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“We stand in solidarity with Filipino workers on the commemoration of International Workers’ Day. We give highest tribute to workers and the toiling masses who participate in the social production. They deserve the fruits of their hard labor through socio-economic gains and just share in the social wealth,” said Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano who led the Anakpawis contingent for the Labor Day protests in Manila.

“Anakpawis Partylist vows to uphold the interest and welfare of Filipino workers inside and outside Congress. We will push for progressive social legislations that will benefit millions of Filipino workers and their families and reverse the current anti-worker policies and programs perpetuated by the Aquino administration through the Labor Code and Philippine Development Plan 2010-2016.”

“We will continue to be the Filipino workers’ voice in Congress that is dominated by capitalists and employers,” said Anakpawis Vice-Chair and first nominee Fernando Hicap.

Among the measures filed by Anakpawis focused on workers’ concerns include the P125 across-the-board wage hike for workers in the private sector, P6,000 monthly salary increase for government employees, protection of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), job security and regular employment for Filipinos, among others.

“We strongly advocate national industrialization and genuine land reform as the true prime movers of national economic development. We staunchly oppose pro-foreign policies that continue to exploit the Filipino workers.”

“Aquino’s so-called achievements in the economy are only beneficial to the ruling few. The government’s perceived economic growth has no significant effects on the overall well-being and livelihood of ordinary Filipinos, especially workers in industries and agriculture sectors,” said Mariano.

On the occasion of Labor Day, Anakpawis also gave tribute to Andres Bonifacio, hero of workers and the masses and late labor leader and Anakpawis Rep. Crispin ‘Ka Bel’ Beltran. “Inspired by the lives and lessons of Bonifacio and Beltran, we will continue to uphold workers’ aspirations,“ Mariano concluded. ###

Anakpawis Rep. Rafael V. Mariano today said the labor day promises made by President Benigno Aquino III are nothing but ‘empty promises.’

“Workers are ready to reject and overturn the state-sponsored wage freeze policy preserved by Aquino.The strong demand and popular clamor for a legislated wage increase will reverberate during tomorrow’s Labor Day activities throughout the country, said Mariano who authored House Bill 375 or the P125 wage hike bill that was passed by the House Committee on Labor and Employment last March 25, 2013 through Committee Report 2703.

This morning, Aquino held a dialogue with moderate labor groups who accepted the government’s Labor Day package consisting of non-wage benefits.

Malacanang said it will allot funds for additional labor compliance officers, probe on labor-related disputes and extra-judicial killings, strengthening of the labor market information service to adds jobs mismatch and promised to provide millions of jobs to Filipinos.

“The President presented a litany of promises but failed to squarely address immediate concerns of the labor front including the demand for wage increase, employment and job security. Aquino even went as far as saying that Filipinos are not severely affected by price hikes,” said the solon.

“Malacanang rejected wage increase for workers on Labor Day and refused to certify as urgent the security of tenure bill filed in Congress. Aquino’s Labor Day package of non-wage benefits is hollow and insignificant,” said Mariano.

“The government maintains its wage-freeze policy and further pressed down rock-bottom wages through implementation of the Two-Tiered Wage System (2TWS) that introduced a floor wage which is lower than the prevailing minimum wages and institutionalized productivity-based payment schemes in companies.”

“Aquino highlighted the so-called domestic economic growth and strong fiscal performance but failed to acknowledge the prevailing jobless growth in the Philippines. Unemployment has remained above 7 percent since Aquino became president. The number of unemployed grew by at least 200,000 from July 2010 to January 2013 despite the supposed “inclusive growth”. The Philippines has the highest unemployment rate in Southeast Asia and one out of five Filipino workers are looking for additional work because current compensation is insufficient to meet the rising costs of living,” Mariano said, citing data gathered by labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and independent think-tank Ibon Foundation.

Mariano said the best response that workers can give to Aquino’s nonchalant treatment on Labor Day is to frustrate the administration’s 12-0 target in the mid-term elections. “Filipino workers must throw their support to Makabayan senatorial candidate Teddy Casino, co-author of HB 375 and a genuine advocate of workers’ rights and welfare.”

“Workers must continue exposing Aquino’s anti-labor policies and demand significant reforms through progressive and pro-people legislation. Workers must choose and vote candidates with genuine pro-worker agenda and those supporting the P125 legislated wage increase,” said the solon.

Tomorrow morning at 10:00 a.m., Mariano will lead the Anakpawis contingent for the Labor Day rally in Manila. Protesters carrying banners and placards with P125 legislated wage hike now! will assemble at Andres Bonifacio’s monument in Tutuban, Divisoria.

Afterwards, Anakpawis members will march to Plaza Miranda and offer a wreath to labor leader and late Anakpawis Rep. Crispin ‘Ka Bel’ Beltran and join the Labor Day mass to be officiated by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle. In the afternoon, Anakpawis members will march to Liwasang Bonifacio for the main protest program led by Kilusang Mayo Uno and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan. ###

In the provinces, Anakpawis chapters in Bicol and Davao have also set their local Miting de Avance rallies tomorrow. ###

Anakpawis Partylist Rep. Rafael V. Mariano said the Aquino government should bare the details of its ‘new approach’ to the peace negotiations.

The GPH earlier announced that it is not inclined to go back to the negotiating table with the NDFP and will start a new approach to the peace process. The formal talks have been stalled for 22 months.

“The Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GPH) asserts that the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) is constantly changing the conditions of the peace talks when in fact, the GPH have been violating binding agreements signed and agreed upon by both GPH and NDFP sides,” Mariano said.

“The GPH persisted with the detention of NDFP consultants protected by safety and immunity guarantees; the military, sanctioned by the government, enforced in full force Oplan Bayanihan that resulted to grave human rights abuses of civilians and severe violations of the Comprehensive Agreement on International Human Rights Laws (CARHIHL); the government continues to reject genuine land reform and national industrialization, both major agenda of the social and economic reform agenda of the peace talks,” said Mariano.

“As far as we know, the GPH has not replied to the proposals of the NDFP on social and economic reforms and continued to implement anti-people, pro-foreign economic policies,” the solon said.

Mariano urged the GPH to consider the resumption of formal talks. “Resumption of the peace talks is in the interest of the people as it will pave the way for the discussion and resolution of major issues concerning the root causes of the local insurgency and civil war in the country.

“Addressing poverty and absence of genuine land reform are among the important issues included in the socio-economic agenda of the peace talks,” Mariano said. ###

Anakpawis Rep. Rafael V. Mariano the labor-day package prepared by Malacanang is an affront to Filipino workers. “We will not be appeased by non-wage benefits and a ‘repackaged Labor Day package.”

“While millions of Filipino workers and their families are bearing the brunt of increasing cost of living brought about by endless price increase and hike in utilities and services, the Aquino government only offered trinkets and crumbs through non-wage benefits. Kahit pampalubag loob, hindi aabot. Hindi makakain ng mga manggagawa ang non-wage benefits,” Mariano quipped.

The progressive solon said Aquino’s Labor Day package is a rehash of previous May 1 offerings consisting only of job fairs, free rides and empty promises. It’s all cheap talk; no substantial effects on the long-term livelihood and welfare of workers.”

“The government can keep workers’ wages down while protecting employers and their profit margins. Where is justice under this administration?”

A worker earns an average of P277.81 daily minimum wage while P7,223 is pegged as the monthly average wage.

Based on a research of Ecumenical Institute for Labor Education and Research (EILER) a family spends an average of P10,850 monthly for food and non-food requirements namely P5,000 for food; P3,000 house rent; P800 for electricity; P500 for water; P1,000 for transportation and P350 for toiletries, P200 cellphone load. “Those are just bare essentials. A typical Filipino family has no extra budget to spend for hospitalization and emergency expenses,” Mariano said.

Malacanang called for a dialogue with various labor groups tomorrow, April 30. The dialogue will discuss observance of constitutional guarantees to security of tenure, self-organization and collective bargaining; tax exemptions for minimum wage earners; and, institutionalization of Consultative Council on Overseas Filipino Workers.

“This dialogue is just ceremonial. All for show just like previous labor day dialogues sponsored by Malacanang,” Mariano said.

“Workers ought to assert the ideals and militant tradition of Labor Day rather than listen to Aquino’s empty promises.”

“To be relevant and substantive to Filipino workers, the Aquino government must decisively institute policy reforms that will reverse current anti-worker policies including wage-freeze, labor contractualization, labor migration, price hikes among others,” said Mariano. ‘Dole-outs are also unacceptable,” said the solon.

Anakpawis will join the Labor Day protests and activities led by Kilusang Mayo Uno on May 1. ###

Rep. Rafael V. Mariano said Anakpawis Partylist and other progressive partylists from the Makabayan coalition will block another extension of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms (CARPER). CARPER is set to end next year after Congress approved its five-year extension in 2008.

“We will ensure our victory in the May 2013 partylist elections to get more seats in the 16th Congress and block CARPER’s extension. We will push for the legislation of a new and genuine program to replace CARPER,” said Mariano who authored House Bill 375 or the Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill (GARB). “Among GARB’s central objective is free land distribution, support services to farmers and dismantling of private land estates.”

The three-term Anakpawis solon said the Aquino government, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and groups posing as pro-farmers are keen on pushing for another extension of CARPER. “Enough is enough for CARPER. This Aquino-stamped and branded bogus land reform program must end. No more sequel for CARPER.”

“CARPER and its predecessor, CARP, is the longest, most expensive land reform program in the country. What we need is a new and genuine land reform program.”

“After more than 25 years of implementation, CARP failed to address the national problem of landlessness that has kept farmers poor and the agriculture production backward. Ownership and control of vast tract of lands remain in the hands of few landed families, including the Cojuangco-Aquinos,” Mariano said.

The junking of CARPER and the legislation of a new and genuine land reform program are among the main demands of the ongoing
“Lakbayan ng Magsasaka para sa Libreng Pamamahagi ng Lupa ng Hacienda Luisita.”

Since Wednesday, almost 300 farmers and land reform advocates have trekked the 119-kilometer distance from Tarlac to Manila to demand the immediate, unconditional and free distribution of Hacienda Luisita lands.

On April 24 last year, the Supreme Court ordered with finality the distribution of Hacienda Luisita to farmworker-beneficiaries.

“The Hacienda Luisita land dispute is an issue of social justice that represents the far broader problem of landlessness and land grabbing in the country. Aquino worsened these problems by perpetuating CARPER and other anti-farmer policies like massive land conversion and unbridled mining that continue to displace peasants from their lands,” Mariano said.

Tomorrow, farmworkers from Hacienda Luisita will troop to Malacanang to highlight their demand of Luisita’s distribution. ###

Economic relief through wage hike always necessary – Anakpawis

Anakpawis Partylist Rep. Rafael Mariano said the announcement of the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) that almost 28% of Filipinos have remained poor in the past six years strongly justifies the need for a significant wage increase. “The Aquino government’s continued rejection of a significant hike increase for workers is still the main cause of persisting poverty among many Filipinos,” said Mariano.

“Mainly, it’s the government’s fault why millions of Filipinos continue to live under impoverished conditions. The government failed to provide economic relief through wage hikes. Worse, it allowed endless price hikes that hurt the people’s livelihood and purchasing power,” said the solon who authored House Bill 375 or the P125 legislated wage hike bill for workers in the private sector.

According to NSCB, the recorded poverty incidence for the first half of 2012 was 27.9%, slightly less than the 28.8% recorded in the first half of 2006, and 28.6 percent in the first half of 2009 and 2011.

Based on the report, a family of five can be considered extremely poor if it is earning P5,458/month or just enough for food needs. A family of five also has to earn at least P7,821/month for other non-food needs such as clothing, utilities, rent, education, among others.

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz recently declared that the government will not grant any wage hike for workers this coming Labor Day. “This is an affront to the entire labor force and all working Filipinos. The last legislated wage increase was granted more than 15 years ago in 1998. ”

“Contrary to the claim of the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DoLE), wage hikes are always necessary. This alarming condition of worsening poverty is a supervening event that warrants the granting of wage increase for workers.”

Mariano chided the Aquino government for continuing the ‘wage freeze policy’ started by the former Arroyo administration.
Aside from poverty and absence of a significant wage increase, the country’s unemployment rate has remain unchanged at 7percent since 2010, according to the Ecumenical Institute for Labor Education and Research (EILER)

Poverty incidence was highest in Mindanao and lowest in the National Capital Region as well as in Regions III and IV.
Mariano said the poorest regions – Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) (46.9 percent poverty incidence), Region XII (37.5 percent), Region VIII (37.2 percent), and Region IX (36.9 percent) also have the lowest wage levels.

The legislation of wage increase is among Anakpawis Partylist’s major platforms and legislative agenda for the 2013 partylist election. ###

More than 200 farm workers from Hacienda Luisita are braving the 37-degrees heat in Tarlac City as they start the 4-day Farmers March to assert free land distribution of Hacienda Luisita.

Groups Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura UMA, Alyansa ng mga Manggagawang Bukid sa Asyenda Luisita (Ambala) and the United Luisita Workers Union (ULWU) are leading the farmers march. Other groups like Pamalakaya, National Network of Agrarian Reform Advocates (NNARA-Youth) and Anakpawis Partylist are also joining the Lakbayan.

“We are fully supporting the Lakbayan joined by hundreds of Hacienda Luisita farmers and farm workers. They are walking under the extreme summer heat to assert their right to the lands and demand the immediate free distribution of Hacienda Luisita to its rightful beneficiaries,” said Anakpawis Partylist Rep. Rafael Mariano who is marching with the farmers.

Today marks the first year anniversary of the historic Supreme Court decision ordering the distribution of Hacienda Luisita, the disputed land estate owned and controlled by the President’s family – the Cojuangco-Aquinos.

“There is no truth to the Department of Agrarian Reform’s (DAR) claim that the distribution of Hacienda Luisita is on track. Twelve months after the SC decision, farmworker-beneficiaries are still waiting in vain to own the lands that they have tilled for decades,” Mariano said.

The marching farmers are also demanding the repeal of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms (CARPER) – the longest-running, most expensive and pro-landlord land reform program in the country.

“CARPER and its predecessor CARP, failed to resolve the perennial problem of landlessness of Filipino farmers and only strengthened the landlords’ stronghold to vast tract of lands in the country. Farmers demand for a new and genuine agrarian reform program to replace CARPER,” Mariano said.

The contingent is expected to reach Manila on April 26, where they will hold a protest vigil at DAR. They will march to Malacanang on April 27 to bring their demands right at the doorstep of the President. “This is our statement and demand to the haciendero president in Malacanang – free land distribution of Hacienda Luisita.” ###

Anakpawis Partylist today trooped to the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) in Manila to reiterate its demand to the Aquino government for a significant wage increase for all workers, especially for farmers and fisherfolks.

The party-list group heightened calls for an urgent wage hike as official government data showed that workers in the agriculture sector are among the lowest paid in the country.

“We cannot accept the position of DoLE and Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz that wage hikes can only be granted once every year. Wage hikes granted through regional wage boards are very meager. Workers need a significant wage increase now.”

According to the National Statistical and Coordinating Board (NSCB), the agriculture sector which employs a third of the total labor force, receives the lowest average daily basic wage and salary compared to other industries and non-agriculture sectors.

“Farmers and workers in plantations, agricorporations, seasonal farm workers and fisherfolks are among those employed in the agriculture sector. Daily basic average wage of farmers is P156.8 while fisherfolks receive only P178.43. This data does not include unpaid family workers who work without receiving any remuneration in farms and plantations nationwide.”

“The wages and salaries received by farmers and fisherfolks are far from the daily cost of living for a family of six now pegged at more than a thousand pesos,” said Mariano.

“A significant wage increase is urgent and necessary to help give economic relief to Filipino workers who are always burdened with rising prices of goods, services and utilities,” said Anakpawis vice chair Fernando Hicap.

Poverty incidence among fishermen and farmers were at 41.4 percent and 36.7 percent, respectively, above than the country’s 26.5 percent poverty incidence.

The agriculture sector’s contribution to the economy also dwindled over the years. In 2012, the agriculture sector only contributed 11.1 percent to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) compared to 29.7 percent in 1946.

Both Anakpawis leaders came from marginalized social sectors. Mariano was born to a family of farmers in Nueva Ecija while Hicap is a fisherman from Bicol. “Filipino farmers and fisherfolks have remained poor and underprivileged due to conditions worsened by the government’s economic policies,” Mariano said.

“National policies are at fault for the persisting poverty among Filipino workers. The Aquino government failed to enact significant reforms that provide economic relief for the majority of the population,” said Hicap.

“It is high time for the government to consider the granting of a P125 legislated wage increase, across-the-board,” said Mariano who filed House Bill 375 or the P125 across-the-board wage increase for workers in the private sector.

The bill passed the Committee on Labor and Employment in the Lower House. ###

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Anakpawis Partylist said the Commission on Election (Comelec) has consciously performed its duty as the Aquino administration’s ‘attack dog’ against government critics, particularly progressive partylist groups. Anakpawis group joined a protest of Makabayan Coalition today at the Comelec office in Intramuros, Manila.

“Comelec’s double standards and demolition job directed towards genuine partylist organizations contributed to the Supreme Court’s latest guideline on partylists,” said Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano.

“The pro-Aquino Supreme Court was emboldened to totally overhaul the the partylist system because Comelec already laid the basis for the removal of progressive partylist groups and inclusion of scrupulous partylist organizations.”

“Now, even non-marginalized national, regional and sectoral political parties can join the partylist election. It’s an open season for the partylist system.”

“While Comelec persisted with its disqualification of genuine partylists like PISTON and Kabataan, it allowed Ako Bicol Partylist, among other bogus partylist groups to join the 2013 partylist elections,” the solon added.

The progressive solon also reiterated Anakpawis’ opposition to the Supreme Court’s latest guideline on partylists that ‘damaged the partylist system beyond repair.’

“Everything that we have work for in the past to achieve genuine representation of marginalized sectors in the Lower House, was unabashedly dismissed and destroyed by the Comelec and Supreme Court. Both institutions have bastardized the partylist system in favor of partylists of the elite and multimillionaires and big political parties,” Mariano further said.

“The pro-Aquino electoral and judiciary institutions are now working together to weed out government critics, particularly progressive partylists.”

The group will counter the Comelec’s disqualification of PISTON and Kabataan and the Supreme Court’s debauchery of the partylist system.

“Ultimately, the Aquino administration will benefit from Comelec and SC’s decision on partylists.”

“Genuine and progressive partylists in the Lower House have been proved effective and efficient in exposing social ills and demanding for reforms in the lawmaking process and governance,” Mariano stated. ###

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Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano said the latest Supreme Court guidelines on the partylists runs counter to the partylist law that clearly states that national, regional and sectoral groups may participate in the partylist system, provided that they include marginalized sectors like labor, peasant, fisherfolk, urban poor, indigenous, elderly, handicapped, women, youth, veterans, OFWs and professionals.

The SC decision on partylists essentially makes the partylist system ‘free for all’ and ‘no limits.’ Marginalized sectors are severely disadvantaged by this ruling. “Napakaluwag nang makapasok sa partylist at mahirap nang mag-disqualify ng mga multimilyonaryo at dinastiya,” the solon said. “The SC ruling further expanded the participation. Now even capitalists, employers and landlords can participate in the partylist polls.”

“This ruling is only favourable to major political parties and all scrupulous organizations aiming to take advantage of the partylist system for their own interests.”

“Lalong naging marginalized ang mga tunay na marginalized sectors. Virtually, wala nang partylist system. Magiging ‘free for all’ na ang partylist,” Mariano said.

The Anakpawis solon said the Supreme Court’s ruling stating that “National parties or organizations and regional parties or organizations do not need to organize along sectoral lines and do not need to represent “any marginalized and underrepresented” sector…” destroys the essence and the original intent and purpose of the partylist system that was crafted to ensure that marginalized and underrepresented sectors will have significant and genuine representation in the law making process.”
Mariano said the ruling is preposterous. “The Aquino Supreme Court once again proved its anti-people stance through this debauchery of the partylist system,” Mariano said.

The following are the new guidelines set by the SC:

1. Three different groups may participate in the party-list system: (1) national parties or organizations, (20 regional parties or organizations, and (3) sectoral parties or organizations.

2. National parties or organizations and regional parties or organizations do not need to organize along sectoral lines and do not need to represent “any marginalized and underrepresented” sector.

3. Political parties can participate in party-list elections provided they register under the party-list system and do not field candidate in legislative district elections. A political party, whether major or not, that fields candidates in legislative district election can participate in party-list electons only through its sectoral wing that can separately register under the party-list system. The sectoral wing is by itself an independent party, and is linked to a political party through a coalition.

4. Sectoral parties or organizations may either be “marginalized and underrepresented” or lacking in “well-defined political constitutencies.” It is enough that their principal advocacy pertains to the special interest and concerns of the sector. The sectors that are marginalized and underrepresented” include labor, peasant, fisherfolk, urban poor, indigenous cultural communities, handicapped, veterans, and overseas workers. The sectors that lack well-defined political constituencies include professionals, the elderly, women and the youth.

5. A majority of the members of sectoral parties or organization that represent the “marginalized and underrepresented” must belong to the marginalized and underrepresented sector that they represent. Similarly, most members of sectoral parties or organization that lack “well defined political constituencies” must belong to the sector that they represent. The nominees of either sector must either belong to their respective sectors, or must have a track record of advocacy.

6. National, regional, and sectoral parties or organizations shall not be disqualified if some of their nominees are disqualified, provided that they have at least five other nominees who remain qualified. ###

Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano said the Commission on Elections (Comelec) must try harder to implement the Comelec Resolution 9615 or the guidelines for the Fair Elections Act now that the local election campaign has started.

“Comelec must prove its efficiency and credibility as a poll body by implementing the election rules fairly for all political parties and election candidates. Masusubukan natin ngayon ang tibay at tapang ng Comelec sa pagpapatupad ng Fair Elections Act sa mga lokal na kandidato. Mula Pebrero 12, naging mahigpit lamang ang Comelec sa mga partylist groups, laluna sa mga progresibo,” Mariano said.

“Chair Sixto Brillantes must walk his talk. Comelec must stop attacking progressive partylist groups and candidates who are not allied with the administration.”

The Anakpawis solon also warned about Comelec’s obvious double standards on partylist organizations. “Comelec is supressing legitimate marginalized partylist groups like Kabataan and Piston through disqualification cases but it allowed Ako Bicol to join the polls.

Mariano said Comelec must explain why the poll body reversed its decision and allowed Ako Bicol Partylist to join the 2013 polls.

Ako Bicol Partylist was among the scrupulous partylists petitioned by election watchdog Kontra Daya. In October 2012, Ako Bicol was disqualified by Comelec because it failed to represent a marginalized sector. Ako Bicol was barred from joining the polls along with other partylist organizations.

Its representatives Christopher Co, Rodel Batocabe and Alfredo Garbin are among the 51 partylist lawmakers who are millionaires. Co is among the top 10 richest partylist representatives with a net worth of P94 million based on his latest SALN.

“Comelec’s decision will affect the entire process and outcome of the partylist polls,” said Mariano. The solon called on the Supreme Court to junk Comelec’s latest decision to allow Ako Bicol Partylist. ###

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Anakpawis Rep. Rafael V. Mariano today criticized the Aquino government for the looming budget cut in more than 100 state universities and colleges (SUCs) nationwide. “Aquino advances the state abandonment of education.”

Based on the budget ceilings for 2014 set by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the Aquino government is looking at a possibe P900-million reduction in the budget of SUCs for 2014 or P31.9 billion from the current P32.8 billion budget this year.

Mariano said the budget alloted for public education is very meager compared to the budget allocated for national debt burden and national defense. “The Aquino administration’s skewed budget priorities severely affects the delivery of social services to the Filipinos.”

There are 110 SUCs and 424 satellite campuses in the country, according to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

Among the regions with the highest number of SUCs are the Central Visayas (65), Calabarzon (59), Western Mindanao (49), the Mimaropa (47) and Central Luzon (47).

“The government is deceitfully presenting that it had increased the budget for education when in fact, a large chunk of the national budget goes to debt servicing and national defense. Debt servicing got 18% of the total national budget while SUCs got only .031% for 2013,” Mariano said. The national budget allocation for public education is way below than the recommendations set by international institutions.”

Mariano also criticized the government’s proposal to streamline the curricula of SUCs to make it more responsive for the needs fo
For next school year, the Aquino administration wants to streamline the curricula of SUCs to fine tune the skills of students and make it more responsive to the needs of high-performing industries.

“The Aquino government’s policies in education creates an army of cheap and docile workforce that will serve the interests of local and foreign businesses.”

“The government’s roadmap for higher education is geared towards transforming the Filipino youth into highly-skilled, English speaking, subservient employees and workers,” Mariano said. ###

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Anakpawis Partylist Representative Rafael V. Mariano said President Aquino’s vetoing of the Magna of the Poor measure is expected from an anti-poor, elitist president. “There can be no real pro-poor measure under the Aquino government.”

“Aquino vetoed the Magna Carta of the Poor because he wants to focus the so-called anti-poverty fund to its flagship program, the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) scheme.”

He stopped the measure in the same way that he rejected rightful demands of the people, including a P125 legislated wage increase for workers and the distribution of Hacienda Luisita, repeal of Oil Deregulation law among other measures.”

“Instead of upholding pro-poor legislations, Aquino slashed the budget for education, supported the privatization and corporatization of public hospitals and ordered the demolition of urban poor communities.”

The Magna Carta of the Poor states that poor people can demand full enjoyment of the following: the right to food, employment and livelihood, relevant and quality education, shelter and basic health services and medicines.

“These are inherent, Constitutionally-guaranteed rights of all people. It is the obligation of the state to ensure that all Filipinos enjoy these rights at all times,” Mariano said.

“All anti-poverty measures that do not include genuine land reform and national industrialization as strategic and long-term solutions to poverty will remain as a tools for the perpetuation of poverty,” the solon said.

“Poverty in the Philippines is a result of the systemic, chronic crisis. The government must do better than to pity the poor. We must show the people the real way out of poverty,” the Anakpawis solon said.

“Despite the government’s ‘economic growth,’ the social divide between rich and poor continue to grow. The Philippines has the biggest rich-poor gap in Asia. The top 40 families control 76 percent of the country’s wealth while the rest of the 92 million Filipinos share the remaining 24 percent.”

Based on the poverty threshold set by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), only about one in every four Filipinos or 25.1 percent is considered poor.

“That is the ‘classification of poor’ set by government standards. But in reality, more than 90 percent of the country’s population live in poverty based on social and economic and political indicators,” the solon said.

“Majority of the population are poor, landless farmers toiling in the countryside.” ###

Anakpawis Rep. Rafael V. Mariano urged the public to direct their rage to the Aquino presidency. “The Aquino administration is not representing the interest and welfare of Filipinos. Policies Aquino instituted only perpetuated and worsened the economic situation of the people. Hangga’t hindi pumapabor sa mamamayan ang mga mga polisiya at batas ng gobyerno, hindi mawawala ang mga kagaya ni Kristel Tejada. This government deserves the broadest condemnation from the public.”

Mariano expressed full support to the Peoples’ Protest against Price Hikes and Privatization launched today by various people’s organizations and consumers groups opposing the spate of price increases of petroleum products, rates of water and power utilities, hikes in prices of food and basic commodities.

“Aquino’s economic master plan, the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2010-2016 and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) policies are among the main culprits of the worsening poverty, unemployment and hunger in the country. These policies have deprived the people of the most basic social services – health and education. PDP and PPP only catered to the interests of the landed elite as well as local and foreign businesses.”

According to Mariano, the uncontrolled, relentless price hikes are among the major causes of massive poverty of Filipinos. “We cannot blame many Filipinos if they feel dejected, hopeless and desperate. The Aquino government condoned the spate of price hikes and failed to protect the very vulnerable livelihood and economic conditions of the people.”

The solon further lambasted President Aquino for his nonchalant attitude towards the issue of price hikes. “It is enraging that the President chose to focus on the Liberal Party’s electoral campaign rather than address more important concerns of the majority of the population. This is not the kind of political leadership that we want. Aquino is not the kind of President that Filipinos deserve.”

“The government must do something concrete aside from blabber the so-called economic growth and development. “Ordinary wage earners and consumers are not feeling Aquino’s imagined economic growth. The population’s general welfare and well-being worsened under Aquino,” Mariano said.

“We cannot expect state institutions and machineries to deliver genuine change and development for the people. We must work hard to realize pro-people reforms in the system. We must also strive to change the existing exploitative system,” the solon said. ###

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Farmers to protest US-PH Balikatan 2013

Anakpawis Rep. Rafael V. Mariano today said the Aquino government deserves the broadest condemnation for being a high traitor for allowing the unending stay and rotation of U.S. troops in the country.

Last weekend, U.S. defense deputy secretary Ash Carter visited the country as part of his 5-day Asian visit. Carter consulted with PH defense officials on a range of common security challenges, particularly on the PH territorial dispute with China.

“The visit is part of U.S.’ reassurance of the Philippines’ support to their Asia defense strategy. The U.S. government is the real boss of the Aquino administration,” the solon said.

Next month, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to Asia to meet and discuss with counterparts on full range of bilateral, multilateral and regional issues as well as economic cooperation and the environment.

“Since last year, the Obama administration has been trying to rebalance its diplomacy and military presence towards the Asia-Pacific region and the Aquino administration have become a willing accomplice to the U.S. government’s infringement on our national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Mariano said.

“These U.S .officials are making rounds in the Philippines and Asia-Pacific to ensure that their forces are well-entrenched in the region despite cuts in the U.S. defense budget. U.S. is bent on reassuring the support of President Aquino, one of its most trusted lackeys in the region,” the solon said.

The U.S. Congress move to cut military budget will affect the plans to roll out the Asia-orientated defense strategy.

Starting April, the U.S.-Philippines Balikatan joint military exercises will commence in Central Luzon, particularly in Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija; Camp O’Donnel and Crow Valley, in Tarlac; and Subic Bay in Zambales. Some 8,000 American and Filipino troops will participate in the joint staff and field training exercises.

The Anakpawis solon said farmers from Central Luzon will launch protests against the upcoming Balikatan 2013 military exercises. “Like previous Balikatan exercises, these joint military trainings will result to massive displacement of farmers and human rights violations against the civilian population,” Mariano said.

“Under the guise of enhancing humanitarian assistance and disaster response, U.S. troops are aiding AFP troops in neutralizing communities that the AFP identified as insurgency hotspots,” Mariano said. The U.S.-PH Balikatan utilizes socio-civic and community development activities to disguise their counter-insurgency operations,” the solon added.

Anakpawis Partylist trooped to the Philippine General Hospital this morning to protest the looming privatization of public hospitals, urging Metro Manila officials to take a stand against privatization like what the Davao City council did.

“We challenge our officials in Metro Manila. If they really do care about their constituents, especially the many workers and urban poor whose meager wages could not afford hospitalization, they should take a stand against the privatization of our hospitals,” Joel Maglunsod, Anakpawis Vice-President said.

“If local officials could do it in Davao, you could do it here. Davao officials opposed privatization because two of their local hospitals are about to be privatized, together with 24 others. There are six hospitals here in Metro Manila to be privatized. Metro officials have every reason to oppose privatization. All it takes is a heart for the people and city council resolution,” he added.

The Davao City council approved a resolution that opposes the “Corporatization” of 26 public hospitals in the country, two of which are in Davao.

To show their protest against the privatization, the protesters burned an MMDA-inspired signage that reads “Pribatisasyon Nakamamatay,” saying privatization is deadly to millions of indigent patients throughout the country.

“Privatization would deprive millions of indigent workers and urban poor patients across the country their only hope of receiving medical attention. The government could not just let big businesses siphon superprofits from hospital fees while our people die of diseases that could have been treated or prevented,” Maglunsod said.

“In PGH alone, about 98 per cent or 579,441 of patients it has served in 2011 are considered indigent or charity patients. Where would these people go if the government would abandon its duty to give them accessible health care and turn hospitals into business?” Maglunsod said.

Anakpawis Partylist meanwhile announced that it will bring its calls against the privatization of public hospitals to the March 20 “Protestang Bayan vs. Nagtataasang Presyo at Pribatisasyon,” a nationwide coordinated protest action against high prices and privatization.

“The President is turning a blind eye on the worsening economic situation, particularly on the power crisis in Mindanao and rising electricity rates in Luzon,” said Anakpawis Partylist Rep. Rafael V. Mariano.

Starting this month, millions of electricity consumers will bear another round of power rates hikes because of the 19.38 centavos per kilowatt hour (kWh) rate hike imposed by the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM) and approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).

A household using 200 kwh a month will pay an additional 10 centavos per kwh or P20 for their electricity bill.
Meralco recently announced that its generation charge went down by 5 centavos per kwh from February’s P5.24 to P5.19 per kwh in March. Transmission and systems loss charges to residential customers also went down by 3 centavos per kwh.

“Meralco’s reduced charges will be easily wiped out by this increase in universal charge approved by the ERC,” Mariano said.

“Anakpawis have formally requested the ERC to suspend the implementation of the power rate hike but the agency said it is powerless over rate hikes. The culprit of these unending power rate hikes is the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001,” Mariano said.

In Mindanao, households are enduring five to six hours of rotational brownouts per day due to the lower power capacity generation of the Agus and Pulangui hydropower complex.

From its 982 megawatt capacity, the Agus and Pulangui hydropower complex is only producing 635 megawatts due to heavy siltation of the rivers that power the complex. Almost 64 percent of Mindanao’s power supply relies on hydropower. Mindanao’s peak demand could reach as high as 1,428 megawatts.

Mariano said the already unsteady power supply and high power rates in Mindanao will further worsen as the ERC approved the Interim Mindanao Electricity Market (IMEM).

IMEM will serve as a trading platform wherein power market participants can submit their nominations a day before the actual delivery or curtailment of energy. It will be operated by the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC). Power generators and other entities with excess or unutilized generation capacities can offer or make use of such capacities subject to compensation based on the resulting market prices.

“The government, through the Department of Energy and ERC, only gave power producers, generation companies, distribution utilities and electric cooperatives the license to take advantage of the vulnerable power supply in Mindanao to sell power at very high rates.”

IMEM will have a budget of P24.26 million from the excess collections in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM). PEMC will release the implementing rules guides of the IMEM this month.

“With this unbearable situation of high power rates and unsecure power supply, we strongly demand the repeal of Republic Act 9136 or EPIRA, said Mariano. ###

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Anakpawis Partylist Rep. Rafael Mariano said President Benigno Aquino III deserves the title ‘absentee president’ for ignoring many important national issues. “There is an undeniable leadership void in Malacanang. We need a hands-on President. Not someone who pretends to lead the country through his mobile phone.”

“Walang pakialam ang Pangulo sa mamamayan. Puro pangagampanya at pulitika ang iniintindi niya sa kabila ng kaliwa’t-kanang krisis sa bansa. Ito ang tuwid na daan na ipinagmamalaki ni G. Aquino – daan diretso sa kapahamakan.”

“Aquino shamelessly chose to prioritize campaigning for the Liberal Party’s senatorial bets instead of addressing more pressing issues concerning the country and the people,” said Mariano.

“Nobody’s home in Malacanang. Aquino has openly neglected his duties as Chief Executive,” the solon said. “We don’t deserve this kind of presidency – irresponsible and self-serving.”

“Aquino failed to effectively handle and address the very volatile political and security situation of Filipinos in Sabah. He miserably failed to protect the welfare and interests of hundreds of thousands of Filipinos in Sulu and Sabah in the face of armed suppression from Malaysia.”

Mariano said thousands of Filipino refugees from Sabah also enduring severe economic hardship due to the worsening political situation in the area.

The solon said the Manila government must also do something drastic to stop the excessive price hikes in Tawi-Tawi in Sulu. Since last week, prices of food and basic commodities in Tawi-Tawi have reportedly increased 100% due to the peace and order situation. Prices of petroleum products have increased to as much as P70 to 80 per liter. The cost of rice has increased to P900 per sack from the previous P600. Sugar costs P50 per kilo from previous P40.

“Kailangang may gawin ang gobyerno. Walang ligtas sa gera at gutom ang mamamayan ng Sulu.” Mariano concluded. ###

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Leaders of activist groups in the Philippines today supported the call of United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon encouraging dialogues among parties for a peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict in Sabah between the Malaysia armed forces and the Royal Sultanate of Sulu.

In a press statement, Anakpawis partylist vice chairperson Fernando Hicap and Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) vice chairperson Salvador France said the international community, including UN should compel Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and President Benigno Simeon Aquino III to both agree to work for diplomatically correct and peace resolution to Sabah conflict.

“The Prime Minister of Malaysia and the Manila government should heed to the appeal of UN Secretary general and quit from joint and separately ganging up the forces and personnel of the Royal Sultanate of Sulu in Sabah and in the country,” they said.

The UN official had urged all parties to facilitate delivery of humanitarian assistance and act in full respect of international human rights norms and standards.

Hicap and France noted that only the Royal Sultanate of Sulu had agreed to the call of UN by declaring a unilateral ceasefire in response to Ban’s call. The Kirams had issued a declaration of cessation of hostilities to pave way for diplomatic and peaceful resolution to the Sabah crisis.

“It is now the turn of Prime Minister Razak and President Aquino to reciprocate the politically and morally correct gesture of the Royal Sultanate. The leaders of Malaysia and the Manila government should drop their obsession for senseless war and grave violations of human rights and come to their senses to avert the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sabah,” the groups said.

Earlier, Pamalakaya and Anakpawis partylist declared that the hotly contested Sabah is part of the Philippine territory and sovereign rights over Sabah belong to the people of Sulu and the people of the Philippines by virtue of long-running historical claim backed up by accounts, documents and supported by international jurisprudence on territorial claim.

Yesterday, Anakpawis partylist Rep. Rafael Mariano appealed to his colleagues at the House of Representatives to take a brief respite from the election campaign and call a special session that would discuss the ongoing political, military and diplomatic crisis arising from the very complicated and disturbing situation in Sabah.
“To the leadership of the House and to my dear colleagues in Congress let us do our job and contribute in resolving the Sabah crisis. The House of Representatives should not stand somewhere in one corner and act like paying spectator in a boxing match because this will send the entire nation in fatal default .

As lawmakers we should do what we can do to avert the looming mass slaughter of forces identified with the Royal Sultanate of Sulu and the red carpet harassment of more than 800,000 Filipinos in Sabah by the Malaysian authorities,” said Mariano.

He said Congress is also in the best position to identify possible diplomatic and legal remedies available for the Philippine government to keep the family and other members of the Royal Sultanate of Sulu safe and the resumption of diplomatic talks and negotiations on issues surrounding Sabah,

Rep. Mariano lamented that President Benigno Simeon Aquino III was a dismal failure, adding that Congress should get into the picture and help prevent the looming slaughter of many Filipinos in Sabah including the men of the Royal Sultanate of Sulu by Malaysian armed forces.

“Mr. Aquino is constitutionally, politically and morally bound to protect the members of the Royal Sultanate of Sulu and the more than 800,000 Filipinos in Sabah. He is a general disaster as far as this issue is concerned,” the Anakpawis lawmaker added.

Rep. Mariano insisted that President Aquino should have explored all diplomatic venues to convince the Kirams and the 200 Filipinos to pursue negotiation,.

Anakpawis partylist had argued that the country’s claim to Sabah is solid and should not be dropped by Malacanang like hot potato. ###

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Anakpawis Partylist Rep. Rafael Mariano said the Department of Agrarian Reform’s (DAR) sinister move of compelling 6,212 Hacienda Luisita farm worker-beneficiaries to sign a promissory note stating that farmers will pay the amortization of lands supposedly distributed to them effectively benefits the Cojuangco-Aquino clan’s interest of maintaining their control and stronghold of the lands.

Last month, DAR released the final list of beneficiaries of the 4,915 hectares Luisita lands. But Secretary Virgilio delos Reyes maintained that beneficiaries will only get their share after signing a written commitment to pay for the lands and make them productive.

“Compelling farmworker-beneficiaries to sign a “Farmers’ Undertaking” wherein they will promise to cultivate the land and pay the land based on its assessed value is tantamount to blackmail,” Mariano said. “It’s like DAR is sticking a knife on the throats of Luisita farmworker-beneficiaries.”

“This agreement will only make way for the re-concentration of lands to the Cojuangco-Aquino family. DAR is obviously taking Luisita farmers for a ride. No land distribution will happen under DAR’s arrangements that are detrimental to Luisita farmworkers-beneficiaries.”

Mariano went to Hacienda Luisita to explain to Luisita farmworker-beneficiaries the implications of DAR’s resolution on the identification and selection of qualified farmworker-beneficiaries to be included in the final master list of farmworker-beneficiaries in pursuant to the final decision of the Supreme Court.

“Luisita farmers already know that the Cojuangco-Aquino family will not hand over the lands on a silver platter. They must remain vigilant and determined to continue asserting their right to the lands,” Mariano said.

The solon said Luisita farmers will also continue opposing compensation for the Cojuangco-Aquinos and Hacienda Luisita Inc.
“The President’s family does not deserve to receive even a single centavo from farmworker-beneficiaries. The Cojuangco-Aquino family actually owes farmers P1.33 billion from the proceeds of the sale of Luisita lands,” the solon said.

Anakpawis Partylist will lead a protest march from Hacienda Luisita to Malacanang next month. ###