Kartilya: Categorically making a stand on people's issues is impossible for the presidential hopefuls

CARP vs. GARB

Posted by Ronnie Clarion On February - 2009

Land distribution to landless Filipino farmers is a preset of provision under Art. XIII Sec.4 of the 1987 Constitution. Prior to this provision, former Pres. Corazon Aquino mounted the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) which was later enacted through the passage of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL) or RA 6657 on June 10, 1988. However, the program had been excoriated for its failure to completely distribute lands to the beneficiaries within its target completion timeframe of 10 years. It was later extended for another 10 years yet the struggle for genuine agrarian reform continues.

Ang Kartilya ng Katipunan

Posted by Christian Espinoza On June - 12 - 2010

The Revolution of the Katipunan may well have been thwarted by American imperialism at the turn of the 20th century, but it is noteworthy to declare that our people, who at that time were only beginning to form the concept of nationhood, were more than able to organize a revolutionary force that would liberate the entire islands from their Spanish colonizers.

Noynoy Aquino Inaugural Speech

Posted by Kartilya On June - 30 - 2010

Ang pagtayo ko rito ngayon ay patunay na kayo ang aking tunay na lakas. Hindi ko inakala na darating tayo sa puntong ito, na ako’y manunumpa sa harap ninyo bilang inyong Pangulo. Hindi ko pinangarap maging tagapagtaguyod ng pag-asa at tagapagmana ng mga suliranin ng ating bayan.

Subjugating the Philippine System of Education

Posted by Christian Lloyd Espinoza On Oct - 2009

The transformation and reorientation of the current rotten system of education in the country is not possible without the development of a critical consciousness that reflects and acts upon the existing social (dis)order. Any meaningful change in our basic curriculum must be liberative of the docility that has long infringed our mentality, dissolving what little nationalist ideal there is left in the heart of every Filipino youth.

Categorically making a stand on people's issues is impossible for the presidential hopefuls

Posted by Kartilya On 1:48 AM

Beyond flashy media ads and appearances, not one of the presidential front-runners has made an expressed and firm stand on the most basic issues that affront the Filipino people. Most of them would argue that it is premature to talk of such sorts since we have yet to enter the campaign period. Worse thing is that their political ads (or call it infomercials) substantiate nothing more than publicity and name recall.

It is quite unthinkable that while these people are brandishing their good-looks in front of the public in the most creative and appealing way possible, issues such as prioritization of education and workers' welfare have been put at the sidelines, brazenly ignoring the plight of the majority!

Come to think of it, the previous elections in this country have done so little to bring the nation out of its dire condition and this kind of attitude of presidential wannabes are not helping either. Sen. Loren Legarda was correct to say that "the 2010 elections are even more crucial in determining our people’s fate.” Unfortunately, owing to our bitter past, the top of the elite has gotten hold of the power structure, placing the toiling majority at the base. As a result, we only have these individuals belonging to the same breed of big business families and landowners to choose from to lead this country. Also, we have an electorate that is drowning in the personality-based culture of electing people into positions.

Given this fact, it is not surprising not to hear from the aspirants a categorical and firm stand on people's issues. What with all the people's interests coming in conflict with their own, it is a given impossibility. One will not allow a genuine land reform that will frustrate his/her land acquisition or a wage increase against profit generation. After all, democracy in the Philippines withers out after the election is over and the only point is how to get the people remember one's name when they go cast their ballots (if they correctly can with very little know-how of the poll automation). For now, the presidential hopefuls are going to busy themselves generating campaign funds and support for their expensive media ads.

Surely, the issues on agrarian reform, wage hike, price reduction, et cetera will surface in the presidential debates ahead if only to satisfy the cravings of the people and of course of the critics. This may all seem skeptical and even pessimistic, but one can just take a closer look of the pages of our nation's history and see what this ruling system has turned this country into.