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The Problem with Prostitution

LEGALIZING PROSTITUTION WOULD NOT HELP PROTECT WOMEN AT ALL. It will never be dignifying for women because it will only dignify the sex industry. It is innately abusive, not just in a sexual way, but also promoting exploitative one-sided relations that would only benefit the patriarchal society. 

Some would say prostitution is a job opportunity and that they needed it because that is what they can do. It is like, “if women are often objectified, why not make a profit out of it?” mentality. It is saddening to know and see that these women have no options. This signifies that the lack of choices is indeed a sign of oppression. 

One of the ROOT CAUSES of women entering the world of prostitution is poverty. They opt for this choice out of necessity and not because they want it. They need money to sustain their needs, and some also do it to provide for their families.

Another cause is unemployment. The lack of job opportunities for women because of discrimination or even impossible qualifications made them do it. The lack of skills also contributes to the difficulties of employment and thinking that prostitution could be a choice because living in a patriarchal society, women are often viewed as sexual objects that satisfy men's sexual fantasies. 

A third cause of prostitution is because of family negligence. Women who grew up without family guidance and protection are easily swayed to pathways comprising bad decisions after bad decisions. Such vices as alcohol and substance abuse, peer pressure, and victims of sexual abuse would make them seek validation outside their homes and in the streets, offering themselves to people who “accept and love” them, which could lead to prostitution. 

Instead of legalizing it by trapping them in an abusive occupation, why not make SOLUTIONS so that they can escape from it?

One solution is to promote public awareness through educational engagements. Campaigns about women's rights and welfare are necessary, not just for women, but also for men's participation. Reform of a system should always start at the grassroots level to cut the root causes of harmful effects of prostitution. 

In terms of societal issues, there should be more employment opportunities and greater access to social services that do not only benefit the privileged. This can be achievable through good governance. The distribution of such needs would eradicate the chances of engaging in prostitution because the basic needs would be met, and poverty would be gradually eradicated. Poverty does not produce laziness to find jobs, but it also leads to selective opportunities in life due to some qualifications not being met. 

Lastly, prostitution should not be legalized. Some would say that decriminalizing prostitution would defend the rights of female sex workers. But in reality, it will just raise the demand of availing them, making them also prone to abuse and violence so that it will be so common and normalized, which should not be in the first place. It would also decriminalize the pimps and the businesses related to them. Decriminalizing prostitution is legitimizing women's exploitation. 

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The SOGIESC Equality

Decades have passed since the LGBTQ+ community has been fighting for their rights. However, bigotry against them has always been rampant regardless of how much they are willing to convey. With this, national legislation should be passed into law to penalize those who will discriminate and diminish the prejudice against them. Although this bill is for everyone because everyone has their own SOGIESC, we cannot deny that LGBTQ+ members need it the most, for they are more subjected to stereotypes, stigma, and, most significantly, discrimination.

The SOGIESC Equality Bill should be passed because it promotes the protection of the interests and welfare of the members of the LGBTQ+ community in the Philippines. To achieve gender justice, there should be a society that destigmatizes the acts that continue to discriminate against them. To reiterate, the law is not only for those in the LGBTQ+ community, though. But it is all for genders as what the SOGIESC stands for; sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics. Again, everyone has their SOGIESC.

It was known to be the “Anti-Discrimination Bill” before, and after two decades, this bill finally reached the Senate. It is indeed a win and a worthy congratulatory approach for the LGBTQ+ community; however, there will always be those who will not approve of it because of some petty and unreasonable grounds. A bill should be specifically written, but why do some people assume something that was not even there in the first place? Why make a fuss about it? Approving such a bill does not make them less of a person. It does not mean that there should be special treatment for them. It means equality and equity in terms of treatment toward them.

Knowing that the Philipines has been a Christian-dominated country, this religion had always impacted the culture of the Filipinos. The argument relating to religion is utilized against the passage of this bill, and it is inappropriate because it has nothing to do with it. Some are afraid that this may lead to legalizing same-sex marriage, but NOTHING in the bill mentioned permitting it. How can we legalize such matrimony if our country is not fully ready to accept the realities of the LGBTQ+ community? Some would say that they are already welcome and included, but I don't think it really is. There is a huge difference between acceptance and tolerance.

With the lack of national legislation, local government units have been taking action. Yes, it is excellent and commendable; however, not all can avail of it. LGU legislation only covers those living in the said unit, but having national legislation is a societal scope, meaning people all over the country can benefit.

Equal human rights and freedom should not be selective. The Philippine government pronounces improvements and progression, yet they turn a blind eye to what the people also need. Progress should also be for all, and it will never be a "progress" if some are left behind in a system molded with discrimination.

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The Global Campaign for Women's Empowerment

Women's rights have been long considered to be human rights by the United Nations which established later on established the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). Another international legal instrument that empowers women’s rights is the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), whose goal is to eliminate discrimination against women and girls worldwide, such as in public and private spheres. There is also this Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA) that supports the full

“development of women and their equality with men in 12 areas of concern: women and poverty; education and training of women; women and health; violence against women; women and armed conflict; women and the economy; women in power and decision-making; institutional mechanisms; human rights of women; women and media; women and the environment; the girl child.” 

A lot of international conventions or treaties have focused on these. Still, CEDAW is more known because it is a comprehensive bill of rights for women and girls and provides a framework for governments to realize their human rights. 

With the ratification of the CEDAW, member states are obliged to protect women's rights and welfare and address all forms of discrimination and violence against them. It includes preventing violations, ensuring access to justice, and holding perpetrators of violence accountable. It takes crucial measures to ensure that women have access to health care and education, economic opportunities, and political participation. With these, the CEDAW can help to alleviate the prejudice and abuse experienced by women and girls. 

International legal instruments such as the CEDAW are essential if the state refuses to protect them. Take a look at the case of Karen Tayag Vertido v. The Philippines. According to Vertido, she was a victim of rape, and the accused got acquitted. She was the victim. But why did she get the persecution that the rapist should receive? Why was she subjected to victim blaming and public scrutiny when she was the one that struggled the most? 

It is frustrating to know that Karen Vertido, a rape victim, has been thrown into a discrimination pit wherein the courts under the state refused to acknowledge that her perpetrator committed the said crime. It is maddening to know that no matter how much you know what happened, if the evidence presented lacks merit, it is invalid and would not win. Seeking justice is a part of finding the truth. Truth should always prevail, but what wins in the court becomes the truth.

Even though the result came unfavored, the case symbolizes that women can fight for their rights and can end the prejudice against women by reaching out to other entities that empower them. 

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The State of the Filipino Women: Facilitating and Hindering Factors

Filipino women nowadays are more progressive as they are seen to be economically and politically engaged. They have realized that there is more beyond staying as a gender-stereotypical trait, such as being a domestic person in charge of child-bearing and child-rearing. Activists representing these women have been changing lives through representation and lobbying that resulted in drafting legislation protecting and enriching their welfare, such as the Magna Carta of Women or the RA 9710 and the Anti Violence Against Women and their Children Act or the RA 9262. Other statutes safeguard Filipino women, especially in the Local Government Units, such as the Women Development Code of Davao City; however, not all can implement these correctly. Many cases are visible such as the abuses, whether emotional, physical, mental, sexual, or economic. Others are still experiencing oppression in the workforce or even in educational institutions. These are the rampant and day-to-day basis of what Filipino women are going through. Still, unfortunately, not all these situations have been reported to the authorities because of threats or fear of what their perpetrators may bring, and also due to public scrutiny; victim-blaming from the people who do not care about these problems. It may be unrealistic to wish for a society that does not degrade nor devalue women, but considering what they are going through, small steps are being taken as progress. Someday, we will get there.

One of the vulnerable Filipino women is those in war-stricken-prone areas such as Mindanao. Due to the aftermath of the violence, women and their children are mostly experiencing displacement. Another is those women who are domestically abused in their households. Violence against women and their children is still relevant today, especially during the pandemic; many were trapped in their homes and became victims of psychological, sexual, emotional, physical, and economic abuse. It is saddening to know that due to the health precautions of the pandemic, they deemed to see that going out and reporting to the authorities are hard to do so. Some are financially dependent on their perpetrators, making it difficult for them to escape and break free. Some Filipino women are also trapped in the businesses of prostitution, resulting in sexual advances coming from men. 

Young Filipino women also encounter gender roles, such as the differences between what a man and a woman should do, especially in the domestic sphere. They are labeled child-bearers and discouraged from going into the economic sphere due to reproductive issues. Men are also commended for being more potent than women, which is why men are more favorable to work than women. With the deficiency of women in the workforce, they tend to go abroad, where women dominate. Domestic workers are mostly their occupations, and the difference in the Philippines is that they are getting paid for their efforts and jobs in maintaining the household.

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The Way Women Are

Women have been subordinated and marginalized up until today. Yes, even though we can see women rising to power, such as in politics and governance, it is undeniably a fact that we are still living in a patriarchal society.

A patriarchal society is a world wherein everything, may it be public or private, is dominated by men. Women are typically viewed as lesser than men, to the point it is normalized, resulting in gender roles and stereotypes. One way of women's subordination and marginalization is economic exploitation.

According to the article by Judith Lorber entitled "The Variety of Feminisms and their Contribution to Gender Equality," women were economically exploited ever since the post-colonial period, a boundary prevented men and women from having the same opportunities and equalities. Women were paid less than men, and the former was meant to stay home while the latter sought employment and brought food to the table. This gave birth to the "Development Feminism Theory," wherein the economic statuses of women and men are based on how they earn and how much they can produce for the household's welfare.

Also, the theory covers how cultures were the ones who made women feel subordinated and marginalized without even knowing it. The phrase "women belong in the kitchen" was very applicable during the post-colonial times since men treated women as domestic in service for them and their children. Women did not have access to education and work and were treated oppressively by not giving them enough options to choose what they wanted to become.

Today, women are also subordinated and marginalized by the patriarchal society in portraying women as sexual objects that feed men's delusional fantasies. Women are also seen as weaker, and men are more assertive with the justification of biological and natural physical structure and build. In politics and governance, males are still dominating compared to women, and women are often discriminated against for they are too "emotional" to lead. They say that today is a time for progression and feminism is now a thing, but it does not say much about the experiences of women's subordination and marginalization. Laws and other legislation have been made protecting women's rights and interests and gender equality, but there are still outcries of how these would affect men, for it is unfair. Why can't some people understand that these statutes do not degrade and discern men's rights?

Other feminist theories would also agree that women are being subordinated and marginalized. Those state facts; however, no matter how many articles, journals, or studies are written about it, if we are still dominated by a patriarchal society wherein structures in our community are conquered mainly by men, women will never be free. There should be a system willing to change all of these, and both men and women should not defy and blame each other but fight for what all of us yearn for, which are gender equality, gender equity, and gender justice.

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Gender Justice as a Political Science Student

Gender justice addresses the problems that all genders face, such as inaccessible rights that lead to discrimination and inequalities. This promotes that all of us deserve what a human being should have, starting with having freedom regardless of gender. 

As a political science student, I can contribute to achieving gender justice by changing my mindset first. I can truly appreciate what I am fighting for through awareness and vigilance. Given that these issues are progressively discussed right now, it is my responsibility as a political science major to be active and engaged in how gender-related occurrences affect all of us, even those who are apathetic. 

Through this changed and improved mindset, I can engage with other community members to have meaningful discussions about gender-related issues. I must share what I know since I can do so without infringing on others' dignity. I may not force the people who are more challenging to handle when it comes to this; I do not have the right to judge and badmouth them since I know they are victims of disinformation and the lack of opportunities to be open-minded. 

Speaking up is also a great instrument that would lead to lobbying. Lobbying is essential in making or suggesting improvements in a society that needs to be fixed. It is also a step in the policy-making procedure. As a political science student, I know that the government is an agency to address the people's will. Speaking up is not automatically an anti-government mindset. Still, it is a civil responsibility as a Filipino citizen to demand justice for the inequities related to gender issues, and the government should listen to the needs of its people.

Joining progressive groups or associations can be an option to have a strong force or support system considered a safe space. Although I am still in the process of this type of engagement due to personal reasons, I am open to joining one someday when I am ready and brave enough to conquer my fears.

I can also support people who feel discerned due to their gender problems by listening to their conditions and being open-minded, especially regarding equality. All genders are valid, and inequalities should end. Some of these people experience discrimination in their workforce, everyday living, and, worse, in their homes, which should be the first thing to protect and provide safety and security.

As a political science student, I should know and be firm about what I am fighting for, where I stand, and to whom I am doing all of this. This kind of advocacy would help not just nurture society, but myself as well, in terms of understanding and deepening my knowledge about gender justice. Although my capabilities as an average student are insufficient, I am still making small steps, and progress is constantly progressing, no matter how small or significant. 

There is nothing wrong with fighting for what is right and equal. It's just that there is something wrong, so we are now fighting for what is right and equal. 

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How to eliminate violence against women and children?

Numerous pieces of legislation concerning women's rights and welfare have been implemented. It started with the Convention on Elimination on All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), followed by RA 9262, the Violence Against Women and Children Act (VAWC), and RA 9710, or the Magna Carta of Women. There are also representations of women in the country, such as the top party list, the Gabriella Women's Party. A lot of advocacies and information drives are being disseminated and upheld in the hopes of acknowledging women's interests. However, problems do remain. Women are still subject to abuses caused by this patriarchal society. It affects not only the well-being of these women but also the loved ones and family members surrounding them.

The fact that abuses or crimes against women are still committed mainly through their men or partner perpetrators is haunting to know that everything will change in just a snap. Women victim-survivors thought of marrying and associating themselves with these sweet and sincere men, not realizing that these personalities were just for a show. It is sickening to know that these women are just being taken advantage of by men when women should be respected because they carry the responsibilities that men cannot do alone. As Mao Zedong said, "Women hold up half the sky." 

 I do not know why men attack women; is it because of their insecurities? Or are they just dense to believe that this culture of violence is expected given that they are "dominant," - which feeds their masculine ego? 

Given that numerous pieces of legislation are being imposed, the trend of VAWC cases is still increasing. The solutions I can think of are strengthening the information drive and awareness of how RA 9262 works. The government and the citizens play critical roles because their participation is needed. There should be cooperation between the parties involved. Abuses or violence against women and children happen every hour while trapped in a toxic household. These occurrences are inevitable, but the ways of mitigating it can have the power to slowly and gradually eradicate these problems. Also, the younger generation must be active and wary in promoting women's rights and interests. We are in an evolving society now, so we should all move forward and not backward. 

Overall, I think that no amount of policies, laws or statutes, or even treaties can eliminate such violence if there is no proper evaluation of the system that tolerates and justifies the acts of violence against women. More than crafting another bill regarding women's and children's welfare, there should be a step toward developing a society that respects and condemns the culture of impunity and violence, not just to women and children but to all gender-based violence, especially to those who cannot have the luxury and strength to defend themselves against the cruel realities of today. 

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Collective Bargaining Negotiations

Government employees should be granted the right to self-organization for Collective Bargaining Negotiations, as stated in Labor Relations. Further, the Labor Relations of the Philippines allows employees to deal with such matters through their chosen representative.  

A union that represents their needs, such as their wages and other benefits, helps arrive at their terms and conditions subject to the agreement between the employees and the employers. With this diplomatic and civil discussion, it is expected that matters are tackled in a professional and considerate way. With this Collective Bargaining Negotiations, this document acts as the legally binding contract between the parties involved. This also ensures that the employees are experiencing a work environment full of light atmosphere and that fewer tensions are being felt.

Suppose employers have stepped on their labor rights, such as the illegal dismissal and underpayment or unmet terms and conditions. In that case, negotiations will occur, which is a step toward a healthy employer-employee relationship. Communication is the key and also obliged to the said negotiations.

The House Bill No. 550 states, "AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES TO SELF-ORGANIZATION, COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AND NEGOTIATION AND PEACEFUL CONCERTED ACTIVITIES AND USE OF VOLUNTARY MODES OF DISPUTE SETTLEMENT," it highlights that employees continue to suffer and that their right to self-organization is the means of offering protection for themselves. 

The Act is known as the "Public Sector Labor Relations Act." It also divulges their rights of negotiations regarding their working conditions. Another is improving their right to strike, given that they are employees or workers from the public sector. It also accentuates their political and civil rights, for they are also citizens of the Philippines practicing their fundamental human rights. 

Unfair practice in the workforce is one of the primary matters that motivate employees to have their negotiations with their employers revisited. The last resort would come in the form of a union strike. 

Things will not escalate into the worst situations tainting such employers and employees and, most significantly, the company or businesses they are working from if only there is a proper demonstration of collective bargaining and negotiation.

As the Labor Code cites the benefits and rights of the workers and the employers, it should be prioritized as mandated by the law. Everything is stated under the Labor Code of the Philippines. The only problem still resurfacing is the practice and application of such comprehensive and detailed provisions in the workforce.

It is a utopian mindset to think about employees and employers all over the country having a harmonious relationship with each other. However, it is not impossible to take the first step in that sporadic occurrence, which is to actively participate and conduct a proper discussion to negotiate what the employees and employers have come to terms with and agreed on. 

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Employee Compensation in the Philippines

The Labor Code of the Philippines had explicitly stated the employer-employee relationship, their obligations, and rights. These also come with their benefits in which the employees are entitled to have while they are working.

One of these is the social services, which are provided by the Social Security System (SSS) for the private employees and the Government Security Insurance System (GSIS) for the public ones. These benefits can be disability benefits, funeral grants, life insurance, maternity pay, penisons, salary loans, and sickness pay. 

Another benefit that the workers are entitled to is the health insurance, which can be availed from the PhilHealth insurance. 

In terms of working hours, an employee may work a maximum of eight hours a day, except an hour for lunch. During the working hour, this does include brief relaxation periods. Of course, there are exceptions to these typical working days. After six consecutive working days, every employee in the Philippines is entitled to 24 hours of uninterrupted relaxation.

Also, the minimum pay rate, that ranges between 280.00 pesos and 540 pesos per day, is determined by the tripartite wage boards for each area. Additionally, the industry sector affects the minimum wage rate. This industry sectors are the agriculture and non-agriculture ones. 

Furthermore, employers are required by law to give some employees a 13th month pay, and by December 24, this additional month's compensation must be paid out. The 13th month's compensation is due to employees who have put in at least one month of work for another employee. 

Another benefit is that every employee who has worked for at least a year in the Philippines is entitled to five days of paid leave from their employer. This can be utilized as either sick time or vacation time.

There is another, which is the maternal leave. For their first four pregnancies, including miscarriages, female employees, married or not, are eligible to 60 days of paid maternity leave. For paternal leave, for the first four pregnancies of their spouses, married men can take seven days off from work. Only men who are living with their spouses at the time of delivery or miscarriage are eligible to apply for paternity leave. 

For the retirement benefits, the Social Security System (SSS) governs the pension system in the Philippines. A monthly pension is available to retired employees who made their SSS contributions for at least ten years prior to retirement.

The benefits aforementioned above are mandated by the law. However, despite having these benefits, there should still be a consideration for the minimum wage. Nowadays, necessities are getting more expensive to the point that 10 thousand pesos are equivalent to less than a month of living costs, especially when living in a city. There should be a law that mandates an increase in the minimum wage, which should depend on the trends in living costs. The government should know that their lives as politicians do not equate to the lives of the ordinary masses. 

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COVID-19: Invalidations of Contracts

Globally, COVID-19 put everyone on pause while enforcing a policy of restricted movement. Health precautions were taken, including remaining at home and avoiding social situations. Regular activities have been stopped and significantly impacted, particularly in the business sector or the economy.

Companies operating in the Philippines are currently dealing with several problems, including disruptions in reserve chains, an ineptitude to fulfill customer markets, neglected task deadlines, non-delivery of bare materials or products, a lack of workforce, and limitations on commercial operations.

With these, there are also contractual obligations disrupted by the existence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now the question is… can contracts be invalidated due to COVID-19?

Possible, but it depends.

In the article, the Force Majeure has been brought up. According to the principle of force majeure, no one should be held accountable for a fortunate incident, defined as an unforeseen or unavoidable event after being anticipated. Examples include natural acts like floods and typhoons or unnatural acts like riots, strikes, or conflicts.

But before it is declared, there must also be conditions such as the reason for the obligation's violation must not have been due to the will of the party asking to be released from it. The circumstance must be such that it makes it difficult to discharge the commitment in the usual way and that the involved party requesting release must not have contributed to or made the other party's damage worse.

The Civil Code, specifically in Obligations and Contracts, may be invoked to justify failure to concede with the representations of the contract. Typically, for a party to be exempted from an obligation due to force majeure, the following conditions must exist:

Art. 1267. When the service has become so difficult as to be manifestly beyond the contemplation of the parties, the obligor may also be released therefrom, in whole or in part.

Art. 1174. Except in cases expressly specified by the law, or when it is otherwise declared by stipulation, or when the nature of the obligation requires the assumption of risk, no person shall be responsible for those events which could not be foreseen, or which, though foreseen, were inevitable.

The parties may contractually broaden or restrict the circumstances that qualify as force majeure. As a result, businesses should check the force majeure terms in their contracts, evaluate how exposed they are to them, and decide whether they need to be revisited or renegotiated to safeguard their interests.

In the COVID-19 context, a party's ability to claim force majeure would ultimately be demarcated by surrounding factual factors, such as the specific actions taken by the parties, the disposition of the commitments concerned, the parties' altitude or rank of expertise, the core of the contract's topic matter, the enterprise hazards considered by the partakers and the losses or detriments brought on by the material occurrence.

To sum it up, the decision ultimately rests with the parties, particularly if they carefully consider their commitments under the stated conditions and circumstances.

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Having a Will in the Philippines

If a person wants to be organized and prepared, it is better to have a testate succession wherein if something happens to them or if they will die, their assets will be distributed to anyone as they pleased, for they have a valid will that would support it. When it comes to passing unprepared and obtaining an intestate succession, their assets will be distributed per the state's law. Art. 779 of the Civil Code of the Philippines defines testate succession as succession is which results from the designation of an heir, made in a will executed in the form prescribed by law. 

Art. 783 defines a will as an act whereby a person is permitted, with the formalities prescribed by law, to control to a certain degree the disposition of this estate to take effect after his death. Alone, the prospect of creating a will is likely to deter some people from doing so because it can be a challenging and unpleasant procedure. The absence of a will, however, can lead to various issues, including family disputes, assets being held hostage in court for years, and difficulties convincing family members to sign extrajudicial settlement agreements. It is necessary to consider whether it is the kind of future one wants to impose on the family one would leave behind.

Because of this, creating a final will and testament is a wise decision to avoid disputes.

PROS of having a will:

Generally, the Civil Code of the Philippines have laid provisions that are advantageous to the testator.

Art. 783. A will is an act whereby a person is permitted, with the formalities prescribed by law, to control to a certain degree the disposition of this estate, to take effect after his death. 

Art. 784. The making of a will is a strictly personal act; it cannot be left in whole or in part of the discretion of a third person, or accomplished through the instrumentality of an agent or attorney.

Art. 796. All persons who are not expressly prohibited by law may make a will.

A will offers one control over who will benefit from the work they made throughout their lifetime; without one, the State and the courts will decide who will receive the benefits.

CONS of having a will:

Just because the testator wrote a will, it does not mean that everything will fall into place. A will can be effective if the testator dies and it is probated. 

Inheritance through a will is not regarded as a natural right. Instead, it is a legal privilege. This makes the conditions set forth by law applicable to the exercise of this right.

The will must be probated in order for it to be legally binding, which is one of those requirements. A court procedure called "probate" is used to prove the will's legality.

Any will must first be admitted to probate in order for it to be enforceable or valid. A will must be proved to the court as being the testator's final will and testament in order to be admitted for probate.

The will's execution, attestation, and publication must all be demonstrated, together with the testator's competency to make such a decision. A will has no effect whatsoever, and no right may be asserted under it, until it is admitted to probate. Any will must be proven and permitted in conformity with the Rules of Court before it can transfer either real estate or personal property.

But no need to worry because a will can be probated while the testator is still alive. In this manner, the testator might confirm the will's legitimacy in their own words.

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The Philippine National Land Use Act

As the population grows, the demands for daily living consumption increase, putting a lot of pressure on our lands to provide shelter, food supplies, transportation, and public establishments and services. Also, the effects of climate change and the drastic weather situations are inevitable, making us prone to adaptive changes that add to the long-existing land usage and sustainability problems. There is a need for action as soon as possible, especially in the Philippines.

The National Land Use Act — is a bill or proposal law governing the country's land and water resources. It calls for the proper usage of natural resources before it is too late.

It would help enhance land-related policies that would benefit society's growth by using the resources efficiently without compromising what the people need. As the Philippines is trying to adapt to modern times, it does not mean that more urbanization is necessary – such as building establishments and services unrelated to agrarian benefits. However, there should also be a prioritizing plan that would save the agricultural lands because it is still the backbone of the economy. Without staple food provided by our lands, there will be a shortage of food supply, resulting in the country being more dependent on imported goods from other countries. The exploitation of lands will be lessened if this is approved because there is already a law that would protect these resources making the irresponsible account to their deeds. 

Additionally, due to the effects of climate change, many of the Filipino people, which are the vulnerable ones, especially those living in places full of hazard-prone and dangerous zones, are highly affected. Natural calamities such as typhoons, floods, and drought would also occur. The damages that will bring, especially to the agricultural lands, can be devastating, significantly since our staple food, such as rice production, is affected. It will lead to a ripple effect — food production will decrease, and higher costs of commodities will be possible — making it inaccessible to all. 

Unfortunately, this bill has not moved forward yet. Twenty years had passed, yet the progress was slow, resulting in pending status in Congress. 

As stated above, it is clear how badly we need this National Land Use law. It will be the standard for promoting protection, preservation, and proper production with our land resources. More importantly, settlements and infrastructures will also be managed without compromising the agricultural lands through adequate evaluation and land planning. It is not just for us but also for the succeeding generations that would continue to pursue this guidance to protect the community's essentials. The term resilience among Filipinos is not enough to say everything is alright now. How long will this resiliency attitude of Filipinos go if the effects of climate change slowly diminish one's chance to live in a stable home? And worse, how will it go if the government officials are still calm about it, for as long as it does not affect them directly?

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Divorce: To Legalize or Not?

Divorce is better than annulment or legal separation. In the Philippines, many are still pressed about legalizing divorce because this country is known to be a Catholic-dominated faith that values the sanctity of marriage. If religion is out of the picture, marriage is just a legal union between a man and a woman. According to the Family Code of the Philippines Article I, ‘Marriage is a special contract between a man and a woman entered into in accordance with law for the establishment of conjugal and family life.” however, if the marriage fails to uphold its purpose, there are only two options provided. It is either to get an annulment or legal separation.

As evidently written in the Family Code, annulment is a legal mandate that nullifies the marriage but should be based o forced marriage, fraud, impotence, and psychological incapacity. On the other hand, the legal separation can be granted on the grounds of adultery, alcohol or drug addiction, the threat of changing one’s political and religious beliefs, one being a sex offender, and physical abuse. These two do not guarantee a complete escape from the problematic marriage because they do not entirely erase the traces of their marital unions. Now, this is why divorce is trying to come up in the picture. Divorce is a process that has the power to eradicate the presence of marriage based on the grounds of both annulment and legal separation, provided that it is beyond repairable and a hopeless case. Divorce also permits remarriage, which the annulment can allow. However, the legal separation does not since both spouses are still married in the eyes of the law even though they are granted the “living separately” situation. Also, divorce is less expensive than annulment, making it a more feasible procedure in terms of unreconcilable marriages.

Divorce is a means for failed marriages to start anew with their own lives. It is a sign that there is still a silver lining to escaping such abusive ties. There are still processes that need to be followed. Getting a divorce does not mean anyone should easily have it. Just because it can be legal does not mean it could be an easy way to be bestowed just in a snap. It does not diminish the sanctity of marriage. If some couples are happily married and do not need a divorce, then good for them. But it is also worth considering those couples suffering a lot of trauma while staying in a horrible marriage. 

Preserving the country’s religious tradition no longer matters in dysfunctional marriages or families.  One cannot simply say, “you shouldn't have married in the first place if you will have a divorce.” Divorce helps people be free from the prison of marriage. It is not necessarily considered to be a bad thing. What is terrible is staying in a marriage that is not just destroying families but also destroying lives. 

[bunnygiggles]

Cutting Down on Crimes: Causes and Consequences

Why do people commit crimes, and how do we prevent it?

There are several reports on the news every day, including many crime reports. There are posts concerning crimes almost every day in every part of the globe, as the rate of crime has grown dramatically.

People commit crimes for a lot of reasons. Greed, wrath, jealousy, revenge, or pride are all reasons for committing a crime. Some people decide to conduct a crime and meticulously organize every detail in advance to maximize profit while minimizing danger. These individuals make decisions about their actions; some even believe that a life of crime is preferable to regular employment, considering that crime provides more rewards, admiration, and excitement—at least until they are arrested. Others get a surge of exhilaration after successfully committing a deadly crime. Others commit crimes on the spur of the moment, motivated by fury or terror.

Many persons who commit crimes in our society have little to provide for their families. The desire to give a better life for their family drives them to commit robbery for a living. Property crimes, such as robberies, burglaries, white-collar crimes, and vehicle thefts, are motivated by a desire for financial gain (money or valuable possessions). Murders, assaults, and rapes are all inspired by a desire for control, retribution, or power. These violent crimes are frequently committed on the spur of the moment or impulse while emotions are running high. Property crimes are often planned ahead of time.

So, how can crimes be prevented?

It is inevitable. But the government is trying to, through imposing punishments.

The goal of punishment is to deter people from committing crimes. Criminal activity is expected to become less appealing and hazardous due to the penalty. For many people, incarceration and loss of income are huge burdens. Making crime more difficult or limiting opportunity is another approach to influence choice. Better illumination, locking bars on vehicle steering wheels, the presence of guard dogs or high-tech enhancements like security systems and credit card photos can all help.

Another aspect is physically stopping a crime from occurring and infiltrating people's thoughts. We can push information into people's opinions from a psychological angle to deter them from ever considering committing the crime in the first place. We can help individuals consider alternatives in their thoughts via approaches that act on their minds. Instead of spending years in prison, they would prefer not to commit a crime.

As we live in a capitalistic world, crimes can be mostly driven due to a way of life, especially those living below the poverty line. It leads to a culture where individuals become aggressive and selfish, ignoring morals for the sake of making more money. In a capitalist society, inequality fuels crime since some individuals make more money than others, and everyone strives to make more money.

To reiterate, a crime is as an act or behavior that violates formal written laws and, as a result, requires punishment.

[bunnygiggles]

Death Penalty: Killing in the Name of Justice

There is no solid proof that the death penalty discourages offenders more effectively than alternative types of punishment.

The execution of convicted prisoners by the Philippine government will not solve the problem of criminality. It will continue to be fueled by various factors such as poverty, social inequality, unemployment, and the deterioration of formal and informal social control mechanisms.

There is also a clear risk of miscarriages of justice when the death penalty will be utilized. No criminal justice system in the world is without flaws, and the Philippines' system is no exception. A single blunder that leads to the irreversible execution of an innocent person would be a startling failure of justice—in fact, judicial murder.

Moreover, the reasonable desire of the public for protection from the consequences of increased crime should be adequately addressed. The actual deterrent to crime is not the death sentence but rather the reform of police institutions and the courts. Criminality should be combated by competent law enforcement, timely and fair delivery of justice, and a responsive prison system, according to the Philippine Commission on Human Rights (CHR).

The death sentence is ineffective in addressing the serious problem of criminality in the Philippines. Not the danger of execution alone, but the certainty of arrest, conviction, and extended jail terms will work as a deterrent to crime. Many Filipinos are frustrated and afraid due to rising crime rates, and they demand a real solution, not a temporary fix like the death sentence as a form of retaliation.

It is vital to implement a long-term reform program for the Philippine National Police, criminal investigative agencies, and court parts. In today's law, law enforcers are all too often considered as corrupt or guilty of human rights breaches, and justice is not seen as being dispersed relatively—the affluent and influential are not treated equally before the law in practice.

In the Philippines, the death sentence is being used at an increasing rate. It appears to be implemented inconsistently and disproportionately against the poor, illiterate, and disadvantaged, as it has been in the past. The likelihood of court mistakes is growing, and Amnesty International is worried about using unlawful measures, such as torture, by criminal investigators seeking confessions. Furthermore, there is concern about insufficient protections, particularly in lower courts, to guarantee that defendants have access to competent counsel and that the strict standards of fair trial required in capital cases are respected.

It is inhumane to execute prisoners from beds and inject them with a fatal mixture. It breaches the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). It undercuts the popular movement that restored constitutional democracy in the Philippines in the 1980s by undermining the desire for a new respect for human rights.

To sum it up, I would say NO to the death penalty reimposition, but YES to the reformation of the Philippine justice system.

[bunnygiggles]

Improving the Philippine Criminal Justice System

As the Philippine jails being jammed pack with people that are waiting for the decision of their cases, waiting for their trials, waiting to be bailed, or waiting for their time to be freed in the hopes of finishing their sentences, we cannot deny that their situations in these overcrowded cells are complex – such as poor sanitation and poor ventilation. They have no choice but to endure all of it unless they are some egotistical people with wealth and power who are highly convicted criminals but are still freely walking around and living a good life. The talks of having a criminal justice system are not a subject of who is awful and a saint. It is more of a matter of how justice is served and that it is not selective as all of us are equal in the eyes of the law.

Is the criminal justice system in the Philippines in need of restoration? Yes. But how? Build more prison cells that look and feel like a condominium? Encourage everyone not to commit crimes and just be an obedient citizen that follows the law? I think not, as these are too idealistic and not applicable in the real world.

To improve it, one must look at how the system works. In the judicial realm in the Philippines, there are primarily many cases assigned to one court, and the appointed judges are too overwhelmed to craft decisions. It means that there are not enough courts to address these cases. These lower courts do not also have the workforce to process everything instantly. Besides, most of the cases are resolved or decided for YEARS.

Also, there are poor Filipinos who cannot afford legal assistance. Even if they had access to a public attorney intended for the poorest of the poor, public attorneys are understaffed and have a large case backlog. As a result, the poor do not file complaints since they know they will be unable to pay a lawyer and their case would take years to settle.

The prisoners' rights are not usually appropriately practiced – investigators and corrupt and inept prosecutors, a judicial and court system jammed with too many cases and too few judges to try them. These institutional flaws lead to unfair and lengthy incarceration. Many people may not have the financial means to post bail. Bail is not available for some of the most prevalent offenses, such as drug possession.

One feasible solution is the increase in the national budget for the Justice system. The government can hire more people, build more courts, and improve legal processes to boost productivity with the additional money. Also, suspects must be brought to trial sooner rather than later.

It is easier said than done, as some who work for the judicial system do not value justice. In reality, justice is expensive, mostly only the rich can afford it. It will take a long process to achieve a reformation, but we will get there.

[bunnygiggles]

Human Rights: The Philippines Edition

When the words ‘human rights’ are tackled in the Philippines, it is commonly associated negatively with the words ‘extrajudicial killings.’ They sound familiar to the point that they come together like a twin pack. It is a devastating issue until today while I am writing this because human rights are supposed to be honored and respected, not the other way around.

In the video clip of UDHR, the UN most likely started all of these, as they’ve seen much worse scenarios, especially in the aftermath of WW2.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is one of the most important texts of the twentieth century. It has been translated into 337 languages throughout the world. It has become a yardstick by which governments, people, and nonprofit organizations measure their actions. Every country on the planet has approved it. It is a distinction that no other international instrument can boast. In short, the UDHR has moral and political importance that few other documents can equal.

Human rights refer to the equal rights and freedoms that everyone has just under being human, regardless of race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other beliefs. Throughout history, however, many people have always been deprived of them. In truth, a lack of human rights has a wide range of consequences in people's lives.

In the Philippine context, according to the Human Rights Watch Report, it is stated that the Philippines' human rights crisis began when President Rodrigo Duterte took office in June 2016, worsened in 2018, as Duterte maintained his homicidal "war on drugs" despite rising international condemnation, because the government has neglected to release official documentation regarding the "drug war," and it has released contradicting data. In the instance of these "homicides under investigation," having ceased supplying the information entirely, it is difficult to determine the precise number of fatalities.

In June 2016, police killed hundreds of youngsters, whom Duterte has disregarded as "collateral damage." Also, in 2018, six journalists were killed by unidentified gunmen in various regions of the nation.

On the other side, the issue of the HIV epidemic is in the talks. The Senate and House of Representatives adopted a bill amending the country’s 20-year-old AIDS statute in October. The new legislation lays out a rights-based approach to combating the pandemic and forbids discrimination against HIV-positive persons in the workplace and other contexts. Also, in terms of Sexual Orientation issues, in September 2017, the House of Representatives passed a federal nondiscrimination law that protects LGBT people overwhelmingly. Still, opponents have stymied a corresponding bill in the Senate. Representatives also filed a bill to form civil unions and offer same-sex couples rights in adoption, insurance, inheritance, property, and medical decision-making.

Without a question, democracy and human rights are declining today, not just in the Philippines but globally.