The Code of Omerta

According to Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia in the internet, Omertà implies “the categorical prohibition of cooperation with state authorities or reliance on its services, even when one has been victim of a crime.”[2] Even if somebody is convicted for a crime he has not committed, he is supposed to serve the sentence without giving the police any information about the real criminal, even if that criminal has nothing to do with the Mafia himself. Within Mafia culture, breaking omertà is punishable by death.
To insiders and outsiders, the code of omerta is also known as the code of silence. This mafia code, however, has evolved since it was adopted by crime syndicates in Europe particularly in Sicily and other parts of Italy during the 16th century. Because the code has benefited much of the mafia bosses and the criminal organizations they belong, it became the epitome for others to follow the code through which the authorities themselves adopted it as part of their strict implementations of certain rules.

The code of omerta, however, did not only made inroad in the inner structure but it influenced governments, military organizations, school fraternities and street gangs and the corporate or business community especially the shipping industry. Governments anywhere in the world had perfected the code of omerta, giving rise to the many anomalies and killings committed by despots and rogue states.

The military organizations, known for their strict discipline and code of honor, have easily adopted and honed the code of omerta. Soldiers are required to adhere and strictly follow the code. The one that “what you hear, what you see, leave it here,” kind of dictum, or the explicit “see no evil, hear no evil” explanation. Clearly, the principle and philosophical aspect of omerta is what bind the military to the code of silence.

Fraternities, gangs and the shipping industry were equally in good rankings among the followers of the Mafia code. They have the same thinking and inclination towards the code of omerta which protects their interests and standings in a place they called theirs. To glean on the background of fraternities and gangs make us understand that their version of the code of omerta is for stronger brotherhood but sometimes fatalistic in nature.

On the other hand, the shipping industry is more than a follower of the Mafia code. For those who may not know, the shipping industry is the Taliban version of the business sector. They do not only strictly adhere to the dictum of the code of omerta but they are enforcing the more severe form of gag order to all seafarers particularly on ratings and junior officers.

In other words, the shipping industry mostly in tanker, bulk, cargo and other vessels with the same operations usually do not conform to the United Nations Human Rights Convention of protecting the basic human rights of all citizens of the world. According to a local TV report which was aired months ago, most of the time, seafarers were experiencing gag orders from the higher ups.

Just like in any government, military and other sectors, shenanigans are prevalent in the shipping industry. Nobody is allowed to bring up issues that concern the operations of the vessel, more so on LPG Tanker vessel. Anyone found guilty of breaking the code of omerta is dealt with severely, either by suspension or revocation of contract. There’s no Ifs or Buts. The “see no evil, hear no evil” is the standard rule and applies to all ratings and some officers.

I, myself have suffered the fate of rudeness after I posted articles regarding my experience in my short stint as a crew of an LPG Tanker based in Singapore. I was ordered by the shipping agency to delete 4 of my articles to which I complied. I took it as a mere gesture of propriety. But most of seafarers actually fear of losing employment that is why they too had become the accidental followers of the code of omerta. Obviously, bigots and oppressive people are really hard to crack.

Showbiz Dominates Mass Media

The Philippine mass media has completely gobbled-up by showbiz from “gutter-talk shows” to the very lowest showbiz news/gossips, which is best describe as “bovine ordure” in the highest degree. From radio, TV and print media, showbiz mania has almost become the center of everything. Showbiz shares headlines along with political issues and police reports which are often the content of newspapers, radios and TVs.

Showbiz has turned mass media into a cumbersome part of society where the people are feed with the daily dose of insignificant and below standard news reporting. The consequence therefore is enormous because people of all walks of life just couldn’t resist patronizing showbiz, made possible by too many bastardized tabloids and broadsheets and the mass media as a whole.

Instead of quality, high standard, excellent and responsible reporting, the country’s mass media has gone haywire. They made issues out of everything, from the life of showbiz personalities down to the least nonsensical issues or gossips like taking a shower, of having a party, of showing extravagance, of asking what the actor/actress likes about their body, about sex scandal videos and other “bovine ordure” issues that do not merit attention from the public.

This trend of media bias towards showbiz is slowly turning moral and nation building a backseat. Rather than providing the public the necessary information about education, new discovery, featured stories of great importance, economy, environment, empowerment, success stories of individuals for inspirations and other issues that delves on progress and development, the mass media, however, continue to focus on the nauseating world of showbiz.

Decades ago only tabloids and some broadsheets has extensive coverage on showbiz news/gossips but over the years showbiz popularity has widen its scope in mass media including TV stations which are now hiring glib talkers among showbiz reporters & columnists to attract great number of credulous followers or viewers and to bring high ratings to their shows and stations.

Not to be outdone, big companies, corporation, politicians and identified groups or entities have joined the bandwagon of showbiz mania purposely for promotional activities. For these people, showbiz is money and money is wealth and power and so the showbiz delusion continues.

I have nothing against showbiz per se but the way it is being run by the industry and corporate leaders and the mass media is too much. Instead of educational shows, the big three TV stations in the country is competing against each other by having too many showbiz talk shows without any purpose whatsoever but to feed garbage news to the public.

Unlike in some ASEAN countries like Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam, showbiz news/gossips do not given much attention as headlines. The mass media in Malaysia give much relevance to their progress and development as a nation. Their broadsheets are full of knowledge-based information. Their TV stations do not have showbiz talk shows that poison and twist the logical sense of the public.

Vietnam is more than conscientious towards progress and development that is why they have a mass media - although quite restricted for some political reason – that prioritize news and programs that have social significance. The country’s TV stations continuously airs their heroes exploits particularly Ho Chi Mihn, Vietnam’s revolutionary hero. Showbiz gossip is a non factor in the country’s fast developing economy.

Mass media has a significant role in nation building but only then it could happen if that role will be taken seriously with utmost diligence and responsibility to help the nation realized progress and development. The mass media shouldn’t let showbiz rule over them and to prevent the public of acquiring “delusional infection” instead feed the public the antidote of knowledge-based information relevant to total progress and development.

Elections Promises

After the May 10, 2010 Presidential elections the Filipino masses will again troop to the voting precincts this coming 25th of October 2010 to participate in Barangay or community elections. The voters will elect their community and youth leaders to continue of what the local government code of the Philippines’ coherent decree allowing local communities to conscientiously participate in nation building.

This political exercise, however, over the years has become the training ground for graft & corruption, malfeasance, fraud, abuse of authority and bad governance by select individuals with questionable characters. Candidates vying for community and youth leadership, both first timers and old timers, are often engage in killings and dirty politicking just to show who’s who in their community.

There are compelling reasons why select and known individuals run for Barangay/community positions because the perks or benefits are quite attractive and they say it is foolish to refuse a position in the community. Add to that is the support of personalities holding power and influence. That is why this election is very much important to certain individuals with sinister motives because it gives them clout in everything they do in the community as well as in the national level.

The purpose of this election as provided for by the local government code is totally good and well defined but only on papers. Because in reality the people involved in this political exercise are no different from the past and present leaders who shaped the rotten political system of the country.

And the fact that the Philippines has so many religious sects proclaiming the word of God, the people will still vote candidates confirmed as baddies because everybody else were eroded and eaten by the system of things that had been prevailing for a very long period of time. And the way I look at it, this October election is predictable because old faces and the relatives of known & crook personalities will emerge as winners and that as usual ELECTION PROMISES will surely end in the heap of “broken promises.”

P-Noy’s First 100 Days Burst the Opening Mark

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III has quickly moved fast in his first 100 days in office last October 08, 2010, and yet the fact that he is still in the early months of his first starring role as president, he has already taken the nod of the vast majority who believe in his ability to lead the nation to progress and development.

But the action is not complete without the villains out to stymie and shame the leading character of P-Noy. The opposition (rabid supporters of the past administration of GMA) as villains, hit the 100 days of President Benigno Aquino for being weak in the face of the August 23, 2010 hostage drama and other nonsensical issues.

Others, like the poor peasants, marginalized since the time of P-Noy’s parents, grandparents and close relatives were calling for P-Noy to finally release to them their share of the Hacienda Luisita, the controversial land property of the family of the President. Another issue that grabbed attention in his first 100 days was the never ending issue of jueteng, the illegal numbers game which was raised by no less than the man of the cloth, retired Bishop Oscar Cruz, one of the leading advocates against illegal gambling.

Because P-Noy is the leading figure in this archipelagic country of the Philippines which was almost written-off for the past 9 years, he did not stopped believing in his resolve to eked-out a better performance as shown by the latest economic figures of the country, by leading its ASEAN neighbors in GDP statistics.

Although, P-Noy has met some flack in his decision making following the IIRC report that investigated the hostage drama and the illegal numbers game brouhaha which accuses his close and trusted officials and for defending them in public, the President fairly fended off criticisms. Add to that when P-Noy signed Amnesty Proclamation No. 50 granting amnesty to all soldiers who mutinied against the then President Gloria Arroyo.

The oppositions were dismayed over the amnesty program of the government but various sectors sided with the decision of the President claiming that the mutineers are principled soldiers who fought abuse of authority and massive corruption in the military and the civilian government of the previous administration.

This time, President Benigno Aquino III looked serious and steadfast in his first starring role as the leader of the Philippines. Only that he is still beholden to patronage politics that gives protection to controversial government officials. If this policy continues in his term, this could be a big setback and might hinder competence and long lasting good governance. But perhaps P-Noy wouldn’t let this to happen again because he knows that the country has been in the doldrums of complete worthlessness. The Filipino nation is keeping their hope alive for the next 6 years and President Noy must do it slowly but surely or bust.

Team Pacquiao Aims Boxing Record

Team Pacquiao is aiming for a boxing record this coming 13th of November 2010 in Dallas Texas where cowboys and cowgirls are in their usual get-up of 10 gallon Stetson hats, boots, cool jeans, corduroys and belt buckles which normally gives an added attraction to visitors especially those who loves the place for its colorful history and country music.

Team Pacquiao is now in intense training in Baguio City, the summer capital of the Philippines where fans and bystanders alike watched Pacquiao with glee and in star-struck mode. The boxer has big followers in the country and he is mobbed every time he’s exposed to the crowd, the one that admires and follow Pacquiao’s successful career as “people’s champ.”

Many, including Freddie Roach are hoping for Pacquiao to dispatch the bigger Margarito comes fight night. But could it be a walk-in-the-park for Pacquiao? Maybe the answer is on the hands of Pacquiao, known for having sledgehammer-like hands that knocks opponent in total submission.

Manny Pacquiao who is a midget by size according to lil’ Floyd Mayweather Jr., will be hard-pressed to defeat Antonio Margarito who stands at 5’11’’ compared to Pacquiao’s height of 5’6’’ with a body frame slightly smaller than the Mexican fighter. Nonetheless, Team Pacquiao is confident to knock-out Margarito who was once accused of using illegal hand-wraps in his previous fight against Mosley.

Hopefully Pacquiao will still deliver his mastery of the game to show to the world that he is still the boxer people loves to see inside the ring and not as a politician who rubs elbow with fellow lawmakers who have done nothing to improve the lot of the majority of poor Filipino people despite of the billions of pork barrel funds being given to all members of congress.

Congressman Pacquiao is aiming for the number “eight.” Eight championship belts in eight different weight divisions. Incidentally, congressman Pacquiao had just got his extra other 8 when he won a congressional seat last May 10, 2010 election. The number 8 is the official car plate of congressmen in the Philippines. Let’s see if Pacquiao get his record 8 via Antonio Margarito in Dallas, Texas.

Ban School Fraternities Now

The bloody incident that happened in Metro Manila last September 26, 2010 involving school fraternities gives warning to all concerned that these organized gangs and criminals fronting as legal fraternities and sororities of students will become more dangerous to the civilized world unless they are all banned forever.

A picture of grim and sorrow was indescribable when a pack of blood-thirsty wolves with the intention to kill hurled a grenade right in the middle of a crowd of law students during the last day of Bar examination which the suspects and the victims were there to support their fellow fraternities and the school they represent.

Many suffered injuries and one young law student were not lucky to see her legs again because she was at the wrong place and may be at the wrong side of the fence of fraternity affiliation. The mayhem was swift. Opposing fraternities and Law schools just couldn’t imagine what transpired the carnage or “fraternity rage.” But that’s a given; all the fraternities have one in common, the “Angels of Death” or in Latin “L’angelo della morte.”

In the first place fraternity membership promote cruelty & violence with that big paddle and other initiation equipments that inflict harm and blood to the delight of all the members. And of course it involves sex, alcohol and drugs. Hazing 101? Yes of course, the physical pain that satisfy cruelty and extreme desire for blood.

This is the kind of school fraternities in the Philippines that had been in existence as old as their fraternities’ name written in bold Latin or Greek words. And this is no longer a surprise to me why the Philippines could not take-off because there are too many lawyers running the show in the country. They shape the rotten judicial, legislative and executive branch of government.

The chaos that inflict pain and sufferings will be repeated again and again because the cycle of infamy and violence within the fraternities & sororities in schools is extensive and without end. The generation of today is the generation of tomorrow. They are law students of today, and they are lawyers and leaders of tomorrow. And if they are killers, marauders and corrupt today and that also what shape them tomorrow.

So, what is the essence of facing our fate tomorrow if we will be facing another batch of lawyers and leaders molded and hardened in the “brotherhood of infamy and violence?” Ban school fraternities and sororities now!!!

The Reckoning of an Evolving World: The Final Fantasy

If our history books, word-of-mouth accounts of our old folks and historians in the academe who shared to us about world history before us, we might conclude though that the world then is worth living for. Before, the world is environmentally, socially and morally sound and good.

Fast forward, humans are now living in more advanced world. It seemed that everything had completely changed. The world is all about high technology, hip-hop, junkies, terrorists, rich and poor, poverty and extravagance, extreme social activism, homosexuality, global warming, climate change etc.

The environmentalists have warned us about climate change. The Japanese, Koreans, Americans and Europeans keep on selling to the world their high end technologies. The Chinese are busy cloning substandard products that awash the world market. And last but not the least; the world is now under gunpoint social activism which is advocating flawed social change.

The world has seen it coming and that gunpoint social activism took center stage among others. The last thing we know was that gunpoint social activism, which promotes social equality, is actually a flawed social change. Thus, homosexuality, pedophilia, fornication, abortion, drug abuse and to name a few have evolved.

The world was made to accept that same-sex marriage, older people having sex with young boys and girls, multiple partners and killing the unborn is a damn RIGHT. Many raised a howl but eventually majority has taken side. Among those majority are the ultra liberals, the Godless and salacious individuals or groups, junkies, the modernists, socialists/Maoists (the one that enforced mandatory abortion) and other mortals that practice immorality, made popular by the doomed people of Sodom & Gomorrah.

It is frustrating indeed that the West, who propagated Christianity, moral values, good ethics and righteousness to the rest of the world are the one leading in trying to make irrelevant the good virtues and bible based teachings they imparted to our ancestors. There is no question about gays and lesbians, but same-sex partnership is another. There is no question about being old but pedophilia is abominable. There is no question of loving a person but fornication & adultery is a sinful lust. There is no question of having a baby but abortion is murder.

These flawed social changes have slowly eroded the moral foundations of society elsewhere in the world. It is sickening to see gays undergo wedding rites before mayors, officials and priests using God’s word. It is sickening to see unborn babies thrown into the garbage for the elements to consume. It is sickening to see pedophiles molesting helpless innocent children. And it is sickening to see fornicators & adulterers intensify their lust to perfection.

Thus, I am afraid that not only HIV-AIDS will come before us. More incurable and dread diseases and untold calamities and miseries would become the next big thing. And the world is now seeing it happen. No, I do not belong to any religious sect with fundamental belief on prophesying of what would happen next. One need not be a member of any religious sects to know the effect of human’s excessiveness. The result of it is already in our present time.

To date, certain countries are rejoicing because abortion, drug use, pedophilia, fornication & same-sex marriage is now open to anybody willing to practice the S&G (Sodom & Gomorrah) doctrine. Here gunpoint social activism has won. Welcome to the flawed society of change.