The comparison of Philippines to Iraq is indeed alarming. Even saying “Philippines” in the same breath as “Iraq” is alarming. Life goes on for Filipinos even after the state of emergency but the declaration has made the world look at the country in a different, bad way, bad for business, bad for the country’s future.

I think what is equally dismaying is the fact that the people are too tired to care anymore. In the other blogs I’ve read, most bloggers expressed sentiments of wanting the country to move forward. They just want jobs and work. But the thing is, we need to deal with the current problems in order to move forward. Things as they are cannot just be overlooked.

“Signal honor. A New York Times columnist notes that the Philippines has finally made it to the top through GMA’s declaration of a state of national emergency. He pointed out that there are only two countries in the world today that are in a state of national emergency — the Philippines and Iraq.

Even the Vatican seems to think along the same line. The Pope has just transferred the hot spot Papal Nuncio in Baghdad to be the new Papal Legate in Manila.

Previously, the Philippines was accorded the distinction as being second only to Iraq as the most dangerous place for journalists. Something now recklessly magnified by Gen. Lomibao’s hardline stance against media.”