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Opinion

The "rule of law" Daang Matuwid style

SHOOTING STRAIGHT - Bobit S. Avila - The Freeman

For our special presentation on our talk show "Straight from the Sky," we are blessed to have with us the 6th RAFI Triennial Awards winners who would share with us their experiences. I submit that even the finalists of the awards have their own stories to tell. It is the first time for "Straight from the Sky" to feature the winners this time.

Tonight, we have with us the Ramon Aboitiz Award for Exemplary Individual, Mrs. Anita T. Castillon or "Nanay Anita," who devoted her entire life in educating the children of the indigenous people called the T'Boli in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato where she established three Indigenous People's (IP) schools. As Jon Ramon Aboitiz told me, Nanay Anita's only daughter now lives in the United States and had wanted to bring her to live with her in the US. But unlike the common Filipino who gets this opportunity, she chose to stay with the T'Boli's because no one would care for them.

The Eduardo Aboitiz Award for Outstanding Institution was won by the Kadtabanga Foundation for Peace and Development Advocates, Inc. from Curbada Awang, Datu Odin Sinuat, Maguindanao. This organization was represented by its Executive Director Hadja Giobay Diocolano and Board Secretary Mokaledin Kido. These people were once armed members of the Moro National Liberation Front, but they laid down their arms to pursue their own peace process when the Tripoli Agreement was signed. This shows that you don't need a Bangsamoro Basic Law if the people in Mindanao truly want peace. Just listen to our awardees tonight.

Watch these wonderful stories of how RAFI's selection committee was able to find these gems in the mountain fastness of Mindanao. You can see this interview in SkyCable's channel 61 at 8:00PM with replays on Wednesday and Saturday same time and channel. We also have replays on MyTV's channel 30 at 9:00PM and at 7:00AM and 9:00PM on Wednesday and Friday.

* * *

Today is National Heroes Day. It seems that this day has been moved and moved so many times before. Supposedly, all the heroes of this country have been lumped together in this one National Heroes Day so that the only holiday for our National Hero is the one for Dr. Jose Rizal on Dec.31st. So we'd like to know why was Aug.21st is also a national holiday. We know that that's the celebration for the death of Sen. Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. but wait! When was Ninoy officially declared a national hero that he would have his own holiday? Or is it because Ninoy Aquino is the father of current Pres. Benigno Aquino III, which is why Aug.21st is a separate holiday, apart from National Heroes Day.

* * *

It seems that the Iglesia ni Cristo is now openly fighting the Aquino Regime with its protest rallies which has now lasted for four days because Department of Justice  Sec. Leila de Lima is investigating the alleged kidnapping of expelled (INC) officials. Out of the blue, the offices of the Department of Justice was clogged by thousands of INC members protesting the DoJ's plan of action against the INC.

Last Saturday, the INC secured a permit to stay in EDSA, Mandaluyong near Shaw Boulevard until Sunday. Now whether they would disperse by this time, we don't know. But what I got was a text from the post of Bobi Tiglao on the Social Media network, which was sent to me stating why the INC has gone all out against the Aquino Regime. Here's the text in full.

"Bobi Tiglao's post on social media: The rumor when this all started a month back is that the yellow horde tried to send a message to INC that if they didn't support Mar Roxas, there would be charges of kidnapping & corruption vs. their leaders hurled by "insiders." If that didn't work, at least the integrity of the INC would be weakened so that the rank and file wouldn't follow the command of the Sanggunian whom to vote."

What complicates this problem is that DILG Sec. Mar Roxas told the INC, "Let us remember that ours is a Rule of Law and not of men." Of course Mar Roxas was defending the actions of Sec. de Lima. But you know that if Mar Roxas sides with someone, Vice Pres. Jejomar Binay takes the opposite side. So last Friday, VP Binay issued a statement defending the INC, saying that they were only exercising their freedom to assembly and religious freedom.

Of course the Aquino Regime accused him of wooing votes of the INC in the coming 2016 presidential polls. Come now, it could go either way. Mar Roxas talks about the rule of law but we know too well what Daang Matuwid means. It means "selective justice." This is the problem with Mar Roxas' "Rule of Law." Justice is only for his allies and friends.

* * *

For email responses to this article, write to [email protected] or [email protected]. His columns can be accessed through www.philstar.com

AQUINO JR.

AQUINO REGIME

AS JON RAMON ABOITIZ

BOBI TIGLAO

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

INC

MAR ROXAS

NANAY ANITA

NATIONAL HEROES DAY

QUOT

RULE OF LAW

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