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VOLUME XXXIV No . 32 Pebrero 19-25 , 2018 P6.00

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Black hearts , they said , signify the government ’ s lack of concern for the plight of health workers , most of whom suffer from long hours of work with not enough take home pay .

By ANNE MARXZE D . UMIL

MANILA — On Valentine ’ s Day health workers took to the streets with their calls written in black hearts that they carried marching from España Boulevard to Chino Roces bridge ( former Mendiola bridge ).

Dubbed as Black Hearts Day , the health workers led by the Alliance of Health Workers ( AHW ) still have the same long time calls — salary increase , payment of overdue benefits , an end to contractualization , the scrapping of the burdensome Continuing Professional Development ( CPD ) law and the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion ( TRAIN ). Black hearts , they said , signify the government ’ s lack of concern for the plight of health workers , most of whom suffer from long hours of work with not enough take home pay .

Health workers from private and public hospitals joined the protest .

They lamented that their condition is getting worse as neoliberal policies continue to be implemented by the government . Robert Mendoza , AHW chairperson said their salaries could note cope with the incessant

price hikes and payment of their Continue on page 9

Seen as a precedent to nationwide military rule in the Philippines , human rights groups and advocates and freedom-loving individuals readily opposed the second extension and denounced the Supreme Court ’ s decision .

By RUTH LUMIBAO

MANILA — “ We cannot afford to emasculate , dilute , or diminish the powers of government if in the end , it would lead to the destruction of the State and place the safety of our citizens in peril and their interest in harm ’ s way ,” Justice Tijam , as ponente , wrote in the Lagman vs . Pimentel ( 2018 ) decision .

In a vote of 10-5 , the second extension of martial law in Mindanao , six months longer than its first extension , was declared constitutional . Almost the same justices who voted in favor of the first extension also voted in favor of the second .

Seen as a precedent to nationwide military rule in the Philippines , human rights groups and advocates and freedom-loving individuals readily opposed the second extension and denounced the Supreme Court ’ s decision . “ Another year of martial law in Mindanao will no doubt create a favorable condition for the military to continue its rampage on people ’ s rights with impunity ,” Karapatan Alliance for the Advancement of People ’ s Rights ( Karapatan ) Secretary General Cristina Palabay said in a statement .

The following are the salient points in the SC ’ s decision : 1 . Rebellion persists and threat to public safety exists

Despite President Rodrigo Duterte ’ s admission , supported by statements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines ( AFP ) after the three leaders of the Maute group were killed , that the conflict in Marawi City has already ended , an extension of martial law for a year was recommended .

“ I hereby declare Marawi City liberated from the terrorist influence that marks the beginning of the rehabilitation of Marawi ,” the President said .

Betraying his own admission , the President formally asked Congress in December 2017 for a second extension of Martial Law in Mindanao for a year .

“… to ensure the total eradication of DAESH-inspired Da ’ waful Islamiyah Waliyatul Masriq ( DIWM ), other likeminded local / foreign terrorist groups ( L / GTGs ) and Armed Continue on page 3

Nurses are up in arms against the implementation of Continuing Professional Development law . ( Photo by A . Umil / Bulatlat )

“ Whatever twaddle they claim , the current jeepney operators will not be able to survive the fleet management and consolidation ordered in the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines .”

By MARYA SALAMAT

MANILA – Thousands of jeepney drivers and operators are set to join a planned “ big transport rally ” on February 19 in protest of the ongoing jeepney phaseout . From different parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces of Cavite , Laguna , Rizal and Bulacan , leaders of transport associations said they will gather at Welcome Rotonda in Quezon City , hold a program , then march to Chino Roces ( Mendiola ) Bridge near Malacañang .

“ February 19 is a day of protest to make Duterte and his administration accountable for the destruction of livelihood of jeepney drivers , operators and assemblers , and its harsh effects on commuters ,” said George San Mateo , national president of Pinagkaisang samahan ng Tsuper at Operytor Nationwaide ( PISTON ). Their group is supporting the February 19 transport rally to be led by the No To Jeepney Phaseout Coalition .

The transport protest is “ just a rally and not a strike ,” the local transport leaders said . They clarified that they are after jeepney modernization , too , but the government ’ s program is