My thoughts on the SC Ruling of Marcos' Burial

image taken from kami.com.ph

8 November 2016 -- Today, the Supreme Court of the Philippines with a 9-5 vote and one inhibition, has decided to have the body of former President Ferdinand Marcos to be buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Cemetery of Heroes). 

Finally 27 years after his death and after 2 Aquino Presidents in the country, this happened.

I am not a Pro nor an Anti Marcos and I truly can feel for those who suffered during his governance. I understand that Martial Law victims and family of victims have been deeply scarred and traumatized with the inhumane deeds that were done to them. There were a lot of horrid stories that I've read and saw on the movies as well. It is easy for me to say but I think it is high time to move on from that. 

The Supreme Court as the highest court of the land must have well studied the case according to the rule of law and the constitution. Since Marcos' death, there were a lot of chances for the previous administrations to have avoided this chaos if they did go over the conditions and who can and should be buried in that cemetery. Instead they must've been making sure that influence and possibly wealth to circulate among them.

The SC just upholded what was in the constitution, specifically Republic Act 289 of which is an Act providing for the construction of a national pantheon for Presidents of the Philippines, National Heroes and Patriots of the country. 

I understand the outcry of some people but we have a law and it must be followed. If only it was revised and studied very well to be more precise by the people whom we trusted or elected then, more or less we could have been satisfied with the outcome of this case.

In the end, it's only a decomposing body that will be buried. EDSA and People Power will always be in our hearts, minds and history books.There is no use crying over spilled milk now because of this ruling. This issue has long divided the nation, as what President Duterte said. Burying him there or wherever will never change the more important issues we have now such as the proliferation of drugs. It is high time to focus on the important and pressing matters which will affect our future and not the past which, I'm sure, we've already learned from. 

Laglag Bala

As an overseas worker who misses home so much, I try to keep updated with the news back in the Philippines. It's not difficult to keep updated now with the various social media channels that are available to all via the internet. A few months earlier, my country had the issue of Balikbayan boxes being opened by customs officer who are trying to check either illegal smuggling of undeclared goods. The sad thing is that most, if not all, of these boxes were delivered incomplete to the intended receivers. A lot reported that many goods from their boxes were stolen. The issues did not end there. 

Now, the new issue we have in the Philippines is about laglag bala or bullet dropping. Reports have it that the personnel of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport would drop a bullet on the bags of unsuspecting passenger. When these bags pass by the xray, they would then inform the passenger to open the bag revealing the bullet. From the articles that I have read, most of these bullets are found on bag pockets. The personnel would then inform the poor victim that they would be taken to the police and will have a criminal record because of the possession of the ammunition. They would then offer another option, of course in secret. This charge will not be reported to the police and no record will appear if the poor passenger can provide a large amount of money. Extortion at its finest.

There was a Filipina OFW that was victimized with this scam. She was flying back to Hongkong where she works as a domestic helper. This is her way to help feed and provide for the needs of her family. I believe she has been coming back and forth from Hongkong to the Philippines and this particular time, she was found with a bullet in her bag. I strongly believe that the bullet was not hers What is she going to do with a bullet? Why would she jeopardize her name and her job with bringing a bullet to the airport where there is maximum security? The poor woman served a few days in jail and was brought out on bail. Of course, she missed her flight and in addition have to shell out cash for the bail. This is just one of the many stories of the victims of this latest Philippine airport scam.

Filipino people are now calling out to the Philippine government regarding this issue. It has been found out that this scam has been going on for years already. Netizens urged everyone to keep an eye on their bags and provided options on how to avoid it. 

This photo I found on Facebook depicts having not only check in bags but also carry on bags to be wrapped. Surely no open pockets will be prone for bullet planting. 

Funny photo I saw again from Facebook. To be sure not even  your own pockets are vulnerable for bullet dropping. I wonder how he breathes, though.

Netizens also have been posting tips on do's and don'ts in case a bullet has successfully found its way into your bag. One of the sensible tip is to not to open the bag and ask for the presence of a lawyer or a police. Also, not to touch the bullet found inside your bag. This will prevent ones fingerprint on the bullet and may be a strong evidence pointing out that the bullet is not owned by the bag owner.

I am sad that this unscrupulous act is happening in my country. How can they expect people to be calm while in the airport. I have been on a solo backpacking trip last week and every time fellow backpackers would know that I am from the Philippines, they would exclaim that they plan to visit my country one of these months. I begged for them to delay their visit. It hurts me that I cannot promote my own country because of this scam. I am ashamed to encourage them to have a holiday on our beautiful islands because I do not want them victimized. I hope the government would stop putting on a deaf ear to these complaints and issues. It is important to us overseas workers, or travelers, to feel safe when we arrive and depart Philippines. It makes us feel proud that our country would be well known as kind and smiling people and not this extortionist kind of bastards. 

Every time I travel to airports of other countries, I feel a pang of jealousy. They have clean restrooms, kind staff and efficient systems. Why can't this be in the Philippines, too? Why are the airport personnel tarnishing the name of our country all for the love of money? Having a lot of money is good in this life, it can help us buy whatever we want but in the end it cannot be brought with us to heaven. And that is where we will be judged of all the actions we did here on earth.

I pray for the Philippines to get thru this and for the airport personnel to stop their scam.

Thank you and 'til my next blog!