Keep PDI ‘chat room’ open

The Inquirer’s practice of giving ordinary people ample space to express their opinions on just about everything comes as a very positive policy given the fact that broadsheets generally opt to run commentaries coming from professionals. This is why I always look forward to reading “Young Blood” and “High Blood” articles as well as the letters to the editor. Raw, unabashedly prejudiced and more times without empirical data, these opinion pieces, nonetheless, give us a glimpse of the psyche of the different sectors of our society. These sectors definitely need a venue where they can vent their ideas and emotions. I say, let their views come forth, edited only to conform with syntax and grammar rules, nothing more.

For if democracy is to work according to its very essence, public discussion must be allowed. So let’s have that discussion.

Multimedia, as it is, are bombarded with partisan agenda, with PR relations professionals directing this large-scale machination although, in the process they sound so jaded and all too tiring. We need fresh views, new voices.

What I’m trying to say is, if the discussion on poverty alleviation is taken to those who are in its clasps, then maybe a more workable solution to poverty may yet be found. As we see now, the conditional cash transfers, the credit rating upgrades or the GNP increases may have painted a picture of a rosy economy, but none of them is the solution.

Surveys? Mostly, they’re bent, and sound entirely like “advertorials.”

On the ground, the desire to get into the “chat room” and join the public discussion of issues of national importance is spreading. The Inquirer offers such a room. I hope this newspaper keeps this room open and well-maintained.

—BENIGNO CALANTUAN III, Carmel, Bacoor City