Pacific IndustriALL Executive Committee and Women’s Committee. 

Visual artists from Central Luzon as well as art enthusiasts from different parts of Bulacan gathered in a remarkable celebration of art with the recent opening of the 12th Pulilan Mandala Art Festival at SM in this town.

The event, which has been spearheaded by the JEFARCA Arts and Historical Society Inc. with the support of the Local Government of Pulilan, the Bulacan Provincial Government, and the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in partnership with SM Center Pulilan, signals the culmination of Mandala Art Festival’s 12 remarkable years since its inception in 2012. It highlights the relevance of art as a medium in the preservation of cultural identity and empowerment for future generations of artists through the presentation of ‘Kalye Art Murals’, art exhibitions, cultural performances, and series of lectures, among others.

To ignite the celebration in SM Center Pulilan, an art exhibit with the theme “Ang Ating Sining sa Nagbabagong Panahon” puts the spotlight on the exceptional creations of 95 visual artists from different parts of Central Luzon while paying homage to the late Mandala artists such as Reuben Cañete, Jose Alberto “Joey” Tañedo, Leonilo “Neil” Doloricon, Egai Talusan Fernandez, and Alexander L. Quizon.

Among the notable guests were National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario, DOT Region III Director Dr. Richard G. Daenos, Bulacan PHACTO Head Dr. Eliseo Dela Cruz, together with Pulilan Mayor Maritz Ochoa-Montejo and SM AVP for Operations Ana Datu.

On this rare occasion, art lovers and enthusiasts also had the chance to immerse themselves in a series of art lectures held at the Mall Atrium, facilitated by multi-media visual artist Prof. Toym Imao, as well as NCCA Executive Director Dr. Eric Zerrudo and NCCA-NCVA Chairman Dr. Dennis Montera.

“We, at SM, are honored to be a part of the Mandala Art Festival’s historic culmination,” says AVP for Mall Operations Ana Datu. “Realizing the importance of art in the community, we are glad to partner with the incredible team behind the Mandala Art Festival in showcasing the work of these incredible artists while inspiring visitors to rediscover the world of art, its regeneration, and the impact it brings to society,” Datu added.­

As shared by Pulilan Mandala Art Festival Director Andrew Alto De Guzman, part of the proceeds of the art exhibit will be dedicated to the publishing of a commemorative book entitled “Katuparan” that will serve as a testament to the 12 years of creativity, innovation, and community spirit that have defined the Mandala Art Festival. The art exhibit will run until May 28 at SM Center Pulilan. 

ANTIPOLO, RIZAL – Approximately 1,900 grams of imported kush (high grade type of marijuana) worth Php 3,135,000.00 was seized from a male claimant following a controlled delivery operation at around 5:20 p.m., in Sitio Pantayanin, Pinagsamahan St., Barangay Dela Paz, Antipolo on Monday (May 13).

PDEA team leader identified the arrested consignee as ZINTARO UY, 23 years old, resident of Sitio Pantayanin, Dela Paz, Antipolo City.

Operating teams said that the illegal items emanated from the USA and arrived at the Port of Clark last May 9, 2024.

“The illegal drugs were contained in four plastic pouches and were declared as hooded sweat shirts. The suspect was aware about the content of the parcels and did not resist arrest when collared by the operating teams”, team leader added.

The operation was conducted by operatives led by PDEA Central Luzon, Bureau of Customs-Port of Clark, PDEA Special Project Team, PDEA IS, PDEA ICFAS, PDEA CALABARZOn, PNP AVSEU3 and local police.

A non-bailable offense of Section 4 (importation of dangerous drugs) of Republic Act 9165 will be filed against the male consignee.