Bans and banned?

THE country is now in a state of bans and banned. A lot of things are being banned today in the country. There are bans that will be for the welfare of the nation and there are some that are only for some sectors of society.

Comelec has already issued a total gun ban in the country. Every day, we hear of our policemen who violated the said ban. We hear of our peace officers being apprehended for getting caught bringing firearms during their off-duty hours. The image of the PNP in the international community becomes a laughing stuff. Our policemen without guns during their off-duty? This would get them into great trouble. It is high time for the lawless elements of the society to get back at their nemeses.

On the other hand, the rationale of the gun ban even on policemen is that they might be used by politicians to sow fear in the area. In this case, the policemen are not to be blamed but the politician. However, who would question the politician?

A question keeps bothering me. Why is it that we are always running after the small fishes in this country? Why are we afraid of running after the “big bosses”? This is the Philippine situation and this makes us unique and popular. Ever since, we hear of the small people who are getting caught while the big people are still on the loose. Crime masterminds are just going around the malls and stores while the poor small fall guy lands in jail. I have heard that this is not only in the country but is also true in many parts of the world, but this does not justify the act in the country.

Logging ban is another issue in the country. Environmentalists and pseudo environmentalists are now calling for a total log ban and total wood-use ban. Yet, there is already a law on this but we fail to implement it properly. We are all aware that the recent floods around the country are mainly caused by the massive cutting of trees. Having known this, what have we done? Many of our supposed implementers of the ban have no balls to face the big log capitalists. They are afraid of the implementation, for many of the loggers are companies owned by the families of many politicians.

Mining ban in the country is another issue that has not been resolved. I remembered that we had a movement against mining in the Philippines several years ago. Palawan is now the next target of greedy corporations and individuals for profit. We are well aware that, once a company leaves the area after mining operations, the area dies. Take a good look at the mining areas in Negros. Are you happy of it?

Gambling ban in the country is very clear in our penal codes. Small gambling dens are raided every now and then but big gambling dens are continuously operating in broad daylight. Look at the operations of casinos. The government simply gets a percentage of the total earnings. It is the capitalists who earn a lot. This is daylight robbery of government funds, yet no one questions and they continue to operate even in the poorest town of the country. The small lotteries in towns are operating despite the legal and moral issues. These dens continue to operate for they become legal because the very institution that should impose values is the institution that operates such business ventures.

In our country, many bans and banneds are issued but nobody strictly follows them. The main reason is that no one is brave enough to question the implementation of such bans. It is noted that the administration is only after those whom they could see as “small” beings.

I challenge the implementers of the bans to run after the big men.

Eternal rest grant unto Mr. Tony Valente.

St. Ezekiel Moreno, St. Lorenzo Ruiz, St. Pedro Calungsod, Blessed John Paul II and Sir Faraon Lopez, pray for us.