#the gov't said this was a 'separate issue'

[songofwizardry]

i have some real bad news for Gavin about who exactly makes up the membership of a teaching union.

anyway. in case you needed more reasons to—support the NEU teachers' strikes!

[phgq]

4 rebel surrenderers in Bohol get P235-K cash aid from gov't

#PHnews: 4 rebel surrenderers in Bohol get P235-K cash aid from gov't

CEBU CITY – Four former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) in Bohol will have a good start in life after receiving a total of PHP235,000 cash assistance from the government.

1Lt. Elma Grace Remonde, 47th Infantry “Katapatan” Battalion (47IB) civil military operations chief, on Monday said Governor Arthur Yap turned over the checks to the surrenderers identified as beneficiaries of the national government’s Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP)

Yap handed a check worth PHP50,000 to “Ka Arlene” and PHP15,000 to “Ka Goliat”, while “Ka Ernie” and “Ka Asyong” got PHP95,000 and PHP75,000, respectively, in separate ceremonies in Mabini and Alicia towns last Saturday.

Remonde said the former rebels were identified as youth organizers in the communist-terrorist movement in Bohol.

She said the rebels yielded to the authorities, bringing their firearms, on different occasions after they felt the displeasure in fighting a lost cause clouded with false promises.

“They have been deceived to having a good life in exchange for joining the New People's Army. Rather, a miserable life awaits them as they entered the organization,” the Army officer told the Philippine News Agency.

Ka Arlene persuaded her former comrades who are still fighting in the mountains to come down and be one with the government in working for the country’s progress.

"I thank our government for the help they had given me and my family. I call on my former colleagues to come down and live in peace. I hope you understand that the rebels cannot revive us, they are the ones who are asking from the masses instead. Leave the armed group and avail the government's integration program for you to start a new and live well," she said in her message to the rebels still fighting the government.

Ka Ernie recalled his miserable situation while fighting against government forces, saying he braved the rains with an empty stomach and in fear of being killed.

"We slept in grassy and rocky places. The hardships of life especially when it rains and there is nothing to eat. At night, we walked in fear that the military might overtake us. We always talked about the incapability of the government and only the support from the communist party could help me and my family,” Ka Ernie said in a statement.

The former communist rebel said for several years that he lived in the mountains with other fighters, “nothing happened with their (CPP-NPA) promises”.

“Now, that I have returned to the government, I have proven more that the government is the one who can help me live in peace,” he said.

With the recent programs in addressing the issues with rebels, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Administrative Order No. 10 institutionalizing E-CLIP as one of the programs to help the members of the CPP-NPA-NDF and Militia ng Bayan reintegrate to mainstream society.

The interventions are led by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), in partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, government agencies and local government units.

Remonde said the 47IB is continuously urging NPA fighters to return to the fold of the law and live with their families without fear and anxiety. “Our government is sincere in its campaign of winning the genuine peace that everyone is longing for,” she said. (PNA)

  ***

References:

* Philippine News Agency. "4 rebel surrenderers in Bohol get P235-K cash aid from gov't." Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1110200 (accessed July 28, 2020 at 02:17AM UTC+14).

* Philippine News Agency. "4 rebel surrenderers in Bohol get P235-K cash aid from gov't." Archive Today. https://archive.ph/?run=1&url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1110200 (archived).

[vioncentral-blog]

Austrian FPO May Join Gov't Coalition After Election, One-Upping German AfD

https://www.vionafrica.cf/austrian-fpo-may-join-govt-coalition-after-election-one-upping-german-afd/

Austrian FPO May Join Gov't Coalition After Election, One-Upping German AfD

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The election in Austria, scheduled for this Sunday, will determine the composition of the National Council, the lower house of the country’s parliament where the Freedom Party of Austria (FPO) currently holds 38 out of 183 seats. The Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPO) and the Austrian People's Party (OVP) have 51 seats each, the Green Party has 21, The New Austria and Liberal Forum (NEOS) has eight seats. The National Council also includes 14 independent lawmakers.

Austria is currently governed by the Grand Coalition of the SPO and the OVP.

Potential Coalitions in Austria

© REUTERS/ Christian MangAlmost Half of Germans, French, Poles Think US Interferes in Foreign Elections (VIDEO)Several experts have mentioned the FPO as a potential member of a ruling alliance, following the election, while Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD), despite its 94 seats in the 709-seat Bundestag, has been shunned by other parties.

Werner J. Patzelt, a professor at the Technical University of Dresden, pointed out the difference between the potential coalition-building decisions of Christian democracy parties — the OVP in Austria and the union of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU) and the Christian Social Union in Bavaria (CSU) in Germany.

"In Austria, the Christian Democrats… will presumably win the election and then form a coalition with the FPO. In Germany, the AfD is resented by all established parties. As a result, the Christian Democrats will try to establish an innovative coalition between the CDU/CSU, the Liberals, and the Greens," Patzelt told Sputnik.

Anton Pelinka, a professor of Political Science and Nationalism Studies at the Central European University, told Sputnik that the coalition would definitely include two of the three major parties, the SPO, the OVP or the FPO. According to Pelinka, the OVP currently appears likely to find itself in a position of power after the election, able to choose a partner.

© REUTERS/ Leonhard FoegerHaus of Cards: Five Things to Know About Austria's Sunday ElectionAccording to a recent Research Affairs poll, the OVP is on track to get 33 percent of the vote, the FPO might have 27 percent and the SPO might have 23 percent. The Austria Society for Marketing Corporation (OGM) poll had the same results for the OVP and the FPO, but put the SPO at 25 percent of the potential vote.

Dr. Eva Zeglovits with the Institute for Empirical Social Research (IFES), suggested, based on polls data, that a coalition between the OVP and the FPO was highly likely.

"The OVP and the FPO: highly likely, as their agenda is rather similar. The OVP and the SPO: unlikely, as they had been in a coalition before the snap elections. People would not understand why these two should work together again, after it obviously had not worked out earlier," Zeglovits told Sputnik.

The coalition between the SPO and the FPO is less likely than the one between the OVP and the FPO, but nevertheless possible, according to the expert.

Wolfgang Bachmayer, the OGM CEO, told Sputnik that the most likely coalition was the one between the OVP and the FPO.

Same Right-Wing Label, Different Stories

According to Jean-Yves Camus, a political analyst with the French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs (IRIS), the two right-wing parties have a very different standing in their respective countries — Austria’s FPO is fairly mainstream, while Germany’s AfD is more of a political outlier.

"In Austria, the FPO is seen as a Right-Wing, Populist Party. It has been a coalition partner of both the Social Democrats and the Conservative OVP. The political spectrum in Austria traditionally consists of three families: the Christian Democrats, the Social Democrats and the National-Liberal, this one being represented by the FPO. That means that the FPO is not a fringe party but a mainstream one, whereas in the German context, the AfD is still seen as not acceptable," Camus told Sputnik.

Both Austria and Germany have "a strong right-wing populist party, giving voice to those citizens who refuse further power sharing by the Christian Democrats and the Social Democrats," according to Patzelt, but the FPO has a longer history and has been part of a ruling coalition in the past.

"The FPO stands in unbroken tradition of national-liberalism, i.e. the anti-clerical German-nationalist camp in Austria. Its German counterpart has been the [Free Democratic Party] FDP until the 1960s. Then, this tradition line was cut in Germany, and re-emerged only with the rise of the AfD (as a reaction to Euro- and immigration policy, both – as it seemed to a part of the population – doing harm to German national interests)," Patzelt said.

© Sputnik/ Russia to Invite Int'l Observers to Monitor Presidential Elections – MPThe FPO, founded in 1956, won 27 percent of the vote in the 1999 general election and formed a coalition government with the OVP. In the 2016 presidential election, the FPO candidate Norbert Hofer won in the first round, but was narrowly defeated by Alexander Van der Bellen, an independent candidate, in the run-off.

Meanwhile, the AfD was formed in 2013 and failed to enter the German parliament at the election held that year. The party has been doing well in regional elections, securing seats in the parliaments of more than half of the federal states.

According to Patzelt, the AfD is "a new and still unstable party without significant political experiences and, presumably, even without political skills."

Vienna Right vs Berlin Right

The AfD and the FPO may have similar programs on some issues, including immigration, but, according to experts, the FPO’s ideas are more moderate and do not clash with the rest of the Austrian political scene as heavily as the AfD program in Germany.

"They are right wing parties, but they have not so much in common as left wing parties say. The AfD is extreme right, the FPO moderate right with a number of 'left' social issues in their program," Bachmayer said.

Bachmayer explained that Germany’s right-wing CDU/CSU have shifted to the left, creating an opening on the right, while in Austria the two coalition parties moved to the right, leaving an open space on the left.

© REUTERS/ Heinz-Peter BaderMajor Austrian Political Party Suspends Member After Nazi Salute AllegationsCamus found that the AfD and the FPO had "quite similar agendas on immigration, identity and Islam, and also on the economy," while Pelinka argued that the two parties were similar in their "mobilization of xenophobic, anti-migration sentiments."

However, according to Camus, a potential OVP-FPO alliance, while a right-wing coalition, would not pursue an extreme-right agenda, judging by the example of such a union in 2000.

FPO leader Heinz-Christian Strache congratulated the AfD on the success in the parliamentary election, but noted that his party did not necessarily support the solutions suggested by the AfD, even if it identified the same challenges.

Immigration, Integration

Immigration and religion (Islam, in particular) will be the only two issues where the FPO, calling for the halt of mass immigration, can make a real impact, but it is not the only Austrian party to consider harsher positions on these issues, according to the experts.

"The OVP will probably, if elected, push for stricter anti-immigration policies but the Social-Democrats have also changed their mind on some issues: the present cabinet led by Christian Kern has just adopted a ban on the full-face veil and the burka," Camus said.

Zeglovits also pointed out that the rule of the SPO-OVP coalition had resulted in some tougher policies on migrants and their integration. Interior Minister Wolfgang Sobotka, a member of the OVP, oversaw the implementation of a stricter border control in August and spoke in favor of the prolongation of more rigorous border checks within Europe's visa-free Schengen Area in September.

"There might be some changes in education policies (e.g. separate classes for children who do not speak sufficient German), if the OVP/ [led by Foreign Minister Sebastian] Kurz and the FPO form a coalition, or in social benefits (less for migrants). The point is, the FPO and the OVP/Kurz rather agree on the positions towards migrants, thus it is less what the FPO wants (they have wanted things like this for decades), but how far the OVP goes," Zeglovits said.

Patzelt suggested that Austria’s efforts to limit immigration would continue after the election.

In Germany, Angela Merkel, the leader of the CDU/CSU union, initially adopted a welcoming policy toward migrants and refugees, in stark contrast with AfD’s program. However, Merkel confirmed on Monday that the CDU and the CSU reached agreement on a refugee cap, a contentious issue in the talks on the formation of a ruling coalition.

Far-Right Future

© AP Photo/ Shizuo KambayashiAbe Takes Advantage of 'Fractured, Weak' Opposition in Japan by Calling Snap ElectionThe potential ruling coalition with the FPO in Austria would elicit a subdued reaction from European countries and could pave the way for similar alliances in other states, according to experts.

Camus said that a potential FPO government in Austria would result in a "short-lived outcry in Brussels … then it will become back to normal."

Patzelt said that the European Union would not react the same way it did after the 1999 Austrian election, when it imposed sanctions on Vienna over the formation of the coalition government with the FPO.

"Nothing of this kind is to be expected after the coming elections and coalition formation. Since the overall political climate in the EU has changed, nothing particular will happen," Patzelt said.

According to Bachmayer, the upcoming election in Austria and potential OVP-FPO alliance would "open more doors to similar government coalitions in other European States."

For the moment, however, the AfD in Germany will remain in opposition as the CDU/CSU is attempting to set up an alliance with the Free Democrats (FDP) and the Greens.

[phgq]

Gov't exploring all options in water deals: DOJ

#PHnews: Gov't exploring all options in water deals: DOJ

MANILA -- Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Thursday said the government is exploring its options in provisions found within the agreements between the government and water concessionaires Maynilad and Manila Water.

In a message to newsmen, Guevarra said the government is "more interested in getting a new deal than in compromising the arbitral award" issued by the Singapore arbitration center which awarded billions to the firms.

Guevarra stressed that the contracts are not iron-clad and noted that "there is a contractual provision on amendments to the concession agreement".

The DOJ chief likewise explained that under law, the government cannot be held hostage to unlawful provisions.

"The state is not estopped by the mistakes of its agents, especially if the acts committed are constitutionally or legally infirm. and the statute of limitations does not apply if the act sought to be set aside is void for being contrary to law or public policy. In any event, there is a standard separability clause that leaves other valid provisions effective," Guevarra said.

"Our legal remedies are not mutually exclusive," Guevarra said, noting that the Office of the Solicitor General is contemplating judicial remedies locally and/or abroad.

He added that some members of the Cabinet want an overhaul of the existing concession agreements and that others are thinking of more drastic actions.

"PRRD has asked the DOJ to come up with an integrated solution. We’ll do," Guevarra said.

Manila Water is a subsidiary of Ayala Corporation, while businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan’s Metro Pacific Investments Corporation owns a controlling stake in Maynilad.

The two private companies distribute water in Metro Manila and other parts of the country under agreements signed with state regulator Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) in 1997.

In a speech on Tuesday night, President Duterte lashed out at the water concessionaires after a review conducted by the DOJ showed the water contracts were “onerous and disadvantageous to the people, relative the terms or periods, government non-interference, as well as concessionaire indemnification for losses.”

Due to the two provisions, the government was ordered by the Singapore arbitration court to pay Maynilad about PHP3.6 billion and, recently, PHP7.4 billion to Manila Water as compensation for losses and damages.

The DOJ chief said another onerous provision is the extension of these contracts to 2037 considering that the extension was granted 12 to 13 years before the original expiration of the 25-year concession agreements in 2022. (PNA)

***

References:

* Philippine News Agency. "Gov't exploring all options in water deals: DOJ." Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1088007 (accessed December 06, 2019 at 01:54AM UTC+14).

* Philippine News Agency. "Gov't exploring all options in water deals: DOJ." Archive Today. https://archive.ph/?run=1&url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1088007 (archived).

[phgq]

'National Students' Youth Camp' not gov't-organized: NYC

#PHnews: 'National Students' Youth Camp' not gov't-organized: NYC

MANILA-- The National Youth Commission (NYC) on Thursday distanced itself from an upcoming event organized by a certain groups, calling on students' participation across the country in line with the 2019 National Students Day.

"(There) is a certain group of organization calling for a National Students Day Youth Camp and inviting schools and educational institutions to send participants," NYC chairperson and chief executive officer Ryan Enriquez said in a letter posted at the youth commission's official Facebook page.

"The NYC wants to clarify that the said camp is not organized by the NYC nor any other government instrumentalities," he added.

READ: Think twice before joining National Students’ Youth Camp: Año

In the letter, Enriquez underscored that NYC is the lead agency mandated by RA 11369 to implement activities celebrating the National Students Day in collaboration with the Commission on Higher Education, Department of Education and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

Enriquez noted that "the NYC has a separate event on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019 to celebrate the National Students Day dubbed as Fitfil Youth Against Drugs."

He said the First National Students' Day Youth Camp "is not part of it".

The NYC official said the statement was issued "so as not to create confusion among the students, school authorities and parents as well".

"Let us have more discernment and to exercise caution when it comes to the safety and welfare of the students," he said. (PNA)

   ***

References:

* Philippine News Agency. "'National Students' Youth Camp' not gov't-organized: NYC." Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1086095 (accessed November 15, 2019 at 05:21AM UTC+14).

* Philippine News Agency. "'National Students' Youth Camp' not gov't-organized: NYC." Archive Today. https://archive.ph/?run=1&url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1086095 (archived).