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Panigan ang buhay, tutulan ang RH bill

2011-02-05T01:24:00.000-08:00

“Kinikilala ng Estado ang kabanalan ng buhay pampamilya at ipagtatanggol at palalakasin ang pamilya bilang isang batayang institusyong panlipunan na may karapatang itaguyod ang sarili. Ipagsasanggalang din nito ang buhay ng ina at ang buhay ng di pa isinisilang mula nang ito ay ipaglihi.” (Art II, Seksyon 12)

Binaggit ng Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines o CBCP ang mismong sipi ng Pambansang Konstitusyon sa kanilang pahayag upang ilahad ang kanilang mariing pagtutol sa anumang pagpapasa ng RH bill o “Responsible Parenthood Bill” na isinusulong ngayon sa Kongreso.

Pinaniniwalaan na ang iba sa mga contraceptives ay hindi lamang panghadlang ng pagkikita ng itlog at esperma kundi pagpapalaglag ng buhay na nabuo bago mapunta ito sa sinapupunan ng ina.

Dalawang batayan ang gabay ng Simbahan sa tamang paninindigang tutulan ang RH or Reproductive Health Bill, “na hindi lamang usaping pang-Katoliko kundi matinding paglapastangan sa mga tunahy na pinahahalagahan ng tao at ng kulturang Pilipino ukol sa buhay ng tao na ating itinatangi noon pa.”

Una, ang buhay ay pinakasagradong kaloob na pisikal na ibinibigay ng isang tao sa Diyos, ang Maylikha ng buhay. “Ang sagabal na artipisyal upang mahadlangan ang pagbuo at ang pagsilang ng buhay ay maliwanag na lumalabag sa batayang katotohanan hinggil sa buhay ng tao.”

Ikalawa, ang mga magulang, kaisa ng Diyos, ang siyang magdadala ng mga anak sa mundo. “Sila rin ang may pangunahing at di-maaagaw na karapatan at pananagutang kalingain, pangalagaan at hubugin ang kanilang mga anak upang sila’y umunlad bilang mga tao ayon sa kalooban ng Maylikha.” Ang “Sex education” na isinusulong sa mga paaralan ay hiwalay sa pangunahing papel ng mga magulang na subayabayan ang paghubog ng kanilang mga anak.

Ang paninindigan ng Simbahan

1. Mas pagtuunan ng pamahalaan ng pansin ang katatayuan ng maraming mga mahihirap, lalo na ang nagdurusang mga kababaihan na nagususmikap upang gumanda ang buhay at kailangang mangibang-bayan upang kamtin ito o pumasok sa hindi disenteng paghahanap-buhay.

2. Manindigan sa buhay ng tao mula sa sandali ng paglilihi hanggang sa natural na katapusan nito.

3. Manindigan sa responsible at natural na pagsasaayos ng bilang at panahon ng pagsisilang sa pamamagitan ng Natural Family Planning.

4. Ang tao’y tagapangasiwa lamang ng kanyang katawan; dapat itong umalinsunod sa kalooban ng Diyos na nakikipag-usap sa atin sa pamamagitan ng budhi.

5. Nararapat na ang budhi ay may sapat na kabatiran at ito’y ginagabagayan ng mga turo ng pananampalataya.

6. Manindigan sa kalayaan sa relihiyon at sa karapatang tumutol ayon sa budhi sa mga bagay na labag sa sariling pananampalataya. Ang mga nakapataw na parusa na napapaloob sa minumungkahing RH Bill ang dahilan ng ating pagtutol dito.

Panawagan ng CBCP: “Sama-sama tayong manalangin, sama-sama tayong magmuni, sama-sama tayong magpasya, sama-sama tayong kumilos, lagi sa layuning ang katotohanan ay mamayani” sa harap ng maraming banta laban sa buhay ng tao at laban sa ating mga itinataguyod na mga halagang pantao at pang-kultura.”

Noynoy's speech is complete

2010-07-27T18:12:00.000-07:00

The literary structure of Nonoy’s speech disputes the opinion generated by critics and GMA supporters, claiming that it is lacking in depth and concreteness of programs.

On the contrary, his speech reveal a powerful strategy of governance in the next 6 years.

First, he clarifies two paths and offers the path of principled governance rather than the flawed road of corruption.   This choice should help us clarify where we really are as a nation. To ask for immediate promises from Pres. Aquino without resolving the past would just bring us to deeper problems in the future. “Kung sino man ang di lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makararating sa paroroonan.”

The figures simply show that the present government can barely survive given the corrupt practices of the past administration particularly committed in the MWSS, NAPOCOR, tax evasion, diversion of funds to fit favored districts in Pampanga, NFA – all tinted with a desire for "luho" or excessive luxury.

Aquino challenges the public, “Hindi ba krimen ang mga ito?” as if he is inviting us to question whether we as a people have lost our sensibilities to what is right and just accept all these corrupt practices, incorporate them into our system, and waste away precious public funds, thus, inflicting more sufferings upon the victimized ordinary taxpayers.

Such is the notion of corruption as the cancer of society; no matter what taxes you impose, no matter what prices you increase, the selfish and greedy would have an unsatiable desire to live an exorbitant lifestyle at the expense of the poor and the needy Filipinos. That is why all projects geared towards empowering the Filipinos such as schools and economic opportunities remain unrealized unless there is a radical change the government in the way it disburses its funds and selflessly serve the public.

Given these stunning revelations, Pres. Aquino proceeds to offer the courses to take. He says, “Tatanggalin natin ang mga proyektong tiwali. Gagamitin ang zero-based approach." The zero based approach is a scheme of total accountability. In zero-based budgeting, every department function is reviewed comprehensively and all expenditures must be approved, rather than only increases. Isn’t that a concrete course to take and not the flowery words of promise but without concrete course of action? After all, he cannot promise any more projects. The government does not have the resources at its disposal. She herself is poor.

He further declared the following actions:
1.   To go after tax evaders who can afford to buy Lamborghini but don’t have the resources to pay what is due to the country;
2.   Justice to media people and others and put an end to extrajudicial killings;
3.   Establishment of the truth commission to get all the facts and the extent of corrupt practices per person;
4.   Public-private partnerships to finance education, infrastructures (buildings and railway systems), military and police facilities and other institutions vital to progress and generate jobs to our people;
5.   Partnerships with local and foreign investors through easy transactions which will produce jobs and increase the consumer power of the Filipinos;
6.   Education that is geared toward global competitiveness; and
7.   Philhealth to benefit the poor.

From the Congress, the President appeals approval of bills, among them are the following:
1.   Approval of the Presidential appointees based on their merit;
2.   Fiscal responsibility bill – to include fiscal incentives as well as to prohibit monopolies, anti-trust law;
3.    Protect the wistleblowers and strengthen the witness protection program;
4.   Rejustification of the law to reconcile conflicting ones;
5.   Peace in Mindanao and communications with CPP, NPA if they are truly sincere in the development of the Philippines.

For everyone, including responsible media and all others, the President challenges them towards “Pakikilahok” (participation) and not “pakikialam” implying the constant blaming of government but not putting anything to offer solutions for it.

He warns us about the return of a system of "pagsasamantala" (abuse). Finally, "Ang Diyos at taumbayan ang nagbasbas sa panunungkulang ito", recalling the words of scripture, "If God is for us, then who is against us?" This for me, brings everything to its proper conclusion – everything is placed in the hand of God as he blesses the sacrifices of this country. It is through this that "we can dream again and make those dreams come true."

Probably some things are lacking; but the basic tenets of his governance are found in his speech. He shall rule with justice and no one is above the law. He shall make everything functional and geared towards serving the public well. But the guiding foundation to all of this is honest governance. That is why his trust rating is so high; he is speaking from his heart.

If there are also things that are still lacking as alleged by the critics, a 30 minute SONA cannot encapsulate all the harm and done to the Philippines in the long course of history leading to its decay. We definitely need more than 6 years or more, perhaps beyond Pres. Aquino, to undo the evil that has been done and put our country back in track.

Political ads reflect the kind of leadership the candidate will exercise

2010-05-08T15:49:00.000-07:00

As the election campaign near its end, all hell breaks lose in Philippine politics as mudslinging and black propaganda fill up the media outlets.
   The recent fiasco was the press conference of Nanay Curing together with Manny Villar’s sisters. Though this unfortunate conference received the flack of thousands of Filipinos, the publicists even sweetened and converted this into a political ad.
   The document of the Church “The Ethics of Advertising” should give us a clear idea on proper role     advertising gives the public: “In doing so, the Church stresses the responsibility of media to contribute to the authentic, integral development of persons and to foster the well-being of society. The information provided by the media is at the service of the common good. Society has a right to information based on truth, freedom, justice and solidarity.”
   Regarding political advertising. it can make its contribution by informing people about the ideas and policy proposals of parties and candidates, including new candidates not previously known to the public.
   Negatively, political advertising can obstruct proposals and ideas. “This happens when, for example, the costs of advertising limit political competition to wealthy candidates or groups, or require that office-seekers compromise their integrity and independence by over-dependence on special interests for funds.”
   “Such obstruction of the democratic process also happens when, instead of being a vehicle for honest expositions of candidates’ views and records, political advertising seeks to distort the views and records of opponents and unjustly attacks their reputations. It happens when advertising appeals more to people’s emotions and base instincts — to selfishness, bias and hostility toward others, to racial and ethnic prejudice and the like — rather than to a reasoned sense of justice and the good of all.”
    We have witnessed how the poor, the children, and the elderly were used for the sake of creating sympathy votes for a candidate. What do these ads say about the values of the candidate running for the highest post of the land?
   Advertising should “respect the human person, his right duty to make a responsible choice, his interior freedom; all these goods would be violated if man’s lower inclinations were to be exploited, or his capacity to reflect and decide compromised.”
    That being said, we leave it to the public what kind of leader we will put to Malacanang since in just a short time, we have seen how they have manipulated and abused the voiceless to fit their own selfish ends. The voting public should be aware of any manipulations done to them before things are too late and that we will spend another six years worse than all previous years we’ve spent suffering from the clutches of corrupt regimes.

A Catechism on Family and Life for the 2010 elections

2010-03-11T18:23:00.000-08:00

Photo courtesy of the CLC Philippines

Click to read the full CBCP document here

It may seem odd for the Catholic Church to issue a document incorporating Family and Life and choosing the next set of leaders after the May 2010 elections. How are they related in the first place?

The fact is that condom and pill advocates and producers are pushing to make their products legal and seemingly necessary by influencing legislators and even government to issue laws that would make pro-life advocates look like criminals.

The Department of Health already succeeded in distributing free condoms last Valentines day claiming that their use would prevent the spread of HIV. But according to Dr. Angie Aguirre, a bioethician and a consultant of the CBCP Commission on Family and Life, such move would only propagate promiscuity among young people and encourage extramarital relations, not to mention the percentage of condom's failure rate to curb HIV infections.

Regarding contraceptives like IUD and pills, these are clearly abortificiants rather than contraceptives. These products would consequently pave the way for the legalization of abortion, a necessary backup for the failure of these products do do what they are supposed to do in the first place.

From the point of view of marketing, producers would aggressively influence government and legislature for its very survival by providing a barrage of created needs just to justify business existence, from curbing population to health reasons. But the main motivation is to find their way into the market without any hindrance or feelings of guilt whatsoever.

Such aggression hurts the moral fiber of every person and family and the next generation. Once approved, Catholic practitioners and other persons who in their conscience oppose to the use of such products would now being considered criminals. Why should we be punished because of our moral convictions? And would a third child suffer being a liability simply because he/she is unwanted? Who are we to give those judgments?

RH bill and the 2010 elections

It is imperative then to choose our next leaders based on their moral convictions to promote the family, life, decency, and morals instead of simply curbing population which by now is considered a myth because this world is rapidly aging because of the contraceptive mentality.

The document states that "it would not be permissible to vote for candidates who support anti-family policies, including reproductive health which negatively connotes the promotion of abortifacients and inflict penalties for parents who do not allow their adolescent children to engage in sexual acts, etc. or any other moral evil such as abortion, divorce, assisted suicide, and euthanasia. Otherwise one become an accomplice to the moral evil in question."

It would be good to realize that it is important to stress that future leaders should be chosen not only on the basis of eradicating poverty by promising homes and money; but rather, on the intense desire to strengthen morality especially in the areas of family, life, and honest governance. Then we won't have to think about using these undesirable contraceptives in the first place.

The aftermath of Ondoy

2009-10-07T17:10:00.000-07:00

The kind of politics we have

2009-09-11T04:00:00.000-07:00

Here in the Philippines, the euphoria over the announcement of a popular candidate for the presidential elections, untainted by corruption and a source of hope for many, especially the students, could easily be flushed out into oblivion with the taunting, jeering, and sour graping of politicians from various angles.

This penchant for criticizing fellow Filipinos below the belt is what's further causing our country's fragmentation, which is based on the battle among personalities rather than really seeking what is good for the country.

This is further complicated by media's choice of sensational titles and issues that seek attract attention rather report what is for the best interest of the country.

Back during Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton's battle for the Presidential candidate of the Democratic Party, mudslinging also emerged, with Clinton revealing a string of tirades against Obama. But when she knew she was losing the battle, Clinton backed out and threw her overwhelming support to Obama. Will this kind of scenario also apply in our country? I don't think so, with the kind of politics we have in our country.

The cause of this problem may be traced in the obsessive, inordinate attachment to power. This is what is killing the hope that the ordinary citizen longs for - that one day, we may be united under one common cause, i.e., to curb corruption and give our people the opportunity to live.

Our traditional politicians may already be carrying too many baggage arising from every corrupt transaction or shady deal that would make them liable; the only means to be immune to lawsuits is to continue holding on to power. These politicians know their way around and could easily plan to quell the threat of another person who wants to take power away from them.

This kind of damaged politics is precisely the one eating away the people's hopes for a better future like cancer eating away a healthy body. This is not an issue of a neophyte entering the world of Philippine politics, but of concerted unconscious desire to maintain a corrupt lifestyle coming from those who benefited through corruption. Be forewarned, these people are coming from both administration and the opposition.

Would we still maintain the "status quo" and entrust the care of this country to time-tested politicians who knew they way around or would we rather invest in a new candidate, whose family was subjected to harassment, whose father was assassinated and whose mother stuck to her vision to restore democracy back to the country?

It is true that Noynoy Aquino should stand on his own instead of banking on the popularity of his parents; but at least we have some idea of the travails the whole family went through only in the name of Philippine democracy, including his own involvement in this sacrifice as their son. This would not be taken away from him. For him to stand apart from his family background would be tantamount to force him to lose his own identity. The very fact that his parents were the late President Corazon Aquino and hero Ninoy Aquino is enough for him to run for the Presidential race, no more, no less.

Noynoy is running for President!

2009-09-08T17:00:00.000-07:00

by Fr. Lito Jopson

CLUB FILIPINO, September 9, 2009 - Noynoy Aquino makes his mark in Philippine history as he makes his announcement to run for the Presidential race.

Inspired to carry on what his mother President Cory Aquino started, and the persistent calls for him to be president, his discernment process finally took a firm shape today.

Speaking in Tagalog, he said, "Paglikuran ang iba bago ang sarili". He also commended Mar Roxas for giving up his desire to run and reported that talks are on-going to make him his vice-presidential candidate.

Also learning from 3 experiences among the young people, he concluded with them, "Pwede na muling mangarap."

"Pinakamalaking kasalanan ang kawalan ng pag-asa," he now makes a formal announcement to run for president and accepts the challenges it entails. He accepts the advice of his departed parents. He accepts the responsibility to continue the fight for the country and to lead in this challenge.

Yes, he is finally going to run in next year's election.

Part of his agenda is to engage in ongoing dialogue for the people in Mindanao and to curb corruption with the power of political will, taking off from his mother Cory Aquino as prime example of good leader that others followed.

What will we become as a country after Cory (and Ninoy)?

2009-08-01T18:12:00.000-07:00

by Fr. Lito Jopson

This is a more personal reflection on the implications of the life of that great woman who served as the icon of Philippine democracy - Pres. Corazon C. Aquino.

Back in 1986, she took up Ninoy's fight to restore democracy back to the country. Tagged by many as a simple housewife, she was catapulted to the Presidency after her husband's assassination. It was as if Ninoy was at her side to guide her to take up the fight against a repressive regime. Since, then, she was the ordinary housewife no more, but a prime mover in the restoration of democracy.

When she became President, she was faced with the most threatening challenges - coup d'etats, blackouts, political and even economic instability. But the people supported her all the way, just to restore that freedom to be enjoyed once again by many. She didn't rely only on herself; she believed in the power of many - people's power to restore things to their proper order.

But alas! We could only do so much. The "balimbings" got their way back to Malacanang, wearing yellow clothes they detest like a hard pill to swallow. They had to do it for the sake of their survival. Time and again, Cory received reprimands from the late Archbishop of Manila, Jaime Cardinal Sin, and the communication lines were getting thinner between the Church and Government. But at least, she stayed there till the end of her term. Her legacy: the smooth transition of power to Pres. Fidel V. Ramos.

What have we become after "the Cory magic"? After FVR, Erap, and now GMA, we may have been reaping small amounts or signs of democracy but like a sick heart struggling to beat, the trickles of freedom could hardly be felt. For in the face of "seeming" democracy, corruption still exists, like a cancer eating everything it can devour. They are found in the families of government, to their friends, beer pals, golf pals - almost anybody you can think of. What happened to the glorious days since the martyrdom of Ninoy Aquino that Cory painstakingly preserved and lived out?

Cory, as she struggled to fight with cancer, continued to fight against the remants of corruption, which by now is increasing at a rapid rate, proportional to the sickness eating her health away. Corruption has gotten back to government and is now in full force. These forces want to change the Constitution to fit their own whims, not wanting in any way to transfer that power to others who have the same capacity to lead as they have. Now, they're talking about dynasties as they thought about it in the past. It may be a dream for them, but a nightmare for the rest of us Filipinos. They want to get the blessings in an illegitimate way and make it appear "Constitutional" or "legal".

But Cory stood till the end, calling on the people to remain vigilant and preserve the gains of democracy. Now we are appealing to those in power, most especially in the incumbent President - provide the transition of power, state categorically that your time has come; make this country morally strong starting from yourself; and stop relying on false, even militarized power. For all elected and appointed officials and government employees - stop any tinge of selfishness and greed and stop siphoning the country's dwindling resources; think of the poor Filipinos in their own country; they have every right to live as anybody else. In other words, make our country great again.

To Cory, thank you for showing us the way back to normalcy. Now, the buck in on us, how will we perform as a country after you and Ninoy? Though the problem may seem insurmountable, as long as there is greed and corruption in people's hearts, at least, let us thank you for showing us thay to "dream the impossible dream and to fight the unbeatable foe." You will always remain in our hearts that will serve as our motivating force to pass on to our children and to the rest of the world, that dream mainly, that it is possible of a country to live in true freedom based on justice and peace.

God bless you, Cory Aquino!

New Face of Filipinism

2009-07-19T17:50:00.001-07:00

It would be better to start once again with "Filipinism" not with the major events happening in our country's history, but with the little things contributing to the affirmation or corruption of our country.

We notice that various "small news" presented by media - the bits of unresolved news here and there. This also accounts for the sad state of journalism in the country. A little bit of unresolved news here and there each day would give us a picture of a fragmented situation of a country desperately searching for solutions to end poverty and corruption.

But what comes out are little bits of news about the happenings in Mindanao, the automation of the polls, and the impending President's SONA which may be a cause to convene both Houses into a Constituent Assembly.

While all these things are happening, the incidents of the poor having no insurances to take care of them like medical bills and no savings for the future continue to threaten the peace and security of the ordinary Filipino.

Perhaps we would do well to start defining where we want the country to go; we can also start looking beyond the candidates running for President and go beyond the words of the President Arroyo that the Presidential elections would continue at all cost but leaves the public hanging on whether she will run as Congresswoman to position herself should there be a change from Presidential to Parliamentary form of government.

Meanwhile, would the incumbent Vice President Noli de Castro be crystal clear as regards his political plans to run for President and why is another Cabinet member seemingly being groomed for President? If de Castro were to state finally that he has the credibility and the heart for such a worthy office, then early this time, let him say so and not simply rely on his popularity.

What we all need is a candidate willing to risk his self-interest, his time, talent and treasure to turn the state of this country around for a definitive good - that this country is for ALL Filipinos and the EVERYONE more so the POOR have every right to live decent lives in their own Motherland.

Join the Filipinism Family. Share your views.

2009-05-12T19:11:00.000-07:00

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Charter change or elections?

2009-05-12T18:34:00.000-07:00

MAY 13, 2009 - As of press time, the House of Representatives junked the constituent assembly or the CON-ASS (with all pun intended) as mode for Charter Change in favor of Constitutional Convention, according to proponent Prospero Nograles, indicating there is no time for such assembly now that the Elections are fast approaching.

But whether its its CON-ASS or CON-CON, would such proposal be considered so urgent as to postpone the elections and convert the presidential into a parliamentary system?

The reason for the relevance of such proposal is in the issue for foreign ownership in the country to get the attention of the business sector. But everyone knows that the main issue at hand is the tenure of the elected representatives and most specially, the President whose tenure ends next year.

It is dangerous that at this stage, some people in Congress are already flexing their muscles amending things without letting the entire population know the issues at hand. As of this moment, no one even has any idea of whom to entrust the governance of this country while those in power are so busy trying to pass laws that are not relevant in this time. Much more if the entire system is converted into the parliamentary system where the ordinary citizen would not have neither idea nor voice in the unfolding of his own destiny because some people are keeping power to themselves.

Before Congress could turn metamorphose into a clandestine group, we make this appeal for them to focus on more relevant issues and make use of their remaining time in power to lift the lives of the poor and provide systems to curb corruption and greed.

The World Day of Prayer for Vocations

2009-05-07T14:37:00.000-07:00

Pope Benedict XVI's message for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations last May 3, 2009 has put into serious question the commitment of every Filipino Catholic whether he or she is truly serious with preserving, deepening, and promoting the faith or be swayed by the tides of secularism and materials around him/her.

He hinted that the everyone is called to a life of holiness, "In the universal call to holiness, of particular relevance is God's initiative of choosing some to follow his Son Jesus Christ more closely, and to be his privileged ministers." No one is exempt from this call. "The Lord freely chooses persons of every culture and of every age and invited them to follow him according to the mysterious plans of his merciful love, the Pope adds.

The first duty according to the Holy Father is to keep alive in families and in parishes, in movements and in apostolic associations, in religious communities and in all the sectors of diocesan life to heed this appeal of the divine initiative with unceasing prayer. "We must pray that the whole Christian people grows in its trust in God, convinced that the Lord of the harvest does not cease to ask some to place their entire existence freely at his service so as to work with him more closely in the mission of salvation," the pope prays.

On the other hand, for those who are called must involve themselves "in careful listening and prudent discernment, a generous and willing adherence to the divine plan, and a serious study of the reality that is proper to the priestly and religious vocations, so as to be able to respond responsibly and with conversion."

Exempting oneself from a life of holiness may greatly affect our adherence to live out God's will in our life; hence, the existence of corruption and immorality around us.

Regaining the social moral fiber

2009-03-03T18:20:00.000-08:00

Each week of the Lenten season prepares us to celebrate well the most important event of our faith - the Holy week that commemorates the passion, death, and resurrection of the Lord.

For the first week, as Jesus entered into his retreat for 40 days in the desert, he was tempted but he emerged triumphant. It is also important that we also reflect on how to be strong in the midst of temptation and emerge triumphant as Jesus did.

Regarding our conduct as a nation, with all news of graft and corruption from the Presidency down to the last unit of society, the family, we probably have succumbed to the world of temptation and converted it to social sin. The weakening of the moral fiber of a nation and its individuals is what is causing havoc over the entire political and social system in the Philippines. This is the root of every graft and corruption in institutions and vices and infidelity in the family. Rebuilding that moral fiber would entail a long process of sacrifices that all of us like a bitter pill that we all have to swallow if we are really intent on regaining the dignity of our country.

Who is willing to more forward or take the first step? Let us all be counted and put our country back on its feet.

Analyzing public opinion surveys

2009-01-24T23:59:00.000-08:00

It may seem that the public favors the Reproductive health bill, but notic: the Catholic Church may have every reason to be optimistic while maintaining its guard in informing the people of the manipulative efforts to approve the reproductive health bill pending in Congress today. Because the latest survey indicates the approval rating for the RH continues to go down. From a record 84%, it went down to 71% last October 2008, and now, it is down to 63%.

However, the result is not entirely something to celebrate about. The more important thing is how to interpret these surveys. There are guide posts to interpreting the validity and credibility of surveys. Every interpreter should know whether surveys are done with enough credibility or used as tools to skew public opinion it is favor.

These are some of the guideposts in interpreting the credibility of surveys:

1. Who paid to do the survey? Logically, agencies conducting survey are backed up by highly financed institutions and not just simply conducting them in the name of public service. The entire institution down to its stakeholders in the field have to be paid. Do you think that it is the Catholic Church that paid to do surveys like this? Of course not. It is definitely entities with lots of financial resources funding these projects and sustaining the survey companies.

2. What is the intention for doing the survey? This lies mainly in the institution that ordered such surveys. The intention may range from wanting to know, to actually wanting the people to consider its point of view like in advertisements. Thus, the formulation of the questions reveal the very intention of the financiers.

3. How are questions formulated? Would a question formulated like this: “Whether you know of the RH bill or not...?”, then releasing the result that 63% favor the bill, hold water? It is a shame that people who are ignorant of such bills are made to vote for or against it. The better question would be how deeply do we know about the contents of the bill up to its finest detail. Do we know that there is a provision that prosecutes those who violate this bill even though it is against their conscience to adhere to artificial contraception? It is imperative to expose to the public the exact words of the proposed bill rather than simply relying on news that tends to filter or simplify its contents.

4. When they made the interview, under what conditions did they do it that influenced the answers? First, I would suspect that the people do not have any inkling of interest in the bill considering that the entire country is facing economic and political problems. Naturally, the first instinct is to control the number of children. This bill resonates with their needs so they could justify controlling pregnancy through artificial means. Secondly, the RH bill has become a political issue subject to manipulations so that companies can sell freely the contraceptives and impose them on the users. These factors influence the survey results.

5. Are the questions clear and unequivocal? Are they lined up toward a particular answer? If we analyze how the questions are tailored for people to have access to information regarding natural and "modern" means of family planning, recognizing the rights of women and couples, and the inclusion of sex education in schools, these issues are all very enticing and important to the people. The one hearing the questions would almost answer yes unreservedly as if the pro-choice proponents are the only ones that recognize the rights of women and couples, and the right to information.

6. Finally, what could be the purpose of the survey? Who will use the results and to what end? It is clear then that the proponents of the bill will use the survey not only to monitor how it is influencing people's minds, but also to manipulate their sense of judgment in their favor.

There are many other questions beside in analyzing surveys; the point is let us treat surveys with a grain of salt. Whether credible or not, well-scripted, they are capable of changing attitudes, values, and behaviors, unless the Church intensifies its campaign and speak in behalf of the people, truth, and God.

Happy new year!

2009-01-12T10:45:00.000-08:00

I just want to greet everyone a happy new year, and thanks for staying in touch!

URGENT CONCERNS RAISED ABOUT LAGUNA LAKE

2008-10-15T18:19:00.000-07:00

by Fr. Joselito Jopson

Photo courtesy of Budget travel Philippines

Oct. 14, MAKATI CITY - In a forum conducted last Oct. 14, 2008 by the Laguna Lake Development Authority, the very survival of the lake itself lies at stake.

Dubbed with the theme “Sustain the protection of Laguna de Bay”, the forum was attended by stakeholders consisting of NGOs, Church representatives, students, and the Laguna de Bay fisher folk and residents.

The meeting exposed an urgent concern to address the problem surrounding Laguna de Bay which would serve as the next basin of potable living water for the exploding number of residents all around it – especially Metro Manila which comprises 40% of the entire population, and is still growing.

Hon. Edgardo C. Ana, LLDA general manager underscored the need to conduct a massive information campaign to stop further polluting the lake.

Meanwhile, Ericson Caridad of the Ayala Land Inc. explained that the water coming in and out of Ayala Alabang Village is already coming from Laguna de Bay. They are also maintaining a treatment center to clean the water flowing back to the lake.

On the other hand, Ronald Muana of the Manila Water Co., Inc. revealed massive plans to centralize the sewerage system of Metro Manila homes to treat used water and help conserve the cleanliness of Laguna de Bay.

The Laguna de Bay Strengthening and Community Participation Project (LISCOP) reported constructing multi-million peso Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) which would also reduce pollution in the forested areas and open them as eco-tourism places.

The public commented that the LISCOP budget could have been shared with the present problem confronting Laguna de Bay which continues to be subjected to pollution by residents and companies throwing garbage at it.

The organizers also accepted this limitation and appealed to the stakeholders for more collaboration and participation.

(Fr. Joselito Jopson)

Population issue

2008-07-19T18:03:00.000-07:00

We monitor the news, it is important to know what is that which most affects our country.

The latest is calamity brought about by typhoon Frank. Until now, the Catholic Church is asking for donations and second collection for those that were ravaged by the typhoon to help them get back on track. Let us be generous.

Secondly, the population issue is really being highlighted these days. With the latest comment from Health Secretary Alberto Romualdez calling on lawmakers not to compromise with the Catholic bishops. He contends that population control is not an issue that the Church should interfere with. "That is a social and economic policy, which is purely the business of the government." (PDI, July 20, 2008)

Sec. Romualdez doesn't know what he is saying. More than social or economic policy, it is a religious and moral issue, because the future of humanity in God passes by way of the family. Only God allows or prohibits a generation to flourish or end. Population is the domain of the great Creator. Humankind's role is to facilitate the growth of God's creation, not hinder it. Romualdez' view is purely secularistic, denying God himself the right over the creation of his people.

The medical field is supposed to be for the sick. I wonder if pregnancy is considered a sickness. If it is not, why mutilate a particular body part? If a person is not sick, then it is not the secretary's domain. His office should insure that people are healthy, not interfering with God's designs.

Let it be clear the Church is also for responsible family planning and management. But not at the extreme of direct and immoral interventions against life and morals. If the government approves a two-children policy, what will they do with the third child? Thoughts of abortion is not far away. The politicians are threading on dangerous grounds, especially that which belongs to God alone.

We'll tackle other Philippine issues in our next blog. Please hold on.

Devastation brought by typhoon Frank

2008-06-26T15:50:00.000-07:00

Typhoon Frank brought a huge devastation to the island of Panay. As of June 23, 10,000 families (40,000) individuals were displaced, some in evacuation centers, and still increasing.

The following were under the state of calamity: provinces of Iloilo, Capiz, Roxac, Zamboanga, Kalibo, etc.

According to NDCC, floods, storm surge and landslides mostly in the Visayas and Southern Tagalog have affected 366,444 people. Of the total affected number of people, 2182,686 were in the Western Visayas, including 155,005 in the Antique province alone.

In Kalibo, Msgr. Albert reported that Bishop Lazo of the diocese of Kalibo is appealing for financial support due to the unimaginable and devastating havoc brought by super typhoon Frank in Aklan. Please send donations to Fr. Joebert Villasis of Aklan College through Western Union or BPI account of the dioce of Kalibo - 1115052787.

Meanwhile, you can also give your donations to Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan (SLB) at the Ateneo de Manila University, contact number 4266101 local 3440 or 3441 and look for Ms. Marj Tejada.

"Reform yourselves and believe in the Gospel" (Mark 1:15)

2008-02-27T13:47:00.000-08:00

A CBCP Statement
Printed from Archbishop Angel Lagdameo's Blogspot

Beloved People of God:

Our Holy Father in his most recent letter to us reminds us of the gift of faith and hope: that when we believe, we hope; and that when we hope, we live differently (see Benedict XVI, Spe Salvi, November 30, 2007, no. 2). These convictions on faith and hope set the tone of our own letter to you in the present pastoral situation.

The Darkness of Our Situation—the Common Good Subordinated

For we live today as a people almost without hope, it would seem. We look at our landscape and see darkness everywhere. Many of us are more than aware that many problems are simply rumors, fears, suspicions, imagined wrongs. Because these are reported in the newspapers, we begin to believe that they are true.

In such a pastoral situation we are being asked again for guidance on various specific problems currently bothering us. The following have been brought to our attention:

(a) the perception that corruption in government is at its worst, fraudulent projects going on unchecked despite the bad publicity given them in the media, investigations into the truth of allegations of bribery often stymied or their results unreported;

(b) the suspicion that martial law will be imposed as a response to the likelihood that destabilizing coups against the government are still being planned by disgruntled elements of the military allegedly with some civilian support;

(c) the constant talk about plans and moves for Charter change being made by politicians which to all intents and purposes appear to be nothing but a ploy for the sole purpose of their staying on in power—not the kind and method of making the right kind of change in the nation’s basic law;

(d) the “extra-judicial” killing of suspected leftists and their sympathizers, as well as media men, and the inexplicable lack of action on them despite strong suspicions about their perpetrators in the military establishment;

(e) the imminence of a law establishing a national ID system and the fear of some that this is being pushed simply for easier control of socially active elements of the general population.

The above are more or less the problems of the nation as seen from the center that is Manila. They are by no means universal as far as the entirety of our people is concerned. What emerge from the periphery—the provinces—are concerns quite different from the above. The following were brought to our attention by many of our people:

(a) the appreciation of the peso against the dollar resulting in the depreciation of OFWs’ remittances, contributing not a little to the continuance and exacerbation of the endemic poverty of the countryside;

(b) the lack of support for the improvement of the general welfare of rural folk, the slow progress especially of the land-reform program which is due to end this year unsatisfactorily funded and implemented;

(c) the bad peace and order situation obtaining in areas where the unabated fighting—or the threat of it—between the military and the NPA and the MILF/MNLF continues to cause unrest;

(d) the long-awaited and fought over reform of COMELEC which up to now has not been enacted;
(e) the pushing of mining concerns against the best interests of our people, especially of indigenous groups in disregard of the provisions in their behalf that the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act guarantees;

(f) the continuing abuse of our natural resources, of forest and marine life in particular, and the corruption in agencies that are meant to protect these resources; and

(g) the growth and proliferation of family political dynasties in many provinces and cities which only serve to institutionalize more intensely the concentration of power and unsavory economic opportunity in the hands of the few.

In the two sets of problems that have been listed above, for all their apparent differences, we see nothing new. They are the same old problems, or variations of them, which have been plaguing our nation for years on end, through successive political administrations. Nothing or very little seems to have been done about them.

In them all we see the all too patent subordination of the common good to private good.

This is the basic fault in our country’s political culture that the Church in its preaching of Christ’s Gospel of social justice and charity has been bringing to our attention all these years and asking us and our communities to respond to as effectively as we can. It is the reason we make concern for the common good a crucial criterion for the choice of public officials. The persistence of that deep-seated fault pushes us to conclude in sorrow that we as a people are still devoid of a real social conscience.

Today we often hear that “closure” has to be made to various issues ranging from the elections of 2004 to present charges of corruption in high places. That the political order is accused too often with moral bankruptcy with nary an exception is a sad sign of the general cynicism and frustration of our people. Most unfortunately there does not seem to be any way of achieving closure. For the process and results of standard democratic inquiries, sometimes including those by the Supreme Court, are received with skepticism and cynicism, given political interests, alliances, and allegiances.

And we hear the general cry from the periphery: “Enough of the paralyzing divisions in the body politic. Bring issues to the courts and trust them to do their jobs. And help us get on with our lives, with our concern for livelihood.”

In the Darkness, Light

In such a pastoral situation of frustration, cynicism and apparent hopelessness, we need to be aware of the deep resources of our faith in the Lord for whom all things are possible. We take our faith for granted in daily life. Often we act and behave contrary to faith. We resort to faith as a last resort and not as a daily catalyst.

Yet it is only from the perspective of faith and hope that we are able to see light in the darkness, liberation from darkness.

So if what we have brought to your attention seems to be only the dark side of our national situation, we should be able in the same faith and hope to see glimmers of light shining through—glimmers that must be of our own creation. But not entirely: for despite the prevailing darkness, we see everything is not thoroughly evil. There is good everywhere, even in those we often criticize, and it is our task to critically collaborate with them even as we critically oppose the not too good. This is integral to the challenge being put to us.

Journey to the Light—Start with Ourselves

If you agree with what we said above that the lack of a social conscience is, indeed, our common sin, is there anything we can do about it?

To journey to the light, we need first to realize that we have contributed not a little to the common malaise—because of decisions we have made, decisions that flowed from what we have become and because of our unconcern, inaction, apathy, often thinking only of our interests. And so with little sense of the future of our country, we vote for people we should not vote for.

Therefore, in the much needed regeneration of our politics and social life, this is where we have to start: with ourselves, as individuals, families, communities.

We have always put the blame on people we have chosen to govern us. Today we have become more aware that despite efforts, successful or not, to remove the incompetent or corrupt, our problems have remained. We have looked at the enemy as only outside of us.

But now we ask: In the face of the many persistent and unresolved crises of today can we together make a determined start, by making a conscious effort at changing our mind-sets towards a greater and more efficacious concern for the good of the nation?

Personal and Communal Conversion towards a Social Conscience

We are asking you, our beloved people, to be with us in the moral-spiritual reform of our nation by beginning with ourselves. This is what we need—conversion, real conversion, to put it in terms of our faith, for all of us to deliberately, consciously develop that social conscience that we say we sorely lack and to begin subordinating our private interests to the common good. This conversion is for all of us: laity, religious, priests, bishops.

But we have to go about it not only as individuals but just as importantly as whole communities. We have to face a common problem and map out deliberately and communally how to go about the work of self-reform. It is nothing less than what St. Paul speaks about: “Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God—what is good and pleasing to him and is perfect” (Rom. 12: 2).

Renewal of Faith-Communities, Civil Society, Political Leaders

We have to come together then as communities of faith, as we your Bishops said back in 1986 after the Snap Elections of that year, to “pray together, reason together, decide together, act together,” form groups of thinking and praying people—in our schools, seminaries, parishes, mandated organizations, lay movements, social action groups, most especially in basic ecclesial communities which the Rural Congress we will be holding this year looks to as a crucial instrument in the forbidding task of rural development.

We zero in on what we say is the basic fault in our communities’ political and social life: the subordinating of the common good to private good. We see how this flaw in our national character evinces itself in our community life. We need to seek ways and mean of correcting it in whatever way we can—but always according to the principles of active-non violence—together, creatively and imaginatively, as we bishops exhorted in 1986. We have to form ourselves into real communities of faith-discernment and -action.

We ask this of explicitly Church groups. But we will ask it too of all citizens who have a concern for the nation’s good, especially those who hold the reins of power, from Malacañang on to Congress, provincial and municipal governments, all the way down to barangay councils. People in government—and as well as all other civic and business groupings—can they too reflect together in all manner of associations and look into themselves to see if, in all their actuations, the demands of the common good are in fact captive to merely personal and selfish interests? And if they are, can they rise up to the challenge and decide themselves to contribute to the general effort?

This must sound like a preposterous request, but we make it anyway for we believe that what it seeks is the critical need of the moment. Already it is being responded to here and there by various concerned groups such as those that have been organized and trained to fight corruption. So we seek a wider response from all our faithful towards a more vigorous work for good governance and a more active promotion of responsible citizenship in our society in the light of the Gospel and the social teachings of the Church.

If in your minds, corruption—the worst offender against our common good—is rampant today, sparing no level of social and political life, and most glaringly and reportedly so in the various corridors of power, we have to confess that corruption is in truth our greatest shame as a people. But if it goes on unhindered, it is because, as we have had occasion to point out in the past, we all too often condone it as part of the perquisites of power and public office.

Lent—the Time to Journey Together toward Transformation

Lent will soon be upon us, a time of penance, of sorrow for sin, of self-reform. Soon we shall hear again the clarion call of the Lord Jesus: “Reform your lives and believe in the Gospel!” (Mk 1: 15). This season is the appropriate beginning for profound reform and conversion. It is the time for a spiritual combat against the enemy within, our pride and greed, our lust for power and wealth, etc.

And so we exhort you, our beloved people: As a special project for this year’s Lenten observance and in the spirit of penance, let us come together in little groups of reflection and discernment. In these groups we look seriously at our part in the many evils of our day—as individuals, as families, as communities—and discern what action we can do together.

Alay Kapwa is our traditional Lenten Program of sharing time, treasure and talent for evangelization. This Lent, without forgetting the treasure part, we zero in, in a very special way, on time and talent, asking what we can offer of these for the common effort towards the correction of our social ills. These would be evangelization of the most authentic kind. For it means a real acceptance of the Lord’s mandate to us as Christians to be concerned about one another, to go beyond ourselves and reach out to others. This attitude in the pattern of Christ himself is at the heart of Christian identity.

Hence other already existing movements and efforts (like the Pondo ng Pinoy) aimed at the transformation of Filipino culture through little acts of kindness for the neighbor and motivated only by the love of God—these too must be intensified as essential to our Lenten program of reform.

In our coming together, in our exchanging of ideas and discerning on them, in our praying and acting together, we bring hope to our despairing land—the hope that our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, says in his most recent encyclical is the great need of our modern world.

With Mary, Mother of Hope, on the Journey of Renewal

We beg Mary to intercede for us with her Son Jesus. In the midst of the disciples who hoped for the renewal of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, she stood as their Mother, our Mother, of hope. Mary, Star of the Sea, guide us on our journey of renewal that we may more faithfully follow your Son Jesus in his loving care of all our brothers and sisters.

For the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines,

+ANGEL N. LAGDAMEO, D.D.
Archbishop of Jaro
CBCP President
January 27, 2008

The Presidency: a tool for corruption?

2008-02-20T10:26:00.001-08:00

Photo courtesy of: wikimedia commons

The courageous Senate testimony of whistle-blower Rodolfo Noel Lozada, Jr. regarding the First Gentleman Mike Arroyo and Benjamin Abalos' involvement over the shady National Broadband Network deal has caused an unstoppable ripple effect to concerned sectors of Philippine society, particularly, the students, lawyers, politicians, managers, religious, and business sectors. Together, they heeded the call of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines for "communal action" to uncover the truth behind the issues confronting the country.

Meanwhile, the government seemed unfazed at the accusations hurled against her, zeroing in on the President of the Philippines Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, of whom Romulo Neri described as being the "center of a web of corruption". Yet, even Neri decided to stick it out with the President because he feels there is hope within the executive. "I can’t see hope coming from a coup d'etat , Church, Black and White Movement, and Senate hearings. The President will have to lead in this whole reform process and I have hope that she will be able to do it," Neri said.

But Neri snubbing the Senate and the apathetic stand of the President seems to cause more serious wounds on our deteriorating country and to the revered Office of the President which the entire people is working extremely hard to restore its sacred image corrupted since the time of the late dictator President Ferdinand Marcos. Now, Neri's theory of a "ecosystem of corruption" seems to confirm what the majority of Filipinos are afraid of - that there is no hope for the Philippines except to work abroad to survive.

The entire country, already exposed to various ways of redeeming its country from social destruction - from legal to extra-legal mass actions like boycotts, rallies, and people power revolutions - is once again gearing up to counteract another alleged action of greed, deceit, and corruption in the Office of the President by appealing for the truth come out.

This entails a long, strenuous journey that may affect the economy of the country, claimed by the government to be improving because of its credibility, but in fact, continues to grow only because of the remittances as well as the sacrifices of our Oversees Filipino Workers (OFWs) separated from their families to work abroad. This path, the Filipinos are eager to do if only to bring democracy back to the country. Or another alternative would be go through the lengthy legal processes happening at the Senate and the Office of the Ombudsman. In both of these processes which may go beyond 2010, Gloria Arroyo would be all smiles as to have survived "with flying colors" the trials in her term of office.

But remember, it could not be a source of pride for one to say that she would have survived till the end of her term, when her presidency is tainted with so much corruption that started even during election time when she herself admitted that she made a "lapse of judgment" by calling up a member of the Commission on Elections. And now, this government may be trying desperately hard to contain the smoke of the fire burning inside its house. Lozada and the younger de Venezia's words should be considered seriously and should merit action because they were spoken under solemn oath.

Perhaps the President would do the entire Filipinos here and abroad a favor by reflecting on the sacredness of her office as having emanated "from the people, for the people, and by the people", the marks of a true democracy. Whether guilty or not, she should be thinking of the legacy that she would leave behind, that in the deepest recesses of her conscience, whether she has not committed any form of dishonesty whatsoever or she continues to sell herself and the Presidency by buying the loyalties of fellow Filipinos.

Under these circumstances, when the Office is being dragged into these series of corrupt practices, it would do the whole country a huge favor, whether guilty or not, for such president to step down and embark on an authentic campaign to bring credibility back to the revered Office of the President and fight with the Filipino people and restore moral ascendancy in all its offices and departments.

Fr. Rey Roda: A Servant of Peace

2008-02-07T21:34:00.000-08:00

January 22, 2008, ROMA - This article is not so much as to who killed a Catholic priest in the Philippines or how he was killed as to how he he lived was as a dedicated priest working in a dangerous missionary area in Mindanao, Philippines.

Fr. Jesus Reynaldo Roda was known among his Oblate brethren for his "almost obsessive advocacy of his scholarship program for the youths of Tabawan, a truly impoverished area in Mindanao consisting of Muslims and Christians. He believed that only through education could they escape the cycle of poverty and hoped to give something in return to the island and its populace. His scholarship project has produced several Samal and Tasug professionals. Some of them became teachers who have returned to Tabawan to help educate their own people.

Local Bishop Angelito Lampon of the Jolo Vicariate said aside from managing the school in Tabawan, Roda was also involved in livelihood projects for the island's marginalized fisherfolk. He also mentioned that Roda was aware of the danger of missionary work, but insisted on helping the poor Muslims and Christians that impoverished town. "He was in fact due to transfer to another assignment but he declined because he wanted to remain in Tabawan to continue missionary work there."

Reports indicated that Roda was praying in the chapel when 10 armed men barged in and tried to take him. He struggled and resisted being taken away, and explicitly said that he proffered to be killed right there and then. A witness said that he was beaten then shot dead.

Pope Benedict expressed sadness Friday over the killing of Roman Catholic priest Fr. Jesus Reynaldo Roda and called on his murderers to renounce violence. He the slain priest for being an example to priests and people throught the region, and especially to the young.

Obstruction of justice or violation of press freedom?

2007-12-01T22:11:00.000-08:00

December 1, 2007, MANILA - There's a very serious conflict involving journalists and law enforcers during the foiled coup attempt led by renegade Senator Antonio Trillanes IV in Manila, Philippines last Thursday, November 29, 2007 when a great number of journalists were arrested, handcuffed, and hauled to Camp New Spirit in Bicutan.

According to Philippine National Police Chief Avelino Razon, the police needed to protect the welfare of everyone so there would be no collateral damage, but the journalists were obstructions to resolving the conflict with the renegades.

On the other handle, the officials of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. were studying the possibility of filing charges against the law enforcers. The New York-base Committee to Protect Journalists, a nonprofit organization that works to safeguard press freedom worldwide also issued a statement that it is government interference in new coverage with an obvious intent to intimidate media.

The public may be confronted with the issue of whether it is obstruction of justice or violation of the freedom of the press. Both these issues are crucial to the exercise of sovereignty and democracy of a country. Justice should be exercised with utmost regard to human dignity. However, Philippine journalists do have the tendency to place themselves in the middle of battle, interviewing the renegades as if the event were any live drama, exclusive scoop, or sensational news. Prudence from both parties could be an important factor in the resolution of this case.

In support of Among Ed

2007-11-19T03:54:00.000-08:00

Friends,

I'm forwarding a letter circulated by Harvey Keh in support of Gov. Ed Panlilio's crusade against corruption. As of today, the province of Pampanga is split in supporting him or in continuing the culture of silence in acts of corruption.

So far, according to sources, Pampanga has been doing economically well, since all transaction are well accounted. It goes to show that the Philippines is not suffering at all. If it is suffering today, it is because the cancer of corruption continues to devour the country's resources, rendering useless all the efforts of our brethren, especially the OFWs who are toiling very hard to sustain the economic survival of their families.

If we support Fr. Ed's initiative and he completes his term, we can prove that there is indeed hope for our country. For if one province can clean its act, I don't see any reason why the others should not follow. Here's the letter of Mr. Keh.

Dear Fellow Filipinos,

Good day to you!

Last October 13 , Governor Ed Panlilio of Pampanga came out to declare that he was given P 500,000.00 in cash which came from a Palace Staff Member in Malacañang. The money was allegedly given for baranggay projects and to support candidates for the upcoming baranggay elections. Since Gov. Panlilio's admission, there have been other local officials and congressmen who have admitted to receiving money from Malacañang as well. Up until today we still don't know where this money really came from.

But since then, Gov. Panlilio has been under fire because of doing the right thing. Right now, local officials in Pampanga led by Vice-Gov. Yeng Guiao are ganging up on him and marginalizing him by not respecting his authority as governor. Media Publications in Pampanga are even being used to destroy his credibility. If one looks at Gov. Panlilio's performance thus far in the less than 6 months that he has been in office, the results would speak for itself. He was able to raise the same amount of quarry taxes in less than 2 months compared to the former governor who raised the same amount in 1 year. Due to this, mayors and board members are now demanding part of this collection money and are blackmailing Gov. Panlilio by not passing important policies that will benefit the constituencies of Pampanga.

Isn't this a familiar refrain in our country? Someone does good and yet he is often punished for doing what is right? And worse, while this is happening many of us just turn a blind eye without doing anything. We s just shrug it off and move on with our lives. It is no wonder why majority of our government leaders are becoming bolder and bolder in becoming corrupt since for them no one would dare complaint about it. In short, we deserve the kind of leaders that we have because we continue to do nothing despite the fact that we see that there is something wrong.

And this is why I am writing to appeal to you right now, I'd like to ask for a few minutes of your time to send an email of support to Gov. Ed Panlilio, let us all tell him that we are behind him in his quest for the Truth. What is at stake here is not only the people of Pampanga but the nation as a whole. Gov. Ed exposed what has long been happening in Malacañang and now he is being punished for it. Will you do something about it?

If yes, then please send an email of support to Gov. Ed Panlilio at wesupportgovpanlilio@gmail.com and please help us by forwarding this email to all your friends. We will print the emails that you send and give it to Gov. Panlilio to show him that he is not alone in his quest for the Truth. Let us show the world that the Filipino people will not just allow another Good Man to fail and let evil prevail.

Thank you for your time! May you have a pleasant day!

Sincerely,

Harvey S. Keh

Director for Youth Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship

Ateneo de Manila University-School of Government

Glorietta blast: act of terror or accident?

2007-10-23T00:51:00.000-07:00

News sources: Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Star
Photo courtesy of: John Javellana

October 22, 2007 - The blast that killed 11 and wounded 120 others in Glorietta 2 mall in Makati City, Philippines last Friday, October 19, 2007, caused panic among the citizens and left the whole country wondering whether it was an intentional terror attack or an accident that caused the destruction of a part of building.

The latest news seems to indicate that the blast was caused by an accident. Police Director Geary Barias, chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) reported to newsmen that the source of the explosion has been traced to the storeroom of a restaurant, the Luk Yuen Restaurant. The explosive went off near an escalator in the mall and the blast could have been exacerbated by Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in nearby restaurants.

He confirmed that the blast originated form a bunker oil containing the size of a 20-foot container and located near the septic tank. The area also contained aircon exhaust vents, a generator set, empty diesel tanks, and a fuel that might have emitted dangerous fumes.

The confluence of the mixture of gases trapped inside a confined space will look for an outlet for release, according to experts.

Ayala Land Incorporated that owned the Glorietta mall has placed the estimated amount of damage at P100 million, or US $ 2,266,545.78 affecting an area of 3,000 to 3,500 sq. meters.

Meanwhile, at this time, it would be best to wait until the authorities conclude their investigation instead of fueling speculations and further cause panic among the people. It is important for the police to be in full alert to restore normalcy in the metropolis.

We also condole with the families of those who were killed during this this tragedy and to support those who are injured.

Ibaon sa limot ang basura

2007-10-04T10:16:00.000-07:00

From the political events happening in the Philippines - Erap's indictment and the Senate Committee hearings on the ZTE deal and the "wireless" wire tapping incident, we might as well say that the Philippines is on the road to democracy, being transparent and having the courage to indict the powerful and the influential, the so-called "big fish."

But then again, it may also be a symptom of something that is rotten and decaying, and the government might have something to do with it.

With Erap's indictment, we can see that corruption has already affected event the highest position of the land, a cancer that was introduced to us by a dictator - President who desired to perpetuate himself in power.

Now, the government officials and politicians are talking about a Presidential pardon for Erap, to forget and bury everything to the past. The legal judgment would be entirely useless because of the Filipino custom of "ibaon sa limot". And while the political characters, both protagonists and antagonists happily share meals during weddings, birthdays, and other events, the majority of the Filipinos languish in poverty and injustice.

Meanwhile, the "wireless" wiretapping controversy is still hanging in the air. The news of the strengthening peso further pushed the issue into oblivion - of whether or not President engaged in corruption by calling a Comelec official during the elections. Because she admitted calling "Garci" and having a "lapse of judgement", what does it mean? It seems that we have the same case - "ibaon na lang sa limot."

Finally, the ZTE bribery implicates Malacanan as well. The younger de Venecia dropped a bombshell by naming Presidential First Gentleman Mike Arroyo as the one who told him to back off from the project. But Arroyo just went out of the country to get some fresh air while a small fish Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos becomes "the bait" or the "sacrificial lamb." If my theory applies here, this case would also fall into oblivion, no lessons would be learned, no laws would be strengthened to prevent bribery, and the country's destiny of seeing the dawn of a better tomorrow would be thrown into the wastebasket. "Ibaon na lang natin ito sa limot."

Too much has been kept secret from the citizens for which public officials have received their solemn power and for which they are totally accountable for. Philippine politics and governance have been infested with all sorts of corruption systematically kept in the dark, hidden from the scrutinizing eyes of many.

But trash is still trash. Sooner or later, the filth would not be kept hidden any longer, it should be exposed, cleaned, cut out, operated on, and never again contaminate the good that marks the real Philippines. "Ang pagbabaon sa limot" should never be an unwritten law in the country, not does it have any place in a real democracy.

For now, let every ordinary Filipino answer this question, "Do we deserve all these trash from government or from anybody else?"

The Philippines after the elections

2007-07-16T08:20:00.000-07:00

What would be in store for the country after that grueling national and local elections? To date, there's the case of the extra-judicial killings, question of who's who in the minority and majority leadership, and the consistent low popularity rating of the President of the Philippines.

How I wish that the country would start moving forward with a more vibrant Senate and Congress, Justice and Executive departments, bearing in mind that the country is burdened with so much unresolved issues, and put the country back on track.

For the one staying in Metro Manila, from the point of view of the ordinary citizen, beyond any news that we read in daily newspapers, we hope that there would be improvements in any of these issues:

Traffic and better observance of rules on the road - perhaps MMDA would work for the strict implementation of rules on the road while doing everything it can to improve the traffic situation.

Better, just, and swift government services, especially for the poor and the elderly - to cite an example, media should start doing investigative research on the GSIS e-card, that is placing heavy burdens on the elderly and disabled pensioners. By imposing its "No e-card, no pension policy" that requires the physical presence of the pensioner, GSIS under Mr. Wilson Garcia may be inceasing the assets of GSIS at the expense of the elderly and disabled pensioners who cannot undergo the rigors of applying for the e-card. My mother who recently died had been a victim of this terrible injustice done against her; she was deprived of what is due her. If this was done to her, how much more for most of the elderly pensioners who had nothing else to rely on other than their meager pensions?

Solutions to pollution of air and water - In Rome, Italy, every once a week, at designated places is imposed "a car-less Sunday", when it is dedicated to clearing the air in the metropolis. We may be hurting the residents and killing them each day with vehicles that get away from the law and continue roaming in the streets, releasing deadly carbon monoxide in the atmosphere. With water it is the same thing, unless there are strict enforcements of the law to preserve them.

More concrete graft and corruption cases - to date, one could not recall any significant graft and corruption case that was resolved, considering that the Philippines in the international world is known for being "corrupt". If we are notorious for being corrupt, then why are these people not behind bars? Implementation of justice has to be proportionate to put credibility back to our country. It has become an accepted social reality from the national government down to the barangay.

More programs for the poor - news of increased services to the poor are highly welcomed, not the "pallative" dole-outs here and there, not only temporary assistance during widespread calamities. There should be a tangible, process and objective-oriented direction to bring food on the table, shelter for those who have none, education to empower them toward productivity, lower prices like medicines and essential commodities, efficient government services, and job security. Alleviation of the poor Filipinos should happen now.

More security in the streets - a police with more "teeth" while establishing more rapport to the ordinary citizen is highly encouraged, a police force with with we feel secured being with and not the police as a source of spreading corruption and fear among the people. Every city has to be equipped with a visible police force that is capable of enforcing law and order and is not a friend to drug or gambling syndicates.

More direction from the government - We have given the Arroyo administration ample time to turn this country around, economically, politically, and morally. Government programs should not just be "pallative", at the end of her term we should be able to assess what really happened to our country. Sad to say, her popularity continues to go downhill because of the question of moral ascendancy. The Filipino people still adhere to the extreme importance of maintaining moral ascendancy for any public servant.

Lowering of prices, increased worker salaries, and more job opportunities - in the international market, the dollar continues to plummet against the Euro, the Philippine peso is perceived to be gaining ground. But it's only in this country that we see the prices continue to increase. Higher prices would yield lower purchase power. Lower purchase power would destroy the economy. No job opportunities, no purchase power, no economic growth. Economists should really study the options and offer a credible system for consumers and producers, workers and employers. What we have is an economy that favors the rich. The rich become richer while the poor become poorer. Must we wait until the entire country is already cash-strapped with only the rich are enjoying financial stability?

The list goes on and on. There are many other concerns that the Senators and Congressmen could think about. But at least for the greater majority, from the government to the local citizens, now is the time to think, to plan, to collaborate, propose, implement reforms and programs. Let's not wait for another elections to dream and implement reforms. The time is now.

The Opposition could do much more

2007-06-18T17:17:00.000-07:00

Glancing through the last national elections, isn't it so eerie that the 12^th senator hasn’t been proclaimed? When are they going to implement the computerization of the elections?

The results of the elections show an overwhelming support for the opposition. The role of the opposition should not be to just oppose the administration. The people's message last elections is so clear to be ignored – that the credibility of Pres. Arroyo has been tarnished no matter what she does. They may bank on the premise that Congress is still sympathetic to the President, still, the President’s clout on the national scale clearly eroded as these candidates did not rely on the President but on their positive images to the people.

The Garci anomaly should have been resolved to put moral ascendancy back to the government and put the country back on its feet.

As for the elected senators, please remember that the people voted significantly for you not just to oppose the government. A forever squabbling Senate without concrete output is not is not what our country needs. Rather, it is up to the new senators to pass sensible bills especially curbing corruption and increasing efficiency of government services to benefit the poor.

A pressing issue that needs to be looked into most thoroughly is the E-card system of the GSIS which place so heavy burdens on our disabled pensioners by commanding them to abide by all rules or they would not receive their pensions. This clearly is not pro-poor and pro-elderly but clearly a violation of human rights.

Government should work for the benefit of the Filipinos and not vice-versa.

The most challenging work of the opposition seems to be the creation of a system that would definitely curb corruption. A senator with the vision of Trillanes can do that if he continues to hold steadfast to his vision. Except of course if the senators all belong to the same boat, that is, all of them are corrupt or prone to insatiable corruption, then we’re back to the same dismal situation as we are now.

Would the May senatorial elections cause a positive change in the Philippines?

2007-01-29T22:29:00.000-08:00

Of course we would rather be positive that the May elections would usher in a new spirit in Philippine democracy, like fresh air coming in after opening the windows of a house nearly inhabitable because of the pungent odor inside it. It may be the acid test of Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's sagging credibility.

But then again, looking at the electoral process, could we usher in a new spirit when personalities and procedures look awfully the same as in the past?

Focusing on the good news first, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has been abreast with the issues and called for end to political dynasties. The PPCRV and other cause-oriented groups are gearing up and preparing for the battle for clean and honest elections. These groups are calling for computerization or automation of this year's elections. And third, the government has initiated holding a summit to lessen or hopefully eradicate the corruption and violence that have always crippled the sacred political exercise.

It is up to the voters, the COMELEC, and the candidates and their supporters to observe and implement these considerations for the good of the country.

And now, to raise some issues of concern, it may not be a wise idea to clip the capabilities of the Social Weather Station. Surveys, whether we like them or not, are instruments of monitoring public opinion and are helpful deterrents for those who would want and have the capacity to radically rig the official results of the elections. But of course, the credibility of every survey station would have to be subjected to the strictest scrutiny also for the benefit of the people.

The second issue is how our politicians and would-be candidates are terribly misbehaving as they would like to get the nod either of the administration or the opposition. It just shows how overly pragmatic these candidates are, somehow not possessing enough moral and political stand on issues, instead, are concerned with their own political careers. This I say is terribly dangerous to the political future of the country, as if we're not only back to square one, rather, going downhill at a very fast rate.

A politician who switches parties only reflect his sad state of not having any backbone at all and is not concerned with resolving deep-seated issues that the country needs to resolve definitively. For him, politics is a career he want to perpetuate himself among the circle of the influentials. Everything becomes a game for these politicians who would want to desecrate the single vote of Filipino who when placing his bet, also places his entire future in the candidate's hands.

This also puts into question the basic orientation of party affiliation in the Philippines. Could anyone really qualify the meaning and essence of "administration party", "rainbow coalition", or "united opposition"? The way things are going in Philippine politics today, apart from Francis Escudero who was an early bird in filing his candidacy for the opposition, seems to me that these parties do not reflect a certain orientation with visions grand or noble for the Philippines. Instead, it becomes a costly joust of personalities, a game, that after a grueling day, all participants, both administration and opposition, would come together at one table, feast and toast, and recall humorous incidents, while the common people languish outside. At least, the politicians say, the people had their taste of entertainment. Of course, the sore losers would not attend the feast and would look for ways to contest the results.

Thus, this May exercise would be nothing more than a futile exercise, a waste of money and valuable time, had it not been for the small ray of hope initiated by the Church, the cause-oriented groups, and hopefully, the readers of this opinion and the other would-be voters in a country we truly love.

photo courtesy of: http://www.indymedia.org/

Picking up the pieces

2006-12-15T14:55:00.000-08:00

So, everything's ready for the Catholic church-initiated massive rally at the Luneta grandstand. Meanwhile, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo backtracked on her call to amend the constitution, opting instead for a constitutional convention with the election of delegates to coincide with the national elections. But according to Heherson Alvarez, there are those in the Senate that are "stonewalling the Consitutional convention because of presidential ambitions." Nevertheless, in another newspaper, GMA is still calling to keep the "flame" of charter change alive, not at this time, but during the remaining term of her presidency.

Though it seems that the congressmen threw in the "white towel" and not to push for a "con-ass" which is as its name implies is truly an insult to Filipino intelligence, the political turmoil is far from over. For one thing, it had to take a big institution like the Catholic Church to reprimand the Congress in behalf of the "silent majority", the voiceless Filipinos who have other more pressing concerns than amending the Constitution. Had it not been for the Church's intervention, these small number of politicians would end up controlling the future of this country for themselves.

Again, let it be clear it is not the Constitution that is the issue here, rather, it is the issue of a presidency that is tainted with corruption, for violating the rules just to win in the elections. Unless this is resolved, all politicians with the same modus operandi will have a feast while holding on to their positions without any guilt whatsoever while country continues to slide downwards. Let every Filipino realize this and start being united to pick up the pieces shattered through the years of irresponsible leadership and lift the country back to its feet with the power of truth, honesty, and genuine intention to serve the common good.

Photo taken from: http://english.people.com.cn/

Pope opens door to reconciliation

2006-12-05T11:29:00.000-08:00

Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Turkey might be seen as subject to many controversies; yet, it has undoubtedly served as a beacon of light to pave the way for understanding between cultures and reconciliation.

Right at the first day of trip last Nov. 29, the holy father called for an authentic dialogue between Christians and Muslims in a speech at Turkey’s Directorate of Religious Affairs based on truth and sincere wish to know one another better.

“I want to reiterate the solidarity between cultures. This is our duty,” said Pope Benedict, dispelling earlier claims that Pope was attempting to “extinguish the flame of Islam.”

His meetings with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Anakara and President Ahmet Necclet and the paying tribute to the mausoleum of Mustage Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Republic is a gesture of highest regard for the Turkish republic.

His emotional meeting with Patriarch Bartholomew I, spiritual leader of the Orthodox Church last Nov. 30 is a manifestation of the fraternal unity between the Eastern and western churches which was destroyed by the Great schism of 1053 because of theological differences and the issue of papal authority.

The orthodox leader said, “as evidence of our common desire to continue – in a spirit of the unwavering journey toward the restoration of full communion among our Churches, which constitutes the divine will and command, we pray that the day will come when this sacramental unity will be realized in its fullness.”

The pope said, “All Christians should renew Europe’s awareness of its Christian roots, traditions and values, giving the church a new vitality.” The joint statement stressed the need to preserve Christian roots in European culture while remaining open to other religions and their culture.

Finally, his visit to Haghia Sophia and the Blue Mosque is truly a sign of his esteem for the Muslim faithful. “This visit would help us find together the way of peace for the good of all humanity,” the pope said.

The trip serves as a litmus test for other concerns: Muslim immigration into Europe, the clash of civilizations, and Turkey’s entry into the European Union. The fruits of the trip still remain to be seen, and yet, the Pope did open the doors for reconciliation.

Photo from: seattlepi.com

Creating false demand for charter change

2006-10-17T13:27:00.000-07:00

The pressure on the Supreme Court may yet be the most serious threat to the sanctity of democracy in the country.

The Supreme Court has always enjoyed impartiality and independence in its thinking.

It should not be pressured just because time is ticking and they are ones responsible for the future of the country if the Charter change were not to push through.

Our country's history has been manipulated enough by a handful of people trying to seize or pertuate themselves in power. But the greater majority remains to be the victims - the greater, voiceless majority whose lives are always subjected to hardships by the government that is always trying to survive and gain profit at their expense.

And now, in the issue of the Charter change, these persons in power - congressmen and local government officials seek to shift to a parliamentary system whose intention seems to concentrate power to a few.

But remember that the issue that precipitated the Charter change is not because of a flaw in the Constitution. It is about the question of credibility of this government through cheating in the last Presidential elections.

If this government and all the public servants are truly sincere in changing the Charter, then it should by all means clear its name only by resigning and installing honest ones. secondly, the new government should launch drastic reforms to aid our already bleeding countrymen with pro-poor and pro-Filipino programs that would create jobs and improve the economy.

Once the air has cleared and there is political and social stability, only then can we consider amending the Constitution.

Only then could there be true democrary with a government"of the people, for the people, and by the people".

Vatican Statement on Pope's Words About Islam

2006-09-17T06:47:00.000-07:00

"A Clear and Radical Rejection of the Religious Motivation for Violence"

VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 15, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Here is the press statement released Thursday by Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi concerning the interpretation of certain passages of the Holy Father's address at the University of Regensburg.

* * *

Concerning the reaction of Muslim leaders to certain passages of the Holy Father's address at the University of Regensburg, it should be noted that what the Holy Father has at heart -- and which emerges from an attentive reading of the text -- is a clear and radical rejection of the religious motivation for violence.

It was certainly not the intention of the Holy Father to undertake a comprehensive study of the jihad and of Muslim ideas on the subject, still less to offend the sensibilities of Muslim faithful.

Quite the contrary, what emerges clearly from the Holy Father's discourses is a warning, addressed to Western culture, to avoid "the contempt for God and the cynicism that considers mockery of the sacred to be an exercise of freedom" (homily, Sept. 10). A just consideration of the religious dimension is, in fact, an essential premise for fruitful dialogue with the great cultures and religions of the world.

And indeed, in concluding his address in Regensburg, Benedict XVI affirmed how "the world's profoundly religious cultures see this exclusion of the divine from the universality of reason as an attack on their most profound convictions. A reason which is deaf to the divine and which relegates religion to the realm of subcultures is incapable of entering into the dialogue of cultures."

What is clear then, is the Holy Father's desire to cultivate an attitude of respect and dialogue toward other religions and cultures, including, of course, Islam.

[Original text: Italian; translation issued by the Holy See]

WTC through Filipino eyes

2006-09-09T13:58:00.000-07:00

September 9, 2006, New Jersey - There's a sensitive, emotional strain on this part of the world as the people gear to commemorate the tragedy that struck World Trade Center in New York City five years ago.

Some residents here are still finding it hard to watch WTC - related movies like the one produced by Paramount Pictures.

"No, no, no, never!" one even protested as if even just the thought of looking at the preview makes her shudder in fear.

On the other hand, there are those who would recall the incident as if it were like yesterday, describing every event in great detail and the feelings that went with it. One thing for sure: WTC changed the way Americans think today, especially those living nearest New York.

Father Raul Dael and I have been so priviledged to be taken on a tour by none other than top man tasked to oversee the World Trade Center redevelopment project. He is one of our close friends here in Sacred Heart Church and the loving husband of the director of our parish Religious Education, Nancy Plate. His name is Steve.

Together with 3 of his team, Steve oriented us to WTC's reconstruction project and took us to the site and to the first tower built last 2003 to see how the future WTC would look like - far taller and sturdier than all others.

"We've learned so much from the past and we don't want the tragedy to happen again," said one of his assistants. Among the innovations they showed were wider concrete to hold the elevators, bigger fire exits, and bigger pipes. Indeed, this would make the new WTC and its surrounding towers the safest in the whole world.

But one thing I admired is the team's resolve to learn from past mistakes and to do everything right, no matter what the cost would be. It is evident to me that people's safety are far more important than quest for glory. But prices have to be paid; the price was just paid by lives that fell during the fateful event.

I could clearly sense Plate's conviction in taking up this project. "We need to go on." The new building would be a symbol of hope revitalized and vision realized. At the same time, it is to be a living memorial of lives that were offered during 911. "Do not forget" is the resounding cry of the future WTC.

Indeed, I am looking forward to see the rising of the future WTC after 10 years; but I am even more thrilled with something I've just witnessed that I hope we Filipinos could emulate - the grandeur of the human spirit.

After Paredes, could there still be hope for the country?

2006-08-22T19:26:00.000-07:00

August 30, 2006 - Though Jim Paredes reacted against a PDI article, his interview reveals the sad state of the exodus of talented Filipinos out of the country.

Verifying the survey conducted by Pulse Asia last July 2006 that 3 out of 10 would want to leave the country if given the chance, Jim Paredes represented these breed of Filipinos who opt to leave the country not because of poverty but primarily because of disenchantment with the way the country is going.

"I felt I’d already done too much in Manila," he said. "I experienced political fatigue. Nothing new was being discussed in Manila. I told my son: 'There is polarization. There are no new ideas.' People have become cynical. I had to leave. I needed to recharge. I had a good life. I want to do things in a foreign country. I told my wife I wanted to leave before I got too old."

Many Filipinos, including Jim, who got a taste of the "outside world" have seen have always been amazed with how the political systems work in various countries. Danny Javier even remarked, "There is no corruption here." Some of these are in government, those who are capable of going abroad like like mayors, congressmen, senators, and even the President of the Philippines. Unfortunately, it's a great mystery why despite of the exposure abroad, the Philippines still continues to be handled like trash, not getting rid of corruption, injustice, and inequality as if these people don't know what to do and the only practical option is to still get out of the country.

All Filipinos should be given the opportunity to live and to make progress in their own native land. Unfortunately, despite the reports of economic gains, these still do not traslate into lower prices of commodities, more food on the table, more jobs, better housing, and better security. Now, with the government banking on the so-called Charter change, will the ordinary Filipinos' lives become better?

What is needed is not Charter change, but an overhaul of attitudes, from corruption to heroism and sacrifice, from despair to hope, from polarization to creativity. Each Filipino should realize that despite opportunities abroad, the Philippines is still the greatest place to be, because this is the bastion of Christian values where the warmest, friendliest, most religious, spiritual, and family-loving people reside. Most of the Filipinos abroad agree that after working in another country, they would go back to their native land.

It would be better for the talented and good-willed Filipinos to continue staying in the Philippines rather than leave the country to corrupt ones.

Photo taken from: http://www.cnetwork.org.ph/

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CBCP head backs probe on six bishops implicated in coup try

2006-08-01T20:13:00.000-07:00

Commentary on the News article of Edu Punay
The Philippine Star 08/02/2006

Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines welcomed government 's investigation of six bishops, including him in the Feb. 24 foiled coup attempt.

The government has the right to protect itself against those that want to overthrow it. But it also should have the primary responsibility to search for the truth and not just be concerned with its own survival. The government has accused and captured everyone from the right and from the left, and now, even the Church, as if these are working harmoniously together toward a single goal. But such a scenario would be totally insane. But for this government, all else seemed guilty except its own. Remember, Pres. Arroyo still admitted to the public that it was her voice talking to a COMELEC official during the time of the elections, an act in violation of the law, and attributed it to a "lapse in judgment". It remains unresolved, a mark that continues to erode the government's credibility to this very day.

Instead of putting the blame on others, the government should reflect on its own on how it is really and honestly serving the country. It is high time that the Filipinos deserve a leadership based on honesty, integrity, and character with a strong desire to put back people's confidence in government.

The Church on the other hand, will continue to emphasize moral values in governance and would condemn any action that is contrary to these values.

GMA'S SONA AND THE SPIRAL OF SILENCE

2006-07-27T09:03:00.000-07:00

July 26, 2006 – Elizabeth Neumann coined a novel theory in public opinion known as the “Spiral of Silence” to refer to majority of the public that have a stand regarding social issues but would prefer to be silent for fear of alienation. The spiral of silence holds true to a great number of Filipinos holding an opinion that is in sharp contrast with the picture Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo laid out in her State of the Nation address (SONA) last July 24, 2006.

My opinion may be in the realm of this spiral of silence, but I believe that in the 6 years that Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has been ruling the country as a president, the Philippine situation hasn’t gone any better; life is getting harder for the average Filipino who is perpetually bombarded by rising prices of basic commodities and the Philippines still held captive by the clutches of corruption, greed, inequality, and injustice.

The only one factor keeping the Philippines alive may be the remittances of the Overseas Filipino Workers all breaking their backs just to save their families from dying of hunger. And Pres. Arroyo thanked them for their heroism. But even this “seeming” advantage should not be a reason for this government to perform sloppily at their expense.

Among other things, this government has been enjoying the fruits of the OFWs’ hard labor through their expensive lifestyles instead of honest service. Secondly, these workers who now know what it means to receive high salaries equivalent to their work opt to migrate with their families to other countries instead of staying here. If that were to happen, sending remittances will become irrelevant and the Philippines will be left in the gutter.

Finally, the Philippine government hasn’t motivated itself to be humble, work harder, and be honest for the sake of those already suffering as the system of corruption in government is still very much in place. These corrupt practices which continue to be undocumented are slowly sucking the lifeblood of the rest of the hardworking Filipinos who really want to save the country from further doom and put it on the road to progress.

Pres. Arroyo’s SONA did not reflect any of these concerns. She outlined her various achievements, a litany of infrastructures, alleged efficiency in tax collections, in addressing lawless violence, in reducing red tape, and economic recovery. But the food on the table for a great number of Filipinos remains empty and life is not more comfortable for any Filipino because of injustice and equality.

The second concern is the budget for all the projects that she mentioned. Just exactly how much are all these? Will the hard-earned money of the Filipinos be deducted again? How much percentage would corrupt people receive and how much would actually go to the projects and to the laborers? How do these projects directly affect the common people in the immediate and long term basis? Talk is cheap. It is the implementation that would really be the acid test of GMAs words. And the greatest sacrifice would again be made by the millions of suffering Filipinos.

Moreover, adding to this pain is the structure of corruption in the agencies of the government and the government itself. The more projects there are, the more opportunities for corruption. Pres. Arroyo failed to mention in her SONA of any official captured for a corrupt deed. She mentioned that “your government is working, and working very well.” There are too much these hyperbolic statements and not ever a tinge of dirt mentioned in the report.

Unless the government cleans its act, every project would be an opportunity for greed and the Philippines’ hope for the future will go further down the drain.

With this, much has to still be done to get the country back on track. But in the meantime, probably the Filipinos are already tired of hearing of marvelous accomplishments that are hard to see and feel in real life. The Filipinos are already cash-strapped, beaten, and left to die of inequality, poverty, and injustice. If Pres. Arroyo or any president were to give another SONA, we would want to hear a more realistic one that exposes the weaknesses of this government and its resolve more than ever to clean its act, to expose the corrupt, to put them in jail, be tried and convicted in courts, and serve their sentences. We want to hear of more people getting jobs, their spending power increasing, and peace-and-order situation in the country efficiently addressed. When this will happen, we do not know. But let’s hope that we Filipinos become more vigilant and work together to attain true justice, peace, equality, and freedom.

A Prophesy of Hope for the Filipinos

2006-07-27T08:59:00.000-07:00

We Filipinos find ourselves in a whirlwind of troubles – political, social, moral, and economic, seemingly without a ray of hope in front of us and our people.

The solutions like impeachment and charter change seem to push further the urgent concerns affecting the country like poverty, corruption, greed, and violence. The Filipinos demand for a solution, devoid of personal interests, just to get the country back on its feet.

The latest CBCP document titled "Shepherding and Prophesying in Hope: A CBCP Pastoral Letter on Social Concerns" can give us a clue on the areas all Filipinos and institutions can focus on so we can get back on the road to recovery.

What's it all about

The first part of the statement gives the underlying rationale for the year of Social Concerns as it underscores the Social doctrines of the Church like integral development, universal purpose of earthly goods and private property, social justice and love, peace and active non-violence, love of preference for the poor, value of human work, integrity of creation, and people.

It is imperative that we inculcate the values underlying these doctrines so we can proceed to more concrete concerns affecting the country.

More particularly, the CBCP applies the social doctrine of the Church to the following urgent issues which are as follows:

The family under siege – to reiterate the pro-life position and protect the sanctity of family and life
Charter change – the Elections of 2007 must not be cancelled. The demand for Charter change emanates from the people and not from those in authority; and if there were so, Constitutional Convention is still the best option;
Impeachment – We are undoubtedly for the search for truth; we are not inclined at the present moment to favor the impeachment process for establishing the truth;
Electoral reform – a call to the Commission on Elections to restore that truth in the electoral process
to denounce extra-judicial killings

These 5 points, mostly affecting the political and legislative spheres, should be observed before we can address the problem of poverty, corruption, and violence in our country.

Therefore, we call upon our Fellow Filipinos to read carefully the contents of the CBCP statement and disseminate this information down to every family. There will always be a glimmer of hope for the Philippines.