As early as when Facebook started, honestly, I admit that sometime in 2007, I opened an account, although I was mostly into reading the posts and comments. That early, I already had the feeling that posting and commenting could be an invitation to unnecessary and time-wasting chats.
I see a different situation now.
Users of Facebook and other soc-med platforms have found a spot where they can fight for what’s on their minds, insist blindly, make comments without thinking, share other posts without any deep examination of the consequences that could come, etc.
Lately, hidden and fake identities were made evident despite the pseudonyms they used, the few number of “friends” and the comments and stories that they posted. Although there were earlier soc-med “wars,” this became more intense when former President Duterte was flown to the Netherlands to face trial in the International Criminal Court or ICC.
Last week, I was rushing to catch up on the last hour of my favorite drugstore when I got trapped in bumper-to-bumper traffic that barely moved for an hour. This forced me to pay more than what I used to shell out on a normal taxi ride.
The taxi driver told me the same immobile traffic happened in La Trinidad the day before. Both unfortunate occurrences were caused by a motorcade in support of Duterte who, they think, was brought to The Hague without due process.
Indeed, the line of motor vehicles had tarpaulins with the words “Bring Home Duterte.” On FB, his supporters say he was “kidnapped.” Still, other Duterte followers say the government gave up its sovereignty when it delivered the former president to another country.
These FB posts confuse many. A person could not have been kidnapped when he was examined by doctors before boarding an airplane after talking to authorities who showed him a soft copy of his warrant of arrest. And a government could not have given away its sovereignty when it delivered a suspected criminal to a court located in another country.
Until now, the fight on FB continues. This, in addition to rallies organized here and abroad in support of Duterte. I seem to agree with the taxi driver who said only a few hundred attended the rallies this time because those who used to join knew that Duterte would no longer be physically present.
Still, there are netizens who are honest and sincere with their statements and posts on soc-med. As a non-lawyer, I found it very interesting and educational to read the opinions of lawyers and political analysts regarding the arrest of Duterte.
What is good is that they do not attack one another as compared to one senator who is expecting his own warrant of arrest. He said he is willing to be with Duterte in The Hague to help him in case his arrest warrant comes. The unsolicited advice is to provide his boss the much-needed support at this time and not wait for the warrant if he really wants to help him.
The tarps on the cars said “Bring Home Duterte.”
Why bring him back? Let him face what he wished for. In so many instances, he asked for the warrant and said in so many words that he would face the consequences of his actions.
I wanted to see a tarp with the words “Bring Home Harry Roque” but I did not see one. It is Harry who should be brought home to answer the questions related to his links with the illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) which he failed to reply to. He should come home to first defend himself instead of defending Duterte in the ICC.
Meanwhile, former senator Juan Ponce Enrile described the call for justice for former president Duterte as “pathetic irony” saying that those who committed violent acts and injustice once upon a time are now crying for justice. He lambasted them for blaming others for the problems that they created through their own arrogance, greed, and lust for power.
After several explanations focusing on both the fakes and truthful posts on soc-med, the issues should now be clearer for the ordinary Filipino.
What matters most is not how Duterte was brought to face the ICC but why he is there. The root of all this is Duterte’s failure to apply due process in the arrests and raids made against alleged drug suspects. That is why he is now in The Hague.
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Know your candidates. I keep insisting to colleagues in the media to organize or coordinate assemblies for voters who should be well-informed about who they will be choosing in the May elections. Imagine voting for someone you do not know, yet you choose them because you were told or read on soc-med that they gave away money everywhere they went.
Even promises by candidates of public works projects and other things that have yet to be implemented after the elections should not be believed easily. In all cases, funding for government projects has yet to be approved after July of every year by Congress prior to inclusion in the General Appropriations Act.
It should also be explained that the AYUDA, TUPAD, AKAP, AICS, and money being distributed are all monies of the people and do not come from the personal accounts of candidates.
The COMELEC should take the lead role in these assemblies to educate the voters, especially in the barrios.
