Exclusive
By Raïssa Robles
The Constitution has long been used as a reason for not granting Muslims widespread powers. During the administration of Corazon Aquino and Fidel Ramos, government peace negotiators told Muslim rebels that the charter would have to be amended for their wishes to be granted. And then they would add that it was next to impossible to amend it.
I used to think the 1987 Constitution had to be amended in order to let our brother and sister Muslims exercise autonomy and their right to self-determination.
Not anymore.
I realized one day, while reading the Constitution, that the problem is with Congress, not with the charter.
The Organic Act for the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is the way it is because our lawmakers chose to drastically limit the Muslim autonomy laid out in the 1987 Constitution: First on August 1, 1989 through the enactment of Republic Act No. 6734 or the Organic Act; then it further watered this down in 2001 by enacting RA 9054 or the amended Organic Act.
The 1987 Constitution in fact provides genuine autonomy.
After 25 years of covering the Mindanao conflict I decided to take a long hard look at the Constitution.
And I realized the following:
First, Article X entitled LOCAL GOVERNMENT of our Constitution breaks down our political structure in this manner:
The national government
The provinces
The cities
The towns
The barangays or villages
And then it inserts a substructure called AUTONOMOUS REGIONS. I’ll go into this later.
For now, please think about this.
The Philippines has 17 “regions”, but only two of them are political structures.
Even NCR (the National Capital Region) is not a political structure – meaning, it is NOT headed by an elected official who governs together with an elected legislature, and which altogether can enact laws and enter into contracts that would be binding to all 17 cities and towns.
But the autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao was intended to have even more powers than any provincial governor and assembly. And this is in the Constitution.
In effect, the Constitution provides a political sub-structure – which you could even call a sub-state. But these are only to be located in two areas in the country: one “in Muslim Mindanao” and the other “in the Cordilleras.”
It is interesting to note that while the second one points to a geographic location – the Cordilleras – the first one is not a physical place. It is more a description that limits an actual place – Mindanao. The “autonomous region” to be provided has to be one that is in Mindanao, which is “Muslim”.
This section on autonomy is the only instance in our Constitution which seems to point to a particular religious affiliation. However, the word “Muslim” is defined by the same Article X Section 15 as “consisting of provinces, cities, municipalities, and geographical areas sharing common and distinctive historical and cultural heritage, economic and social structures, and other relevant characteristics.”
Congress greatly watered down the autonomy granted by the Constitution
The powers and functions granted to Muslim Mindanao are contained in Sections 17 and 20 of the Constitution
Section 17 states that:
Section 17. All powers, functions, and responsibilities not granted by this Constitution or by law to the autonomous regions shall be vested in the National Government.
Section 20 states that:
Section 20. Within its territorial jurisdiction and subject to the provisions of this Constitution and national laws, the organic act of autonomous regions shall provide for legislative powers over:
(1) Administrative organization;
(2) Creation of sources of revenues;
(3) Ancestral domain and natural resources;
(4) Personal, family, and property relations;
(5) Regional urban and rural planning development;
(6) Economic, social, and tourism development;
(7) Educational policies;
(8) Preservation and development of the cultural heritage; and
(9) Such other matters as may be authorized by law for the promotion of the general welfare of the people of the region.
Notice that the scope provided above is quite broad.
But then notice how the Organic Act enacted by Congress (Republic Act 9054) in 2001 under the Arroyo administration greatly narrowed the broad scope by specifically excluding
postal service
quarantine
customs and tariff
Patents, trademarks, trade names, and copyrights
I can understand barring the ARMM legislative assembly from enacting laws on foreign affairs, coinage, national defense and security, citizenship, naturalization, immigration and deportation.
But the rest seem to me possible areas for legislation by the autonomous region.
The Constitution gave the autonomous region the power over the
(2) Creation of sources of revenues;
But Congress in RA 9054 drastically limited this broad power by enumerating fourteen (14) exceptions:
Section 7. Extent of Tax Powers; Exceptions. – Unless otherwise provided herein, the taxing power of the regional government and of the provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangay located therein shall not extend to the following:
(a)Income tax, except when levied on banks and other financial institutions;
(b)Documentary stamps tax;
(c)Taxes on estate, inheritance, gifts, legacies, and other acquisitions mortis causa, except as otherwise provided by law;
(d)Customs duties, registration fees of vessel and wharfage on wharves, tonnage dues, and all other kinds of custom fees, charges, and dues except vessels which are registered by their owners with the Regional Government and wharfage on wharves constructed and maintained by the Regional Government or the local government unit concerned;
(e)Taxes, fees, or charges and other impositions upon goods carried into or out of, or passing through the territorial jurisdictions of the provinces, cities, municipalities, or barangay of the autonomous region in the guise of charges for wharfage, tolls for bridges, or otherwise, or other taxes, fees, or charges in any form whatsoever upon such goods or merchandise except tolls on bridges or roads constructed and maintained by the provinces, cities, municipalities, or barangay concerned or by the Regional Government.
(f)Taxes, fees, or charges on agricultural and aquatic products when sold by marginal farmers or fisherfolk;
(g)Taxes on business enterprises certified by the Board of Investments or by the Regional Assembly as pioneer or non- pioneer for a period of six (6) and four (4) years, respectively from the date of registration;
(h)Excise taxes on articles enumerated under the national internal revenue code, and taxes, fees, or charges on petroleum products;
(i)Percentage or value-added tax (VAT) on sales, barters, or exchanges or similar transactions on goods or services except as otherwise provided by law;
(j)Taxes on the gross receipts of transportation contractors and persons engaged in the transportation of passengers or freight by hire and common carriers by air, land, or water except as provided in this Organic Act;
(k)Taxes on premiums paid by way of reinsurance or retrocession;
(l)Taxes, fees, or other charges on Philippine products actually exported, except as otherwise provided by law enacted by the Congress;
(m)Taxes, fees, or charges on countryside, barangay business enterprises and cooperatives duly registered under Republic Act No. 6810, the “Magna Carta for Countryside and Barangay Business Enterprises” and Republic Act No. 6938, the “Cooperatives Code of the Philippines,” respectively; and
(n)Taxes, fees, or charges of any kind on the central government or national government, its agencies and instrumentalities, and local government units except on government-owned or -controlled corporations or entities that are primarily organized to do business.
The Constitution also gave the autonomous region legislative powers over
(3) Ancestral domain and natural resources;
But Congress enacted RA 9054 which removed from its power the following: “strategic minerals such as uranium, petroleum, and other fossil fuels, mineral oils, all sources of potential energy, as well as national reserves and aquatic parks, forest and watershed reservations.”
See the section of RA 9054 below:
Section 5. Use, Development of Mines, Minerals, and Other Natural Resources; Revenue Sharing; Exceptions. –
(a)Regional Supervision and Control. The control and supervision over the exploration, utilization, development, and protection of the mines and minerals and other natural resources within the autonomous region are hereby vested in the Regional Government in accordance with the Constitution and the pertinent provisions of this Organic Act except for the strategic minerals such as uranium, petroleum, and other fossil fuels, mineral oils, all sources of potential energy, as well as national reserves and aquatic parks, forest and watershed reservations already delimited by authority of the central government or national government and those that may be defined by an Act of Congress within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Organic Act.
(b)Sharing Between Central Government or National Government and Regional Government in Strategic Minerals Revenues, Taxes, or Fees. Fifty percent (50%) of the revenues, taxes, or fees derived from the use and development of the strategic minerals shall accrue and be remitted to the Regional Government within thirty (30) days from the end of every quarter of every year. The other fifty percent (50%) shall accrue to the central government or national government.
This means the autonomous region would not have any say on power plants and logging activities in certain areas, for instance.
Hmmm. Why is that? Are there vested interests being protected here?
Possible reasons
A law is always the product of the times.
The newly installed President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo allowed RA 9054 to lapse into law on March 31, 2001. She did not sign it into law.
Arroyo, it soon turned out, had political allies in Muslim Mindanao who were sworn enemies of the Moro rebels. Among them were Simeon Datumanong (whom she appointed public works secretary then justice secretary) and the Ampatuans, as well as the late Zamboanga City Clara Lobregat (the present mayor-son seems more open to a political settlement). In addition, Arroyo spent her childhood in Iligan City, which had a love-hate relationship with the Moro rebels.
In both chambers of Congress, there was a palpable feeling that the Moro rebels should be crushed first and then negotiated into an agreement. Only the year before RA 9054 was enacted, Joseph Estrada who was the president then had overrun MILF’s main Camp Abubakar and three other smaller camps.
And Nur Misuari, the governor of the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao – the father of autonomy – was governing so badly that even his fellow leaders in the Moro National Liberation Front were despairing of him.
RA 9054 or the newly amended Organic Act was all about submission, not justice to the long-simmering demands of the Moro people and not just the rebels. One thing about the MILF – it is a citizen army fueled by ordinary Muslim Filipinos crying out for justice all these years. Land-grabbing in the Mindanao heartland has been so rampant.
As I said at the start, the Constitution has long been used as a reason for not granting Muslims widespread powers. During the administration of Corazon Aquino and Fidel Ramos, government peace negotiators told Muslim rebels that the charter would have to be amended for their wishes to be granted. And then they would add that it was next to impossible to amend it.
During the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the tack changed somewhat. The argument turned into something like this – yes, let’s amend the charter to give Muslim rebels genuine autonomy. And oh, by the way, while we’re at it, why don’t we change the form of government to parliamentary.
In short, the Arroyo government wanted to use the rebel conflict as a way of prying the Constitution wide open in order to change the form of government and enable the Arroyo government to stay in power indefinitely.
The point I’m trying to make here is – Muslim autonomy will only be as extensive as what Congress will make it.
Is this something the rest of the nation should just accept or not, just like the Cybercrime Law?
How Muslim autonomy can benefit the rest of the country
Personally, I believe Muslim autonomy could be the Philippine experiment toward federalism. And a key to the nation’s progress.
Just think. The heart of the second biggest land mass in the country continues to be mired in poverty and conflict.
The present Organic Act for Muslim Mindanao as well as the previous one was based mainly on the idea not to give rebel Muslims too much power in the south, or else they will secede and besides you can’t trust them.
I’m being blunt about this. Over a century after we booted out colonial Spain the prejudices they implanted in our brains about Muslims remain very much alive. Many of us tend to think of Muslims as an “other people” and a most untrustworthy lot. No wonder they want to secede.
I think there are trustworthy ones and untrustworthy ones among them – just like among Christians.
Having said that, I see the need for trust to be built between Muslims in Mindanao and Christians in Luzon and the Visayas, especially among the youth.
Mutual trust is the key that will make autonomy succeed. And lots of hard work.
As for their being an “other people” I was amused when at one point, while interviewing the MILF chief peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal in English, he kept answering me in Filipino.
You know who Muslim women in Jolo most admire as an actress?
It’s Sharon Cuneta. Because she mostly wears shirts with sleeves down to her elbows.
In central Mindanao, Muslim women there remember Sharon Cuneta’s daughter, KC, who visited them a few years back as ambassador for the United Nation’s World Food Programme.
While protracted peace negotiations were going on all these years, Muslims in the south were quietly imbibing Filipino culture through the TV network which they refer to as “Abs-Sban” ( ABS-CBN).
Through TV, Muslim Filipinos have learned a lot about Manila culture. It’s time for Manila to know more about Muslim Filipino culture. There’s a lot to admire, such as their perseverance to fight for human rights against all odds.
To read the section in the 1987 Constitution on Muslim autonomy, please click on this link
_____________________________________
Related Stories:
Why postpone ARMM polls and why we in Metro Manila need to support this
Sen. Bongbong Marcos’ daddy messed up Muslim Mindanao big time
What would an ‘All-Out War’ in Mindanao cost us?
Wikileaks’ US Embassy cable confirms my 2006 exclusive story on the MILF
US envoy Kristie Kenney’s view of PNoy changed over a cup of coffee
Gloria Arroyo’s downfall actually started in July
Part 1: The Maguindanao massacre was a deadly quarrel inside Arroyo’s camp
Part 2: Why did GMA treat Ampatuans as rebels, not suspected mass killers?
leona says
Esperlita Garcia, an anti-mining critic, arrested for cybercrime libel at FB! She’s a senior citizen. She surprised of her arrest when she believes there’s no libel crime yet via internet/cyberspace. Even DOJ supports her view. This case is in Aparri. The judge issued the warrant of arrest. Very sad! We can see now…there’s no IRR even yet and the new law is in “limbo” but the bad consequences are already at everyone’s doorsteps! Here’s the link
http://technology.inquirer.net/19226/cagayan-antimining-leader-arrested-over-facebook-post
Repeal libel law! Decriminalize it!
Victin Luz says
IBP must file disbarment case against the judge who issued warrant of arrest to GARCIA @ mam Leona . Kaya lang baka matibay pa sa bato ang kapit ng judge na iyan. Gonzaga is also the town of the ENRILE.
leona says
@Victin Luz…hahaha…kung kapit si judge sa “boulder” pati yan puede i-karga ng BACKHOE! The judge could re-think to set aside the warrant NOW! before it’s too late. The prosecutors there should also make a move for the same or they could be subject to people’s strongest ire. When a “new” law is under TRO it’s like sounding “no enforcement is available” for that law. Bakit kaya ‘di na laman ang legal common sense dito?
Victin Luz says
@mam Leona …..the arrest of Ma. Garcia , posting her protest about the magnetite sand mining in Gonzaga, Cagayan were the same incident and Mayor who slapped rallyist and abort the rally a year ago as posted by @spring woodman below……..delikado ang mga Tao dito , kailangan ma protectahan ng Manila government ang Gonzaga’s Town NGO’s .
We hope somebody will research for us the environmental disadvantages/effects of magnetite sand extraction ( iron ore mining along shorelines ) . If this is the black sand ( mineral- iron ore for steel production ) masisira ang shoreline ng kanilang dagat nyan. Somebody must collect data’s from DENR kung papaano sila nabigyan ng mining permits Kung sino man ang companyang Ito, at kung bakit kailangan magwala ang mayor at magdemanda pa ng libel thru cybercrime law .
Somebody must ask ENRILE about the said
Victin Luz says
Somebody must ask ENRILE about the said mining activities at Gonzaga,Cagayan.
Shoreline and inland mining Ito. It depends kung saan ang limit ng BLACKSANDS . If within 500 meters ,suitable volume of iron ore ( black sands ) can be extracted then backhoe and bulldozer are utilized to loosen the ground . They are going to saparate the BLACKSANDS from the ORDINARY SAND’s thru a MAGNETIC DRUM’s revolving around using flexible hose with water.
Often times if they discovered high GRADE QUALITY of this BLACKSAND ( say 90 % to 95% of the mined sand consist already of BLACKSAND ) it goes directly to the loading area without passing the magnetic drums.
If I was not mistaken, the IRON ORE mining/extraction was undertaken at Tagudin, Ilocos Sur and Caba, La Union by FILMAG Inc. a mining firm during the year 1966-1970 but was petitioned by the people of La Union and Ilocos Sur and permanently stopped.
Victin Luz says
The Vertical distance or depth of the landed property to be extracted depends upon the initial geological investigation on the area . It could be a two stories high and can create a small man made lake.
Holes or lakes created must be restored or backfilled to the same or original elevations also by ordinary sand and those were the failures of FILMAG Inc.
leona says
Have we ever heard of a company whose operations are to alter or destroy ecological features of the land did put back those features better than what was before it was touched? What happens is the company left the place after their operations and of course made a lot of money. Who cares? sabi nila. The short end of it is not to allow such operations on our ecological environment at all. Look for other means to earn revenues but not destruction of our natural treasures!
raissa says
I’m looking for the “libelous” Facebook post so I can share it.
does anyone have it?
springwoodman says
Not sure if this is it. Refer to item 18.
“http://www.slideshare.net/no2mininginpalawan/magnetite-black-sand-mining-gonzaga-cagayan-10661988”
Please remove the bracketing quotes.
Victin Luz says
@springwoodman………..we can’t connect the link, please post again thanks
springwoodman says
Sorry, Victin, as before just cut-and-paste the link to the address bar, then remove the start and end quotes before pressing the Enter Key.
This is not the Facebook post but a “slideshare” presentation. I’ve tried searching for the FB page but could not locate Esperlita Garcia’s home page.
Cha says
Same here, couldn’t locate Garcia’s facebook page. But I found another slideshare presentation, also by her, titled Edited Chronological Events on Black Sand Mining in Gonzaga and Buguey, Cagayan Province. (link to be posted separately)
It has an entry on the aborted April anti-mining rally as follows:
April 30, 2011 – Aborted Anti-Mining Rally with starting venue at St. Anthony’s Academy of Gonzaga (SAAG) a walking distance to the municipal hall for there were around 50 PNP FULLY ARMED AND UNIFORMED OFFICERS near the entrance gate of SAAG, BFP Firetrucks and some Military vehicles And Mayor Carlito F Pentecostes, Jr. and his bodyguards hindering the entry of rallyists.
Cha says
Here’s the link:
http://www.slideshare.net/no2mininginpalawan/edited-chronological-events-on-black-sand-mining-in-gonzaga-and-buguey-cagayan-province
Cha says
@Raissa,
Finally found her facebook page, but didn’t find the supposed libelous entry after srcolling down through to 2011(might ave been removed already). Here’s link in case you want to contact her through FB:
https://www.facebook.com/esperlita.garcia1
leona says
Raissa, here is the website at FB of this issue. From the pages of this site, many info can be gathered as mostly reported by Mr. Melvin Gascon, Inquirer. I tried the “posting” of Ms. E. Garica, so far did not get.
http://www.bing.com/search?q=FB+May+2011+Esperlita+Garcia+Mining+post&go=&qs=n&form=QBRE&pq=fb+may+2011+esperlita+garcia+mining+post&sc=0-0&sp=-1&sk=
leona says
Another relevant website link
http://kaduami.wordpress.com/tag/mining/
leona says
Raissa, Ms. Esperlita Garcia, I think, is reported to be the “president” of Alliance for Preservation and Protection, a part of KADUAMI, and some articles were published in FB on this mining issue. Could be there the “source” of the alledged libelous posting.
Here is another site, might be the one
http://kaduami.wordpress.com/2008/05/06/magnetite-mining-in-the-offshore-areas-of-cagayan/
leona says
Raissa, Ms. Esperlita Garcia, being the “president,” e-mailed a “letter” dated sometime February 2011 to Pres. Aquino re this mining issue, subject of alleged libelous remarks. The link below as shown by video, “17 clicks >” mentions sending an “e-mail.” Maybe, just maybe this could be the source for the libel case. The link
http://www.slideshare.net/no2mininginpalawan/magnetite-black-sand-mining-gonzaga-cagayan-10661988
Who could be the “witness or witnesses?”
leona says
Raissa, the link above posted shows a “Presentation Transcript” numbered from (1) to (37) giving chronological information of the “rally”. Nos. (6) to (11) are somewhat deleted; Nos. (13) to (17) also deleted, and Nos. (36) to (37) deleted. What is written are only: 12/22/2011 on all these deleted Numbers.
These could be referring to what Ms. Garcia posted on her FB account, and what the mayor charged as libelous regarding the “rally” aborted, as reported by Mr. Melvin Gascon in the Inquirer.
One official in the DOJ, in the same report, supports Ms. Garcia’s claim, that even under the Revised Penal Code, there is no libel that can be filed based on internet [ if one was filed under that Code ] or more so under cybercrime law as everybody knows about the TRO issued by the SC.
Victin Luz says
@mam Leona…[email protected] RAISSA ……environmentalist should have petition the court as far to SC and ask TRO on those contracts/permits awarded by DENR. Grabe talaga mga taga DENR , they are practicing the selective issuance of mining permits but these BLACKSAND ( iron ore ) sir a ang mga beaches dito [email protected]
Noong bata pa kami , our SAND beaches in most part of La Union were colored black ” iyon bang nangingintab ngintab ” ” kahit hukayin mo in many meters itim padin iyan ” iyong itim na mga buhangin iyan ang BLACK SAND. A MINERAL RICH SHORELINES because those sands once feed to the Steel Mills SMELTING PLANTS ” sari saring klasing BAKAL are being PRODUCE. The DENSITY so as the SPECIFIC GRAVITY of the SAND’s on our virgin shorelines ( not yet extracted ) were very much greater than that of the mined sand’s or remaining sand’s after extracting the BLACKSAND’s.
PRECIOUS beaches ikanga for industrialist.
After mining the color of our beaches became dirty white, gray or siltiest brown and the danger now , was the SUCEPTABILTY to shore EROSION. Dahil gumaan na ang mga buhangin , naturally during HIGH TIDE ,mas madaling kakainin ng tubig dagat ang pang pang ( shore banks ). Shoreline or seawall protection are now needed to stop the sea on invading/moving further to the landed properties. Dito , Municipal Officials/DPWH can now asked big funds to connstruct RETAINING WALLS using heavy equipments like CRANEs , DOZERs and etc., and introduced EXPENSIVE STEEL SHEET PILEs or CONCRETE PILEs driven on the shoreline to prevent the SEA WATERin further penetrating INLAND.
Lagaring HAPON sila dito. Kikita na sila sa pagmimina then an excellent ground for asking funds and approval to an INFRA STRUCTURE PROJECTs.
HALA BIRA…. DENR and LOCAL OFFICIAls
leona says
@victin luz…isang araw wala na ang mga “beaches” natin! Sa likud ng bahay ka na lang maligo! Sa BANYO! Gamitin mo ang TABO at balde! Kung may “shower” ka, swerte mo!
leona says
@victin luz…ang sabi ay “Nahihilo rin kami”…Tagalog version news reports from Manila Bulletin ukol sa aresto ni Esperlita Garcia sa Cagayan. Ito ang link today
http://www.philnews.com/headlines/2012/headline_news_1023af.htm
Wala pa ang IRR sa CCL, magulo na ang enforcement, sa Penal Code ‘o CCL law?
Bakit di pa i-hinto ang mga filing sa mga kaso ng libelo? Antayin ang desisyon ng Korte Suprema na lang!
In legal parlance, we can also expect the gov’t that in case of doubt, give it to the accused [ complainant is also benefited in the long run.]
Iba talaga ang tindig ngayun ng gobierno at mamayan [users of internet, FB, atbpa ] dito sa cybercrime law, CCL at RPC sa kasong libelo.
springwoodman says
This is outrageous.
Let’s see how Angara and the Senators who passed the Cybercrime bill justify this maltreatment of a concerned senior citizen, 62 years of age. For more info:
http://hronlineph.com/2011/05/02/urgent-alert-harassment-of-anti-mining-rally-in-cagayan/
leona says
A very deep unrelenting investigation should be conducted by the DILG, Mr. Mar Roxas, if this incident as reported, did happen.
Bless the Lord and the people, they were not “massacred” like the Ampatuan massacre and buried hurriedly! All because of a protest against mining. I like to protest too!
DOJ Ms. De Lima should investigate for filing of criminal charges. Ms. Ombudsman should investigate and suspend or dismiss the violators of the law. PNP HQ also should make an investigation.
NO WHITE PAINTING WASH dito!
Matuid na Daan! Ang daming violations siguro dito.
leona says
A Christmas Eve suspension should be considered and a New Year dismissal ordered!
Good luck!
springwoodman says
For more info:
“http://hronlineph.com/2011/05/02/urgent-alert-harassment-of-anti-mining-rally-in-cagayan/”
Victin Luz says
Try again to post your link @spring woodman…….. Hindi mabuksan thnks
springwoodman says
Sorry, remove the start and ending quotes. My first post is still awaiting moderation.
rigo says
Who protects Ms. E. Garcia’s basic right in this instance, it’s obvious that the judge who issued the warrant of arrest erred. Would you expect the Mayor of the town, or the Provincial Governor to defend and support the welfare of this woman?What an injustice..It is eerie just to think, might happen to me or to you without any help from the authorities near you.
leona says
Reading again the link news, it says she filed her counter-affidavit last year [2011]. When, there’s no date. But Cybercrime was not yet a law last year. So, the probability is the libel case is filed under the Revised Penal Code, as Amended.
But, it seems in that Code, there’s nothing yet about “internet libel.” Again, it could be that the filing is a test case or just another ordinary libel case under the Penal Code as posted at FB.
When was the libel case filed in court and the date of the order for a warrant of arrest? Is it lately 2012 after Cybercrime Law was approved? Or after the SC issued a TRO on the law? The mining company involved in mining magnitite is a Chinese company according to the news report of Mr. Melvin Gascon, Inquirer for Northern Luzon, dated Oct. 21, 2012.
Some relevant facts on these points need verification.
I am surprised why mining this item on “the shores” area is allowed near towns, etc. It did happen also in the past in Leyte province, same mineral black sand for engine blocks, etc. I don’t know if it is there in operation. After the operations are closed down, so much of our ecological environment could be destroyed, etc. People of towns, etc. have rights to objects to such activities.
Am trying to find that FB issue on this alleged libelous case of Ms. Esperlita Garcia but can’t find it so far.
Anybody?
raissa says
Sorry guys.
I need to finish more assignments.
Ancient Mariner says
Is the term political dynasty correct? Does not the Constitution prevent the formation of political dynasties, in the true sense of the word, by restricting the number of terms a President or other elected official may serve without interruption? Dynasty refers to long periods of continuous rule. Is not the much used, “political clans”, the correct terminology? Should we not be seeking to prevent the formation of political clans holding multiple positions of office?
raissa says
Yes to all your questions.
leona says
Sa Lucena City, link here. See the effects of dynasty.
LUCENA CITY—A court battle looms anew between the top two officials of this city despite a Supreme Court ruling that unseated incumbent Mayor Barbara Ruby Talaga (Lakas-Kampi) and ordered her replaced by Roderick Alcala (Liberal Party), her vice mayor.
Barbara’s lawyers are now preparing to file a motion for reconsideration before the high tribunal, questioning its Oct. 9, 2012, ruling posted on its website on Thursday that affirmed the Commission on Elections (Comelec) decision on May 20, 2011, that annulled her election in May 2010.
“We will exhaust all legal remedies to fight for the will of the electorate that voted her into office. This is no longer her own battle. She’s fighting to preserve and respect the collective voice of Lucenahins,” Ramon Talaga Jr., Barbara’s husband and the city’s former mayor, now the city administrator, said over the phone.
He said Barbara was still the city mayor and “will continue to hold office and perform her official function as the mayor of Lucena.”
Alcala received the copy of the SC decision on Thursday afternoon but decided to wait for the SC to issue a writ of execution before taking any move to take over the mayoral seat, said Councilor Rey Olivier Alejandrino, a lawyer and political ally of Alcala.
“Once the court issues the order, the DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government) is bound to install Vice Mayor Alcala as city mayor,” Alejandrino said over the phone.
He said the SC decision in effect revoked the “status quo ante” order that it issued in June last year that enabled Barbara to return to her post despite the Comelec en banc decision replacing her with Alcala.
Ramon, the wedding godfather of the vice mayor, is running for mayor against Alcala, a nephew of agriculture secretary and presidential ally Proceso Alcala.
LUCENA City Mayor Barbara Ruby Talaga. DELFIN T. MALLARI JR./INQUIRER SOUTHERN LUZON
The Talaga and Alcala clans are bitter political rivals in Lucena.
Questions on the legitimacy of Barbara’s assumption to office arose when she substituted for her husband, Ramon, then the city mayor, in the 2010 election.
Ramon, while then serving his last term, filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) on the belief that he was still qualified to run for a fresh term because he was suspended for three months and thus failed to serve three consecutive terms in office.
The Comelec later ruled he was no longer qualified as candidate for another term. Under existing elections law, a local elected official (councilors to congressmen) can only serve three consecutive three-year terms.
Ramon had himself substituted by his wife just six days before the elections, a fact that was hidden from their political foes and the city electorate.
In the final tally, Ramon received 44,099 votes while his opponent Philip Castillo, a former vice mayor, earned 39,615. Based on election laws on substitution, the votes for Ramon were automatically considered votes for his substitute, his wife Barbara.
Castillo consequently asked the Comelec to declare him the winner as he argued that since Ramon’s candidacy was voided, it meant he ran unopposed.
But the Supreme Court said that while Ramon’s disqualification rendered his COC invalid and thus could not be substituted, it also dismissed Castillo’s assertion that he was entitled to assume the mayoral post.
“A candidate obtaining the second highest number of votes for the contested office could not assume the office despite the disqualification of the first placer because the second placer was ‘not the choice of the sovereign will,’” the SC ruled.
The SC added: “There was to be no question that the second placer lost in the election, was repudiated by the electorate, and could not assume the vacated position. No law imposed upon and compelled the people of Lucena City to accept a loser to be their political leader or their representative.”
The SC said Barbara’s dismissal had resulted to a permanent vacancy in the office of Lucena mayor and such vacancy should be filled pursuant to the law of succession as defined under the Local Government Code.
leona says
The Inquirer newslink of the Lucena mayoralty fight…
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/296250/sc-unseats-lucena-mayor-orders-vice-mayor-to-take-over
curveball says
Napanood ko ang show ni Ted Failon “Failon Ngayon” dito niya sinabi lahat ng mga Political Dynasty sa buong bansa.
Wow! nalula ako sa dami nila, as in sila-sila lang ang namumuno sa kanilang lugar.
At sa tingin ko di pa titigil ito kasi meron pa nagsisimula na, sa mababang pwesto na sila. Saan pa pupunta yun kundi sa mas mataas sa darating na taon. Di daw sila political dystany, ano kaya tawag duon?
Nasa atin na talaga na mga botante ang pagpasya kung papayagan natin ang ganito.
Payag ba kayo?
filipino_mom says
@curveball, buti ka nalula lang. ako d lang nalula, na-highblood pa. political destiny daw. destiny my a$$! tulad ng sabi ko in some other article here posted by raissa, kulang na lang ilagay ng mga lolo/lola at magulang ng mga ito sa kanilang last will and testament ang kanilang pwesto. bata pa, they already have a sense of entitlement towards the government position.
parang napaka-helpless nga ng situation. tayong nandito, madali sa atin to choose and look somewhere else. ang dapat ine-educate yung mga madaling ma-manipulate na mga botante, sadly, yung mga may kakulangan sa edukasyon at kamulatan sa ating lipunan. there must be a way. unless, tulad ng sa ibang mga lugar na magkakamag-anak lang din nagtatakbuhan against each other. just because nasa pwesto ang iyong ama/ina or lolo/lola does not mean you’re the best one to continue whatever it is that they may have started. sa totoo lang, kung wala itong mga pwesto sa gobyerno, JOBLESS ang mga yan.
isellnuts says
thefreedictionary.com defines;
dynasty
1. A succession of rulers from the same family or line.
2. A family or group that maintains power for several generations:
You can start a peoples initiative to amend the constitution wording to political clans.
leona says
@Ancient Mariner…A certain Fr. De la Rosa, OP gives his point why he will not vote this coming elections after his friend asked him. The good priest says it is like “a castrated cat beggeting kins.” His idea is something worth knowing. Here’s the link
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/378024/how-not-to-waste-vote#.UIRiWRfyZEQ
Ancient Mariner says
A good, thought provoking read. The last line is oh so true.
I wonder where the author stands with regard to the current President?
filipino_mom says
miss @leona: can we consider candidates ng political dynasties as nuisance candidates? after all, they make a mockery of the electoral process AND the constitution.
leona says
@filipino_mom…Kung ako ang COMELEC, di ko tatangapin ang COC nila! ‘Di lang nuisance candidates sila sabi mo, kundi not qualified, labag sa Konstitusyon sa ilalim ng bawal ang politikal clan or dynasty!
Mga anak ng VIPs at TRAPO yun. Let ’em appeal to the SC kung nilaglag ko sila sa COMELEC pa lang.
leona says
@Ancient…Sen. Koko, et al., proposing a bill on political dynasty but limited from Barangay level to Congressmen. Up to there only. If the bill is limited, this will be suspect for unconstitutionality. Many and even those affected will cry out there is “class distinction” or “unequal protection” of the laws, che-che boretse atbpa! The Constitutional provision does not give a thought of “limitation” but for all “political” posts! It can even include those “appointed” and not only elective.
Link of the bill from the news report today
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=862773&publicationSubCategoryId=63
Why not include also senators and higher positions, vice-president and president? Is this not “political” also? If there are “term limits” for all elective posts, what is the good reason on dynasties limited only? To protect senators themselves and not representatives, governors, mayors and barangays? Unequal treatment is mistreatment!
leona says
Another on political dynasty or political clan. The link
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/294516/lacson-dynasty-is-no-dynasty-by-his-definition
The bill of Sen. Santiago goes up to only “second degree relationship” by blood or affinity. What about the “time period” when one member is “in elective office?” How many “years” is another member of the same family “prohibited” to be “in that same or other office elective office?” One term? Two terms? Three terms?
The constitutional prohibition should be implemented by a law that is “to close” all family members from running any elected office. To say that it will deprive the community of good candidates or officials is not as true when members of a family keeps on getting elected and the worst happens when already in office. No good performance at all. The bad experiences is the proof! Not the conjectural belief of “what if the member of the family is really good?” Three, Six or Nine years of bad performance is a long time, and very difficult to dislodge later the person.
leona says
If we continue to “sleep” on this issue, our country will have kingdoms of families! Do we want it? Be a fool enough to vote them into offices. The Editorial link is here
http://manilastandardtoday.com/2012/10/24/every-dog-and-his-brother/
leona says
Sorry, tatlo in moderations.
raissa says
But that’s what we have right now.
leona says
Raissa…You are exactly right. I know. So, we can only do what we can do, as there is no law defining it. The most each can do is VOTE like there is a law! A long very long shot, yes. The protesting voice, like an arrow carried by the wind, may be heard far, so far. It is a small step for a start for a movement on the issue for a giant step [ familiar? ] HOPE.
raissa says
Dapat.
Martial Bonifacio says
Can someone explain this to me:
“Given the rising number of transnational crimes, the MLAT will allow the Philippines and China to obtain evidence, witnesses and proceeds of crimes that are beyond the country’s physical and legal jurisdiction and win the fight against transnational crimes,”
i read it from inquirer.
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/53220/ph-china-boost-cooperation-against-crimes
A good question that was posted in the article if this can be applied in our territory in sea (scarborough etc.). Baka kasi sa susunod hulihin yung mga pinoy na mangingisda if ever china na mag imbento ang mga intsik ng batas regarding fishing (fishing ban).
Its okay if it only applies to chinese citizen caught doing cyber fraud in PH like yung mga nahuli few months ago sa isang subdivision. I hope they clarify it.
Victin Luz says
@mam Leona can explain those transnational crimes like human trafficking, terrorism , drug trafficking and other crimes where originated/committed in China but greatly affected our country and vice versa.
I don’t think MLAT will include illegal fishing on both countries nor Scarborough shoal Controversy.
leona says
@Martial…this is a Treat signed by our Senate on May 8, 2012.
sihttp://www.senate.gov.ph/15th_congress/Treaties/ratification_of_treaty_RP_China_Mutual_Legal_assistance_criminal_matters.pdfgned
No extradition of persons but persons in custody can be transferred to requesting party if he/she consents, and be kept there as necessary.
One has to read the 24 Articles for this. Thanks.
leona says
http://www.senate.gov.ph/15th_congress/Treaties/ratification_of_treaty_RP_China_Mutual_Legal_assistance_criminal_matters.pdf
kalakala says
off topic: SC asked to compel Comelec to ban political dynasties in 2013 polls
October 19, 2012 4:16pm
A petitioner has asked the Supreme Court to compel the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to bar members of political dynasties — which include relatives of President Benigno Aquino III and Vice President Jejomar Binay — from running in the 2013 elections.
Louis “Barok” Biraogo, in his 26-page petition for mandamus, cited Section 26, Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution as basis for prohibiting political dynasties from running in elections.
“The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law,” reads that particular section of the Constitution.
Political dynasties
Biraogo said the list of candidates for national and local government posts in the upcoming May 2013 elections “is the best testament to the mockery Section 26, Article II of the 1987 Constitution has been subjected to in the hands of political dynasties.”
Among the so-called political dynasties he cited in his petition was the clan of President Benigno Aquino III, whose cousin Benigno Aquino IV and aunt former Tarlac Gov. Margarita are both running for senator.
Biraogo also cited the clan of Vice President Jejomar Binay, whose son, incumbent Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay, is running for re-election, and daughters, Abigail and Nancy, are running for congresswoman and senator, respectively.
Other families he cited are those of former President Joseph Estrada, Rep. Mitos Magsaysay, Sen. Alan and Pia Cayetano, Sen. Manuel Villar, Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara, Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, the Jalosjos in Zamboanga provinces, the Dutertes in Davao, and the Plazas in Agusan.
“Twenty-five (25) years have passed since the 1987 Constitution outlawed political dynasties. Today, these political dynasties still dominate the national and local elections in the Philippines,” Biraogo said.
Comelec power vs dynasties
Biraogo said the Supreme Court has the power to compel the Comelec to enforce the ban on political dynasties, because Section 26, Article II of the Constitution “is considered to have a juridical life of its own [and therefore] can be the source of a judicial remedy.”
“[Twenty-five] years has been too long a waiting period. Another 25 years will be too much to bear. It is time to put an end to the continuing insult visited upon the Filipino people by the inexcusable and adamant refusal of the Congress to enact legislation for the full enjoyment by the people pf a guaranteed state policy,” Biraogo said. — Mark D. Merueñas/KBK, GMA News
leona says
Self-executing SEC. 26 Art. II Constitution? I like to believe it is.
Had it stated “Political dynasties is prohibited and is absolutely not allowed.” That would not need any further implementing law by Congress.
But the provision say “…as may be defined by law.” Is there a law? I have not read one yet. Can the Comelec ban now under SEC. 26 as presently provided after 26 years? The framers could have made it clear without need by just adding what defines “political dynasty.”
Like SEC. 26 is still “conceiving” but not yet born “into a law.” When will it “be born?” Does SEC. 26 need to be “born” having a “juridical life” as maintained by Mr. Biraogo’s petition?
What is needed is the “expression” from a clear definition…”as may be defined by law.”
But I like the petition anyway. All the way!
leona says
ERAP has concerns about the new peace framework by the gov’t with the MILF as reported in the news Philstar. I think “intervene” is a very relative word [ parang lastiko ang “meanings” ]. Here’s the link
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=861001&publicationSubCategoryId=63
If genuine peace can be achieved, why not? Let there be peace!
Martial Bonifacio says
Off-topic:
6 days ago
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/52580/subic-military-base-buildup-vital-to-dnd-us
And now, Vice Foreign Minister Fu Ying of china paid a visit to Sen. Enrile.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/10/18/12/trillanes%E2%80%99-chinese-%E2%80%98contact%E2%80%99-visits-jpe
I hope its not about the DND plan to build a base in subic. Or should i say that the senators (like enrile) wont give in to beijing demands since the timing is very suspicious.
“She used to come to my office to talk to me about some problems then of China, especially when we were discussing the Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States. She asked me about my perception about the Philippine economy and I told her, well, we also benefited out of the progress of your economy,” Enrile said from ABS CBN article.
Remember the so called “Magnificent 12” who kick the US bases out of subic? Does china have a hand in that too? The same people who voted to kick US bases are the ones running for a seat in senate this 2013 election. While others are already senators till 2016 like enrile. I would not be suprised if this people gets campaign donations from beijing. :(
Johnny Lin says
in case you missed it portion:
You must be preoccupied or don’t care listening to PNoy in FOCAP meeting.
Someone missed your ” usual irreverent questions”.
You have left quite an impression among your peers or at least one colleague,.
Proof that your motto was SOTTOED by GMA newscast
Walang kinatatakutan, walang kinikilingan, walang tinatago
He he he
raissa says
Really?
Irreverent, huh?
Link, pls.
Actually, I had a deadline and it had nothing to do with PNoy.
Besides, PNoy was well covered by all the major wires :)
Cha says
See paragraph 14…
——————
Presidential dig – COMMONSENSE By Marichu A. Villanueva – The Philippine Star » News » Opinion
The last time I saw President Benigno “Noy” Aquino III up close and personal was last July 27 at the Manila Hotel where he made the controversial tirades on former Vice President Noli de Castro. President Aquino was the guest speaker at the 25th anniversary of ABS-CBN’s TV Patrol news program where De Castro has gone back to his news-anchoring job after his stint as Vice President.
P-Noy lashed at De Castro for the latter’s stinging side remarks in certain news items critical of his administration. Well, as we say, that’s now history. For several days, there was so much brouhaha over P-Noy’s frank expression of his opinion on media attacks on him.
From what I gathered from his close-in staff, the President was really not intending to attend the dinner anniversary program of the ABS-CBN because of conflict of schedule. He had previous commitment to grace the anniversary of Business World newspaper being held in another hotel earlier that night. But upon the prodding allegedly by former ABS-CBN news anchor and now presidential speechwriter Ricky Carandang, P-Noy proceeded to Manila Hotel afterwards.
He espied my presence standing on the aisle on his way to the presidential table. P-Noy reached out to shake hands with me. Obviously, he wanted to really say something to me personally and told me this: “The apple will not fall far from the tree huh.”
It later dawned on me the President quoted a blurb of my column that appeared that day about his second state of the nation address in Congress. In that SONA, P-Noy noted his critics have been making calls “to forgive and forget” so that the nation can move on already.
To such calls, P-Noy declared in his SONA: “I cannot accept this. Are we just going to forgive and forget the ten years we have lost? To forgive might be possible, to forget is not. If those who sinned would not answer for their crimes, this will guarantee hardship again for our people. Genuine unity and understanding come from true and complete justice.”
Commenting on P-Noy’s take on this, I wrote: “So P-Noy’s ‘forgive but not forget’ principle is not a far departure from the ‘reconciliation with justice’ policy of his late mother, President (Cory) Aquino. It is like the idiomatic expression that apple will not fall far from the tree.”
President Aquino intentionally made me know he read my column that day by quoting this idiom as related to him. There was palpable tension in the President that night and his raw nerves showed it.
I saw P-Noy last Wednesday at the Manila Hotel again. Fortunately, this time I was on a table far from the aisle where he passed. I was invited by my friend Dario Agnote of Kyodo News to attend the President’s press conference with the members of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP).
Carandang, who arrived early as advance party of the President, got his chance to huddle first with us. With feigned irritation, Carandang complained how I have been “cruel” in my commentaries about him. Being a former media colleague, Carandang thought we would be easy and sparing on him. But that’s alright, Carandang hastily swore now that he’s at the receiving end.
So I teased Carandang to sit down with us at the table so we can further “roast” him. With apparent hesitance, Carandang obliged, telling us: “I can use the tan.” By the way, Carandang left the country yesterday as advance party of the President’s state visit to New Zealand and Australia this Oct. 22 to 26.
Anyway, when President Aquino finally arrived at the FOCAP, I immediately noticed he visibly lost much weight from that last time we met. P-Noy was earlier quoted as telling Palace reporters he had lost weight due to the demands and stress of the presidency.
The 52-year-old bachelor President was still sporting the wrist brace in his right arm. Palace officials have earlier explained the President hurt his right hand while distributing relief goods during one of his trips in the province.
Fortunately for P-Noy, South China Morning Post correspondent in Manila Raissa Robles was nowhere at the FOCAP forum. For sure, Robles would have taken the opportunity to needle P-Noy with her usual irreverent questions and get away with it. In last year’s FOCAP forum, Robles queried P-Noy on his much-rumored playing with Play Station Portable (PSP).
NHK bureau chief Keiichi Tanaka, who is the incumbent FOCAP president, formally welcomed P-Noy whom he cited for meeting with them again in a full-blown press conference for the second time since he took office at Malacanang. Tanaka alerted P-Noy to expect the most direct and penetrating questions in the open forum that would follow. And most of all, Tanaka cautioned P-Noy, prepare to be asked again about his love life.
There was not much big news we could produce out of that presidential speech during which he briefly described what his administration has been doing in the past two years, three months, and 17 days as of that day.
This period has been spent on a two-fold task, the President cited. First, “to correct that which is wrong…that naturally leads to the second task, to empower our people.”
This, he stressed, is the “strategy for success” he is following to achieve his goals for the country by the end of his term.
Picking up from Tanaka’s spiel, P-Noy played coy by starting his speech mentioning me by my first name and looked at the table where I was seated. The President told his audience he expects “Marichu to ask question about my love life.” As if I am interested!
My friends later ribbed me for the special presidential mention in his speech. The undeserved presidential mention was just an icebreaker of a speech. But I am no one’s spoiler. In the first place, it’s the FOCAP affair and therefore only its members are allowed to ask questions to the President.
Although I have prepped myself for yet another presidential dig, I made sure this time I will be out and far from getting into the way of P-Noy. I thought I was safe already. But I thought too soon!
vander anievas says
this marichu’s article should be sporting the title: NONSENSE…
anything up her sleeve with ms. raissa? naghahanap pa ng damay…
john silva says
Some of these remarks aren’t germane to the conversation. It’s about themselves and full of it at that. Why do I need to know what P-Noy says to people privately, showing they’re in.
leona says
Off topic again but we should know: AO No. 31 by the president, to raise new higher rates for FEES in all national gov’t offices! Here’s the link
http://manilastandardtoday.com/2012/10/18/new-order-increases-fees-in-govt-agencies/
So, people will start paying a different amount, bigger this time and thereafter.
Insensitive daw sabi ng isang party-list official. Ang mga adults lang ang ‘di tumataas! At the Register of Deeds offices before, copy for certified copy of a title was p35.00. Now, with computerized, last time I paid it was P135.00 per copy. Very expensive talaga. I hope original titles don’t get lost.
So, people! Avoid unnecessary expenses and save a lot for higher fees.
pinay710 says
oklagn kung magtaas kasi tumataas din naman ang lahat ng bagay na gagamitin ng mga govt offices. PERO sana naman TAASAN DIN ANG KALIDAD NG SERBISYO. pagsinabing URGENT eh talga sanang urgent ang paggawa. kung sabihin sa loob ng kalahating oras totoong kalahating oras. kaso pagsinabing ganitong oras asahan na mamumuti na ang mata ng naghihintay wala pa yung inaasahang oras. sana iwasan na din ang pabalik balikin ang mga mamamayan na nangangailangan ng mga dokumento. tapos MINSAN mali pa ang ibibigay. AT SANA WALA NA ANG LAGAYAN (fixers) upang yung mga unang nakapila ang syang mapagsilbihan ng tamang kaayusan.
leona says
hahaha…@pinary 710, swerte mo siguro…kalahating oras!…my last time at the Binangonan RD to get a certified copy paying P135/copy, I was told to come back about 10 days later and am here in Q.C. ! ARAY!
And I did go back 10 days but found out the original title couldn’t be found…my sharp tongue started stabbing and went to see the Chief, a lawyer, told him the problem. The Chief called the person in-charge, ordered to get that title…2 minutes later, it was there! Problem solved!
That’s how it is! Thanks @pinay!
pinay710 says
mam/sir leona, ako din po. talaga makapal ang mukha ko pagdating sa lakaran ng kung anoano. eh kasi kung hindi maglalakas loob eh wala mangyayari. aamagin ka sa kahihintay. eh kung talgang kailangang kailangan eh humahanap na lang ng kaibigan sa naturang tangggapan para mapadali. alam ko ang kalakaran dahil sa isang tanggapan na maraming nangangailangan ng dokumento ako nagtrabaho ng 25 taon. mrami din akong natulungan perp pagsinabi kong ito ang araw na hihintayin nyo talagang ganung araw nila makukuha ang kailangan nila maging kaibigan or kamaganak. walang kaibahan ang serbisyo. kasi ayaw ko na ang mangyayari sa knilang paghihintay ay mangyari din sa akin. hinding hindi ako tumanggap ng anumang pabuya sa aking pagtulong dahil alam ko na sa ibang paraan ako binibiyayaan ng maykapal sa trabahong tamang daan na hanggang ngayon ay aking timatamasa.
leona says
Lahat ng punta sa gov’t office ay kailangan! Pag may problem, atbpa, punta sa HEPE ng opisina, at doon ang bakbakan! Takot yun Hepe baka ma -report siya sa mga kalokohan ng mga tao niya!
Ang problema ay solved ka agad…DONE! Don’t go looking for friends, etc. it won’t help much. Just cause more delay!
ALWAYS GO TO THE HEAD OR CHIEF OF THE OFFICE and PLANT YOUR FEET DOWN THERE! May earthquakes ‘O lindol , sabi ng mga emplyeyado…hahaha!
filipino_mom says
korek ka dyan, ma’am @leona! dapat talaga minsan eh ilabas mo ang mga pangil mo when dealing with governemnt offices, kaya lang, karamihan sa atin eh docile pa rin, or yung mga mababa lang ang pwesto (including and walang kinalamang security guard) ang pinagsasabihan. d dapat ganun. well, actually nga dapat no need to make a scene to get the service you deserve.
leona says
@filipino_mom…subukan mo, na ‘di ka gagawa ng “sin” [scene] para makuha mo ang service…sa mga opisina ng gobierno.
When things do not move, push and shove! It will move! Make a SIN! [scene] That is “cause and effect.” Be the ’cause’ and make an ‘effect.’
leona says
This is the best I can put it here. Off topic too. How the Philippines fares in business with other countries. From Yahoo news. Can it be true or not? What do you say?
Doing business in the Philippines remains more difficult compared to over a hundred other countries, with a new report noting that it failed to implement any reforms.
The country ranked 138th out of 185 nations in the International Finance Corp. and World Bank’s latest “Ease of Doing Business” report compared to 136th out of 183 last year.
The Philippines’ ranking dropped in seven of the 10 indicators in the report.
Its worst performance is in starting a business where it ranked 161st from 158th a year ago.
Related story: Poor Pinoy families still have low access to loans, says ADB
The number of procedures rose to 16 this year from 15, making it the country with the third most number of procedures, topped only by Venezuela with 17 procedures and Equitorial Guinea, 18.
The time it takes for entrepreneurs to register a business also increased to 36 days from the previous 35, the report showed.
The Philippines also slid down the list in terms of paying taxes (143rd from 136th), protecting investors (128th from 124th), getting credit (129th from 127th), registering property (122nd from 120th) and enforcing contracts (111th from 109th).
It improved its performance, however, in terms of trading across borders where it ranked 53rd from 56th, dealing with construction permits (100th from 101st) and resolving insolvency (165th from 166th).
However, the Philippines is still among the world’s worst in two of the three indicators where it posted improvements.
It was identified as one of the countries with the most number of procedures in securing a construction permit at 29 procedures, the report showed.
This is in stark contrast to Hong Kong and New Zealand which only have six procedures.
The Philippines is also one of the countries where resolving insolvency is slowest and also most costly and difficult.
Resolving insolvency takes 5.7 years in the Philippines, costing 38 percent of the estate and with creditors recovering only 4.9 cents to every dollar lent, the report showed.
This compares to only 0.4 years to resolve an insolvency in Ireland, a one percent cost in Norway and Singapore and a recovery rate of 92.8 cents to the dollar in Japan.
In terms of trade, however, the country was tagged as among those with the least cost at $585 per container compared to $8,450 in Tajikistan.
Singapore was named the country with greatest ease of doing business in the report.
It was followed by Hong Kong, New Zealand, the United States, Denmark, Norway, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Georgia and Australia.
At the bottom of the list, meanwhile, are the Central African Republic, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Eritrea, the Congo Democratic Republic, Venezuela, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire and Niger.
leona says
Off topic…Pres. Aquino says he is o.k. to decriminalize libel. Philstar news report today.
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=860640&publicationSubCategoryId=63
SC wll like this.
Some blogs also mentioned to decriminalize Bouncing Checks Law. The 5/6 lenders are alledgly using this to “hand-cuffs” borrowers by opening bank accounts for borrowers. Some truth. A penal code provision provides for check issued in fraud, but a special law was enacted for bouncing checks to cover what the penal code does not cover. Double-double ang hilig ng mga mambabatas. Why not make “amendments” to appropriate specific law on same subject matter?
Like, if we have 50 criminal law, rather than make amendments for what is overlooked, our lawmakers makes another 50 new laws, TOTAL = 100 criminal laws [ to study, looked into and remember! Galing! ]
Walang sense talaga!
Gene Simmowns says
Decriminalizing BP22 sure looks interesting…I’m watching this space for that…
parengtony says
As a non-lawyer, I very much agree with you that the legislature should do a better job of improving existing laws. Your example of the BP 22 (bouncing checks law – a Marcos P.D.?) relative to the penal code provision for check issued in fraud as well as to the current policy of the SC not to impose imprisonment for accused found guilty under BP 22 (SC policy is to impose fines only) is to me very confusing as to the intent and spirit of the of these laws and and the SC’s interpretation of them. Again, being a non-lawyer, I am unable to comprehend the fraud in issuing a set of postdated monthly amortization checks to a financing company or postdated monthly rent checks to a landlord, as usually provided for in contracts of this kind, wherein one or more of these checks bounced because the issuer did not have sufficient funds at the time the check(s) matured and was deposited. Does it not happen to so many people that sometimes one is so broke that there is simply no money to fund an outstanding postdated check? I may be all wet here but I would really appreciate to be enlightened as to whether an improvement to said laws is in order or just a waste of time.
leona says
@parentony…BP 22 filings has clogged up our MTC courts! Everyday, try to look at the Calenders of such courts, most of the time no less than 15 or more are there for hearings, etc. etc. I think mediation process came in and it helps naman. But the thing is: filing so many of such BP “criminal” cases in courts. Tama ka, SC has mostly imposed only FINES and not the imprisonment provisions.
My hones suggestion is to incorporate BP 22 with ART. 315 Penal Code, as Amended, in a separate “section” with a clear intent, criminal or civil in nature, etc., and the jurisdiction is with the RTC courts, a court of general jurisdiction. But the thing is, to refrain from enacting too many separate special criminal laws which are similar to what the Penal Code has, or, “add” new Articles therein and not add more laws! In fact, even before Martial Law [1972] there was already a move to codify all criminal laws, including the Revised Penal Code, but was discontinued because of Martial Law. That plan is now in limbo, so to say.Time to continue codifying and updating our criminal laws by Congress.
vander anievas says
BP22? walang kwentang batas iyan. isang batas na hindi pinag-isipan o katha ng isang manipis na pag-iisip.
ang totoo, walang nakukulong sa utang. kaya maraming manggagantso o mang-oonse sa bansa natin.
kung mayroon mang naipakulong, exemption to the rule iyon.
ngayon, naglalabasan kabi-kabila ang mga scams. panoorin natin ang bagong sarswela ng industriya. ewan lang kung mahuli ang mga mastermind niyan. may maipapakulong pero isang biktima rin iyon at isa lang kasabwat…
leona says
Sabi nitong author, one can beat the crap out of cybercrime law: nagtatanong lang! Some tips dito lang. Here’s the link
http://www.asianjournal.com/op-ed/greg-macabenta/17794-tito-sotto-and-damian-sotto.html
wala akong tanong wala akong opinyon…sigurista lang naman!
Johnny Lin says
Raissa
Have 2 long posts, lost in shield. Could they be retrieve? One was answer to @pinoyparin
raissa says
Done :)
Sorry, have to go now first to concentrate on my &*%[email protected]@+!!! article. Due tomorrow.
filipino_mom says
Still another is the plight of the Christians and lumad in the proposed Bangsamoro. The negotiators seem to have forgotten them. Not only does the name, Bangsamoro, give the impression that the region is exclusively for the Muslims (there are about the same number of Christians and lumad as Muslims in the proposed Bangsamoro), its administrative and judicial systems, and especially its police force, will be predominantly Muslim. The Christians and lumad have expressed fears that they may be persecuted by their Muslim “masters.” If the Christians and lumad are persecuted by their Muslim neighbors, who do they run to for help when the police force, the courts and the regional administration are predominantly Muslim?
– Neal H. Cruz, More Sticky Issues in Bangsamoro Talks, PDI 10/17/2012
NH cruz pointed out something that i’m sure is present in the minds of so many mindanaons. this should never be ignored by our lawmakers and those involved in making the final laws regarding this bangsamoro, otherwise, it will be the source of more conflict, and at its worst, genocide.
Joe America says
It is possible to see why the Muslim rebellion has endured, because they have had to deal with a cultural and religious state that has historically viewed them as second class citizens. That may indeed be the way non-Muslims will feel in a Muslim sub-state. The tables get switched. The options for non-Muslims are to fight, leave, be subservient, or work for their own rights. Hint. Fighting does not pay in any way but death and destruction.
Pinoyparin says
That is the reality that we had faced starting from the time of the spaniards because in these era effectively divide of motherland where religion was imposed on those who were conquered and surrendered to colonizers and the regions that never surrendered as mentioned by RAISSA. ( BANGSAMORO AND CORDILLIERA).
WHAT WE HAVE TO DO AS A NATION IS TO WORK HAND IN HAND TO AVOID IT FROM HAPPENING AND BECOME A CYCLE.
look at Palestine. Israel was doing what happened to them during the NAZI era of Hitler
raissa says
Actually, no.
Muslims were very welcoming of non-Muslims who came to settle there in the 50s.
Former North Cotabato Governor Manny Piñol told me in an interview that the Muslims welcomed his father to the land. He told me he was willing for land disputes due to land grabbing by Christians to be settled. Piñol was among those who was against the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity of GMA.
leona says
Tama Raissa. It is only about not treating the Muslims like how their brothers and sisters in Luzon and Visayas are treated. Nothing about religion. Joe Am is correct, like second class [ is there such of it?] citizens! Just like the Black in USA, in their Constitution, they were “counted” as 2/3 of a white person [you can read their law; is there also such of it?].
A new task ahead. A huge one but it can be done for a new autonomous Muslim Mindanao. Let us support it according to the Constitution. The laws or statutes can be easier to fix.
leona says
@filipino MOM: … The Constitution in SEC. 18 ART.X provides for special courts for “personal, family and property law jurisdiction.” If one if not a Muslim, or one is Lumad [not a Muslim?] these “courts” have no jurisdiction. The Regional Trial Courts have general jurisdiction.
One should not be misled on this. Congress cannot “forget” this. If it does, the organic act on that portion will be unconstitutional and no judge in such special courts will assume erroneous jurisdiction if one wants to continue being a judge!
The PNP or national police will still be in the Muslim autonomous region because of SEC. 20 does not do away with “maintaining peace, security and order.” Last sentence of ART. X says: “The defense and security of the regions [Muslim] shall be the responsibility of the National Government.” Thus, still the PNP and AFP [ police and Army units ] are still there. No organic act can “remove” these units not even Congress can nor the constituents.
Any Muslim official who acts in a way of “outside” of one’s authority is a candidate for removal from office, whether one is elected or appointed. The Muslim “Executive Department and Legislative Assembly” will provide for the grounds for such, such officials being “elective and representative of the constituents” in such areas.
All of the above provisions shall only come into existence upon approval by “our’ Congress and as approved in a plebiscite in such “constituent units” who approves in the Muslim Mindanao in voring for such purpose: only provinces, cities and geographic areas voting favorably shall be “included in the autonomous region.”
We should not again be misled by pundits’ ideas if such are not according to what the Constitution says.
Max1 says
@ Filipino_mom
neal h. cruz…. “otherwise, it will be the source of more conflict, and at its worst, genocide”
I am a Christian who grew up amidst a Muslim area. We co-existed with them and over the years, have made many friends who are Muslims.
It is unfortunate that there are many people out there who have stigmatized Muslims as violent prone individuals. A bad element is a bad element who just happened to call him/herself a Christian, non-Christian or a Muslim.
In my own experience, I have actually witnessed Christians who took advantage of Muslims. I saw “wise” Christian’s land grabbing and unfairly traded with less schooled Muslims. In my area, I cannot remember any Muslim who killed a Christian. Christians, Muslims, aetheists, whoever they are, deserve equal respect no matter what their creed could be.
To imply that empowering the Muslims, may lead to persecution/genocide of the Lumads is very offensive. It’s a slur and absolutely unacceptable.
If the Muslims wanted to persecute them, they have more excuses to do so then (prior to this agreement) than now where there is promise, peace and hope for a better future for their families and loved ones.
Our Muslim brothers and sisters have chosen the way to peace. They are tired of fighting and wants to lead peaceful lives. They are seeking a good space for their families and will embrace others to extend their happy place. True, there will be some shifting and some adjustments but at the end of the day, a peaceful, healthy and harmonious co-existence is the common goal.
A friend of mine who passed away, bequeathed a CD to me, depicting the history of the Lumads. I have to find a way to publish it in his honour. In due time, I’d like to present this back to the Lumads, someday, God willing.
Bottomline: respect, empathy and sincere determination to be a force for good will work wonders…and will go a long way.
bangsamoro brother says
Not all people who have lived & continues to live in Mindanao share your good fortune. I have personally witnessed how some of our Muslim brothers have abused the powers that have been entrusted to them. To the writer of this column, I ask you to live as an ordinary “juan de la cruz” in Mindanao for a few years so that you can see for yourself why some people fear autonomy.
raissa says
Pls be more specific.
Pls explain what you mean about “abuse”.
Johnny Lin says
Did we ever ponder why in terms of illegally earning money thru counterfeit goods Muslims and foreign Chinese equal each other at least in the Philippines.
Muslim rebels ambush our soldiers in Mindanao while foreign Chinese drug lords continue illegal drug manufacturing killing our children.
Is it because they have guts and the locals don’t? Or they don’t care because it’s not their mother country?
Will the perception change with a piece of paper?
Naivete or too trusting!
leona says
@johnny lin…it’s not guts but it’s just nobody, NOBODY, is catching ’em!
David says
Good point Johnny, one thing for certain, they would not get away with it in a multinational country/state like Singapore.
Pinoyparin says
@Johnny lin
I am one of your admirer here in our Plaza Miranda but this article are so sensitive that tens of thousand lives were lost. be more objective and take a first hand information how and why it can not be stopped. malalim po ang dahilan. kasama po rito ang kawalan ng kabuhayan sa mga muslim areas ng mindanao. dagdag pa ang discrimination sa trabaho at kakulangan ng education at experience.
ngayon sa criminalidad ilang percent ang mga muslim na nakakulong? kung walang ABU SAYYAF halos walang organized crime na maituturing ang mga muslim. subali kami ang may pinakamaraming armas at ito ay nagagamit lamang sa mga RIDO at ng mga rebelde.
most of the vendors are forced to join the trade because it is the easiest source of income for and average muslim displaced in mindanao it is financed by capitalist under the protection of some crook officials and policemen. sa totoo lang nagigisa lang sila sa kanilang sariling mantica . karamimihan po sa kanila ay puro sidewalk vendors. nakikipaghabulan sa mga pulis.
kapag may nahuling holdapper na muslim ano ang nasa NEWS ” MUSLIM HOLDAPPER” ilan na po ang nabilang nyo sa dami ng mga nahuhuling holldapper ang muslim?
sana po bigyan nyo kami ng tamang kalinga, pakikisama ang unawa upang mabago ang pananaw ng magkabilang panig upang matamo natin ang tunay na pagiging isang bansa sa diwa at gawa
Victin Luz says
Makisabat Lang sir @pinoyparin………. Totoo naman ang sinasabi ni @ Johnny Lin….bakit hindi kayo magtanung sa taga Balabac , Palawan..smugling left and right at walang takot ang ating mga Muslim na kapatid sa lugar na iyan. Lalo na Mangse island. Papano naman natin ipapatupad ang pantay pantay ang batas kung may kinikilingan at tinitingnan ang ating batas.
Nakita nyo na ba ang mga sundalong pinugutan nang ulo at sex organ at kamay ng mga MILF at ABU SAYAP. Ang masaklap patay na nga ang mga sundalo Kung bakit pinupugutan pa ng ulo.
Gusto natin lahat nang PEACE o KAPAYAPAAN kaya Lang sana kung may mangyaring krimin o ambush at masasangkot at gropo ng ABU SAYAP o ni MISUARI ay KAYO na mismo na MILF ang magbigay ng katarungan sa mga naapi.
Ngayon sinasabi ni MISUARI na walang mangyayari sa bagong usapin ng KAPAYAPAAN na Ito at 15,000 myembro ng MILF ay sumanib muli sa MNLF di poba. Ngayon Kahit Hindi pa SEDETION Ito, MAYROON NABANG KAPATID NATING MUSLIM ANG LUMANTAD AT HUMUSGA SA MGA SINASABI NI MISUARI?
LUMANTAD NAMAN TAYO NGAYON SA PAGKONTRA SA MGA MASAMANG BINABALAK PARA HIND MATULUY ANG KAPAYAPAANG NAPAGKASUNDUAN.
Victin Luz says
KAYO sana sa MILF ang HUMUSGA at PARUSAHAN ang 15,000 na MILF na lumipat sa MNLF Kung Ito nga ay totoo.
pinoyparin says
KAPAG IKAW AY ISANG MORO, ALAM MO NA MISUARI IS A SPENT FORCE.
Victin Luz says
Bantayan natin @pinoyparin ha that MISUARI was spent force? Nakakakaba…..
leona says
SEC. 21 of ART. X, first sentence says: “The preservation of peace and order within the regions shall be the responsibility of the local police agencies which shall be “organized, maintained, supervised, and utilized” in “accordance with applicable laws.” The Legislative Assembly of the autonomous Muslim Region can enact “laws” on this but cannot do or undo National laws re “peace and order.” Everything will have to be in harmony, the “parts” with the “whole” hub of the wheel.
I cannot expect an organic act for autonomous Muslim Mindanao that contains “stupid or erroneous” provisions. Otherwise, the Supreme Court in Manila will “rule” otherwise.
Victin Luz says
Copy @ mam Leona …… Thank for explaining
leona says
Salamat din @victin luz.
Johnny Lin says
@ pinoyparin
Don’t get me wrong
Gusto ko rin ang peace process kaya lang dapatvlahat kasama at ipakita naman ng mga kapatid na Muslim na mahal nila ang bansa ang una nilang gagawin ay magbaba ng armas ang lahat, ipaubata sa pulis at sundalo ang kapapaan na kasama silang lehitibo at wala na smuggling at wag magtinda ng kontrabando.
Tungkol sa mga nagtitinda, yun ang dahilan ng maraming hindi sumusunod sa batas.”yun lang ang source of income”: driver ng jeep lalabag sa batas, mandurukot, nahuli, illegal vendor nahuli, squatter nangagaw ng lupa- ano ang dahilan, naghahanap buhay lamang po, wala pung ibang mapuntahan. Kapag hinuli babatuhin o murahin ang pulis.
Kung walang magtinda ng illegal walang capitalist, sigrado yun.
Ang mga Muslims kung turing nila Pilipino sila titigil sila. Yung mga citalist at drug lords karamihan ay foreign nationals hindi Pilipino kaya kriminal sila.
Kung walang magtinda hindi masasama ang pilipinas sa listahan ng grabeng “pirating of branded goods/items”
Kung maglinis ang mga Muslims dapat kasama na yung wag magtinda ng kontrabando at wag mag squat sa lupang hindi kanila.
Hindi rason na porke mahina ang crime Abu Sayaf ang dahilan, Sila rin ang nag ambush sa sundalo na labag sa batas. Sana tigilan na nila at ibaba ang armas pero ano ginawa, pagtapos pirmahan peace pact tatlo sundalo inambush ng Abu Sayyaf.
Sinasabi ko katotohanan lamang. Wala akong kinakampihan at kinikikilingan. Sana lahat ng gawain natin tama sa batas, una dapat sumunod ang pulitiko at kapulisan saka ang mamamayan. Hindi pwedeng dahilan ng mamamayan na may proteksyun sila kaya lumalabag sa batas. Magiging vicious cycle.
Tama gawa ng mamamayan ngayun. Ibulgar at kondenahin si Corona, Sotto at Recto sa gawain na hindi tama sa tingin nila. Tama din ang proseso ginawa ng Pulis QC na buwagin ang squatter colony. Binigyan ng kautusan umalis sa takdang araw, hindi ginawa, binuwag sila karadaka. Dapat gawin na nila sa lahat ng lumalabag sa batas.
Yun lang ang sa akin, mithiin mo o hindi. Ilagay ang lahat sa tamang lugar na ang una sa kaisipan ay ikakabuti ng Pilipinas/Pilipino at pantay sa lahat ng taong bayan, Muslim man o hindi.
pinoyparin says
salamat sa paliwanag mo.
dapat nating intindihin na karamihan sa kanila ay di kayang mag-iba ng linya sapagkat di sila tunay na mangangalakal kungdi displaced people from mindanao na umiwas lamang sa kawalan ng trabaho, alam natin nakaramihan sa kanila ay sa lupa nabubuhay.
yung iba ay lumikas dahil sa mga RIDO. pagdating sa maynila saan sila maghahanapbuhay? sino ang magtitiwala sa sa kanila? sino ang mangangapital sa kanila? may programa ba ang gobyerno para sa kanila?
kapit sa patalim muslim na katulad nila ang magtitiwala sa kanila. kaya dumarami ang nagtitinda ng mga pirated dahil sa kawalan ng ibang pangkabuhayan. anong pangkabuhayan ang kanilang pwedeng gawin? kulang sa experienvc kulang sa edukasyon, walang pangkapital ano ang gagawin? sana po magkaroon ng programa si pinoy na maayos ang mindanao upang karamihan sa mga ito ay bumalik sa kanikanilang lugar.
very few are lucky to work overseas because of lack of education and experience. if i am not an Engineer wala sana ako dito sa middle east baka kasama rin nila ako sa bangketa.
Max1 says
@ Johnny Lin,
I know that you are a very fair, forthright person as I have been reading your comments since Raissa’s early blogs.
To begin with, I must say that I do not condone unlawful activities. I agree with your principles, like them (our Muslim brothers and sisters).
However, we are talking of survival. One needs to walk in somebody’s shoes to understand where that person is coming from.
It is easier to be lawful when we are not faced with that sinking feeling of hopelessness and when our families are not going to sleep hungry amidst the surrounding of abject poverty. For many of them, inasmuch as they share your sentiment, they don’t have other options. They had to choose between quick death (by gunfire in Mindanao) or slow death (poverty in Manila). They had to evacuate with only their shirts on their backs. Due to gun fights, they were unable to go to school properly. They have no job skills to secure jobs. And, they had to fight an uphill battle against that stigma of being a Muslim, a great odd against finding even a very lowly job in the city.
Do you think they would prefer to squat and be treated like dirt or resort to something unlawful if they have the option to live honestly, decently and honourably? Do you think they are happy to live with their children in a squatter’s area, or a ghetto if they have other places to live? As a parent, you know how it breaks your heart when you are unable to provide what your children need. You try to give what’s best for your children. Your teeth will gnash when you watch your children in a pitiful state and you can’t do much about it. The psycho-social and economic impact of being uprooted is more terrible than many of us could imagine. That horrible situation takes a toll on other people as well.
Unfortunately, our government/society, unlike other countries, do not have appropriate measures and resources to help them. We do not have the social safety net to help people like them who also need counselling. They have their own personal and external battles to confront.
That’s why at the signing of the agreement, we saw many women and battle scarred men cry at that momentous occasion. It will be a challenging, tortuous path but it offers hope to many who would like to go back home and start to rebuild their lives. We the more fortunate ones should be more magnanimous, empathetic and supportive of them.
Let’s extend our congratulations and best wishes. Blessings for new beginnings.
Johnny Lin says
” unlike other countries” is the key to your argument or excuse.
Precisely, other countries with poor or indigent population, not only the Muslims, in Europe, middle East,Asia do not have the kind of mentality Dilipinos have. In those countries what the govt offered they accept to follow the law. They do not settle under the bridge, block waterways and river banks and have the guts to fight the police instilling lawful adherence.
What I am saying, if we want to see our nation rises above its current socio economic status we the people have to make it happen. Let us do what is right. Follow the law, think of doing things that will contribute to well being of everybody not destructive to others by giving govt lack of resources and being impoverished as an excuse. Poverty is not unique to Filipinos, other countries are much worst but they do settlle lawfully in rural areas instead of unlawfully congesting in urban metropolis by giving the alibi that they are only trying to earn their daily living. Exactly this excuse that is being exploited by unscrupulous politicians becoming a vicious culture spinning like a wheel.
Dirty legislators would not have the opportunity if the poor people did not initiate the process. Ridding this defective wheel is solved by discarding it permanently thru the same people who started it. Rest of the population must contribute by educating them, stop condoning their action, NGOs socially helping them by financial and employment contribution with the caveat that help comes with the promise that they follow the law first. The peace process could contribute by pioneering to control the social malady in their end thru education and outreach programs.
We all know charity begins at home. In their case, sacrifice begins with them to maintain a viable lawful, socially responsible society. Poverty as an excuse for unlawful acts must be abandoned for they do not practice it in the rural provinces, only in MetroManila. Did we think about that? Not in other countries!
Max1 says
I’m not giving an excuse. I am stating facts. As I said, I do not condone unlawful acts. However, we should seek first to understand where they are coming from then move on from there. They needed help, there’s no doubt about it.
In other countries… I am sure you are well aware of this—North American and other European countries have some humanitarian, refugee processes in place helping displaced individuals from war torn places to adjust and settle in their new environments. In more progressive and humane societies, they are offered shelter, food and other forms of assistance to help them navigate in their new environs. They have refugee centres for “processing” and then moved on to some housing.
They also need counselling, guidance and some provision to start anew. (Many of them also suffer from some post traumatic stress syndrome themselves.) With decades long of fighting in their areas where the law of the jungle, the survival of the fittest is the norm, it definitely is a challenge for many to adjust, fend for themselves and have some sense of being accepted or to belong.
True, they shouldn’t settle under the bridges and clog rivers. But, where would they settle? If they could, I am sure they’d like to live in Bellagio, but they could hardly afford to feed themselves. And typically, when people come from difficult situations, they tend to live together for some form of security, a coping mechanism. Remember Maslow?
I appreciate the value of your perspectives and I am not arguing with you at all. I agree that they should head towards the direction that you are saying. There’s no doubt that fortitude–discipline and love of country are fundamental values. I have no doubt that they love our country as they love their land too. I am only saying that we need to give them wider lattitude, understand them and help them through in any way that we can. We also need to have some framework and safety net to help them balancing it with the needs of other members of our society as well. It takes a village, there’s no two ways about it.
Rural areas??? Yes, I lived in rural areas and I am accustomed to neighbours helping neighbours. I know bayanihan and contributing whatever we can to those who are in need. Thus, they didn’t have to live under the bridge and people follow the law.
At any rate, it was a pleasure having this exchange with you Mr. Lin. I remain a fan of yours and I wish you the best.
Respectfully,
Max1
raissa says
Hi guys,
Just got an assignment from my editor to write on MILF, so I’m a bit rushing it.
Will get back to you as soon as I can.
Martial Bonifacio says
Thanks for the nice article, sana lang congress will do the right thing to accomodate the interest of the bangsamoro people.
Off-topic:
I dont know if somebody else posted this news regarding Sotto’s Drama idagdag ko na lang just in case na mabigyan ng chance si ma’am raissa ng exclusive inteview.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/286812/stressed-out-sotto-thinks-of-quitting-senate-majority-post
“You have to work harder than the rest. Be more conscientious, master the art of compromise but still take a lot of criticism,” – Tito Sotto said from inquirer.net
Simple lang naman ang tanong jan kung talagang nagtratrabaho itong senador na ito, bakit hindi niya sariling gawa ang speech niya? Pati research sa speech nya regarding sa RH bill gawa ng iba.
So how can he claim that he works hard when somebody else is doing the job that he needs to do?
Gene Simmowns says
“Sotto said he intends to work like Arroyo who does not chair a Senate committee yet pokes his finger into every bill or resolution he takes a fancy to. “I am actually envious of Joker,” he said.”
Wow! I can’t help but comment.
I was raised by my parents with sheer hard work. They thought me that hard work really pays-off, that in order for me to succeed, I need to sweat it out, persevere, practice (a lot), show dedication to my work, and sensitivity to the values of life.
The statements above, which I lifted from the article written by Cathy Yamsuan, if indeed was really the message Senator Sotto wants to imply, only shows how unworthy he is. I remember one qoute that goes like this: “Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don’t turn up at all.”
Sir, I think you’re better off hosting that silly noon time show…nobody wants you in the Senate anyway.
“Hanggang dun na lang talaga…hangang dun lang ang kaya…”
Gene Simmowns says
Sorry, off topic din siya…:)
pinay710 says
bakit kung magreresign sinasabi pa. GAWIN NA NYA AGAD. NAGHIHINTAY BA SYANG PIGILAN? or naghihintay ng mga komento na gawa gawa naman ng mga galamay nya na HUWAG NYANG ITULOY. tapos sa tv ibabandurya na magreresign na sya. magpapaawa sa mga TANGA-HANGA NYA.bakit hindi sya gumaya kay recto. wala sabi sabi resign agad. yan ang lalake may isang salita kilos agad. RESIGN KUNG RESIGN. HINDI PUTAK NG PUTAK EH BAKA ANG ITLOG AY MABUGOK SA KAPUPUTAK. SANA MATULOY NA ANG RESIGNATION.libel ba ito? ay may TRO pala. raissa paki delete pagka malamit na ang go signal ng TRO ha!
vander anievas says
@pinay710,
may mabubugok ba? nakita mo ba? sa palagay ko ay wala…:). walang itlog na mabubugok. bugok na kasi…
Den says
I tried posting twice. On both times, my post disappeared. Why kaya? :(
raissa says
Patience.
Maybe because my anti-hacking shield is up 100% :)