As the cliche goes, “If you can’t beat them, join them.”
That is exactly what GMA-7 is doing in its prime-time programming.
Lagging in competition for the past nine years, the Kapuso network now offers slambang action series, no thanks to the Kapamilya network’s top rating action series, FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano then and Batang Quiapo now.
All the Kapuso shows that were pitted against the two Kapamilya shows failed miserably in the ratings game. Worse, lahat ng nakatapat na shows ay natapos, all of them not even reaching one year of being on the air.
Now, the Kapuso network is joining the bandwagon. All five of its new shows are action-packed – from Mga Batang Riles to Hari ng Tondo.
What does it prove? That finally, the Kapuso network has bowed to the competition.
How else can you explain their change of programming content?
It only clearly shows that they want a slice of the action pie, right?
Too much violence
Actually, what the Kapuso network is doing is adding violence to the already violent-filled airtime.
Action series nowadays breed heroes coming from dysfunctional families. They promote a culture of violence, street gangsters, distorted values, and physical ideologies.
They add to the ever-growing number of crimes, fittingly or unwittingly as action series showed that it’s normal to rob a person and kill one’s nemesis.
What’s disturbing is that they’re given artistic license to promote a culture of criminality by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board.
All action series feature a plethora of criminals who come in various forms and shapes.
It’s a never-ending cycle, with history always repeating itself.
With this, there will be no ending of criminality as it’s being presented to all and sundry at any given time. With just a click, one can watch violence in all its glory and no one is spared – from kids to young adults and full-grown men and women.
The world of television is a source of information and entertainment.
Sadly, violence is taking a great toll on how people view life all because it is readily seen in programs on television.
Violence emanates from one’s greed. In some instances, it breeds criminals to seek revenge. It also saves the way for envy.
With this, what has been cultivated all along is a culture of violence that has reached normalcy as breathing.
ACT slams reports banning union members from serving as BEIs
The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines denounced reports from certain regions alleging that teachers affiliated with the union are being barred from serving as Board of Election Inspectors (BEI) in the upcoming 2025 midterm elections.
ACT received alarming reports that a local COMELEC official in Zamboanga del Sur informed teachers that ACT union members are prohibited from serving as BEIs purportedly for supporting and collaborating with ACT Teachers Partylist.
“It is explicitly stated in the Election Service Reform Act that any public school teacher who is willing, qualified, and available may serve during elections. There is no law or election guideline prohibiting union members from serving as BEIs. Those responsible for this baseless directive must be held accountable for depriving teacher-unionists of their right to serve during elections, especially when they have fulfilled this role in previous elections. The Commission on Elections must also clarify this matter,” said Vladimer Quetua, ACT Chairperson.
“This is outright discrimination against unionized teachers and a denial of their right to serve, despite their experience and competence in carrying out election duties. Such actions not only undermine the professionalism and dedication of our teachers but also unjustly cast their union affiliation and involvement in a negative light, even though these are protected by the Constitution and essential in ensuring the welfare and rights of teachers and education workers,” Quetua added.
ACT called on the Comelec to ensure that no discriminatory practices occur in the selection of BEIs and to uphold the rights of all qualified teachers, regardless of their union affiliation. ACT also urged the Comelec to release clear guidelines as part of its commitments in dialogue with ACT regarding the welfare and benefits of teachers rendering election service such as additional compensation and service credits, support mechanisms including medical and legal expenses and assistance, and important reforms like local absentee voting rights and anti-redtagging safeguards.#
