PHILIPPINE Independence Day is supposed to be a day where we come together, if not physically, then at least in spirit, united in joy over being part of this great nation. By 'great' I don't mean anything material like a strong economy or modern military. By 'great' I mean the great experience of being part of the unique tapestry of cultures, traditions, history, struggles and aspirations that the Philippines is.

It thus saddens me that Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama's perspective on Independence Day includes clearing the city's streets of homeless people and beggars. The Cebu City Police Office promptly complied with the mayor's order and evicted or removed people living under bridges and on sidewalks, sent them back to the province, or placed them in temporary shelter (until when?). According to the local daily Sun Star Cebu, the police will 'make sure that [affected individuals] won't come back and contaminate again the city's rivers.'