30 Years of Flor Contemplacion Crybabies Spreading Fake News

Liza Maza Facebook Page

It's 30 years since Flor Contemplacion was executed in Singapore. My memories was how some people felt hatred for Singapore, how we were told that "Filipinos are always oppressed." in both values education and civics classes, and how Flor should be regarded as a heroine. The Buwan Ng Wika program came and Flor's execution was also highlighted in the song "Kuko Ng Agila" (Claws of the Eagle). Flor was always romanticized as innocent, a martyr, and even some decent Filipinos bought it once. However, I soon accepted Flor's execution to be what it is--Singaporean justice. 

Some people are still continuing to commemorate Flor--as if she was some kind of Catholic saint or martyr. I could remember rallies year after year, commemorating Flor's "martyrdom". What was also ironic was, at that time, the Vizconde Massacre (read here) happened and the wrong people were arrested. The public demanded the blood of Hubert Jeffry P. Webb (along with the others). Everything was based on the false story of Jessica Alfaro, a false witness (read here). After all, the murder happened in 1991 and the trial only started in 1995. I wouldn't be surprised if people who adored Jessica's "bravery" also adored the lying maid Virginia C. Parumog. That time, people were crying for the blood of innocent people wrongfully framed, while weeping for Flor, a woman proven guilty! 

Did Pinoy Pride really come in the way of critical thinking? I dare say so. After several tests later, the late Fidel V. Ramos restored diplomatic ties with Singapore. Angry protesters (I think they were from Bayan Muna and Migrante International) all staged protests. All the anger towards Singapore is there. It can be evident that whenever I speak about following Singapore, I get comments like, "Never forget Flor Contemplacion!" or "You condone murder!" Some of these people may have also been calling out for Hubert's head, never mind that he was actually in America when the Vizconde Massacre happened. Never mind that a biased judge named Amelita G. Tolentino, even refused a DNA test. That DNA test could've proven Hubert's innocence! 

The film that was built on lies

Instead, despite the evidence that Flor was indeed guilty, she was still considered a heroine. Flor was given a tribute movie that same year. It had an award-winning actress and the movie received awards. Should an award from the 1995 Cairo International Film Festival and the Golden Pyramid, well, disprove Flor's guilt. I don't even care if the movie will get a Nobel Peace Prize. It's because I've read how the Nobel Peace Prize is no longer noble. The film made it big. Fortunately, we weren't forced to watch it in school during the civics class. It was a good thing I never saw the film until years later. 

That's why I wrote a critical review of The Flor Contemplacion Story. It doesn't help that it was VIVA Films. VIVA later released the film Jacqueline Comes Home--another terrible biopic that never brought justice to the victims of the crime (read here). The Contemplacion twins Joel and Jon-Jon starred as themselves in the same film. One must wonder what was VIVA Films' motive in making that film. A few box office receipts? Did Migrante International pay them to make the film? The fact that VIVA Films even made those awful films based on the Vizconde Masacre, should also highlight the hypocrisy.

However, the film was even uploaded on VIVA Films' YouTube Channel, where people can watch it for free (with ads though, if one's not using YouTube premium). The film was uploaded last year, sometime when talks about charter change happened. Fortunately, VIVA Films didn't make any more films. It would've been something if a movie was made based on the lives of the three drug mules executed in China.

If this film is the "best evidence" from Flor Contemplacion crybabies--then I say it's moot. I would prefer to trust the Singaporean Justice System, given the testimony it gave. I would believe in the testimony of a country risen to glory by Lee Kuan Yew than the likes of Migrante International. If anybody wants to use the film to prove Flor's innocence then screw it. Where's the evidence to prove that th film isn't lying then? 

Eventually, the phrase "No to another Flor Contemplacion" or hashtag #NoToAnotherFlorContemplacion was popularized

Yahoo News

Should I be surprised that the hashtag #NoToAnotherFlorContemplacion gets popularized on social media? 2011 was the year when the three drug mules, namely Ramon Credo, Sally Villanueva, and Elizabeth Batain were executed. The face of Elizabeth was never shown for a reason. Was it out of respect for her family's privacy? It disgusted some people I knew that such people are called heroes. The name of Flor is invoked. The same went for Mary Jane Veloso (who's still in death row in Indonesia)--Flor's name was invoked, hoping to build awareness. Flor Contemplacion Crybabies are still using Flor's name, every time an OFW is on death row. It's one thing if the OFW was truly innocent. However, some of them are indeed guilty.

I read an article in Inquirer called "The Flor Contemplacion Syndrome", written by Randy David. Hence, this is the inspiration of my article. Here's something I'd like to cite:

The Contemplacion case became a watershed in our nation’s history as a labor-exporting country.  Every succeeding administration found itself haunted by the same syndrome.  It created a special sensitivity about OFW matters that made it an undeclared state policy to do everything humanly possible wherever and whenever the lives of OFWs are in danger.  This policy led to the withdrawal of Filipino troops from Iraq in order to save a Filipino worker from his Iraqi abductors.  It is this same policy that today commits the government to respond decisively to any OFW request for immediate repatriation from crisis-stricken areas like Libya and Japan.  It is what prompts the Aquino government’s spokesmen to choose their words very carefully when they try to explain what the government did to save Ramon Credo, Sally Villanueva and Elizabeth Batain from execution.  Of course, one wishes we were not merely reacting to crises but actively re-structuring our economy and re-orienting our culture so that our people would no longer find it necessary to go abroad just to earn a living.

In many ways, the moral responsibility we feel for our OFWs, including those who have been convicted for crimes abroad, is our way of making amends for our shortcomings as a people.  A modern liberal and individualist account of obligations will not understand that.  It will merely highlight the fact that going abroad to work is voluntary, and that every person must take responsibility for what he consents to do.  But, solidarity is different.  The obligations it creates, says the philosopher Michael J. Sandel, arise “from understanding ourselves as the particular persons we are—as members of this family or nation or people; as bearers of that history; as citizens of this republic.”

It's always been Flor, Flor, and more Flor. Instead of accepting that Flor was really guilty--some are still mad at Singapore.  Some may be rejecting anything Singapore says because of Flor. Some even wrote LKY as a mad, power-hungry tyrant. Never mind that LKY was no longer in charge when Flor was executed for murder. China's activities at the South China Sea (or West Philippine Sea) are questionable. However, the three drug mules had it coming when they broke the law. It's one thing to protest against China's bullying. It's another thing to try and cover up the guilt of the three drug mules. Flor was guilty and so were the three drug mules. It's more than time to face it, but some people refuse to face it. 

It's really amusing and irritating at the same time. Some continue to insist Flor is innocent, because it's their comfort zone. No amount of evidence pointing to Flor's guilt will ever convince them of that. Some people may have even posted nasty comments cheering when Singapore's COVID-19 cases rose last 2020. It may be like, "The blood of Flor has veen avenged." Well, these people will still believe the lie because it's so sweet, right?