What Goes Around, Comes Around

Originally posted here


The raging boomerang hit me
I was tricked by reality
I thought I was invincible
Apparently, I am destructible

Pain now soothes me
While agony caresses me
I am now grief’s baby
When will she ever free me?

To all whom before I’ve hurt,
Karma is upon me
Let this poem be my penance
And my way to say I’m deeply sorry

Lord, please snatch me
From the arms of despondecy
Don’t let her break me
Please save me from her fury

The Decision of The Supreme Court is Supreme

It is important that there is a coequal branch of government that has the power to decide what is constitutional and unconstitutional. Otherwise, the bounds set by the constitution, the parameters of the law will be absolutely futile. The power to decide what is constitutional belongs solely to the Supreme Court.

In one of his lectures that aired on C-SPAN, US Supreme Court Associate Justice Stephen Breyer explained why the Supreme Court has the power to decide what is constitutional. The reasons are the following:

The power cannot be given to the legislative branch

The legislative branch, represented by Congress is composed of the most aggressive political animals – politicians. Since they are politicians, it is innate in them to please the populace. Therefore, their decisions are always influenced by the will of the majority, or the popular view. There is a risk that everything that is popular will be declared constitutional.

The power cannot be given to the executive branch

The executive branch is headed by the most powerful individual in the land – the President. Since he is the president, he has both the power of the sword and the power of the purse. Giving the president the additional power to decide what is constitutional is most dangerous. There exist a logical and realistic risk that everything that will give the president additional powers will be constitutional. This is not even mentioning the fact that the president is also a politician.

The Supreme Court is not as powerful

Since the Supreme court is not composed of politicians and relatively holds less powers, for it does not have the power of the sword and the power of the purse, giving it the power to decide what is constitutional is less risky. The only role and power of the Supreme Court is to interpret the law. It cannot make laws. It cannot implement laws.

Furthermore, the Supreme Court is composed of unpopular individuals. They are not politicians. They don’t have the inherent characteristic to please the populace. The Supreme Court does not take into account the popularity of their decisions. Therefore, the Supreme Court’s wisdom is free and independent.

Interpreting the constitution is a technical skill

The administration’s intent to appoint a new chief justice after the retirement of Chief Justice Puno on May 17th is met with major criticisms. As presented by the media and in the commentaries made by some journalists, the constitution is very clear that the president who is in the twilight of her presidency cannot make midnight appointments. Arnold Clavio of GMA – 7 even said that even a grade one student can understand the intent of the constitution to prohibit the president to make any appointments at this point in time. One could easily agree with this statement after reading the particular provision. But according to a prominent legal luminary and a constitutional law expert, Miriam Defensor Santiago when she explained her vote on Maguindanao Martial Law, "Reading the constitution is not a mere function of literacy. Reading, much more, construing the constitution is a technical skill."


Arnold Clavio, as well as other media personalities who subscribe to a similar argument, failed to take into consideration that there seems to be two conflicting provisions surrounding this issue. In events such as these, the Supreme Court has the sole responsibility and power to harmonize two seemingly conflicting provisions of the constitution. Thus, the Supreme Court’s ruling must be treated with the highest respect.

Dura lex sed lex

In a press statement, Senator Aquino said that the president cannot appoint a new chief justice because the position is not yet vacant. While what he said is true, it is imperative to know that there is a huge difference between announcement of an appointment and effectivity of an appointment. It is my humble opinion that, should Senator Aquino or other parties concerned still oppose the appointment of a new chief justice, their questions, doubts, petitions, must not be addressed to the president, much more, to the public. Their questions, doubts, petitions must be addressed to the Supreme Court. Since we operate under the rule of law, and since he is the obvious next president, it is his obligation to uphold the rule of law. Dura lex sed lex. The law is harsh, but it is the law. The law must be upheld even though it hurts our interests.

The decision of the Supreme Court is supreme

In conclusion, I would like to express my faith and confidence in the judiciary. I believe in the fairness, intelligence, wisdom and judgement of the Supreme Court and its magistrates. I believe that the law is blind and does not recognize power and popularity. I believe that the Supreme Court’s decision is supreme, final and executory.

My Humble Observation of Philippines' 2010 Presidential Elections

As a very young citizen, I don’t have the authority to question the wisdom of the Filipino electorate as to how they cast their votes. This election, we have seen that more than 7 million of us voted for an overthrown president who was convicted of plunder. More than 12 million of us voted for a vice presidential candidate even after his admission of infidelity. And more than 100 thousand of us voted for a disqualified candidate, even surpassing that of JC Delos Reyes’ votes. Mr. Delos Reyes may not be as popular as the frontrunners but at least he’s not disqualified.

The right to suffrage

At first, I find this unusual phenomenon of voting for a disqualified candidate as a source of humor. But then again, it is still 100 thousand wasted votes. True enough, these numbers cannot change the outcome of the elections even if these votes went to qualified candidates. But still, wasting a vote is inexcusable. Though I said that I cannot question the wisdom of the Filipino electorate, I think I can doubt the sincerity of these particular voters who shaded the oval of a disqualified candidate. Emphasis on the term disqualified. In my humble opinion, these people did not take their right to suffrage seriously.

Voter’s education

As I earlier implied, Philippine elections despite its automation is still personality based and not issue based. This is intensely manifested by the magnitude of votes received by an incarcerated plunderer who is also openly known as a womanizer, gambler and alcohol drinker even during cabinet meetings.
Another manifestation is that, an adulterous husband is just centimetres away from assuming the second highest post in the land. Again, I am not questioning the wisdom of the Filipino electorate. I am merely stating an observation. And my observation is that Morality is not an issue to Filipino voters as well as many other things. And I thought that we are a Catholic country where adultery and other illicit acts committed by those we just voted for is a sin. So let me join the bandwagon in calling for prioritizing voters’ education after the seemingly successful automation.

Election milestones

On the brighter side, remarkable advancement happened this elections. The speedy result of the election is a milestone, making the process more credible to Filipinos. Thus, leading to concessions of our candidates which is not only unusual in Philippine politics but is also a good way to start a new administration and therefore another milestone.

Public school teachers

Lastly, in this election just like every election, our public school teachers did not fail to serve us all. They are always the unsung heroes of our electoral process who not only endured the extra difficult task of accommodating voters of a clustered precinct but also risk their lives in protecting and defending our ballot against possible fraud. They are the unglorified soldiers of our democracy. Mabuhay ang mga pampublikong guro ng Pilipinas!

We as a people have already spoken. Let us now support each other in building a better nation. God Bless the Philippines!

Random Thoughts.

“Random Thoughts” is perhaps the most popular style of writing in my org’s logbook. I seldom write in the logbook in this fashion. I seldom write in the logbook. PERIOD. But tonight, permit me to share my random thoughts.

FRIENDS

Last night, we comforted a heart broken friend. I rarely see her cry. But last night, with the help of the new The Bar flavor, she wept. It broke my heart. I know that I do not possess the best moral authority, and believe me I am uncomfortable saying this, but boys, we should not make girls cry.

SOMETHING

Something made me feel guilty yesterday. I thought that something already had its closure. I thought things were better. Apparently, I was wrong. Now I do not know what to do. I hope I and the other party can iron things out.

SELF

We should value ourselves. We should know our worth. It shields us from insecurities. When we value ourselves, we do not only respect our being; we make others respect us. But giving value to the self should not mean placing ourselves above others. Value the self and practice humility.

G1BO

I respect other people’s strong opinion against G1BO’s association with PGMA. But if I am to take the attitude that a voter must not vote for a candidate who is associated with an unpopular person or entity in general, may it be tangible or abstract, then my ballot will be completely unshaded.

COUNTRY

Whoever wins in the election, I pray and hope for a better Philippines. I hope and pray that I can share my best contribution in nation building. Good luck and God Bless Philippines!

And because this is random, I will sign off just like that.

Bulag na Pagsasalarawan sa Kulay Pula

Ang kulay na pula ay kulay ng sukdulan. Isang dahilan ay sapagkat ang kulay na pula ay maaring iugnay sa dalawang konseptong sukdulan ang pagkakaiba.

Ang kulay na pula ay maaaring gamitin upang ilarawan ang isang taong may matinding emosyon. Ang isang tao, lalo na kung ang balat ay mapusyaw, ay maaring mamula dahil sa galit. Gayundin naman, mayroong namumula dahil sa kahihiyaan.

Ang kulay na pula ay ginagamit ng mga bansa upang isimbolo ang isang bayolenteng digmaan. Gayundin naman, ginagamit ang pula para ilarawan ang pag-ibig na nag-aalab.

Ang kulay na pula, lalo na sa mga taga Tsina ay kulay ng swerte at dalisay na kaligayahan. Gayundin naman, pula ang kulay nag senswalidad at libog ng katawan.

Ang kulay na pula ay kulay ng dugo. Ang dugo ay buhay. Ang dugo ay kamatayan. Ang pula ay kulay ng buhay at kamatayan.

Kanina lamang ako ay namula sa dahilang hindi ko na babanggitin pa.