Terrorism: Al Qaeda, Islamic Army for the Liberation of the Holy

{ February 6, 2007 @ 12:56 pm } · { Terrorism }
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Terrorism: Al Qaeda, Islamic Army for the Liberation of the Holy Places

by: Raymund Babaran 

Al-Qaeda, multinational alliance of Islamist terrorist groups engaged in a universal jihad against the United States of America, its allies, and friends. Established as Al-Qaeda al Sulbah (The Solid Base) in Peshawar, Pakistan, in 1988, the predominantly Arab group supports multiple jihad campaigns around the world. As the proclaimed “pioneering vanguard” of the “Islamic movements”, Al-Qaeda is steadfast in its desire to establish Islamic states wherever Muslims live.

         After the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan in February 1989, Al-Qaeda provided state-of-the-art training, finance, ideological, and strategic direction to two dozen Asian, Middle Eastern, African, and Caucasian Islamist groups. Since US intervention in Afghanistan in October 2001, a dispersed Al-Qaeda is relying on these disparate associates for survival and for conducting terrorist attacks. Al-Qaeda, working together with its associated members, has supported or conducted terrorist attacks in Karachi, Jarbah, Bali, Amman, Mombasa, Riyadh, Chechnya, Casablanca, Jakarta, the Philippines, Ýstanbul, Iraq, and Afghanistan. With several new groups joining the fight, the frequency of attacks has increased.

Al-Qaeda is the successor of Maktab-il Khidamat (Afghan Service Bureau, established in 1984) founded by the Palestinian Jordanian Abdulla Azzam, the pre-eminent ideologue of the anti-Soviet multinational Afghan mujahedin campaign, and his protégé Osama bin Laden, a Saudi financier who fought against the Soviet army. Two pivotal events, first the “defeat” of the Soviet army, the world’s largest land army, and the culminating loss of its superpower status and second, the Iranian revolution, and the Iranian defiance of the US in holding American diplomats as hostages for 444 days, emboldened the Islamists to take on the remaining superpower.

After having failed to inspire and instigate the vast majority of the Muslims to revolt against “false Muslim rulers” and “corrupt Muslim regimes” in the early 1990s, violent Islamist groups had turned against “Crusader” and “Jewish” targets by the mid-1990s. By conducting the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001, Al-Qaeda hoped to bring a vast majority of the peace-loving Muslims into conflict with the Western world. Although Al-Qaeda failed, it succeeded in inspiring and instigating two dozen violent Islamist groups in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and in the Caucasus to attack not only their opposing local governments but also the United States, its allies, and friends. During the first 24 months after the September 11 attacks Al-Qaeda was gravely weakened following the loss of 4,100 members, associate members, and key supporters in 102 countries. Its current strength is estimated at under 1,000 members.

The most enduring contribution of Al-Qaeda, a force multiplier, has been its ability to successfully convince the territorial jihad groups with local aims and objectives to subscribe to a universal ideology of a global jihad. Al-Qaeda and its associated groups operate through the framework of the Al-Qaeda umbrella, the World Islamic Front for Jihad against the Jews and the Crusaders established in February 1998. By morphing from a group into a mass movement of several tens of thousands of followers, Al-Qaeda has triggered a phase of perpetual conflict between the violent Islamist groups and the West. While Al-Qaeda staged an average of one attack every year before the September 11 attacks, today, the Al-Qaeda network conducts an average of one attack every three months. Although attributed to Al-Qaeda, a vast majority of the attacks have been not by Al-Qaeda but by its associates in the global south. Although Al-Qaeda’s intention to attack North America, Western Europe, and Australasia has not diminished, its capability to plan, prepare, and execute an attack on Western soil has suffered. As a result, the bulk of the Islamist terrorist attacks are against Western targets in the global south. US intervention in Iraq in March 2003 (see War on Iraq) has increased the size, strength, and the influence of Islamist groups. As a consequence of Al-Qaeda working with disparate groups worldwide, both the threat and the threshold of terrorism have increased several-fold after September 11, 2001. To respond to a terrorist threat that is multidimensional and global in reach, the international community will have to develop a multi-pronged, multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional, and multinational approach.

       

-The AL QAEDA group as it said is the most violent and the most dangerous terrorist in this time. It is proven because of their actions that result to tragedy. Just like what they’ve done last September 11, 2001. Many of lives have lost because of the bombing of the World Trade Center in United States. That is one of the tragic actions that the AL QAEDA has done.

        But on the other hand, the AL QAEDA, for Muslims is their army for the liberation of their holy places. AL QAEDA for them is the one that is responsible in taking freedom for the holy places of the Muslims. AL QAEDA helps the Afghans in recruiting, transporting and training Islamic extremist during the Soviet invasion in Afghanistan. Their current goal is to reestablish the Muslim state in the world. AL QAEDA works with Islamic Extremist groups to overthrow regimes it deems non Islamic and remove westerners from Muslim countries. That is the reason why the some Muslims believes that the AL QAEDA is their army  for the liberation of the Muslims holy places..  

 

Terrorism

{ February 6, 2007 @ 12:56 pm } · { Terrorism }
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Terrorism
 
Joy Marie Limbo
 
 
          Why do people are afraid whenever they heard the word “Terrorism”. The terrorism was first used in France to describe a new system of government adopted during French revolution. It was just intended to promote democracy and popular rule by ridding the revolution of its enemies and thereby purifying it. Then, the oppression and violent excesses transformed it into a feared instrument of the state and that time on, terrorism has had a negative connotation. It assumed that “terrorism” an antigovernment association it has today.
 
        In our world today we can say that there are terrorist whenever there are murders, kidnappings, bombings and arson. These acts can be defined as crimes both national and international. It affects innocent civilian. Wrong perception brought to us that Muslims and citizens from Middle East are so-called “Terrorist” because they build their image as the anti- American government and fight their rights from American invasion with the use of their power. It’s just so happen that they have strong nationalism that they can fight for their own rights but the negative result to it is many innocent people suffer from dying and traumas created by these terrorist. That is the reason why do many people were afraid whenever they heard the word “terrorism”. Terrorism has occurred throughout history for a variety of reasons. It causes can be historical, cultural, political, social, psychological, economic, or religious- or any combination of these.

HINDI LANG PANG-PULITIKA, PANG-SPORTS PA!

{ February 6, 2007 @ 12:55 pm } · { Politicians }
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HINDI LANG PANG-PULITIKA, PANG-SPORTS PA!

MELANIE P. ALDEON
 
            Masyadong mapulitika ditto sa ating bansa. Kahit saan natin idako ang ating mga mata, bawat makita natin ay nagpapahiwatig nito. Mga paaralan, tulay, lansangan at iba’t ibang establisyamento na pawang may mga pangalan ng taong nagpaggawa ng mga ito.
            Tama- ang mga pulitiko ang may gawa. Sila ay walang sawang nagpapalawak ng kanilang teritoryo para sila’y maging mas makapangyarihanat di maalis sa pwesto.
             Kaya naman hindi imposibleng pasukin ng pulitika ang larangan ng sports. Dahil nga sa kakulangan ng pondo at suporta ng gobyerno sa ating mga atletang Pinoy, may mga ilang pulitiko ang nagbibigay kuno ng kanilang mga tulong pinansyal. Mga nagpapabango lang naman ng pangalan dahil ang mga sinasabi nila’y press releases lamang.
             Hindi naman talaga mawawala ang pulitika sa sports sapagkat may ilang mga namumuno rito na may kaugnayan sa pulitika.
              2006- Masasabing magandang taon para sa larangan ng sports sa ating bansa. Maraming torneo ang naganap sa taong ito na ang ilan ay napagwagian ng mga kababayan nating Pinoy habang sa ibang kumpetisyon ay hindi rin naman umuwing luhaan ang ating mga atleta.
              Dahil nga sa tagumpay ng mga ito, nasaksihan na naman natin kung paano pinasok ng pulitika ang sports. Nariyan ang isyung mas binibigayn ng special treatment ng administrasyon at ilang pulitiko si Pacquiao kaysa kay Reyes at iba pang atletang Pinoy gayung pare-pareho lang naman silang nag-uwi ng karangalan sa bansa. Oo nga’t kesyo nagpapahayag lamang sila ng paghanga at pagmamalaki dun sa tao, pero hindi nman tanga ang mga Pinoy! Hindi nga ba? Alam natin kung ano talaga ang motibo ng mga pulitikong iyon. Ginagamit nila ito para sa kanilang pansariling interes. Panghakot ba ng suporta ng mga tao lalo na’t malapit na naman ang eleksyon.
             Isa-isahin natin ang ilan sa mga malalaking pangyayari sa sports na nilahukan ng mga kababayan nating Pinoy sa loob at labas ng bansa at silipin natin kung paano iro napasok ng pulitika.
             Enero,2006-rematch nina Manny Pacquiao at Erik Morales. Matatandaang sa una nilang paghaharap ay nagwagi si El Terible kaya naman gustong bumawi nitong si Pacquiao na siya namang nangyari. Na-knock-out niya ang Mexicano!
              Matapos ihayag ang kanyang pagkapanalo, aba, nagsiakyatan na rin sa ring ang ilang pulitikong tuwang-tuwa sa kanyang tagumpay. Hindi yata mawawala sa mga laban ni Manny itong si Gov. Chavit Singson. Malakas ang kanyang pagsigaw ng “Manny”, “Manny” o ito kaya’y “Money”, “Money”!?! Hahaha…Malaki yata ang pusta nitong si Gob!
               Pagkauwi sa Pilipinas, malakas ang ugong ng balitang tatakbo raw si Pacquiao bilang Vice-Mayor ng Lungsod ng Maynila. Akalain ninyo ‘yun! Lalo pang umingay ang isyung ito nang magpa-register siya sa nasabing lungsod. Katwiran naman ng dakilang Ama ng Maynila, “adopted son” daw si Manny! Hindi naman niya kinumpirma ang nasabing isyu. Nakakatawa lang isipin kung sakali mang totoo ito. Hindi nman sa nangmamaliit, lahat nman tayo ay may karapatang tumakbo sa isang posisyon sa gobyerno bsta ba kwalipikado tayo eh, subalit dapat din naman nating alamin kung saan tayo dapat lulugar at kung saan tayo mas mag-e-excel. Kung sa boksing, eh di dun na lang. Tutal nagbibigay-karangalan siya sa bansa sa larangang iyon. Huwag nang magpadala sa mga sitsit ng mga pulitikong nakapaligid. At ang mga ito nman, tigilan na sana ang paglason sa isipan nung tao.
                 Aba!anung nalalaman ng isang boksingero sa pagpapalakad ng isang lungsod? Alin, yung pamatay niyang “left hook” ang gagamitin sa pagsugpo ng mga kriminal? Sa ilang round niya mapapaunlad ang nasasakupan? Payo lang, gamitin na lang niya ang maganda at mabilis niyang footwork sa pag-iwas sa mga BI na pulitiko!
                Mach 17- nang unang marating ng isang pinoy sa katauhan ni Leo Oracion ang tuktok ng pinakamataas na bindok sa buong mundo, ang Mt. Everest. Sumunod sa kanya ang dalawa pang kasamahan sa Phil. Mt. Everest Team na sina Pastor Emata at Romi Garduce. Malaking karangalan ito para sa bawaty Pilipino sa buong mundo. Hindi biro ang pinagdaanang hirap ng grupong iyon para makamit ang inaasam na tagumpay. Ganyan talaga ang Pinoy-hindi sumusuko hanggat di nakakamtan ang nais.
                  Gaano ba kalaki ang suportang ibinigay ng pamahalaan sa grupong iyon, morally at financiall? Mukhang kulang pa rin, parang may masabi lang.
                    Isunod natin ang IPT kung saan ito’y napagwagian ni Efren “Bata” Reyes. Tumataginting na $500,000 o P25M lang naman ang premyong naiuwi ng tinaguriang “The Magician”! Ito ang pinakamalaking prize money sa buong kasaysayan ng bilyar.
                    Pagbalik niya dito sa Pinas, wala ang pagsalubong ng tulad ng kay Pacquiao na sa airport pa lang ay sinalubong na ng ilang mga kapit-tukong pulitiko. Kumbaga sa bilyar, bad shot na, scratch pa ang mga ito! Ang sarap sarguhin di ba?
                     Nang kapanayamin naman si Bata tungkol dito, sinabi niyang wala nman iyon sa kanya at hindi na mahalaga kung wala mang red carpet na pagsalubong.
                     Isa pang torneo na napanalunan ni Bata kasama ang kumpareng si Francisco “Django” Bustamante ay ang World Cup of Pool (9-Ball). Sila ang nagkamp[eon dito laban kina Earl Strickland at Rodney Morris ng Estados Unidos. Si Morris din ang nakaharap ni Bata sa kampeonato ng IPT.
                     Dahil sa malalaking tagumpay at karangalang naiuwi sa bansa, hinirang si Reyes ng Time Magazine bilang isa sa Asian Heroes sa larangan ng sports kasama pa si dating Pangulong Cory Aquino at ibang kilalang personalidad mula sa ibat’ ibang bansa sa Asya.
                     Isa pang Pinoy na nakasama sa listahan ng mga “World Champion”  sa larangan ng bilyar ay si Renato “Ronnie” “Calamba/Volacano” Alcano nang kanyang makopo ang titulo sa World Chjampionship na ginanap dito mismo sa Pilipinas. Marami ang nagulat nag talunin niya si Bata nang sila’y magkaharap at umabante sa susunod na round papalapit sa kampeonato. Natabunan din niya ang pangalan ng mga kilalang manlalarong Pinoy tulad nina 2004 World Champ Alex “The Lion” Pagulayan,  Francisco “Django” Bustamante, Marlon Manalo, atbp.
                      Nakakalungkot lang isipin na dito na nga mismo ginanap ang torneo eh parang wala pa rin sa gobyerno. Ni hindi yata naramdaman ng ating mga manlalaro ang suporta mula rito. Kahit mga pa-”soft break” man lang, wala.
                      Nob. 19- ang “Grand Finale” ng Pacquiao vs Morales. Ilang buwan pa bago dumating ang laban, ito na ang naging laman ng balita sa radyo, dyaryo at telebisyon. Ilang pulitiko na rin ang umeksena na nagsabing si Pacman ang tiyak na mananalo. Nag-uunahan pa yata sa pagpapa-interview! Tsk tsk tsk. Maaga na ring naghanap ng kapustahan ang ilan.
                       Ang tagal inabangan, subalit mabilis namang natapos ang laban. Hanggang 3 rounds lang! laking hinayang siguro ng mga taong dumayo pa ng panonood sa ilang sinehan para live na mapanood ito spagkat bumayad pa sila ng P500, P700 o higit pa para dito. Ni hindi pa yata nila nauubos ang kanilang popcorn eh tapos na!
                        As usual, andun na nman si Chavit, at ang GMA, nag-phone call agad! Tuwang-tuwa na naman ang mga kapit-tukong pulitiko. Nag-parade na nmn pag-uwi ni Pacman sa Pinas!
                         15th Asian Games- akala ng marami ay wala nang maiuuwing medalya ang Pinas dahil naging mabagal ang kampanya ng ating mga atleta sa mga unang araw ng palaro. Ilang araw na lang bago matapos nang makasungkit ng gintong medalya ang bansa at mapasama sa medal list. Sa pagtatapos, ika-18 ang Pinas (4 golds, 6 silvers, 9 bronzes) mula sa 45 bansang lumahok.
                        Nakakalungkot at nakakaawa ang nangyari sa mga atletang Pinoy sa Qatar(pinagdausan ng palaro). Wala yatang matinong pagkain at tulugan. Hiraman pa sila ng mga gamit. Tulad na lang ng mga gold medalists na sina Joan Tipon at Violito Payla na naghihiraman pa ng boxing shorts tuwing sila’y may laban. Mabuti na lang at may sponsor ang mga manlalaro ng bilyar na siyang sumagot sa lahat ng mga pangangailangan ng mga ito.
                           Nasaan na ang suporta ng gobyerno sa mga atletang Pinoy? Meron ba o wala? Kung meron, di naman sapat at mismong sa bibig na ng mga atleta nagmula na kulang pa at halos di nga nila maramdaman! Sana naman makita ito ng mga kinauukulan. Mahuhulu at mahuhuli tayo nyan sa larangan ng sports kung magpapatuloy ang ganitong kalakaran. Kailan ba nila bibigyan ng ibayong pansin at importansya ito?
                        Apat na ginto lang ang naiuwi ng ating mga atleta ngunit ito’y dapat nang ipagmalaki dahil sa nakalipas na taong paglahok ng bansa sa ASIAN Games, ito ang ikaapat na pinakamagandang pagtatapos na ang huli ay noong 1962.
                         Dapat nating ipagmalaki ang mga atletang buobng-pusong lumaban para mabigyan ng karangalan nang bansa. Sila ang mga tunay na nagsakripisyo para sa ating bansa dahil wala silang premyong matatanggap sa kanilang nilahukan maliban sa insentibong ibibigay ng gobyerno.
                       Sila ang tunay na matatawag na bayani ng bansa sa larangan ng sports hindi tulad ng iba na malaki ang kinikita kapag napapasabak sa laban. Mas dapat na mabigyan ng pagkilala ang mga atletang sumasabak sa Asian games at Sea games. Wala silang perang pinaglalaban dito kundi medalyang iuuwi bilang karangalan ng bansa.
                     Si FG, nagbigay ng P1M insentibo sa mga nakapagsubi ng gintong medalya. Para sa aki, mali ang ginawa niyang ito. Dapat,a ng salaping iyon ai ibinigay niya na agad sa PSC nang sa gayon ay magamit sa pagbili ng mga equipments para sa paggsanay ng mga atleta at mapadala ang mga ito sa ibang bansa para sa mas mahusay na training. Aminado naman ang komisyon na kulang sila sa pondo. Gaano man angh pagnanais ng ating mga atleta na makapag-uwi ng gintong medalya ay mahirap pa riong gawin sapagkat nahuhuli sila sa ibang bansa hinggil sa mga ginagawang pagsasanay. Wala tayong mga makabagong equipments na magagamit para mapadali at maging mas mabisa ang pagte-training ng mga ito.
                   Makita sana ng mga mambabatas na kung susuportahan lang nila ng mas malaking badyet ang sports, lahat ay makikinabang.
                   Ang pinakahuling isyu na maagang pamasko ay ang pagkakasundo nina Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, pangulo ng BAP, at manny V. Pangilinan para sa muling pagbabalik sa eksena ng Phil. Basketball sa taong ito. Naganap ang kasunduan noong Disyembre 22 sa Hongkong.
                   Matatandaang nagkaroon ng kaguluhan at di pagkakaunawaan sa pagitan ng Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) at Phil. Olympic Committee (POC) noong nakaraang taon na humantong sa pagsuspindi ng Int’l Basketball Federation (FIBA) sa Pilipinas sa int’l competitions. Nagbitiw din bilang pangulo ng BAP si dating senador Joey Lina at si Estrada nga ang pumalit.
                   Dahil sa suspensyong ito, hindi nakalahok ang bansa sa basketball sa Asian games.
                   Batay sa napagkasunduan, magiging chairman ng Samahang Basketbol ng pilipinas (SBP) si jinggoy habang pangulo naman si MVP. Samakatwid, bubuwagin na ang BAP. Baka magkaroon na nman ng kaguluhan dahil siguradong di papayag ang ilan sa mga kasamahan ni Jinggoy sa BAP. Huwag naman sanang maggapangan pa sa pwesto. Tutal, may mga ilan pa rin naman sa kanila ang magiging opisyal ng SBP. Ika nga ni Jinggoy “sacrifice move” ang ginawa niya at sana’y maunawaan ito ng kanyang mga kasama. Magkaisa na lng at magtulunganpara sa pagsulong ng basketball sa bansa. Tigilan na ang pamumulitika!
                  Kung magiging maganda ang takbo ng kasunduang ito at tatanggalin na ang suspensyon ng FIBA sa Pinas, makapagpapadala na tayo ng kinatawan ngayong taon sa SEABA-qualifying meet para sa ABC na qualifying event nman para sa 2008 Beijing Olympics.
                   Sana nga ay magkaroon na ng magandang resulta ang kasunduang ito. Maraming Pinoy ang tiyak na matutuwa dahil maraming nagmamahal sa basketball.
                     Natunghayan na natin ang iba’ty ibang isyu sa sports at pagkakaroon ng pulitika rito.
                     Nawa’y tigilan na ng mga pulitikong ito ang ginagawa nilang di nakabubuti sa sports sa bansa. Gampanan nila nang marapat ang kanilang mga tungkulin. maglingkod sila sa bayan. Gumawa sila ng mga hakbang para sa ikauunlad ng sports sa bansa. Huwag silang manggamit ng mga atleta o manlalaro para sa pansariling interes. Huwag silang maghanap ng swete sa mga ito.
                     Kung gusto talaga nilang swertihin sa kanilang political career, bakit di nila gayahin si Bata na hindi naliligo tuwing siya’y may laban kaya nman nananalo siya! O ano, wag na lang kayong maligo kung wala rin nmang mababago sa inyo!! Bagong Taon na, magbago na tayo….
                     Happy New Year!!!

What the People Should Know….

{ February 6, 2007 @ 12:54 pm } · { Politicians }
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What the People Should Know….

Irene Santos

 

            The Philippine Midterm election is just months away yet both the government and

 

opposition camps up to this time still don’t have the people who will compose the much

 

speculated senatorial slate giving the opportunity for the people to suspend their choice of

 

candidates based on in which side of the administration-opposition dichotomy candidates

 

belong. But let us pause for a moment to consider what we should expect from those

 

politicians who will run this election. 

 

            Winning the election isn’t a rocket science but it is harder than rocket science for

 

the latter is much easier to communicate with like minded colleague than the former to an

 

audience.  I can surmise that for the past elections people had voted based on personality

 

rather than consideration of policies.    A 500 meter road with a big banner bearing the

 

name of the politician who ordered its construction will be deeply impressed in the mind

 

of typical and indifferent Filipino voter as an act of public service regardless of the fact

 

that it is the only road constructed during the six year term of the politician-candidate. 

 

This is stereotype of a Filipino voter thinking that his vote is worth next meal rather than

 

his nation’s long term progress. 

 

            It is on this scene that we should be able to reform the consciousness of every

 

Filipino.  For starters what should be our guidelines in choosing our candidates? 

 

1. Political personality- personality should not be disregarded in winning the election but it should not be the be-all basis for voting.  A voter should discern the character, integrity, and leadership apart from the charisma portrayed in a one hour campaign program.

 

 

2. Commitment to public service- the reason political science is included in college curriculum is for the knowledge of our duties and what should we expect from those we choose to lead us.  In addition to this the operational knowledge of law making, judicial process, and basic rights will help citizen to delineate and participate in the political process.  Our voice is important in public policy planning so we should choose those candidates who can listen among the various cries of every interest and pressure groups in society and who can solidify the legitimate voice into a concrete public policy. 

 

            These are the two basic guidelines in choosing whom to vote this election although not comprehensive I believe that a simple change in the hearts and minds of every Filipino can take us a half or whole step into achieving political stability. As what we used to say in Ederlyn’s class don’t be stupid! Make a difference! God bless!

LIBERALISM AND CONSERVATISM In the Philippines

{ February 6, 2007 @ 12:53 pm } · { Political Ideologies }
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LIBERALISM AND CONSERVATISM In the Philippines
Joyce R. VictorinoLiberalism and Conservatism mean different things to different people, places and periods of time. In the Philippine setting, liberalism exists in the form of liberal democracy—which is our form of government, the Republican Democracy, the actuality of the multiparty pluralism and not solely because of liberal parties. Conservatism, on the other hand, also exists in the Philippines on account that our state historically has a Christian nation.  But what really is meant by liberalism and conservatism?

Liberalism, according to Wikipedia, is an ideology, a philosophical view, and a political tradition which holds that liberty is the primary political value. Broadly speaking, it emphasizes individual rights. It seeks a society   characterized by freedom of thought for individuals, limitations on power (especially of government and religion), the rule of law, the free exchange of ideas, a market economy that supports free private enterprise, and a transparent system of government in which the rights of all citizens are protected. In modern society, liberals favor a liberal democracy with open and fair elections, where all citizens have equal rights by law and equal opportunity to succeed.
Many new liberals advocate a greater degree of government interference in the free market, often in the form of anti-discrimination laws, civil service examinations, universal education, and progressive taxation. This philosophy frequently extends to a belief that the government should provide for a degree of general welfare, including benefits for the unemployed, housing for the homeless, and medical care for the sick. Such publicly-funded initiatives and interferences in the market are rejected by modern advocates of classical liberalism, which emphasizes free private enterprise, individual property rights and freedom of contract; classical liberals hold that economic inequality, as arising naturally from competition in the free market, does not justify the violation of private property rights.
Liberalism rejected many foundational assumptions which dominated most earlier theories of government, such as the Divine Right of Kings, hereditary status, and established religion. Fundamental human rights that all liberals support include the right to life, liberty, and property.
Liberal ideology heavily relies on the notion that human beings are rational individuals who are capable of living freely by reason. Although self-interested and competitive among one another, it is within proper bounds that humans are able to control passions and desires. Liberalism aims for equality in the sense opportunity in the means of competition, success and liberty.

Conservatism, on the other hand, is a political philosophy that usually favors traditional values and strong foreign defense. The term derives from to conserve; from Latin conservāre, “to keep, guard, observe”. Since different cultures have different established values, conservatives in different cultures have different goals. Some conservatives seek to preserve the status quo, while others seek to return to the values of an earlier time, the status quo ante.
There are schools of conservatism namely Cultural Conservatism, a philosophy that supports preservation of the heritage of a nation or culture; Religious Conservatism, which purpose is to seek to preserve the teachings of some particular religion, sometimes by proclaiming the value of those teachings, at other times seeking to have those teachings given the force of law; and Fiscal conservatism, the economic philosophy of prudence in government spending and debt. In other words, a government does not have the right to run up large debts and then throw the burden on the taxpayer; the taxpayers’ right not to be taxed oppressively takes precedence even over paying back debts a government may have imprudently undertaken. 
Conservative ideology generally regards liberty as a valuable aspect in life. However, freedom is only considered substantial under certain circumstances. These circumstances are aimed to uphold social order by controlling one’s actions and thinking to be wise instead of a result of an immediate passion. Because of fear of suddden chaos, the idea of liberty does not appeal to conservatives. 

With the definitions of these two political ideologies, generally, the Philippines exhibit the marks of a liberal democracy because of the presence of our form of government and the constitution. But in some ways, our country still remains conservative when it comes to our culture and religious beliefs. Furthermore, although the separation of the church and state is declared in our charter, there remain times when the church meddles with the affairs of our government. And our liberal democratic government still honors the opinion of the conservative sector. 

Presidential and Parliamentary system: a comparison

{ February 6, 2007 @ 12:53 pm } · { Political and Government Systems }
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Presidential and Parliamentary system: a comparison

by: Karla Katigbak

          Philippines is now facing challenges on what system of government can make a proggressive country. For you, is it a Parliamentary or a Presidential system?
          Parliamentary system is distinguished by the executive branch of government being dependent on the direct or indirect support of the parliament often expressed through a vote of confidence. A parliament is a legislative. The name is derived from the french parliament, the action of parler (to speak) in parliament is a talk, a discussion, hence a meeting where people discuss matters of parliamentary government. The authority is vested in a parliament and there is no clear cut in separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches, leading to a lack of the checks and balances found in a presidential republic. In a parliamentary system, people vote the members of the parliament and from the members of the parliament they will vote for their prime minister and the vote of no confidence can be done by the members of the parliament if they thought that the prime minister is not capable enough to lead. There are many advantages of a parliamentary systyem. First is that it is easierand quicker to to pass legislation with in a parliamentary system. This is because the executive branch is dependent upon the direct or indirect support of the legislative branch and often includes members of the legislative. Second, the World bank study found that parliamentary systems are associated with lower corruptions. Lastly, parties in parliamentary system have had much tighter idelogy than in presidential system.There are also criticism of parliamentarism and the main criticism of many parliamentary system is that the head of the government cannot be directly voted by the people. In presidential system, the presidents is directly chosen by the people , or by a set of electors directly chosen by the people but in a parliamentary system the prime minister is elected by the party leadership. There are also many kinds of parliamentary system like the British Parliament which is often referred to as the ” Mother of Parliaments”. It is from England and it is the model form of other paraliamentary system.
          Presidential system, also called a congresional system, is a system of government where the executive branch exists and presides supports from the legislative. There are many characteristics of a presidential system of goverment. One is that the president is both the head of state and the government and he/she has a fixed term of office. The president has also the power to pardon or commute sentences of convicted criminals and he/she is directly elected by the people. The president can be removed from office through the process of impeachment. There are also criticism in a presidential system like it is not constitutionally stable that’s why it has tendency towards authoritarianism. It is also difficult to remove an unsuitable president from office before his/her term has expired. In a presidential system, the president usually has special privileges in the enactment of legislation, namely the possession of a power of veto over legislation of bills. In the enactment of legislation, the president has the power to directly propose laws or cast or vote on legislation. The central principle in presidential system is that the difference between legislative and executive branches of government. The executive, legislative and judiciary are performing their own duty and this is the separation of power but they must check each other to make sure if the other branches is performing their job properly and this is the check and balance.
          There are many difference between parliamentary and presidential system and they have their own disadvantages and advantages. Some of our government officials are pursuing for presidential to parliament and others are contented. But still the question is what is the best for our country and for the people? For me, any system will do as long as it will benefit the people. Any system can make our life better , the real problem is the character of our government officials.

A Benevolent Dictator is Preferable to Democracy

{ February 6, 2007 @ 12:52 pm } · { Political and Government Systems }
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A Benevolent Dictator is Preferable to Democracy
(An Average Reasonable Person’s Point of View) 

Kristine Rosales

 Since I was born, I’ve been introduced in a community where one and all has freedom of expression, where each can observe their so- called “rights”. In my eighteen years of existing in this country, I’ve been impervious of several rallies and many political issues of the country. Poignant to say, most of these issues shaped negative fallout.
           
            When I was a youngster, I don’t know what those people on the streets are doing and what for are those placards and funny and distorted faces of some politicians that they sometimes use to burn. I don’t discern why they scream on the streets and why they get wet or sometimes why I see bloods on their faces or sometimes why some of them get jailed.
I never know how these men play their roles in this society.
 
            As I grow up, and become open about those things that are connected in politics we have, I begin to understand that politics here will always be an enigma or a problem perhaps.
 
            On the process of indulging politics, I found out: well, idyllically, I found out that democracy has been the best system since it is for the people, by the people and to the people. No wonder why Philippines have adopted this system after a hundred years of colonization. Now I know why rallies exist because of a simple reason- that they are practicing their “rights”. But as verve goes on, as I let myself observe more about how Philippine politics and government work, I cant help myself but to mumble this: “There is something wrong with democracy or is it really democracy which is off beam? Is it really applicable for us Filipinos?” I began to realize that democracy doesn’t help us to have an ideal politics but rather it tolerates political clash like administration vs. opposition, that also democracy let us to have rampant political killings, that democracy opens the door for some groups to fight against the government like NPA, Abu Sayyaf, MILF of MNLF, that democracy makes us apprehend that in this country, it has never been a solution to alleviate poverty or to make us progressive.
 
            Democracy would not be a key for the country’s problem. But hey, I am not taken for granted the advantages that democracy has given me. Yes, it lets me put into practice my number of rights as well as letting other people’s right too. And the problem starts here, “How do we practice and interpret democracy?” Look at the situation happened when Proclamation 1017 executed, there are the two sides of the coin. The administration said that it’s just a matter of regulation but the anti’s disagree because they say it is suppression. So which is which? Who is correct?
 
            I realized that in establishing a system, we have to mull over the characters and personalities of those people who will run, follow and live with that system. I guess, democracy doesn’t fit our characters. We Filipinos have so much faith in our thinking, “masyado tayong nagmamagaling”. We always assert that we are wiser than others, we always note  that we have better ways than other people’s way therefore creating turmoil. We always want to speak and we don’t listen to revere others but care to listen just to negate them. No one wants to follow but everyone wants to lead. That’s how we think, do and speak.  And democracy even tolerates this character, resulting to different twigs to “progress” and of course being confuse of what twig should we take: of what is best.
 
            I began to grasp that we need a system that can have power over us. We need restraint. A system that can give us a firm decision making and the system that can qualify this is DICTATORSHIP. Yes, dictatorship. We need someone, an intellectual one, that will decide and that will governed to avoid so much “pagmamagaling ng  karamihan”.
 
            Remember Marcos years? It’s said that the Philippines has its splendid years in his time. We have once became a tiger of Asia, once became a peril, once became economically stable, once who almost reach its peak to success, too bad that Marcos has been removed because of people power, the people no longer have the trust on him. He is very intellectual and there is no doubt about it but then there is something lacking on him: the uprightness, the moral side.
 
            To make an ideal system of dictatorship, we need someone who is not only intelligent but a person who can be trustful, a person who can get people’s respect: someone who’s benevolent. Ah, yes! A benevolent dictator is what we need. Dictatorship created a bad icon because of the past dictators who are not so good in their characters but observe the economy under this system, the stability of government, the influence and the power. It is irrefutable that dictatorship offers the best outcome and to make it acceptable, we need a benevolent dictator.
 
            In the end if the day, I firmly believe that dictatorship is preferable to democracy. It might be deplorable at first because of what had happened in the past but try to broaden our way if thinking and later we’ll see that for us Filipinos, we need this. We need a man who will rule and control us, someone who’s intelligent: someone who’s benevolent. Where can we find that someone? Well maybe the one who read this, maybe its YOU.

Pamahalaan: Esensyal ba sa pagbuo ng isang Nasyon?

{ February 6, 2007 @ 12:51 pm } · { Political and Government Systems }
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Pamahalaan: Esensyal ba sa pagbuo ng isang Nasyon?

Lea Baluyot

       Ano nga ba ang bumubuo sa isang nasyon? Ang mga tao bang nakatira dito? Ang teritoryo? Klima? Kultura? o ang isang pamahalaan? Isang pamahalaan na magtatakda ng mga batas, magpapatupad ng hustisya at tutulong sa pag-unlad ng kanilang nasasakupan. Hindi ba tayo uunlad o magiging matatag kung walang gobyerno?
      Mula pa noong unang panahon, kahit pa sa pinakamatatandang kasulatan ay may mga ebidensya na noon pa man ay may sistema na ng pinuno at tagasunod. Mga paroon o pharaoah ng piramido ng Ehipto, mga hari ng Europa at mga Sultan sa mga balangay ng Pilipinas, iba- iba man ang tawag ngunit lahat ay napapaloob sa konsepto ng pamahalaan. Kaya umuunlad ang mga bansa ngayon ay dahil na rin sa mga sinaunang pamahalaan ng mga bansang ito. Unti-unting yumabong ang mga prinsipyo ng gobyerno, mula sa “ Batas ni Hammurabi “, hanggang sa mga saligang batas natin ngayon, mga panginoong piyudal noong panahon ng piyudalismo na namumuno sa isang tiyak na lugar ay naging mga gobernador, mayor at congressman, habang ang mga hari ay ang mga presidente at prime minister sa kasalukuyan. Makikitang hindi ito nawala sa ating sistema ng ating pamumuhay, isang siklo na nagsimula pa noong unang panahon at ebolusyunal na umunlad habang tumatagal.
     Masasabi natin narito tayo sa ating kinalalagyan dahil sa pamahalaan. Hindi usapin kung anuman ang uri ng pamahalaan, anu pa man ang uri nito ang mahalaga ginagampanan parin nito ang pangunahing layunin tulad ng kapayapaan sa nasasakupan, tulong sa mga mamamayan, tulong medikal, kaayusan at seguridad ng kapaligiran at pag-abot sa kaunlaran. Mabubuhay ba tayo sa isang lugar na walang batas? Sa isang lugar na walang parusa ang kamalian? Ang isang lugar na walang pamahalaan ay isang mundo ng karimlan, na kung saan lahat ay kanya-kanya at ang direksyon ng kanilang buhay ay walang sinusunod na pamantayan.
     Sa kabuuan, napakahalaga ng pamahalaan upang maging matatag ang isang bansa. Anuman ang uri nito, ito ang susi o  nagiging daan ng kaunlaran ng isang nasyon.

MILITARISM: AFP Modernization Funds Proceedings- Office Supplies and Catering Bills?

{ February 6, 2007 @ 12:50 pm } · { Militarization }
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MILITARISM: AFP Modernization Funds Proceedings- Office Supplies and Catering Bills?Jezza Blastique
 
 
            In December 1996, Republic Act No. 7898, known as the AFP Modernization Act has been approved by Congress- both Upper and Lower Houses. The law envisioned the upgrading of appropriate technology and equipments for the 21st Century Armed Forces of the Philippines .
            Ten years had passed, but very little of what has been dreamt of is acquired. The AFP soldiers are now using helicopters and fixed-wing aircrafts, night vision goggles, bullet proof vests and helmets for protection in their anti-in surgery operations- in their dreams! The scenes of victory in bullet-exchange fights are blurred, well of course, because they just happen in the Filipino soldier’s minds. Imagine the dangers they are facing, the perils they are encountering, the risks, everyday because of lack of these equipments which emerging from only one reason- corruption of allocated funds for AFP Modernization.
            Government auditors and budget officials found out that there is a feeble control over AFP funds. And instead spent for acquisition of state-of-the-art tech and equips, huge amount of the budget proceed to purchase of office supplies and catering bills for the activities that had taken place. Does this mean the nation’s protectors are a big bunch of gluttons? And one hell of a flock of suckers for office supplies? No… maybe the soldiers and lower-rank employees are innocent of these charges and they’re just merely the victims. Then who’s to blame? Is there any lawful process that had taken place in AFP Budgeting? Check the unusually large figures used as payment for office supplies and catering services, together with the circumstances of purchasing (which I think are doubtful) in the leaves of newspaper and be the judge.
            I myself could not fathom why several millions, about P140M for that matter, spent for Philippines Army, Air Force and General Headquarters office supplies in just a three-year span, 2001-2004! A “thinking” person will definitely wonder why such huge amount of peso burst and disappeared like a bubble. I can imagine the AFP offices with many reams of coupon bonds and whole-sale boxes of printer ink cartridges. And oh! Meetings with delicious and expensive foods. Bowls of caviar are joining the picture in my mind…

Politics and Mass Media

{ February 6, 2007 @ 12:49 pm } · { Media }
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Politics and Mass Media

Carlo Mayo P. Antalan
If am to run for a government position in the future, there would be things I would like to im improve and develop within my self my singing, dancing, and acting talents. The idea is not vague to not be undestood. The logic is The more you are seen on television, the more you are recognized and the greater are your chances for winning.
Politics and mass media are different and supposed to be separate entities and should stay that way. However, in today’s era, politics is greatly influenced by mass media and vice versa. The entertainment industry becomes the nursery and breeding ground of politician wanna bes. Action star becomes president; news acnchor turns vice president; from basketball player to senator; singer to governor. This is not to belittle the capabilities of these television personalities but to plunge in the chaotic world of politics requires not good looks or entertaining talents. But knowledge and experience on the art of handling people. Looking back on our history, these persons were indeed able to made their way to politics. However, if not dethrown, were not reelected once more. The masses mignt have seen and felt unsatisfaction with regards to their performance. These people failed to last long. On the matter of media influenced by politics, we could not deny the fact that news we hear, especially when has something to do with the government are tampered by those who are seated on the position. A giant television network was alleged to took side during the 2004 presidential elections. This television network was believed to support the candidacy of a presidentiable and her running mates. The result was of course favorable on their side. This action may be called mutualism, a partnership for benefits. In turn, the network could ask favors from those who owe them debt of gratitude. Our supposedly watchdogs and eyes become unreliable source of truthful information.
The latter actions are for us people to decide on. We people must come to realize that superheroes on boobtube are but ordinary people of the real world. Political and economic problems are not knocked out by punches. More than volcanic eruptions and floods news anchors conquer. Cannot be won over by how many shoots you make on the ring. Leaders must be chosen on the basis of their capabilities for it is us who suffer from the wrong decisions we make. And we must always keep an eye on the activities of our government. Be vigilant. Because what we see on television might be no different from fantasy shows, deceiving.

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