CARPET.. Oops.. I meant CARPER
Author: Carlo@hoGc // Category:
There was a screening of a documentary last Monday, "Lupang Hinarang"
or Land Blocked [literally].
It was about this farmers who were prevented from getting farm lands
which they rightfully own but because richer landowners "own" it, they
are prevented from earning a livelihood because of the landowners
taking the profits earned from the fruit of the land.
So the CARPER (Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension
with Reforms) bill was made so that the farmers will rightfully get
the land which they deserve and earn a livelihood from. However,
government officials who are themselves landowners, continue to
filibuster this bill so that they will not lose their riches.
So the farmers, wanting to just earn a humble quality of living for
themselves and their children, forms a protest to get the bill to be
passed. From speeches from certain individuals to a hunger strike,
they did all that to earn what they deserved.
All was good when the bill was passed but when all seems to be well
and happy after getting their land back, lackeys of the landowners
ambushed the farmers and killed a few of them.
And now, it's back to the rallies and strikes.
Welcome to the Philippines! ^^
I may not actually know the whole story but from what I just related
to you, that is what I know. That's the problem here, the government
is so self-seeking and ignorant that they forget the one reason that
they have been elected and placed in their positions, which is to
ultimately serve the people of the nation. However, some of the
officials, once seated, become self-serving and they forget the
transparency that is required so that people will know why they do
what they do. To me, it's as if they belittle the intelligence of the
people in understanding the policies that are put in place. It's as if
they are in their own world and they pass bills that will only make
them profitable, forgetting the people.
Hence, now the mindset of students here about the definition of
politics, rings from coast to coast: corruption.
Thank you Philippine Government for such an insight!
There's a lot wrong thing that is happening here. Firstly, and most
probably the most obvious is the unethical compromise of principles
and values. In a catholic state, you would have expected them to
actually know the true meaning of: "do unto others as you would want
others to do unto you" or "love one another as I have loved you". But no,
rather, what they know is: "use my power to gain what I want, who cares
about the people".
That's why values are quickly diminishing, creating a culture of "do
whatever I want and get away with it". Instead of the government helping
the citizens, they only help themselves and their family. There are a few
politicians who sincerely do good and serve the people, but there are more
who are corrupted and evil, and that spoils it even for the rest of us; it's
a dirt in the beautiful flag of the Philippines that's very hard to take away
even with the strongest stain remover there is in the world.
Secondly, the people can also be blamed a little bit. The timidness and
fear of the people towards the higher ups, motivates this corrupt individuals.
If the people come together as one, who can stop the voices of millions
calling for change? But if there's no voice at all, how can there be a change?
If the people are too afraid to speak up and stand up for their principles, beliefs
and values, how can there be a voice?
It's not all that bad here in the Philippines. It has beautiful scenery, wonderful friendly people, rich cultural history and it's a home every citizen can be proud of. However,
the instability and corruption of the government spoils it all. It's like wearing
a "Barong" and then a tiny piece of dirt gets splashed on it. It's not the
beauty of the design of the shirt that you'll see, but you'll see that small
0.5cm spot of dirt instead and that's where all the attention is focused.
So in the end, just because of that small spot, the whole shirt becomes
ugly.
It's time for a change
Others before self.
Regards,
Carlo Miguel Saavedra
* Click -here- to know what a Barong is
or Land Blocked [literally].
It was about this farmers who were prevented from getting farm lands
which they rightfully own but because richer landowners "own" it, they
are prevented from earning a livelihood because of the landowners
taking the profits earned from the fruit of the land.
So the CARPER (Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension
with Reforms) bill was made so that the farmers will rightfully get
the land which they deserve and earn a livelihood from. However,
government officials who are themselves landowners, continue to
filibuster this bill so that they will not lose their riches.
So the farmers, wanting to just earn a humble quality of living for
themselves and their children, forms a protest to get the bill to be
passed. From speeches from certain individuals to a hunger strike,
they did all that to earn what they deserved.
All was good when the bill was passed but when all seems to be well
and happy after getting their land back, lackeys of the landowners
ambushed the farmers and killed a few of them.
And now, it's back to the rallies and strikes.
Welcome to the Philippines! ^^
I may not actually know the whole story but from what I just related
to you, that is what I know. That's the problem here, the government
is so self-seeking and ignorant that they forget the one reason that
they have been elected and placed in their positions, which is to
ultimately serve the people of the nation. However, some of the
officials, once seated, become self-serving and they forget the
transparency that is required so that people will know why they do
what they do. To me, it's as if they belittle the intelligence of the
people in understanding the policies that are put in place. It's as if
they are in their own world and they pass bills that will only make
them profitable, forgetting the people.
Hence, now the mindset of students here about the definition of
politics, rings from coast to coast: corruption.
Thank you Philippine Government for such an insight!
There's a lot wrong thing that is happening here. Firstly, and most
probably the most obvious is the unethical compromise of principles
and values. In a catholic state, you would have expected them to
actually know the true meaning of: "do unto others as you would want
others to do unto you" or "love one another as I have loved you". But no,
rather, what they know is: "use my power to gain what I want, who cares
about the people".
That's why values are quickly diminishing, creating a culture of "do
whatever I want and get away with it". Instead of the government helping
the citizens, they only help themselves and their family. There are a few
politicians who sincerely do good and serve the people, but there are more
who are corrupted and evil, and that spoils it even for the rest of us; it's
a dirt in the beautiful flag of the Philippines that's very hard to take away
even with the strongest stain remover there is in the world.
Secondly, the people can also be blamed a little bit. The timidness and
fear of the people towards the higher ups, motivates this corrupt individuals.
If the people come together as one, who can stop the voices of millions
calling for change? But if there's no voice at all, how can there be a change?
If the people are too afraid to speak up and stand up for their principles, beliefs
and values, how can there be a voice?
It's not all that bad here in the Philippines. It has beautiful scenery, wonderful friendly people, rich cultural history and it's a home every citizen can be proud of. However,
the instability and corruption of the government spoils it all. It's like wearing
a "Barong" and then a tiny piece of dirt gets splashed on it. It's not the
beauty of the design of the shirt that you'll see, but you'll see that small
0.5cm spot of dirt instead and that's where all the attention is focused.
So in the end, just because of that small spot, the whole shirt becomes
ugly.
It's time for a change
Others before self.
Regards,
Carlo Miguel Saavedra
* Click -here- to know what a Barong is
