On May 1, 2019, Malacañang announced that holding bilateral talks with China was the best option to resolve its long-standing territorial dispute with the global superpower in the West Philippine Sea. Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that the country had no other alternative considering that it was incapable of prevailing against China in an armed confrontation.

On this point, Tañada said the position of the administration was overly simplistic, “Una, malinaw naman na hindi lang dalawa ang option natin: bilateral talks o giyera. Masyadong simplistic naman ‘yun. Parang tinatakot tayo ng sarili nating pamahalaan para mapilitan tayong sumang-ayon sa gusto nila. Tama naman sila na walang may gusto ng giyera, pero hindi lang naman bilateral talks ang option natin.”However, many authorities are of the opinion that bilateral negotiations favor China, which will always be the larger party in any territorial contest with its neighbors. That is why the Association of South East Asian Nations or ASEAN, which includes the Philippines and a number of other countries with similar claims, has been trying to enter into a multilateral agreement with China vis-à-vis a Code of Conduct covering the disputed territory.

“Tandaan natin, hindi lamang ang China ang may overlapping claim. Pati na rin ang Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, at Taiwan ay may sariling interpretasyon sa pagmamay-ari ng Spratleys. Kung makipagsundo tayo hinggil sa mga isla sa China, nangangahulugan ba ito na hindi na kailangang makipag-ayos rin sa mga ibang bansang may sariling claim? Hindi ba’t gawa nang kapwa miyembro rin ng ASEAN ang karamihan sa kanila, dapat kasama natin sila sa usapan?” Tañada continues.

Maritime law experts even suggested that the West Philippine Sea be declared a “global common” – a term typically used to refer to the earth’s shared natural resources, such as the deep oceans, the atmosphere, outer space, and the Polar Regions. Instead of drawing ownership lines, Prof. Clarita Carlos, a political science and foreign policy expert at the University of the Philippines, suggests that the claimants focus on preserving fish stocks and century-old corals and reefs from irreversible damage.

Recently, the harvesting of giant clams in the Scarborough Shoal by Chinese fishermen caused widespread outrage in the Philippines. These clams were seeded by Filipino Marine Scientists as part of conservation efforts.

Tañada said, “China has a history of saying one thing and doing something completely different. Kung maalala niyo, sabi ng China hindi imi-militarize ang South China Sea. Pero ano nangyari? Ngayon, may bombers, sundalo at radar stations na sa artificial island nila doon. Kaya kahit may mapag-usapan sa bilateral talks, ano ang guarantee na susunod sa usapan ang China?”

Their lands are parched and they have nothing to feed their animals.

For the farmers to let go of one of their prized possessions – their helpers in the farm – indicates a bleak situation.

According to senatorial candidate Erin Tañada, the farmers would not have been forced to sell their animals had there been intervention to help them battle the scourge of El Niño.

He said the Department of Agriculture (DA) and related agencies should be working double time to address the farmers' need for irrigation, seedlings, and feeds for their farm animals, if necessary.

“Short-term livelihood programs or jobs should also be at hand as alternatives to farming if the dry season will not make planting viable. The DA has budget and sources of funds that it can tap to aid the country's farmers and their best friends in the farm at a time they need help most,” explained the former deputy speaker.

Central Luzon, particularly Pampanga and Zambales have been severely affected by the earthquake on Tuesday. Another trembler hit Eastern Samar and some parts of the region yesterday.

“DA must step up and show the same diligence in helping those affected by the earthquake in Central Luzon and Eastern Visayas. Nature induced calamities have overtaken the capacity of our government to intervene to mitigate the impact and damages to people. It is doubly alarming to see them, especially the poor helplessly waiting for assistance from the government,” said Tañada.

This was the reaction of former Deputy Speaker and senatorial candidate Lorenzo “Erin” Tañada as he and his father, former Senator Wigberto “Bobby” Tañada were at the receiving end of one of President Rodrigo Duterte’s vitriolic attacks. Speaking in front of a crowd in Marikina Hotel and Convention Center, the President called out the Tañadas for having done nothing but defend communists.

“I have never defended communists in court as alleged by President Duterte. I am a human rights lawyer. My grandfather and father defended Ninoy Aquino during Martial Law.” Tañada said.

Tañada, however, emphasized that right to counsel is a basic personal right. “There is nothing wrong defending communists in Court. The Bill of Rights article of the Constitution states that no one can be deprived of life or liberty without having been provided with a good defense in a fair trial. They, just like everyone else, are entitled to their day in court aided by competent counsel.”

During Tañada’s three terms as Quezon Province Fourth District’s Representative in Congress, he authored the Repeal of the Death Penalty Law, Cheaper Medicines Law, Anti-Torture Act, Condonation of SSS Penalties on Deliquent Contributions, People’s Survival Fund, Anti-Enforced Disappearance Act, Human Rights Recognition and Reparation Act, and the Universal Healthcare Law. He voted against the raising of the VAT rate from 10 to 12% and has always called for a tax structure that shifts the burden to the rich rather than the poor. In his nine years in Congress, Tañada said he relentlessly worked for the welfare of Filipino workers and farmers, and all consistently within the context of human rights.

“There is nothing wrong with dreaming about better economic, employment, and living conditions for our farmers and workers. There is nothing wrong about believing in yourself that you can do something about it. That I share this aspiration with the CPP-NPA does not mean I am a member of the Party. Some universal ideals are worth fighting for. And I will fight for them as how my grandfather and my father fought for them--with all their heart, their mind, their life,” shared Tañada.

Copra prices recorded its lowest farm-gate price in Western Visayas at P13.90 a kilo. Average prices a year ago was at P31.65 a kilo.

“May I remind the good Mayor that had the President not vetoed the Coco Levy Bill, the coconut farmers would somehow have a better fighting chance to keep themselves afloat amidst the greater poverty that this sector has already suffered. The approved bicam version of both Houses provides for some social protection for coconut farmers and their families. There are actually seed funds to start off coconut enterprises, access to capital and technologies to produce higher value added products and not rely on the now dirt cheap copra. I admit that there are some provisions that are not acceptable to Kilus Magniniyog in the bicam version, but my reading is that they are willing to live with it for the meantime and just have an amendatory bill later rather than further prolong the coco farmers’ agony,” Tañada said.

He added, “(i)t is quite ironic that the coconut farmers who rightfully own the levy fund would have to languish and suffer with the drop in copra prices. Bakit kailangan pa nilang manikluhod sa Department of Agriculture para sa tulong samantalang meron naman silang sariling pondong sana ay kanila nang nagagamit upang paunlarin ang industriya ng niyog?”

It may be recalled that Tañada, together with his father, former Senator Bobby Tañada and his brother Atty. Toby Tañada joined the coconut farmers long march from Davao to Malacanang in its Quezon Province leg in November 2014 to clinch an Executive Order from then President Noynoy so that the fund may be utilized.

This was the statement of Otso Diretso senatorial candidate Lorenzo "Erin" Tañada as he called on the local government units and the Department of Agriculture to work together to use the People’s Survival Fund (PSF) to give aid to the farmers and their families.

The PSF is a special fund in the National Treasury, created through Republic Act 10174 that was authored by Tañada when he was still the Representative of the 4th District of Quezon in the House of Representatives. The fund intends to finance adaptation programs and projects to address the harmful impact of drought, flooding and other extreme weather events caused by climate change.

The LGUs with the participation of farmers and other affected sectors were supposed to come up with adaptation programs and projects based on the National Strategic Framework on Climate Change.

“The farmers' losses are mounting. The agricultural sector is among those that are severely affected by the El Niño we are experiencing now. The PSF is in every way, an empowerment fund and should serve its purpose. The role of the legislators is to craft laws and it is the responsibility of the executive to implement it. How is the DA going to address the problem?" Tañada lamented.

In the beginning of each fiscal year the PSF's fund balance should be one billion pesos that the communities can access by submitting project proposals for consideration by the PSF board. If by the end of the fiscal year, only half a billion worth of projects are approved and disbursed by the Board and Secretariat, then Congress, thru the GAA will put incremental fund by allocating half a billion to bring back the fund balance to P1 billion pesos the following year.

PSF ensures that there is money for farmers and other vulnerable sectors should they be affected by crises, like typhoons and drought so that they can adapt and recover.

“Tulad ng nabanggit ko na noon, ang mga sitwasyong tulad nito ay nangangailangan ng preparation, vision, at foresight. Nabasa natin ang magiging takbo ng kapaligiran at panahon. Nakita natin na darating ang araw na lubhang kakailanganin natin ang higit pang pagkakapit-bisig. Ang pagsusulong ko ng PSF noong 2011 ay bahagi ng pakikipagkapit-bisig at pagkapit sa inyo dahil kailangan natin ang isa’t isa. Nananawagan ako sa ating mga lider sa mga komunidad na aralin ang batas na ito at gamitin upang mas maging handa tayo sa mga delubyong dulot ng pagbabago ng klima. Ang kahandaan ay nag-uumpisa sa mga komunidad nagtutulungan, hindi sa mga mamamayang nagsasarili at nagkakanya-kanya," Tanada added.

“While I welcome any initiative intended to make the country safer, I think this project should undergo greater public scrutiny. CCTV cameras are nothing new, but this is surveillance on a massive scale; an initial 12,000 surveillance camera will be installed by Huawei in Metro Manila and Davao. The same Huawei that is mandated by Chinese law to collaborate with the Chinese government in intelligence gathering. The same Huawei that has been banned by the United States from supplying equipment for critical telecommunications infrastructure,” Tañada said.

The former Deputy Speaker warned that even without the national security issues embedded in the surveillance network of Safe Philippines, the Chinese loan funding the project might be onerous and highly disadvantageous to the Philippines.

“I think the Duterte administration should practice the Executive Order on Freedom of Information that he put into effect in 2016, by releasing all agreements related to the China-funded infrastructure projects signed last year. This will go a long way towards easing the fears of the public that the Philippines might be falling into a ‘debt trap.’ If the projects are fair and above board, then the Palace shouldn’t have a problem with releasing the documents.”

Tañada also said that the loan agreement for the Safe Philippines project might contain the same objectionable provisions found in the agreement for the Chico River Pump Irrigation Project, the contents of which were leaked to the media last month. “Baka ‘yung objectionable provisions sa Chico River project nandito din. ‘Yung mataas na interest rate; ‘yung requirement na gumamit ng Chinese contractors at workers; at lalo na ‘yung provision na nagsasabing pwedeng angkinin ng China ang patrimonial property ng Pilipinas kung hindi tayo makapagbayad,” he added.

The surveillance program, worth 20 billion pesos, has a bigger budget than the Chico River Project, which is worth 3.6 billion pesos.

On this latest development, Tañada has this to say: “Ipinamigay na niya ang ating teritoryo sa West Philippine Sea. Ipinamigay na rin niya ang kabuhayan na pwedeng mapakinabangan ng ating kababayan dito. Pati ba naman ang mga importanteng sekreto at impormasyon tungkol sa ating ekonomiya, politika, at sandatahang lakas, ibibigay niya rin sa China?”

The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved on second reading a bill on lowering the age of criminal responsibility to 12 years old (from its initial proposal setting it nine years old).

“Bakit po tayo magpo-focus sa two percent?” Tañada said in his interview on Dobol B sa News TV series "Ikaw Na Ba?" senatorial interviews.

“Kung titingnan natin kung ilang krimen ang ginagawa ng minors ayon sa datos ng pulis, out of 100 crimes, two percent lang ang involved ang minors,” Tañada said.

For Tañada, if these children will be held liable to a crime at 12 years old because they are already capable of "discernment between right and wrong," why not allow them to vote in elections or engage in contracts?

“Kung titignan natin na merong discernment na ang isang bata, bakit hindi natin hayaang bumuto, pumasok sa kontrata?” Tañada said.

One of the reasons behind the present administration's push to lower the age of criminal liability is that children are being used by criminal syndicates, as they are immune from criminal punishment and criminal charges.

The move has gained traction at the House of Representatives and is gaining support at the Senate.

Source: https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/682593/candidate-tanada-questions-focus-on-lowering-age-of-criminal-liability/story/

“It is also unfair for teachers, who are revered as models of students, to be labelled as communist sympathizers or front without solid basis,” Tañada said in a statement.

The former lawmaker’s remarks came after ACT Secretary General Raymond Basilio revealed that intelligence operations, where police profiled teachers, were conducted in several Metro Manila schools.

On Monday, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said he has relieved the intelligence officers from Manila Police District’s Station 3, Quezon City Police District’s (QCPD) Station 6, and the Zambales police’s intelligence unit chief.

He, likewise, denied ordering such operations, although he justified the necessity of profiling members belonging to supposed “front organizations” of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

“As I’ve said, I did not specifically order gathering of information on ACT members.  But I will be extremely surprised if our intelligence community has not done so on ACT and other front organizations of the Communist Party of the Philippines identified by Jose Ma. Sison,” Albayalde said in a statement.

“It is the duty of the state to protect its citizens and its interests against the enemies of the state (Communist Terrorist Groups or CPP/NPA) and its allies or front organizations enumerated by Jose Ma. Sison such as Bayan, KMU, KMP, LFS, Gabriela, ACT, Kadena, etc.,” he added.

According to Tañada, he is concerned with the police’s measures, which can disrupt the students’ learning process.

“I express grave concern over reports that surveillance activities are being conducted against members of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) in public and private schools,” Tañada said.

“Schools are sanctuaries of learning and development of students. The presence of state agents from the police or the military will cause panic and alarm among the students and will be disruptive to their studies,” he explained.

He also called on the government and the schools’ management involved to investigate these intelligence-gathering activities and uphold the rights of faculty members as well as its students.

“We call on the administration of these concerned schools and educational institutions to look into this matter seriously and take a stand to protect the rights of their teachers and students,” the senatorial candidate said.

Even before he was elected into office, President Rodrigo Duterte has repeatedly claimed that he is the first leftist leader of the country — saying that he is a socialist and not a communist.

Duterte even met with known left-leaning group leaders, and appointed known activists like former Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo, Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano, and Anti-Poverty Secretary Liza Maza as part of his cabinet.

However, since the skirmishes between government forces and communist rebels continue to erupt, the President has fired all cabinet secretaries and undersecretaries belonging to left wings.

Source: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1070454/red-tagging-teachers-without-basis-is-unfair-tanada?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter&fbclid=IwAR0vaa1joU00u-t8c7J2Go28dtKawUhPgiP6CSy7hAJZNbWGXa3o-NkB9Uc#Echobox=1546915806

Ibig sabihin, pupuwersahin tayong mga Pilipino na lunukin ang Cha-cha kahit na mismong mga kaalyado ng Pangulong Duterte ay tutol sa bersyon na ito ni GMA.

Bakit naman kasi pinipilit ihabol itong Cha-cha? Gusto ba nilang manatili sa puwesto? May eleksyon naman sa Mayo. Haya­an nating magpasya ang taumbayan sa nais nilang pagbabago sa liderato ng lehislatura.

Nagsalita na ang senado. Malinaw sa saligang batas na dapat hiwalay ang botohan patungkol sa Cha-cha.

Nagpahiwatig na ang iba’t ibang civil society organization na kanilang tututulan ang Cha-cha. Nagpahayag na rin ang Laiko Warriors, samahan ng iba’t ibang malalaking organisasyon sa ilalim ng simbahang Katoliko. Hinding-hindi sila papayag sa Chacha ni Gloria.

Habang niluluto ito sa Kongreso, unti-unti namang nagiging seryoso ang lagay sa Mindanao bunga ng panukalang Bangsamo­ro Organic Law (BOL). Nakatakda ang isang plebisito sa Enero 21 at Pebrero 6.

Marami pang maaaring mangyari bago ang naturang plebisito. Maaaring pigilan ito sa pamamagitan ng Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) ng Korte Suprema. Naaalarma ang ating kababa­yan sa Mindanao na maaaring isabotahe pa rin ang inaasahan nilang transition ng Bangsamoro government.

Nagbigay si ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman ng isang madamdamin ngunit maliga­yang pamamaalam noong Disyembre 19, 2018. Ayon sa masugid na tagasuporta sa prosesong pang-kapayapaan sa Mindanao, sinubukan nilang ibigay ang mga kailangang tulong ng ating kababayan, sadyang hindi sapat ang kayang tugunan ng ARMM. Kung mapapagtibay ang BOL, higit na malaking espasyo ang ibinibigay sa Bangsamoro government at mas malaking pondo ang mailalaan para maipatupad ang mga proyektong inaasam ng kababayan natin doon.