Last September 11, the third Branch of Court Appeals chaired by Justice Martin Villarama ordered a temporary restraining order barring Bacoor Regional Trial Court to proceed with the trumped up murder charge against Pastor Berlin and likewise ordered his temporary release in the custody of his counsels. Yesterday, September 25, the CA so ordered to lift and/or recall the warrant of arrests and Alias warrants of arrest and directed the lower court to quash the informations therein and dismiss the criminal case of murder against Pastor Berlin.

In 2000, 189 governments made the historic commitment to halve extreme poverty by 2015. We are halfway to that deadline, but 50,000 people still die every day because of poverty.

Join Missy Higgins, Annie Lennox, Scarlett Johansson, Kristin Davis, John Butler and many other Activists and celebrities in a global call for action against poverty.

Watch the in my name video

Check out the free download of the fantastic new song by the Black-Eyed Peas lead singer will.i.am and watch the video clip.

Prime Minister Rudd and 90 other world leaders are addressing the United Nations this week on the progress of the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs).

We must demand our leaders keep their promises on millennium development goals.

We can be the generation that ends poverty.
 

In its latest newsletter, the ANZ bank talks about ANZ’s efforts to “help remote and disadvantaged communities to develop and prosper” in the Asia Pacific.

Why are drugs more popular than church?

Meera Atkinson

According to the National Church Life Survey, only 19% of Australians go to church regularly even though the majority of Australians identify as Christian. On the other hand, the Statistics on Drug Use in Australia 2006 survey states that 41% of Australians drink alcohol weekly and 9% drink daily. It seems we’d rather get plastered than praise the Lord.

www.thetransitlounge.com.au

Labor MP hits TAFE fee rise

David Rood

September 23, 2008

http://www.theage.com.au/national/labor-mp-hits-tafe-fee-rise-20080922-4lsp.html

A STATE Labor MP has slammed the State Government’s overhaul of the TAFE system, saying fee increases will discriminate against poor and socially disadvantaged students.

In a leaked letter to Skills Minister Jacinta Allan, outspoken backbencher Tammy Lobato issued a personal plea that the Government she is a member of abandon its skills package.

Ms Lobato argued that higher fees in many courses and HECS-style loans for students will act as a barrier to the most disadvantaged people, particularly women, studying at TAFE.

Ms Lobato said the areas of welfare, disability and aged care would be worst affected.

Last month, the Brumby Government launched a $314 million revamp of the TAFE and training sector that will have university-style loans and increased fees in some courses as well as 900 new TAFE teachers, and competition with private institutions for state funding.

Ms Allan’s office said the skills package would create 172,000 additional training places and guarantee a TAFE place for any person who wants a higher qualification.

The Australian Education Union’s Gillian Robertson said it was astounding that Labor is investing in anything other than public education providers. She said money should not be a barrier to getting into TAFE.

You can make a comment on issues raised in JustEducation (or tell everyone about upcoming events, articles of interest relating to Just Education) here.

live and give

Join the generous revolution – give away

Idea in a nutshell. – ‘Live & Give’ (go to this link at MorePraxis)

Urgent Request from Asian Women Workers Action Group

Since publishing our booklet “Cries from the Workplace” our Asian Women Workers Action Group have met with several politicians in Sydney to tell our stories of exploitation, harassment and bullying, and to raise our concern that exploited workers like us must be protected in the new Industrial Relations system being established to replace WorkChoices.

Places are filling up quickly …

EDUCATION AT THE EDGES

Tues 14 October (5-8pm), University of Melbourne – 1st Floor, Alan Gilbert Building (Executive Lounge)

HURRY, PLEASE RSVP AT: www.vista.org.au in Upcoming Events – places are limited.

Tess Keam will launch the new JustAct website at this event.

Court of Appeals’ Favorable Decision Foreshadowed
PASTOR BERLIN GUERRERO GAINS FREEDOM FROM DETENTION*
September 13, 2008

[*but we still need your help]

On September 11, 2008, in a courtroom packed to capacity with bishops, ecumenical church leaders, clergy, and human rights defenders, the honorable Justice Martin S. Villarama, Jr. delivered an immediate resolution releasing Pastor Berlin Guerrero to the custody of his lead counsel Senator Jovito Salonga and co-counsels Atty. Emilio Capulong and Atty Evelyn Dominguez . A Temporary Restraining Order barring the Regional Trial Court, Branch 19, Bacoor, Cavite from conducting further proceeding on the murder case levied against Pastor Berlin was also immediately granted.
The decision brought an eruption of applause, after which many, both inside the courtroom and keeping vigil outside of the Court of Appeals, cried with tears of happiness. “Today is a story that we must tell again and again. This is a moment of great inspiration to be remembered,” shared misty-eyed Father Rex Reyes, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines. Inside the courtroom Pastor Berlin Guerrero tightly embraced his wife Mylene and his three teenage children. The parents and siblings of Pastor Berlin also huddled close to celebrate the moment.
Lead counsel Senator Salonga gave way to co-council Atty. Emilio Capulong to present the points of the case. Atty. Capulong raised defects on the information of the warrant—most disturbingly that Judge Myrna Lim Verano who originally issued the warrant in the early 1990s never questioned or saw the supposed witness to the murder identifying Pastor Berlin Guerrero as a suspect. Then, Atty. Capulong also presented evidence of the torture of Pastor Berlin.
Justice Villarama focused the bulk of his questions to the opposing counsel on the preliminary hearing conducted by Judge Myrna Lim Verano with the only supposed witness never being presented to the court. He probed if the only ‘evidence’ was merely hearsay. Finally, Justice Villarama asked if the opposing counsel had any objection to our petition for a TRO; there being none, the TRO was granted. Then, Justice Villarama asked Senator Salonga and Atty. Capulong if they would be willing to take Pastor Berlin Guerrero under their custody and Justice Villarama granted the same.
After processing the legal paperwork, Pastor Berlin Guerrero walked free from the Cavite Provincial Jail linked arm-in-arm with his eldest son. A family that has had to endure more than fifteen months of unjust detention and separation took their first breaths of reunion together. As Pastor Berlin awaits the next action of Justice Villarama’s Court and praying that it will be a Resolution of Quashal, Pastor Berlin savors these first precious moments with his family.

“We are extremely pleased with the result of this hearing,” says Bishop Eliezer Pascua, UCCP General Secretary, “we will remain prayerful and vigilant until we hold official papers confirming that the murder case has been quashed. Thanks be to God for Pastor Berlin’s release from detention.” The United Church of Christ in the Philippines has scheduled a Press Conference and Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service for Pastor Berlin to be held 10 am, Tuesday, September 16, 2008, at the National Council of Churches in the Philippines.

Update by: Rebecca Lawson, Staff, United Church of Christ in the Philippines