The difference between being a UN and a US member state

Two weeks ago a UN representative, Richard Alston, visited the Philippines on the request of relatives of various extra-judicial killings. Victims of extra-judicial murders were journalists, ordinary farmers, and other citizens who are caught between the governments fight against the communists NPA. Those responsible according to a government panel, Melo Commission, are the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, and the Communist Party of the Philippines. However, the Melo Commission attributed majority of the killings to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The UN representative left after ten days with a heavy heart and only issued a recommendation that these extra-judicial killings be resolve by the government. So what does this issue got to do with being either a UN or a US member? One, as a UN member, RP has the responsibility to solve these crimes or incidents on its own. As a member state of the USA, RP can asked the help of the FBI, Federal Bureau of Investigation, the the Federal government can get involve in solving for these crimes. Two, as a UN member, the Philippines is left alone in prosecuting the criminals behind these incidents. As a US member state, the Federal government will get involve and see through the prosecution of people responsible for these incidents.

There were incidents where Filipinos submitted themselves to the US judicial system in their fight against the Philippine government and seeking redress. If you can recall victims of human rights abuses during the martial law years filed their cases before the Federal judge in Hawaii. Another incident I shared with you was the abduction of a known activist by unknown men in Tarlac. His relatives asked the US ambassador for assistance in finding him. Can we conclude, Filipinos have already lost confidence in their own government and looking elsewhere to seek justice?

RP's policy in the 50's and 60's was the envy of SEA

What was the policies of the Philippine government during the 1950's and the 1960's that made it's economy second only to Japan and was the envy of South East Asian nations? During the 1950's and the 1960's RP was pursuing a pro-American agenda. English was the medium of instruction in most public schools from elementary grade to college. And during those decades, the Philippines was known as the third largest English speaking country. Then things began to change. After Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law in 1972, he started changing Philippine government policy and implemented the "bilingual" education . Bilingual education mean that the medium of instruction in Philippine public schools would be in the "Filipino and English" languages. At first the implementation of the "bilingual" education seems not to matter because teachers were so used in English that they stick to teaching in English. As the years pass , the old teachers were replaced by younger teachers who were raised in the "bilingual" education, slowly the medium of instruction in most public schools is being replaced and today it is strictly the "Filipino" language.

Today there is a need to retrain most public school teachers so they can become proficient in the English language again. So why does RP government see the need to retrain public school teachers and teach their subject in the English language? It is very obvious in this day and age of fast technological innovation, if the Philippines wants to catch up with the rest of Asia Filipinos must learn to speak, read and write in the English language. Since the implementation of the bilingual education, Filipinos proficiency in the English language as well as the economy has been on a downward trend. Most US and European technology companies who wish to invest in the Philippines are so dismayed by the level of English speaking and writing skills of Filipinos. They thought Filipinos are still proficient in the English language. The reality is, most Filipinos today do not speak, read and write in the English language as proficiently as before. But the situation can still be reversed and with the help of Filipinos from the USA soon the English language will again reign in Philippine public schools.

Making the case for Philippine USA statehood

When an issue is presented before a group of people to decide on, the proponents must answer six basic questions to prove for their cause. Thus in answering these basic questions, the proponents of an issue will be able to convince the people, and the people will know the issue brought before them is worth their time and consideration. Therefore, the proponents of the issue is educating the people better so they can make a wise decision when it is time to vote. And in this era of fleeting attention span and fast Internet connection, the proponents of RP statehood USA must make their case in thirty seconds. So what are these basic questions? Firstly, Philippine USA statehood movement must answer who? Who are the people behind Philippine USA statehood movement? Secondly, the movement must answer the question what. What issue or issues is/are being pushed before the Filipino people by Philippine USA statehood movement? Thirdly, the movement must answer why. Why is Philippine USA statehood movement wants to make RP another US state? Why is Philippine USA statehood movement bringing these issues before the Filipino people? Fourthly, the movement must answer the questions when and where. When does Philippine USA statehood movement expect to achieve these issues? Where does the movement expect these issues to be resolve? Finally, the movement must answer the question how? How will Philippine USA statehood movement achieve these goals and visions?

First, who are the people behind Philippine USA Statehood movement? Philippine USA statehood movement are composed of patriotic Filipinos, Filipino-Americans, Americans married to Filipinos and people from all over the world who wish to make the Philippines another state of the USA. We are doctors, lawyers, engineers, technicians, and educators. In short the members of Philippine USA statehood movement are highly educated professionals.

Second, what issue or issues is/are being pushed before the Filipino people by Philippine USA statehood movement? The issue being brought by Philippine USA statehood movement before the Filipino people is Philippine USA Statehood. We want to make RP into another US state. We want to join the US federation as the 51st state of the union.

Third, why does Philippine USA statehood movement wants RP to join the US Federation and make RP another US state? Firstly, Philippine USA statehood movement wants to join the US Federation because we wanted to preserve the republican government that our forefathers have fought for.There are now moves within the current Philippine government to established an aristocratic form of government. There are elements in the current Philippine government, mostly members of the elite, that are subverting the will of the Filipino people and want to change the current Philippine constitution so they can be perpetually in power. The current Philippine congress doesn't even want to outlaw nepotism. Secondly, Philippine USA statehood movement wants to reestablished the educational system introduced by the Americans in the early part of the 20th century which enabled the Philippines to have an economy that was the envy of Southeast Asia in the 1950's and 1960's. Since the implementation of a "bilingual/nationalistic" educational system, which has downplayed the teaching and learning of the English language, starting in th 1970's the Philippine economy has been on a downward trend. Today we can see the effect of the bilingual educational system. Most Filipinos are neither competent in the Filipino language or the English language. And, the Philippines had become an economic laggard among Southeast Asian Nations.

Fourthly, when and where does Philippine USA statehood movement expect all the issue resolve? The initiative for Philippine USA statehood must be done by the Filipino people. We expect to hold a national referendum on the issue by 2010.

Finally, how does the Philippine become another state of the USA? The movement be spearheading a referendum by 2010. If the result of the 2010 referendum is favorable for Philippine USA statehood, the sitting RP congress will petition the US congress of the wishes of the Filipino people to become part of the US union. Then, the US congress will study and consider on the petition of the Philippine congress.