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opinion
October - December
REVELATION 13Panorama
|| Wella Mae P. Tolento tolentowella@gmail.com Photo Courtesy: CNN Philippines
The 1987 Philippine Constitution upholds freedom of religion, with over 80% Roman Catholics, while the rest are Protestants, Christians, Muslims, tribal religions, or nonbelievers. Religion is the belief or worship of a supreme being, and faith becomes its foundation. However, how can we be certain of what religion really is? Where does the autonomy of religious groups end?
for a certain place in heaven, fearing hell or eternal damnation. Senior Agila is neither god nor his actions are God’s will. The real God does not ask for material things forcefully or make it a measurement to reserve a place for his child in his kingdom. These are not the purposes of religious freedom. These are clear violations of every individual’s basic human rights. Freedom of Every religion is confronted with the danger of being a cult, religion does not warrant a culture of impunity. which is the blind obedience and belief of a single personality in Another thing to scrutinize in Sitio Kapihan is the existence and a group such as Senior Agila of Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. practice of weaponry by both minor and adult men and women, (SBSI). This year, the country was dismayed when news broke out simply with the approval of Senior Agila. A witness, who claimed about the kidnapping, qualified trafficking, child marriages, and to be a former member of SBSI, stated that they were made to serious illegal detention at the Sitio Kapihan in Socorro, Surigao believe that they were being trained as ‘soldiers of God’, ready to del Norte. The civic organization, which was then operating protect their leader. The purchase of various kinds of firearms is to provide families with a community that shapes a sense of suspicious enough to lead us to assume that there may be more communal unity, or Bayanihan, is now facing alleged cases of than what we can see in the investigation. human rights violations against its members. The question of whether the SBSI and other personalities were Religious freedom is mandated in the Philippines to prevent such violence from ensuing. However, the SBSI’s alleged cases have tarnished this privilege of religious groups promoting peace and order. More than anything, it is not the shame brought to this country’s religious freedom that demands condemnation, but the disbelief in how SBSI’s members suffered in deprivation of basic human rights. No child should be forced into marriage, coerced to have sex with a partner, or give up their property or life
involved in the organization’s transformation into an alleged cult remains. Too many questions are surfacing as the public comes to know more about the SBSI. However, the real and permanent damage is not in the organization but in its members, who gave up their whole lives, including social welfare benefits, to follow a ‘god’ who manipulated and exploited them. The government is now responsible for the lives of former SBSI members who require rehabilitation, assistance, support, and justice after their
The Future of Philippine PoliticsQuerencia ||The Airish Jane Lizaso Future oflizasoairish@gmail.com Philippine PoliticsQuerencia || Airish Lizaso lizasoairish@gmail.com
tragic experiences. May this be a lesson to everyone, to every organization, religious group or not, and to government departments and agencies that it is the welfare of the people that should come first. The Philippines may have existing religious freedom, but every group must still be checked, not to control the way it manages its members or dictate its activities, but to ensure the continuing progress and welfare of its members. We have been granted this privilege to profess our faith and worship our God publicly. Let us not tarnish it by putting God’s name and His will in shame. <w>
does not n io g li e r f o m “Freedo punity” im f o e r u lt u c warrant a
oplan baklasWu wei || Rachel Casaljay casaljayrachel15@gmail.com OPLAN BAKLAS Wu Wei || Rachel Casaljay casaljayrachel15@gmail.com
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Photo Courtesy: Inday Sara Duterte Photo Courtesy: Inday Sara Duterte
The Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) is the governing plan to improve the barangay. body of the youth assembly, or Katipunan ng Since SK is a small-scale version that thinks Kabataan (KK), of every barangay, created through highly of officials and functions of the barangay the Local Government Code of 1991 (Republic Act government structure, SK adapts its practices and 7160) and provides opportunities for young people customs. Hence, corruption is being perpetuated ages 15 to 30 years old (RA 10742) to participate across generations of politicians. The rotting in local governance. In 1995, with the passage tradition of anomalous activities, nontransparent of R.A. 8044, which created the National Youth government transactions, and numerous abuses of Commission (NYC), the secretariat functions of SK power is being copied by, presumably, the future of were transferred to NYC and, in effect, replaced the the new government. It preserves the unchanged Presidential Council for the Youth Affairs (PCYA). culture of corruption, depriving constituents of the Although it is a good platform wherein the youth change they need in and from the government. The can develop their leadership and public service skills, deteriorating image of the Sangguniang Kabataan it turned out to be a mini version of the carnival- must be taken into account and given immediate like situation of the Philippine government. Since attention and a solution. As a part of the younger they are at the grassroots of Philippine politics, they generation that will experience the governance cannot escape its dark shadows. SK is often called that the young generation of public servants will “Future Trapos,” “Criminals in the Making,” “Baby provide, it is alarming and terrifying to know that Buwayas,” and so on. It gives a bad light to the youth the current situation that we are in can get worse. of our nation. Sangguniang Kabataan plays a valuable training To be qualified to run for the position of SK, ground for future leaders and serves a critical you need to be 18–24 years old, a Filipino citizen, role in fostering politically- and civically-engaged and literate. It opens the door to every qualified and empowered youth in the country. It is not a individual, regardless of background or credentials. playground or a business that one enters just because These qualifications are deficient in showing the they have a well-known family name or their friends youth voters whether the leader they are about to say so. SK is a platform filled with privileges as well choose is skilled and ready to serve. We can even as duties and responsibilities. Not only will they be see on social media platforms like Facebook, the future rulers of the country, but they are also Instagram, and X that these candidates became members of the Philippine community responsible a laughing stock because of their credentials. It’s for the growth and prosperity of the country. Small absurd how one can run for a position that involves changes, especially from the youth, can result in a serious duties and responsibilities without being better future for the country. <w> aware of the commitments. In addition, SK is known to have stagnant and most-reused projects, including the infamous Liga and Beauty Pageants. filled with It also contributes to the bad reputation of SKs for SK is a platform insufficient, concrete, or comprehensive plans that ll as duties and e w s a s e g le vi are truly beneficial to their young constituents. This pri s. shapes the opinion of the Filipino people, who feel responsibilitie SK is a self-centered copycat who does not have a
The Department of Education (DepEd) recently decorations to be able to impart knowledge in a way mandated DepEd Order 21 s. 2023, on August that students will easily digest the context of the 3, 2023, signed by Vice President and Education lessons. By not considering these factors, how can Secretary Sara Duterte, a “no-decor policy” on teaching and learning be maximized? the guidelines for this year’s Brigada Eskwela, “It is important to note that classrooms should instructing all public school classrooms to “ensure not be used to stockpile materials and should be that school grounds, classrooms and all their walls, clear of other unused items or items for disposal,” and other school facilities are clean and free from according to Duterte. A complete ban on learning unnecessary artwork, decorations, tarpaulin, and decoration is not feasible, as it hinders creativity, posters at all times. The classroom shall remain motivation, and cleanliness while maintaining a bare and devoid of posters, decorations, and other functional classroom. posted materials.” Some parents and students While the intention of the DepEd directive expressed dissatisfaction with this mandate, arguing that decoration makes the learning environment is understandable and for the betterment of more conducive and boosts interest, especially for learners, they should be focusing on dilemmas younger learners, while others believe that bare that verily impede learners’ focus and capacity walls allow students to focus on their lessons from to learn, such as the lack of school infrastructure the teachers, strengthening teaching and learning. and resources to support ideal teaching and to accommodate the growing number of learners Classroom decoration can create a welcoming, all over the Philippines, according to the Basic engaging, and positive atmosphere for students, Education Report 2023. Prioritizing attention and improving their learning experience. Decorations resources toward addressing existing issues within created by learners can be a learning tool to facilitate the educational system is crucial. While the “noknowledge retention and reinforce lectures through decor-policy” guidelines may have educational and experience. Moreover, according to a study by the aesthetic considerations, enhancing and reforming International Journal of Evaluation and Research education policies that address the significant issues in Education (IJERE), decorated classrooms, in the system is fundamental for societal progress paintings, student works, schedules, school rules, and empowering future generations to produce and sacred verses can motivate students’ learning brilliant learners. Amending comprehensive acts experiences. of education will serve as a strong foundation for a In addition, removing decorations from nation’s development and a sustainable and effective classrooms is not the only solution to assist students investment for the Philippines’ future. <w> in learning. Instead, a refined and strategic approach should be taken and implemented. They should also consider diverse types of learners with different sets of academic needs inside the classroom. There “Decorations cr is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach eated by learn ers…can be a to learning; some students learn through visuals, learning tool to fa ci litate knowledg some by presenting physical demonstrations, etc. and e retention reinforce lectu Prioritizing learners’ academic needs shouldn’t be res through ex pe rience.” limited to the learning environment; teachers utilize
