The minority rules over the majority

Why was there a need to suspend classes in many parts of Metro Manila yesterday (Monday) just because a politically influential religious group, the Iglesia ni Cristo, held a medical mission and distributed bags of food in several places in the metropolis?

Why couldn’t those noble undertakings be confined in one big area like the Quirino Grandstand at the Luneta, which can accommodate millions?

Don’t get me wrong. I’m a fan of the INC because most of its members are disciplined citizens.

But why did they have to hold the huge event in many places in Metro Manila when they could have done it the day before, which was Sunday?

That way, students wouldn’t have suffered in their studies.

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Reports reaching this columnist said the event was not only for what it was announced—to treat the sick and distribute relief goods to calamity victims.

It was more than that: Send a message to Malacañang about the religious sect’s displeasure over certain issues.

Among the alleged issues: The dismissal of Magtanggol Gatdula as director of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the forced resignation of Virginia Torres as head of the Land Transportation Office (LTO), both of whom are INC recommendees, and the inclusion of an INC member from the revamp at the Bureau of Customs.

This is hard to believe, but if this is true, then the INC is acting like a spoiled brat who didn’t get his way.

Why would the INC make other people who belong to different faiths suffer the inconvenience of heavy traffic and the loss of a day of learning for students?

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Apparently, the INC doesn’t know President Noy very well.

The guy can never be forced to change his decision once he has made it.

Educated at the Ateneo de Manila University, a Catholic school, P-Noy was threatened with excommunication by the Church over the issue of reproductive health, but he didn’t back down.

Haven’t you noticed all his relatives on his mother’s side—the Cojuangcos, particularly his Uncle Peping—have not been given key positions in his administration?

That’s because P-Noy is his own man.

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After Monday’s forced holiday for students in Metro Manila, the entire country will again go on another forced holiday today.

It’s the feast of Eid’l Adha, the Muslim “festival of sacrifice.”

If this were a Muslim country, it’s understandable for us to go on a holiday.

But the Muslims are a minority group in this country, so why does the entire country have to go on a holiday?

Couldn’t the marking of Eid’l Adha be confined to the Muslim provinces?

It seems the minority in this country rules over the majority.

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In yesterday’s front page photo of the Inquirer, Miss World 2013 Megan Young was shown consoling patients suffering from leptospirosis at the James L. Gordon Memorial Hospital in Olongapo City, her hometown.

The same photo showed Dr. Jewel Manuel, hospital administrator, showing the beauty queen around.

The good doctor was wearing a T-shirt, instead of a medical gown.

He should have dressed up to match Megan’s attire and also to give dignity to his profession.