Oh, life is bigger—but it's not bigger than the problem of being in a third world religious country who would rather live to see their own people die in agony, beat ups and shame then be deprived of their rights than to approve the laws to save them because their deity might get 'upset' or their conservative minds can't handle change.
Oh no, I said too much—they set it up.
Somewhere out there is a broken family filled with bruises, hatred and trauma living together. Divorce had never been an option to the Philippines despite the recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO) that 7.2 percent of Filipino women aged 15 to 49 experienced physical or sexual abuse from their husband or male intimate partner at least once in their lifetime. Of course, men also experience abuse as the study of the College of Criminal Justice Education (CCJE) of the University of Mindanao-Institute of Popular Opinion (UM-IPO) revealed 3 out of 10 husbands also experienced violence from their partners.
In addition, even if it's so common to just leave them and be a broken family, of course they still deserve the freedom because they can't start a new beginning because some asshole is tied to them in the eyes of the almighty. An annulment is too expensive, too long and it's stupid because you have to prove they are not capable of being wed despite the victim being bruised and with broken bones.
Oh no, I said too much—I haven't said enough.
With recent cases of babies living in horrible states comes a society who'd rather let them live to be abandoned, used, or live in poverty and hardship. Organizations such as World Without Orphans reported challenges like 1.8 million kids being abandoned and neglected, 10% of Filipino children are in labor, and many more things kids are being exposed to, at least they continue to live to praise the lord!
While there are some women who find ways to get rid of the fetus, 100,000 people are hospitalized annually due to abortion-related reasons and three women die every day due to clandestine abortions based on the findings of the Women's Global Network for Reproductive Rights. Society would rather let a living person die than to approve the right to 'kill' a swiggling fetus inside the belly.
Oh no, I said too much—I haven't said enough.
Recently, the Supreme Court had recognized same sex couples can co-own a property as long as there is proven contribution. But laws that are about these owners such as the same sex marriage and the SOGIE bill are still left untouched because they believe they don't exist or don't deserve these rights because they were not contented with their god's plan. It's like they're just investors and business partners. Well, the state is a business anyway, I don't know about the non-taxable house of...you know.
Oh no, I said too much—I haven't said enough.
Those are the Pinoys in the corner, that's the god in the spotlight, losing their religion— trying to keep up with all these hypocrites. Yeah the law is based on the commandments, but can't we be human enough for our countrymen? Not everyone is a believer— so why should we centralize religion to the rights of human needs? No god wants their people oppressed and hated.
Oh no, I said too much— I haven't said enough.
Written by Almira Cereno (Miracle), Insight PH
Almira Cereno (Miracle), Insight PH is a dedicated campus journalist and contributor. Their insightful writing sparks meaningful conversations and keeps the community informed.
