PAGBABAGO

A triumph of various human rights group, and it happened a few days before Christmas. 

The prison transfer of Mary Jane Veloso, who was jailed in Indonesia for 14 years, to the Philippines was lauded as a win by Migrante and various human groups who noted that it was the solidarity among migrant groups in both countries which saved her from a death sentence. 

Veloso, believed to have been a victim of human trafficking, was apprehended at an Indonesian airport for carrying 2.5 kilograms of heroin, described her repatriation as a “miracle.” She will serve the rest of her sentence in a Philippine jail unless the President grants her executive clemency. 

The second is a win for freedom of speech. It is about the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 306 ordering Lorraine Badoy, former government anti-communist task force spokesperson, and ex New People’s Army rebel Jeffrey “Ka Eric” Celiz to pay Atom Araullo, a well-respected journalist, ₱2.07 million in damages plus attorney’s fees and court costs.

 The case involved Badoy’s red-tagging statements against Araullo and his family on the SMNI network in 2020 when she questioned why Araullo, who leads a comfortable life, was not recruited into the NPA. The court, presided overby Judge Dolly Rose Bolante-Prado noted that these statements were defamatory and malicious, saying that red-tagging threatens a person’s fundamental rights and incites hate, abuse, and violence. Judge Prado explained that freedom of speech has limitations and does not protect defamatory statements. The decision acknowledged the harm it would do to Araullo and his family. This is a precedent in the fight against red-tagging and the need to provide safety measures to journalists and truth-tellers.

The third, although not as dramatic as the first two, is an example of what the government can do in providing freedom of movement.

In a country where our horrendous traffic had affected movement of people and loss of opportunities, an initiative of the local government of San Juan Mayor under Mayor Francis Zamora and Metro Manila Administration Chair Atty. Romando Artes is much welcomed. 

The new connection road is located near Eisenhower St. near Club Filipino. It will help the residents along West Crame, the Boni Serrano Area, San Juan, including many of us residing near New Manila who travel to Greenhills for banking, shopping, and medical needs, especially during the Christmas holidays. 

We approach the Christmas season and the New Year with some trepidation as we face political uncertainties such as the conflict in the West Philippine Sea and the General Appropriations Act on the 2025 national budget which many find contentious due to insertions of about ₱731.5 billion unprogrammed funds. 

Significant budget cuts were made on the Commission of Higher Education and Department of Social Work and Development. Because of clamor from various sectors, President Marcos deferred the signing of the budget scheduled yesterday to allow a more intensive study of the controversial issues and perhaps a veto on some of the items. 

But, despite these concerns, as well as anxieties over inflation and the coming mid-term election, most Filipinos regard that 2024 as not a bad year. In fact, as Pulse Asia noted in its survey early this year, 92 percent of Filipinos expressed optimism for the coming year.

The country is now one of the fastest growing economies and our revenue growth had been the highest in 27 years according to our economic leaders. While there were several challenges in 2024, our leaders in government see 2025 as one of opportunity especially in information technology, the tourism industry, and food security. 

A blessed Christmas to all.

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