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Given the lackluster performance that our beloved senators have exhibited as of late in their pursuit of justice and freedom for the Filipino people that they so duly represent, I can only find the voters themselves guilty for such disappointing leadership. The upcoming senatorial elections are very critical in determining our country’s legacy over the next few years. With crucial issues like reproductive health, graft and corruption, an infant-like educational system, poverty, and so many more unresolved affairs of the state, we are in dire need of legislation that is progressive, rational, research-based and pro-people. We have the opportunity to rid our government of plagiarizing bigots, know-nothing action-stars, conservative dinosaurs, money-driven businessmen and church puppets. 

”..however bad a Filipino government might be, we can always change it” -Manuel Quezon

It is our duty as the electorate to educate ourselves on the leadership that we hope to acquire for our great nation. Come campaign time, do not be content with vague radio jingles, television spots and slogan-stamped posters. Research on the platforms of your prospective leaders and analyze the differences in their approaches to leadership. Behind every right that is inherent to you is a corresponding duty in the practice of that right. In your right to suffrage, in your right to cast your vote, you have a DUTY to be an educated voter; one that is grounded on principles and will vote based on those principles. Your votes ARE NOT for sale the same way your rights to life and liberty are not for sale. 

But it doesn’t stop at casting your vote…

I learned from a great man named Henry David Thoreau that a citizen’s duty during election season goes beyond casting an educated vote. He rationalizes his claim by likening an election to that of a game of chance, a gamble. Casting a vote is merely casting your bet. But we shouldn’t leave the future of our country, the leadership of our people up to chance, should we? No. We do everything in our power to weld the odds to our favor. We don’t stop at deciding on who to bet on. We make sure that our bets are the right ones. We can’t stop at casting our vote, we campaign for our vote. We engage in political discourse with our fellow constituents. We provide perspective. We debate. We educate. We sway. We do everything in our power to make sure that our vote was not cast in vain. That’s what it truly means to protect one’s vote.

The power of government emanates from its people. We must realize that our government is merely a tool, a means to an end. Do not be swayed by the convenience of an inexpedient government that is permanent. We must all strive for a society wherein governance will be obsolete and meaningless. We must strive for balance and equality within our country. We must strive for a nation wherein our rights to justice and freedom in the pursuit of happiness are respected and upheld by all . And it all starts with your vote… don’t fuck it up.

List of some senatoriables:

1. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel (PDP LABAN): 

http://www.kokopimentel.org/

2. Melchor Chavez (KBL):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melchor_Chavez

http://philippinesfunwall.wordpress.com/tag/melchor-chavez/

3. Juan Ponce “Jack” Enrile Jr (NPC):

http://www.jackenrile.com/

http://www.i-site.ph/Databases/Congress/12thHouse/personal/enrile-personal.html

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/281060/enrile-jr-chance-to-clean-up-bad-image

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Enrile

4. Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan II (UNA):

http://www.senate.gov.ph/senators/former_senators/gregorio_honasan.htm

http://www.i-site.ph/Databases/Congress/12thSenate/personal/honasan-personal.html

http://www.gringohonasan.ph/

5. Juan Miguel Zubiri (UNA):

http://www.migzzubiri.org/

http://www.senate.gov.ph/senators/sen_bio/zubiri_juanmiguel_bio.asp

6. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito (UNA):

http://www.jvejercito.com/

http://www.pep.ph/news/36005/election-watch-congressman-jv-ejercito-estrada-talks-about-ldquoimproved-relationshiprdquo-with-half-brother-senator-jinggoy-estrada-wersquove-both-matured-but-wersquore-not-buddies

7. Ernesto Maceda (UNA):

http://www.senate.gov.ph/senators/former_senators/ernesto_maceda.htm

http://www.i-site.ph/Databases/ElectionFiles/Senatoriables/KNP/maceda-personal.html

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/tag/ernesto-maceda

8. Richard “Dick” Gordon (UNA):

http://www.senate.gov.ph/senators/sen_bio/gordon_bio.asp

9. Maria “Mitos” Magsaysay (UNA):

http://www.congress.gov.ph/members/search.php?congress=15&id=magsaysay-m

http://www.i-site.ph/Databases/Congress/13thHouse/personal/magsaysaym-personal.html

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/tag/mitos-magsaysay

10. Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco (UNA):

http://opinion.inquirer.net/tag/margarita-tingting-cojuangco

http://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections-2013/13199-tingting-on-senate-bid-i-consulted-pnoy

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/-depth/09/27/12/tingting-cojuangco-vp-binay-asked-me-run

11. Loren Legarda (NPC):

http://www.lorenlegarda.com.ph/

http://www.senate.gov.ph/senators/sen_bio/legarda_loren_bio.asp

https://twitter.com/loren_legarda

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/tag/loren-legarda

http://www.youtube.com/channel/HCAVtK5P23zxc

12. Francis “Chiz” Escudero (Independent):

https://twitter.com/SayChiz

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chiz-Escudero/18915649574

https://www.facebook.com/senchizescudero

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/tag/francis-escudero

13. Cynthia Villar (Nacionalista Party):

http://www.villarfoundation.org/

http://www.cynthiavillar.com.ph/

14. Teodoro “Teddy” Casino (Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan):

http://myteddycasino.com/

http://www.congress.gov.ph/members/search.php?id=casino

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/tag/teodoro-casino

http://www.i-site.ph/Databases/Congress/13thHouse/personal/casino-personal.html

15. Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV (Nacionalista Party):

http://www.trillanes.com.ph/

http://www.senate.gov.ph/senators/sen_bio/trillanes_antonio_bio.asp

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/tag/antonio-trillanes-iv

16. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara (LDP-LABAN):

http://www.sonnyangara.com/

http://www.congress.gov.ph/members/search.php?id=angara-je&congress=14

http://www.i-site.ph/Databases/Congress/13thHouse/personal/angara-personal.html

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/tag/juan-edgardo-angara

17. Samson Alcantara (Social Justice Society):

http://www.ustcivillaw.com/?page_id=2815

https://www.facebook.com/samson.s.alcantara

18. Maria Ana “Jamby” Madrigal (Liberal Party):

http://www.jambymadrigal.com/

http://www.senate.gov.ph/senators/sen_bio/madrigal_bio.asp

19. Rizalito “Lito” David (Ang Kapatiran Party):

http://ph.politicalarena.com/rizalito-david/profile

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/05/25/11/debate-over-rh-bill-gets-physical

20. Marwil Llasos (Ang Kapatiran Party):

http://bromarwilnllasos.blogspot.com/

21. John Carlos “JC” De Los Reyes (Ang Kapatiran Party):

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/research/05/13/09/profile-john-carlos-jc-gordon-de-los-reyes

22. Greco Belgica (Democratic Party of the Philippines):

https://www.facebook.com/greco.belgica

https://twitter.com/Greco_Belgica

http://www.philstar.com/opinyon/2012-11-17/867589/greco-belgica-councilor-senator

23. Ramon Magsaysay Jr. (Liberal Party): 

http://www.senate.gov.ph/senators/sen_bio/magsaysay_bio.asp

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/tag/ramon-magsaysay-jr

https://www.facebook.com/ramonmagsaysayjr

https://twitter.com/RamonMagsaysayJ

24. Paolo “Bam” Aquino (Liberal Party):

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/tag/bam-aquino

https://twitter.com/bamaquino

https://www.facebook.com/bam.aquino

25. Ana Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros (Akbayan):

https://www.facebook.com/hontiverosrisa

https://twitter.com/risahontiveros

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/research/2010-candidate-profiles/senatorial-candidates/05/05/10/profile-ana-theresia-%E2%80%9Crisa%E2%80%9D-hontiveros-baraquel

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/283420/hontiveros-to-push-advocacy-for-women

26. Christian Seneres (Democratic Party of the Philippines)

http://www.congress.gov.ph/download/cv/13th/senerescv.pdf

27. Alan Peter Cayetano (Nacionalista Party):

https://www.facebook.com/apcayetano

http://www.senate.gov.ph/senators/sen_bio/cayetano_alanpeter_bio.asp

http://www.senate.gov.ph/senators/sen_bio/cayetano_alanpeter_resume.asp

http://www.rappler.com/nation/special-coverage/corona-trial/87-cast-of-characters/1196-sen-alan-peter-cayetano

28. Nancy Binay (UNA):

http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/news/top-stories/32546-nancy-binay-una-s-12th-bet

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/tag/nancy-binay

https://www.facebook.com/nancy.binay

Will update you with more information on the lesser-known candidates soon…

Wrote this one way back in Highschool. I don’t really write romance pieces anymore so savor this one for its rarity :)

“In the days of my fleeting youth, I took upon myself the task of classifying people; putting them into categories and other such things. But since I have met you, the concept has been radically concretized. The task has been reduced to the simple feat of distinguishing . You see, since I’ve met you, I only see two categories. On one hand, there is you. Beautiful, enchanting, unfathomable you. And on the other, there are simply those who aren’t you. And I’ve grown to rather despise the latter for their inability to belong to the first.”

Today, as is customary every Sunday, I browsed through the week’s newspapers to update myself on the current events of this country and world. I came across a disappointing article in the Philippine Inquirer entitled, “How to help departed loved ones go to heaven”. Now, I am not exactly what you would call an expert in the field of journalism but I fear that this article should have no place in a national gazette in ANY country, be it Catholic or not. If this article is an exemplification of what one of our better known national gazettes thinks is valid “news”, then I have little faith in our national journalists’ abilities to fulfill their responsibilities of ensuring a well-informed Filipino public… 

This is a call for a higher standard of Filipino journalism, one that is rooted in facts, reason and logic. One that is committed to ideas, perspectives, and the search for truth.

Photo courtesy of Filipino Freethinkers

Inaugural Address
of
His Excellency Manuel L. Quezon
President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines

[Delivered at the Legislative Building, Manila, on November 15, 1935]

Fellow Countrymen:

In the exercise of your constitutional prerogative you have elected me to the presidency of the Commonwealth. I am profoundly grateful for this new expression of your confidence, and God helping me, I shall not fail you.

The event which is now taking place in our midst transcends in importance the mere induction into office of your Chief Executive. We are bringing into being a new nation. We are seeing the fruition of our age-old striving for liberty. We are witnessing the final stage in the fulfillment of the noblest undertaking ever attempted by any nation in its dealing with a subject people. And how well this task has been performed is attested to by the blessing which from 14 million people goes to America in this solemn hour. President McKinley’s cherished hope has been fulfilled—the Filipinos look back with gratitude to the day when Destiny placed their land under the beneficent guidance of the people of the United States.

It is fitting that high dignitaries of the American Government should attend these ceremonies. We are thankful to them for their presence here. The President of the United States, His Excellency, Franklin D. Roosevelt, ever solicitous of our freedom and welfare, has sent to us, as his personal representative, the Secretary representative, the Secretary of War, Honorable George H. Dern, whose friendship for our people has proven most valuable in the past. Vice President Garner, Speaker Byrns, distinguished members of the Senate with their floor leader, Senator Robinson, and no less distinguished members of the House of Representatives have traveled ten thousand miles to witness this historic event. I feel that their presence, the whole American Nation, is here today to rejoice with us in the fulfillment of America’s pledge generously given that the Filipino people is to become free and independent. It is my hope that the ties of friendship and affection which bind the Philippines to America will remain unbroken and grow stronger after the severance of our political relations with her.

In behalf of the Filipino people, I express deep appreciation to Honorable Frank Murphy, our last Governor-General, for his just and efficient administration and for the wholehearted assistance he has rendered us in the difficult task of laying the constitutional foundation of our new Government.

As we enter the threshold of independent nationhood, let us pause for a moment to pay tribute to the memory of Rizal and Bonifacio and all the heroes of our sacred cause in grateful acknowledgment of their patriotic devotion and supreme sacrifice.

Fellow countrymen: The government which we are inaugurating today is only a means to an end. It is an instrumentality placed in our hands to prepare ourselves fully for the responsibilities of complete independence. It is essential that this last step be taken with full consciousness of its significance and the great opportunities that it affords to us.

Under the Commonwealth, our life may not be one of ease and comfort, but rather of hardship and sacrifice. We shall face the problems which lie in our path, sparing neither time nor effort in solving them. We shall build a government that will be just, honest, efficient, and strong so that the foundations of the coming Republic may be firm and enduring—a government, indeed, that must satisfy not only the passing needs of the hour but also the exacting demands of the future. We do not have to tear down the existing institutions in order to give way to a statelier structure. There will be no violent changes from the established order of things, except such as may be absolutely necessary to carry into effect the innovations contemplated by the Constitution. A new edifice shall rise, not out of the ashes of the past, but out of the standing materials of the living present. Reverence for law as the expression of the popular will is the starting point in a democracy. The maintenance of peace and public order is the joint obligation of the government and the citizens. I have an abiding faith in the good sense of the people and in their respect for law and the constituted authority. Widespread public disorder and lawlessness may cause the downfall of constitutional government and lead to American intervention. Even after independence, if we should prove ourselves incapable of protecting life, liberty, and property of nationals and foreigners, we shall be exposed to the danger of intervention by foreign powers. No one need have any misgivings as to the attitude of the Government toward lawless individuals or subversive movements. They shall be dealt with firmly. Sufficient armed forces will be maintained at all times to quell and suppress any rebellion against the authority of this Government or the sovereignty of the United States.

There can be no progress except under the auspices of peace. Without peace and public order, it will be impossible to promote education, improve the condition of the masses, protect the poor and ignorant against exploitation, and otherwise insure the enjoyment of life, liberty, and property. I appeal, therefore, to every Filipino to give the Government his loyal support so that tranquillity may reign supreme in our beloved land.

Our Constitution established an independent judiciary by providing for security of tenure and compensation of judges. But independence is not the only objective of a good judicially. Equally, if not more important, is its integrity which will depend upon the judicious selection of its members. The administration of justice cannot be expected to rise higher than the moral and intellectual standards of the men who dispense it. To bulwark the fortification of an orderly and just government, it shall be my task to appoint to the bench only men of proven honesty, character, learning, and ability, so that everyone may feel when he appears before the courts of justice that he will be protected in his rights, and that no man in this country from the Chief Executive to the last citizen is above the law.

We are living today amidst the storm and stress of one of the most tragic epochs of history. Acute unemployment and economic distress threaten the stability of governments the world over. The very foundations of civilized society are shaken. The common man alone can save humanity from disaster. It is our duty to prove to him that under a republican system of government, he can have every opportunity to attain his happiness and that of his family. Protection to labor, especially to working women and minors, just regulation of the relations between the labor and capital in industry and agriculture, solicitous regard on the part of the government for the well-being of the masses are the means to bring about needed economic and social equilibrium between the component elements of society.

A government draws the breath of life from its finances, and it must balance its income and expenditures as any other going business concern if it expects to survive. It is my duty, then, to see that the Government of the Commonwealth live within its means and that it stands foursquare on a well-balanced budget.

The larger expenditures which the grave responsibilities ahead of us will entail, including national defense, must be borne by taxation. So long as we are able to meet those responsibilities from our present income, we shall not impose new taxes. But we are among the least taxed people in the world and, therefore, when necessity arises, we should be willing to accept the burden of increased taxation. Liberty and independence can be possessed only by those who are ready to pay the price in life or fortune.

To enable us more adequately to meet the new responsibilities of the Commonwealth and to raise the living conditions of our people, we must increase the wealth of the Nation by giving greater impetus to economic development, improving our methods of agriculture, diversifying our crops, creating new industries, and fostering our domestic and foreign commerce. I trust that the forthcoming trade conference between representatives of the United States and the Philippines will result in a more just and beneficial commercial relation between the two countries.

The establishment of an economical, simple, and efficient government; the maintenance of an independent civil service; the implantation of an adequate system of public instruction to develop moral character, personal discipline, civic conscience, and vocational efficiency; the safeguarding of the health and vigor of the race; the conservation and development of our natural resources—these and other matters of equal import are touched upon at length in the platform of the Coalition and in my speech of acceptance of my nomination, and it is unnecessary for me to reiterate my views regarding them. Having been elected on the virtuality of that platform and the policies enunciated by me in the course of the presidential campaign, I renew my pledge faithfully to carry them into execution.

Goodwill towards all nations shall be the golden rule of my administration. The peoples of the earth are interdependent, and their prosperity and happiness are inseparably linked with each other. International brotherhood and cooperation are therefore necessary. Amity and friendship, fairness and square deal in our relations with other nations and their citizens or subjects, protection in their legitimate investments and pursuits, in return for their temporary allegiance to our institutions and laws, are the assurances I make on behalf of the new Government to Americans and foreigners who may desire to live, trade, and otherwise associate with us in the Philippines.

In the enormous task of fully preparing ourselves for independence, we shall be beset with serious difficulties, but we will resolutely march forward. I appeal to your patriotism and summon your nobility of heart so that we may, united in the common endeavor, once more dedicate ourselves to the realization of our national destiny. I face the future with hope and fortitude, certain that God never abandons a people who ever follows His unerring and guiding Hand. May He give me light, strength, and courage evermore that I may not falter in the hour of service to my people!

My main point of contention is not with The Varsitarian’s stance on the RH Bill for it, indeed, is a controversial issue. A decade’s worth of debates have been exhausted for the matter, so I choose not to engage with the Lemon on that level. Instead, I am determined to address The Varsitarian on another matter: Intellectual Freedom.

Mainly, I would like to address this point made by The Varsitarian in the latter parts of its article because I feel it sums up the whole thing:

“In short, over and above academic freedom, the Catholic university exists for evangelical purposes. By going against the stand of the bishops, the Ateneo and La Salle professors are saying they don’t agree with the Church’s mission. If so, they’re free to leave. In fact, they must leave. They must resign if they have the courage of their conviction.”

Surely, this is a very bold statement regarding a very controversial topic. It is very critical that we dissect before we digest. How is academic freedom de-prioritized in favor of evangelical pursuits within Catholic Universities? Where is the logic in this? The very term “Catholic University” in itself is a paradox. Wherein “Catholic” means to be orthodox and dogmatic, whereas “University” means to be intellectually free to discover. It is to no one’s doubt that some of the best schools available to Filipinos are Catholic Universities. And in order for one to be competitive academically, one tends to seek out these Catholic Universities, but NOT for religious education. That is NOT a university’s purpose. If we turn our catholic universities into havens for evangelical pursuits, then what will differentiate these universities from the hundreds of churches, orders and ministries located around our country? If I wanted to learn about God, I’d go to a church, not a school. In De La Salle University, and most probably in Ateneo as well, there is room for intellectual debate and political and moral disparities. There is no such thing as moral impositions. The Green and Blue believe in the values of perspective and allowing their students (and faculty) to grow in these academic areas however they see fit. Apparently, in UST, it’s “Believe or get out”. And The Varsitarian refers to ADMU and DLSU professors as intellectual cowards?

Who’s the bigger coward here? The one who stands his ground firmly and shouts his beliefs at the top of his lungs knowing full-well there may be repercussions? Or the one who refuses to be questioned about his beliefs on the grounds of some deluded sense of religious gratification?

In DLSU, we don’t welcome argumentative pursuits with hostility. We engage in intellectual sparring because we know that a different perspective is key in academic success. We do not squander a person and propose he leave just because he has a different opinion. We believe this is what our country needs right now. The Varsitarian seems to believe in its Catholic mission of unity through uniformity. DLSU proposes that we be united, albeit not through uniformity, but rather, united in diversity through a toleration for each other’s differences. 

In the end, I’d rather make moral mistakes as a human being, rather than succeed in life as a church’s puppet.