CCH Report on SB 1869 Protests, May 30, 2029
Rapidly increasing numbers of Freedom Warriors and new protestors succeeded in delaying the passage of SB 1869.The number of protestors peaked to over 300 Freedom Fighters and Warriors. See Video here.
Like yesterday, they came from all walks of life. Economically-challenged urban Filipinos made up the bulk of the protestors. A large delegation from Lucena City also came and encamped in the Senate grounds.
They all gathered together because they suffered tremendous loss and pain during three years of Covid lockdowns. They vowed to themselves that they would oppose another such round of unscientific, irrational, ineffective and fraudulent Covid policies. Such threat is contained in SB 1869.
Meanwhile, digital Freedom Fighters inundated the Senate with their messages of opposition. One can clearly see this in the feedback section of the official YouTube and FB channels of the Senate of the Philippines! More than 80% of comments were not about the Maharlikha bill but were about rejecting SB 1869. No viewer was supporting SB 1869.
The digital opposition is also important especially when factored in as part of the on-going three-month long physical protests at the Senate. Unless the Senate is suicidal, it will stay away from controversial bills until the time has come for them to bite the bullet, that is, face the debate around SB 1869,
The time-consuming focus and debate of the Senate on the passage of the Maharlikha bill aided in this continuing victory of all those who are fighting for the health, truth, freedom and democracy in this country. That internal Senate debate resulted in zero time for the consideration of other priority bills including SB 1869.
Nicanor Perlas, founder of Covid Call to Humanity, observed publicly that God’s ways are simply amazing. Divine Providence has created a situation of prolonged internal debate among the Senators, thereby delaying the deliberations on SB 1869.. That Senate debate worked in favor of those opposing SB 1869.
The successful Third Reading passage of the Maharlikha fund bill at 230am, May 31, 2023, ate up a total of almost 20 hours of Senate deliberations. That constituted most of Monday and all of Tuesday. It left no time for the consideration of other priority bills including the SB 1869. God is awesome!
The Freedom Warriors observed that the military, with telescopic lenses situated on top of the Senate building, closely monitored to protests. Military soldiers also reinforced the police and Senate security forces on the ground. It is clear from the expression on their faces and their body language that they were concerned with the large number of protestors.
However, we are quick to add that the police and security forces at the Senate have been very professional and fair in their dealings with the Freedom Warriors who are totally non-violent. This has led to a mood of respect on both sides and the releasing of more energy for the protest, instead of being diverted to dealing with police harassments. The latter was the case in the second week of Senate deliberations in May.
We know from friends in the inside that the personnel of the Senate security took a lot of pictures of the protest and made reports to the head security of the Senate. The latter, in turn, gives a daily briefing to the Senate President on developments regarding the protest. One can safely assume that such daily intelligence affects the setting of the agenda of the Senate.
Given the very limited time left, the only way for SB 1869 to pass tomorrow is if the Senate rushes through the Second and Third Reading, ignoring over a dozen other priority bills of the Senate. The rush would also mean leaving no time for serious interpolations among other Senators who may have concerns regarding SB 1869,
If the Senate passes the bill under these circumstances, it is clear that the Senate is hell-bent on passing SB 1869. If so, it would be easier to charge Senators who approved the bill of violations against the Philippine Constitution. They will also be guilty of treason.
In the alternative, the Senate can always postpone its own scheduled adjourment and continue its deliberations on the priority bills throughout the week. That would include SB 1869. Because of the deeply controversial nature of SB 1869, it will most likely eat up a lot of the time of the Senate on interpellation.
Given the overall dynamics of the situation, it is unlikely that SB 1969 will be passed tomorrow and within the week. However, the bill can always be taken up again once the Senators re-convene and continue their plenary sessions.
Thus, dear Friends, this will be a continuing battle. We may win this round. But the war is not yet over. As has been said, the price of democracy and freedom is eternal vigilance!
THANKS FOR ENGAGING IN THIS MOST IMPORTANT STRUGGLE FOR THE DEMOCRATIC, FREE AND HEALTHY FUTURE OF OUR BELOVED PHILIPPINES!
CCH will upload the video of yesterday’s protests soon. The technical aspects of editing and uploading eat up a lot of computer time. Watch for our announcement when we have finally uploaded the video.
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