5 issues that are more important than the Vhong Navarro case

MANILA, Philippines - Mainstream media’s incessant coverage of the V-word (Vhong, not Voldemort) has reached the heights of stupidity. We’re not saying that media should ignore the case — it presents the perfect opportunity to discuss rape culture, or patriarchal laws, or infidelity, or class-partial showbiz justice. But must the media really dedicate entire segments of the evening news to tearful interviews with Vhong Navarro, Cedric Lee and Deniece Cornejo? Must the media really present flash reports about the possibility of there being a video of Vhong’s genitals? Must ABS-CBN and GMA-7 really use this case to further their network war? Rape cases involving normal people wouldn’t get this kind of attention. Heck, issues of national importance — things that determine the fate of our country and the futures of our children —  don’t get this kind of attention. So we at Supreme have prepared an easy-to-digest list of real news that local media should be covering. Read ‘em and weep for the state of journalism in the Philippines.

1. The legality of the DAP is now under question at the Supreme Court

Oral arguments at the Supreme Court have begun and it seems like pork barrel’s twin sister, the President’s Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), will have to go through extreme measures to prove that it is indeed sanctioned by the law. To make things simple: It has been put forward that the same illegalities that slayed the PDAF also exist in the DAP. It would have been helpful to read up on the DAP to know why the issue is not as simple as “funding” for the executive branch, but of course, mainstream media has chosen to cover a different kind of oral argument. Emphasis on oral.

2. Torture roulette

Like an artifact from a dystopian film, a torture device was discovered in a secret PNP prison camp in Biñan, Laguna. It was supposedly used by police’s intelligence officers to squeeze out information from inmates. Victims have come out to the Commission on Human Rights with testimonies of torturers wearing masks and wigs to purport their own version of Showtime. We have nothing else to say but #prayforhumanity and #prayforjustice.

3. The Bangsamoro peace process

While it is far from implementation, the peace process has made a move forward last weekend. It remains still just on paper as the last annex of the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement was signed. But this will pave the way for the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (still more paperwork). Hopefully, we will witness an unprecedented change in the South in our lifetime. But with little media attention and social pressure, this won’t go faster than a rape case filed against a TV personality.

4. That GMA teleserye vs. call center agents

This may be an uninteresting quarrel for some, but to keep things short: a teleserye has made harsh remarks on being a call center agent and the call center community is fuming over the show’s writers. We know that it is just a tiny speck in the greater scheme of Internet trolls and squabbles, but it is interesting to see the “modern day” perceptions of (literate) English-speaking peoples to fictional characters and personas.

Furthermore, based on the comments (a.k.a. hifalutin speeches) you may read on the threads, the issue makes us understand our countrymen’s plight for economic stability a little bit more. Apparently, the quest to be financially stable has become a superficial struggle between being grammatically correct and being “proudly Filipino” amidst globalization. This takes the “network wars” to a whole new level, but we’d rather have a real brutal battle between a Cornejo and a noontime show host.

5. The demolitions in Sitio San Roque

Year in, year out, we hear about the demolitions in Sitio San Roque near TriNoma. These demolitions had been halted for the longest time through persistent action in the courts and in the streets. Finally, with the blessing of the city government, the demolitions have pushed through for the sake of Ayala’s upcoming township projects in the area. Expect a new posh district to rise where homes of the poorest Filipinos once stood. But before you enjoy the comforts a booming real estate industry brings, take a moment to see what a real beating looks like.

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