Being discussed in the congressional hearings is the issue on the budget for travel of the office of the speaker of the lower house. The alleged huge travel budget was raised in a commentary by one Jeffry Celiz, a broadcaster of Sonshine Media Network, Inc. (SMNI) a television network that was granted congressional franchise believed to be owned by Apollo Carreon Quiboloy albeit denials of such ownership. The commentator who disclosed the travel budget which purportedly amounted to 1.8 billion pesos was invited by the lower house to shed light on such news regarding the huge travel budget that was disclosed in his commentary program.
The resource person refused to reveal the identity of his source on the basis of Republic Act 53 known as the Sotto Law or the Press Freedom Law that protects journalists from being compelled to reveal the name of their news sources. The said law affords journalists to maintain the safety of their news sources from all forms of pressure or harassment that the news subjects might take against the news sources. The commentator consistently insists that he is protected by said law and he is bounden to protect his news sources. He also cited his constitutional right under the bill of rights and the right of the people to information on matters of public concern.
Indeed the travel budget is a matter of public interest as it is source from taxpayers’ money. What appears to be a concern on the part of the office of the house speaker is its negative repercussions on the integrity and credibility of the lower house. The commentary is being connected to the political squabble between the house speaker and the vice president who are both positioning for the upcoming presidential derby. The attacks on the house speaker is being construed by the house members as emanating from the former president and his daughter vice president as close allies of pastor Apollo Carreon Quiboloy.
In the course of the house investigation, the commentator disclosed that the issue of that huge travel budget was leaked by a senate insider. The revelation stirred varied reactions from the senators with the outright denial by the senate president. The senate urged the lower house to continue its investigation. Meanwhile, the lower house made efforts to compel the commentator to name his source or else he would be cited in contempt and detained.
The threat of being cited for contempt and detention did not deter the commentator, standing his ground to protect his source and protect his rights as a journalist as well as other journalists from revealing their news sources. He insisted that what he raised was in the form of a question as to the truth or falsity of the alleged leaked information. The lower house had already retorted with its report that the travel expenses incurred by the office of the speaker of the house of representatives this year is about 4.347 million pesos. That would settle the issue without pressing the commentator to reveal the name of his news sources.
comments to alellema@yahoo.com
As if time has wings
An intangible yet pervasive part of our lives, time often appears to pass at an alarming rate. Seemingly, as we grow older, the subjective experience of time accelerates, leaving us bewildered by its seemingly fleeting nature. We can delve into the phenomenon of time’s apparent acceleration from a psychological and philosophical perspective, explore the complexities underlying our perception of time, and decipher the possible reasons behind its elusive nature.
Time perception relies heavily on our cognitive processes and how we perceive the world around us. The popular saying “time flies when you’re having fun” holds some truth as positive emotions have been found to distort our perception of duration. Conversely, moments of boredom or discomfort can create an illusion of time’s deceleration, making it appear as if it lingers. The subjectivity of our experiences demonstrates the intricate link between perception and the passage of time.
Our perception of time is also deeply intertwined with the way we form and recall memories. The vividness and novelty of events influence our memory’s accessibility, leading us to believe that they occurred recently. As we age, our cognitive filtering mechanisms become more refined, and novel experiences become rarer, resulting in less memorable moments. This narrowing of memory may contribute to the feeling that time accelerates with age, as fewer novel events occur, reducing our perception of the passing of time significantly.
As we progress through life, temporal compression becomes a notable aspect of our experience. The repetitive nature of daily life with commitments such as work, responsibilities, and routines can lead to time seemingly blending, creating a sense of temporal compression. This tendency increases as we age, further exacerbating the impression that time is slipping away faster than ever before.
The illusory nature of perceived time becomes apparent when analyzing the difference between objective and subjective time. Objective time remains a constant, unchanging entity, while subjective time is heavily influenced by our emotions, experiences, and mental states. Moreover, our perception of time is susceptible to external factors like cultural context, societal norms, and environmental conditioning. Recognizing the subjectivity of time pushes us to question its true nature and its role in shaping our existence.
Our perception of time’s swift passage can serve as a catalyst for reflection and self-evaluation. Realizing the potential brevity of existence instills a sense of urgency, encouraging individuals to seize opportunities and make the most of their limited time. This introspective aspect of time’s elusiveness is particularly relevant in educational settings, where students are driven by the desire to acquire knowledge and contribute to their chosen field before time slips away indefinitely.
The perception that time flies rapidly is therefore influenced by the factors mentioned. Rather than succumbing to the anxiety associated with time’s acceleration, we can embrace the sense of urgency it instills, using it as a powerful motivator to lead purposeful and fulfilling lives. Ultimately, the fleeting nature of time reminds us to cherish our experiences, strive for personal growth, and leave a lasting legacy during our brief sojourn in the enigmatic realm of time.