Reading 101

Netnet Camomot

HAVE you read the 1987 Philippine Constitution?

That was the most important question at the Regional Consultative Hearing on Proposals to Amend the 1987 Constitution held last Feb. 22 at the Xavier-Ateneo Sports Center, Pueblo de Oro, Cagayan de Oro.

So, have you? If no, then, why are you joining the clamor for its amendment?

How can you propose an amendment to something you haven’t read yet? Much like, how to edit a piece without reading it.

Sen. Kiko Pangilinan was there and all I could ask him was, Nasaan si Ate Shawie? And he replied, Gumagawa ng pelikula. And I said, Oh, akala ko she’s with Gabby.

Yup, that’s me. Amidst the discussion on Charter change (cha-cha), constitutional convention (con-con), and constitutional assembly (con-ass), all I could think of was, Where’s Ate Shawie? A municipal councilor said she saw Ate Shawie once when the latter joined Sen. Kiko’s campaign sorties. Oh, I missed that. Darn.

The campaign period is crucial to the Pinoy’s future. If he’s convinced enough to vote for a particular candidate, no thanks to the politician’s public relations strategy, his choice can lead to another round of cha-cha, con-con, and con-ass due to a constitution that’s not properly implemented.

A political campaign is all about PR and how to rush from Point A to Point B without reading the Philippine Constitution, with A as nowhere and nothing, and B as bic…, er., victory.

Okay, let’s pretend each political candidate does read the constitution and he knows what he’s talking about when he invokes his right against self-discrimination, er, -incrimination.

Since Pinoy professionals can only renew their licenses once they’ve met the required number of Continuing Professional Development units, each political wannabe should at least be required to read the constitution and pass an exam that includes queries such as, What is the rule of law?

It’s the madlang pehpohl who have to pass many challenges from finals to board exams, while the only criterion for a political candidate is popularity. That’s how actors and sports celebrities end up in the Senate which for now has the pambansang kamao. After Election 2019, it can also have the pambansang photobomber, plus the hepe ng pambansang pulisya.

The madlang pehpohl have the power to finally have a country they can be proud of. The Pinoy has often been blamed for not being nationalistic. Well, how to be nationalistic while stuck in traffic? While waiting for the garbage to be collected. While watching a Facebook Live coverage of a Senate hearing—Dengvaxia, navy frigates deal, P6.4-billion shabu, ad infinitum, ad nauseam.

In addition to watching Senate hearings in aid of legislation, the Pinoy should also read a lot. Read the 1987 Philippine Constitution. Read the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law. Read about federalism. I’m not saying the latest news on Gabby Concepcion and Sharon Cuneta is not important. I’m simply saying it’s important to read more.

But the madlang pehpohl don’t have time to read. Even I—a certified member of the madlang pehpohl—don’t have time to read despite the fact that I love to read.

Still, information is the key to awareness. It’s even the key to success. A well-informed Pinoy can easily determine if a president, senator, congressman, governor, mayor, and the other government officials he respects are indeed worthy to be respected.

There are people you tend to put on a pedestal. You respect them, admire them, defend them. And then something happens. The respect and admiration plunge into the abyss, wasting all those years that you defended them. Well, live and learn.

The barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections this summer will be the appetizer to next year’s election.

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Commission on Elections said it’s essential to elect barangay officials who are matino, mahusay, at maasahan. DILG Undersecretary Martin Dino also warned voters against selling their precious votes: “Tandaan ‘nyo: iyong isang araw na sarap, tatlong taong paghihirap pagka nakakuha tayo ng isang bugok na barangay captain at kagawad.”

Oh. So, it’s not only the appetizer, it’s also the training ground for vote buying. Wheeeee!

The DILG is also emphasizing the need to reactivate the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (Badac). Otherwise, well, here are the details from DILG Assistant Secretary for External and Legislative Affairs Ricojudge Janvier Echiverri: “The DILG may file cases against you (barangay officials) with the Ombudsman or with the Office of the President.”

With barangay officials also allegedly involved in drugs, how can the Badac function? Hmmm. Esep-esep!

At least two governors, and many city and municipal mayors, vice mayors, councilors, and other government officials attended the consultative hearing on the constitutional amendment proposals. We presumed all of them have read the constitution and know about cha-cha, con-con, and con-ass—they have no excuse not to know.

As for the madlang pehpohl, do they have an excuse not to know?

Some people do have an easy excuse for amending the 1987 Philippine Constitution: It’s old. 31 years old to be exact. Which may prompt 31-year-old Pinoys to invoke their right against self-discrimination: Who says we’re old?!

The 1986 People Power had its 32nd anniversary yesterday. That’s even older than 31 years old. And yet, Pinoys continue to revive it with a rally here, a protest there, a People Power wannabe everywhere. So, it’s not the age. It’s the edge, which Urban Dictionary defines as the “guitarist of the great Irish band U2.” Wait, no. That’s not the definition we’re looking for.

The edge is defined as “the outside limit of an object, area, or surface.”

Operative word: “limit.”