The cost of freedom

In one Singapore business trip, I chanced upon a gregarious taxi driver. When he learned I was Pinoy, he immediately began a good-natured discourse on the difference between Singapore and Philippines. He said that our country was wonderful with very good people, but we have not progressed as much as his country because we had “too much democracy.” He explained that in Singapore, if the people demanded ten things, the government would accede to only six. Media is not allowed to publish negative news or criticize the bureaucracy. I smiled and controlled the urge to comment about police states.

Some Filipinos actually share this view and flippantly wish for a “benevolent dictator.” Unfortunately, like the desire for Utopian Society, both are oxymoron and unattainable. One becomes a dictator by trampling on the rights of others and silencing opposing voices. Far from benevolent, he becomes more malevolent with each passing year to keep his grip on power.

A free society cannot reach Utopia, because in the exercise of individual rights, there is bound to be chaos. Democracy is not neat. Citizens don’t behave like sheep. Freedom is always work-in-progress. It is messy with the threat of anarchy ever-present. As Thomas Paine said, “Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must undergo the fatigue of supporting it.”

Freedom of thought and expression is the bedrock of liberty. Opinion writers articulate mostly their own perspective, principle, position or stand-on-an-issue. A few use it as a pulpit for their benefactors. Views are supported, challenged or attacked by the audience. What Coco Chanel said is true. “The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.” 

To commemorate our 114th Independence Day, here are excerpts from emails by readers who are exercising their freedom to speak-out or lash-out.

*      *      *

“Just wanted to give you feedback that I agree with every word you wrote. You are reflecting my thoughts exactly — but you express it so much better than I ever could.

Exception: “Now that the ignominious Corona chapter is closed....” It’s not! 

Now they’re talking of “mercy” and “compassion” — whatever that means. And in Maceda’s column, he says that Angara says that the P-Noy’s rejection of some Senators’ plea for mercy “means a policy of vindictiveness.”

Three things seem to be in question: (1) whether charges for ill-gotten wealth should be pursued by the ombudsman, (2) whether the BIR should go after him for taxes on his admitted wealth, whether ill-gotten or not, and (3) whether he should get his retirement pay and then continue to get pension for life (my info is that the monthly pension is equivalent to the monthly pay which gets adjusted for cost of living in similar manner as the incumbent justices — in other words, as if he continues to sit, but not needing to work).

The whole process — painful as it was — loses its efficacy if Corona now is “treated with compassion” and he gets away so easily.

On the first two (ill-gotten wealth and taxes), they should carefully examine their evidence and pursue it only if it has a chance for success. That’s a decision to be made.

On the third one — there should be no question. By being impeached and convicted — he is effectively fired, dismissed for cause. I’m sure the administrative policies of the Supreme Court should apply — no retirement benefits or pension for people who are dismissed. I’m sure that lady who was fired for not declaring her market stall did not get any benefits and pension. —Della

We take this liberty to send you our earlier message to our Ateneo group et al. because it may attempt to enlighten you why Joker Arroyo at age 84 slid down the political manure. Indeed how was he able to forget the Martial Law years and the days he and his Mabini pals were ”canonized” by the firemen of FM specially at Taft Avenue?

Additionally, maybe finally Joker discovered that FM was kind enough to keep him and his MABINI brother lawyers alive. Unlike the cult of the late Valentin delos Santos who were mowed down in cold blood just because they raised the bolos in their hands.

Maybe also, Joke discovered that without Martial law and their punching bag named FM, he would have remained a joker in the courtroom and there would no UP Law School millionaires/ multi-millionaires named Sen. Joker, our classmate VP JojoB et al.

It is a tragedy for Ateneo that for the last decade, its prominent students/ graduates in the government service are in bad light, like Erap, Mike Arroyo, Ignacio Arroyo, CJ Corona, Sec. Puno, PCSO Manuel Garcia et al. 

Politics indeed produce strange bedfellows. For sure his vote with Bongbong at least lessened one former enmity in PH political life. — Braulio

Your president, your trapo senators and trapo congressmen deserve each other. You love a banana republic of the Philippines. It’s no wonder that we don’t move forward. If 90 persons of Filipinos think like you, acts like you, work, and think like you and your leader.... Then, why do you wonder why we are not one of the emerging tigers of Asia.

The impeachment is distasteful, self-serving, hypocritical, and shameful! You really thought we don’t understand and know what you people did? Shame on you all!— Anonymous

To paraphrase Voltaire, “I disapprove of what you say, but I’ll defend to death your right to say it.” In the cyber world, trolls have never had it so good. Hiding behind anonymity, they are venomous and pernicious, but gutless — too lily-livered to put their name behind their diatribe.

Warts and all, there is still no better alternative to democracy. For every pathetic wrongdoer who abuses liberty, there are three valiant defenders who champion truth. Despite occasional drawbacks, freedom is worth living for.

Journalist Elmer Davis captured the spirit of Independence so well: “This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.”

*      *      *

Email: [email protected]