Government that condemns Martin Nievera is same one that arrests Jun Lozada. Say it with us: hy-po-crite!

Take it from this government to give us a lesson on where it is least capable of: nationalism.

Aside from the fact that it detracts from more pressing issues - for instance, the economy is still down, jobs are being lost by the minute and the new schoolyear is just around the corner, with unprecedented hardship facing millions of parents - this whole brouhaha over Martin Nievera's singing of the national anthem should be ceased, for the sheer hyprocrisy of it. This same government, that for the past week arrested and jailed NBN-ZTE whistleblower Jun Lozada, is now giving us lessons in nationalism?

True, the National Historical Institute (NHI), the courts and the police are distinct and separate agencies. But they are all in one government nonetheless, and this one, by any stretch of the imagination, does not even begin to comprehend what true nationalism is.

Nationalism is not dogmatically following the original cadence of the national anthem. It is not even strictly by allegiance to the Philippine flag. Nationalism is upholding the interests and welfare of the people, the 90 million or so Filipinos who make up this nation. 

Lozada is a nationalist. He sacrificed a cushy life to expose a massively corrupt government deal, for the interest of Filipinos to know the truth. But he now faces persecution from this government.

The late Rep. Crispin "Ka Bel" Beltran, whose first death anniversary is marked this month, was a nationalist. He untiringly fought for the interests of the workers and poor, yet he endured a long detention imposed upon him by this government, after being arrested on trumped-up charges of rebellion.

This administration? It has steadfastly refused calls for immediate relief for the poor under the tough economic times, such as the P125-wage hike and the scrapping of the VAT. It had congressmen waltzing to Las Vegas to watch Pacquiao, while stomachs go empty back home. It has had under its watch the worst human rights record since Marcos, has a never-ending string of corruption scandals involving its highest-profile people, and is now maneuvering for an extended stay in power through Charter Change.

Perhaps the NHI can look right in its own corner, the government - all the way up to the Presidency - for more blatant displays of treason.

Reference: Jon Vincent Marin, Kadamay Information Officer | 0910.975.7660