If Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) had made the decision to bow to Chinese pressure and boycott the Nobel Peace Prize event in Oslo on December 10, few eyelashes would have batted. But it wasn’t GMA, it was Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III who did so, explaining that “it was in the national interest” to save the lives of 5 Filipinos in China’s death row.
GMA bowed to a similar hostage demand in the past, as this news account from the Sydney Morning Herald of July 15, 2004 may remind us: “In a move to save the life of a Filipino hostage held in Iraq, the Manila Government has bowed to his kidnappers’ demands and begun the early withdrawal of its forces from Iraq… accepting the demands of Islamic militants who threatened to behead the 46-year-old Mr. Angelo de la Cruz unless the Philippine contingent was pulled out of Iraq by next Tuesday.”
Even Pres. Barack Obama last week had to bow to Republican pressure to extend the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest 2% in order to extend the same tax cuts to the rest of the 98% of the people. In a press conference, Pres. Obama explained that he had no choice because the Republicans would also not have allowed unemployment benefits for 2 million Americans to continue beyond December 31, 2010 if he did not do so. He said the American people were the hostages and, as president, he had to look out for their interests.
The number of hostages is immaterial – whether it is 1 Filipino OFW worker in Iraq, 5 Filipino drug mules in China or 2 million unemployed Americans without benefits, a president has to consider the political and personal consequences of his or her decisions and make the call.
While Pres. Aquino can justify the boycotting of the Oslo ceremony which was held on International Human Rights Day (of all days), we can express our extreme disappointment because the man who was honored with a Nobel Peace Prize that day was the “Ninoy Aquino of China”.
If Pres. Aquino had attended the Oslo ceremony, he would have heard Thorbjørn Jagland, Chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, describe Liu Xiaobo as follows:
“Liu was born on the 28th of December 1955 in Changchun in China’s Jilin province. He took a Bachelor’s degree in literature at Jilin University, and a Master’s degree and a PhD at Beijing Normal University, where he also taught. Stays abroad included visits to Oslo, Hawaii, and Columbia University, New York.”
“In 1989 he returned home to take part in the dawning democracy movement. On the 2nd of June he and some friends started a hunger strike on Tiananmen Square to protest against the state of emergency that had been declared. They issued a six-point democratic manifesto, written by Liu, opposing dictatorship and in favor of democracy.”
“In 1996, Liu was sentenced to three years in a labor camp for “rumor-mongering and slander.” He was president of the independent Chinese PEN-centre from 2003 to 2007. Liu has written nearly 800 essays, 499 of them since 2005. He was one of the chief architects behind Charter 08, which was made known on the 10th of December 2008, which … defends fundamental human rights and has in due course been signed by several thousand persons both in China itself and abroad.”
“On the 25th of December 2009, Liu was sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment and two years’ loss of political rights for, in the words of the sentence, “incitement to the overthrow of the state power and socialist system and the people’s democratic dictatorship.” Liu has consistently claimed that the sentence violates both China’s own constitution and fundamental human rights.”
What was subversive about Liu Xiaobo’s writings?
In Charter 08, he wrote: “Authoritarianism is in general decline throughout the world; in China, too, the era of emperors and overlords is on the way out. The time is arriving everywhere for citizens to be masters of states. For China the path that leads out of our current predicament is to divest ourselves of the authoritarian notion of reliance on an “enlightened overlord” or an “honest official” and to turn instead toward a system of liberties, democracy, and the rule of law, and toward fostering the consciousness of modern citizens who see rights as fundamental and participation as a duty.”
These words could just as easily have been written by Ninoy Aquino who spent nearly 8 years in solitary confinement for his refusal to bow to the Marcos dictatorship.
Less than a year after he was imprisoned in 1972, Ninoy wrote a letter to his son Noynoy to explain why he chose not to participate in the kangaroo court that was convened by Marcos to try him. “Son, my decision is an act of conscience. It is an act of protest against the structures of injustice that have been imposed upon our hapless countrymen. Futile and puny, as it will surely appear to many, it is my last act of defiance against tyranny and dictatorship.”
Both Ninoy Aquino and Liu Xiaobo understood and accepted Mahatma Gandhi’s words that “the willing sacrifice of the innocent is the most powerful answer to insolent tyranny that has yet been conceived by God and man”.
The decision to boycott the Oslo ceremony was not a product of “bungled incompetence” like the Luneta hostage crisis nor was it made for personal monetary gain, as decisions of previous Philippine presidents may have been. But it was just as disappointing.
By snubbing Liu Xiaobo, Noynoy had turned his back on his father’s legacy.
(Send comments to Rodel50@aol.com or mail them to the Law Offices of Rodel Rodis at 2429 Ocean Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94127 or call 415.334.7800).
[...] Liu Xiaobo: China's Ninoy Aquino | Philippines Today US [...]
… [Trackback]…
[...] Read More: philippinestodayus.com/default/liu-xiaobo-china’s-ninoy-aquino/ [...]…
… [Trackback]…
[...] There you will find 64311 more Infos: philippinestodayus.com/default/liu-xiaobo-china’s-ninoy-aquino/ [...]…
… [Trackback]…
[...] There you will find 66484 more Infos: philippinestodayus.com/default/liu-xiaobo-china’s-ninoy-aquino/ [...]…
… [Trackback]…
[...] Informations on that Topic: philippinestodayus.com/default/liu-xiaobo-china’s-ninoy-aquino/ [...]…
… [Trackback]…
[...] Read More: philippinestodayus.com/default/liu-xiaobo-china’s-ninoy-aquino/ [...]…
… [Trackback]…
[...] Read More Infos here: philippinestodayus.com/default/liu-xiaobo-china’s-ninoy-aquino/ [...]…
Links…
[...]Sites of interest we have a link to[...]……
[...]The information mentioned in the article are some of the best available [...]……
[...]The information mentioned in the article are some of the greatest available [...]……
[...]The information mentioned in the article are some of the best available [...]……
[...]The information mentioned in the article are some of the greatest available [...]……
[...]The information mentioned in the article are some of the best available [...]……
[...]The information mentioned in the article are some of the greatest available [...]……
… [Trackback]…
[...] Informations on that Topic: philippinestodayus.com/default/liu-xiaobo-china’s-ninoy-aquino/ [...]…
… [Trackback]…
[...] Informations on that Topic: philippinestodayus.com/default/liu-xiaobo-china’s-ninoy-aquino/ [...]…
… [Trackback]…
[...] Read More Infos here: philippinestodayus.com/default/liu-xiaobo-china’s-ninoy-aquino/ [...]…
Comment…
I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog and was wondering what all is required to get set up? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very internet savvy so I’m not 100% positive. Any reco…
… [Trackback]…
[...] Informations on that Topic: philippinestodayus.com/default/liu-xiaobo-china’s-ninoy-aquino/ [...]…
… [Trackback]…
[...] Read More Infos here: philippinestodayus.com/default/liu-xiaobo-china’s-ninoy-aquino/ [...]…
…. [Trackback]…….
[...]Hello I found your weblog earth-broad-website world-wide-web web page net word wide web world wide web internet site in regards to the world-wide-web and glimpse some of your respective respective earlier posts. Carry on to maintain within the ter…
[...]Trackback[...]…
Impart you for part this article with your readers, I like this tune and power, I opine is ever collateral to one added, acknowledgment friends and success….
[...]Trackback[...]…
Convey you for deal this article with your readers, I similar this tune and discipline, I judge is ever affinal to one another, acknowledgment friends and success….
…. [Trackback]…….
[...]Hello I discovered your weblog world huge world-wide-web web page word wide web world-wide-web net web site within just the planet-huge-website and visual appeal some within your earlier posts. Proceed to maintain inside the fantastic perform. I j…
[...] Trackback [...]…
Hello human, An fascinating article that speaks understandably of the content, I perception ship to measure propertied content as we impart in this website…
…. [Trackback]…….
[...]Hello I observed your weblog internet web webpage world-wide-web web internet web page with the internet and visual appeal some of one’s early posts. Proceed to help keep up within the amazing run. I just now added increase your Rss to my MSN Ann…
[...]Trackback[...]…
Impart you for assets this article with your readers, I similar this strain and field, I cerebrate is ever relevant to one added, salutation friends and success….
… [Trackback] ……
[...]I suffer fantabulous pleasure in metropolis articles with wellborn activity matter. This write-up is 1 much work that I can apprize. Affirm up the superior purpose.[...]…
…[Trackback]……
[...]Your article is awful human, I comic to get author assemblage on your blog, I like composition, I’ll add to my favorites, and you acquire a individual fan.[...]…
…. [Trackback]…….
[...]Hello I discovered your weblog website web page web globe-broad-web web site inside of the net and visual appeal some of the respective earlier posts. Proceed to maintain up within the fantastic operate. I just now additional boost your Rss to my …
… [Trackback]…
[...] Read More here: philippinestodayus.com/default/liu-xiaobo-china’s-ninoy-aquino/ [...]…
…. [Trackback]…….
[...]Hello I found your weblog globe-vast-web web page entire world extensive word wide web globe vast internet website sheet concerning the world broad world-wide-web and appear some of your earlier posts. Carry on to look after within the excellent r…
[...]Trackback[...]…
Impart you for assets this article with your readers, I suchlike this melody and bailiwick, I cerebrate is always related to one added, farewell friends and success….
…. [Trackback]…….
[...]Hello I found your weblog world huge world-wide-web site world-wide-web earth-huge-word wide web internet site inside the internet and visual appeal some within your respective previously posts. Continue to take care of within the superb run. I ju…
… [Trackback]…
[...] Informations on that Topic: philippinestodayus.com/default/liu-xiaobo-china’s-ninoy-aquino/ [...]…
…. [Trackback]…….
[...]Hello I discovered your weblog internet world-wide-web internet site entire world-broad-word wide web web world wide web web page about the earth-vast-word wide web and search some of your respective respective earlier posts. Proceed to deal with …
…. [Trackback]…….
[...]Hello I discovered your weblog website internet internet site world-wide-web net website around the entire world-huge-web and actual appearance some within your earlier posts. Carry on to maintain up inside of the wonderful run. I just now further…
…. [Trackback]…….
[...]Hello I identified your weblog entire world-huge-world-wide-web web site world-vast-website world-wide-web word wide web webpage to your world-extensive-world-wide-web and seem some of one particular’s earlier posts. Continue to take care of with…
[...]Trackback[...]…
Thank you for deal this article with your readers, I equal this thought and ability, I judge is ever agnatic to one another, acknowledgement friends and success….
…. [Trackback]…….
[...]Hello I located your weblog net site world-wide-internet globe-vast-world-wide-web site towards the planet extensive website and seem some of the earlier posts. Proceed to keep up inside the good operate. I just now added enhance your Rss to my MS…
…. [Trackback]…….
[...]Hello I discovered your weblog net internet web site web planet-extensive-world-wide-web web web page within just the net and actual physical physical appearance some of one’s respective earlier posts. Carry on to maintain within just the terrifi…
…. [Trackback]…….
[...]Hello I discovered your weblog web internet webpage entire world extensive internet entire world huge internet site around the internet and physical physical appearance some of one particular’s previously posts. Carry on to care for within the te…
…. [Trackback]…….
[...]Hello I discovered your weblog world-wide-web world-wide-web web page globe wide internet word wide web web website for the internet and physical appearance some of a single’s earlier posts. Carry on to help keep up inside of the great function. …
… [Trackback] ……
[...]I acquire fantabulous pleasure in city articles with quality accumulation substance. This write-up is 1 specified activity that I can apprise. Enter up the superior function.[...]…
…[Trackback]……
[...] Hello friend. The pattern for your website is a immature bit off in Epiphany. Regularise So I like your computer. I power hold to set a standard browser honorable to savour it. Recuperate impart you for the flier my someone. [...]…
… [Trackback]…
[...] There you will find 36807 more Infos: philippinestodayus.com/default/liu-xiaobo-china’s-ninoy-aquino/ [...]…
… [Trackback]…
[...] Read More: philippinestodayus.com/default/liu-xiaobo-china’s-ninoy-aquino/ [...]…
… [Trackback]…
[...] Informations on that Topic: philippinestodayus.com/default/liu-xiaobo-china’s-ninoy-aquino/ [...]…
… [Trackback]…
[...] There you will find 89198 more Infos: philippinestodayus.com/default/liu-xiaobo-china’s-ninoy-aquino/ [...]…
… [Trackback]…
[...] Informations on that Topic: philippinestodayus.com/default/liu-xiaobo-china’s-ninoy-aquino/ [...]…
Websites you should visit…
Every once in a while we choose blogs that we read. Listed below are the latest sites that we choose…
Websites you should visit…
Every once in a while we choose blogs that we read. Listed below are the latest sites that we choose…
Websites you should visit…
Every once in a while we choose blogs that we read. Listed below are the latest sites that we choose…