"Extraordinary Powers: salvaging the rotten order pretending they're saving the nation from a viral matter"

"Extraordinary Powers: salvaging the rotten order 

pretending they're saving the nation from a viral matter"

(Or: All after Duterte, the Congress, 

and the Extraordinary powers meant to save the country 

from Coronavirus)

Perhaps, this government is now in a tight spot.

For as the Duterte administration got "emergency powers" from the legislature, along with the creation of the "National Action Plan" whose members are those of military and police backgrounds, the president, along with his camarilla, cannot come up with ruses anymore.

For on the first place, why involve the police and the military when what the country needs is a combined health and a socioeconomic plan? Is it for security's sake? Stability? As far as this person concerned is that the order, other than plain call for obedience, doesn't even provide immediate aid to its constituents, worse, reprimanding those who has the initiative to do so.

Just like in the case of Pasig with Vico Sotto got reprimanded by the president, or Marikina whose mayor was discouraged by the Health Department to allow the its Molecular Laboratory to conduct coronavirus testings, the order, this time having extraordinary powers meant to "control this virus-filled situation" may gone weaponised as ever in order to reinforce his rulership. Wouldn't be surprised if the Interior and Local Government Department, a member of the "Task Force against COVID19" also wanted to boot out the ones elected by the people in order for an "obedient" officer-in-charges to take over their places; what more to see the order's "thought police" being mobilised in social media sites to root out for dissent in the name of "spreading false reports" and "propagating hate".

And to think that State takeover of utilities may sound "good" to those who wished for necessary control of water, power, and telecommunications given this sorry situation affecting consumers; this may also be "pleasing to the ears" to those who actively supported the administration.

And all these, again, far from the very intent of controlling the situation let alone impose his orderism with his authoritarian will-and wouldn't be surprised if he, with the urging of his camarilla would declare "martial law" like what happened in 1972, using "discipline" as an alibi for his "aggrandizement."

But this doesn't hide the fact that this granting of extraordinary powers underscores the order's gross incompetence and failure to address the country's public health matter. By having cut the health budget has rendered public health facilities, especially hospitals incapable of handling this situation; what more of shunning plans for mass testing along with isolation and treatment of the growing number of patients affected by this disease while favours government officials given priority in testing in the face of the scarcity of testing kits.

Again, the government is in a tight spot, it got everything it wished for, but the question is, will they willing to face the blame by the folk who's sick and tired of contradicting statements, adlibs, and various sorts of threats.

***

Perhaps, to cut this note short, that amidst this nonsense brought by the order, hope that this health crisis be averted, whether by a miracle from above, or simply through a continuous and trustworthy support in each and every concerned folk (especially the frontliners and concerned members of the government) with or without the order itself.

For after all, what the order did is to brag what is actually carryovers just to hid its ugliest truths.

"For a genuine social solidarity in the face of illness, negligence, and discontentment"

"For a genuine social solidarity

 in the face of illness, negligence, and discontentment"

At first, this writer seemed to be inspired by Romans 4:18 telling to have "hope against hope", and in this time of crisis may say that the writer, along with thousands of concerned folks are challenged to show this to everyone, being at first vulnerable and as much as possible need to take precautions. 

But despite this challenge would say that being a concerned folk doesn't stop to find a way to support the people, be it through direct service or through prayer, all enough to find a way to contain the rapid spread of COVID-19 virus, and to show solidarity with the masses. Of cooperating with health workers, doctors, and even with the concerned members in the government.

And to think that people felt the averse impact of the enforced "enhanced community quarantine", with its checkpoints and even confusing announcements from the authorities, it is expected to show solidarity and oneness-for they're not far away from everyone; and to seek truth from facts for in this time of crisis this doesn't stop from pushing another agenda such as from the order itself-that sometimes even at the expense of everyone's lives and freedoms. 

Using the situation for an orderist agenda?

Pardon or the reader if this note may gone political, but to see politicians especially in the administration taking this situation as means to advance their agenda may say that they are really letting their hands itchy for something. For as President Duterte said that those who will violate the strict quarantine rules could get arrested, but while most Filipinos are concerned about this epidemic and want to cooperate with the authorities, these people at the same time have other problems that requires them to go out, most of which are for work or to buy the necessary needs in this time of crisis.

And the act that the task force's statements actually pushed people more into panic mode, it really worsened the situation be it about going home after work, or trying to buy the necessary need before the curfew sets. Most of them did even wait for a public transport to come while scrupulous drivers taketh it as an opportunity to raise their fares against them.

And as for the administration's supporters? They either thinking that "the end justifies the means" if not telling everyone to "set aside political differences" to avert this crisis; but ironically they themselves as supporters justify their idol's actions instead of pushing the need for solidarity especially to the vulnerable irregardless of their positions. That instead of urging their idol president with an organised response to this threat they chose to support the regime's "enhanced community quarantine", which in fact a "lockdown" that's causing further grave economic hardships on the people, without any provision for financial insurance during the one-month period. Worse, with the confusion brought by the people it has aggravated the problem rather than creating a better solution. 

It is unsurprising, for with the regime's police mentality and its militarist tendency would say that it opted to treat it as a "peace and order" more than a health situation with its checkpoints within the National Capital Region and other provinces surrounding which have prevented people from going to their workplaces nor to buy their needs, worse, seeing false announcements which further sow confusion even more to a really concerned populace. 

The lockdown and checkpoints, along with confused statements are part of Duterte's Orderist agenda. That instead of owning up its failure to ensure basic supplies or by stopping flights between Philippines and China to contain this issue, this situation is rather interpreted by the regime more of imposing his will no matter it aggravates the situation. 

Worse, along with the still grave state of the country's public health infrastructure brought by severe lack in state funding, the inability of the regime to provide a correct response to this public health crisis thoroughly exposes the negligence of the system, not just in this COVID-19, but also in other diseases like Tuberculosis, Dengue, even Polio. The so-called "Malasakit Centres" sponsored by the Government cannot suffice the matter either, while the Filipinos themselves had enough of slow-paced bureaucratic nonsense.

Calling for immediate needs, 

including the need for solidarity 

in this time of epidemic crisis

As of this present time, what the people actually needs is immediate mass scanning especially for the vulnerable, and adequate relief and health services, together with enough funds for health workers in the frontlines and for adequate hospital facilities to address this epidemic. 

But behind this call for immediate needs there is more than that, for in these long days of uncertainty, confusion, and want, let those who are concerned be a sign of hope. And may their solidarity be contagious than the virus itself, to lift up their spirits and reverse this gloomy mood brought about in these negligent times. 

Thus, hope that may the concerned folks  truly bring solidarity, be in the marketplaces, distribution centres, and in the factories, in the hospitals and in the makeshift clinics, and even amongst concerned government officials who taketh time in continuing their service to the people, and in seeking truth from facts in order to uncover the negligence their fellow officials brought to the country, as everyone awaits for the vaccines which more than just making immune from illness and untimely death, but perhaps to live more and work hard in their communities.

Social Distancing? Yes. Social Solidarity? The better!

Social Distancing? Yes.
 Social Solidarity? The better!

(Or: For the need to support the labouring folk in the time of Corona)

Background

Ever since the public report of COVID-19 in China last January 2020, the Duterte regime has downplayed it for more than two months and allowed Chinese travelers to enter the Philippines, mostly as tourists, gamers, and employees of offshore gaming services. 

By initially downplaying this matter, it shows how Duterte is totally unprepared to deal with this pandemic, from few scores as admitted by the Health Department, no systematic testing and counting have been made due to a budget cut on health services as well as lack of personnel and resources. With this problem, the virus has spread nationwide, with reports coming from various towns and provinces about fatalities due to the virus. 

At present, an "enhanced community quarantine"  is announced by President Duterte and in effect on the midnight of March 17. This "community quarantine", obviously a lockdown, is a means to control, or restrain people in pursuit of controlling the situation caused by this virus outbreak. However, instead of mobilising health personnel and resources "taken pride" by the government, the regime instead treating it as a "peace and order" situation, mobilising the armed forces and the police followed by threats of arrests according to the authorities.

But despite this mobilisation, there shows a lack of public health personnel and resources over wide areas, there is no testing for COVID-19 at the community level, and even lack of kits despite government promise to distribute kits coming from both abroad and from the University of the Philippines-National Institute of Health, whom produced abit minimal some kits for COVID-19. Meanwhile, local pharmaceutical companies like United Laboratories (UNILAB) and Pasucal Laboratories Inc. are silent on this matter, despite issuing information regarding the outbreak and its precautionary measures, making local health care services dependent on imported medicines from India while waiting for possible vaccines contra COVID-19.

And to think that despite these situations, would say that it is unsurprising that the regime itself bears utter contempt on this matter. True that there is a need for control with all the necessary precautions, but with failure to mention on the need to deploy health workers at the community level, of concentrating the deployment of both police and military personnel, coupled with fresh memories of operations "tokhang" and other infamous police actions,  and lack of a concrete measures regarding COVID-19, it is unsurprising that the regime may weaponise the pandemic in order to intimidate and coerce the people in his orderist tendency. 

The need for an immediate support

Thus, in line with the recent note this person made regarding the government's response to COVID-19 virus, the people demand a seven-point action to control this virus outbreak.

These set of demands, based from the views of the folk through the "seven health demands" and other pleas for emergency assistance, expressed the lack of immediate support from the government and its foolhardy responses, as well as stating a much needed and community-based alternative to situation gone aggravated by interest.  Here as follows:

1.) Calling for an immediate medical aid instead of mere military/police action to control the situation. Checkpoints should be accompanied with medical support other than ensuring peace and order from entering-leaving the vicinity. Makeshift treatment facilities are also included.

2.) Ensuring both public and private workers and employees their occupational safety and health especially in government agencies of outmost importance, Business Process Outsourcing, and establishments related to food and medicine production/distribution, banks and remittance centres, and utilities (water, electricity, telecommunications). Financial assistance and mandatory paid sick leaves to those who can't work due to the pandemic.

3.) A free, massive COVID-19 testing kits and services to be undertaken (from quarantine to treatment of patients affected by the virus).

4.) Rechannel government funds particularly from the president's confidential and intelligence fund to the health sector, and in extension, social services.

5.) Price control for basic needs (food, medicine, utilities), moratorium on lease rentals, reprieve on utility bills.

6.) Immediate repairs for lines affecting utilities especially water distribution services, a sufficient water and electric supply to ensure people's needs.

7.) Support for local scientists and health workers, and in extension, cooperation between state, academe, and industry out of national interest to resolve this virus outbreak.

IN MEMORIAM: EDUARD LIMONOV

IN MEMORIAM: 

EDUARD LIMONOV

(1943-2020)

At first, many did not want to believe it and asked immediately for confirmation. That the writer, dissent, and popular figure Eduard Limonov died March 15 at the age of 77 in a clinic in Moscow. 

Born from a military family in 1943, Limonov, whose original name was Eduard Veniaminovich Savenko, was known initially in the literary circles through his memoir "It's Me, Eddie", which scandalised Russia when it first published in the country in 1991, selling over a million copies. The story, known for its sexual escapades during his sojourn abroad, hath stunned a still-conservative Russian society during the post-Soviet era.

However, his name was etched further in sociopolitical circles through his dissidence against the system first by the creation of the paper "Limonka", following the founding of the National Bolshevik Party along with Egor Letov and then-ally Alexander Dugin, whom he called the movement as a midpoint between communism and fascism. During his political adventures as a National Bolshevik were marred with harrasments and arrests. In 1992, Limonov and his group was along with Gennady Zyuganov under the National Salvation Front against Boris Yeltsin. 

However, his strong opposition to Putin in the year 2000 made him and his group active in the Moscow protest movement, leading the "Other Russia" campaign along with chess legend Garry Kasparov and Human Rights activist Lev Ponomarev. However, the alliance was short lived when he broke off with his liberal opposition allies and instead favored Russia's 2014 reabsoption of Crimea and his support for the Novorussian separatists. 

But despite these challenges Limonov faced he remained prominent in both literary and political scenes. Be it through his "It's Me, Eddie", "The Other Russia", "Limonka", or his punk-style aesthetics of the National Bolsheviks, Limonov had been dedicated to counter the current in pursuit of struggle for his homeland's redemption. Call it strange the combination of left and right symbolism, of studying works of Ustryalov and Lenin, or of looking back at Stalin's numerous contributions, after all, "The goal is to change Russia into a modern, powerful state, respected by other countries and peoples and beloved by its own citizens" by ensuring the free development of civil society, the independence of the media and social justice."

Admittingly speaking, this writer first became aware of Limonov during his childhood days. Quite weird tho especially how his group bear a flag that combines the colours of national socialism yet bears the symbol of communism; and to think that critics described his political views as a "national-patriotic demagoguery", Limonov ought to expose and oppose the degeneracy of the post-Soviet Russian order with its crony capitalist-dominated "Orderism", in order to assert the much needed Social and National Liberation for his homeland to revive.

Perhaps, this writer had less to say further, but despite his demise his legacy will always remember. "Yes, Death!" is the call, but Limonov will always live!

"Armed Lockdowns doesn't stop the Virus." (but popular participation against the Virus will do)

"'Armed' Lockdowns doesn't stop the Virus."

(but popular participation against the Virus will do)

(Or: Notes after President Duterte's announcement 

calling for a Lockdown to stop the spread of COVID-19, 

of mobilising armed instead of health personnel, 

and the need for people's support for just need to stop the virus)

At first, this note wishes to assure the Filipino folk that in this time of health related crisis everyone ensures well their health and well-bring. For as President Rodrigo Duterte announced recently that Metro Manila will be locked down from March 15 purportedly to stop the spread of the COVID-19. 

In this situation, around 12 million people will be barred from traveling to and from the metro, whether by land, air or sea; and furthermore, up to 3 million more workers from nearby provinces will have their movements restrained.

It is unsurprising, for given the president's orderist tendency would say that he doesn't mind how controversial the move is especially after mobiling his armed forces than those of health practitioners, thinking of it more of a "peace and order" than a "health-related" situation; what more that his supporters, with all their optimism towards the regime thinks of it too positively, using words like "rule of law" and all while disregarding its unlikely scenarios.
But on the other hand, through this massive deployment of both military and police may say that it aggravates the problem further, especially in the handling of people in this time of crisis. For in a regime known for its extrajudicial acts and how the president tolerated it as such, seeing armed personnel instead of health workers conducting the lockdown has the potential to "weaponise", worse, to pin down potential dissent especially those who assert a higher state budget for health and social services.

So much for orderism that the regime uses COVID-19 for an armed "lockdown". That by seeing armed vehicles, numerous checkpoints, and of course, men in uniform carrying scanners alongside guns would say that "they are doing their job" both in ensuring peace and order and by expressing a semblance of concern towards Filipino's health and welfare, but this doesn't stop the ridicule especially after by failing to make restitution for cuts in the health budget and its failure to undertake proactive and decisive action at the onset of this virus outbreak.
And to think that Duterte had altogether shrugged ideas of active deployment of health workers and of setting up adequate testing centers to provide accessible and immediate aid in areas affected and instead by deploying both the police and the armed forces, this "lockdown" becomes less of an health-related issue but more of "peace and order" with threats of arrests against those "who will not abide by their rules."

Again, not surprising to see it weaponised, for in line with this matter, the marching order and the massive deployment of both police and armed forces are itself reminiscent of Martial Law in Mindanao and under Marcos regime wherein cases of warrantless arrests and arbitrary detention being pervasive. And with people still having fresh memories of oplans "Tokhang", "Double Barrel" and "Kapanatagan", this may become "weaponised" and expanded further in order to silence potential dissent, specifically in curtailing people's right to protest and to demand immediate assistance to address the spread of COVID-19.

And in speaking of workers, Duterte has not presented concrete plans for Filipino workers in the metro who are gravely affected by this lockdown. For as millions of Filipinos in the metro been forced to return to their homes in the provinces thinking about their safety, others end forced to live with pressed-down incomes, enforced curfews with checkpoints, and under threat of COVID-19 infection. For officially, the Duterte regime claims 52 local cases with five deaths.

With this kind of situation, this "lockdown" hath lead the Metro into a state of pandemonium, if not an outright disaster- that with the president announced unprecedented measures peppered with meandering and contradicting statements, it has brought the people confused, scrambling, struggling to provide access for food, water, medical care, and others needed for this month of isolation. Worse, to see hoarders earlier hoarding medical goods such as medical-grade alcohol, soap, and other disenfectants to be sold in exorbitant prices.
And most government officials seem to have no clearer idea than the folk in general. Duterte's statement is quite confusing to most, with people failing to understand what "community quarantine" means- including health workers responsible for treating suspected COVID-19 patients.

Perhaps, in this time of self-care would say that contentment to the order's statements isn't enough, and no matter the threats given by the order this doesn't stop the concerned from continuously seeking truth from facts. And to think that Duterte failed to praise health practitioners for their work and instead praising Xi Jinping, this note, as any other concerned bid salutations to those who truly worked hard in ensuring the health and well-being of the Filipino folk, in fighting the odds brought by this virus, and to restore hope.

And in speaking of that hope, hope that the people, despite being "assured by the state" and prepared for this health-related matter, does not stop from seeking truth from facts and to expose, oppose the inconveniences the inutile and incompetent government does to the Folk- of countering false narratives with facts, of exposing the order using "rule of law" as basis for their stupidity, or how that the order uses this scenario as a prequel to a much unlikely one.

Also in line with this, this note calls on the Filipino folk to demand for adequate and accessible testing and health service centres, of mobilising health workers over those of state armed forces, cooperation between state, academe, and industry for national interest amidst the outbreak, and for greater state budget for health, social services, and science and technology altogether to contain this virus-laced onslaught.

"To the fighting woman of today"

"To the fighting woman of today"

(A poem for the International Working Women's Day)

A scene from the "Legend of the Red Lantern"

As the red star proudly shines,

The struggle goes as fine,

Giving up the "crown", "gown", or "sash",

For the new woman fights the bastard fash,

How beautiful and brave she looks,

As the battle she seriously took ,

Bringing with her charm and grace?

No! she filled the field with fire and rage!

With her lantern proudly bring,

And a fighting song to sing,

The people joined in thy fight,

'Gainst the foe with all their might,

The flames filled the once silent stage,

Foes now fleeing as the battle rage,

Did she carrieth charm and grace?

No! She filled the field with fire and rage!