CULTURE

Another melodramatic scene has unfolded in Philippine politics, where the continuous flagging reports made by the Commission on Audit (COA) were questioned by the government and reacted upon by the people. Pop culture sensationalized red and green flags, the former pertaining to basically toxic traits and the latter being the positive and favorable ones. Recently, the COA audits shenanigans have given a new light to these flags. Reports were made and shots were fired. The COA annually submits reports on budget deficiencies of several government agencies, and it was made public for transparency. State auditors provide detailed information on the expenses of these departments and emphasize the need for proper documentation of transactions. “Winarak niyo kami, winarak niyo ang dangal ng DOH,” cried Secretary of Health Francisco Duque III, as his agency Department of Health (DOH) was on the frontline of the controversy.

Raw and Rational

In addition to DOH, COA also flagged other government agencies including Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), all for their questionable expenses and incomplete documents. The commission made it clear that these reports were publicized not to call out these agencies, especially DOH, but a call of duty where all these relevant pieces of information adhere to the nature of their work. It was not a petty cry, no accusations were even made. They did not even mention corruption, but only expenses unaccounted for and missing legal documents.

Since audit reports need to be submitted yearly, the devil’s regime can say that this is not their month. The Constitution is the concrete backer of the commission’s duties including their authority to audit all the transactions made by the government plus their limitations. Note that our state auditors are only doing their rightful job, yet they were flogged by the Duterte administration.

Rebels and Reasons

Amidst the public cry for Duque’s resignation, the President, of course, came to his defense, claiming how COA tainted their reputation and incited people to cast doubt on their governance.

“Do not flag and do not publish it because it will condemn the agency or the person that you are flagging,” Duterte said, focusing more on the ego of the exposed offices instead of questioning the budget deficiencies.

“...I will protect you people, it includes WORDS your money. Do you JAYMIE HAILEY ANG think papayag ako na may isa dito sa Cabinet member magnakaw maski P1,000? You really think that I would allow it?” he continued ironically. We all saw it coming, them resorting to being manipulative men, proceeding to throw a pity party for themselves instead of aiming to be honest and transparent. All they do is manipulate us into thinking that our pandemic-allotted funds are in good hands. But we continuously face shortage of necessary equipment in medical facilities, lack of vaccine supplies, lack of financial subsidies and hazard pay for our workers, and many more problems concerning our national budget. Our overworked yet underpaid frontliners are crying for help; yet they are still unheard and even cheated on. Public funds are in good hands, they said. It begs the question, whose hands are they pertaining to and why do they feel so dirty? Corruption always comes in disguise, after all.

Rage and resistance

The sudden outbursts of these officials drew all sorts of reactions from the citizens. Netizens expressed their dismay and disbelief across different social media platforms, with some focusing on the questionable purchases of the government agencies. Several political figures also opposed the President’s statement. Senator Miguel Zubiri said in an interview that “COA is crucial for good governance,” opposing the President’s issue about the audit. Former Supreme Court spokesperson Theodore Te said that the COA is an independent body and does not need to take demands from the President. This is the part where the fascist regime’s cronies don’t understand. They may think they are all above the law, but the Constitution says otherwise. It is a clapping moment when COA proceeded to publish the reports concerning the public funds amid outcries and clamour. If it weren’t for COA’s audit reports on the mishandling of our national funds, this would have been another year of overspending and corruption gone under radar. If it weren’t for the flags plus the sketchy reactions of the government officials, many would still be oblivious to the fact that the Filipino people are being robbed of rights and riches. This controversy proves that the Duterte administration attacks whoever goes against their will, even the state auditors who are doing their rightful jobs in reflecting the people’s taxes. The people wish utmost protection unto our state auditors, and continue the struggle to demand for accountability and transparency. ▼

ang politikong gipit,

sa publicity kumakapit

SULAT NI JAYMIE HAILEY ANG

Ilang beses na bang dumaan sa Facebook at Twitter timeline ang mga memes tungkol sa mga sugo ng gobyerno? Halos hindi na rin mabilang.

Para sa mga trapo, isang malaking oportunidad ang pagiging matunog nila sa internet kaya’t hanggang kaya ay sinasakyan nila ang mga trend o ‘di kaya’y pinipilit na magpatawa. Ginagamit nila ang mga platapormang tulad ng Facebook kung saan mabilis kumalat ang mga imahe at ngalan nila. Isa ito sa mga teknik para sa maagang pangangampanya, kumbaga’y sinasanay na tayo nang ganito kaaga na gawing bukambibig ang kanilang apelyido, numero, o partido. Lalo na’t wala namang aasahan sa serbisyo, karamihan ay bumabawi sa popularidad, nagaakalang ito ang magdudulot ng inaasam na pagkaluklok nila sa Mayo 2022.

Sa isang araw, maraming satirical posts ang kumakalat tungkol sa kanila. Maraming nakikitawa at kapag mas below the belt, mas maraming nagla-like and share ng mga ito. Minsa’y makakakita pa ng caricature ng pagmumukha ng mga taong ito na nakatapal sa mga hayop o di kaya’y ibang kilalang personalidad. Iba’t ibang konsepto ngunit pare-parehas na konteksto—niriridikula ang mga nakaupo. Nakakatawa rin isipin na halos hindi nauubusan ng creative juices ang mga netizens, lalo na sa Facebook. Halos iba’t ibang style at format ang makikita mo at may iba pang nagbubuhos ng oras para sa video editing.

Pinoy nga naman, talagang likas na malikhain. Kahit sa mga kontekstong pampulitiko, hindi nawawalan ng katatawanan dahil wala na rin minsang limitasyon ang pagiging palabiro sa social media. Napakaraming engagement ng ganitong mga klase ng posts. May mga umabot sa ilang daang-libong reacts, comments, at shares. Kung tutuusin, napakalaking platform ng Facebook lalo na para sa mga kandidato, kahit pa ang layunin ng mga ito ay gawing katatawanan ang mga opisyal, sa laki ng reach nito’y lalong nagkakaroon ng ideya ang ibang mga tao ukol sa kanila gayundin ang lalong pagiging matunog ng kanilang pangalan.

Talamak din talaga ‘yung mga memes tungkol kay Duterte at Go, patungkol sa minsa’y nakakaumay na nilang pagsasama. Nabansagan pang ‘watermark’ si Bong Go dahil sa madalas niyang pagpapakita sa mga litrato ng kanyang amo. Pero kung iisipin, dito siya sumikat. Dito siya nagkaroon ng pangalan. Dito siya nakilala bilang matalik na kasama ng Pangulo. Kung gaano man kalaki ang popularidad niya ngayon, galing ito sa pagkalat ng imahe niya sa mainstream media at sa sipag magpakalat ng mga troll.

Minsa’y mapapangiwi ka pa sa mga Tiktok ng mga opisyal na ito, tulad ni Harry Roque. Mga nakiki-bagets. Pero ito ang paraan nila para makarating sa masa. Habang patuloy pang pinapakalat ang mga ganitong midya, lalo lang lumalago ang kanilang mga naiimpluwensyahan. Kahit pa haha react ang ilagay, dagdag pa rin ito sa engagements ng mga taong ito.

Idagdag pa natin ang mga nagsulputang mga troll sa internet. Minsan ay sa Facebook, minsan ay sa Twitter, pero pare-parehas na maraming oras sugurin at pagtulungan ang mga naglalahad ng opinyon at kuro-kuro tungkol sa mga napapanahong isyu ng lipunan. Nagkukumpulan ang mga ito sa comment section habang binabansagang ‘terorista’ ang kahit sinumang salungat sa paniniwala at hinahangaan nilang administrasyon. Sila ang mga pangunahing taga-pakalat ng mga fake news, manang-mana nga naman sa kanilang “Tatay.” Kung totoo nga na kumikita ang mga ito sa pagkalap ng engagements sa mga ginagawa nila, marapat lamang na huwag nang bigyan ng pansin o kaya’y i-block at report ang mga ito. Pero hangga’t kayang magbigay ng maayos na diskurso sa ibang taong tunay na kapos sa kaalaman sa mga politikal na usapan, sikapin natin na tulungan sila nang walang halong pagmamalaki.

Tampok din sa mainstream media ang mga oportunistang kandidato, isang halimbawa na lang ang kampanyang ‘Run, Sara, Run’ para sa anak ng Presidente na may balak ding mamuno at sundan ang yapak ng kanyang Ama sa gobyerno. Kakikitaan mo talaga ng bakas ng pagka-Duterte si Inday dahil sa kanyang maagang pagpapabango sa publiko, mga kwestyonableng patakaran sa kanyang bayan na hindi nakatulong sa pagsugpo sa pandemya, at mga gawing pasista na walang pinagkaiba sa ama. Kung ano ang puno, iyon din ang bunga, ika nga. Sa daming nagkalat na memes sa internet, pati na rin sa mga tarpaulin nito sa iba’t ibang bayan, bukambibig na rin ng karamihan ang tagline ni Sara. Sa dali ring kabisaduhin ng kampanyang ito, kahit pa ang mga nakakatandang hindi naman madalas sa social media ay nakikilala na rin ang munting prinsesa ng presidente mula sa Davao.

Lahat ng pangalang namutawi sa bawat walang kabuluhang diskurso, lahat ito ay nagkakaroon ng dagdag na posibilidad para kunin ang loob natin sa eleksyon. Lalo pa’t may mga pulitikong agaw-pansin ang mga alitan sa gitna man ng mga partido o hindi, mas nagiging madaling tandaan ang mga ito sa balota. Habang kumakalat ang mga litratong katatawanan, lalo ring lumalawak ang mga taong nakakakilala sa kanila. Lalo pa at ilang buwan na lang ang natitira bago ang eleksyon, mas nagiging matunog ang pangalan ng kandidato, mas may pag-asang nakatatak sila sa isip ng madla.

Dahil sa pagiging echo-chamber ng mga social media website, malaki ang posibilidad na gawing mas sikat ang isang taong pasalinsalin ang pangalan sa bawat sulok ng site. “Bad publicity is still publicity,” ika nga. Marapat na maghinay-hinay tayo sa pagpapalaganap ng mga ito. Kailangan nating ikonsidera na huwag na bigyan ng plataporma ang mga kandidatong hindi naman karapat-dapat, na tanging hanggang salita at plataporma lang ang serbisyo, at hindi kailanman naasahang umaksyon at tumulong sa mga mamamayan, bagkus sunod-sunuran lamang sa mga makapangyarihan.

Malakas ang loob ng mga kandidato dahil maraming nakakakilala sa kanila, dahil marami tayo. Huwag na natin hayaang maulit ang mga nagdaang taon nang walang pagbabago. Ang mga oras na inilalaan natin sa pagpapakalat ng mga memes at bad publicity material ukol sa kanila, maaari na lang nating ituon sa pagpapakalat ng mga angkop na impormasyon na makakatulong pa sa iba, gaya ng pagpaparehistro para sa darating na eleksyon. ▼

THE HEART OF THE City’s Ignition

WORDS BY JIAN MARIE Q. GARAPO “Ang pagbenta ng palengkeng ito ay parang pagbenta na rin sa aming mga kabuhayan. Ginawa kaming sunud-sunuran lang. Mas pinili nilang pakinggan ang mga mapera.”

This is the response of Aling Corazon Dahonog, a vendor from Baguio City Public Market (BCPM) for 15 years, when asked about her insight on the impending mallification of the market. Just like a fire smoke gone with the wind, the voices of our dear vendors seem to evaporate into thin air. Clamors stretched every now and then, yet all these sentiments vanished into the ocean of clouds without a chance to be heard. At what justifiable ground should this mallification be pursued, when the livelihood of the vendors and the icon of the city’s heritage is on the verge of spoliation?

Vendors like Aling Corazon are yet another reason why the mallification of BCPM is an antipeople initiative. The moment City Mayor Benjamin Magalong has given the Original Proponent Status (OPS) to SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SMPH) is the same moment where he has chosen to turn his back on the people he ought to serve.

Truth be told, while the modernization would be physically satisfying, it will sweep off the livelihood of vendors who, since time immemorial, have relied on the market for survival. These local stakeholders are neglected and were not even given a chance to share their inputs on the structure based on their necessities and experiences considering that they are the primary individuals who will be most affected by the big change. It seems like the statement of Aling Corazon is accurate after all— local stakeholders are deemed insignificant by the local government. This begs the question as to whom both the mallification and the local city really are for.

Privatizing a publicly-maintained territory is definitely an act of robbery to the vendors. The stall rent (or increase thereof) is one thing, and another is the possibility that small-scale vendors would be left with no area reserved for them. Considering that only two basement floors of the seven-story building are allocated for the market—there would be a competition for space, if not jam-packed. Additional rental payment demands an increase in their products as well, therefore, victimizing both sellers and buyers at once. Not only the voices of the vendors have faded, but their assurance of employment stability will turn into a mere smoke dissipating in the sky.

Aside from this, the BCPM served as the most notable icon of the City’s heritage as all the highland and lowland souvenirs, vegetables, fruits, dry goods, and Cordilleranmarked woven fabrics can be seen. This place is where the distinct identity of the City is manifested since upon entering the market, the culture is strongly felt through the exhibit of well-known products: Sundot Kulangot, Ube/Strawberry Jam, fresh vegetables from Benguet, and the Baguio Walis, among others. The public space is also open for spontaneous Cordilleran performances (i.e, dances, speeches) and a threat to its loss awaits since a private corporation can now intervene and make its own terms on the public territory. This privatization is a scar not just to the livelihood of the vendors but also to the long-lived culture of the City and the Cordillera—a scar that will surface once the City was fondled by wrong hands.

The impropriety of the BCPM mallification is attested through the persistent resistance of the vendors themselves, as they continue to express their disapproval through posters saying “Save Baguio Market,” “Baguio Not For Sale,” “No To Mallification,” among others. There is also a consistent synchronized noise barrage in the market every 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. displaying their firm objection, along with the online petition to stand against the BCPM mallification.

The protest of the vendors against this idea is symbolic of their roles as a local resident: to keep the City’s identity free from any sort of defacement brought by reckless modernization. It is a must, then, for the local government to reconsider the proposal of the Baguio Market Vendors Multipurpose Cooperative (BAMARVEMPCO). Aside from cutting the budget down, the proposal from the City’s own people would definitely adhere to the rightful change they need, while also allowing the preservation of the market’s culture and legacy.

The development of BCPM is agreeable, and probably every city locals would be glad to witness such change. However, a modernization that forsake and disregard the proposition of the masses is a modernization that should be fought against, for change must be for the people and by the people. No corporation, however big and powerful they are, should weigh more than the City’s own offspring. Modernization must always be subjected to the residents’ approval and must value the culture they uphold. To give justice to the modernization, may the voices of those like Aling Corazon not be lost to the void nor vanish into thin air. Local stakeholders are more than a fire smoke—they are the fire themselves, burning red alike to their determination to reclaim and liberate the territory they’ll forever own. ▼

The protest of the vendors against this idea is symbolic of their roles as a local resident: to keep the City’s identity free from any sort of defacement brought by reckless modernization.