The following are a mixture of press releases and articles on the recent developments in the Philipp

The following are a mixture of press releases and articles on the recent developments in the Philippines, where opposition to mining is strong despite the President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's January signing of an Executive Order promoting foreign-owned mining. The first three press releases are from different popular organisations all welcoming the Philippine Supreme Court decision to uphold complaints from local communities against the legal basis for WMC's Tampakan claim, and drawing wider conclusions about what this will mean for multinational mining companies.

The exact impact of the case is still arguable (thanks to possible appeals & the machinations of the companies - see the final two articles for their response), but for the moment the B'laan people and their supporters are celebrating a significant victory.

Finally there is a piece about a committee of the provincial development council (PDC) banning mining operations in Nueva Vizcaya province - showing that even as the central government attempts to promote mining there is obvious opposition from local government in the Philippines.