Ang kalayaan ay mistulang kasangkapan ng kawalanghiyaan kung ito ay gagamitin sa kalapastanganan at kabastusan. Lalo't higit kung ito ay nakakapanakit ng kalooban at paniniwala sa Dakilang Lumikha. Ang bawat tao ay mayroong karapatan na lmahok at makibahagi sa mga pagtitipon ng mga nananampalataya at sumasamba. Ngunit walang tao ang mayroon karapatan na siya ay maghariharian at gambalain ang ano mang pagtitipon na mayroong kaugnayan sa pananampalataya. Ang kalayaan na magpahayag ng saloobin ay nararapat ilagay sa tamang lugar, sa tamang oras at sa tamang pamamaraan. Ang ganitong kalapastanganan ay mayroong karampatang kaparusahan sa ilalim ng batas.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Social Media In Politics
Whether poor or rich, everyone has free access to Facebook and Twitter. Yes, let us confine our discussion to these two most popular social media tools ever invented on the face of the earth. Through these media, people are able to release, even for a while, themselves from their stresses, or express themselves in line with their exercise of their constitutional right to freedom of expression. Of course, they could also be sources of depression if they chose to envy their show-off friends. This is our world today. Never in the history of mankind since Adam and Eve were exiled, that man has been given so much freedom or space to have access to so much information, manipulate or customize his exposure to the web, or be at a liberty to post practically anything without anyone preventing him to do so.
In politics, social media is definitely a very useful and effective tool in influencing the thoughts of people. It could be a potent propaganda and vote-getting tool. Politicians can express themselves com make known what they stand for. They can easily and quickly respond to comments and inquiries.
There are discussions about airtime or internet time and browsing expenses on the part of politicians concerned. There are now debates about campaigning over the internet and disqualifying those who will be found guilty.
The definition of campaigning is clear. The moment one seeks the vote of any person, that is campaigning. In the same manner, any person campaigning against a candidate is also considered as a partisan activity. Can a politician who has a personal account with these social media, and in effect have friends and tweetmates, with whom he has been in touch through Facebook or Twitter be deemed as campaigning?
The answer should be, generally, no. An expression of opinion, the posting of non-partisan photos, and other similar acts must not be deemed campaigning. Those which are incidental to having a social media account particularly prior to the election period should be given the benefit of the doubt.
This is actually an area in election law which must be defined clearly and cannot be the subject of any speculation or guessing game. A social media account created outside the Philippines cannot be said to be an election offense committed within the Philippine territory. Everyone is also aware that one can just register even if that person is another individual but merely used the name of the candidate. What about those who merely "liked" the posting, will they be held liable for an election offense?
What is important is to provide some specific guidelines on the use of social media and at this early, this area should merit the attention of those concerned for purposes of coming out with proposed legislation.
For now, let social media be an excellent tool of free expression. Let the people decide the political worthiness of candidates.
In politics, social media is definitely a very useful and effective tool in influencing the thoughts of people. It could be a potent propaganda and vote-getting tool. Politicians can express themselves com make known what they stand for. They can easily and quickly respond to comments and inquiries.
There are discussions about airtime or internet time and browsing expenses on the part of politicians concerned. There are now debates about campaigning over the internet and disqualifying those who will be found guilty.
The definition of campaigning is clear. The moment one seeks the vote of any person, that is campaigning. In the same manner, any person campaigning against a candidate is also considered as a partisan activity. Can a politician who has a personal account with these social media, and in effect have friends and tweetmates, with whom he has been in touch through Facebook or Twitter be deemed as campaigning?
The answer should be, generally, no. An expression of opinion, the posting of non-partisan photos, and other similar acts must not be deemed campaigning. Those which are incidental to having a social media account particularly prior to the election period should be given the benefit of the doubt.
This is actually an area in election law which must be defined clearly and cannot be the subject of any speculation or guessing game. A social media account created outside the Philippines cannot be said to be an election offense committed within the Philippine territory. Everyone is also aware that one can just register even if that person is another individual but merely used the name of the candidate. What about those who merely "liked" the posting, will they be held liable for an election offense?
What is important is to provide some specific guidelines on the use of social media and at this early, this area should merit the attention of those concerned for purposes of coming out with proposed legislation.
For now, let social media be an excellent tool of free expression. Let the people decide the political worthiness of candidates.
Friday, January 25, 2013
Statesmanship : Quintessential Politician
Senators are powerful and influential. A senator is rich or has rich supporters. A senator has followers nationwide and each has an organizational and propaganda machinery to take care of image enhancement or damage control. Senators are popular and has so much clout in and out of the government and the society as well. From their ranks, the President is usually, although not always of course, chosen and elected.
The question why is this so?
Basically, they have a good and appealing track record. They have served the people well and our country with dedication and sincerity. They have shown exemplary performance and accomplishments in their chosen fields, calling or as congressmen before becoming senators.
They are a select few who were at the right time, at the right place and with the right people, and involvement in the right events, mostly milestones in the life of our nation.
Senators are looked upon as respectable and honored national figures. Through their experience, vision and quality leadership, they are regarded and actually expected to be statesmen - politicians who are known and respected due to their beliefs, wisdom or convictions, values they stand for, character they exude, and commitment to public service.
Simply stated, senators are elected to do their job of making laws that should benefit several generations.
Being exemplars, they are emulated.
Everything which has been presented here must also apply to others, from barangay officials to the President of the Philippines. They must not be mere politicians, but strive to be quintessential politicians. The kind of public servants that we all want and are needed in our country today and onwards.
The question why is this so?
Basically, they have a good and appealing track record. They have served the people well and our country with dedication and sincerity. They have shown exemplary performance and accomplishments in their chosen fields, calling or as congressmen before becoming senators.
They are a select few who were at the right time, at the right place and with the right people, and involvement in the right events, mostly milestones in the life of our nation.
Senators are looked upon as respectable and honored national figures. Through their experience, vision and quality leadership, they are regarded and actually expected to be statesmen - politicians who are known and respected due to their beliefs, wisdom or convictions, values they stand for, character they exude, and commitment to public service.
Simply stated, senators are elected to do their job of making laws that should benefit several generations.
Being exemplars, they are emulated.
Everything which has been presented here must also apply to others, from barangay officials to the President of the Philippines. They must not be mere politicians, but strive to be quintessential politicians. The kind of public servants that we all want and are needed in our country today and onwards.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Negotiation : Basics
Among the pitfalls of a failed negotiation is going to the negotiating table with nothing. Not being prepared with anything, or just a few, would make one vulnerable to attacks by the other party.
If you were in the shoes of that one, you wouldn't want a situation where you will succumbed to all the terms of the other party and give up with what you have for less than what you rightfully deserve in the first place.
In this situation, whether the negotiation pushes through or not, it it still is a failure.
Negotiation must give you something that equalizes your position with the other party, where both of you must still gain from the transaction while giving up those which you or the other can live without.
The seller, he gets paid with such amount that will enable him to move on with his greener pasture plans. For the buyer, he gets the property that he wants that he feels will give him more than what he said for it.
In real estate transactions, both the seller and buyers must have in their possession the following:
1) certificate of title over the property
2) tax declaration
3) zonal valuation
4) realty tax payments or clearance
5) location map or approved survey
6) certified appraisal
7) plan of sale outlining your options, desired terms and conditions
8) background of the other party
Yes, very basic indeed. They will provide you with data or facts to enable you to make an informed decision. Further, they will serve as important tools in the negotiation.
If you were in the shoes of that one, you wouldn't want a situation where you will succumbed to all the terms of the other party and give up with what you have for less than what you rightfully deserve in the first place.
In this situation, whether the negotiation pushes through or not, it it still is a failure.
Negotiation must give you something that equalizes your position with the other party, where both of you must still gain from the transaction while giving up those which you or the other can live without.
The seller, he gets paid with such amount that will enable him to move on with his greener pasture plans. For the buyer, he gets the property that he wants that he feels will give him more than what he said for it.
In real estate transactions, both the seller and buyers must have in their possession the following:
1) certificate of title over the property
2) tax declaration
3) zonal valuation
4) realty tax payments or clearance
5) location map or approved survey
6) certified appraisal
7) plan of sale outlining your options, desired terms and conditions
8) background of the other party
Yes, very basic indeed. They will provide you with data or facts to enable you to make an informed decision. Further, they will serve as important tools in the negotiation.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Focus on Fine Prints, Not the Small Items
More often that not we tend to have a keen eye on what is free and given away rather than on what we must concern ourselves with before anything else. We are happy with a free umbrella while we allow our credit cards to be photocopied. We are lured into giving our personal information in exchange for a raffle ticket. Yet we do not really bother to look first into the fine prints in a contract or that data slip which were asked to be signed by us. We were more attracted with the small items which have been brandished by sweet-talking and hip-swaying salesmen.
In real estate transaction, do not make any mistake of just signing any deed or contract due to reasons other that the very objective of buying or selling a property that meets your specifications or gives you a satisfactory returns.
Make sure you know your rights and your obligations in such a deal. Make sure you will not regret what you did. Make sure you will be happy with what you are having.
In real estate transaction, do not make any mistake of just signing any deed or contract due to reasons other that the very objective of buying or selling a property that meets your specifications or gives you a satisfactory returns.
Make sure you know your rights and your obligations in such a deal. Make sure you will not regret what you did. Make sure you will be happy with what you are having.
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