ASEAN @ 50 - Is Integration Doable?

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Over 150 delegates from various peoples’organizations, social movements, and civil society organizations gathered at the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG) to kick off the two-day Philippine Peoples’ Summit on ASEAN 2016 to discuss various local, national and regional issues as they relate to ASEAN. 

The summit focused on how the ASEAN has changed in the last 49 years and examined the challenges for a regional economic integration. Is a regional integration doable or is it just a delusion? “Peoples’ engagement with ASEAN has been a long and arduous journey,”said Dr. Ed Tadem, President of the Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC) and lead convenor of the Philippine Process on ASEAN, citing challenges such as the Mekong region countries being more integrated with China than with the ASEAN region, the social inequalities within and between ASEAN countries, the ASEAN’s failure to issue a joint communique on the South China Sea territorial dispute, and the regional human rights mechanism’s inability to respond to reports of human rights violations. 

Tadem further said that “ASEAN has been a disappointment because the governments have not responded to the demands and proposals from the people. ASEAN has failed in providing for a better life for citizens and member countries. Unrestrained economic growth has only deepened poverty and social inequalities.” 

But if such is the case, is it still worthwhile to pursue engagement with ASEAN or is there an alternative to ASEAN? 

“Integration should be based on solidarity. And by solidarity, it means putting yourself in the position of the other. It should be pro-people and premised on friendship and peaceful co-existence,” said Antonio Tujan, Jr. of IBON International. This has not been the case for ASEAN. 

However, Tujan said there is still value in our engagement with the ASEAN, as this is the proxy organization for Asia, not only in relation to ASEAN affairs but also because of its role in the regional and global arena. 

Although there is a huge imbalance in the space, ASEAN still provides opportunities to people. CSO scan show the way to regional integration, one that starts from below. The ACSC/APF for instance provides a space where people from the region are able to discuss issues, share ande xchange experiences and solutions. 

Representatives from sectors of children, youth, elderly, women and persons with disabilities gave their reactions on what ASEAN integration can do for their sectors. Persons with disabilities said they are not looked at as a relevant sector to the point of being invisible. They see no regional level

solution for their sector. In the case of women, they see alternative regional is one that should ensure women’s enjoyment of their rights and gender equality. 

To further explore local issues in relation to ASEAN, the Summit participants went into breakout sessions to discuss issues on labour and migration, food sovereignty, human rights and repression, trade and foreign policies, peace and security, economic issues and inequality, climate, and gender, inclusivity and intersectionality. 

Recommendations from the different sectors include addressing the cultural, ideological and economic causes of inequality and marginalization. This means clarification and reaffirmation of principles, the exploration of alternatives, establishment of instruments and mechanisms (engagement, transparency and accountability, formal mechanisms and funds), and strengthening of civil society and social movements. 

On July19, the Summit conducted workshops towards a better understanding of what a people-centered ASEAN is all about, as the country prepares for the 50th anniversary of ASEAN in 2017, when the Philippines will assume chairship. 

The Philippine Peoples’ Summit on ASEAN is organized by the ASEAN CivilS ociety Conference/ ASEAN Peoples’ Forum 2016 (ACSC/APF2016) Philippine Process, a broad network of civil society organizations, peoples’ organizations and social movements that seeks to analyze ASEAN issues faced by the Philippines and its neighboring countries.

Mario Sismundo Ready for the Biggest Fight of His Life on July 30

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Mario Sismundo, who will fight on July 30 for the World Series of Fighting Global Championship 3: Philippines vs. the World card at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, says that he is more than just Manny Pacquiao’s doppelgänger.

Mario, who once doubled for Manny Pacquiao for a TV commercial, and also hails from General Santos City, also has plans of his own to be a world-renowned fighter.

The resemblance is striking, in fact, when he trains at Fitbox Gym in Makati, he is often mistaken as Manny Pacquiao.

Sismundo says, “Sobrang na inspire ako na kamukha ko si Manny Pacquiao kasi yung kamukha ko o kahawig ko ay di ordinaryong tao, kungdi, sikat sa buong mundo dahil sa kanyang galing sa boxing, at isa pa siyang Senador ngayon. Baka sa pagtiyatiyaga at sipag sa mga laban ko, isang araw, masundan ko rin ang yapak ng idolo ko.”

Sismundo continues, “Malaking bagay na nakasali ako sa ganitong kalaking organization, na galing pating Amerika. Tulad sa akin, na galing sa General Santos City na matagal nang naghintay ng pagkakataon makalaban sa malaking audience, malaking bagay po talaga. Matagal ko po itong pinangarap at dinasal.”

This will be Mario Sismundo’s biggest fight in his entire boxing and MMA career, fighting for the first time in a 15,000-seater stadium in Quezon City, alongside fighters from all over the world.

Sismundo says that his family, specially his father, has been supportive of his career all this time.

It is bittersweet though that at the biggest fight of his life, wherein his fight will be the co-main event on July 30, that his father won’t be able to watch it since he passed away just weeks ago.

“Sa pinakamalaking laban ng buhay ko, na matagal niyang hinintay, wala na siya…pero hindi iyon hadlang para ako manghina o mawalan ng gana lumaban, bagkos, lalo ko pang pag-iigihan ang training ko para manalo sa laban na ito, dahil inaalay ko sa kanya ang laban na ito”, Sismundo says.

“At alam ko kahit wala na ang aking ama, manonood siya kahit nasa ibang mundo na siya”, adds Sismundo.

WSOF-GC will host WSOF-GC 3 Philippines at Smart Araneta Coliseum on July 30, 2016. Tickets start at PHP300 with ringside seats available for PHP4000. Tickets are now on sale at http://www.etix.com/ticket/p/2988982/wsof-global-championship-3philippines-quezon-city-smart-araneta-coliseum. Smart Araneta Coliseum has been host to many great events over the years, but is most notably known for Ali vs Frazier III ‘The Thrilla in Manila’.

A lucky member of the audience on July 30, 2016 at Smart Araneta Coliseum will win P1,000,000.00. Visitwww.wsofgc.com/raffle for details. Promo period June 16 - July 30, 2016, DTI-NCR PERMIT #6130.

Arroyo Acquittal: Sad Day for Justice

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros today expressed her sadness and disappointment with the Supreme Court's decision acquitting former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from a P 366 million plunder case the senator filed in 2011 together with two other co-petitioners.

"It's a sad day for justice," Hontiveros said.

In an 11-4 ruling, the high court voted to acquit Arroyo, thereby freeing her from 4 years of hospital arrest due to the case.

Hontiveros, along with former Brigadier General Danilo Lim and social activist Jimmy Regalario, filed the PCSO plunder cases before the Ombudsman in 2011.


Strong case

“The case we filed is strong. In fact, it was one of the two PCSO plunder cases admitted by the Office of the Ombudsman under Conchita Carpio Morales, and subsequently filed before the Sandiganbayan”, she recalled.


Ombudsman confirmed misuse of funds

Hontiveros said that the Ombudsman confirmed the diversion of funds from PCSO’s operating budget to the confidential or intelligence fund, which can be withdrawn or accessed any time and with few restrictions.

It was reported that the diversion of funds did not meet any legal requirements aside from the approval of the President.

“The Ombudsman also confirmed that the said funds were converted, misused and illegally-transferred the funds for their own use in the guise of fictitious expenditures”, added the Senator.



"Tuloy ang laban"

Hontiveros said that she would confer with her co-petitioners on the best course of action to take to pursue justice and accountability from the corrupt Arroyo government.
“I am shocked with the high court’s ruling”, remarked Hontiveros. “But we will not lose hope”.

“Tuloy ang laban para sa katarungan," Hontiveros concluded. #