Worrisome developments

All told, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s first State of the Nation Address (SONA) really inspires hope for a better Philippines in the future. The “show” at the Batasan looks so authentic and natural indeed, devoid of any semblance of artificiality. What we saw is what we got especially the persona of Duterte as a man of the masses to whom most Filipinos can relate. He really looks so sincere and raring to tackle his job as he entered the halls of Congress in Barong Tagalog with rolled up sleeves.

Somehow, the image he projected created an impression that “he means what he says.”  And the Filipinos readily understood his plans because they are plain and simple common sense which are doable and achievable. The expectations are high indeed that finally we will have a government of the people, by the people and for the people.

The first noticeable change is manifested in the SONA itself. It is not as formal as it used to be. In fact Duterte himself regaled and entertained us when he deviated from his prepared speech and resorted to amusing ad lib. Thus the 30-minute speech lasted for one hour and 30 minutes. Some drama with cinematic effect has also been injected into the affair. An award winning director has even been hired that made the event like an epic movie production centered on Duterte as the brave and dashing hero. Obviously, this is the aspect of the SONA that made Duterte click with the masa.

But this “showbiz” aspect of the SONA somehow impels us to look with guarded optimism at the rosy future he has painted for our country during his term. We should temper our high expectations with our experiences in the past administrations that tried to project the same image at the start which turned out later on to be only for show and not for real. While some concrete moves and positive actions have already been taken since he assumed office, the only tangible results are in the war against trafficking and use of dangerous drugs. Noteworthy in this regard is the surrender of thousands of people suspected to be involved in illegal drugs since he won the election last May 9 up to the present, barely less than a month after he assumed office. People seem to really welcome this unprecedented development especially Duterte’s diehard supporters.

Worrisome however is that the method used in his anti-drug campaign seems to be in conflict with his policy statements. In his inaugural speech, he promised to uphold the rule of law. In his SONA he also mentioned about giving every one, particularly his officials who betray the public trust, “their day in court.”  Yet he has apparently allowed the on-going summary executions of suspected drug users, pushers and dealers most of whom are poor. These summary executions and vigilante killings have alarmingly escalated. Presently, 10 drug suspects are killed daily.

In his SONA Duterte stated that “human rights must work to uplift human dignity. But human rights cannot be used as a shield to destroy your country and my country.” He must be reminded however that “the guarantee of due process of law assures protection to anyone against State action resulting in the deprivation of his life” (Fernando, Constitution of the Philippines, p. 519). The police power of a State cannot prevail over the right to life of a human being.

The greatest danger in the on-going summary execution is the possible mistake in killing an innocent person. Their involvement in drugs has not yet been proven. In Pangasinan, two innocent students have been reported killed in the spate of street executions called “cardboard justice.” One is a graduating Mass Communication student named Rowena Tiamson, only 22 years old, an honor student and an active church choir member. The other is Roman Clifford Manaois, only 20 years who was about to finish a seaman’s course  Roman’s killing somehow has a greater impact since he is a related grandson of Melandrew Velasco, a fellow Rotarian and past president of the Rotary Club of Cubao West, a publicist and biographer. To those who may not care at all as they are not related, let me just quote the following account of Mel on Roman or “Oman”:

 “Oman” was about to graduate from a seaman’s course this month and was due for deployment this November as service crew in Dubai. He was a good son, a former sacristan and had big dreams for himself and his family. His grandparents just arrived last July 17 from Oakland, California for a family vacation... Indeed, it was so tragic for the vacationing grandparents to experience such painful death of their beloved grandson who was invariably taking care of them upon their arrival, doing little errands, serving them food and helping out in some minor repairs in their own unfinished house. On that fateful night, Oman just finished serving food to his granny when he was invited by a tricycle driver-friend named Marvin de Vera to go to Dagupan City public market for a meal. On the way, they picked up a passenger named Zaldy Abalos who requested to be alighted near the Missionaries of Charity. As Zaldy was paying his fare, two men riding a motorcycle in tandem suddenly shot Zaldy at close range and riddled other parts of his body. Then the assailants shot Oman at the back that pierced through his heart – and wanting to make sure that he was dead, shot him at the right side of his temple. Oman’s autopsy yielded negative result on any trace of any drug use or abuse.

While there are plus points in the raging war against illegal drugs with over 90 percent of barangays already infested by the drug menace, methinks that as a humane and just society, we can only create a better Philippines if we root the real Public Enemy No. 1: widespread poverty. 
As Mahatma Ghandi once said: “I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent.”

Apparently Duterte’s policy devalues human life. In his SONA, he also wants to give full force and effect to the RH Law. He must be reminded however that the provision of the RH law on the use of contraceptive pills that primarily and secondarily cause abortion, has already been declared unconstitutional and therefore cannot be implemented.

Let us therefore be vigilant in promoting the sanctity of human life. Otherwise our society may eventually end up with numerous senseless killings. The signs are starting to crop up as shown by the recent gunning down of a bicycle rider by an irate motorist in the streets of Quiapo, Manila.

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