A DECLARATION BY THE S4S

In evaluating the impact of a strategic situation which a failed leadership has imposed on our society today, it is imperative for all to recognize that the single most significant and destructive event now confronting our nation is the presently on-going global financial collapse, the escalation and imminence of world conflict, the unabated rise hunger and diseases, and this administration’s glaring inability to effect an appropriate response.

In a series of leadership changes, all of questionable competence and legitimacy, the last twenty five year period has brought nothing but a dramatic deterioration of living conditions, proliferation of political dynasties, and increasing levels of chaos and anarchy unprecedented in our nation’s history.

Yet as those who claim to be leaders of the Filipino people continue to use and abuse the Constitution for their own personal benefit, in complete and total disregard for the general welfare, in conspiracy with certain institutions and in the private and public sectors, a condition of mass deception prevails.

Consider the following:
In a gross violation of our Constitution, which mandates that COMELEC , and only COMELEC, should administer and conduct Philippine elections, the 2010 National Elections were administered by a foreign corporation as this was clearly proven in subsequent hearings conducted by Congress.

If it is now a foregone conclusion that Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo cheated in the 2004 and 2007 elections, is it not safe to conclude that , having complete control of COMELEC and Smartmatic, that she and her cabal would cheat in the 2010 elections, being the most important , since the new “president-elect” “installed” by her, will keep her from being jailed?

And if our conclusions are true, should not the legitimacy of the present administration be questioned? What crimes have been committed against the Filipino People in this regard?

Furthermore, if such a “deal” were concluded, would it not be of common interest to both parties and their accessories that a new Constitution be established to render all previous violations as moot and academic?


Are these not the reasons why the Supreme Court, despite GMA’s unconstitutional “midnight appointees” have been left untouched?; that her principal ally, former chief justice Davide, was to head the “Truth Commission.” ; that her very first resolution filed as congresswoman was for Charter Change?; and, that Pres. Aquino’s feeble reply to it was to say that it was not his administration’s priority?
And lastly, have our so called “elected leaders” prostituted themselves to foreign intervention by submitting to their preferences, accepting their publicly given congratulatory actions , prior to canvassing and subsequent proclamation by Congress?

These actions betray the workings of sinister minds, taking full advantage of a desperate and confused population, to tighten the noose of fascism and establish themselves as de-facto dictators—“elections” not withstanding—it is through this continued usurpation that intellectually incompetent and morally decadent leaders , acting as surrogates of evil, are able to effect economic and genocidal programs on our people.

If we are to save the nation, from the on-rushing onslaught of War, Famine and Disease, we have to unite in rejecting everything which seeks to destroy our efforts to preserve the dignity of human life.

We call on all Filipino Patriots, of all regions, of all ideologies, of all political parties, of all sectors of society, to act in accordance with Man’s true nature, created in God’s image, with inherent powers of cognition, and capacity to promote the common good, to vigorously cause the elimination of political and economic policies which violate our inalienable and sovereign rights.

We challenge the Filipino Youth, to participate and demand from your elders the opportunity to realize your dreams of a society based on Truth, Justice , Peace and Development.

Mabuhay ang Pilipino.
Mabuhay ang Bansang Pilipinas.

SIGNED:
SOLIDARITY FOR SOVEREIGNTY (S4S)

http://s4s.org.ph
November 21st 2011

GWP joins the women of the world in Global Day of Action against Plunder

“Gabriela Women’s Party joins the women’s march today October 15, 2011, the Global Day of Action against Plunder. As keepers of the future generations, we have the significant task of supporting the actions in exposing imperialist plunders as the root cause of poverty and other socio-economic ills that plague the nation and pushes us deeper into undignified existence. It is urgent that we contribute our energies to the struggle for genuine and pro-people change because it is only through our united voice and strength that we will be heard.”


This is the statement of Gabriela Women’s Party Representative Emmi De Jesus as GWP women join the Global Day of Action against Plunder and register its support to the women who continue to Occupy Wall Street.


“It is imperialist plunder coupled with the government’s inability to say no to foreign domination that has lead to unabated increase in prices of oil, utilities, and basic commodities. It is also the reason why workers receive unjust wages while working in exploitative working conditions, why landless peasants are pushed to migrate to urban centers in the hope of finding decent and secure jobs, and why women opt to become migrant workers and risk their safety,” explained the Gabriela solon.


“We must join hands with the women of the world as we condemn imperialist plunder and wars of aggression that violate our most fundamental human rights and destroy our family and the future of our children,” ended De Jesus. Representative EMMI DE JESUS, Gabriela Women's Party

PH PURSUES CLAIM FOR EXTENDED CONTINENTAL SHELF

Towards the end of this month, the Philippines will send an official delegation to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) at the United Nations to pursue its claim to sovereign rights to the natural resources of the extended continental shelf (ECS) in the Benham Rise Region. This is an area of the seabed located east of Luzon on the Pacific coast.

Under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS, all coastal states are entitled to a continental shelf consisting of the seabed and subsoil of the submarine areas that comprise a natural prolongation of their land territory to the outer edge of the continental margin. At minimum, the continental shelf area is deemed to legally extend to up to 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the territorial sea is measured, as long as there is no neighboring state with which the shelf area might overlap. But since the shape and breadth of the continental margin is an entirely natural formation, it is possible for the continental margin to extend beyond 200 nautical miles in breadth. In those cases, the coastal state may submit a claim for an “extended” continental shelf.

The purpose of the submission process is to delineate and separate the ECS from the deep ocean floor. Such a claim must be based on scientific evidence, primarily comprised of data and information on the underwater topography and geology of the area being claimed. The claim is to be submitted to the CLCS, a scientific body created by the UNCLOS and comprised primarily of hydrographers and geologists. The function of the CLCS is to ensure that the evidence used by a coastal state to justify its claim meets very high standards of scientific accuracy and validity. In a sense, it is a body that ensures quality control. It is not an adjudicating or approving body.

Coastal states find it in their national interest to claim ECS areas in addition to their 200- nautical mile continental shelf and exclusive economic zone because of the natural resources that they contain. Continental shelves contain virtually all of the offshore petroleum resources, and host huge deposits of mineral resources such as gas hydrides and hydrates, manganese nodules, rare earth metals, and offshore minerals. In addition, there are also many living resources, particularly sedentary species, yet to be fully catalogued or discovered, which could be a treasure trove of genetic resources that can be used to produce new pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and nutritional products.

Should a state fail to claim for an ECS entitlement, the area will be placed under the jurisdiction of the International Seabed Authority, another body created by UNCLOS, which will manage the resources therein for the common heritage of mankind. Thus, in making an ECS submission, the Philippines pursue its national interest by securing for itself resources for the future. It also demonstrates its strong determination, capability, and political will to assert its rights under the UNCLOS. A favorable recommendation regarding the Philippine ECS claims will enrich the national patrimony and endow the Filipino people with a perpetual legacy.

As early as the year 2002, activities were initiated to prepare the Philippines for the eventual filing of submissions. An inter-agency study group comprised of the academe and technical agencies identified the Benham Rise Region and West Philippine Sea as potential ECS areas. It took a while longer to confirm the initial studies, but coordinated technical, legal and diplomatic work to implement the initial study's recommendations went into full swing in May 2007. A massive effort ensued among government agencies and academic institutions. Led by the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), an agency attached to the DENR, they assembled, collected, assessed, and evaluated data and information from multiple disciplines and publications. These included hydrographic and bathymetric surveys, geological and structural maps, magnetic anomaly data, seismic reflection data, paleomagnetic data, earthquake distributions, gravity anomaly data, and geochemical data. The research effort culminated in the filing of the Benham Rise submission on 08 April 2009, a month ahead of the deadline.

The ECS in the Benham Rise Region is a large seabed area encompassing 133,000 square kilometers, or nearly half the land area of the country. The ECS team has established that it is morphologically connected to the Luzon landmass through what are called the Bicol and Palanan Saddles. This connection extends approximately 300 nautical miles eastward on account of two outcrops that are called the Narra and Molave Spurs. The outer limits were drawn in accordance with Article 76 of UNCLOS and the technical and scientific guidelines of the CLCS. The executive summary of the submission was posted in the official website of the CLCS on the day it was submitted. The Philippines did not receive any formal objection or protest against the claim from any other coastal state.

The Benham Rise submission is an extensive work comprised of three parts. The first is an executive summary, containing the overview of the legal, technical, and scientific bases of the claim. The second part, which is the main body of the submission, contains the details and analysis of the technical and scientific data and information that was submitted as evidence of the Philippine claim. It is kept confidential. The third part is comprised of extensive annexes containing additional data and information about the data, research methods, scientific literature, maps, charts, tables, and more figures that were employed in the analysis.


In making the Benham Rise submission, the Philippines expressly stated that it reserves its right to make ECS submissions in other areas in the future. Under the rules of the CLCS, “partial” submissions are allowed when the other ECS areas are disputed.