The social basis of Filipino conservatism
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Justin Umali | Sep 28, 2020
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Balik-Tanaw | 17th Sunday after Pentecost: Obedience
Balik-Tanaw | 17th Sunday after Pentecost: Obedience
How do we express our love for Him and keep His commandments? It is written everywhere in the Bible and still much relevant today. Love those who He loves: the poor, hungry, homeless, prisoners, persecuted, lonely, and hopeless. Have preferential option for the marginalized, disadvantaged, disenfranchised, isolated, and excluded.
Abetting the information crisis
Abetting the information crisis
The Duterte regime’s denying the public access to government information prevents the populace’s meaningful involvement in the politics and governance of this country as the essential condition to bringing about the social, economic and political changes needed to bring it to the 21st century — changes Mr. Duterte was promising during his 2016 campaign for the Presidency, and in anticipation of which he was elected by 33% of the electorate
Actions urged to follow Duterte’s speech at UN
Actions urged to follow Duterte’s speech at UN
But over the years, Duterte has attacked human rights advocacy groups as “enemies of the state,” also church leaders, priests, pastors and nuns. He even berated the Commission on Human Rights (a constitutional body) for criticizing certain policies or pronouncements of his government. He talked (confusedly or maliciously) of “detractors pass(ing) themselves off as human rights advocates while preying on the most vulnerable humans: even using children as soldiers or human shields in [armed] encounters.”
In defense of the Philippines
In defense of the Philippines
Ever since Duterte declared the longest standing COVID-19 lockdown in the world back in March 15, 2020 up to the present, we have monitored at least 555 environmental defenders who have suffered human rights abuses.
Balik-Tanaw | 16th Sunday after Pentecost: And the Last Shall Be First
Balik-Tanaw | 16th Sunday after Pentecost: And the Last Shall Be First
The grumblings of the “firsts” maybe being popularly interpreted at present through the lenses of workers receiving and experiencing unjust wages and unfair working conditions and, thus, problematizes the employer in the parable itself. However, even in its conventional or traditional meaning, the parable is very clear about what it is saying about the republic of God.
Losers and gainers
Losers and gainers
The Philippines’ “loss” is US hate-mongers’ gain. But that shouldn’t be the reason for anyone to think the Duterte pardon of Pemberton is a calculated jeer at US society.
Closer scrutiny of human rights in the Phl
Closer scrutiny of human rights in the Phl
UN Special Rapporteur for extra-legal killings Agnes Callamard, speaking for several other special rapporteurs at another activity, recommended among others twin actions: for the Council to establish an on-the-ground international investigation into alleged HRVs in the Philippines, while continuing to monitor and report on the prevailing conditions; and for its member-states to “apply sanctions against Philippine government officials who [may be found] to have committed, have initiated or failed to investigate or prevent HRVs, including arbitrary killings.”
No deal? Pardon of Pemberton is a spit on national sovereignty
No deal? Pardon of Pemberton is a spit on national sovereignty
Billion-dollar military deals provide context to the release of Pemberton.
Balik-Tanaw | Loving mercy in the face of the unmerciful
Balik-Tanaw | Loving mercy in the face of the unmerciful
While their employers benefit from social protections, they continue to expect their domestic workers to continue to serve not six but now seven days a week.
Legitimizing tyranny
Legitimizing tyranny
HB 7137 is not just another attempt by Marcos idolaters to market an imagined past for mass consumption. Forgetting what really happened in history is the surest road to its repetition.
Huge anti-insurgency fund amid Covid-19, poverty rise
Huge anti-insurgency fund amid Covid-19, poverty rise
Of the P19.13-billion proposed budget, the biggest share, P16.4 billion from the President’s Local Government Support Fund, is to be allotted to a Barangay Development Program (BDP) administered by NTF-ELCAC.
Woke up, and it’s September
Woke up, and it’s September
What do we do with this history? What must we do with our very own politicians - - Duterte and a consolidated Philippine senate and congress who have only looted us, shown us obscene disrespect, and barbarism? Their actions are akin to US-backed local operatives deployed to exact the most severe violence among the people-- mass murder, corruption, hunger, and repression.
Si Gregorio Aglipay, at ang pagtutol sa base militar ng Amerika sa Pilipinas
Si Gregorio Aglipay, at ang pagtutol sa base militar ng Amerika sa Pilipinas
Sa panahong nasa ilalim pa rin ang bayan sa mga di pantay na kasunduan gaya ng Visiting Forces Agreement, ng Mutual Defense Treaty, at iba pang di pantay na tratado; sa panahong pinalalaya pa rin ang mga Amerikanong militar gaya ni Pemberto na pumatay sa kababayang gaya ni Jennifer Laude, makabuluhan pa ring balikan ang mga tinuran ng mga gaya ni Gregorio Aglipay sa pagpapakahulugan sa tunay na kasarinlan.
Proposal to regulate Netflix should be reason for MTRCB’s abolition
Proposal to regulate Netflix should be reason for MTRCB’s abolition
There should be no attempt to regulate video-streaming services like Netflix because the Internet already has several layers of filtering that can be done by clients/subscribers and service providers. Just like in other forms of media, online media or digital media should be self-regulated. Any attempt by government to regulate media content would be a violation of the constitutional provision that prohibits abridging the people's basic freedoms.
Choose: Filipino or Filipinx?
Choose: Filipino or Filipinx?
To legitimize Filipinx as gender-neutral is to efface and silence Filipino as gender-neutral.
Deadly serious
Deadly serious
The lawyers are right to be alarmed. As outlandish and as deceptive as it may be, like Marcos’ martial law, a so-called “revolutionary government” can devastate this country as well unless everyone takes it seriously enough to oppose it for what it is: a plot against the Republic, the Constitution, and the entire Filipino nation.
As pandemic rages, human rights struggles press on
As pandemic rages, human rights struggles press on
Amid Covid-19’s unrelenting rampage across the world, peoples are asserting and defending their rights, and fighting against the abuses, corruption and impunity of state power. The task remains as crucial, if not more so, as surviving the pandemic.
How is contact tracing done?
How is contact tracing done?
So, how does this contact tracing really happen? In my case, wala (none). It didn't happen. I hope this is an isolated case but if this is the norm in most cases, gets ko yung sinasabi ng matanda na we just wait for a vaccine. For the meantime, use gasoline to clean your face masks but do not add fuel to the fire.
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