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Press release
July 29, 2011

For reference: Jay Calaguing, UMA information officer
Contact #: 09291745511

Group hits Aquino’s fixation on dole out measures, planned budget increase signals lack of real socio-economic plan

Militant farm worker group assailed the Aquino administration on its fixation on dole out measures as it plans to increase its budget this year.

“Its plain to see, he has no plans to alleviate in any way the condition of his so-called bosses” says Rodel Mesa, secretary general of the Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura or UMA. “The Conditional Cash Transfer [CCT’s] and Pantawid Pampamilyang Pilipino Program [4 P’s] are designed not to lift the people’s worsening economic condition but instead pegged them as poor as they are”.

The Aquino government on its proposed 2012 budget wants a 59% increase on its dole out scheme from P23 B to a whopping P34 B aiming from three million this year to five million CCT recipients in 2015.

“Instead of continue pouring in to non-productive measures such as CCT’s and 4 P’s, why not used it to increase budgets for basic social services like housing, education, health and jobs”. Mesa added

Moreover Mesa explained “CCT and 4 P’s are bound to fail in the process, first because it cannot generate revenues and second it will only promote corruption because of the large amount it holds. Dole out measures will not answer the problem of the ballooning poverty and hunger. It’s over the hill report that it slashed hunger incident by one million last year from four million to three million was astounding to believed considering he did not support a legislated wage hike. Aquino also failed to mention the growing labor force of 1.2 million and 829, 900 increase in under employment also according to research think tank Ibon Foundation”.

“Not unless a long term solution would be made possible by supporting genuine land reform and national industrialization which produce food and stable jobs, Aquino cannot turn a blind eye on the growing discontent among the underprivileged. Band aid solution like the CCT and 4 P’s are the worst kind of charity and highly unacceptable for a leader who promise meaningful changed and righteous path”. Mesa ended
 

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Press release
July 28, 2011

For reference: Jay Calaguing, UMA information officer
Contact #: 09291745511

Farm workers asked new Ombudsman head to re-investigate 2004 Luisita carnage

Hacienda Luisita, Tarlac – Leaders and members of the Alyansa ng mga Manggagawang Bukid sa Asyenda Luisita [AMBALA] and the United Luisita Workers’ Union [ULWU] is planning to re file the six-year old case on the infamous Hacienda Luisita massacre once the newly appointed Ombudsman took office.

“We want this case to have a closure” said Rodel Mesa, AMBALA spokesperson. “Justice should be served on the seven martyrs of Hacienda Luisita who fought for the rights of 6,000 farm workers denied of their jobs and dignities at the costs of their lives on that fateful day of November 16, 2004”.

Almost seven years had past, not a single government and state forces official had been held liable on the demised of seven striking farm workers and scored a hundred more when armed state forces open fire on the farm workers who held a picket line in front of the sugar mill Central Azucarera de Tarlac to demand the stalled CBA and the retrenchment of almost 320 members and newly elected United Luisita Workers’ Union [ULWU] officials.

“Merceditas Guitierez for years never took action in our case despite countless protests and filing of motion to re-investigate it. She literally sat our case and leaving it to produced dust in her office along with other cases we filled against her boss Gloria Arroyo like the fertilizer and the ice making machines” Mesa added

Mesa who also the secretary general of the Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura also said “We hope that former Supreme Court Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales would make a difference. There is no closure and justice without accountability to those who are involved in perpetuating the massacre that includes primarily the former president Gloria Arroyo as the commander-in-chief, former labor secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas, former police Chief Edgardo Aglipay, former army Chief Hermogenes Esperon and of course the Cojuangco-Aquino’s”.

The UMA leader continued “The Office of the Ombudsman under Guitierez’s stewardship became virtually an Arroyo law firm shielding her former boss against cases of massive corruption and human rights violations including her minions who ransack the people’s coffer. These cases never prospered when Mercy still holds the position”.

“We are challenging the former Supreme Court Justice and Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales to let our case be re-open for investigation even if it would mean facing Mr. Aquino in the process. The farm workers will have her word that she will not heed to Aquino’s whim. That is why in the name of justice and accountability she should hear our call”. Mesa ended