With the arrival of ‘ber’ months comes the cold response of the government to the nation’s major problems. While many cities and provinces have eased quarantine restrictions, the Philippines’ capital along with a few other areas have been placed under a month long general community quarantine. Yet, the country has still not achieved its expected results with millions of Filipinos hungry, unemployed, and financially struggling.
After half a year in quarantine, how much have things changed in our country?
1. PH reaches more than 300,000 COVID-19 cases
Photo courtesy of Lalawigan ng Rizal via CNN Philippines
Despite having one of the strictest lockdowns in the world, the number of COVID-19 cases continued to skyrocket. As of Sept. 26, the country’s total leaped past 300,000 cases with more than 60,000 active cases, 230,000 recoveries, and deaths breaching the 5,000 mark. The health crisis continued to worsen not only in the country’s capital, but also in different provinces. Bacolod and Negros have both reported that their hospital and quarantine facilities are nearing their maximum capacity.
Last Sept. 15, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque called the Philippines’ testing policy “the best in Asia” since it has screened more than 3 million people in the country. However, Fr. Nicanor Austriaco of the UP-OCTA Research and UST Department of Biological Sciences disagreed, saying that the number of positive cases continue to rise despite the increased testing capacity and that, unlike the Philippines, other Asian countries who had robust testing policies were able to keep the crisis in check.
Ironically enough, the following day, a petition seeking to compel the government to conduct mass testing was junked by the Supreme Court. This ruling cited the petitioners’ failure to exhaust administrative remedies to warrant the granting of a writ of mandamus.
2. A holiday for a dictator
Photo courtesy of Rappler
The irony of events continued when the House of Representatives approved a bill to declare Sept. 11 as a special non-working holiday in Ilocos Norte to honor the life and achievements of the late President Ferdinand Marcos. However, it was met with criticism from the public because the measure took only 44 days to be approved, whereas the act to provide free mass testing is still pending after 3 months.
Sept. 21 marked the 48th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law. Along with the strong urge to resist tyranny, Martial Law victims condemned the House’s decision saying it would lead future generations into forgetting about the atrocities that happened under the Marcos era. Many also found it ironic that the country has a holiday celebrating the revolution that ended the Marcos regime and a holiday dedicated to the dictator it ousted.
Dear Congress, please, make it make sense.
3. The passing of vlogger Lloyd Cadena
Photo from Lloyd Cadena’s official Instagram account
This month also saw the loss of an influential online personality to many netizens. On Sept. 4, the news of YouTube vlogger Lloyd Cadena’s passing came as a shock to many of his friends and subscribers. It was later revealed that the 26-year-old tested positive for COVID-19 and died of a heart attack.
Lloyd, whose online journey began way back in 2011, became the talk of the town because of his comedic antics that brought joy to anyone who stumbled across his content. But behind the jokes, he became an inspiration to many by using his platform to pay it forward to his family, community, and even strangers. Prior to his passing, he went around donating relief goods and tablets to students and aiding families who were struggling because of the pandemic.
Rest easy, Kween LC.
4. More Tigers leave the España streak
Photo by Christine Annmarie Tapawan/TomasinoWeb
Following the Sorsogon “bubble training” controversy of the UST Men’s Basketball Team, many notable names have chosen to depart the team. Last month, team captain CJ Cansino and players Rhenz Abando, Ira Bataller and Brent Paraiso, bid farewell to the University after announcing their transfer to other teams.
This month, three more members of the UST Growling Tigers followed suit and parted ways with their beloved team. Incoming sophomore Jun Asuncion announced his move to Mapúa University. UAAP Season 82 Rookie of the Year Mark Nonoy and teammate Deo Cuajao are now part of the Green Archers of De La Salle University. Former Tiger Cub Bismarck Lina, who was originally set to debut as a Growling Tiger, has completed his transfer to the University of the Philippines as a Fighting Maroon.
5. Delight in dolomite?
Photo by Jansen Romero/Manila Bulletin
Perhaps the center of this month’s events is the Manila Bay rehabilitation fiasco conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The supposed beautification project drew flak from many Filipino politicians, scientists, and citizens because of its use of dolomite as sand and untimeliness of the project itself.
The rehabilitation of the capital’s historical site began in January 2019 through the efforts of many local government units and private sectors. After reducing the amount of pollutants in the bay, the Department of Interior and Local Government relocated more than 70,000 informal settlers from the areas surrounding Manila Bay in November of the same year. Based on these accomplishments alone, it seemed as though the project was not harmful at all.
The downward decline, however, began during the late phases of the project when DENR began to dump crushed dolomite along Manila Bay on Sept. 4. The white sand that now graces Roxas Boulevard was mined and exported from Cebu. Along with the fact that no permit for extraction was issued by the provincial government of Cebu, many scientists argued that dolomite is harmful not only for humans, but also for the environment in the long run. The fisherfolk group Pamalakaya urged the government to consider using the P389-million budget to plant mangrove forests along the coastline of Manila Bay instead as it has significantly better long-term effects in improving not only its aesthetics, but also in reviving its marine ecosystem and biodiversity. Vice President Leni Robredo also said that the funds could have been more efficiently used to strengthen the government’s pandemic response, especially in aiding the poor.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque came to the project’s defense saying that the white sand in Manila Bay will benefit the mental health of Filipinos. On the issue of the project’s timing and legality, he clarified that the budget for the project was already allocated long before the dawn of the pandemic.
On Sept. 20, hundreds of people flocked to Roxas Boulevard after a portion of the beach was temporarily opened to the public. Photos and videos that circulated social media showed visitors standing shoulder to shoulder amid social distancing protocols. Rather than holding the parties involved accountable, the Palace justified the gathering as proof that filling the baywalk with white sand was a “right decision.”
Recently, progressive group Akbayan filed a motion at the Supreme Court seeking to cite DENR for contempt regarding their move to dump dolomite on Manila Bay. The 16-page pleading stated this act was a violation of the 2008 continuing mandamus, which entails the environmental department to fulfill its duty to protect, rehabilitate, and clean the said water body. The group recognized the need to save the bay, but they insisted that it should be done in the right way.
On Sept. 25, DENR decided to suspend its mining operations after initial inspections by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) found fallen particles of dolomite on the seafloor near the town of Alcoy in Cebu. PENRO further reported that the minerals that covered the seafloor caused the dwindling of marine life and damaging of corals within 500 meters of Barangay Pugalo of the said town. At this point, it is very difficult to believe that the project still aims to “rehabilitate” Manila Bay when it is clearly being done at the expense of destroying another ecosystem.
6. Pardon for a convicted murderer
Photo by Lyn Rillon/INQUIRER.net
On Sept. 7, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Locsin Jr. announced to the public that President Duterte had granted absolute pardon to US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Permberton. In 2015, the American soldier was found guilty of homicide over the death of Filipino transgender Jennifer Laude.
Human rights and LGBT groups slammed this decision stating that it was an outright injustice to our national dignity and sovereignty, and disregard for transgender rights. Senator Risa Hontiveros called the pardon “an affront to the Filipino people.” Filipino netizens also expressed their dismay by pointing out how fractured the justice system must be to grant pardon to a convicted murderer, but not to those who have been wrongly accused and convicted of lesser crimes.
Spokesperson Harry Roque, who previously served as Laude’s defense council, believed that the President’s move was tied to securing better access to a potential COVID-19 vaccine from the United States. Locsin, however, denied the claim and stated that it was the President’s “unilateral decision.” In a televised address, President Duterte defended his decision saying that the country has not treated the soldier fairly in terms of computing his Good Conduct Time Allowance. The Laude family had appealed to the court, seeking basis for Pemberton’s good behavior knowing that he had been jailed alone in a detention cell in Camp Aguinaldo.
Almost a week after he was granted Pardon, Pemberton flew as a free man back to his home country. Atty. Virginia Suarez said in a statement that the Laude family had no choice but to accept the decision. However, they still feel frustrated and betrayed by the government’s decision.
7. ‘Doktor Para Sa Bayan’ bill
Photo courtesy of GMA News Online
On a lighter note, Senate Bill no. 1520, also known as the Doktor Para Sa Bayan bill, was passed on its third and final reading on Sept. 14. Although long overdue, Senator Joel Villanueva said that the approval of the bill became dire due to the stark effects of the pandemic on the country’s health sector. Apart from that, this landmark seeks to encourage students to pursue a medical degree and improve the country’s 3 to 10,000 doctor-to-patient ratio.
Once implemented, aspiring physicians who cannot afford to pay for medical school can apply for a scholarship. The medical scholarship will cover tuition and miscellaneous fees, books, as well as transportation, dormitory, internship, and board review fees. Students who qualify will have to render 3 years of return service to their hometowns upon the conferment of their license. With medicine being one of the most expensive courses in the country, the bill became a breath of hope for many students and parents amid the pandemic.
8. No election this 2022?
Photo courtesy of ABS-CBN News
With the COVID-19 crisis in the country still unabated, Pampanga Representative Mikey Arroyo urged the Commission on Elections to consider postponing the upcoming 2022 elections as he believes that many fear being exposed to the virus. On social media, many netizens criticized this suggestion, saying that if Filipinos are fearless enough to flock the white sands of Manila Bay, then there is no reason to delay the elections. Former Comelec commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal added that such a measure would raise constitutional issues and that not anybody in the government, not even the President or Congress, can cancel the elections.
9. A battle for the iron throne in Congress
Photo courtesy of CNN Philippines
Under the 15-21 months term-sharing deal brokered by President Duterte, House Speaker Alan Cayetano was expected to step down from his post and hand over the Speakership to Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco next month. Although Cayetano had previously announced that he will honor the agreement, the Alan vs Allan rivalry was reignited this month when presidential son and Deputy Speaker Paolo Duterte said that he would declare the leadership post vacant to give way for the election of a new Speaker as they continue to deliberate over the 2021 national budget.
Cayetano’s allies added fuel to fire by citing Rep. Velasco’s inactivity in Congress and lack of numbers from other representatives. Buhay Representative Lito Atienza, however, said that the present House Speaker must honor the deal otherwise, “Congress is doomed to fail.” The President later responded that it is no longer in his power if Velasco is not supported by the majority.
In a privilege speech addressed on September 30, Cayetano announced his resignation as House Speaker. However, 184 lawmakers voted yes to the motion to reject his resignation offer.
10. President Duterte’s UN General Assembly speech
Photo courtesy of the Presidential Communications via One News
On Sept. 23, President Duterte, for the first time, addressed global officials at the United Nations General Assembly. He began by acknowledging the COVID-19 crisis as the world’s “biggest test” since World War II and extending the country’s gratitude to all frontliners. His speech also touched on a range of global issues, such as the plight of migrant workers, geopolitical tensions, refugee crisis, climate change, and even the implementation of a Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty to halt a possible nuclear war.
In what might be the biggest plot twist since the start of his term, the President invoked the Philippines’ legal victory in the Hague ruling against China over the West Philippine Sea. Before a roster of global leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, the President asserted the country’s rights by stating that, “The [2016 Arbitary] Award is now part of international law, beyond compromise and beyond the reach of passing governments to dilute, diminish or abandon. We firmly reject attempts to undermine it.”
The degree of clarity and succinctness the President expressed was a far cry from his equivocal televised addresses to the public. While most senators commended the President’s stance on the dispute over the maritime area, the true question lies whether these strong words would be translated into action or would again concede in favor of other interests.
Based on what transpired within the 30 grueling days of September, it seems as though it was another attempt of the government to bamboozle the whole nation and deflect their attention from more pressing issues that affect their lives, such as PhilHeath’s 15-billion fraud and the global pandemic itself. What makes their actions more spiteful is that they still choose to rationalize their mistakes and failures rather than to openly admit it. Apart from being at odds with science, they spend time pitting themselves against each other instead of working harmoniously to circumvent the unabated health crisis.
As we enter another month into the longest lockdown in the world, our job as citizens is to cooperate with protocols that safeguard our health, but not in a defeatist stance that makes us acknowledge the wrongs as mere peccadillos. As Lord Varys once said, “Incompetence should not be rewarded with blind loyalty.” Thus, the wrongs should beckon us to question and criticize whether actions being taken in the ‘new normal’ are done for the welfare of the Filipino people living in a time of uncertainty.
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