Copy-paste hypocrisy

BEFORE anything else, let me share what one reader think about my Sept. 5 article regarding the delaying tactics (not yet “junked” as I earlier mentioned, but it seems it will still head that way, and God we need miracles) made by Congress for the Freedom of Information Bill (FOI) to be passed and made into law.

This is how Maria Salome Manlapig, who is working in a state university, views this issue:

“You're just right. Junking the FOI was more of the greed of Congress than a representation of the views and needs of their constituents. Maybe, there can be other ways to succeed on it. Not through legal means. Whatever. Maybe through the force of good media, too. The crusade must not stop. I remember having read a line about Mother Teresa of Calcutta in the internet. She was quoted as saying that many times she was not understood, but she never ever complained. She just told her God about it, and continued doing her mission. In time, she was answered, the way the late Sec. Robredo was with the sacrifices of his time. May they be our guide.”

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During the 2010 elections, I had an opportunity to witness how Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto III did his solo campaigning in Davao region. Sure, he had the charm, wits and even the “masa” feel for the people to like him.

And so the election results came to a close and he won the position. Two years later, who would have thought he will be in the hot seat for issues on plagiarism, which later evolved in “copy-paste” technology in today’s jargon?

Deviating from his stand on why he is against the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill (which is facing similar crisis with the FOI), his credibility is being questioned for being non-original, especially in delivering his speeches and getting his information before the Senate. He was accused of copying them from blogs in the internet and other speeches.

Plagiarism is committed when you intently copy a form of literature, ideas or even broadcast materials without the knowledge of the source/s. If only Sen. Sotto properly cited where he sourced his speeches. Or had he personally made those speeches? Or was he just delegated it to his staff who were browsing the internet to come up with a material for the sake of passing and beating the deadline?

But before the Sen. Sotto case would even cool down, let us not forget that plagiarism has been proliferating ever since the human race began.

Some journalists do plagiarize in order to survive the daily grind. Even some in the academe also plagiarize to come up with a journal ahead of the given deadline. And yes, remember the Supreme Court too? It’s too self-righteous for us to say that ever since we have been original, and it’s too hypocrite for us not admitting we did it because we have had our reasons.
So whether Sen. Sotto did commit plagiarism, let us not forget why he was against RH Bill. And based on his “researches,” was his opposition meritorious before the public?

(Nef Luczon is a freelance journalist and a part-time communications instructor. He is also a film and art enthusiast. Send comments to nefluczon@gmail.com)