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BY SONIA D. DAQUILA
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Where to?
THE SICKENING sight of a lifeless, murdered, seven-year-old child after being raped sent a strong message that criminality is still on the rise despite the ceaseless killings of those suspected to be drug pushers or users. It brings back memories to those who saw on TV children raped, killed mercilessly, and placed inside the sack or thrown away like a rubbish. It’s the same with children, exploited on cybersex, usually brokered by the kin of the children themselves. The public’s usual and common reaction is death to the exploiters and murderers. There is no certainty when will these end.
The sigh of hopelessness on the part of our farmers will again be heard, the sufferings of our people from typhoons, floods and other calamities not sufficiently addressed. Philippine foreign policies are likewise uncertain, the usual sight of rallies held in front of the American Embassy and the usual issues on a lopsided arrangement between the American government and the Philippines have been taunted again.
Then there are the cries against imperialism and fascism by the mega powers. No one from among the Philippine presidents ever dared America, Great Britain, the European Union, the United Nations and while flirting with China and Russia, what certainty do we have?
As a student then, I used to converse with a noted professor at Santo Thomas and was surprised to hear him saying that if we have to change, then, this generation must go including us. A purge, a dream for utopia. President Duterte may have noble intentions in bringing change to our country for a better Philippines. But we should never forget that the highest power belongs to the Filipino people and though the President symbolizes the Philippines and its people, such power has not been handed to President Duterte absolutely.
The Philippine Constitution as the direct act of the people has to be respected. Congress possesses equal power based on the principle of the presidential system of government. The basic foundation, structure and system of the Philippine government are laid down in the Constitution.
History written in blood and tears points to the lessons from Cambodia’s Pol Pot who used to say, “I want you to know that everything I did, I did for my country.” Remember also Saddam Hussien, Benito Mussolini and perhaps, Adolf Hitler to mention a few who wrecked their own country, and their ignominious downfall.
We badly need a leader with a strong political will to address problems which had never been solved through the years. A kind of leader who builds bridges, not walls among the family of nations; a leader who believes in the ultimate power of the Almighty, and a leader who prods his country forward but always observes moderation, temperance, prudence, and a true diplomat who understands that his words count, says what he means and means what he says. (delsocorrodaquila@gmail.com/PN)
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