SONA Day : What is Respect?

re•spect /rəˈspekt/
1. an act of giving particular attention : consideration
2. 3a : high or special regard : esteem b : the quality or state of being esteemed c respects plural : expressions of high or special regard or deference ( Merriam Webster Dictionary)

On July 24, the people had their own SONA from the perspective of the poor, peasants, workers, migrants and sectors that comprise the majority of Filipinos who are never truly represented in Congress. (The Makabayan block of ACT Teachers, Anakpawis, Bayan Muna, Kabataan Partylist and Gabriela Women’s Party organized to represent the people in the parliament are only 7 out of the 297 legislators in the Lower House.)

Pres. Duterte wanted to speak before the rallyists. In fairness,  the People’s Sona leadership  was civil, respectful  and generous . He was given space and time to talk before the rallyists  despite bad mouthing the left.   According to Teddy Casino, the President ignored the leaders:

“Minutes before he arrived, the rally leaders assembled to welcome him and hopefully give him a last-minute briefing on our issues and concerns. Coming down from his vehicle, Duterte gave us a glance but totally ignored us. We were swept aside by his tide of PSGs.

“The people, not the military, are your bosses,” shouted the crowd. “Peace talks ituloy!” the people chanted.

“Then he said, he wanted respect in the midst of shouting demands like: Peace Talks Ituloy! End Contractualization! Itigil ang Pamamaslang!

“Peace Talks Ituloy!,” the crowd shouted.

The usual angry Duterte said, “Shut up first. I don’t want to face you if you are like that.”

“He told the crowd “magrespetuhan tayo .“

He demanded respect.

What is respect?

re•spect /rəˈspekt/
1. an act of giving particular attention : CONSIDERATION
2. 3a : high or special regard : ESTEEM b : the quality or state of being esteemed c respects plural : expressions of high or special regard or deference ( Merriam Webster Dictionary)

 

Let us respect him for encouraging his soldiers to rape

“Trabaho lang kayo. Ako na bahala. Ako na magpakulong sa inyo. Pag naka-rape ka ng tatlo, aminin ko na akin ‘yun. ‘Pag nag-asawa ka ng pang-apat, ah t*** i** bugbugin ka ng… (Just work, I’ll take care of it. I will be the one to imprison you. If you have committed rape three times, I’ll take responsibility for it.”

Let us respect him for threatening the Lumads, their communities, and schools, the Lumads who, because of neglect and marginalization have learned the ways of building hope and pursuing their rights to education.

“Umalis kayo dyan, sabihin ko sa mga lumad. Bobombahan ko iyan, isali ko iyang mga istraktura. I will use the Philippine Air Force. You are operating illegally and you are teaching the children to rebel against government. Kung may kalokohan kayo, eh di mas lalo na ako,” he added. (Leave. I will tell the Lumads. I will bomb those… including the structures… If you are mischievous, I am more mischievous. )

Let us respect him for threatening to kill young people with addiction rather than providing social services to draw them away from addiction.

“You drug addicts, since you’ve been identified, avoid the streets, stay in your homes because I will throw you in Manila Bay,” Duterte went on, switching between English and Filipino. “I’ll make you fertilizer for the fish.” (http://www.businessinsider.com/philippines-rodrigo-duterte-promises-drug-war-death-to-boy-scout-kids-2017-4)

Let us respect him for shrugging off Martial Law and dictatorship victims, and for giving Marcos the honor of being buried at Libingan ng mga Bayani.

“The question … about the dictatorship of Marcos is something which cannot be determined at this time. It has to have history,” he said.
“That part of the sins of Marcos has yet to be proven by a competent court,” he said. Allegations about Marcos’ stolen wealth “is an altogether different issue.” (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/842758/duterte-stands-firm-on-marcos-burial-at-libingan-ng-mga-bayani)

Let us respect him for his militarist and fascist approach instead of addressing the roots of the armed conflict.

He said he has ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines to use all its assets including the newly acquired jets and drop bombs on the rebels.
“Go ahead, flatten the hills.” (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/879212/duterte-to-afp-drop-bombs-on-npa-rebels-flatten-hills)

Let us respect him for threatening and bullying the  NDF  Chief Political  Peace Consultant –Jose Maria Sison and using the SONA  platform to spread fake news saying, Sison has colon cancer.

What is respect?

re·spect /rəˈspekt/

1. an act of giving particular attention :consideration
2. 3a:  high or special regard :  esteem b :  the quality or state of being esteemed c respects plural :  expressions of high or special regard or deference  ( Merriam Webster Dictionary)

 

Does this man respect us at all?  ##