Humanity and Economy

There is unity between humanity and economy. Together they go – hand-in-hand – as a necessary paring. What for is economy without humanity? And how would humanity be without economy? This is some kind of a wake-up call to spiritualistic personalities, an injunction to those whose interest and concern are limited but to the supernatural – without concern with the natural, the here and now.

Yes, there are spiritual truths but there are also materials realities. Yes, there is the need of everlasting grace but there is also the requirement of consumer goods. Yes, there is heaven but there is also earth. Hence: Humanity and economy are joined realities here and now. It is like body and soul being together whereas death comes precisely when they are separated. So it is said that while “Man cannot live on bread alone,” it is however also true that without bread, he cannot continue living.

This brings to fore the inherent significance and consequent relevance of the national economy along the content and spirit of “Article XII, National Economy and Patrimony” of the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines. It is now said here and there that there are legislators who want and intend to amend the economic restrictions in the said Constitution. As already well known, there are three ways of amending the Constitution: A Constituent Assembly, A Constitutional Convention, A People’s Initiative.

There were previously some three presidential attempts at changing certain provisions in the present Philippine Constitution – not to mention other three movies to do the same at the instance of certain politicians. All of these however remained but intentions and attempts. This time, another move is being prepared for amending the “economic provisions” of the Constitution – more concretely in conjunction with the restrictions of foreign ownership of land and public utilities. In the event that such restrictions would be thus done away with, some of the questions that come to mind are the following:

Does the contemplated amendment then openly and officially admits that most Filipinos are definitely poor and wherefore incapable of buying lands and owning public utilities in the country? And do the wealthy Filipinos then prefer to invest their moneys abroad for the security and other socio-economic advantages of their investments. After foreigners have in fact bought lands and own public utilities in the country, can Filipinos but and own them back – and under what conditions?

Considering wherefore the intimate partnership between Filipinos and Philippine economy, those pushing for the amendment of the economic provisions of the Philippine Constitution better think much and well. In the event that they succeed in making their desired changes, let them remember that what they do now, cannot have but their impact on the generations yet to come. Careful!

Abortion is Contraception

Mask it with such seemingly honorable words as “Reproductive Health” although reproduction is precisely taboo and distinctly against population control that the over-all intent and finality of the law, cover it up with the generic word “Contraception” while this in effect includes not simply contraceptives but also sterilization such in form of vasectomy and tubal ligation, disguise it with but the proposed usage of “Contraceptives” even if surreptitiously such include abortive pills – this is the so-called “RH Law” which Malacañang certified as “Urgent”, which the Legislative Department humbly complied with, and which Malacañang signed one silent evening.

Such is the RH Law – notwithstanding its expressed approval by some supposedly eminent Clerics, certain presumably brilliant Brothers and open-minded Catholics. It is a pity that these experts and professionals will have to answer before their conscience and humanity every time abortion happens in the name of contraception – a heinous crime against every aborted child, considering that the fathers and mothers of said celebrated Clerics, distinguished Brothers and modern Catholics, allowed everyone of them to be born, to have life, to see the world.

Why is abortion considered an abominable crime – even but in the realm of reason? Consider the following thoughts: A fetus did not ask a man and a woman to give life thereto. Much less did the fetus give life to its own self. Why then will his or her own father and/or mother dare kill him or her? A fetus is totally dependent on his or her own father and/or mother to care for, to nurture and protect. How come then will his or her father and/or mother precisely murder him or her? To say it in gross yet true words: Even dogs and pigs, goats and carabaos do not have their tiny ones inside them, purposely killed or aborted!

This is precisely why abortion is considered nothing less than a heinous crime before conscience and the law. If killing oneself is wrong, killing some else is more wrong. And yet though altogether unsaid and wherefore totally quiet, the RH Law is open to abortion. People of good will and upright conscience could only hope and pray that everyone of those who made the RH Law a reality, would be spared from the curse and tribulation reserved for the proponent and agents of the heinous crime of abortion.

Now it is the turn of the Supreme Court to pronounce on the constitutionality – lawfulness, legitimacy, acceptability – of the RH Law. Hopefully, the said Court when sitting in judgment is really Supreme, i.e., not subject or subordinate to Executive Branch of government. If human law is allowed to be above the truth according to Natural Law, then there would be nothing less than lawlessness.

“KAYO PO NA NAKAUPO”

It already happened before. It is again happening now. Instead of bringing their heartaches and protests to the streets, there are those who compose songs, sing them, and thus deliver their messages of heartaches and sorrows. This indirect but forceful approach of the so-called “Protest Songs” had their origin particularly during the Martial Law times when social protests were not only taboo but the protesters themselves were looked upon as enemies of the State. But the songs remained and the regime was gone. While still relatively few, there are now also songs of protest about one social issue or another. While those who hear such songs with their negative message might want to remain “positive” about the sad facts or pitiful events that they themselves see and/or know taking place in the country, the protests brought forward by the songs remain relevant and incisive. So goes a part of a song of recent vintage:

“Kayo po na nakaupo,
Subukan niyo naman tumayo,
At baka matanaw, baka matanaw ninyo,
Ang tunay na kalagayan ko.

“Tao po, nandyan po bq kayo sa loob ng
Malaking bahay at malawak na bakuran,
Mataas na pader pinapaligiran,
At naka pilang mga mamahaling sasakyan,
Mga bantay na laging bulong ng bulong,
Wala naman kasal pero maraming nakabarong.”
(Upuan, Gloc-9 with Jeazell Grutas of Zelle)

In free translation – with gratitude to the song writer and appreciation to the singers – the song forwards a heartache felt by the suffering poor addressed towards the luxurious rich. The song invites the rich to please mind the poor – instead of simply enjoying and wallowing in the their wealth. The song makes the contrast between those who have practically nothing vis-à-vis those who in fact have everything. The song then asks that the latter (the wealthy) will please look around and mind the sad and pitiful predicament of the former (the miserable).

The song ends saying that hopefully the rich would not but pretend not seeing the plight of the poor because then, no eye doctor would be able to improve their eyesight – adding, “Bato bato sa langit, and matamaa’y wag magalit,” i.e. would that those who feel hit and alluded to by the song, be not angry!

Independence Day

After the Spanish invasion – after the Japanese occupation, after the American rule and after the Martial Law Regime – it is great to have, commemorate, and celebrate the Philippine Independence Day! And with the end of a dictatorship through the imposition of Martial Law for about a dangerous and fearful decade – it is exhilarating to have and to hold the Philippine Constitution that clearly and emphatically affirms the following impressive Preamble:

“We, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of Almighty God, in order to build a just and humane society and establish a Government that shall embody our ideals and aspirations, promote the common good, conserve and develop our patrimony, and secure to ourselves and our posterity the blessings of independence and democracy under the rule of law and regime of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace, do ordain and promulgate this Constitution.” (The Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines: Preamble)

Call is emancipation, liberty or autonomy, say it is freedom, democracy or sovereignty, name it Self-Government, Self-Rule, Self-Determination – all these are in accord with the intrinsic value of human life, the import of human dignity, the significance of human rights. In other words, all the said personal attributions and social realities are pursuant to the singular nature and ingrained nobility of the human person. As the center of the created universe, it is understandable that the universe itself may not but bring about the good and welfare of the human person.

To those who say that no one can eat independence, that independence is not an answer to poverty, that what people need are jobs, houses, and the satisfaction of their day-to-day needs, it might be good to remind them that independence poses the following challenges to them – in the following order of importance: First is the choice of their leaders with governing competence, personal integrity and sound work ethic. Second is their vigilance for the maintenance of peace and order in their communities, and denouncement of incompetence and/or irregularities committed by their public servants whom they continuously pay with their likewise continuous payment of direct and indirect taxes. Third is their own consistent effort and industry in earning in living for themselves and their families.

Notwithstanding all negative facts to the contrary existing in the country today, there is still reason to say with sincerity and honesty: “HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!”

Economy Grows By A Stunning 7.8%

So was it loudly said that the Philippine economy grew. So did a known broadsheet carried it as a headline. So were the people either glowing in delight and appreciation or wondering and jeering with disbelief if not disgust. And so it is that such a good news for some yet a bad joke for others, rightfully deserves even but an elementary non-technical explanation from non-economic experts or professionals for the understanding of the common people. Thus:

It can be said that such a tremendous growth still is and remains in “Cloud 9.” Translation: Most of the moneys therein involved belong to both foreign and local capitalists plus some moneyed families in the country, investing their money in whatever local business ventures that promise profitable returns. As their investments make money, either they withdraw their gains for funding other business ventures or simply roll their money – capital plus earnings – in order to have more money.

In other words, the said economic “stunning” growth is up there at the command of already wealthy corporations and much moneyed clans. But down the economic ladder, the poor remain poor just as the miserable remain pitiful and helpless. It might be good to note that instead of the usual three “classes” in the local economic pyramid, there re now four of them: the “high class,” the middle class,” – which seems to be diminishing in number – the “low class,” and the “miserable class.”

Going back to the said headlines “Economy grows a stunning 7.8%,” to those who dare say that such a delirious news is ground reality, they might want to give right and convincing answers to but some easy questions: Why is it that those wanting to be OFWs are not becoming small in number? Why is it that people continue to live under bridges, still having their houses built at both sides of dirty canals full of garbage and filth? Why is it that women continue to sell their bodies while children continue to beg at the streets? And why it is that there are still individuals who sell their organs for the transplant needs of the wealthy?

With such readily known and noted socio-economic liabilities, time and again, the Philippines is crying for a competent, ethical, and decisive leadership. The Filipinos hope and pray for able, moral, and firm leaders elections after elections. All political candidates proclaim and even promise to be the saviors of the People of the Philippines, but so far, the people and their country – sad to say – are not really moving forward in their down-to-earth economy and pursuant social welfare plus socio-political standing even but in Asia. In fact, it is now being bullied by its Asian neighbors.

“Hope springs eternal!” This is a known maxim that Filipinos should hold on to now and the years yet to come. Why? Simple! Because despair is fatal!