On Politics and Power

The print and broadcast media reports that Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa’s US visa was ordered cancelled by Washington, DC allegedly for human rights violation for the continued detention of Senator Leila De Lima. This did not come a surprise. It is common knowledge that the United States is a staunch advocate of the preservation of human rights.This cancellation might also be connected with the so- called ARIA or “Asia Reassurance Initiative Act”, which imposes sanctions on countries whose practices or government policies go against International Human Rights Standards. Incidentally, US President Trump himself is facing impeachment proceedings, as announced by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, with six committees undertaking formal impeachment inquiries. Grounds for the impeachment include alleged violation of the Foreign Emoluments Clause of the US Constitution by accepting payments from foreign dignitaries, alleged collusion with Russia during the campaign for the 2016 US presidential election and alleged obstruction of justice in relation to investigation pertinent to the collusion claim. Some political pundits however, claim that impeachment being a numbers game, President Trump will survive this test in his political career.

On the local scenario, reports are that a Social Weather Station (SWS) survey shows President Rodrigo R. Duterte with a net satisfaction rating of +72 in the last three (3) months of 2019, per emailed results of the nationwide survey of 1,200 from December 13-16, 2019. The same survey also showed that 72% of the Filipinos are “worried” about the health of DU30 “who has earlier complained of suffering from daily migraine and issues in the spine and digestive tract.” That Filipinos continue to support him despite his controversial policies is an indicator that we have a long way to go in our political maturity as a nation.

TRIVIA: Congratulations to Don Shea, newly elected President of the Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the in-coming members of the Board of Directors for the oath-taking this coming January 23, 2020 which will be held at Royale Emelina. It will also be the Induction of New Members.

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK: “MONEY, IN TRUTH, CAN DO MUCH BUT IT CANNOT DO ALL. WE MUST KNOW THE PROVINCE OF IT, AND CONFINE IT THERE. AND EVEN SPURN IT BACK WHEN IT WISHES TO GET FURTHER.” CARLYLE

FOR OUR WORD OF LIFE: “THE LIGHT OF FAITH MAKES US SEE WHAT WE BELIEVE.” ST THOMAS AQUINAS