I recently went back to Singapore for a 3-day work-related matter. Most of my free time there was spent walking around the business district of the city and doing so brought back the longing of permanently staying there for some time. I just so like the city, maybe because it seem so peaceful and orderly, and the people look decent and disciplined. These are the traits that are obviously lacking in our country that is probably why I am attracted to this land of Merlion.
The ongoing political spectacle involving former president GMA makes me want to leave the country even more. I find it ridiculous and disappointing. It just highlights how our political and justice system have become so tainted and unbelievable.
I don’t like the former president. Based on the issues she faced during her term, she doesn’t seem to be a trustworthy and honest politician and leader. Her credibility is far out. But I still recognize the fact that she was the country’s president for almost a decade. And, whether she cheated her way in to assume the post, no reasonable human being can claim that she did not do anything good for the country. And for that, she deserves at least a bit of respect and simple decency.
Adel Tamano said in his column that “the quality of a society — simply, how decent we are — is measured by how we treat the people we hate. Constitutional protections like due process, free speech, right to travel, etc. are easily afforded to those who are powerful and popular but the real test is if we can provide these to those out of power and unpopular.”
If we have any pretensions of being a democratic country, we should be fair to all concerned. Tamano said, “Put in another way, it doesn’t matter if you pity GMA or if you rejoice in her troubles; under our democratic system, you still have to give her due.”
But I don’t think the people in PNoy’s government will recognize this. They are hell bent on persecuting GMA, for all the gratis it will bring to their egos, and so this ‘moro-moro’ will surely continue.
Now you ask me. Why do you want to live in the Lion City? My answer. Why not?
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