Noong Hunyo 2, sa kadiliman ng gabi, ginahasa ako ng mahigit 150 na kalalakihan. Kinaladkad nila ako sa isang malaking silid sa isang magarang gusali sa Quezon City at doon pinagpasa-pasahan at nilapastangan na parang isang kinatay na baboy.

Hinubaran nila ako ng damit hanggang walang natira ni isang saplot at kahihiyan sa aking katawan.  Inihiga nila ako sa isang malapad at malamig na lamesa na mistulang altar at itinali ang mga kamay at paa ko sa apat na sulok nito.

Pinilit ko na maging matapang, na magmanhid na lamang ang katawan at pagkatao. Nagmakaawa ako. Nagsumamo. Humagulgol.  Subalit tila mga wala silang marinig. Tila wala sila sa sarili nila, wala sila sa matuwid na pagiisip o talagang bulag lang sa kanilang kasamaan.

Matapos nila akong itali sa lamesa, isa-isa na silang nagparaos sa akin. Para lamang silang umiihi sa inidoro.  Narinig ko habang sila’y naghahalakhakan, nagtatalo at binabati ang isa’t isa.

Naamoy ko ang mga mababaho nilang hininga, ang kanilang pawis at mga libag. Naramdaman ko ang kanilang mga maduduming kuko habang nakabaon ang mga ito sa aking mga suso.  Naramdaman ko ang magkahalong gigil, galit, saya at kademonyohan habang binabayo nila ako’t ibinabaon ang mga ari nila at kung anu-anong bagay sa aking puke.

Lalo silang nasisiyahan  kapag nakikita nilang nasasaktan, umiiyak at humihiyaw ako.  Pinagsasampal nila ako.  Sinusuntok sa sikmura’t mga binti.  Dinuduraan.

May mga iilan sa kanila ang naawa sa akin at nagtangkang awatin ang mga kasamahan nila at ipagtanggol ako, subalit nilunod lamang ang pagtutol nila ng hiyawan, kantyawan at halakhak ng higit na nakakarami.

Kilala ko ang mga taong lumpastangan sa akin. Pinagkatiwalaan ko sila. Sila ang mga tao na inasahan ko na mag-aaruga sa akin, magtataguyod sa akin, magtatanggol sa akin.  Hindi ko akalain na sila pa ang mangunguna sa pambababoy sa akin.

Wala na akong alam na malalapitan pa.  Ikaw na lamang.  Hindi na ako maaaring dumulog sa mga awtoridad o sa mga taong nanunungkulan dahil mga makapangyarihan at mayayamang tao ang lumapastangan sa akin. Sila ang mga naghahari, ang kumukumpas sa bawat takbo ng buhay dito sa atin.

Ang labis kong kinatatakutan ay marahil hindi pa tapos ang panggagahasang ginagawa nila sa akin, na sa darating na mga linggo at buwan ay kakaladkarin na naman ako at isasangkalan sa kanilang altar ng kalibugan at pagkagahaman.

Sana ay hindi ka magwalang-bahala na lamang.

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Labis na umaasa,
Konstitusyon ng Republika ng Pilipinas

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Background para sa mga ‘di pa nakakasakay:

‘Gang rape’ of Charter should outrage Filipinos — Bernas
GMANews.TV

One of the key framers of the 1987 Philippine Constitution on Wednesday said the Filipino people should be outraged by the passage of a resolution seeking to convene Congress into a constituent assembly, minus the Senate.

In an interview with radio dzBB, Fr. Joaquin Bernas, who was a member of the 1986 Constitutional Commission, blasted House legislators allied with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo who insisted on passing the measure allowing for a Senate-less constitutional assembly.

“Kasi pinaglalaruan nila ang Saligang-Batas at pinaglalaruan nila ang tao [They are toying with the Constitution. They have been fooling the people],” said Bernas, dean emeritus of the Ateneo de Manila Law School.

Bernas also echoed Nueva Ecija Rep. Eduardo Nonato Joson’s opinion that the approval of the measure was like “gang raping” the Constitution.

Asked how the public should react, Bernas’ reply in Filipino was, “Magalit (Be outraged).”

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Lawmakers propose constitutional change
Wall Street Journal

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s allies in the country’s House of Representatives pushed through a proposal to set up an assembly aimed at changing the nation’s constitution—a move that Ms. Arroyo’s critics say could potentially let her circumvent term limits and remain in power beyond 2010.

Lawmakers passed the resolution in a late-night session on Tuesday, laying the ground for a lengthy political and legal battle that might also derail a series of important tax-raising and other measures needed to stabilize the Philippines’ deteriorating economy.

The resolution may also complicate the run-up to the scheduled presidential election in 2010 when, according to the current constitution, Ms. Arroyo must step down, as Philippine leaders can only be elected once, for a six-year term.

The Philippines, an archipelago of 91 million people that’s a major U.S. ally in Asia, has frequently experienced political upheaval. But in recent years, its economy has improved under the stewardship of Ms. Arroyo, a former economics professor.

The country is becoming a significant link in the global economy, especially in providing skilled labor and outsourced back-office services.

Ms. Arroyo came to power in 2001 when she was serving as vice president, after a popular, military-backed revolt unseated President Joseph Estrada. She won the country’s 2004 presidential election.

In the years since, she has frequently expressed a wish that the Philippines become a parliamentary-style democracy led by a prime minister rather than a directly-elected president.

In recent months, Ms. Arroyo has steered clear of discussing political issues, particularly constitutional change. As a result, analysts say speculation lingers about her intentions despite frequent denials from her aides that she intends to use constitutional change to stay in power.

One of those aides, Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, on Tuesday denied that Arroyo loyalists were plotting to keep the 62-year-old president in power.

“Mark my word and trust me: there will be elections in 2010,” Mr. Puno said.

Critics of the plan to amend the constitution are likely to go to the Philippines’ Supreme Court to contest the legality of the Arroyo bloc’s maneuver, political analysts say.

On Wednesday, investors appeared unsettled by the latest political maneuverings in the country. While other Asian markets continued to climb, the Philippine Stock Exchange Index fell 0.8% to close at 2471.19 as the market tried to digest the consequences of the news.

“Whenever Congress delivers a curveball, it can derail lots of other measures that were supposed to be under way,” said Jojo Gonzales, managing director of Manila-based brokerage Philippine Equity Partners Inc. “The market has been performing well of late and politics is the last thing it wants to see, even though the Congress’s move may well be struck down in the Supreme Court.”

Ms. Arroyo and her aides contend that a parliamentary system would produce a more effective and responsive government by avoiding the divisive political battles fostered by the current presidential form of government.

Her supporters also say constitutional change will help the country become more attractive to global investors by liberalizing foreign-ownership rules, which currently prevent non-Filipinos from owning land and holding equity in excess of 40% in many industries.

But Ms. Arroyo’s critics—Mr. Estrada among them—argue that she is hoping to hold on to power by rewriting the constitution. Mr. Estrada and a series of other politicians hoping to be elected president next year have held rallies loudly condemning possible constitutional change.

Economists, meanwhile, worry the controversy could distract the Philippines from pursuing other, less drastic reforms designed to strengthen its faltering economy, which is now teetering on the brink of recession after eight straight years of expansion.

Finance Secretary Margarito Teves is pushing for higher taxes on alcohol and tobacco to provide more money for government spending, as well as proposing changes to simplify the Philippines’ income tax code to bring in additional revenue.

Opposition lawmaker Teodoro Casino complained on the floor of the House Tuesday night that it is unclear what Ms. Arroyo’s allies hope to achieve: Changing the country’s democratic system or enabling economic reforms, or both.

Mr. Casino said the text approved by the pro-Arroyo block “will allow our politicians to keep themselves in power.”