Focus on the Philippines June 2009

DEAR READERS,



This issue, Focus on the Philippines zooms in on key developments in
Congress, specifically Cha-cha and CARPER, which Rep. Walden Bello
calls “two of the most controversial pieces of legislation this
decade.” On Charter Change and Congress, FOP June includes ‘Politics
failed our Constitution’, the Focus on the Global South Philippines
position on this recent move in the House and Charter Change, which
also identifies progressive provisions in the constitution that should
be preserved. In ‘Burn that House down and rise from the ashes,’ Aya
Fabros writes about her reflections on the House and puts forward some
propositions on where to take things in relation to Congress, in the
short and long term.



The issue also covers reflections, analysis and commentary on the
Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms (CARPER).
Our new Congress rep, Walden Bello gives his own take on CARPER, in
‘CARPER: Latest episode in the battle for agrarian reform,’ as he
explains his vote and relates some of his own experience in the House;
while Mary Ann Manahan, Focus on the Global South Commons and Agrarian
Reform lead person, presents her own analysis from the point of view of
an advocate in the frontlines.



Finally, reflecting on both the personal and the political, Progressive
Lawyer Arlene Bag-ao, counsel of the Sumilao farmers and close friend
of slain peasant leader Rene Penas, also shares with us a very moving
piece on Ka Rene and their shared struggle to achieve agrarian justice.



CONTENTS:

1.    Politics failed our constitution/ FOCUS ON THE GLOBAL SOUTH-PHILIPPINES PROGRAMME

a.     A Constitution Worth Defending (Matrix)



2.    Burn that House down and rise from the ashes/ AYA FABROS



3.    CARPER: Latest episode in the battle for agrarian reform/ WALDEN BELLO



4.    CARPER and the Continuing Struggle for Land/ Mary Ann Manahan



5.    Rene Penas: Agrarian Reform Advocate, Peasant Leader, Paralegal/ ARLENE BAG-AO



6.    FOCUS MONITOR: Viva Voce and the Ignoble Roll: List of Representatives who voted for HB 1109



7.    FOCUS STATEMENT ON KA RENE




8.    Links: 

a.    HR 1109

b.    PCIJ Matrix

• Decommodification and Agrarian Reform
• Reclaiming the Commons
• Philippines