Let us not kid ourselves – until the extremely flawed law is scrapped or at least amended, the SC TRO can only provide band-aid relief.
Today’s accolades and back patting can easily turn into another episode of the rug being pulled under one’s feet – in the next 120 days.
THE TYRANNY ON IDEAS.. AND GOODS, SERVICES, JOBS.. IS THE SAME ASSAULT ON LIBERTY. OUR RESPONSIBILITY IS TO PROTECT FREEDOM – NOT RESTRICT IT.
What can we learn from this Sotto-rific plagiarisation of Proclamation 1081 (that’s the famous martial law of Apo Makoy – justified by Enrile’s staged “attempted ambush”) signed into law by the compulsive mahjongera’s anointed one? Complacency, ningas cogon and the mañana habit are not good habits to mix with impunity – whether by done by politicians – or ourselves. And this couldn’t have been any clearer from this recent abomination passed by SenaTONGs and TONGressmen – the Philippine Cybercrime Law.
Is there “Good Governance” when extremely flawed laws are passed with impunity?
One of the mantras of the Aquino spin machine is “good governance”. How can the passing of an extremely onerous be considered “good governance”. That there was an “insertion” which went under the radar screen – is not a justification – it’s an act of negligence.
The justifications of Sen Enrile that he was preparing for CJ Corona’s impeachment (and how he threw CJ Corona under the bus) – was just plain lame. Madam Miriam Santiago’s constitutionalism was nowhere to be found – when it was needed most. Or that Bongbong Marcos was taking a nap in a noodle house somewhere when Wanbol’s village idiot sneaked in the dastardly provisions. They are paid by taxpayers to pay attention – they signed up for the job – the schedule comes with it.
The negligence was as appalling as the support for the totalitarian measure by the likes of Angara, Trillanes, Honasan, Villar, and Lacson.
The lone bright spot in this dark comedy of horrors and errors was Sen Guingona. By opposing the measure right from the get go - he and he alone has performed a Senator of the Republic.
I am just wondering what happened to Joker Arroyo – has he finally succumbed to his “Joker” monicker?
Save but one, the rest are pathetic shadows who waste tax money – and aren’t worth electing at all. Thank the closed education market for Filipino morons who keep on voting for the same dynasties – and expecting different results.
Crafting implementing rules and regulations to implement an extremely flawed law doesn’t make things any better. You just wind up institutionalizing the flaws.
The online libel clause restricts the market of ideas – the 60/40 economic policies restrict the market of goods, services, and jobs.
This cybercrime act which “protects” from whatever – is no different from the protectionist ruse of the 60/40 economic restrictions.
When the marketplace of ideas is restricted, we don’t need to look far at its repercussions. Just look at the restricted economy. On one end, you have an economy for the oligarchy – made up of Forbes ratings, double digit growth. On the other end – you have the hoi polloi – stagnant unemployment, wider underemployment – and hunger.
Obviously, indignation is not enough. Concrete actions that involve voting for candidates with the right policies – and actually passing the policies is still needed. It ain’t over until the proverbial fat lady sings. Now if Filipinos can only muster the same indignation about the tyranny that is being imposed on the economy – with the same magnitude – if not more – then they can increase their chances from hopeless ly none to a slight chance of improvement.
Our responsibility is to speak the truth: not suppress it
Noynoy Aquino justified the passing of the law by alluding to responsibility and accountability. Sotto considers the lack of a libel law as leading to “bastusan”. These two douchebags have a shallow understanding of responsibility.
I recall a discussion in FB where I was asked about how does one redress grievances for defamation? The obvious answer is by countering with truth and facts – not restricting it.
The dynamic process of debate sifts the falsities from those which are grounded on fact. Those who stand on flimsy, if not factually mistaken, grounds will find the truth offensive to their lies. And those who are factually correct, will find lies offensive to the truth. The only way for a lie to win – is to suppress the truth.
Sotto’s view about facts that challenge his views is “bastos”. He however, failed to see, that to other people – his action to suppress the challenge against his views, is also “bastos”. If getting to the truth is “bastusan”, I am all for it.
The truth, like a surgeon’s scalpel, can hurt, but it can also heal. Our responsibility therefore is not to suppress speech – but to let it flow so that we can get to the truth – and make well-informed decisions.
Cybercrime Law, 60/40 Economic Restrictions: Same Assault on Liberty
We Filipinos took offense when our freedom of speech was assaulted – fine.
And yet, we kept and continue to keep silent – even encourage the assault on our economic liberties. Our liberty to choose products, services, and jobs that you and I want have been curtailed – by the constitution. We need to remember that – products, services, and jobs – come from the marketplace of ideas which are made physically tangible.
The point being, we Filipinos take offense when we are deprived of the market of speech, but remain deaf and mute when deprived of the market of goods, services, ideas and jobs. What gives? Our sights should not be limited to civic freedom and political freedom alone – but should encompass economic freedom, too. The freedom to choose what to say, what not to say but also to choose between imported or local rice/sugar/meat/poultry/beverages/vegetables; between Filipino-owned or foreign-owned schools; to sell not just to Filipino middlemen – but global traders as well; to work not just for Filipino big business, but to work for any company – local or foreign owned, that treats people with dignity – continues to elude Filipinos.
This blatant assault on civic liberty is an opportunity to broaden the discussion on the virtually non-existent economic liberty of Juan dela Cruz – or it can be another missed opportunity.
The Power of Choice
The choice is all ours to make - not by Aquino, or Sotto, or Enrile, or Santiago, or Lacson, or Angara, or Villar – but YOU and I – that’s our personal responsibility.
Should we wield our personal power and be responsible for our own health, education, entertainment, communications, utilities, residence, meals, vehicles, vacations, retirement plan, career – past, present and future?
OR shall we yield it to the tyranny of another – forever trapped like Sisyphus, to complain of the choices made not to our liking.
Remember your personal power of choice, remember your responsibility, remember who you are – not the “Filipino” as defined by the yellow media – but you, the individual, the person who makes the choices. Remember your dreams, your hopes, your aspirations, your goals, your passions, your desires – your humanity, your individuality.
Don’t sacrifice yourself for other Filipinos, stand up for yourself instead.
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