Dutertes not credible opposition vs cha-cha, says Davao progressives
Progressive groups who have long battled moves by elected officials for charter change said this Sunday’s protest against cha-cha led by Duterte supporters in Davao does not make the Dutertes stand as a credible opposition......»»
FPRRD opposes disguised Charter change initiative
Former President Rodrigo R. Duterte has vehemently opposed the disguised People’s Initiative for Charter change, denouncing the cash-for-signature campaign as repugnant and a disgraceful act during a YouTube interview with Banateros Brothers on January 22, 2024. Duterte emphasized his disapproval of the initiative, urging for it to be halted, particularly criticizing the payment of individuals to sign the documents. He warned that such actions could lead to a new Constitution that might destroy the nation and open avenues for political abuses. Duterte stressed the importance of democracy in the Philippines, asserting that those seeking to remain in power should go through the electoral process. He highlighted that a well-performing and non-corrupt individual would retain power, while those with poor performance would be ousted through the electoral process. Expressing satisfaction with the current Constitution, Duterte argued that it has contributed to stability, reducing conflicts with groups like the New People's Army (NPA). He strongly advised against meddling with the Constitution, cautioning that it would only bring trouble to the country. Duterte pledged active opposition to the initiative, stating that he would campaign against it. Additionally, residents of Calinan District, Vice President Sara Duterte, and Representatives Isidro Ungab and Paolo Pulong Duterte have also voiced opposition to the People's Initiative for Charter Change. Margarita Atty. Migs Nograles, the representative of the Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Partylist, alleged to have started the cha-cha signature campaign, has yet to issue an official statement on the matter as of the latest update. Related stories include the denouncement of alleged `vote buying’ in signing the petition for Cha-cha by Davao City lawmakers, Vice President Duterte's condemnation of the cash-for-signature drive, and a prayer rally against PI’s Cha-cha on Jan 28......»»
Progressives commemorate Filipino-American war, call for a stop to US military intervention
Filipino activists marked the 125th anniversary of the Filipino-American War with a protest against the expansion of US military bases and the US role in genocide in Palestine, Feb. 4. The post Progressives commemorate Filipino-American war, call for a stop to US military intervention appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
95 areas in Davao Region still grapple with flooding
Ninety-five areas in the Davao Region continue to grapple with flooding, as reported by the Office of Civil Defense-Davao Region (OCD-Davao). Davao del Norte has the highest number of flooded areas, with 64 barangays affected, followed by Davao Oriental with 22, and Davao de Oro with nine. The region has also experienced over 50 landslides, with Davao de Oro leading with 44 incidents and eight in Davao Oriental. Tragically, a significant landslide in Monkayo, Davao de Oro resulted in nine confirmed deaths, one critical injury, and four individuals still under search and rescue operations. Davao City also recorded casualties due to heavy rains. The adverse weather conditions have affected thousands of individuals and displaced over 4,000 families in evacuation centers. The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Davao Region (DSWD-Davao) has provided assistance to the affected families. The heavy rainfall is attributed to a weather system known as a shear line, causing widespread impact in the Visayas and Mindanao areas......»»
Pro-Duterte’s project 50,000 to attend rally opposing cha-cha
The Dutertes’ bailiwick Davao City will be the site of a prayer rally on January 28 Sunday expecting to draw 50,000 in opposition to the signature campaign for a people’s initiative to amend the 1987 Constitution......»»
Cha-Cha: Cebu coalition says no to Charter Change
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Cha-Cha or Charter Change is not what the Filipinos need at a time when necessities like rice are becoming too expensive and many are unemployed. This was the message of the newly-launched coalition called the “Cebu Citizens’ Agenda Against Cha-Cha” in reaction to the initiative on political revision. A buzz has.....»»
Police: No truth to bomb threat at PI’s prayer rally
The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) has debunked a text message claiming a bomb threat at the People's Initiative (PI) “Unity for One Nation, One Prayer” rally in San Pedro Square. The message warned of possible explosions at Rizal Park, one of the rally venues. Despite the lack of credible threats, the police urged vigilance and cooperation from the public for safety. Approximately 300 police personnel were deployed to secure various rally points, with additional support from volunteers and security clusters. Task Force Davao also activated a high alert status as part of the city's security measures. Captain John Louie Dema-ala confirmed that the circulating threat was unfounded and aimed at intimidating rallyists. Despite this, nearly 17,000 Dabawenyos joined the rally to oppose the proposed Charter change (Cha-cha) movement. The police and security forces remain vigilant and are conducting ongoing investigations into the social media threat......»»
Shear line affects over 80-K families in Davao
The shear line in the Davao Region has had a significant impact on over 80,000 families, as reported by the Office of Civil Defense-Davao Region (OCD-Davao). The affected families are spread across Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao Occidental, and Davao Oriental. Evacuation efforts have been underway, with some families still in shelters. Tragically, casualties have been reported, including fatalities and injuries due to landslides and flooding. The infrastructure has also suffered, with roads and bridges being blocked or damaged. The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Davao Region (DSWD-Davao) has been providing relief to affected residents, and the local government units have also contributed aid. In response to the shear line, the OCD-Davao has raised its Blue Alert status, emphasizing the need for intensified monitoring and immediate mobilization of resources. The situation remains challenging, with ongoing flooding and landslides affecting numerous areas in the region......»»
Dutertes turn anti-chacha rally into Marcos bashing platform
What was projected as a “prayer rally” in Davao City to protest charter change via people’s initiative last Sunday turned into a platform for the Dutertes to attack the Marcos administration, signifying a rift in the Unity tandem......»»
Dabawenyos to hold huge rally vs cha-cha
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 24 January)—A crowd of 50,000 is expected to flock Davao City’s main streets on Sunday (January 28) for a prayer rally expressing disapproval against the signature campaign for a people’s initiative (PI) to change the 1987 Constitution, echoing the stand of the Dutertes. Councilor Conrado Baluran, who ran under the Duterte-led […].....»»
2 `bata’ ni Martin Romualdez pumalag sa Cha-cha survey
Kinuwestiyon ng dalawang mambabatas ang resulta ng survey na ginawa ng Pulse Asia kaugnay sa Charter change (Cha-cha) kung saan lumabas na mayorya ng mga Pilipino ang hindi pabor na amiyendahan ang 1987 Constitution. The post 2 `bata’ ni Martin Romualdez pumalag sa Cha-cha survey first appeared on Abante......»»
‘Cha-cha lies in the power of the people, not politicians’ – coalition
“The amendments are unnecessary, not urgent, and could worsen the situation of the Filipino people. The process is also alarming since adding the provision ‘unless provided by law’ gives Congress the power to revise or even reverse the constitutional provisions through ordinary legislation." The post ‘Cha-cha lies in the power of the people, not politicians’ – coalition appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Experts: cha-cha not needed to boost economy
Experts: cha-cha not needed to boost economy.....»»
Not our cha-cha
By DEE AYROSO The post Not our cha-cha appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Uncertainty looms over Davao-Samal Bridge project amid RoW hurdles
The construction of the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC), also known as the Davao-Samal Bridge project, has faced numerous setbacks due to right-of-way (ROW) acquisition challenges. The project was halted on January 3, 2024, due to issues with landowners near a pier in Lanang at Davao City, leading to delays in the project's implementation. While there have been conflicting statements regarding the project's status, the National Economic and Development Authority-Davao Region (Neda-Davao) aims to complete the detailed engineering plans for the substructure of the west land via dock once the Deed of Transfer Possession in Davao City is released. However, ROW issues continue to persist. Despite these challenges, the project is still considered a priority and is included in the Davao Region Development Plan (DRDP) for 2023–2028. The project is funded through China’s Official Development Assistance with an estimated budget of P23.04 billion, and negotiations with the Philippine government are ongoing with a target completion date in 2027. The uncertainty surrounding the project's timeline remains as ROW hurdles persist, impacting the much-anticipated toll-free four-lane concrete exodus bridge spanning a 3.98-kilometer distance......»»
Opposition bares some Senate bets for 2025 elections
Liberal Party spokesperson Leila de Lima says that the party will try to convince former vice president Leni Robredo to join the opposition's senatorial ticket.....»»
Lagman says ‘war’ on 1987 Constitution underway after Senate changes tune on Cha-cha
Both chambers of Congress’ newfound unity in pushing to liberalize the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution is tantamount to declaring a “war” on the Charter, an opposition lawmaker said......»»
Calinan District residents protest vs disguised Cha-cha
Residents from the 19 barangays in Calinan District rallied against the disguised People's Initiative for Charter Change in a protest held on January 19, 2024. Organized by the barangay captains, around 100 individuals from each barangay gathered at Rizal Park, chanting Dabawenyos are not for sale and expressing their disapproval of the alleged cash-for-signature scheme. The protest emphasized the residents' desire for fairness and a better government approach, rejecting the notion of exchanging signatures for money. Participants, including both young and old residents, voiced their opposition to the charter change, with the youth expressing concerns about power-hungry officials. Even 75-year-old Rosminda Amarilla joined the protest to question the need for change after numerous presidents have governed without such alterations. The rally, which included a motorcade and drew approximately 300 participants, received disapproval from Congressman Paolo Pulong Z. Duterte and Congressman Isidro Ungab, who alleged that the signature campaign was orchestrated by leaders of the Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Partylist. As of the latest update, PBA Representative Margarita Atty. Migs Nograles has yet to release a statement on the matter......»»
Youth groups condemn Marcos, Duterte ‘word war’ amid cha-cha talks
"We maintain that the two rallies are not expressions of the genuine calls and struggles of the Filipino masses" The post Youth groups condemn Marcos, Duterte ‘word war’ amid cha-cha talks appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
PHOTO ESSAY: Waterworld in Carmen
CARMEN, Davao del Norte (MindaNews / 02 February) – Travel from Davao City to Tagum City and other parts of the Davao region, Agusan-Surigao and Manila was cut off Friday due to flooding in Barangay Tuganay. Tuganay connects Davao City with Tagum in Davao del Norte, from where one can proceed to Davao Oriental, Davao de […].....»»
Mati City, 10 municipalities in Davao Oriental suspend classes, work
Following the impact of a Low-Pressure Area (LPA) affecting Northern and Southern Mindanao, local government units (LGUs) in Davao Oriental have collectively suspended classes and government and private offices. The City of Mati and 10 municipalities, including Baganga, Governor Generoso, Cateel, and others, have issued Executive Orders in line with Presidential Executive Order No. 66, series of 2012. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has forecasted moderate to heavy rains in Davao Oriental due to the Northeast Monsoon (Amihan) and LPA, posing a risk of landslides and flash floods. The Provincial Local Government Unit of Davao Oriental and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils have reported landslides in Lupon and Cateel, with ongoing clearing operations. The Bureau of Fire Protection and other government agencies have rescued families affected by flash floods in Cateel and Caraga. Franz Irag from the Office of Civil Defense-Davao Region confirmed that around 200 individuals or close to 500 families in Davao Region have been displaced and are now in evacuation centers. Additionally, five LGUs in the province of Davao de Oro have also declared the suspension of classes and work in both public and private offices......»»