Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Staying Too Long

She should be watching the events in Iran -- de-facto Philippine president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo should, really. She who is now trying to change her country's constitution -- which would be what? the fifth, the sixth, change in less than a hundred years? -- so she can continue to occupy the post of boss of bosses.

There's no exception to the rule that those who overstay will be thrown out. I'm sure that there will be "high moral grounds" used to justify her continuing in office beyond what is Constitutionally mandated -- as in, "the country needs me," etc.

Big difference between service for life and leadership for life. The first is selfless; the second is mere self-indulgence.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Ms. Rosca,

Do you have any suggestions of a Philippine NGO that is devoted to the cause of women's rights and issues? I have been doing activism in my university and community here in California, but my main interest is to contribute to the plight of women and children in the Philippines. I was born and raised there, but moved to the US. I feel that many young transplants like myself have seemed to sever any ties and connections to the country.

Thank you so much for all the insights. I cannot wait till your new book comes out.

Salamat.

Unknown said...

Good for you. But it is important to balance work for your community here and Philippine women. Women in both locations share a great many problems, the most basic of which is inequality, disenfranchisement and marginalization. There are manhy women's NGOs in the Philippines; if you send me you email, I will send you some,

Unknown said...

sorry, i'm trying to have lunch while doing email -- and since i'm having Pinoy food, i'm getting my languages mixed up.

that should be>>> important to balance work for your community here and women in the Philippines... the most basic of which are... etc.

as you know, or perhaps not, not is/are distinction in Tagalog... like no distinction between male/female... i've often wondered what it does to our view of the individual and the group...

Unknown said...

oh darn, >>> no is/are distinction...

apologies.