BALIKATAN? o BALIKTARAN?

Naging malaking issue ang pag alis ni Cor. Daniel Smith matapos siyang palayain ng Court of Appeals (CA).

Ngunit hindi katanungan kung si Smith ay guilty or hindi sa kasong rape. Hindi na natin malalaman pa ang katotohanan. Ngunit may isang bagay tayong puwedeng matutunang muli sa mapait na nangyaring ito.

Dapat ay ibasura na yang BALIKATAN na yan upang maiwasan ang mga gulong ganito. Tayo pang mga Pilipino ang lumalabas na kahiya hiya?

Kawawa ang batang babae. Maaaring siya ay na-rape, maaari siya ay napilitan magbenta ng aliw. Ang malinaw ay kahit saang angulo mo tignan ay siya ang talo. Damay tayong lahat ng Pilipino.

Bakit nga ba kailangan natin ng BALIKATAN? Kelan ba tayo maninindigan na ayaw na nating maging laruan ng mga Kano?

Napabuti na noon ng napalayas natin ang mga Kano at natanggal ang mga kampo nila sa Pilipinas upang ngayon ay pabalikin sila bilang mga bisitang tinatanggap natin ng maayos. Pero kapag nagkaipitan na, tayo at tayo rin ang kawawa.

Ilang mapapait pa bang karanasan ang kailangan nating pagdaanan para matuto tayo? Tayo ang ginagahasa ng bansang Amerika. Tayo ang patuloy na nagiging biktima.

Kelan ba tayo magigising? Kapag huli na ang lahat? Hoy! Gobyerno, kelan ka matututo! Hoy! Pilipino, kelan ka magbabago!

Chachacha, the Second Dance

The issue of Charter Change can be really beneficial for our country and for our future. The only concern here is the question: Would it be effectively executed under the current GMA Administration?
I can say it can be if: 1. The tenure of the president would be maintained or even shortened (like the 4 year president's term in USA) 2. If weare assured that the leader would make a transition
and not maintain power.

By common sense, GMA is not the person for the job. However, we are faced by problems within and outside the government that calls for change or revolution for some. Chacha could be the venue for that. But with this, we need a catalyst to lead. If GMA lost the trust and confidence of millions of Filipinos then the ideals of Chacha would not be achieved.

This brings us back to the point: We need a strong leader that could garner support and assure us that Chacha's ideals would push... not the selfish political interests.

If I would choose between ERAP and GMA, I would choose the one that the only drive is to redeem himself and give back to the masses what is due them. A person who wants nothing less than make sure if Chacha would push through, that this person could act as a unifying factor, a formidable force and someone who has the confidence of the people. The choice is simple: A president who was deposed and was not able to finish his term, or another president who showed us what she can do to maintain herself in power.

Chacha is for the people. Not for the politicians or other political actors, but SOLELY for the people. Let us choose right.

The Church, ERAP and the People

Just yesterday, former President ERAP bares his plan to run for the 2010 presidential elections. This is in reaction to call from the people of the church to abandon his plans. It is clear with what Bishop Martin Jumoad said, that they would prefer "new breed" of political leaders than stick to a deposed president.

However, there is one thing clear here. ERAP is still being considered by the people. There is clamor that is why he is considering the possibility to run for 2010. I must admit, I was never really a big fan and supporter of ERAP, but through the years I can say that he really is an icon to millions of Filipinos. In a democratic world, we cannot discredit the millions who voted for him- at least not in idea and not in essence.

In this aspect, I would agree with ERAP to say to those Bishops and religious leaders that in the end, it is the people who should decide. Not the church, not ERAP... the people.

Maybe it is time for us to realize, that this country, since the time of Cory Aquino, has been majorly influenced by the Catholic Church. Given that most of Filipinos are Roman Catholics, we still have not been able to differentiate in practice, the interests of the secular political dimension of politics to that of the socio-moral stand of religion. There is indeed a conflict of interest here.

We need to learn the lessons of the past and mature as a country, as a nation. But if we are always dictated by the church, what else could be the power of the people? If it is their right to vote and choose their best candidate, then the church should respect that right- whoever they may choose.

Let us not let these self-righteous religious people rob us of our right and freedom to choose. Let us make a stand that not everything should be dictated by the church.

Forcing the moral movement?

As much as I want to admire Puno for his group's initiative I cannot stop thinking the awkward timing of this movement. To add to the controversy, he is even one of the viewed heads or leaders here.

Morality seems like an overused word nowadays. The funnier thing here is that this word is not coming from our religious leaders but from our political actors. In this instance a member of the Supreme Court justices.

The timing is in question here. How can we believe this man's initiative when there are rumors that he is running for a national position? How can he wish to be part of something he sees as "immoral" or "evil?" Before he supports a movement, it is imperative that he check his position and stand on matters.

In a politically hyped country, it is always hard to inject religious stands or moral grounds on something that is amoral. What I want to see is for this movement than bashing the government and making a name for their religious denomination, would show us tangible and practical solutions in combating corruption. Moral grounds are just wallpapers. It solves nothing.

Truth for Easter

I used to think GMA utilized government funds to go golfing or scuba diving on a weekend. Now, I wonder why I am not surprised that even the name of God and Easter can be used for her "advantage."

If GMA is like Mother Theresa or Cory Aquino who has been really religious then I could give in and appreciate the message. But from a president whose legitimacy is in question, whose integrity is beyond questionable, it just did not work.

How can you say stop corruption and seek truth when her administration and her trained dogs would do everything to protect the "image" of the president and the first gentleman? How can you preach when your government oppresses the same people that your government is "trying" to save?

GMA should be decent enough not to use religion to beef up her image. Afterall, she has proven to us she is "untouchable" for a number of times already. All she has to do now is go to confession and do soul searching. And if she listens to God's call and heed to advice, then she has to resign now or make sure that at 2010 it would be her time to go.

A decade with GMA is like penance. We are punished for our sins. We played democracy in EDSA DOS and we paid the price. Someday she will pay for her sins. That is the Easter truth I could believe and hold on to.

The New Martial Law

The essential part here is the question of the modern day "version" of martial law. Many would agree that this government is even worse than the time of Marcos. The fundamental flaw and characteristic here is that GMA's government is cloaking in the ideas and concepts of a working democracy where there is accountability from the government and the cooperation of the people.This leads us to the better question are we better off as a people?

The issue here is whether or not a typical Juan dela cruz is for or against the idea of martial law but the greater concern for real political and economic progress. Why would Filipinos even think about issues when they cannot even have 3 or simply a decent meal for 1 day? Before it was the galunggong for the masses now its just a five peso pack of noodles and the 25 pesos per kg of rice that would be divided amongst the whole family.

We could see families sacrificing their mothers or fathers to work abroad and these parents sacrificing to provide a better future for their children. They are apart, far and alone. Because our government cannot give better alternatives to us.

Are we better off as a people? Do we have a better government? I leave this to you to answer.

There is the need to put people who really are for the masses and Who really are for the people. This is where we could make a change. I still believe in the power of leadership in this country. With someone who could lead. We all would follow.

Dancing Chachacha

As a college lecturer, I am often asked about how CHACHA would or could work. With the questions of students come their comments as regards to how the president's tenure could be affected. Our officials make it appear that CHACHA is but a simple matter. Certainly it is not.

With CHACHA, we could give the Parliamentary-Federal form of government a chance in the Filipino setting. However, we need to demand from our law-makers transparency and accountability in providing information on these matters.

This is important for the youth and for all citizens. So that we can all better grasp and understand the need for CHACHA beyond merely possibly extending this president's term.

We are talking about progress and development here. As we continue clamor for truth, we must not let our traditional politicians use to further entrench themselves.

I say to our leaders, show the Filipino people what really is your idea of CHACHA. Stop using the issue for mere selfish and personal political gains.

Keep the Faith!

Recently, former President Joseph Estrada asked Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio to resign from the priesthood if the latter runs in the 2010 elections. This issue must be clarified for indeed the Constitution provides for the separation of the State and the Church.

It is not how Panlilio would act on this that matters, but also the other "religious" leaders who are posturing for the presidency-Bro. Mike Vellarde and Bro. Eddie Villanueva. What will these 3 prominent men of the Spirit do to be faithful to the Constitution?

I believe that it is imperative to understand that they need to commit to the State and the Nation above their religious beliefs and denominations. To my mind, if they claim to be Messengers of GOD, I think they are more useful in their churches than in the secular machinery of the State.

Modernong Nasyonalismo 4/5/09

Ano nga ba ang nasyonalismo? Ano nga ba ang pwedeng gawin ng mga kabataan para sa ikauunlad ng bayan? Marahil may mga magsasabing ang dapat magsimula sa pagsusumikap mag-aral at magkaroon ng magandang pangarap para sa sarili, sa pamilya at sa bayan.

Ngunit hindi sapat ng ganito lang ng ganito palagi. Tila matatamis ng mga salita na wala naman talagang halaga kung susukatin ang pagmamahal sa bayan. Hindi ko naman sinasabing mamatay kang parang si gat jose rizal kung hindi maging bayaning walang pangalan sa inyong sariling kakayanan.

Ang ibig kong sabihin ay maging praktikal at matalino. Ang simpleng pagtapon ng basura sa tamang basurahan ay malaking bagay kung ginagampanan natin ito araw-araw at nang tuloy-tuloy. Marahil mas importanteng matutong pumila ng maayos para ipakita na may pagkakaisa para sa kaayusan. Siguro'y kasama na rito na magkaroon ng integridad sa lahat ng aspeto ng iyong buhay. Sa inyong mga pamilya, kaibigan, kaklase o katrabaho importanteng ipakita na tunay na meron tayong integridad.

Hindi siguro sapat na bumoto lamang, hindi sapat na kumanta lang ng lupang hinirang, hindi sapat na pumapasok lang sa eskwela, hindi sapat na kabisado ang panatang makabayan.

Ang kailangan ng ating modernong bayan, ng modernong kabataan, sa modernong panahon, ay ang modernong nasyonalismo. Yung praktikal at matalino. Yung may integridad.

On the Freeing of Mary Jean Lacaba 04/03/09

The freeing of Mary Jean Lacaba after 78 days came as a surprise. I firmly believe that once again we have seen how our government could be ineffective and even irrelevant in times like these. I feel sick to my stomach that it took 78 long, grueling, painful and traumatic days for one of the three captives. The sad part is we will never really know the truth behind this. We wonder if government or private individuals paid ransom for Lacaba or if this is another “circus” carefully orchestrated by the government for any political gains. The fact still remains: We have a government and a military that cannot even protect our civilians.

I really cannot stop wondering why negotiations could take that long. Only last year, Ces Drilon was also held as captive by Muslim rebels for 10 days. Maybe circumstances were different but the process and the ends were clear. In the absence of firm government policies against kidnappers in Jolo, we cannot really say that this will not happen again. From time to time, we even affirm what they are doing and we give them resources by paying ransom. The failure of the government to assert authority is an indicator that none of the lessons of the past were really ever learned. I haven’t even started with the issue of corruption.

The people are tired of hearing and seeing the same things. It is time to reconsider our positions and policies in Mindanao and the Muslim rebels. It is time for our current leaders to assess performance and redirect resources we give our military. Is it even worth our tax money to fund the military that cannot even protect us? I demand that they really do their jobs.

The Latest SWS Survey

The current results of the SWS Survey showed us names of potential political figures that people deem fit to succeed GMA, who we hope would have the decency to step down at the end of the term. I came to notice a prominent name that still pops up. At first I was surprised but then I realize it was just natural that former President ERAP Estrada still got 13% from the survey. Given all the negative issues thrown at him, we could still see that people supports him and believes in him.

We can never deny the fact that ERAP is still a formidable candidate. People still views him as viable leader in our country. Being that leader can denote a lot of things. But the same truth remains: ERAP still has the support of the people. I was wondering why. Then I realized many things could be attributed to this phenomenon. I could start with one.

I remember those days when ERAP ordered the camps of Muslim rebels to be seized. The all-out-war gave us a sense of security in Mindanao during his time. We saw how the government troops pushed the rebels out of their comfort zones. With the way our current government handles the conflict in Mindanao, I could only say two things:

1. ERAP had the political will that is imperative for any leader to cause change
2. GMA lacks that political will to have positive results

“Siguro mahirap talagang magbayad ng utang na loob”