First, let me extend a very warm welcome to the many new Filipino readers that have discovered this blog in the past 24 hours. My husband is from Australia, so I do get down to that part of the world on occasion and I hope to visit your beautiful country at some point in the future.
It is great to have you here, although the circumstances of our meeting are, to say the least, unusual.
It seems one of your esteemed Senators, Tito Sotto, plagiarized a blog post I wrote on February 23, 2011 entitled How The Pill Can Harm Your Future Child’s Health, lifting entire sections of the article basically word for word that was delivered in a speech to the Senate Floor regarding the possible passage of the highly controversial Reproductive Health Bill.
What’s worse, Senator Sotto is denying the charge of plagiarism, saying in an interview with ABS-CBN:
“Why would I quote the blogger? I was quoting Natasha McBride.”
Nice touch Senator. You almost had me convinced you were a nice guy with the tears and all.
Many of your citizens have emailed me assuring me that was a put on, and I’m starting to think they are right.
A thief is a thief, Mr. Senator. Denying it doesn’t get you off the hook; it just makes you a lying thief.
On the bright side, I am thrilled that your lapse of moral judgment has brought much-needed attention to the fact that the birth control pill can have devastating consequences to a woman’s long term health and possibly those of her children and even grandchildren. Gut dysbiosis is a serious condition that has multi-generational consequences that women need to be educated about and completely aware of before making the very personal decision to use them.
It was indeed brave of you to take this controversial position. Kudos to you for that.
By the way, I am truly sorry for the loss of your son.
As the mother of two sons myself, I can only imagine the pain and devastation you have felt from such an experience.
While this has been a highly charged and hopefully enlightening experience for all involved, it’s time now to set the drama aside and get back to fighting the good fight by continuing to educate people about how their food and pharma choices affect not only themselves but also those they dearly love.
And although my attorney will likely try to persuade me otherwise, for now I’m moving on as I’ve got work to do.
Women of the Philippines: I am terribly sorry my blog was used and twisted against you. You deserve the choice to use The Pill if you want or need to based on your particular circumstances. While I want you to know that this choice has health consequences as does the decision to use any pharmaceutical drug, I in no way would ever condone taking this choice away from you! Mabuhay!
As a Filipino, I deeply apologize for what he did. We would love for you to visit our country sometime. I can assure you that our people are better than our politicians (most of them).
oh yeah. hopefully, i can be at one of your conferences here.
I am an avid fan of his TV show Eat Bulaga and his TV station GMA, but I didn’t like the way he quoted us. He mentioned that we’re just “mere bloggers”. Although some are saying that it was interpreted out of context, I can’t find any context that would support their claim. That was simply insensitive of Tito Sotto. Yeah, we’re just ordinary bloggers, but WE BRING CHANGE!
I am Anti-RH, no thanks to Sen. Sotto. I am anti-RH not because of my Catholic beliefs. I am anti-RH because I believe that Filipino women needs COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE and not just reproductive health care. We are not just uteruses. I am anti-RH because hormonal contraceptives are harmful…this is not just a belief but backed by evidenced based studies that even WHO has published. Why should we expose the women of the lower classes of society to who this RH Bill is targeted to something with questionable safety and adverse reactions? This is not the answer to poverty and overpopulation. There are many provisions in the bill that is not ethical or moral like providing a budget to the DOH for initial implementation of this bill…a huge budget that can be used to address poverty, homelessness and lack of education in this country. The DOH has had thousands of chances to implement reproductive health, maternal health, adolescent and child health programs that they already have. But because of corruption, they always fail. Why should a huge chunk of our much needed taxes spend for artificial contraceptives that can easily be accessed and cheaply too. I disagree that it is expensive for the E market…the E market can buy Php10 to 20 for their cellphones at least 2x a week, they can buy cigarettes, sodas, chips, gamble in STL and Lotto…but they cannot buy PHP35-40 a month pills? or condoms? Where is the logic in that? The failure of government will not be solved by an RH Bill.
It is not the government’s responsibility to take care of our health, it is ours. Once the government stops subsidizing health care and once they open up the economy, the prices would go down and more people would be able to afford it.
You have the right to live, and you have the right of ownership of your life, but you are not entitled to somebody else’s money and hard work.
The RH bill would be a waste of money, and another method of coercion through taxes. It will be another exploitation of the poor, and a perversion of the idea behind it.
Actually, it is the government’s responsibility to take care of the people’s health. That’s why there are government-funded hospitals. That’s why there are governmentally coordinated emergency responses whenever there’s a natural disaster in the country. That’s why it wasn’t San Miguel Corp. or SM. Corp rushing to the aid of the flood victims these past few weeks. Get a clue, Andrew Ryan. You sound like a misinformed adolescent.
John, you have embraced the welfare system as if it is your right to have them. It is in this troubling notion that people become highly dependent on what their government can give them.
You also fail to know, in the unfortunate event of a national disaster, that there were more help given by other organizations (Red Cross, Your broadcasting networks’ foundations, CDRC, etc. ) than the government itself. Although, i would not count out their efforts as the military also played a good role relocating the victims.
The welfare system is broken. Abusing is easy for people with low morals yet many people seem to do this. Help will be given to those who are in need of it, but you cannot force everyone to be altruists.
PS:
I would have you know that i am neither misinformed nor an adolescent.
free market is indeed ideal but only when ceteris paribus, that is everything else is equal. unfortunately in our society, everything else is far from equal. majority of filipinos do not have access to health care, moreso reproductive health care, because quality health care is priced too high or, even when they are reasonably priced, they do not just have the money to spend for them.
though it doesn’t seem like it, governments are created for a purpose, that is to protect every citizen’s human right to life, liberty, and property. and its not just any other kind of life but a descent, quality, and healthy life. thus the internationally recognized right to health, which includes reproductive health. the hard-earned money you so unwillingly pay to the government is spent to cater to these rights.
the rh bill promises to open up access to reproductive health options to everyone, the poor and the rich, including you, who appears to be someone who can afford health care. whether or not you avail of these options is up to you, but they will be very much available when you choose to.
its not just for the women. its not just for the poor. ITS FOR EVERYONE. indeed, it has been stressed that it the bill will cater to these sectors BUT ONLY BECAUSE THEY ARE THE ONES WHO DO NOT ALREADY HAVE ACCESS TO REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE.
the bill is far from setting up a welfare system for reproductive health care. the private options will still be there. but it will provide public, cheap options. and because there are cheaper options, which the populace will definitely prefer, the market will try to compete with this and the prices for reproductive health options will go down.
being dependent on the government should not be distasteful BECAUSE THAT IS THE VERY PURPOSE OF GOVERNMENT – to be depended on, especially on things we cannot provide for ourselves. the roads you travel on, the water you drink, so may things we enjoy are paid for out of everyone’s hard-earned money, including the poor, who may not pay taxes directly, but share the burden through indirect taxes.
and if anyone thinks he is self-sufficient, he probably should go live somewhere else beyond the protective reaches of states, where he shall not be forced to pay taxes, if such place still exists.
raucousrobin,
Such a place does not exist because taxes are necessary for the government to regulate the law. I do not deny the need for it.
The government’s purpose is to regulate the law. That is their primary purpose. We depend on them to do their job and not for additional privileges. The welfare system is a privilege and not a right. The poor is not entitled to somebody else’s wealth just by being poor.
You are correct that the private options will still be there, but because there will be a national provider for these products then that will eliminate the competition. There will be less investment in them which will lessen the number of products on the market and make them more expensive. Overtime, it will be difficult for the government to provide for the poor, much less for everyone. You will then be in a deeper problem than before.
Moreover, it is monopoly in your country and low foreign investments that is raising the prices which makes it hard for the poor to get out of their current state. Eliminate this, repair your constitution and open the economy, then more people would be able to depend on themselves.
It is the government’s job to implement the law. But what are these laws for? it is for the protection and promotion of our human rights, which includes our right to health, which then includes our right to reproductive health. Health is not a privilege, but a human right.
Again, the bill will not create a welfare system, Trust me, the demand for private options will still be there. Although the option will be there, the rich might not choose to avail them. The long lines might scare them. Secondly, given the scarcity of funding, the government will likely to provide only the most basic forms of contraception. So the market for extra-thin condoms and pills that give you also healthy skin will not be competed with by the government option.
Btw, why are you so against the welfare system? UK, Canada, even Cuba have state-run welfare health systems. Looks like they’re running ok.
Actually our country has a free market, especially on the medicines sector. And it hasn’t bode us well. Local pharma companies are either dead or struggling. If there is a monopoly, those are comprised by multinational/foreign pharma companies. Rather than boosting the economy, opening our market has done otherwise. Medicine prices are still high, beyond the reaches of the poor. This bill seeks to answer that problem.
raucousrobin,
You have a right to take care of yourself, and your health for that matter. Having someone pay for your medical needs is an entitlement and a privilege.
Even if the government (if they are smart enough) provides the most basic contraceptives to the people, production would need the same raw materials, and would still raise the prices as the demand grows.
There are countries who adopted the welfare system, and is now paying for it. USA’s Obamacare and Medicaid is increasing the country’s debts. Europe is also currently in welfare state crisis. Canada’s welfare was disastrous and they’re minimizing it ever since. Britain could be next. Also, Cuba is a communist country.
And i disagree. You have not opened your market. There is still the 40% ownership law in the 1987 constitution. The fact that your local pharmacies are dying is a statement to that. They buy from the same people. You should be aware that the country at almost all sectors is monopolized (MERALCO, SM, Ayala, Globe, etc.) even your president’s Hacienda is part of a monopoly.
Mr. Ryan,
You made a claim that it is not the government’s responsibility to look after the health of its citizens. My post was meant to make clear that you are mistaken. One more example: there have been several instances where Filipinos have been imprisoned in China and were facing the death penalty. It was the Philippine government that tried to negotiate for their release and transfer back to the Philippines, not the Red Cross or a private corporation. To say that the health or well-being of the citizenry is not among the responsibilities of the government is false.
It is besides the point if some private corporations pitched in to help Filipinos. This does not disprove my point.
John, you have absolutely taken my statement out of context and out of scope to prove your point. I’m afraid that we would just have to agree to disagree.
You are the esteemed KARMA for the likes of Mr. Sotto and Mr. Villacorta stand for – pride, arrogance, apathy, and other traits that make them think they can get away from doing irresponsible and disrespectful things like this.
The universe will always balance everything – we found your insightful blog while having an ally for what matters in our lives as women – the FREEDOM TO DECIDE FOR OUR OWN BODIES & SELF.
Thank you Ms. Sarah
Now a regular reader 😉 specially on cancer & other important stuff in your blog 😉
to sotto’s staff: you’re just digging your graves deeper. just apologize and admit your mistake.
This is such a disgrace. 🙁
I love you for explicitly saying you would never condone taking the choice of using the pill away from others! However, I do hope your attorney successfully persuades you to sue.
Sen.Sotto must NOT get away with what he did! That was way too easy! If nobody teaches him a lesson, he will likely do it over and over again to other people expecting to be exonerated in the end.
Cheers, Sarah!
If I may suggest, I think we should all read Malcolm Gladwell’s article regarding Plaigarism( a little bit long though) entitled “Something Borrowed”
This is on the latter part of the article:
“Creative property, Lessig reminds us, has many lives–the newspaper arrives at our door, it becomes part of the archive of human knowledge, then it wraps fish. And, by the time ideas pass into their third and fourth lives, we lose track of where they came from, and we lose control of where they are going. The final dishonesty of the plagiarism fundamentalists is to encourage us to pretend that these chains of influence and evolution do not exist, and that a writer’s words have a virgin birth and an eternal life. “
I’m a big fan of Lessig’s work, and I understand the importance of appropriation and inspiration as part of creative culture. However, Atty. Lessig himself emphasized the importance of giving credit to the creator. Furthermore, there’s a difference between paraphrasing and copying-and-pasting.
I totally agree. However, the article showed almost the same scenario here, the Senator used the writer’s words for his cause, he was wrong for not giving credit, and he had his apology.
When I read Gladwell’s article I was confused at first then I realized we cannot really identify the absolute owner of a thought, and somehow plagiarism hinders us from expressing ourselves in more creative ways.
I feel sorry for miss Sarah but I request my fellow Filipinos to focus on the more important issue at hand: the Reproductive Health Bill.
apology? from who?
â€@HecklerForever
BREAKING: Senator Tito Sotto is drafting a letter of apology soon. He’s just looking for a template online.
â€@franky
Did Sotto & Co. really expect an American writer to NOT react to their condescending comments? They are even dumber than I thought.
â€@momblogger
Blogger’s reply to Sotto: “A thief is a thief, Mr. Senator. Denying it doesn’t get you off the hook; it just makes you a lying thief.”
â€@HecklerForever
So it’s SOTTO’S staff hu did the “LIFTING,” d copying, whatever they wanna call it. Pls check, baka naman STAFF lang ang anti-RH not Sotto.
â€@HecklerForever
Dear Senator Sotto, “You’re nothing but a second-rate trying hard copy-paste!” > http://professionalheckler.wordpress.com
@pinoygator
Admission, apology, then the arrogance. LOL. RT @neeleshnowin3d: Sotto’s Chief of Staff admitting plagiarism. Disgusting.
@Miramon_Nuevo
Filipinos can’t be fooled by high-sounding, smart-talking politicians. No more! People thirst for sincerity & truth. Tito Sotto has both.
@LuisBenedicto
Such embarrassment! No matter how many try to uplift the status of Fils. a moronic action of one ruins them all! #Sotto #PambansangKahihiyan
@rhandz
Yay a Senator/Plagiarizer
You can argue all you want but using artificial contraception is a sin. If you’re a Catholic, ma konsensya ka naman. Sorry to hear about the plagiarism Ms. Sarah. He’s obviously not the smartest guy in town but he’s worth much more in God’s eyes for what he’s fighting for.
Alright, smartypants.
Define why it is a sin.
According to Catholic teachings, life beings at conception. Contraception prevents conception (as defined and agreed to by the Church, science and institutions). Therefore, how is it killing? How is it a sin?
And for the record, the bill will NOT FORCE anyone to use these methods. They will simply make it, and the necessary education, available to our countrymen so that they may live better lives by making better decisions concerning their personal reproductive health.
Lastly, you’re a Catholic, but are all Filipinos Catholic? Do Catholics have a monopoly on morality?
PS: Do NOT shame our God by continuing to follow the edicts and advice of old men who have the mindset of a world 100 years ago. God gave you a wonderful brain of your own. USE IT.
One of the ways the pill works is to prevent implantation and so in this case, it is an abortifacient, since conception occurs before implantation. (Just to let you know.)
The Philippines is not just for blind Catholics like you. You may hold a majority in numbers as compared to any other religion in the country but you are not the only people the government should serve. What makes you above everybody else? What you think is against your so called faith is not the same for the rest of us! Laws are supposed to be for the benefit of everyone, that is the very reason for the separation of church and state! And yes, I must agree with Kevin. Please stop using God and making it seem like you are better Christians. You are not God. In the end, I will only answer to my God and I know that my God would not close his doors for me because of my vote on this bill. My God’s love is unconditional.
Your views do not reflect my views. Why should I be forced to follow your point of view? Because you’re from a majority christian sect you get a free pass to tell everyone else to follow what your god supposedly wants?
So I’m guessing you’re entirely submissive to your husband’s will (if you’re married)? You do not proclaim your prayers out loud for others to see? You do not judge, lest you be judged? You have given away all your belongings to others in need?
I respect your views and allow you the choice to not use contraception as it is against your faith. But do not deny it to those who do not follow your views, for they are free to have that choice.
Lanie, even if it stemmed from the RH Bill debate, what we’re arguing about here is the wrong that Sotto did when he and his staff plagiarized. And he continually denies it. And then here comes his minion admitting to it, but then again makes absurd excuses, even insulting their unnamed source.
You can argue all you want but plagiarizing is wrong. Wrong. Wrong.
Okay, what about Sotto’s conscience working on admitting the wrong he did and making a proper apology? Catholic or not, as one of the nation’s leaders he should have a conscience.
He should say sorry to Ms. Sarah for the plagiarism, and then to the Filipino for not being the proper public servant that he should be.
Hi Lanie, I’m Christian.
As a Catholic, I assume you know the contents of the Bible. Where does it say that it is IMMORAL and against GOD’S WILL to use artificial contraception? Since the story of Onan’s ejaculation in Genesis in the Bible goes against those using natural “methods”, can you cite me a verse that goes against the artificial ways? Or are you assuming that that verse in Genesis also covers artificial methods?
Far as I know, no verse in the Bible blatantly castigates the use of artificial contraceptive methods and thus the practice of artificial contraception is not against God’s will.
I don’t look up to the Pope nor Vatican II nor CBCP as authorities so anything that say is invalid to me. I am Christian and pro-RH.
So there, engage us please. Thank you.
**errata: I’m a Christian pala, Christian is not my name. hehe.