i think that many many many more, i.e., the majority of filipinos across the country who live a hand-to-mouth existence and can barely afford to eat healthy meals, much less clothe and send the children to school for lack of stable jobs and resources, must have been thrilled by jun ducat’s attention-grabbing dramatics and politics. their kids’ future too is on the line.

‘ . . . Amable Aguiluz pledges to give scholarships to the kids; this is in addition to pledges given by Senators Ramon Revilla Jr. and Alfredo Lim. The high and mighty, the wealthy and well-placed, falling over themselves to promise, promise, promise what shouldn’t have to be promised because it should be expected: a future for young kids. And what moral lesson do we derive from this ongoing drama? That a promise extracted at the point of a gun is worth the pointing of that gun at kids turned hostages? That having gone to such lengths, a promise will suffice; and that the only language we all speak in common is the language of the gun?’

this is a case of some rich people offering to share their wealth. it’s as far as rich people will go in terms of re-distributing the wealth that is concentrated in their hands, which is a social justice issue. but it’s also an economic issue. willing ang mayayaman na mag-share with the poor, but on their terms. only a few are helped, and usually under the glare of spotlights and in the eye of a camera. If the rich, who are part of the problem, truly cared about the many many many who are poor, if they truly cared about the nation, ralph recto’s senate committee would have worked on a law taxing luxury goods, tax the rich! instead of expanding VAT and taxing the middle-class. they would also stop stashing their profits in swiss banks or investing in china and vietnam and start investing in industrializing their own country instead. the senators and congressmen should also stop it with the pork barrel, the same with gma and her discretionary funds. these public monies could be channelled into health and education and microcredit. the rich have the power. and the real guns.

The grandmother have lived enough to see the realities in our country.

btw, when you run for president, ten, fifteen years from now, i’ll work for u for free

Thank goodness it didn’t end up like Brazil’s Bus 174. I mean how could it end up otherwise right? Alyas Pogi was there.