The rising consciousness against political dynasties may become ironic. We are laudably critical, asking candidates to present more than a famous surname. Some propose, however, to boycott anyone branded a dynast, credentials or none. To quote Obi-Wan Kenobi, “Only a Sith deals in absolutes.” Paulo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV is the perfect case study. To [...]
How did Twitter lead to dubious media reports that 37-year-old IT lawyer Al Parreño’s appointment to the Commission on Elections was unconstitutional? Why do reporters corroborate sources out of paranoia, yet are hesitant to check the text of the Constitution that we are required to read in high school?
Senior Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio’s decisions have shaped the post-Edsa right to suffrage. In 2006, he blocked a spurious “people’s initiative” for charter change to a parliamentary government. In 2009, he revised the partylist seat-allocation formula after it became obvious that it left over half the seats unfilled. Last week’s decision, Atong Paglaum Inc. v. Commission on Elections, reversed the idealistic but woefully vague rule that the partylist system is solely for the marginalized.
The Supreme Court has always been the tempting last refuge for losers in a political arena. It is troubling that the consistent refugee of late is the Philippine Catholic Church.
“Our Constitution guarantees the right of every Filipino youth to quality and affordable education,” lamented Rep. Sonny Angara, a University of the Philippines alumnus. This invocation of right is exactly the rhetoric of grieving and angry Facebook posts from UP students. This was the exact rhetoric of 16-year-old Kristel Tejada. Her bereaved mother said on [...]
The bishop of Bacolod accuses the Commission on Elections of violating his freedoms of speech and religion when it ordered the removal of his 6×10-feet “Team Patay” tarpaulins from the San Sebastian Cathedral facade. These violate the 2×3-feet size limit in the Fair Election Act of 2001, one already reviewed by the Supreme Court in the Adiong case that the bishop cited in his own petition for a temporary restraining order. Jesus said, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” The good bishop, however, wants both Caesar’s and God’s shares.
Is a Third World pope not long overdue? Wishful thinking for a Philippine pope has sidelined our country from this critical debate. A resounding “yes” from Asia’s Catholic bastion must be heard all the way to the Sistine Chapel. The Gospel ends with Jesus’ command to “make disciples of all nations,” and Filipinos perennially overlook that they are the third largest Catholic nation (after Brazilians and Mexicans).
All the girls I ever fell for were girls who read. By “fell,” I mean the absolutely-could-not-get-her-out-of-my-mind-for-years-until-she-posted-her-engagement-ring-on-Facebook-and-prominently-tagged-me kind. The pretty ones are easy to forget, especially if they stop being pretty the moment they open their mouths. It is the girls who read who gently slip their fingers into your subconscious and never let go. [...]
Would you jail a 16-year-old girl for libel? Would you jail a 16-year-old girl for calling another girl “B-I-T-C-H,” “backstabber,” and “stupid f*ckin’ playin’ innocent” on Multiply.com? Our Court of Appeals and Department of Justice say yes.
Carlos Celdran’s jail term is blatantly unconstitutional. For shouting, “You bishops, stop involving yourself in politics,” he was convicted of the circa-1930 crime “offending religious feelings.” The judge never explained how religious dogma, the key to the jail term, was offended. We must decry how a court of law was hijacked as a tool of political persecution under an archaic law.
After Manny Pacquiao’s loss by decision to Tim Bradley, “he marched over to Bradley’s father and told him, ‘Your son is going to be a great champ’.” After the Reproductive Health Law was signed, critics immediately challenged it before the Supreme Court.
I found myself wary of hearing Christmas Eve Mass except in Xavier School, where I have heard it since I was six. I shockingly realized this was because I trust the Jesuits not to give a Christmas homily on the Reproductive Health Law. The emotional exhaustion wrought by our bishops’ endless political commentary has alienated me from my own Church.
