Taiwan vs. The Philippines: Another Cold War in The Making?

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A few months ago, we experienced a very embarrassing moment in our country. Do you still remember the gruesome hostage taking at the Quirino Grandstand were 8 tourists from Hong Kong died because of the busted  rescue operations by the police? Sadly that incident resulted to a strain between the governments of The Philippines and Hon Kong.

It seems that history is trying to repeat itself.

A few days ago, another tension is brewing. This time between the Republic of China (also known as Taiwan) and the Philippines. The tension escalated when the Philippine government deported 14 suspected Taiwanese nationals of cross-border fraud to mainland China. In a statement, the Taiwanese government expressed it's dissatisfaction to the Philippine government which resulted to the recalling of the Taiwanese ambassador to the Philippines, Ambassador Donald C.T. Lee as a sign of protest. That move by the Taiwanese government received full support from the Filipino-Chinese communities and Taiwanese businessmen.

According to news the move of the Philippine government to deport the 14 Taiwanese nationals to China instead to Taiwan which the Taiwanese Government wanted is due to the one China policy of the government.  The Taiwanese government also expressed it's demands for a public apology from the Philippine government which the latter said that they will not going to do it and will stand by their decision.

The tension between the two governments raised a wide concerns both from the government as well as the private sector. With the silent conflict between the two nations, it puts the fates of thousands of migrant workers in Taiwan right now and those who are planning to work in Taiwan in jeopardy.

According also to some reports, the Taiwan government started to hire workers form Thailand and Indonesia instead of the workers from the Philippines. There are also a big concern over a wide lay-offs for the OFWs in Taiwan because of the conflict as well as the change of policy of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) for the application for visa to those who wanted to work in Taiwan.

It is really sad to hear that this conflict will result in a much bigger problem if the Aquino administration will not be able to resolve this serious matter as soon as possible. This government should act now and do everything to resolved the conflict. This government should be the first one to protect the interest of it's people. This conflict is so serious and it will be a big impact not just for the economy as well as the image of this country.

They should resolved this and protect a great national interest.

Resolved this now and prevent another cold war in the making.

Amending The Senate Probe Rules: A much better way or not

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Yesterday, some news papers here in the Philippines talked about the suggestion of Sen Joker Arroyo to revised 

the senate rules regarding with their hearings to various sensitive matters like the recent corruption scandal 

within the armed forces.

Sen Arroyo stressed out the need to amend the rules of the senate's blue ribbon committee in relations to it's 

investigation to to it's resource person to cross-examine anyone testifying against him. 

The suggestion resulted from the heated arguments of Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Antonio Trillanes IV on one 

of their hearings when the former armed forces head, Ret. Gen. Anegelo Reyes was grilled in that hearing and 

unfortunately the latter was prevented to ask the witness former armed forces budget officer Ret. Lt. Col. 

Goerge Rabusa.

Sen. Arroyo noted that such amendments is needed as the current rules is the same as the one under the 1935

constitution. He cited that the 1986 constitution provides the rights of any persons appearing on any hearing 

shall be respected. He also added that when a member of the congress (or senate) crossed the line, He or She 

is not liable for libel so the witness or the accused can not complain.

Amending these rules, is it really a better way or not?

Yes. Definitely it is. As we all know that the Philippines is somewhat a model of democracy in Asia 

( or maybe in the world). Other nations applauded the so called EDSA People Power (Bloodless coup) in 1986.

In fact we have a trilogy of it. Democracy, that is one thing the we Filipinos can brag about.

Democracy goes hand in hand with Human Rights. And Human Rights is parallel with respect. How can you protect

Human Rights if you don't have for the dignity of other people. Makes sense isn't it?

Yes, the senate have the right to investigate. It is their mandate to do. But the persons being affected by those

inquiries have also their rights to protect. The senate who is the law makers should be the first one to protect 

those rights. But let's face the truth. They are the ones who commits a wide variety of Human rights violations.

The honorable Sen. Arroyo is correct. This is now the time to amend those rules. It is also now the right time to

stop all these grandstanding. The senate should do their jobs and it does not includes grandstanding. Change the 

rules and be the first to upheld respect to anyone.

We are a democratic nation and we should respect any persons rights.

Definitely amending the senate probe rules is a much better for us to show our democracy.

Nothing Is Changed

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Corruption......

My goodness! For the Nth time now, I've heard that word again and I'm sick of it.

Why is that some officials can't place their hands inside their pockets?

For the entire length of my existence, the government still can't disinfect their own ranks with this very contagious virus.

Why? It's simple. Because it is now part of our society.

How come? That's a good question. How come it is now part of our society when in fact the Philippines is the only dominant Catholic country in Asia and in relation we have a very high standard of morality.

If you are a Filipino, you can definitely agree to this.

Have you ever done an action, say like doing your share in the household chores so that you will have extra allowance or you've finished your classmate's homework becuase he promised you that he will treat you for lunch?

If your answer is yes. Then definitely you've already done a little corruption. Yes, That is correct.

Corruption in reality is an act when you are doing something to get something. A simple thing like someone will give you a candy for you to do his/her homework is considered as corruption.

And the Filipinos adapted very well to this kind of culture and unconsciously our society is now embracing corruption very freely. That is one of the factors behind why government can't destroy corruption in their system.

If we want to end corruption we must first change our habits and attitudes. we must learn to do things without any favors and erase the "padrino: (backer) mentality in our society. That is one of the way to really cure this disease.

In my point of view right now, It is still very far away for us yo be truly free from corruption. And with so many administrations passed by, all I can say is....

There's Nothing Changed.