By RONALYN V. OLEA
The appointment of Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista as the new chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines is not unexpected, said human rights lawyers, because it followed the promotion and appointment of other military officials who were linked to rights violations.

By RONALYN V. OLEA
The battle against the Cybercrime law before the Supreme Court began with the petitioners citing the unconstitutionality and dangers of the law.

Read also: Netizens, activists call for junking of cybercrime law

By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
A class action suit filed by over 70 Filipino workers was initiated, even prior to the explosion, against the Grand Isle Shipyard for discrimination, labor trafficking, slavery and forced servitude, and fraud.

By RONALYN V. OLEA
Those arrested were charged with cases in relation to New People’s Army ambuscades, which occurred in areas where they have never even set foot on. Is this part of another crackdown on political activists, this time by the Aquino administration?

By RONALYN V. OLEA
As both petitioners and the Office of the Solicitor General prepare for the Supreme Court hearings on the Cybercrime Prevention Act, netizens and various groups began their protest actions once more to make sure that their voices are heard.

By MARYA SALAMAT
“No driver in his or her right mind would turn down a new vehicle unit if it were affordable. But the government has no program to help them avail of vehicles that would pass the government’s supposed environmental requirements.” – George San Mateo, Piston Party-list

By RONALYN V. OLEA
“The super body’s definition [of extrajudicial killings] is strained and will blur and smokescreen extrajudicial killings, skirt impunity issues and even make scapegoats with the body’s distractive and confused ostensible functions.” – National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers

By BULATLAT STAFF
Every year Bulatlat.com comes out with an analysis of the impact of the administration on the issues and concerns that affect the Filipino people. This year ender has added importance as we are approaching the midpoint of the Aquino presidency – which campaigned under the banner of change – and its policy directions have already taken shape.

Gains, sins of omission and commission of the Aquino presidency

State of press freedom: Attacks and threats in 2012

Now you see them, now you don’t, but G.I. Joes are here to stay, no thanks to the Aquino government

The costs of the Aquino government’s K to 12 program

On Aquino’s mid-term, tillers in Luisita, elsewhere still landless

Health for sale

Aquino administration’s human rights policy: Big in words, too little in action

Aquino’s favorite whipping boys in 2012, government employees

Bleeding the supposed ‘bosses,’ the working masses, dry

In 2012, urban poor jailed, killed for fighting for homes

Elite governance, elite economics: When vaunted growth clashes with reality

By MARYA SALAMAT
“The Aquino government is very active and very swift in filing trumped-up charges against labor leaders and activists but it fails to attain justice for victims of human-rights violations.” – KMU

MUST-READS
Mothers of the struggle against ‘development’ aggression

By RONALYN V. OLEA
Three women from different tribes in Mindanao have come to Manila to share their stories with the hope that the national government will heed their calls.

By MARYA SALAMAT
They bring with them an urgent call as their communities continue to face the threats of large-scale mining and militarization.