Response to General Brawner on CPP's 56th anniversary

Marco L. Valbuena, Chief Information Officer
Communist Party of the Philippines

December 27, 2024

General Brawner statement on the 56th anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) is testament that the Party, the New People's Army and the national democratic revolutionary forces remain the biggest stumbling block to US military intervention, bureaucrat capitalist corruption, and the AFP's reign of fascist terrorism.

General Brawner is misleading the public with his absurd claim that the NPA has only "one weakened guerrilla front." Curiously, he has failed to specify its location, leaving both the public and the NPA to speculate about which of the AFP's ongoing military operations in approximately 20 provinces is targeting it.

His claims of a "leadership vacuum" reflect desperation. The AFP is spending hundreds of millions of pesos on intelligence and combat operations to "cut the head" of the Party. Yet, no amount of assassinations, extrajudicial killings, abductions, or arrests can halt the Party's leadership in the Philippine revolution.

All revolutionary forces welcome yesterday's message from the Central Committee, which calls for greater determination in advancing the people's national democratic cause. The Marcos regime's national betrayal and complete subservience to US imperialism, alongside rampant corruption, escalating poverty and hunger, and state-sponsored terrorism, make waging revolution even more urgent, just and necessary.

In reply to @prwc_info:matrix.org

In the CPP Central Committee's statement last year, on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the Party, they described self-constriction as:

"We observe a broad range of problems resulting from ideological subjectivism in the field of revolutionary armed struggle. Failing to grasp the path of development of the people’s war, particularly from the early to the middle phase, and from the middle phase to the next, not a few guerrilla fronts of the NPA stagnated and got stuck for a long time at the old level. Some Party leaders relied on their previous level of experience and could not clearly see the path to steadily advance the revolution wave upon wave, or from one level to the next, of the need to reach the entire breadth of the guerrilla front from the mountainous terrain, to the rolling hills, plains, riverine, coastal areas and town centers.

They self-constricted the NPA to its reliable guerrilla base areas and mountain encampments, limiting the scope or range of military and political initiative of the Party and NPA. Self-constriction goes against the need for guerrilla units to constantly move forward and advance, and to be always on offensive footing. Reliable guerrilla base areas were eventually reduced to a few “favorite” or “comfort zone” barrios, communities or mountain encampments with easy access to mass support, supply lines or communication facilities.

Self-constriction and loss of initiative leads to military conservatism, as points from which the NPA can hit the enemy became limited or inaccessible. Other concomitant problems that arise include gathering intelligence, sources of supply, communications, and so on. The NPA could not readily carry out an ambush at the highway because its main forces are encamped in the interior areas. Mounting raids, ambushes, and other basic tactical offensives became increasingly cumbersome and time-consuming. They became content with attritive tactical offensives (harassments, sanctions and so on) and lost sight of the need to mount sustained annihilative or basic tactical offensives as the principal component of our strategy to weaken the enemy part by part and steadily strengthen the people’s army."

In reply to @matalimsakanluran:matrix.org
Good day and peace to everyone.

Many comrades, especially young ones, are discussing the use of the term "gender radicalism" in the recent CPP CC statement. Is it possible for additional context to be given?

Dagdag-sahod sa North Mindanao at iba pa, sobrang kulang
Ang Bayan Ngayon | December 29, 2024

Malayong kulang sa pangangailangan ng pamilyang Pilipino ang pahabol na mga dagdag sahod ng ilang rehiyon para sa 2024. Pinakahuli sa mga pagtaas ang ₱23/araw na dagdag sahod para sa mga manggagawang hindi agrikultural at ₱35/araw para sa mga manggagawa sa agrikultura na iginawad ng regional wage board ng Region 10 (North Mindanao). Kung masusunod, aabot lamang sa ₱446 hanggang ₱461 ang bagong arawang sahod sa rehiyon. Samantala, aabot lamang sa ₱7,000 kada buwan ang sahod ng mga kasambahay matapos ipag-utos ang dagdag na ₱1,000 kada buwan. Magkakabisa ang dagdag sahod mula Enero 12, 2025.

“Ipinakikita ng mga adjustment na ito ang kakulangan ng pagtatakda ng sahod kada rehiyon sa pagtugon sa lumalalang krisis sa ekonomya na hinaharap ng mga manggagawang Pilipino,” pahayag ng dating kongresista na si Atty. Carlos Isagani Zarate, pambansang pangalawang pangulo at pangalawang nominado ng Bayan Muna Partylist. Dahil bigo ang mga panrehiyong wage board na tugunan ang kahirapan na pare-parehong dinaranans ang mga manggagawa sa buong bansa, nagiging mas kagyat ang panawagan para sa isang pambansang minimum wage, aniya.

Matagal nang binabatikos ng mga organisasyong manggagawa ang rehionalisasyon ng sahod, na nagbubunga sa hindi pagkakapantay-pantay at institusyunalisasyon ng kahirapan. Dagdag dito, sinasamantala ng mga kapitalista ang mga pagkakaiba sa sahod kada rehiyon para higit pang ilugmok sa hirap ang mga manggagawa labas sa pambansang kabisera.

“Dapat ang mga pagtaas ng sahod ay sapat na makabuluhan upang magbigay ng marangal na pamantayan ng pamumuhay. Kailangan natin ng agarang reporma upang itaas ang kalagayan ng mga manggagawa at protektahan ang kanilang mga karapatan sa harap ng patuloy na hamon sa ekonomiya,” dagdag ni Zarate.

Ayon sa Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), 14 rehiyon ang nagdagdag na sahod sa kani-kanilang saklaw ngayong 2024. Ang mga ito ay mula lamang ₱21 hanggang ₱75. Samantala, siyam na rehiyon ang naggawad ng dagdag-sahod sa mga kasambahay, na mula ₱500-₱1000/buwan.

Nananatiling napakalayo sa nakabubuhay na sahod ang mga halagang nabanggit. Ayon sa Ibon Foundation, kailangan ng minimum na ₱1,200/araw ang isang 5-kataong pamilya para mabuhay nang disente. Wala pang regional wage board ang tumugon sa pangangailangang ito.

https://philippinerevolution.nu/angbayan/dagdag-sahod-sa-north-mindanao-at-iba-pa-sobrang-kulang/

8 bahagi ng kilusang pagwawasto, muling pinagtibay ng Partido
Ang Bayan Ngayon | December 29, 2024

Muling pinagtibay ng Komite Sentral ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas (PKP) sa pahayag nito para sa ika-56 anibersaryo ng Partido ang walong bahagi ng kilusang pagwawasto na binalangkas noong nakaraang taon. Ayon sa pamunuan ng Partido, dapat itong komprehensibong ipatupad, ituloy ang mga pagsisikap para rito, magbantay sa mga pagpapabaya, pangibabawan ang inersya, at labanan ang pagbabalik sa mga dating gawi.

“Sa pagpapalapad ng kilusang pagwawasto, nais nating tiyakin na nasasaklaw nito ang lahat ng bahagi ng Partido at lahat ng aspeto ng gawaing rebolusyonaryo,” ayon sa Komite Sentral.

Mayroong walong bahagi ang kilusan na inilatag ng Komite Sentral noong nakaraang taon. Tatlo rito ay mga kampanyang pag-aaral at pagbabalik-aral. Dalawa ang nakatuon sa pag-aaral sa karanasan at kongkretong mga kundisyon. Ang iba pa ay ang nakatuon sa puspusan at lahatang-panig na pagpupuna, pagtatasa sa antas at kakayahan ng lahat ng kasapi ng Partido, at pagtitiyak na naipapatupad ang mga kurso sa edukasyon.

Alinsuod sa pahayag, ito ang sumusunod:

1. kampanyang pag-aaral para puspusang aralin at balik-aralin ang batayang mga prinsipyo ng Marxismo-Leninismo-Maoismo

2. kampanyang pag-aaral para puspusang balik-aralin ang Konstitusyon ng Partido at ang Programa para sa Demokratikong Rebolusyong Bayan

3. kampanyang pag-aaral para balik-aralin ang mga dokumento ng Una at Ikalawang Dakilang Kilusang Pagwawasto, Ang Mahigpit Nating mga Tungkulin at Partikular na Katangian ng Ating Digmang Bayan, at mga dokumento ng kasaysayan ng Partido

4. kampanya para lagumin ang mga karanasan at balik-aralin ang dating mga paglalagom

5. kampanya sa panlipunang pagsisiyasat at pagsusuri sa uri sa lahat ng antas

6. kampanya sa pagpuna at pagpuna-sa-sarili sa lahat ng antas

7. kampanya para tasahin ang pagtupad ng lahat ng mga kadre ng Partido

8. nagpapatuloy na kampanya para tiyakin ang lubos na pagpapatupad ng Tatlong Antas na Kurso ng Partido

Ang kilusang pagwawasto na inilunsad noong nakaraang taon ng Komite Sentral ay naglalayong ituwid ang mga pagkakamali at pangibabawan ang mga kahinaan at kakulangan. “Nagmumula ang mga ito pangunahin sa suhetibismong petiburges, pangunahin sa anyo ng empirisismo, sa gawain ng Partido sa ideolohiya, pulitika at organisasyon,” ayon sa Komite Sentral.

Panawagan ng pamunuan ng Partido sa mga organo, sangay at mga kasapi na palalimin at palaparin ang kilusang pagwawasto. Anito, nakita sa nagdaang taon na hindi sapat na ideklara ang kilusang pagwawasto at magpahayag ng suporta dito. “Lahat ng komite ng Partido, mula sa sentro hanggang sa lahat ng sangay, ay dapat magpuna-sa-sarili, magwasto ng mga nagdaang kamalian, lubos na yumakap sa Marxismo-Leninismo-Maoismo upang irebolusyunisa ang kanilang pag-iisip at mga pamamaraan ng paggawa, at buong alab na sumulong,” anang komite.

Masusukat umano ang tagumpay ng kilusang pagwawasto sa mga konkretong bilang na nagpapakita ng kantitatibong paglaki at kalitatibong pag-unlad ng Partido, ng rebolusyonaryong armadong pakikibaka, ng rebolusyonaryong kilusang masa at ng organisadong baseng masa.

“Tiwala tayo na sa pamamagitan ng pagpapalalim at pagpapalawak ng kilusang pagwawasto, mabubuo natin ang isang mas matatag at mas makapangyarihang Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas, at mapamumunuan ang demokratikong rebolusyon ng bayan tungo sa mas malalaking tagumpay sa mga darating na taon,” ayon sa Komite Sentral.

https://philippinerevolution.nu/angbayan/8-bahagi-ng-kilusang-pagwawasto-muling-pinagtibay-ng-partido/

**ICYMI: Groups initiate series of December visits to political prisoners**
Ang Bayan Ngayon | December 28, 2024

Health workers, human rights defenders, church people, and different groups held various activities and visits to political prisoners this December. They brought material support to celebrate the Christmas season and moral support to strengthen the spirit of political prisoners the reactionary state have illegally detained for years.

Karapatan records at least 757 are political prisoners in the Philippines. Of this number, 103 are elderly, 97 are sick, 156 are women and 17 are National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) peace talks consultants and staff. There are at least 148 new political prisoners under the Marcos regime alone.

Youth and veteran activists went to prisons to join political prisoners and learn about their situation. Groups visited prisons in Taguig City, Mandaluyong City, Quezon City, Muntinlupa City, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tacloban City, and other places.

Gabriela, under the campaign Free Our Sisters, led the visit to the Nueva Ecija Provincial Jail and Pampanga Provincial Jail on December 14. Through their initiative “Christmas in Prison,” the women’s group gathered food, personal care items, and other support for the prisoners. “This visit during the Christmas season highlights our unwavering solidarity with political prisoners who remain unjustly detained for their activism and service to marginalized communities,” Gabriela said.

On December 15, health workers and medical students led by the Philippine Medical Students’ Association-National (PMSA) and Philippine Nursing Association-National (PNA) visited Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan, Taguig City. They conducted brief medical consultations, shared a small meal, and performed cultural presentations with the political prisoners. Some prisoners also shared the circumstances of their arrest and their experiences in detention.

On December 17, mothers, priests, and other church people from the National Council of Churches in the Philippines, Promotion of Church Peoples’ Forum (PCPF), Ecumenical Bishops Forum (EBF), Church-People Workers Solidarity (CWS), Daughters of Charity, Congregation of Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena, Philippines, and Religious of the Good Shepherd (RGS) visited the 52 political prisoners at the New Bilibid Prison, Muntinlupa City.

Among those they met was NDFP peace consultant and former Negros Catholic priest Fr. Frank Fernandez. “We are very grateful for your visit. As you know, life here is very monotonous, and we have been living like this for [several] years. Your presence serves as a welcome respite from this routine,” Fr. Fernandez said. He added that it gave them the chance to talk to others and get some news from outside the prison. “[It made us feel] that we are still part of society,” he said.

On the same day, women activists led by Kapatid, the association of relatives of political prisoners and volunteers, and Gabriela, visited the Correctional Institute for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City. Veteran activist and martial law political prisoner Judy Taguiwalo also participated in the activity.

“I know that life as a prisoner is difficult, and it is even more difficult during Christmas and New Year: a time for reunions and gatherings with family and friends. The longing already felt for regular visits become more pronounced during Christmas,” Taguiwalo shared. During their visit to CIW, they had a small gathering and a program of poetry, songs, and dances. They also distributed the political prisoners’s requests including malongs, shoes, pants and school supplies for the alternative learning system.

On December 19, church people from the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) and PCPF visited Camp Karingal in Quezon City. They were also accompanied by leaders from Katribu-Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) secretary general Raymond Palatino.

On December 22, the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL)-Tacloban City Law Students Chapter led the visit to political prisoners at the Tacloban City Jail. The future lawyers of the people witnessed prison conditions and heard the stories of victims of illegal detention. “I hope you are encouraged to get involved in human rights work because you can see firsthand the situation in the region,” Chakoy Abinguna of Tacloban 5 said.

On the same day, at least 18 people led by Karapatan-National Capital Region visited Camp Bagong Diwa and Camp Karingal. “Our political prisoners’ burning spirit for true justice and struggle for their rights remains. They are joined by a wide range of Filipino citizens who continue to suffer despite the occasion that should be joyful,” Karapatan-NCR said.

On December 24, Katribu leaders, including Amirah Lidasan of the Moro-Christian Peoples Alliance (MCPA) and Makabayan Coalition senatorial candidate, visited political prisoners from the national minority sector at Camp Karingal. They brought food for the prisoners’ humble noche buena. Meanwhile, one political prisoner expressed gratitude for the previously donated blood pressure set, which greatly benefitted many prisoners, not only political prisoners. “When they are released, they will leave the blood pressure set at the facility for others to use,” said one visitor.

In the previous week, three vehicles filled with paralegals and teachers from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) employees union also visited the political prisoners at the Metro Manila District Jail Annex 4 (MMDJ-4) in Camp Bagong Diwa. They brought rice for the prisoners’ consumption. They also shared a small meal and sang together. According to their letter to the prison warden, their visit was “part of the continuous development of the university’s service in accordance with the signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and PUP.”

Another highlight activity with political prisoners was the visit and holy mass celebration by the newly installed cardinal of the Catholic Church, Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, on December 26 at Camp Bagong Diwa. The visit of the Cardinal was led by Kapatid, the association of relatives of political prisoners and volunteers. Among those who met with the Cardinal were detained NDFP peace consultants.

Meanwhile, the Ilocos Human Rights Alliance condemned the BJMP for the visitation problem during the “open house” at the Ilocos Sur Provincial Jail. Because of this, the relatives of NDFP peace consultant Simon Naogsan, one of the 33 political prisoners in that jail, were unable to visit him.

Various organizations also launched letter-writing and donation drives for political prisoners. Even organizations of Filipino migrants sent letters and assistance.

In all these activities, political prisoners displayed their unwavering stance and spirit for the national and democratic aspirations of the people.

https://philippinerevolution.nu/angbayan/groups-initiate-series-of-december-visits-to-political-prisoners/

ICYMI: Groups initiate series of December visits to political prisoners
Ang Bayan Ngayon | December 28, 2024

Health workers, human rights defenders, church people, and different groups held various activities and visits to political prisoners this December. They brought material support to celebrate the Christmas season and moral support to strengthen the spirit of political prisoners the reactionary state have illegally detained for years.

Karapatan records at least 757 are political prisoners in the Philippines. Of this number, 103 are elderly, 97 are sick, 156 are women and 17 are National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) peace talks consultants and staff. There are at least 148 new political prisoners under the Marcos regime alone.

Youth and veteran activists went to prisons to join political prisoners and learn about their situation. Groups visited prisons in Taguig City, Mandaluyong City, Quezon City, Muntinlupa City, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tacloban City, and other places.

Gabriela, under the campaign Free Our Sisters, led the visit to the Nueva Ecija Provincial Jail and Pampanga Provincial Jail on December 14. Through their initiative “Christmas in Prison,” the women’s group gathered food, personal care items, and other support for the prisoners. “This visit during the Christmas season highlights our unwavering solidarity with political prisoners who remain unjustly detained for their activism and service to marginalized communities,” Gabriela said.

On December 15, health workers and medical students led by the Philippine Medical Students’ Association-National (PMSA) and Philippine Nursing Association-National (PNA) visited Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan, Taguig City. They conducted brief medical consultations, shared a small meal, and performed cultural presentations with the political prisoners. Some prisoners also shared the circumstances of their arrest and their experiences in detention.

On December 17, mothers, priests, and other church people from the National Council of Churches in the Philippines, Promotion of Church Peoples’ Forum (PCPF), Ecumenical Bishops Forum (EBF), Church-People Workers Solidarity (CWS), Daughters of Charity, Congregation of Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena, Philippines, and Religious of the Good Shepherd (RGS) visited the 52 political prisoners at the New Bilibid Prison, Muntinlupa City.

Among those they met was NDFP peace consultant and former Negros Catholic priest Fr. Frank Fernandez. “We are very grateful for your visit. As you know, life here is very monotonous, and we have been living like this for [several] years. Your presence serves as a welcome respite from this routine,” Fr. Fernandez said. He added that it gave them the chance to talk to others and get some news from outside the prison. “[It made us feel] that we are still part of society,” he said.

On the same day, women activists led by Kapatid, the association of relatives of political prisoners and volunteers, and Gabriela, visited the Correctional Institute for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City. Veteran activist and martial law political prisoner Judy Taguiwalo also participated in the activity.

“I know that life as a prisoner is difficult, and it is even more difficult during Christmas and New Year: a time for reunions and gatherings with family and friends. The longing already felt for regular visits become more pronounced during Christmas,” Taguiwalo shared. During their visit to CIW, they had a small gathering and a program of poetry, songs, and dances. They also distributed the political prisoners’s requests including malongs, shoes, pants and school supplies for the alternative learning system.

On December 19, church people from the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) and PCPF visited Camp Karingal in Quezon City. They were also accompanied by leaders from Katribu-Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) secretary general Raymond Palatino.

On December 22, the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL)-Tacloban City Law Students Chapter led the visit to political prisoners at the Tacloban City Jail. The future lawyers of the people witnessed prison conditions and heard the stories of victims of illegal detention. “I hope you are encouraged to get involved in human rights work because you can see firsthand the situation in the region,” Chakoy Abinguna of Tacloban 5 said.

On the same day, at least 18 people led by Karapatan-National Capital Region visited Camp Bagong Diwa and Camp Karingal. “Our political prisoners’ burning spirit for true justice and struggle for their rights remains. They are joined by a wide range of Filipino citizens who continue to suffer despite the occasion that should be joyful,” Karapatan-NCR said.

On December 24, Katribu leaders, including Amirah Lidasan of the Moro-Christian Peoples Alliance (MCPA) and Makabayan Coalition senatorial candidate, visited political prisoners from the national minority sector at Camp Karingal. They brought food for the prisoners’ humble noche buena. Meanwhile, one political prisoner expressed gratitude for the previously donated blood pressure set, which greatly benefitted many prisoners, not only political prisoners. “When they are released, they will leave the blood pressure set at the facility for others to use,” said one visitor.

In the previous week, three vehicles filled with paralegals and teachers from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) employees union also visited the political prisoners at the Metro Manila District Jail Annex 4 (MMDJ-4) in Camp Bagong Diwa. They brought rice for the prisoners’ consumption. They also shared a small meal and sang together. According to their letter to the prison warden, their visit was “part of the continuous development of the university’s service in accordance with the signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and PUP.”

Another highlight activity with political prisoners was the visit and holy mass celebration by the newly installed cardinal of the Catholic Church, Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, on December 26 at Camp Bagong Diwa. The visit of the Cardinal was led by Kapatid, the association of relatives of political prisoners and volunteers. Among those who met with the Cardinal were detained NDFP peace consultants.

Meanwhile, the Ilocos Human Rights Alliance condemned the BJMP for the visitation problem during the “open house” at the Ilocos Sur Provincial Jail. Because of this, the relatives of NDFP peace consultant Simon Naogsan, one of the 33 political prisoners in that jail, were unable to visit him.

Various organizations also launched letter-writing and donation drives for political prisoners. Even organizations of Filipino migrants sent letters and assistance.

In all these activities, political prisoners displayed their unwavering stance and spirit for the national and democratic aspirations of the people.

https://philippinerevolution.nu/angbayan/groups-initiate-series-of-december-visits-to-political-prisoners/

Pagpirma ni Marcos sa badyet pang-2025, binatikos
Ang Bayan Ngayon | December 30, 2024

Nagtipon sa Mendiola ang mga myembro ng Makabayan at ibang progresibong grupo ngayong araw, Disyembre 30, para kundenahin ang pagpirma ni Ferdinand Marcos Jr sa badyet 2025. Anila, ang badyet na ito ay “puno ng kaltas sa serbisyo habang pinanatili ang pork barrel ng mga pulitiko.” Tinututulan din nila ang kaltas sa serbisyo, pinalaking pork barrel at pondo para sa kurapsyon.

Matapos ang isang linggong “gpagsuyod,” pinirmahan ni Marcos ang ₱6.33 trilyon badyet nang halos walang pagkakaiba sa ipinasa ng bicameral committee noong Disyembre 10. Ang tanging tinanggihan niyang ipasa ay mga proyektong imprastrukturang nagkakahalaga ng ₱194 bilyon mula mahigit ₱1.2 trilyong badyet para sa mga ito.

Tinanggal ni Marcos ang napakaliit na ₱26 bilyon sa ilalim ng Departmnent of Public Works and Highways at ₱168 bilyon mula sa unprogrammed funds. Ito ay para lamang palabasin na mas malaki ang badyet ng Department of Education na siyang itinatakda ng Konstitusyong 1987. Sa badyet na nilagdaan, napakaliit ng agwat ng badyet ng edukasyon na nasa ₱1.053 trilyon (lakip ang badyet ng DepEd, CHED, mga pampublikong unibersidad at iba pa) at ang badyet para sa DPWH na nasa ₱1.034 trilyon.

Hindi ibinalik ang badyet ng DedEd para sa digitalization at bawas pa rin ang badyet para sa serbisyong pangkalusugan, mga pampublikong ospital, pondo para sa panahon ng kalamindad at iba pa. Nananatali ring zero o walang nakalaang badyet para sa Philhealth.

Hindi binawasan ni isang sentimo ang ₱4.5 bilyong confidential at intelligence funds ng upisina ng presidente.

Para ilusot ang pondong pork barrel sa anyo ng AKAP at ibang programang pang-ayuda, ipinailalim ni Marcos ang mga ito sa “kundisyunal na pagpapatupad.” Isinailalim niya ang AKAP sa upisina ng kalihim ng DSWD Special Program at itinakdang ipatutupad alinsunod sa “mahigpit na mga alituntunin” na sama-samang ilalabas ng DSWD, DOLE at NEDA. Ipinailalim niya sa parehong upisina ang “Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan Program,” katuwang ang OPAPRU. Sampu pang “line item” ang inilagay ni Marcos sa upisinang namamahala sa mga “espesyal na programa.”

“Marami pang paandar itong si Presidente Marcos na kesyo ni-review ang budget na pinasa ng bicam. Pero ang totoo, ang 2025 budget gaya ng mga nakaraang budget ay hindi para sa pag-unlad ng bansa at ginhawa ng taumbayan,” ayon kay Liza Maza, presidente ng Makabayan at kandidato pagkasenador nito. Kinutya niya ang tema ng badyet “Agenda for Prosperity: Fulfilling the Needs and Aspirations of the Filipino People.”

“Baka dapat ang tema ay Agenda for Profits: Fulfilling the Needs of Trapos and Big Business. Kasi puro pagkakakitaan ng mga pulitiko at negosyo ang nakita ko sa spending program,” aniya. “Bilyun-bilyon para sa infrastructure projects na numero unong source ng kurakot ng mga trapo. Infrastructure projects na hindi naman tumutugon sa ating actual development needs at pagtutubuan lang ng mga nagpautang na bangko at private contractors at operators.”

“2025 budget dapat diretso sa serbisyo hindi sa bulsa ng mga pulitiko!” sigaw naman ng Bayan Muna. Panawagan nila ang pagtanggal ng lahat ng tipo ng pork barrel at confidential funds.

“Bigyan ng prayoridad ang panlipunang serbisyo sa badyet!” panawagan ng Courage. Iginiit ng grupo ang pagbabalik ng pondo ng Philhealth at Dynaslope Project, ang sistemang nagsisilbi sa maagap na pagbabala laban sa pagguho ng lupa.

https://philippinerevolution.nu/angbayan/pagpirma-ni-marcos-sa-badyet-pang-2025-binatikos/

Alok ng AFP sa PKP at BHB na 'magbalik-loob,' isinuka ng mga rebolusyonaryong pwersa
Ang Bayan Ngayon | December 30, 2024

Tahasang tinanggihan ng mga rebolusyonaryong pwersa ang alok ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at National Task Force (NTF)-Elcac na “magbalik-loob” sa gubyerno kasabay ng paggunita sa ika-56 na anibersaryo ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas. Ayon sa mga pwersa ng estado, dapat nang sumuko ang mga pwersang rebolusyonaryo dahil papatalo at paubos na ito.

Ipinagyabang ng hepe ng AFP na si General Romeo Brawner Jr na sa pamamagitan ng “mapagpasyang mga operasyon at whole-of-nation approach” ay signipikanteng napahina na nito ang rebolusyonaryong kilusan sa Pilipinas. Dagdag pa niya, tanging “isang mahinang larangang gerilya” na lamang ang hawak ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan (BHB).

Tugon dito ni Marco Valbuena, upisyal sa impormasyon ng PKP, katawa-tawa ang pahayag ni Gen. Brawner na ang layunin lamang ay lituhin ang publiko. “Kung nag-iisa na lamang at mahina na, bakit patuloy ang paglulunsad nito ng mga focused military operation (FMO) sa hindi bababa sa 20 prubinsya sa kasalukuyan?” ayon pa kay Valbuena.

Malinaw na nag-iimbento lamang ang rehimeng Marcos ng mga numero. Matatandaan na ipinahayag ni Ferdinand Marcos Jr noong Disyembre 2023 na wala nang “aktibong larangang gerilya” ang BHB labas sa 11 “mahihinang larangang gerilya” na may 1,500 mandirigma. Sa ulat naman ng AFP, nakapaglunsad ito ng 276 FMO ngayong taon, nakakumpiska ng 1,141 armas, at nakapagnyutralisa (nahuli, napasuko o napatay) ang 876 diumano’y kasapi o sumusuporta sa BHB. Sa kabila nito, mayroon pa diumanong 1,111 Pulang mandirigma ang BHB.

Pinalalabas din ng Gen. Brawner na “mahina na ang pamunuan” ng Partido dahil sa ulat ng sunud-sunod na “pagkanyutralisa” ng mga lider nito. Ayon kay Valbuena, ang pahayag na ito ay nagpapakita lamang ng desperasyon ng AFP. “Gumagastos ang AFP ng daan-daang milyong piso sa panikttik at operasyong kombat para ‘putulan ng ulo’ ang Partido. Aniya, kahit ilang asasinasyon, ekstra-hudisyal na pagpaslang, pagdukot o pag-aresto ang gawin ng AFP, hindi nito mapipigilan ang pamumuno ng Partido sa rebolusyong Pilipino.

Sa kasalukuyan, mapagpasyang pinamumunuan ng Komite Sentral ng Partido ang isang kilusang pagwawasto na inilunsad nito noong nakaraang taon. Para sa ika-56 na anibersaryo ng PKP, naglabas na rin ng kani-kanyang mga pahayag ang mga pamunuan ng mga komiteng rehiyon kabilang ang sa Cagayan Valley, Southern Tagalog at Negros Island. Ipinahayag nila ang kahandaang pangibabawan ang mga kahinaan at isulong ang rebolusyon sa mas mataas na antas.

Pinagtibay rin ng Katipunan ng mga Gurong Makabayan, Compatriots at Makabayang Kilusan ng Bagong Kababaihan sa inilabas na mga pahayag ang kanilang suporta sa digmang bayan at pagkilala sa pamumuno ng Partido sa rebolusyong Pilipino. Ang tatlong organisasyon ay kabilang sa 18 alyadong organisasyon ng National Democratic Front of the Philippines.

Todo-todo rin ang paggastos ng AFP at NTF-Elcac sa serye ng mga seremonya ng “pagpapasuko,” paglahok sa programang amnestiya, mga raling “pangkapayapaan” at iba pang palabas para pagmukhaing natatalo na ang rebolusyonaryong kilusan. Lahat ng perang nilulustay nito ay mula sa buwis ng mamamayan.

“Ang pambansang pagtataksil at lubos na paninikluhod ng rehimeng Marcos sa imperyalismong US, kasabay ang laganap na korapsyon, tumitinding kahirapan at kagutuman, at terorismo ng estado ay nagbibigay diin sa kakagyatan, pagkamakatarungan at pangangailangan para sa rebolusyon,” dagdag ni Valbuena.

https://philippinerevolution.nu/angbayan/alok-ng-afp-sa-pkp-at-bhb-na-magbalik-loob-isinuka-ng-mga-rebolusyonaryong-pwersa/

ICYMI: Party reaffirms 8 components of the rectification movement
Ang Bayan Ngayon | December 29, 2024

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Central Committee reaffirmed the eight components of the rectification movement outlined last year in its statement for the Party’s 56th anniversary. The Party leadership said the eight components of the rectification movement must be comprehensively implemented. Efforts must be sustained. We must guard against slacking, overcome inertia and resist regressing to previous practices.

“In broadening the rectification movement, we seek to ensure that it covers all parts of the Party and all aspects of revolutionary work.” the Central Committee said.

The Central Committee’s movement outlined last year has eight components. Three of these are study and re-education campaigns. Two are focused on summing-up of experiences and studying concrete conditions. The others are focused on comprehensive and all-sided criticism and self-criticism, assessing the level and capabilities of all Party members, and ensuring the implementation of education courses.

These are listed in the statement as follows:

1. A study campaign to thoroughly study and review the basic principles of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism

2. A study campaign to thoroughly review the Party’s Constitution and the Program for a People’s Democratic Revolution

3. A study campaign to review the documents of the First and Second Great Rectification Movement, Our Urgent Tasks and Specific Characteristics of Our People’s War, and documents of the Party’s history

4. A campaign to sum-up experiences and review previous summings-up

5. A social investigation and class analysis (SICA) campaign at all levels

6. A campaign of criticism and self-criticism at all levels

7. A campaign to evaluate the performance of all Party cadres

8. A continuing campaign to ensure full implementation of the Three Level Party Course

The rectification movement launched last year by the Central Committee aims to correct mistakes and overcome weaknesses and shortcomings. “These have arisen principally from petty-bourgeois subjectivism, mainly in the form of empiricism, in the Party’s ideological, political and organizational work,” the Central Committee said.

The Party leadership calls on organs, branches, and members to deepen and broaden the rectification movement. In this regard, it was observed in the past year that is not enough to proclaim the rectification movement and declare support for it. “All Party committees, from the center to all branches, must carry out self-criticism and rectification of past errors, fully imbibe Marxism-Leninism-Maoism to revolutionize their thinking and methods of work, and move forward with full ardor,” the committee said.

It said the success of the rectification movement will be measured with concrete numbers indicating both quantitative increase and qualitative growth of the Party, the revolutionary armed struggle, the revolutionary mass movement and the organized mass base.

“We are confident that by deepening and broadening the rectification movement, we shall be able to forge a stronger and powerful Communist Party of the Philippines and lead the people’s democratic revolution to even greater victories in the coming years,” the Central Committee said.

https://philippinerevolution.nu/angbayan/party-reaffirms-8-components-of-the-rectification-movement/

NDFP Negotiating Panel commiserates on the passing of Francisco Nemenzo Jr
Ang Bayan Ngayon | December 29, 2024

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) Negotiating Panel extends its condolences on the passing of Francisco “Dodong” Nemenzo, 89, on December 19 due to complications from various illnesses. Nemenzo was a renowned social scientist, a brilliant activist, and a former president of the University of the Philippines.

NDFP Negotiating Panel chairperson Ka Julie de Lima said Nemenzo’s dedication to the struggle for social justice and national liberation leaves an indelible mark on the revolutionary movement in the Philippines. “Dodong’s journey as an intellectual Marxist and activist is deeply intertwined with the history of the national-democratic struggle in the Philippines,” said Ka Julie.

She shared that her late husband Comrade Jose Maria Sison recommended and recruited Nemenzo into the old Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas in the 1960s, where they became comrades. The two were elected as the youngest members of the old Party’s central committee and later as part of the Politburo.

“Their collaboration was instrumental during a critical period when the proletarian revolutionaries were repudiating the revisionist leadership of the Lava brothers to re-establish the Party,” Ka Julie further shared. She added that initially, Nemenzo chose to remain with the old Party but eventually broke away when disillusioned with its direction.

Beyond his activist life and involvement in the revolutionary movement, Nemenzo made significant contributions as an academic and educator. At UP, he served as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (1976-1981); UP Faculty Regent (1987-1989); Chancellor of UP Visayas (1989-1992); and eventually became the university’s president (1999-2005).

“His intellectual rigor, courage, and dedication have inspired countless individuals within the revolutionary movement and beyond,” Ka Julie said. She added that while we mourn Nemenzo’s passing, we should also celebrate his life and legacy. Ka Julie hopes that Nemenzo’s memory will continue to inspire the ongoing struggle for national liberation and democracy.

Nemenzo was born on February 9, 1935, in Cebu City. He is survived by his wife and fellow veteran activist Ana Maria “Princess” Ronquillo, their three children, and grandchildren.

https://philippinerevolution.nu/angbayan/ndfp-negotiating-panel-commiserates-on-the-passing-of-francisco-nemenzo-jr/

PRESS RELEASE: CPP condemns AFP murder of two teenage boys in Masbate

Information Bureau
Communist Party of the Philippines
December 31, 2024

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today condemned "in the strongest terms" the cold-blooded murder of 14-year old JP and 18-year old companion Redjan by elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Barangay Paguihaman, Uson, Masbate last December 27. Reports from the community say that the two were shot in the head resulting in their immediate death.

Reports indicate that the victims were on their way home at 3 a.m. from a Christmas party when soldiers chanced upon them and fired shots, mistaking them for Red fighters of the New People's Army. JP was a resident of nearby Barangay Mabini while Redjan is from Barangay Mongahay. Both are high school students.

CPP Chief Information Officer Marco Valbuena called the incident a "severe crime and violation of the international humanitarian laws." He added that "justice demands that the fascist perpetrators of this crime be immediately disarmed, arrested, tried and punished."

Valbuena said that the crime proves the fascist terrorist nature of the AFP which ignites resistance from the people. "Even as they brandish their weapons, these fascists are gripped with fear of the people and their army. Frightened by the approaching boys, the soldiers panicked and frantically fired their weapons against the unarmed teenagers."

"The incident has further fueled the people's deep hatred for the fascists. The residents of Barangay Paguihaman and nearby communities stand on just grounds in their demand for the AFP to pull-out their troops and dismantle their detachment in the village," he added.

Futhermore, Valbuena warned against the possible cover-up and outright lies of the AFP and the Philippine National Police supposedly conducting a special investigation on the matter. "We have seen in the past how state forces weaved narratives that children and civilians they murdered are so-called 'child warriors' of the NPA," he said.

The CPP has forwarded the incident report to the Special Office for the Protection of Children of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) for necessary actions.

Meanwhile, the local NPA unit in Masbate commiserated with the families of the victims over their brutal death. The unit vowed to exact justice for the countless crimes of the AFP units in Masbate province.

According to Ang Bayan's database, there are now at least 37 victims of state-sponsored extrajudicial killings in Masbate under the Marcos administration.

https://philippinerevolution.nu/statements/cpp-condemns-afp-murder-of-two-teenage-boys-in-masbate/