DZVT and Chancery Burning: Psychological or Demonic?

Somebody told me that after the last week burning of DZVT and Chancery Office, it is proper for the local Church to under go exorcism. The comment drove me to amazement not because I do not believe in the physical domination of evil spirits in paranormal sense but for me it’s somewhat "out-of-bounds" at this early stage. Even Rule No. 3 of the official Roman Ritual of Exorcism states that, “He (the priest performing exorcism) should not believe too readily that a person is possessed by an evil spirit; but he ought to ascertain the signs by which a person possessed can be distinguished from the one who is suffering from some illness, especially one of a psychological nature.” And I believe that it pertains not only to an individual but even to an organization or a social institution. “What do you think, Father, was it demonic or psychological?” “Maybe both,” he retorted. Later that day, I just found myself in a dilemma trying to figure out if I'll take his comment seriously or fall from my seat, laughing.

Don't get me wrong. I believe in the existence of the devil and no doubt that the world is an arena of spiritual warfares and indeed prayer is our most potent weapon and defense against these fallen angels. Since we were young, we are told that the greatest deceit of the devil is making us believe that he doesn’t exist. True enough, priests and pastoral workers – specifically those who are belonging to charismatic communities – must not ignore it for such gesture is dangerous not only to our faith but even to our whole being. We have no other choice but to, “Resist him and [be] solid in your faith.” (1 Peter 5:8-9a) Maybe our man of cloth is right. The culprit or the mastermind may be psychologically deranged or spiritually under demonic spell, or both. One thing is certain : the Devil is at home in the hearts of men and women where selfishness and other grave sins were there as its permanent fixtures. Sinners who prefer to demonstrate innocence than acknowledging their unworthiness. A world-acclaimed exorcist, Fr. Carl Vogl in a documentary entitled “Be Gone Satan!” has this to say: “It is precisely through cooperation of sinners that the devil has such power on earth.” Well, to let you know, I have learned a lot about the subject matter while browsing recently the pages of “Exorcism: Encounters with the Paranormal and the Occult” written by Fr. Jose Francisco Syquia, director of the Archdiocese of Manila Office of Exorcism.

But while they exorcise, they should not underweight the criminal intent of pure human hands and brains behind this horrible act of arson. Not unlike evil spirits, soul-and-flesh human puppeteers, like any other human controllers also employ various disguises and often, those disguises are accepted by many in our society. Indeed there are people who love to control (in the negative sense) because they cannot control their own feelings, loves to control what other people feel. To those who are not familiar or were not able to detect evilness in a person, these earth-bound devils may appear as angels from above, a redeemer from poverty and even initiator of development and progress. In the end we would feel very sorry because we failed to see his true colors, his motives and intentions early on. The devil, if I may add, may also be pretending to be our BFF (best friend forever) and allies or leaders. Having said that, most often than not, beyond paranormal situations, what people need are firm and competent leaders rather than exorcists!

Reading said book on exorcism taught me one important thing and this re-affirmed my faith: Only in the name of Jesus can there be authentic liberation and deliverance and the demon is controlled, defeated and subdued in the name of Jesus but none of the demons will obey an exorcist when he command him in the name of the any president, senator, congressman, governor or mayor.

What if this particular case does not concern exorcism in the technical sense of the word but in-depth criminal investigation? Well, with that, the Fallen Angels will just become fall "guys"…

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(Photo : Mystery of the Inquity)

Reflections Brought About by Chancery and DZVT Ashes

Right after the deliberate burning of the Apostolic Vicariate of San Jose’s two prominent entities or ministries, her Chancery Office and radio station DZVT, everyone in our place (including netizens from our province) instantly, at least figuratively, turned into fire and crime analysts and investigators. Different and contrasting theories and opinions that do more harm than good subdued the air like those ugly and suffocating smoke from a forest fire. They just added fuel to the flame and in a way continue the suffering of the people of God here in Occidental Mindoro, the believers of Christ. He is the same Christ who, according to the Apostle’s Creed, “…suffered under Pontius Pilate”.

A mere ocular scanning of the crime scene in the Chancery Building in Seminary Compound in Mabini St. Extension you would notice the crucifixion figure of Christ, about two feet tall, still hanging on the wall undisturbed despite of the horrific and evil devastation. The first time I saw t its aftermath and seeing that huge crucifix from a distance reminded me that the Passion of Christ did not end in Golgotha but continues to dwell among us. It continues to exist in our present history and in every hour of our life as a believer. This very tragic occurrence is a concrete example of our encounter with evil regardless if it dwells from the inside or outside of certain realm. This twin attack on the local Church - or its heirarchy, the priests, the nuns and the laity - placed us all, people of Occidental Mindoro, in what I can call as “Foot of the Cross” situation. Every one of us under its shadow, are telling what we really are. There are many of us made a mockery out of the event, playing games for fun and for other gains and use the situation as an opportunity to attack their enemies or to condemn known religious and political personalities. But let us not forget the majority who truly, physically and mentally suffer with the Church. The members of the Pamayanang Kristiyano, or the Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) who truly agonize with Him and his Church during high-magnitude chaos like this. The former are those UNDERNEATH the Cross while latter are ON the Cross. Situations that make this tragedy and human suffering go on.

We have learned from Jesus that after (suffering from) the Cross comes Resurrection but we, clergy and lay especially those from the BECs, have to be united. It is written, “When anyone is united to Christ, there is a new world. The old order has gone and a new order has already begun” (2 Cor. 5:17) for God is not a God of burned things and ashes, of dead things but of renewed things.

Bishop Antonio P. Palang, SVD,DD is bound to issue a Pastoral Statement tomorrow from the pulpits of every churches and chapels in the diocese. Hope this will bring enlightenment and we will be informed of the official stand of our local Church on this issue to avoid speculations and shed light on the matter.

Though we all admit, human as we are, that there are tragedies which we are all powerless, especially those that are natural, this one is man-made and sure enough we will be able to conquer this particular tragedy and suffering. Our particular Church, the men (ordained or not) and women of faith in our province, are called to generate solidarity now more than ever and accept it, no matter how painful are they. This cross of tragedy and scandal that we are presently experiencing as a people is not only a cross or a problem to be investigated and to be solved but a cross to be picked-up to our hardened shoulders like a heavy yoke, a yoke that teach. Incidentally, our Gospel tomorrow is (Mat. 23:1-12) focused on our roles as teachers. Experience is the best teacher, remember? And if I may add, Benjamin Franklin once said, "Those things that hurt, instruct."

Somebody has to have a closer look to his flock and (re-)know his sheep individually and properly wield his authoritative rod of guidance and correction…

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(Photo from 4Bp.blogspot)

Nonito Donaire’s Prior Victory

Long before his tomorrow’s scheduled match (some said it’s a mismatch!) with Argentina’s Omar Narvaez, world bantam weight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire, the latter is already a winner in many ways. Am I talking here of his power of the purse? Nope. It’s something else and it’s more important to many.

It was Thursday, March 11, 2011 when Nonito made the most remarkable victory of his life. After a 3 year-feud, he finally reconciled with his father and former trainer, Nonito, Sr. Nonito Jr. and his wife Rachel blamed some sports media for allegedly destroying his family on exaggerated news reports. He said then, “My dad was always there to protect me. He’s always looked out for my benefit.” He further stressed, “What has been said in the media was… blown into something really big.”

Here in San Jose, we are all be trooping again to our favorite hang-outs - watering holes and hang outs- to watch the fight. It’s a tough fight for our guy but we all hope that extend his 25-match winning streak. But do not worry, The Flash gave us all assurance, "If I hit the right spot, if I hit the right point, it can end any moment.” Let us all keep our fingers crossed that come Sunday, our boxer would hit that whatever spot (was it the “Gee Spot”?) he is referring too. When we go to mass tomorrow morning, let us all pray not only for Nonito’s victory but for the two boxer’s safety.

Going back to the two Nonito’s reconciliation some months back, I presume that the negative relational crack between them, when glued together, became durable at powerful than ever. Mt. 22:34-40 is the Gospel this Sunday and it’s about strengthening of relationship. Among any other law and rules, the Law of Love is ever valid and true. It is the basis, not only of actions but of all laws on earth. Including perhaps the rules that they will be using and observing in the Donaire-Narvaez fight in the historic Madison Square Garden just less than 24 hours from now.

Even in a training camp, all of the team members are expected to strengthen their relationships for a particular mission. The reason is very obvious: Lack of unity and discouragement doesn’t inspire people that they have touched and inspired. All team members are expected to stay close and lean on with each other than pushing each other away with unfriendly gestures, cutting comments and angry attitudes, and they should know how good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity (Ps. 133:1) in a particular mission or for life.

Win or loose tomorrow against Narvaez with no loss record, Nonito is already the undisputed defending champion. At least in his father’s heart…

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(Photo from World Boxing Council WBC)

Wanted: Godly Caesars

Since I cannot find fresh examples from my diocese for this blog entry, allow me to import them from elsewhere. When eight bishops from the Bicol region, led by Archbishop Leonardo Legazpi, urged President Benigno Aquino III to immediately enforce the law banning all big commercial fishing companies in their area, can it be considered violation of “Separation of Church and the State”? Or when Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo pressed P-Noy for the passage of Freedom of Information (FOI) bill?

In Mt. 22:15-21, Jesus himself asserts the duty of paying one’s dues to the State, but without in any way reducing the claims of God: “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and the things that are God’s.” In my own reflection on tomorrow’s (October 16) Gospel, our faith is not prohibiting us to be active members of our community or as citizens of the republic. We are not a bunch of believers detached from worldly affairs and its social dimensions. On the other hand, we ought to change them according to God’s plan. And a “package deal” at that and not only depends on our (especially priests’) tastes.

My favorite interpretation of Mt. 22:15-21 is the one I have read in the book “Being Church in Asia: Volume 1” edited by Fr. John Gnanapiragasam and Fr. Felix Wilfred: “If the State exercises authority by virtue of divine commission, for the very same reason the exercise of this authority should not be absolute, but should respect God’s sovereign power and authority in its various expressions in the society. The statement of Jesus regarding the problem of giving tribute to Caesar could be understood as a statement about the approach one should take towards the political and social structures. Caesar’s realm or the social political order of the Roman Empire was in Jesus view part of the larger order of creation whose only author is God. Therefore, the Roman social patterns were to be evaluated against the social patterns desired by God, and supported or not on this basis.” (p. 106)

True enough, the “Separation of Church and the State” is about mutual autonomy and the respect of that autonomy but rooted on cooperation from both the Church and the State for the common good and welfare. The Church does not expect the State to disrespect her moral teaching and directly attack her. We have no other choice but to defend it not only against relativist ideologues but even from de-orbited Catholics in our midst, in many religious organizations around us. We cannot afford to have a siesta on this.

The “Separation of Church and the State” is strictly defined in the 1987 Constitution referring to two points only: “1) that no religion may be established as the official religion of the State; 2) that the State may not favor one religion over others. No favoritism. At the same tie, if I may emphasize, the State shall forever allow the free exercise and enjoyment of religion and shall not require any religious test for the exercise of civil and political rights. It does not require division between belief and public action, moral principles and political choices. Rather, the “Separation of Church and the State” protects the rights of believers and religious groups to practice their faith and act on their values in public life. This thing is called “Religious Freedom.”

But come to think of it, even Caesar belongs to God. And if God would take everything that are God’s from Caesar, there will be NOTHING left for the king.

Including all the edifices built under his name….

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(Photo : Tocqueville Forum)

The Lord’s “Dress Code”

Halasz and Koschinski. These surnames obviously are foreign-sounding for Ludwig (Luis) Halasz and George Koschinski are German priests assigned in our province. The both came from the same congregation, the Society of the Divine Word or SVD. Both served in Occidental Mindoro for a very long period of time, specifically in the towns of Sablayan and Magsaysay, respectively. And despite of their shortcomings as human beings, they came to the wedding banquet fully observing its dress code (Matthew 22:1-14 [tomorrow's Gospel]), so to speak.

Well, I will share to you a little something about these two great men who became part of the journey of Christian communities of Sablayan and Magsaysay. First is a little anecdote when Fr. Ludwig Halasz’ first set foot in Sablayan and the late Fr. George Koschinski’s poem called “Walking Tall”, the author’s short reflection on the “death-defying” position of a bishop, among other things. Well, in short, I am just giving a little tribute to the two great men of faith that in one way or another, touched the lives of multitudes in the parishes where they were assigned.

On Ash Wednesday in 1958, Bishop Wilhelm Duschak, SVD on a breakfast table told Fr. Ludwig Halasz, SVD, “I like you to proceed to Sablayan and be the parish priest there, and I wish you God’s blessings.” In his write-up which appeared in the Souvenir Program for 50th Anniversary of the Canonical Erection of San Sebastian Parish (1953-2003), Fr. Halasz wrote that he do not know then where Sablayan was when he accepted the appointment realizing what are the challenges ahead of him. In recollection, he imparted, “From Calapan, I proceeded first to Manila, and on Saturday, Feast of the Good Shepherd, I reached Sablayan on a boat carrying prisoners for the Penal Colony, celebrated my first mass in Sablayan together with the inmates and employees.”

“After lunch, I boarded again the Colony’s truck and under the heat of the sun, was brought again to the shore where we first landed, and took a small boat in the direction of the town. Small children guided me to the convent. Fr. Albert Cook, SVD, awakened from his nap, heartily and brotherly welcomed me. After he has read my appointment apparently as the in-coming parish priest, he said, “Good, I know, I told the Bishop that I can no longer remain in this post. I have to work somewhere else, where I am needed.” From his words, I felt that the hard works and loneliness await me, with only a motorboat as a connection with my Society brothers.” Fr. Halasz was alone for many years in his work as a missionary in Sablayan. Under his pastoral and administrative care, additional chapels in the barrios and school buildings were built and the Catholic school grew known today as the Colegio de San Sebastian or CDSS.

In 1968, the Sta. Teresa de Avila Parish in Barangay Sta. Teresa, Magsaysay was created and Fr. George Koschinski, SVD was appointed as its first parish priest. He stayed in Occidental Mindoro, particularly in Magsaysay, for many years, not unlike Fr. Halazs. In his little humorous book titled “Macaronic Doggrels” published in the late 80s’ we can read a poem called “Walking Tall” (from page 7) and I am sharing you this word for word:

It is a true matter of fact:
Being a bishop is a balancing act.
Because of high riding position,
More so if somewhere out in the mission.
Let us pray for those walking tall,
That they never, never may fall
May they go down in history,
But never in filibustery…”

Through Fr. George Koschinski, the Particular Church teamed up with the local government in many social projects aimed at improving the living condition of the people in this part of the province.

Like in the Parable of the Wedding Banquet, all of us are invited to the wedding, saint and sinners alike. And to say the least, we would be unworthy to even come near the door of the banquet hall if we are “improperly dressed”.

Wearing the “proper garments" of worship and service just like what Halasz and Koschinski and the rest of us did in our province…

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(Photo : Wow Sablayan)

Enemy of Enjoyment

The TV ad is very helpful especially for a parent like me who has two teenage children. Almost all of us now are familiar with the lines, “Sabi ng tropa, ang tunay na lalaki ay binibinyagan muna bago magpakasal” and “Ang tunay na lalaki ay marunong maghintay.” Indeed, the message is getting more meaningful every time we watch the commercial which is actually a component of the Lucky Me! advocacy campaign called “Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga". It aims to encourage parents to frequently eat dinner with their children and be involved in their lives. Click here for further information.

Allow me to have a clarification and a confession. What I will be declaring in this entry are not mine alone but taken from the book “The Ten Commandments: A Modern Interpretation” by Prof. Theodor Herr and translated from German by Fr. Leo Muehl and published by the Divine Word Publication in 1995. Second, when I was young, the succeeding topic is no big deal for me.

Pre-marital sex is very prevalent today and as if already the “rule of the thumb” and no longer considered as forbidden but propagated- especially by the macho culture- as a desired aim. New norms more or less sound like this: Do not suppress the sexual instinct but let it free, let it soar high and burst it freely and live it fully. People of today, not only the young ones but even their parents, believe that self-realization and even freedom can fully be achieved by living to one’s (sexual) wishes and to them, restraining human desire is inhuman and repressive. Of course sexual desire is part of human being’s existential condition and disposition; it is the expression of love. But all human desire, not only those are sexual, at the same time, is an ambivalent phenomenon. It can take on destructive forms and degenerate into unrestrained sexual passion, into greed of possessing things and people into self-destroying desire for pleasure.

The book pointed out with precision: “Human beings obtain sovereignty in the use of her/his freedom, not by full consent giving in to momentary feelings, to spontaneous wishes and instinctive impulses. On the way to full human self-realization, the way of control and cultivation of the forces cannot be by-passed. It is not a question of body-hostile suppression but a liberating culture of sexuality. But this cannot be obtained without a prudent asceticism that mean, without self-renouncement, without hygiene of the imagination and without discipline.” To us grown-up and mature people, the author, Prof. Herr, has this to add, “He who keeps this truth from the young, seeking men (who are still on the way), has done them bad service.”

The way I see it,the message of that TV ad is this: “Let you not be dominated by you desires and passions! Do not indulge yourself to a thing so entirely that afterwards you cannot get rid of it, thus losing your freedom.” I'm sure I am right this time for I've already been wrong once in my life.

At least I know now that to wait for the right time is a big deal because being in a hurry is a mortal enemy of genuine enjoyment. …

Sharing Electric Dreams with Women of OMECO

While sitting in a meeting of the provincial Multisectoral Electrification Advisory Council or MSEAC held in Buenavista, Sablayan last Saturday, September 17, as guest together with three women employees of Occidental Mindoro Electric Cooperative (OMECO), I began to read the pages of a book co-authored by Edicio G. dela Torre, ex-priest, one time leader of the National Democratic Front (NDF), a native of Naujan in Oriental Mindoro, ex-political detainee and former TESDA chair during the Estrada administration. I have known the man since my early years in the (human rights) movement. Our man of the hour was already laicized so I call him “Manong Ed” and every time he addressed me as “Mr. Pamatok” is an affirmation that I am indeed a blogger. Truly, he is one of few former national democrats that I admire and respect most and became an avid follower of his blog called “Between Honesty and Hope”.

The book is called “Electric Dreams” and it has two sections. Its first section deals with de la Torre’s experiences, insights and reflections being an advocate for rural electrification. Generally it provides a look-back on important events of the rural electricity in the land. It also deals with the sweet-bitter "love affair" of the NEA and the ECs. Actually, it is written to commemorate the 40th anniversary of rural electrification in the country. No doubt that “Electric Dreams” is for member-consumers especially to those who are willing to step forward, to those who walk the talk, as leader-advocates for the cause of electric consumer protection just like us members of Serve OMECO Movement or SOM. Manong Ed hit the nail right on its head: “Ordinary consumers do not usually get involved in the affairs of the electric cooperatives (ECs) or consider themselves part of a national rural electrification movement. Their interests are simple – access to reliable power, the lowest possible rates and quick service response to any problem.” Manong Ed is the lead convener of ECAP (Electric Consumers’ Advocacy in the Philippines) where my big boss, Bishop Antonio P. Palang, SVD is the interim national chair.

On his title of choice, de la Torre explains, “It [Electric Dreams] describes what the dream is all about. But there is an added reason for choosing it, and it is in another line of the song: “We’ll always be together/However far it seems…”

The second section of the book is equally interesting for it talks about struggle of women in the electric field. To me as a student reader of “Mulieres Dignitatem”, it is the first book that I’ve read mentioning women as pioneers and pillars of rural electrification in the country. The section entitled “Iluminadas” (“lumen” in Latin is “light”) is written by Marianita C. Villariba. By the way, “Electric Dreams” was published by Education for Life Foundation (ELF) in 2009. To Villariba, “Iluminadas” tells herstory that made the role of Filipino women more visible and valued.

I gladly shared the outline of the book part to Elsa Bawayan, Mylene Acotina and Marian Gotoy, the three OMECO women employees I am with and jokingly asked, “How about if I write a book on OMECO women employees?”, and they just smiled at me. And my follow up question, “How about womanizers in OMECO?” they all laughed in gusto. I immediately informed them that I’m not serious with it but already sensed what made the question very funny.

Ms. Villariba’s part was divided into 4 sub-parts: Women in Electric Cooperatives; Women in the National Electrification Administration (NEA); and, Women’s Leap into the 21st Century. Among other relevant information on the subject, Ms. Villariba made me aware of women around the world that made exemplary achievements or inventions in the electric domain such as Herta Aytron (1854-1923), Mary Ebgke Pennington (1872-1952), Beulah Louise Henry (1887) and Edith Clarke (1883-1959). “Iluminadas” also featured 13 short stories about women who pushed rural electrification and the cause of electric consumers in their respected provinces in the Philippines from the 70s’ to the 80s’.

The story of the struggle of the women employees of Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO) in 1986 brings inspiration. BENECO men and women held a protest action carrying placards and steamers declaring, “BENECO, milking cow of BENECO Board.” A woman labor leader named Myla Salbador led the rally from Magsaysay Road to Session Road. In retrospect Salvador said, “We are protesting against unnecessary expenditures, questionable contracts … activities detrimental to survival of cooperative.” The BENECO women were at the frontlines of the barricades that they set against the military and armed men of Aboitiz Group. The BENECO employees are against privatization attempts by the said corporation that time.

In “Electric Dreams” Manong Ed is very hopeful that the struggle for electricity and electrification can be an open door to other dimensions for he wrote, “There is also possibility that as our member-consumers become more active and aware, their experience in participating in the processes of the EC may inspire and enable them to apply what they have learned to their role as active citizens …. Is that too much to hope for? That can be part of the future that is bigger, better than our past.” And that is the reason why I did not turn down the invitation of Ms. Corazon Agustin, OMECO’s membership services division (MSD) to attend the MSEAC meeting. If I may add, half of the provincial MSEAC participants are women. They all have potentials.

In the book twice quoted these words from Clay Shirky, “Revolution doesn’t happen when a society adopts a new technology, it happens when society adopts new behavior.” Women and men of Occidental Mindoro should always be “together in electric dreams” more than their sweet embrace in the darkest hour of power outage….

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(Photo from file of Malu Sarmiento and Kristine Cajilig, also women of OMECO handling the employees cooperative)

Three Cross Nails of Mining

Anawim, my 18-year old daughter, and I were watching our favorite soap over ABS-CBN Channel 2 when the TV ad of Philex Mining Corporation appeared on the screen. She looked at me teasingly and said, “See, Tatay, There’s Life in Mining.” Said mining corporation recently launched an advertising series on what they call as “responsible mining” dubbed – you’ve guess it right – “There is Life in Mining”. In a news report, Denis Lucindo, vice president for business development of Philex Mining, stressed the importance of mining in one’s life, “A lot has been said about mining with diverse opinions regarding the industry and its impact on the country.” According to Victor Francisco, vice president for environment and community relations of the company further said, “Responsible mining is the kind that values the environment, the community, the safety and welfare of the people involved in the mining projects. It adheres to the law and is intent on giving back to the host community and the environment.” But is there really responsible mining in the Philippines, really?

Here in Occidental Mindoro, one of the towns that will be hit best by the Mindoro Nickel Project of Intex Mining Corporation is Sta. Cruz (where the company’s plant is targeted to be constructed in Brgy. Pinagturilan) and today, September 14, is the parish’s feast day. Yap, today is the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross (or Triumph of the Cross) and today we Catholics honor the Holy Cross by which Christ redeemed the world.

Before going further, happy fiesta to people of Sta. Cruz!

The impact of mining operation in the Philippines is three-pronged like nails in the cross and the “There’s Life in Mining” ads over ABS-CBN failed to expound on these:

Nail one. Economic benefits (or should I say “life”) are raked by mining corporations. Consider that 100% foreign ownership of mining projects are allowed in the Mining Act of 1995 allowing foreign company to have concession area of up to 81,000 has. on shore and 324,000 has of shore. Philex Mining may not be a foreign corporation but I am more referring here to foreign companies such as Intex and Placerdome. This includes 100% repatriation of profit, a five-year tax holiday later to be extended to eight and deferred payment are allowed until all cost are recovered by the mining company. They also have the enjoyment of easement rights and other auxiliary rights in the mining concessions. Mining lease for 25 years is allowed extendable to another 25 years and losses can be carried forward against income tax, among others. On the other hand, affected areas and communities remain in the quicksand of impoverishment.

Nail two. The impact of mining is irreversible and places the environment at risk even increases the vulnerabilities of people and communities. Philippines is one of the 18 megadiverse countries in the world. Majority of plants and animals species are unique and cannot be found anywhere else. The country’s species are among the world’s 10 in terms of endemism. Unfortunately for us, mining is being done in key biodiverse areas like here in Mindoro and Palawan. A study commissioned by the European Union in 2005, “showed that legal and illegal mining operations posed serious threats to forest and local rivers because of forest clearing and release of toxins.” It was also indicated that many of these concerns stem from the failure of many small and large-scale mining companies to adhere to globally defined standards of “responsible mining” if ever there exist of such a word.

Nail three. People still pay the cost of externalities through taxpayer’s money when among other things our government has to respond to disasters induced by mining, consider the Rapu-Rapu and Marinduque disasters.

These “cross nails” are not originally from me but from one of the speeches of Mario Ebite Maderazo of the Philippine Misereor Partnership (PMP) Inc I just read from the PMP Newsletter. The partnership supports the struggle of affected communities in the context of large-scale mining operations in various parts of the country.

All I can add is this : The cross of Jesus Christ must be our constant source of inspiration against mining and other environmental threats because it is also the burning focal point of our renewal as His disciples.

And Anawim already knows that, I am sure…

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(Photo from jesuit.org)

Mary : Born This Day

Today, 8 September, is the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the source of the story for her birth cannot be found in the Bible but in the Protoevangelium of James, an apocryphal gospel written about A.D. 150. From it, we learn the names of Mary's parents, Joachim and Anna, as well as the tradition that the couple was childless until an angel appeared to Anna and told her that she would conceive.

Based on what we have read from various authors, Mary was a daughter of middle-class family who is unimportant social status-wise, in this equally unimportant town of Nazareth as the elite of Jerusalem would call it. She’s quite unknown outside this little town though she was completely familiar to her neighbors in their district. While Mary had the advantages of staying in the Temple, her education had been like that of any other Jewish girl of her time. In the Temple, though her main task had been to keep the sanctuary tidy, she had a great, happy chance of being exposed to the truth of the Scriptures. And, lo and behold, she practiced her faith wholeheartedly!

Since we have a very little or limited accounts of her birth, we can only speculate little Mary was an exquisite child who bring joy and cheers to her aging parents, not unlike Sophia, my youngest child. As it was in the beginning, Mary’s “only” goal in life was to be a child that God wanted her to be: to be a perfect person. And again, lo and behold, she achieved it with flying colors!

She was with her Son when he came into this world and built the entire economic system on the existence and inferior position of the poor and the downtrodden of their time. Since the wedding at Cana, Mary brought Jesus to the concerns and issues of society and not only to the world. Just like Mary, we are duty bound to bring Jesus in our every struggle, say against abusive power-wielders here and now. If we bring the incarnate Word in the unjust situation that we are currently in, we are assured of victory simply because we let Him in.

In our struggle against the dark forces (who are the main culprits why we are experiencing the power shortage that we are currently in Occidental Mindoro), God is with us. I am sure for it is obvious that Jesus’ agenda for us people who are facing the hardships of life and powerlessness (both electrical and political!) be redeemed from the claws of greedy bureaucrats-capitalist in our midst, especially those in the energy sector (others prefer to be called mere “talkers” than to be in the company of those people). And the most powerful expression of this Gospel truth is the Magnificat, that startling song of Mary: “He has put down the mighty from their thrones and has exalted the lowly and has filled the hungry with good things and set the rich way empty” (Lk 2:46-55).

Mary as a mother, I just presume, fully realized that the gracious power of Christ cannot be limited to the personal and interpersonal realms alone, but include the body politic, the socio-economic system that we are in, which we create and which in turn form us …

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(Photo from Catholic Resources)

Of Ceasefire and Rheumatism

Almost 25 years ago and that was November 1986, the Occidental Mindoro Provincial Ceasefire Committee (PCC) composed of provincial multi-sectoral representatives formally launched series of meetings and consultations and the first major activity along the goal of getting into the peace process was the holding of an activity at the San Jose Town Plaza. The vent became my first and only encounter with then two of the top New People’s Army (NPA) cadre operating in the whole island of Mindoro, namely (and obviously these are aliases or nom de guerre) Ka Adong and Ka Bambi together with more than half a dozen of other ranking guerillas carrying and slinging high-powered handguns, rifles, grenade launchers and assorted ammos. The supposed ceasefire with local communist forces lasted for about 60 days. The Marxists-Leninists-Maoists armed groups just capitalized the occasion for their show-of-force parading both their potent resources in firepower and manpower. Representatives from the now defunct Philippine Constabulary (PC), the Philippine Army and the Integrated National Police (INP) commands didn‘t show up and it became an all-NPA “roadside show”. Instead, government security forces and their officials sent intelligence operatives and undercover agents to spy on for perceived sympathizers for the reds fighters especially those belonging to student and farmer groups among the crowd. Both the security and the rebel groups accused each other of insincerity. As we all expected, the talks and the ceasefire went puff like a plastic balloon, so to speak. I was a teenager then working as a newsman of our campus paper and my well-oiled knees are still in order.

Now that I am just a year shy from half-century mark and already suffering from rheumatism, though the possibility of outright cessation of hostilities between forces of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the National Democratic Front Philippines (NDFP) is almost impossible, I believe that peace is our right as a people and peace-building is a responsibility of all and not just those people who carry arms. I, too, believe that the observance of the ceasefire during the peace talks is imperative. The former increases trust and confidence for both parties. This situation is also favorable to the people living in far-flung communities, especially in our case, the Mangyans. The peace process must also be open and transparent and mechanism towards this end must be set by two parties.

Last 25 August 2011, during the National Assembly of Sulong-CARHRIHL Partners held at a fine hotel along E. Rodriguez Avenue in Quezon City, no less than political analyst Ramon Casiple, executive director of Institute for Political Reform (IPD) shared with us the prospective and perspectives of the GPH-NDFP peace talks. According to him, “Every conflict has to end and range of courses should be mapped out. It is time now to find middle ground or neither side can win…” In Casiple’s mind, it is now high time for the CPP to go on political reforms by joining the electoral processes. He even added that the Philippine political atmosphere is no longer revolutionary. But is the NDFP, the CPP and the NPA are ready to accept this? Things hang in balance for them: parliamentary struggle or armed struggle? Casiple informed us further that in Nepal, Communist Party members recently won the parliamentary elections.

On the other hand, in a statement dated 20 August 2011 of Fidel Agcaoili, spokesperson of the NDFP negotiating panel accused the GPH in prolonging the peace negotiations through long interruptions and violations of agreements since September 1992 when The Hague Joint Declaration (THJD) was signed by both parties. Part of Agcaoili’s statement reads: “The GPH must exercise strong political will in addressing the roots of the armed conflict. It must agree to carry out basic social, economic and political reforms in the country… It should formally reply to the proposal of the NDFP for a round of formal talks in Oslo in September 2011 and to the other offer of the truce and alliance on the basis of the ten-point Concise Agreement for an Immediate Just Peace or CAIJP.”

The success of every peace effort and peace talks lies in the genuine engagement and sincere commitment of both parties. We citizens should claim our voice on the process and stand up and be counted.

Stand up even when we are already rheumatics...

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(Photo from OPAPP)

Angkas

Sino ang hindi matutuwa kapag tayo ay nakakakita ng ministrong layko sa Eukaristiya na naka-sakay sa kanyang motorsiklo, angkas ang mga anak patungong kapilya ng kanilang pamayanan upang manguna sa liturhiya? Napapanahon nga ang salitang “angkas” sa paglalarawan ng pagkilos ng mga laykong ito ng ating Simbahang lokal dito sa Kanlurang Mindoro.

Noong Sabado, ika-20 ng Agosto ay naanyayahan ako ng mga Lay Minister of the Eucharist o LME ng Parokya ni San Jose, ang Manggagawa, sa Katedral sa kanilang regular na pulong upang magtalakay ng isang paksang may kinalaman sa Panlipunang Turo ng Simbahan sa konteksto ng mga panlipunang kaganapan ngayon sa bansa. Naging katuwang ko sa pagbabahagi ang isa ring lider-layko ng parokya sa katauhan ni Dra. Myrna G. Zapanta, MD na siyang tserperson ng Komite sa Pagsamba ng ating Konseho Pastoral o PPC. Ang okasyon na ito ng paghuhubog ay nagsilbing pakiki-“angkas” namin sa paglalakbay ng ating mga boluntaryo ngunit masisigasig at tapat na LME, datapwa’t katulad nating lahat na nagsisikap na maging seryosong ka-manlalakbay ng Simbahan at pananampalataya. Sa pagtupad ng misyon ni Kristo.

“Angkas”. Ito ang ating itatampok sa ikalawang sulatin sa blog na ito sa diwa ng Buwan ng Wika. At noong taong 2006, ang Diyosesis ng Catarman (Samar) at ang Sacred Heart Institute for Transformation (SHIFT) Foundation ay nagpa-limbag ng isang sangguniang manwal para sa kanilang pagdiriwang noon ng Taon ng Panlipunang Pakikisangkot at tinawag din nila itong “AngKaS” o “Ang Katekismong Samarnon”. Sa paunang salita ng manwal, ayon kay Sr. Lydia Collado, RSCJ na siyang Tagapamahala ng Programa ng SHIFT, “The Church is in the same situation, moving with its people. While the main core of its teaching, the Magesterium, remains basically unchanged, other elements of this doctrine, like its social teachings, adapt to the changing world…” Salamat sa paanyaya at higit sa lahat sa tiwala ng mga LME ng San Jose na sina Jess Dejesa, Sonny Tanteo, Manuel “Boy” Ramos, Emil Bihag, Pedong Pablo, Benedicto Syquio, Rey San Jose, Tirso Espiritu at iba pa na nakasama ko noong isang Sabado.

Sa wikang Filipino, ang depinisyon o kahulugan ng salitang “angkas” bilang pandiwa (verb) ay maaaring “sumakay sa sasakyan (panlupa man o pandagat) na may kasama upang maglakbay". O maaari rin namang ito ay “sumakay upang maging kasama sa pagbibiyahe o ka-lakbay”. O sa kolokyal, simpleng maki-”hitch-ride” o “maki-sakay” lang kumbaga. Bilang pangngalan (noun) ang “angkas” ay isang tao na gustong marating ang kanyang destinasyon at sumakay sa anumang sasakyan anuman ang kondisyon kahit may anumang balakid sa kalsada o daraanan. Maaari ring ang “angkas” ay isang taong may lubos na tiwala sa nagmamaneho at siyang nangunguna sa paglalakbay, samakatuwid, isa siyang seryosong kasama sa misyon at paglalayag. Ang “angkas” ay maaari ring tao na gumagalaw at kumikilos, lumilipat ng lugar na naglalayong maka-sumpong ng kahulugan ng buhay at upang mabuhay. Katulad nang marami nating mga OFW sa iba’t-ibang panig ng daigdig.

Masarap din pala ang paminsan-minsan ay nakiki-“angkas” lang sa gawain ng iba. Mahirap rin ang palagian ikaw na lang ang nagmamaneho ng sasakyan. Mas mabuti na ang ganito na tumutulong na lang sa pagsagwan sa mga maliliit na bangka at ihagis ang aking gulanit ngunit pinipilit na hayumahing lambat kahit man lang sa kababawan. Kaysa naman sa magpatianod na lamang sa laot ng kawalang-katwiran at pagwawalang-bahala lalo na ang sumagwan nang pasalungat, salisi at lihis.

Lalo na kung ang kapitan at mga punong mamamalakaya ay masyadong abala sa ibang bagay na ‘di naman talaga mai-kakaila na nakahuhuli rin naman nang maraming tao…

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(Photo from : Motorcycles Asia.Net)

Unlad Wika (Para sa Buwan ng Wika)

Sabi ni Pangulong Noynoy Aquino sa kanyang State of the Nationa Address o SONA kamakailan, pasalamatan daw natin ang ating mga naging guro. Komo ngayon ay Agosto at Buwan ng Wika, sa pamamagitan ng sulating ito ay aking pinasasalamatan ang aking mga nagging guro sa sekundarya at sa kolehiyo sa asignaturang Filipino na sina Gng. Teresita Adarlo, Resyjane Tabangcura, Nelia Alfor at Bb. Soledad Poblete. Sila ang aking mga pinagpipitaganang guro na nagbukas sa aking kamalayan sa ating Pambansang Wika. Kaarawan nga pala ngayon ng isa ring Pangulo na tinaguriang Ama ng Wikang Pambansa, si dating Pang. Manuel L. Quezon.

Noong ako ay nasa kolehiyo pa lang sa Occidental Mindoro National College o OMNC na kumukuha ng Batsilyer ng Edukasyon (BSE), ang hindi ko makakalimutang kurso sa asignaturang ito ay ang Filipino 4 na may titulong “Sining ng Pagsasaling-wika”. Si Bb. Poblete ang guro ko noon. Sa nasabing asignatura ay malaking bagay ang mga kaalamang napulot ko sa aking kasalukuyang Gawain bilang isang tagapag-padaloy sa mga pagsasanay na inilulunsad sa mga pamayanan. Lalo na ang paghahanda ng mga modyul na gagamitin at ang pagsasalin ng mga ito mula sa wikang Englis tungo sa Filipino. Pero hindi ako sumali noon sa anumang samahang pang-mag-aaral lalo na ang SAMFIKO o ang Samahan ng mga Mag-aaral sa Filipino na itinatag noong 1987 yata ng mga guro sa Filipino at ang naging tagapayo nila ay si Gng. Tabangcura. Sa isang organisasyon lamang ako napabilang at ito ay ang Patnugutan ng The Image, ang aming pahayagang pang-paaralan.

Ang wika ay isang kasangkapan sa katotohanang sa wika naipapahayag ng tao ang kanyang kaisipan at saloobin. Bilang susog sa aking patotoo sa itaas na malaki ang naitulong ng kaunting kasanayan ko sa pagsasaling-wika, nabatid ko na sa wika ang tao ay nagkakaroon ng pagkakataong makipag-interaksyon sa kanyang kapwa, sa lipunan at sa pamayanang humuhubog ng ating kamalayan. Wika din ang nagpapalaya sa ating damdaming sinisikil o sinisiil sa ating kalooban. At kung maniniwala tayo kay P-Noy, marahil ay wika din ang pinaka-mabisang sandata upang isuplong at itakwil ang mga “wang-wang” upang tayo at ang bansa ay bumagtas sa sinasabi niyang “tuwid na landas”.

Pilipino tayo at Filipino ang wika natin. Noong nasa elementarya pa tayo, ang tawag sa tao ay “Filipino” at “Pilipino” naman ang sa wika imbes na “Tagalog”. “Pilipino” noon ang tawag dahil nga idineklara ng Kagawaran ng Edukasyon noong ika-13 ng Agosto 1959 na “Pilipino” ang ating Pambansang Wika. Pero nang lumaon sa lumabas ang mga purista sa wika. Gusto nilang gawing literal ang pagsasaling-wika. Halimabawa dito ay ang “eroplano” na ginawang “salipawpaw”; ang “silya” ay “salumpuwit” at iba pa. Isipin na lang natin kung papaano magiging katawa-tawa ang pagsasalin kung puristang pamamaraan ang ating gagamitin. Ang “bra” ay isasalin ba na “salung-suso”? O ang “karsunsilyo” o “brief” bilang “salong-bola” o “salong-gonisa”?

Ayon sa ating bagong Saligang Batas, sa Artikulo XIV; Sek. 6, “Ang Wikang Pambansa ng Pilipinas ay Filipino. Samantalang nililinang, ito ay kinakailangang payabungin at pagyamanin pa salig sa umiiral na wika sa Pilipinas at iba pang wika.” Samakatuwid, sa wikang Filipino, maaaring maging bahagi nito ang mga likhang salita na sa atin lamang nagmula at walang pinag-halawan. Kagaya ng “ermat”, "erpat” o mga gay lingo kagaya ng “chaka”, “tsugi”, “chuvachenes” at iba pa. Maging ang jejemon sa aking palagay, kung magtatagal at hindi malulusaw sa ating kultura ay maari ring maging bahagi nito. Sa hinaharap ay inaasahan din na lalawak ang bikabularyong Filipino. Nadagdagan na rin an gating alfabeto bagama’t hindi pa natin gagap nang gaano ang paggamit nito. Sa akin, English man o Filipino, kung saan mas madali akong maintindihan at mas madali para sa akin ay doon ako. Ang mahalaga, anumang wika ang gamitin ay gamitin na ito nang maayos hangga't maaari

Dinamiko ang ating wika. Walang nakatutukoy kung saang punto ng ating kasaysayan ito lumago. Ngunit sa dalawang pamamaraan laman matutukoy na ito ay umusbong, yumabong at namukadkad : Una, sa hindi inaasahang pakikipag-ugnayan natin sa isa’t-isa, at ikalawa, sa planadong pamamaraan sa pamamagitan ng mga pormal na surian at linangan ng wika.

Para din lang palang UNLAD Mindoro Face group ang wikang Filipino. Mula sa hindi inaasahang tatagal na ugnayan ay nagkaroon ito kagyat ng mga plano upang magpatuloy…

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(Photo from Edith Escalante's file)

Dark Days in My Province

A Power Forum was held last Tuesday, August 9, at the Occidental Mindoro National College (OMNC) Gymnasium in the capital town of Mamburao. While members of the Provincial Legislative Board are busy with the administrative case filed against Mayor Jose T. Villarosa of San Jose, around 200 participants composed of barangay and town officials of Abra De Ilog, Mamburao, Paluan and Sta. Cruz gathered to discuss in impending total blackout this coming 28th of this month due to fuel shortage as disclosed by the NPC-SPUG operating in the whole island. The activity was spearheaded by the Occidental Mindoro Electric Cooperative or OMECO and it is geared towards informing the public about said power crisis situation and draw immediate solutions on the matter.

We were informed through his presentation by a Mamburao-based Serve OMECO member Rodolfo A. Plopinio that the three towns in the northern tip of the province had a long history of struggle against power shortage. In April 2002, more than 6,000 households and business establishments in the so-called MAPSA area were affected and caused economic paralysis and hardships in my province. The power blackout that engulfed the province 9 years ago was due to technical problems along the 70-kilometer transmission line because during that time, the MAPSA area is getting its power supply from NPC’s 32-megawatt Power Barge 102 based in Brgy. Balatero in Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro.

As a response, Mamburao residents staged series of mass actions protesting the persistent power failure that hampers the trade and agricultural development of the area. Joined by the businessmen, people from the government and the Catholic Church, a series of activities that culminated via a prayer rally at the Mamburao Gymnasium was held first week of April that year. With such action, NPC engineer Ramon Osabel and his men were pressured and able to hurry up the repair of the said faulty and problematic transmission lines. The blackout in ’02 lasted for 7 long days.

Going back to the present crisis and the citizens’ response, there is an on-going signature campaign initiated by OMECO and its support groups to call the attention of P-Noy and immediately intervene on the matter. Manifestos from almost all walks of life are out calling on the investigation on the deep roots of fuel shortages namely in MIMAROPA and specifically in Occidental Mindoro. There are also plans of launching series of campaign activities to ultimately solve the power crisis in Occidental Mindoro both in long and short terms. According to OMECO board chair Samuel Villar, another way of temporary solving it is for OMECO to rent generator sets but it needs consultation first with the member-consumers through district assemblies for we will be additional charge on our electric bill. In short, such expenses will be passed on to consumers. But there are no final touches on this yet.

One thing is certain so far. The two political titans will both claim credits on the issue.

In this crisis that we are facing, the people cannot SOLELY depend on politicians because most of them are suffering from acute messianic complex. Our collective efforts are best needed now. Let us let them know that we already have learned our lessons and join the protests against power shortage, during times of crisis or not.

Fools never learn but let us show those credit hungry people up there that we do. But are we really?...

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(Photo grabbed from Eunice Barbara C. Novio's file)

Total Darkness?

Can you imagine San Jose and rest of Occidental Mindoro is engulfed by total darkness? Your computer is not working including all you electrical appliances. The sound of all types of power generators, portable and stand-bys are so annoying both in public places and offices. Include the pollution that it would emit in the environment. And most of all, the chain of economic and social chaos that this total black out would bring. Brace for Hades folks. This is no doubt hell if there’s no precautionary and long lasting solution to be laid both by people from the power sector, the government and the consumers, hand in hand.

Occidental Mindoro Electric Cooperative (OMECO) general manager Alfred A. Dantis confirmed to this writer yesterday about the possible run out of the National Power Corporations’ (NPC) electricity supply in the first week of August 2011 due to, according to Dantis, fuel supply shortage. The OMECO Board of Directors and the Multi-Sectoral Electrification Advisory Council or MSEAC were already informed of the matter as early as last week. Series of meetings were scheduled in order to formulate contingency plans for the matter. This event would situate our province from light to darkness, so to speak. In their meeting last July 19 and that was last Tuesday, Engr. Sonny N. Privado have disclosed that GM Dantis who was in Manila that day informed the former thru text that the news came from the officials of NPC Mindoro grid themselves.

No doubt that this “total darkness and electricity-less” scenario would disrupt OMECO’s operation. In the employees meeting, participants were told that since the EC (electric cooperative) is no longer delivering and rendering its services, it is already at the verge of cutting its expenses including the salaries and wages of employees. In said meeting, suggested precautionary measures on the part of the employees were laid.

This is not a hoax and it’s real. In July 8, 2011, the NPC’s Small Power Utilities Groups or SPUGs have issued a status of power run out dates in all Luzon SPUG Plants. In the list, there are 3 power plants that will be affected by fuel shortage in Occidental Mindoro : the Mamburao Modular Plant, Pulang Lupa DPP and the Power Barge 106 which was stationed in Bragy. Caminawit. In a cable message addressed to GM Dantis last July 21, 2011 from Pulang Lupa DPP, said in part : “As of to date, both PLDPP and PB 106 fuel stocks (diesel and bunker) will last until August 6, 2011. PD yet still awaiting additional funding for the purchase of the fuel for the months of September and months onwards. We may request (if you would permit) scheduled or voluntary load cut daily in order to conserve fuel…” People from NPC cannot be reached by a local radio station for comments.

All of us citizens of Occidental Mindoro, specifically those owners of industries consuming a large load of electricity to communicate with Malacanan and the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Electrification Administration or NEA citing how the NPC declared fuel rundown would affect the economy of the province, as suggested by OMECO employees in their meeting last Tuesday.

But worry not even a bit for OMECO people are doing all they can to expedite measures to solve this impending problem. But to tell you honestly, this is NOT Omeco’s much less the consumers’ fault. This power shortage hinges on a bankrupt national policy on power and electricity that I think President Benigno C. Aquino III has not explained, if not totally neglected, in his SONA yesterday.

OMECO plans to hold a forum this coming August 1, 2011 here in their main Office in San Jose tentatively at around 1:00 PM. All of the invited participants will be informed of the real score and the measures that they have been discussing since last week on this “total darkness” thing. In Sablayan, there will be a Power Summit and this surely will also be tackled.

Rest assured that I’ll keep you all posted on this. If the office computer that I am borrowing would be repaired and if there’s no brown out or power shortage or anything of sort. Let us light a little candle. And pray….

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(Photo from Bing)

Who Is Sick Really?

Somebody said yesterday that Occidental Mindoro governor Josephine Sato is suffering from cancer and (his own) people believed him. The source is a cancer survivor himself.

While it is a moral requirement upon public officials to disclose information about his or her medical conditions that are likely to seriously undermine his/her ability to fulfill the core functions of the office, said disclosure should be done by his/her doctors, by the patient himself/herself but certainly not his or her political opponent! More so if there are no proofs to support it. In any court of justice, such baseless pronouncement is mere rumor and to be treated as such. At this point sans diagnostic results and other medical records, such news is a blatant insult to citizens’ right to truthful information. And the media men who allowed it go unchecked is equally liable. As we repeat all over again, freedom of expression is always coupled with responsibility. We all are supposed to know that, regardless of our political belief and affiliations.

Being interviewed in a radio program over Bambi FM, a stationed owned by him, San Jose mayor Jose T. Villarosa, also known as JTV, disclosed that somebody informed him that governor Josephine R. Sato is suffering from kidney (or was it liver?) cancer while he held the anonymity of his source(s). Let us assume that the mayor and his source(s) are telling the truth, anchors of said programs should have not treated it as a gospel truth even if he is their boss. It should not have occupied airtime in the first place. That time, one of the two anchors is Father Ronilo M. Omanio, who happened to be the station manager and Sato’s opponent for the gubernatorial post in the past two elections. Sato always win with no less than 15 thousand votes.

Last week in a radio interview, this time over Heart FM, Sato said she had an appendectomy and very much on top shape now. She leaves again for US recently this time reportedly for a family vacation along with her daughter.

I remember in January of 2008, some broadsheets irresponsibly reported that former governor JTV went into hiding while in fact he is recuperating at the intensive care unit of the Makati Medical Center after going under the knife to remove his cancer stricken left portion of his lungs. Those journalist and reporters maliciously imputed that JTV was missing and freed out of prison without court order while the truth is he was brought to the hospital for treatment has the approval of Department of Justice and New Bilibid Prisons officials. House deputy speaker Ma. Amelita C. Villarosa said in a radio interview, “it really amazed me how they can come up with irresponsible journalism.” She likewise lamented further, “They did not even validate their story.” It is indeed very torturous and a great agony to find someone in this helpless and heart-breaking situation being victimized by irresponsible people from the media.

Is this case in point about sudden burst of the governor’s cancer story been validated by the radio station direct from the surgeons who allegedly underwent an appendectomy on the governor? Do they have plans to check the hospital and medical records of Sato? The public deserves to know all of these either from Sato herself or from other reliable sources including her political opponents. This would be accompanied with, of course, solid proofs or evidences. It’s the responsibility of Fr. Omanio to the listening public as a priest (Remember, he’s not yet laicized) and as a media man to dig deeply into the matter and present it again over the radio if possible fair and firm with the rest of his staff.

Be it rumor or otherwise, I wish that governor Sato once and for all would come out and tell us how fit or unfit she is because we have heard a lot of stories now about her sickness. What will happen next? Should we have to wait until she comes home for her disclosure to seal this matter or she’ll just shrug this off over her shoulders? Or another legal case is to about to loom. This situation will surely be capitalized by the rival propagandists at Heart FM to their advantage. And another thing is certain : that news (or was it rumor?) becomes another air pollutant. Anyway, we are already breathing the foul air since the beginning and we are immune to that already. Who is sick really? We all are.

Here in the Occidental Mindoro and elsewhere in the Philippines, not only health and related things like doctors (who take partisan stands), district hospitals (like those in San Jose and Mamburao that reportedly lack needed medicines and other supplies) and diagnostic center (that is projected to be erected in a disputed property) are being politicized but likewise the very sickness of the people themselves.

Massive politicking as such is sickening and deadlier than terminal cancer. Today, at least certain types of cancer can be prevented and cured. Pray this political sickness is not a hopeless case…

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(Photo from Mindoro Post)

Multiply and Spread the Bread

Amidst the recent Catholic Church’s involvement in controversies like the PCSO-COA audit and its billion pesos investments in BPI, Philex and San Miguel, there are people who do not generalize the bishops and priests. No doubt, while there are bishops or dioceses who decided to invest money in various assets including stocks, there are many of them assigned in dioceses that are extremely poor thus incapable to enter into such financial venture simply because they do not have enough funds or they prefer other ways what to do with their money. The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Manila, for example, owns more than 300 million peso shares of BPI and is the bank’s 4th largest owner. Its share worth as of May 2011 is reportedly valued at more than P17 billion.

Pater Maurin of the Catholic Worker Movement in the US once said, “The world would become better off if people become better. And people would become better if they stopped trying to become better off.”

As I have previously stated, there are contradictions that we must explore, having in mind the fact that each diocese is independent from each other in administrative and pastoral concerns, like this recent investment of some archdiocese. I have read somewhere a quotation which says, “The Catholic church is not so much a museum of saints as is it a hospital of sinners.” And if I may add, “…a classroom of contradictions.”

Out of 86 dioceses all-over the country and 129 bishops and ordinaries of the Philippines, allow me to pick just one example, the legacy left by Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz in Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan. Cruz, as we all know is former CBCP president, former Judicial Vicar of the CBCP National Tribunal of Appeals and Director of the CBCP Legal Office.

In 2003, a book entitled “Unholy Nation: Stories from a Gambling Republic” was published and there’s a story in page 137 called “Shades of Gray” written by my most favorite lady journalist, Bernadette Sembrano (who is by the way continue to appear at TV Patrol Weekend in ABS-CBN Channel 2 despite of her Bell’s Palsy). Allow me to share to you part of the interview conducted by Sembrano on then still active Archbishop Cruz.

When asked by the journalist, “How much money does your archdiocese have?” the prelate told her, “We do not have money. Every time we have money, we build. We do not accumulate, we spend money. We do not put money aside [except] just enough for salaries.” He adds: “I always tell our priests that we do not have money in reserve, but the moment we need it, we will produce it. You better believe it and it happens.” After the interview, according to Bernadette Sembrano’s account, Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz handed her a pair of small statue of angels and said, “Just keep your hands clean and the money will come.”

In July 5 to 9, 2004 the National Congress of the Clergy was held at World Trade Center in Metro Manila. Majority of the clergy who attended the Congress perceived that lack of transparency and honesty in the management of Church resources as the most weakening factor in the Institutional Church. According to its document called “History and Grace”, “1409 or 52% of the delegates, close to half of the Congress participants, have admitted that this situation weakens the Church all the more because the problem is from within. The clergy’s inability to manage the Church resources due to simple and plain dishonesty militates against very basic human and Gospel values. It brings to the fore the Gospel’s battle cry against sin and corruption, the moral imperative of honesty and truthfulness in the presence of the Lord and His people, the demand for responsible stewardship in the governance of earth resources… Should this Church be found wanting in this transparent, Gospel-inspired stewardship of resources, because the leaders themselves have failed to practice what it preach, the institutional Church weakens its moral foundation and credible leadership” (p. 213). Since then, a lot of things in different parishes and dioceses were gradually made to remedy this.

Maybe its high time now for the Church to have a second look and do concrete actions on the distribution of wealth equally with other poor dioceses and all of the 2,762 parishes in the land and not only during special occasions or in times of extreme charity needs.

May these controversies challenge us to invoke for financial transparency and the right to be informed on what our pastors (or the Parish Finance Council) have done to our donations and monetary contributions. Instead of buying the line of its detractors’ and falling into the cobwebs and unwittingly join in their wagons.

Multiplying the bread then spread it is in a way means of protecting the Church that we love from all her detractors…

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(Photo : Capemaytech.net)

Mitsubishops (Once And For All)

"They are trying to cover up bigger multi-billion peso anomalies in the PCSO and PAGCOR, and they have conveniently found a scapegoat in the CBCP because, you know, it makes a sensational headline," Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago said at the Senate hearing last Wednesday. On that same occasion, PCSO Chairman Margie Juico cleared that no Mitsubishi Pajeros were given to the 7 bishops. Juico also told senators that the news that all 7 bishops received SUVs could have come from an anonymous PCSO employee who was interviewed by journalists.

So, having heard those words coming from the two distinguished ladies, do the media, those in print and in broadcast including on-line news sites, maliciously sensationalized the 2009 COA report? In a way, I think so. But can we solely blame them? Nope. Because it seems nowadays, nobody wants to hear good and inspiring news anymore. We, the opinionated citizens (and netizens) are no longer interested in what the Church is doing in helping her needy flocks, regardless of their religious affiliation. The secular media do not appreciate anymore what the Church is doing in times of calamities, both man-made and natural, here and abroad. We are all gaga over news laced with scandals and intrigues especially if it concerns men of cloth. We generalize them most of the time.

Last Wednesday at the Senate, Cotobato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo emphasized, "We are from the provinces that have some of the most difficult areas that we, as bishop, have to reach. Most of us are from calamity- or conflict-stricken areas. We serve communities with some of the poorest of the poor. Our vocation is to help them in so far as we can with our resources. When we lack resources, we seek the assistance from others." Generally, the Catholic Church in the Philippines is not wealthy as her critics claim. Far from the pastor-centered protestant churches, say, in the US, that personally owns the temporal goods (read: assets) of their churches, our bishops and priests does not personally own them. Her assets are owned by the particular Christian community for the use of their pastoral and social programs. The late Jaime Cardinal Sin, for example, died poor and did not bequeath to his relatives the assets of the whole Archdiocese of Manila. An editorial of CBCP Monitor, Vol. 15; No. 13, has this to say: “….[I]t is not even correct to lump the Catholic Church as wealthy as if it were a centrally managed organization (like Iglesia ni Kristo is) because each of the 86 ecclesiastical jurisdictions in the country is independent from each other. While a few dioceses in the country maybe well-off financially, the majority is not. The Diocese of Borongan (in Eastern Samar), for instance, has a number of parishes that barely make both ends meet.” Here in our Vicariate, out of our 17 parishes, only 4 are in a way financially capable and the rest are considered "poor". Therefore, it is a wrong perception to say that the Church is wealthy so she does not need financial help anymore from sources outside of the Church. She needs mission partners in her community-based programs like livelihood projects and relief and rehabilitation and other advocacies like anti-mining and pro-environment endeavors, peace efforts and issues concerning the indigenous peoples.

Allow me to cite an example of partnership between of the Church and the LGUs featured in the June 6-19, 2011 edition of CBCP Monitor. To pave the way to combat insurgency by providing livelihood to the needy constituents in Bukidnon, Gov. Alex Calingasan has tapped the help of the clergy of Diocese of Malaybalay to assist in the implementation of a livelihood program. It is part of the peace initiative jointly managed and implemented by the local government and church leaders of said province. In a forum attended by Malaybalay Bishop Jose Araneta-Cabantan and Cagayan De Oro Bishop Antonio Ledesma last June 1, 2011, Calingasan admitted that he is not satisfied with the result of his livelihood projects for, according to him, it did not improve the economic status of the people and still, poverty lurks in the countryside.

Calingasan saw that the church has direct connection with the people, even in the remotest areas through the church’s various apostolates, organizations and Basic Ecclesial Communities or BECs. He said, “People tend to trust the clergy’s sincerity in the implementation of the program rather than us politicians whom they think they could pay back during elections…Tapping the church’s help may give this initiative more meaning to the people and they might value it to sustain their livelihood, unlike in the past where most recipients just squandered the money given to them and remain poor.” As we all know, all of the socio-economic and livelihood projects of the church are delivered with corresponding formations and the funds only comes next. By the way, Gov. Alex Calingasan is not a Catholic, he is a devout Baptist.

Well, on the recent PCSO issue, there are two things the government and the church has to take independently. For the legislative bodies or lawmakers, to do something towards the revisit or review of these 3 constitutional provisions: Section 6; Article III, Section 5; and Article VI, Section 5.

On the other hand, for the bishops, to collectively, as they have proposed on their statement “A Time of Pain, A Time of Grace”, (Which is by the way, to be read in all of the Catholic churches in Occidental Mindoro come Sunday) “...re-examine the manner of our collaboration with government agencies for purposes of helping the poor, making sure that pastoral sensibilities are respected and the highest ethical standards are observed.” And finally make a uniform, implementable and clear-cut policy NOT to accept or solicit anything from gambling.

And please include donations or gifts from a commonly perceived pro-gambling (i.e. pro-STL, pro Lotto) political leader and even politicians who are compulsive gamblers or those believed to be running gambling operations…

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(Photo : VoxBikol)

CBCP : Changing Guards and Gears?

The Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has selected new set of officers and I believe this has a lot to do with its present stand on various social issues and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes (PCSO) scandal that 7 of their peers are facing. In our lenses as citizens, they dipped their fingers in the un-holy waters of patronage politics if not partisan politics.

The CBCP will have a new president in the person of Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma starting December. The 61-year-old and incumbent CBCP Vice President, Palma will succeed Tandag, Surigao del Sur Bishop Nereo Odchimar whose term as CBCP president ends on Nov. 30. The CBCP elected a new set of officers during its 103rd plenary session that started last Saturday, July 9, 2011. The president and the vice-president are elected for two-year terms and can serve for a minimum of two terms. Usually, they are reelected for their second and last term but for some reason, Odchimar declined a second term being the president of the conference. The Misubishops were undoubtedly noticed for figuratively beating the speed limit.

In December 12, 1967, the Holy See approved CBCP’s Constitution and prior to this the group was called Catholic Welfare Organization (CWO). CBCP meets twice a year, in January and July. Its leadership is composed of a president, vice-president, a secretary general and a governing body called Administrative Council which speaks for CBCP in between meetings. There are also various Episcopal Commissions which carry out activities of the Conference.

CBCP members and even their previous presidents represent several differences on looking at things. For example in 2005, Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo became president and openly expressed judgments on the supposed faults of then president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Lagdameo openly declared the GMA was corrupt and became one of her staunch critics in her last 4 years in Malacanan. On the other hand, his predecessor, Davao Archbishop Fernando Capalla issued a document asking GMA to stay in the wake of the Garci scandal. Capalla was perceived by many political onlookers as GMA’s ally while Lagdameo as anti-GMA. Political animals as they are, the bishops as individuals have different preferences when it comes to political personalities.

This is how they work on certain socio-political issues. Be reminded, and many of us are not aware of this for we often generalize CBCP members on specific concerns, especially those who are in the secular media. Let us remember that the matters agreed upon during CBCP meetings have NO binding force unless they are passed by the 2/3 of the body; then they have the force of law. However, by Church law (the Canon Law), a bishop has supreme authority in its own diocese. No other authority, except that from Rome, may interfere with the affairs of the diocese. It is in a manner of saying that CBCP’s collective decisions are enforced more through “gentleman’s agreement” than anything else. Even then, a bishop may interpret a policy statement far differently or not in consonance that another colleague. While there is a mental acceptance of the principle of collegiality among the bishops, there is still a wide gap between that and actual practice. For example, on CBCP’s open declaration of “war” against RH Bill, Mining, Divorce, etc., in many dioceses and religious organizations, concrete and visible mass actions are yet to be launched.

That is why it is very valid to ask how effective and significant these responses (read: pastoral letters, statements, etc) were and they should be argued every now and then. But one thing is certain, the bishops integrate evangelization with an engagement in temporal problems but there are still a lot of things to be done specially in their common and shared response. As a have presented to you a while ago the differences between the two separate statements of Capalla and Lagdameo on GMA, one of the basic flaws of majority of CBCP documents- because of the mentioned differences among the bishops- they reflect pluralism within the Catholic Church in the Philippines. The division and the differences of liberal, radical, conservative and moderate bishops have resulted in compromise statements but of course there are exemptions specially those with regards to morals and dogma.

The CBCP as a flock of shepherds who leads our pastoral actions and faith is yet to overcome many things. Both as individual persons and as office-holders and we the laity have to be responsible not only in fostering our support, trust and hope in them but to challenge and criticize their actions if deemed inappropriate. These are also important dimensions of being a community, a dynamic and a pilgrim Church.

In short, Church leaders, priests and especially bishops, who are without doubt seemed to be involved in partisan political struggle and those who aligned themselves with the wealthy and the influential and fail concretely to show concern should be reminded by every faithful like us and even their peers.

And we too show our love for our Church this way. Jesus examples made me think of this when He confronted the Pharisees during His time…

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(Photo: Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Mitsubishops

There are glaring contradictions among the Catholic Church leaders’ position on receiving donations (or was it bribe?) both from legal and illegal gambling. This is the grayest area which divide the Church today especially after the news came out saying 7 Filipino Catholic bishops received monetary aid and luxury vehicles from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) during the Arroyo administration. Retired Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz called on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) to take action and investigate reports that some bishops received money and even Mitsubishi Pajeros from the government, which were allegedly coursed through Malacanan’s Office of Religious Affairs.

No less than the late Jaime Cardinal Sin himself in defense of PCSO assistance given to him for his projects for the poor reportedly stated that he would even accept money from the devil in order to help the poor. Recently, Cotabato Archbishop Orlando V. Quevedo, answers all the allegations and presented his side in his blog site called “Perspectives”. He asked in brief, “What are your real motives in selectively targeting some bishops to whom PCSO gave grants for the sake of the poor?” But another question is, why luxury vehicles? It is more appropriate, say for example, in the delivery of service and administering its projects and programs on education, livelihood and health – that are mostly found in far flung communities –what they need most are vans and pick-up trucks, and not Misubishi Pajeros. But what worries me is the luxury vehicle isn't really utilized for the poor but to augment the whims of some bishops and priests, instead for social action, promotion of health, poverty alleviation and human development. In accepting those SUVs, what will happen to our thrust of being the “Church of the poor”?

For almost a decade now, the CBCP Plenary Assembly made a collegial decision not to solicit or accept donations, cash or in kind, from gambling but it was not followed universally. Likewise, it also issued a pastoral statement in January 2005 through Davao Archbishop Fernando Capalla, then CBCP president, announcing that it would be the policy among bishops “to refrain from soliciting or receiving funds from illegal and legal gambling so as not to promote a culture of gambling.”

Legally speaking, any bishop (or any religious leader for that matter) who uses a motor vehicle or cash obtained from PCSO for non-charitable purposes is criminally liable under the PCSO Charter. But are they properly monitored if being used for such purpose?

Archbishop Emeritus Oscar V. Cruz apparently followed that decision to the letter. This is manifested when he issued a pastoral statement on the issue when he was still active some years back. I wrote about this matter about a year ago in a blog entry called “Clean Little Hands” when this issue first landed in the news. Cruz even noted that the matter should be tackled by CBCP and even elevated to the Congregations of Bishops in the Vatican since it affects the credibility of the Church.

In this particular issue, I adhere to the proposal of House Minority Leader Edcel Lagman for in-depth investigation on the Pajeros and cash gifts given by PCSO to several Catholic bishops during GMA’s watch.

But come to think of this reality, even a call from CBCP to intensify her stand and stage concrete pastoral actions against RH Bill is treated lightly if not ignored by some dioceses. As I have told you before, many of our bishops (and priests) are lousy social advocates but exemplary resource generators…

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(Photo :phnnetwork)

Sara Duterte & Tiffany Startz: Women Punchers

“Son-of-a-gun, this woman knows basic punching,” that’s what I exclaimed when I saw Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte throwing at least four punches that landed in the face of Regional Trial Court (RTC) sheriff Abe Andres last Friday. Sara like her father Rodrigo Duterte, her Vice-Mayor, is also a lawyer. Sara told members of the media after the punching incident that the court sheriff ignored her plea to hold for two hours and wait for her before implementing a court order to demolish houses inside a property owned by a local businessman. Can any Occidental Mindoro women politicians protect my interest, or my property, this far? I doubt it. All of the women politicians in my place do not know how to box. How about the men? I doubt it either.

This is in no way justifying the Laila Ali-like straights and hook she unleashed but its wonderful - for us poor, ordinary citizen- to see our mayor or governor, to stand and fight for our interest, in flesh and in spirit, against moneyed and influential people. Government official who would risk his or her career for our home and shelter. Public servants who avoid making business interest with the wealthy and use his or her position in government.

Very few local officials will risk their political and career, life and limb to deliver a message that authority and leadership is a matter of political will and if it get the ire of the Department of the Interior andLocal Government (DILG), the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) or the National Prosecutors League of the Philippines, so be it. Let shy away from Mayor Duterte for a while and talk about punching in general.

To women out there, keep in mind that even men does not know how to thrown punches right. Freelance writer Jillita Horton reminded us, especially women, “First of all, stop thinking you can't throw a punch because you're a woman. Yes, there are structural differences between a man and woman's body, but trust me on this: Many MEN can't throw a punch, either. I've seen men in cardio kickboxing classes "punch like a girl." And these were average-size men. And I've seen 5'3" women wail on the punching bag. So put your mind to it and tell yourself, "I can hit like a man!" Then do it” Then of course if should be accompanied by training, I mean physical training on how to punch and allow an expert to assist you on this with the aid of a punching bag.

But do you believe that a single punch of an average woman can kill? A 22-year old girl named Tiffany Startz reportedly killed an aspiring rap singer John “Fatboy” Powell, with a single punch to the face after he agreed to be hit in the face by Startz in return for $5 bet. An autopsy ruled that he had died from a brain hemorrhage caused by blunt force trauma. Startz, who is 5'5" and weighs 142lbs, was charged with reckless conduct and battery charges stemming from the incident last September 2010 in Joliet, Illinois, USA. A lawyer for Startz had asked Will County Judge Edward Burmila to dismiss the charges as Powell had agreed to be punched in return for $5.

Let us go back to Duterte’s case. Andres, on the other hand said that he is consulting his bosses for a possible legal action against the lady mayor. He maintained that he was just obeying orders to carry on the demolition order. Duterte may be charged with slight to serious misconduct, the penalties for which range from reprimand to dismissal from office. Some local lawyers said that she could face disbarment for violating Article 148 of the revised penal code, which prohibits qualified direct assaults on persons in authority and their agents “while engaged in the performance of official duties.” But Duterte told reporters that she does not care. She reportedly said she’s not afraid of losing her job or getting disbarred for protecting the poor.

Unlike the lawyer-politician that I know that’s so sweet to be punched in the nose for protecting business interests of people from other provinces than our own fishers and marine life 6 years ago…

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(Photo : Durian Post)