The state’s response to the 200 youth protesters has once again revealed state fascism’s angry face. Authorities are now resorting to excessive force and violence to quell righteous indignation and protest over the administration’s gluttony amidst widespread crisis and poverty.

Kabataan Party-list Representative Mong Palatino today challenged presidential aspirants to bare their plans for the education sector and make clear their agenda for the youth.
“While the campaign period has not yet officially started, there are already aspirants for the presidential elections who have declared intent to run. Beyond motherhood statements and grand promises, we want to them to actively inform the youth of their plans, especially their programs for youth concerns—education, employment, youth participation, and good governance,” says Palatino said.
Palatino said, “We do not want another administration that neglects the …

Kabataan Party-list Representative Raymond “Mong” Palatino today said that instead of introducing a tex tax, the government should closely monitor the excesses committed by telecommunications companies such as text scams, charges, and vanishing cellphone loads.”Telcos reap so much profit through these mechanisms.
“The government should scrap its deregulation policy instead of imposing tax measures that will only benefit corrupt officials,” he said.
Palatino also expressed doubts on the intentions behind the proposed P0.05 excise tax on text messaging and said that the text tax will only add burden to the country’s 56 …

As thousands of high schools students take the National College Assessment Exam by the Department of Education (DepEd) today, Kabataan Party-list Representative Raymond “Mong” Palatino said the agency should be given the “Best in Cheating” award for the rampant corruption and lack of transparency in procurement and bidding processes for its various projects.
“Habang nagpapa-exam sila ngayon sa libu-libong high school students, bagsak naman ang DepEd sa mata ng publiko dahil sa korupsyong nagaganap sa ahensyang ito. No cheating ang patakaran sa exam, ngunit sila mismo ang nagpapakita ng masamang ehemplo,” …

Kabataan Party-list Representative Raymond “Mong” Palatino today proposed a ‘day-off with pay’ for employees to allow them to register for the 2010 elections.
“Employees who work during office hours do not have time to register. By the time their shift ends, government offices conducting voters’ registration have already closed. Companies should give their employees one day-off on or before the deadline for voters’ registration to ensure that they will be able to participate in the 2010 polls, especially since most first-time workers are also first-time voters,” Palatino said.
Palatino cited the 100% …

Kabataan Party-list Representative Raymond “Mong” Palatino today said that the $35,000 spent for grandiose US dinners by Arroyo and her entourage could have been better used to subsidize students under the Department of Education’s feeding program.
Palatino said that the DepEd spends an average of a measly P21 per meal for every student.
“Let’s do the math. Based on DepEd’s budget allocation, Arroyo’s lavish feasts alone could have fed 80,000 students.”
Palatino also pointed out that while P21 per meal for every student may already appear insufficient, the DepEd spends a …

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
QUEZON CITY
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 1336
Introduced by KABATAAN PARTY-LIST REPRESENTATIVE RAYMOND PALATINO
A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT TO INSTRUCT PUBLIC AND PRIVATE COMPANIES AND OFFICES TO IMPLEMENT A ONE-DAY OFF WITH PAY TO ENCOURAGE EMPLOYEES TO REGISTER FOR THE 2010 ELECTIONS ON OR BEFORE THE DEADLINE FOR VOTERS’ REGISTRATION ON OCTOBER 30, 2009
WHEREAS, the Commission on Elections has shortened the period for registration for first-time voters and new registrants from its original deadline of December 15 to October 30, …

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
QUEZON CITY
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 1337
Introduced by KABATAAN PARTY-LIST REPRESENTATIVE RAYMOND PALATINO
A RESOLUTION
DIRECTING THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS TO IMMEDIATELY CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, OF THE VIOLENT DISPERSAL BY THE PRESIDENTIAL SECURITY GROUP OF A YOUTH RALLY HELD ON AUGUST 19, 2009 AT MENDIOLA, MANILA AND THE ILLEGAL DETENTION OF 20 STUDENTS IN THE MANILA POLICE DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS
WHEREAS, on August 19, 2009, around 200 members of League of Filipino Students (LFS), Anakbayan, Student Christian Movement of the Philippines …

There is a need to bust the myth surrounding the so-called sunshine industry. For behind the seemingly innocuous statistics and improving figures lie tales of exploitation, false hopes, and dim working conditions inside the call center.