As both defense and prosecution teams are expected to lock horns on the first day of the impeachment trial in the Senate today, Kabataan Party-list, with participation of law student members of the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) and the Department of Social Sciences of the University of the Philippines in Manila, simultaneously launched today a youth-led impeachment watchdog alliance called “#i-monitor” to push for bringing Arroyo and her cohorts, including Corona, to justice as it remains vigilant to oppose Palace moves to install an “Aquino Supreme Court.”
“The #i-monitor …

Following the condemnable demolition in Barangay Corazon de Jesus in San Juan city yesterday, Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raymond “Mong” Palatino today called for an indefinite moratorium on all demolitions in the country as he hit the Aquino government for failing to implement a humane blueprint for housing services especially for the poor.
“The demolition in Barangay Corazon de Jesus is a condemnable act that should have no place in a country that claims to be democratic and on the path to progress,” Palatino said during a press conference held in Corazon …

As youth groups intensified relief efforts with schools to aid typhoon victims, the P21.7 billion calamity budget for 2012 was questioned in the absence of a proper disaster plan that should be created and installed by the national government to mitigate disasters.
In the 2012 General Appropriations Act (GAA) recently approved by President Benigno Aquino III, P7.5 billion was allocated for the calamity fund while P14.2 billion was set for disaster risk reduction and management activities under the unprogrammed funds.
Despite the huge amount, however, Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raymond “Mong” Palatino said …

The tragedy speaks for itself.
That was the statement of Kabataan Rep. Raymond “Mong” Palatino to counter the claim of Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Butch Abad that disaster management and response of the Aquino administration is “robust”.
“The Sendong tragedy strongly disproves the fallacious claim of Secretary Abad that the disaster management and response of the government is robust. The tragedy speaks for itself. A tragedy of this magnitude would not have happened if the government had a rational disaster plan that put premium on disaster preparedness,” Palatino said.
Also …

With deaths expected to outnumber 1,000 and as thousands struggle to survive in the wake of typhoon “Sendong,” Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raymond “Mong” Palatino today said that President Aquino and his cabinet should be held accountable for the veto of disaster preparedness in the 2011 calamity fund and for failing to install proper preventive measures to mitigate natural disasters.
“As early as October 5 this year, during the budget talks in the House of Representatives, we have already raised concerns on the President’s veto of disaster preparedness in the P5 billion …

Kabataan Party-list today hit President Benigno Aquino III for reportedly partying in the wake of typhoon Sendong and for vetoing disaster preparation in the 2011 national budget.
Late last night, actress and television host Valerie Concepcion tweeted about performing in a Malacanang party where President Aquino was allegedly laughing at her jokes and enjoying her performance.
“Done w/ work.. Tnx for having me.. It was nice to see Pres. P-Noy laughing at my jokes & enjoying my performance..ü #Malacañang #PSGNight,” Concepcion tweeted.
The twitter post, which quickly spread across …

Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raymond “Mong” Palatino today voted YES to House efforts to oust Chief Justice Renato Corona but warned against the possible creation of an “Aquino Court”.
“The blind support of Chief Justice Renato Corona to former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and by extension to the crimes of the latter against the people warrants an impeachment case on the basis of betrayal of public trust. But I stress my vote for Corona’s impeachment with a caveat against Palace machinations to establish an Aquino court,” Palatino said.
“There is an urgent need to …

On the commemoration of International Human Rights Day, Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raymond “Mong” Palatino today reminded President Benigno Aquino III that the government should provide adequate funds for social services like health, education, food and housing because these are integral to basic human rights.
“The apparent government neglect to social services such as health, education, food and housing, behooves us to remind the Aquino administration to prioritize the people’s access to these basic needs because they are integral to the fundamental rights of all humans,” Palatino said.
Palatino explained that in …

Seven progressive solons from the House of Representatives today condemned in the strongest possible terms the violent dispersal of hundreds of protesters attempting to reach Mendiola to hold a camp-out protest to call on the Aquino administration to address poverty, insufficient funds for basic services and and lack of substantial social change.
The solons are Reps. Raymond “Mong” Palatino (Kabataan), Teddy Casino and Neri Colmenares (Bayan Muna), Rafael Mariano (Anakpawis), Antonio Tinio (ACT Teachers), Luz Ilagan and Emmi de Jesus (Gabriela).
“The state violence exercised by the Aquino administration against the …

Kabataan Party-list today reinforced calls for Congress to create laws advancing the right and welfare of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexuals and Transgenders (LGBTs) as the youth group joined the annual Pride March.
“While laws of the land trumpet gender equality between men and women, there are no specific laws that define or expressly protect sexual orientation and gender identity, and define what constitutes discrimination against LGBTs. As a result, educational institutions and workplaces have formulated and implemented policies that are discriminatory, while LGBTs have limited legal and administrative protection against various forms …