The Senatoriables, a PTV Special Forum, was broadcasted on February the 27th 2013, where PATAS President Kristofer Velasco, for many also known as Rath, was one of the panel guests. Also invited was Florante Galura of the Student Council Alliance of The Philippines, Kyle Pilapil a blogger, Prospero de Vera the VP of public affairs, JC de los Reyes, and Greco Belgica from Reforma Pilipinas.
The topic of the Forum, Economic growth vs. Environmental development, was being hosted by Atty. Marc Castrodes, Kathy San Gabriel and Gio Tingson. Important in this debate was also the sovereignty issue, the economy and natural resources (including mining) and the environment.
Mr. de Vera stated that in this midterm election, he is happy about the candidates participating as independents, and that they show as “aggressive” and active in attending candidates, whereby the media is playing a great role. Judy San Juan mentioned, when being asked what the basis for being voted for is, that it is the image of the candidate that counts. Set aside, she said, corruption will yet still be around. Mr. Greco Belgica wants certain laws to be passed, being his personal drive to run for Senator.
A focus was also on the students, thus the first time voters; if they would all understand the concept of this election. The Senators are listed by the two teams in the run, Team PNoy, which is pushing for a reform agenda, and Team UNA, that is forming the opposition in administration. The blogger Kyle Pilapil answered, when asked if internet users are much interested, that politics still face a negative image, so many people are not very active regarding this topic. He wants that politics are more present online, making him to be one of the peoples presenting politics stronger in the internet.
The host Marc Castrodes, saying that Atheists are more into philosophy, turned to Kristofer Velasco asking for his opinion as a representative of the Atheists in The Philippines: “As non-believers, how do you and your organization select the Senatoriables you're going to vote for, and how do organizations such as PATAS help in selecting the right candidate?”
Kristofer Velasco started by saying: “Well, it remains to be seen whether the Senatoriables right now will actually do something, if they ever get into office.” He continued by stating: “We're skeptical of candidates. We do not simply follow them because of the novelty attached to their name. Instead we consider what they say they're going to do, what we think they can do, and what they've already done. And of course, we look for candidates who will support Secularism, those who will uphold a clear separation of church and state. Give everyone and secularism a fair chance, not in numbers… You don’t legislate laws because of your religion.”
Greco Belgica, as a representative of the opposite, thus theism, somebody who wants to push theism even into government, started off by saying that he of course respects everybody’s opinion, but then claimed that Secularism and Atheism is a religion in itself. He also claimed that The Philippines is not a secular state but a Christian state, and that separation of state church can be done, but in the end the country is under one “government”, so the “holy” bible and under “God”.
Regarding to the job situation, VP of public affairs de Vera said, that the Philippine economy is not growing as expected; it is in fact going up and down. Compared to the neighboring Asian countries The Philippines is very poor and must have economic growth. Most important is the question, if the present economical situation can be sustained. It was further mentioned, that the growth for the majority of society, the poor, is totally missing.
During the Forum, PATAS President Kristofer Velasco was asked what PATAS is generally doing. He listed that PATAS is active in Facebook, setting up events, stands for anti-discrimination, and is joining Forums and also other networks. PATAS is in the social media, and criticism and critical debates can be found on Facebook.
Regarding the problems with China and Malaysia, it was debated, that the new Senators should play a role in these issues, and that they are responsible for the foreign policy. It was mentioned, that the Philippines – China conflict will be a long lasting problem, as none of the countries want to give way, regarding the territorial questions. The Philippines – Malaysia issue will not find a resolving, if the government will remain weak, thus not pushing strongly to find a solution.
It was made clear that almost all Senatoriables are present in Facebook and advertise.
The forum closed with final statements from the invited panel guests, starting with Florante Galura who said: “Make your vote count and secure the power in your hand.” He also mentioned the influence of the internet. The blogger Kyle Pilapil, requested the voters to try to research about the candidates, to know who the Senator candidates are.
PATAS President Kristofer Velasco also mentioned the accessibility of the internet and the new age of information. "Be mindful of all the candidates. Think of what they've already done, and what they can do. Right now is the age of information. Make use of the opportunity to inform yourself. It is everyone's job to make the informed choice. You ask for change, and then make that change."
Judy San Juan asked the voters not to waste their vote.
Atheism and strongly its part of Secularism have reached a recognized and visible reality on the surface of The Philippines. And as Kristofer Velasco mentioned, not yet by number, but it deserves an equal change. Secularism and Atheism is yet still very much misunderstood. As clearly seen in this Forum, Mr. Greco Belgica is a living example of such misunderstanding. In claiming that Secularism and Atheism is a religion in itself, he, and surely many other theists have not yet understood the meaning of Atheism and Secularism, which especially Atheism, as it opposes religion, is therefore not another religion. Atheists do not worship men, Atheists respect peoples as individuals, stand for what belongs to that respect, Human Rights and Humanism.
PATAS has shown that Atheists and Agnostics are not just a bunch of hobby non-believers, meeting up privately for a chat and a drink, but that Atheism, Secularism and Humanism, is clearly rising, and is playing an important role in society and politics. Slowly pushing religion out of politics is a democratic and humane movement, as it goes with time, and puts the peoples into the center of life, which is universally right, and not a religious system, a system with not general validity and universalism.
We can give our regards to PTV, showing and representing its neutral broadcasting, as many other channels would not let Atheists speak over their channels!
Enjoy watching the Forum:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cw9QD_Yehcg&list=PLogMBc7vOosGMC7ICxVuJPm8NHJPQLL1e
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSP3yEi3xu8&list=PLogMBc7vOosGMC7ICxVuJPm8NHJPQLL1e
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebkb-32LKwE&list=PLogMBc7vOosGMC7ICxVuJPm8NHJPQLL1e&index=3
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