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By BENJIE OLIVEROS
An illegal arrest backed by lies, the use of torture, denial of visitation rights even from the government’s own Commission on Human Rights, the fabrication of pieces of evidence and witnesses, the refusal to honor the order of the Supreme Court -- all this point to what Makabayan senatorial candidate Satur Ocampo aptly called as a “grand slam day for impunity” and a “classic throwback to the martial law era.”
The Senate, which had its finest moments when it blocked the railroading designs of the administration-dominated Lower House, is now revealing its worst form because the May 2010 elections are just around the corner and the Senate has always been a jumping board for those who would want to become president. Sad as it is, the disappointing state of the Senate and the sorry state of the election campaign, and the election itself, is merely a reflection of the dismal and backward state of Philippine society.
Ang papel ng kilusang masa ay ibuyanyang ang nabubulok na bangkay, at tiyaking mabubulok ito sa pagdating ngn kingdom come. Maaring pumaloob sa mismong bangkay para mas mabigwasan ang pahingalo pero may kapasidad ng resureksyong buhay ng estado. Magagamit ang queer na politika sa paglalantad di lamang ng biktimang pinaghuhugutan ng lakas at panunupil ng naghihingalong bangkay, kundi ng biktimang may kapasidad manlaban at bumalikwas, kontraryo sa paradigm ng docile na biktima.
The Comelec, by providing Arroyo the opportunity to perpetuate herself in power through the representative-prime minister route and Estrada the opportunity to regain power, is keeping impunity alive.
Majority of victims of human-rights violations in the Philippines are peasants. They are the ones most denied not just land but justice. So any candidate for president who claims to be for justice should, first and foremost, commit to the implementation of a genuine agrarian-reform program. This is why the Hacienda Luisita land problem is a defining issue for Noynoy Aquino.
If there’s anything new that deserves much anticipation in 2010, it is the role to be played by reform-minded, cause-oriented groups and the “civil society” movement. Reforms that respond meaningfully to the demands for effective leadership and governance as well as wide-ranging social and economic reforms need a more assertive social movement.
By REP. RAYMOND PALATINO
Manny Villar’s brave decision to openly embrace a platform-based unity with the Left has smashed the taboo in Philippine politics. From now on, the participation of the Left will be expected in future electoral contests for top political posts.
Magtatapos na ang ika-sampung taon pagkapresidente ni Gloria Arroyo, at matatag ang kanyang kulturang kontribusyon. Kakaiba ang mga ito sa karanasan ng mga kamakailang presidente ng bansa. Ito ang pinakamasahol na kulturang kontribusyon ng anumang presidente sa kagyat na kasaysayan ng bansa. Lantaran naman ang gamit ng fasismo ng anumang rehimen pero ang kay Arroyo ang naghasik ng pinakabangkaroteng kulturang tahasang ginamit para sa politikal at ekonomiyang ganansya.
By BENJIE OLIVEROS
While it would take more than a change in president to effectively address the worsening economic and political crisis, if Arroyo and her minions are able to get away with keeping themselves in power -- by declaring a failure of elections, martial law, or charter change -- the Filipino people would sink faster and deeper into the quagmire of backwardness and poverty.
Gayong ang aral ng kasaysayan ng kasalukuyan ay ang pagkakaroon ng politikal na paninindigang mabuhay nang marangal, patuloy na paniningil sa sistema na ipaglaban ito, patuloy na pag-oorganisa, pagtaas ng kamulatan at pagkilos.
And this impunity would not end for as long as Arroyo wields power whether as president, congresswoman, or prime minister. Impunity would also persist if Arroyo’s clone cum anointed one, Gilbert Teodoro, emerges the winner in the presidential elections by some stroke of luck, especially of the Garci kind.
When it comes to human rights and democracy, the Arroyo government never fails to provide ironies.
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