Akbayan Youth EVSU Tacloban

This was the challenge issued by television network TV5 to Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman in response to her accusations that a TV5 report on an unkempt warehouse of relief goods in Tacloban City contained manipulated footage.
______
(Credits: Rappler)

TV5 to DSWD: Show proof footage manipulated The issue is accountability, not ownership of the warehouses, TV5 tells DSWD

DSWD accuses TV5 of manipulating video footage The network, however, stands by its story and maintains it did not withhold any information from the DSWD

A year after the SQAO on the RH Law, SC urged to rule on its constitutionality
______
A year after a Status Quo Ante Order (SQAO) was issued against the implementation of the Reproductive Health (RH) Law by the Supreme Court, women members of Akbayan Party-list today trooped to the high tribunal and asked the justices to vote for the constitutionality of the landmark measure.

Led by Akbayan Chairperson Risa Hontiveros, the women advocates mounted a “victory wreath” in front of the SC to symbolize their optimism that the RH Law will be declared constitutional and implemented this year.

They also brought flowers and placed them at the gate of the SC compound to dramatize their appeal to the SC justices to rule in favor of reproductive health rights.

"As the SQAO on the RH law turns a year old, we hope that the SC Justices will finally lift the order, rule on the constitutionality of the measure and let it be implemented to the fullest. Sana ito na ang una at huling birthday ng SQAO laban sa RH Law," Hontiveros said.

4,015 women lost to maternal mortality

Hontiveros said a year without the RH Law is one year too much."The consequences are just too costly. With the SQAO in full effect, it prevented us from changing the status quo where 11 women die everyday as a result of the lack of reproductive health services," Hontiveros said."By simply going through the numbers, with the RH Law suspended for one whole year; the government has failed to save the lives of 4,015 women. Certainly, a day passing without the RH Law is truly atrocious," Hontiveros added.

Aside from the women, Hontiveros said the SQAO on the RH Law also dealt a big blow to the Filipino youth."Another victim of this unnecessary and long delay is the youth. Without a progressive policy tool, young Filipinos are prevented from receiving correct and proper education on s*x and s*xuality, education that is very crucial as they confront the climate of ignorance which caused many among their ranks to become victims of unwanted teenage pregnancies and s*xually-transmitted diseases," Hontiveros said.

However, Hontiveros said she welcomes the pronouncement made by the high tribunal that it will rule on the RH Law this April."While we hoped that the SC will decide on this matter much earlier, we nonetheless welcome the pronouncement. April being the spring month, we hope the high tribunal's decision will enable the RH Law to fully blossom as it tries to provide the public a greater chance at a better quality of life," Hontiveros said.

Opportunity to stand up vs. bigotry and intolerance

Hontiveros also urged the high court to seize the "unique opportunity" to stand up against bigotry and intolerance.

"The House of the Representatives, the Senate and President Aquino have already demonstrated their resolve on this issue. Now it is the Supreme Court's chance to show the same courage and political will. It will be very tragic if the SC will do otherwise. It will be forever remembered as an institution which used its judicial review mandate to kill a progressive law which was the product of the people's 14 years of struggle and consistent advocacy," Hontiveros said.

"The people are watching and waiting. We hope the SC will not fail them," Hontiveros ended. # # #

RH law constitutional - SC FULL STORY: http://www.rappler.com/nation/54946-supreme-court-rh-law-constitutional After more than a decade languishing in Congress and a year-long order st...

"Let's set aside past hurt. Let's give the RH Law a chance to work." -Akbayan Chairperson Risa Hontiveros

Tacloban official implicated in sale of relief goods The City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) officer of Tacloban on Tuesday denied allegations that she is involved in the illegal sale of relief supplies intended for "Yolanda" victims.

Domeng storm surge warning in 5 provinces Coastal areas in at least 5 provinces are being advised to prepare for possible storm surges and high tides

SC declares RH law constitutional The Court however strikes down some provisions

THE PEOPLE DESERVE TRUTH AND JUSTICE

Last March 19, Akbayan Youth, together with leaders various youth and student organizations, made the headlines when we gathered at the office of the Ombudsman to show support for the authorities’ efforts to exact accountability from those who have allegedly profited from the pork barrel scam. We were able to send our message to our fellow Filipinos: the youth are waiting but are also closely watching. However, we cannot wait forever. The wheels of justice have to move swifter than the agents of corruption do.

Yesterday, our call for results was answered. Our hope and fervor for justice bore fruit when the Ombudsman moved to formally indict Napoles and her cohorts from the executive and legislative branches of government, especially Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada, and B**g Revilla. With the plunder charges filed before the Sandiganbayan, the Filipino people are one step closer to receiving justice they deserve.

We are hopeful that the Sandiganbayan will reflect the people’s aspiration for accountability and reform. It has been tasked with this huge responsibility to ensure that truth and justice will triumph. It must not fail the people.

The filing of plunder charges is a positive development in our effort to stamp out corruption in our government; however desperation will surely inspire the corrupt to intensify its campaign of disinformation and confusion to deflect the public’s attention from their wrongdoing. Hence, the Filipino people, especially the youth, should be relentless in ensuring that all those implicated in the scam will be held accountable before the courts of law.

We are calling on all citizens, especially the youth, to remain steadfast in their clamor for justice. Let us be as watchful as ever in seeing the cases through until the culprits are finally convicted.
______
(Credits: Akbayan Youth Official Page)

Akbayan Youth Chairperson Rafaela David, has been elected Vice President of the International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY).

Congratulations, comrade! Mabuhay!

Happy birthday to our beloved Akbayan chairperson, Risa Hontiveros! :)
______
From Akbayan Youth EVSU Tacloban