ScribbledBabbling.com

I guess it comes from being a writer first and foremost. The second reason is for the professionalism and discipline that the foremost State University has instilled in me. I cannot keep quiet about what is happening around me if it means that my freedom is being curtailed. I may not be practicing in the business but I know that speech and expression is a fundamental right of every Filipino, journalist or not. Just see Article III, Section 4 of the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines.

I am too young to remember how it is during Martial Law. My parents and the grandparents that I grew up with are fundamentally conservative and not given to overt displays of dissatisfaction with the government. The exposure that I had in UP goes against the grain of their day-to-day principles but I need to make a stand. This is my right and I’m fighting for it.

The seizure of the mock ups from the Tribune tells me that it is not far before every media outlet is in danger of censure. The imbecile Presidential Chief of Staff Michael Defensor has said that the government is going to make a move against those that are deemed anti-government. It riles me that someone who made much ado about his being an Iskolar ng Bayan when he was first getting into politics (3rd district, QC), is spouting nonsense and stupidity.

The declaration of a “State of Emergency” is not so much as a threat to the state but to the person in power, i.e. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her minions. The unrest is not exactly unnerving the populace as much as it titilates them that an end to the farce is coming. I need not elaborate on this idea as the others in the blogosphere have said what needs to be said.

Read what MLQ3, Sassy Lawyer and ABC 5 Malacanang reporter Jove Francisco have to write about the situation. ABS-CBN News Channel’s RG Cruz has posted the text of the statement to the nation, PP 1017 and General Order No. 5.

GO No. 5 is what the PNP is holding as a shield to justify the actions that they have done from the seizures at the Daily Tribune offices, the arrest of Beltran, Montano and others.

A quick Google search on General Order No. 5 brought me to the link to the edict issued by Marcos in 1972. Marcosian much? FVR said as much in this article from the Manila Times.

For the regular Joes, life appears to be the usual on the surface but we must be vigilant as this is still the beginning. A lot of people gave up their life to fight for this right and we are in danger of losing it once again.