Make a reaction on how do we reconcile the universal concept of

morality and the privilege of the single women the same as

marriage 1st?
What universal concept of morality is taken to refer to plays a
crucial, although often unacknowledged, role in formulating ethical
theories. To take this concept to refer to an actually existing code of
conduct put forward by a society results in a denial that there is a
universal morality, one that applies to all human beings. Now talking
about universal concept of morality versus the privilege of single women
which is the same as married ones is still debatable until these days.
Narratives of single motherhood are as much about marriage
became a basis of social entitlement, a way of ensuring families have an
adequate supply of care -- as they are about mothering. The conservative
nightmare, of course, is that more generous work-life reconciliation
policies -- such as paid family and childbirth leave, universal health care
among others will increase women's capacity for economic independence,
and the venerable institution of marriage will crumble. This however also
become an issue when talking about the universal concept of morality.
Within the framework of heterosexual marriage as the ideal
foundation for family formation, single motherhood can only be explained
as a problem -- either a product of men's failure to take responsibility for
their actions, or evidence of women's refusal to play by the rules. As with
all else in Philippine culture, when it comes to single motherhood women
have limited power to define the moral meaning of their private
experiences. Are single moms victims of bad luck or trendsetters? Selfdetermined survivors or sluts?
For some, single motherhood emerging "as a state of possible
freedom: Freedom from marriage, freedom from the stigma of 'out of
wedlock' births, freedom to have different sexual partners, freedom to
raise children in an alternative fashion." Yet the freedom to be a single
mother on one's own terms is dependent on fathers' cooperation. One of
the more conventional avenues for self-selected single motherhood -pregnancy resulting from a casual relationship.A woman who assumes she
has a right to raise her child on her own may find herself legally bound to
a lifetime of co-parenting.
Needless to say, in my own point of view, freedom for women must
include equal opportunities to mother freely in the context marriage, longterm partnerships or even in milieu of single motherhood. This has nothing
to do with the universal concept of morality since the latter have its own
definition to which morality applies, that is, those whose behavior is

subject to moral judgment and that is beyond the question of the

privileges afforded to single women.
What is Anti Photo Video Voyeurism Act of 2009?
It is an act defining and penalizing the crime of photo and video
voyeurism with prescribe penalties. The under this law, it provides that the
State shall penalize such acts that would destroy the honor, dignity and
integrity of a person.
"Photo or video voyeurism" means the act of taking photo or video
coverage of a person or group of persons performing sexual act or any
similar activity or of capturing an image of the private area of a person or
persons without the latter's consent, under circumstances in which such
person/s has/have a reasonable expectation of privacy, or the act of
selling, copying, reproducing, broadcasting, sharing, showing or exhibiting
the photo or video coverage or recordings of such sexual act or similar
activity through VCD/DVD, internet, cellular phones and similar means or
device without the written consent of the person/s involved,
notwithstanding that consent to record or take photo or video coverage of
same was given by such person.
Make a reflection on Anti Photo Video Voyeurism Act of 2009?
It cannot be denied that the use of computers is becoming prevalent
in our present generation. More and more information are created,
exchanged, and stored in digital form. Various activities can now be done
with the use of computers and the aid of internet. Committing a crime is
one of them.

The Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009 was passed as a

solution to prevent the proliferation of internet scandals the most notable
of which is the involvementDr. Hayden Kho, Dr.Maricar Reyes as well as
actress Katrina Halili. Just recently, another scandal was going viral over
social media and this time it involves one of the most respected journalists
and anchorman in the country, Paolo Bediones. The law itself provides that
its main objective is to penalize acts that will destroy the honor, integrity,
and dignity of a person.

The law aims to safeguard the person/s being a victim of perverts

who took a photo or video of private part or upon sexual intercourse, and
provides main weapon against these scums of the society. With the advent
of this law, the prohibitions shall apply notwithstanding that consent to
record or take photo or video coverage was given.

However, some exceptions on this law should also take place like
when a peace officer who is authorized by written order of the court, to
use the record or any copy thereof as evidence in any civil, criminal
investigation or trial of the crime of photo or video voyeurism. Provided
the following conditions are met;
the written order shall only be granted upon written application and
the examination under oath or affirmation of the applicant and the
witnesses he/she may produce, and
upon showing that there are reasonable grounds to believe that
photo or video voyeurism has been committed or is about to be
committed, and
the evidence to be obtained is essential to the conviction of any
person for, or to the solution or prevention of such crime.
Overall, this law is very helpful in safeguarding the rights of an
individual who were victims of such acts. The development of the internet
and the proliferation of computer technology have created new
opportunities for those who would engage in illegal activity. The rise of
technology and online communication has not only produced a dramatic
increase in the incidence of crimes, it has also resulted in the emergence
of what appear to be some new varieties of it. Both the increase in the
incidence of criminal activity and the possible emergence of new varieties
of criminal activity pose challenges for legal systems, as well as for law
enforcement.
Thus, I personally believe that the creation of this act can help mitigate
the problem confronting the Digital Age today.

Johann Heinrich P. Malongo,

Bongcawil,
Student, Development Economics

Dr.Angelito A.
Professor

1. What is economics?
Economics is the study of the production and consumption of goods
and the transfer of wealth to produce and obtain those goods. Economics
explains how people interact within markets to get what they want or
accomplish certain goals. Since economics is a driving force of human
interaction, studying it often reveals why people and governments behave
in particular ways.
There are two main types of economics: macroeconomics and
microeconomics. Microeconomics focuses on the actions of individuals and
industries, like the dynamics between buyers and sellers, borrowers and
lenders. Macroeconomics, on the other hand, takes a much broader view
by analyzing the economic activity of an entire country or the international
marketplace.
2. What are the crises of public education in the Philippines?
Brain drain
Apart from the much debated political, social andpsychological
aspects, this ongoing mass emigration constitutes anunparalleled brain

drain with serious economic implications. Philippinesociety is footing the

bill for the education of millions of people, whothen spend the better part
of their productive years abroad. In effect,the poor Philippine educational
system is indirectly subsidizing theaffluent economies hosting the OFWs.
With 95 per cent of allelementary students attending public schools, the
educational crisis inthe Philippines is basically a crisis of public education
(Mingat& Tan,1987). The wealthy can easily send their offspring to private
schools,many of which offer first-class education to the privileged class of
pupils.
Social divide
Still, the distinct social cleavage regardingeducational opportunities
remains problematic for more than onereason. Historically, in most
modern societies, education has had anequalizing effect. In Germany, for
instance, the educational systemhas helped overcome the gender gap,
and later also the social divide.Today, the major challenge confronting the
educational system in thecountry is the integration of millions of mostly
non-European, in mostcases Muslim, immigrants. Importantly, this
levelling out in the contextof schooling has not occurred in this part of the
world. On thecontrary, as one Filipino columnist wrote, "Education
hasbecome part of the institutional mechanism that divides the poor
andthe rich." Another ideological note to the educational debate states
that:Liberals are often accused of standing in the way of reforms that
helpovercome social inequalities. While, indeed, liberals value
personalfreedom higher than social equality, they actively promote
equality of opportunities in two distinct policy areas: education and basic
healthcare (Orbeta,2002).For this reason, educational reform tends to
have a high rankingon the agenda of most liberal political parties in many
parts of theworld (Tan,2001). Representative Edmundo O. Reyes, Jr.,
theChairman of the Committee on Education of the House of
Representatives, and DepEd Undersecretary Juan Miguel Luz had
bothgiven imposing presentations on the state of Philippine education.The
quality of Philippine education has been declining continuously
forroughly25 years. This decline can also be attributed to the devastating
report card forthe politicians who governed this nation in the said period.
From aliberal and democratic angle, it is particularly depressing as this
hasbeen the period that coincides with democratic rule that was
sotriumphantly and impressively reinstalled after the dark years of
dictatorship in 1986! Describing the quality of Philippine schooleducation
today, it is said that ourschools are failing to teach the competence the
average citizen needsto become responsible, productive and self-fulfilling.
Schools produce graduates who are learning less and less."
Gargantuan problems

While the Undersecretary very patientlyand impressively charted out

the four policy directions of the politicalleadership of his Department
(taking teachers out of elections,establishing a nationwide testing system,
preserving private schools, raising subsidies for a voucher system), these
remedies soundtechnocratic considering, "thegargantuan magnitude of
the problems besetting Philippine basiceducation." (Orbeta,2000).
Reportedly, at last count more than 17million students are enrolled in this
country's public schools. At anannual population growth rate of 2.3per
cent, some 1.7 million babiesare born every year. In a short time, these
individuals will claim theirshare of the limited educational provisions.
With the current situation in the Philippines, it is realistic that the
country can't build classroomsfast enough to accommodate all these
people, the much lamented lack of teachers,furniture and teaching
materials also add a grain of salt to the wound. In short, there are too little
resourcesfor too many students.
Equity
It is providing equal learning opportunities for alllearners, regardless of
gender, socioeconomic status, learning andthinking styles, and personality
and temperament. In the real worldthough, it is easier to define equity
than to implement it because thereis a tendency to perceive diversity as a
divisive factor rather than auniting factor. In an article (Manasan&
Villanueva,2002) a teacher blamed his five students who are non-Tagalog
speakers as theprimary reason for his school is low performance in the
NationalAchievement Test (NAT). The teacher opined that because
thestudents are from Bicol and do not speak Tagalog which is the
MotherTongue in Southern Luzon, they do not perform well in class and
theyare becoming a problem. He went on ranting and ranting blaming
thefive students for the low NAT performance of their school. There was
amixed opinion on this matter. Some teachers agreed; others did not. The
the five students are not to blame for their schools dismal performance in
the NAT. The primary reason is the teachers inability to address the issue
of diversity in theclassroom. The teacher was not effective in considering
individualdifferences among his students.The above situation is one of the
many situations depicting thediversity and equity and the need to address
it. As propositioned byeducation reformists, the one size fits all policy is
not the solution toaddressing diversity in the classroom. Curriculum and
instruction mustbe modified to meet the different needs of the learners.
What works inthe city, may not work in the rural areas. There are already
programsin place such as the Alternative Learning System (ALS) and the
MTB-MLE as well as the Mobile Teachers program; however, the
problemson delivery of educational services and providing equal access

toeducation to all learners remain. The blaming game will always bethere;
however, it is about time we start working together, despite ofand in spite
of socio-political and economic ideals and affiliations. Themain thrusts
should be on reforming the educational system to provideequity in
education. Reforms are not done overnight, it may even takeour lifetime to
reform the educational system and we may not be ableto see the fruits of
these reforms; but what is important is we aredoing something. We may
fail but at least we did something. There ishope. And it is time we work
together rather than blame each other.
3. Know the financial
Philippine setting.

management

in

education

in

the

For financial management in education to be comprehensive in scope,

as well as effective and efficient in its implementation, education must be
viewed as a system (Coombs 1988). Education viewed as a system takes
into account:
1. The expectations of society expressed terms of the educational
philosophy of the stakeholders of education: the community and
Philippine Society, parents and students, owners of the schools,
colleges and universities, benefactors, alumni, business and
industry.
2. Articulation
of
expectations
in
terms
of
Vision/Mission/Goals/Objectives (VMGO).
3. Translation of the VMGO into degree programs, non-degree
programs, formal and non-formal education and training.
4. Identification of inputs required for the various educational
programs of the acceptable standards from the point of view of
the society, the clientele, and the stakeholders of the educational
system.
5. Quantification of financial requirements.
6. Implementation of the various education programs.
7. Effective and efficient financial operations that cover the revenuegenerating capability of the system and the disbursements in
financing the instructional components and the academic support
programs as well as administrative operations.
8. Performance evaluation in terms of both quantitative and
qualitative aspects.
9. Analysis of how the educational system is able to satisfy or exceed
the expectations of the clientele and the stakeholders.
Financial management in education is only effective if the outcomes of
the educational system satisfy the expectations of society are articulated
in then Constitution OF the Philippines, in various documents in the
establishment of the educational system, and in the philosophical basis for

the foundation of the various streams of educational institutions in the

Philippines consisting of the government-owned-and-operated educational
institutions, the sectarian institutions of Catholic, Protestant, and Muslim
persuasions, and the non-sectarian private educational institutions.
The expectations and philosophy of society are translated into various
educational programs from pre-school level to higher education, including
the apex of the educational level graduate programs and research. With
the definition of educational programs is the accompanying need to
identify the educational logistics and the financial implications of such
requirements. The educational logistics consist of manpower, financial,
library and physical facilities.
The process of transforming educational logistics into learning
outcomes, skills, and professional competencies that meet the
expectations of society is critical because this is the focal point in financial
management, which answers the questions:
Are desired outcomes achieved at the least cost of educational
logistics?
Is the organizational structure suitable for the efficient and
effective implementation of the educational programs?
Are the educational institutions operating at the point that
benefits from the economics of scale?
If economies of scale are not possible, are the programs able to
produce significant benefits to society to justify their offering?
Are there academic programs that have to be offered in
accordance with the need for national development, security of
the country, social solidarity and for the country to be a place for
peace, prosperity, and freedom?
4. What is the move
management reform?

for

the

Philippine

public

finance

The Philippine Public Finance Management (PFM) reform program seeks

to clarify, simplify, improve and harmonize the financial management
processes and information systems of the public sector and, as necessary,
reengineer and integrate the relevant systems in the COA, DBM, DOF and
implementing agencies. The desired result is that the national government
is able to perform its functions of maintaining fiscal discipline, fund
allocation efficiency and operational efficiency for effective delivery of
public services.
By 2015, it is envisioned that the core GIFMIS and a Treasury Single
Account will be functioning to provide decision makers with the following
benefits:

1. Real-time on-line monitoring and control of obligations and their

direct links to cash disbursements for more effective financial control
and accountability;
2. Consolidated financial management reporting requirements, using
harmonized classification of budgetary, treasury and accounting
accounts with standardized definitions for fiscal terminologies, as
follows:
a. Budgetary accounts appropriations, allotments, obligations
and expenditures
b. Treasury accounts cash flow statement of the National
Treasury
c. General ledger accounts assets, liabilities, equity, income and
expenses
3. A single treasury account that provides BTr a more effective way of
cash management, a more economical system for cash
disbursements, and enables it to reconcile bankbalances and remove
revenue and expenditure floats;
4. A predictable and streamlined allotment and cash release programs
throughout the year to support the operations of implementing
agencies based on reliable cash forecasting and programming by
DBM and the BTr;
5. Regular in-year reports on the status of budget execution, and timely
year-end audit reports of agency financial and physical operations
which will be used in the budget preparation process, the
Congressional debate on agency budgets and performance,and the
publics participation in the budget process; and,
6. Systematic recording and reporting of all liabilities of government
entities including guaranteed and contingent liabilities to enable
national government to manage its financial exposure.
5. What is the roadmap for public education reform?
RPHER aims to maximize the systems contribution towards developing
competent and high level human resources and generating knowledge and
technologies needed for advancing the countrys national development
and competitiveness.
RPHER goals
To rationalize higher education, improve is internal and external
efficiency, optimize resource utilization and maximize resource
generation
To improve quality and standards of education, raise thelevel of
educational outcomes and increase the social relevance of its
development functions

 To expand access to quality higher education among lower income

and disadvantaged
RPHER Vision
State universities and colleges (SUCs) are made more accountable and
capable to the State through public investments.

Roadmap to Public Higher Education Reform (RPHER)

A. RATIONALIZATION of number, distribution and growth of SUCs and
LUCs
B. AMALGAMATION SUC Distribution
C. RATIONALIZATION of SUCs/LUCs Program Offerings
D. REDUCE the State Subsidy
The priority thrusts and deliverable actions of the public-funded HEIs
shall be guided by or conform to the critical areas of directional changes
outlined by HERA (Higher Education Reform Agenda). The objectives of
improving efficiency, upgrading quality and expanding access will be
achieved through the implementation of a set of nine reforms and
strategic initiatives. These are shown below:

6. What is education finance?

Educational finance is the financing of educational institutions and,
depending on their ownership, they can be either privately or publicly
financed. Privately owned institutions receive funding from tuition fees,
sponsors' contributions, private donations and grants, while governments
directly allocate funds to public institutions. Financing provided by the
governments is especially common in developing countries therefore it is
subject to the economic situation of the country and its fiscal resources.
Investment in education, in turn, boosts economic growth and

employment and affects the future prosperity of the nation as a whole. By

investing in human capital each country aims at increasing individual
productivity and thus raises students' future earnings which will result in
higher tax payments.Educational institutions are mainly funded by
students and their parents, employers from the private sector,
government tax revenue or they rely mostly on private donors. Funding
can be direct, that is through recurrent grants, capital grants and taxes or
through student tuition fees and other charges which are the main source
of revenue for institutions. A small number of institutions are funded
through loans. A school or university can choose between one or more of
those funding sources.