Bishops as a social problem

IT gives me great pain to see how some of our bishops, especially those now handling the leadership of the bishops’ conference, are meddling in politics and in matters on which they have no competence and authority.

Reading through some of their statements, I am bothered to notice the gall they have when they talk about how to carry out their prophetic function of their office in these times, when in reality they are just spewing at best political opinions and social theories.

Their views may be more or less brilliant and clever, but just the same, they are only opinions and theories, not gospel truths that they are supposed to proclaim and defend.

This was not what our Lord did and taught. This was not what our Lord asked his apostles and their successors to do. The Compendium of Social Doctrine teaches the following relevant point:

"Christ did not bequeath to the Church a mission in the political, economic or social order; the purpose he assigned to her was a religious one…

"This means that the Church does not intervene in technical questions with her social doctrine, nor does she propose or establish systems or models of social organization.

"The Church’s competence comes from the Gospel: from the message that sets man free, the message proclaimed and borne witness by the Son of God made man." (n. 68)

I believe the point is quite clear enough. Common sense can readily tell us that that is how the Church should be if she respects the dignity of the human person, not only taken individually but also in his social life.

If in matters of faith and religion which deal with absolute and eternal truths and therefore they can only be one, universal and immutable, we respect the consciences of people (the so-called religious freedom) and we allow a variety of faiths and religions, how much more do we have to respect the consciences of people when talking about matters open to varying opinions.

The Bishops’ statement on the Charter Change, I believe, is already out of their competence. They are already entering into "technical questions" and proposing "systems or models of social organization."

That’s why I don’t know where they are coming from and on what authority they are standing when issuing statements like what they did on Cha-cha, jueteng, Sugbuak, and the like.

They were not only giving guidelines, but were clearly proposing specific positions, often attributing evil motives, albeit implicitly, to parties who have opinions different and even in conflict with theirs.

This is foul. In sports parlance, that could even merit a suspension. This is especially so when one also considers the language used––full of sarcasm and dripping with a sickening sanctimonious pretensions.

Rubbing it in is when their media liaison officials tell one and all that the bishops were not being condescending when they made those statements––a blatant lie, because from the text and tone alone, condescension is what you see from start to finish.

Our love for the Church should make us to be ever on the lookout for false prophets, especially those dressed as bishops. We have a big problem in the Church!

Abu Sayyaf targets children

By Rina de Jesus / September 21, 2006

IN what can only be described a terrifying new development, the radical terror group Abu Sayyaf has taken its vicious battle to the youngsters of the Philippines. The newest horrendous technique of the criminal group was discovered when authorities foiled a devious plot to explode a bomb in Pitogo Elementary School in Kalingalang Kaluang town. Thankfully, the evil plot was disrupted by authorities before it could reach completion.

"Troops have secured the area and safely disarmed the bomb," said Captain Jose Ritche Pabilonia, a spokesman for the military’s Southern Command. He then added that he believed the attempted bombing was a supreme act of cowardice. Many others agreed, wondering how it was possible to be so fanatic as to target small children in school.

The bomb was connected to an electric wire and had a crude firing mechanism. It was similar to the type of bomb the foreign-supported Abu Sayyaf Group has used in the past. Bomb experts believe Abu Sayyaf is responsible. The fact that the terror group attempted to blow up a school is of great concern to many terrorism experts. Yet this attempt also shows how desperate and chaotic the group is. Most analysts believe that such a brazen and cruel attack could be concocted only by the most desperate criminals. The Abu Sayyaf Group has been degenerating into a gang of petty criminals and thugs for the last several years. This attempted attack lowers their credibility even further. Very few in the Islamic community respect Abu Sayyaf. If any members of that community have a remaining shred of interest in Abu Sayyaf, they will surely reevaluate their opinion after this assault against children.

Australian authorities have joined forces with Philippine authorities to combat all terrorist forces operating in the Philippines. Along with many in the local and regional military, Australia’s ambassador for counterterrorism, Les Luck, is happy with the progress. But he believes more can be done to combat the extremist elements. "It is unclear how much is still going on. They have been put under pressure, and there have been some dislocations. But our assumption is that these groups are very persistent and would continue to try and recruit and are going to use safe havens anywhere as much as they could. Their access to these sanctuaries needs to be shut down," he said in a recent interview.

It is the duty of the armed forces of the Philippines to find and destroy all terrorist sanctuaries. They are doing everything they can to accomplish this goal. Senior researcher Astrid Tuminez believes the time is right to eradicate terrorism in the Philippines. "Take advantage of this time when the world is paying attention to [the Philippines]. Prove to them that Muslims in this region are not sympathizing with any bad deeds," she suggested.

This is a wise idea, because no Muslim would ever want to associate with people who plot to blow up schools and kill children. No one could ever condone such terrible behavior.

When asked which terror groups were operating in the Philippines, Tuminez mentioned the notorious Abu Sayyaf Group and also al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiyah. These other two groups are international in scope and maintain activity across the globe. The fact that all three groups are conducting operations together in the Philippines is a great concern to all Filipino citizens. Tuminez also believes, "Some lawless elements are responsible for assisting these groups."

Stopping all the actions and plots of these terror groups presents an enormous challenge for the authorities. They are up to the task but can always use help. Officials believe that regular citizens can help in the efforts to locate foreign-supported terrorist cells operating in the Philippines. It is a very important duty, as these latest plots clearly show just how cruel these terror groups are. It is almost impossible to believe that any group would choose as its mission to kill innocent children. But facts are facts.

In order to stop groups like Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah from operating in the Philippines, it is very important that all responsible citizens immediately report any unusual behavior or suspicious persons to the authorities. Experts believe this is an excellent method of combating terrorism. Many foreign-supported elements wish to cause harm to the Philippines. When terror groups take such extreme actions as attacking young children, all available methods must be used. Every citizen has a duty to help in any way to stop these criminals from succeeding. Bombing an elementary school shows just how evil and desperate these people are.

In the book "Beyond the Market: Economics for the 21st century," Gaudenz Assenza observes that, "our nation is dying––dying to change, dying to resurrect into a new, more humane society." It seems that Archbishop Fernando Capalla has the answer when he observes, that the Filipinos are experiencing a period of moral degeneration because the people has become secularized, hence, the political, social, educational, economic, cultural, military and even the spiritual aspects of life has become corrupt. We are coming to a point that whoever happens to lead our country, must do one noble thing: Lead the nation into a transformation to a better Philippines, a nation with its higher self intact.

What is happening in the end year of 2005 forward is self-destruction of economy and democratic institutions by warring educated middle classes, vested interests, the popular political rivalries and dynasties and the self-flagellation by a people desperately in search of a leader.

Scientists and economists today are convinced that what is needed is the fundamental rebirth of belief in the supernatural––a force that makes possible the accomplishment of things beyond man’s normal capabilities, in order, to effect change and transformation. No amount of effort to change the system or structure of governance from presidential to parliamentary federal will help effect change if there is no change in the attitude and outlook of the people and leaders themselves. Gaudenz Assenza emphatically declared "there must be a new birth to the higher self." To do so, one must undertake two major steps.

The first is to heed the injunction of Plato: "Know thyself." One must look at one’s qualities and defects. Then a conscious, consistent effort is made to overcome one’s flaws, something unexpected usually happens when one does this: Defects you though you never had; come out, and to overcome it, one needs the Christ’s force within, or may call it God, some call it source, others the universal creative force or the great universal wisdom or higher power. To the charismatic movement––the Holy Spirit. Out of the pain of knowing and overcoming one’s lower self, the higher self is born, transformation "happens" the birth of the Christ within––the return to God––to the spiritual aspect of life. So, when you transform yourself, in effect, you transform the nation.

The second step is: "Self knowledge" of gaining a higher consciousness of the reality of the world, meaning, that those who succeeded in giving birth to higher self––know that the reality is made two of aspects––the material and spiritual. It is not only the material world that is real, rather everything material has a spiritual dimension. This is why the ordinary lower self occupies only with physical needs and wants. It is riveted to material concern.

Knowing the realities in our country, we can readily say that the nation is dying because the higher self has not grown. The spiritual aspect of life is dormant and imprisoned. What surfaced is corruption, disunity, confusion, which are indicative of the lower self––prevailing in the nation. The gift of God––the seed of life and the light of life, planted in us is choked by the weeds. Simply stated: "We are not of God. We are of this world."

CBCP president Angel Lagdameo, appealed to the nation’s leaders to become servants of the country and work together to improve the lives of the Filipinos. In solving then political conflict, he said, "Individual reforms through humility, repentance, conversion and prayers would be necessary for national transformation and renewal." This is easily said. But ‘‘how’’ is the question!

In the Bible, the way to transformation is repentance––for man to return and be reconciled with God. For man to manifest without God is to suppose himself to be personal god––a megalomania, a kind of paralysis of expression, of pride and selfishness, concern only of his physical lower being.

Man is structured to be holy "in the image and likeness of God." In Psalms 8:5-7: "Man is a little less than God." Like birds have wings so it could fly, man has his spirit, so it could be holy. Like butterflies, men have to be transformed from a mere worm (lower self) into a beautiful butterfly (higher self) that can fly high to see a beautiful world. So if man is transformed into a new personality, renewed to higher self, man could also literally fly freely toward new heights––to the level of spirituality professed and promised by Jesus.

Vatican II prayed for a new Pentecost, for a new breath of life, that had transformed the apostles tremendously by the power of the Holy Spirit. The problems faced by the Filipino people can no longer be solve by our own efforts and power. It would need a supernatural power to help us transform ourselves as it did to the apostles. This is what the scientist and economist meant of supernatural power, that have changed civilization. This is what is needed by the Filipinos––a new Pentecost to transform the leaders and people, as it did 2000 years ago. This is what Archbishop Lagdameo meant when he ask of individual reforms through humility, repentance, conversion and prayers, to attain national transformation and renewal.

If we can have renewed and transformed leaders and people who could work together as a team––where at the heart of every effort is committed to build a nation, as what Singapore has done, then we can be assured of a country under God, doing the bayanihan way, which is in the heart of every Filipino––where there will be sharing, caring and loving. Only then can we offer all citizens ample opportunities for a fulfilling future, a future we can be proud of, as a people, as a nation and as children of God!

Headed towards political catastrophe

By Ed Malay / September 1, 2006

THE Philippines could be headed towards a constitutional catastrophe with the imminent collapse of the country’s political structure in the event of a breakdown in the hierarchical structure of the legislative branch of the government.

The possibility of a constitutional crisis is fast becoming a reality although the Filipino people may not know it yet or have not been able to grasp the enormity of the problems the country will be facing and or are merely blinded by their seeming bias that they fail to see the realities that are forthcoming.

The country’s political structure is in danger of a monumental collapse in the event the petition filed by the Sigaw ng Bayan and the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (Ulap) for the holding of a plebiscite in support of a people’s initiative to amend the 1987 Charter is dismissed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Notwithstanding the issues raised by the opposition regarding the authenticity of the signatures appearing in the petition, it would do the country more good than harm if the Comelec would accept the petition and conduct a public hearing to hear the contending arguments of both the proponents of Charter change and those opposed to it.

An outright dismissal by the poll body of the petition for a people’s initiative to amend the present Charter would lead to a constitutional crisis once the majority members of the House of Representatives make good its threat to convene a Constituent Assembly even without the acquiescence of the Senate.

The ruling party in the House of Representatives remain convinced that they can proceed with the convening of a Constituent Assembly without the Senate because of the ambiguity of the 1987 Charter which did not contain a description of how Congress is to be defined.

Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. indeed has enough votes that would constitute three-fourths of Congress as a whole which means that they will proceed with the planned Constituent Assembly if the Comelec will decide to dismiss the petition for a people’s initiative.

A crisis of humongous proportion could engulf the country if and when the majority members of the House of Representatives declare they have the numbers and will convene Congress as a Constituent Assembly and proceed with the task of amending certain provisions of the 1987 Constitution particularly the shift from a presidential-bicameral form of government to a presidential-unicameral system that would mean the abolition of the Senate.

Such a crisis would not just lead to a legislative gridlock but would lead to the complete absence of a legislative sector. While this scenario can always be questioned before the Supreme Court, the absence of an effective legislature resulting from such legal entanglements would set back all efforts by the government to achieve political stability and turn around the nation’s economy now reeling from under-production in the face of fierce competition from the other economies in the region.

All that one has to do is imagine a political system is reduced to a standstill because of an ineffective legislature that is rendered meaningless on account of its being swept by the indistinct definition of the word "congress" in the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

At the same time, there are options available to the Comelec to stave off such a crisis and at the center of all these issues is whether the move to amend the 1987 Constitution has the support of the citizenry and to which almost all the surveys that have been conducted relative to the proposed move to amend the charter have shown that there is now a clear majority among the populace who approve of the move to amend the Philippine Constitution.

What has also become evident is that the longer the country, its government and the authorities remain locked in protracted and contentious debates on whether to amend or not to amend the constitution, the other countries not only in the Asia-Pacific economic basin but elsewhere in the world are on the way to getting acquainted and familiar with the borderless economy that is growing at a pace to which the Philippines may not be able to approximate.

The legislative gridlock that has reduced the Senate into an investigating body cannot be equated with the fruits of democracy nor even with the doctrine of check and balance because when a legislative body such as the Senate gives up on its primary function which is to legislate and enact laws, a political standoff could ensue which will bring more harm than good.

Where are the revenues from Evat?

August 17, 2006

WHY don’t they just admit that not a centavo from the Expanded Value Added Tax (Evat) revenues went to social services as promised?

The Evat was the most significant of President Arroyo’s package of revenue measures that she asked legislators to pass into law in the wake of her declaration of a "fiscal crisis." Then Arroyo, during her Sona, boasted of a recuperating economy on account of revenue collected from the imposed tax.

Government has claimed that revenue from the Evat would be returned to taxpayers in form of improved social services. But Arroyo failed to mention anything about enhancing social services such as education in her recent Sona.

Basic social services such as health and housing were also overlooked in Arroyo’s Sona. Instead, Ms. Arroyo attempted to compensate students by alloting a measly portion of the supplemental budget to the Department of Education. The supplemental budget in itself exposes the administration’s continuous prioritization of all-out-war and bribery of local governments in exchange for support for Charter change and her stake in the 2007 elections.

As a result, schools and educational institutions are being forced to resort to income-generating schemes at the expense of students and their parents.

The latest proposal from the Commission on Higher Education (Ched) of leasing lands in state colleges and univerisities to call center corporations as a blatant commercialization scheme to make up for a measly education budget.

Under the guise of ‘‘available manpower’’ and ‘‘employment for new graduates,’’ the government is now shamelessly transforming public educational institutions into profitable markets. In the long run, this new scheme will only benefit the government’s program to gradually retract state subsidy for education.

Now we are seeing students from various universities launching a nationwide signature campaign to call for a refund of all illegal tuition and other fee increases and impositions charged by school administrations for the present school year.

For instance, the UP system increased its library fees from P100 to P400 this school year. Students from other SUCs have also complained of exorbitant tuition and miscellaneous fee increases this year.

Combining these with the continuous Evat imposition and rising prices of basic commodities doesn’t leave much for poor students. They pay overly much but are still left miserably wanting.

Eleanor de Guzman, Anakbayan

OVERPOPULATION is an obvious problem in the Philippines. There are just too many people occupying the same place at the same time.

When was the last time you heard yourself complaining about being lynched by a big crowd of people? Try riding the MRT. You’ll probably get squished by a hundred other people who are trying their way to their offices and schools. You can try entering a mall too. You’ll get stuck in a line with other people waiting for the guards to check them before they can even take a step inside. The people took the phrase, "go forth and multiply" too seriously.

The main root of underdevelopment, economic stagnation, high crime rate, and illiteracy is no other than overpopulation. Very simple mathematics and analysis will show you. The Philippines inhabitable lands and other natural resources are shrinking against a growing population. The GDP and GNP are small as to the ratio of population per resource and that means the population increases faster, overtaking the available resources.

Even the services and labor sectors are affected. Public schools can’t provide education that involves having one student per desk or book. Some classes aren’t even held in the classrooms anymore just to accommodate the volume of students––that probably would have a hard time competing with each other to get the limited number of jobs and business opportunities. Big chunks of the population are either unemployed or underemployed. In the hospitals, the ratio of doctors to people in the country is one to more than a thousand.

Who’s doing anything to solve the problems?

The government tries to remedy the problem by proposing population-control policies. They believe that a smaller population is more manageable given the inadequate resources available for the nation’s use. One of these proposals is HB 3773 Integrated Reproductive Health and Population Reduction Bill. This caused a major commotion among different sectors in the country in 2004.

The Church, on the other hand, has a different stand on this. They raised the questions on morality of the proposed bill and reiterate the respect of the human life; that every family has the right to procreate and design their family the way they want to. Instead, the family proposes natural family planning.

Before these parties continue arguing against each other, they should realize that doesn’t cease running and that situation will just worsen if they won’t do anything soon. To which should the people listen? The people, who are the ones greatly affected, are stuck in between.Someone should find the solution to overpopulation. The nation cannot afford to have another fall for this already scarred nation. The people should also start finding answers in themselves. If only the people would start disciplining themselves and working with each other, then they could actually turn even the worst situation into something beneficial for the progress of the nation.

Send RP ferries to bring the workers home

By Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr. / August 14, 2006 

CONSIDERING that there appears to be no other way now to save our countrymen and women in Lebanon except through the sea, I suggest that the government should tap the super ferries for the purpose.

The distance from Manila to Beirut is 6583 nautical miles and at the speed of 18 knots can be covered in 15 days one way.

Each super ferry can carry a passenger load of 2200. If we can mobilize the super ferries of the country, it is estimated that three ships rotating in ferrying our people from Lebanon to Manila, we can bring our countrymen and women out of Lebanon to safety in Manila.

In terms of logistical needs, it is estimated that the ships would need 1100 tons of bunker fuel or 100 tons of diesel fuel and 4x40 reefer vans of food supply.Tonnage dues will have to be paid for the right to use the Suez canal. The domestic licenses of the ferries have to be converted to international licenses.

This can be done by Marina. War Zone insurance will probably have to be covered also by government.Total estimated costs to evacuate 30,000 OFWs from Lebanon to Manila by ship total only $3.5 million covering 13 trips at $270,000 per trip.

The charter costs are $8,000 a day. Perhaps, if the government appeals to the patriotism of the ferry owners, the costs may even be lower. (Unless ships based in Lebanon are available for the purpose, the proposal may be the most expedient way of doing the evacuation of our OFWs trapped in the Lebanese conflict.)

The evacuation of the OFWs is of supreme importance and transcends partisan political loyalties. This is a matter that all Filipinos – supportive of the opposition or of the administration – must put as a top priority. Let’s do it now.

Collapse of RP tourism

By Ben Emata / August 3, 2006

TOURISM, anywhere in the world, is a major money earner. From the beleaguered Middle East to Europe, Africa, Asia and everywhere, the industry has always been on the top because there is no big investment to speak of, except development of places of attractions.

Why do people travel? It is for self-entertainment. It is highly educational. It is a way of easing one’s life from the heavy rigors of stress and anxiety form excessive works. It is one way of learning how to handle your hard-earned cash as you convert it for enjoyment.

In my own estimate, a Filipino who has been maintaining a well-paying job for years, surely has savings in the bank and can afford to travel. In fact, many of them have already gone in groups to Europe and the Middle East like Jerusalem, Egypt, London, Venice and Paris. Americans and Europeans who are more gifted with cash and travel resources are No. 1 travelers since they have enough for pleasure and entertainment.

Business entrepreneurs that handle tourism have developed into empires because of the number of tourists who flow like unending rivers into all places worldwide. And every tourist has gained a pleasant and memorable experience from the places he has visited.

The Philippines is one country that boldly appears in the world map of the industry. It offers much of the wonders of its countryside. It has beautiful cold and hot springs, majestic volcanoes, rivers, lakes, the grandeurs of green mountains, wonderful animals, beautiful people so accommodating and hospitable, and a lot others that tourists long for. We used to have thousands of tourists coming weekly that are hungry for pleasure and joy and the vision of fairytale stories of long ago.

But things have changed because we have utterly destroyed the industry by being so careless and reckless. We failed to take care of our tourism industry.

Tourists are afraid of so many street shootings and violent mass actions in the guise of fighting for freedom and democracy but actually are forcing its way to change the system to communism. Then there are the numerous crimes with foreigners as victims, and the criminals who could hardly be apprehended because of their strong connection with law enforcers. There seems to be a mutual understanding between and among criminals and some authorities.

Our own rebel-brothers who continuously disturb peace and order has naturally frightened the visitors, thus putting our tourism industry in the dark clouds of oblivion.

We have lots of tourists who were kidnapped, killed or just criminally abused.

We have lots of them who lost their money to pickpockets. And many of these visitors never recovered their money and other personal belongings from the thieves.

Certainly, stories of their experience in our country spread like wildfires and demolished the profitable industry that was once a major source for funds for our education and infrastructure.

I guess criminals in our country just go out in the open field and keep an eye on white men and women or anyone who looks like a tourist.

I have been a tourist myself moving freely in and out of big cities in Europe but I never had any bad experience with the people there. I enjoyed traveling, from the moment I boarded the 747s. I have jumped from one train to another to cross the borders of Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, etc. and I never had any frustration of sort or lost any item in my luggage or in my hotel room or anywhere else. I walked miles and miles in the streets of Germany; in the narrow hallways of Prague, Czechoslovakia, in the old churches and museums of Italy and many more and always I felt the joy and pleasure of having visited major cities in the world.

Yes, we still see European and Americans, even Asians, on our beaches, enjoying the cold winds, the oceans, the wonders of our rivers and all the things around. But many of them are not purely in our country for tourism; they are married to Filipinos. Fortunately for them, they enjoy personal attention and the protection of their wives or husbands as well as relatives, and many of them get back to their country of origin intact.

Our government has failed to protect valued tourists. As a result, avoid our country.

Another ugly thing is the penchant of some Filipino businessmen to take advantage of tourists. Hotel prices are a bit high. In the provinces, many hotel rooms cost as much as $40 to $70 a night––with lots of lizards in the ceiling and rats racing with each other underneath beds. A tourist goes to the restaurant and there, they see more dollar tags for food and drink.

Try Bangkok, Hongkong and Japan cities and you would be amazed at the low hotel cost. The room prices range from $20 to $30 and the food is realtively cheap.

No wonder other Asian cities beat us without mercy to our knees when it comes to tourism. I still hope that we, Filipinos, have learned from our mistake and save the hen that lays the golden eggs.

Proven guardian of press freedom

By Aquilino Pimentel Jr. / Posted on August 1, 2006

(The following are excerpts from a speech made by Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr. during the July 28 induction of the 2006 Board of Trustees of the Philippine Press Institute in Cagayan de Oro City.) Cagayan de Oro has a vibrant press that is kept alive by a vigorous press club. The people of the city are proud of its lively press. We are especially pleased that even during the dark days of martial law, by Executive Order No. 241 we set aside a week to celebrate Press Freedom in the city in 1982 and the Cagayan de Oro Press Club has without let up held the celebration every year thereafter up to the present.

There is no question that sometimes, the press in the city and that includes radio and television journalists, go overboard in their reportage.

I know that from firsthand experience having held government posts local and national as well. Nonetheless, it is my position that a country is better off having an abusive press than no press at all. Of course, the ideal is that the press should not only be free but also responsible.

In any event, what is important, I think, is to remember that while the press has the right to criticize people in or out of the government, the people it criticizes also have the right not only to explain their side but to criticize the critical press in the same measure.

Let me say at this point that your organization, the PPI, has done our country proud. You have time and again stood up for the right of journalists, the members of the press, to speak out their minds, to publish their ideas and be responsible for their views.

Shortly before the imposition of martial in the country, the PPI took up the cudgels in 1970 for the brothers Rizal and Quintin Yuyitung of the China Commercial News that was published in Manila. The brothers Yuyitung had run afoul with the government for running certain articles that were deemed ‘‘communist propaganda" by the Marcos government.

Playing up to the Taiwan anti-communist government, Marcos ordered the immigration authorities to arrest and have them deported to Taiwan. The PPI through Max Soliven, Johnny Mercado, Teddy Locsin and Nap Rama stood up for the Yuyitungs and defended their right to say their piece. Not that its stand dissuaded the government from deporting the Yuyitungs to Taiwan. Nonetheless, what is important is that even at the time, the PPI true to its mission told the government it was wrong to deport the Yuyitungs because they were merely exercising the freedom of the press.

More recently, the PPI again proved its mettle by publicly denouncing Presidential Proclamation 1017 as an immediate threat to press freedom in the country. In fact, one newspaper, the Daily Tribune, was raided by elements of the armed forces and threatened with permanent closure.

The PPI––under the leadership of Jake Macasaet of Malaya––came out with a blistering pooled editorial reproving the government for curtailing press freedom and for using martial law tactics to do so.

Even for these two acts of courage alone, the PPI deserves the appreciation of our people.

I know how difficult it is for people in the media to stand up to government abuses, especially in a third world country like ours where the padrino system prevails over the normal norms of right and wrong. As news people, you have to be careful that advertisements, a major source of revenues that keep your media outlets running, are not cut off on pressure of the powerful.

And yet in the two examples cited, the PPI chose right over what is convenient to uphold press freedom even in defiance of the wishes of the government.

More positively, the PPI enhances the freedom of the press by compelling the members of the press to adhere to a code of ethics that would earn for them the trust and confidence of the public. Moreover, the PPI, I am told has been conducting seminars to improve the newsgathering and newsreporting skills of its members.

I would suggest, however, that new threats to press freedom are again knocking at our gates. Thus, the struggle to prevent an erosion of that freedom is far from over.

The government will continue its attempts to muzzle the press in the country. And one of the convenient tools to do that would be through the enactment of the so-called anti-terrorist act.

This is not to say that the Act is not needed. We need legislation to combat the sophisticated methods that terrorists employ to harm the innocent. But everyone, especially the members of the media are called upon to help see to it that the law on terrorism that comes out of Congress must not infringe upon our basic freedoms in the name of the fight against terrorism.

The proposed law is now being debated in the halls of the Senate. I suggest that it is important for the PPI and for all other mass media organizations and concerned citizen groups to monitor the shape and form that this legislation will take.

Your views are especially welcome on the provisions on arrests without warrants, surreptitious wire tapping, scrutinizing your emails and other private communications, and probably even your bank accounts by government agents.

One final point. The press in the US today is being pressured by the government not to publish its plans dealing with terrorism. From the surface, the intent appears justifiable.

This renewed attempt to restrain the press was triggered by a New York Times disclosure on June 22 that the Swift banking consortium in Belgium was being used as a conduit for terrorist funds.

In a letter to the public, the editor of the New York Times has said that he did not find it compelling in the name of the public interest to refrain from doing what the government agents have suggested. The NY Times stand was shared by the Los Angeles Times and The Wall Street Journal, among other publications.

The jury is still out on who is right and who is wrong on the issue of media self-censorship especially on issues of security. Katherine Graham, the legendary publisher of the Washington Post, has admitted that there are indeed times when the right to publish must give way to the need to maintain state secrets.

Graham had "backed her editors through tense battles during the Watergate era." But in a 1986 speech, she warned that the media sometimes made ‘‘tragic mistakes.’’ She cited as an example the publication that the US had broken the "coded radio traffic between terrorist plotters in Syria and their overseers in Iran. The communications stopped and five months later they struck again, destroying the Marine barracks in Beirut and killing 241 American" troops.

Ben Bradlee, a former editor of the Post, however says in his book, A Good Life, that "Officials often––more often than not, in my experience––use the claim of national security as a smoke screen to cover up their own embarrassment."

Other famous cases that impacted on press freedom––national security issues involved the naming in 1985 by the Washngton Post of Col. Oliver North as the overseer of the secret war against the Nicaraguan rebels. And more than two decades earlier, the New York Times learned of the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba but removed references to the CIA and other details upon the request of the government. But when the invasion proved to be a disaster, President John F. Kennedy told a Times editor that he wished the paper had ignored the government plea––because a more pointed article might have led the CIA to abort the operation.

The difficulties that the US press has experienced in the matter of publishing what the government had at various times considered to be sensitive security information are pressing on our shores.

In fact, our press already had a foretaste of what is to come when there was a news blackout over the operation of our soldiers against the Abu Sayaff in Basilan and Sulu a year or two ago.

Perhaps, it would do the PPI well to put their collective heads together and map out suggestions on how the press will handle matters involving issues on terrorism under present laws and the rights of our people under the projected anti-terrorism legislation.

Today press freedom is being subjected to assault by powerful elements in the country. Press people are being eliminated as "enemies of the state"––as of last count, some 48 media people have been killed since the start of the presidency of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

The PPI should perhaps assume a more assertive role to protect press freedom in general and the press practitioners in particular from harassment by the well-connected.

Despite the attempts of powerful elements to silence our media people by the use of the gun, I still believe that the pen is mightier than the sword. And for as long as we have journalists in the mold of the present trustees of the PPI, the truth that comes out in the written and oral reports of the country’s journalists will in the end prove stronger than the power that emanates from the barrel of a gun.

Kiko's aide reacts to Goking

July 27, 2006

I READ with much interest the article of Mr. Bobby Goking, entitled, "Kiko Gyud" on July 4, 2006. At the outset, allow me to clarify some of the issues raised in the article.

The column pointed out that Republic Act 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act may embolden minors to commit more crimes or that syndicates may exploit children to commit criminal acts for them. One of the salient points of RA 9344 is the exemption from criminal liability of children below 15 years old, and those above 15 but below 18 years old who acted without discernment. Although this provision guards children in conflict with the law from incarceration, RA 9344 does not in any way extend such protection to adult masterminds who exploit or induce children to commit crimes. Under our criminal laws, the adults may be held liable, while the exemption of children from criminal liability is based on the rationale that minors who fall prey into the hands of bad elements are not felons but are actually victims of the ills of society. The adults, may be held liable as principals by inducement, and as such, cannot escape liability.

Being excused from criminal liability does not mean that children are simply freed unscathed from liability. The child in conflict with the law will be subject to individualized community-based rehabilitation programs instead of being criminally persecuted. This prevents the detention of children with adult criminals that exposes them to harsh prison culture. The Juvenile Justice Act provides primary intervention and preventive measures aimed at reforming children in conflict with the law. Detention becomes the exception rather than the rule for children in conflict with the law.

The Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act took effect on May 20, 2006. It is in effect even in the absence of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) which the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council shall develop within 90 days from the effectivity of the law, or by Aug. 18, 2006. Admittedly, it is difficult to enforce a new law without an IRR. While the Council is still carefully drafting the same, the agencies and institutions dealing with children in conflict with the law may coordinate with the DSWD and the Juvenile Justice Network.

We recognize that there are a great deal of potential problem areas of the bill, and we need to have more venues for discussion as to how we can best implement this law. It must be stressed however, that the most successful rehabilitation programs for children in conflict with the law in the country, are those administered not by the DSWD alone, but by the DSWD and the local social welfare in partnership with the private sector. Government alone cannot hope to address the plight of these children in conflict with the law. For the law to become truly successful, only a concerted effort of all sectors will make it happen.

Implementing the law at this point may seem inconvenient but the long term goal of reforming our children is well worth the effort.

Our Office, through our Legislative Officer Atty. Damcelle Torres, is open to inquiries regarding the Juvenile Justice Act. She may be reached through telephone no.5526601 local 6520.

Thank you very much.

Justice, finally

July 25, 2006

THE Supreme Court through its recent decision established a jurisprudence that upholds the Emancipation Patents (EPs) and Certificates of Land Ownership Awards (Cloas) as valid titles under the Torrens System and, is therefore, irrevocable and indefeasible one year after its registration in the Register of Deeds.

The decision refers to the case of Samuel Estribillo, et. al vs. Department of Agrarian Reform and Hacienda Maria, Inc. G.R. No. 15967. The petitioners in this case are members of the Kahiusahan sa Malahutayong mga Mag-uugma Para sa Ekonomikanhong Kalambuan (Kammpe), a People’s Organization in Barangay Angas, Sta. Josefa, Agusan del Sur.

The members of Kammpe, represented by Mr. Samuel Estribillo, were the petitioners in the case of Samuel Estribillo, et. al vs. Department of Agrarian Reform and Hacienda Maria, Inc. G.R. No. 15967. They brought their case to the Supreme Court when the Department of Agrarian Reform Adjudication Board (Darab), upon the petition filed by the Hacienda Maria, Inc. (HMI) in 1997, to cancel their Emancipation Patents (EPs), voided their EPs issued under Presidential Decree No. 27, and after the Court of Appeals denied their appeal based on a technical ground.

Last June 30, however, the members of Kammpe tasted justice when the Supreme Court rendered a landmark decision over the case. The decision squarely settled the controversial issue as regards the indefeasibility of Emancipation Patents (EPs) as well as Certificates of Land Ownership Awards (Cloas) given to farmer beneficiaries under Presidential Decree 27 and Republic Act 6657, respectively.

In categorical terms, the Supreme Court ruled that "the EPs themselves, like the Certificates of Land Ownership Award (Cloas) in Republic Act No. 6657 (the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law of 1988), are enrolled in the Torrens system of registration. The Property Registration Decree in fact devotes Chapter IX on the subject of EPs. Indeed, such EPs and Cloas are, in themselves, entitled to be as indefeasible as certificates of title issued in registration proceedings." Under the registration law (Presidential Decree No. 1529), a title issued and registered in the Register of Deeds becomes irrevocable and indefeasible one year upon its registration before the Register of Deeds.

Thus, the Supreme Court upheld the indefeasibility of EPs awarded to the members of Kammpe and ruled the same to be valid and subsisting.

This decision is significant not only to the members of Kammpe but also to all Filipino farmers who hold either EPs or Cloas as titles for the lands issued to them under the agrarian reform program under PD 27 and RA 6657.

The decision should pave the way for the dismissal of petitions for cancellation of EPs and CLOAs pending before the Darab, or any court for that matter.

Although it is already barely two years from now before the agrarian reform program under RA 6657 ends by 2008, the decision still calls for a celebration. If the Supreme Court will not reverse its decision (as it did in La Bugal B’laan Tribal Association Inc., vs. Ramos where the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Philippine Mining Act of 1995) should there be a motion for reconsideration filed by Hacienda Maria Inc., then we have more reason to rejoice that social justice has been served––at last.

Govt's inability to protect journalists

July 21, 2006

ANOTHER colleague is dead.

Armando Pace, 51, hard-hitting commentator of Radyo Ukay DxDS in Digos City, was felled on Tuesday by two motorcycle-riding men who shot him as he made his way home after hosting his program.

Pace was the 82nd journalist slain in the country since 1986, the 42nd under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s watch––the worst record of any administration––and the ninth thus far this year, already two more than last year’s toll and with five more months to go.

Lest we forget, it was in 2005 that the country was given the dubious title of "most murderous for journalists" for the 14 journalists murdered the previous year.

News reports on Pace’s death all describe him as a hard-hitting anchorman who often attacked corrupt politicians and the illegal drug trade.

We will again point out, as we have done so in the past and, given the trend, we are afraid we will continue to do so in the future, that the utter failure of government and its security forces to stop the killings and bring all those responsible to account has nurtured a culture of impunity that emboldens those who officially or not wish to silence the truth and stifle the free flow of information and ideas.

Whether Pace was killed by a crooked politician, a ruthless criminal, or a government thug, the manner in which he was killed follows the all too familiar pattern of motorcycle-riding gunmen that has become the common denominator in the murders of journalists and activists.

Because nothing has been done against this modus operandi, killers of all stripes and inclination have found what amounts to a convenient cloak of anonymity.

This merely bolsters our contention and that of human rights organizations that the continued refusal or inability of the very institutions and agencies mandated to protect our lives and liberties to fulfill their sworn duties is tantamount to culpability.

Grossly unfair to water consumers

June 23, 2006

THIS is a rejoinder to Ben Contreras’ comment about COWD’s imposing a 10% surcharge for failure to pay water bills on time. The comment came at an opportune time. I have been wanting to write and gripe about this as this is grossly unfair and disadvantageous to us who rely on salaries alone to meet our monthly obligations.

My water bill, for example, arrives on the 17th or 18th of the month with due date set between the 22nd and 25th. On this dates my first quincena pay will have been expended and my next pay will not be available until the end of the month at which time a 10% penalty will have been imposed.

With their eagerness to collect surcharges one would think that they have, beforehand, included the penalties as source of income when they prepare their budget. Maybe, just maybe, they have already allocated said income for additional benefits for their employees and a disruption in surcharges collection would greatly affect this.

Cepalco allows a 15-day grace period after due date and discounted rate if payment is made before due date. Why can’t COWD do the same?

And while we’re at it, I would like to bring to your attention another utility provider––Parasat. In newspapers and magazines, I have often read the words "Truth in Advertising Act." If there is such an act Parasat would be guilty of violating it. They advertise subscription rates as, a) Regular (channels 1-40); b) Premium (channel 1-50), and; c) International (all channels). Why is it then that they charge an additional fee for Channel 16 when it is already included in the subscription (you cannot go from one to fifty without going through 16) and is, therefore, already paid for.

Parasat, being the only cable provider in the city has abused its monopoly. Just recently it has effected another increase in its subscription rates. On top of this it charges exorbitant sums for Pay Per View programs, a double jeopardy again, I think.

I hope you can do something about the things I am griping about. Or at least I will appreciate you writing about it.

Saksi Ngayon photojournalist killed in Caloocan City

May 16, 2006