Along with milk teas, Korean dance craze, and foreign endorsers of clothing lines, some things by the names of “sugar-coating,” “shooting the messenger,” and “tsunami-like ignorance” have taken the Philippines by storm. Based on the latest turnout of events, and by the way they were warmly embraced, it seems like these new trends are as “addictive” as the formerly mentioned ones. However, it is certain that they are not as sweet, entertaining, and desirable.
Getting straight to the core, Filipinos are fighting for something for the wrong reasons. And worse, more often than not, they don’t have reasons at all. Worst, they do not even know what they are fighting for. Such identity [and morality] crisis is manifested by how they handle and react to social issues of today, best represented by the never-ending hullabaloo on the anti-life, anti-poor, and anti-values Reproductive Health (RH) bill.
This is not a generalization, but it appears that a significant number of those who [claim to] support the controversial measure have spent too much time reading cheesy, inspirational quotations about following one’s [selfish] bliss. And in this case, their [selfish] hearts tells them that they can find their happiness in the sense of belongingness—fitting in to and being loved by a judgmental majority of a dysfunctional society. In a very competitive world, joining the bandwagon is undoubtedly one of the best defense mechanisms of the apathetic and pathetic alike. In a world where people are very unforgiving, people feel the need to join the national conversation to conceal their ignorance and pretend that they have something to say [or that they care, at the very least].
However, these people cannot be fully blamed for going with the waves. Who wants to be persecuted, anyway? And who “killed” Jesus Christ again?
But then again, what happens to a ship who insists to sail amid strong waves and winds? Get swayed, stumble, and shrink. Aside from lacking an “anchor,” a strong foundation, the captain also lacked personal judgment on when to sail or not, good decision-making skills, and convictions.
By the time the RH bill is passed into a law, history will repeat itself—it will be the second death of Christ in each and every hand of the humanity.
On the other hand, it must not be misunderstood that people join the bandwagon solely for belongingness’s sake—yes, others do it just because they want to project an image of a thinking individual, boosting their self-confidence and other egoistic instincts.
In their attempt to upgrade the society’s perception on them, these people have resorted to more effective ways than mere pretending to care—shooting the messenger. All throughout the span of heated arguments, protesters of the bill, particularly the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, have received an overwhelming amount of unnecessary criticisms. It was such a commendable act, though—exhausting all possible means to gain support from the easily blinded public, attacking the messenger as an alternative to their inability to support their stand on the issue. Senator Sotto’s points on the dangers of contraceptives, putting all plagiarism issues aside, made perfect sense. But unfortunately, the pros took advantage of the recent plagiarism incident to over-emphasize Sotto’s flaw, thus embarrassing him and creating a different public opinion. Accusing the bishops and other sectors and individuals who oppose the measure as “close-minded,” RH supporters defying the Church’s is perceived nowadays as “liberal thinkers.” What must be understood is that the Church is not attacking the bill just because it has to, but because it is a moral issue, more than being an economic one. The Church, therefore, has every right to air its stand against the bill.
“The Catholic Church and those who are similarly minded ask for nothing more than fairness. After all, we have as much right to expose the dangers and ills of the Bill as those who promote it,” a report on the CBCP website read.
“The Church has the perfect right to preach against birth control and attack its proponents, just like birth control proponents have the perfect right to pontificate about its not entirely fictitious benefits and attack the Church. This is a free country. The Church may threaten hell-fire because hell comes only after death. The afterlife is not covered by the constitution,” said Teddy Boy Locsin in one of his editorials. “Indeed, there is no economic justification for birth control but there is a moral one.”
A lesser population is not, and will never be equivalent to economic development. If that is the case, then the some of the world’s biggest economies and most progressive countries, which are obviously more populated than the Philippines, will not be on the state where they are today. Along the way, something went wrong with management, discipline, education, and culture [of poverty]—but definitely not birth control. In fact, several recent studies showed that the Philippines’ population is its number one key in becoming one of Asia’s most progressive economies.
RH backers always argue that the bill is pro-choice, not understanding that wide availability of contraceptives can mean no choice at all. Wide availability [and distribution] is equivalent to wide usage. If their true mission is to educate, then they do not have to go to the extent of pushing their knocking-on-doors technique, personally handing contraceptives to communities via mobile vans.
They say the bill aims to reduce teenage pregnancies and maternal deaths, yet they do not understand that wide usage of contraceptives, which are definitely not a hundred percent safe, can even pave the way for the increase of such cases. In simpler words, RH means more contraceptives, more sex, and more danger.
They say that they are pro-life and against abortion, not understanding that although RH is not directly about abortion, failure of contraceptives will eventually lead to the acceptance of the practice someday.
And let us assume that RH would really decrease case of teenage pregnancies and maternal deaths. What happens to morality, then? Again, RH means more contraceptives, more sex, more danger, and in this case, a degradation of values. Pleasure will prevail over procreation, making the sacred act a cheap commodity.
“Sex without procreation gave way to its corollary: procreation without sex. Sexless procreation is in vogue now: test-tube babies, artificial placentas, surrogate mothers, artificial insemination, etc. Ironically, those countries that aggressively limited the possibility of procreation are now desperately inventing means to procreate even without sex,” said former UST Rector Rolando dela Rosa, O.P. in his opinion piece published in the Manila Bulletin. “Drumbeaters for contraception have recently found another potent way of advertising it: by scaring people with the dangers of AIDS, the doomsday scenario of overpopulation, and linking contraception with women’s reproductive health.”
Filipinos have lost sight of the more important things that they used to believe in, blinded by the sugar-coated beliefs being fed to them and their own craving to fit in a misguided society. Some day, when it is already too late to change the course of things, when the consequences of supporting an anti-life, anti-poor, and anti-values bill are already taking effect, the pathetic and apathetic alike will realize what the Church and other noble men are truly fighting for.
Showing posts with label editorial. Show all posts
Showing posts with label editorial. Show all posts
Saturday, October 13, 2012
For the pathetic and apathetic alike [EDITORIAL]
Along with milk teas, Korean
dance craze, and foreign endorsers of clothing lines, some things by the names
of “sugar-coating,” “shooting the messenger,” and “tsunami-like ignorance” have
taken the Philippines by storm. Based on the latest turnout of events, and by
the way they were warmly embraced, it seems like these new trends are as
“addictive” as the formerly mentioned ones. However, it is certain that they
are not as sweet, entertaining, and desirable.
Getting straight to the core,
Filipinos are fighting for something for the wrong reasons. And worse, more
often than not, they don’t have reasons at all. Worst, they do not even know
what they are fighting for. Such identity [and morality] crisis is manifested
by how they handle and react to social issues of today, best represented by the
never-ending hullabaloo on the anti-life, anti-poor, and anti-values
Reproductive Health (RH) bill.
This is not a generalization, but it
appears that a significant number of those who [claim to] support the controversial
measure have spent too much time reading cheesy, inspirational quotations about
following one’s [selfish] bliss. And in this case, their [selfish] hearts tells
them that they can find their happiness in the sense of belongingness—fitting
in to and being loved by a judgmental majority of a dysfunctional society. In a very competitive world, joining the
bandwagon is undoubtedly one of the best defense mechanisms of the apathetic
and pathetic alike. In a world where people are very unforgiving, people feel
the need to join the national conversation to conceal their ignorance and
pretend that they have something to say [or that they care, at the very least].
However, these
people cannot be fully blamed for going with the waves. Who wants to be
persecuted, anyway? And who “killed” Jesus Christ again?
But then again, what happens to a
ship who insists to sail amid strong waves and winds? Get swayed, stumble, and
shrink. Aside from lacking an “anchor,” a strong foundation, the captain also
lacked personal judgment on when to sail or not, good decision-making skills,
and convictions.
By the time the RH bill is passed
into a law, history will repeat itself—it will be the second death of Christ in
each and every hand of the humanity.
On the other hand, it must not be
misunderstood that people join the bandwagon solely for belongingness’s
sake—yes, others do it just because they want to project an image of a thinking
individual, boosting their self-confidence and other egoistic instincts.
In their attempt to upgrade the
society’s perception on them, these people have resorted to more effective ways
than mere pretending to care—shooting the messenger. All throughout the span of
heated arguments, protesters of the bill, particularly the Catholic Bishops
Conference of the Philippines, have received an overwhelming amount of
unnecessary criticisms. It was such a commendable act, though—exhausting all
possible means to gain support from the easily blinded public, attacking the
messenger as an alternative to their inability to support their stand on the
issue. Senator Sotto’s points on the dangers of contraceptives, putting all
plagiarism issues aside, made perfect sense. But unfortunately, the pros took
advantage of the recent plagiarism incident to over-emphasize Sotto’s flaw,
thus embarrassing him and creating a different public opinion. Accusing the
bishops and other sectors and individuals who oppose the measure as
“close-minded,” RH supporters defying the Church’s is perceived nowadays as
“liberal thinkers.” What must be understood is that the Church is not attacking
the bill just because it has to, but because it is a moral issue, more than
being an economic one. The Church, therefore, has every right to air its stand
against the bill.
“The Catholic Church and those who are
similarly minded ask for nothing more than fairness. After all, we have as much
right to expose the dangers and ills of the Bill as those who promote it,” a
report on the CBCP website read.
“The Church has the
perfect right to preach against birth control and attack its proponents, just
like birth control proponents have the perfect right to pontificate about its
not entirely fictitious benefits and attack the Church. This is a free country.
The Church may threaten hell-fire because hell comes only after death. The
afterlife is not covered by the constitution,” said Teddy Boy Locsin in one of
his editorials. “Indeed, there is no economic justification for birth control
but there is a moral one.”
A lesser population
is not, and will never be equivalent to economic development. If that is the
case, then the some of the world’s biggest economies and most progressive
countries, which are obviously more populated than the Philippines, will not be
on the state where they are today. Along the way, something went wrong with
management, discipline, education, and culture [of poverty]—but definitely not
birth control. In fact, several recent studies showed that the Philippines’
population is its number one key in becoming one of Asia’s most progressive
economies.
RH backers always
argue that the bill is pro-choice, not understanding that wide availability of
contraceptives can mean no choice at all. Wide availability [and distribution]
is equivalent to wide usage. If their true mission is to educate, then they do
not have to go to the extent of pushing their knocking-on-doors technique,
personally handing contraceptives to communities via mobile vans.
They say the bill
aims to reduce teenage pregnancies and maternal deaths, yet they do not understand
that wide usage of contraceptives, which are definitely not a hundred percent
safe, can even pave the way for the increase of such cases. In simpler words,
RH means more contraceptives, more sex, and more danger.
They say that they
are pro-life and against abortion, not understanding that although RH is not
directly about abortion, failure of contraceptives will eventually lead to the
acceptance of the practice someday.
And let us assume
that RH would really decrease case of teenage pregnancies and maternal deaths.
What happens to morality, then? Again, RH means more contraceptives, more sex,
more danger, and in this case, a degradation of values. Pleasure will prevail
over procreation, making the sacred act a cheap commodity.
“Sex without procreation gave way to its corollary:
procreation without sex. Sexless procreation is in vogue now: test-tube babies,
artificial placentas, surrogate mothers, artificial insemination, etc.
Ironically, those countries that aggressively limited the possibility of
procreation are now desperately inventing means to procreate even without sex,”
said former UST Rector Rolando dela Rosa, O.P. in his opinion piece published
in the Manila Bulletin. “Drumbeaters for contraception have recently found another
potent way of advertising it: by scaring people with the dangers of AIDS, the
doomsday scenario of overpopulation, and linking contraception with women’s
reproductive health.”
Filipinos have lost
sight of the more important things that they used to believe in, blinded by the
sugar-coated beliefs being fed to them and their own craving to fit in a
misguided society. Some day, when it is already too late to change the course
of things, when the consequences of supporting an anti-life, anti-poor, and anti-values
bill are already taking effect, the pathetic and apathetic alike will realize
what the Church and other noble men are truly fighting for.
Somewhere, a line has to be drawn
By Yuji Vincent B. Gonzales
IRRESPONSIBLE
journalism kills. And when it does, it does not only kill people’s dignity and
reputation, but also people themselves. It ruins not only names and integrity,
but also lives.
This is the
primary theme being underscored in Sydney Pollack’s 1981 film titled Absence of Malice—the ethical issues
concerning journalism and the gravity of damage that recklessness in the work
inflicts to innocent, ordinary individuals.
Megan Carter, a Miami Standard reporter who represents the population of terrible
journalists (also known as “disgrace to the profession”) in the world, wrote a
half-baked, immature front page story about the alleged association of liquor
warehouse owner Michael Gallagher to the disappearance of a local union leader
named Diaz.
Carter, who did not even bother to
verify the report she found on the desk of a mediocre FBI agent named Elliot
Rosen, gives a face to irresponsible journalism. Rosen knew in the first place
that Gallagher, whose father had ties with gangsters and mafias, is innocent.
He intentionally left the “secret” document about Gallagher “being under
investigation” on his table for Carter to see it, thinking that linking the
former to the Diaz case would force him to name names of the true suspects.
That is where the series of
intertwining unethical practices of Carter began. Putting aside Rosen’s
intention, stealing documents, especially those which are supposed to be
“sensitive” ones, is and will always be a misdeed and an act of dishonesty. What
made things worse was Carter did not check on the credibility, reliability, and
authenticity of the file. And worst, she also did not bother to exert
additional efforts to contact Gallagher and ask for his side on the matter
before publishing the story. Yes, she did try to call him once but he was not
able to answer, so her attempt also ended there.
In journalism, the discipline of verifying crucial
facts or statements (in the film’s case, one that has serious legal
implications) is a golden rule, and not abiding to such is considered a mortal
sin. Relying solely on unreliable, leaked information in writing a story is
very unprofessional. The two-source rule is important for a balanced and
objective output.
When Gallagher found out that he
made it to the paper’s banner headline, he immediately went to the daily’s
office, confronted Carter, and demanded her to disclose her “knowledgeable
source in the Justice Department.” Carter, however, refused to divulge her
source to Gallagher. As to the anonymity of sources, there is nothing wrong in
hiding their identity for the sake of privacy and protection. However, this
does not apply to Carter’s case because something was wrong in the process of
news gathering—the [leaked, unreliable] source was illegally obtained. Carter
was not really protecting her “knowledgeable source” but herself. She was
protecting her own credibility, and simultaneously, she was protecting herself
from shame and condemnation on the way she irresponsibly acquired information.
In legal terms, the phrase “absence
of malice” means the lack of evil intent to harm somebody. This is what Carter
and the publication’s lawyer was citing to counter argue Gallagher’s
accusations to them—that they have no willful motive to destroy Gallagher’s
reputation. However, the mere fact that Carter still wrote the story without
evidence and without asking for the subject’s side, there was an indirect and
unconscious intent to harm Gallagher somewhere along her selfish interests. She fashioned the story into that angle
despite her knowledge and awareness of journalists’ big role in shaping public
opinion. She may not be directly saying that Gallagher was the murderer, but
that was the implication of her story in one way or another. Yes, there was
probably an absence of malice, but there was also a negligence of a
journalist’s duty and conduct on the other side. The latter is as equally
tragic as having malice, or even worse than that. This just proves that no
matter how the law is intended for nation-building and social order, just because something is legal doesn’t mean
that it is morally right.
In addition, Carter secretly
recorded her conversation with Gallagher during their “lunch date” without
consent. Carter was also somehow involved in a romantic affair with Gallagher.
Although there is no concrete text in the rules of journalism saying that such
is prohibited, it is something implied and understood that having personal
attachment to sources is a big threat to credibility.
More than fracturing Gallagher’s
reputation, more than causing the liquor warehouse workers to resign, the
biggest casualty of Carter’s malpractice was the death of Teresa Perrone,
Gallagher’s childhood friend.
Perrone, in her desire to clear her
friend of all allegations to him, decided to meet up with Carter. She disclosed
to her that Gallagher accompanied her for abortion on the weekend that Diaz
disappeared, provided that her identity would not be revealed in the story.
However, Carter insisted, saying that “people would understand.” It turned out
that Carter is the one who did not understand the moral implications of her
actions. The following day, Perrone, a devout Catholic and a teacher in a
Catholic school, committed suicide after finding out that the story hit the
papers.
Carter took for granted her source
and overpowered her in a sense that she abused its fragility. She ignored and
disrespected Perrone’s request for confidentiality, resulting to a loss of life
over credibility.
Irresponsible
journalism kills. And when it does, it sometimes does it literally.
The
worst thing that can happen to a journalist is to lose his sense of purpose.
Journalists have tendencies to report or publish for the wrong reasons—for
scoop, competition, ambition, prestige, meeting quotas—not understanding that they are writing about their fellow human
beings, and what they write can make or break them. They do not realize the
immense power and influence of the press that is on their very hands; and when
they do, the damage has already been done. They are supposed to be bearers of
truth, but they are gradually becoming bearers
of “what is being said, what is perceived to be true, and what is simply
accurate.”
In their pursuit of stories to
publish and ambition to land on the front page, journalists quite forget that
their duty is not only to right but also to listen; that sometimes, they have
to put their pens down and take time to sympathize and empathize with their
subjects. They are being trapped and carried away by their wrong notion of “news”
and “public’s right to know.”
The moral case and ethical issues
are enough to justify journalists’ improprieties.
There
is a higher law than the law of man. And somewhere, a line has to be drawn.
We Might Run Out of Bananas
By Jan Eidrienne De Luis
Big tarpaulins, TV advertisements, free t-shirts and other
things that seem to greet people happy fiesta or to just advertise a program or
a product inundate the metro and the media.
The campaign period has not officially started yet but it’s
obviously in the fast lane.
Our culture and kind tradition has been tainted by these
political ballyhoos and shenanigans. A year before the elections everything is
tarnished with malice that seemingly
insult the intellectual caliber of the Filipino people or at most times
take advantage of benighted citizens.
Not only the display of humongous faces and names is
extremely appalling, but also the emergence of celebrity-turned-political
candidates—not to mention some ill-repute ones in the world of show business.
If someone runs for a spot in the legislature, one must be
equipped with sufficient knowledge of the different policies on the creation of
laws or even the legislative proceedings. One can argue that these are lore and
that it can be acquired by the human intellect through experience. Well of
course that could happen, but for a third-world country, the Filipino people
cannot wait for someone to be able to test the fast and loose waters of congress.
Think of it this way, many bills both from the upper-chamber and the
lower-chamber are being contested and disputed because of its precipitousness
and lack of substance and background research, because of this some congressmen
had gotten the ire of the citizens, with some being derided as politically
ignorant for they are just actors-turned-politicians.
Also, the candidates’ family name does not speak of his
serving caliber as a person. One must remember this.
The question of who seated them in office is a huge bludgeon
to the masses. Will we allow more
monkeys to sit in the precious seats of the Batasang Pambasa and make
monkey-laws that will eventually govern monkey citizens and will turn the place
into monkey-land? A state governed by monkeys in the most monkey way will yield
into the emergence of more monkeys worst than the monkey kings. If this
persists then soon we will have shortage of bananas.
The Filipino people must understand that what they see in teledramas is not real. They must know how
to shield themselves from knaveries served to them with tender, love and care.
Still education is very crucial and significant for we determine the future of
the country through our votes. We are the fountainhead of the government of the
Philippines for we settle who sits and who goes. In a deeper sense of the
democratic and republican ideologies, we are the government
Apathy has no place in the Filipino hearts especially as
2013 goes closer and closer. We must verify the words that come out of the well-sugared
mouths of the candidates because it is only through background-checking and
keen observation that we can sort out the sourness or the appalling halitosis
lying beneath.
The Philippine policies on running for public office are
very democratic. It allows a showbiz mother to run for congress as long as she
has the means to do so and if she is of the right age.
Democracy is good but it often contributes to the downfall
of most states, because democracy by its own political sense acknowledges man
as a rational being—capable of understanding concepts and ideas, capable of
good logical reasoning and through this must man use his freedom. It gives us
the full pledged right to be free, to use this freedom in making sense of
things, to use it in a rational way as we human beings are naturally
intellectual beings.
Are we going to be prisoners of our own ignorance? Or are we
going to inculcate the intellectual freedom and power that our constitution
vested upon us?
Vote FREELY then.
Conception of a Misconception
By: Iza Maria Gonzalez
Oh, the irony.
Or, more accurately,the ironies.
The average Filipino must be tired of hearing the same old argument over and over again. Since time immemorial, poverty has always been attributed to the rapid population growth. Gasgasna, in layman’s terms, but used as the main contention in the insistent pushing for a law on Reproductive Health.Gasgasna, and what makes it so much worse is that this argument is a misconception. How ironic, that from a misconception, a bill was born, and in this bill lies more outward – and in some cases, insulting – ironies.
House Bill No. 4244, or “An Act Providing for a Comprehensive Policy on Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health, and Population and Development, and for other Purposes,” is the current Reproductive Health Bill. Authored by Representative EdcelLagman and 103 others, the bill contains vague provisions on the use and distribution of contraceptives, on abortion, and on other concerns. Thus, the first irony – how was it possible that a bill written by so many lawmakers, and is actually a consolidation of six other house bills, still be so unclear?
What remains crystal clear is where the adamant demand for a law on Reproductive Health stems from. Supporters of the bill claim that the uncontrollable growth of the nation’s population greatly contributes to poverty and all the other problems that come with it, such as unemployment, pollution, illiteracy, and the like. According to various studies, however, a young and developing population serves as the backbone of a growing economy. Yet, if the solution to poverty is a progressive economy, then a law should not be created to control population growth. There lies another irony.Why prevent the growth of the population when a sustainable economy – the solution to the escalating problem of poverty – largely depends on it?
A closer look on the problem of poverty will shed light on one of the greatest ironies there is. Is there really a correlation between population expansion and poverty? Is it not lack of education, of employment opportunities, of reforms and plans that lead to development, that truly hinder the progress of Filipinos’ lives? Blaming poverty to the population equates to blaming the people for a problem that they never created. In the first place, it is the incompetence of an ineffectual government that thwarts good governance. To add insult to injury, corruption and erroneous economic policies worsen the problem. Hence, the loveliest irony of all, as if it is not wrong to blame the people for a problem they cannot solve, the reproductive health bill blames the people for a problem that the government itself crafted into the monster it is today.
And of course, there exists smaller but equally disturbing ironies. In Section 4 (Definition of terms) of the bill, under Reproductive Health Care, the bill enacts “proscription of abortion and management of abortion of complications.” The bill states that it does not prescribe and encourage abortion, but mandates every hospital and other medical units to offer the appropriate assistance to women who engaged in abortion without judgement. The provision is fair, but unnecessary, given that even without it, women – or any person for that matter – should be given proper medical care regardless of the circumstance she is in.
The bill also states that it “recognizes that abortion is illegal and punishable by law,” but it allows and even encourages the use and distribution of contraceptives, when in fact, some contraceptives are abortifacients. Therefore, it does not legalize abortion, but in an implicit manner, allows it.Implicit, yes, but an explicit irony.
Proponents of the bill also insist on being pro-choice. Being a democratic country, they say, we are entitled to freedom of choice. In provisions of the bill, couples are free to choose “the number and spacing of their children,” but prescribes and “ideal family size” of two children. The less fortunate in the society choose to have more children because manpower is their only resource. For instance, farmers, having a labor-intensive source of livelihood, need more manpower. Prescribing an “ideal family size” of two children is not always “ideal” for every Filipino family. But regardless of manpower or labor-force, why prescribe an “ideal family size” to a culture known to be family-oriented from the very beginning?
Another contradiction to the bill being pro-choice is that it mandates “all accredited health facilities” to “provide a full range of modern family planning methods.” The provision implies that the opinion of health facilities on the use of thesaid methods does not matter. Whether or not they are against the use of contraceptives, they are required to make them available to every Filipino citizen.
Pro-choice, but with no choices.Pro-choice, but not pro-life.Yet again, ironic.\
The mere act of making contraceptives and other means of family planning and birth control available to the people – to Filipinos of all ages – will have a serious negative effect on the country’s current state of mind. Being a predominantly Catholic nation, premarital sex, and abortion are two things that Filipinos greatly condemn. If the bill, however, would be passed, it would be as if the use of contraceptives has finally been accepted, leading to an increase in cases of premarital sex. In other words, contraceptives would encourage the youth to engage in premarital sex without considering the responsibilities of parenthood, because they do not see the possibility of being a parent.
Since it has been proven through the years that not all contraceptives are effective, the bill may also lead to more cases of teenage pregnancy; thus, more young adults unable to finish their education,more children without fathers, and more mothers engaging in abortion.
A final irony: Sex is an act committed for the purpose of reproduction but looking closely, this bill encourages young people to engage in the act without thinking of the responsibilities of being a parent and raising a family. Is this how the bill upholds ‘Responsible Parenthood’?
Instead of allotting another large amount of taxpayers’ money to a law that would prevent, instead of help, the country’s progress, shouldn’t the government focus on the implementation of projects and creation of reforms that would eradicate poverty, the source of all these nonsense?
At the end of the day, there should be no more debate. A bill as vague and as questionable as HB 4244 should not be enacted into a law, for it would only worsen the country’s current situation. If indeed, it is true that the Philippines’ economy is gradually improving, then it is imperative that this bill must not be passed. A vibrant, young, and developing population is the key to a globally competitive economy. Again, the population must NOT be controlled.
Only one abortion should be committed – an abortion of the misconception that population expansion causes poverty, a belief that should not have been born in the first place.
Manny and his Legacy
By: Rijel Reyes
From
the image of the fictional greatness Rocky Balboa, from the torch flames of
Hall of Famers and All-Time Greats of the sport of Boxing, belts and money are
nothing more than superfluous rewards. Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao stepped up to
imprint his name through the ages by agreeing to split the purse uneven just to
make the “Fight of The Millennium” happen against Floyd Mayweather Jr.
That
classifies greatness.
No
more reasons. No more ducking. No more chicken dance. Blood testing, check.
Uneven split of purse in favor of Floyd, check. Setting? Just like what
Pacquiao said against a possible rematch after his loss to Erik Morales, “Anytime,
anywhere.”
Unblemished
records are not always the proof of superiority and dominance over other
fighters in your era. Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Rocky Marciano and the like
did not need untarnished records. They did not pursue financial stability or
the belts. They got to prove themselves. They fight the best, to prove that they
are undisputed and immeasurable.
Though
coming from a loss in one of the greatest controversial decisions in Boxing
history from a non-household name in his last fight, what makes Manny Pacquiao the
best among the rest and seals his fate in the Hall of Fame and All-Time Greats
despite a debatable flopping?
Well,
aside from being a World Championship in eight different weight divisions,
aside from being recognized as one of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the
world, aside from bagging billions of pesos or millions of dollars in a single
fight and aside from his demolition of great fighters in his era; he has the
guts and glory of being a champion. He has the greatest backbone of all. He has
the faith of the people in him.
Falling
to 54-4-2 win-loss-draw record after losing to Timothy Bradley, the pride of
the Philippines is yet to say “I’m done.” He has nothing to prove anymore for
he already contributed to the betterment of the sport; yet, he refusedto stop.
Despite
losing, Pacman never lost his composure as a champion, matching the greatness
of the legends of the sport. Pacquiao respected the decision, stayed down to
earth, prayed and thanked everyone who had fought with him and carried his name
with pride. And that’s what makes him different. He is loved by the people. He
is recognized. He is praised. He is humbled. Win or lose, people watch and will
watch him because he fights anybody in all terms, no ducking reasons.
And
now, told to fight yet again his “waterloo” - Mexican superstar Juan Manuel
Marquez who gave him three fights of relentless action and controversial
escapes, he agreed to face this guy among anyone else. A decision made because
he wants to make a statement to end this controversy bothering him for years.
And maybe, somehow, before facing Mayweather – the greatest adversary ever
compared to him, to be free from doubts and haunting pasts.
Now
that he agrees in all the terms which Floyd had wanted, it is now up to the
American whether he will continue to “duck” against this fighter or choose to
have his name immortalized in the sport and in history.
Manny
cares less for the rankings, cares less for his record, cares less for hate and
cares too much for his people. He cares for his legacy in the sport and in
history.
All
of his achievements are less than those people he wanted to amuse.
He
got what Micky Ward, Thunder Gatti, The Greatest, Smokin’ and the legends once
had and others lack – The People and their faith.
He
is the People’s Champion.
Could it be just fate?
By Anthony Don Marca
The Final Four is set.
I was still studying in Lourdes School
Quezon City when the University of Santo Tomas won the championship in 2006. As
far as I can remember, I was rooting for them because my dad used to be a
Thomasian. He told me and my brothers that one day we will also feel the same
joy he was feeling during that day.
I never thought it would come true.Today I
am on my third year in college, and so far, this year’s rank of the Tigers in
the 75th season on the UAAP at 2nd spot is the best during
my stay at the University.
Being number two gives the Tigers a
twice-to-beat advantage over the National University, who, ironically, gave the
former that spot when the latter won its re-play game versus the Far Eastern
University.
The UST community as well as enthusiasts,
prayed hard for the Bulldogs’ victory because in case they lost that match, the
Tigers and Tams would have to face in a playoff game for 2nd spot,
while De La Salle University secures the number four seat. Just the same, NU
also needed the win to clinch a spot on the Final Four, since the last time
they went to the playoffs was way back in 2001.
It is also a blessing in disguise for UST because
they do not have to face FEU anymore, who defeated them twice prior to the
playoffs. Plus, NU did not win a single game against the España-based cagers also in the elimination round. The Tigers have a very
good chance to make it to the finals, or even taking home the title.
By any chance, UST will not battle FEU in
the playoffs after the latter was eliminated by DLSU in a knockout match. Yes,
FEU was one of the leading contenders; they are even on the 2nd spot
just before lumping a 3-game losing skid.
Whenever I have time to meet my friends
from other universities, some of them would say “Naka-tsambananaman ‘yung UST,” pertaining to Tigers coach
PidoJarencio’s famous line every time UST wins a game.
I then thought to myself if it was just
luck. And the answer I got is no.
UST deserves to be on where they are right
now. They fought hard in every game, hustling for the ball, making every
possession count, and working harder on defense. Of all the four losses of the
Tigers, only one was decided by a very far margin, while the rest were just a
sheer one-point deficit.
They bolstered their roster by bringing
back in Aljon Mariano, who is a force inside and also a threat beyond the arc.
With the ball in the paint, defense usually doubles him; giving shooters like
Tata Bautista and JericTeng an opening for a clear shot outside.
Jeric Fortuna may not be scoring that much,
but he also a key to the team’s run by being a vocal leader on court and by
delivering good plays. In their match against the University of the
Philippines, he sparked the Tigers’ offense in his back-to-back three-point
plays. This just shows a great attitude of a leader, stepping up during crucial
situations. Another big factor is their big man Karim Abdul, who is a leading candidate
for the Most Valuable Player award in listing double-double averages of 17.6
points and 13 rebounds.
The Tigers were also known as the
“Come-back Tigers” after listing four come-from-behind wins against top seed
Ateneo de Manila University, NU and UP; two of which are against NU, who they
will face in the first round of the Semi-finals. The Bulldogs may have the
upper hand in terms of player’s capabilities and skills, but the Tigers have
the advantage of the situation and the momentum plus the experience in battling
for crucial games.
Battling the scourge of impunity
by Jude Sulit
Almost three years after the gruesome mass murder that killed 58 people in Maguindanao, justice continues to elude the victims and their families, culture of impunity persists and widespread killing of journalists further increases.
Was it not for the fact that the majority of the victims were media people, the case against the Ampatuans might not have reached the courts. Out of the reported number of fatalities, 33 and not 32 (including the 58th) were members of media.
The figure somehow concretized the idea that the massacre is considered to be the worst single attack on journalists in the world and that the Philippines, in reality, is one of the most dangerous places for mediamen.
According to some reports, there are 153 cases of media killings in the country since the fall of Marcos’ dictatorship in 1986; out of which, only 10 people have been convicted. Indeed, after 26 years, there are still at least 140 stagnant cases that needed to be resolved.
Moreover, the victim’s families and friends have received death threats and witnesses have been killed, perhaps to delay the practical administration of justice. Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu, whose wife was also included in the mass murder, said at least six of their relatives have been killed since the trial began in September 2010.
It is quite ironic that even though witnesses to the 2009 massacre were placed under state protection in line with the killing of other witnesses and that, according to the justice department, they were also provided with security which is already tightened up; the pervasiveness of slaying them still persists.
Some witnesses, while they continue their fight for justice, also started to flee outside the country since the death threats would not definitely silence them.
This merely implies that the Philippine government, while they brag their so-called “effort” to speed up the delivery of justice, failed to provide the victims’ kin absolute protection and above all else, unsuccessful to render justice for the 58 lives claimed by the massacre.
It does not help the victims’ families either the admittance of the Philippine National Police saying that they are having a very rough time finding the suspects who remain at large. What saddens the most is that the fugitives, who conducted their selves as if they were beyond the reach of the law, were being protected by their clans and communities.
At the same time, the most recent addition to the list of victims of the Ampatuan massacre also serves as a reminder that, while at least 195 suspects are involved in the slaughter, only 96 have been apprehended and only 76 accused. So far, only two of the Ampatuans have been arraigned in court-Andal Sr. and Andal Ampatual Jr.
Photojournalist Reynaldo Momay of General Santos City was reported among those who died in the mass execution though his body was never recovered. Various evidences were presented to prove that Momay was certainly included in the convoy that the private army of the Ampatuans captured. Though dentures found in the massacre site have been identified as Momay’s by the person who made it, his remains are still missing which means that the conclusion for the case, in spite of everything, is beyond reach.
The manhunt on the fugitives might in fact a difficult and complex responsibility for those who handle the case but it is already a matter of justice and with the fact that the third anniversary of the massacre, which is on November 23, is approaching near, the government must amplify and strengthen their efforts to expedite the administration of justice-which can only be achieved by hunting down every single one of the suspects.
Over this glacial pace of the case, the victims’ families are necessarily becoming more despondent and disappointed mainly on how the current administration, which promised to take concrete steps to end the impunity not just in media killings but cases of carnage in general, act in contradiction to their vow. It is as well a very agonizing thought that while members of the Ampatuan clan and other suspects enjoy the benefits of freedom, the families of the victims are still gripping on their grief and patiently waiting for justice.
Still, the best way to help the families move on would be to speed up the manhunt and trial of all those involved in the slaughter as quickly as possible.
It is also imperative to mark that the odds of stopping the continuous expansion of the culture of impunity are emerging ever bigger with the unabated killing of journalists. The cases of media killings in the country, which are constantly increasing somehow, signify the death of truth and freedom.
Media, with its watchdog function, serves as the public’s eye on the three equal branches of the government. It is possible to conclude that one of the factors why there is an increasing trend in killing journalists is the media’s extensive knowledge on the different facets of the government including its hidden political and egotistical agendas. The massacre is one whole big attestation to it-the Ampatuans considered to be former President Arroyo’s cronies in establishing broad scope of governmental power.
Viewed from this perspective, the massacre, on the whole, provided pieces of evidence that Philippines which should be a democratic country is not egalitarian at all: the purpose of serving the nation is far next to political power, the freedom of media, a significant factor in society is being repressed, the elected leaders do not hold on to their responsibilities as well as gratitude to the people, and most of all, the bullets are more powerful than the ballots.
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