A "benign" SONA

Hmmm... I just hated watcing boring speeches and speakers alike. It makes me sleepy (except when the topic is exciting, hehe.). I had the unfortunate task to watch President Arroyo's State of the Nation Address (SONA) for my Journ 102 class. Yes I know it is a journalism class and it is essential to be on alert with the news, however things do last long and make people bored and miserable.

"From where I sit, I can tell you, a President is always as strong as she wants to be" This is a statement from the sauna, oh i mean, SONA. It could be ironic in a sense that she was standing in the course of her almost an hour speech. Anyway, the SONA started with the usual greeting and remarkably it was short - may be the speech writer do not remember the names of her cohorts.

The speech went in a smooth pace however, I just noticed some awkwardness through the speech. In the past years, applause would be instant but yesterday, she seems to be waiting for the applause, somewhat forcing the issue to engage the audience for a clap in the face.

It was essentially an itemized list of projects which are either accomplished or still ongoing. She also asked Congress to pass laws in relation to human rights abuses, extra-judicial killings, bureaucratic reforms, and who knows what... I just hated that she has to mention politicians who have those projects asked for money.

I would commend the focus on the regions but it is quite a bit of achievement considering that the government has enough money (with the exception of the budget deficit) and their claim that the economy is getting better. I would want to emphasize, "a bit..."

more to come...

the human insecurity axe....

IN July 15, 2007, the government has implemented the Human Security Act also known as the Anti-terror Law.

Filipinos have the tendency to resist too much of the concept of change - even though it would really help the ailing motherland. The first reaction is too say "boo" and "NO!" That is understandably natural for any human being - try being subjected to jacked up tuition fees just like in my school where it jumped up to 300%, heh, the boo will really fit.
My question is the law has not really been in its prime... meaning, let the law have the chance to prove itself worthy to be trusted... this comes with the government's assurance of enough protection on the basic rights of every citizen.

To cut the story short, Ill just paste my reaction from my online journalism class:
The Human Security Act could prevent or curtail terrorism especially in Mindanao where violence has been wreaking havoc for decades.
However, with government’s inaction on human rights violations, abuse of power, and the HSA’s “loose teeth”, the law’s promised protection would be a big irony – no security at all.

Law abiding citizens need not worry because there are safeguards but there is still the "but". I am not being pessimistic but it is better to be vigilant of the affairs in government rather than being tagged a "terrorist".

Nevertheless, I am hoping the country will be much safer with the HSA in place... I just hope so...