Opisyal na lingguhang pahayagan ng mga mag-aaral ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas - Diliman Tomo 90, Blg. 22 Enero 24, 2013
PEACE BY PIECE Sovereignty [sov-rin-tee], n. Status or authority, supreme and independent power of a government over a territory; inherent characteristic of a state The Philippines is a not sovereign state—at least, as various internal and external forces threaten to crumble the established state and its machineries. As the saga begins anew in this historical juncture, the Philippines’ sovereignty is challenged at two fronts—the prospects of development and “peace” in its South, and a brewing tempest fueled by foreign powers in its West. In such instances, asserting the country’s sovereignty becomes the logical response. Yet, the Philippine government’s track record of maintaining the country’s
sovereignty speaks of failure—a state that is willing to trade its people’s welfare for “mutual” foreign support. Indeed, the struggle for dominance and political power continues, as gross inequality, poverty, and social injustice especially in the country sides, prevail with impunity. Until such time that the government begins to stand for its people’s social and economic interests, a sovereign Filipino nation is merely a grand, unrealized dream. To assert sovereignty after all, means pursuing radical and pervasive development, and breaking free from shackles that have long trapped the country to poverty and underdevelopment.
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