Farewell O’ Feared One

Not many people would admit it, but Miriam Defensor Santiago for many Filipinos both rich and poor, ordinary or powerful was the “Feared One.” While many of her fans and supporters relished having a “Selfie” with her, just the thought of being alone in the same room with her could strike fear. What sort of conversation do you have with someone whose degrees and certificates could serve as a lengthy bridal veil? Yes she could be the disarming Ilongga in her garden or living room but what if you find your self in her study or at the opposite end of a conference table knowing that you are about to be served a sampling of her intellect and her ferocity and intolerance of fools.

“Tita Miriam” will surely be remembered for many things by many individuals, but to honor her let us emulate her courage to speak against what was wrong in society and politics of the Philippines. Let us adopt her mental honesty to speak both praise or harsh criticism to those who deserved it, and if you can, when TV and radio start replaying some of her speeches and dialogues, let us all try to pick up a few words, some phrases that certainly raised the bar of eloquence and language in the Philippines. Above all, learn as much as she did in order to equip her and prepare her for the battles of life that constantly came her way. Farewell O Feared One!

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The government wants to build a “Super Structure” in the province of Nueva Ecija to be used as a facility for the worst criminals from all over the country. The facility will cost approximately 15 billion and will take 3 to 5 years to construct. There is an urgent need and there will be immediate benefits once the right technology and design is in place because it will bring Jail Management to the next level. But I don’t support the idea of building One Super Structure.

Why not 3 “lesser” facilities for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao or more in anticipation of Federalism? This way jobs are created in more places during and after construction when the facilities are operational. Aside from materials and jobs for the construction, these facilities will require logistics thereby creating a ready market for local businesses. By spreading out the penitentiaries you automatically thin out the general population of inmates and because you have 3 or more island locations, inmates can be placed in a facility nearer to “home” or family making the situation more humane for the inmates and their visitors.

Before paying several hundred million pesos for design concepts, it would be best if the DOJ asked Filipino designers and architects to give ideas on what a “modern facility should have.” I for one suggest that the facility be solar powered or located in an ideal area for windmills and solar power. Another design challenge would be how to store rainwater, collect wastewater, have a wastewater treatment facility and designing the penitentiaries to operate with minimal water for toilets etc. Third on my list of must have would be a self-sustaining food production system that incorporates available technology and know-how c/o the Department of Agriculture.

Such a facility makes inmates productive, healthier and better fed at lower costs for government. In the mean time, Congress, especially those supporting Federalism should start keeping an eye on government projects that actually defy or work against Federalism such as the idea of One Super Facility again in Luzon.

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I recently attended a “networking event” for Educational institutions and professionals sponsored by the British Embassy. I initially thought I would meet up with reps of colleges and universities; unfortunately the event was more institutional in nature so we did not get much information on our areas of interest or concern.

What I discovered instead was that the Philippines is the reputedly “The Only country in the region that does not allow the establishment or operation of a foreign-owned, foreign-based College or University.  That was quite a surprise and something I feel I need to point out because so many Filipino families send their children to colleges or universities abroad. This is another area where a lot of money leaves the country just to produce better-educated or trained sons and daughters. Aside from tuition fees that are paid in dollars or euros, they also spend money on dorms, studio apartments, cars, food and clothing as well as equipment and supplies for 2 to 4 years if not more.

Given the inescapable fact that Filipinos who can will seek an education from a prestigious University abroad, why not allow foreign colleges and universities to set up their campuses in the Philippines? By opening the doors to such institutions, they in turn would be making investments, bringing in expat professors and lecturers, they would bring practices and standards up to speed, eventually training and hiring local counterparts, while creating new small economies in services, employment opportunities for staff as well as domestic helpers, drivers, etc.

We can certainly use the “New blood,” fresh competition and stop the educational inbreeding of Filipinos. Just think about it; why do we bring in “Naturalized” athletes, why do we have more and more foreign coaches that are churning out better athletes and developing talents in sports that Filipinos never used to engage in?  We have been doing so because: “WE WANT TO BE COMPETITIVE.” Unfortunately, one reason we can’t bring in foreign universities and colleges is because local officials and institutions don’t want and don’t welcome the Competition. Perhaps this is one area that the Philippine Competition Commission should look into.

How can the next generation of Filipinos be regionally or globally competitive if most of them have an “Inbred Education” from mentors who’ve spent most of their lives on the island or the small pool of learning? How do we level the playing field of opportunity and wealth in the Philippines if the only people who can get top-notch education are from the top 5 percent richest Filipinos who can afford to send their kids abroad? The government and Congress should at least study the matter instead of watching a sex video!

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