Thursday, February 10, 2011

Aquino urges: Be part of peace deals thru Facebook, Twitter

In a speech during the symbolic candle-lighting rites for peace at the Quezon Memorial Circle on last tuesday, PNoy said the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process would update the public on the peace negotiations with both groups through its Facebook and Twitter accounts. As we all know, the dean of this college, Dean Marvic Leonen, is the Chairperson of the Peace Panel. Since he is very proficient at using these new platforms, I’m sure we will all get our fill of information on these matters. The question now is whether or not we want to get involved.

To this question, PNoy answers, “Every Filipino is affected by the peace talks. And ever since, I already asked that everyone should participate; be part of the solution instead of adding to the problem... Some may be asking, ‘How can I be part of the solution?’ In my belief, it’s rather simple. Be informed, be vigilant and participate in issues concerning peace.”

I agree. We can buy into the peace advocacy by sending our views and suggestions on how a meaningful peace with the insurgents can be attained, through the social networking sites. Being law students of the UP College of Law, it our obligation to share our outstanding *ahem* insights and suggestions on the matter. We owe it to the taxpaying public who subsidized our tuition fees throughout law school to help bring peace to our country. My professor in Local Government is Antonio La Vina, a member of the government peace panel negotiators, who used to make us conduct negotiation simulations on the matter. He took a few weeks leave to attend the peace talks, and when class was resumed, he said that he used some of our proposals in the mock negotiations. A fresh perspective helps!

Katrina Sy, 12th Blog Entry

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