Opinion – Arkipelago News

[Man on the Street] Bato AI (Alang Isip)

Ang tigas talaga ng ulo ni Bato. After facing strong backlash and widespread ridicule for sharing an AI-generated video supposedly showing support for Vice President Sara Duterte, Senator Ronald dela Rosa stuck to his guns, declaring: “Sabi ko kung AI man ‘yan, may punto ang gumawa. Kung hindi ‘yan AI, may punto ang mga bata na nagsasalita. Either way, the point is very clear and I agree with that point.” Proud pa talaga siya sa kalokohan niya. What Bato chose to ignore is that the message he shared was fake. Manufactured. Designed to manipulate. When a sitting senator amplifies falsehoods, it’s not just irresponsible—it’s dangerous. Bato should be reminded that disinformation or fake news should never come from a government official responsible for upholding public trust. May pananagutan at responsibilidad siya bilang senador na may malawak na impluwensya at maraming tagasunod na posibleng maniwala sa kanya. When someone knowingly spreads fabricated content, it crosses the line from careless to complicit. Nagiging troll ka na lang na nagpapakalat ng kasinungalingan. The video is clearly a piece of propaganda, intended to rally support for the vice president, whose impeachment trial could potentially expose alleged wrongdoings. Meanwhile, VP Duterte stated that she sees nothing wrong with posting or sharing AI-generated videos in support of public figures, as long as they are not used for business purposes. Pwede naman basta pabor sa kanya. Facebook has already flagged the video as false information. If Bato truly respects the office he holds, he should do more than just shrug it off. He should set the record straight and own up to his mistake. The question is, should we expect Bato to issue an apology and clarification? That’s like expecting a rock to walk into a barbershop and ask for a haircut. Mike Manalaysay is the founder and editor-in-chief of Arkipelago News. A seasoned journalist with over two decades of experience, he is committed to defending truth and justice and holding those in power accountable. 📷 Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa FB 9 months ago

[Man on the Street] Arrogance in public office and the inevitable fall

Power can be intoxicating. This is written with certain officials in Bulacan—both elected and appointed—in mind. Some believe that having authority means having absolute power and control. They walk through municipal halls as if they own everything, and their word is the law that everyone must follow. They become abusive, thinking their power will last forever. They are wrong! Take, for instance, two mayors in the province. One assumed office after a well-loved predecessor passed away. He quickly grew arrogant, surrounded himself with bodyguards, and targeted employees associated with the late mayor. He believed he had the loyalty of most barangay chairs and felt assured of victory in the polls. He lost. Too humiliated by the defeat, he didn’t even try to run again in the next election. Another mayor, also a successor to a deceased local chief executive, thought he was the town’s brightest and most capable. He disregarded the advice of more seasoned officials and made decisions unilaterally, believing his political strength alone would carry him through. He forgot that he had inherited the position—he wasn’t elected to it. He made major mistakes, and his incompetence revealed itself. He, too, lost in the election and learned the hard way. This kind of behavior is also common among some appointed municipal officials. Overwhelmed by the power they hold, they act as if they’re untouchable—arrogant, uncaring toward employees (especially non-regular workers), and detached from constituents and local business owners. They use their positions not to serve, but to dominate. Such arrogance stems from a dangerous illusion of permanence. Many officials believe their power is secure and their misdeeds untraceable. But history reveals a different truth. The political graveyard is filled with once-powerful names undone by abuses they thought would be forgotten. Consider Rodrigo Duterte—once feared, now facing jail time before the International Criminal Court. Or Former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnie Teves, recently arrested and deported after Timor-Leste realized the geopolitical consequences of harboring a fugitive. Both believed they were above the law. Both were wrong. Officials in Bulacan would do well to remember- for every ghost project, every kickback, every questionable contract, there is a paper trail. Procurement documents, audit reports, and witness testimonies hang like a guillotine—waiting to drop when the political winds shift. Journalists, watchdogs, and citizens are always watching, always ready to connect the dots. Political connections may offer temporary shelter, but the truth always finds its way to light. To those in power, it is better for your own sake to always remember: you are servants, not masters. Your authority is borrowed. Your actions are recorded. Your legacy will be defined by the people you serve. When pride overshadows purpose, the fall is not just likely—it is inevitable. And justice, though it may take time, ultimately prevails. Mike Manalaysay is the founder and editor-in-chief of Arkipelago News. A seasoned journalist with over two decades of experience, he is committed to defending truth and justice and holding those in power accountable. 📷 Gratisography/Pexels 9 months ago

[Man on the Street] In political strategy, cooperation—not competition—wins elections and secures lasting leadership

In the world of politics, strategy is everything. But even the most brilliant political strategy can collapse under the weight of internal competition. While healthy debate and differing ideas can enrich a team, unchecked rivalry within political circles—whether during a campaign or within an administration—can be disastrous. Too often, political teams fall into the trap of trying to outshine one another. Aides, allies, and even advisers jockey for attention, credit, or the favor of a candidate or elected official. The result? Confusion, disunity, and wasted opportunity. Competition may energize individuals, but it fractures campaigns. One team pushes a particular message; another promotes a different direction. One group builds alliances quietly, while another makes noise for visibility. In the end, the candidate suffers—not because the strategy is weak, but because there is no unified execution. Take, for instance, the infighting during Hillary Clinton’s 2008 primary campaign. Reports revealed that her advisers were split into factions that disagreed on messaging and strategy, leading to internal memo wars and media leaks. The lack of coordination ultimately weakened the campaign's momentum and handed Barack Obama the advantage. In the Philippines, a recent example can be found in some local and national campaigns during the 2022 elections, where candidates surrounded themselves with multiple, competing communication teams. As a result, messaging became inconsistent—some emphasized the candidate’s “platform of unity,” while others resorted to aggressive personal attacks. The strategy was diluted, and instead of attracting broader support, the campaign alienated swing voters. This kind of internal rivalry does not disappear after the campaign. During governance, it becomes even more dangerous. Competing camps within an administration slow down decision-making, duplicate efforts, and sometimes even sabotage each other—all in the name of “being right” or “being seen.” Political capital is spent not on programs, but on internal drama. But perhaps the most damaging scenario is when unqualified individuals take control of critical roles. When people without the necessary expertise insist on leading complex tasks they barely understand—such as strategic communications, data analysis, planning, or public engagement—they don’t just fail; they also undermine the efforts of those who know what they’re doing. Smart ideas are shelved. Effective strategies are ignored. And the credibility of the campaign—or the elected leader’s administration—suffers. Political and communication strategies must be consistent, coordinated, and driven by a unified game plan. Every message, action, and initiative should reinforce the same core narrative. When everyone on the team operates under a shared vision, the approach becomes clearer, stronger, and more effective in reaching and persuading the public. These critical elements are often weakened or even destroyed by unqualified individuals driven by competition. Let’s be brutally honest: the root of this competition is often insecurity—from individuals who want to be indispensable, who crave proximity to power, or who feel threatened by the competence of others. But this kind of self-serving ambition is the enemy of good strategy and effective leadership. So what should be done? First, recognize that strategy thrives on unity. A campaign or administration can’t succeed when its people pull in opposite directions. Second, let competence lead. Let the communicators communicate, the planners plan, and the organizers organize. If you are not the expert, don’t take control. Third, cultivate a culture of trust, humility, and shared credit. Celebrate wins together. Lastly, leaders must set boundaries. Allowing competition weakens unity, but demanding cooperation and rewarding results strengthens the team. Mike Manalaysay is the founder and editor-in-chief of Arkipelago News. A seasoned journalist with over two decades of experience, he is committed to defending truth and justice and holding those in power accountable. 📷 LT Chan/Pexels 11 months ago

[Man on the Street] May Duterte live long enough to face justice

Former President Rodrigo Duterte expressed a sentiment that could appeal to the emotions of his supporters. In a recent phone call from the International Criminal Court (ICC) detention facility in The Hague, he told his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, that he is an old man and can die at any time. He conveyed a wish to die in his home country and stated that everything he did was for the nation. These are words that may resonate with his supporters, evoking the image of a man standing firm by his actions, even as he faces the judgment for alleged crimes against humanity. But for many Filipinos—particularly the families of the thousands of victims killed in the brutal war on drugs—these statements reopen wounds that have never truly healed. The families of the victims and those who fought against the killings want him to live a long life so he can face justice. Death is an easy escape. It offers no accountability for the lives taken and the pain endured, leaving the families without the closure they deserve. Duterte once claimed he was ready to face the consequences of his actions, but now that the reckoning has come, his pleas to return home and his attempt to frame his actions as acts of patriotism ring hollow to those who have suffered. Sana naisip ni Rodrigo ang mga ito noong naging polisiya ang extrajudicial killing—noong pinagbabaril ang mga pinaghihinalaan sa harapan ng kanilang pamilya, noong binalot ng packing tape ang ulo ng mga pinaslang, noong nadamay ang mga bata, noong kinaladkad at binaril si Kian kahit nagmamakaawa na. Pilipino rin ang mga pinatay—silang walang kapangyarihan at kakayahan para banggain ang mga pasimuno ng patayan. Kahit anong gawing paglimot, hindi na sila magigising mula sa bangungot. Hindi mas mahalaga ang kagustuhan ng isang dating pangulo na mamatay sa sariling bayan kaysa sa pagdurusa ng mga naging biktima. Some may argue that Duterte’s age and frailty deserve compassion. Pero walang exempted sa batas—not even a former president. Amid all the theatrics, the question remains: has he ever shown remorse? Has he acknowledged the pain and trauma left in the wake of his policies? Because in the end, what matters is not merely dying in one’s country—but dying with a sincere heart. Dying with the courage to admit one’s mistakes. Dying with humility, not arrogance. Real patriotism isn’t measured by where one takes their last breath, but by the legacy they leave behind—whether it is a legacy of justice, dignity, and accountability, or one of violence, impunity, and denial. For his supporters, perhaps now is not the time to defend blindly, but to reflect. And maybe, to pray—not only for him, but for the soul of a country that still bears the weight of unanswered cries for justice. Mike Manalaysay is the founder and editor-in-chief of Arkipelago News. A seasoned journalist with over two decades of experience, he is committed to defending truth and justice and holding those in power accountable. 11 months ago

[OPINION] The day we thought would never come: Duterte faces reckoning as public opinion shifts

For years, human rights defenders doubted whether Rodrigo Duterte would ever be held accountable for the thousands of deaths linked to his brutal war on drugs —widely perceived to have disproportionately targeted poor communities while failing to make a significant dent in the nation's drug problem. The election of Ferdinand Marcos Jr., whom Duterte supported, seemed to extinguish any remaining hope for justice. However, events took a dramatic turn, and the unimaginable happened on March 11, 2025: Duterte was arrested, extradited, and is now in jail at The Hague, Netherlands, where he faces charges of crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court (ICC). In another remarkable development, a February survey by Social Weather Stations (SWS) revealed that a majority—51%—of Filipinos believe Duterte should be held accountable for the extrajudicial killings linked to his war on drugs. This shift in public sentiment may have influenced Malacañang’s decision to proceed with his arrest following the issuance of an ICC warrant. The survey results dismantle the long-standing perception that Duterte continues to enjoy broad public support. In the Visayas—once considered a Duterte stronghold—62% of respondents expressed the belief that he should be held accountable. Even in Mindanao, Duterte's home region, 47% shared this view. These numbers suggest that more Filipinos are beginning to see through the propaganda that dominated his administration and persisted even after he left office. At the Tricom hearing in the House of Representatives, members of Duterte's social media team were questioned over their claims that the drug war killings were a hoax and that mass police resignations followed his arrest. They admitted their posts were based on "opinions" and "impressions" without concrete evidence and ultimately apologized to House lawmakers. The years of efforts by victims' families, journalists, lawyers, lawmakers, and human rights defenders have not been in vain. There is hope after all. The recent noise from Duterte’s supporters, including street rallies calling for his release, appears to be less about him and more about the upcoming May elections. His allies likely understand that the ICC will not be swayed by public demonstrations; instead, these protests seem to be a political strategy aimed at garnering sympathy and boosting their candidates’ chances at the polls. But just as the falsehoods of the past nine years have been exposed, any remaining attempts to distort the truth and manipulate public perception will also crumble. The growing demand for justice marks a turning point—one that Duterte and his allies can no longer ignore. The path to accountability has begun, and this time, there may be no escape. 📷 ICC FB 1 year ago

Ang kandidatura ni Willie Revillame sa Senado ay muling nagpainit ng mahalagang talakayan tungkol sa celebrity-driven na politika sa Pilipinas. Bagama’t marami siyang tagasuporta dahil sa kanyang kasikatan bilang TV host, lumilitaw sa kanyang kampanya ang kakulangan niya sa kahandaan at malinaw na mga plano sa polisiya—isang bagay na nagpapalalim sa pagdududa kung handa nga ba siya sa isang posisyong nangangailangan ng karanasan sa paggawa ng batas at pamamahala. Sa mga panayam kamakailan, umani ng matinding batikos ang kanyang mga sagot sa mahahalagang tanong tungkol sa kanyang plataporma. Nang tanungin kung anong partikular na mga batas ang kanyang isusulong sakaling manalo, iniwasan niyang sagutin ito at sa halip ay ibinalik ang tanong sa reporter: “Ikaw, ano sa tingin mong batas na gagawin ko?” Sa halip na magbigay ng konkretong sagot, lumitaw ang kawalan niya ng malinaw na panukala—isang bagay na nagdudulot ng pangamba sa mga botante kung nauunawaan nga ba niya ang bigat ng kanyang kandidatura. Dagdag pa rito, inamin mismo ni Revillame na wala pa siyang anumang plano para sa paggawa ng batas: “Wala pa, kasi hindi pa ako nanalo. ‘Pag nanalo ako doon ko na iisipin ‘yan. Ang iniisip ko ay kung paano pa lang ako mananalo. ‘Wag mo muna akong tanungin ng ganun.” Ipinapakita ng pahayag na ito na para sa kanya, ang pangunahing layunin ay ang manalo, habang ang tunay na responsibilidad ng pagiging senador—ang pagbuo ng mga batas at polisiya—ay tila pangalawa lamang. Isang nakababahalang pananaw ito para sa isang taong nais maluklok sa isang posisyong nangangailangan ng maingat na pagpaplano, karanasan, at malalim na pag-unawa sa paggawa ng batas. Ang kanyang pagsandal sa mga pahayag na pangmasa, sa halip na sa konkretong polisiya, ay kapansin-pansin sa kanyang mga sinabi tungkol sa mga pangunahing isyu tulad ng kalusugan, edukasyon, at trabaho. Inilahad niya ang kanyang suporta sa mga adhikain ng Galing sa Puso (GP) party-list, pero hindi malinaw kung paano niya isasakatuparan ang mga ito. “I think ang importante health is wealth. Kalusugan, kailangan ‘yung kalusugan mo talagang maayos para makapagtrabaho ka, mabigyan ka ng trabaho na maayos,” ani Revillame. Dagdag pa niya, hihikayatin niya ang mga mamumuhunan upang lumikha ng mas maraming trabaho: “Ako hihikayatin ko na sana maraming mga investors na pumasok dito para mas marami tayong matulungan na ating mga kababayan.” Bagama’t maganda ang kanyang hangarin, walang malinaw na plano o estratehiya kung paano niya ito maisasakatuparan—kaya nagtataka ang mga botante kung kaya ba talagang gawin ang kanyang mga ipinapangako. Sa isang pahayag na higit pang nagpapakita ng kanyang limitadong pang-unawa sa pamamahala, sinabi niya: “Ang dami ng batas na nagawa. Ano ba ang trabaho natin? Di ba ang dapat gumawa ng mabuti sa kapwa. Kaya nga public servant.” Bagama’t maaaring tingnan ito bilang isang taos-pusong pahayag tungkol sa paglilingkod sa bayan, ipinapakita rin nito ang pagsasawalang-bahala sa tunay na papel ng isang senador—ang pagsasagawa ng mahahalagang batas at polisiya upang tugunan ang mga pangunahing suliranin ng bansa. Lalo pang lumitaw ang kanyang kakulangan sa kaalaman sa mga proseso ng lehislatura nang tanungin siya tungkol sa napipintong impeachment trial laban kay Bise Presidente Sara Duterte. Bagama’t sinabi niyang susunod siya sa batas, ipinakita ng kanyang sagot ang kawalan ng malalim na pang-unawa sa proseso ng impeachment at sa mahalagang papel ng mga senador sa ganitong uri ng paglilitis. Sa kabila ng mga ito, patuloy ring ikinakabit ni Revillame ang kanyang sarili sa mga kilalang personalidad sa politika, na lalong nagpapalakas sa impresyon ng oportunismo. Noong 2001, sinuportahan niya si Joseph Estrada sa pag-aaklas na tinawag na “EDSA Tres". Noong 2010, sinuportahan niya si Manny Villar. At noong 2022, inamin niyang inimbitahan siyang tumakbo sa ilalim ng PDP-Laban nina dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte at Senador Bong Go. Bagama’t sinasabi niyang isa siyang independent candidate at “I am affiliated with the Filipino,” ipinapakita ng kanyang mga desisyon at aksyon na tila mas inuuna niya ang political expedience kaysa sa prinsipyo sa paglilingkod. Hindi maitatanggi ang malawak na kasikatan ni Revillame dahil sa kanyang karera sa telebisyon at mga programang nagpapakita ng pagtulong sa mahihirap. Ngunit hindi sapat ang kasikatan upang maging epektibong senador. Ang Senado ay hindi entablado ng mga sikat—isa itong institusyong nangangailangan ng mga taong may kakayahang bumalangkas at suriin ang mga batas na may direktang epekto sa mamamayan. Ipinapakita ng kandidatura ni Revillame ang isang nakababahalang realidad sa pulitika ng bansa—ang pagpasok ng mga sikat na personalidad sa politika gamit ang kanilang popularidad, ngunit walang malinaw na pagpapahalaga sa tunay na responsibilidad ng pamamahala. Sa nalalapit na halalan, kailangang itanong ng mga Pilipino sa kanilang sarili: Pumipili ba tayo ng mga lider base lamang sa kanilang kasikatan? Tinatanggap ba natin ang mga kandidatong walang malinaw na plano, o dapat ba nating piliin ang mga tunay na may kakayahan at kahandaan sa tungkulin? Hindi paligsahan ng kasikatan ang eleksyon—isa itong pagkakataong pumili ng mga lider na may malalim na pang-unawa at kakayahang gampanan ang mabigat na responsibilidad ng pamamahala. 📷 Wil to Win FB Read more >> 1 year ago

[OPINION] Willie Revillame’s candidacy: Is popularity more important than competence?

Willie Revillame’s candidacy for the Senate has reignited a vital debate on celebrity-driven politics in the Philippines. Though his fame as a television host has garnered him a loyal following, his campaign reveals a concerning lack of preparedness and policy substance, raising critical questions about his fitness for a position that demands legislative experience and governance skills. In recent interviews, Revillame’s responses to fundamental questions about his platform have sparked widespread criticism. When asked which specific laws he would advocate for if elected, he deflected, instead turning the question back on the reporter: “Ikaw, ano sa tingin mong batas na gagawin ko?” This rhetorical maneuver, rather than answering the question, underscored his lack of clear proposals, leading voters to wonder if he truly understands the gravity of his candidacy. Compounding the issue, Revillame admitted that he has yet to formulate any legislative plans: “Wala pa, kasi hindi pa ako nanalo. ‘Pag nanalo ako doon ko na iisipin ‘yan. Ang iniisip ko ay kung paano pa lang ako mananalo. ‘Wag mo muna akong tanungin ng ganun.” His statement suggests that, for him, the focus is on winning, while the responsibilities of the Senate—like formulating policies and laws—are secondary. This is a deeply troubling stance for someone seeking to hold a position that demands foresight, experience, and careful legislative planning. This reliance on populist rhetoric, instead of substantive policy, is evident in his remarks on critical issues such as health, education, and employment. Revillame emphasized his commitment to these areas, claiming they align with the goals of the Galing sa Puso (GP) party-list, which he supports. “I think ang importante health is wealth. Kalusugan, kailangan ‘yung kalusugan mo talagang maayos para makapagtrabaho ka, mabigyan ka ng trabaho na maayos,” he stated. He also mentioned encouraging more investors to create jobs, saying, “Ako hihikayatin ko na sana maraming mga investors na pumasok dito para mas marami tayong matulungan na ating mga kababayan.” While these sentiments are widely shared, they lack the concrete plans or strategies needed to make them a reality, leaving voters wondering how feasible these promises truly are. In a particularly revealing statement, Revillame seemed to downplay the complexities of governance and legislation: “Ang dami ng batas na nagawa. Ano ba ang trabaho natin? Di ba ang dapat gumawa ng mabuti sa kapwa. Kaya nga public servant.” While this may strike some as a heartfelt sentiment about public service, it oversimplifies the complexities of lawmaking, governance, and the role of a senator. It reflects a lack of understanding of what the position entails—something crucial for anyone seeking to govern. Revillame’s understanding—or lack thereof—of legislative processes was further exposed when he was asked about his stance on an impeachment trial for Vice President Sara Duterte. His response suggested he would follow the law, without recognizing the nuances of impeachment procedures or the critical role senators play in such a trial. His comments revealed a fundamental lack of preparedness and insight into the legislative process. Despite these concerns, Revillame continues to align himself with prominent political figures, further feeding the perception of opportunism. He supported Joseph Estrada during the 2001 “EDSA Tres” uprising, backed Manny Villar in 2010, and admitted that he was invited to run under the PDP-Laban banner by former President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Bong Go in 2022. Though he claims to be an independent candidate, stating, “I am affiliated with the Filipino,” his political history paints a different picture—one of political expediency rather than principled public service. Revillame’s widespread appeal, driven by his television career and philanthropic efforts, cannot mask the fact that popularity alone is insufficient for effective governance. The Senate is not a stage for celebrity; it requires individuals with the ability to craft and evaluate legislation. Revillame’s candidacy underscores a troubling trend in Philippine politics—the rise of unqualified celebrities leveraging their fame for political gain, with little regard for the serious responsibilities of governance. As the election nears, Filipinos must ask themselves whether they want their leaders to be chosen based solely on name recognition. Should voters accept candidates who have no clear plans, or should they demand those who are genuinely prepared to take on the responsibilities of governance? The upcoming election is not a popularity contest—it is a chance to select leaders who understand the complex job at hand. 📷 Willie Revillame FB Read more >> 1 year ago

[OPINION] More about Alice Guo

Guo is not a common name for a Chinoy. It's usually Lim, Tan, Ong, Eng, Lao, Go, Kho, Que, Keng. Guo gained currency after the Communists changed the transliteration of Chinese words to English in the 1980s so that Peking became Beijing, Mao Tse Tung became Mao Ze Dong, Chao, Zhao. The Taiwanese, however, never followed suit. Neither did the Chinoys who continued to use the old spelling. Alice Guo's father must be a mainland Chinese, if not she herself. The fact that her mother is unknown to her calls into question her citizenship. A natural-born Filipino citizen is anyone whose mother or father is a Filipino citizen. If her mother is Chinese, too, she can't be a Filipino citizen on the basis of her birth certificate alone (which was late registered and highly dubious). The process of late registration is laughably simple, requiring only an affidavit. Most late registrations take place in a matter of days since birth and the causes are mundane (e.g., delivered during times of war or calamity, or by a midwife at home or in a remote island). The causes can be readily verified by living witnesses. But seventeen years? And your father is a rich businessman, who may have been able to obtain a business registration, gun registration, car registration, drivers license and the like. But it took you seventeen years to execute an affidavit and file with the civil registry. Something is not right. She doesn't know her midwife or where in the world she was born? Yeah, tell that to the Chinese Coast Guard. These crucial details must be entered in the birth certificate. Otherwise it was almost blank or she didn't bother to read these. It is possible her father simply entered a random native name for her mother such as Ligaya or Maria or a place of birth and the civil registry would be none the wiser. And since she is aware that these are all bogus entries, she did not commit the same to memory. Because what she does remember - but cannot tell the world - is she was born in China to Chinese parents. A serious investigation has to be launched to determine the exact identity and origins of this Alice Guo. Her ability to hypnotize people into electing her even if voters do not know her from Adam is a cause for alarm. The mayorship is a launching pad for the presidency of the Philippines. 📷 Mayor Alice Leal Guo FB Read more >> 1 year ago

[OPINION] The Chinese are not invincible

When Chinese and Indian troops clash along their border in the Himalayas, they engage in hand-to-hand combat, using arms and fists, sometimes pieces of wood with spikes, and inevitably they fall back with bruises and minor injuries, but the Indian troops are able to stand their ground, making the Indian nation proud. In the West Philippine Sea, "standing ground" means falling back timidly from water cannons and beating a hasty retreat to Puerto Princesa. Disgraceful. The Chinese are not invincible. Even African rebels can give them a scare. When Chinese UN peacekeepers were attacked by ragtag guerrillas in South Sudan in 2016, they ran away and hid in their camps. Subsequent bombardment killed two of them - and the outcry back in China was swift and loud, as parents with single kids mourned the senseless loss. A war game played by a US think tank simulating a war over Taiwan ended with hundreds of thousands of PLA troops taken prisoner in Taiwan. Imagine the effect on the Chinese population. The PLA faces recruitment problems because Chinese youth would rather work in civilian jobs, with better pay and relatively more freedom. They flunk physical tests. Battle loneliness. Restrictions on the use of cellphones, travel, contacts with friends and family - far stricter than inflicted on the population at large under Communism - gnaw at their morale. The most depressed soldiers are those belonging to the Rocket Force who spend most of their time underground - and those Army conscripts assigned to the frigid regions of the Himalayas to fight the Indians. Those assigned in the South China Sea are the happiest, even though they are confined in unsteady ships or marooned in the artificial islands for months on end. The reason? They have Filipinos to kick around - on a regular basis. This is like playing Warcraft with real lives. They are able to break the monotony of their missions by taking perverse pleasure in chasing around our fishermen in dinghies, targeting our Coast Guard vessels with lasers, aiming for the windows and the heads of crewmen, blocking supply ships headed for Ayungin Shoal, ramming the most vulnerable ones, water cannoning the hell out of everybody to disperse them. It's like shooting fish in the barrel, the ease with which they deal with our troops and fishermen. Their motto is to win a war "without firing a shot" and how effectively they are applying it against our hapless Filipino troops and fishermen. We make them look invincible as fodder to their "Wolf Warriors" because we are the perfect enemy, the perrenial loser, who make them look brave on television, heroic as the sentinels guarding the frontiers against the Mongol barbarians. As it turned out the Mongols overran the Great Wall without firing a shot, or rather an arrow. We can breach the Nine Dash Line as well if we have the courage and resolve. But we won't even dare. Except hold press conferences and lodge solemn representations with their embassy. Because we think we are up against Godzilla. Pathetic. 📷 Screenshot from PTVph Read more >> 1 year ago

[MAKING THE GRADE] The tragic drama of reckless abuse and spoliation of mother nature

The people are waiting for the investigation of the Joint Oversight Committee of the Senate and the House of Representatives whose main mission is to monitor the national and local government agencies in the implementation of RA 11038 which amended RA 7586 [Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act (NIPAS)]. The law aims to conserve all endangered plants and animal species in NIPAS for the benefit of future generations. One of these NIPAS is the Chocolate Hills Natural Monument in Bohol with a dimension of 13,994.95 hectares. Just like past scandals, the legislative inquiry into the establishment of the Captain’s Peak Resort in Sagbayan, Bohol, is expected to be full of insane drama consisting of cover ups, finger pointing, and blame throwing of erring national and local government officials that entertains Filipinos. Under the Regalian doctrine, all lands belong to the King and are not susceptible to private ownership without the King's permission. This is a fiction of law based on the feudal system and the consequence of land grabbing by violent Europeans carrying the Cross and Sword in different continents in Asia, America and Africa. In modern times, the State is the source of land ownership based on Article XII of the Constitution. The most vital stage in the process of privatization of agricultural land is an Executive Act of the President of the Philippines or a law enacted by Congress that declares "alienable and disposal” tracts of agricultural land whose boundaries are determined by the DENR. Forest lands, mineral lands, seashores and national parks are forbidden to be owned by private persons. According to the news, the one-hectare land on which Captain's Peak is built on is titled property. This presupposes that the land was once part of public land until it was declared alienable and disposable agricultural land by the State. Under the State’s property regime, anybody interested in owning land can apply for a land patent over it and satisfy the strict conditions of possession and cultivation for the grant of such patent by the DENR. It is this patent that is subsequently registered under the Torrens system. The land owner of Captain’s Peak enjoys the "indefeasibility" of his Torrens title, in spite of the questionable location of the real property. But the land owner should not be smug about his acts of dominion. He should realize that the use of property bears a social function and there are a plethora of Supreme Court decisions that set aside the Torrens title of individuals when there was never any positive act by the State declaring the land to be part of alienable and disposable public agricultural land or that the land was never registerable for being part of forest or mineral land or wetlands. In these shady circumstances, the Torrens title can be cancelled through an action for “reversion" filed by the Solicitor General. There are many questions to be asked: Where is the Executive Act or law that declared "alienable and disposable public agricultural land" that covered the titled one hectare of land? 2. If there was a positive act of the State, where is the proof that the conditions of the patent were satisfied? Where is the map of the Chocolate Hills Natural Monument produced by NAMRIA which must be examined together with the geodetic survey map of the title of Captain's Peak? If there was never a positive act, why hasn't the Solicitor General filed a "reversion" case to cancel the land title? It is said that, “cleanliness is next to Godliness.” Filipinos have a solid reputation for personal hygiene, but ironically have never enjoyed the reputation of being valiant environment protectors. Respecting the environment as an act of devotion to its Creator must be encoded in the Filipino psyche before it is too late to save this nation from the madness of its own people. The emerging scenario resulting from mindless environmental destruction is gloomy with the forthcoming extinction of endangered species of flora and fauna. The tragic drama of gleefully sowing reckless abuse and spoliation of mother nature that always culminates in the reaping of terrible human suffering in catastrophic proportion will not turn into a comedy Filipinos will be happy with. Read more >> 2 years ago

[MAKING THE GRADE] Sleep is essential for children

It is said that, "ang taong palatulog, ay hindi mapupulot, ginto man ang mahulog." In order not to be faulted for being indolent, parents refrain from questioning schools why their weary children have to wake up at dawn to go to school and return home in the afternoon with tons of homework which hassles the child. The Dep Ed and private schools seem unsympathetic to the plight of millions of sleep deprived schoolchildren who all agonize from the negative effects of lack of sleep throughout the school year. Sleep is essential for our wellbeing. For adults, it takes 7-9 hours of sleep every night so that the body and brain can be rejuvenated, refreshed and reach peak alertness upon waking. Fasting from food and drink for several days can have affirmative effects on the body, but staying awake for 48 to 72 hours produce undesirable effects on the mind and body. Sleep deprivation impairs your ability to fully concentrate on a task, think clearly, and process memories. Lack of sleep makes a person irritable; it weakens a person’s immune system; and depression can set in. No wonder John F. Kennedy has the habit of having afternoon “power naps" and Spaniards have this culture of closing shop midday to take a siesta. Sleep is vital in children and teenagers that need more hours of sleep than adults. Based on a chart prepared by Children's Hospital Colorado, eight hours of sleep is not enough for a growing child: "Adequate sleep time changes with age. The following is a typical amount of sleep that children need in 24 hours: Infants (4 - 12 months): 12 -16 hours (including naps) Toddlers (1 - 2 years): 11-14 hours (including naps); Preschoolers (3- 5 years): 10 -13 hours (including naps); School-age children (6-12 years): 9 -12 hours; Youth (13-18 years): 8-10 hours." The need for sleep explains why we see on Tiktok and FB school children in China, Japan and Finland have naptime right inside the classroom. I surmise that the objective of this practice is to inculcate in children the importance of sleep in human beings and to reenergize the kids before dismissal time. In International law, sleep deprivation of prisoners over an extended period is considered a method of torture and is prohibited by the UN Convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or other degrading treatment or punishment. It appears that we have in the Philippines state sponsored sleep deprivation of schoolchildren for an extended period. Students in our country lack sleep because of the school hours and the schoolwork for the entire 203 days or 10 months of a school year cycle. Classes start as early as 6 am and usually ends around 4 pm. Class hours would be modified if the school has three shifts. Aside from doing homework, students contend with helping out with household chores, enjoy the various distractions from sports activities and in their mobile devices. If they belong to the first shift in a three-shift school, kids need to wake up at dawn and prepare for school for the entire school year. Aside from lack of sleep, students from poor families also struggle with hunger. Having enough sleep is the foundation of Benjamin Franklin’s “early to bed, early to rise makes a person healthy, wealthy and wise.” In this modern time, going to bed early is not the norm. Doing homework is laborious and time consuming. Students are forced to burn the midnight oil and constrained to just a few hours of sleep before starting the new day at dawn to avoid morning traffic rush. As a result, students find it difficult to focus on the lesson, be an active reader, and retain what the teacher instructs. Many of them cannot help falling asleep in class. Sleep deprived children are exposed to a higher risk for behavioral problems such as depression, are prone to vices such as drugs, and health problems. Based on research, the correlation between lack of sleep and a child's academic performance is strong. Sleep is essential for children’s well-being and development. Schools must recognize the fact that their practices scrunch the sleeping hours of their students causing them torment. We reiterate the suggestion that schools tweak the start of classes from 8 am - 2 pm, and inject power naps of at least 15 minutes each school day. By starting at a later hour, students get more time for sleep and pave the way for their grades to improve, using their first language. Wake up from your slumber, Dep Ed!!! Read more >> 2 years ago

[MAKING THE GRADE] Happy Women’s Month!

Unlike other races, women in our society are esteemed even before Magellan and his land grabbing cohort found their way to Cebu in March 1521. As proof, there is a pre-Hispanic deed of sale of a parcel of land in Tongdo in the Tagalog region, between two women written in Baybayin preserved in the Benavides Library of UST. We can infer the following points from this document:a) women had property rights such as the rightto own land; b) pre-Hispanic Filipinas were able to read and write; c) women knew how to bargain and deal with their property on their own. Filipinas have gone a long way in upholding their dignity and value in society. Our society's attitude toward women only changed drastically when the Spaniards arrived on our shores, bringing along this Western belief that women should be confined to domestic responsibilities. However, this did not diminish the spirit and fire of Filipinaswho possessed grit and refused to be relegated to the background in the political sphere. Our history is not wanting of heroines who actively participated in uprisings against the Spanish, American and Japanese invaders. It was not surprising that Filipinas came out in full force in the plebiscite of 1936 that granted them the right to vote and be voted in elections the following year.Now, women occupy high level positions in all three branches of government. We have had two female Presidents and three Vice-Presidents, dozens of senators, a speaker and congresspersons, governors, vice-governors, mayors, vice-mayors, board members, councilors , punong barangays and kagawads. The Supreme Court was also led by two female Chief Justices. We have many female justices in the Court of Appeals, Sandiganbayan, and Court of Tax Appeals. We have had two female Ombudsman. Based on the data of this Feb. 28, 2023, of the total number of 2,043 judges nationwide, 1,105 are women and 938 are men. The PNP and the AFP also have star-ranked femaleofficers after PMA and PNPA opened its doors to female cadettes. In the education sector, 89.58% of primary school teachers and 77.06% of high school teachers are women. In the field of law, according to the Supreme Court (https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/obc/) there are more women taking bar exams. In the 2019 Bar Exams, 1,214 women passed compared to 889 men. This trend indicates that the legal profession that used to be dominated by men will soon be taken over by women. The Philippine Council of Women said in the Gender Equality and Women Empowerment Plan 2019-2025 that women are still lacking in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Perhaps it has to do with the inherent difference in the size of the male brain compared to the female brain and how these brains function differently as women are adept in multi-tasking while men have a dissimilar approach. According to the OECD (the organization that provides the Program for International Student Assessment) it appears that men are better at math whilewomen are fonder of reading. When it comes to science, there is no difference betweenthe sexes. The exceptional beauty and outstanding character of Filipinas are recognized ininternational beauty pageants. Pageant contestants go through a strict regimenimplemented by a vibrant assemblage of beauty pageant specialists. Inequalities in society cannot be eradicated simply by the feminist narrative of removing gender bias. Our world has a Sun and Moon, a Heaven and Earth, a Yin andYang. This balance is needed in life, family, work and society. Discrimination solely on gender is unjust since it overlooks merit and fitness of the individual. There are tasks that both genders can do but there are also roles that are more suited to one gender. Celebrate and admire the efforts of women but let's not aspire to eliminate the gender difference in all aspects of human life because it is contrary to our nature. Many women still welcome acts of chivalry from men. We should not allow traditional spaces of women to be invaded by biological men with gender dysphoria (pretending to be women). Happy Women’s Month! Read more >> 2 years ago

[MAKING THE GRADE] Filipinos are “nice guys” who finish last

"Be nice," is the parent's admonition to a child who is unabashedly frank and candid with his or her comments about people, whether young or old, and of things he notices around him. For example, when the child asks why his godmother's breath stinks, the parent immediately shushes him and tells him to keep it to himself lest his godmother gets offended and ends the delivery of Christmas presents. This is expected in a culture where complaining and being forthright are deemed negative and considered as a sign of weakness and lack of solidarity with the pathetic many who relish their slave-like situation since suffering for them is a Christian virtue that reaps rewards in the afterlife. Being nice means, it is taboo to speak ill of relatives, even if that relative abuses one’s own children or in-law. Being nice means not to be cantankerous about the corruption in government to avoid being red-tagged by rightist propagandists who crucify in social media those who dare shake up the status quo riddled with incompetence, impunity, delusions and misplaced priority in government. Instead, children are raised to think positively in dealing with whatever depraved things happen in their lives. One must keep a positive vibe to keep the bad luck away. One should not give in to their emotions. It is weakness to cry and show anger. One must put it behind and just move on. This is what is called toxic positivity. It denies reality that needs correction and rectification. Dr. Susan David, author of Emotional Agility, said that, "toxic positivity" is forced and false positive. It may seem innocuous on the surface, but when you share something that is difficult for you and the other person insists that you look for the positive in it, what they are really saying is, "my comfort is more important than your truth." Toxic positivity is the excessive and ineffective “overgeneralization" of a happy optimistic state to all situations. The process of toxic positivity results in the denial, minimization, and invalidation of the true emotional experience of a person. In human history, what sets us apart from Artificial Intelligence is our emotions. Emotions are not bad because they are the reason we are human that forces us to act one way or another. Once the field of robotics figure out how to equip robots with emotions, there would be no limit anymore with what robots can accomplish in transforming human society. Politicians need to do a lot of glad-handing and crowd-pleasing to get elected. Both candidate and voters resort to toxic positivity to get what they want from each other. The hard questions are cast aside for the sake of niceties. Ridiculously absurd promises like P20 per kilo of rice and eradicating illegal drugs trade in six months are lapped up by the credulous public who are splurged with loot bags of relief groceries and cash gifts or social service aid. As a consequence, we tolerate a 20th century model of a shoddy education system that is PISA bottom ranked, bear a justice system peppered with inefficiencies, croak from crappy public health services, remain underfed by inflationary food prices derived from mindlessly fragmented agriculture strategies, lose unreturnable hours in traffic conveyed by a junky public transport set-up, and prop up an economy that satiates rapacious political dynasties and their ravenous cohort of businessmen that crowds out the poor from receiving an equitable share of the nation’s rich natural resources. Truly, we Filipinos find our nation rotting away because we are “nice guys” who finish last. Read more >> 2 years ago

[MAKING THE GRADE] Atrocious fetish for English

We congratulate all participants in the Joint International Decade of Indigenous Languages and International Mother Language Day (IMLD) Conference held at Caraga State University, Butuan City, Agusan del Norte this February 23-25, 2024. Talaytayan MLE, Tebtebba, Caraga State University Butuan, Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology, and Philippine Normal University organized the conference. It is an annual event convened by advocates of the use of the first language of the child in education to update one another on the inroads and innovations in implementing the constitutionally sound policy derived from EDSA I, and swapping stories of overcoming obstacles mainly from the post-colonial westernized mindset that translates to lack of logistical support from the government, and the gains in learning outcomes attributable to this language in education policy. The IMLD started in 2000 after it was approved by the UNESCO General Conference on the initiative of Bangladesh where language martyrs died in defending their right to learn in the Bangla language. They were killed by government forces of then Western Pakistan that draconically imposed the use of the Urdu language as medium of instruction to the Bangla speaking population. Globally, 40 percent of the world population does not have access to education in a language they speak or understand. However, progress is being made in multilingual education with a growing understanding of its importance, especially in primary education, and greater commitment to its development in public life. According to UNESCO, “Scientific studies are clear: learning in one's own language is essential to success in school. It strengthens self-esteem, arouses curiosity from an early age, and facilitates intellectual development. Promoting multilingualism in schools also means maintaining and promoting linguistic plurality, especially regarding languages that have only a few remaining speakers." It is sad that in the Philippines, many of our countrymen still reject multi-lingualism despite the evidence of its effectiveness in education and in preserving the 170 Filipino languages that makes us what we are- one people, with different tongues. They haughtily look down on Filipino languages as signs of illiteracy, the jologs and the hoi polloi- the lowbred and unsophisticated masses. Some academics disdain the use of Filipino language in intellectual discourse for not being academic enough. This asinine bunch boasts that we are the only nation in Asia who speak English well which gives the Philippines a comparative advantage. We do not see this advantage in the low scores of Filipino children who took PISA 2018 and 2022 in the English language, and in the lethargic foreign direct investments placed in the Philippines in contrast to non-English-speaking countries such as China and Vietnam. Many foreign students are here to learn English perhaps because they intend to work in the global stage, but we do not see moves to make English as language of instruction in their home countries. Dean Antonio P Contreras (2014) said that, “one of the tragedies of a colonized society like ours is the absence of a solidly-founded national narrative that permeates our lives. This is aggravated by a lingering fetish at everything that is Western, leading one to prefer the language and lifestyle of the colonizers. Colonization is indeed a process of identity displacement, since it has effectively rendered our former selves as our new “other,” even as our colonial “other” becomes now part of our post-colonial selves. In this context, English is no longer seen as the language of the colonial “other.” In fact, to many, it is speaking Filipino that is now the unfamiliar “other.” Contreras pointed out that the ultimate curse of colonization that lives even up to now is having the language of the colonizer as a more acceptable unifier of our multiple selves, rather than the national language that is so resented for its being the language of the Tagalog. This post-colonial westernized mindset that persists in Dep Ed and the halls of Congress, and even in Malacanang, is the worst enemy of multi-lingualism. I hope that our allies in education reforms will not falter in their resolve to overcome and finally vanquish this atrocious fetish for English that has devastated our education system and pulled us back from realizing our dream of eradicating poverty in a country filled with valuable natural resources. Read more >> 2 years ago

[MAKING THE GRADE] Nepotistic appointments

Nepotism in government is prohibited by law. Favoring one’s kin in appointments in public office is downright selfish and marked as a shady practice. Nepotism is a dirty word since every action considered virtuous reflects taboo against selfishness and conflicts with our cultural belief in fair play. The public is deprived of efficient and effective public service expected from competent applicants who were not hired because of lack of kinship, by blood or affinity, to the appointing public officer serving in a republican government. The Constitution extols the dignity of public office that is imbued with public trust and is outside the commerce of man, and cannot be the object of property rights (Section 1, Article XI, 1987 Constitution). Despite the legal and societal condemnation of it, the prohibition against nepotism in government is not absolute, especially in the barangay level. When E.O. Wilson’s work Sociobiology came out in 1975, an explosion of interest in the biological basis of cooperation transpired. Authors on the subject all agree that nepotism is the ultimate source of social behavior in the animal kingdom. According to Raghavendra Gadagkar, “when animals favor close genetic relatives or distant relatives as recipients of beneficial acts, they are said to be practicing nepotism,” which is the hallmark of a “social species”- those that display a capacity for cooperation in mating, provisioning, defense and the rearing of the young. Allan Bellows (In Praise of Nepotism, 2003) writes that nepotism is imprinted in the human flesh and is an essential tool in the establishment of family and society. It is natural for a mother to take care of her child, oftentimes with the help of relatives. It is also natural for the father to bequeath the surname, skills and knowledge of work, trade or business, and assets to his offspring. Although all animals have nepotism imbedded in their cells, human nepotism is unique because kin selection extends to an adopted person and to friends, both not related by blood to the benefactor. It is not surprising to have a family of doctors, engineers, nurses, lawyers, teachers, carpenters, mechanics, dressmakers, shoemakers, gardeners, masons, businessmen, soldiers, policemen, firemen, politicians, musicians, singers, dancers, painters, photographers, athletes in various sports, and in showbusiness. As a matter of fact, I belong to a family of lawyers from grandfather to grandchildren. In the private sector, it is common practice for the owner of an enterprise to groom his or her child to manage the business that will one day be passed on to the child. On the darker side, we have criminal outfits like the mafia, yakuza, triads and gangs composed of kinsfolks or those who share a common initiation process that binds them. In the political realm, the Constitution prohibits political dynasties but did not define what it is. Unfortunately, the responsibility of determining it was left to the legislature filled with the kin of political families ruling local governments and national positions for decades. RA 11768 was enacted in 2022 disqualifying Sangguniang Kabataan candidates related within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to any incumbent elected regional, provincial, city, municipal, or barangay official, in the locality where the appointive or elective official seeks to be elected. No follow through on other elective positions is expected any time soon. Nepotism is prohibited in Section 4[c] RA 6713 but excluded those holding "confidential" or serves as "personal staff with co-terminus term". Section 79, Local Government Code (LGC), prohibits a public officer from appointing relatives up to the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity to positions covered by the civil service in the local government. Sections 394 and 396, LGC expressly forbids the Punong barangay from appointing a relative by consanguinity or affinity up to the 4th degree to be a barangay secretary or treasurer. For the national government, the prohibition in Section 59, Chapter 7, Subtitle A Title I Book V of the Revised Administrative Code (RAC) is up to a relative to the third degree of consanguinity or affinity. In any election, candidates rely on the influence of their clans in vote-getting. It is a great honor for a clan to have a relative be elected in the local government or in a national office. They can approach their relative to help them ease the unpleasantness of dealing with government. Instead of taking advantage of the exceptions against nepotism laid down in RA 6713, LGC and RAC, it would be ideal for a Punong Barangay to take the high moral ground to prevent criticism that the Pamahalaang Barangay has turned into a family enterprise due to nepotistic appointments. But ideal is far from reality. Read more >> 2 years ago

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[MAKING THE GRADE] Nepotistic appointments

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