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Boracay needs scientists, engineers, development planners, social workers, and community organizers, not the hundreds of troops and police.
'US Border Officials tortured me. They violated my basic human rights recognized and protected by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.'
Oddly, President Duterte devoted two-thirds of his rambling speech in Camp Aguinaldo to fulminating against what he alleged to be Sr. Pat’s “disorderly conduct.” Without citing any specific incident, he insinuated that she had criticized the military and the government on human rights, construing that as an insult on the Philippines and a violation of our sovereignty.
These acts and policy decisions are proof enough that he has the will to make them. But it has since become clear that these were made with hardly any understanding of, or regard for, the consequences — and without any preparation or plan in place to cushion their impact on the little that’s left of Philippine democracy, the country’s institutions, and even on much of the population.
They have created another universe as false as their glowing descriptions of their own dynastic rule. The “new republic” was Marcos’s version. The “strong state” was Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s — and the country where “change has come” that of Duterte’s.
If there’s any consolation in this protracted resistance to injustice, it’s that I am just one among the many Filipinos who continue to believe in upholding the freedoms and rights we have won.
The #MarchForOurLives rally is an outcome of a brave and thoughtful organizing among the youth. They gathered together, reached out to other youths, organizations, institutions, and eventually, the power and speed at which they were holding fast to a belief in the form of an urgent campaign compelled politicians, celebrities, and even ordinary people to share their resources and make the march for our lives happen nationwide. These young people believe in defending lives. And there is nothing more radical, more basic than organizing and politicizing for the defense of lives.
Understanding the global mining industry’s “Boom and Bust” behavior of weakening surges and worsening downturns is critical, as it affects the export-oriented and foreign-dominated local mining industry.
But hope springs eternal. Environmental defenders everywhere are tirelessly working to protect the last frontiers of nature and restore our despoiled environment.
It looks like gold, shimmers like gold. But scrape its surface off and it's just muck. Like Duterte's promised 'change.'
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