Searching for common ground
This is Grecil Buya, nine years old and killed last March 31 by the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The next time you even begin to think that the AFP are protectors of the people and vanguards of peace and order, security and justice, think of Grecil, think of her young life brutally taken. —–
The Black and White Movement has come up with a black and white list of politicians whom it thinks should be blackballed in May.
On top of the black list are the likes of the Macapagal-Arroyo scions, Speaker Jose de Venecia, and boxing champ Manny Pacquiao.
Included in its white list (meaning endorsement) are party-lists Anakpawis, Bayan Muna, Gabriela Womens Party and Kabataan Party. It’s too bad that the BWM didn’t include Suara Bangsa Moro Party, but still and all we are grateful for being included in its list of party-lists which should be supported. (Let it be put on record, though, that if I were allowed to deliver more than one vote, my other vote would be for Suara).
We are grateful that the efforts of our progressive party-lists to inject the politics of change and the politics of the masses in the mainstream are being recognized. Despite differences in the nitty-gritty of political means and ideological beliefs (the ways and means of pushing forth a genuinely pro-people agenda in government; the espousal of certain causes wherein class interests class such as wage increases, genuine land distribution and an independent foreign policy when it comes to the economy and diplomacy), there are common grounds wherein we can all traverse.
Hanapin kung saan tayong lahat ay maaring magkaisa at sumulong nang sabay-sabay.
Right now, fighting against human rights violations, worsening political repression, and a looming repeat of massive electoral fraud are things we can all work together on.
Mag-t-shirt tayong lahat ng isang kulay na hindi pa napapangalanan;
Panindigan ang mga salitang ‘karapatan,’ ‘katotohanan’ at ‘katarungan’
Mag-lakad ng magkaka-balikat, kung di man magkakaakbay;
Bigyang galang ang mga pagkakatulad habang kinikilala ang mga pagkakaiba;
Isa-isang tabi ang mga mas malaking pagkakaiba pansamantala.
Or at least until Macapagal-Arroyo is kicked out of office please.
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In the labor movement, the fight for economic reforms are given shape in the creation of collective bargaining agreements. The political form of this fight is in the process of negotiations with managements, the labor department and the national government itself which lays down the ground rules for industrial relations and policies governing labor.
There is no separating the economic struggle (working for better work conditions; for higher wages; for greater share in the crops; for lower oil prices and lower electricity and water rates; for job security, social security, protection and benefits) from the political form.
The weakness or intensity, the a conservatism or aggressiveness of the efforts to secure these sought for reforms relies on the politics and ideology behind the framework of understanding the social considerations, the historical context, and the relation and contradictions between all these. The politics and the ideology, in the meantime, is dependent on the specific class standpoint one takes, supports and works for.
It’s funny that thoughts like these are what’s swirling in my brain right now. I’ve been reading Ka Bel’s old files back in 1982 when he was a political detainee under the Marcos dictatorship. Daluyong talaga noon ang mga manggagawa sa lansangan! Sunod-sunod ang mga welga, at paralisado ang mga empresa at engklabo. Economic battles taking the political form of strikes.
Pag papatalsikin na si GMA, welgang bayan ang magiging tugon ng manggagawa at mamamayan. Utang na loob, hwag nang makinig sa kung sinong obispo na sasabihing mag-prayer rally na lang sa Quirino Grandstand at binubuhusan nang malamig na tubig ang init ng galit at hinanakit ng taumbayan sa mga kawalanghiyaan ng pamahalaan.
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I think Manny Pacquiao has taken one too many punches on head far too many times. I can’t believe he’s still running for congress! It’s such a sad thing that his good intentions will now be twisted and manipulated into serving the interest of the Macapagal-Arroyo government.
It’s not at all that I think he isn’t intellectually capable or not educated enough for the post (utang na loob ang daming bobing sa kongreso, mga tapos ng unibersidad pa sila at sandamakmak ang diploma sa dingding ng opisina nila); it’s just that, well, he has so much wealth and his influence is considerable enough to command support for worthwhile projects and endeavors that do not have to be connected with politics.
Imagine him speaking for children’s rights.
Or against urban militarization.
Or higher allocations for health and education.
He could donate money to build schools and hospitals. Lead a campaign against illegal drugs. Boxing for the environment! Ang dami-dami niyang pwedeng yakaping advocacy.
Yet here he is, running for congress. Shet. Sana naman hwag nang madagdagan ng ampaw ang kongreso.
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Aaaaagh! Rage killing in the University of Virginia, 32 or 33 dead. I can’t even begin to understand this report. It’s completely…insane and senseless.
