The Four-eyed Journal » Land reform

Will President Aquino listen to his ‘boss’?

jhay — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 10:34:38 +0000

Blood has been spilled once more. The murder of a Bayan Muna coordinator in Kalibo, Aklan. The violent dispersal and arrest of Hacienda Luisita workers and militants staging a protest at Mendiola bridge. All within the first week of Noynoy Aquino’s term as President, are a grim wake up call that the culture of impunity still pervades in our country

This legacy of the Arroyo administration has not left President Aquino’s family unstained. Last 2005, the brutal dispersal of Hacienda Luisita workers which led to several dead has hounded Noynoy Aquino and the Cojuancos from the early days of the campaign for the Presidency up until now that he is the country’s new Chief Executive.

At the foundation of extra-judicial killings and enforced disappearances is the culture of impunity, upon which those in power exercise such only to further their own interests be it political or economic in a manner that only highlights how deep and wide the gap between the rich and the poor is.

I am once more reminded of how I was at first very reluctant in supporting Noynoy Aquino’s bid for the Presidency. Though I’ve given him my support during the campaign, it was with the blind hope that he would be beholden enough to the electorate who has given him a convincing mandate, that he would listen to the people’s cries and make the government work again for our interests and needs.

This was the very same thing he pledged during his Inaugural address:

Kayo ang boss ko, kaya’t hindi maaaring hindi ako makinig sa mga utos ninyo. (You are the boss so I cannot ignore your orders.)

Well Mr President Aquino, for decades now, the people have been asking, demanding and even sacrificing their blood and lives for one thing: genuine land reform. Land for the farmers.

The most immediate however, is for the killings, enforced disappearances and rights abuses to stop.

Now that the ‘boss’ have spoken, will President Aquino listen?

Image source: Kodao.org

First ever TEAM ATENEO-LA SALLE T-shirt now available

jhay — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 13:54:01 +0000

I may be sued for copyright infringement but what the heck, for those who are shocked and curious about the title of this post, here’s the verbatim copy of the email I received this afternoon from SLB or Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan:

First ever TEAM ATENEO-LA SALLE T-shirt now available at SLB!

Ateneo de Manila University and De la Salle University have teamed up to support the Sumilao Farmers. The first ever Ateneo-La Salle shirt is now available at the Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan (SLB) office for P200/pc. Generated funds will be utilized to support the Sumilao Farmers. Visit SLB at Loyola House of Studies, ADMU during office hours.

Front Design
============
TEAM
Ateneo-La Salle
CHAMPIONS

Back Design
==========
The Sum1Lao Farmers
Walk 4 Land
Walk 4 Justice

For details, please call telephone numbers 426-6101 locals 3440 / 3441, telefax 426-5968, hotline SUN-8600-SLB (0922-8600752).

Ateneans and La Sallites who will attend the Watch and Pray Gathering at Manila Cathedral this Ash Wednesday 1:00 p.m. are highly encouraged to wear the shirt.

This is our strong statement that even the most passionate rivals are united in the Sumilao case because the irrefutable facts are crystal clear and that Justice and Equity are evidently on the side of the Sumilao Farmers.

Manalangin. Manindigan. Makialam.
SIMBAHANG LINGKOD NG BAYAN

——————————-

Who would’ve thought that the two rival universities would unite and come up with such an awesome product/stuff? I’m seriously bent on getting one, but I have to travel all the way from Cavite to Loyola Heights?! Oh well, at least I’ll get to see the good-old Loyola Schools.

I hope someone who has already bought a shirt will post a photo of it in the net. LOL

Still, it’s a good and noble cause where two big names in Philippine education, sports and culture have united for. This will be long remembered. If my schedule will permit me, I’d join in the gathering at the Manila Cathedral this Wednesday. It’s time to put our faith into action.

To the good folks at Ateneo, it’s Lasallians, not La Sallites. I’ll explain further in a follow-up post.

My Christmas Wish: Justice for Sumilao Farmers

jhay — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 04:01:17 +0000

Finally, the brave Sumilao farmers have arrived in our nation’s capital and have begun the second phase of their noble and epic struggle for justice. The return of the lands that was taken away from them by the greedy land-owning elite and capitalists in this country.

Ever since I heard about their plight and their resolve in marching to Malacanang all the way from Sumilao, Bukidnon – some 1,700 km – on foot, I cannot help but feel the urge to call out in support and if only I can, join in their march as well. An alumni of De La Salle University – Dasmarinas and a good friend of mine, once sent me an SMS message last month that among the marching farmers is the father of a fellow DLSU-D Lasallian, which means there’s more than enough reason why we Lasallians from DLSU-D and the entire Lasallian Family in the Philippines for that matter, should do something to aid and support the oppressed yet fighting farmers from Sumilao.

Unfortunately, and please someone in the know correct me, I haven’t heard of a single word or effort from any sector of the Lasallian community that supports the Sumilao farmers in their struggle. Save perhaps the silent whispers and short mentions of this issue during the meetings of DLSU-D’s University Student Council, of which a planned advocacy activity is in place once the revision of the USC Constitution is done.

What’s even more surprising is that the other school, the one in Loyola Heights has taken concrete and meaningful steps in support of the Sumilao farmers last Wednesday, December 5 in which they welcomed the marching Sumilao farmers into the Loyola Schools campus, and celebrated Mass led by Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales in honor of them.

Ateneo President, Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, SJ even led the Ateneo community in signing a petition in support and solidarity of the farmers from Sumilao. Such act of love, solidarity and justice is to be lauded and praised, and more so, should be emulated even expanded upon.

By now it is obvious that I have some complaints about the apparent silence or lack of action by Lasallians on this issue, especially in light of a little-known fact mentioned a while ago that there’s a direct link between the Sumilao farmers and the Lasallian community, DLSU-D in particular because one of the Sumilao farmers is the father of La Salle student.

With due respect and in the spirit of being fair, not to mention being called as more biased to the Ateneans, the Lasallian community has not been blind and silent when it comes to the recent developments in our social realities. In fact, the La Salle Provincialate, has released a statement with regards to the recent takeover of the Hotel Peninsula by Sen Trillanes that renews their calls to a changes in our government, public institutions and society it self.

Well and good.

However, I believe there are plenty more to be done. The struggle against the corrupt and oppressive Arroyo regime is a noble and an awesome task, more so it is a responsibility, but it is not the only struggle we Lasallians, and the Filipino people, must take up and fight till the end. There are many more struggles and issues that must be faced and addressed. The struggle of the Sumilao farmers is another that is more than worth the effort, time and resources to pursue and achieve victory for.

In less than three days, the world will once more commemorate the International Day of Human Rights, and in that occasion, the Sumilao farmers will march towards Malacanang and send a clear message to this government; “Let justice be served! Let our inalienable rights be protected and promoted! Return the lands to the Sumilao farmers!”

My wish, my prayer, my call is simple; that on International Human Rights day and the days after that, we move to do something profound, concrete, meaningful and effective that will support the cause of the Sumilao farmers. That after their cause has been won, we move on and help out the others who are crying, suffering and yearning for justice and the protection and promotion of their rights so that their lives will be lived with full meaning and fruition.

Fellow Lasallians, I only ask that we become true Lasallians, living out the Lasallian values that we cherish and value so much. Let us unite with others who join in this noble task regardless of school or color, for our cause is but one: that justice be served, peace be attained and our dear country move forward to sustainable growth and development.

We do this today, and our sons and daughters will be proud of us and of their race and identity. It will inspire them to emulate us and fight to preserve and develop what we will gain.

We do this, the whole world will once more look at us Filipinos and treat us as an equal in the family of nations.

We fail, we only have ourselves to blame, and brutal hell to pay for.

*Image by asianfarmers