By Nimfa Estrellado Straight Talk April 4, 2020 There are two types of people in the Philippines during this lockdown. People who compla...
Straight Talk
April 4, 2020
There are two types of people in the Philippines during this lockdown. People who complain about the government and the people who are complaining about people who tirelessly complain about this government. I guess both are complainers. The only difference is somehow, the critic, doubter, complainer, hater, whiner, and non-believer of this government make it change its mind.
Why are you mad about people complaining? Not all people live under the same luxurious roof as you do. Others have also no place to sleep. Why do we have to add an explanatory note every time we complain against this government. It goes without saying that we're acting out of concern on behalf of the poor and the affected. I don't get it why other people think that it's so wrong to complain about our government. Obviously, we are citizens of this country and we have the right to express our grievances democratically.
People complain because they do not see the sense of urgency of the government, or the lack of action to deal with the pandemic. Inadequacies do exist! Address the need, relay the information, and I doubt people will complain. Even celebrities are making a stand now. Because this is what the country needs right now. Make a stand. The government knew about the threat of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in January and they didn't take it seriously enough. And now during the lockdown, they are encouraging people to live life as normal and to just stay at home and follow government advice. So now they are taking it seriously, eh?
On April 1, 2020, in a televised address President Rodrigo Roa Duterte admonished those who may cause ‘trouble’ during the imposition of the community quarantine amid the COVID 19 pandemic. Referring to the political left, but also seemingly others who may protest or question government measures, he openly gave orders to the police, military, and local officials to shoot them dead saying, “I will not hesitate. My orders are to the police and military, also the barangay, that if there is trouble or the situation arises that people fight and your lives are on the line, shoot them dead. Do you understand? Dead. Instead of causing trouble, I’ll send you to the grave.”
I watched the whole press con. It’s not the time to pronounce death threats to anybody. People are starving. People want reassurance. Plans. Actions. President Duterte should have stated solutions, not a death threat. I'm done putting rebuttals and explaining for people who think lack of reading comprehension is the reason why there was an uproar about Duterte's speech that night. This shoot to kill order applies for the "quarantine violators". Whatever defense you have for Duterte shoot to kill will never be acceptable!
That Liza Soberano's first public statement in a time like this is her thinking of "What our people need now is empathy, not threats" is remarkable. When Soberano tweeted about this I can't stop thinking of how right she is. "Empathy" is such a big word.
I wish President Duterte see this. She is not saying President Duterte has no empathy, or he can't empathize! This is her reaction to President Duterte's “shoot to kill” order. Clearly a threat to the Filipino people who just want to clamor for more government action. This is a normal human reaction to very abnormal circumstances. His behavior is not normal and should not be tolerated. He should stop threatening and saying rubbish to us, the people of the Philippines.
Regarding Nadine Lustre's statement to the Duterte administration. I read some articles and pages about it and I'm so sad that they bash Lustre and other celebrities who manage to speak up their opinions about the President's statement.
On April 2, 2020, some celebrities also took a strong stand against President Duterte's administrations after the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) summoned Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto. Mayor Sotto was summoned by the NBI to appear on April 7, 2020 and explain his supposed violation of Republic Act No. 11469, or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, which includes a suspension of mass transport as part of the enhanced community quarantine guidelines. According to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) spokesperson, they consider the tricycle issue as 'case closed.' They don't understand why the NBI pursued this, but as far as DILG is concerned, they want to move on. President Duterte, on the other hand, spoke out on the issue of Mayor Sotto's handling of the COVID-19 crisis, saying that he only dictates the government policy and it is up to the government enforcers to implement it.
Celebrities and influencers used to avoid making any political comments that could affect their career, but now they're really making them and it's loud. They are making a political stand. That's just so inspiring.
Something amazing happens when men and women come together for a common cause when their purpose is targeted and focused on making a difference in society when political leaders and celebrities use their influence to take a united stand and pledge to stop putting down our country. It ignites debates, shifts attitudes, and norms, educates and empowers!
People's call is clear, we have the right to speak, and that should be acknowledged by the government. And ultimately, President Duterte himself eventually explained that maybe you should not presume that any person who protests are militant leftists in his latest speech of April 3, 2020.
Please state "leftist" Since I think President Duterte labels everyone who criticizes him as a leftist. Most people are scared and hungry, and would certainly complain. Are they all leftists? He threatened his men, this was supposed to be the first line of action.
The way our celebrities can handle the unfair backlash with grace and posture for having a political standpoint than our honorable President Duterte using his platform to attack a human rights lawyer, Chel Diokno for doing his job, appearance, and using ‘janitor’ as an insult like an 8 yr old.
Oust Duterte movement clearly says President Duterte and his government do not have the capacity to be responsible and competent and should, therefore, be replaced. How I wish their actions will spark our hope that they would have the courage to quest for another messiah for humanity. Do you know why people are eager to oust him? This is because they can not feel the support of President Duterte. No clear acts on his part. The people wouldn't become so aggressive if the government would've just given what they want. It's the government's fault for not doing actions urgently to help the people. Now, what I see is that everyone's lives are at stake, including the military. President Duterte caused this. For your information people are not challenging the government, they want visible actions to suppress this pandemic, to survive.
People are protesting because they want to be heard, they want clear steps and plans. People just want answers and see clear action being taken by the Government. What was President Duterte’s response? An order to take a shoot? Now you tell me who made this into a question of peace and order? No hate. We just want concrete plans for everyone. And I do hope the plans will be laid out to the people, now that President Duterte has emergency powers. He has too much power now so we should stay vigilant and watch the government's actions closely.
Some of you are all trying to keep on pointing out the fact that people complain so much about the situation but are doing absolutely nothing for the country. Well, let me ask you this, has your endless support for President Duterte so far accomplished something positive for our country, and the government? I am saddened that people still have the audacity to assume that the Duterte administration is doing all it can to relieve the current crisis in the Philippines. They're not doing it, we would not worry if they were.
I'm not a purist of President Duterte, or what you would call a DDS. I am all for the government to get accountability and supporting the people a little quicker. I just don't think the #OustDuterte is the best way for the different parties to open up critical criticisms. If we are now ousting President Duterte who will take his place? I'm not a fan of the government but the remedy isn't ousting. We're not only complaining that they don't do the right thing, but we're also hoping they'll have a change of heart and begin to behave correctly.
We don't complain about the sake of complaining. Since we are a democratic society, we have the right to complain and express our opinion! We may not be part of the government, as they say, but we're part of the governance! I will just pray that this kind of situation we are in, will be solved according to what is really needed to be solved.
No comments