EDITORIAL
PUP Open University System’s Impact on Manila City Jail
Education Behind Bars:
In a landmark initiative aimed at making education accessible to all, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Open University System (PUP OUS) conducted its first-ever synchronous session within the Manila City Jail - Male Dormitory on September 18, 2024. This groundbreaking event saw the participation of seventy-two Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs), all of whom are currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in Marketing Management program.
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The atmosphere was charged with enthusiasm and determination as the PDL students eagerly embraced this unique opportunity to further their education. This initiative not only equips them with valuable knowledge and skills but also instills hope and empowers them to envision a brighter future beyond their current circumstances.
This pioneering endeavor underscores the transformative power of education and its ability to break down barriers. By extending its reach to the Manila City Jail, PUP OUS is paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable education system in the Philippines. The university’s commitment to providing quality education to marginalized sectors of society is evident in this significant milestone.
PUP OUS plans to continue conducting synchronous sessions for the PDL students, ensuring they receive the same academic support and engagement as their counterparts on the main campus. This initiative is expected to have a profound impact on these students’ lives, enabling them to pursue their dreams and contribute meaningfully to society upon their release.
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Dear mindful reader,
I sincerely hope and pray that you and your family are safe and well in the aftermath of this devastating calamity.
An in-kind donation drive is actually ongoing here in Subic Freeport, in collaboration with the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce. Meanwhile, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority has also dispatched an 11-man team from the Fire Department led by Fire Chief Ranny Magno to assist the Bicol Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council or PDRRMC in its search and rescue mission.
In the same light, I take this opportunity to convey my appreciation and gratitude to everyone who would care to share whatever they have, however small, to alleviate the plight of calamity victims of Tropical Cyclone Kristine.
Now on to the topic.
I have decided to write about this because of this entire hoo-hah about a certain religious personality who seems to have invaded mainstream media, and whose huge following with “unquestioning conviction” is now subject of serious scandalous allegations.
For us to at least get a grip and understand the meaning of “unquestioning conviction,” allow me to share with you what “conviction” is in the context of a person’s beliefs. As Master Google puts it, conviction refers to a firmly held belief or opinion that signifies certainty and confidence in one's thoughts or principles. This can be rooted from a myriad of sources such as personal experiences, cultural heritage, religion, or family upbringing.
So, what then is “unquestioning conviction?” And why, even as we are blessed by the Divine Creator with minds to think objectively, do we still fall prey to the flowery preachings of, let’s just call him Papa Preacher or Papa P for easier reference, and his promises of going to heaven if his commandments are strictly adhered to?
The paradox of unquestioning conviction, therefore, may allude to the complex and often contradictory nature of bearing strong beliefs without question or doubt.
I have never given Papa P, nor the massive following he has, any thought, because to me, that is their own business, and I am in no position to raise an eyebrow, interrogate, judge, nor crucify any of them for their beliefs. To satisfy a curious mind as to why is he so beloved by his followers is what this article hopes to address. Only now that he occupies much time across the airwaves and in print media that I devote time to try to find reason, understand and analyze, in a way, how such “blind faith” as we can also probably refer to it happens.
From personal observations, I can merely hypothesize from the bits and pieces of information I have gathered about him, and the organization that he has founded. Though categorically I can say that from the 2 visits I had several years back, his place is truly majestic, beautiful and serene.
His devoted followers revere him for several reasons which perhaps stem from their beliefs and the teachings he promotes. His role as a religious leader appears to draw followers who seek spiritual guidance, a sense of community, and the belief in his divine anointing as the “Appointed Son of God”.
Having spoken to friends who follow him, they say he teaches a theology that emphasizes spiritual rebirth, divine power, and the importance of following his commandments in order to ensure their salvation and spiritual fulfillment.
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They continue on by saying that his “enigmatic "charisma possesses the ability to attract and inspire people. The manner by which he communicates, his speaking style, public presence, projection, and the testimonies of his co-followers also seem to reinforce their beliefs and commitment.
In a third world country like ours, cultural factors such as a strong sense of faith, the desire for belonging, to be needed, and the yearning for religious explorations play a significant role in enticing followers.
I am not an expert nor a guru in this field. I am simply a regular citizen who has a 9 to 5 job, pays taxes, and wakes up each day repeating the monotony of my daily existence. My interest was merely sparked by the goings on and the mystery about him that continues to keep us all guessing. But one thing I do know and practice by heart is that respect for other people’s beliefs is essential for a harmonious and functioning society. A respectful attitude towards differing beliefs plays a significant role in cultivating a culture of tolerance, reducing conflict and promoting peaceful coexistence in diverse societies in this complex and mystical world we live in.
Just my thoughts dear readers. No pun intended.
Be safe everyone!
Love and light,
Iamempress22
In 1944 when it became clear that Nazi Germany and Japan would lose the Second World War, top political and financial leaders of the West particularly the United States and United Kingdom met at Bretton Woods to rebuild the international economic system that was decimated by the war.
Thus, the World Bank Group (WBG) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) were created, and the twin intergovernmental financial institutions began to dominate the task of shaping the structure of the world’s development and financial order.
The US and the UK dominated the decision-making process in these Bretton Woods Institutions, and because “to the victors belong the spoils,” America flexed its geopolitical strength throughout the globe, and where would this strength be utilized to the max than in controlling other countries’ economies.
Because the World Bank and the IMF are creations of the Bretton Woods Summit, later generations of political activists and even journalists thought that these two are the same.
Despite their similarities, the WB and the IMF remain distinct. The fundamental difference is that the WB is primarily a development institution, it loans out money to poor countries to help them grow and develop economically; on the other hand, the IMF is a cooperative institution that seeks to maintain an orderly system of payments and receipts between nations.
With the US having a dominant vote in both institutions, there is the perception (which is also a reality) that the BWIs are an effort to expand the reach of western capitalism. Under President Robert McNamara from 1968 to 1981, the World Bank’s mission began to shift to focus on income inequality and poverty.
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The policies of the twin institutions from the 80s to the 90s toed the line of the so-called “Washington Consensus” which focused ideologically on promoting free-market economic policies such as deregulation, privatization and trade liberalization, as well as targeting unlimited economic growth, and were implemented primarily through Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAPs). These policies have enduring devastating impacts, as various authors have verified.
Today, the work of the Bank is currently framed by its twin goals, established in 2013: “eliminating extreme poverty by 2030 and boosting shared prosperity.” These are primarily targeted in principle through: direct lending for development projects; direct budget support to governments; and financial support to the private sector.
Both the World Bank and IMF have been criticized for imbalances in their governance structures where, as a result of voting shares being based principally on the size and “openness” of countries’ economies, poorer countries—often those receiving loans from the BWIs—are structurally under-representated in decision-making.
There is also the long-standing critique of the Bank and Fund: that the economic policy conditions they promote—often attached or recommended as part of loans, projects, technical assistance, or financial surveillance—undermine the sovereignty of borrower nations, limiting their ability to make policy decisions and eroding their ownership of national development strategies.
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Both the IMF and the World Bank Group are on the radar of the International Peoples’ Tribunal (IPT) which will have an initial launching in the Philippines today, October 26, at the UP Film Center in Diliman, Quezon City.
The Asian Peoples’ Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD) organized the IPT together with 30 international groups, including those from Asia, Africa and Latin America. They called the gathering a "historic moment" for social justice movements to "charge and prosecute the two institutions for the economic and social harm they have inflicted on countries and communities across the Global South.”
The IMF and the World Bank are being charged with accountabilities for the following:
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Accumulation of unsustainable and illegitimate debts, forcing countries in the Global South to prioritize loan repayments over social welfare, leaving many in deep poverty.
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Loan conditionality that compels borrowing government to slash public spending for essential services
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Climate chaos and destruction through continued fossil fuel lending support for fossil fuel projects
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Widespread hunger through economic conditionality that weakens food systems and undermine the production of food staples
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Exploitation of women’s care labor and violation of women’s rights.
The tribunal will be presided over by an International Panel of Judges composed of distinguished and respected economists, lawyers and academicians. These include Filipino lawyer and climate law professor Tony La Vina; Stanford University lecturer Kumi Naidoo; Prof. CP Chandrasekhar of Jawaharlal Nehru University, India; former Malaysia member of Parliament Charles Santiago; Prof. Fadhel Kaboub, senior adviser of Power Shift Africa; Society for International Development senior advisor Manuel Montes; Third World Network Director Chee Yoke Ling; Prof. Anuradha Chenoy of Jindal Global University, India; and Law and Society Trust (Sri Lanka) Executive Director Sakuntala Kadirgamar.
APMDD coordinator Lidy Nacpil said: "For decades, the IMF and World Bank have hidden behind their deceiving façade of development and poverty alleviation. But in reality, their policies have deepened inequality, fostered corruption, and prioritized the interests of wealthy nations over the needs of vulnerable communities. This tribunal provides a space to speak truth to power, especially for grassroots and ordinary working people who are often denied access to justice in formal legal systems and processes.”
She added that in the face of multiple crises of inequality, debt, and climate change, the Tribunal represents a bold attempt to shine a light on the IMF and the World Bank and the adverse impacts of their programs and policies on communities and the environment. “It is a call for justice, for reparations, and demanding a new model of development—one that centers on people and the planet, not profits,” Nacpil said.
Atty. Luke Espiritu, one of the Tribunal’s prosecutors, stressed: "This is more than just pointing fingers at the IMF and World Bank. It’s about holding them accountable and demanding reparations. The deception is glaring in the way they proclaim their mission to eradicate poverty while pursuing failed measures such as pushing more loans as the solution to crises, including the crisis of climate which developing countries did not cause.”
The Tribunal’s first session in Manila will be followed by sessions in Nepal, India, Africa and Latin America. The final verdict will be passed in April 2025.