I do wonder if a majority of Filipinos think the act was not wrong. I haven’t seen a survey on that — but it certainly isn’t a major issue in their eyes given that 70% of the population would be happy to have more food, a decent home and schooling for their kids…

As for counterfeit goods, I think that’s wrong as well. But as you say, it seems less personal if it’s at that level. Besides, many counterfeiters slyly change several (is it 6 or 7 design features to avoid outright copying?) slight features to avoid litigation… Now if only the legislators staff members did significant wordsmithing, then maybe he would be in less of a pickle… but let’s face it, this wasn’t the first time… it’s repetitive behavior apparently.

I don’t expect Sotto to understand plagiarism, but one of his college-educated political aides/staff members should. That part baffles me. The president himself implicitly admits to having a speechwriter (during his NZ-Aus trip when he made a jibe to GMA, he said was just reading the prepared speech), so why doesn’t Sotto just owe up that he didn’t write his plagiarized speech to begin with? And the plot thickens…

Well, I can understand why most Filipinos don’t think it’s plagiarism or that it’s bad. I think the concept of intellectual property is a little murky especially when you’re surrounded by fake Louis Vuitton bags, fake TOMS shoes, fake Havaianas slippers, etc. I once overheard some person sort of comparing her fake bag with someone’s fake bag saying that at least hers was Louis Vuitton and not just Coach, even though they’re both just fake. I think the idea is that plagiarism is bad if you steal from someone personally, but if you steal from a big company, a noted figure, a celebrity removed from you, it’s okay?

I realize that our government looks like a complete laughing stock when you see things like these circulating in international news, but it all comes back to the point where we still vote without gathering accurate information on who we’re voting for, and rely on name and face and public image as the driving force behind who we jot down on a ballot. Part of this is our fault, and the only way we can correct things like these is to make sure that we pick the right people to get into office, and maybe improve on the task of voter education. Tall task indeed, since cheating and chicanery is so rampant here.

Here’s the other thing. During last night’s homily, the pastor was commenting on his experience during last week’s elections here in the US. He was having dinner at a family’s home when a family member announced that President Obama had won his re-election. This was a point of reflection on the pastor’s part as he was amazed on the quickness of the decision and his opponent’s subsequent concession. The Pastor then compares this with the election process in the Philippines…the length of time to determine a winner, the arguements, the refusal of concede. It wasn’t so much what was said by the Pastor on his experience on election night, but rather the majority of the Filipinos in the congregation who were giggling about it.

Really?

How does that reflect with fellow citizens when Fil-Ams can justify such actions in their homeland? How does this indifference reflect upon us? For Fil-Ams here in the US, the sentiment of those who find humor in what was said only justifies the offense even more.