BY JESS DUREZA
AFTER Mayor Rodrigo Duterte – in a light bantering manner – said in his television program that he would shoot all those who had been pushing him to run for president, “Manila Times” columnist and broadcaster Mon Tulfo, a native of Davao Oriental in the east coast, was more aggressive. He said: “Shoot me now, Mayor Duterte.”
EPITAPH
Veteran Mindanao journalist Serafin “Jun” Ledesma went further. He said he wouldn’t mind composing in advance his graveyard epitaph just in case Mayor Duterte makes good his threat of shooting him for supporting the Duterte for President Movement.
I composed one for him. It reads as follows: “Here lies a hard-headed visionary who had to lay down his life so that a reluctant would-be president of the Republic may see the light.”
POPE ON VIOLENCE
“Religion can never be used to justify violence.”
This came from Pope Francis himself who condemned some Islamic extremists who even publicly exhibited their barbarism and bloody ways (beheading, killing) by using Islam as their justification.
The Pope instead stressed that there are many Muslims all over the world who live by the true meaning of Islam: “Peace.”
INDEPENDENCE VOTE
Although the “no” vote won so Scotland does not secede from the United Kingdom, allowing such a referendum in the first place was a “no no.” It was an unmitigated attack on the sovereign integrity of a country. And should never be allowed here – even if the “no” vote was assured of winning.
A referendum on a shift to federalism is what we should all aspire for. Not independence.
CAREFUL!
We should always keep this in mind lest we forget – that the so-called Bangsamoro aspiration under their right to self determination has a bottom line: independence or secession. So let’s not be naive. The peace agreement never changed this. So let’s be more careful. We do not wish to see a balkanized and fragmented Philippines.
VINDICATE FM
Unknown to those who were born post-martial law, there were legacies left by former President Ferdinand Marcos that up to this day have remained. It may be good for the son, Sen. Bongbong Marcos, to trace back those days.
So far, only the negatives are heard, which is not fair. His old man President FM deserves to be credited for the many good things he also did for the country during his lifetime./PN
