INAUGURAL ADDRESS of the 15th RP President

INAUGURAL ADDRESS AS DELIVERED BY PRESIDENT BENIGNO AQUINO III

Ang pagtayo ko dito 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.

Ang layunin ko sa buhay ay simple lang: maging tapat sa aking mga magulang at sa bayan bilang isang marangal na anak, mabait na kuya, at mabuting mamamayan.

Nilabanan ng aking ama ang diktadurya at ibinuwis niya ang kanyang buhay para tubusin ang ating demokrasya. Inalay ng aking ina ang kanyang buhay upang pangalagaan ang demokrasyang ito. Ilalaan ko ang aking buhay para siguraduhin na ang ating demokrasya ay kapaki-pakinabang sa bawat isa. Namuhunan na po kami ng dugo at handa kong gawin ito kung muling kinakailangan.

Tanyag man ang aking mga magulang at ang kanilang mga nagawa, alam ko rin ang problema ng ordinaryong mamamayan. Alam nating lahat ang pakiramdam na magkaroon ng pamahalaang bulag at bingi. Alam natin ang pakiramdam na mapagkaitan ng hustisya, na mabalewala ng mga taong pinagkatiwalaan at inatasan nating maging ating tagapagtanggol.

Kayo ba ay minsan ring nalimutan ng pamahalaang inyong iniluklok sa puwesto? Ako rin. Kayo ba ay nagtiis na sa trapiko para lamang masingitan ng isang naghahari-hariang de-wangwang sa kalsada? Ako rin. Kayo ba ay sawang-sawa na sa pamahalaang sa halip na magsilbi sa taumbayan ay kailangan pa nila itong pagpasensiyahan at tiisin? Ako rin.

Katulad ninyo ako. Marami na sa atin ang bumoto gamit ang kanilang paa - nilisan na nila ang ating bansa sa kanilang paghahanap ng pagbabago at katahimikan. Tiniis nila ang hirap, sinugod ang panganib sa ibang bansa dahil doon may pag-asa kahit kaunti na dito sa atin ay hindi nila nakikita. Sa iilang sandali na sarili ko lang ang aking inaalala, pati ako ay napag-isip din - talaga bang hindi na mababago ang pamamahala natin dito? Hindi kaya nasa ibang bansa ang katahimikang hinahanap ko? Saan ba nakasulat na kailangang puro pagtitiis ang tadhana ng Pilipino?

Ngayon, sa araw na ito - dito magwawakas ang pamumunong manhid sa mga daing ng taumbayan. Hindi si Noynoy ang gumawa ng paraan, kayo ang dahilan kung bakit ngayon, magtatapos na ang pagtitiis ng sambayanan. Ito naman po ang umpisa ng kalbaryo ko, ngunit kung marami tayong magpapasan ng krus ay kakayanin natin ito, gaano man kabigat.

Sa tulong ng wastong pamamahala sa mga darating na taon, maiibsan din ang marami nating problema. Ang tadhana ng Pilipino ay babalik sa tamang kalagayan, na sa bawat taon pabawas ng pabawas ang problema ng Pinoy na nagsusumikap at may kasiguruhan sila na magiging tuloy-tuloy na ang pagbuti ng kanilang sitwasyon.

Kami ay narito para magsilbi at hindi para maghari. Ang mandato ninyo sa amin ay pagbabago - isang malinaw na utos para ayusin ang gobyerno at lipunan mula sa pamahalaang iilan lamang ang nakikinabang tungo sa isang pamahalaang kabutihan ng mamamayan ang pinangangalagaan.

Ang mandatong ito ay isa kung saan kayo at ang inyong pangulo ay nagkasundo para sa pagbabago - isang paninindigan na ipinangako ko noong kampanya at tinanggap ninyo noong araw ng halalan.

Sigaw natin noong kampanya: "Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap." Hindi lamang ito pang slogan o pang poster - ito ang mga prinsipyong tinatayuan at nagsisilbing batayan ng ating administrasyon.

Ang ating pangunahing tungkulin ay ang magsikap na maiangat ang bansa mula sa kahirapan, sa pamamagitan ng pagpapairal ng katapatan at mabuting pamamalakad sa pamahalaan.

Ang unang hakbang ay ang pagkakaroon ng tuwid at tapat na hanay ng mga pinuno. Magsisimula ito sa akin. Sisikapin kong maging isang mabuting ehemplo. Hinding hindi ko sasayangin ang tiwalang ipinagkaloob ninyo sa akin. Sisiguraduhin ko na ganito rin ang adhikain ng aking Gabinete at ng mga magiging kasama sa ating pamahalaan.

Naniniwala akong hindi lahat ng nagsisilbi sa gobyerno ay corrupt. Sa katunayan, mas marami sa kanila ay tapat. Pinili nilang maglingkod sa gobyerno upang gumawa ng kabutihan. Ngayon, magkakaroon na sila ng pagkakataong magpakitang-gilas. Inaasahan natin sila sa pagsupil ng korapsyon sa loob mismo ng burukrasya.

Sa mga itinalaga sa paraang labag sa batas, ito ang aking babala: sisimulan natin ang pagbabalik ng tiwala sa pamamagitan ng pag-usisa sa mga "midnight appointments." Sana ay magsilbi itong babala sa mga nag-iisip na ipagpatuloy ang baluktot na kalakarang nakasanayan na ng marami.

Sa mga kapuspalad nating mga kababayan, ngayon, ang pamahalaan ang inyong kampeon.

Hindi natin ipagpapaliban ang mga pangangailangan ng ating mga estudyante, kaya't sisikapin nating punan ang kakulangan sa ating mga silid-aralan.

Unti-unti din nating babawasan ang mga kakulangan sa imprastraktura para sa transportasyon, turismo at pangangalakal. Mula ngayon, hindi na puwede ang "puwede na" pagdating sa mga kalye, tulay at gusali dahil magiging responsibilidad ng mga kontratista ang panatilihing nasa mabuting kalagayan ang mga proyekto nila.

Bubuhayin natin ang programang "emergency employment" ng dating pangulong Corazon Aquino sa pagtatayo ng mga bagong imprastraktura na ito. Ito ay magbibigay ng trabaho sa mga local na komunidad at makakatulong sa pagpapalago ng kanila at ng ating ekonomiya.

Hindi kami magiging sanhi ng inyong pasakit at perwisyo. Palalakasin natin ang koleksyon at pupuksain natin ang korapsyon sa Kawanihan ng Rentas Internas at Bureau of Customs para mapondohan natin ang ating mga hinahangad para sa lahat, tulad ng:

· dekalidad na edukasyon, kabilang ang edukasyong bokasyonal para makapaghanap ng marangal na trabaho ang hindi makapag-kolehiyo;
· serbisyong pangkalusugan, tulad ng Philhealth para sa lahat sa loob ng tatlong taon;
· tirahan sa loob ng mga ligtas na komunidad.

Palalakasin at palalaguin natin ang bilang ng ating kasundaluhan at kapulisan, hindi para tugunan ang interes ng mga naghahari-harian, ngunit para proteksyunan ang mamamayan. Itinataya nila ang kanilang buhay para mayroong pagkakataon sa katahimikan at kapayapaan sa sambayanan. Dumoble na ang populasyong kanilang binabantayan, nanatili naman sila sa bilang. Hindi tama na ang nagmamalasakit ay kinakawawa.

Kung dati ay may fertilizer scam, ngayon ay may kalinga ng tunay para sa mga magsasaka. Tutulungan natin sila sa irigasyon, extension services, at sa pagbenta ng kanilang produkto sa pinakamataas na presyong maaari.

Inaatasan natin na ang papasok na Secretary Alcala ay magtayo ng mga trading centers kung saan diretso na ang magsasaka sa mamimili - lalaktawan natin ang gitna, kasama na ang kotong cop. Sa ganitong paraan, ang dating napupunta sa gitna ay maari nang paghatian ng magsasaka at mamimili.

Gagawin nating kaaya-aya sa negosyante ang ating bansa. We will cut red tape dramatically and implement stable economic policies. We will level the playing field for investors and make government an enabler, not a hindrance, to business. Sa ganitong paraan lamang natin mapupunan ang kakulangan ng trabaho para sa ating mga mamamayan.

Layunin nating paramihin ang trabaho dito sa ating bansa upang hindi na kailanganin ang mangibang-bansa para makahanap lamang ng trabaho. Ngunit habang ito ay hindi pa natin naaabot, inaatasan ko ang mga kawani ng DFA, POEA at ng OWWA at iba pang mga kinauukulang ahensiya na mas lalo pang paigtingin ang pagtugon sa mga hinaing at pangangailangan ng ating mga overseas Filipino workers.

Papaigtingin namin ang proceso ng konsultasyon at pag-uulat sa taumbayan. Sisikapin naming isakatuparan ang nakasaad sa ating Konstitusiyon na kinikilala ang karapatan ng mamamayaan na magkaroon ng kaalaman ukol sa mga pampublikong alintana.

Binuhay natin ang diwa ng people power noong kampanya. Ipagpatuloy natin ito tungo sa tuwid at tapat na pamamahala. Ang naniniwala sa people power ay nakatuon sa kapwa at hindi sa sarili.

Sa mga nang-api sa akin, kaya ko kayong patawarin at pinapatawad ko na kayo. Sa mga nang-api sa sambayanan, wala akong karapatan na limutin ang inyong mga kasalanan.

To those who are talking about reconciliation, if they mean that they would like us to simply forget about the wrongs that they have committed in the past, we have this to say: there can be no reconciliation without justice. Sa paglimot ng pagkakasala, sinisigurado mong maulit muli ang mga pagkakasalang ito. Secretary de Lima, you have your marching orders. Begin the process of providing true and complete justice for all.

Ikinagagalak din naming ibahagi sa inyo ang pagtanggap ni dating Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. sa hamon ng pagtatatag at pamumuno sa isang Truth Commission na magbibigay linaw sa maraming kahinahinalang isyu na hanggang ngayon ay walang kasagutan at resolusyon.

Ang sinumang nagkamali ay kailangang humarap sa hustisya. Hindi maaaring patuloy ang kalakaran ng walang pananagutan at tuloy na pang-aapi.

My government will be sincere in dealing with all the peoples of Mindanao. We are committed to a peaceful and just settlement of conflicts, inclusive of the interests of all - may they be Lumads, Bangsamoro or Christian.

We shall defeat the enemy by wielding the tools of justice, social reform, and equitable governance leading to a better life. Sa tamang pamamahala gaganda ang buhay ng lahat, at sa buhay na maganda, sino pa ang gugustuhing bumalik sa panahon ng pang-aapi?

Kung kasama ko kayo, maitataguyod natin ang isang bayan kung saan pantay-pantay ang pagkakataon, dahil pantay-pantay nating ginagampanan ang ating mga pananagutan.

Kamakailan lamang, ang bawat isa sa atin ay nanindigan sa presinto. Bumoto tayo ayon sa ating karapatan at konsensiya. Hindi tayo umatras sa tungkulin nating ipaglaban ang karapatan na ito.

Pagkatapos ng bilangan, pinatunayan ninyo na ang tao ang tunay na lakas ng bayan.

Ito ang kahalagahan ng ating demokrasya. Ito ang pundasyon ng ating pagkakaisa. Nangampanya tayo para sa pagbabago. Dahil dito taas-noo muli ang Pilipino. Tayong lahat ay kabilang sa isang bansa kung saan maaari nang mangarap muli.

To our friends and neighbors around the world, we are ready to take our place as a reliable member of the community of nations, a nation serious about its commitments and which harmonizes its national interests with its international responsibilities.

We will be a predictable and consistent place for investment, a nation where everyone will say, "it all works."

Inaanyayahan ko kayo ngayon na manumpa sa ating mga sarili, sa sambayanan, WALANG MAIIWAN.

Walang pangingibang-bayan at gastusan na walang wastong dahilan. Walang pagtalikod sa mga salitang binitawan noong kampanya, ngayon at hanggang sa mga susunod pang pagsubok na pagdadaanan sa loob ng anim na taon.

Walang lamangan, walang padrino at walang pagnanakaw. Walang wang-wang, walang counterflow, walang tong. Panahon na upang tayo ay muling magkawanggawa.

Nandito tayo ngayon dahil sama-sama tayong nanindigan at nagtiwala na may pag-asa.

The people who are behind us dared to dream. Today, the dream starts to become a reality. Sa inyong mga nag-iisip pa kung tutulong kayo sa pagpasan ng ating krus, isa lang ang aking tanong - kung kailan tayo nanalo, saka pa ba kayo susuko?

Kayo ang boss ko, kaya't hindi maaaring hindi ako makinig sa mga utos ninyo. We will design and implement an interaction and feedback mechanism that can effectively respond to the people's needs and aspirations.

Kayo ang nagdala sa akin sa puntong ito - ang ating mga volunteers - matanda, bata, celebrity, ordinaryong tao, na umikot sa Pilipinas para ikampanya ang pagbabago; ang aking mga kasambahay, na nag-asikaso ng lahat ng aking mga personal na pangangailangan; ang aking pamilya, kaibigan at katrabaho, na dumamay, nag-alaga at nagbigay ng suporta sa akin; ang ating mga abogado, na nagpuyat para bantayan ang ating mga boto at siguraduhing mabilang ang bawat isa; ang aking mga kapartido at kaalyado na kasama kong nangahas mangarap; at ang milyun-milyong Pilipinong nagkaisa, nagtiwala at hindi nawalan ng pag-asa - nasa inyo ang aking taos-pusong pasasalamat.

Hindi ko makakayang harapin ang aking mga magulang, at kayong mga nagdala sa akin sa yugto ng buhay kong ito, kung hindi ko maisasakatuparan ang aking mga binitawang salita sa araw na ito.

My parents sought nothing less and died for nothing less than democracy, peace and prosperity. I am blessed by this legacy. I shall carry the torch forward.

Layunin ko na sa pagbaba ko sa katungkulan, masasabi ng lahat na malayo na ang narating natin sa pagtahak ng tuwid na landas at mas maganda na ang kinabukasang ipapamana natin sa susunod na henerasyon. Samahan ninyo ako sa pagtatapos ng laban na ito. Tayo na sa tuwid na landas.

Maraming salamat po at mabuhay ang sambayanang Pilipino!
(June 30, 2010)

MANUEL ABUYO RODRIGUEZ II

MANUEL RODRIGUEZ II

MANUEL ABUYO RODRIGUEZ II  (b. 13 July 1988) is currently a law student at the Institute of Law of the Far Eastern University (FEU). He is also a faculty member at the Lyceum of the Philippines University, College of Arts and Sciences (LPU).

Born and raised as an only child in the City of Manila. His father is the late Manuel P. Rodriguez, a movie writer, actor, and director and was a part of the electoral college of the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) and his mother is Helionida Abuyo-Rodriguez who was an accountant and is currently working fulltime in Christian ministry as a Bible discipler and a Church Elder at the Cosmopolitan Church in Manila.

Rodriguez obtained his Bachelor of Arts (AB) in Legal Management in 2009 at the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas (UST), Faculty of Arts and Letters.

As a college student, Rodriguez excelled in both academic and extra-curricular activities; he was the Internal Vice President of the Community Achievers Association, Faculty of Arts and Letters (2006-2007), UST Arts and Letters Student Council Public Relations Officer (2007-2008), Internal Vice President of UST UNESCO (2008-2009), and the Chairperson of the Students' Democratic Party (2008-2009), the oldest "student" political party in the Philippines. He too was a football varsity standout.

Outside the University, he also held the position of Treasurer (2004-2005), and Secretary (2005-2006) of the Youth Coordinating Council (YCC) and Vice President (2005-2006) of the English Congregation of the Christian Youth Fellowship (CYF) and Treasurer of the Christian Young Adults Fellowship (CYAF).

Upon entry as law school neophyte at UST Law, he was appointed as the Internal Vice President of the Batas Tomasino and the Auditor of the UST Chapter of the Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) where he also served as its President (1st Sem, 10-11) in a semester prior to his transfer to FEU.

At age 21, he was admitted to be a faculty member of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) of the Lyceum of the Philippines University.

In FEU Law, he currently serves as a member of the editorial board of the prestigious Far Eastern Law Review (FELR) and the Chairperson for Litigation of the Legal Aid Bureau (LAB). He also helped found a political party, the Sulong Party.

He is currently living with family relatives at Pandacan, Manila.

The NOYBI Administration and the Unity that We Deserve

By Manuel Rodriguez II

It’s Time to Stand as One Nation

The Ballots and the PCOS have spoken, we already know who are our new representatives in the Congress and the “Magic 12” Senators (most of them are old faces in politics), and most of all we are now looking forward to what is in store for our nation for the next six years under the leadership of the “NoyBi” administration.

Many of our fellowmen are upset because their bet candidate did not make it. However, all of us Filipinos must face the fact that we have no choice but to accept the new administration because they were the ones voted by the majority. We should respect the democratic institution that we have, we must all be reminded that the democracy that we currently have is a gift.

It is a gift from our heroic forefathers, to the men and women of the past that gallantly responded to crisis, to those who have stood to what they have believed in, to the Filipinos of the past who fought for what they felt was right even in the face of grave danger.

It is also a gift from the revered morally upright statesmen who stood against tyranny under the dark ages of martial rule. To the men, women and children who fought in behalf of the generations to come at EDSA even with fears and reservations in their hearts.

Ultimately, it is a gift from the Omnipotent Being. He who gave us the piece of earth where we could nurture our children and our children’s children. The piece of earth that we must nurture and love. The piece of earth that we must defend from conquerors, insurgents and from the evil in us. The piece of earth where we could practice our faith. The piece of earth we call our Motherland. The piece of earth we named Philippines.

With the new administration, I hope our people will start believing in the rule of law, in the inviolability of their human rights, in the forecast of a better living not just for themselves but for the generation that is to come and in the great chance of lasting peace based on equity and justice.

Majority of the newly elected leaders were not in my ballot, but I acknowledge the fact that I must submit myself to them because I believe that an administration needed a support from a citizen that is open for change when change is being called for.

Our immediate task should start with ourselves. I call my fellow Filipinos to directly participate in and contribute to the betterment of the society. All citizens have a responsibility regardless of economic status, gender, religion, age or even political belief.

We must inculcate to the minds of our fellow Filipinos especially the next generation that this time their Government will do right by them and will serve them with competence, dedication and integrity.

Our democratic society is a market place of ideas. The growth in knowledge happens when two ideas collide and produce a new key idea. We should and must respect the diverse political beliefs we have. Conflicting ideas may be a catalyst of a headache-starter debate, but it is a factor that makes our nation moves forward, it is the essence of democracy where every person is entitled to believe what he wants and vote who he wants.

While some of us did not vote for Senator Aquino and Mayor Binay (that includes me), we must not fret for our vote as an individual was never in vain.
We debated with our friends and supported our respective candidates; on that act alone we contributed something to the advancement of this nation. We contributed to the so-called marketplace of ideas, a proof that we care for the elections and its effect to our future as a Nation.

Now is a fresh start for our Nation. This is not a time to criticize the capacity of our newly elected leaders instead it is a time to hope for a better tomorrow under their watch. This does not mean that we must no longer be watchful on their way of handling our State in fact more than ever this is the time that we should.

The Nation can no longer afford anymore betrayal of public trust, corruption, dishonesty and immorality. These things we should shun and never let happen again.
We must offer and venture a sense of purpose and direction, not only to the “NoyBi” administration, but ultimately to the majority of our fellowmen who have less in this earthly life. Their overwhelming number tells us that poverty is a disease that must be cured. It is a disease of our own doing and the cure is also in our hands.
May the new administration headed by Benigno Aquino III and Jejomar Binay remedy the injustices and right the wrongs the past governments have committed.

God bless the Filipino people. May this new morning mark the start of Philippine renaissance.


MANILA, 2010

Mayo 10: Nasaksihan Kung Babuyin ang Batas at Gahasain si Inang Hustisya

Sabi sa Media, ang eleksyon na naganap nuong nakaraang Mayo 10 ay ang pinaka-matagumpay na halalan sa kasaysayan ng Pilipinas. Sa mata ng mga camera ng media nakita ng buong Pilipinas ang mga pangyayari sa ibang presinto ng pagboto at ang paraan ng pagsasagawa ng eleksyon. Marahil marami sa ating mga kababayan ay sang-ayon sa pahayag na iyon nga ang pinaka-matagumpay na naging halalan sa bansa sapagkat iyon ang pinakita sa kanila ng kani-kanilang mga telebisyon at pinarinig ng kani-kanilang mga radyo noong araw ng Mayo 10.

Maaring totoo nga ang mga iyon sa kabuuang perspektibo o kung ang iyong basehan ay ang eleksyon sa kabuuang bansa. Pero ang tagumpay na kanilang nakita nung araw ng Mayo 10 ay hindi ko nasaksihan sa aking kinalalagyan nuong araw na iyon.

Sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon naranasan ko ang maging isang tagabantay ng boto, hindi para sa isang kandidato kundi para sa isang malinis na halalan. Sumapi ako sa isang grupo ng mga abogado at kapwa ko estudyante ng abogasya para maging “paralegal” sa araw ng halalan at magbantay kung tama ang pag-gamit sa sistema ng eleksyon. Marami ang nagtaka bakit ako at ang aking mga kaibigan ay sumapi sa grupo na iyon sapagkat napakaraming malalaking partido ang lumiligaw sa mga kapwa namin “paralegals” para sumapi sa kanila kapalit ng masasabi nating mgandang bayad.

Oo, tumanggi kami na magtrabaho sa isang partido sapagkat alam namin na hindi lahat ng kanilang kandidato ay aming pinaniniwalaan at siyang magiging laman ng aming balota. Masaya ako at ang aking mga kaibigan kahit nagtrabaho kami bilang mga “paralegal” ng walang bayad kundi salamat nuong araw ng Mayo 10 dahil napatunayan namin sa aming mga sarili na mahal nga namin ang Pilipinas at hindi pala kaya mabili ang pagmamahal na iyon at ang aming prinsipyo.

Mayo 10, nadestino ako at isa sa aking kaibigan sa isang “public school” na ‘di kalayuan sa aking tirahan. Marami sa mga botante sa eskwela na iyon ay personal ko na ka-kilala, doon din ang presinto ng aming barangay kaya ako din na isang “election watchdog volunteer” ay nagawa parin na makaboto.

At doon ay aking nasaksihan na garapalang binababoy ang sistema ng halalan. Ayon sa batas, bawal ang ano mang paraan ng kampanya sa loob ng “30 meters radius” mula sa presinto ng halalan. Pero sa araw na iyon, tila nagmistulang basurang dokyumento ang batas. Mismong mga opisyal ng barangay ang siyang nangunguna sa pagsuway at pagbalewala sa batas pang-eleksyon. Isang Punongbarangay ang nasaksihan ng aking kasama na bumubulong sa isang botante kung sino ang dapat iboto sa loob mismo ng presinto habang hawak ng botante ang kanyang mismong balota. Mga kagawad ng barangay ang siyang nabansagan na “bulong gang” dahil sa kanilang pag bulong ng pangalan ng pinapaborang kandidato sa mismong “gate” ng eskwelahan.

Isa muling Punongbarangay ang siya mismong nag “set-up” ng tolda na may pangalan at kulay ng mga kandidato sa mismong tabi ng eskwelahan, isang malinaw na pag gawa ng krimen ng “unlawful electioneering” na siyang may kaukulang kaparusahan sa ilalim ng batas na pang-eleksyon. Balibalitaang bentahan ng kanilang mga boto, pagtanggap ng regalo mula sa kandidato at garapalang pag alok ng libreng sakay sa jeep ng isang tumatakbo sa pagka-mayor. Isa ring kandidato sa pagka-konsehal ay namataang umaaligid sa tapat ng eskwelahan at suot ang kanyang “trademark” na “campaign get-up.” Ang mga guro na nagtatrabaho sa eleksyon ay siya mismong may hawak ng “parphernalia” ni congressman. Mga armadong pulis na nakapaligid sa presinto ng pagboto na di lalayo ng “50 meters radius” na siyang pinagbabawal ng batas.

Lahat ng aming nasaksihan ay aming sinita sa ngalan ng aming pagiging “paralegal” na kinikilala ng mismong COMELEC. Ngunit kami ay nagmistula lamang propeta na walang nakikinig. Insulto ang aming naramdaman ng sa aming mismong harapan ay ginagahasa si inang hustisya at ang batas ng eleskyon.

Sa aming paaralang pang-abogasya itinuro sa amin an walang sinuman ang mas nakatataas sa batas at dapat itong sundin ng lahat ng mamamayan sa bansa. Sa presintong aming kinalagyan, itinuro ng tadhana sa amin na ang natutunan naming mga batas sa eskwela ay maaaring maging basahang papel sa araw na ang nais ng mga pulitiko ay makamtan ang ninanais na pwesto.

Nakakalungkot isipin para sa isang “paralegal” na siyang may pagmamahal sa konstitusyon at mga batas ay walang magawa sa nangyayari dahil sa dami ng gumagawa ng pambababoy na iyon sa kanyang paligid. Hindi namin makuha humingi ng tulong sa mga opisyal sa aming paligid sapagkat sila mismo ay marumi ang kamay at may pabor sa isang pulitiko na maaring nagbigay palaman sa kanilang bulsa.

Paano natin masasabi na ang isang halalan ay bagong simula para sa ating bansa kung ang paraan ng halalan ay madumi? Paano tayo magtitiwala sa isang naluklok na mambabatas kung ang kanyang pagkapanalo ay bunga ng pandaraya sa batas? Paano tayo uunlad kung tayo mismo ay hindi makasunod ang simpleng patakaran inilatag sa atin?
Nakakalungkot isipin pero ang tagumpay ng Mayo 10 ay hindi nasaksihan ng aking mata.

Mapayapa nga ba ang eleksyon? Sabi nila oo, dahil hindi ganoon karami ang nasawi at nasaktan gaya ng dati. Sa presinto na aking pinagtrabahuhan, wala din namang taong nasaktan. Ang tanging nasaktan lamang ay si Inang Hustisya na sa harapan ko mismo ay ginahasa ng taongbayan para lamang sa panandaliang pang-laman ng tiyan.

Mayo 10, namatay ang batas sa aking mga mata. Nawa ay sa bukas o makalawa makita ko siyang bumangon muli at husgahan ang tiwali.

The Death of the Laws and Our State: A Call for a Moral Revolution

by Manuel Rodriguez II

We have become a lawless and a society full of danger.

On the streets, in public places, one may spit, dump his garbage or, urinate anywhere he pleases. Nobody takes offense anymore, whether for himself or for the society. On the road, no courtesies are given and received: the man behind the wheel is an emperor; the traffic police could be bribed, the pedestrian run over, no big deal.

An innocent harmless old lady could be robbed and gunned down in broad daylight, and the witnesses of the crime would simply walk away and watch the evening newscast in the comforts of their homes, sleep soundly, and in the morning read the newspapers.

Within the metro, anyone can construct anything anywhere – on somebody else’s property, in the park, sidewalk or, under a flyover or a bridge – without reference to a zoning law, a building code, or property rights of other persons. The growth of squatter colonies is unstoppable.

Poverty is now equated with filth, and the rich think they have a right to pollute. We now see the air that we breathe and we lack law on noise, we now have equal chances of getting deaf. Piped waters remains drinkable, but the pipelines are all dead. While political environmentalists protests, all environmental proposals sleep in Congress.

If the physical environment is polluted, the moral environment is worse.

Unable to teach the citizens work ethic, the Government operates gambling through casinos instead, to teach the poor Filipinos to trust their luck. And even as we exert efforts in defending the women and children against sexual abuses, pornography is open to everyone.

And while violation of the sixth commandment remains a felonious act, its most notorious public offenders seem to regard themselves as a special gift to public office. They have a luxurious visualization of themselves so they do not commit petty graft.

Truly, the law is dead, and the State is dead.

Of course, the State has died many times before. But it has not stopped dying since.
We must realize that the rise of corruption and petty crime rates are simply other words for the collapse of the rule of law. And that, in turn, is just another word for the collapse of morality.

The crisis that we are facing is first of all a moral crisis, a crisis of our soul as one Nation. We forgot that the most important battle is not the battle against poverty, sicknesses, or even terrorism, no matter how critical they may be, but against evil. We have turned the truth upside down and worshipped man in his own image instead of God. We have lost distinction of good and evil.

Solemn pronouncements or congressional inquiries cannot address or solve this morality crisis. Not even, with all due respect, by a political movement for moral recovery.

Only a return to morality – to a sense of good or evil – will do the work. Once the rule of law is collapsed, the social order can restore it only by appealing, no longer plainly to the law, but rather to the basis of the law which is morality.

The essential query in political affairs is how to arrange our lives as one. That is the role of law, which Saint Thomas Aquinas defines as an ordinance of reason promulgated by authority for the common good. To the law then, society entrust the arrangement of our lives as one.

Saints for public office? Why not, if we can find them in this world. If not, let’s look for the next best, not the least worst. The Government can be an avenue for morality to spring once again; we need morally upright law-makers, judges and president. Change happens gradually. The change that we seek may not come in our lifetime, but there is no time to start the work for change than now.

In the search for these people in the mean time, we can start the revolution by changing our communities, homes, and ourselves in the light of morality.

To the 2009-2010 SDP Core and Members

To My Dear SDP Family,

The academic year that will come will not be an easy time… It will not be an easy time for the Quadricentennial AB Student Council. And it is certainly not an easy time for the Students’ Democratic Party. Great things are expected of us by the student body, sometimes far beyond our modest capabilities.

Our fellow Artlets, although great believers of democracy, are not great believers in its tedious process. Students are impatient for quick results, quick progress and quick change. I know these things very well because I had the chance of serving in the council as the Public Relations Officer. Many times they expect the Council to do decision which only the administration or the Dean himself can do. They look to the Council for miracles that only the good Lord in his infinite wisdom can arrange.

The SDP campaign days (which include the campaign of affiliates in the different societies) we have been training our thoughts on accountability. What really comes before accountability is authenticity. Authenticity, according to the dictionary, is genuineness, being true to character, being constant with our inner nature.

There is so much falsehood, so much deception, fakery, and phoniness in our common life that we Thomasian leaders must remain true to the best we know – both in public and private leadership. This is the one thing that makes me so proud being an SDP, we are genuine.

When I first came to the halls of AB, I have been pleased to be an active member of the Students’ Democratic Party. In the 2008 elections I was chosen by the party and ran as the President, under the Blue & Red banner (as what other students call the SDP). SDP, it will be remembered, was the party that fielded a ticket to oppose the seven independent candidates, with disastrous results. March 2008 came, and I was elected as the Chairperson of the party.

During the brief time I served the party, I have tried to prove myself worthy of our member’s mandate and the expectations of my fellow party officers. The job in the SDP core is more often than not a job for gods rather than for college students, but we try to give it our best, and our all. That is why I understand the situation of our Chairperson Sheena de Guzman and the rest of the current core officers. Many times the core officers’ best is not good enough, but I hope they shall be judged by righteous men on the basis of their sincere efforts to do the best that they can.

The victory of our bets in the positions VP-Internal and Secretary in the ABSC and the successful campaigns of our affiliates (Ka-CASA, Journ Soc, Asian Studies, etc.) made me really happy not only as your former Party Chairperson but also as your “Kuya” - and I hope the entire SDP family too including my fellow alumni members – and I thank all our party colleagues and supporters especially the freshmen for their warmth and generosity to this party.

I thank the party and its officers for the opportunity it gave me to be a “Kuya,” as I continue to remain in my place in the party now as one of the alumni prepared to work and sacrifice and contribute whatever I can to continue the advancement of our ideals.

We live in the best and worst of times. The challenges are formidable, we have already lost so much time, and so we must create and multiply opportunity as best as we can.

Much is expected from each one of us. And there is much that each of us can do. But a party ought to be bigger than the sum of all its parts.

Working together in pursuit of a common vision and a common objective, we can provide the authentic leadership and the impulse that will lift the student body from the current state and move them fast forward to better times enjoying quality liberal education. Let us help each other to boost morale instead of bickering and passing the buck. We fight as one, “wag tayo mag sisihan sa mga maling naganap,” isang partido lang tayo.

This political party is destined to exist beyond our lifetime as long as there are members who believes on its true cause, and fights for it passionately. For the lower batch I sincerely hope that we have taught you well of our principles. Let us not lose track on the right road that we are travelling now, but instead let us focus more and improve ourselves. Running the party is not just about planning how to win the upcoming elections, but instead practicing the ideals we have, and serving the student body genuinely.

May you guys find us the alumni and the outgoing core officers faithful in keeping the flame of liberalism and democracy alive.

SDP leadership is authentic. This is authenticity; this is to be a genuine Christian, Nationalist, and Democrat in one’s position of great responsibility in the common life as what our Democratic Creed has thought us. These things I have learned on our blue paper, ideals I will bear for the rest of my life, principles which my future children will learn.

To all the SDP members, Mabuhay kayo!

May God keep the SDP for the next 29 years and for all time.

Long Live the Students’ Democratic Party.

In SDP leadesrhip I strongly remain,


Your Kuya Manuel "MANNY" Rodriguez II
Chairperson (08-09)
Standard Bearer(2008)
ABSC PRO (07-08)

To the Nationalist Christian Filipino

by: Manuel "Manny" Rodriguez II

No administration can thrive without you full support and cooperation. No matter how courageously our next President exercise political will, he will never make a meaningful change and reform without the active participation of the people, especially people like you; a nationalist and God-fearing citizen of the Republic.
A prolific Filipino writer in the field of Public Administration Dr. Jose Leveriza puts it this way:


“The reality of the situation shows that the authority of a public administrator can no longer be exercised purely by the strength of the law vested upon himself, but it requires the acceptance and support of those being governed. A government official cannot fulfill his responsibilities without winning the loyalty and support not only of his own organization, but also of his external environment.”


This nation seeks the cooperation of its citizens, the likes of you is the least expected to just abandon the call of our motherland.

We, who hold this passion for love of our Nation, must accept the challenge. We must embrace the opportunities available here on our motherland, to be at the head of new enterprises. We must lead the generation as we enter the new dawn our Nation will soon face.

I pray that morally upright men and women will get elected in the coming election. I also have faith that you with the grace of our God will be the most enlightened and trustworthy in practicing the duties of a Filipino citizen, considering the training in the Christian perspective that you possess.

The age of computer science has arrived; it is already an established fact of our daily life. The ability to operate a computer will soon be the measure of literacy. No field in the physical science is further than the reach of today’s high technology. These developments we have will radically change and alter the lifestyle of the Filipino people which includes their social values.

The concepts of ethnic loyalties, religion, nationalism and the solidarity of the family will be challenged and perhaps modified. These are the issues and concerned citizens like us must address. These are the issues that will test not just our convictions but more of our faith. We will soon find ourselves making very difficult choices and decisions.

If you despair hearing these realities, then I have faith on your spiritual moorings. I am counting on you to provide the leadership for the generation that is to come. To Christian educational institutions whether Protestant or Catholic, I call upon you to build up your value-immersion subject even as they revise and modernize the assorted curricula in the physical sciences.

Our fellow Filipinos, although great believers of democracy, are not great believers in its tedious process. They are impatient for quick results, quick progress and quick change. Our democratic institution often fails us, sometimes we tend to think to change the entire institution but the real problem is the anchor of our institution not the institution itself.

We must keep in mind that the enduring and lasting institutions of the human race are those that have been anchored on moral values and on an unshakable faith.

To the Christian Filipino, let us take with us the challenge. Let us serve something greater than ourselves, let us think of our beloved Philippines, let us think of this world and exert every effort to change it for the better and spell the differences in our short lifetime.
SO HELP US GOD.