EDITORIAL - Far worthier subjects

Instead of taking the lead in the idiotization of Filipinos by giving too much importance and prominence to the Vhong Navarro story (just because sex, violence and personality are its hallmarks does not necessarily make the subject essential), Philippine media ought to take the lead somewhere else.

There are, for instance, two current issues that ought to be given better importance and prominence than the one given the Vhong Navarro story. And these involve a cadet's dismissal from the Philippine Military Academy on questions of honor, and whether hazing necessitates the abolition of ROTC.

While lack of discipline lies at the root of the Vhong Navarro story, it is discipline that is at the heart of the other two stories, involving as they in fact do two of the country's leading institutions of discipline -- the PMA and the ROTC.

In the PMA story, a cadet expected to be class salutatorian upon graduation is instead facing dismissal for lying about why he was two minutes late for class. Lying is mortal sin in the cadet's honor code. The cadet is fighting his dismissal and the story has divided the nation.

Many find the dismissal too harsh, insisting that the cadet should be allowed to graduate, even if it meant he would no longer be salutatorian. On the other hand, there are those who, while admitting the penalty is harsh, insist that the cadet was aware of the penalty and must pay the price for taking chances with it.

The ROTC story, on the other hand, stems from an incident at one university in which one cadet has come forward to complain about hazing, that while already banned and illegal, reportedly continues to be practiced there, and in all probability, also elsewhere.

The story, complete with photographic evidences, prompted calls for the abolition, once and for all, of ROTC, at one time already abolished also on account of hazing, but later reinstituted as an optional program in college.

Those calling for the abolition of ROTC point to hazing as main reason for the call, with others adding that the drills in the program do not really prep anyone for military service. Those for keeping the ROTC admit hazing should go but argue against burning a house down just to get rid of a cat.

As you can see, these are very valid and legitimate issues far worthier of the time Filipinos can devote debating, instead of being dished out, to the point of puking, that ridiculous saga of a two-timing showbiz person getting beaten up in come-uppance. The nation profits not from the antics of these a-holes.