MANILA PRESS REVIEW - EDITORIALS & COMMENTARIES - 2
Wayne Johns
editorials and commentaries/opinion from today's issues of
English-language national newspapers:
A fitting legacy from President Macapagal - (Borjal/STAR) -
Those who criticize President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for allegedly
buckling under the pressure of Cardinal Sin and other Catholic Church
leaders, in connection with the showing of the controversial movie,
Live Show, are very wrong. No, President GMA has not bowed to the
pressure of the Catholic Church. On the contrary, she is merely
following the dictates of her conscience, as it was molded and
nourished by her father, President Diosdado Macapagal, during her
youthful years and during the incumbency as President of our Republic
from 1961 to 1965.
Civilian supremacy - (Mata/STANDARD) - In the Constitution, one
of the basic socio-political principles enshrined is the supremacy of
civilian authority over the military. Affairs of state are entrusted
to civilian authority, while the military takes care of defending the
country against external threats and subversion.
Fly-by-night education - (Editorial/STAR) - Classes are just
ending, but many schools are already requiring the early payment of
tuition or at least a reservation fee for the next school year.
Before parents pay a fortune for their children's tuition, the
education department must identify these fly-by-night schools and
give the public adequate warning.
A national security concern - (Bas/MlaTIMES) - I see something
positive in the presence of all these ex-generals in President
Macapagal-Arroyo's administration. However, this positive thing is
only valid if these ex-generals are people of real and perceived
integrity. That, I hear, is in fact the case with Executive Secretary
Renato de Villa. I hope the others are as honest and spotless as he
is.
Presumptuous demands - (Editorial/INQUIRER) - If the
Macapagal-Arroyo administration is sincere in its protestation of
fighting criminality and restoring law and order, it should waste no
time in recapturing Norberto Manero and returning him to jail. And
put him in maximum security prison guarded by people who can be
trusted and who cannot be corrupted.
That secret deal - (Editorial/MlaTIMES) - It is in the national
interest, of course, that peace negotiations between Manila and the
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) be revived. The sooner we end
the secessionist war in Mindanao, the speedier would the pace of
national development proceed and the goals of stronger political
stability be achieved. The Macapagal-Arroyo government, however,
should not accede to a demand that the peace talks take place outside
the country. Let us hope that the "deal" does not grant concessions
the other party does not deserve.
No to artistic obscenity - (Roces/STAR) - Artists do not have
more freedom than other people. That's why "artistic license" is a
meaningless term. Article III, Sec. 4
of the Constitution says, "No law shall be passed abridging the
freedom of speech, of expression, or the press..." Let us not
confuse anarchy with freedom. If anything, the more freedom, the
greater the responsibility that goes with that freedom. What society
needs is freedom from obscenity and not the right to artistic
obscenity. (PNA) SCS/erd
PNA 03271015