"Health and safety must come first."
When President Duterte, upon the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force, started easing the community quarantine especially here in Metro Manila, I had serious misgivings. No less than the World Health Organization said that the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic is yet to come.
My gulay, now some scientists claim there is evidence that the virus is airborne, and that it has mutated anywhere from three to nine times, making it more infectious and dangerous!
I am no health expert, but these may be the reasons why COVID-19 cases are rising globally, including here in the Philippines.
My wife and I, at our age, prefer to leave matters to God. But I would like to have some answers, my gulay!
I have said this before. I can understand the pressure that President Duterte may be under. Millions have lost jobs and livelihood. But nothing should be more important than containing this public health emergency, first and foremost.
Now there are reports that the President is eyeing a return to ECQ. If this is true, all I can say is “I told you so.”
The President should not depend too much on the advice of politicians. The problem is not political. Santa Banana, we are in the middle of a health and safety crisis!
If we were able to sacrifice going out for four months, I am sure we would find a way to adjust again if it means the health and safety of our people.
**
I can understand why the Lopezes are doing everything in their power to have the 25-year franchise of ABS-CBN renewed. But its appeal to the public to achieve this end is just sickening!
Santa Banana, can you imagine people saying they cannot live without ABS-CBN? This is just too much!
I can understand the reaction of employees. After all, they stand to lose their jobs. But everybody else? The Lopezes have indeed sunk so low is soliciting public sympathy.
I don’t know how the House Committee on Legislative Franchises and the plenary will decide. What I know is that, having seen all deliberation in the House, the Lopezes have a lot to explain. If there is one thing I am sure of, it is that ABS-CBN has committed many infractions and has violated the terms of its franchise many times over.
Thus, all things considered, its franchise must not be renewed.
I say this because I have found out that the Lopezes have, for so many years, used their network to achieve money and political power. I have nothing personal against the Lopezes, but I have been a journalist for 70 years and I have seen many things.
**
Considering the fact that many sectors of society are opposed to the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, I am beginning to believe that something about it is indeed illegal. Several petitions questioning the law’s constitutionality have been filed before the Supreme Court.
I know that the law is supposed to enhance the fight against terrorism, but it may become a bigger problem rather than a solution. My gulay, the law allows for detention for weeks, much longer than what the Constitution provides. This is a blatant disregard for human rights.
This is why I am saying that this law could be worse than martial law.