INTEGRATIVE REFLECTION ESSAY 
Disciplines and Ideas in the Social Sciences 
Senior High School Department 
3rd Trimester, AY 2018-2019 
 
Class No.: ​33 Name: ​Achaiah Deanne S. Sayson 
Gr./Sec.: ​HUMSS 11A​ Teacher: ​Ms Annabelle B. Bonje Date: ​March 28, 2019 

My Social Stance in Achieving Social Justice: A Marxist-Functionalist-Rationalist Reflective Essay 

“Life is unfair.” A very cliche quote that is surprisingly factual enough to be true. For a world that does not
have a room for unprivileged individuals is an existence without any equal opportunities, rights, respect, and
access. (The Department of Health, 2004). A lifetime to be sought as an immobilized person that is only a negligible
display for those exclusive classes that have all the ability to run the world. An unfortunate fate that cannot be
changed due to the unbreakable structure that we had set today. It is regretful to awaken and to witness how
everything functions together but it is more heartbreaking to see the people not perceiving these injustices the way
that it ought to be seen. Society tends to settle and modify their satisfaction to what life has handed to them. They
have attached themselves too much to the conviction of having something is better than having nothing at all thus
resulting in inadequacy. As time passes by they get to develop this selfish act to accumulate every asset and
resource they have to profit their interests whilst disregarding the needs of other individuals. We, in general kind of,
grew more competitively due to the scarcity of goods that is being experienced now. Tragically, rather than
conflicting with the system people choose to protect it and go against each other. We are blinded by the diversion
worked by the powerful class keeping away from insubordination. It is a powerful trick keeping the authorities happy
and well. There is this harmful mentality ingrained in the general public that molds you into trusting that having to
not be affected by these aggravating social realities that encompass you, you are now exempted to your duty as a
citizen to not give it a second thought, barring yourself from the individuals who are enduring. Subsequently, all the
stated factors wind up to the possibility of the privileged thinking that in any case ought not to have existed.
Unfortunately in this lifetime to have the capacity to accomplish social justice, we as a whole should gain a little bit
more perspective for us to attain equality and wisdom.
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 Having to be elected back in June 2016 with his primary platform of starting the war against drugs,
President Rodrigo Duterte took away the human rights of every Filipino by turning our justice system to the worst it
could have possibly ever been since the traumatizing period of the extremely known despot, Ferdinand Marcos.
The horrifying extrajudicial killings have been occurring in the urban poor areas wherein the alleged suspects are
living (Human Rights Watch, n.d.). Children are also included in this anti-drug war which is said to have killed more
than 20,000 lives (Reyes, 2018). On average 33 individuals are being executed daily by this oppressive inhumane
act by the government (Talabong, 2018). Not only is this aggravating due to the unjustness but it is also pitiful to
realize that many innocent lives have been taken away due to the wrong allegations by the PNP (Philippine
National Police) and PDEA (Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency). Kian Delos Santos, a young senior high school
student was the most known victim of the drug war. He was approached to hold, run, and shoot up the gun by the
three policemen whom he encountered with, then, in the long run, shot him after firing back subsequent to
discharging back to have the capacity to guarantee that it was self-defense (Aljazeera, 2017). This controversy
sparked the people’s will to strongly oppose the doings of the current administration especially the university
students who were severely empathizing on Kian and his family’s loss. Sadly, this continued up to the present day
and more innocent lives are being taken away. It is incredibly frustrating to have encountered this in the modern day
era given the way that Filipinos ought to have gained from their history. Be that as it may, because of the influence
of our dear president who happens to be a Marcos apologist, people believed his statements, along these lines,
ignoring the over a wide span of time botches and continued their never-ending support for their president.

It is truly inequitable to comprehend that a large portion of the victims of this tokhang is originating from the
lower class and not the “intellects” who belongs to the elite class. We can clearly differentiate the power that the
bourgeoisie holds and the proletariat’s non existent position as it is the them who acts as a sacrifice or simply a bait
to the authorities for the bourgeoisie class to proceed with their unlawful associations given how it is not them who
will suffer in the end (Kirschner, 2017). The government trusts that this is for the betterment of the Filipinos
particularly for the youth however why is that the vast majority of the unfortunate casualties are also the children of
this nation? If it was for the improvement of our country, therefore, peace is what should be offered and not huge
amounts of several collateral damages that would frighten and traumatize the Filipino people.

In 2017, the son and the former Davao City Vice Mayor, Paolo Duterte was included in the importation of
604 kilograms of illicit drugs from China that costs around $125 million (Tharoor, 2018). Although after several
investigations the Ombudsman dismissed the case for the lack of evidences and investigations. Ironically, most of
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the victims who were killed in this drug war were also under inspection and does not yet have a final jurisdiction
from the court yet they were eliminated by the administration (Vocales, 2017). It might not have been an immediate
order to take out the suspects however with the stunning articulation of Gen. Bato Dela Rosa “Kung lumaban,
patayin. Kung di lumaban, palabanin.” It has been deciphered by most as an affirmation from the government
particularly that it was the head of the authorized police who expressed it. He might have asserted afterward that he
did not mean any of it but it was a statement that stayed perpetual in the Filipino’s minds. With this, we are
transported into the tragic reality which is whether we like it or not the structure will forever be in the favor of the
upper class. Logically speaking, for what reason would the administration squander their time getting somebody
that is helping the economy ascend or is adding to their sumptuous way of life? It is an unlawful decision that they
have made for their own advantage. They are ensured by their wealth which the proletariat does not have. Having
access to the working class is less demanding than experiencing several traps before reaching the elites. Although,
we need to recall that in our nation, the masses are the ones that are dominant which then implies that they have
the capacity to push for change. Sadly, most simply settles in having a tranquil life and does not have any desire to
meddle with the issues that have been continuing throughout recent decades. It is not because they are ignorant
but instead they do not have the courage to confront reality. Until now they are waiting for the right politician that will
represent and fight for the system but in this era wherein the passionate leaders are the minority, it is near to
impossible to achieve social equity. Now, is really a war against drugs or should it rather be called a war against the
poor?

We could definitely assert that as long as we have this structure wherein we are compelled to act upon our
given roles we do not have a choice but to follow and surrender ourselves to those who are in the ruling class. It is
something we could not change as it would take a total annihilation of the whole populace in order to have a clean
slate and finally turn over the inherent structure. Surprisingly, today, the youth are starting to tolerate rebellion given
the fact that it may be our only chance in changing this cruel system. Eliminating the classes and institutions may
be against the fundamental idea of Structuralism, however, with the strong encouragement of acquiring deviant
behavior it may be the answer to the reformation we have been all waiting for.

It will surely take time before we will most likely accomplish Social Justice, yet to have the capacity to go
towards that objective we should attempt and find a way to have expanding progress until we achieve our desire.
Rallying, vandalizing, partaking in wars would not help in pivoting the framework but rather it would help in arousing
the people into what truly is going on in our society in the present period. According to Karl Marx, the only way for
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an insurgency to be successful is for when every single one of the entire population would concur in rebelling
against this system and for that to be achieved we need to gain class consciousness. Being aware of the struggle
between the classes will be a tremendous improvement thus it is essential to continue and urge the Filipino people
to show one another and spread enough knowledge and try to open the mind of those who are blinded by the
power that is hindering them from being awake.

Besides the horrendous killings, there is another very controversial social issue that fired up simply a year
ago. It is the massive exploitation of the laborers of NutriAsia and Jollibee which resulted in a big markdown on their
marketing sales. It was one of the biggest boycotting movement that astounded not only the said organizations but
the Filipinos as well. Who would have thought that the youth would be able to manage such a progressive
movement? It might not have totally made a huge difference but rather it without a doubt had an effect on the
merciless capitalists. It is totally debilitating to observe such oppression and maltreatment among the workers. On
June 2018, around 200 NutriAsia laborers held a strike at Marilao, Bulacan, it was complete mayhem. Rocks were
being tossed upon the air leaving the workers bloodied and harmed. It was said that the police were the ones who
begun to demonstrate viciousness, and assault the protesters while NutriAsia tends to disagree by discharging an
explanation that it was their employees who had illegal armament and drugs with them amid the clamorous dissent
(Tan, 2018). While Jollibee, on the other hand, did not contribute any damage to their workers but rather
endeavored to bargain with DOLE promising to regularize in excess of 3,000 laborers consistently but then was
asked to make it up to 6,000 due to the penalties they have accumulated throughout the years (Hapal, 2018).

As demoralizing it tends to be it isn't surprising to see big companies exploiting its workers given the way
that it will profit their business. Believe it or not, they could not care less about their laborers as long as they have
individuals that are eager to apply and work for them then that is sufficient. On the off chance that you would see
there are no benefits in these sorts of employment particularly when you get into egotistical organizations. However
then because of the absence of occupations here in the Philippines, workers do not generally have a choice but to
conform. Regardless, it is as yet incorporated into their rights to be dealt with adequately and expertly. Looking at
this logically, these companies acquire a huge number of pesos some of the time even billions yet they can't stand
to regularize and give their laborers the advantages they merit. From that point, you would most likely evaluate and
judge how remorseless and narrow-minded capitalists are. This circumstance again clears up how powerful the
structure is. It is so well worked to the point that they can change reality. It is on the grounds that once more, they
are in the position to do as such. They are the bourgeoisie and their role in this world is to run it the way they want it
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to. They would not care less who they will venture on as long as they stay on top. On the off chance that the
working classes do not acquire to their role, at that point there will be social dysfunction, but then considering the
possibility that the traditionalists we have today may have the chance to transform into radicals and thus act as one
against the indecent framework then subsequently a renewal of our country would then be conceivable.

There are a lot more issues and debates to be discussed that validates the unjustness here in the
Philippines. I trust that achieving Social Justice is not unimaginable yet I would not get my expectations excessively
high. It could improve contingent upon how quick the advancement is nevertheless one thing is without a doubt, as
long as the majority conforms there are no reformations that will take place. An upset can perhaps occur yet in this
modern time just a few have the courage to do as such. Despite everything, we have the attitude of enduring what
is adequate and not looking for what we genuinely deserve. Social dysfunction may occur if we attempt toe change
the structure but turning it over can work in the event that we would all be stirred from the preoccupation they
caught us at. The ruling class' decisions will dependably finish up profiting them as opposed to the lower class.
There won't be a period wherein the working classes would most likely advance on top subsequently accomplishing
social equity will be increasingly troublesome. They could challenge and battle for fairness however the bourgeoisie
can change the genuine truth into a fabricated story. Riches and influence could control such a significant number
of things, it can even take out individuals who should be gone. It is the given structure and the main thing we can do
is educate one another and endeavor to open the psyches of this country for us to be able to hold on to that small
hope that someday we would be able to establish true change.
 
 

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References 
 
Aljazeera. (2017). Kian Lloyd Delos Santos, 17, killed in drug crackdown. Retrieved from
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/08/kian-loyd-delos-santos-17-killed-drug-crackdown-170818
131943660.html
 
Hapal, D. (2018). ​DOLE orders Jollibee to regularize over 6,000 workers​. Retrieved from
https://www.rappler.com/nation/199531-dole-contractualization-jollibee-regularize-workers

Human Rights Watch (n.d.). ​Extrajudicial Killings​. Retrieved from

https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2018/country-chapters/philippines

Kirschner, S. (2017). ​Cultural Marxism: The origins of the present day social justice movement,
and political correctness​. Retrieved from
https://thepolicy.us/cultural-marxism-the-origins-of-the-present-day-social-justice-movement-and-po
litical-correctness-ffb89c6ef4f1

Reyes, R. (2018). ​Counting the killings: 20,000 and rising.​ Retrieved from
https://www.manilatimes.net/counting-the-killings-20000-and-rising/394576/

Talabong, R. (2018). ​At least 33 killed daily in the Philippines since Duterte assumed office.​ Retrieved from
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/204949-pnp-number-deaths-daily-duterte-administrati
on

Tan, L. (2018).​ Striking workers at NutriAsia, supporters dispersed and arrested

despite regularization order.​ Retrieved from
http://nine.cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/07/31/NutriAsia-workers-violent-dispersal-strike-contract
ualization-DOLE-regularization.html

Tharoor, A. (2018). ​President Duterte’s Son Cleared of Drug Trafficking, as Extrrajudicial Killings Continue​.
Retrieved from https://www.talkingdrugs.org/duterte-son-cleared-of-drug-trafficking-now

The Department of Health (2004). ​7.1 The Basic Principles of Social Justice.​ Retrieved from
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/publications/publishing.nsf/Content/drugtreat-pubs-front4
-fa-toc~drugtreat-pubs-front4-fa-secb~drugtreat-pubs-front4-fa-secb-7~drugtreat-pubs
-front4-fa-secb-7-1

Vocales, N. (2017). ​Winning the drug war through social justice​. Retrieved from
https://opinion.inquirer.net/102192/winning-drug-war-social-justice
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3​rd​ Trimester, AY 2018-2019