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Gender and Sexuality

By Rafaela Daenah Marie T. Deguito.

Mr. President, Honorable Secretary-General, Excellences’, ladies, and gentlemen, I feel honor today to represent my country, the Philippines at this forum of world leaders, when we have a chance to discuss problems that the world is facing.

For these years, let us give the power of truth to conquer the emotions in the moment of silence and reflection. “The behavior of a human being in sexual matters is often a prototype for the whole of his other modes of reaction in life.” According to Sigmund Freud.” Yes, the freedom where they not constantly tricked, trapped, enslaved, and tortured by what we called sexuality. We always talked about women’s liberation and empowerment. We talked about casting and limitation, not only about “woman issues but also, men were not free in the sexual arena.

In the Philippines, women described as with sharp contradiction where our women are advance in areas of academe, professional, policies and legislations compared to other countries. Though, our countries developed some legislative reforms just to ensure the protection of women against gender-related abuses. Women’s circumstances such as: (i) armed conflict; (ii) domestic violence; (iii) labor force participation; (iv) prostitution; (v) in prison; and (vi) being single. The government created some policies on the Rape Victims Assistance Protection Act of 1998, the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1998, the Violence Against Women and their Child Act of 2004, and the recognized Women Movement for international and national levels.

Other government policy on gender which is adopted on the Philippine to Gender Response Development (PGD of 1995-2025) and the Framework Plan for Women of 2001 on three priority areas: promotion of women economic empowerment, protection and advancement of women’s right, and promotion of gender-responsive governance to address the gender inequality through Sustainable Development Goal 5 which is “gender equality and empower where all women and girls and necessary foundation for a peaceful, and prosperous and sustainable world” meaning more girls are going to school, fewer girls are forced into early marriage, more women are serving in the government positions and leaderships and laws are being reformed to advance gender equality.

The pandemic brought us violence against women and girls are increasing with lockdown measure in place, many women are trapped at home with their abusers, struggling to access service, and other restrictions were concerned to determine the gender-based and differences between women and men.

Gender equality is a human right. It is a persistent gap in access to opportunities and decision-making power for women and men. Ladies and gentlemen, we need people to support and practice equal sharing of care work. Let this pandemic provide a positive action to redress long-standing inequalities in multiple areas of women’s lives, and build a more just and resilient world. Pope John Paul II said, “There is no dignity when the human is eliminated from the person”. Alfred C. Kinsey altered that “The living world is a continuum in each and every one of its aspects. The sooner we learn this concerning human sexual behavior, the sooner we shall reach a sound understanding of the realities of sex. Thank you

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The Communique

Does anyone haven’t had conflict against someone else? Everyone faces tangled threads at least once in their lives that most of the things are not solved easily by our willingness. Like these tangled threads, there was a controversy between DOT and PTV. The DOT-PTV tourism advertisement controversy was caused by Secretary Wanda Teo charging P60 million worth of advertisements on a program produced by her brothers, while she denied knowing about the event.

Tourism advertisement controversy involves Wanda Teo, tourism secretary of the Department of tourism (DOT). Ben tulfo, brother of Wanda Teo, CEO of PTV-4 Blocktimer Bitag Media Unlimited Incorporated, and host of Kilos pronto. Erwin Tulfo and Alex Santos, co-hosts of Kilos pronto. And Jose Gabriel “Pompee”

La Vina, newly appointed tourism undersecretary.On the 30’th of April, 2018 at 6:40 in the morning. It was reported by Chrisee Dela Paz that the event comes after state auditors questioned the 60 million pesos payment made by the Department of Tourism to People’s Television Network for ad placements in her brother Ben Tulfo’s show.

Wanda Teo added that ad placements were made by the DOT with other private television networks and media agencies, here and abroad, last year. ABS-CBN Corporation and GMA Network Incorporated - 23 Million, CNN Philippines - 20 million pesos, CNN International - 51 million pesos, and Discovery Channel- 51 million pesos. On Monday, Duterte ordered a probe into the DOT ads controversy. Teo tweaked her statement and said that she knew the ad placements were going to Kilos pronto, but only after they signed the contract. Ben Tulfo alleged in a facebook post, which was later deleted on a Monday afternoon, that the undersecretary wants to replace Teo.

On the 24th of April, Duterte signed La Vina’s appointment papers. His appointment came two months after he was sacked from his SSS post due to alleged “abuse” of public funds. In its 2017 audit report, COA said the memorandum of agreement between DOT and PTV showed possible conflict of interest and ”undue injury to government '' when 75 percent, or 89.9 million pesos, of the total 120 million pesos project cost went to Kilos Pronto. In April, Teo said “There is no conflict of interest because at the end of the day, the contract was between PTV-4 and DOT. On the 1st of May, 2018 at 12:42 in the afternoon, the audit report says the contract signed by DOT “specifically required” PTV to air ads on Kilos pronto, the show produced by the brother of Tourism Secretary Teo by Lian Buan.

Due to this issue, the DOT has tightened their rules regarding sponsorships. Romula Puyat, in response to questions on safeguards to prevent any corrupt activities, has stated that they have put a limit of 1 million pesos for tourism related events and projects. He had also stated that budgets would be downscaled for multi year projects. It was also revealed that the COA told them, in sponsorships, to "not include fashion shows and beauty pageants''.

To summarize, Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo said that she didn’t know that her brother, Ben Tulfo the owner of Bitag Media was placed with an amount of 60 million pesos worth of advertisement. Tourism secretary denied that she didn’t know about this. In order to defend herself she stated on a radio interview that she didn’t know that PTV was going to his brother’s company, and she was surprised to find out about this.

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ARTICLE III BILL OF RIGHTS

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, appellee,

vs.

DINDO "BEBOT" MOJELLO, appellant.

The accused was seen by Rogelio Rayco with his niece Lenlen Rayco walking together towards Sitio Kota. On December 16,200 the body of Lenlen Rayco was on the seashore of Sitio Kota. Rogelio Rayco proceeded immediately to the site and saw the body lifeless, naked, and bruised. The Appellant was charged with the crime of rape with homicide defined and penalized under Article 335 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by Republic Act No. 7659. The swelling of the labia majora and hymenal lacerations positively indicate that the victim was raped. The accused was arraigned and entered a not guilty plea. The appellant argues that his confession, and admissions made therein, should be deemed inadmissible in evidence, under the fruit of the poisonous tree doctrine. He also argues he was not apprised by his constitutional rights. He also argues that that the evidence against him is insufficient to warrant his conviction of rape with homicide.

Issues:

Does the extrajudicial confession executed by the appellant is admissible?

Was the appellant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt with the crime of rape and homicide? The appellant refused to provide independent proof that he was forced into confessing to the crime. The confession was specifically compiled in accordance with Art. III, Sec. 12, par. 1, and was found to be admissible in testimony against the appellant. As a result, the admission of culpability contained therein is admissible. As a result, it is not the "fruit of the poisonous tree," since the tree itself is not poisonous. Rogelio Rayco demonstrates with the Medical-Legal Report and evidence that the appellant's rape guilt meets the moral certainty test and must therefore be sustained. The decision of the lower court was upheld with modifications. The appellant was convicted of statutory rape and sentenced to reclusion Perpetua. He is also ordered to compensate the victim's heirs, Lenlen Rayco, P50,000.00 in civil indemnity and P50,000.00 in moral damages.

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee

vs.

ANDRE MARTI, accused-appellant.

In 1987, the appellant informed Anita Reyes that he was sending the packages to a friend in Zurich, Switzerland. Appellant filled up the contract necessary for the transaction, writing therein his name, passport number, the date of shipment, and the name and address of the consignee,namely, “WALTER FIERZ, Mattacketr II, 8052 Zurich, Switzerland” Anita Reyes then asked the appellant if she could examine and inspect the packages. Appellant, however, refused, assuring her that the packages simply contained books, cigars, and gloves and gifted to his friend in Zurich. In view of the appellant’s representation, Anita Reyes no longer insisted on inspecting the packages. Before delivery of the appellant’s box to the Bureau of Customs and/or Bureau of Posts, Mr. Job Reyes (proprietor) and husband of Anita (Reyes), following the standard operating procedure, opened the boxes for a final inspection. When he opened the appellant’s box, a peculiar odor emitted therefrom. His curiosity aroused, He made an opening on one of the cellophane wrappers and took several grams of the contents thereof. Job Reyes forthwith prepared a letter reporting the shipment to the NBI and requesting a laboratory examination of the samples he extracted from the cellophane wrapper. He brought the letter and a sample of the appellant’s shipment to the Narcotics Section of the NBI and informed them that the rest of the shipment was still in his office. Therefore, Job Reyes and three NBI agents, and a photographer, went to the Reyes’ office at Ermita. The package which allegedly contained books was likewise opened by Job Reyes. He discovered that the package contained bricks or cake-like dried marijuana leaves. The package which allegedly contained Tabacalera cigars was also opened. It turned out that dried marijuana leaves were neatly stocked underneath the cigars. The NBI agents made an inventory and took charge of the box and of the contents thereof, after signing a “Receipt” acknowledging custody of the said effects. Thereafter, Information was filed against the appellant for violation of RA 6425, otherwise known as the Dangerous Drugs Act.

Issue:

Whether the search and seizure committed by the private individual inviolate the constitutional right of the accused against unlawful searches and seizures? NO. The court ruled in the negative. The court ruled against the plaintiff. In a variety of cases, the Court specifically applied the exclusionary rule and dismissed facts gathered in breach of the constitutional protection against arbitrary searches and seizures. However, in the cases cited by the Supreme Court, the information gathered was invariably obtained by the State acting through its law enforcers or other designated government agencies. The case at hand is unusual in that the information requested to

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Binay Dynasty

The Binay Dynasty is known for urbanizing the city of Makati. It all started with Jejomar Binay, the father of the Binays. Jejomar Binay was born on November 11, 1942, he was a Filipino born into poverty at a young age. While he was growing, he was being bullied for his skin color, calling him ‘nognog’, and he was also insulted for his height, calling him ‘pandak’. These insults didn’t stop him from studying and working hard. He graduated in UP Diliman with a Political Science Degree in 1962. During Marcos’ reign, Binay and other human rights lawyers created the Movement of Attorneys for Brotherhood, Integrity, and Nationalism, Inc. (MABINI). His efforts were recognized by Cory Aquino, the president of the Philippines at that time, and appointed Binay as a local official for Makati when the mayor, Nemesio Yabut, died during the EDSA Revolution. Jejomar Binay was elected mayor of Makati on January 18, 1988, and urbanized the city during his reign, while also providing free social education and medical services. He continued being mayor until 1998, when his wife, Elenita Binay, took over. He became mayor again in 2001 until 2010, where his children will eventually take over. While he was mayor for Makati, there were also a lot of illegalities that happened.

In October, 2006, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued a suspense order against Jejomar Binay. Binay, along with other people, barricaded themselves in the Makati City Hall, because they didn’t want to cooperate. He then issued an injunction order to prevent the office of the president from enforcing the suspension order until the conflict was resolved. He allegedly purchased P232 million worth of office furnitures and infrastructure from 1991-2006, which the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) eventually froze the bank accounts of the mayors and city government. The whole city owed P1.1 billion worth of taxes. The Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) then issued Binay to pay deficiencies in taxes of more than P1.1 billion. After all the conflicts and alleged corruption he had, he decided to run for president in the 2010 elections. This was his original plan, but instead campaigned for vice presidency, along with Erap Estrada for president. Erap Estrada didn’t win the elections for presidency, but Jejomar Binay won for vice president, who he would assist Benigno Aquino III, who was the president at that time. With Erap, during the elections, he was under the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan, which is a social-democratic-federalist political party. Binay took his oath for vice presidency on June 30, 2010. He was given to be the Chairman of the Housing Urban Development Coordinating Council, and the Head of Task Force for Overseas Filipino Workers.

Elenita Binay or Elenita "Ellen" Sombillo Binay, M.D., was born on November 9, 1944. She graduated from Manila Central University College of Medicine with a medical degree. She worked as a resident physician and OB-GYN at José R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, where she would eventually meet her now-husband, Jejomar Binay. They got married in July 1972. She then became the first female Mayor of Makati leading the city from 1998-2001. Like her husband, she was charged with alleged graft purchases of office furnitures and infrastructures.

Nancy Binay or Maria Lourdes Nancy Sombillo Binay-Angeles, was born on May 12, 1973. She originally studied for culinary arts but got a Science Degree in Tourism in 1997 from UP Diliman. She helped her mother, Elenita, in the office when she became mayor, and also assisted her father when he became the vice president of the Philippines. Because of the opportunities and her potential, she ran and won for senate in the 16th congress, and continued in the 17th congress. She was part of the United Nationalist Alliance party. In her senate, she filed 119 bills and 151 resolutions that advocated for the children, the elderly, infrastructures, and the poor. Some of those bills were ‘An Act Repealing the Crime of Premature Marriage under Article 251 of the Revised Penal Code’, ‘Sugarcane Industry Development Act of 2015’, ‘An Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of Persons with Disability’, and more. During her 17th congress, she supported the SOGIE Bill, which helps against discrimination, Free Higher Education Law, and the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act.

Abigail Binay or Mar-len Abigail "Abby" Sombillo Binay-Campos, was born on December 12, 1975. She graduated in UP Los Baños with a bachelor's degree in human ecology, and after, went to Ateneo for law school. She was elected representative of Makati's 2nd District in 2007 and eventually became the mayor for Makati and took oath on June 27, 2016. She co-authored bills like ‘The Reproductive Health Bill’, ‘Centenarians Act of 2016’, and ‘Expanded Maternity Leave Law of 2017’. She was also part of MABINI, which her father and other human rights lawyers created.

Junjun Binay or Jejomar Erwin "Junjun" Sombillo Binay Jr., was born on July 12, 1977. He graduated from UP Diliman with a bachelor's degree in Philippine Studies Major. He got married with his wife, Kennely Ann Lacia, but she sadly passed away in 2009 while in childbirth with their fourth child. When he was a counselor, he was Chairman of the Committee of Rules, Legal Matters and Ethics, Committee on Education, Arts and Sciences, and was also part of other committees. He then ran for mayor for Makati in 2010 and won. He continued his reign as mayor and won in the 2013 local elections. He was filed for graft and falsification of documents that’s also connected with the construction of the Makati City Hall Building. He was also found guilty for dishonesty, grave misconduct, and conduct prejudicial. He was politically suspended for these reasons. He still ran for mayor in 2016, but lost against his sister, Abigail Binay.

Jejomar Binay has two other children which are Marita Angeline Binay-Alcantara and the youngest, Joanna Marie Blanca Binay, but there isn't any information retrieved about them.

The more you would learn about the Binay’s, the more you’ll realize that they are corrupt. The family would face numerous issues that negatively impact our country. Some of their issues would be the Sandiganbayan Graft Case, and the Binay’s Family Feuds. In the Sandiganbayan Graft Case, this would have Elenita Binay, who was Makati’s mayor at the time, plunder funds at least P72.06 million worth of furniture for the Makati City Hall back in 1999, through the means of a sham bidding. Ernesto Aspillaga, in charge of the bidding, would mention how bidding procedures weren’t followed. He would find out the winning bidder had already decided before the bidding took place, plus dummy companies and documents to make it appear a bidding really occurred. Elenita Binay would be dismissed, the reason would be stated in an article where “In a resolution last June 10, the Fifth Division said it granted Binay’s demurrer to evidence because the prosecution failed to prove that she violated Section 3(e) of the Anti Graft and Corrupt Practices by authorizing the purchase of furniture worth P72.06 million.”

It doesn’t just end there as Family Feuds are also a usual occurrence. It would start small where Nancy Binay would accuse Abby Binay’s husband, Luis Campos, the representative of Makati, of being related to the Narcotics trade. That accusation would cause a big dispute between the two siblings, causing bitter feelings towards each other. This would contribute to a bigger family feud involving Junjun Binay and Abby Binay. Abby Binay would run against Junjun Binay for mayor in 2019. Junjun Binay would go through an interview and would mention how Abby Binay is running against him as “vengeance”. He would say ,“Yung mga Facebook post niya na pinapakita sa akin, sinasabi niya forgiveness will not come anytime soon. I think she’s being driven by vengeance.” Their father, Jejomar Binay allowed them to go against each other, provided that they avoided throwing insults at each other. Nancy Binay would side with Junjun Binay saying that her relationship with Abby Binay was already strained before. She would say ,“Ah basta ako, magkakapamilya pa rin kami eh di ba? Magkakadugo kami, so dapat ‘yong hope na magkakaayos kami should always be there.” The way they would actually treat each other during the race to become Makati Mayor would be aggressive. Abby would say that Junjun would spread lots of lies regarding her husband. They would both get into a heated argument due to Abby’s allegations, and they would be screaming and pointing at each other, alongside Junjun doing a condescending bow. The argument got so heated that Jejomar Binay, their father, would try to stop them. Once reelections came, Abby would win the Mayoral race.

Conclusion - Reflections

Daenah Deguito

We know that the Binay Family is a political dynasty, having ruled Manila's Makati financial district for nearly three decades, starting with former Vice President Jejomar Binay, to his wife, then his children. He has gained large followers among the urban poor and the masses who are the recipients of patronage goods from Filipino politicians. Promising that the conditions of the Filipinos should be lifted, he mainly uses the capacity of his stronghold Makati. The Binay Family was able to help thousands of people, but they were implicated in many corruption scandals. Binay denies it, saying that his resources were primarily from the pig business he began in 1994 and from the properties he owned before he was elected mayor of Makati. He brags that Makati takes care of its residents from support to grave, offering free hospitalization, training, education and the government assistance of senior citizens. As a politician, he cultivated ties with the common people, which gained their trust in him. In conclusion the Binay family history is an important part of our history due to the contributions and negative impact they had on our country.

Roberto Layug

The Binay Dynasty resembles that of a classic underdog story as Jejomar Binay himself was of low status and appearance. He had been devalued due to his looks and lineage in his younger years, but it was this experience that established a connection between him, and the unban and lower class populous as his story had experiences shared by many that wanted him to succeed. With this connection established, he had made it clear that he would want to uplift the common filipino by investing more into infrastructure, and bills that would aid those less fortunate such as providing more education, hospitalization, and assistance for the elderly. However as he would grow in power he would start to invest more into himself, although it is not confirmed he was accused of buying assets such as a piggery with air-conditioning and hotel-like accommodation in his office defying enabling laws as said by the Philippine constitution. Overall he has established himself as an important foothold in our country’s history and stands as an example of a Power of the People mentality for a city as well as what temping lavishness can do to someone in power.

The Binay’s are one of the well-known political dynasties in the Philippines. They are also known to be the political family that urbanized the city of Makati, which until now, they’re watching over. Though they have contributed a lot politically, like the urbanizing of Makati city, and contributed with laws like ‘An Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of Persons with Disability’, the SOGIE Anti-Discrimnation Bill, ‘Expanded Maternity Leave Law of 2017’, and more, they were exposed with the corruption they brought. They were exposed with the graft and falsification cases they had, which was equivalent to more than a billion pesos. This resulted in Junjun Binay to have a political suspension. Nancy Binay and Abigail Binay would have a family feud due to a call-out on associating with a narcotics trade. Abigail Binay and Junjun Binay went against each other for mayor of Makati. Them being a political dynasty is even breaking the supposed law as political dynasties aren’t allowed, stated in the Philippine Constitution of 1987. Even though there is a constitution about political dynasties, there are multiple of these in the Philippines. It is stated in the Philippine Constitution that political dynasties aren’t allowed, yet there aren’t any laws that support this. Senator Miriam Defensor presented an Anti-Political Dynasty Bill that would essentially wipe out the political dynasties in the Philippines, but it isn’t being approved. If and when this bill becomes a law, the political dynasties would be prohibited and would have to ‘break-up’ or be disqualified in the government. In conclusion, the Binay Dynasty represents and improved Makati City, but they have a fair share of corruption which selfishly gains their family some benefits. They are a family full of secrets and dishonesty towards their people, which makes them one of the most controversial and problematic dynasties in the Philippines.

Diane Panganiban

There have been numerous political family dynasties that happened in the Philippines which would almost always end up in Corruption. The Binay’s have had their fair share of projects and campaigns that would benefit the Philippines, but this doesn’t mean they were always great. Looking deeper into the Binay’s, they are actually very corrupt. Issues the Binay’s would be involved in were the Sandiganbayan Graft Case, Political Suspensions, Family Feuds and other issues speculating around them. Sandiganbayan Graft Case, where they would plunder funds worth at least P72.06 million through the means of a sham bidding; Political Suspensions, where Junjun would show dishonesty, wrong conduct and falsification of documents leading to his suspension; and Family Feuds, where Nancy would have a disrupt against Abby as she would falsely accuse her husband for being related in the Narcotics Trade or when Abby would run against Junjun for Mayor. These issues would be denied by the family, convincing the public that they are there to put their family in a bad light. To add up to this, Even though the public were aware of these issues, Jejomar Binay still ended up as the 13th Vice President of the Philippines. These aren’t the only issues surrounding the Binay’s, there are more out there and some may even be hidden from the public. It’s enough to show us that they’re a corrupt political dynasty, but of course, there would be achievements that helped us Filipinos. An example of these achievements would be some bills the Binay’s would sponsor like the Reproductive Health Bill, Centenarians Act of 2016, Expanded Maternity Leave Law of 2017, the SOGIE Anti-Discrimination Bill and other bills that are passed or are eventually going to be passed as a law. At the end of the day, regardless of their achievements, they’re still corrupt, and this corruption could affect the country, all of us, negatively. As of now, there’s a bill called the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill passed down from constitution to constitution. It hasn’t been made as a law yet which allows dynasties like the Binay’s to continue. Hopefully in the future, this bill could finally be passed down as a law and prevent Corruption that involves Political Dynasties in the Philippines. To conclude, Political Dynasties negatively impact our country and allow corruption to stem from a political family.

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COVID-19 VACCINE STILL ESSENTIAL EVEN NEW COVID-19 VARIANTS RISE?

Last January 1, 2020, the COVID 19 pandemic became phenomenal until today because of the new variants discovered in the United Kingdom that prohibits 20 countries from entering our country. Because of the fear created by this pandemic, the government aims to inoculate 50 million -70 million Filipinos this year prioritizing the front liners. The LGU like Quezon City has a contract to purchase in AstraZeneca vaccine of Oxford found to be 65% effective unlike Pfizer with 95% effective but difficult to store because it requires(-70C) while Oxford vaccine can be stored in a normal fridge and much easier to distribute according to BBC news last January 5, 2021. Mayor Joy Belmonte’s challenge is how to convince her constituents because a majority of class E did not want that COVID-19 vaccine. 

What do we need to know and how the vaccine works? If people have the vaccine, once they encounter the COVID-19 virus, the immune system can recognize the virus to fight it off. The vaccine will protect and will limit the spread of the virus through the community. In order to declare that the vaccine is safe, it must pass certain tests and standards. The FDA or Food and Administration must know the content of it. Well, the COVID 19 vaccine contains proteins and other biological substances to stimulate the immune response. But the vaccine developers admitted that they don’t know how long immunity from the coronavirus lasts and for how long people are protected after they inoculated it. 

In the meantime, follow the government protocols to prevent from getting sick with some precautions such as mask-wearing, face shield, physical distancing, mass gathering and avoid close areas. The issues on the availability of the vaccine are defending on how much the vaccine is produced, how it needs to be transported and stored. According to the news, the first group to receive the vaccines are frontline health workers, residents of long-term-care facilities and PNP officers and staff, and senior citizens. 

Transparency is important among Filipino people because it implies openness, communication, and accountability. Like for example in the Dengvaxia controversy posed risk to individuals vaccinated without having prior dengue infections and after some time, children are dying allegedly from complications associated with the Dengvaxia vaccine of a French drugmaker Sanofi Pasteur. The safety and efficacy of data to the public. Even Pres. Duterte has a lack of proactiveness on the access of vaccines because he doesn’t want to purchase from Western profiteers while China and Russia did not have transparent data showing the effectiveness of their COVID-19 vaccine.

Fear is the cause of pandemics, whom to trust and follow. All of us want to survive, so we tried traditional medicines like “suob”, herbal medicine, herbal tea, and sunlight to fight the COVID-19 virus. Now, upon inoculation, they will provide a vaccination card that people make hesitant especially for the Christians. For some reason, people opposed in America received vaccines because of mistrust. How can they ensure the health of people if there some people died after having that COVID-19 vaccine? Sooner, we will live with it, all we have to do is to live clean and healthy all the time.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/health-55302595 www.hopkinsmedecine.org>health w en.m. Wikipedia.org> wiki> Dengvaxia https://www.scientificammerican.com/article/the-best-evidence-for-how-to-overcome-co vid-vaccine-fear https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.npr.org%2F2021%2F01%2F03 %2F952969746%2Fthe-phillipines-faces-challenge-in-stocking-enough-covid-19-vaccin es%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR1OswfG8Oj5U-HHqLMj7ykRQws5HqiQQmlPck1xUTczKOHe2oF UhaSG4bE&h=AT0zl-wCul0lN-LlujYAqzhj6plkdygz8zM8YCRqJRnB301nPAgFY965Ihb whsMrL8Lmhk6FXAvI_aV-iLc4zBlJZ3fo_oNwCg_TYEps07zXyv_t1w9bsMIVGgiOg2eA 290 https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fnews.abs-cbn.com%2Fnews%2F01 %2F06%2F21%2Fphilippines-in-advance-talks-with-6-coronavirus-vaccine-makers-offici al%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR0H5pxobALsBlyqs0DAJus2g59XSs7POicfalfQKgugj9pHFhb7nG6 UvwQ&h=AT0zl-wCul0lN-LlujYAqzhj6plkdygz8zM8YCRqJRnB301nPAgFY965IhbwhsM rL8Lmhk6FXAvI_aV-iLc4zBlJZ3fo_oNwCg_TYEps07zXyv_t1w9bsMIVGgiOg2eA290

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END OF CONTRACTUALIZATION

Contractualization is one of the biggest problems in our country. In this kind of system of work, you do not have a permanent job. You can only work a limited amount of time before being dismissed. Mostly, one who is employed in this scheme for less than six months. Jobs in this form of the arrangement shall be laid off or moved to other firms before the time limit expires. In this way, it is difficult to file requests for regularization.

Article 296 of the Philippine Labor Code provides that “workers who continue to work following a six-month probationary period must be regularized and, as such, be entitled to benefits such as medical care, paid leave and guarantee of tenure.” The regulation was designed to shield employees, but some businesses learned to exploit it in order to save money, usually by outsourcing contract workers from the organization. After a lengthy delay and several changes, Duterte filed an Executive Order against contractualization on 1 May 2018, Labor Day. Labor organizations were dissatisfied by the EO, stating that it was not the draft they had planned, nor did it represent their discussions with the Department of Labor and Work (DOLE). They wanted the government to make direct employment the norm and job arrangements an exception.In September 2018, Duterte certified as urgent the Protection of the Tenure Bill, a draft contract rule. For a while, this convinced the staff that the President was "remaining true" to his promise to stop. Under the law, all workers, except those specified in terms of probationary, seasonal or project jobs, will be considered 'regular.' 

The continued practice of labor contraction, as well as the country's shortage of basic industries, are the real causes of high unemployment in the Philippines. Ten million unemployed Filipinos are one of many examples of how underdeveloped our economy is. We do not have industries to employ our people, and the government is failing to secure employment for the Filipinos as it continues to engage in labor contraction. Employment protection is a big problem for employees. A 21.5% increase in the number of unemployed Filipinos means a loss of livelihood for millions of Filipino families. We have long called for an end to contractual labor in all forms, but President Duterte himself deceived the staff when he turned his campaign pledge to end the contractualization. Contractualization has a lot of negative effects on the business and, in particular, on the staff. First and foremost, the workers are not being paid in full, which means that they are earning a lower wage than regular employees and are not receiving benefits from the company. 

As early as November 2015, Duterte, then mayor of Davao City, said that the contractualization is not for a country like the Philippines. He challenged those who disagreed with him to "make sure" that he was losing the presidential race. Contractualization or termination (end of contract) is an unethical practice of recruiting fixed-term workers and regularly renewing their contracts in order to stop offering compensation to a permanent worker. The end of the tradition of "endo" was allegedly a campaign pledge made by President Duterte. In fulfillment of this pledge, in March 2017, the Department of Labor and Jobs (DOLE) released a decree creating a collection of implementing rules for Articles 106 to 109 of the Labor Code, stating an absolute prohibition of labor-only contracts. In addition, in May 2018, the President issued an Executive Order underlining the prohibition against illegal contracting or subcontracting of labor. Then, in June 2019, Congress submitted to the President for signing a bill that explicitly prohibits labor-only contracting and broadens its meaning by specifying requirements for labor-only contracts.In an effort to address this problem, it may be helpful to list the different ways that 'work contracting,' the word used in the Labor Code and the DOLE Order, may include. Employment contracts may involve contract manufacturing, which is widely used in the pharmaceutical and electronics industries, and maybe in a few others. In this business activity, the contract manufacturer has its own equipment, including machinery, and employs its own staff. Perhaps we should identify the wider "endo" issue differently and step away from the SOT fixation. First of all, we must find and list unethical practices in job contracts and fixed short-term employment and ban them instead of absolutely banning such work arrangements themselves. Secondly, we should amend our legislation to allow contract and fixed short-term employees to receive completely flexible and higher retirement benefits. I'm going to leave the first to the experts. Lack of space does not allow me to reveal the second one further. However, it can be achieved in a way that incorporates the retirement benefits offered under the Social Security System and the retirement benefits. The bigger issue of "endo," is a major challenge. The government needs to display brilliance in resolution. A fair resolution that will restore the common good of all our people. Will provide access, betterment and good life for the people.

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THE COVID 19 IN THE PHILIPPINES

Coronavirus disease is a communicable disease. The World Health Organization has declared that the COVID-2019 is a pandemic. Last December 31, 2019, a group of cases of pneumonia of unknown cause, in the city of Wuhan, Hubei province of China was informed to the World Health Organization. On January 22, 2020, the first suspected case in the Philippines was investigated and 633 suspected cases were reported as of March 1,2020. The first two people confirmed cases in the Philippines were both admitted to the National Infectious Disease Referral Hospital in Manila. The two patients who were a healthy Chinese nationals were on a vacation here as a couple during January 2020, The patient 1 was a 39 year old female that had a cough and sore throat and patient 2 is a 44 year old male, reported to have a fever on January 18,2020, the couple were residing in Wuhan, China. It was reported that he was in contact with someone that was unwell in Wuhan. During January 20 to 25, they travelled from Wuhan via Hong Kong to several locations in the Philippines. The two patients were admitted, the patient 2  was classified as a COVID-19 Person Under Investigation (PUI) based on his travel history and fever, and was transferred to a designated isolation area with negative pressure rooms. Patient 2 did not fit the PUI criteria due to the absence of fever but was also isolated because of possible exposure. 

Since then, the government declared Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) has been renewed until 15 May for Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon, and other provinces still at high risk of COVID-19 infections. While regions, provinces or areas considered to also be moderate and/or low risk for spread of COVID-19 will be subject to the "General Community Quarantine" (GCQ) until mid-May. If no deterioration takes place, the GCQ areas will be relaxed leading to normalization. The lockdown in Luzon, which accounts for 70% of the Philippine economy, began in mid-March and was originally scheduled to end on April 12, but was extended to April 30. Strict containment measures were implemented to contain the spread of the virus, including extensive restrictions on travel and mass gatherings, and the closure of schools and non-essential businesses, and 'stay-at-home' orders. Mandatory wearing face masks outside the home. The entry of foreign nationals has been restricted. The issuance of an entry visa for foreign nationals is temporarily suspended and all visas previously issued are canceled, except for the following officials of the foreign government and the International Organization accredited to the Philippines and foreign spouses and children of Filipino nationals (provided that the foreign nationals are traveling with the Filipinos). Foreigners and overseas Filipino workers have been allowed to leave the country through any port in Luzon, but should show proof of their international trip. Returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), whether sea-based or land-based, will be subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine facility upon arrival in the Philippines. 

This pandemic event affects our economy, maybe losing over P276.3 billion and P2.5 trillion, depending on how the coronavirus pandemic progresses in the next few months. According to the government, Metro Manila, which accounts for 37.5 percent cent of GDP, is a major concern during the pandemic, while the entire Luzon region accounts for about 73 per cent of GDP. Retail, real estate and industrializing nations are facing serious challenges due to enhanced community quarantine. The Philippine Stock Exchange Index has fallen by 32 percent year-to-date. Over 2 million employees were displaced during the first five weeks of the Luzon-wide ECQ, of which about 70 percent were affected by temporary business closures and 30 percent were subject to alternative work arrangements, such as reduced working days and hours, forced leave and work from home.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly exposed the Philippines to an amount of vulnerabilities such as the weakness of the country's existing health care system;  infrastructure; and the threat to food security owing to the country's fragile agriculture and food systems. The Philippine Government has acknowledged, responded and taken steps and interventions to mitigate the situation and impact of the country's outbreak of COVID-19. 

Some initiatives to address the pandemic include:  (1) the establishment of the One Command Hospital Center (OCHC) launched last month (August 2020) as a referral system between private and public hospitals. (2) The enactment of the Law of the Republic. No. 11494 or 'Bayanihan to Recover as One Act' or 'Bayanihan Act 2' of 11 September 2020. It is a piece of legislation that provides significant funding to improve the efforts of the Philippines to recover from the destruction caused by the pandemic. The proposed policy needs to prioritize the financing of some of the most important government programs in the midst of the pandemic, which would include the further improvement of the healthcare system and the country's infrastructure to respond better to the COVID-19 crisis, the further extension of benefits to health workers the financing of cash work programs to address the rise in unemployment in the country, the financing of support and the law furthermore has the twin objective of reviving the economy and addressing the health needs of the Filipinos further. Among the parts of the law that focus on improving the welfare of health workers in the country are the allocation of the COVID-19 Special Risk Allowance (SRA) to private and public health workers who have had direct contact with COVID-19 patients. The SRA shall be provided each month as long as they are in active duty and as long as the state of national emergency is in effect. The law also provides for life insurance, temporary housing, transportation and food for all public and private health workers regardless of quarantine status, during national emergency situations. The legislation also extends compensation to PHP 100,000 for health workers who become severely or critically ill with COVID-19, while PHP 1,000,000 (will be paid to the family/relatives of a health worker who dies due to COVID-19 disease and PHP 15,000 to health workers who have mild or moderate COVID-19 disease. (3) The law also extended financial support to students and extra funding to the various educational programs of a variety of educational institutions, in particular, the 'Blended Learning' program of the Department of Education (DepEd). The law assigned PHP 4 billion to the implementation of the "blended learning" program across the country. It also allocated PHP 600 million for funding and allowances for students severely impacted by the pandemic, PHP 1 billion for scholarships to be given by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and PHP 300 million for funding and allowances for teaching and non-teaching staff, and part-time faculty in state universities and colleges.

The Department of Education (DepEd) is considering the possibility of a gradual return to face-to-face classes in 2021, with the news that at least 3 vaccine manufacturers have announced high efficacy rates in their post-test COVID-19 vaccines. Returning to face-to-face sessions will only take place in areas considered safe by the Department of Health and the Interagency Task Force. The DepED also said that the academic calendar for 2020 to 2021 is likely to be revised as a result of COVID-19 and the many typhoons that have affected the country. At an estimated cost of PHP1,200 per person, the government has set aside some PHP70 billion pesos for COVID-19 vaccines for 60 million citizens. Saying that herd immunity is achieved by vaccinating around 60 to 70 percent of the population, the DOH said that the vaccination of 60 million Filipinos would lead to herd immunity, arrest the further spread of the disease and eventually lead to its disappearance in the population.

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THE EFFECTS OF MINING 

The status of large scale mining in the Philippines, according to Castillo and Alvarez (2009) The mining act was well received by the Global Mining Industry and the Philippines has taken great strides in last years to attract investors through policy and promotion (Fraser Institute, 2008) where Philippines investment grew in average of 20% each year (Holden and Jacobson, 2012, p.24) where mining will be a major source of employment and revenue (Holden, Jacobson,2020) Nevertheless,Tujan, (2001) the other mining like the Marcopper accident shocked and traumatized the nation because of tailing spill of toxic heavy metals in the river (Holden and Jacobson,2012) Nevertheless, Tujan (2001, p.54) The other mining like the Marcopper accident shocked and traumatized the nation because of tailing spill of toxic heavy metals in the river (Holden and Jacobson, 2012) 

The effects of climate change on mining like typhoons is very strong and unpredictable. This gives harm to the lives and too risky to the people, (DENR Climate Change Office 2010). The heavy rainfall may cause flooding, storm surge, acid rain, geochemical processes that cause acid generation that may perpetuate from tailing dams. (Holden and Jacobson, 2012). Also, weather events and inundation because of rising sea level. 

The relationship of mining and disaster has a great impact on people and the environment. If the investor will use sophisticated technology to protect our resources and people with the guidance of technical experts the risk of danger will be extremely low (Holden, 2011) and (Bello et. al, 2009)

 I therefore conclude that the DENR must give importance to balance the effects of mining to the environment by having the set of guidelines and Policies to protect  our environment and natural resources the use of sophisticated technology is good but the government must be strict and carefully examine the vulnerability of the environment to be used for mining.

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Why does this issue matter? To whom does it matter?

This issue matters because the constitution specifically charges the state to undertake an agrarian program founded on the right of farmers and regular farmworkers, who are landless, to own directly or collectively the lands they till or, in the case of other farmworkers.

Who/What is affected by the issue?

The affected by the issue are the farmers and their income because they will lose their source of income if the government pursues land conversion.

When/Where/How did this issue begin?

The Philippines faces an uncertain future in the 1990s. The Calabarzon Project is a massive program of infrastructural investment designed to encourage foreign investment. The project is designed to turn the region into an engine of growth for Philippine industrialization. The government has embarked on a massive. program of infrastructure rural investment to encourage foreign investment. It is hoped the Philippines will join the ranks of the Newly Industrialized Countries by 2000.

How has this issue change over time?

Land, then in the 1990s, remained at the forefront of Filipino politics. However, the dilemma now is not limited exclusively to who needs to own it, the tiller or the landlord, but to land use. In one of the most prosperous and fertile regions of the Philippines, the conversion of land from agricultural to non-agricultural use is proceeding apace.

 What might be future concerns about this time?

A project to accelerate the integrated agri-industrial growth of the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon is the Calabarzon Initiative. It aims to transform the city into the next century's economic center. The project has its beginnings in the planned martial law infrastructure projects that were implemented into a regional planning plan drawn up by NEDA in 1988. This plan was implemented by the Japan International Cooperation Agency ( JICA) with the inclusion of Quezon Province,

How is this issue connected to other environmental, social, economic, or political concerns?

It is hard to gauge the scale of these land conversions, and Also there is a significant distance between ethnic and state variations. Statistics from the state government and forecasts from non-governmental groups involved in agrarian reform. As of June 1993, the Department of Agrarian Reform reported that Less than 19,000 hectares of agricultural land have been impacted by the Global conversion, though consideration was pending for applications involving around an additional 11,000 hectares

Is this issue connected to other aspects such as environmental, economic, political?

However, both official and NGO sources believe that  In the Southern Tagalog region protected by the Calabarzon, a brunt of land conversions have occurred, though they disagree on The scale of such transformations. Recorded by DAR as of June 1993 fewer than 15,000 hectares of agricultural land, Converted, although queries covering a further 4,629 were converted still pending. Figures compiled for 1992 indicate that more than 80 In the two provinces of Cavite and Laguna, one percent of these conversions took place.

Is this issue part of a larger trend or problem?

This issue is a problem because the scale of land conversions has caused significant social disruption, leading to the displacement of thousands of farmers and adding to the number of landless. The scale of displacement is difficult to estimate, but it seems that hundreds of thousands will be forced from the land over the next decade to swell the urban squatter populations.

Why does this issue continue to be a problem and for whom?

 The conversion of land, however, is just an aspect of a great deal of 

The bigger problem regarding the future of national growth is that of 

It faces not just the Philippines, but also other nations in the 

The country and the world over. Neither gradual industrialization nor rapid industrialization is The most equal or environmentally friendly path 

National growth, particularly, it seems, for nations with 

Huge numbers of agricultural residents. Agri-industrialization, in other words, a policy of 

In order to promote structural changes in the economy's agricultural and industrial sectors by fostering 

An alternate path can be provided through linkages between the two, if 

A genuine effort. In strategy papers such as this, the new government in the Philippines pays lip service to this term.  Like the Philippines in 2000, but then by its acts encouraging rapid  Not only in the Calabarzon Project regions but in the entire of the 

Land-use conversions in the Philippines are cutting up and depleting farmland In the guise of industrialization quickly. 

How do you feel about the issue now that you know more about it?

It is frustrating what I feel about this issue because the government did not think about what this project might impact farmers or landowners because for that project alone they would lose their source of income.

How might this issue have been prevented? What could have done? 

If they really consider what will happen to the people who will be affected by this project, this problem can be avoided and they should consider that the project they do should be beneficial to the people because farming in the Philippines is very important, this is where we get our food we eat every day so they need to think wisely.

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THE COVID 19 IN THE PHILIPPINES

Coronavirus disease is a communicable disease. The World Health Organization has declared that the COVID-2019 is a pandemic. Last December 31, 2019, a group of cases of pneumonia of unknown cause, in the city of Wuhan, Hubei province of China was informed to the World Health Organization. On January 22, 2020, the first suspected case in the Philippines was investigated and 633 suspected cases were reported as of March 1,2020. The first two people confirmed cases in the Philippines were both admitted to the National Infectious Disease Referral Hospital in Manila. The two patients who were a healthy Chinese nationals were on a vacation here as a couple during January 2020, The patient 1 was a 39 year old female that had a cough and sore throat and patient 2 is a 44 year old male, reported to have a fever on January 18,2020, the couple were residing in Wuhan, China. It was reported that he was in contact with someone that was unwell in Wuhan. During January 20 to 25, they travelled from Wuhan via Hong Kong to several locations in the Philippines. The two patients were admitted, the patient 2 was classified as a COVID-19 Person Under Investigation (PUI) based on his travel history and fever, and was transferred to a designated isolation area with negative pressure rooms. Patient 2 did not fit the PUI criteria due to the absence of fever but was also isolated because of possible exposure.

Since then, the government declared Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) has been renewed until 15 May for Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Cavite,Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon, and other provinces still at high risk of COVID-19 infections. While regions, provinces or areas considered to also be moderate and/or low risk for spread of COVID-19 will be subject to the "General Community Quarantine" (GCQ) until mid-May. If no deterioration takes place, the GCQ areas will be relaxed leading to normalization. The lockdown in Luzon, which accounts for 70% of the leading to normalization. The lockdown in Luzon, which accounts for 70% of the Philippine economy, began in mid-March and was originally scheduled to end on April 12, but was extended to April 30. Strict containment measures were implemented to contain the spread of the virus, including extensive restrictions on travel and mass gatherings, and the closure of schools and non-essential businesses, and 'stay-at-home' orders. Mandatory wearing face masks outside the home. The entry of foreign nationals has been restricted. The issuance of an entry visa for foreign nationals is temporarily suspended and all visas previously issued are canceled, except for the following officials of the foreign government and the International Organization accredited to the Philippines and foreign spouses and children of Filipino nationals (provided that the foreign nationals are traveling with the Filipinos). Foreigners and overseas Filipino workers have been allowed to leave the country through any port in Luzon, but should show proof of their international trip. Returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), whether sea-based or land-based, will be subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine facility upon arrival in the Philippines. This pandemic event affects our economy, maybe losing over P276.3 billion and P2.5 trillion, depending on how the coronavirus pandemic progresses in the next few months. According to the government, Metro Manila, which accounts for 37.5 percent cent of GDP, is a major concern during the pandemic, while the entire Luzon region accounts for about 73 per cent of GDP. Retail, real estate and industrializing nations are facing serious challenges due to enhanced community quarantine. The Philippine Stock Exchange Index has fallen by 32 percent year-to-date. Over 2 million employees were displaced during the first five weeks of the Luzon-wide ECQ, of which about 70 percent were affected by temporary business closures and 30 percent were subject to alternative work arrangements, such as reduced working days and hours, forced leave and work from home. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly exposed the Philippines to an amount of vulnerabilities such as the weakness of the country's existing health care system; infrastructure; and the threat to food security owing to the country's fragile agriculture and food systems. The Philippine Government has acknowledged, responded and taken steps and interventions to mitigate the situation and impact of the country's outbreak of COVID-19.

Some initiatives to address the pandemic include: (1) the establishment of the One Command Hospital Center (OCHC) launched last month (August 2020) as a referral system between private and public hospitals. (2) The enactment of the Law of the Republic. No. 11494 or 'Bayanihan to Recover as One Act' or 'Bayanihan Act 2' of 11 September 2020. It is a piece of legislation that provides significant funding to improve the efforts of the Philippines to recover from the destruction caused by the pandemic. The proposed policy needs to prioritize the financing of some of the most important government programs in the midst of the pandemic, which would include the further improvement of the healthcare system and the country's infrastructure to respond better to the COVID-19 crisis, the further extension of benefits to health workers the financing of cash work programs to address the rise in unemployment in the country, the financingof support and the law furthermore has the twin objective of reviving the economy and addressing the health needs of the Filipinos further. Among the parts of the law that focus on improving the welfare of health workers in the country are the allocation of the COVID-19 Special Risk Allowance (SRA) to private and public health workers who have had direct contact with COVID-19 patients. The SRA shall be provided each month as long as they are in active duty and as long as the state of national emergency is in effect. The law also provides for life insurance, temporary housing, transportation and food for all public and private health workers regardless of quarantine status, during national emergency situations. The legislation also extends compensation to PHP 100,000 for health workers who become severely or critically ill with COVID-19, while PHP 1,000,000 (will be paid to the family/relatives of a health worker who dies due to COVID-19 disease and PHP 15,000 to health workers who have mild or moderate COVID-19 disease. (3) The law also extended financial support to students and extra funding to the various educational programs of a variety of educational institutions, in particular, the 'Blended Learning' program of the Department of Education (DepEd). The law assigned PHP 4 billion to the implementation of the "blended learning" program across the country. It also allocated PHP 600 million for funding and allowances for students severely impacted by the pandemic, PHP 1 billion for scholarships to be given by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and PHP 300 million for funding and allowances for teaching and non-teaching staff, and part-time faculty in state universities and colleges. The Department of Education (DepEd) is considering the possibility of a gradual return to face-to-face classes in 2021, with the news that at least 3 vaccine manufacturers have announced high efficacy rates in their post-test COVID-19 vaccines. Returning to face-to-face sessions will only take place in areas considered safe by the Department of Health and the Interagency Task Force. The DepED also said that the academic calendar for 2020 to 2021 is likely to be revised as a result of COVID-19 and the many typhoons that have affected the country. At an estimated cost of PHP1,200 per person, the government has set aside some PHP70 billion pesos for COVID-19 vaccines for 60million citizens. Saying that herd immunity is achieved by vaccinating around 60 to 70 percent of the population, the DOH said that the vaccination of 60 million Filipinos would lead to herd immunity, arrest the further spread of the disease and eventually lead to its disappearance in the population

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LINK:

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As regards to our current society, how do you see our society? As a student how are you going to raise awareness of our current social issues?

Current issue of the so called New Normal is a system protocol where in everyone should follow the guidelines of the goverment. As a student I can raise my awareness being an obedient child a good listener and follower so that I can easily adopt the system of protocol yet I need to be aware of what's going on in our society like updating myself through google news and social media flatforms.