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EDITORIAL
Crusader
The
Publishers Students of Xavier University
I
Editors Ryan Louie G. Madrid Editor-in-Chief Bianca Nathalie Y. Llamis Associate Editor Jose Alfonso P. Sendaydiego Design Editor Glenn Paolo A. Goopio Managing Editor John Kenneth E. Ching News Editor Ma. Therese D. Agcopra Campus Features Editor Hannah Mae S. Salugsugan Local Features Editor Ma. Rosetti G. Villamor National Features Editor Nadine Hendrikka E. Legaspi Global Features Editor Lyle Justin A. Egay Sports Editor Kristoffer James L. Nambatac Layout Editor Haiko B. Magtrayo Photography Editor Alexes June E. Baslot Freehand Editor
Sirens
n front of the watchful eyes of the Filipino nation, President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino delivered a 57-minute speech that can be best summarized in one word. Wang-wang. This object is as loud as PNoy’s stand against corruption in the government. His drive for the abolishment of malpractices prevalent during the past regime that carried on until his rise to office has always been the focal point of his platform. It is that drive for truth that led him to announce the surprise appointment of former Supreme Court Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales as Ombudsman. Judging by the initial reactions from the crowd, the hiring is well-placed. It is that same drive for truth that led him to expose the Php 1 billion “coffee budget” of PAGCOR employees for August 2001 – June 2010, punctuated by the statement, “Hanapin nga po natin sila, at matanong: nakakatulog pa po kayo?” It is that drive that enabled his determination to expose every administrative and financial irregularity – electoral or not – he can find as he digs through the remnants of the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo administration. PNoy’s crusade against wang-wang, his symbolization of corrupt and opportunistic persons who use power and prestige for fulfillment of self-interest, composed the main theme of his speech. While it is admirable that the President is taking the fight against government corruption personally, let us not lose sight of the other matters clouding
Finance Officers Shola Mae Rose G. Zamayla Senior Finance Officer Frances Joy G. Tan Junior Finance Officer (Trainee)
his administration. Take into consideration his net satisfaction rating that plunged to +45 in June from a high of +62 in September 2010. While that earned him a “good” ranking, it might have meant that the public didn’t feel the progress he bragged about. On the bright side, the +45 rating is the highest for an administration since 1989, and that he earned positive marks in other issues. Speaking of ratings, the major blemish in that Social Weather Service report is the minus-16 his administration garnered in its handling of the Maguindanao Massacre case. Adding insult to injury, he did not include this issue (or any development of it) in his SONA, which irritated the families of the victims. One of the highlights in President Aquino’s speech is the decrease in the unemployment rate, from 8.0% in April 2010 to 7.2% a year later according to the National Statistics Office (NSO). That’s supposed to be a good thing, but it masks the fact that during the period, NSO has recorded the increased number of the underemployed from 17.8% to 19.4%. Though the administration managed to create more jobs, it did little on having the right people work in them. It seems that P-Noy, in his determination to walk “the straight and righteous path”, has sidestepped many issues that might detract him from it. Take for example the no-show of the RH Bill in his speech, despite the
Managers Caroline Joy R. Go Human Resource Manager Ruth Anne B. Suson Office Manager Kristoffer James L. Nambatac Computer Systems Manager Janrick Romales Jr. Computer Systems Manager (Trainee)
heat that continually engulfs this issue. There are those who may argue, “It is still the first year of his term. Why be cynical already?” Why? For as early as now, his approach to various issues in his term appears to be inconsistent at best. There also seems to be no clear and concrete road map as to where PNoy intends to take the country within his tenure, save for his all-out push for the eradication of corrupt practices. More importantly, he comes off as passive in times when the country needs a firm leader, like what he displayed in the Quirino Grandstand hostage crisis. Whether that’s his style or not, chinks in his leadership come into view. The Filipino people, as a whole, are not exactly the most patient of nationalities around. Any development should be done swiftly and effectively if he wants to retain the trust (and the positive rating) until the end of his tenure. It is disappointing that Aquino had to use his drive against corruption to cover his shortcomings in other areas. Like how a homeowner covers the windows with curtains to enclose the mess inside, PNoy masterfully packaged his speech through bragging his administration’s accomplishments and progresses that it conceals the lack of definite, practical solutions present. This is something to raise our sirens about.C
Staff Writers Ressan Nash N. Alonto (Trainee) Saharah Iman M. Alonto Angelo Bernice C. Cabildo (Trainee) Sam D. Garcia (On-leave) Caroline Joy R. Go Dharyl Jean A. Indino (Trainee) Marc Stephen S. Manuel (Trainee) Kamya G. Mordeno Ruth Anne B. Suson Princess E. Tolentino (Trainee) Leasusana C. Ty (Trainee) Jacqueline P. Uy Anna Althea W. Vergara (Trainee) Robert A. Villaluz Jr. (Trainee) Joule Artemson D. Visabella Staff Artists Francis Ryan O. Avellana (Trainee) Rochelle D. Barros (Trainee) Richard Mars Caberte Jenamae G. Espineli (Trainee) Carlo John M. Gaid Christian Louie S. Gamolo (Trainee) Feliciano T. Legara IV (Trainee) Rico M. Magallona (Trainee) Arsenio F. Meneses III (Trainee) Breisa V. Moralde Carmi Yvette C. Salcedo Venice Marie P. Villo (Trainee) Moderator Ann Catherine Ticao-Acenas For contributions, please address your articles and/or comments to TheCrusader Publication office, StC 302 Xavier University 9000 Cagayan de Oro City Circulation: 2, 200 copies Vol. 38 No. 3 Aug 2011 | Layout by Jose Alfonso P. Sendaydiego
OPINION
Not a hindrance
No kidding, Sherlock. Lyle Justin A. Egay
“My family is really poor.” This is turning into some sort of mantra for people of all ages appearing on variety shows that are being broadcast on national television, just to earn money. Try watching one of those noontime (or primetime) game shows. Hell, watch any reality or talent-based programs with money at stake, and you’ll hear the same thing most of the time. It might sound monotonous, but it appears that it is very effective on the viewers and even the judges who decide whether or not these contestants should stay on the show. For instance, in this particularly popular talent game show where contestants were taken from all parts of the country, one applicant only had to say that he didn’t bring any fare for the trip home to get the judges to vote for him. Whether or not this intentionally done to earn sympathy cannot be proven, but organizers’ approval of these appeals to pity is highly uncalled for, for lack of a better term. I know that most of them are sincere
and perhaps want to be actors/actresses just to alleviate their social standings, but it appears that they are already being too “showbiz” before their acting careers have begun. But this does not apply only to people appearing on TV. It applies to everyone trying to use their lack of privileges, true or not, just to worm their way out of any hard work. Here is another concrete example that is close to home: A student is currently failing a class because of his poor performance and tries to sweet-talk the teacher to change his grade. The teacher refuses, forcing him to beg the teacher to let him pass the subject because he had paid a lot for his tuition, and his family is poor. I am not saying that people in need should not appeal to others for help. Of course, one prerequisite for one to gain access to certain aids and grants is that they do not earn a lot, and need the support for their welfare. My point is that the attitude, personality and ability of the appealing
party should also be taken into account. Anyone with a background of basic Philosophy would know that trying to earn pity just to get things their way are presenting a fallacious statement: ad misericordiam, most would call it. And it is called fallacious for a reason: it matters not if you come from a low (or high, for that matter) social status, what matters is who you are, what you can do, what you think, what you believe in. Poverty is not a hindrance to success. But using it to gain the upper hand by acting all piteous is another story. Believe it or not, it doesn’t matter if people are eating dirt and toiling day and night just to get you to where you are right now: What matters most is that you are worth their effort, and you’re giving back what they deserve.C *For comments, suggestions and/or reactions, please email the columnist at ljegay@yahoo.com