The Reflection’s
ELECTION 2022 ISSUE
Volume III Issue no. 1 JANUARY 2022
THE MAGAZINE OF THE REFLECTION, The Official Student Publication of the School of Education
The Reflection
THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
EDITORIAL BOARD 2021 - 2022 Editor-in-Chief Shaina Gil Sunga Associate Editor Camille Joyce Cabrera Managing Editor Chesa Filosofo
EDITORS AND STAFFERS Features Editor Michaela Noreen Elizalde Opinions and Head English Editor Mary Joyce Dizon
Senior Editor for Internal Affairs Loraine Clavo
Sports Editor Eleila Gonzales
Senior Editor for External Affairs Justhine Kaylo Lao
Literary Editor Khyla Nichole Canlas
Senior Editor for Management Gwyneth Lee Mangaliman
Science Editor Catherine Recorte Entertainment Editor Herman Samson Head Arts and Associate Ent. Editor Julian Guevarra English Editor Alexis Pineda
Contributor Trisha Denise Dimabuyu Technical Adviser Jonel Velasquez, LPT, MAELLT
The Reflection’s
The Reflection’s Mirror is the official magazine of The Reflection, the official student publication of the School of Education, Holy Angel University. Comments, contributions, and suggestions may be sent to the editors. No part of this publication may be used or reproduced in any form or by any means without the permission of the editorial board and staff. Copyright 2022
ONE SITTING ONLY. The Philippines has one of the dirtiest politics that the world has ever seen. Everyone is an unwilling witness of how disturbing and rampant vote buying, political dynasty, and even historical revisionism in our country. Even in this era of information, people are blinded by the false glorification of our carnival-like government. We become overly loyal to the saying, “history repeats itself” to the point that THOUSANDS of people believes in the capabilities of no-degree holders, criminals, swindlers, tax evaders, and the worst of it all, murderers. We are too forgiving to the point that we forget how they treat every seat in the government as an opportunity to fatten their pockets and not flatten various societal problems. We are ensnared by their words, swept away by their promises, and let them take another free seat again. And again.
Hindi na tayo natuto.
Layout and Design by Shaina Gil Sunga
The MIRROR—Volume III, Issue 1 THE REFLECTION, Official Student Publication of School of Education, Holy Angel University
Duterte to retire from politics│by Trisha Denise Dimabuyu Marcos claims that ML victims’ disqualification case as “irrelevant, baseless, and misleading │by Shaina Gil Sunga
ANG SABI NILA, “HAYAAN NINYO NALANG KAMI”│Illustrated by Trisha Denise Dimabuyu Eenie Meenie Miney Moe│Illustrated by Camille Joyce Cabrera Duterte Administration: Spotless of Corruption│by Herman Samson Bato-Bato sa langit, ang tamaan ‘wag magalit│ by Shaina Gil Sunga
GREEN LIGHT: Voice out justice and rights, RED LIGHT: Red Tagged │by Joyce Dizon Inside One of the World’s Longest COVID Lockdowns │ by Trisha Denise Dimabuyu IRON FIST’S THROTTLE TO HUMAN RIGHTS│by Khyla Nichole Canlas Digmaan laban sa Droga: Para kanino nga ba?│by Camille Joyce Cabrera
Safety Measures│by Justhine Kaylo Lao Core Values│by Shaina Gil Sunga Shoot to Kill│by Justhine Kaylo Lao Glorius Fraud│by Khyla Nichole Canlas
Hindi lamang tinta ang panulat ng kasaysayan bagkus, maging dugo at hustisya.
Photo Captured by Shaina Gil Sunga
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resident Rodrigo Duterte, the 16th leader of the Philippines, announced his intention to retire from politics on last October 2, Saturday, signaling that he will not seek to extend his term in office by running for vice president. “In obedience to the will of the people, I now say sa mga kababayan ko, sundin ko ang gusto ninyo (to my countrymen, I will follow what you want) — today, I announce my retirement from politics,” Duterte said in a short message at the Harbor Garden Tent of the Sofitel Manila Hotel in Pasay City.
Duterte's six-year term expires in June, and he is not eligible to seek re-election, according to the constitution. Duterte, on the other hand, has filled his candidacy on two government seats in which he later took back. Critics in the Philippines saw it as an attempt to get around the constitution's one-term restriction by allowing a backdoor into the presidency if the next president resigned, died, or otherwise departed office. Duterte accompanied his longtime aide Sen. Bong Go who replaced him as the vice presidential bet of ruling political party PDP-Laban. After Duterte withdrew his nomination from the party, Go filed his certificate of candidacy for vice president and proclaimed his intention to run for the country's second highest post. In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte will spend his final days as President "leading the country towards post-COVID-19 recovery." He will also "pro-actively advocate" for his 2022 bets to assure continuity of the current administration's programs, Roque added. Roque further stated that the President will "ensure that the upcoming 2022 elections are free, honest, peaceful, and credible." Last August 25, the President announced in his weekly national speech that he would run for vice president in next year's elections. Days after his declaration, Duterte stated that he decided to run for the position due to a lack of viable candidates in the vice presidential campaign. Months later, he filed his candidacy for a senatorial seat, which he later withdrawn on December 14, to “spend more time with his family,” as stated by Karlos Negroles, the
acting spokesperson of the Malacañang.
Photo courtesy of XINHUA NEWS AGENCY/GETTY IMAGES
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in reference to the penalty punishable by special laws because the term ‘prision correccional’ is peculiar to the penalties for crimes punished by the Revised Penal Code,” the Marcos Camp stated.
Marcos stated in a reply to the COMELEC that the petition “is based entirely on irrelevant, baseless, and misleading statements.”
They also added that Marcos “has neither been convicted by final judgement of a crime involving moral turpitude nor sentenced by final judgement to suffer imprisonment for more than 18 months.”
n a statement released by the Presidential aspirant Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) on December 27, 2021, the said petition of the Martial Law victims is “an affront to our judicial process and should be dismissed forthwith.”
Marcos was supported by his lawyers stating that the petitioners’ argument used terms such as imprisonment and ‘prision correccional’ incorrectly which could mislead the COMELEC. The petitioners claim that Marcos was found guilty due to tax convictions by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court in 1995, in which his three-year prison term sentence was equivalent to prision correccional, a penalty with six years of imprisonment. According to the Revised Penal Code, the prision correccional has an accessory penalty “of perpetual special disqualification from the right to suffrage, if the duration of the said imprisonment shall exceed 18 months,” making Marcos ineligible for not meeting the constitutional requirement for the presidential candidacy.
In their defense, the said camp rebuttals that Marcos was able to file his candidacy for different elected position but none questioned his eligibility. “The creativity and imagination of petitioners – writing and wanting what is not there – can never be sufficient grounds to disqualify BBM,” said Marcos’ lawyers upon criticizing the petition. Vic Rodriguez, Marcos’ spokesperson, refers to the petitioners as “disillusioned groups,” in
In addition to this, the Marcos Camp argues that that “contrary to the petitioners’ allegations, the penalty of perpetual disqualification has never been imposed” against Marcos. “The Supreme Court has already clarified time and again that the term ‘imprisonment’ and not ‘prision correccional’ should be used
Photo courtesy of XINHUA NEWS AGENCY/GETTY IMAGES
which he states that they respect their right to "take whatever legal action they think would best serve their own agenda, as we also expect them to respect our right to be heard." Rodriguez also believes that such petitions are part of the efforts of “a group with negative view to “oppress” Marcos, especially in this time of election. The disqualification case was filed by Atty. Christian Monsod, the previous chairman of COMELEC, together with the other survivors of the Martial Law from La Union. Other disqualification cases were filed by Bonifacio Ilagan, Akbayan Citizens’ Action Party, and Abubakar Mangelen. The COMELEC is currently handling five other disqualification cases in which two were already dismissed.
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lang buwan na lang mula ngayon, at eleksyon na naman sa Pilipinas. Ang halalan ay isang pagkakataong magtakda kung sino ang siyang mauupo sa iisang upuang pagaawayan ng marami. Isang panahong nagbigay ng pribilehiyo sa bawat isa na itakda ang napupusuang kandidato. Hindi ba’t napakagiting pakinggan? Isang bilog sa balota, lahat ng Pilipino ang makikinabang. Isang bilog sa balota na siyang magtatakda ng ating kinabukasan. Ngunit, ito rin ang panahon ng pamumulaklak ng mga mayayabong na salita ng mga politiko. Aminin man natin o hindi, matagal nang nabahiran ng dumi ang eleksyon sa ating bansa. Nariyan ang mga pangakong kadalasan ay napapako, mga programang hanggang sa plano lamang, at mga polisiyang nanatiling pantasya. Ito ang pagbabagong nauuwi sa panloloko — pagbabagong nauuwi
sa pagpatay ng pag-asa ng bawat Pilipinong inaasam ang pag-unlad ng bansa. Sa nakalipas na halos limang taon, nasaksihan natin ang malalagim at mararahas na pangyayari sa ating bansa. Araw-araw na patayan. Pamamaslang at panggigipit sa mga maralitang “nanlaban”. Pagpapakulong at pagsasampa ng imbentong kaso laban sa mga kritiko, paniniil sa medya, pambabastos sa Simbahan, at pagbabanta sa buhay ng mga Obispo at kaparian. Dagdag pa rito ang pamimigay ng ating teritoryo sa Tsina, pati na ng libo-libong trabaho dito sa mga dayuhang Tsino. Napakalinaw ng mga pangyayari: Kulang ng matapang manindigan sa gobyerno ngayon. Kulang ang mga boses para sa katarungan at katotohanan sa ating mga institusyon. Marami ang takot mapag-initan at pinipiling mag sunud-sunuran lang para manatili sa poder. Sa totoo nga, ang karamihan, kapag
pinuna, ang palaging sagot ay, “Hayaan niyo na kami!” Ngunit paano at bakit ipagsasawalang bahala ng masang Pilipino ang mga walang kalutuy-latoy ninyong aksyon at programa, gayong kinabukasan ng mga mamamayan ang nakataya at isinasaalang-alang? Mainit na ang lagnat-politika gayung di pa nagsisimula ang campaign period. Malayo pa ang eleksyon, kanya-kanya na ang mga batikan. Naglalantaran na ang mga batikan sa pamumulitika, beterano na sa larangan ng halalan, maging ang kanilang mga kwestyonableng mga taktika. Sa papapalapit na halalan, masasaksihan nanaman nating muli ang mga politikong may kani-kaniyang paraan ng pagpapabango ng pangalan sa publiko. Nariyan ang pagdidikit at pagkakalat ng posters kung saan-saan na wala naman ibang ginawa kundi magpapangit at magparumi ng palig-
editorial | 9 id. Sari-saring mga patalastas sa telebisyon na ibinibida ang kanilang plataporma, proyektong matagumpay na naipapatupad, gayundin ang patutsadahan sa mga karibal na politiko; paglalabas ng mga kasiraan ng mga katunggali sa posisyong hinahangad maibalik, upang manatili muli o kaya maitaas ang pwesto sa pamahalaan.
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ay kasaysayan ang sambayanang madala at mabulag sa mga mahahalimuyok na pangako ng mga politiko. Sila rin ay mabilis maniwala sa mga patutsadahan at mga impormasyong naririnig, ngunit hindi batid kung saan ito nagmula, o kung may bahid ba ito ng katotohanan. Sa mga panahong ito, kahit peke ang balita, basta ito’y nakasisira sa kaaway o nakatutulong sa kinakampihan, kinabibiliban pa natin ang sinungaling. Dumating na tayo sa isang sitwasyon kung saan tila hindi na nakikita ng mga mamamayan ang pinagkaiba ng datos o facts sa opinyon o pananaw. Sa katunayan, halos kalahati o 48% ng mga nasa hustong gulang na Pilipino ang nakakakuha ng kanilang mga pampulitikang balita mula sa internet, batay sa survey na isinagawa ng Pulse Asia noong Setyembre. Dito, 44% ang nagbanggit ng Facebook bilang pangunahing medya ng impormasyon. Ang online news sites, na siyang pinaka lehitimong imbakan ng balidong balita, ay napag-iiwanan at nakalikom lamang ng 10% boto. Sa kabilang banda naman, isiniwalat din ng pag-aaral na binubuo ng 7% ang iba pang site ng social media, at 1% naman sa Twitter. Laganap din ang paglabas at pagpost ng karamihan ng “impormatibong” bidyo, o mga social media posts sa kandidatong sinusuportahan ngunit pinamumugaran naman ng mga timpladong istorya. Nangunguna na rito ang isang sikat na Facebook Page na itago nalang natin sa pangalangan... Mocha Uson Blog at iba pang mga taga suporta ng katiwalian. Isa pang nakakarinding kalat sa social media ay ang mga nagkalat na posts at artikulo patungkol sa mga “ambag” o “ginintuang” administrasyong dulot ng diktador na si Ferdinand Marcos. Kadalasan, ang eleksyon ay naging isang biro din. Nadadaan sa kasikatan o sa mga pagpapatawa at pang-aaliw ng iba’t ibang mga personalidad. Atin ngang tingnan ang listahan ng mga kandidato na posibleng manalo sa kandidatong senador. Ito ay binubuo ng mga magnanakaw, artista, trapo, sycophants, at nincompoops. Gayunpaman narito sila, handang kumuha ng milyunmilyong mga boto, handa na upang “patnubayan” ang mga pangunahing patakaran para sa bansa sa susunod na anim na taon. Tandaan, kapag ang halalan ay gina-
wang biro, ang bansa ay magiging katawatawa din. Piliin natin nang seryoso ang mga pinuno. Pagod na rin tayo sa mga taong nagsasabi sa atin na walang magagawa, pabayaan ang mga resulta sa halalan. Pagkatapos ng lahat, ang naghaharing uri o natitirang mga pulitiko ay nasa kapangyarihan. Ang lahat ng sakit ng lipunan ay kagagawan ng isang lider na mali ang patakaran, pamantayan at prioridad. Kung ang isang lider ay tiwali, wala siyang karapatang magsugpo nito, subalit ito ay kanyang kinukunsinti upang ang sariling katiwalian ay magpatuloy. Kung ang isang lider ay nasusuhulan, siya din ay manunuhol kung kinakailangan para sa kanyang sarili. Kung ang isang lider ay nasisikmurang dayain ang nakaraan, magagawa rin niyang manipulahin ang kasalukuyan at hinaharap ng lahat. Ito ang dahilan kung kaya’t mahalagang ipaalala sa lahat na dapat suriin at alamin ang pagkatao ng kandidato. Suriin kung maaari siyang magtrabaho sa tinatakbong posisyon sa pamamagitan ng pagsusuri ng kanyang kakayahan o competence. Subukan mo rin siya sa mga isyung kinakaharap ng ating bansa upang makita ang kanyang posisyon sa mga kontrobersyal na isyu. Pag-isipang mabuti, ang piniling pinuno ay may tunay na paninindigan. Pag-isipan mabuti na ang pinunong ihahalal ay may paninindigang totoo. Hindi huwad o nagpapanggap. Lalo’t hindi nagpapasabay lamang sa agos tuwing may malalaking isyung pambansa. Kung sa paghahanap nga ng trabaho, maingat tayo sa pagtatakda ng mga kwalipikasyon, lalo’t higit dapat sa eleksyon dahil ang ating iluluklok ay mamumuno para sa lahat. Kung nais nating mabuhay ang ating demokrasya, dapat tayong lahat ay magtrabaho upang magkaroon ng malinis at matapat na halalan sa 2022. Ang halalan ay nagbibigay kapangyarihan at kalayaan sa mga mamamayan upang matanggal o tanggihan ang mga masasamang pinuno na magpapahamak kinabukasan ng lahat. Kailangan nating ireboot o i-reset ang ating kulturang pampulitika na tutukoy sa pananaw, hindi lamang ng ating kapwa Pilipino, maging ng iba pang mga bansa. Kailangan natin ng isang pinuno na maaaring ibalik ang dignidad sa tanggapan ng pangulo; isang pangulo na igagalang ang kanyang mga salita at ang mga pampublikong pagbigkas ay mapagkakatiwalaan ng kanyang mga tao; hindi iyong nagsasalita ng hindi karapatdapat marinig ng mga menor de edad na nanonood ng telebisyon sa panahon ng balita sa gabi. Sa kabila ng kawalang pag-asa sa bulok na sistema ng halalan sa bansa at sa mga nagpapanggap na mga lider ng bayan, walang ibang pamamaraang mapayapa at ligal kundi isulong ang mga tunay na lider at indibidwal na may progresibong pananaw. Sila na walang personal na interes kundi ang itaguyod ang bayan para sa tunay at makatarungang pagbabago. Sila na ayon sa karanasan ay karamay ng mga
maralita, mga magsasaka, mga manggagawa, at ng mga ordinaryong mamamayan mula’t mula pa. Ang pakikibaka para sa tunay na pagbabago ay hindi nagsisimula at nagtatapos sa halalan. Ito ay mahabang proseso ng pag-aaral, pag-aanalisa at tamang pagkilos. Ang halalan ay isa lamang sa maraming pagkilos na kailangang lahukan ng bayan. Upang maibsan ang nakasusuklam na mukha ng halalan sa Pilipinas, na ibinunga ng matagal na kawalan ng isang maayos na sistemang elektoral, at direktang ipinamukha sa taong bayan ng sabwatan ng mga tiwaling opisyal ng Comelec at mga pulitiko, kagyat na kailangan ng mga bagong batas upang ang mga ito ay maisaayos. Sa darating na eleksyon, maraming mabulaklak na salita na naman ang lilitaw at maririnig sa bawat kalye ng ating bayan. Mga mukhang akala mo’y maaasahan ng lahat. Huwag tayong magpakabulag. Tayo ang magtatakda ng lider na aakay sa atin sa kaunlaran. Piliin natin ang isang lider na hindi lang lumilitaw tuwing eleksyon; bagkus, isang lider na maasahan natin sa bawat segundo at bawat minuto. Dapat magkaisa ang mamamayan at manawagan sa lahat ng mga kandidato, partikular sa pangulo, para sa tunay at nadaramang mga reporma. Nawa’y maging matapang tayo lahat sa pagdeklara nito sapagkat ang ating kinabukasan ang nakataya. Sa pagkakataong ito, hayaan ninyo rin sana kami, ang mga mamamayan, na tuldukan ang nakakasuklam na siklo ng maduming eleksyon at kasuka-sukang paraan ng paghawak sa posisyong pang gobyerno.
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insan, natatakot na akong magsulat. Alam kong kontrobersyal ito sapagkat isa akong manunulat, ngunit sa mga nakalipas na buwan, ramdam ko ang pagtakas ng aking tapang na dati ay nag-aalab. Kinakabahan ako sa mga salitang aking tinuturan. Nababahala na rin ako sa mga binabahagi kong mga artikulo. Dinadalaw din ng pangamba ang aking puso’t isipan sa tuwing pipindutin ko ang post button. Tama nga ang sinabi ng iba ─ namamatay na ang demokrasyang pinaglaban ng ating mga bayani. Kalayaan na nakamtan dito sa ating Inang Bayan na siyang matatapos din dito sa lupang dapat sana ay ating pinahahalagahan. Ngunit wala namang masamang ibulgar ang mga namamataan nating mga mali, hindi ba? Marapat lamang na isiwalat ang mga anomalya’t kabaluktutan upang magawan ito ng agarang aksyon at solusyon. Subalit, dito sa Pilipinas, pinipili ng mga karamihan na magbulag-bulagan sa mga katiwaliang sila mismo ang nakararanas. Mas pinipili nilang magpauto sa mga bagong lutong istorya at balitang wala namang bahid ng katotohanan. Mas pinipili nilang umanib sa mga mamamatay tao, sa mga magnanakaw, mga payaso, abusado, at mga demonyong akala mo’y santo. Kapit sa patalim? Dulot ng bulok na sistema? Malamang sa lamanang ay bunga ng gobyernong takot sa mapangilatis na masa kung kaya’t pinabayaan ang madlang mangapa.
Editor-in-Chief
“Ang ating pamahalaan ay tila nagiging isa na lamang palaruan. Ang bawat termino at tila nagiging time in and out sa playhouse ─ dadatnan mong magulo at iiwan nila sa mas masalimuot na sitwasyon.”
Kung kaya naman, sino ang hindi matatakot at mangangamba kung pinipili nilang manatiling bulag mula sa mga kanser ng lipunan, maging bingi sa mga dinadaing ng kanilang kapwa, kalimutan ang lasa ng hustisya, lasapin ang bulok na sistemang ating kinabibilangan, at mawalan ng pandama sa mga nangangailangan. Para sa kanila, tagumpay ang 48% ─ ang apat na pu’t walong porsyento na ayon sa pinakabagong sarbey ng Pulse Asia, bilang ito ng mga Pilipinong kumukuha ng datos sa Facebook. Ay, magaling, magaling. Ang saya namang iyakan at mayamot sa resulta na ‘yan. Ito talaga ang mga panahon na tila’y nagiging desperada nalang din ako sa lehitimong pagbabago. Wala namang isyu siguro kung hihingi tayo ng tulong sa mga nasa itaas hindi ba? Sila itong may mga kapangyarihan upang itama itong kalunos-lunos nating sitwasyon. Sinasamba na nga sila ng iba kung kaya’t siguro lang ay dapat tayo dumantay sa kanila. Sa kanila tayo dapat kumakapit ─ PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT DUTERTE SIGNS CONTROVERSIAL ANTITERROR LAW
Sabi ko nga, ‘wag na. Nakakapanghina. Imbes na sa nakakamatay na virus rumesbak, pinupunterya nila ang mga matatapang na nakikibaka. Sa halip na matulungan ang mga Pilipinong makasagap ng agaran at balidong impormasyon: pinasara nila ang ABSCBN noong nakaraang taon at pinagkaitan ng pagkakataong baguhin ang kanilang prangkisa; tinawag na pugad ng mga sinungaling ang Rapper dahil sa “biased” nitong pagbabalita; nagsampa ng kasong cyber-libel laban sa kaunaunahang Pilipinong nanalo ng Nobel Prize at isa sa mga pamosong kritiko ng kasalukuyang administrasyon na si Maria Ressa; at walang pulidong plano sa pagsugpo sa pagtriple ng dami ng mga bayarang troll sa bansa. Ang bansang dating tinitingala pagdating sa usaping press freedom ay tuluyan nang bumagsak at kasalukuyang nasa ika-136 mula sa 180 na bansa, ayon sa World Press Freedom Index. At kahit na ang iba’t ibang mga manunulat ay protektado ng konstitusyon, ang Pilipinas ay tila isang impyerno sa mundong ibabaw para sa mga mamamahayag base sa pag-aaral ng US-based Freedom House.
Nakakatakot isipin na ito ─ ang mga aksyon ng gobyerno’t Pilipino pagdating sa midya, ang siyang siyang magpapabilis sa pagkitil sa kalayaang bilang na lamang ang mga taon. Pagkarami-rami ng oras at panahon ngunit binubuhos nila ito sa mga walang katuturan na mga bagay. Pinipili nilang balingan ng atensyon ang mga kritisismo na kung ituring nila ay batikos kaysa sa mga sigaw ng masang Pilipino. Nakikita nilang sandata ang panulat, papel, tarpaulin, spray cans, pintura, at pahayagan kumpara sa mga armas na sa maling paraan ay nagagamit. Nahihibang na sila sa kakaisip na kapwa nila Pilipino ang kalaban sa kalagitnaan ng pandemya. Ang ating pamahalaan ay tila nagiging isa na lamang palaruan. Ang bawat termino at tila nagiging time in and out sa playhouse ─ dadatnan mong magulo at iiwan nila sa mas masalimuot na sitwasyon. Kakatwa pa na ang iba sa mga ito ay nagagawa pang mag pa-extend basta may pera. Ang ibang mga kasapi ng gobyerno ay nag-aasal bata, labis ang tuwa kapag napapansin, grabe ang pagdradrama kapag napagsasabihan, gumaganti kapag nadedehado, at nandadaya para laging panalo. Kita mo na? Larong pambata, away bata, at mga asal bata. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit lagi silang laman ng mga balita. Bato-bato sa langit, ang matamaan, ‘wag magalit. Ay, huli na ba ako sa paalala? Pasensya ka na ha? Nahuli na rin po kasi kayo para ayusin pa ang lipunang Pilipino.
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OA or the Commission on Audit is the nightmare of every corrupt politician or agency as it is mandated by the Constitution that the Commission should examine and audit their financial conditions and operations. Unfortunately, based on the Commission on Audit’s reports we can say that the current administration is still bustling with corruption despite its “efforts” in putting an end to it. Reinstatement of corrupt officials in the government “One whiff of corruption and you’re out” these were the exact words President Duterte mentioned time and time again; a warning to those unjust politicians and agencies who persistently do corrupt deeds. With the help of COA, Duterte had identified and dismissed individuals in his administration that are “NOT” deserving of their positions due to corruptive practices. Personalities include Nicanor Faeldon, a former Bureau of Customs Commissioner who resigned due to COA’s report on his involvement in a 6.4 billion PHP shabu scandal, and Jose Gabriel Lavina who was fired due to abuse of public funds and demands for a multi-million budget for social media promotion. These are just some of the individuals that Duterte removed from their positions because of corruption. However, many eyebrows were raised as Duterte surprisingly reinstated and even promoted these corrupt individuals! How could you ever trust someone who stole and spent millions and billions of money from Filipino taxpayers? How could you put someone in a position of public service if he only loves to serve himself?
ment’s budget. Why would Duterte stop COA from publicizing its findings if he knows that DOH did nothing wrong? Is there something to be afraid of? Pharmally Pharmaceuticals Issue There has been a buzz in the Senate and in social media, how Pharmally Pharmaceuticals sells overpriced personal protective equipment to the government. If we take a look at reports, Pharmally only started in 2019 with a capital of 625,000 PHP, therefore we can say that it is not a big company. However, within just a year, the company’s capital grew to 265 million! But how did this happen? Well, it has been revealed that Michael Yang, the financier and guarantor of the company is associated with President Duterte, as Yang was Duterte’s former economic adviser. Being an “ally” to the President, our thoughtful leader ensured that Pharmally is the number one company who will supply face masks, face shields, and other protective equipment, without even knowing if they are overpriced. According to reports, Pharmally bagged a total of 10 billion PHP as of 2021, surpassing some pharmaceutical companies that sell PPEs way “cheaper”. Given these cases, we can say that the administration indeed saw this pandemic as an opportune time to execute their corruptive works.
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espite the challenges that this pandemic brought upon, corruption still persists. While corrupt officials enjoy their luxurious and worry-free life, thousands and DOH mishandling of funds millions of Filipino families continue to suffer the overwhelming effects of Duterte mentioned that COA’s report about the poverty. Thus, it is important that deficiencies of DOH in their budget worth more than “67 billion” can be perceived by COA should and always examine and many as “corruption by perception” since the determine politicians and agencies findings were publicized . However, in COA’s that are indeed deserving of serving statement, they did not directly mention that the public and which who are not. there is “corruption”, rather they only stated the deficiencies regarding the lack of documentation and transparency of DOH’s expenditures. In fact, they also made constructive recommendations that can help the Department to effectively and efficiently manage their financial resources. I firmly believe that it is the primary duty of COA not only to scrutinize the financial accounts of government officials and agencies, but also to utilize their findings to inform the public, especially considering that their taxes play a vital role in the govern-
Corruption will forever be an issue in our country, unless we take matters into our own hands. One way of doing this is by voting for competent, compassionate, and most importantly incorruptible public servants in Halalan 2022 that will one day liberate the country out of corruption.
Entertainment Editor
“Corruption will forever be an issue in our country, unless we take matters into our own hands. One way of doing this is by voting for competent, compassionate, and most importantly incorruptible public servants...”
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he Netflix drama series “Squid Game” written and directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk was released worldwide on September 17, 2021. After years of writing, planning, and filming the series, it successfully dominated the Internet and became Top 1 on its fourth day of availability on September 21, 2021. In just 4 weeks Squid Game has amassed an incredible 142 million individuals who have decided to watch the series. The series shows how the 456 individuals compete in children’s activities to get out of debt. Some of the children’s activities played in the series are tug-of-war and red light, green light. In the game red light, green light, players were allowed to proceed to the finish line when the doll stated "Green light," but they had to stop when it said "Red light." After that, anyone who was observed moving got eliminated. It’s a game that no one is prepared to play. But it is also a game that anyone should play in order to get a prize. Just like the squid game players, Filipinos are not prepared. The Filipinos seem to be playing the green light, red light game in the Philippines because of the new law approved by the 16th President of the Philippines. The death toll is rising because of the new enacted law. Some want to quit because they are too afraid to die. Some still continue because they want to finish what they have already started — protesting the “Junk Anti Terror Law”. It was on July 3, 2020 when President Rodrigo Duterte signed the anti-terrorism bill which is now Republic Act No 11470. Despite the disapproval of some partylist, lawmakers and of course, the public, the bill still got approved. The Anti-terrorism law was said to be a protection of the nation and its people to any form of terrorism. The palace spokesman Harry Roque said that the President and his legal team took time to study the bill and consider the concerns of various stakeholders before signing the bill. He also spoke regarding the signing of the law, “demonstrates our serious commitment to stamp out terrorism, which has long plagued the country and has caused unimaginable grief and horror to many of our people.” However, the same law also caused grief and horror to many of our people because of how vague the law is and how easy
it is for the government to define what a terrorist is. A lot were red-tagged and even killed after being in the list. In a post, Anakbayan said “Sa napakalawak at mababaw na depinisyon nito ng “terrorismo”, itinuturing ng krimen ang LAHAT ng pulitikal na hakbang ng mamamayan — lalong-lalo na ang mga protesta at welga. Maaaring ikulong hanggang 30 na araw nang walang kaso ang sinumang kursunada ng rehimen, tiktikan ang social media at iba pang komunikasyon ng walang utos mula sa korte — lahat ng tao, kahit ang mga inosente, maaaring maging biktima.” (In a very vague and shallow definition of terrorism, all of the political steps especially the protests and strikes of the citizens are being considered as crimes. It is possible for anyone who attacks the regime to be put in jail in 30 days, their social media can be scanned, and any other terms of communication without the approval of the court. Every citizen, even the innocent one, can be a victim.) Anti-terrorism law also violated 15 out of 22 items in bill of rights. As stated by the joint motion filed last February 22., "The Anti-Terror Act infringes upon at least 15 of the People's fundamental rights as set forth in the Constitution including free speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, freedom of association, freedom of the press, due process of law, freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures, right to privacy, right to travel, right to bail, presumption of innocence, freedom of information, right against ex post facto laws, right against torture and incommunicado detention and academic freedom.” Are you going to let these red-tagging stop you from voicing out your rights? Let’s all have an eye to some of the following red-tagging issues in the Philippines. Green light, red light... In the midst of the health crisis that the world is experiencing. Some FIlipinos were kind enough to come up with a community pantry. But the government allies tagged community pantries by being a vehicle vehicle of communist propaganda. The government allies were saying that the community pantries are one of the promotion of communists.
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Carlos Conde, a HRW Asia researcher said in red tagging community pantries, "By vilifying now even ordinary Filipinos who only want to help, the government is weaponizing 'red-tagging' to instill fear among the general public that is increasingly agitated by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.” Also, in one of Senator Richard Gordon’s series of tweets, attacking Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr, the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) spokesperson, stated, “Helping our people is natural to us and there are plenty of other things we can focus on. Gen. Parlade should go back to the military instead of concentrating on harassing our people with red-tagging accusations.” It is right, when does giving alms to those who are in need become a threat or terror to individuals? The community pantries are only one way of FIlipinos in helping their fellow Filipinos who are struggling in the middle of the health crisis that the Philippines is facing. Noticing and reaching out to people in a simple way is never a crime. But the government seems to have mistaken the gesture that they never thought of doing for the people they should serve. Green light, red light... Last September 2021, during a webinar on peace convergence hosted by the Cordillera Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTFElcac), some college students in the Cordil-
lera region conducted an online protest against "outright Red-tagging" of progressive organizations. The students, who were asked to swear an oath and promise "not to be misled or influenced by outside forces," staged a symbolic action on Thursday, September 16, by holding placards asking for an end to the attacks and Red-tagging activists and youth organizations. May we all have the courage to fight against injustice in the country like these students who were brave enough to speak for justice and rights not only for themselves but also for their fellow Filipinos. May we all use our platforms to voice out the truth and for our safety. Green light, red light… Terrorism is surely a problem we must defeat. But the law seems not to help but only endangers many innocent lives who only want to voice out for their rights and justice. The police and soldiers were also becoming more abusive of their power because of the said law. The Piston 6, Cebu 8, Iligan 16, and Pride 20 are just a few of the people who have been arrested without warrants and held for longer than required. When the cops were asked of a law they violated, they couldn’t think of a crime to prosecute them with. Clearly, the anti-terrorism law has only given the security, police, and army the opportunity to abuse the power given to them. Terrorism is not only one issue that the government should condemned, but also those who are
abusive of their power. As far as we all know, Roque once said, “Terrorism, as we often said, strikes anytime and anywhere. It is a crime against the people and humanity; thus, the fight against terrorism requires a comprehensive approach to contain terrorist threats.” Those who are terrorists should be the one to pay for their cruelty and for the danger they bring to people and not the innocent Filipinos who only want nothing but justice and fairness for themselves. Congratulations, player! You have successfully reached the finish line! With all the factual information you have read, may you also have the courage to have your own voice. Take your first step towards change. The first step you can do on being a wise citizen is to watch, listen or read many articles or news from Rappler, Inquirer, and other trusted and qualified news platforms you can find. Be informed of what’s happening in our country so you can practice your rights by finding your way on how you can contribute to justice in our country. Moreover, make sure to vote at the upcoming election so we can have good leaders for our country. Let your voice be heard. Do not let the doll — the government — stop you from standing for what is right and fair. Be brave enough to stand for the truth even when there are eyes who are looking at you. The clock is ticking. You have a lifetime to fight for the prices — justice and fairness. Play it well Photo courtesy of REUTERS
features | 15 heavily on draconian measures in its “war” will no longer be warned; instead, they will be against COVID-19. arrested immediately and will be brought to court for inquest proceedings. By the end of Suffice to say, the lockdown was difficult espe- April 2020, 156,000 individuals had been apprecially for the poor. Their situation was further hended since lockdown measures were imposed exacerbated by the slow distribution of emer- on 15 March 2020; 41,000 of them were gency subsidies under the government’s Social charged, while the rest were released with a Amelioration Programme (SAP). While the warning. delivery of subsidy was running at a glacial pace, it became apparent that much of the gov- Still, more than a year after the virus's emerernment response was focused on containment gence, regulations are as illogical as they can be. and law enforcement strategies. Amid the pan- The requirement of face masks even in wide, demic, the police began arresting people. open spaces, as well as face shields for joggers Among those arrested were the so-called “San and bikers; the imposition of a shield for back Roque 21,” residents of Sitio San Roque, Que- riders on motorcycles as a result of the imposizon City, who (on 1 April 2020) gathered along- tion of face shields on everyone (the only counside Epiphanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) try in the galaxy to do so); the constricting of after receiving news that relief goods were to be public transportation without provisions for distributed. While some residents of Sitio San alternatives; and, among other things, the Roque queued for relief distribution, the police monthly last-minute announcement on the quarhe incompetence of the Philippine government has came and arrested twenty-one residents. They antine status. Recent additions to the catalog led to the current delay in managing the pandemic. were arrested for allegedly violating quarantine include the President's rejection of task force President Rodrigo Duterte's approach to curbing rules. The San Roque 21 were later charged resolutions, the determination of quarantine COVID-19 has slammed the brakes on the economy with violating the Bayanihan to Heal as One status in Metro Manila by majority vote of legisand caused untold pain for millions of Filipinos, with hunger Act but were later released through bail amount- lators, and the task force's opening of arcades and begging on the rise. The complete tale of the Philippine ing to 17,500.00 Philippine peso (approximately and cinemas but not schools. The government response to silent killing virus has yet to be revealed, but USD 350.00) per person. Several days later, the also relentlessly continued its war on drugs, ineptitude, impunity, and a lack of ethics will undoubtedly police raided the soup kitchen feeding the resi- criminality, and corruption; intensified its war play a role - and Duterte, like other illiberal populists, has dents of Sitio San Roque and tore down plac- against terrorism alongside the passage of the fumbled his initial handling of the pandemic. ards protesting or pleading for help from the controversial Anti-Terrorism Law; and escalated government. its campaign to dismantle so-called oligarchs, Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte’s handling of Covid-19 ABS-CBN – the largest media network in the has not been exemplary by most measures. The country has In many ways, the Philippines has ostensibly Philippines – as one of the casualties. These reported more than 500,000 cases and 10,000 coronavirus fought the virus with an iron fist. The message wars are being fought to address a clear and deaths, the second-highest toll in south-east Asia after Indo- to maintain discipline and follow the govern- present threat to ensure the well-being and funesia. Gross domestic product shrank 9.5 per cent in 2020 ment’s orders has been repeated constantly ture of the nation. And, more importantly, it according to the country’s statistics agency, the first time the since the President began his weekly address to presents an enemy to vanquish. The war on economy has contracted since 1998. The populist president the nation on March 12, 2020. In his speech on COVID-19 had serious consequences. Through has imposed lockdowns that have failed to tame the pandemic April 16, 2020, Duterte threatened that if the the archetype of the pasaway, the government and led to a rise in human rights abuses. Entire provinces and lack of discipline among Filipinos persists “the has, wittingly or unwittingly, turned the Filipino cities were placed under lockdown, transportation was re- military and the police will take over. I am people into the enemy. This came to be as the stricted, and masks and social isolation were rigidly enforced. ordering them now to be ready. The police and virus, initially conceived as an “unseen enemy” Violations were dealt with repercussions. The government the military will enforce social distancing and creeping to infect, kill, and upend the lives of relied largely on the police and military to maintain order and curfew. They will. It is just like martial law too. Filipinos, took a corporeal form. guarantee that all health regulations were followed. As a You choose.” This remark came nearly two result, some observers and scholars have labeled the govern- weeks after Duterte infamously ordered the Borrowing the words of the usually toughment's response as "draconian," "militarized," or "police- police and military to “shoot them dead.” By talking President Rodrigo Duterte during a nacentric". The country’s vaccine policy is in disarray, with “them,” the President was seemingly referring tional address, where he stated, “Government is accusations that some close to the strongman leader have to the incident in Sitio San Roque. Drawing desperate now. I am desperate now.” We are, too received preferential treatment. These steps, according to the from the president’s threat to impose martial – are desperate. Desperate for a change. Despergovernment, were all part of the country's "war" against law-like lockdown measures, Philippine Nation- ate to end the suffering of the Filipinos. COVID-19. al Police (PNP) Chief Archie Gamboa gave the order to undertake mass arrests. Soon after, the In Filipino fashion, again and again, “Hindi Let’s look back on how the Philippine government relied PNP Chief announced that quarantine violators kami ang kalaban.”
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Photo courtesy of CNN World
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n the following year, the strongman’s rule will come to an end, leaving in his trail a multitude of human rights issues committed and downplayed in his regime. Will this administration be another case of that of the late dictator President Marcos which is celebrated by others due to his perceived accomplishments while burrowing the atrocities perpetrated on his term? Since his campaign and even when he was already elected as president, President Duterte has always been straightforward and carefree with his remarks: uttering curses, spurting threats, gushing insults towards opposing individuals and organizations, and unapologetically sharing his offensive humor-all received and translated by many as a sign of authenticity. Even with moments when confessions of crime came straight from his mouth, such as when he confirmed to BBC News in 2016 that he killed three men during his term in Davao as mayor, saying “I killed about three of them... I don't know how many bullets from my gun went inside their bodies. It happened and I cannot lie about it”. He was defended by many, saying that such remarks cannot be taken seriously for it is just his humor and way of talking. In spite of the fact that that is actually just one of the many confessions that spurred controversies of his criminal involvement, many were still unconcerned. Typically, when speaking of human rights issues in the Philippines, what usually comes to mind is the Extrajudicial Killings caused by the Drug War. According to the most recent record of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the casualties of the drug war operations have reached 6,165. Whereas human rights groups believe that there is a death toll of 12,000 to 30,000 individuals because of vigilante-style killings. Objectively, a campaign against drugs is necessary. However, the means that the government employed is unjust for it trampled the right of the victims to due process. Criminal or not, everyone’s rights should be acknowledged and recognized. Unfortunately, the casualties of the drug war were not given the chance to defend themselves in court, and this raises the possibility that there were innocents who suffered because of the cruelty of the drug war such as the case of a 17-year-old student named Kian delos Santos who was accused as a drug runner and killed in self-defense as cited by the police but was later on proven as innocent.However, the controversy of the war on drugs is actually just the tip of the iceberg of all the human rights issues in our country. Critics of the administration such as politicians, activists, and journalists have experienced injustice in which many were sued, arrested, and even killed. According to the most recent data from the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, there are a total of 223 cases of attacks and threats against members of the Philippine Media in which
half are linked to be perpetrated by the police, military, and local government officials. Whereas, there are at least 61 lawyers, prosecutors, and judges who have been killed over the course of the Duterte administration. In addition to that, there are about 100 activists, farmers, and human rights defenders who have been killed since January of 2017 on Negros alone. From media members, legal personnel, to activists, farmers, and human rights defenders who met their untimely death, it should be noted that most were victims of red tagging. It is as though there is a slaughter list of individuals who are shushed one by one. Unfortunately, with all this bloodshed, President Duterte, who is under an oath to uphold human rights, overtly expressed his sentiments saying that he won't hesitate to order the killing of human rights activists. This gives the impression that those who wish to cross the line, will definitely be crossed off the list. This blatant abuse of power is definitely a sign of disrespect and attack on people’s rights, freedom, and to our country’s democracy itself. What’s ironic is that even though President Duterte openly admits that crimes were committed in his drug war and that he never hid his intent to use violence against his critics, especially his infamous “shoot to kill order” he seems to be eluding the consequences of his actions. When the International Criminal Court announced that an investigation is underway regarding the human rights violations in the Philippines, Duterte withdrew the membership of our country from the ICC’s treaty saying that it was prejudiced against him. Such efforts to keep his critics at bay and shushed implies that he doesn't have a sense of accountability and that all he shows people is a facade. Over time, it seems that injustice continuously multiplies. Since the mentality of aggression is promoted and encouraged by the higher-ups, we have witnessed many more transgressions committed by men in uniform, tarnishing the idea that our government is in service to protect the people. Moreover, with the demeanor of the president being normalized, we have witnessed how other officials acted inappropriately and unprofessionally, making today’s administration seem to be a circus of clowns. It seems that individuals under President Duterte have developed an air of arrogance and invincibility which was fostered due to impunity. As PRRD’s term comes to an end, let us not fix our eyes only to what the administration claims as accomplishments. Let us analyze and reflect on how the Filipino people truly benefit from their actions, and so let us not turn a blind eye to those who suffered and deserve justice. We can applaud and praise what needs to be celebrated, but we should also condemn and hold accountable those who brought woes to our nation.
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angako, babaguhin ko ang buhay mo.
Pamilyar ba ang linyang ito sa inyo? Kung oo, marahil ay narinig mo ito sa taong pinakamamahal at pinagkakatiwalaan mo. Kabikabilang mga pangako na sinasabi na sa huli ay siya rin naman mapapako. Gaya na lamang ng isang taong lubos nating pinagkatiwalaan na mamuno sa ating bansa. Hindi rin nito natupad ang kaniyang binitawan na salita na sa anim na buwan ay tuluyan nang mapupuksa ang droga sa ating bansa. Ang War on Drugs ay isa sa mga pinagtuunan na kumpanya ni Pangulong Rodrigo na sinimulan noong Hunyo 30, 2016. Ito ay naglalayon na mapuksa ang paggamit o pagbebenta ng droga sa ating bansa. Tunay na napakagandang proyekto kung tutuusin dahil mababawasan ang isa sa mga problema na kinakaharap ng mamamayan sa Pilipinas. Ngunit noong sinimulan nito ang kaniyang kumpanya laban sa droga, imbis na mawala o tuluyang malabanan ang problemang dala ng droga, nag-resulta ito sa pagkamatay ng humigit-kumulang sa 7, 000 na katao. Ang nasabing kumpanya ay kumitil sa mga taong gumagamit at nagtutulak ng droga. Ngunit sa kasamaang palad ay marami ring nabiktima na inosenteng tao gaya na lamang ng ilang kabataan at mga manggagawa na may tanging hangad na makapag-hapag ng pagkain sa kanilang mesa at maitaguyod ang kanilang pang araw-araw na pamumuhay. Ang alam ng lahat ay ang “War on Drugs” ay para mapuksa ang salot sa lipunan at para sa kaayusan ng daloy sa ating bansa. Ngunit bakit sa loob ng anim na buwang pangako ay nananatili pa ring magulo ang bansang ating ginagalawan at naging itong bangungot sa mga tao lalo na sa mga hindi pinalad na magkaroon ng maginhawang pamumuhay? Marami nang nadawit na inosente sa kumpanyang War on Drugs ng gobyerno. Mga walang kamalay-malay sa madilim na kanilang sasapitin; tanging mga pangarap lang ang nakakubli sa kanilang isip. Isang halimbawa na lamang dito ay ang 17 na taon na si Kian Delos Santos na napatay matapos mapagbintangan na gumagamit ng droga. Siya ay payapa lamang naglalakad at naghahanda para sa kanilang pagsusulit kinabukasan ngunit siya ay sinugod ng mga pulis at walang awang kinaladkad sa madilim na eskinita at doon ay pinagbabaril.
kinaladkad sa madilim na eskinita at doon ay pinagbabaril. Kagaya ni Kian, isa rin sa nabiktima si Joshua Laxamana, na mayroong din 17 taon na gulang. Ayon sa panayam ng isang pahayagan sa ama ni Joshua, sumali ang kaniyang anak sa isang DOTA tournament sa Baguio City kasama ang kaniyang mga kaibigan, at sila ay pauwi na noong naganap ang pamamaril ng pulisya sa kanila. Saad pa ng kaniyang ama na pinangarap ni Joshua na makilala siya bilang isang magaling sa ganoong larangan ngunit dahil sa nasabing insedente, hindi na niya makakamit pa ito. Gaya nila Kian at Joshua, marami pa ang nabiktima na kabataan. Sa katunayan nga, ayon sa datos na bigay ng gobyerno, sa taong 2020, umabot na sa 129 o higit pa ang mga napatay na kabataan sa nasabing kumpanya. Marami ang namatay hindi lang kabataan; ngunit hindi pa rin tuluyan na napuksa ang droga sa ating bansa. Kung ating susuriin, hindi natupad ni Pangulong Duterte ang kaniyang pangako sa atin na alisin at ubusin ang gumagamit at nagtutulak ng droga. Sa halip, mga buhay na maraming pangarap ang tila inuubos nito. Sa lahat ng binibitawan na pangako sa atin, sino pa ang maniniwala sa mga ito kung harap-harapan tayo nitong niloloko at binubulag sa katotohanan na pilit binabago ng nakatataas? Hindi ba’t dapat na kalabanin natin ay ang droga na patuloy na pumipinsala sa ating bansa? Ngunit sa nakikita natin ngayon ay ang kinakalaban ng nakatataas ay ang mga buhay na may pangarap, nagtataguyod lamang ng pamilya, at ang mga pinagkaitan ng maginhawang buhay. Huwag na sana tayong paloloko sa mga pangakong hindi naman kayang panindigan. Tulad na lamang sa pangakong lalabanan ang salot sa ating bansa na sa huli naman ay naging digmaan laban sa sariling bayan.
Photo courtesy of Rappler, CNN WORLD, REUTERS, and News ONE
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Hungry for better days and progress, They embraced the fraudulent hero With tales of greatness and excellence -- The foe is glorified as a hero With every establishment erected, They proudly cheered. Grateful they say they were Blind patriots, they were and still are.
Remain a bitter truth for fanatics to comprehend. We’re robbed of our future yet, been forgiving And so, the thief lives on the persona of many. Greedy, deceitful, corrupt, Downplaying the horrors of history.
Celebrated and worshipped a man, A false-twisted god, in fact, Whose hands were smeared with blood And pockets filled with nation’s funds.
Please, open your eyes and ears. You’ll see the gruesome reality, The screams of injustice, And the pleading truth of history.
“PH was in its glory,” they say, While truth is, it's the start of decay. The horrors, shrouded by so-called “achievements,”
Believe it or not, history repeats itself. Take heed and be wise, Or watch before your eyes As the wolf devour your own
peace and dreams. Then you’ll know, you’ve been a blind fanatic Naive and deceived.
tr EST. 1984