Mel Sta Maria On Leni Winning – Truth Journalism Becomes THiNK! Journalism, See!

I salute Mel Sta Maria’s “10 Dahilan” (“10 Reasons”) as a successful result of a superb attempt to turn a truth-seeking missile into a fruit-bearing message – that is, if truth be told, truth should be thrown in the spirit of kindness.

Mr Sta Maria wrote “10 Dahilan Kung Bakit Makabubuti Kay Duterte Ang Pagkapangulo Ni Leni[1]” (20 Nov 2020, Rappler.com). (After this, my free translation: “10 Reasons Why Leni’s Presidency Will Be Better For Duterte.”)
(Robredo-Duterte image[2] from BenarNews.org)

I describe “10 Reasons” as “brilliant” because in a subtle way, it assuages the fears of Duterte and at the same time assures the followers of Leni and the Filipino people at large:

With Leni as President, all is fair in love and war!

Mr Sta Maria’s piece appears in Rappler. Truth Journalism, which is what Rappler espouses, has won for its CEO Maria Ressa the Nobel Peace Prize 2021. A Nobel is noble, but hers is unhealthy reportage, as it delights investigating the bad over intellectualizing the good! Differently, Mr Sta Maria’s piece belongs to what I myself practice: THiNK! Journalism – True + Helpful + Inspiring + Necessary + Kind: THiNK!

Melencio Santos Sta Maria Jr, I pronounce you: “Man, A Thinking Journalist!”

Here are Mr Sta Maria’s 10 reasons, with my free translation (much shortened for my strict 517-word-essay rule):

First: Leni believes in the Rule of Law. If someone charges Duterte in court, Leni will make sure that he will be given due process of law. All opportunities will be opened for him to defend himself, not cut off or denied.

Second: Leni will not allow Duterte to be charged without strong evidence against him.

Third: Leni is not vindictive. She will not weaponize the law.

Fourth: Duterte will be honored by Leni. She will not verbally abuse him, insult, scare, be rude, or put him in an intrigue. Leni has no habit of despising anyone. Leni has no outrageous habits.

Fifth: Even if Duterte criticizes the policies of Leni, she knows that it is all part of a vibrant democracy.

Sixth: The followers of Duterte should not be afraid that they will be shadowed even while they have not done anything wrong.

Seventh: Most of all, extrajudicial killing is against the conscience of Leni.

Eighth: Granting that Duterte has done something good for the country, Leni will thank him. And if Duterte had any promise unfulfilled but beneficial, she may study the matter.

Ninth: The behavior described above towards Duterte will also be experienced by members of his family.

Tenth: Under President Leni, Duterte will not be judged based on rumor, claim of matrix, or mere stories.

Mr Sta Maria did not know it, but his 1,021-word opinion piece published by Rappler belongs in my THiNK! Journalism, his whole Tagalog-English piece being True + Helpful + Inspiring + Necessary + Kind. Truth Journalism seeks the hurtful, painful, even shocking truth – to the detriment of everyone.

In other words, a Leni Victory is at the same time a Duterte Victory!@517

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[1]https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/just-saying-10-reasons-why-robredo-presidency-good-for-duterte/?utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR2z3F3I-GJGadJTEeHqLZyEi0ZfECHfzxGHAppufgqltHm5ads48lrjFS4#Echobox=1639806057

[2]https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/philippine/Duterte-vice-president-11192019130342.html