BREAKING

Thursday, July 24, 2025

A Voice for the Voiceless: Green Party of the Philippines Endorses Francesca Albanese for the Nobel Peace Prize


Wazzup Pilipinas!?



By Ross Flores Del Rosario, Founder of Wazzup Pilipinas and External Vice President, Green Party of the Philippines


In a world saturated with silence where justice is suppressed by power and oppression cloaked as diplomacy, one voice rises against the tide with unwavering clarity. That voice belongs to Francesca P. Albanese, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories—an uncompromising champion of truth, justice, and peace.


Today, the Green Party of the Philippines joins a growing chorus of nations, political organizations, and civil society groups in endorsing Ms. Albanese’s nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize—a recognition we believe she has long deserved.


As a proud associate member of the Asia Pacific Greens Federation (APGF), the Green Party of the Philippines stands firmly with over 20 Green parties and movements across the region in backing Albanese’s candidacy. Her relentless work documenting human rights violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories has ignited both controversy and conscience. Her courage has pierced through the veil of diplomatic indifference, demanding that the world bear witness to the plight of the Palestinian people—millions who have suffered decades of displacement, statelessness, and war.


A Global Endorsement, a Local Conviction

The Asia Pacific Greens Federation, in its formal letter of support, declared:


"We unequivocally endorse the nomination of Ms. Francesca Albanese for the Nobel Peace Prize. We add our voice of nomination and support to the collective choirs of other world actors in the millions who endorse the same in unison... And in our instance, we acknowledge and note the sentiments of our Fellow Party, the Green Party of Palestine, who stand in solidarity behind Ms Francesca."


The endorsement resonates deeply with the values the Green Party of the Philippines upholds—human rights, ecological sustainability, justice, peace, and participatory democracy. In supporting Francesca Albanese, we are not only advocating for a woman of courage, but also asserting a firm rejection of systemic violence, apartheid, and colonial occupation in all forms.


The Unyielding Spirit of Francesca Albanese

Ms. Albanese has never flinched in the face of political backlash. She has been vilified by states and individuals seeking to silence her reports, her statements, her truths. Yet, she has persisted—presenting fact-based accounts of the suffering endured by the Palestinian people and calling for international legal remedies that most dare not speak of, much less demand.


This is the essence of moral courage—to risk reputation, to risk safety, and to risk political standing for the sake of the oppressed.


It is this same moral compass that guided previous Nobel Peace Prize awardees—such as Nelson Mandela, Aung San Suu Kyi (before her fall from grace), and the Tunisia National Dialogue Quartet (which formally nominated Ms. Albanese). Her work fits squarely within the Nobel legacy: confronting injustice, amplifying the silenced, and pursuing peace not as a slogan, but as an enduring struggle.


Why This Matters to the Philippines—and the World

While Palestine may be thousands of miles away, the human story unfolding there echoes in the hearts of every Filipino who has suffered from violence, displacement, and historical injustice. From our ancestral Lumad communities to our overseas workers in conflict zones, we understand what it means to be overlooked by global politics. Francesca Albanese's advocacy is not confined to borders—it is universal.


By supporting her Nobel Peace Prize nomination, the Green Party of the Philippines affirms our commitment to the global fight for equity, peace, and human dignity.


We call on other Filipino institutions, NGOs, political parties, and citizens to stand in solidarity. Let us raise our collective voices for a woman who has raised hers for so many, when the world dared not listen.


In Closing

There are few moments in history where the awarding of a Nobel Peace Prize could become a clear act of moral resistance and transformative justice.


This is one of them.


The Green Party of the Philippines urges the Nobel Committee to bestow its highest honor upon Francesca P. Albanese—a defender of humanity, an unwavering truth-teller, and a voice for the voiceless.


Let this be a reminder to the world: peace is not passive. It is born from truth, forged in courage, and kept alive by those who refuse to look away.

Green Warriors to Converge in South Cotabato for National Mangrove Day and Mindanao Forum of the Green Party of the Philippines


Wazzup Pilipinas!?



Koronadal City, South Cotabato — Environmental champions and green leaders from across the country are preparing to gather in South Cotabato for a series of significant environmental events led by the Green Party of the Philippines (GPP-KALIKASAN MUNA) and its allied organizations. These activities, scheduled from July 25 to 28, form part of the build-up to the observance of National Mangrove Day and the Mindanao leg of the Green Party Forum and Consultation.

Delegates are set to fly from NAIA Terminal 2 to Cotabato (Awang) Airport on July 25, after which they will proceed to Koronadal City. Accommodations have been arranged at the Mezza Hotel along General Paulino Santos Drive, which will serve as the base of operations for the duration of the event.

The Mindanao Forum and Consultation of the Green Party of the Philippines is scheduled for July 27 at Villa Princessita, Jabido Compound, Arellano Street, Koronadal City. The forum aims to bring together environmental advocates, political leaders, youth representatives, and civil society groups to share insights, strengthen alliances, and mobilize action for the eco-political movement in the Mindanao region. This July 27 event will be facilitated mainly by Jeph Ramos, Green Party of the Philippines' President; and Reach Penaflor Green Party of the Philippines' Auditor, and by David D'Angelo, our Green Party of the Philippines' Chairman.


Taking the lead in setting the stage for this vital gathering is Lexi Acosta, the dynamic Island-wide Convenor for Mindanao and Region 12 Convenor of the Green Party of the Philippines. With her creative energy, Lexi will deliver a brief but impactful introduction to ignite the discussions ahead.


Joining her to provide a powerful local situationer are some of the region’s most committed green leaders:

Emmie Lee Cordero, BARMM Convenor and the Internal Vice President of the Green Party of the Philippines, Jose Jr. Cambel Policarpio, Region 9 Convenor, and Paul Monteccino, Region 11 Convenor.


Their insights will offer a ground-level perspective on the environmental, social, and political landscape across Mindanao.


The Focused Group Discussion (FGD) will be steered by Reach, with support from Jeph, ensuring a participatory and meaningful dialogue. During the Presentation and Open Forum, Lexi will assist Reach in facilitating the exchange of ideas, weaving together the voices and visions of the participants for a stronger, united green movement in Mindanao.


In celebration of National Mangrove Day, a Mangrove Planting Activity will also be conducted in one of the identified mangrove areas near Cotabato. This activity underscores the Green Party’s commitment to coastal protection, biodiversity restoration, and grassroots environmental action.


This multiday engagement seeks to amplify awareness of the vital role mangroves play in climate change mitigation, while also forging a united front for eco-governance in Mindanao. The participation of Green Party members and allied organizations signifies the rising momentum of environmental politics in the Philippines.


Ross Flores Del Rosario, External Vice President of the Green Party of the Philippines, and Ranne Tubig, also an active member of the Green Party of the Philippines, will be in charge of documentation for the event.


As the nation confronts growing climate challenges, this initiative highlights the transformative power of collaboration and collective environmental action in the pursuit of a greener and more sustainable future for the Philippines.

Green Groups to Marcos Jr.: “Your Inaction Is a Crime Against the Filipino People”


Wazzup Pilipinas!?



Environmental Advocates Deliver Urgent Plea Ahead of SONA: Make Climate and Environmental Justice a National Priority


QUEZON CITY, Philippines – July 24, 2025.

As torrential rains once again turn streets into rivers and homes into ruins, civil society organizations are rising from the wreckage not just to rebuild—but to demand. With a unified voice, they called on President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to uphold what is fast becoming the most violated human right in the Philippines: the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.


Just days before his much-anticipated fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), green groups led by the EcoWaste Coalition presented a stinging indictment—not just of inaction, but of complicity. They denounced the government’s sluggish response to the triple planetary crisis: climate change, environmental pollution, and biodiversity collapse.


Their call to action is more than emotional—it’s now backed by legal precedent. On July 23, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) released a historic advisory opinion, recognizing environmental protection and climate action as legal obligations of states. Failure to act, the Court said, could trigger liability—damages, reparations, and restitution. The Philippines, a climate-vulnerable nation, now stands at a dangerous crossroads.






“Tariffs and Trade Can Wait—Lives Cannot”

Atty. Gregorio Rafael Bueta, Legal Counsel of EcoWaste, delivered a chilling reminder:


“The monsoon rains which have again caused hardship to millions in the Philippines is further evidence that climate change needs action now. More than tariffs, trade, and politics, President Marcos must reassure the Filipino people of the government’s firm commitment to climate action.”


In a storm-lashed country where flash floods are now seasonal and landslides routine, inaction is no longer ignorance—it is injustice.


Nature-Based Solutions: The Forgotten Lifeline

Groups like the Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) aren’t just critiquing policy—they’re offering solutions. Atty. Mark Peñalver, Executive Director of IDIS and VP of EcoWaste, urged the government to invest in nature itself.


“We must prioritize wetlands, forests, rivers, and watersheds. These natural buffers protect us. Neglecting them is like pulling the brakes off a runaway truck.”


Such sustainable solutions not only mitigate disaster, but also empower communities, restore biodiversity, and secure future water sources.


Greenpeace: “Make Polluters Pay”

For Greenpeace Southeast Asia, the call is clear: President Marcos must champion the Climate Accountability Bill (CLIMA). Jefferson Chua, Climate Campaigner, minced no words:


“We need a just and swift phaseout of fossil fuels. It’s time to make climate polluters pay for the destruction they’ve caused. Marcos has a historic opportunity to lead.”


The bill would compel corporations—many of them foreign—to pay for the loss and damage they’ve inflicted, offering communities a fighting chance to recover and adapt.


A Toxic Legacy: Coal, Vapes, and Greenwashing

Beyond carbon, other toxins are under fire. From coal plants to e-cigarettes, the spectrum of pollutants poisoning Filipino lives is vast.


Rene Pineda, President of the Partnership for Clean Air, warns:


“The government must reject coal and nuclear, and mainstream renewable energy. We need strong incentives for solar, wind, and sustainable innovation—not more excuses.”


Meanwhile, Dr. Maricar Limpin of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH Philippines) highlighted the environmental and health hazards of the tobacco and vape industries:


“Tobacco and vapes pollute air, water, and soil. Their toxic legacy is masked by greenwashing. We demand higher taxes, plain packaging, and comprehensive ad bans.”


Environmental health is public health, they emphasized—and no administration can claim progress while turning a blind eye to poisonous products.


From Enforcement to Transformation: A Legislative Call to Arms

While CLIMA is vital, so too is enforcing the country’s existing environmental laws—RA 9003, RA 8749, RA 9275, and RA 9729. The Coalition urged lawmakers to close the gap between law and practice and to support additional measures including:


The Safe and Non-Hazardous Children’s Products Act


Ratification of the Basel Convention Ban Amendment


Inclusion of Lead Chromates under the Rotterdam Convention


A strong Global Treaty on Plastic Pollution


Adoption of the Global Framework on Chemicals (GFC)


The GFC, although not legally binding, outlines 28 concrete targets—ranging from phasing out hazardous pesticides by 2035 to preventing illegal chemical trade by 2030. These global benchmarks could become the blueprint for Philippine legislation.


The Final Plea: “This Is Not Just Policy—It’s Survival”

Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator of EcoWaste Coalition, captured the urgency in one powerful assertion:


“We are fighting for nothing less than the right of every Filipino—especially children, women, and the marginalized—to breathe clean air, drink safe water, and live free from toxins. This is not a privilege. It’s a right. And it’s time it was treated as such.”


The coalition’s message to PBBM is clear: inaction is no longer an option, and half-measures are no longer acceptable.


A President’s Legacy in Peril

President Marcos Jr. will take the podium on July 28. The world—and the waters—will be watching. Will he champion the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment? Or will he continue policies that, by the judgment of the international court, could soon be considered a breach of global law—and a betrayal of his people?


Because in the Philippines, every rainfall now comes with a reckoning. And every flooded home is a question shouted through the storm:


Where is the justice in this climate injustice?

Ang Pambansang Blog ng Pilipinas Wazzup Pilipinas and the Umalohokans. Ang Pambansang Blog ng Pilipinas celebrating 10th year of online presence
 
Copyright © 2013 Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events
Design by FBTemplates | BTT