Activity Updates


September 2010 - Launch of the maiden issue of the Focus on the Global South Policy Review

September 19 - In Malaysia will be held the forum called "Regional Strategy Meeting on Emerging Social and Cultural Concerns in ASEAN: Climate Change, South East Asian Peoples’ Right to Information, Labor Migration and Domestic Work and Platforms for Civil Society Engagement with the ASEAN."  Focus Philippines will make a presentation on "Building a Case for an ASEAN Protocol on Freedom of Information"

September 23 - 26
- Asean People's Forum in Hanoi, Vietnam. Fore more information, please send inquiries to the following: <apfhanoi-pc@aseanpeoplesforum.net>, <apfhanoi-ws@aseanpeoplesforum.net>. Ms Dorothy Guerrero, who is in the Bangkok office of Focus, seats in the Program Committee.

September 27 - October 1 - Freedom of Information Advocacy Week

September 23 - FOI Forum
     
September 27 - R2KRN will visit the Senate to renew the FOI campaign
     
September 28 - R2KRN will meet with Representatives of the Lower House

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Condemn Israel’s Brazen Attack on the Freedom Flotilla

1 June 2010

Focus on Global South condemns in the strongest possible terms the attack made by the Israeli army early morning of May 31 on an aid-carrying flotilla bound for Gaza. This is violence committed against civilians who were on a mission to bring humanitarian aid to Palestinians. There was no reason or justification of whatever kind for this military action.
Media reports place the number of deaths at more than 10, with dozens more injured.

Dubbed the Freedom Flotilla, the convoy comprised six (6) ships with 600 people on board, including human rights activists, a Nobel laureate and several European legislators. The flotilla was on a mission to ship 10,000 metric tons of humanitarian aid, including cement, medicines, school supplies, among others to 1.5 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip who have been deprived of basic necessities and social services since the Israeli government imposed the embargo on the Palestinian community in December 2008.

Focus supported the formation of the Freedom Flotilla, contributing one of its staff members, Thomas Sommer, to the mission.

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Dear Senator Noynoy
Senator Noynoy,

I am part of the Right to Know. Right Now! campaign network that sent you a letter appealing for you to support the passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill in this Congress, and inviting you to a mass for FOI on May 30th. It is disappointing that despite having gone through different channels, we are unable to get a formal response, even to say that the invitation came too late and that your schedule has been booked days ahead. But more worrying for me was your rather soft endorsement of the bill, only stating that the bill can be refiled and passed in the next Congress. I look to your leadership and commitment now, at this crucial juncture. Only two steps remain for freedom of information to become a reality. While the onus of ratification remains with the Lower House, and the final signature with the President, people look to you for solidarity and affirmation of what an FOI Act can do for the country. You have taken a strong position on the appointment of the Chief Justice. We hope that you can do the same for FOI. To be able to meaningfully contribute to good governance, and to claim our rights, we need freedom of information now.

Respectfully,

Jenina Joy Chavez
 
Freedom of Information: A Legacy of the 14th Congress?
by Walden Bello*
from Inquirer.net

How will the 14th Congress be remembered?

Will it be remembered mainly as being a rubberstamp for Malacanang, the one where a majority voted for a Constituent Assembly the aim of which was to change the constitution to allow President Arroyo to remain as head of state under a parliamentary system? The Senate’s refusal to countenance such a move by the House saved the country from a political crisis such as that now wracking Thailand.

Yet not all was negative in this Congress. The law extending the Comprehensive Land Reform Program (CARPER) was passed, mandating the completion of land redistribution and providing $150 billion for this purpose as well as for support services for land reform beneficiaries.

Another bright light was the passage of the Cheaper Medicines Act, which give the government the power to bring down the price of medically prescribed drugs. The benefits of this law, especially for seniors, will be incalculable once it is fully implemented.

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