Michael Fajatin is a TV reporter of GMA-7, here’s his report on a protest rally held in Mendiola:
Igan, pasado alas otso ng tahimik na magdisperse ang mga rallyisata sa San Sebastian.
Ngunit, matapos ang ilang negosasyon,
itoy matapos na ….
nag disperse sila,
Pagkatapos nito, ah….
Hindi na sila nagaway…
Nagaway na sila sa simula,
Pagkatpos nitoy, nagkaroon sila ng AHHHH….
Pagaaway na sa simula!
“Napocor paid P2 million in real estate taxes but that is only a drop in the bucket compared to what the government corporation actually owed the province.”
Quote of the Year: “I am an officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and at the same time a lawyer. I will not allow myself to trample upon the rights of the accused gentlemen officers and be a party to the denial of their Constitutional rights. And by these, your Honors, I ask to be excused from these proceedings.” — Major Basilio Pooten
***** When I first read the story about Major Basilio Pooten (center) and his refusal to be used as a tool for injustice, I wondered if he is from the Cordilleras but I didn’t have the time to check it out.
What do Cordillera people think about autonomy? Attempts by officials to make the region autonomous was voted down in a plebiscite in Jan. 30, 1990 when the provinces of Kalinga-Apayao, Abra, Benguet, Mountain Province and the City of Baguio voted no with only Ifugao saying yes. The second attempt was also foiled with only Apayao voting yes on March 7, 1998.
What is autonomy? The people must have been right in their decision at the very first and second take. What chances do the third take give? Have the people become wiser, more informed, or they are already wise and informed in the very first place?