DEFINE ME: A Right to Self Determination

By: Reuben P. Escarlan

Dear HONORABLE:

From bloodless revolution, from the lives of independence, from the scars of past
like Noahs Ark I will live de novo. Independent and be able to identify myself.

My people fought hard with me to insure that the democratic process restored
through historic and bloodless Peoples Power Revolution on 1986 and my
independence was also fought a hard one. We preserve our history and never again
compromised, we honor our heroes, we value and guard our independence, and we
protect our rights to the blessings of democracy- people among others, freedom among
everything else protected by the spirit of law that the constitution must be quintessential
rather than superficial, the root and not the blossom, the base and the framework only
of the edifice that is yet to rise, the core of the dream, the source of light, the strength
and substance of the people guided by the principles of equality, freedom, peace,
justice, cooperation, amity with all nations, and the right to self-determination among
others, through these we are made and embodied in our spirits and our hearts.

As part of the new phase of changes we are unequivocally committed to the rule
of law in protection of life, liberty, sovereignty against any criminal elements, in
promotion of general welfare and from the government abuses that have perpetrated
our peoples advancement. We are committed to be responsible partner in our relations
with the international community with regard to economic diplomacy, national territory
and protection of Filipinos overseas in all ways with respect to the laws of their nations.
We are committed to the peaceful resolution of disputes including full respect for legal
and diplomatic processes. We value these commitments and resolve to be a pro-active,
reliable and responsible partner with the aid of God and love for nation.

We have shown we can choose a better history and we can do more. History has
shown that progress and prosperity can be achieved at phenomenal level when men
and women cross the boundaries set by customs and traditions and will continue as it

ought to be, firm and unstoppable, like sun amidst darkness and storms or a ship in
the ocean amidst the ranging of the waves. The descendants of Homers Iliad
threatened: by peace, not war; love for hate; flowers instead of bloodshed; rosaries on
the barrel of a gun and liberty for the long, long night of enslavement and loss of human
dignity. We are of a sovereign country answerable to no one except to the nation and to
the people, we are puppets of no one, like love enshrines in the Constitution as a
monument to the love that prevented bloodshed as the whole world watched in
admiration and wonder, the Revolution was won in the jubilant wash and wonder came
proudly to be called People Power that marks for the new Constitution truly reflective
of the ideals and aspirations of the Filipinos and Filipinos alone.

Yours truly;
PHILIPPINES

1.
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Isagani A. Cruz, Philippine Political Law 1996 Ed.

Perfecto Yasay, CSIS Deliberative Speech
Joaquin G. Bernas, The 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines 2009 Ed.