An act of cowardice

When a Chinese vessel rammed a rickety Filipino fishing boat at Recto Bank, under the Philippine territory, Malacañang apologists scrambled for rhyme and reason to cushion the impact of the sea tragedy. For days, President Rodrigo Duterte kept mum over the issue and let his subalterns do the talking. But the sound of silence was so deafening that he was forced to come out and issue a statement dismissing it as an ordinary sea accident.

If indeed it was a simple case of sea accident, why the hell did the Chinese vessel leave the victims to drown and die in the middle of the sea? Human instinct dictates that in case of accident, whether it be on land or at sea, the first thing to do is to rescue the survivors. The Chinese’ flimsy reason to leave in a rush was that they were being besieged by other Filipino fishing vessels. Satellite feed at the time of the incident revealed that that no boat was seen within 10 nautical miles of the area.

It was plain and simple act of bullying on the part of the Chinese. Bullying is a continuing crime. If the Chinese can bully us once, they can do it twice or even ad infinitum. Can we not stand up and fight against the Chinese without necessarily going to war? The problem with our leaders is that they think that going to war is the only solution to the world’s problem. “Utak pulbura, duwag naman,” my friend quipped. The Chinese have already trampled upon our sacred shores and we only squirmed like worms. We readily waggled our tails like a dog trapped in a barbed wire fence. How come Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Indonesia have the balls to assert their sovereignty without talking of war?

The likes of Locsin, Panelo, Piñol, and Cusi are a disgrace to the Filipino people. These tactless, arrogant people did a great disservice to the people what with their conflicting statements that only muddled the issue instead of clarifying some misconceptions. This prompted one observer to quote that maybe these idiots are paid hacks of the Chinese government.

In the military code of honor, an act of cowardice constitutes treason.

By Rene F. Antiga

Banilad, Mandaue City

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Very unchristian

President Duterte has ordered that requirements in the transaction in all government offices and government-owned and -controlled corporations be made easier so that it's easier now to secure business permits and processing of all kinds of government licenses. Licenses and permits which before take months to approve because of redundant bureaucratic procedure can now be had in a matter of days.

But what I cannot understand is why those who passed the 2018 Bar exam are required to submit three valid government IDs. My granddaughter, who was one of the lucky few who passed the 2018 Bar exam, has already two valid IDs, her passport and Comelec ID. She still has to secure another valid government ID in order to participate in the incoming oath taking ceremony.

I hope the judiciary will realize that these Bar passers had already undergone a traumatic ordeal, considering the passing percentage of the 2018 Bar exam was only 20%, thus we can deduce that the 2018 Bar exam was very difficult. Giving them another ordeal is very unchristian.

Jose Hortelano

Balamban, Cebu