Talumpati

I rise on a question of personal and collective privilege Mr.Speaker

The question of personal and collective privilege Mr. Speaker involves two aspects
1. The actuations last Tuesday, August 14, 2007 regarding the privilege speech of the Honorable Lopez of Manila and the point of clarification by the Honorable Romualdo of Camiguin which placed a chilling effect on the right of this representation to speak in Filipino or in a native language other than English in this chamber and
2. Mr.Speaker as the language issue is only one of the many problems besetting our country, I would like to cite some facts, questions and some conclusions in our beloved country today which affect the rights,duty and reputation not only of this member but of the Congress as well. Thank you Mr.Speaker.

ONLY IN D PHILIPPINES MR. SPEAKER
1. 23 years ago Mr.Speaker, nagsalita ako sa Batasang Pambansa tungkol sa Wikang Pilipino and what happened last August 14, 2007 validate the saying that indeed history repeat itself. The Honorable Lopez just like tha late Honorable Rogaciano Mercado of Bulacan started to speak also in Tagalog, his native tongue and this was questioned. There was a recess and upon resumption, Assemblyman Mercado spoke in English which the Honorable Lopez also did. Thus if I may be allowed to read my speech then which was delivered on September 3, 1984 Mr.Speaker and I quote:
“ One of the most basic manifestations of a people’s culture is the language. In the evolution of our history, Spanish was used during the Spanish colonial period. American English was used during the American colonial period and up to now American English persists because the language is being institutionalized in our educational system. The result was that a majority of the intellectuals, the rich or upper class, and even our own Members of this honorable Body speak and write in the English language in a precise and excellent manner. I, for, one, can express my thoughts and feelings more succinctly in English than in the native tongue. The institutionalization, therefore, gave us a mastery as well as an advantage over other countries and Asian neighbors in terms of jobs and social communications and amenities.

However, the same institutionalization made us appreciate the values, history, ideology, and products which are only in consonance with the culture with which the language is a principal part or the vehicle by which continuing domination whether intentionally or otherwise and socialization take place. Some of the ramifications and examples are:
Having a PX or stateside mentality or appreciation of foreign-made products and therefore inferiority of local indigenous or native products; a foreign ideology which is democracy; a copycat or gaya-gaya mentality which makes the Filipino an English speaking monkey or dog from the point of view of some foreigners; and an identity crisis which identity is up to now indiscernible because of the continuing refusal and thinking of not only a few of our countrymen to recognize and provide a solution to this problem. Thus, when the language problem cropped up as what happened last August 30, people laughed because many thought that it was all a big joke. They did not realize that we were laughing at ourselves for being what we are; that is , undefinable up to now because of lack of identity and thus lack of national discipline. Self-pity is all but understandable but to shrug off the problem as not being timely yet for any solution and not to make a beginning is to perpetuate our own ignorance in the use of the native tongue and to refuse to take pride in what is really the only thing or value that we may somehow call our own. I remember distinctly that after the recess, the honorable Gentleman from Bulacan spoke in English and it would seem that his resolve, idealism, and pride that he was speaking in the native tongue wavered. My faith also as a nationalist and patriot suffered a beating which I am now cleansing through this privilege speech. And aside from this, an article published in the Malaya dated September 2,1984 reported that Filipinos are being prohibited to use their native tongue at the Subic Naval base.

When I entered politics, I did so because I believe that the solution to the ideological problem which divides the world into a battleground between democracy and communism both of which are foreign ideologies is to have a Filipino ideology which seeks changes and reforms in the political system and status quo through peaceful means; through love for fellow Filipinos or being makabayan; through having a level of contentment so as to denigrate the profit motive to the lowest rank or at the least having a social conscience and thereby achieving some measure of economic justice for the poor. I believe that the economic problem which is intimately woven with the ideological problem could also be solved through protectionist measures and self-reliance. And the overspill view of exports is still, I think, valid as an economic premise and must be the guiding principle of our economic policies.

The essence of what I am saying is love for our own country – love for its values , culture, tradition, and people. And where will one begin? Who will begin? When will we begin? Is it whimsical thinking or caprice or idealist garbage to see the first regular Batasang Pambansa at a crucial moment in our nation’s history as the only lawmaking body in Philippine history to introduce, use, nurture, and develop our own native tongue?

To me this is a primordial challenge and I hope that the honorable Members of this Assembly would not hesitate to use a native tongue. I would rather hear Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon, Bicolano, Pangasinense, Pampango, Maranao, Maguindanao, Waray-waray, Aklanon, Hamtikanon, etc. translated or interpreted to me in Pilipino which is Tagalog-based rather than hear the English language. With the attempt to use our own language in order to develop and nourish it, perhaps it is possible to achieve a certain degree of greatness that I know Filipinos are capable of.

Lastly, I would like to make it of public record that I would try to the best of my ability to make this the first and the last time that I will talk or deliver a speech in English but because I fear that my colleagues here in the Batasan who are not fluent in Pilipino as I am not also that fluent will be having difficulties, I will be filing a resolution at the earliest possible time which will urge the Batasan to provide for a translator or interpreter for the 12 major dialects and to provide for the necessary facilities and staff members from the Surian ng Wikang Pambansa to complement the present legislative staff division of the Batasan.

A second resolution will call for a legislative inquiry as to the veracity of the press report. If it is really true that we are being prohibited by foreigners in our own land from using the native tongue, all the foregoing opinions only show that what I am trying to convey not only to the Honorable Members of the Batasan but also to our fellow citizens is true; that is, we still are all slaves because we speak, think, and act like slaves.

Close quote Mr.Speaker.


Noon ingles pa rin ang naghahari sa paggawa ng batas, ngayon ingles pa rin Mr.Speaker.

Ng mgkaroon ng mga call centers bida ang ingles at para bagang ingles at hindi sweldo ang mahalaga at nag dedetermine kung saan pupunta ang mga investors ng mga call centers.
Kailan kaya mgiging bida ang Filipino sa kongreso Mr.Speaker at siyang magiging lingua franca naman ng mundo? As I mentioned earlier Mr.Speaker, the language issue is only one of the many problems besetting our country and I would like to point out some facts, questions, and conclusions that to my mind can only happen in the Philippines.

Mr.Speaker SA PEACE AND ORDER Dati ang kalaban ng gobyerno ay NPA lamang o makakaliwa-ngayon pati mga makakanan o mga sundalo mismo ng gobyerno ay kalaban na rin. Noon MNLF lang. Ngayon MILF, abu sayyaf Jemmiah Islamiah (JI) at mga lost command na ang nandiyan. Kailan kaya Mr.Speaker na maghaharing muli ang reason o katwiran kaysa pghahari ng baril at karahasan? kailan kaya matitigil ang patayan ng Filipino sa kapwa Filipino? Only in the Philippines Mr.Speaker na wala ng peace wala pang order. Ang order lang dukutin mo na ayan. I salvage mo na yan at dati iisa lang ang lord Mr.Speaker ngayon, ganglord, hueteng lord, gamblinglord, smuggling lord, druglord, warlord. Ang suma total, pera ang lord at mukhang kailanman hindi magsasama ang prinsipio at pera Mr.Speaker

SA CORRUPTION Mr.Speaker, dati pagnanakaw lang ang kaso. Ngayon plunder case na. Dati under the table, over the table, inside the table. Ngayon pati table ninakaw na rin Mr.Speaker. Dati Jose Rizal ngayon meron ng Jose Velarde at Jose Pidal. Dati no. 25 tayo ngayon sinasabi no.1 na tayo, sa wakas, Mr.Speaker... sa korapsyon o pagnanakaw sa kaban ng bayan.
Kailan kaya Mr.Speaker babalik si Jose Rizal sa bawat isa sa atin o si Bonifacio na ba ang kailangan? Talaga bang wala pang patay lalo pa kung bayani pa na bumalik? Kailan kaya babalik ang tunay na public service at hindi self service Mr.Speaker?

SA ELEKSYON Mr.Speaker, dati 3gs- guns, goons, gold. Ngayon meron ng Garci at Gomelec. Dati binabayaran lang ang lider ng palihim. Ngayon meron ng vote buying station para sa mga botante. Dati dayaan lang ngayon bilihan na. Ang tanong nabili ka na ba?
Only in the Philippines? Mr.Speaker. Mukhang sa eleksyon hindi nagiisa ang Pilipinas sa mga ganitong pangyayari? Dapat ba tayong magpasalamat Mr.Speaker? Kailan kaya magiging mapayapa at marangal ang ating mga eleksyon Mr.Speaker?

SA OFW Mr.Speaker dati libo lang ang nag aabroad para magtrabaho o mag tnt. Ngayon milyon na ang bilang. Dati buhay pag umalis ngayon patay pag bumalik. Kailan kaya Mr.Speaker na makakaya ng ating pambansang ekonomiya na magkakaroon ng trabaho o negosyo o ng isang disente at marangal na kabuhayan ang ating mga mamamayan?

SA MAGSASAKA, Mr.Speaker dati isang kahig isang tuka. Ngayon kahig na lang ng kahig wala ng matuka. Dati 5/6 ang interes sa pautang ngayon 5/10 na yata at baon pa rin sa utang ang ating mga magsasaka. Dati ang bilaran solar dryer o sa highway. Ngayon doon pa rin. Dati kalabaw ang gamit sa bukid ngayon handtractor na. Dati irri(intl rice research insti)variety ang binhi ngayon hybrid variety na made in China? Dati kulang sa irigasyon at drinking water ngayon ganoon pa rin.
Kailan kaya Mr.Speaker tataas ang kita ng ating mga magsasaka at tuluyan ng umunlad ang kanilang pamumuhay Mr.Speaker? Kailan kaya maaalis ang kanilang pagkasadlak sa dusa? Meron pa kayang pag-asa Mr.Speaker?

Marami pang pwedeng banggitin Mr.Speaker, gaya ng problema sa edukasyon kalusugan at iba pa.ngunit ang napakahalaga ay magawa natin sa abot ng ating mga kakayahan ang makatulong at makapaglingkod sa ating mga kababayan. Hindi natin maaaring sabihin na human nature being what it is or the way we are o weather weather lang o sa Filipino tao lamang po. O kaya “after all that is said and done,we’d still be dead,” siguro Mr.Speaker. Lahat tayo ay merong papel na gagampanan. Sa pagpasok natin sa public service tayo ay public property na Mr.Speaker.
At lahat tayo ay meron krus na pasan pasan. Ang pasan natin Mr.Speaker ay si Juan de la Cruz at ang kanyang paghihirap, pangangailangan, pag-asa at pangarap sa buhay. Magtulong-tulong tayo Mr.Speaker sa pamamagitan ng mga reporma,tamang pagpili at leadership by example para makamit ng ating bayan ang kapayapaan kaunlaran katarungan at karangalan para sa lahat.

Thank you Mr.Speaker