This post is to disagree with Abe Olandres on the issue of blogging as a privilege and not a right.

Blogging is a natural extension of what is stated in Article III Section 4 of the Philippine Constitution, and I quote:

No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.

That article is entitled “Bill of Rights”. That section was placed there in posterity so that no one will ever tell somebody what he can say, when he can say what he wants, and how he wants to say it. No one is given the privilege of exercising free speech at the detriment of the others.

The UN Declaration of Human Rights (of which the Philippines is a signatory) guarantees the freedom of expression in Article 19:

Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

Abe’s arguments are best rebutted by Willy Prilles of Naga, and I quote him:

Yes, the lack of internet access, time and facility for language are formidable barriers to blogging today. But their existence does not make blogging less of a right that every citizen should have the freedom to enjoy — or decide not to enjoy at all.

In the same manner that simply because the Philippine blogging community today is a mostly elitist segment of society at large should deter ordinary citizens from wanting their voice to be heard and demanding their own seat on the table — in cyberspace. To the contrary, it is our challenge to tear down these barriers, or at least die trying.

Yes, blogging in the Philippines is limited at the moment. Blogging requires time, and time requires an Internet connection being available all the time. But this constraint can be overcome. Blogging is not always typing at the keyboard; one can write his/her thoughts on paper, rewrite, compile, and post them when the connection is possible. Blogging does not require that you blog every hour and every day. Blogging only requires that you post at some semblance of regularity.

Yes, blogging requires good language skills. What better way to hone that skill than blogging?

If blogging is not for everyone, then freedom of speech is not for everyone, too. So why bother with a Constitution? Besides, those who advance this line of argument only emphasizes the fact that we live in a class-based society.

Blogging is for everyone, but not everyone is born to blog. There lies the difference. I think.

—

I understand where Abe is coming from. Fresh from the success of the Philippine Blog Awards, there are some quarters who are somehow unhappy with the event. That is to be expected. Only that some have overreacted. Sometimes being pissed off drives someone to say something irrational. All we can do is be magnanimous and graceful both at the same time.

Apologies have been issued, and it’s time to bury the hatchet, and enter the holidays with peace of mind.

The problem with most news organizations in the Philippines (and probably everywhere) is that they are owned by corporations and as such, they are constrained by commercial considerations in their operations and time slots.

This year being an election year, news organizations will play a big role in the way people will vote. Afterall, the news is the people’s primary source of information with regards to candidates and platforms. It is therefore important that news organizations present what the voters need. It is their duty, if you ask me.

Unfortunately, most of them are governed by the avarice of profits, hence they are constrained by ratings and ads.

Take for example ABS-CBN‘s Forum 2007. It aims to expose senatorial candidates and their ideas to the voting public. However, it is shown on ANC, which is on cable TV, thus the number of people who can watch is limited. It is shown on Channel 2, but at 4AM, who’s going to watch it?

GMA7, on the other hand, has The Philippine Agenda. Instead of dealing with candidates, the show instead focuses on issues that affects the country. It is shown on Channel 7 on Sundays, 7PM. By limiting the show on issues, the producers hope ” to raise viewers’ level of concern and awareness on the country’s recurring problems so that, in turn, they can make sound choices come election day”. What the people need to know is where do candidates stand on these issues. I’m afraid the GMA show will not address the question at all.

ABS-CBN is unwilling to sacrifice its primetime slots because it is trying to catch up with GMA7, while GMA7 has decided to present something half-useful. The TV news organizations somehow fail to fulfill their functions as conduits of needed information. I hope radio, online, and print media fare better. But among these, TV is the most potent, and yet most impotent.

Aquilino Pimentel III was hardpressed in defending himself with the political dynasty issue being raised by certain quarters. The same issue was raised at last week’s Forum 2007.

The Constitution calls for the Congress to pass a law banning political dynasties. As Article II, Section 26 states:

The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.

My position on this issue is here.

His position is that as long as there is no law, political dynasty is not an issue. Cute.

Aside from motherhood statements (don’t they all give statements like that), his answer to a certain query jives with my position on EDSA II. When asked about EDSA II, he said that the logical conclusion would have been for Estrada to resign. He also took potshots at the constructive resignation doctrine, which for me is an unsound and indefensible one. It is a mistake that history will have to judge. Soon.

At the very least, he held himself better than Joker Arroyo and Zosimo Paredes.

I am considering Ang Kapatiran candidates. But I am disappointed with Zosimo Paredes’ performance at the ANC show. He was as if rambling, and at one point, his answer was way off from the panelist’s question.

He stated their platform and principles, and I can’t help but shake my head, because what he had said was no different from what GO and TU are stating – pure motherhood statements. Though he had stated concrete plans, I am not sure how that would be feasible.

For example, he said that if elected, he and the other Ang Kapatiran candidates will support Charter change, and he had stated a specific section that he wants to remove (Article II, Section 3):

Civilian authority is, at all times, supreme over the military. The Armed Forces of the Philippines is the protector of the people and the State. Its goal is to secure the sovereignty of the State and the integrity of the national territory.

He said that the clause “The Armed Forces of the Philippines is the protector of the people and the State.” is the reason why there are military adventurists who committed coups/mutinies. Hmm, say that again? As if removing that clause would eradicate military adventurism. Besides, the Constitution is clear: the goal of the AFP is to secure the sovereignty and territory of the Philippines.

I still have to hear the other two Ang Kapatiran candidates to speak. I hope they would fare better.

Saturday afternoon I saw the replay of the week’s episode of Forum 2007. The episode featured senatorial candidates Joker Arroyo, Zosimo Paredes, and Aquilino Pimentel III. Panelists were Maria Ressa, Alexander Lacson, and Andres Bautista (I hope I got the two gentlemen’s names right).

I was not able to watch the show in its entirety, but I got to see the second half, where the panelists asked the candidates a question plus a followup.

I pity Joker Arroyo. Here is a great man reduced to the absurdities of his reasoning, which is pathetic and sad.

When a panelist asked why he joined Team Unity, he said that the opposition was against the Constitution because it did not condemn the supposed coup last year, that the opposition’s only aim is to impeach Gloria Arroyo. Yet he joined the administration slate, whose titular head is Gloria Arroyo, whose administration violated the Constitution several times. I can only shake my head.

Then when asked why he did not go the way that Francis Pangilinan went, he said that in times of crises, you must take a stand, there’s no room for being neutral. At least we know where Senator Arroyo stands, no? BTW, nice cheap shot, Mr. Arroyo. I wonder what Pangilinan will say about this.

And lastly, Joker Arroyo knows he made an unpopular and illogical decision, and he has to defend it again and again and again. His decision is indefensible and he knows it. He knows that the reason he gave for joing TU is a lie. As Mark Twain had said “If you tell the truth you don’t have to remember anything.” Well, you get the idea.

Patricia Evangelista’s column yesterday reveals Joker’s true colors. Poor man.

And, as Willy Prilles had said,

But as apologists for the administration and the military establishment are wont to say, we are but a reflection of our times. Only that they are inside their glass house, and we are not. And so we need not take refuge in that last argument of the indefensible.

Joker Arroyo’s glass house will have to be broken.