PS 125 Internship in Political Science

3rd Term AY 2020-21

Baguio City

Practicum
Journal

HENRICK YSON
DATE: May 13, 2021
ACTIVITY: 1st Plenary Session
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
Most are quiet most probably quite nervous
for the first day in this Model Senate while
the usual people I deducted to be active are
very active especially my good friend Senator
Lozano. His speech about the South China
Sea issue is both enlightening and I agree with
it whole heartedly. The election of officers
was predictable as well nothing to talk about.
Moreover the number of bills to be made is
quite a shock where all are giving their all.
REFLECTION:
It does show today that I am not really ready
for this type of OJT still I am unfamiliar with
the ways of politics and its procedures and I
would hope for the best.
DATE: May 14, 2021
ACTIVITY: 1st CLG Meeting
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
Our bill in CLG did not impress our fellow
senators with the bill having many loopholes,
and lacking in conceptualization. The Bill at
the moment has good intention but a hard
process in implementing. It was a good
decision to give ourselves more time to fix
the bill. The second bill oddly enough is very
similar to ours.
REFLECTION:
Much can be learned from this over
mounting failure we have put ourselves in
and we must do better for the next meeting.
I need to be more familiar of the procedures.
I do realize while reading the Journal that I
seconded motions a lot which I find funny.
DATE: May 14, 2021
ACTIVITY: 1st CFR Meeting
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
The first bill was good but just the wrong
government body to tackle. As for my team’s
bill it went really well. There were supports
and our fellow senators sees the merit and all
of the problems have been resolve and we
were given time to resolve it.
REFLECTION:
I was quite proud and relieve in how our bill
in CFR did.
Practicum Journal | PS 125 Internship in Political Science
DATE: May 20, 2021
ACTIVITY: 2nd Plenary Session
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
The speech of Minority Leader Martinez
about Civic Studies is an important topic to
be discuss in the lower levels of schooling
because this children will become the next
generation of citizens of the nation so I do
agree with her speech. Senator Lee is a
crushing reality situation, I believe that
legislation is the way to make a better nation
but the lack of action on the ground and
bureaucracies is disheartening showing that
we can make laws and others but if the
people entrusted to implement it failed or
does not do or follow then law is but ink in
paper with no power for change especially if
the people who are the beneficiaries of the
bill does not get that support needed. As for
Senator Wacnag’s comparison with Miss
Universe, which I did not watch, to the
Philippine Government was interesting. I
believe people are blinded because of what
they believe to be true than what is really true
yet truth is becoming more subjective in the
eyes of many and that facts are look at with
discerning eyes that sees it as false or untrue
to their believe but the world is mysterious
and it does not help in uniting people but I
do hope we the people can come together
thou in the near future. Hopefully.
REFLECTION:
Today was okay. A new schedule was created
and adopted. The speeches were a great to
hear and be enlighten. As for me doing a
speech well that will be awhile. I do have a
general ideas but nothing yet to click.
DATE: May 20, 2021
ACTIVITY: 2nd CLG Meeting
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
Nothing much to report, the bill’s
amendment period seems to be going alright.
REFLECTION:
It was an okay day nothing much to say.
DATE: May 21, 2021
ACTIVITY: 2nd CFR Meeting
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
Our decision to make the labor 80:20 to
90:10 is sound and good thing we convince
2
Senator Martinez and the other senators
about it. As for the goods, I think my team
needs more brainstorming in that area.
However, Senator Macarayo’s questioning
was really interesting. Interesting in the sense
that I took us awhile to figure out what he
was pertaining was to the leaders of the MNC
but the purpose of the bill is more on labor
and materials which are not about ownership.
I think the decision for me to lay it on the
table was correct but I was wrong to say
indefinitely because the secretary said it was
indefinitely which we taught was the one that
will not kill the bill. However that was
incorrect of the secretary so the situation was
messy but resolve quickly enough. As for
Senator Macarayo’s bill well it had some
faults in its inception and Sir Edano pointed
it out splendidly.
REFLECTION:
I believe the bill at hand has some tweaks to
fix but it should be fine by next meeting. In a
personal note I should start reading the
parliamentary rules and procedures so that I
would not make procedural, motion, and so
forth mistakes in the future.
DATE: May 24, 2021
ACTIVITY: 3rd Plenary Session
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
Women of politics and the question of
suffrage, a strong topic indeed from Senator
Candelario which I found myself agreeing
but I do see women are taking the challenge
of leadership compare to Duterte’s remarks
but say that all men are not doing a good job
is something I felt in the speech that the lack
of also successful men in the speech was not
present. It is obvious that Duterte failed and
female leaders have succeed but to me I have
not yet heard even in media of men who
succeed somewhat in controlling this
pandemic but maybe President Xi Jinping yet
that feels wrong to acknowledge. The
question of power and how one should be
worry of its potential for good and
destruction and as senators we must tread
carefully. A good cautionary message to all of
us by Senator Leano. Senator Guinanoy’s
speech is an eye opening to all of senators
because just like Bato, Pacquiao and Go.
Practicum Journal | PS 125 Internship in Political Science
Most of us are like them. New to the scene
of the Senate and I hope we do better.
Hunger is the topic of Senator Aquino, I do
feel reminiscent of this topic to my beloved
professor Sir Lumsit with this topic and his
subject matter, I have nothing much to add.
The Dissolution of Marriage, I do have my
mix feelings of the matter as I came from a
broken family but the events in the west does
influence me a bit of the matter of
implementing what is essentially divorce in
the Philippines but regardless the need of this
mechanism does have merit.
REFLECTION:
Today’s plenary was good and productive.
The speeches were a good hear to be heard.
DATE: May 24, 2021
ACTIVITY: 3rd CLG Meeting
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
The Surplus bill was quite impressive.
Nothing for me to say but a good show of
wits and brains between senators. The
Leadership bill looks quite okay. I understand
its contention.
REFLECTION:
First things first yes our bill passed in the
committee level congrats to our team.
DATE: May 25, 2021
ACTIVITY: 3rd CFR Meeting
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
Well the bill passed with no objections with
all the changes being accepted. Hopefully all
goes well in the plenary with this bill.
REFLECTION:
I and my team were proud. I was really
concern with the amendments if they were all
carried cause I had the mistake of not
mentioning any of it in the period of
amendments. Hopefully all would goes well.
DATE: May 27, 2021
ACTIVITY: 4th Plenary Session
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
Senator Bantasan’s speech about suicide is a
topic that I say is of great importance
especially in our culture of success and the
disregard of mental health, I myself have this
situation, and the need to address this is dire
as the youth are beginning to feel less and less
3
confident than ever before. Senator Lepting’s
speech about is very telling story for which
the late DENR Secretary Gina Lopez also
remark on how our environment is now
deteriorating and the need to restore
especially in the situation of climate change is
rising concern must have us put efforts to
restore and mitigate the loses suffer for years.
Senator Suplino’s speech about child labor is
an interesting topic for which to the best of
my knowledge must have been eradicated but
much to my surprise there are still instances.
The story she presented struck me in two
ways one is that the mother left and no
repercussion were given to her and the father
was arrested for illegal possession of
firearms. Although a crime was committed by
the father it lead to the child being abandon
so question is, is imprisonment the only
method of punishment? However this matter
is a hard one to tackle but regardless a sad tale
indeed. Fake News, Media and the Question
of Neutrality is the topic of Senator Lida. As
Minority Leader says it, this is timely topic to
be discuss and I agree with her with the
media changing to which it is now open to
fake news and its subsequent negative effects
has damage people of all walks of life
including the speaker himself that eventually
turned him from a loyalist to a neutral man.
Media must change but change must not
hamper individual freedom of speech so we
must find that happy medium someday to
resolve this. Some may say education is the
key but in our present situation even
education is not enough as information is
becoming more subjective in nature than
objectively factual. As for the topic of
neutrality and as a politically neutral person
same as the speaker, I believe that the old
notion of political neutral is wrong and
choosing a side and sticking to it is the right
way this is wrong and the best example is the
speaker himself blinded by his loyalty in the
Marcos Faction that he tolerated all and all it
crumbled when the truth came out for which
he was devastated. His neutrality is
commendable and that the term and notion
of neutrality should change in the minds of
people for they weigh the sides and factions
of this society and if the time comes to take a
Practicum Journal | PS 125 Internship in Political Science
side they shall choose correctly always for
they have weigh them to be worthy of our
support. A quite heated debate indeed that
was as pointed out before I do have mix
feelings but such specificity should be
address as but I do commend both senators
to debate and rebuttal each other.
REFLECTION:
Today’s plenary was quite lively. It made me
see the dark side of poverty. The dangers of
fake news to a person. And question
neutrality and how it should be seen.
DATE: May 27, 2021
ACTIVITY: 4th CLG Meeting
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
The Leadership and Legislation Bill is just
good intention but its context is lacking and
its implementation might be difficult in the
flow of politics plus its nationwide coverage
is also a problem. Another problem is what
Majority Leader Lozano mentioned that
there is already an existing body that handles
this function for what this program is for.
REFLECTION:
I believe the bill at hand will not survive with
so much friction and the bill itself being
impractical and wasteful of government
resources and energy.
DATE: May 28, 2021
ACTIVITY: 4th CFR Meeting
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
Nothing much for me to observe or critique
but it was quite a fast meeting.
REFLECTION:
All is good for now.
DATE: May 31, 2021
ACTIVITY: 5th Plenary Session
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
Senator Sinong’s speech about poverty and
its false correlation with happiness is
something we should be ashamed off but the
topic of poverty is really a problem that to me
is hard to solve for which it’s been thousands
of years since such states have been
experience by millions yet not yet been solve.
I do believe it will require few dedicated
people with wealth, knowledge and
connections as well as empathy and charisma
4
to really tackle such a challenge ahead but this
generation and the generations that shall
come would hopefully up to the task to solve
such an embedded societal world problem.
OFW are heroes akin to US troops who
fought in Vietnam yet suffered when they
came home. A true tragedy that Senator
Pilawen portrayed. In all honesty much can
be done but we as a weak nation in many
aspects might become difficult in addressing
this but with international support I can be
solve but Philippine initiative is necessary to
protect OFWs and create a better economic
system at home. And so the Dissolution of
Marriage Bill is on its way to becoming a law
and quite impress with Majority Leader
Lozano. All seems well for the bill at hand for
next meeting to be tackled. The second bill
which is the National Preventive Mechanism.
First I am in support of this and I do feel like
that jail system or punishment system is one
old, another abused not only by our own
government but crime lords and it punishes
the poor more than help them. I do see the
problem of poverty and criminality to be a
web or a perpetual cycle for which at this
moment has no end wherein the poor cannot
find job so he or she enters crime and gets
imprison and gets mistreated inside but serve
his or her sentence then get release and back
to cannot find a job because of criminal
record and so result to crime and gets
arrested and jailed and the cycle repeats. I do
believe the individual is not fully at fault
because I can observe that lack of
opportunity could be the problem as well.
Nevertheless the bill is sound at its purpose.
REFLECTION:
Today’s plenary was very productive and
strong with the leaders of the UC model
senate coming out with strong bills and a
strong performance of defense and
negotiation. I do hope there energy and skill
rub on me thou as I feel like I will need it the
most.
DATE: May 31, 2021
ACTIVITY: 5th CLG Meeting
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
Practicum Journal | PS 125 Internship in Political Science
Miraculously the bill got through even
though last meetings friction made me think
it would pass.
REFLECTION:
I congratulate the authors of the bill and
hope they do well in the second reading.
DATE: June 02, 2021
ACTIVITY: 5th CLG Meeting
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
Nothing much to report.
REFLECTION:
I do see the mistake in my vote today must
have been the bandwagon effect. Senator
Guinanoy does have a point but somehow I
forgot about it. My mistake.
DATE: June 03, 2021
ACTIVITY: 6th Plenary Session
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
I sympathize with Senator Joel in his speech.
I see the Philippines as an Elites’ private
property than an actual nation state. If we
look at it, it has been 70 years since the
liberation and independence of the
Philippines since the last occupation of the
Imperial Japan and till now we have not
became a second class country even with the
benefits of our alliance with the US compare
to the other war torn countries like Japan,
Korea, Vietnam, and Singapore that came
out strong and powerful. It such shame, the
Philippines has so much potential but being
wasted by rhetoric and actions of the
oligarchs and alike. The Police murder
incident was an unfortunate event that I can
say in full confidence that our armed services
have definitely lose its mantle in society.
Although there are individual policemen that
are doing their job as what society expect of
them but slowly this men will fall to a dark
path. There are cases of this with this as an
example because of a government that seems
to allow it yet we also cannot forget what
happened in the Quirino Grandstand
Hostage Taking. Rolando Mendoza was a
great policeman but the system failed him
and the politicians failed him. The statement
is clear yet none listen or none saw the
severity of not only that incident but how the
system within the PNP or the Government
5
at whole is failing and degrading. That
incident in 2010 is reminiscent to the recent
incident. The PNP is failing so is too the
government. Time will tell if the people lose
complete confidence in the organizations
that supposedly serve them. On to the
business at hand, the National Preventive
Mechanism is a good legislation giving
human rights defender the body, funding and
support to protect people from any sorts of
human rights abuses from the government
backed up by the constitution and
international commitment to the
international community. However the
questions of Pro Tempore Macarayo and
Senator Edano does have merit in regards to
CHR and its lackluster delivery of its
mandate.
REFLECTION:
I think giving the Human Rights Defenders a
body or should I say a home to operate their
passion to protect people from abuses is a
good thing especially in a country that has a
massive instances of human rights violation
throughout history.
DATE: June 03, 2021
ACTIVITY: 1st CENRCC Meeting
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
I believe the creation of the BFPC is a
necessity. I do believe that their concerns
about funding and weaponry towards the
forest ranger is justified after the bloody drug
war I can understand why they are worried of
another armed service. But I can see potential
here to have a specific body task for
protecting the environment. Forest rangers
are low paid, its qualification is up in the air,
it is basically a passion work with the risk to
their lives involve. I think arming them with
guns is natural because they are being made
in par with the PNP as the brother in arms.
If the PNP is for the city then the BFPC is
for the Environment making security tasks
be specific and less taxing to the Service. I
would have prefer heavily towards the DILG
than the DENR because there is already a
mature system there than in the DENR but
the merit that DENR should have this
enforcement agency is also there. I should
really critique myself here this is no easy tasks
Practicum Journal | PS 125 Internship in Political Science
and my team might not be suitable for the
tasks at hand. The only good thing is that
there is support for the bill but the bill itself
is not perfect more like very far from it
knowing that it borrows heavily in the BFP
organization and procedures as the basis of
its inception. Another is the problem that
there is already a Forest Management Bureau
task with this but reading it, it was more in
management than protection. It isn’t the
enforcement agency that the BFPC is being
made.
REFLECTION:
I think I am taking something too hard to
handle, I got this idea when I was listening to
sir Edano about this forest ranger and with
research of death statistics created my
passion to pursue it but looking at what
happen today, I don’t believe I might actually
pull it off. However, I can certainly try.
Funny thing that happened as well, I was
consulting my father about this forest ranger
stuff and he said it would have been better if
it was more like a barangay level solution, an
exact saying from Senator Macarayo that
literally taken me a back and think hmm
maybe they’re both right which I do believe
but the problem was I do not know how to
do that. If it isn’t obvious crafting bills and
legislating might not be for me to be honest
I prefer working in the field.
DATE: June 04, 2021
ACTIVITY: 1st CND Meeting
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
The first bill was about adding more people
in the National Defense Council, first time
hearing this, but although I can see why its
good idea to add more people yet I believe
it’s not really necessary cause leadership is
one problem but I see that there are more
pressing problems than leadership to be
honest. However those concerns were not
needed because the idea of the bill has been
done by former presidents making the bill
redundant. As for the second bill about
making a sub-department for finance within
the finance section of the Military is not really
needed and its disapproval was right so.
REFLECTION:
6
Two bills being taken out. It appears that we
might lose things to talk about real soon.
DATE: June 07, 2021
ACTIVITY: 7th Plenary Session
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
There is no surprise that everyone was super
happy to the bone to see the most beloved
Vice President Leni Robredo delivering her
video recorded speech to the body. It is quite
sad that it wasn’t live so we can interact and
ask questions but regardless it is still surreal
to us. This day made everyone’s day great.
Nothing much to say about the National
Preventive Mechanism as everything of
concern was already address so I have
nothing to add to it but my support.
REFLECTION:
I am just happy.
DATE: June 07, 2021
ACTIVITY: 2nd CENRCC Meeting
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
My assumption is correct since the last
meeting, this will be difficult to pull off but I
am too deep now to pull out now. I think that
there will be a lot of amendments that cannot
be finished today because if anything there is
more questions to the organization and my
contention. All I can do now is probably try.
I do observe that the body does want to get
this bill into fruition but I do not know if me
and my team can deliver the results expected.
As for the National Hazard Mapping Act of
2021 seems a good idea, I cannot wait for
next meeting. I think the body needs a break
from our bill to be honest. Its complication
is really bring it down maybe because it was
my fault for doing in a somewhat of a rush.
REFLECTION:
Laws are just ink and paper, I believe that it
is powerful if implemented properly. But we
forget about the human, the people who are
implementing this laws. I always think in the
back of my mind are servicemen are but
means to the end result of law and
governance. Mere expendables. I think
Senators who debated against me today are
correct. I do believe I will fail in this bill but
the true success that I can garner from this
heated debate is the recognition. It felt like
Practicum Journal | PS 125 Internship in Political Science
the focus in the environment and its brave
defenders ignited their hope and passion and
died as well with the late and beloved former
DENR Secretary Gina Lopez. The nail in the
coffin was her removal from office by this
administration. Now that she is gone it’s up
to us to continue the fight in any way
possible. I will keep pushing forward then.
DATE: June 08, 2021
ACTIVITY: 2nd CND Meeting
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
The first bill of the day is about
Cybersecurity. Nothing can be said that the
Philippines needs one but the sponsors were
not prepared enough to convince the body
and also their bill has many deficiency. The
next bill is about increasing the benefits of
the servicemen especially for the living in
partner and their children if one died in active
service as well as expand its scope to cover all
uniformed personnel in the government. I
say it’s good but the debates seems to show
that the bill is lacking.
REFLECTION:
Two bills out. This committee come up
strong with so many bills and now we are
down to few. I do think Sir Edano’s decision
to barred new bills in this committee was an
not needed cause I could not fathom that so
many bills will be gone in just a few meetings.
Well at least I can now pass my own bill. I
need to do good in this Committee especially
I am an advocate of the military.
DATE: June 10, 2021
ACTIVITY: 8th Plenary Session
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
Senator Magno’s speech about child
exploitation is powerful. We do have laws but
we lack enforcement. It is even sadder to hear
about the Philippines being a major hub for
child pornography. Poverty is the issue too
although enforcement should be strengthen
but that is just a dead end but it will help yet
it does not solve the poverty problem which
is the cause of this problem as well as other
problems like drugs and robbery. As for the
bill at hand about anti-discrimination towards
the LGBTQ+ is to me unnecessary as
pointed out many times in the session. There
7
are already existing laws that cater to the
problem at hand. Another is the social or
cultural problem of the bill pointed out by
Assistant Majority Leader Guinanoy. I
believe that the problem with this is not
legislation but more like a social and cultural
one cause such things can never be avoided
completely even if we have laws that would.
It is important that the people themselves
change and accept them than force them to
accept them. With the world going in that
direction thou sooner or later this will be
accepted in a degree which I have already
observe in public.
REFLECTION:
I think not everything can be solve through
legislation and the problem of the LGBTQ+
is not laws with the exception of the same sex
marriage but the social environment they are
living in. Until the population enforce social
accountability to those that discriminate
people of unique self-outlook so they maybe
be punish socially or even criminally to
further stop discrimination for someone who
is true to themselves.
DATE: June 10, 2021
ACTIVITY: 3rd CENRCC Meeting
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
I believe the National Hazard Map is good
until Majority Leader Lozano mention the
GeoRisk Hunter Hazard PH which is an
application that is the same with the
proposed statute at hand. Although having a
physical map is good and all after the session
I am thinking the amount of money and
paper needed to provide maps for a mass of
LGUs nationwide would be immense of
resources drained that its effectiveness is only
three years and also the problem that the
world is not static but dynamic, it changes per
second.
REFLECTION:
I think the bill will be as hot as my group’s
bill.
DATE: June 11, 2021
ACTIVITY: 3rd CND Meeting
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
The bill at hand was a combination of what
happen with the National Security Council
Practicum Journal | PS 125 Internship in Political Science
and the Cybersecurity wherein there is
already an existing EO that covers what the
bill is trying to achieve while also having
many deficiency with the proposed bill.
REFLECTION:
I believe that the bill was good but the
research side of things was also good but not
good enough because they didn’t see and also
didn’t acknowledge immediately that there
was already an existing EO. Nonetheless the
sponsors and authors showed tremendous
steel and courage to fight to the bitter end. In
a personal note Happy 23rd birthday to me.
Geez I’m getting old and I still don’t know if
politics is my forte because I’m more in the
hands on side when I do work and debating
is not really my thing, it is needed in the
future because I will be put in that situation
but I do prefer action to be honest.
DATE: June 14, 2021
ACTIVITY: 9th Plenary Session
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
Senator Gambican’s speech about child labor
is very telling when a child named Reymark
Mariano, age 10 years old, became a farmer
to support his family that made netizens
romantized such actions as good. But the
more surprising thing about the story and
why I raise the question I did is that the
mother returned to the son after his son’s
story went viral through various media that
made me ask what happened with the
mother. Was she arrested for abandonment?
But to my dismay the speaker had no answer
for me. However child labor must end.
Senator Lamagon, is to me, the most
passionate environmental defender we have
in the UC Senate and his speech is powerful;
full of emotion and anger towards what is
happening to our environment. It was weird
that although this senate is very active
towards the protection and conservation of
the environment that I was the only one to
agree with the speech of Senator Lamagon
which I found uncharacteristic by many of
the senators that I know would support this
speech. It was just weird other than that I am
right to manifest that such a problem is truly
an intergenerational responsibility by us all to
protect the environment at all costs. The
8
increase of age of consent is something that I
have nothing to add to it. From 12 to 18 years
of age of consent is sound to me.
REFLECTION:
A quick search in the case of Reymark
Mariano in regards to what happened to the
mother because I was just that curious that it
turns out that the story showcase in National
TV is misleading made to be as sad as
possible for the rating. Although child labor
should be ended but there is something
wrong here when traditional media misleads
people to think and act in a way they want
them to react. In my opinion such disgraceful
and disservice act towards the public for
views and money is appalling to my eyes and
should be punish especially the family
featured especially the mother is being
slander online by many netizens and such
things should be punish. As for the age of
consent, I do have some reservation that it
could be increase to 21 since this the age
where women becomes really mature but 18
is also good and universally accepted.
However the questioning of Senator
Estudillo struck me about relationship and
how this bill could affect it. The West has had
a surge of relationship turmoil and
controversy with women coming out and
accusing men of exploitation of all sort
whether true or false. One particular case is
with the famous YouTuber CallMeCarson
when he was in hot water for grooming 17
year old girls when he was 19 years old yet
many were angry but many also saw it as
normal teen relationship age gap as well. All
in all, debates fired up and I believe bills such
as this is good in all but there are tradeoffs in
real life that affects the dating market which
is in turmoil in the West as I heard and
observe.
DATE: June 14, 2021
ACTIVITY: 4th CENRCC Meeting
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
The Ban of Single Use Plastic Bag to me is
good but with the current commerce climate
and lack of actual alternatives is quite
concerning. The bill’s idea is good but to me
it feels lacking. To me I would propose a
major shakeup in how we package our
Practicum Journal | PS 125 Internship in Political Science
products into some sort of reusable
standardized packaging because if I look at it
the way we package products is the problem
because it goes from the factory to the
market and to the dump. Rarely does the
packaging go back to the factory to be
refilled. Another shake could be changing the
social environment of the population from
buying food and cooking food at home to
going out and eating outside reducing home
waste in a degree. Both ideas can reduce or
further reduce waste.
REFLECTION:
After this session, I was thinking really hard
of materializing my ideas and also maybe
create a more industrialize waste
management than what we have now similar
to which how European countries does like
Sweden to name one. However friction
might come from the incinerators thou but it
is debatable since the Philippines is an island
nation with a yearly decrease of land mass
and a growing consumer base as well as waste
generation.
DATE: June 15, 2021
ACTIVITY: 10th Plenary Session
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
The focus in the bill in regards who will be
prioritize in the delivery of food was a step in
the right direction where we did not see as a
team but the suggestion of Majority Leader
Lozano about the 4Ps as the beneficiaries is a
good suggestion that we accept.
REFLECTION:
Nothing much to say, the bill seems great and
received fair enough. Other than a few things
of concern which all can be fixed in the
period of amendments.
DATE: June 17, 2021
ACTIVITY: 11th Plenary Session
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
I believe the Anti-Discrimination to
LGBTQ+ as I mentioned in my previous
entry to the journal but a pressing problem in
the bill itself is that it is lacking as well as it is
really not the solution the problem but I
guess the mistake of mine is in the voting yes
in the second reading and abstaining in the
third which Senate President Edano got mad
9
at us for essentially wasting time and not
aligning our vote to our true thoughts. And
as for our bill well we knew this will happen
since the committee level.
REFLECTION:
I did the right thing a left the authorship of
the Food to Table Act and apologize
profusely for not being active and they did
receive it well since it was something I was
not passionate about but I knew it was
important but I had nothing to add or
contribute to the team and I wish them the
best of luck in their course of action.
DATE: June 17, 2021
ACTIVITY: 5th CENRCC Meeting
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
First of all congratulations to the National
Hazard team. I do have to say no because of
the information shared by Majority Leader
Lozano in the previous meetings and I don’t
agree that this is a backward way of solving a
modern and ever-changing climate of a
problem. As for the Total Ban of Single Use
Plastic although its good step in the right
direction but I do see it as lacking. An
interesting note was Minority Leader
Martinez observation which I agree with that
I think the total ban of single use plastic is a
good thing but doing it in sudden way would
impact the social and economic environment
or the status quo rendering operation to be
disturbed immensely so I do agree that such
a major change should be done phase by
phase. Regardless I do believe it should be
pass still.
REFLECTION:
Change is good. It gets things done whether
it has positive or negative impacts to society
will depend in the outcome of the
implementation. Regardless a good
productive session today.
DATE: June 18, 2021
ACTIVITY: 4th CND Meeting
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
My bill is about training and evaluating the
reserved forces. I do believe we need to keep
this force to be as ready as possible as war or
conflict with China is a real possibility. My
talk with Major Matthew Erich enlighten this
Practicum Journal | PS 125 Internship in Political Science
fact that the reserve force is not really tested
unlike major military services across the
globe that do maintain their reserve forces.
Plus I think it was a mistake in my part that I
have not much mention other things that my
discussion with the Major especially that the
Armed Forces and the Philippine
Government has no post-occupation plan to
liberate ourselves from occupation. I do
believe this bill needs to be pass as for one
our complacency has cost us a major military
disaster waiting to happen and with how our
armed forces performed in the recent Marawi
Siege, we are completely unready for full out
conventional warfare with another state.
REFLECTION:
I believe I did well but a part of me tells me I
did worse. I do panic that the body is against
me on this one with the body being so silent
and the Majority Leader not being satisfied. I
do believe this is a needed bill. I might be
overthinking and exaggerating a bit especially
I am on my own with this bill but how I wish
this entire UC Model Senate be face to face
so that I can read the room better than just
their voices.
DATE: June 21, 2021
ACTIVITY: 12th Plenary Session
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
Religion and Society had remained quite
static in the Philippines. Being a Catholic
country, the notion of the LGBTQ+ as
spawns of immorality has been said and
debated for a very long time. Many have
accepted it in various degree. A friend of
mine support them as people but still sees
them differently because of religious belief
compare to myself that just accepted them as
part of society yet I believe in time they will
be accepted completely by society for its just
a matter of time. The song mention by
Senator Dacasin about being different is
wrong did struck me because such situation
can be seen in Japan and how their society
discourage any form of difference and
embrace conformity and collectivity above all
else which does impact society in the worst
way imaginable in this case their population
decline. Individuality is still better cause to be
different has its merit to make society feel less
10
stale and dynamic. The political dynasty
speech by Senator Pangalian is very timely as
elections is on the horizon, we must become
more smarter to get actual good statesmen in
the office to truly have some sort of change
for the better. The quota bill is a good bill to
be honest but interpellating the bill was very
stressful in my end because I am a man and
if I ask anything that can be deemed
patriarchal. I’m gonna be killed socially but I
do support it. It’s just that I have seen
instances in European countries that put
quotas and having some positive and
negative effects on it. Positive is that more
female professionals got their positions
secured but the negative will be if they could
be up to the tasks, it is why I ask about the
meritocracy yet there is also the contention
that it is because of being a woman that she
gained her position. Men do not have that
luxury of security and assurance. Men had to
grind and compete not only with other men
and women but the government policy to and
I do have mixed feelings about the bill but I
don’t want to risk my social life for this thou.
As for the Party List System, I am quite
impress with the senators involve in the
debate. As for me I have nothing to
contribute to the debate for I am not familiar
with the subject matter.
REFLECTION:
Other than the stress that I got with the first
bill because of an anti-patriarchal senate
which I had to thread carefully but nothing
much left to comment.
DATE: June 22, 2021
ACTIVITY: 5th CND Meeting
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
Continuation of my bill, everything went well
and was passed.
REFLECTION:
I should really be less overthinking and
worried and be more focus. Although it
passed with flying colors, I hope everything
goes well in the plenary. But I am very proud
of this bill especially it is one for which I am
very passionate about but I do feel bad for
the bill in the CLG being barely of any help
since it’s not something I’m passionate about
and I have decided to recall my authorship of
Practicum Journal | PS 125 Internship in Political Science
the bill and profusely apologies to them for
being no use.
DATE: June 24, 2021
ACTIVITY: 13th Plenary Session
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
Education as the topic of Senator Challoy
does make me look at how the government
and the educational institutions when they
used the online way of teaching. I was
completely against it because not only that
they are not ready or the country is not ready
but the people are not ready especially in this
pandemic. I do believe that the money spent
in education could have been used for the
families’ survival as well as reduce
significantly the mental strain of not only
studying but also the consequences of
adopting this modality in a country or system
not yet ready or rush in its implementation.
The next topic at hand is how society itself
see rape victims but for one this is a serious
matter and this instances should be address.
Although I have to put a bit of reservation of
doubt cause of the events happening in the
West but regardless we should really take care
of rape victims instead of putting them in the
hotspot. Well the National Foreign Mandate
Act will failed. It was disappointing but I do
believe it was a good bill but it lack substance
of research and data.
REFLECTION:
I am quite down and tried my best but I knew
it would fail because of the lack of research
but also my father commented that it was
vanilla meaning it’s okay but also lacking as
well. Much to learn I guess.
DATE: June 24, 2021
ACTIVITY: 6th CENRCA & CLG Meeting
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
The National Greening Program is too me
the most well thought out bill this senate has
seen that even made my good friend Senator
Lida almost question less. It is to not surprise
that our Professor is skilled and
knowledgeable and its passing is assured.
However with the Alternative Paper bill, it’s
a miss for me although good but I believe it’s
not something the government should put
into law but it can fund or invest in it seeing
11
the lack of industry for it yet times are
changing to a digitize future and paper might
become redundant sooner or later. However
anything that can minimize the man-made
harms in the environment is still welcome but
much must be done to make the bill better I
suppose.
REFLECTION:
Nothing much to say than the dichotomy
between a well thought out bill from a highly
lacking one. Both of which has good
intention yet differ from content.
DATE: June 25, 2021
ACTIVITY: 1st CND TWG
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
The renaming of Camp Aguinaldo to Camp
Bonifacio is to me a mixed feeling one. I
know that former President Aguinaldo is not
worthy to be the name of the main
headquarters of the AFP. I would have prefer
General Luna to be honest but there is
already one. However while in the TWG, sir
Edano pointed out many points politically
and historically that I have to agree with that
President Aguinaldo is more suited because
in terms of it, he practically started the Armed
Forces compare to Andres Bonifacio. I hate
to say it but changing it might be a mistake
but then again to have a traitor be the face of
our military also holds some weight for the
outlook of the AFP to the people. In
conclusion, politically and historically it’s
wrong to change it but morally it is right and
technically all started with Andres Bonifacio.
REFLECTION:
It is interesting to see politics and history go
hand in hand in making good bills. The
insights of sir Edano is quite awe inspiring. I
wish I had that level of knowledge.
DATE: June 28, 2021
ACTIVITY: 14th Plenary Session
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
It was strange to hear a topic of death when
I am going through something but regardless
I do not have a clue how to solve such a
problem in Abra for I am not from Abra
myself but I do sympathize with Senator
Cabatic and the pain he is suffering from
such a location tag. The next topic is the Rice
Practicum Journal | PS 125 Internship in Political Science
Tarrification Law and its impact to local
industries and it’s a shame that we have to
import rice than improve our agricultural
industries. The Bill proposed by Majority
leader Lozano about adultery and others, I
fully support it as the old laws must be
change to be on the times of today. As for the
next bill is about the Anti-Red-Tagging Act
which to me is a really needed legislation to
be past and as I have read the bill it seems to
be great. The bill is quite timely as the
Duterte Administration and its subsequent
PNP organization is using this tactics against
any opposition to the government which
must be put to stop.
REFLECTION:
I’m quite in low spirit as my beloved
grandmother passed away. It does hit
different watching one of our family in her
final days in a screen far away from our
family. I enter todays plenary out of
commitment to my family and to my
grandmother as she would have wanted me
to continue forward for the family and I shall
continue forward. However, I do feel bitter
and angry that I and my brothers weren’t
there for her at her final moments.
DATE: June 28, 2021
ACTIVITY: 7th CENRCA & CLG Meeting
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
I confirmed in my previous entry that the
Alternative Paper bill would be in trouble
from its lack of content within the bill. I was
also at point with the lack of industry to
support this endeavor.
REFLECTION:
I have said everything in my recent reflection
entry above.
DATE: June 29, 2021
ACTIVITY: 2nd CND TWG
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
My stance in the renaming of Camp
Aguinaldo to Camp Bonifacio stil stands so I
shall support this in the senate. As for the
School as Zone of Peace Act thou, I have my
reservation. But I will reserve all that in the
regular meeting.
REFLECTION:
12
It’s hilarious that I keep messing up and
thinking the TWG is like the regular meeting
and ask question that should be for the
regular meeting. I’m laughing to myself with
the many opsies I made in the TWG.
DATE: June 30, 2021
ACTIVITY: Week 1 – 3 (Course Road Map
– Public Policy Challenges in the 21st Century
– The Media and Changing Nature of
Politics)
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
The lecture shows me a lot issues that we of
this generation will inherit and really need to
find solutions. Public Policy is facing a
challenges upon challenges that money alone
cannot solve challenges we are facing but its
actually worsening. It is not a small problem
but an interconnected web of problems
dating back hundreds of years and also in the
future. Not a good inheritance that will be
acquiring as the replacement of the old
generation
All of the information that we are receiving
from all type of media are now changing by
the seconds. I can see this is a challenge not
only is news now being disseminated by the
seconds but it is being observe that it is also
causing the division of society. Recent social
observation that I have been keeping eyes on
reinforce the speakers observation and it
does have negative ramification cause people
would prefer to listen more to the people
they are alike with and not bother listening to
the other side. I think information should be
objective in nature and that news outlets
should not take sides but be credible and
neutral force.
REFLECTION:
In the world of politics, there are a lot of
challenges that governments are handling in
a daily basis and as the generation that will
replace them, we must always be aware and
always be informed of the changes of the
world. This session thought me that you need
to listen to others perspectives for us to
achieve a good mutual understanding. I am
not always right and the world does not
revolve around me and listening is the key. In
order to create a good decision one must
Practicum Journal | PS 125 Internship in Political Science
consult the opposition and try to work a
middle group. Although people criticize you
publicly, they do still acknowledge the good
things you do. I have seen this before from
my school bully so I do see this happening.
DATE: July 01, 2021
ACTIVITY: 15th Plenary Session
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
My good friend Senator Lim’s speech was
great to hear wherein our Filipino people are
increasing in wanting foreign products more
than local one is of great concern and such a
speech to tell us to support local is good so
that we can help our industries and business
to rise in prominence and hopefully be in par
with foreign products. Nothing for me to add
in the Anti-Red-Tagging Act but for the
Alternative Weapons Act thou I do have yet
I do support it but I have some concerns.
Concerns to be asked and answered in the
next meeting.
REFLECTION:
Today is a sad day as it is my grandmother’s
funeral and still in pure commitment to
family. I remained strong and attentive to the
today’s session. Later in the day I will attend
the funeral via messenger call. The rain does
go with the sadness of today. As a Buddhist
myself, I do correlate it as if the Gods and
Goddess weeping towards the loss of their
beloved and devout daughter. May she rest in
peace.
DATE: July 01, 2021
ACTIVITY: 8th CENRCA & CLG Meeting
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
Although I wasn’t in the meeting due to the
funeral reception. I was informed that the
BFPC bill had done poorly in its reception to
the body. After the funeral, I immediately
makes some calls and do damage control.
How I wish I could have move this bill to
another date but I cannot due to time
constraint.
REFLECTION:
Nothing much to say but I am sad and
stressed at the same time. It’s quite a miracle
that I have kept my sanity not only from the
loss of my grandmother, but also being away
from my parents and family, and also this
13
pandemic and my role as big brother and its
responsibilities are really taking a toll in my
shoulders. It’s been so long since my
shoulders were loosen up. However there is
work to be done.
DATE: July 02, 2021
ACTIVITY: 6th CND Meeting
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
As mention in the past TWG regardless of
today’s meeting I shall fully support the
renaming of Camp Aguinaldo to Camp
Bonifacio. As for the School as Zone of
Peace Act thou, I do support it but there are
some things that needs to be tweak in the bill
to make it stronger. In regards to their
performance thou they did fine but what I
call my grilling of them is also going to hot
too. I think they realize how it’s impossible
for international or some local terror groups
like ISIS and Abu Sayyaf to agree with this
bill being enemies of the state and as well as
this government not negotiating with
terrorists. As for armed groups like NPA and
the MILF is a different case as long as they
can find some sort of evidence to suggest that
they will agree with this bill then this bill
could be in danger in the field but regardless
the bill is not perfect but can be make
stronger.
REFLECTION:
I did great in interpolating the School of
Zone of Peace Act. But I do see my fellow
senators or friends having a hard time so I
just gave them my entire research materials
and questioning so that they can have some
chance to show some prowess in the
upcoming debate next meeting for which I
will attend.
DATE: July 05, 2021
ACTIVITY: 16th Plenary Session
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
Senator Abes’es speech about parenting was
nice as future parents ourselves learning
about this is good thing. As for Senator
Celino’s speech of the decline of indigenous
culture, it is saddening but I see it as an effect
of the modern era and exposure to modern
things. Change is inevitable but I do believe
with right amount of effort things can be
Practicum Journal | PS 125 Internship in Political Science
preserved and taught to the youth. As for
Senator Agustin’s speech about the sex
industry, I am against it but it’s also hard to
be against it when the West is somewhat
embracing it as the new culture for women
from songs to business opportunities like
only fans and the dramas in certain big tech
corporation such as Twitch. It is a hard
debate to where should we go with this topic.
The Alternative Weapons Act had one flaw
which is that the alternative weapons
presented had short range and the lack of a
long range alternative weaponry is alarming.
I did mention some but I do agree with Pro
Tempore Macarayo with the airsoft guns
being seen as dangerous yet I do not agree
with the rest of the body in regards to not
having a long range alternative weapon or
research and development of it because in
some point in the future, our police officers
will just be armed with this type of weaponry
as their primary defense.
REFLECTION:
It was concerning to pass the Alternative
Weapons Act but the body was against for
such research and development of an arsenal
of alternative weaponry but regardless the
mentioned alternative weapons are enough I
guess.
DATE: July 05, 2021
ACTIVITY: 9th CENRCA & CLG Meeting
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
Most of the questions or the lack of things to
be question in the newly rendition of two bills
into one Surplus Act in my part was quite
answered quite well with the exception with
the penalty of the indigent families of 10000
Php which to me is overkill especially their
definition of terms says that Indigent
Families are families whose annual income is
15000 Php and with the penalty takes away
2/3 of their finances. I did try to change it
into 2/5 which is 6000 Php but due to the
authors or one particular author who wishes
not to change it at all costs. I had to withdrew
the amendment knowing the body would and
will vote not in favor making it a waste of
time. However the situation was really
unfavorable in my end with the amendment
I propose and withdrew. I do want to critique
14
that is the bill here to help this poor
beneficiaries or to punish them because of
their survival decision. We of the body live in
a different life from those of the poor and
seeing that penalty was in my eyes wrong. I
believe punishing the poor because of their
need to survive is wrong. I believe it’s not the
poor that is the problem but how society
function and its deficiencies to provide our
citizens decent jobs and others is the root
cause of the problem. An old proverb says
give a man fish and he will be fill for a day
but teach the man how to fish and he will be
fill every day but I would like to add if there
is no opportunity or lack of fish in the water
then the man’s fishery skill is but a waste and
must resort to other things for survival.
REFLECTION:
Truth be told, there is nothing really wrong
with the bill. I believe it is just a philosophical
or policy differences between me and the
authors but regardless it is a fine bill that will
help the poor.
DATE: July 06, 2021
ACTIVITY: 7th CND Meeting
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
I am quite shock that they still have not
realize what I have said about last meeting
that armed groups without actually agreeing
with the contents of the bill means that even
if the school is now a Zone of Peace to the
government it is not same with the armed
groups. However it is obvious for
conventional armies thou much like how
hospitals are to the international community.
Although it has a lot of shortcomings, we as
the body or more like I did all possible thing
I can think of that could make this bill as
strong as possible before it goes to the
plenary.
REFLECTION:
I do support it but they have to carry
themselves. Their poor performance in
defending the bill says a lot that the bill might
fail. It was the reason my good friend and
Assistant Majority Leader Guinanoy voted
no because of it. I might need to step in for
them in the Plenary and help them out cause
I do feel passionate to defend and make this
bill to be pass.
Practicum Journal | PS 125 Internship in Political Science
DATE: July 07, 2021
ACTIVITY: Week 4 – 5 (Healthcare
Systems and Insurance Markets –
Federalisms and the Power of State
Governors)
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
I think having a robust Health Care System is
a necessity nowadays especially in this
pandemic era however this session show as
that this program have its problems because
depending on the economics and social
environment there will be friction and a
government must form a Health Care System
that is best for this country because one
system may be good for this country but
might not be good in another country.
The Federalism and the State Governors
Session is kind of interesting especially the
past debates about Federalism in the
Philippines is still there in my mind and after
listening to the session, I so have some mix
opinions about it because unlike the US, the
Philippines is smaller in comparison but I
think giving the Local Government more
power and finances to solve local problems is
a good concept for our nation without the
need to go for Federalism. It’s just a matter
of implementation to be honest.
REFLECTION:
What I learned from this two session that we
need to be more social priority focus in how
we govern and also think more in the regional
or provincial level than national cause I do
believe that each region has regional
difference with other regions and that local
government units should have some leeway
to change a bit the national mandate to be in
line with regional socioeconomic
environment.
DATE: July 08, 2021
ACTIVITY: 17th Plenary Session
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
Senator Domingo didn’t have to make us cry
there not gonna lie but it was very touching
speech. As for Senator Sucgang’s speech, I
have the same contention as the previous
speech that tackled this topic. As for my bill
thou I decide to kill the bill seeing the body
15
is not impress or will kill it anyways. At least
I fought hard for it. As for the merge Local
Food Security Act and I do have concerns for
the reason why I abstain my vote.
REFLECTION:
As mentioned before I was quite sad but
much sadder that this is the final few days.
DATE: July 08, 2021
ACTIVITY: 10th CENRCA & CLG Meeting
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
One thing to say for the BFPC bill, it is too
complicated and all over the place that it
should have been killed last meeting. It’s not
because of lack of trying but as I mentioned
previous entries in the journals but the
problem of the organization of the bill being
too complicated. This was the reason why I
wanted the BFPC to be in the DILG than the
DENR not only because the benefit systems
and other supporting systems are already
there but also it streamlines the entire force
in to one department since the DILG is task
of internal security however due to pressure
I had to make it work in the DENR but I
believe it would not work not because it’s
impossible but me and my team are not really
too smart enough to make it happen. I think
I should have fight for the DILG route but
even then when they mentioned the FMB it
did hit hard in the bill but I could have
counter argue more effectively but it’s quite
hard and jittery to come up answers on the
spot. However this not a failure but a learning
experience. The bill maybe dead but it is still
revivable yet I think time is not on our side
anymore and this could be the last meeting.
REFLECTION:
It’s a failure but at least fought hard for it. My
lack of knowledge is really painful torn in my
efforts to pass bills.
DATE: July 09, 2021
ACTIVITY: 3rd CND TWG
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
The National Greening Auxiliary Force is
what I can describe as being all over the place
with many inconsistencies and plot holes. I
think to sum it all up on how this bill is
problematic is that why is it in the CND. I
Practicum Journal | PS 125 Internship in Political Science
think I did what I can to add stuff that will
probably help in the upcoming meeting.
REFLECTION:
I think the bill at hand might not do well next
meeting. It looks like it has a lot of holes for
prying hawks to swoop in and catch them off
guard resulting in a kill.
DATE: July 12, 2021
ACTIVITY: 18th Plenary Session
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
The Speech of Senator Mondiguing was
about our population tripled in 50 years but
then again that’s normal but what is not
normal is the country hasn’t improve since
then. Senator Soni’s speech about Campus
Journalism and what happens behind scenes
is appalling but not a surprise with how the
country actually communicate or interact
with the actual news outlet. Senator Bautista’s
Speech was one of the most shocking and
informative among the speeches I heard
today that give as a cautionary tale for which
all of us must be wary of the scams of the
internet and be careful as well as be informed
always. Ecotourism is good as presented by
Senator Yago and I agree. Our people and
landscape is unique for us to witness and hear
its story. The bill at hand which is the
introduction of the Philippine Constitution
in the Junior High School Curricula to which
I say a good legislation. Next is the
Mandatory Early Voting for PWDs and
others of similar conditions and again no
quarrel in my end and I support. Next is the
Prohibition of Political Dynasty to which I
support as well.
REFLECTION:
Nothing much to say today because all the
bills, I support.
DATE: July 13, 2021
ACTIVITY: 19th Plenary Session
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
The Prohibition of Political Dynasty to
which I support. The next bill is the Granting
of Civil Service Eligibility for Non-regular
Workers is also something I support.
REFLECTION:
Really good bills being pass I got to say.
16
DATE: July 13, 2021
ACTIVITY: 8th CND Meeting
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
So my prediction was correct in the TWG
and the bill will be killed off. However I did
get a bit heated with the author Senator
Dacasin in terms with the military personnel
not being armed. If I were to be the
commanding officer for this men, I would
not just send out men for greening programs
without certainty that the ground for which
they will be operating is not safe and his
argument that the LGU should know is a
weak argument cause how would they know
if they are in the city. Is the PNP scouted the
area or has the AFP scouted the area, none
was clear on how was the area deemed safe.
Plus this patrols had civilians with them
leaving them expose as collateral damage if a
fire incident could happen. Not only did I
lose highly trained men but civilians were also
victims’ especially high skilled ones too. I was
not satisfied in his argument for there was
too much risk to lose than gain and I believe
as well as the Army shouldn’t be doing this
but they can assist but that is not the priority.
REFLECTION:
I think Assistant Minority Leader Guinanoy
sums up the bill at hand which is good in
intention but weak in its crafting for which
the whole thing is confusing. And to me it
was both confusing and also a danger for the
already small number of troops we have.
DATE: July 14, 2021
ACTIVITY: Week 6 – 7 (US-China
Relations – Congress and Politics)
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
A topic I closely follow cause this two major
power has the influence to change the
modern world, As of now in the Philippines,
I believe right now China has major influence
in the country but still the US influence has
not waned even after the friction between
Pres. Duterte and Pres. Trump but as for
with Pres. Duterte and Pres. Xi Jinping thou
has soured. I do think war is looming but the
losses in war would be detrimental to their
economic growth especially how intertwined
their economy are.
Practicum Journal | PS 125 Internship in Political Science
As for the next session thou I was very
intrigued on the level of friendship between
the guest speakers, a republican and a
democrat, it was quite enduring to see
because recent news shows that there is great
divide in the US politic sphere that also
stretch to medias and the masses. But I did
learn in order to have a good legislation we
have to listen and work with the opposition
in order to get things done.
REFLECTION:
I believe war is coming between the two
superpowers it’s just a matter of what will be
the catalyst that will start it. For now we can
breathe. As for congressional
communication skill is a really a good thing
to learn although with the divide even witness
in the Philippines. It will be difficult.
DATE: July 16, 2021
ACTIVITY: 20th Plenary Session
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
The National Health Passport System, I had
no issue with it thou I would also think that
everything could be digitized or be an app but
I guess this is okay too since not all have the
technology or the funds to buy one for
themselves.
REFLECTION:
Another good bill although I have my
differences in such a system to be
implemented but still it’s good still.
DATE: July 19, 2021
ACTIVITY: 21st Plenary Session
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
Senator Dongpin’s speech about healthcare
and the need for it to get better especially in
this pandemic era is really a necessity. Senator
Sapla questioning and appalling towards how
society is from what it show than what it
really want to show. Senator Calixto’s speech
towards how farmers and the agricultural
industries is not being focus upon in addition
to how they were treated for so long is very
reminiscent of how this government as well
treat there journalists and news outlet. It took
a long time and many ideas but finally I
settled in my advocacy of National Defense
with my privilege speech which also timely as
well cause of my bill in the plenary session. I
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put all my heart, history, reality, and irony in
the speech to portray that the Philippines is
on route in the third surrender of the nation.
The bill at hand was about decreasing
Teacher’s duty in public school which I do
hear about how much work this teachers do
so I say it is good. As for the bill mandating
students to plant trees is also a good bill
although there is already the National
Greening Act already so not sure if this one
is redundant.
REFLECTION:
Nothing can be said that I am very proud
with the speech and feel a very patriotic and
nationalistic while speaking.
DATE: June 20, 2021
ACTIVITY: Week 8 – 9 (War Powers –
Wrapping Up)
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
Although I was quite disappointed that
Senator McCain was not there in the panel
(rest in peace good sir) overall I was quite
intrigued in the dynamics of politics between
the two bodies. While listening I was also
seeing the parallel of it to the Philippine
Government not only in questions of security
and power in this case with the USA with war
but in the Philippines case is the
submissiveness of the legislative towards to
the executive where both countries are
suffering but the Philippine a lot more. If
power was used correctly I would be fine
with it but me saying that does seem
contradicting with how a democratic
government should be so I do back pedal that
each branch of the government should check
their power but also do their responsibilities
as part of that branch.
In the end of this course, I have learned a lot
but knowledge is nothing without doing the
work in the field so I hope that I can use all
of I have learn the UC model Senate or failed
trying but at least I tried
REFLECTION:
Overall I enjoyed the entire course more so
that I drunk San Miguel Apple every two
lesson but just 1 can. I do not know why I
refuse to watch, listen, and read the lesson
without a can of beer must be my inner
Practicum Journal | PS 125 Internship in Political Science
British coming out now and also because I
keep watching the Trash Taste podcast of
British people all the time that their habits
rub off on me. Anyways it was enlightening
and a bit scary that my generation will be
inheriting a global problem with major minor
local base problem. A cobweb of problems
but as Professor Warburg says that he is
optimistic that we can do it and I hope not to
disappoint him and even my family, country
and people as well as my ancestors.
DATE: July 22, 2021
ACTIVITY: 22nd Plenary Session
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
The first bill was about the National Hazard
Map which is 50/50 I do support it but also
no since I was part of the committee that
deliberated with it. However it’s still good
legislation and I think it should still be passed
and if technology fails we have analog
methods. As for my bill for giving Annual
Training for the Reserve Force was a total
disappointment in the end if I wasn’t the
author and sponsor this bill would have pass.
I did such a poor job defending it but I was
listening although it did get heated especially
with Senator Aquino but I didn’t know but
all my problems would have been solve if I
had removed the Separability Clause since it
was the only thing hampering the bill but alas
even Senate President Macarayo was shock, I
wasn’t cause I knew the atmosphere is kill
me. As for Sex Education nothing much to
be said I just support it cause its write to teach
them young and know the truth. A famous
YouTuber named Gigguk shared in a podcast
called Trash Taste that his mom told him that
babies come out of the belly button then in
sex education class his teacher told him
babies come out of the vagina and to a child
such information crush him and that he knew
his mother just lied to him. In that story, it is
important to have a proper sex education. As
for the ban of single use plastic, I say I
support it but the consequences would
hopefully not that severe hopefully.
REFLECTION:
I am just depress. Months of work and set up
that led down to unable to defend what I
think is relatively an easy to understand bill.
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Train Reserve Force and ready for a real
possible defense. I think I didn’t also use
more extensive scenario or war game tactics
to emphasize the need of this. The
advantages is clear. The reason was with the
two speeches I made from the plenary to the
sponsorship speech. I think, I strongly think
if I’m not the author or the sponsor of the
bill the bill would have been passed. I am just
for the pass hours just giving reason upon
reason but I just failed. It was the only thing
I wanted to pass because out of many things
national defense was my main advocacy to
fail is to simply say I’m not fit for it or I’m
not fit to defend our nation as well. This
dishonor to myself is painful now I know
why the samurai culture or bushido is what it
is.

DATE: July 23, 2021

ACTIVITY: 23rd Plenary Session
OBSERVATIONS/CRITIQUE:
None of the bills that I saw and ask were bad.
They were all good bills.
REFLECTION:
Nothing much to say still just depress. My
activeness is just to compensate my failure at
the previous day.

Practicum Journal | PS 125 Internship in Political Science 19