Atty. Gregorio Larrazabal
Wages of voting
July 23, 2024 6:03 pm
Elections are, for all its complexity, a straightforward competition mechanism. Theoretically, the process acts as both a reward and punishment device that can control politicians’ conduct. The 1987 Philippine constitution and the Omnibus Election Code nowhere identify wealth as a requirement for public office. Yet, the Philippine experience poses a rhetorical question: without significant financial backing, can the average Filipino even entertain the idea of winning? In practice, the electorate is left bound by the policy directions – or lack thereof – set by those who emerge victorious in the first-past-the-post system.
The erosion of attention: Trading depth for distraction
July 16, 2024 9:47 pm
In a world where attention spans dwindle with every passing TikTok video, could it be that we are unknowingly trading depth for distraction? What began in September 2016 as a platform for fleeting entertainment has morphed into a de facto search engine, reshaping how we consume information, even challenging Google’s dominance. Adobe’s 2024 Report corroborates the findings of a news study conducted by NewsGuard Technologies, Inc. in 2022, underscoring the rapid user growth of this social media application. Apparently deriving its name from wordplay on tick-tock, the onomatopoeia we know for countdowns, the promise of endless short-form videos has catapulted TikTok into the mainstream culture. Central to its success is an algorithm that excels at personalized content delivery and discovery, fostering a sense of community and relevance.
Identity’s roots: Allegiance and representation
July 09, 2024 10:39 pm
The significance of elections is intrinsically connected to the voters’ perception of its impact on their daily lives. Ideally, the process demands the most careful reflection of the nation we intend to be as it goes without saying that the exercise of the right of suffrage has direct and cumulative effects, not just on our present conditions but also on those of generations to come. This highlights the importance of ascertaining the identity of the candidates we ultimately choose.
Unlearning learned helplessness
July 02, 2024 9:43 pm
The live interview last May 7, 2024 with fishermen while we were in Scarborough Shoal hinted a sentiment that deserves a lookback. When Anthony Taberna asked Kapitan Efren whether the latter is satisfied with the government’s efforts on the territorial issue, the response was: “Hindi naman makaya siguro natin iyong China na ipa-kuwan sa gobyerno natin iyan. Pwede na iyon basta maka-panagat lang kami rito.” (Our government probably can’t do much about China, so (the response) will have to do. What matters is that we can (fish) in these waters.)
Precarious proletariat
June 25, 2024 4:06 pm
Following the recent wave of national pride, a fitting postscript would be to examine the realities of our informal workers and the gig economy. The state, akin to a parental figure by virtue of parens patriae, is endowed with the responsibility to nurture the well-being of all Filipinos. That scope necessarily includes those who contribute to the national progress through less conventional avenues.