A3 Every Catholic is called to
encourage vocations,
Pope says
Group urges ARMM
polls postponement,
caretaker gov’t
A MULTI-SECTORAL organization demanded
the postponement of the August 8 Autonomous
Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) elections
and that a caretaker government is formed in
the meantime.
The newly-launched iPAD-Mindanao (I am
for Peace and Development in Mindanao) un-
derscored that the upcoming polls would still
not bring the desired change there.
ARMM / A6
PNOY has 2 options:
People Power for or against him
By Roy Lagarde
RETIRED Bishop Teodoro
Bacani said there is no room for
neutrality in the controversy
against the contentious
Reproductive Health (RH)
bill.
In his homily during the “Filipinos
Unite for Life” rally at the PICC grounds
in Pasay City on Feb. 13, Bacani called
on President Benigno Aquino III to
once again clarify his position on
contraception.
“Just make it simple. If you support
it, say yes. And if not, then say no,”
Bacani said.
He also issued an ultimatum to the
Aquino administration: push programs
that promote the use of contraceptives
and abortifacients and face the conse-
quences.
The bishop’s words were blunt. He
said the country has so many problems
and Aquino should not waste his time
on RH bill.
“I think President Noy would like to
have a people power supporting him
rather than an enemy,” Bacani said earn-
ing applause from the crowd.
“The country has so many problems.
Don’t add this RH bill headache into
your administration,” he said.
The rally was held five days after the
United States Conference of the Catholic
Bishops (USCCB) called on the Filipino
prelates not to give up its fight against
RH bill.
Bacani said in the 65-year history of
the CBCP, there were only two occasions
when the bishops “unanimously agreed”
on sensitive resolutions.
He admitted that while the CBCP
regularly releases statements, there were
debates from several prelates.
The first occasion, according to him,
when the bishops stood united was in
1986 when they said the February 7 snap
People Power / A6
Holy See to UN: Invest in
children to aid poverty
Stresses promotion of authentic human development
THE permanent observer of the Holy See
to the United Nations is affirming that an
effective means to eradicate poverty is to
invest in the health and development of
children.
Archbishop Francis Chullikatt stated
this in an address delivered Friday to
the 49th session of the Commission
for Social Development of the U.N.
Economic and Social Council. The
theme of the meeting was “Poverty
Eradication.”
The prelate affirmed that “the future
generations of children and youth are in
fact the best and only means of overcom-
ing social and economic problems.”
He continued, “Poverty is caused not
by too many children, but by too little
investment and support in the develop-
ment of children.”
“Human history teaches us that if
B1 ‘ItOurSpeaks to Us of
February 14 - 27, 2011
Displaying Philippine flags, placards and banners, a huge crowd of Filipinos, composed of parents, lawmakers, students, and religious leaders,
voiced their concerns over the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) bill during a protest rally at the PICC complex in Pasay City, February 13,
2011. The pro-lifers warned of more protests in the coming days if Congress passes the measure.
there is sufficient investment in chil-
dren they will grow up to contribute
far in excess of what they have con-
sumed, thereby raising the standard
of living for all,” the archbishop
observed.
“It is their strong hands and able minds
that will feed the hungry, cure the sick,
and build homes for the homeless,” he
added.
Archbishop Chullikatt affirmed that
“promoting a culture that is open to life
and based on the family is fundamental
to realizing the full potential and the
authentic development of the society for
both today and the future.”
Economic growth
He noted that “while policy makers
often state that population growth is
Holy See / A7
Listen to the CBCP Online Radio at: www.cbcponlineradio.com
Very Destiny’
Vol. 15 No. 4
Bishop Broderick Pabillo
Bishop hits solons’ hunger for more pork
INSTEAD of an increase, members of
Congress should not be given Priority
Development Assistance Fund (PDAF)
known as pork barrel, a Catholic bishop
said.
Butuan Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos
said there is no assurance that the hefty
money will be used properly because it
only becomes one big source of corruptible
public funds.
It would be better, he said, if pork
Pork / A6
C1 The Cross
A Supplement Publication of KC
Life and the Order of the Knights
of Columbus
Thousands of teens to
gather for discussion of
pro-life issues
THOUSANDS of young people across Metro
Manila are expected to gather for a candid
discussion of pro life issues on February 27,
from 1:00-5:30 p.m. at the Mall of Asia’s SMX
Convention Center.
Around 10,000 teenagers from all over the
metropolis are attending the event dubbed
“Real Love Revolution” organized by Catalyst,
a student organization based at the University
Php 20.00 Teens / A6
Archbishop
Cruz notes
fewer nullity
of marriages
THE head of the National Appellate
Matrimonial Tribunal of the Catholic
Bishops Conference of the Philippines
has noted a decrease in incidents of nul-
lity of marriages.
Archbishop Oscar Cruz, judicial vicar
of the CBCP’s National Appellate Mat-
rimonial Tribunal said the reduction in
nullity cases may also have something
to do with the significant decrease in the
number of matrimonial tribunals across
the country.
There are about seven functional
tribunals in the country with three to
four tribunals able to resolve a case or
two every year.
“Most of the marriages brought to
Church Marriage Tribunal have some-
thing to do either with personality disorder
or gender dysfunction,” he explained.
Asked why there are fewer tribunals
in the Philippines despite the growing
number of Filipinos who see annulment
through the regular courts, Archbishop
Cruz said while there are a lot of Canon
lawyers in the Philippines, the work in
marital tribunals may be described as
“very technical.” He added the “work
is long and difficult” and the stipend is
“peanuts.”
Many priests have studied and
© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media
trained in Canon law but few dare work
in matrimonial tribunals.
There are 16 archdioceses in the
Philippines and every archdiocese has
a judicial vicar who heads the tribunal.
(Melo M. Acuña)
© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media
Bishop to Mayuga:
Don’t ‘call evil good’
A CATHOLIC bishop lashed at
retired Navy chief Mateo Mayuga
“Let us not send a wrong mes-
sage to the people, especially the
for describing former military chief young that suicide is alright. No,
of staff Angelo Reyes’ suicide as an it is all wrong!” he said. “What-
honorable thing to do. ever troubles we find in life, we
Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broder- should be brave enough to face
ick Pabillo said committing suicide them.”
is wrong and Mayuga’s statement is “We are not owners even of our
like “calling evil good.” Mayuga / A7
Illustration by Bladimer Usi
 World News
CBCP Monitor
A2 Vol. 15 No. 4
February 14 - 27, 2011

US bishops support ban on

abortion funding
WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb.
10, 2011—The U.S. bishops are
expressing support for the No
Taxpayer Funding of Abortion
Act (H.R. 3), noting that this pro-
posed ban is “long overdue.”
On Tuesday, Richard Do-
erflinger, a representative of
the United States Conference
of Catholic Bishops, made this
affirmation in a testimony to
the Subcommittee on the Con-
stitution of the House Judiciary
Committee.
Doerflinger, the associate di-
rector of the USCCB Secretariat
of Pro-Life Activities, underlined
the prelates’ stance that a per-
manent ban on abortion fund-
ing should have been enacted
years ago.
“H.R. 3 will write into per-
manent law a policy on which
there has been strong popular
use tax dollars to support or
promote elective abortion.”
Doerflinger continued: “Since
1976 this principle has been
embodied in the Hyde amend-
ment to annual appropriations
bills funding the Department
of Health and Human Services
(HHS), and in numerous similar
provisions governing a wide
range of domestic and foreign
programs.
“It has consistently had the sup-
port of the American people.”
He noted that “even public
officials who take a pro-choice
stand on abortion have sup-
ported bans on public funding as
a middle ground on this conten-
tious issue—sometimes observ-
ing that it is not pro-choice to
force others to fund a procedure
to which they have fundamental
objections.”
some have assumed it is already
fully implemented at all levels of
our federal government.”
He lamented, “The fact is that
Congress’ policy has been re-
markably consistent for decades,
but the implementation of that
policy in practice has been piece-
meal, confusing and sometimes
sadly inadequate.”
Doerflinger concluded: “H.R.
3 is a well-crafted and reasonable
measure to maintain longstand-
ing and widely supported poli-
cies against active government
promotion of abortion.
“It consistently applies to all
branches of the federal govern-
ment the principle that govern-
ment can encourage childbirth
over abortion through its fund-
ing power, and that it should not
coerce anyone’s involvement in
abortion.”

www.upi.com
and congressional agreement for The bishops’ representative He asserted, “It merits prompt
over 35 years,” he stated. “The noted, “So secure is this legal and and overwhelming support by
federal government should not political consensus, in fact, that this congress.” (Zenit)

Nuncio in Egypt: nation’s future Vatican Briefing

in the hands of the people
ROME, Feb. 11, 2011—The future of Egypt
is now in the hands of its people, says the
apostolic nuncio in the country.
Archbishop Michael Louis Fitzgerald,
who has held the post of nuncio in Egypt
since 2006, told ZENIT that “it is for
Egyptians to find the right solution to the
present crisis.”
After 18 days of protests that left some
300 dead, President Hosni Mubarak
stepped down earlier today. Mubarak, 82,
had ruled the country for 30 years.
The archbishop recalled that last Sun-
day, Benedict XVI “prayed that Egypt
and the people of Egypt may find once
more harmony and peace,” and added that
“apart from that, there has been no specific
statement from the Holy See.”
“Yet,” he continued, “the teaching
of the social doctrine of the Church is
clear. Every human community needs
an authority to govern it, but the author-
ity does not derive its moral legitimacy
from itself. It must act for the common
good, using morally licit means to attain
this good, and not acting in a despotic
manner.”
Quoting from the Catholic Catechism
of the Church, he stated: “The common
good consists of three essential elements:
respect for and promotion of the fun-
damental rights of the human person;
prosperity, or the development of the
spiritual and temporal goods of society;
the peace and security of the group and
its members” (No.1925).
“Many of the protestors’ complaints
about the present regime could fall under
these headings, even if they would not use
the same wording,” Archbishop Fitzgerald
noted.
When asked about the role of Egyptian
Catholics in the unfolding events, he stated
that they are, “as citizens of their country,
to take their responsibility in moving to-
ward a society where greater attention is
paid to justice and equality.”
Regarding interreligious dialogue,
the prelate said “the events of recent
weeks have produced a feeling of soli-
darity among Christians and Muslims.
This should be a good basis for increased
dialogue and cooperation in society.”
(Zenit)
Number of priests growing worldwide, Vatican reports
There are more than 5,000 more Catholic priests globally in
2009 than there were in 1999, according to official Church
statistics. The Vatican’s L’Osservatore Romano newspaper
anticipated the news from the soon-to-be released 2009 al-
manac prepared by the Vatican’s Central Office of Church
Statistics. The statistics reveal that there were 410,593 priests
in the world in 2009 compared to 405,009 in 1999. The num-
ber of diocesan priests among these increased by over 10,000
while the number of those belonging to religious orders fell
by nearly 5,000. (CNA)
Aide clarifies pope’s organ donor status
Benedict XVI’s private secretary, Msgr. Georg Gänswein, has
clarified rumors about the Pope’s organ donor card, saying
that after election to the See of Peter, it automatically became
invalid. In a letter to a German doctor who was using the
Pope as an example in order to promote organ donation,
he said: “It is correct that the Pope has got an organ donor
card,” Gänswein said. “But contrary to some claims made in
public, the organ donor card from the 1970s became invalid
ipso facto when Cardinal Ratzinger was elected leader of the
Catholic Church.” (Zenit)
Catholic nurses seeing rise in threats to consciences

Death of John Paul II’s father

Catholic health care workers are facing a worldwide erosion
of spiritual and moral standards in their profession, accord-
ing to the leader of a Vatican-affiliated organization for
Catholic nurses. “In the United States, the biggest problem

propelled him to his future vocation

that Catholic nurses are facing is the ability to use their con-
science,” said Marylee Meehan, president of the International
Catholic Committee of Nurses and Medical-Social Assistants,
or CICIAMS. (CNA)

Australia prepares pilgrims’ center in Rome

ROME, Italy, Feb. 14, 2011—Seventy about a change, or perhaps it pushed him
years ago this week, Karol Wojtyla was harder toward that which he already felt
“pushed” forward in his vocation by inside, that is, to become a priest.”
the death of the last member of his close It is important to remember that these
family. “Polish years” were “the decisive years
The anniversary was recalled on Italy’s that formed this Pope, because every ex-
national television channel RaiUno on perience that he had, every trial that he
Feb. 13 by Italian journalist and writer overcame, in some way then returned and
Gian Franco Svidercoschi. He was close to was represented during his pontificate,”
Pope John Paul II and has written numer- said Svidercoschi.
ous books about the late pontiff’s life. The young Wojtyla’s personal experi-
Svidercoschi was given a couple of ence of war and Nazism in the 1940s and
minutes during regular programming to of Communism in Poland in the years that
offer an anecdote about his friend Pope followed “explains his attentiveness to the
John Paul II’s life. cause of man,” said the journalist.
The tragic event of his father’s death Pope John Paul II put a great deal of em-
is one that many books on the late Pope phasis during the first half of his pontifi-
“seem to neglect,” said Svidercoschi. cate on advocating for democracy against
For the journalist, however, due to communism, especially in the Eastern
this event—which took place 70 years bloc European nations ruled by the Soviet
ago this week—the future Pope was Union. His position against authoritarian-
given a further impulse to pursue his ism is credited with the eventual fall of
vocation. communism in Eastern Europe.
In 1941, a 20-year-old Karol was work- Svidercoschi remembered that Woj-
ing at a stone quarry after the government tyla’s formation during “the Polish years”
closed Jagiellonian University where he continued throughout his priesthood until
studied philosophy. He returned from he became Archbishop of Krakow. As
work on Feb. 18 to find that his father, also archbishop, he took on a “battle” for the
named Karol, had died of a heart attack. creation of new churches that showed him
His sister had died before his birth, his the relationship between the law of God
mother died when he was a young boy and that of man, “that is, the right of man
www.thiefsden.net
Surrounded by cement mixers, bricklayers and slabs of marble
flooring, Cardinal George Pell of Sydney surveyed progress
on an unusually ambitious construction project in Rome.
“Now down below here is the dining area, and they’ll be
able to eat outside,” he told a visitor, pointing to a pit where
foundations had been laid for a breakfast room. The cardinal
was pleased to hear that, despite the discovery of an ancient
Roman wall during the excavations, work on the breakfast
room was moving ahead as planned. (CNS)
New delegate to Kosovo does not change Vatican’s
position
Although the Holy See has appointed a delegate to help
Catholics in Kosovo, it does not recognize the region as an
independent state, the Vatican’s top diplomat to Serbia has
confirmed. When Archbishop Juliusz Janusz was appointed
by Pope Benedict XVI as the new ambassador, or “apostolic
nuncio,” to Slovenia on Feb. 10, he was also entrusted with the
responsibility of apostolic delegate to Kosovo. The Holy See’s
Press Office explained that as an apostolic delegate his respon-
sibility has “a purely intra-ecclesial character.” (CNA)
Vatican: Pope not seeking to restrict liturgy reform
The Vatican is denying reports that Benedict XVI seeks to
reorganize the Congregation for Divine Worship and the
Sacraments with the goal of restricting the liturgical renewal
promoted by the Second Vatican Council. Jesuit Fr. Federico
Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, acknowledged
Wednesday that the Pope has been working on a “motu pro-
prio” that concerns the congregation, but that it is limited to

and his older brother also lost his life to be respected.” transferring a “legal-technical competence, such as dispensa-
six years earlier to scarlet fever. He was All these experiences, Svidercoschi con- tion from a ‘ratified and non-consummated marriage,’” from
“alone,” said Svidercoschi. cluded, resurfaced again when he became the congregation to the Roman Rota. (Zenit)
“And this,” he explained, “brought Pope. (CNA)

Bishop decries lack of state protections for Christians in Indonesia

JAKARTA, Indonesia, Feb. 11, 2011—A
bishop in Indonesia has strongly criti-
cized national officials for failing to
protect Christians and other religious
groups after a mob of 1,500 Muslims
destroyed three churches, an orphanage
and a hospital on Feb. 8.
Religious minorities in Indonesia
“have been left without any protection
from the state,” Bishop Petrus Canisius
Mandagi of Amboina said in remarks
to Vatican-based Fides news agency
on Feb. 9.
Bishop Mandagi—who also serves as
president of the Commission for Inter-
religious Dialogue for the Indonesian
Bishops Conference—called for “a
decisive step” from the government to
put an end to the violence and urged
local Christians to practice forgiveness
as opposed to revenge.
Earlier this week, an estimated 1,500
Indonesian Muslims destroyed three
churches before attacking an orphanage
and hospital in Central Java on Feb. 8.
The mob was protesting a court’s deci-
sion not to sentence a Christian man to
death for defaming Islam.
Antonius Bawengan, 58, received a
five-year prison sentence—the maxi-
mum penalty allowed by law—under
the “blasphemy law” that has been
invoked to silence critics of Islam.
However, the crowd assembled at
his trial believed the sentence was
too lenient, and demanded his death.
They assaulted a group of police
officers that reportedly numbered
around 1,000 before moving against
the churches.
The crowd first attacked the Catho-
lic Church of Sts. Peter and Paul, in
an assault that seriously wounded a
missionary priest of the Holy Family
congregation. The missionary, identi-
fied only as Fr. Saldanha, was beaten
by the mob as he attempted to defend
the tabernacle containing the Eucharist
against desecration.
Local priest Fr. Benny Susetyo, who
serves as executive secretary for the
bishop conference’s Commission for
Interreligious Dialogue, said in remarks
to Fides that Muslims are not the sole
perpetrators of conflict in the area.
He said that Protestant “fundamen-
talist preachers” have added to a climate
of “discontent, disharmony, discomfort,
and verbal violence.”
“These are Protestant Christian
preachers, often makeshift, from
evangelical and pentecostal de-
nominations, who have no respect
for other religions,” he said Feb.
9. “Their preaching and their lan-
guage are typical of sects: ‘Islam is
evil,’ ‘convert or go to hell.’ All this
results in anger and hatred among
the population, which then explodes
into anti-Christian violence.”
Fr. Susetyo said this is what he
believes happened in the situation
of Bawengan who was accused and
imprisoned for blasphemy. The priest
called Bawengan a Christian who
spread material that was offensive to
Islam.
“On the other hand,” he noted, “there
are Islamic extremist groups, of the
Wahhabi ideology, which constitute
the other side of the problem. They are
both small groups, but when fanatics
collide, the whole society and all the
faithful pay for it.”
All things considered, Fr. Susetyo
added, “the government is absent and
does nothing to stop these different
extremists, or to protect human rights
… which is the basis of peaceful coexis-
tence between religions.” (CNA)
 News Features
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 4
February 14 - 27, 2011
A3

Every Catholic is called to Vatican plans

encourage vocations, Pope says
VATICAN City, Feb. 10, 2011—
The vitality of the Church de-
pends on individual Catholics
fostering vocations in their
homes and parishes, the Pope
says in his annual message for
the May 15 World Day of Prayer
for Vocations.
“It is essential that every local
Church become more sensitive
and attentive to the pastoral care
of vocations,” the Pope writes in
his new statement issued by the
Vatican on Feb. 10.
He speaks of the role of the
Church in helping children
and young people to grow in a
real friendship with Jesus, to
increase their familiarity with
the Scriptures, to understand
the truth of his message and to
be generous in creating relation -
ships with others.
The theme of this year’s prayer
for vocations day is “Proposing
Vocations in the Local Church.”
The Pope says this “means hav-
ing the courage, through an at-
tentive and suitable concern for
vocations, to point out this chal-
lenging way of following Christ
which, because it is so rich in
meaning, is capable of engaging
the whole of one’s life.”
Answering Jesus’ call of “Fol-
low me!” is “no less challeng-
ing” today than it was for the
disciples 2,000 years ago, says
document on
word and encountering him in
Internet and
seminaries
VATICAN City, Feb. 7, 2011—The In-
the sacraments” and “learning ternet can be a valuable tool for Catho-
to conform our will to his.” lic education and evangelization, and
The Church is called to protect its proper use should be encouraged
and love the gift of God’s call to in seminaries as well as other church
people to share in his mission institutions, Pope Benedict XVI said.
and serve as ordained ministers “Internet, with its capacity to reach
and consecrated religious, he across distances and put people in
says. contact, offers great possibilities for
“Particularly in these times, the church and her mission,” the pope
when the voice of the Lord said in an address to members of the
seems to be drowned out by Congregation for Catholic Education
‘other voices’ and his invitation holding their plenary meeting at the
to follow him by the gift of one’s Vatican Feb. 7-9.
own life may seem too difficult, The pope said the congregation was
every Christian community, ev- working on a document titled “Internet
ery member of the Church, needs and Formation in Seminaries,” but did
to consciously feel responsible not say when it would be published.
for promoting vocations.” When used with caution and dis-
A cc o r di n g t o a r e p or t f r om t h e cernment, the pope said, the Internet
U.S. bishops, there are currently can be useful for future priests not
5,131 men enrolled in the U.S. only for studying, but for pastoral
seminaries. The number is up work in areas of evangelization, mis-
from 4,973 in 2009. sionary action, catechism, educational
The Pope urges the faithful projects and administration of various
to take every opportunity to institutions.
develop vocations. “Every mo- The church will therefore need
me nt ” i n Chu rch communi t y lif e well-prepared teachers to keep the
from catechesis to prayer and seminarians up to date on the “cor-
pilgrimages can be “a precious rect and positive” use of information
opportunity for awakening in technology, he said.
the people of God ... a sense of Addressing congregation members,
belonging to the Church and of the pope said the education and forma-
responsibility for answering the tion of future priests in seminaries is
call to priesthood and to reli- “one of the most urgent challenges” of
gious life by a free and informed the church today because of the culture
decision,” he says. of relativism dominant in contempo-
“The ability to foster voca- rary society.

© Noli Yamsuan / RCAM

the Pope.
“It means learning to keep
our gaze fixed on Jesus, grow-
ing close to him, listening to his
tions,” Pope Benedict concludes, “For this reason, the service per-
“is a hallmark of the vitality of formed by so many formation institu-
a local Church.” (CNA/EWTN tions in the world that are inspired by
News) the Christian vision of man and reality
is so important today,” the pope said.
The seminary is one of the most im-
portant institutions of the church and

IPhone confession app ‘no

requires a thorough program that takes
into account the context in which they
exist today, he said.
“Many times I have said that the
seminary is a precious phase of life,

substitute’ for the sacrament

VATICAN City, Feb. 9, 2011—A Vati-
can official said a new iPhone appli-
cation can help Catholics prepare for
confession, but cannot substitute for
the sacramental encounter between a
penitent and a priest.
“Confession: A Roman Catholic
App” for Apple’s iPhone, iPad and
iPod Touch was recently released as
a way for Catholics to prepare for
and participate in the sacrament of
penance. Some recent press reports,
however, have suggested that the
application could replace in-person
confession.
“It’s essential to understand that the
sacrament of penance requires a per-
sonal dialogue between the penitent
and the confessor, and absolution by
the confessor who is present,” Jesuit
Father Federico Lombardi, the Vatican
spokesman, told reporters.
“This is something that cannot be
replaced by any application. One can-
not speak of a ‘confession via iPhone,’”
he said.
Father Lombardi said the new ap-
plication could be useful in helping
people make an examination of con-
science. In the past, he noted, Catho-
lics would sometimes use written
questions and answers to prepare for
confession, and that’s something that
could be done today with the aid of a
digital device.
The application, developed by a
small firm in Indiana, is based on the
Ten Commandments. It was designed
in part for people who have been away
from the church and want the opportu-
nity to go to confession. (CNS)
in which the candidate for priesthood
has the experience of being ‘a disciple
of God,’” he said.
The pope has made recent references
to the potential—and the dangers—
offered by new media technology. Last
month in a message for the upcoming
World Communications Day he said,
“this means of spreading information
and knowledge is giving birth to a
new way of learning and thinking,
with unprecedented opportunities for
establishing relationships and building
fellowship.”
He encouraged the use of social
media such as Facebook as a means of
spreading the Christian message, but
warned of the dangers of substitut-
ing human relationships with virtual
contacts. (CNS)

CHR recommends Probe the PNP too, says interfaith group

withdrawal of mining MANILA, Feb. 12, 2011—As gation in the military) will come in spite of threat to their lives gation into alleged military

company’s contract
CAGAYAN DE ORO City, Feb.
13, 2011—The Commission on
Human Rights en banc has
recommended the “probable
withdrawal” of the Financial or
Technical Assistance Agreement
(FTAA) the government signed
with Australian mining com-
pany OceanaGold Philippines,
Inc.over gross human rights
violations in the mining firm’s
concession in Didipio, Kasibu,
Nueva Vizcaya.
the Human Rights situation in
Didipio with the view in mind
that all reports of violations be
verified and acted upon; (4)
advise OceanaGold to consider
the Commission’s findings and
conduct a policy reorientation on
the conduct of mining operation
taking into conscious account the
observance of human rights of
the community involved; and (5)
direct the CHR Region II Office to
actively advocate for the Human
accusations of massive misuse
of funds hound some military
officials, an ecumenical group
called on the government to
conduct similar probe into
the Philippine National Po-
lice (PNP).
In a statement, the Ecu-
menical Bishops Forum (EBF)
said the investigation is nec-
essary to unearth allegations
of corruption in the police
hierarchy “whose reputation
has gone down.”
“We also pray that some-
thing similar to this (investi-
out from the ranks of the PNP,”
the EBF said.
Aside from corruption, the
group said the reported in-
volvement of police officers in
human rights violations and the
commission of heinous crimes
should also be investigated.
The interfaith group has also
thrown its support to former
state auditor Heidi Mendoza and
former military budget officer Lt.
Col. George Rabusa exposing al-
leged irregularities in the Armed
Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
“Their courage to tell the truth
and possible harm to the mem- fund mess will not only end
bers of their respective families in the revision of laws “but
is certainly commendable,” ac- to the prosecution of the per-
cording to the statement. petrators of these anomalies
“They are both driven by the and the restitution of public
desire to put a stop to the mal- funds.”
practices in the military which “The expose of Col. Rabusa
adversely affect the military and Miss Mendoza can lead to
institution, especially the foot right the wrongs and injustic-
soldiers who are in the front es being done by our so-called
lines in the battle fields, as well ‘public servants’ so that our
as the public funds which are nation and our people may
supposed to be judiciously put be freed from systematic and
to proper use,” it said. systemic injustice and truly
The EBF is also hoping that tread the path of righteous-
ongoing congressional investi- ness,” it said. (CBCPNews)

Sorsogon environmentalists light candles for slain activist

The FTAA is a contract be-
tween the Philippine govern-
ment and mining companies
on large-scale exploration and
development of minerals that
allows up to 100-percent foreign
ownership in a mining project.
The recommendation for the
“probable withdrawal of the
FTAA granted to the foreign
company in view of the gross
violations of human rights it has
committed” is number one of
five recommended actions the
Aquino administration should
take against OceanaGold.
The other actions CHR recom-
mended to the Aquino adminis-
tration to take are (2) request all
concerned agencies, particularly
the NCIP, the DENR-MGB, the
PNP and the AFP, to submit re-
ports to the Commission on Hu-
man Rights regarding concrete
actions they have taken to respect,
protect and fulfill the rights of the
affected community in Didipio,
within 30 days from receipt of this
Resolution; (3) request the same
agencies to continue monitoring
Rights of the affected community
and to take every step possible to
avoid the occurrence of further
violence and oppression.
But Oceana Chief Executive Of-
ficer Mick Wilkes, in a statement,
insisted that “it has met and is
committed to continuing to meet
the human rights of the local com-
munity” in its mining site.
As to CHR’s findings that
OceanaGold had violated the
Right to Residence, the Right to
Adequate Housing and Prop-
erty Rights of several residents
in Didipio; the Right to Freedom
of Movement and the Right not
to be subjected to arbitrary in-
terference; the Right to Security
of Person of the people in Did-
ipio; the indigenous community’s
Right to Manifest their Culture
and Identity, Wilkes simply said:
“The company is compliant with
all the laws and regulations asso-
ciated with operating as a foreign
company in the Philippines and is
committed to ethical, responsible
and sustainable mineral develop-
ment.” (Bong D. Fabe)
MANILA, Feb. 4, 2011—Anti-min-
ing advocates in Sorsogon lighted
candles as they sought justice for
slain activist Dr. Gerry Ortega.
Hundreds of people gathered
in a symposium on Mining and
Climate Change in Sorsogon
City lighted their own candles in
solidarity with thousand others
in Palawan and Metro Manila
who prayed and held vigil for
the slain environmentalist.
Fr. Alexander Jerus, Matnog
parish priest and chairman of
the Coalition Against Mining
(CAMPS) in the Province of Sor-
sogon led the people in praying
for enlightenment and environ-
mental justice.
“Let these candles enlighten
our dark minds and souls to
understand our role as stew-
ards of creation and maintain
ecological balance; let the light
of justice shine upon those who
were persecuted and oppressed
for the sake of defending the
integrity of creation and dignity
of persons,” he said.
Sorsogon is also at the fore-
front of an ongoing crusade
against mining in the province.
For Jerus mining in Sorso-
gon is generally “a moral and
spiritual issue for it destroys the
relationship of persons with each
other, with the environment and
with God; it further degrades the
dignity of persons through the
evils of greed and deception.”
Many of those who participat-
ed in the symposium organized
by Alyansa Tigil Mina expressed
grief on the untimely death of
Ortega even as they salute his
commitment in protecting the
environment.
Bryan Gavanzo, Matnog mu-
nicipal tourism officer and pub-
lic information officer of CAMPS
said Ortega’s crusade for eco-
logical preservation serves as an
inspiration for all of them. roughly “35%-40% of Sorsogon’s
He pointed out that mining, mountains and coastal areas are
both large and small scale may being opened up for extractions
“destroy tourism potentials and of iron, magnetite, manganese,
fuel the effect of climate change gold, copper and titanium.”
disasters in the upland and “I am surprised that our lands
coastal communities.” are already mapped to be sold
Food security is also at risk if without the knowledge of our
mining will be allowed in the constituents,” he said.
province, according to Teodoro He called on the provincial
Garbin, president of Matnog government to protect the envi-
Sagip Kalikasan Organization ronment and uphold the rights
(MSKO) and Matnog Environ- of the people.
mental Protection and Waste “I challenge the provincial
Management officer. board and Governor Raul Lee
Intensified agriculture and to defend our people and serve
aquaculture is a top priority within the mandates of the Local
program of the municipality, Government Code to enhance
Garbin said, adding that “cli- the right of the people to a bal-
mate change adaptation and anced ecology and the Philip-
disaster risk reduction manage- pine Constitution to protect and
ment are being implemented in advance the right of the people
the province of Sorsogon.” to a balanced and healthful ecol-
Meanwhile, Sorsogon pro- ogy in accord with the rhythm
vincial board member Vladimir and harmony of nature,” he said.
Ramon Frivaldo disclosed that (CBCPNews)
 A4 Opinion CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 4
February 14 - 27, 2011

EDITORIAL

RH in social networks

SURELY, it was not by a careless twist of fate that the architect

of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, was voted Time’s person of
the year. It was because of the tremendous revolution that this
social medium has triggered especially on how people the world
over interact with each other, spontaneously bringing about
a democratization of information and, perhaps, power. With
about 600 million users and over a billion new pieces of content
posted every day, it is touted to be the third largest “country”
in the planet—with the most information on its “citizens” than
any country in the world.
In the Philippines alone, there are over 18 million Filipinos
connecting daily on Facebook, not to mention other social
networking platforms such as Twitter, Friendster, Myspace
and a bevy more. In this country which is one of the global top
users of social media, a greater majority of information—from
news to views, from hi’s and sighs, from photos to videos—are
lodged and dislodged more in these two-way social networks
than in traditional one-way media such as television, radio
or press.
That being the case, most of the hullabaloo about the
Reproductive Health Bill are found in social networks more
than—some say more than 60%—what one hears or see in
traditional media. By cursory check, the latest Pastoral Letter
of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines titled
“Choosing Life, Rejecting the RH Bill”, for instance, was cast
by a popular Facebook account, “100% Katolikong Pinoy!”,

Illustration by Bladimer Usi

to its nearly one hundred thousand members shortly after it was
officially released on January 30. And so were other Catholic
social media such as “I Oppose the RH Bill,” “Filipinos for
Life,” “YouthPinoy” and a few smaller ones that cascaded the
same content. Ironically, the same pastoral letter was not even
read in many parishes throughout many dioceses nationwide
until today according to ground info.
On the other hand, the opposite camp, those who are pushing
for the immediate legislation of the RH Bill who seem very
friendly to the media, are aggressively using every nook and Oscar V. Cruz, DD

Desecrating the sacred

cranny of social networks—even if, by the hasty looks of it,
they do not have as much “likes” or membership. They push
and shove every argument they can muster, every “Damaso”
they can lash at and every language they can utter, no matter
how foul or obscene. Anyway, this is how Egypt was lately
Views and Points
done—through twitter, among others. This order of things should
be very alarming to ordinary mortals who consider even using INSTEAD of celebrating it as woman. And rightly so. Even bage dumps. They violate their ing them. Otherwise, procreation
an email passé—but not to those in greater ecclesiastical circles something noble and sacred, those people who are avidly own dignity and at the same precisely becomes irresponsible
where the digital divide is still way up in limbo. instead of fomenting the exalted pro-contraception and/or pro- time, kill babies of their own parenthood.
intention and exalting spirit that abortion precisely came to life making. This is not only odious Being some 2000 years old, re-
Perhaps, it’s about time now for Church leaders to sincerely peek but also heinous. lating with peoples of all colors,
launched the “Day”, it is sad to because of the consummate con-
into what’s all these social networks are all about—and perchance
understand why in the arena of public opinion, especially among know that there are certain in- jugal love between their fathers Just for the record: “Marriage races and creeds, studying the
the youth, a greater majority still do not understand what on dividuals and organized groups and mothers. In fact, anyone is a covenant… which of its own norms of ethics and the impera-
RH the Church is trying to say. apparently bent in making it but who is anti-life can only be such very nature is ordered to the tives of morals, it is definitely not
carnal in nature and egoistic in because of the life they already well-being of the spouses, and the thinking and teaching of the
context. And this is exactly the have through their parents. to the procreation and upbring- Church that couples may have
case of associating Valentine’s Those fighting tooth and nail ing of children…” Thus remains as many children as possible—
Day with condoms—whether for the passage of the RH Bill the teaching of the Church. Thus without however neither the
they are given away free or sold cannot but be but very grateful stands the provision of Canon needed means nor the honest
half their price. Thus it is that because they were born long Law (1055 par. CIC). And thus intention of attending to their
The Impact of Graft and Corruption the “Day” becomes associated before its approval. And those means Responsible Parenthood. “upbringing”. This brings to
with but sex, contraception and who would be denied of life on The conjunction “and” says it all. mind the intimate and insepa-
motels. account of the Bill could be any- The licitude of procreation rests rable relationship between the
OUR nation groans from the weight of more than $52 billion The objective reality is exactly thing but grateful to them. This on the pursuant obligation of right to procreate and the obliga-
in foreign debt, which draws away resources from urgent the opposite: Valentine’s Day is has special relevance to those the upbringing of the children tion to up-bring children born
development needs and social services. The added loss of an the affirmation of human love, who swallow abortifacient pills born of the Covenant. And “up- of marriage. This is the Church
estimated $48 billion to graft and corruption over the past 20 the distinction of the affection in order to spit out human lives bringing” means caring for and Teaching. This is Church Law.
years, reportedly about 40 percent of the government’s annual reigning between a man and a in toilets, in dirty canals, in gar- nurturing, forming and educat- This is the truth.
budget, is simply morally unacceptable. It is the poor who
suffer most from corruption. Public funds that should provide
development for the poor are stolen. “Stealing from public funds
is so much more food plucked from the mouths of the starving.” Sr. Mary Pilar Verzosa, RGS
(CBCP Pastoral Exhortation, “Thou Shalt Not Steal”.)
The impact of corruption extends far beyond the direct cost
to government and to its capacity to provide public service.
Who cares? Love Life
Corruption has besmirched the reputation of our nation. Last
year, we ranked 77th among 102 countries scored on the
extent to which corruption is perceived among public officials
and politicians worse than the 65th place of two years ago WITHIN the next twenty-four hours, while exchange notes and addresses in order to and listening ear, conversation pieces when
[Transparency International]. We are the 11th most corrupt we eat, drink, sleep, and go about our daily “help out” a friend. they return to their own female groups.
among the 102 countries scored. business of earning a living, over a hundred Little is said about the devastating effects Chastity is honesty and respect. Premarital
innocent lives will be lost, many of them of abortion as they make their own decisions. sex is dishonest. It is pretending to be mar-
Corruption is instrumental in driving down the value of the through violent means that the only word Hardly anyone shares after an abortion ried when one is not. It is disrespecting the
peso. It makes possible the proliferation of criminal syndicates that fits the crime is MURDER. That the how she cowered in fear as the instruments God-given gift of one’s body as part of the
engaged in kidnapping and the drug trade. It imposes countless crime is committed by doctors and midwives entered her delicate organs often without an- total person, made in the image of God and
burdens on business people and ordinary citizens who must give sworn to protect human life, by vendors and esthesia, unable to scream because of shame looking at the physical only as objects of
lagay in order to obtain services to which they are entitled. It drug stores out to make profit through sell- or a false sense of courage. Or how she was selfish pleasure.
has weakened the moral and spiritual fiber of a people that sees ing abortive drugs, and by the very people forced to swallow the tablets by the irrespon- Living a chaste life of discipline and focus-
almost everyone as “on the take”, lahat nandadaya, including who are supposed to love them, their par- sible father of the baby then left to herself ing on one’s state of life with all it’s respon-
the most powerful institution of the land. ents, is to say the least, horribly shocking. to bleed alone in the toilet. Or how she was sibilities will avoid the pitfalls of premarital
Corruption has weakened the resolve of many to work for change Every now and then, we read of a fetus rushed to the hospital emergency room to sex, untimely pregnancy and the possibility
as they are gradually being conditioned to accept and tolerate found by the gutter of a backstreet, inside stop infection and hemorrhage. Or how of abortion.
systemic and institutional wrongdoing by those in power. Today the ladies room, or left in a taxi. The typi- months and years after, she would hear cries It is about time that the youth get involved
these corrupt systems have become so established that they can cal reaction would be shock. But only for a of babies in the middle of the night, unable in matters that affect their lives. Especially
even boot out well-intentioned and crusading officials in critical while. Then the incident is forgotten as other to sleep without sleeping pills, then unable during this month of February, the love
offices notorious for graft and corruption. Legislators hold up sensational news grab our attention. to get up in the morning without cocaine, month, let us put a proper perspective on
the national budget because of squabbles over “pork,” or so- But to those who are involved, it is a busi- ending up becoming an alcoholic, a drug the word LOVE and not confuse it with sex.
called “development” funds. Indeed, corruption has become ness, a solution to an embarrassing problem, addict, a chain smoker, or a prostitute. It is about time that the youth care—care
so entrenched as not to spare even such revered institutions as a way out of predicament, even an alterna- Sad to say, even less is said of how the enough so that no more babies are killed in
media and civil society. Even some in the Church have been tive to “overpopulation”, an accepted fact “need” for abortion can be avoided—and the abortion, that no more girls go through the
known to accept donations from persons known to be corrupt. of life, a part of a current sense of values. simple answer is chastity—no to premarital tragic effects of abortion, that no more boys
For this we express our repentance and ask the forgiveness of Yes, abortion is so much a part of life today sex. Boys and girls, men and women enter get involved in the violence and irrespon-
the Lord. that even students know where to get it, into relationships without any consideration sibility of premarital sex, and that no more
Let Integrity Flow Like a Stream!, and what is the prevailing rate per month of the consequences. Because of media influ- people suffer through guilt and depression
A Pastoral Letter of the CBCP, 2003 of pregnancy! Boys give tips to their gang ence, boys see girls as objects of pleasure and for having closed their eyes to the reality of
mates on where to get the abortion pills, girls a conquest that they can brag about when abortion.
accompany their classmate to inquire about they return to their gangs. Girls see boys as Who cares? Raise your hands, stand up for
getting an abortion, and office employees sources of material wants, emotional security life, and shout out—we care. I care!

www.cbcpmonitor.com
cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.net Rev. Eutiquio ‘Euly’ B. Belizar, Jr., SThD
Unmasking the ‘Crab
By the roadside Mentality’
A MAN in San Francisco, it is quiet. The reason? Every time a so-called ‘crab mentality’. known to practice ‘crab mental-
told, once received notice that his crab climbed up it was dutifully But what is it about? Why ity’ in regard to rich Pinoys; and
Pedro C. Quitorio Kris P. Bayos brother in Manila sent him one pulled down by the others. The do we have it? What do we do the opposite is unthinkable. The
Editor-in-Chief Features Editor huge basket full of crabs from the man’s face lit up into a smile. about it? ‘crab mentality’ seems to thrive
Philippines. But when he went to Triumphantly he said, “This is Some critics say that the ‘crab best when Pinoys are in the same
Pinky Barrientos, FSP Gloria Fernando claim it a customs officer had the it! This third basket is the one mentality’ is basically positive; social, professional, work, family
Associate Editor Marketing Supervisor names and labels accidentally from the Philippines!” So goes it’s about Pinoys’ collective de- and local conditions.
mixed up. The man ended up be- one more legend of the Pinoy sire for justice and equality. No Other critics say that the ‘crab
Melo M. Acuña Ernani M. Ramos ing made to choose from among ‘crab mentality’. one must be given special treat- mentality’ is nothing but pure
Managing Editor Circulation Manager three huge baskets full of crabs The first time I heard this story ment, all persons being equal (in and simple envy. Nothing else
LAYOUT BY KRIS BAYOS

Roy Q. Lagarde the one sent to him. At first, the from a priest in a conversation, dignity); all must be treated as explains better, for instance,
Marcelita Dominguez
News Editor Comptroller man appeared upset; then he spiced up with other hilarious such before the law etc. Under- when a very successful Pinoy or
hit upon an idea. He opened all details and embellishments, I standably then, when someone Pinay is showered accolades by
The CBCP Monitor is published fortnightly by the CBCP Communica- three baskets and watched. In remember all six of us laughing thinks he’s better and deserves everybody but fellow Pinoys. Or
tions Development Foundation, Inc., with editorial and business offices no time two of the baskets had so loudly my sides ached. But better, Pinoys pull him down. when a Pinoy neighbor reacts
at 470 Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Manila. P.O. Box 3601, 1076 MCPO. crabs climbing up to the rim we all agreed. There’s nothing This seems fine except that it to a kabayan who acquires the
Editorial: (063) 404-2182. Business: (063)404-1612.; ISSN 1908-2940 unbothered. The third basket, so Pinoy, so real, so human and doesn’t apply in all the social latest SUV or high tech ‘toy’ by
on the other hand, was oddly so destructive of unity as our classes. Poor Pinoys are seldom By the roadside / A5
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 4
February 14 - 27, 2011
Bp. Broderick S. Pabillo
Panaghoy
IN the headline of Philippine Daily Inquirer
last February 10, retired Philippine Navy
chief Mateo Mayuga was quoted as saying
that Angelo Reyes’ act of taking his life by
shooting himself in the chest showed “ex-
treme courage” and that it was an honorable
thing to do.
I am not a military man so most probably
I do not understand what exactly are the
‘extreme act of courage’ and the ‘honorable
thing’ in taking one’s life. In plain language
that is suicide, and every act of suicide is
wrong. I do not and cannot judge the state of
mind of General Angelo Reyes when he com-
mitted suicide. In this, he renders personal
account with his Creator. What I am referring
Truth-telling ignites
spaces of hope
An Earnest Auditor
I first met Heidi Mendoza in
Makati on May 2004. A com-
mon acquaintance from Cebu
had introduced us to each other.
Heidi had been promoting her
booklet, A Guide to Investiga-
tion of Common Procurement
Fraud and Irregularities, and
our mutual friend at once saw
a highly effective, dedicated,
and trustworthy public servant
who was willing to go the extra
mile in her work. Golly, our
friend, excitedly swapped our
cell phone numbers.
Heidi gave me a copy of her
book while I opened my laptop
computer to show her some
slides on advocacy work against
graft and corruption. The red
booklet gives a straightforward
presentation of government pro-
curement, civil works contracts,
alternatives modes of procure-
ment, common procurement
fraud and irregularities, red
flags of procurement fraud, and
practical tips on investigation.
Each chapter contains actual case
studies that, one surmises, came
from the auditor’s actual experi-
ences in documenting procure-
ment fraud.
The cut-and-dry descriptions
did not really do justice to the
author and one caught glimpses
of the author’s disarming, out-of-
the-box personality only here and
there. In the closing paragraph of
the introduction, for instance, she
writes: “I am not a writer, I am an
auditor. While I may be expert at
numbers, I am inept with words.
Starting with numbers, I search
for words until some numbers
give meaning to some words
and some words deepen the
meaning of the numbers I have
gathered and then this book is
written…” Heidi could be blunt,
yet also playful. She also tends to
underestimate herself. Whatever
dimension of Heidi comes out, it
is never dull.
She notes in the introduction
that “the creativity of the corrupt
finds a way to channel public
funds for private gain all the
while presenting a legal basis for
such.” I soon discover that this
auditor could more than match
wits with those who misuse this
gift of creativity. Soon I was
listening intently to her relate
stories of actual experiences in
the field. It seems an auditor’s
job is never done and this audi-
tor certainly ventures into areas
where others fear to tread.
This was no ordinary public
servant.
Sharing Dreams and Exchang-
ing Gifts
It was now my turn to share. I
opened my laptop computer to
show a very rudimentary power
point presentation on a newly-
emerged advocacy group called
Barug Pilipino (Cebuano: “make
a conscience-stand, Filipino”)
whose goal was “to mobilize
and develop a critical mass of
awakened, vigilant, and com-
mitted citizens nationwide who
will help establish, achieve, and
sustain good governance for a
transformed Filipino nation.”
The group was to be composed
of Filipino citizens with faith
in God. Heidi became ecstatic
as she viewed the slides and
pictures. She later told me these
resonated with a dream that she
had. Little did she know that,
nearly seven years later, she is
to contribute to this critical mass
of awakened and awakening
citizens!
I soon discover someone with
an eye for details and a passion
for public service. Already then,
she had taken risks where others
to is the act itself of taking one’s life. Yes, we
condole with the family, the loved ones and
friends of General Reyes. I personally felt ex-
treme sadness at his action and prayed for his
soul. But sympathizing with him should not
induce us to saying what he did was right.
Let us not send a wrong message to the
people, especially the young, that suicide is
alright. No, it is all wrong! Whatever troubles
we find in life, we should be brave enough
to face them. We are not owners even of our
lives. We are but stewards. Taking one’s life
is an act of escapism. It does not even serve
the country in this case. The country, espe-
cially the foot soldiers who are struggling it
out on the ground, need to know how the
prefer to play the ostrich. Yet,
not once do I recall hearing her
bad mouthing her colleagues or
claim any monopoly on virtue.
She was just doing her duty.
This, I believe, made her stick
out like a sore thumb in a bu-
reaucratic culture that values
conformity and mediocrity, and
uncomfortable with rocking the
boat. I believe it when Heidi tells
me that a former COA chairman
tells her not to be too serious
about the plunder case since
even Jesus himself was not able
to solve the world’s problems.
Heidi eventually visits Cebu
several times to speak before our
emerging network about gov-
ernment procurement. It is an
awkward start for us as we have
no blueprint on what exactly to
do. In corporate terms, we are
in the “product-development”
stage, better yet, “what-did-we-
get-ourselves-into” stage.
Mrs. Mendoza leaves a posi-
tive imprint on our advocacy
group – first of all, as a dear
friend, an adopted Cebuana who
speaks Tagalog like a modern-
day Balagtas; secondly, as an
anti-graft, good governance
champion who enjoys a good
laugh; and, thirdly, a wife and a
mother who is also a patriot and
has to balance time, not always
successfully, between family
and work.
The visits slowly bear fruit.
Heidi and others are instrumen-
tal in helping us conceptualize
the LASER test which we even-
tually promote as a basic tool for
discernment by voters and even
candidates. The acronym stands
for lifestyle, action or accom-
plishment, supporters, election
conduct, and reputation. Her
input during a strategic planning
session helps yield the image of
citizens standing behind, stand-
ing alongside, and standing in
front of public servants in soli-
darity with one another.
Last May 2010 elections, we
requested the former COA audi-
tor to submit a list of situations
or instances that would confront
elected officials as they assume
office – situations that offer op-
portunities for transparent or
accountable service, or for ob-
taining easy money. We call this
a “list of vulnerabilities” and we
have been disseminating these. It
is really like an examination of
conscience, only that the com-
missions and omissions have
to do with the role of an elected
official and conversion is not
necessarily a good thing.
Yes, Heidi makes time for the
country.
Voice of Conscience
It was with a heavy heart that
Heidi resigned from COA in
2006. She had been involved in
auditing a plunder case and had
been handpicked by the Om-
budsman to do the job in 2004.
However, when he unexpectedly
resigned in 2005, it seems she
was left holding the bag. This
was a low moment in her life.
She, however, persisted, despite
all the odds. Some people would
call this dogged determinism.
She was actually responding to
the call of conscience fuelled by
her Christian faith.
We are told that conscience is
the voice of God embedded in
each human being regardless of
race and religion. Even atheists
have this embedded voice that
says: “Do good, avoid evil.” We
can decide to shut this voice out
or to listen to it. When we listen,
we become our better selves.
When we fail to do so, we go
from bad to worse. Concrete
experiences and the collective
Opinion
Calling evil good
military spends its moneys.
I hope that this very unfortunate and sad
end of General Angelo Reyes will not make
the Senate, the House of Representatives, the
Ombudsman and the Aquino Administra-
tion soften its commitment to root out cor-
ruption in our country. The corrupt people
in government do not care at all at the grave
sufferings they inflict on the nation and on
the nameless people who are deprived of
what is rightfully theirs. Let us not also be
soft in the quest to right this wrong!
The Sacred Book warns us: “Woe to those
who call evil good, and good evil, who
change darkness into light, and light into
darkness” (Isaiah 5,20)
Fr. Carmelo O. Diola, SSL
Spaces of Hope
wisdom of peoples and faith
communities provide some ob-
jective basis for evaluating this
interior voice. Conscience must
be formed correctly since there
are many discordant voices.
Heidi is no plastic believer.
Humanly flawed like the rest
of us, she can even be hard on
herself (she even has some choice
words in Tagalog to describe her-
self). But she knows how to listen
to that inner voice of duty and
conscience. Her parents certainly
have something to do with this.
Once she told me her late father,
a retired policeman, engrained on
her and her siblings this saying:
Ang pagsasabi ng katotohanan,
daan sa kaginhawaan.”
The plunder case involved
meticulously examining 12 ba-
likbayan boxes of papers for a
paper-trail. It led to sleepless
nights and, God only knows,
numbers that are forever seared
in the consciousness of Heidi
and her dedicated team. It also
meant attending court hearings
where the accused is surrounded
by a battery of high-handed
lawyers. These were lonely and
even fearful moments for her.
This was also hard work. What
made this even more so was that
since 2006, Heidi was actually
doing this as a volunteer.
One can say that Heidi was
borne on the wings of prayer of
an expanding network.
Not Institution Bashing
Heidi has become quite visible
these days. If she had her way,
I know she would prefer a quiet
life. But this is not to be so. After
all, the mouth is not just for tak-
ing in food but also for telling
the truth. And in contemporary
Filipino society where many sub-
cultures have given in to out-
right lies and half truths, telling
the truth rocks the boat is often
unappreciated. Those who do so
are even painted as contrabida
and of not being pakisama.
They can also be accused of under-
mining institutions. This, I believe, is
farthest from Heidi’s mind.
At the end of her first con-
gressional hearing, she said: “I
am part of the system. I tried to
fight the system. I am not per-
fect. Spare me from attending
the hearing. I am not destroying
institutions. I am for reforms
within the system. I want a clean
government. Never did I fear the
AFP because I believe I am fight-
ing for the ordinary soldier.”
I believe Heidi.
Several years ago, when cer-
tain government institutions
were shaken due to high-profile
resignations, Heidi would ex-
press strong concern that the
institutions would be weakened.
What many people do not realize
is that Heidi, a reserved officer in
the Philippine Air Force, has her
life deeply intertwined with gov-
ernment institutions. One sees
this, for instance, in a series of
poems she published in 2004 on
the life of soldiers. In one poem,
entitled Sundalo ng Bayan, she
writes:
Sundalo ng Bayan, kung ikaw
ay tawagin,
Lahat ng panganib iyong susu-
ungin.
Ilang ulit na nga bang nalagay
sa alanganin
Sa pagtataya ng buhay para sa
bayan natin…
Sariling pamilya ay iyong inii-
wan,
Buhay ay itinataya ng dahil sa
bayan
Sadyang sa tulad mo, nararapat
ay pagpupugay,
Sundalong Pilipino…ikaw ay
MABUHAY!
Heidi deals with ultimate
values that undergird the integ-
rity of institutions. I fail to see
the truth in those accusations
that put her in a negative light.
It is truth spoken in love that
strengthens, rather than weak-
ens, institutions.
Faith-Impelled Social Trans-
formation
Being in the limelight can be
too glaring for comfort. Roy,
Heidi’s hubby, puts it this way:
“Those who want to shed light
must endure the fire of burning.”
It is not easy to go public about
the truth, not when one is going
against the current. Humanly
speaking, Heidi has everything
to lose and nothing to gain by
going public. She had to quit her
job from the Asian Development
Bank and she could no longer
live a “normal” life.
It is no mere coincidence that
public truth-telling about the
plunder case coincided with the
Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12.
Each beatitude is actually com-
posed of a congratulatory note of
a religious nature (“blessed”), a
human condition that elicits this
blessing (“poor in spirit”), and a
promised action to be made by
God (“the kingdom of heaven
is theirs”).
Two beatitudes highlight the
realities of Heidi, the truth-teller.
One is that those who mourn
will be comforted. Bible scholars
tell us that the kind of mourning
mentioned here has more to do
about grieving that the values
of God’s kingdom have not yet
been fully adopted and less about
personal losses. A believer weeps
because human beings have not
yet surrendered to God’s sover-
eign will and the result is conflict
and lack of peace.
A second beatitude is about
the meek inheriting the earth.
Aristotle tells us that meekness
is the half-way point between
irascibility and sluggishness.
Those prone to anger and those
who are apathetic are not meek.
Meekness for Christians is ac-
tive waiting for the Lord to act,
not passivity. When I reflect
upon what Heidi is doing I
recall Psalm 37. Verses 5-6, for
instance, say: “Commit to the
Lord your way; trust in him, and
he will act. He will make justice
dawn for you like the light;
bright as the noonday shall be
your vindication.”
After the beatitudes, the next
Sunday gospel calls on Christians
to be salt of the earth and light
to the world (Matthew 5:13-16).
Christians are to shed their light
in public so that God may be
glorified. Without salt and light,
there would be no life and, if life
remains, it would be tasteless.
God, it seems, has chosen a
simple person and a simple fam-
ily to embody a response to the
call of the beatitudes.
I believe the figures of Heidi
Mendoza and that of Roy and
their three children symbolize
the journey towards fulfilling the
unfinished businesses of People
Power. They deepen—if not pu-
rify and strengthen—the mean-
ing of EDSA (i.e. “the manifesta-
tion of the saints”). In the New
Testament, particularly in Paul’s
letters, all baptized believers are
referred to as “saints.”
People Power is not a three-
day affair. It is not really about
asking people to step down;
rather, it is the call to step up
to the continuing challenges
of building a nation. It is very
ordinary citizens, impelled by
their faith, who provide accom-
paniment to public servants in
Spaces of Hope / A7
A5
Fr. Roy Cimagala
Candidly Speaking
RH Bill again!
I’M afraid this is an old dog that refuses to die. For all its pre-
tensions of goodness, practicality, realism, etc., The RH Bill
just cannot stand on its own if its morals are to be considered.
Because of that, it has lost all its claims for validity. It simply
swells with toxic ethos.
I’m happy the bishops have roundly repudiated it in a recent
statement, and are planning some street action all over the
country to convey a loud and strong message to our public
officials who seem to be playing deaf and dumb.
It’s correct that where questions of faith and morals are put
to the test, especially in the ridiculous way these are played out
in our local political arena, the Church hierarchy should be in
the forefront to clarify and to put things in order. All of these
should be based on prayers and sacrifice, and the transmission
of the relevant doctrine.
They have to do everything, in spite of their limited re-
sources, to do this. Pain and suffering, the cross of Christ that
can come in many forms, actually do not hinder things. They
actually serve to guarantee the success of a divine mission. So
they should not be afraid of the amount of blood, sweat and
tears involved.
Of course, together with them should be the laity who share
the responsibility of defending these truths of faith and mor-
als. In fact, given the nature of their status in the Church, they
should be more prominent in the streets and other forums
where these matters are discussed. They don’t play a secondary
role. Theirs is as important as that of the clergy.
So it’s a welcome development for me to hear groups of
concerned citizens who are actively organizing and promoting
various protest actions against this notorious bill, even without
direct prodding from the clergy. This is a sign of Christian
maturity. I hope this trend continues.
For a long period of time, this bill has been talked about,
dissected, analyzed, etc., etc. A lot of dialogue has taken
place. And everytime it’s done, the proponents always cannot
defend their position in the moral aspect without redefining
morality itself.
They can ooze with a plethora of practical reasons. And their
strongest point seems to be, “what do we do with the poor that
are growing in number?” Well, if they are truly consistent with
their position, I suppose they will end up proposing that we kill
the poor, the weak, the old, and other “useless” citizenry.
The most likely reason why they stop short of that radi-
cal, extreme measure is that many of the RH Bill proponents
are there mainly for the money. In fact, that view has been
expressed a number of times in several encounters with politi-
cians and officials.
There’s a powerful bloc behind all this move, and it seems to
gather unlikely partners from both the political right and left
who coincide in addressing this so-called problem by practical
means that ignore the indispensable moral requirement.
While we should give everyone the benefit of the doubt and
accord respect to all, we neither can be naïve to the reality that
more than human, as in devious, forces can be at work here.
We have to be extra wary of this possibility. Pieces of evidence
seem to be emerging.
They have developed a powerful and attractive ideology,
again catering to the more practical and shallow aspects of
the issues. They have organized themselves quite well, grow-
ing in leaps and bounds in many parts of the world, and have
generated a massive war chest.
They have established a formidable network of leaders and
workers, and continue to proselytize among the prominent
sectors of society. They have even won over some religious
leaders. They have employed tremendous means like polls and
surveys, knowing that while these can give them favorable re-
sults, these cannot make what is inherently immoral moral.
So, what’s wrong with the RH Bill? In plain language, it
promotes a contraceptive lifestyle that destroys the family and
debases the true nature and meaning of human sexuality.
The world’s leading scientific experts have also claimed that
artificial contraceptives kill children since many of them do
not prevent fertilization. They simply prevent implantation.
They also injure women’s health since the pill, for example,
causes cancer, as well as stroke, and increases the risk of heart
attacks.
Condoms have been found to promote, not stop, the spread
of AIDS. Economists also claim the RH Bill is based on wrong
economics. We need to expose the myths.
By the roadside / A4
himself buying a similar, better and receiving equal services, in
and/or more expensive one. seeking equal treatment before
Or when a Pinoy/Pinay who the law, then the ‘crab mental-
becomes an elected leader in a ity’ is the right mentality. But if
community of kabayans sud- it represents envy, then we had
denly loses very good friends better listen to our conscience
who later form other Pinoy and the voice of our faith. Those
groups in which they maneuver who are the object of the ‘crab
themselves to leadership posi- mentality’ do very well when
tions. “I hate to tell you this,” they put on humility because
an American husband said to his the success, wealth or power that
Filipino wife, “but what’s keep- set them up above fellow Pinoys
ing you guys from being united are passing gifts in a temporary
is that every time you form an existence; they do even better
association everybody wants to when they use these things gen-
be president!” Indeed our ‘crab erously to express compassion
mentality’ has nowhere better to and service to others. When we
be than the Hall of Shame. are tempted to adopt the ‘crab
There’s not a single explanation mentality’ we must listen to St.
why Pinoys have it or particularly John Chrysostom when he said:
associate Pinoy culture with it. In “Would you like to see God
fact, an Australian, upon reading glorified by you? Then rejoice in
it being talked about in Manila, your brother’s progress and you
promptly called the ‘crab men- will immediately give glory to
tality’ an Aussie reality too. Or God. Because his servant could
maybe an American who comes conquer envy by rejoicing in
to understand it would also say the merits of others, God will be
it’s an American reality. In truth, praised.” St. Thomas More saw
it’s a human reality. Perhaps we the things that invite envy dif-
Pinoys have it only to a greater or ferently. “If we were to…esteem
lesser degree than others. I have everything according to its true
a sense that, if we delve into our nature, rather than according
history a little more deeply, we to men’s false opinion, then we
might discover in our colonial ex- would never see any reason to
perience of being regarded a race envy any man, but rather pity
well below that of our colonizers every man—and pity those most
part of the explanation. who have the most to be envied
But deal with it we must today. for, since they are the ones who
Let me suggest that, first of all, will shortly lose the most.”
we must name what it really rep- ‘Crab mentality’? For crabs
resents. If it represents the real maybe. For us Pinoys, I think
aspiration for justice and equal- there’s only one option: ‘Pinoy
ity in social relations, in giving mentality’.
 Local News
CBCP Monitor
A6 Vol. 15 No. 4
February 14 - 27, 2011

Catholic school holds RH bill

symposium for students
THE University of San Jose Recoletos in
Cebu City recently held a symposium
on reproductive health bill to educate
its students on the implications of the
controversial measure.
Sponsored by the university’s Cen-
ter for Religious Education (CRE), the
symposium, according to the university
website, also signified the institution’s
unequivocal stand on the contentious
RH bill.
CRE Director Rev. Fr. Amado Em-
manuel Bolilia, OAR said that “that as
a Catholic University we must be at the
forefront of protecting the sanctity of
marriage and families.”
The school community had Dr. Rene
Bullecer discussed the loopholes and
fallacies of the reproductive health bill,
disproving claims of RH supporters
that the country’s poverty is caused by
increasing demographics.
Instead, he said it is bad governance,
coupled with graft and corruption,
among other factors, that keep the coun-
try in the throes of poverty.
Saying that it is important to say no to
RH Bill because it is “unconstitutional,
immoral, anti-child, anti-parent, anti-
life, against Catholic Faith and religious
freedom,” Bullecer urged his audience
to reject the measure.
The symposium was part of a series
of activities, including a mass wide

Bullecer, Chair of the Cebu City Anti-
Indecency Board and the Philippine repre-
sentative to Vatican City for the Pontifical
Council for Life, as resource speaker.
www.usjr.edu.ph
rally, the Archdiocese of Cebu together
with other Pro-Life Organizations are
planning this February against RH bill.
(CBCPNews)

Cruz skeptical of CBCP official not worried

Loterya ng Bayan
THE Loterya ng Bayan, said to be
the government’s counter mea-
sure against an illegal numbers
game called “jueteng”, has just
took off last Feb.4.
But this early, the move has al-
ready faced stiff opposition from
retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz, a
vocal anti-gambling crusader.
Just like the much ballyhooed
small town lottery (STL), he be-
lieves that the Loterya ng Bayan
will only end up being “front”
for jueteng operators and a cash
cow for corrupt officials.
“It’s the same story as the STL
before. It is the same jueteng lords
and jueteng operators who would
take charge of running the Loterya,”
Cruz said. “The name is changed
but the reality is the same.”
“Second, the same operators can-
not but favor jueteng more than the
Loterya because it has taxes to pay
while jueteng income is all theirs.”
“Another thing, as far as the
raffle of the winning numbers of
STL everybody—either by city,
Church leaders back
over RH bill budget approval impeach bid vs Ombudsman
municipality or province—will A Catholic bishop and other Secretariat forSocial Action of
draw their respective numbers church leaders on Wednesday the Catholic Bishops’ Conference
AN official of the Catholic tives using taxpayer’s money. expressed their full support for of the Philippines.
exactly like jueteng. In lotto, at
Bishops’ Conference of the The bill classifies artificial the move to impeach Ombuds- The bishop made the state-
least there is one number na-
Philippines is not worried family planning devices such man Merceditas Gutierrez. ment a day after the Supreme
tionwide but in STL everybody
over the approval Wednes- as oral contraceptive pills, They said that it is high time for Court (SC) upheld the right the
has the prerogative to make the
day of the funding provision which have been confirmed a decisive action to hold Gutierrez House of Representatives to take
numbers they wish to come out
of the Reproductive Health by the International Agency accountable for allegedly sleeping up the impeachment complaints
as a winning pair,” he said.
(RH) bill. for Research on Cancer as car- on several high-profile cases. against Gutierrez.
Cruz reiterated that it takes
According to Fr. Melvin cinogens, as essential medi- Manila Auxiliary Bishop Brod- Voting 7-5-2, the court junked
only political will on the part of
Castro of the CBCP’s Commis- cines where billions of pesos erick Pabillo called lawmakers the plea of the Ombudsman who
the public officials and the police
sion on Family and Life, the will be used for its purchase. to “expedite” the impeachment earlier asked the SC to sanction
authorities to get rid of jueteng.
real fight would be on the ple- “Will our government proceedings against the Om- the Lower House from hearing
The prelate also revealed that
nary debates in which anti-RH legislate a bill that will use budsman. the complaints against her.
he and the other members of
bill lawmakers are expected to taxpayers’ money to further “We have been clamoring The complaints stemmed from
the Krusadang Bayan Laban sa
block its passage. expose women to all these that the Ombudsman be made the cases filed by former Akbayan
Jueteng are preparing to do bat-
“It’s not new because there risks?” asked Castro. answerable to the public and Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel,
tle with the Loterya ng Bayan.
are really many pro-RH bill Voting 20 to 3, the said House one way to do that is through retired military officer Danilo
“KBLJ is now rearranging its
in the House Committee on committee approved the pro- the process of impeachment,” Lim, and another by the Bagong
structure and reach in the country in
Appropriations… so the real posed P173 million budget for Pabillo said. Alyansang Makabayan, Sr. Mary
order to precisely prepare the Kru-
battle will in the plenary by the controversial measure. He, however, called on the John Mananzan and others.
sada for the gambling game Lotery-
next week,” Castro said. Among those who favored lawmakers not to make the Mananzan, co-chairperson of
ang Bayan which nurtures jueteng,”
Aside from its “immoral” the proposed budget is the impeachment proceedings as a the Association of Major Reli-
he said. He said they already started
provisions, the church is op- chairman of the House Com- venue for “grandstanding.” gious Superiors of the Philip-
reorganizing the group two weeks
posing the passage of the RH mittee on Appropriations him- “I hope that the search for the pines (AMRSP) also welcomed
ago by orienting its members on
bill which would require the self, Cavite 1st district Rep. truth will not be politicized and the SC decision saying that the
how the new game is played and
government to buy contracep- Joseph Abaya. (CBCPNews) nothing personal,” said Pabillo impeachment process “really has
how it exploits the poor people,”
Cruz said. (CBCPNews) who also chairs the National to go on.” (CBCPNews)

ARMM / A1
It said elections in ARMM is still de-
termined by traditional and “warlord
politicians” who use money and guns
to cling to power.
In a manifesto, iPAD-Mindanao
chairperson Janree Pundato-Disomimba
said that the ARMM election has never
been truly the reflection of the real senti-
ments of the people.
Voluminous cases of ghost and flying
voters, massive vote buying, harass-
ment, electoral violence in the ARMM
election are always “the order of the
day,” she said.
“We believe that the postponement
of ARMM election is a decisive step to
institute immediate political and elec-
toral reforms. We are for reform first
before we agree to hold an election,”
Disomimba said in a forum in Manila
People Power / A1
elections was marred with fraud.
The Vatican was cautious as it called
on the bishops to be careful with the
statement they would release.
It also asked one certain condition:
“that in every decision, we should al-
ways be unanimous,” said Bacani.
But this time, he said, during the most
recent plenary assembly, the 90 or so
bishops unanimously agreed to choose
life and reject the RH bill. Not a single
soul disagreed with the decision because
it was a moral issue.
“Now, even without Rome’s asking
for a unanimous stand on the issue at
hand, the bishops already delivered a
unanimous stand against the controver-
sial RH bill,” Bacani said.
Just the beginning
Organized by the Coalition for the
Family and Life against RH bill, the
rally was in response to the CBCP’s
pastoral letter calling on the people to
“act together” against the measure and in
what they foresee to be just the beginning
of more street protests if the measure
would be passed.
Fr. Melvin Castro, executive secretary
of the CBCP’s Commission on Family
and Life, said the church is grateful for
the support of the lay people in the bish-
ops’ RH bill stance.
“The power emanates from the people,
so here they are and I hope they rec-
ognize this sentiment of the people,”
stressed Castro.
More than a dozen lawmakers ad-
dressed the crowd during a rally to observe
“Prolife Month.” The lawmakers called on
their colleagues to reject the bill and said
they would work to derail its passage.
“We stand with you for life,” Lanao
del Norte 2nd District Rep. Fatima Aliah
Dimaporo, a Muslim, told around 10,000
protesters.
on Feb. 15.
The group believes that that there can
be no credible and honest polls in the
war-ravaged region when the bases of
warlordism are still intact.
Disomimba said a caretaker govern-
ment is also necessary to pave the way
for an “engagement” or consultation
with the people in the grass roots level
to find out who they really want to
lead them.
She said they are not for hold over ca-
pacity, but for a leadership and system
change. “We need to change the leaders
from top to bottom,” according to her.
“Let us listen to the people and let’s
give them a venue where they can truly
participate and choose what and who
they really want,” said Disomimba.
“More than the environmental, legal
Dimaporo said that promotion of
contraceptives in family planning would
risk women’s health and would not solve
the country’s problem on poverty.
RH bill foes, including many Chris-
tian and Muslim groups, trooped to the
venue to croon songs such as “Say yes
to life, no to RH bill” and “We strongly
reject abortion” during the four-hour
rally.
Melisa Miguel of Quezon City carried
the sign that read “RH bill destroys hu-
man dignity” and she said she vowed to
join more rallies against the measure.
“We’d rather support life than death,”
said Miguel, a mother of five.
Draw the line
Organizers of the rally, on the other
hand, directly accused the Aquino ad-
ministration of taking the country “for
a ride” over the RH bill.
Pro-Life Philippines President Eric
Manalang said President Benigno Aqui-
no III should make a firm position on
RH bill.
“I think it’s time for us to draw the line
and stop all of this because we are just
being taken for a ride,” Manalang said.
He said it would be more acceptable
for the people if Aquino would just give
a more definitive stance on the contro-
versial measure.
“At the end of the day, is he pro-RH or
not? Let’s get away from putting in this
responsible parenthood bill whatever.
Yes or no? Are you or are you not?”
asked Manalang.
“If you are pro-RH, then we draw the
line. We stop there. If you are not pro-
RH, he has the power to call the Speaker
of the House and tell him ‘let’s drop this
bill against life’,” he said.
To recall, Malacañang officials have
been quoted as saying that the RH bill,
renamed as responsible parenthood (RP)
and social issues, the real issue here
is character and leadership crisis. The
quality leadership is what we don’t
have,” she added.
The organization already has a short
list of candidates that they want to lead
for the caretaker government they are
proposing.
Nash Pangadapun, secretary general
of Bangsamoro Freedom Alliance, said
the short list contains nine civil society
leaders, politicians and religions lead-
ers.
He, however, refused to identify the
personalities “because we also don’t
want to preempt the decision of Presi-
dent Aquino.”
What is clear in the shortlist, Di-
somimba said, is that the former and
current ARMM leaders are no longer
bill, would be among the priority bills of
the government.
Recently, though, the 17 priority list
of the administration did not include
the RH/RP bills as the Palace cited its
ongoing dialogue with the Catholic
Bishops Conference of the Philippines
as the main reason.
Manalang said the “flip-flopping” po-
sition of the government only indicates
that it is not sincere in dialoguing with
the church.
“It did not happen only one time. It
happened several times. It’s about time
that they tow the line. If you are here
(dialogue) on bad faith… we will not
talk,” said Manalang.
Among the personalities in the rally
were former Senator Aquilino Pimen-
tel, former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza,
Bacolod Rep. Anthony Golez, Cebu
Rep. Cutie del Mar, and election lawyer
Romulo Macalintal.
Other religious leaders from other
Christian and Evangelical churches were
also present during the rally including
Muslims led by Padel Hassan and the
Grand Imam of the Philippines.
‘Civil disobedience’
At least two Catholic bishops urged
the people to rise up in a campaign of
‘civil disobedience’ against the reproduc-
tive health bill if it becomes a law.
Archbishop Ramon Arguelles and
Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes said over
church-run Radyo Veritas that they have
no choice but to resort to such action but
in a peaceful way.
“We will have a civil disobedience!
Those laws that are immoral, we will tell
the people not to obey,” Bastes said.
Arguelles, however, clarified that their
civil disobedience is not meant to topple
the government but rather a move to
strongly reject the RH bill.
included.
She said they are open to other politi-
cal leaders who share similar vision for
the good of Mindanao as long as they
are not part or allies of the “Ampatuan
and Mangudadatu” clans.
“Even the people from the grass roots
level don’t want them anymore,” the
iPAD-Mindanao chief said.
It will be remembered that the Am-
patuan clan was accused of a massacre
of 57 persons, including the wife, sisters
and supporters of Esmael Manguda-
datu on Nov. 23, 2009.
The massacre was committed when
the wife and supporters of Manguda-
datu was supposed to file his candidacy
for gubernatorial seat. At least 34 jour-
nalists who were in the convoy also per-
ished in the massacre. (CBCPNews)
“Let’s make it clear that we are not
against any person. We are not against
the government. We are not subver-
sives,” Arguelles said.
The Sorsogon prelate added they will be
not be cowed of any penalties of the law say-
ing it is their duty to promote morality.
“We bishops, are willing to be im-
prisoned, together with our priests, and
protest the immoral things there (RH
bill). To be firm with our teachings, let
them imprison us!” said Bastes.
“We are just saying what is right! We
are going to proclaim whatever it is,”
Arguelles also said.
US bishops support
The head of the United States Confer-
ence of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) earlier
called on the CBCP to strongly fight the
passage of the bill.
USCCB President Cardinal Francis
George called up Archbishop Paciano
Aniceto on Feb. 7 expressing his explicit
support for the CBCP’s campaign against
the measure.
Aniceto said Cardinal George assured
him of their prayer that the CBCP would
win the battle against measures that at-
tack the sanctity of life.
“He told me that they are praying for
the Philippine Catholic Church and our
advocacy against the RH bill,” Aniceto
said over church-run Radyo Veritas.
“(So) the Catholic bishops of America
are one with us in pushing for protecting
the sanctity of life, dignity of the family,
and the health of our women,” he said.
Aniceto chairs the CBCP’s Episcopal
Commission on Family and Life which
is at the forefront of the church campaign
against RH bill.
According to him, the church will
do everything to block the passage of
the measure that pushes “the culture
of death.”
Teens / A1
of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P).
The event comes at the heels of the
Catholic Bishops Conference of the Phil-
ippines’ pastoral letter titled “Choosing
Life, Rejecting RH Bill” issued last Janu-
ary 31, 2011.
Ed Sorreta of Pro-Life Philippines
and Jason Evert of “Romance Without
Regret” fame will be the affair’s prin-
cipal speakers on life and love, chastity
and sexuality. Evert has been going
around the United States giving talks
to more than 100,000 young people
every year.
Chairman of the Episcopal Com-
mission on Family and Life and San
Fernando, Pampanga Archbishop
Paciano B. Aniceto will preside
over a concelebrated Mass with
San Fernando Auxiliary Bishop and
CBCP Episcopal Commission on
Youth Vice Chair Roberto Mallari.
The world-famous Madrigal Sing-
ers will provide the solemn music
for the Mass.
Among Catalyst’s partners are the
Couples for Christ and the diocesan
youth commissions. Interested par-
ticipants may get their tickets from
the Catalyst of the University of Asia
and the Pacific at telephone numbers
6370912 local 277 or call 09088648491.
More details can be accessed at Face-
book “Pro-Life Youth Conference: Jason
Evert at SMX.” (Fr. Mickey Cardenas/
Melo Acuña)
Pork / A1
barrel will be abolished and the
funds given directly ins tead to
the concerned local and national
agencies.
“Who will be in favor if you are in a
good mind and in a good sense? Our
country is in need actually and many
of our poor people are languishing in
poverty,” said Pueblos over church-
run Radio Veritas.
“It’s sad that only politicians are
getting richer while millions of people
are getting poorer,” he said.
The prelate was reacting to a pro-
posal by Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez
for an additional pork barrel funds for
Congressmen and senators.
Suarez, in a proposed bill, seeks
P30 million for pork inflation for each
lawmaker and P60 million for each
senator.
To date, lawmakers in Congress
are receiving some P70 million PDAF
while the senators are allocated with
P200 million each.
As proposed, the additional pork
barrel funds will be taken from the
income of the Motor Vehicle User’s
Charge (MVUC) or road user’s tax.
(CBCPNews)

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 4
February 14 - 27, 2011
Borongan diocese to give more flood aid
BORONGAN, E. Samar— The
Diocese of Borongan will reallo-
cate more of its budget towards
relief funds, a local church of-
ficial said.
Fr. Juderick Calumpiano, di-
rector of the diocese’s Social
Action Center, said they are
targeting some 6,000 more fami-
lies affected by recent flooding
across the province.
The priest confirmed this dur-
ing a recent consultation with the
Diocesan News
A7
canned goods and noodles to the
relief goods.
“We’re still in the process of
gathering resources. Even the
local parishes are raising funds
to help,” Calumpiano said.
“(And) because there has
been an increase in the number
of families affected, we might
increase the target, too,” he
said.
Officials of Eastern Samar
provincial government said as-

Photo courtesy of Sol Angelie Libanan

United Nations Children’s Fund
(UNICEF).
“We initially distributed 150
sacks of rice to six parishes that
requested assistance,” Calumpi-
ano said.
With donations from large cor-
porations and some individuals,
the agency also plans to include
sistance has been pouring in the
form of food and health kits.
Based on the initial report of
the Provincial Disaster Coor-
dinating Council, the damage
to infrastructure projects and
agricultural crops in the prov-
ince has now hit P440 million.
(CBCPNews)

Romblon residents renew call against mining Briefing

ODIONGAN, Romblon— Romblon residents
staged a rally on Feb. 14 as they renewed
their call against mining in the island.
More than ten thousand people led by
Romblon Forum Against Mining (REFAM)
and Alliance of Students Against Mining
(ASAM) gathered at Odiongan, Tablas Is-
land calling for the junking of Mining Act
of 1995.
REFAM chairman Msgr. Ernie Fetalino
said the people’s attendance in the rally was
a concrete manifestation of their opposition
to all kinds of mining because of the dangers
it pose on the islands’ topography.
“Mining fuels disasters brought about by
the inconsistencies of our climate. We will
never stop defending the integrity of creation
and dignity of persons,” he said.
In a video message shown during the
rally, former Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontive-
ros lauded Romblon Governor Eduardo
Firmalo for issuing a mining moratorium in
the province.
“Congratulations to Gov. Eduardo Fir-
malo, the local councils and the people of
Romblon for the executive order and resolu-
tions on mining moratorium. We continue
to work against all destructive forms of
mining,” Hontiveros said.
She said House Bill 3763, also known as
Minerals Management Bill (MMB), filed in
Congress by Akbayan aims to manage ef-
ficiently the country’s mineral resources. It
will strictly establish and implement No Go
Zones for mining, involve a multi-sectoral
committee in decision-making, and a rights-
based approach to development.
“We need the support of local governments
like Romblon to strengthen the cry against
large-scale mining. Let’s work together to
preserve our resources,” she added.
Firmalo on January 10 has issued an ex-
ecutive order declaring an indefinite mining
moratorium in the province.
It has been reported that Ivanhoe Philip-
pines Inc., a subsidiary of Canada-based
Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. has applied for permit
to explore 15, 000 hectares of land spanning
Kato’s breakaway a challenge to peace process, says
several towns in Tablas Island.
Maranao leader
Jaybee Garganera, national coordinator of
MARAWI City—A leader of a Maranao civil society orga-
Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) also declared his
nization said the Philippine government and MILF should
group’s support to the indigenous people,
take Kumander Kato’s breakaway from the mainstream
saying, “These people know that they will
Moro Islamic Liberation Front as a challenge to make the
not benefit from mining, and their lives will
peace process work. Hadji Abdullah Dalidig, chairman
be further put at stake when mining starts
of the Islamic Movement for Electoral Reform and Good
and their islands are in a greater disaster
Government based in the Islamic City of Marawi, said that
risk, and it is just right that they are fighting
Ustadz Ameril Umbra Kato’s departure from the BIAF-MILF
for their land.”
should be viewed as a challenge that should compel the
“We stand together with them in call-
government and the MILF in making the peace negotiations
ing the national government and Presi-
work. (Bong D. Fabe)
dent Aquino, to stop letting these com-
panies dig up our natural resources and
Independent church backs Mendoza, Rabusa
leave the islands half bare with people
CAGAYAN DE ORO City—The Iglesia Filipina Independi-
to suffer the consequences,” Garganera
ente (IFI) or Philippine Independent Church (PIC) threw its
further said.
support to former state auditor Heidi Mendoza and retired Lt.
The nine municipalities in Tablas Island
Col. George Rabusa for exposing the massive corruption in the
have earlier approved resolutions opposing
AFP. “Their expose accentuates public criticism about the use
any exploration, development and utilization
of military aid, expensive military modernization programs,
of minerals on the island. (CBCPNews)
and well-oiled counterinsurgency campaigns principally

NEA takes over ailing Albay Power Coop

as milking cows for AFP senior officials, at the expense of
rank-and-file soldiers, the sons and daughters of the Filipino
peasants and workers,” it said. (CBCPNews)

Manobos accuse NGOs of using IPs for funding

LEGAZPI City—For the seventh purposes
time, the National Electrification KIBAWE, Bukidnon— The Manobos in Southern Bukidnon
Administration (NEA) will man- and North Cotabato provinces are accusing two NGOs of us-
age and operate the ailing Albay ing the indigenous people as capital for funding purposes. The
Electric Cooperative (ALECO) lumads claimed that the non-government organizations Legal
as the six-man team from the Rights and Natural Resources Center-Kasama sa Kalikasan/
electric company swooped down Friends of the Earth Philippines (LRC-KsK/FoE Phils.) and the
the premises of the lone power Nasabakan Tarigunay Bukidnon Dut Kalindaan (NATABUK)
facility on Feb. 11. or Cultural Solidarity of Indigenous Peoples in Bukidnon are
Together with the team head- only using them so the NGOs can continue their opposition
© Elmer James Bandol / CBCP Media

ed by NEA Deputy Adminis-
trator for Electric Distribution,
Engr. Edgardo Piamonte, Albay
Gov. Joey Salceda and a handful
member of ALECO Board of Di-
rectors met in a closed door con-
ference and with tight private
security barring the presence of
the media.
After an hour, through Sal-
ceda’s intervention, the media
were allowed to witness the
ceremonial turn-over of manage-
ment from Engr. Jose Abiera,
operation-in-charge designated
by the ALECO board, to Pia-
monte.
Earlier, ALECO Board of Direc-
tors chaired by Rene Tronqued
resigned from their posts fol-
lowing a resolution from Albay
Mayors League calling for their
resignation to pave the way for
the takeover of NEA.
During the hand over, Sal-
ceda expressed optimism that
ALECO hands over management of the facility to National Electrification Administration (NEA) during a meeting on Feb. 11.
the problems hounding the
lone electric cooperative will be
solved including its financial ob-
ligations now reaching to more
than P2 billion.
Piamonte, on the other hand,
openly mentioned his debt of
gratitude to Salceda for allowing
the NEA to take over ALECO
again.
“We are here not to investigate
but to make the cooperative
viable,” Piamonte said. But he
backtracked when asked how
the ailing power facility will turn
around when problems hound-
ing it are not investigated.
ALECO has been in the hands
of the NEA since 1990 up to the
time of former NEA Adminis-
trator Fr. Francisco Silva who
pushed for the privatization of
ALECO to a Singaporean based
business mogul, SALCON. The
move was opposed by Albay
Consumers Watch who exposed
the questionable contract that
was hidden to the public.
From the hands of Adonay,
Rosales, Cruz and to Misael
Moraleda, all NEA designated
managers, ALECO has never
to the Pulangi 5 Hydro-electric Plant Project to the detriment
of the lumad communities. (Bong D. Fabe)
ARMM official wants August polls postponed
CAGAYAN DE ORO City— An official of the Autonomous
Region in Muslim Mindanao is pushing for a postponement
of the August 2011 ARMM elections citing unresolved issues
that could spawn violence. “It is the most practical alterna-
tive that the national government can adopt,” said ARMM
Acting Gov. Ansaruddin Alonto-Adiong. Continuing with
been the same again, until after the elections will “only complicate unsolved social issues”
typhoon Reming hit Bicol in 2006 such as the absence of a negotiated political settlement with
when all ALECO power lines the MILF, aside from worsening the conduct of the polls, he
were down and B-CARE funds said. (CBCPNews)
of P500 million was infused by
former President Gloria Arroyo Ban magnetite mining in Regions 5, 8—Pamalakaya
to rehabilitate the power coop. QUEZON City—The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mama-
Records show that the manage- malakaya sa Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) urged the DENR to stop
ment contract between ALECO the magnetite (black sand) mining operations on the shores
and the National Power Cor- of Eastern Visayas, saying it would lead to environmental
poration in 2009 was the point destruction. “We ask President Aquino to recall all these
the cooperative has started to Public-Private Partnership led escapades in Region VIII and
meet its financial obligations stop black sand giants from destroying the livelihood and
under the management of Engr. the national patrimony of the people,” said Pamalakaya chair
German Silva. (Elmer James Fernando Hicap. (Noel Sales Barcelona)
Bandol)
Reyes’ death must not hamper probe on military

Laguna prays Oratio Imperata daily until RH Bill is rejected

corruption— Solon
ANTIPOLO City— Despite former Defense Secretary Angelo
Reyes’s death, the investigation on the corruption in the AFP
by Rene Tronqued resigned from their posts ministrator Fr. Francisco Silva who pushed should continue as the public wants clarification over the is-
San Pablo City—For the seventh time, the
following a resolution from Albay Mayors for the privatization of ALECO to a Singa- sue. “It is unfortunate that Reyes passed away for he could
National Electrification Administration
League calling for their resignation to pave porean based business mogul, SALCON. The have been a vessel in solving these corruption cases. While
(NEA) will manage and operate the ailing
the way for the takeover of NEA. move was opposed by Albay Consumers we condole with his family and friends, I sincerely hope that
Albay Electric Cooperative (ALECO) as the
During the hand over, Salceda expressed Watch who exposed the questionable con- the people’s quest for truth and justice will not be delayed by
six-man team from the electric company
optimism that the problems hounding the tract that was hidden to the public. this sad incident,” Kabataan Party list Rep. Raymond Palatino
swooped down the premises of the lone
lone electric cooperative will be solved in- From the hands of Adonay, Rosales, Cruz said. (Noel Sales Barcelona)
power facility on Feb. 11.
Together with the team headed by NEA cluding its financial obligations now reach- and to Misael Moraleda, all NEA designated
Deputy Administrator for Electric Distribu- ing to more than P2 billion. managers, ALECO has never been the same
tion, Engr. Edgardo Piamonte, Albay Gov. Piamonte, on the other hand, openly again, until after typhoon Reming hit Bicol Mayuga / A1
Joey Salceda and a handful member of mentioned his debt of gratitude to Salceda in 2006 when all ALECO power lines were
ALECO Board of Directors met in a closed for allowing the NEA to take over ALECO down and B-CARE funds of P500 million lives. We are but stewards. renders personal account with
door conference and with tight private secu- again. was infused by former President Gloria Ar- Taking one’s life is an act of his Creator,” he said.
rity barring the presence of the media. “We are here not to investigate but to make royo to rehabilitate the power coop. escapism. It does not even “Yes, we condole with the
After an hour, through Salceda’s interven- the cooperative viable,” Piamonte said. But Records show that the management serve the country in this case,” family, the loved ones and
tion, the media were allowed to witness the he backtracked when asked how the ailing contract between ALECO and the National said Pabillo. friends of General Reyes. I
ceremonial turn-over of management from power facility will turn around when prob- Power Corporation in 2009 was the point the Mayuga was earlier quoted personally felt extreme sad-
Engr. Jose Abiera, operation-in-charge desig- lems hounding it are not investigated. cooperative has started to meet its financial in a newspaper report that ness at his action and prayed
nated by the ALECO board, to Piamonte. ALECO has been in the hands of the NEA obligations under the management of Engr. Reyes’ act of taking his life by for his soul. But sympathizing
Earlier, ALECO Board of Directors chaired since 1990 up to the time of former NEA Ad- German Silva. (Elmer James Bandol) shooting himself on the chest with him should not induce
showed “extreme courage”. us to saying what he did was
The prelate said the coun- right,” he added.
Holy See / A1 Spaces of Hope / A5
try, especially the foot sol- The church official is also
detrimental to development, the an unprecedented decline in of cooperation and a more de- the journey together towards diers who are struggling in hoping that the “very unfor-
reality is that where economic fertility/birth rate—a decline ad- cisive commitment by all,” he integrity. It is about realizing the ground need to know tunate and sad end” of Reyes
growth has increased, it is often vocated often as the best means stated. that we are all in this together as how the military spends its will not make the govern-
accompanied with population to achieve development. “Development cannot be part of the problem and part of money. ment soften its commitment
increases.” “However, many nations in measured only in terms of eco- the solution. It is about connect- Pabillo said he is not a to root out corruption in the
“In developed regions, we are the developing world are now at nomic growth and eradication ing personal conversion, family military so most probably he country.
now witnessing dwindling and risk of growing old before they of poverty cannot be based only renewal, and social transforma- does not understand what is “The corrupt people in gov-
ageing populations and many grow rich.” on measurable economic out- tion. It is about organizing for “honorable” in taking one’s ernment do not care at all
nations are struggling to main- The archbishop affirmed, “At come,” Archbishop Chullikatt the common good. life. “In plain language that at the grave sufferings they
tain social services and economic the center of development is asserted. It is about igniting spaces of is suicide, and every act of inflict on the nation and on
growth as the ratio of workers recognizing the dignity of the “Rather,” he added, “authentic hope. This demands prayer and suicide is wrong.” the nameless people who are
to non-workers decreases,” the human person and ensuring full development requires fostering sacrifice. “I do not and cannot judge deprived of what is rightfully
prelate warned. respect for man’s innate dignity the development of each human Thank you, Mendoza family, the state of mind of General theirs. Let us not also be soft in
He continued: “In the devel- and fundamental rights.” being and of the whole human for showing us that it can be Angelo Reyes when he com- the quest to right this wrong!”
oping regions, we are witnessing “This calls for renewed forms being.” (Zenit) done! mitted suicide. In this, he Pabillo said. (CBCPNews)
 A8 People, Facts & Places CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 4
February 14 - 27, 2011

Manila Cardinal celebrates Mass

for World Day of the Sick THE Archbishop of Manila Gaudencio Cardinal
Rosales has celebrated a special Mass to mark
World Day of the Sick.
During the ceremony at the Manila Cathedral,
Cardinal Rosales urged ordinary people to
become more involved in caring for the sick
within the community.
The Cardinal said the country needs a new
sense of common responsibility towards those
who are ill.
He added that people can contribute to
the ongoing reform of the health system
by creating a new awareness of the
community.
Ca r dina l Rosa les a lso c a lled on t he
sic k F ilip inos not t o g ive u p a nd k eep
praying because “you are loved by
God.”
For the healthy people, the church official
urged them to pray for the sick or those who are
suffering including the multiple handicapped
and the mentally ill.
During the Mass, an anointing of the sick
was also held.
The activity is in coordination with the
CBCP’s Commission on Health Care and the
Philippine Association Sovereign Military

© Noli Yamsuan / RCAM

Order of Malta.
Celebrated every Feb. 11 on the feast of Our
Lady of Lourdes, the World Day of the Sick
was instituted by late Pope John Paul II on May
13, 1992, and since then has been celebrated
annually. (CBCPNews)

Visayas Bishops in Rome Catholic schools

on ad limina visit urged to hang
THE Pontificio Collegio Filipi-
no welcomed the second batch
banners in support of
Mendoza, et al
of bishops from the Visayas
region who arrived in Rome on
February 7 for their ad limina
visit.
While in Rome, the bishops
will be visiting the different CATHOLIC schools are urged to hang banners in support
Dicasteries at the Vatican, and of whistleblowers former state auditor Heidi Mendoza,
will have a personal audience retired Lt. Col. George Rabusa and Lt. Col. Antonio Ramon
with Pope Benedict XVI. Lim, both former military budget officers.
They will also have the chance The Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines
Contributed photo

to celebrate Holy Mass at the
four Major Basilicas of San Pi-
etro, Santa Maria Maggiore,
San Paolo Basilica and Basilica
Laterano.
On their day off, the bishops
will take a pilgrimage to Padre
Pio Shrine, Pompeii and Monte
Cassino.
Back in PCF, the bishops,
priests, and guests, participate in
lauded Mendoza, Rabusa and Lim for risking their lives
and the security of their families just to expose alleged
corrupt military officials.
It’s just right, it said, for Filipinos to be vigilant and
Naval Bishop Filomeno Bactol, Borongan Bishop Crispin Varquez, Calbayog Bishop Isabelo Abarquez and Capiz Arch-
bishop Onesimo Gordoncillo. strengthen their support for the ‘truth-tellers’ such as
hanging banners on the face or at the gate of school
personal prayer and communal buildings.
the Collegio in the duration of the Philippines to visit the Pope
vespers and rosary at PCF crypta “We encourage our members to publicly manifest their
ad limina visit which ends on and to renew their commitment
together with the resident priests support for truth-tellers: hang banners of support in their
February 19. to shepherd the Faithful in our
and nuns. schools and release statements of solidarity,” the CEAP
The ‘ad limina’ visit is an op- local Church in the Philippines.
The bishops are staying at said in a statement.
portune time for the bishops of (Garret Alfonso Ulanimo)

Nuns form human chain vs

They also called on Catholic schools across the country
to partner with other Church and civil society groups who
support the three witnesses, conduct join activities that
respond to the issue.

military corruption
AMID the corruption controversy hound-
ing the military, several Catholic nuns and
priests formed a human chain on Feb. 11
along with whistleblower retired Lt. Col.
George Rabusa.
Sr. Mary John Mananzan, co-chairperson
of the Association of Major Religious Su-
periors of the Philippines (AMRSP), said it
was a symbolic action of their unity for truth
and justice.
“It is also our wish that our students,
faculty members, professionals and church
people be aware of the problems besetting
our society,” she said.
The church official said they are also hoping
that the public will be inspired by the “cou-
rageous deed” of former state auditor Heidi
Mendoza “to do a service to the country.”
“We also aim renewed unity in our quest
for truth, accountability and justice,” accord-
ing to Mananzan.
Those who participated in the formation
of human chain in Taft Avenue include some
artists, students, and members of various
civil society groups.
The activity was the culmination of a forum
dubbed as “May Pabaon ka ba diyan?” that
was held at the De La-Salle-College of Saint
Benilde Augusto Rosario Gonzalez Theater,
Solomon Hall 5th floor from 1:30pm to 5pm.
Aside from Rabusa, a former military bud-
get officer, other persons in the forum were
former UP Dean Luis Teodoro and Philip-
pine Air Force Capt. Joenel Pogoy.
Pogoy was released October 2010 from jail
after a two-year detention for posting videos
of his views on corruption in the popular
video-sharing website YouTube.
The three speakers gave their insights on
the alleged corrupt practices in the Armed
Forces of the Philippines as recently revealed
in the Congressional hearings. (CBCPNews)
The CEAP also enjoin all its members to continuously
educate their students towards “Christian conscience.”
“Discuss corruption in all academic circle; form our
students in truth, integrity and courage,” the statement
further read.
In the statement, the CEAP also appealed to the govern-
ment to ensure that those “who dared speak to reveal the
truth” be protected.
It likewise called on the judiciary, particularly the Om-
budsman and the Sandiganbayan, to uphold the truth
“without fear or favor.”
“We urge the legislature to ensure that this investiga-
tion results in concrete measures to curb corruption and
improve the justice system in the country,” the CEAP
added.
“Let it not degenerate into a circus for political vendetta
and empty grandstanding,” it also said. (CBCPNews)

Ilocos Norte’s heritage Church undergoes revival

Markings
ELECTED. Fr. Jerome Adriatico was re-elected provincial superior of
A PAINSTAKING restoration
job is underway in Ilocos Norte,
the rebuilding of San Jose de
Dingras Church, a 15th century-
old building
Project organizers said they
would like to restore the town’s
the Society of Divine Word (SVD), Northern Province during the SVD church heritage to look like the
provincial election assembly held last January 13, 2011 at the SVD Pro- original, which has been consid-
vincialate House in San Fernando City, La Union. Re-elected together ered one of the most picturesque
with Adriatico was Fr. Reynaldo Jimenez as vice-provincial. Fr. Cisogono
Cancino was elected as Admonitor and Frs. Damianus Abun and Pablo
facades in the country.
Garay as Councilors. The team will serve as a council to Northern The church was ruined and
Province for three years. The Northern Province is situated in Northern rebuilt many times on separate
Luzon, with communities in the Ilocos Region, the Cagayan Valley and historical periods beginning 1707
the Cordillera Administrative Region. It is made up of four districts: Abra, until the structure became unsafe
Cagayan, Vigan-Laoag and Tabuk, and SVD communities in Urdaneta,
Dagupan, Baguio and in La Union. and was finally abandoned in 1931.
Catholics used a chapel built inside
INAUGURATED. A new nursery of Heart of Mary Villa was inaugurated the ruins for church services.
on the occasion of HMV’s 54th anniversary on February 8, 2011. Located The province’s Philippine
at the Good Shepherd Compound at Aurora Boulevard, Quezon City, the
new nursery was built a year after typhoon Ondoy destroyed the nursery Information Agency said it was
in HMV Malabon. Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco led the blessing which in the late 1990s that the church
was attended by the Sisters, HMV staff, friends, benefactors, adopting
began asking support from
parishioners locally and abroad
and restored the ruins.
Metal sheets perched on steel
columns replaced the church’s
original roofing while its walls
that bore deep fissures and
cracks were strengthened.
Conservation groups said the
church’s architecture, along with
the churches of San Nicolas, Pid-
dig, Sarrat and Vintar, all in the
Diocese of Laoag, follows the char-
acter of the Vignola masterpiece of
the Church of Il Gesu in Rome.
The International Council for
Monuments and Sites Philip-
pines have expressed disagree-
ment with the restoration plan
saying that tearing down the
original façade and substituting
it with a replica would mean
losing an important symbol of
Ilocos architecture.
“Before its rehabilitation, the
façade was said to have been lean-
ing inwards prompting church
officials to secure the structure’s
Commission.
A rehabilitation plan drawn in
2009 laid out the restoration plans
in detail including the cost of ma-
terials and repairs that amounted
to about P9.2 million.
The plan bore the stamp of ap-
inner section with temporary proval from Architect Reynaldo
support made of steel poles,” the Inovero, of the NHI and chief
PIA Ilocos Norte said in an article of the Historical Preservation
posted at its website. Commission.
“The outer section was pulled In his marginal note dated
outwards using cables attached to Nov. 23, 2009 on the design,
the base of a statue and centuries-old Inovero said “the rehabilitation
acacia tree fronting the church.” plan is an acceptable method to
Amid calls to preserve the preserve the church façade.”
old façade, the Laoag diocese Inovero further advised
has already consulted a team the church to undertake
of technical experts from the a geotechnical study of the
National Historical Institute foundation in addition to the
and the Historical Preservation plan. (CBCPNews)

Religious groups hold labor forum

parents and their families. The blessing was followed by a Mass at the
Good Shepherd Chapel. The Heart of Mary Villa was founded by the
Good Shepherd Sisters to provide a temporary residence for pregnant
single women and nursery for babies waiting for adoption.
ERECTED. San Vicente Ferrer Parish of Talusan, was erected last Janu-
ary 20 in the island of Olutanga, Zamboanga Sibugay. Ipil Bishop Julius
Tonel presided the celebration attended by parishioners, comprising 80
percent of the town’s population. Fr. Herman Suico, SVD who joined the
Ipil Mission last June 1, 2009, was installed parish priest. Suico serves
as team leader of the Divine Word Missionaries in Olutanga Island.
The island has been evangelized by various missionaries, including
the Jesuits, Dominican sisters and the pioneer SVD missionaries who
came in 2005.
THE country’s ordinary workers can always
pin their hopes in the Catholic Church for
support in their struggles for just labor.
In an effort to guide people make enlight-
ened decisions with regards to the current
plight of the country’s workers a team of
religious groups has organized a labor forum
on February 5 in Cebu City.
VCDG convenor and Jaro Auxiliary Bishop
Gerardo Alminaza who led participants in
the reflection on the social teachings of the
Church.
The Visayas Clergy Discernment Group Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma gave an in-
(VCDG) has teamed up with Task Force on spirational talk to encourage faithful to par-
Urban Conscientization (TFUC-AMRSP), a ticipate in the work of renewal in society.
mission partner of the Association of Major Themed “Best-Kept Secret Exposed:
Religious Superiors in the Philippines, and Church’s Social Teachings on Human La-
other ecumenical groups to discuss the social bor”, the activity included testimonies from
teachings of the Church on human labor. Cebu workers and responses from various
Resource speaker during the forum was lay groups. (CBCPNews)
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 4
February 14 - 27, 2011
‘It Speaks to Us of Our
Very Destiny’
(This is the preface of His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI to the new catechism for the
youth called “Youcat” that is being prepared in time for the upcoming World Youth
Day; for release on March 1, 2011 by the L’Osservatore Romano)
Dear Friends, Young People!
Today I counsel you to read an
extraordinary book.
It is extraordinary because of its
content but also because of its format,
which I wish to explain to you briefly, so
that you will understand its particularity.
Youcat drew its origin, so to speak, from
another work that came out in the 80s.
It was a difficult period for the Church
as well as for worldwide society, during
which the need was perceived of new
guidelines to find a way towards the
future. After the Second Vatican Council
(1962-1965) and in the changing cultural
environment, many people no longer
knew correctly what Christians should
actually believe, what the Church
taught, if it could, no more and no less,
teach, and how all this could be adapted
to the new cultural climate.
Is not Christianity, as such, obsolete?
Can one still today be reasonably
a believer? These are the questions
that still today many Christian ask
themselves. Pope John Paul II then made
an audacious decision: he decided that
the bishops worldwide should write a
book to answer these questions.
He entrusted to me the task of
coordinating and overseeing the work of
the bishops so that a book would be born
from the contributions of the bishops, a
real book and not a simple juxtaposition
of a multiplicity of texts. This book was
to bear the traditional title of Catechism
of the Catholic Church (CCC), and yet
be something altogether stimulating and
new; it was to show what the Catholic
Church believes today and how one
can believe in a reasonable way. I was
Pastoral Concerns
frightened by this task, and I must confess
that I doubted that such a thing could
succeed. How could it be that authors
who are spread around the whole world
could produce a legible book? How could
men who live in different continents, and
not only from the geographical but also
from the intellectual and cultural point
of view, produce a text with an internal
and comprehensible unity in all the
continents?
To this was added the fact that the
bishops had to write not simply as
individual authors but in representation
of their confreres and their local
Churches.
I must confess that still today the fact
seems a miracle to me that this project in
the end succeeded. We met three or four
times a year for a week and discussed
passionately on the individual portions
of the text that had been developed in
the meantime.
The first thing to be defined was the
structure of the book: it had to be simple,
so that the individual groups of authors
could receive a clear task and not force
their affirmations into a complicated
system. It is the very structure of this
book, it is taken simply from a centuries-
long catechetical experience: what do we
believe/ in what way do we celebrate
the Christian mysteries / in what way
do we have life in Christ / in what way
should we pray. I do not wish to explain
now how we engaged in the great
quantity of questions, until a real book
resulted. In a book of this nature there
are many debatable points: all that men
do is insufficient and can be improved
and, this notwithstanding, it is a great
book, a sign of unity in diversity. From
many voices it was possible to form a
choir because they had the common
score of the faith, which the Church
has transmitted to us from the Apostles
through the centuries until today.
Why all this?
Already then, at the time of the
drafting of the CCC, we realized not only
that the continents and the cultures of
their people are different, but that also
within the individual societies different
“continents” exist: A worker has a
different mentality from a peasant’s,
and a physicist from a philologist’s;
an entrepreneur from a journalist’s, a
youth from an elderly person’s. For
this reason, in language and in thought
we had to place ourselves above all
these differences and so to speak seek
a common area among the different
universal mentalities; with this we
became ever more aware of how the
text required “translations” into the
different worlds, to be able to reach the
people with their different mentalities
and different problems. Since then, in
the World Youth Days (Rome, Toronto,
Cologne, Sydney) young people from
all over the world have met who want
to believe, who are searching for God,
who love Christ and desire common
paths. In this context we asked ourselves
if we should not seek to translate the
Catechism of the Catholic Church into
the language of young people and
make its words penetrate their world.
Of course also among the young people
of today there are many differences;
thus, under the tested guidance of
the archbishop of Vienna, Christoph
Schoenborn, a Youcat was formatted for
young people. I hope that many young
people will let themselves be fascinated
by this book.
Some persons tell me that the catechism
does not interest today’s youth, but I do
not believe this affirmation and I am sure
I am right. Youth is not as superficial
as it is accused of being; young people
want to know what life truly consists of.
A crime novel is fascinating because it
involves us in the fate of other persons,
but which could also be our own; this
book is fascinating because it speaks to
us of our very destiny and that is why it
concerns each one of us very closely.
Because of this I invite you: Study the
catechism! This is my heartfelt wish.
This supplement to the catechism
does not flatter you; it does not offer
easy solutions; it calls for a new life on
your part; it presents to you the message
of the Gospel as the “precious pearl”
(Matthew 13:45) for which there is need
to give everything. Because of this I ask
you: study the catechism with passion
and perseverance! Sacrifice your time for
it! Study it in the silence of your room,
read it together, if you are friends, form
groups and study networks, exchange
ideas on the Internet. In any case remain
in dialogue on your faith!
You must know what you believe;
you must know your faith with the
same precision with which a specialist
in information technology knows the
working system of a computer; you
must know it as a musician knows his
piece; yes, you must be much more
profoundly rooted in the faith of the
generation of your parents, to be able to
B1
www.benediktxvi.ru
resist forcefully and with determination
the challenges and temptations of this
time. You have need of divine help, if
you do not want your faith to dry up
as a dewdrop in the sun, if you do not
want to succumb to the temptations of
consumerism, if you do not want your
love to be drowned in pornography, if
you do not want to betray the weak and
the victims of abuse and violence.
If you dedicate yourselves with
passion to the study of the catechism,
I would like to give you yet a last
counsel: You all know in what way
the community of believers has been
wounded in recent times by the attacks
of evil, by the penetration of sin in the
interior, in fact in the heart of the Church.
Do not take this as a pretext to flee from
God’s presence; you yourselves are the
Body of Christ, the Church! Carry intact
the fire of your love in this Church every
time that men have obscured her face.
“Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the
Spirit, serve the Lord” (Romans 12:11).
When Israel was in the darkest point
of its history, God called to the rescue no
great and esteemed persons, but a youth
called Jeremiah; Jeremiah felt invested
with too great a mission: “Ah, Lord God!
Behold, I do not know how to speak, for
I am only a youth!” (Jeremiah 1:6). But
God did not let himself be misled: “Do
not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all
to whom I send you you shall go, and
whatever I command you shall speak”
(Jeremiah 1:7).
I bless you and pray every day for all
of you.
Benedict PP. XVI
B2 Updates CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 4
February 14 - 27, 2011

The Obligation to wear

Ecclesiastical Garb
Deacons and
Exorcisms
(Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina
Apostolorum university, answers the following queries:)

Q: Can deacons perform the rite of exorcism or be appointed by

their bishops to serve as exorcists? I’m not interested in doing
so, but with more movies coming out recently on the topic, I
am trying to anticipate this question from parishioners.—J.L.,
Oswego, New York

A: The word exorcism is used in two ways. First of all, it is

used to describe certain rites in which the minister asks God
to keep someone or something from the power of the evil one.
This is the general sense of the rite of exorcism performed
during baptism, and a deacon can obviously perform this rite
since he is an ordinary minister of the sacrament.
Second, an exorcism is an order made to a demon in Christ’s
name to leave a person he has possessed or a place or thing he has

© Pinky Barrientos / CBCP Media

infested. With respect to this rite, No. 11 of the Rite of Exorcism
says, “The minister of the rite is exclusively a priest who by reason
of his piety, knowledge, prudence and integrity of life is considered
by the Ordinary as suitable to this ministry and has been expressly
authorized by him to exercise it” [my translation].
Therefore, in this sense a deacon may not perform an
exorcism.

By Fr. Jaime B. Achacoso, of the Synod of Bishops of Conference referred to by the Council for the Interpretation of
J.C.D. 1990 dedicated to the topic of Directory─has laid down the Legislative Texts─the competent

Communion for Late

Introduction
Arrivals at Mass
I have always been edified by
priests who dress properly─either
with a clergyman or at least a
barong with a distinctive cross
insignia, and even more so with an
old-fashioned cassock or sotana.
Considering that the tropical climate
must surely make such attire a bit
uncomfortable, I am awed by the
spirit of sacrifice of such men of the
cloth who thereby present a credible
witness of the presence of Christ and
his Church in the midst of our too
often secularized communities. On
the other hand, I also notice that
many more of our Filipino clergy
go around dressed casually like
everyone else, to the point that quite
often it is impossible to identify them
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the identity, life and ministry
of priests. In order to outline
the content of that Directory,
the suggestions of the entire
world episcopate─consulted
for that purpose─as well as
the considerations of many
theologians, canonists and
experts on the matter from
diverse geographical areas and
involved in current pastoral work
were taken into account. Thus,
that Directory can veritably be
considered as a manual on the
life and ministry of priests, and
is the final word when it comes
any question of practical nature
as the issue at hand.
The Directory deals with the
matter of ecclesiastical garb under
the rubric of Obedience, first
stating the reason for such garb:
following:1
“The proper clerical attire…
are as follows:
1) Cassock or religious habit;
2) Clergyman suit;
3) Trousers of dark one-tone
color or white, and shirt of one-
tone color, with the clerical collar.
The shirt may also be either polo-
barong or barong tagalog, with a
distinctive cross.”
An attentive reading of the
above dispositions shows that
the following are the options
for proper priestly attire, in
decreasing order of preference:
1st: Cassock or religious habit.
In this regard, it is worthwhile
remembering that the Philippine
clergy enjoys a long-standing
privilege from the Holy See to
use white cassock, in view of the
dicastery of the Holy See charged
with the official interpretation of
all norms of Canon Law─issued
a Clarification regarding the
Binding Force of Art.66 of the
Directory on the Ministry and
Life of Priests, i.e., the provisions
regarding ecclesiastical garb
that we are considering.2 In that
Explanatory Note, the Holy
See pointed out that although
the aforementioned Directory
is imbued with a deep pastoral
sense, this “does not detract from
the prescriptive force of many
of its norms, which do not only
have an exhortative value but are
juridically binding” (n.1).
“With regard specifically to
Art.66 of the Directory on the
Ministry and Life of Priests─the
Note continues─it contains a

as clerics. I consider this a setback “In a secularized and tropical climate. general norm complimentary
for us ordinary faithful for several materialistic society, where the 2nd: Clergyman suit. Given to c.284 of the CIC, with the
reasons: (1) we cannot have easy external signs of sacred and the tropical climate and local characteristic proper to general
access to them when we are in dire supernatural realities tend to custom, it would seem that this executory decrees (cf. c.31). It is
need of them, since we cannot identify disappear, it is particularly option is suitable for more formal therefore a norm which clearly
them easily; (2) when we do identify important that the community occasions of a non-liturgical enjoys juridic enforceability, as
Q: At what point in time during Mass it is considered too late be able to recognize the priest, nature (e.g., conferences, formal can be deduced even from the
them, it is not easy to give them the
for anyone coming into the Mass to receive Communion? man of God and dispenser of his banquets and the like) where tenor itself of the text and the
reverence due them because─as a
These days I see a lot of people who enter the Mass even as mysteries, by his attire as well, airconditioning would make the place where it is included: under
diocesan priest blurted once─he
Communion is being given and they head straight to receive. which is an unequivocal sign of attire comfortable. the rubric “Obedience” (n.4).
thought the priest was the driver;
Is this right?—E.M., Port Harcourt, Nigeria his dedication and his identity 3rd: Dark one-tone colored Furthermore, the Note urges,
(3) it is quite disconcerting to see
denims with a really casual T-shirt as a public minister. The priest trousers (or white) and one-tone with a categorical declaration,
A: Like most priests, I am loath to give a straight answer to should be identifiable primarily colored shirt with clerical collar. the right observance of the
peeking from under the flowing
this question because, in a way, it is a catch-22 question for through his conduct, but also by Otherwise known as the Roman discipline regarding ecclesiastical
liturgical garb of a priest during
which there is no right answer. his manner of dressing, which collar, this is a distinctive collar garb, stating that “for their
Mass; worse if he is wearing rubber
It is true that before the Second Vatican Council some moral makes visible to all the faithful, equipped with a white plastic inconsistency with the spirit
shoes or sandals. What does Church
theology manuals placed arrival before the offertory as the indeed to all men, his identity (or stiffened cloth) strip running of this discipline, contrary
Law say about this matter?
dividing line in deciding whether one fulfilled the Sunday and his belonging to God and through the front. practices cannot be considered
obligation of assistance at Mass. But after the liturgical reform, the Church” (n.66). 4th: Dark one-tone colored as legitimate customs and should
THIS is not the first time that
with its emphasis on the overall unity of the Mass, modern Hence, it is not a question trousers (or white) and polo- be removed by the competent
a layman has expressed this
theologians shy away from such exactitude. of blending in, as some would barong (or barong tagalog) with authority” (n.5, c).
sentiment to me; laywomen,
Mass begins with the entrance procession and ends after the propose in a misguided pastoral a Roman collar. On the other hand, the Note
on their part, are even more
final dismissal and we should be there from beginning to end. desire to make the priest more 5th: Dark one-tone colored specifies the subjects of the
expressive and disconcerted.
Each part of the Mass relates and complements the others in present in secular environments. trousers (or white) and polo- aforementioned norms of Art.66
Of course, the more comic
a single act of worship even though some parts, such as the For as St Josemaría Escriva used barong (or barong tagalog) with of the Directory on the Ministry
opposite is what happened
consecration, are essential while others are merely important. to say, such attempts would a distinctive cross (in lieu of the and Life of Priests as “all those
to me once when I visited the
To say that there is a particular moment before or after which result not in a priestly presence, Roman collar). who are obliged by the universal
former bishop of Sorsogon,
we are either “out” or “safe,” so to speak, is to give the wrong but rather in a priestly absence─in With the foregoing, it is very norm of c.288, namely the
whom I had never met at that
message and hint that, in the long run, some parts of the Mass the sense that it would make the clear that casual T-shirts and Bishops and priests, but not the
time. Upon arrival at the bishop’s
are really not all that important. It may also give some less priest’s presence unrecognizable polo shirts (of whatever color), permanent deacons (cf. c.288)”
residence late in the afternoon,
fervent souls a yardstick for arriving in a tardy manner. because of the absence of any whether with or without collar, (n.7). This is worth underlining,
I and my companion─a well-
Although I prefer not to hazard giving a precise cutoff outward sign of the priest’s do not constitute proper priestly because─as can be easily
known professional who was
moment, certainly someone who arrives after the consecration identity. attire. Neither do shorts, of observed─the aforementioned
going to deliver another lecture
has not attended Mass, should not receive Communion, and whatever color or style. The norms on ecclesiastical garb are
with me─were met by a man in
if it is a Sunday, go to another Mass. The Proper Priestly Attire impropriety of such attire is being violated not only by priests
his 50s, in T-shirt, casual pants
Arriving on time is not just a question of obligation but of The Directory continues: “For even more pronounced during (rampantly in the Philippines),
and slippers. My companion, a
love and respect for Our Lord who has gathered us together this reason, the clergy should liturgical ceremonies, especially but unfortunately on occasion
layman with great respect for
to share his gifts, and who has some grace to communicate to wear suitable ecclesiastical dress, since the common use of the even by Bishops.
the clergy, immediately took the
us in each part of the Mass. in accordance with the norms chasuble-alb makes what is worn This is doubly unfortunate
hand of the middle-aged man and
It is also a sign of respect for the community with whom we established by the Episcopal under it to be more obvious because, as the Note adds,
kissed it, saying “Good evening
worship and who deserves our presence and the contribution of our Conference and the legitimate and incongruous. It stands to “The Diocesan Bishops are
bishop” or something to that
prayers in each moment. The liturgy is essentially the worship of local custom. This means that reason that all these norms the competent authority for
effect; my clerical sense made
Christ’s body, the Church. Each assembly is called upon to represent the attire, when it is not the do not apply when the priest demanding obedience to the
me hesitate. At that moment, the
and manifest the whole body but this can hardly happen if it forms cassock, must be different from is in a private recreational aforementioned norms and for
good bishop appeared, dressed in
itself in drips and drabs after the celebration has begun. the manner in which the laity activity─e.g., doing sports, going removing eventual contrary
clergyman, welcoming us with
Thus people who arrive late to Mass have to honestly ask dress, and conform to the dignity on outdoor excursions, and the practices as regards ecclesiastical
great affability. It turned out the
themselves, Why? If they arrive late because of some justified and sacredness of his ministry. like. Nevertheless, common sense garb (cf. c.392, §2).” For its
other fellow was his driver!
reason or unforeseen event, such as blocked traffic due to an The style and color should be and sensitivity might dictate that part, the Note concludes “The

accident, they have acted in good conscience and are not strictly established by the Episcopal the priest limits his movements Episcopal Conference should
The Purpose of the Ecclesiastical
obliged to assist at a later Mass (although they would do well Conference, always in agreement in these latter conditions, being help the individual diocesan
Garb
to do so if they arrive very late and it is possible for them). with the dispositions of the sufficiently discrete as not to Bishops in the fulfillment of this
On 1.I.1994, John Paul II
Likewise for many elderly people, even getting to the church universal law” (n.66). be too public when he is not in duty” (n.7).
approved and authorized the
is an odyssey, and one must not burden their consciences by The Code of Canon Law─the ecclesiastical garb. Since we are demanding more
publication of a very important
counting the minutes. universal law referred to by the There is nothing mentioned compliance with the law on the
document emanating from the
If people arrive late due to culpable negligence, and especially Directory─precisely stipulates about footwear, leaving it to the part of our politicians and civil
Congregation for the Clergy,
if they do so habitually, then they need to seriously reflect on that “Clerics are to wear suitable common sense and sensitivity of servants, this simple matter of the
signed by its Prefect then, Filipino
their attitudes, amend their ways, and if necessary seek the ecclesiastical garb in accord each priest to choose whatever norms regarding ecclesiastical
Cardinal Jose T. Sanchez. Titled
sacrament of reconciliation. with the norms issued by the is fitting to the occasion and garb give food for thought for
Directory on the Ministry and
Depending on how late they arrive they should prefer to conference of bishops and in circumstances. priests and Bishops alike.
Life of Priests, it came as the
honor the Lord’s day by attending some other Mass, or, if accord with legitimate local
juridic expression of the rich
this is not possible, at least remain in the Church after Mass is custom” (c.284). The Binding Force of
teachings of John Paul II’s Post- FOOTNOTES:
over and dedicate some time to prayer and reflection on the For its part, the Catholic the Directory as regards
Synodal Apostolic Exhortation 1
SCB, Prot.n.35/84.
readings of the day. Bishops Conference of the Ecclesiastical Garb
Pastores dabo vobis of 25.III.1992, 2
Cf. Communicationes, 27 [1995],
which in turn gathered the results Philippines─the Episcopal On 22.X.1994, the Pontifical pp.192-194.
 Features
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 4
February 14 - 27, 2011
B3

Celebrating Christ in the Mountains of Ifugao

By Fr. Gil Rochar Pancho-Du-
lay, SVD
THE thought of Cordilleras haunted me
since my childhood and seminary days,
even though one of my motivations why
I joined the SVD (Societas Verbi Divini,
an international religious congregation
founded in Steyl, Holland by St. Arnold
Janssen) is for me to be assigned in the
foreign missions. Before ordination
we were asked to write our ‘petitio
missiones/desiderata’ or in layman’s
term ‘our preferred countries for our
mission assignment.’ I wrote Mexico
Province as first choice, China, second,
then last is the Philippines. I did not
write any SVD Province as my choice.
(SVD Philippines has three provinces:
the North Province, covering the upper
part of Luzon, from Pangasinan and
Nueva Ecija up to Cagayan; the Central
Province, covering the Central and
Southern Luzon including the Bicol
Peninsula; and the Southern Province
comprising the whole of Visayas and
Mindanao). But our prefect insisted
to put one in my desiderata where I
wanted to work given the chance that
my other first two choices would not
massive Christianization that brought
havoc to our primitive culture.”
I stayed there for almost nine months,
from July 2009 to March 2010 before
the Holy Week. I was really thankful
because my short stay with them taught
me how to appreciate more my being
a “Filipino”. It boosted my missionary
spirit to reach out and learn the diverse
through the mountain ranges: the
nearest is Inwaloy, at least 1 1/2 hour
hike and the farthest is Nattum, 6-7
hours hike. On rainy days even a four-
wheel drive vehicle will not dare enter
Alimit (the gateway to Nattum, and
from there you can reach Nattum by 3-4
hours of hiking) because of landslides,
eroded road, deep canals made by
month, I tried my best to visit all BECs outside my usual schedule to give
for masses, baptisms, weddings and catechesis about the Catholic Faith,
other sacraments that they need. I also which they embraced recently. Usually,
invite speakers/resource persons to after the Mass we share a meal which
give seminars, recollections and other they prepared composed of their “pan
spiritual talks that would deepen their de sal” (camote), their barako coffee,
faith. organic rice of different varieties and
Even though all of the 16 BECs are colors, and of course their famous
dear to me, Inwaloy is the most special “pinikpikan native chicken.” This
because it is the would be a time for entertaining their
newest BEC different questions on the Catholic faith.
composed of They would ask about the devotion to
‘new converts’ the Saints, the existence of purgatory,
from the Marian devotion and others. They
‘Espiritista have insatiable questions regarding
sect’; a the Catholic Faith, I was fortunate
Christian sect that during my theology years I really
which is one listened attentively to the professors
of the earliest and studied well my lessons, so I was
in Cordillera. able to answer all their queries and
Some of them would-be questions the next time we
are Catholics will meet.
from other Every time I went to Inwaloy, I hiked
parts of the along with two or three companions
Cordilleras coming from the poblacion. We would
w h o travel about 15 to 20 minutes ride to
intermarried Bolhe, then walk for about one and a
with the Ifugao half hour. Inwaloy is 5-6 kilometers only
people and from the highway. The road is under
stayed there. I construction, the pathway that we
scheduled my usually take is being widened but due

materialize. He reminded us that all of
those three choices of ours whether first,
second or third are always considered
to be first choice. Mesmerized and
enchanted by the beauty and culture
of the Cordilleras, I immediately wrote
Northern Province, although I know
that I can be assigned anywhere in the
north and not in the very place that
captivated my adventurous spirit.
That particular summer assignment
in Calanasan, Apayao provided me
a glimpse of the life that I would be
embracing as an SVD missionary.
Though, at first I was dismayed by
the result of my application because
none of my first two choices were given
to me, I was able to overcome it by
accepting that maybe the Lord wanted
me to be rooted first and learn about
my identity as a Filipino before being
sent to a foreign country.
After ordination to the priesthood, I
was sent to Claveria, Cagayan to learn
how to say mass in Ilocano for more than
a month. I was told already that I will be
assigned in Tabuk District particularly
in Sadsadan, Bauko, Mountain Province
as Asst. Pastor to Fr. Bong Garay, SVD.
Sadsadan is the newest SVD Mission
Station under the Vicariate of Bontoc,
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visit to Inwaloy to lack of budget, only 2 kms from Bolhe
during fourth had been finished. But continuous rain
Sundays of the brought landslides and erosion, which
month. After eventually damaged that 2 km stretch of
the 9:30 a.m. widened road. We have to pass through
cliffs, climbing up and down an uneven
terrain because of soil erosion caused by
too much degradation of the place due
to the ‘kaingin system’. Hiking becomes
a challenging activity for me. However,
despite the difficulty of going there,
culture of the hidden between the forested areas of
Cordillera Inwaloy is the enchanting Tenogtog
people, seeing Waterfalls, cascading from a height of 50
it as God’s ft or even more through the fertile land
greatest gift of Inwaloy. Water is life for the people
to us. of Inwaloy, not only because they are
I was sent to getting their drinking water from the
the Our Lady falls but all the more because it irrigates
of Assumption their centuries-old rice terraces.
M i s s i o n In one of my earliest visits to Inwaloy,
S t a t i o n , we started the Mass with a fair weather
Mayoyao, when suddenly the rain poured down
Ifugao to heavily. The wind blew so hard that
substitute we had to use the blackboard to shield
and continue us from wind and rain. We also had to
the last year squeeze ourselves at the opened-portion
of Fr. Romeo of a small native house where we hold
Benitez, SVD’s masses. We formed a circle around the
term who was “altar-table” and continued with the
re-assigned Mass. That rain gave me something to
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and one of the coldest in Cordillera,
even colder that Baguio.
I arrived in Sadsadan on July 2009. I
enjoyed my stay with the Kankanaey
people, learning and appreciating their
‘culture.’ I once said to them in my
homily during the Indigenous People’s
Sunday, “Be proud of being an Igorot,
be proud of being a Kankanaey... your
culture is God’s greatest gift to you and
to the Philippines as well. I am very
fortunate that I was able to see, feel
and live the very life of our forefathers
of which the Spanish Conquerors had
deprived us “lowlanders” due to the
to Claveria,
Cagayan.
The Mayoyao
Catholic
Mission was
established
by the CICM
Fathers (Congregatio Immaculati
Cordis Mariae) sixty-plus years ago. As
of now, it is under the administration
of the Divine Word Missionaries
(SVD). It is composed of 16 BECs (Basic
Ecclesial Communities) including the
Assumption Academy. Most of these
BECs can be reached only by walking
cascading water and other factors that
render one helpless. The Poblacion
(BEC) is composed of five BECs, they
usually have their mass in the main
church. A BEC is composed of one
or two or sometimes three barangays
depending upon the numbers of the
faithful in the said barangay. Once a
Mass in the Poblacion, I would leave
the rectory at 12:30 p.m. for my 2:00
p.m. Mass in Inwaloy. Most often, our
Mass starts at 2:30 p.m. or even 3 p.m.
as we wait for others to arrive because
they are still coming from the outskirts
of the barangay.
I see to it also that I visit them
ponder for my homily and I said: ‘This
is a blessing for each of us. With this
rain, it is good that we became closer to
each other physically instead of being
divided. Just like in times of crisis, this
is also the best time for us to become
closer to God. When we are in crisis,
the more we remember Christ. And at
this very moment, the more we come
closer to Christ, the more we become
closer to each other.’ The hut is too low
so we had to sit down for the whole
duration of the mass. Everybody was
sitting. But, what struck me most was
Ifugao / B7

Consultation Meeting on Migrant Ministry held in Mindanao

By Fr. Edwin Corros,
CS
The Episcopal Commission
on Migrants and Itinerant
People (ECMI) of the Catholic
Bishops Conference in the
Philippines has organized
a consultative meeting with
representatives of various
dioceses in Mindanao region
concerning the pastoral care
for migrants and itinerant
people.
The meeting was held on
February 1-2 in preparation
for the celebration of the 25th
National Migrants’ Sunday
which will take place on
March 13, 2011.
The meeting has been
long arranged and planned
with the assistance of
Msgr. Eutiquiano “Tex”
Legitimas, the chaplain of
the Apostleship of the Sea
(AOS) and diocesan director
for the migrants’ ministry in
the Archdiocese of Cagayan
participants on behalf of and their families left behind. as well the difficulty to sustain which they promised to bring regional coordinator had
Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, The participants were in their work as some are not in the national consultative delivered similar seminars
who was in Manila. fact very passionate in their familiar with the ministry yet, assembly in Manila on March in the parishes targeting
Since Bishop Precioso Cantillas, sharing of experience as they and in sourcing their funds. 11-12, 2011. Most of them will the parishioners and parish
who is the ECMI chairman, could encounter good, beautiful and Right at the beginning of not be able to attend the activity leaders in various dioceses.
not participate being in Rome for very unfortunate stories while the meeting, the participants in Manila, but they promised to Based on the written report,
their ad limina visit, I took the pastorally assisting the overseas expressed their expectation on send some delegates in order to the seminars were attended
task of explaining the rationale Filipinos and their families. the consultation, including from share their regional report. by 300 to 2,000 students per
of the consultation meeting. Msgr. Leo Labiste, the current ECMI as their guide. They also Tracing the history of the session which was facilitated
The participants had director of AOS-Iligan had recognized that they have the migrant ministry in the region, mainly by the strong support
articulated their interest on the shared a very touching story capacity to help other dioceses in it was in 1995 that the ECMI from the basic ecclesial
issue especially had started communities.
d u r i n g to operate in In 2000, ECMI had
workshops. Mindanao introduced the regional
The common with the migration desk to explore
subject of appointment on structure building among
profound of someone dioceses, which requires a
concern was from the region greater effort to lobby among
the family. The to coordinate bishops. The setting up of a
consultative the work migrant desk was envisioned
meeting was and promote for the delivery of other ECMI
in fact very the program programs beside PEMS.
productive and services Unfortunately, this was not
as ECMI that ECMI successful as the coordinator
has received was trying found it difficult to convince
unanimous to develop. dioceses because it has no
support from During that financial support to offer.
the participants time, a lay In his inability to deliver
of the programs person from the program of structure
and services Davao was building that lay coordinator
CBCP-ECMI

de Oro. Some delegates
though failed to represent
their respective dioceses due
to heavy rains that inundated
parts of Mindanao.
The consultation meeting
started at about 9:30 in the
morning with Sr. Diane
Cabasagan, RGS of Davao
Archdiocese, leading the
opening prayer. Fifteen
participants representing
the dioceses of Cagayan de
Oro, Davao, Digos, Iligan,
Malaybalay and Tandag
participated in the meeting.
Msgr. Tex welcomed the
being shared
in the dioceses,
although in
Mindanao,
most of them
had not yet established their own
migrant ministry.
At the end of the consultation,
a simple statement was produced
by the participants expressing
their sincere concern on the
worsening effects of labor
migration to the affected families.
They had also articulated their
earnest yet humble desire to
continue what they had done
so far among the migrants
of evangelization concerning a
Burmese seafarer whose ship he
was working in happened to dock
at Iligan seaport. Just like him, all
other pastoral workers had stories
to share during the workshop and
at the plenary sessions. They
all agreed that the families of
migrants need to be guided and
taken care of, while their loved
ones work far away from home.
The participants acknowledged
establishing their own migrant’s
desk or commission. During the
consultation, the participants
were reminded to come up with
a doable plan especially when
they started to talk about their
respective diocesan plans in
shaping their future migration
ministry in Mindanao. While it
is not easy to plan for the future,
they were able however to make
some feasible commitment
appointed had reported that the bishops
coordinator in Mindanao were not that
who started open yet to migration issues
the program and their focus was the BEC
that had program and peacekeeping
focused on education and work.
information dissemination In 2004, ECMI officially
as a preventive approach to shifted its focus from the
solve the various problems program on PEMS to structure
born from labor migration. building. The Mindanao
The title of such program ECMI coordinator eventually
was Preventive Education on resigned, leaving no progress
Migration Seminar (PEMS) on the work among the
which was targeting students migrant ministry until only
and teachers especially among recently when new diocesan
catholic administered schools. directors had been appointed
There were also reports that the by their bishops.

B4
By Fr. Fidel P. Palísoc,
S.T.D., J.C.L.
DIFFERENT forms of piracy
thrive not only in the South but
also in the North. This article
deals only with two forms of
piracy: the piracy of intellectual
property and biopiracy.
Intellectual property rights
The concept of intellectual
property (IP), broadly defined
as products of the human mind
and creativity protected by law
(cf. http:www.wipo.int/about-
ip/en), originated from the
North. The general assumption
is that the objective behind
the protection of intellectual
property is the promotion
of intellectual creativity and
innovation, which propels
scientific advancement that
purportedly contributes to the
common good of mankind. The
idea behind the Paris Convention
for the Protection of Industrial
Property (March 20, 1883), which
protects against trademark
and patent infringement, and
the Berne Convention for the
Protection of Literary and
Artistic Works (September 9,
1886), which protects against
copyright infringement, is
intellectual property rights (cf.
Biron, 2010, 382-84; Wilson,
2010, 540-63; F. Romero, 2006,
146 ). But membership in these
Conventions was voluntary
on the part of the member-
countries.
The United States of America,
Japan, the European Union, and
other developed nations lobbied
for the international protection
of IP rights to be added to the
agenda of the Uruguay Round
of General Agreement on Tariffs
and Trade (GATT) in 1994
(http:wn.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Timeline_of_the_World_Trade_
Organization).
The Agreement of Trade-
Related Aspects of Intellectual
Property Rights (TRIPs), which
was adopted in Marrakech,
Morocco on April 15, 1994,
sets down minimum standards
for many forms of intellectual
property regulation as applied
to nationals of World Trade
Organization (WTO) members
(http:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Agreement_on_Trade_Related_
Aspects_of_Intellectual_
Property_Rights).
A country that wishes to
accede to the WTO must agree to
abide by the TRIPs Agreement,
which seeks to impose and
universalize the levels and forms
of IP protection existing in the
North. Because the ratification
of the TRIPs Agreement is a
compulsory requirement of
WTO membership, any country
seeking to obtain access to
markets opened by the WTO,
must enact the strict IP laws
mandated by TRIPs. Thus
the Senate of the Philippines
ratified the TRIPs Agreement
on December 14, 1994 and
Republic Act No. 8293, The
Intellectual Property Code of
the Philippines, was enacted on
June 6, 1997 primarily to give
effect and in deference to the
TRIPs Agreement (cf. Defensor
Santiago, 1995, 18-20).
Piracy of intellectual
properties
But the problem is the piracy
of IPs by transnational organized
crime groups (cf. Sandoval-
Gutierrez, 2006, 149). These
May They Be One
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Help Put a Bible in Every Filipino Home
Bible Sharing of Tolda 4 BEC Sagrada Pamilya Group with Nimfa Sularte, BEC Group Leader Bibles Distributed by Languages - Tagalog (5,907 cps.); Cebuano (4,503
Praise God for the endorsement given by the CBCP President Most Rev. Nereo (1,513cps.)
P. Odchimar, DD for the May They Be One (MTBO) Bible campaign. Pray Parishes/Communities served: 42
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in Europe and other parts of the world.
Features
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 4
February 14 - 27, 2011
Piracy in the Philippines
operation of transnational
criminal organizations:
T h e o r d i n a r y T O C
[transnational organized crime],
much like terrorism, is a serious
global threat that has evolved
organized criminal groups limited income, and who want individual. abound. Some, ultimately, like into a sophisticated and even
know that “[e]nforcement is the to stretch the value of their hard- On the other hand, because the writer, will refuse to make a legitimate means of perpetuating
weakest aspect of international earned peso, buying pirated many pirated products seem purchase, unless it is a question criminal activities and shadowy
law.”(F. Romero, 2006, 149). products, e.g., a CD, which costs ingeniously real, even moneyed of urgent necessity. Investors nefarious operations across
That is why they continue to from 8% (P25.00) to 17% (P50.00) buyers will think hard, informed are aware of this attitude. That borders. It continues to threaten
prosper. What is involved are of its real market value, is a by the knowledge of piracy, is why “piracy also scares away the future and the very existence
infringements of IP from North- real temptation. But this cheap about the true nature of the potential investors,” (Penna et of every man, woman, and
South as well as South-South. The purchase of pirated products products they intend to buy in al., 2004, 101) thereby further child because of its innate
director general of the Intellectual injures the moral fiber of the a country where pirated goods exacerbating unemployment voraciousness. No one is spared
P r o p e r t y in the country. [. . .] It destabilizes economies
Office of the Multinational and creates a façade of stability
Philippines corporations and progress to conceal the
(IPOPHL) “said opt to invest erosion of the moral fabric
as of November in and/or of modern society on which
2010, P4.369 transfer their it feeds. Globalization and
billion worth investments the growing popularity and
of pirated to “friendly” application of the Internet have
products have countries, made it possible for the TOCGs
been confiscated where piracy to expand their activities at an
by authorities, of IPs likewise alarming rate under a cloak
lower than the exist but, unlike of legitimacy and to establish
more than P5 the Philippines, bases of operations beyond their
billion worth offer incentives normal and traditional confines.
of fake goods in subsidized States with high poverty levels
seized last year.” fuel and energy are particularly vulnerable
(Osorio, 2010, and free use to such incursions because of
B-1) This seems of vast tracts the staggering amounts these
like a token of land for a groups are willing to invest in
enforcement certain number employing offshore managers
because pirated of years, e.g., and in gaining the goodwill of
CDs, DVDs— Vietnam. some well-placed corrupt local
most notably Furthermore, law enforcers and officials.
pornographic— in a climate of Many countries fit this profile,
wrist watches, poverty, if not including [. . .] the Philippines.
wallets and destitution, not (F. Romero, 2006, 170)
bags, and other only of material That is why a congressman
products are resources but from Eastern Samar who “is
openly sold also of moral calling for the imposition of stiffer
seemingly values, TOCGs penalties not only for ‘pirates’ of
u n a b a t e d easily influence Filipino movies, but fines and jail
anytime of the the morally time for people caught actually
day in Quiapo, and spiritually buying pirated copies of local
Divisoria, bankrupt. A films” (P. Romero, 2020, 15) has
Baclaran and brilliant retired not only a parochial worldview
other parts Associate but grossly dark ignorance of the
of the greater Justice of the evil forces behind the piracy of
Manila area. S u p r e m e IPs in the Philippines.
CBCP Media
For individuals Court of the
with weak Philippines Biopiracy of Philippine flora
moral values, describes the and fauna
B iopiracy is “a term that
describes the means by
which corporations from the
industrialized nations claim
ownership of, free ride on, the
genetic resources and traditional
knowledge and technologies of
developing countries.”(Calan,
2006 In Bautista, 2007, 16) The
Philippines continues to be the
victim of biopiracy. Associate
Justice Angelina Sandoval-
Gutierrez of the Supreme Court
of the Philippines enumerates the
concrete instances of biopiracy of
Philippine biological resources:
Foreign pharmaceutical
companies have successfully
acquired patents over biological
resources found only in the
Philippines. For one, the
Philippine sea snail has already
been patented by Neurex, Inc.,
a U. S. based pharmaceutical
company, and has earned
millions of dollars for the
company. Neurex, with the help
of scientists, has been isolating
from the snail a toxin called SNX-
111 or Ziconitide [,] which is a
pain killer that is reported to be
1,000 times more powerful than
morphine. [. . .]
For another, “ampalaya” or
bitter gourd is now privately
owned by the US National
Institute of Health. Meanwhile,
Cromak Research, Inc., in New
Jersey has started raking in
profits reaching to as high
as $500 million from an anti-
CBCP Media
diabetic product extracted from
“ampalaya” and “talong” or
Piracy / B7
Strength, Healing and
Wisdom in God’s Word
Members of the MTBO Advi-
sory Committee: Bishop Brod-
erick S. Pabillo, DD, Ambassador
Henrietta T. de Villa, Mr. Rene E.
Cristobal Sr., Dr. Philip C. Flores,
grandmother in Dipolog City and her granddaughter find strength, Mr. Dante M. Lanorio, Fr. Oscar
healing and wisdom in the Bible. Nimfa Sularte is an active Basic A. Alunday and Fr. Antonio B.
Ecclesial Community (BEC) leader from Saint Anthony de Padua Navarrete.
Parish at Gulayon, Dipolog. In October 2009, she went through an
ordeal when her granddaughter Charity Faith Sularate Saleinte was May They Be One (MTBO) is a
diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia. Nimfa stood by Charity as 5-year (2009-2013) joint project
the child submitted herself to a series of chemotherapy treatments. By of Episcopal Commission for the
June 2010, through the May They Be One (MTBO) Bible Campaign, Biblical Apostolate (ECBA), the
Nimfa and her BEC group received a copy each of the Bible. Nimfa began Philippine Bible Society (PBS)
regularly reading the MTBO Bible, which brought her a lot of comfort and and Christian churches/groups
encouragement. She took courage to continue to lead the BEC “Sagrada which aims to bring the Bible
Pamilya” group in their Bible sharing and Charity always joined them. to every Filipino home, thereby
By December 2010, through continuing medication, prayers and trust in facilitating moral and spiritual
the Word of God, Charity was healed. The reading, studying and sharing transformation throughout the
insights from the Bible have enriched Charity in other practical aspects country. To learn more about
of life. She is now 11 years old in fifth grade and a topnotch student in how you can be part of the
her class at Gulayon Integrated School. Up to now this precious child Campaign and make significant
still attends Bible sharing with the BEC group which continues to witness change, call us at PBS 526-7777,
God’s work in her life. ECBA 527-9386 or visit www.
bible.org.ph and www.ecba-cbcp.
No. of Dioceses participating in the Bible Campaign – 80 out of 86 Dio- com. Donations can be made by
ceses making a deposit to the follow-
Bibles Distributed (Jan 1, 2011 – Feb. 7, 2011): 16,303 cps ing bank accounts: PBS-MTBO
Account#393-0649-34 (BPI Sta.
cps.); English (833 cps.); Ilocano (748 cps.); Hiligaynon (1,341cps.); Mesa Branch) Fax deposit slip
Bicol (773 cps); Pangasinan (8 cps.); Pampango (62 cps.); Samarenyo to 521-5803 or ECBA-CBCP
Account #0251-021376 (BPI-
Tayuman Branch) Fax deposit
slip to 527-9386. For credit card
Target No. of Bibles for Distribution for 2011: 400,000 cps. payments – go to PBS website
Total Funds Needed for Printing and Transport of Bibles in 2011: P60M (www.bible.org.ph)
 Statements
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 4
February 14 - 27, 2011
B5
Mindanao Regional Speak the Truth
Consultation on the from the Heart!
Pastoral Care of Migrants
“LORD, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
Who may live on your holy mountain?
The one whose walk is blameless,
who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from their heart. (Psalm 15:1-2)

and Itinerant People Introduction

AS the church in the Philippines prepares to
celebrate the 25th National Migrants’ Sunday
this year, we, fourteen priests, religious and
lay people coming from the arch/dioceses
of Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Digos,
Malaybalay and Tandag, who attended
the Mindanao Regional Consultation on
the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant
People held on February 1-2, 2011 at SEAR-
SOLIN Cagayan de Oro City, after sharing
our pastoral experiences ministering to the
migrants and their families and listening to
the varied lectures on migration facilitated by
CBCP-ECMI, had become even more aware
of the following:
* That the issues on migration become even
more rampantly serious and the victims of
exploitation and abuses linked to labor mi-
gration continue to increase
* That in the Mindanao region, not many
of us in the Church are yet attending to the
needs of the huge number of migrants and
their families in our midst
* That the ministry to migrants is receiv-
ing less priority and support; hence the
difficulty to start the ministry and sustain
the program
* That we feel the concern to help other
dioceses that have not established or started
the ministry to migrants and their families
* Due to the complexities of migration
issues, there is a greater need to collaborate
and cooperate with other ministries in the
Church and other government agencies in-
cluding other NGOs working with migrants
and their families
Aware of these realities, we commit our-
selves to:
* To continue what we have started in
our respective dioceses and improve and
strengthen the program and services
* To make ourselves available to assist
other dioceses in establishing their migrants
ministry
* To hold regular meetings or forums
to sustain our commitment to the min-
istry
* To maximize the celebration of National
Migrants’ Sunday as a tool in promoting
wider and deeper awareness in all our par-
ishes and Basic Ecclesial Communities.
* To continue a cooperative collaboration
and partnership with CBCP-ECMI
* To start establishing cooperation or
collaboration with other church ministries,
government agencies and NGOs working
We are moved by the recent turn of events in the plunder
case against former military comptroller Gen. Carlos Garcia.
The end of the year left us shocked at the scandal of the
plea bargaining agreement entered into by the Office of the
Ombudsman. The New Year, however, has uplifted us with
the unfolding of truth through the revelation of courageous,
competent and faith-inspired witnesses. This series of events
reveals both the ugly and the redeeming qualities of the
Filipino people.
On the one hand, we are confronted with the reality that
political expediency and patronage are the elements that
currently define our government. Notwithstanding our
hope and supposition for a better form of governance, the
Ombudsman’s decision to reduce the case of plunder to
bribery forces us to consider the malignance of corruption
that continue to paralyze government’s generation of revenues
and delivery of social services.
Garcia, a former military comptroller who figured in a
plunder case involving Php 200 M in 2007, entered into a
plea bargain with the Ombudsman last February 25, 2010.
Under the agreement, the cases of plunder and money
laundering were dropped in exchange for Garcia pleading
guilty to lesser offenses of bribery and facilitating money
laundering. On December 16, 2010, he posted a Php 60,000
bail and was immediately released from his detention cell in
Camp Crame.
The fact that Garcia was allowed at all by the Ombudsman
to enter into a plea bargain despite the extensive and damning
evidences unearthed by the team of auditors is a case for
CBCP ECMI misgivings. The surreptitious transfer of funds amounting to
200 M, authorized by Garcia from AFP Land Bank account to
a private account in UCPB, is a major transaction that should
have been properly reflected in AFP’s book of records. Thus, a
defense of “late recording”, as argued by the prosecutors and
with migrants upheld by the Ombudsman, is insubstantial to say the least
Acknowledging with gratitude the support because a two-year delay of bank reconciliation is in itself a
and encouragement of our dear bishops to qualification for misconduct and corruption.
the ministry, the efforts and initiatives made On the other hand, the integrity and noble sacrifices of public
in the past by those who had worked with servants show an inspiring side of the Filipino people. Former
migrants, we pray that on this Feast of the COA auditor Heidi Mendoza, former Ombudsman Simeon
Presentation of the Lord, may God continue Marcelo, former special prosecutor Dennis Villa-Ignacio,
to offer His Light as our guide in our journey and more recently Lt. Col. Rabusa, have risked their lives
with migrants and their families. and the security of their families to unmask the arrogance
of those who abuse their power. They have also exposed the
Msgr. Eutiquiano M. Legitimas desperate moves of government and financial institutions
Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro that try to cover up the crimes. A good number of lawmakers
have displayed love of country by the way they are probing
Msgr. Leo E. Labiste the case. And media has been generous in informing and
Diocese of Iligan educating the public.
Fr. Arnulfo P. Cubero A Test Case
Archdiocese of Davao This is a test case for the sincerity and stamina of the
administration of President Benigno Simeon Aquino, III, who
Fr. Bernard P. Saburao pledged a clean government with zero tolerance for corruption.
Diocese of Malaybalay There are so many other unresolved cases pending in the
courts. They all cry for a strong, no-nonsense drive against
Fr. Elvies A. Petros the perpetrators.
Diocese of Tandag Please heed the call of noble Filipinos, like Heidi Mendoza,
when they come out against the abuse of office that
Sr. Alice P. Arreglo, DC impoverishes the people and harm the common good. It is
Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro unfortunate that the greatest threat to our country’s well-
Migrant / B7 being has come not so much from globalization or financial
crises but from the entrenched system of corruption that has

Speak the truth from the heart

RECOGNIZING the competence
of the laity in transforming
society, we echo the challenge of
the Catholic Bishops Conference
of the Philippines in 2009 in their
Pastoral Letter, Year of the Two
Hearts for Peacebuilding and Lay
Pariticipation in Social Change,
for the lay faithful “to take the
lead in the task of moral renewal
towards a deeper and more
lasting change in the Philippine
Society.” In the letter, the bishops
called on “all lay people involved
in politics to renounce corruption
and bond together in the task of
evangelizing politics for effective
governance and pursuit of the
common good.”
On such concrete expression of
lay leadership is the emergence
of inspired witnesses in the
case involving the use of public
office for private gain. We laud
Former COA auditor Heidi
Mendoza, former Ombudsman
Simeon Marcelo, former special
prosecutor Dennis Villa-Ignacio,
and more recently Lt. Col.
Rabusa, who all risk their lives
and the security of their families
to unmask the arrogance of
those who abuse their power.
We also laud a good number of
lawmakers who have displayed
love of country by the way they
are probing the case. The media
has likewise been generous in
informing and educating the
public.
As bishops, we support and
encourage such people. We are
with Heidi Mendoza in speaking
out against the abuse of office
that impoverishes the people and
harm the common good.
We implore His Excellency
Benigno Simeon Aquino III, to
critically review the decision of
the Ombudsman in the plunder
charges against Gen. Garcia. We
likewisecallontheSandiganbayan
to pursue the case in the interest
of transparency and restoration
of public trust.
Gen. Garcia’s case is corruption
that reflects the deterioration of
moral family values. No less
than his wife admitted that
the whole family shares in the
spoils, at the expense of poor
Filipinos. Therefore, we call
on the parents to serve as good
examples to their children and
espouse the virtue of honest
toil. We call on the children to
ask their parents about their
sources of income. We also
call on family movements,
prayer groups, and other
lay communities to include
parenting for integrity in your
prayer and ministry.
We remind lawyers, law
enforcers and law schools to
remember their public oath
of honor and duty to uphold
democracy. We call on offices
– public and private alike—
to look deeper into their
procurement practices, and
enhance transparency and
accountability.
This is an opportunity for us
to get our acts together inspired
by courageous men and women
who stand up for the truth for the
good of our nation.
+Broderick S. Pabillo,
Auxiliary of Manila; +Gerar-
do A. Alminaza, Auxiliary
of Jaro; +Romulo T. Dela
Cruz, Diocese of Kidapawan;
+Jose Colin Bagaforo,
Auxiliary of Cotabato; +Anto-
nio J. Ledesma, Cagayan de
Oro Archdiocese; +Bernar-
dino C. Cortez, Auxiliary of
Manila; +Edgardo S. Juan-
ich, Vicar Apostolic of Taytay;
+Emmanuel Trance, Dio-
cese of Catarman; +Artemio
Rillera, Diocese of San Fer-
nando, La Union; +Roberto
Mallari, Auxiliary of San
Fernando; +Joseph Nacua,
Diocese of Ilagan; +Rolando
Tirona, Prelature of Infanta;
+Marlo Peralta, Diocese
of Alaminos; +Crispin Var-
quez, Diocese of Borongan;
+Martin Jumoad, Prelature
of Basilan; +Joel Baylon,
Diocese of Legaspi; +Deogra-
cias S. Iñiguez, Diocese
of Kalookan; +Antonio R.
Tobias, Diocese of Novaliches;
+Arturo M. Bastes, Diocese
of Sorsogon.
crippled our development and eroded public trust. But it
would be even worse if truth-tellers themselves, who struggle
to live a life of integrity, would be left in the cold, while the
real culprits were allowed to enjoy impunity.
This is also a challenge to our institutions, including our
families, schools, and even religious communities. This is not
anymore about Gen. Garcia; this is now more about the honor
and integrity of the country that is at stake. This is now more
about the reputation of fiduciary institutions – the Office of the
Ombudsman (OMB) and the Office of the Special Prosecutor
(OSP) – that is suspect. This is now more about the entire
Filipino people losing trust and faith on these institutions.
This is a classic betrayal of public trust.
Challenge to All
Gen. Garcia’s case is corruption that creeps into our families.
His wife had admitted that the whole family shares in the loot.
How sad indeed that a few families benefit from this corrupt
system while other soldiers and their poor children suffer.
And so, we call on the parents to serve as good examples
to their children and espouse the virtue of honest toil. We
call on the children to ask your parents about their sources
of income. We also call on family movements, prayer groups,
and other lay communities to include parenting for integrity
in your prayer and ministry.
We call on the schools and the coalition of schools to
review our formation programs that may unwittingly breed
selfishness and narcissism, equating academic excellence with
financial success. We must develop pastoral programs for our
erring alumni as well as support mechanism for those who
serve as moral exemplars.
We call on offices – public and private alike – to look deeper
into your procurement practices, and enhance transparency
and accountability.
We remind lawyers, law enforcers and law schools, too, of
your public oath of honor and integrity. Beware of just being
used as instruments of impunity of corruption. We knock on
the doors of the OMB and OSP. It takes years to build trust and

The Youth Decides to Stand Up for Life

(An open letter to the Filipino youth)
To our fellow youth, Bill because it is unconstitutional and even
We all know of the image some have of upon closer analysis, it shows that it will not
young people in general—the youth are the uphold the rights of women, children and
picture of apathy; they care about nothing the youth in the long run.
but themselves and cannot be moved to do Allow us to outline several points,
otherwise. Yet with the growing possibility especially those that have a direct impact
of the Reproductive Health Bill (or the on the youth:
Responsible Parenthood Bill) becoming a 1. The promotion and availability of
law, we realize that the greatest stakeholders contraceptives will give rise to more cases
in a future of true freedom and life are the of teen pregnancies and STDs. We cite the
youth. Our values formation is what is being Guttmacher Institute’s report “Contraception
directly assaulted by this brewing evil, being Counts” (2006) which showed that better
railroaded by moneyed and powerful forces access to contraceptives DID NOT lead to
in government. lower abortion rates among US teens. The
We are making a stand rejecting the RH study stressed, “Seventy-two percent of
low-income teens who cohabitate and rely
on condoms will become pregnant within a
year, and protection rates against STDs are
even worse. We have one million unplanned
pregnancies in the US every year due to
contraceptive failure, half of which result
in abortion.”
2. Sex Education prescribed by the Bill
does is more focused on the “contraceptive”
mentality that goes with sexuality. The
Mandatory Age-Appropriate Reproductive
Health Education prescribed by the Bill cuts
off sexuality from the rest of the human
person’s totality of mind, emotions and
Youth / B7
a few seconds to destroy it, and takes longer time to restore
it. We beg on bended knees, do not fail the country.
We will also have to examine ourselves. Where have we
gone wrong? We beg the Lord for the gift of discernment in
order to see what is right, for commitment to do what is just,
and for the gift of pronouncement to speak the truth from
the heart (Ps. 15).
Amidst these challenges, we thank God, in particular, for
Mrs. Heidi Mendoza whose Christian witness in public service
ignites spaces of hope for many Filipinos. The undersigned
networks stand firmly behind her.
Finally, we call on our fellow Filipinos to pray that out of
our brokenness – speaking the truth from the heart – we may
become whole again.
FR. ALBERT ALEJO, SJ
Ehem/Aha Movement
FR. CARMELO O. DIOLA
Dilaab Movement
 Ref lections
CBCP Monitor
B6 Vol. 15 No. 4
February 14 - 27, 2011

How to deal with those who injure us—

sow7ththe wind,
Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A (Matt 5:38-48) February 20, 2011
By Msgr. Lope C. Robredillo,
SThD
“WAR is hell,” Gen William
Tecumseh Sherman correctly
noted, and its hellish character
is exemplified in what has been
called “the Balangiga Massacre”.
As part of the pacification of
the Visayas, the 37th Infantry
Regiment of the US Army was
sent to Balangiga in the island of
Samar, Philippines, to garrison the
town. In a few days, what started
as a friendly relation between
the natives and the soldiers
turned sourish. On September
28, 1901, while all the 47 soldiers
were having their breakfast,
the local revolutionaries made
a surprise attack, killing 54 of
them, wounding the rest. Still,
the “Americanos” were able
to fight back, killing about 250
natives. In a few days, however,
the payback time came. Gen
Jake Smith ordered his men
“to kill and burn”, shooting
anyone capable of bearing
arms, including boys above 10
years old. Hundreds of houses
were burned, farm animals
slaughtered, and, according
to one writer, about 2,500
Samareños, mainly of southern
reap the whirlwind?
vendetta? One is reminded of
what Lamech said to his wives,
“if Cain is avenged seven times,
then Lamech seventy-seven
times” (Gen 4:24). Some scholars
say that this song of Lamech is
probably the origin of the tribal
sevenfold vengeance to obtain
justice for killing a powerful
leader (see 2 Sam 21:1-9). And
it is against this background that
one has to understanding the
law of revenge that the Gospel
adverts to: “Eye for eye, tooth
for tooth” (Matt 5:38). This law,
known as lex talionis, tit for tat,
was part of the commandments
given at Mt Sinai: “If there is
serious injury, you are to take
life for life, eye for eye, tooth for
tooth, hand for hand, foot for
foot, burn for burn, wound for
wound, bruise for bruise” (Exod
21:23-25). Although that law may
appear savage to modern ears,
yet in intent it was the beginning
of mercy, as it limits revenge.
In other words, it was meant to
regulate boundless vendetta.
But for Jesus, even limited
reprisal has no place in a
Christian community. Which is
why with authority he replaced
the law of talion with another
law—the law of non-resistance:
“You have heard that it was said,
if one recalls that during the
time of Jesus, there were already
various groups and movements
to the cause of revolting against
the Emperor, a movement that
in fact culminated in the First
www.flickr.com
right—the question was certainly
raised—for a Christian to ground
his action on lex talionis? The law
of Moses grants a Jew a right to
make revenge, but Jesus would
ask his followers to renounce it,
offering no armed resistance.
In the Gospel, Jesus gave
three examples of applying
this principle: [1] The first
concerns suffering physical
violence: “If someone strikes
you on the right cheek, turn to
him the other also” (v 39). [2]
The second prohibits meeting a
legal action with another legal
action: “And if someone wants
to sue you and take your tunic,
let him have your cloak as
well” (v 40). [3] And the third
is about accepting force labor
with cheerfulness: “If someone
forces you to go one mile, go
with him two miles” (v 41). If
Jesus urged non-retaliation, the
motive, as noted in the Gospel
last Sunday, is none other love.
He wanted to perfect this love by
perfecting respect for any person,
even one’s enemies. Love is
shown by ending retaliation and
resentment, and by offering no
resistance to injury. If it would
seem that justice has little place,
it is probably because justice,
without love, may just be a cloak
High Priest, he said to him, “Put
your sword back in its place, for
all who draw their sword will
die by the sword” (Matt 26:52).
Notice that it was in his power
to take revenge, but he did not
use it to destroy his enemies: “Do
you think I cannot call on my
Father, and he will at once put
at my disposal more than twelve
legions of angels?” (v 53-54). But
he came to bring God’s love for
men, even for those in power who
wanted to murder him. Indeed,
it was to fulfill this plan of God
that he came: “But how then the
Scriptures be fulfilled that say,
it must happen in this way?”
(v 54). Thus, Jesus was clearly
determined to follow the path
of non-retaliation, a path which
God himself has outlined for
his Son. This principle of non-
resistance is echoed by St Paul:
“Do not be overcome by evil,
but overcome evil with good”
(Rom 12:21).
Thus, we see a powerful Jesus
not using his power to destroy
his enemies, but allowing himself
to be liquidated instead. To
suffer indignity and humiliation,
instead of retaliating—this is the
challenge. When a committee
of congressmen conceived the
idea of transferring some troops

part of the island, were killed.
The revolutionaries sowed the
wind, they reaped the whirlwind
(Hosea 8:7).
Is this the way for Christians
to respond to those who do them
violence—almost unlimited
‘Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.’ But
I tell you, ‘Do not resist an evil
person” (Matt 5:39). In Jewish
law, retaliation was a right, but
for Jesus even this right has to
be renounced. The force of this
saying can be well appreciated
that sought to dislodge the
hegemony of Rome, and it is not
impossible that some in Jesus’
audience were being recruited
Jewish Revolt Against Rome in
66-70 AD. Here was an empire
that used violence against
its subjects; and would it be
for one’s vindictiveness. Love
is shown in suffering (cf 1 Cor
13:4-7).
Of course, Jesus walked his
talk. When one of his companions
reached for his sword, drew it
out and struck the servant of the
in the east to the west, and
some in the west to the east,
Abraham Lincoln agreed and
told the committee to see Edwin
Stanton, the Secretary of War.
Hearing that the President was
Deal / B7

Trusting in the Bishop Pat Alo

Lord in our ENCOUNTERS

daily lives
8th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A
(Mt 6:24-34) February 27, 2011
By Fr. Joseph Pellegrino
IT is a real joy for us all to bask
in the proclamation of today’s
Gospel, Matthew 6:25-34, the
teaching on God’s love and care
for us. It certainly is easy to wax
poetic on the beautiful images
presented: the birds of the air
cared for by God, the fields,
dressed by God with wild flowers
making them more grand than
King Solomon in all his glory.
The images are beautiful, but
The clear stand
LAST 30th January 2011, the abortion. The Church position as Prophets” (Mt. 7:12). Live and let like a war zone of slaughter of the
Catholic Church in the Philippines explained in the Humanae Vitae live. Can you imagine that if the innocents.
some 20 verses before today’s
gave its clear stand rejecting the encyclical is that the union of the lives of millions of young keep on The Christians’ celebration of
gospel, we are told to pray to our
RH bill as contrary to people’s male and female in sexual activity getting aborted through the various Christmas is a celebration of life,
Father who is in heaven. Now
conscience and contrary to the must always remain open to the abortifacients and contraceptives, as Mary and Joseph brought into
we hear that our heavenly Father
best interest of lives of our people, transmission of new life. life will be as desolate and lonely as our world God’s only begotten
knows our needs. We pray that his
in the sense that it violates life The title of the document an arid desert. The ironical thing is Son our Lord Jesus Christ,
kingdom may come. Now we are
by terminating its initial phase Choosing Life, Rejecting the RH that some powerful and big nations conceived in Mary’s virginal
told that must seek his kingdom
in the fertilized ovum or by Bill asks our people to respect want to oppress the developing womb by the power of the Holy
and his righteousness and all else
preventing the normal union of always the sacredness of life in all nations and have power over Spirit. Even the Muslim book of
will be given to us. We pray that
sperm and ovum towards the act its stages according to the biblical their natural resources, especially the Koran talks of the birth of
God might take care of our daily
of fertilization; this being done tenet: “So always treat others as you through the manipulation of Jesus from the immaculate womb
needs, our daily bread. Now we
through artificial contraceptives would like them to treat you; that birth and population control. The of Mary in Chapter (Surah) 3
are told that we must trust in God
that are abortifacients and by is the meaning of the Law and the wombs of mothers will become verses 45 to 47.
to take care of today and not worry
about tomorrow.
In this age of information, when Fr. Francis Ongkingco

we do need to be careful that the
message is not lost in the poetry.
The underlying message of this
passage is pointed to those who
are weak in faith, certainly me,
perhaps also you. The theme of
little faith, found throughout the
Gospel of Matthew, strengthens
those of us whose faith in the Risen
Lord is continually assaulted by the
situation of our daily needs. We
are called to faith not just in times
of great spiritual experiences, or
in times of personal crisis, we are
called to faith in the face of our
typical daily needs.
Last Sunday’s Gospel was
the passage in the Sermon on
the Mount that immediately
precedes today’s Gospel. It
contains warnings about limiting
the growth of holiness through
a strict adherence to the letter
of the law without going to the
heart of the law. You remember
the precepts: it is not enough to
avoid murder, we cannot hate,
and so forth. That passage was
first pointed at the establishment
thought of the Pharisees and
Sadducees, the wise men or sages
of Jerusalem. The limitation of the
wisdom of these same sages is
confronted with the enthusiasm a
Christian must have in God. The
bottom line is that we are to trust
in God to provide. We should
not base our trust on our money.
Today’s Gospel must have been
seen as thoroughly irresponsible
to the Sages of Jerusalem, but it
is an accurate demonstration of
the faith we must nurture. “Don’t
worry about tomorrow. Let
tomorrow take care of itself. Seek
first God’s kingdom over you and
his way of holiness, and all will be
given you.” What irresponsibility
the ancient and modern sages of
the world would claim! What a
thorough faith in God’s love, the
Christian must reply.
The passage is itself a practical
living out of the Lord’s prayer. In
the Lord’s prayer, which begins
nothing is attempted unless it is the
result of a thorough consultation,
today’s gospel affects us the
same way it affected the sages of
Jerusalem. It seems irresponsible
to put our full trust in God and not
to worry about tomorrow, but this
is the radical faith demanded of
all Christians. We are challenged
to live as individuals of faith
in a materialistically orientated
society. We are challenged to
live out the Lord’s prayer. We
are challenged to put faith in God
first, to make his kingdom our
priority, to trust in him not in our
stuff. Today’s Gospel is not just a
poetic image of God’s love, it is a
challenge to trust in this love.
The radical demands of
Christianity. They are full of
life and love. When we put God
first and have faith in Him, our
happiness is no longer dependent
on the contents of our closets, our
bookshelves, our cars, boats or
houses, or even the people who
move in and out of our lives. When
we put God first our happiness
flows from the experience of the
presence of God’s love in our lives.
When we put God first we have
the time, no, more than that, we
have the ability to look at the birds
of the sky and flowers of the fields
and say, “God, how beautiful they
are. How good You are. How
caring You are.”
In today’s Gospel the Lord calls
us to enjoy life by trusting in him.
If we could only develop that
attitude of faith, then whenever the
events of our lives become heavy,
when calamity strikes individuals
or relationships in a family, we can
call on the presence of the Lord to
care for us, to share our burdens.
“Come to me all you who are
weary and find life burdensome,”
Jesus will say later on in the Gospel
of Matthew, “My yoke is easy, my
burden is light.”
May the Lord give us the faith
to trust in the power of his love
in our lives.
WHATEVER
Of mentors and ‘dementors’
HOMER’S ancient epic poem the Odyssey
tells of a man who left his country Ithaca to
fight in the Trojan Wars. It took ten long years
for Odysseus to return to his homeland and
rejoin his beloved family.
Odysseus could be considered the
predecessor of today’s many foreign overseas
workers. He left home, however, not to earn
a living—since they were pretty well off—but
to fight in a war he was reluctant to join. He
tried feigning madness by sowing salt in his
field to avoid being drafted into the army. This
was discovered and he had no choice but to
fight in Troy. The decision to leave behind his
family and country was truly difficult.
Before leaving for Troy, since Odysseus
was not sure about the length of his absence,
he made sure that his son Telemachus would
receive proper education. He entrusted him to
a faithful teacher: his name was Mentor. When
Odysseus returned to Ithaca, he was overjoyed
to find a mature and faithful son.
Telemachus possessed a deep love for
his parents and their family traditions. He
had a balanced personality and character.
He courageously resisted the bad example
of his mother’s many vile suitors, and later
on he helped his father to drive away these
evil-minded men. Finally, he didn’t develop
a wrong attachment to Mentor as some sort
of “father figure or substitute”. Mentor
had successfully educated Telemachus to
engage life.
***
Today, there are more and more parents
who spend less and less time with their
children. Many spend a considerable number
of years working away from home to support
their family. Undoubtedly, theirs is an urgent
and reasonable concern when financial
obligations (e.g. tuition, board and lodging)
are not getting any easier.
Likewise, there are parents, who may not
work abroad but are intensely absorbed with
work. They are often “missed at home” by
their children. These parents have become
literally invisible, and have been replaced
by “visible” material substitutes (i.e. money,
food, entertainment gadgets, etc.).
The growing absence of parents from the
home—whether they live abroad or spend a
great deal of their time at the office—has grim
emotional and psychological consequences
upon children. Unfortunately, unlike
Odysseus, many parents often do not have
anyone competent enough to whom they can
entrust the formation of their children.
Thus, children are often “home alone”
and become captives of “digital mentors”
like the T.V. or cable, the Internet, movies,
video games, and other gadgets. Thus,
children today are arbitrarily exposed to
almost anything—both the good and the bad
things—about life. These new mentors, or shall
we call them “dementors,” are sinister forces
that sap the young of their ability to maturely
develop their character and personality.
***
Parents are the primary educators of their
children, and no one can substitute what
they can offer. But when this isn’t possible,
what can they do to address the trend of
“invisible parents” and minimize to some
extent the bad effects of “dementors” within
their own homes?
• Parents First. This requires a sincere
examination of their personal sacrifice to
make their home and children the genuine
life priority. It may entail discerning what
they have to lessen as regards their time for
work and leisure in order to spend more time
at home. This also includes cutting down on
“superficial expenses and whims”, so that
the rest could be funneled to support the
family’s real needs.
• “Sibling Mentors.” For parents with
children, a great deal of help comes when
they have formed the older children who
will be models (i.e. learning the family’s
household traditions and norms) for their
younger siblings.
• “Yaya Mentors.” Very peculiar to our
culture is the strong presence of nannies
or “yayas” who spend a great deal of their
time in household maintenance and care of
the children. Parents, have to make sure that
these “household members” are also properly
oriented, not only to care for the material needs
of the family, but to also become effective
guides to the children. Thus, they also have
to be taught how to respect and abide with
the norms and traditions of the family. This
may entail teaching them temperance and
sobriety in the use of personal and family
resources (i.e. texting, listening to the radio,
or watching T.V., and also in fostering piety,
modesty and decency at home)
• “Visible Material Mentors.” Once
the family’s peculiar lifestyle has been
consolidated, visible material mentors can
be effectively put into place. For example,
a written schedule of weekly chores or
activities for the weekend. These gradually
help the family and its members acquire
constant “bonding power”. It may be helpful
to have a schedule sheet that defines these
activities, as well as a visible bulletin board
that displays each member’s crucial role in
the family (i.e. their duties, responsibilities
and reminders for important events).
• “Invisible Mentors.” These come in the
form of the virtues transmitted constantly
through good example and advice. There
is also fostering prayer individually
or as a family. Maintaining the lines of
communication at all levels of the family is
also very helpful.
These are some of the possible “mentors”
that parents can institutionalize in their
homes. At least to begin with, they will help a
great deal in offsetting the bad influence that
children receive arbitrarily from “the virtual
dementors” plaguing our homes today.
 Social Concerns
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 4
February 14 - 27, 2011
B7

By Fr. Shay Cullen

The point of no return
IT is vitally urgent for humanity that
progress be made in reducing world levels
of carbon dioxide, methane emissions,
and deforestation. The greenhouse
gasses emitted when we burn coal, oil,
wood, garbage in power plants all over
the world in ever increasing amounts
are called that the gasses, especially co2,
rise into the earth’s stratosphere and
form an insulation blanket that traps
the earth’s heat leading to an overheated
planet causing the climate to be affected,
violently at times. The most direct impact
this has is seen in the retreating ice glaciers
of the Arctic.
The once gigantic mountains of ice and
snow are melting rapidly and the mirror
effect they had in radiating the sun’s rays
back into space is greatly diminished.
Scientists measure the retreating ice
and warn that if the temperature of
the planet increases above 2 degrees
centigrade, the Greenland mass of ice
will disappear. That will be a point of
no return. The water unleashed by this
catastrophic event will cause sea levels to
rise 7 meters. Millions of coastal villages
that rely on fishing will be wiped out
have suffered the consequence of the
highest temperatures on record in many
countries. Forest fires raged beyond
control in Russia, Greece and Portugal.
Hundreds of thousands of hectares of
woodland has been destroyed, 18,000
hectares in Portugal alone. Such a loss
of green shade adds to the rise in global
warming. Moscow had temperatures
that were 20C higher than normal. That
was a massive climate change.
In China, Pakistan, and India,
devastating floods resulted; millions
were and are still homeless living
on handouts. Perhaps the unusual
heavy melting ice on the Himalayas
was the cause and super powerful
typhoons caused by the warmer oceans
evaporating the sea and raining down
a billion tons more water. Everything
in this amazing and beautiful planet is
connected and interacts. Living creatures
are the most effected, that means you
and me and every plant and animal. We
must protect them from human greed
and overdevelopment.
The conference in Cancun has
persuaded the greatest emitters of
greenhouse gases, China, India and
the USA to cut back on emissions. If
the ever rising temperature is not held
are already releasing billions of tons of
methane gas, it clogs the atmosphere.
Wildlife and plants that survive the
cold will be greatly affected and become
extinct. Drug resistant species of giant
mosquitoes will likely breed and swarm
south to human populations bringing
malaria and dengue.
If humanity does not change from
an addicted self-destructive consumer
society to a responsible sustainable
society, we will pay an awful price in
human hardship. Nations driven to
unchained greed and global ambition
for power and dominance can only
lead people to self-harm, collapse of the
economy and poverty.
We can all do something to make it
a better and safer world. We can save
electricity, drive less miles, buy locally
grown foods, eat organic natural food,
start a small tree planting project on
waste land wherever you live and
support a group campaigning for
a clean and healthy environment.
Preda/forest feast fair-trade sales of
dried mangos pay for the planting and
protection of 200 fruit tree saplings 2
meters tall done with the indigenous
people for the past 6 years. So eating
the right food does justice, plants trees,

and driven inland.
With the ice diminished, the natural
reflectors gone, the sunbeams can
penetrate the oceans and scorch the
earth. This year alone, millions of people
below 2C, then we can expect the worst.
That is the tipping point when one event
triggers another and the domino effect
kicks in. The permafrost marshland
and bogs of Siberia and North Canada
www.nazcapictures.com
saves the soil, provides shade, cools the
earth, conserves water, and prevents
landslides. Everything is connected
on this God-given planet, be a part of
something really good, let’s save it.

Piracy / B4

eggplant. Piracy has also claimed the
Philippine Yew Tree [,] which has been
reported by the DENR [Department of
Environment and Natural Resources] as
having been patented by the University
of Philadelphia. The tree, which can be
found only in Mt. Pulag, contained taxol,
a cancer-curing chemical. (Sandoval-
Gutierrez, 2003, 33-34)
Associate Justice Sandoval-Gutierrez
continues:
The biopiracy of plants and
animals [from the Philippines] placed
ownership of these valuable resources
into the hands of the few companies
[,] which can control their storage,
patenting, licensing, reproduction
and sale. More often, biopiracy is
committed by multinational firms and
[g]overnments of developed countries
which patent and map chromosomes
of genetic resources without informing,
consulting, acknowledging and duly
compensating the poor countries which
own the resources. [sic] (Sandoval-
Gutierrez, 2003, 34; cf. Bautista, 2007,
26-27).
In the end, the biopiracy of Philippine
resources wreaks more havoc on
Philippine society than the piracy of
songs and films on CDs and DVDs
from the North to South and South-
South because in biopiracy the whole
country is robbed, not merely individual
owners of IPs. Moreover, many of these
songs and films are easily accessible
and downloadable on the internet free
of charge.
Recommendations
The first one is education in justice
from the earliest stage of growth and
development of a child in the family.
The child is taught at home the value of
justice, i.e., to render to each his or her
due, and integrity. This value formation
should be reinforced in the schools and
should be observable in the lives of
people around the growing child. As
he or she grows older, there is a need
for a more explicit education on the
reality of piracy of IPs, the detection of
pirated goods, and the weighing of the
pros and cons of buying pirated goods.
Such education will promote mores of
behavior based on honesty, integrity,
responsibility, and a will to excel.
Because there will always be
individuals who are morally bankrupt
and who will try to make a living
out of other people’s ignorance and
moral weakness, legitimate business
establishments should “provide
difficult-to-counterfeit hologram
stickers to protect” (Penna et al., 2004,
104,) their IPs. As it is, the businesses
with interests in IPs need to be vigilant
about infringements on their IPs.
To discourage potential buyers of
pirated domestic products, Filipino
entrepreneurs and businessmen need
to find a way to make copies of their
CDs and DVDs affordable to the daily
wage earners.
On the level of the Philippine
government, retired Associate Justice
Romero noted that the government “has
taken some crucial steps” (F. Romero,
2006, 149) in the direction of proper and
adequate enforcement.
The country’s judges are already being
trained through programs designed by
the Philippine Judicial Academy, and
the Departments of Justice and Interior
and Local Government to have their own
training modules for prosecutors and
law enforcers. (F. Romero, 2006, 149)
The Armed Forces of the Philippines
and the Office of the President of the
Philippines need to make better use of
their intelligence funds through updated
education of the concerned agencies
and responsible individuals on the
latest information and communication
technologies, which are being used by
TOCGs for their illegal and morally
destructive activities, which for the
most part remain uncurbed in the
Philippines.
The government and the academic
community should encourage scholars
to document the many biological
resources in the country and their
medicinal and other uses. This literature
can be used as evidence against novelty
when multinational corporations from
the North acquire patent on genetic
resources obtained from exclusively
Philippine flora or fauna.
Everybody should work hand in hand
towards the elimination of material
and moral poverty, which is a threat
to intellectual property anywhere (cf.
http: //www.ilo.org/ilolex/English/
constq.htm http: //www.ilo.org/
ilolex/English/constq.htm). Better still,
instead on focusing on the concept of
property be it of token or type, there
is a need to make a paradigm shift
to the concept of stewardship of IPs
and other forms of property and its
equitable sharing in the global village
for the material and moral well-being
of all, thereby establishing “a society of
equals.” (Wilson, 2010, 460)

Migrant / B5 Deal / B6 Ifugao / B3

Sr. Diana J. Madulara, RGS Sr. Ma. Carmen Diana T. agreed to the plan, Stanton told Would it be Christian to destroy the opportunity that made us to the Catholic faith when she
Diocese of Malaybalay Cabasagan, RGS the congressmen that Lincoln Basilan or Jolo on account of the closer to each other. married a Catholic, while she
Archdiocese of Davao “was a d-d fool.” When this was evils that the Abu Sayaf fighters During communion, we was in the hospital. She even
Sr. Leah G. Tulod, ADM related to the President, Lincoln have been engaged in? Would passed both the ciborium and expressed her desire to get
Diocese of Digos Mr. Leonilo V. Solon commented, “He [Stanton] must it be right to obliterate a country chalice around. Each took the married in the Catholic Church.
Diocese of Iligan be correct, as I have yet to know because the followers of Saddam sacred Host from the ciborium But, unfortunately she died a
Sr. Mary Grace M. Barci- of Stanton being wrong.” True, Hussein continue to upset the and dipped the Host into month after. With her family’s
nas, DC Mr. Ernie B. Neri one might say that the principle work of peace? Of course, the the chalice that contained the permission, I officiated Mass
Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro Diocese of Malaybalay is applicable at the personal level, logic of power would dictate that Blood of Christ. One person in her wake in their house
but can this be applied in other that would be right approach, commented that it was his first just beside the chapel of the
Mrs. Naomi R. Labalan Mrs. Arlene D. Neri situations, like the relationship but one wonders whether it can time to experience such way of Espiritistas.
Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro Diocese of Malaybalay between nations? But, why not? claim to be Christian. “sharing”, by passing on the The People of Inwaloy are
bread and wine, receiving it and always looking forward for the
Youth / B5 having the chance to pass it over monthly Masses. I also try to
to another person. Usually, I do visit them twice a month and join
spirit. We believe that sex education should access to contraceptives will increase risky and on the side of life, in general. We believe such way of officiating the mass them in their seminars if time
stress that it is only when we have healthy sexual behavior. We ask the same question: that the idealism associated with the youth if the congregation is not too big. permits. They are truly grateful
and meaningful relationships that we If coke were handed out for free everyday, is not one of blindness to reality. We stake I invite the communicants to take for the Catholic services granted
can have healthy and meaningful sexual would it increase coke consumption? We our claim on a future brighter and more full the host and wine to give them to them which we usually hold
relations. The sex education proposed, on thought so. of life. a feel of receiving the Body and in the native house of a generous
the contrary, promotes a contraceptive 4. We are for natural methods of family We made this statement because we are Blood of Christ contextualizing couple. Given the difficulty of
sexuality by choosing to focus on subjects planning. Even though the RH Bill is not not taking this matter lightly. Through what Jesus spoke during the gathering in their place, they
like the “use and application of natural and pushing for the legalizing of abortion, it is this statement, we are fully supporting Last Supper ‘This is My Body... wish to have a chapel where we
modern family planning methods to promote undeniably promoting contraceptives as the pastoral letter of the Catholic Bishops’ eat it, this is My Blood, drink can hold Masses, BEC seminars
reproductive health, achieve desired family an ideal family planning instrument. Aside Conference of the Philippines on ‘Choosing it...do this in remembrance and other church activities.
size and prevent unwanted, unplanned and from the little-known, adverse physiological Life, Rejecting the RH Bill’. We believe that of Me.’ After saying Mass in They are very much willing to
mistimed pregnancies”. side effects of the pill and IUDs, according to to reject the RH bill is not simply a matter Inwaloy, I would hike for two render services only that they
3. Contraceptives that can be bought George Akerlof who wrote “An Analysis on of religious convictions, it is a decision to and a half hours for Mass in don’t have the means to buy
over the counter will encourage young Out-of-Wedlock Childbearing in the United uphold what is truly human, humane and Maga-Magulon BEC, (the place the materials needed for the
people to take more sexual risks that may States”, “contraceptive use leads to the universal. We will be watching with the of Frt. Reniel Nachimma, SVD, construction.
undermine their future. The RH Bill calls downgrading of marriage, more extramarital typical vigor of the young, and we are ready soon to be ordained priest this When I had the chance to go
hormonal contraceptives, intrauterine sex, more fatherless children, more single to be summoned. coming Dec 3, 2011). I have to Manila, some of my friend-
devices, injectables “essential medicines” mothers.” Many of our parents have made to pass through rivers and priests gave me the opportunity
that will be available even to students. Some this mistake, allow us not to do the same. Eilleen Esteban mountain ranges carved into to celebrate Masses in their
people say that it does not follow that better Again, we stand on the side of the unborn President, YouthPinoy majestic and enchanting rice parishes to at least seek help
terraces before reaching the from generous people, for
Chapel of St. Luke at the foot of them to be of help financially
Mt. Amuyao (one of the highest in attaining their goal of having
peaks of Cordilleras). a small chapel of their own. I
The Catholic Church in also shared to them the story

CBCPMonitor Name _________________________________________________

(Family Name) (Given Name) (Middle Name)
Inwaloy is also experiencing
persecution and harassment
since some people converted
of the people of Ifugao, their
condition and the desire for
a chapel in Inwaloy. Some
to Catholicism. For one, the generously gave help. One of
SUBSCRIPTION RATES Mailing Address _______________________________________________ Espiritistas were angry thinking the Parishioners of Sacred Heart
that their members were being Parish, Kamuning, Mr. Earl
_________________________________________________ proselytized, which was not the Rosero volunteered to create a
Phone No.: ________ Fax No.: ________ E-mail: ___________ intention of SVD missionaries. cause page in Facebook, which
The CBCP Monitor is published The fact is that when young you can access through this link:
fortnightly by the CBCP Media Mode of Payment people go out of Mayoyao “Help Build a Solar-Powered,
Office, with editorial and busi-  Check/PMO enclosed  Cash Payment and study in Ifugao State Catholic Chapel amidst the
ness offices at 470 Gen. Luna Univeristy (IFSU), and other Ifugao Rice Terraces” to help in
(Payable to: CBCP Communications Development Foundation Inc.) Catholic Universities like SLU the campaign. We appreciate all
St., Intramuros, Manila. PO Box
3601, 1076 MCPO or St. Mary’s they get to learn, the efforts done for the benefit
• Domestic _____________________________ know and appreciate more the of the people of Inwaloy. And
Catholic Faith. They learn about they continue to appeal to the
1 Year Php 500.00 Signature the Catholic Church through generous hearts of many.
2 Years Php 900.00 their own exposure. In every Mass, in every
• Foreign: Asia For now, the relationship encounter, it is Christ that we
1 Year US$ 55.00 between Espiritistas and celebrate. The miracle happens
• All Other US$ 80.00 PLEASE SEND TO: Catholics is quite better. I every time, even to those who
once gave the sacrament of do not believe. The grace of
CBCP Monitor, P.O. Box 3601, Manila, Philippines the anointing of the sick to a the generous God continues to
470 Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Manila, Philippines | Tel (632) 404-2182 • Telefax (632) 404-1612 daughter of the medium of the flow to His people through His
Or e-mail this at cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.com Espiritista, who was converted instruments of love.
B8 Entertainment CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 4
February 14 - 27, 2011

TITLE: The Rite
Moral Assessment Technical Assessment
CAST: Anthony Hopskin
(Father Lucas Trevant),
Claran Hinds (Father
 Abhorrent  Poor Xavier), Alice Braca
 Disturbing  Below average
(Angeline), Toby Jones (
 Acceptable  Average
Father Matthew), Collin
O’Donoghue (Michael
 Wholesome  Above average
Kovak), Rutger Hauer
 Exemplary  E
xcellent (Istvan Kovak)
DIRECTOR: Mikael Håfström
WRITER: Matt Baglio, Michael
Petroni
DISTRIBUTOR: Warner Bros
Pictures, New Line
Cinema
LOCATION: Chicago, USA,
Budapest, Hungary,
Rome, Italy
GENRE: Mystery & Suspense,
Drama
RUNNING TIME: 112 min.
Technical Assessment:
 ½
Moral Assessment: 
½ Although it is fiction, The Rite is
CINEMA Rating: Audience
Age 14 and above
The only way Michael Kovak
(Colin O’Donoghue) can go
through college—as his father
demands—is to continue as a
mortician in his father’s business,
or become a priest. So, to be
independent of his father Istvan
(Rutger Hauer), while getting a
four-year college education for
free, Michael enters the seminary.
Michael is a skeptic and has set
his mind on leaving the seminary
right after his ordination as a
deacon. But his superior Fr.
Matthew (Toby Jones) who is
convinced of the young man’s
potential as a pastor despite his
skepticism will not let him off
the hook that easily. He wants
to send Michael off to Rome to
take a Vatican-sponsored course
on exorcism in Rome; otherwise
he will roll his four years in the
seminary over into a $100,000
student loan. In Rome, Michael
comes under the tutelage of a
Dominican priest, Fr. Xavier
(Ciaran Hinds). Believing more
in psychology than in theology,
Michael vents his doubts with Fr.
Xavier and a classmate, journalist
Angeline (Alice Braga) who is
attending the course for research
purposes. Seeing Michael to be a
hard case, Fr. Xavier assigns him
as a virtual apprentice with the
eccentric Fr. Lucas who is known
for his unusual but effective
approach to demon-fighting.
Michael comes face to face with
evil as he witnesses the aging
priest drive away demons from
the possessed.
based on the life story of a priest—
Fr. Gary Thomas from the Diocese
of San Jose, California—which is
the meat of the book “The Rite:
The Making of a Modern Exorcist”
released in 2009 by journalist/
author Matt Baglio. Dubbed as
“supernatural horror”, Warner
Bros.’ The Rite, being a movie on
excorcism, naturally has its share of
bodies contorting and convulsing,
gory scenes, expletives, abusive
language, physical violence, sexual
innuendoes and disparaging
remarks about Jesus and God.
However, nothing of such
necessary evil (pardon the pun)
is exaggerated, thus the movie
doesn’t descend to the level of
an average chillfest. Adding to
its technical merits is the spot-
on casting: newcomers Colin
O’Donoghue and Marta Gastini (as
the possessed Rosaria) are equally
impressive in this first outing;
Hauer is credible as the anguished
mortician widower, just as Jones
and Hinds are effective in their
priest-characters. It is Hopkins’
Fr. Lucas, however, that strings
everything all together into one
neat bundle of thrills. Hopkins
seems born to do borderline cases
but somehow he escapes the
stereotyping trap. Like Geoffrey
Rush or Morgan Freeman, he is
one thespian whose characters
you cannot but take seriously.
The poster for The Rite says
that you can defeat the devil only
when you believe it. Based on
this premise, The Rite intrigues
its audience with the idea that a
skeptic can be moved to believe
in God by seeing the havoc that
the devil wreaks. The movie is
not a substitute for a theology
textbook but it is certainly rich
with talking points for those
fascinated by or simply curious
about absolute good and evil,
death of a parent, psychological
disorders vs. demonic possession,
incest, fear vs. faith, and one’s
intention in answering the call
to the priesthood. In spite of an
incidental colorful word uttered
by priests, screenwriter Michael
Petroni and director Mikael
Hafstrom do not disrespect
either the priest’s person or the
Catholic religion. In fact the film’s
affirmation of faith and the value
of priestly ministry reverberates
in its entirety, from the opening
frame which quotes Pope John
Paul II to the closing scene which
will be a spoiler to reveal. Suffice
it to say that in The Rite, a twist of
fate leads to a turn in faith.

MAC en COLET Ni Bladimer Usi

Buhay Parokya
Look for the images
of St. Joseph, Holy TITLE: 127 Hours
Water font and CAST: James Franco
Dove. (Illustration by DIRECTOR: Danny Boyle
Bladimer Usi) AUTHOR: Aron Ralston
SCREENPLAY: Danny Boyle and Simon Beaufoy
PHOTOGRAPHY: Anthony Dod Mantle
MUSIC: A.R. Rahman
GENRE: Thriller
RUNNING TIME: 1 hour and 33 minutes
Technical Assessment:  ½
Moral Assessment: 
CINEMA Rating: V14

127 Hours is the true and tragic but triumphant story of Aron Ralston, an
experienced mountain climber, as powerfully told by Director Danny Boyle
and excellently portrayed by the talented actor James Franco. Cocky with self-
confidence, twenty seven year old Aron Ralston ventures alone into the Blue
John Canyon in Utah, for some climbing and exploring which he does with
much exhilaration. Moving around with some familiarity of the territory, he
comes across two female hikers Megan (Amber Tamblyn) and Kristi (Kate Mara)
who lost their way and he helps them get to their destination. Shortly after,
Aron has an accident. He falls down to the bottom of a shaft where a big rock
crushes his arm and pins it against a tunnel wall. Unable to free his arm in spite
of all his valiant efforts, survival skills and the use of limited tools, he remains
trapped within a narrow space for 127 hours, a little more than 5 days from
the end of April to the beginning of May 2003. A loner, he left home without
telling anyone. He realizes he can die here without anyone knowing where
he is. Now, he knows no help is forthcoming. With his camcorder, he does a
video of his thoughts and experiences with the hope that whoever finds it may
return his body to his parents. Subjected to vagaries of the weather, hunger
and thirst, he has dreams and visions. But in spite of his “half-crazed state” he
continues his efforts and is determined to live. How does Aron beat the odds?
The viewer may be interested in knowing the details.
The film is based on the autobiography of Aron Ralston entitled Between a
Rock and a Hard Place which focuses mainly on his particular searing ordeal
in the Canyon. Director Boyle has succeeded in transforming a relatively
simple survival tale into a singularly intense cinematic experience. He begins
with striking, brightly colored visuals and awesome landscape shots to the
accompaniment of A.R. Rahman’s throbbing music. These images give us an
early insight into the overweening self-worth of the charismatic main character
as well as show-off the beautifully photographed vast and rugged setting. In his
dynamic storytelling, Boyle successfully captures on the screen the difficulties
of the protagonist (as the latter suffers extremes in temperature, dehydration,
fatigue, and mental anguish in the face of death) and deftly intertwines these
scenes with flashbacks and hallucinations, without much distraction from the
storyline. The film builds in intensity (though not in suspense) and has its apex
when Aron makes his radical decision and performs the painful procedure on
himself in order to live. The scene is unflinching in its realism, stark and graphic.
It is difficult to watch and is not for the fainthearted.
James Franco has been known as a support actor in films like the Spider Man
franchise but in 127 Hours he has most probably given a career-altering performance.
He is on the screen in nearly every frame and often in close-up, so he “carries” the
film for more than an hour. His insightful and very good portrayal of his role keeps
us interested and engaged all the time. The others in the cast like Amber Tamblyn,
Kate Mara and Lizzy Caplan do comeo performances creditably.
As mentioned, the film is not for the faint-hearted. Neither is it for the very
young. The extreme realism with the violence, gore and self-inflicted pain maybe
disturbing for them. But in spite of the negative points, 127 Hours is a life-
affirming film. In these days when life is viewed cheap by abortionists and hired
killers, a film that champions the value of life is most salutary. This is a story of
determination and survival, heroism and courage. When Aron finds himself in the
desperate situation when there seems no reason for hope, he does not lose heart;
he continues to “fight” it out. He does not give up. He is determined to live. He
succeeds but with much pain and sacrifice. He had to give up something in order
to have the greater good – his life. We may not be able to do what Aron did, but
in other instances when we are faced with a desperate situation in life, we may
be reminded of Aron’s predicament. And we remember that the determination
to continue trying, even after many failures, maybe rewarded. Or we may be
called upon to sacrifice or give up something in order to achieve a greater good.
And we might just do that. In a way, he did something heroic: save his life. This
film shows or suggests that when one wants to do what is good, often it can be
done, even in the face of adversity and difficulty, if one is determined to do it.
This film depicts the triumph of the human spirit.
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 4
February 14 - 27, 2011
The Cross
A Supplement Publication of KCFAPI
C1

and the Order of the Knights of Columbus

KCFAPI honors Top Sales Performers Sixty seven (67) fraternal counselors
and eight (8) area managers will
be honored in a fitting awarding
ceremonies to be held on March 4, 2011
at the Boracay Regency Convention
Center in Boracay Island, Aklan.
They will be receiving their plaques of recog-
nition from KCFAPI Chairman Hon. Hilario G.
Davide, Jr., KCFAPI President, Supreme Director
and Luzon Deputy Alonso L. Tan, Visayas Deputy
Dionisio R. Esteban, Jr., and Mindanao Deputy
Sofronio R. Cruz. The formal occasion will be wit-
nessed by the awardees’ families and the members
of KCFAPI Board of Trustees.
Dedication to their work, concern for the finan-
cial wellness of KC families and fervent prayers are
the outstanding attributes of those awardees.
We extend our hearty congratulations to the
following awardees and salute them for a job
well done.

KC, KCFAPI
declares
support for
Church’s stand
vs RH bill
THE 270,000 members of the Order of the Knights
of Columbus and its insurance arm, the Knights
of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philip-
pines, Inc. (KCFAPI) have strongly reiterated its
support to the CBCP’s stance on the Reproductive
Health Bill.
On the February 3 issue of the Manila Bulletin,
the KC and KCFAPI have posted on page 3 the
latest Pastoral Letter of the Catholic Bishops’
Conference of the Philippines together with their
formal declaration of support to the Bishop and
the Holy Father.
The latest pastoral letter of the CBCP entitled
“Choosing Life, Rejecting the RH Bill” signed by
Bishop Nereo P. Odchimar, President of CBCP,
contained the moral arguments why the Church
rejects the contentious bill.
Also posted on the same page is an official
statement dated February 2, 2011 regarding the
two Associations’ declaration of support for
the church’s stand on Family and life. This was
signed by Sir Knight Alonso L. Tan, Supreme
Director, Luzon Deputy and KCFAPI President,
Sir Knight Hilario G. Davide, Jr., KCFAPI Chair-
man, Sir Knight Dionisio R. Esteban, Jr. Visayas
Deputy, and Sir Knight Sofronio R. Cruz, Mind-
anao Deputy.
The declaration states that the Order of the
Knights of Columbus in the Philippines and
their families as a catholic and family-oriented
organization “live by, uphold and support the
magisterial teachings of the Church on family
and life.”
The statement expressed the KC’s solid sup-
port to the dissenting voice of the CBCP on the
Reproductive Health Bill which was clearly
RH bill / C2

KC Luzon team conducts relief FBG kicks off

operation for victims of typhoon Juan area meeting
IN line with the theme for this Colum-
bian year, “I am My Brother’s Keeper,”
the Knights of Columbus (KC) Luzon
Jurisdiction conducted a relief operation
on January 15, 2011 in the provinces of
Cagayan and Isabela to brother Knights
who were victims of the typhoon
Juan.
There were a total of five hundred
nineteen brother Knights who benefit-
ted from this project.
The Luzon team headed by Bonifacio
B. Martinez, State Program Director was
accompanied by Romulo Estrella, State
Disaster and Relief Operation Chair-
man, and Conrado S. Dator, Jr., State
Youth Director.
District Master Armando C. Gonzales
I AM MY BROTHER’S KEEPER. Picture taken during the relief operation at Tumauini, Isabela of District II and District Deputy Alex-
Relief / C2
in Iloilo
THE Fraternal Benefits Group (FBG) of the Knights of
Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines, Inc.
(KCFAPI) conducted a kick-off area meeting last Janu-
ary 15, 2011 at the Eon Centennial Plaza Hotel in Iloilo
City.
The participants of the said meeting were fraternal
counselors, area managers and team leaders of Western
Visayas with their monickers, Crusaders, Advocates,
Bulls and Armors.
The welcome remark was delivered by Edmundo J. de
la Mota, area manager of Western Visayas Bulls.
Thereafter, Mr. Gari San Sebastian, Manager of Frater-
nal Benefits Services discussed this year’s FBG plans and
FBG / C2

Archbishop Palma calls for unity KC- Fr. George J. Willmann

NEWLY installed archbishop
of Cebu, Bishop Jose Palma
calls on Cebuanos to help
each other and be united for
the growth of the church of
Cebu.
In a reception held in his
honor, Archbishop Palma
said that it is with great privi-
lege to serve in the wonder-
ful province of Cebu which
has contributed much in the
country by producing top
lay leaders, archbishops and
priests, senators, Philippine
Chief Justices of the Supreme
Court, musical artists and
sports heroes.
Archbishop Palma is a life-
time member of the Knights of
Columbus and has previously
served as parish priest of Santo
Rosario Church, Cebu City.
Former archbishop of Palo,
Leyte, he also served as Bishop
of Calbayog.
He said that he is over-
whelmed by the warm wel-
come of the Cebuanos who
lined up the streets from the
Mactan-Cebu International
Unity / C2
Charities, Inc. donates to annual
gathering of Diocesan seminarians
THE Knights of Columbus Fr.
George J. Wilmann Charities,
Inc., recently donated Ten Thou-
sand Pesos (P 10, 000.00) to the
Sem Net Kapatiran, an annual
gathering of the Diocesan Semi-
narian’s Network of the Philip-
pines, Inc.(SemNet Phils.) held
last February 5, 2011 at the San
Jose Seminary and the Ateneo
de Manila High School covered
KC Fr. Willmann Charities’ Executive Director Roberto T. Cruz hands over
the foundation’s check donation to Rev. Fr. Silvino Borres, Jr. S.J.
courts, both located within the
Ateneo de Manila University
campus in Loyola Heights, Que-
zon City.
Last January 26, 2011, KC Fr
Willmann Charities’ Executive
Director Roberto T. Cruz handed
over the foundation’s check do-
nation to Rev. Fr. Silvino Borres,
Jr. S.J., Rector of the San Jose
Seminary.
The annual encounter of semi-
narians, which is now on its
ninth year, aims not only to fos-
Seminarians / C2
 The Cross
CBCP Monitor
C2 Vol. 15 No. 4
February 14- 27, 2011

Hilario J. Davide
Alonso L. Tan
Chairman’s Message
President’s Message
STRENGTHENED by the foot and ensure that it will Columbus in the Philippines,
AS President of the Knights of Co- grace of Christmas 2010 with keep us on the right path. By commits itself in helping solve
lumbus Fraternal Association of the the fullness of Christ’s love, the end of the year we will be or reduce these burdens. We
Philippines, Inc., It is my distinct we welcome the New Year able to proclaim our victory as should not be remiss in our
honor and privilege to extend my 2011 as a great promise for authentic Catholic gentlemen Christian duties in this regard.
heartfelt congratulations to the 67 genuine change and of peace, and families. Saint Paul tells us: Be on your to give you a future full of hope.
honorees in the upcoming 34th Fr. unity and prosperity of our In the months ahead, difficul- guard, stand firm in the faith, (Jeremiah 29:11).
George J. Willman Annual Family country and our people. Thus, ties and challenges will come our be courageous, be strong. Your It gives us so much comfort
Awards. As the award is a presti- ever grateful to God for the way to test our fidelity to our every act should be done with and assurance to know that the
gious one, the venue for the award- bountiful blessings He has Christian faith as well as our re- love. (1 Corinthians 16: 13-14). Order of the Knights of Colum-
ing is no less prestigious, it will be showered upon it specially in solve and patience to overcome He assures us: affliction pro- bus is a brotherhood to rely on
held at the Boracay Garden Resort 2010, the KCFAPI starts the them with graciousness and duces endurance, and endurance and to work with to make the
on March 4, 5 and 6, 2011. The year new year with high hopes and love. The world today is in the proven character, and proven world a better place to live in,
2010 was a challenging year for KCFAPI, for the sales force and expectations not only in the midst of trials, sufferings, and character hope, and hope does and truly enriched with faith,
especially for the employees but at the end of the year, stellar conduct of its affairs, but, above crises of all kinds and propor- not disappoint, because the love hope and love.
performances were again achieved. First Year Contribution all and more importantly, in the tions. Our beloved country is of God has been poured into our May the year 2011 achieve the
Income reached 106.8 M. while Renewal Year Contribution efforts to further strengthen burdened by them. The KCFAPI, hearts through the Holy Spirit vision of its promise and may
Income was 335 M. and Net Investment income was P227.5 its relationship with brother in unqualified solidarity with the that has been given to us (Ro- the KCFAPI and you and me be
M. Total resources of the Association as of December 31, 2010 knights and their families Roman Catholic Church in the mans 5:3-5). Finally, we should instruments for realizing the vi-
was P3.4 B with an increase of 10.15% from previous year. We through its support in various Philippines through the CBCP, never forget what God assures sion through a much better and
end the year with Net Revenue before Estimated Participation relevant priority, programs and and other Brother Knights of the us: For I know well the plans I strengthened KCFAPI and our
of BC Holders at P 98.2 M which is 68% higher than the target activities. Needless to stress, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao have in mind for you, plans for personal transformation.
and 52% better than last year. The financial stability of your we have to start on the right Jurisdictions of the Knights of your welfare, not for woe! Plans Vivat Jesus!
Association continues and it is our commitment to work dou-

KCFAPI Officers’ Courtesy

bly hard to sustain this financial stability for you, our Brother
Knights and your family.
These would not have been accomplished without the en-
ergetic and unceasing work of the Fraternal Counselors and
Area Managers together with the full support and prayers of

Call to New IC Chief

their respective families. KCFAPI is a family-oriented organi-
zation and our focus is to cover as many Brother Knights and
their family members as possible with the fraternal benefits
we offer.
The work at the field would not be fruitful without the
Last January 28, 2011, KCFAPI officers Manager for Corporate Audit Pedro P. Lube- admitted investments do not match the new
reliable and able hands of the management and staff who
made their courtesy call to the new Insur- nia and Legal and Administrative Services plans being sold in the market. The com-
unceasingly give their 100% time and effort to finish their
ance Commissioner Hon. Atty. Emmanuel L. Manager, Atty. Rizal V. Katalbas, Jr. petitiveness of the life insurance industry
deliverables so that our benefit certificate holders may truly
Dooc. The team was led by President Alonso Among the things discussed in the meeting needs a boost from the changes to be made
feel the fraternal service we offer. All these would not have
L. Tan, Corp. Sec. Atty. Ramon E. Rodrigo, was the SECURO scorecard which the Insur- in the Insurance Code. He suggested that the
been possible without the Holy Spirit living in all of us, in
EVP Ma. Theresa G. Curia, VP –Finance& ance Commissioner was a strong advocate of. CHAMBAI of which KCFAPI is a member
our daily lives.
HRCC Mary Magdalene G. Flores, VP – In- He informed the guests that his administra- of should submit its comments on the draft
We are going on our 53rd year of operation and have grown
formation and BC Holders’ Services Ronulfo tion’s next project will be the amendment changes so that the members’ concerns will be
by leaps and bounds over the years. The ever present guiding
G. Infante, VP – Fraternal Benefits Group of the Insurance Code which he admitted is addressed during the discussions and hope-
hands and minds of the previous and present members of the
Joseph P. Teodoro, VP – Actuarial and Busi- no longer in sync with the needs of the times fully during the deliberations in the lower and
Board have truly inspired and inflamed the love to serve the
ness Development Angelito A. Bala, Senior specially on investments where traditional upper legislative bodies.
fraternity with its growing membership.
Once again, CONGRATULATIONS and keep up the excel-
lent work! RH Bill / C1
Vivat Jesus!
articulated in the said latest tunity for each head particularly it necessary to look for ways to major thrust is an organization
pastoral letter. the poor to get employment or circulate as widely as possible instituted by one of the founders
The KCFAPI as an insurance give source of livelihood.” the said pastoral letter such as in of the Order of the Knights of
arm of the Knights of Colum- It is the responsibility of the enclosing it in corporate mails. Columbus, Fr. George J. Will-
Jaime Talag, MD. bus supports the programs government to use the resources Relevant slogans on pro-life mann, S.J.
and plans of the Order and its wisely and to consider the needs such as ‘save the unborn’ or She also deems it necessary

Numbers of the Heart position on national and societal

issues particularly on the rejec-
tion of the RH bill.
of the common ‘tao.’
Faithful to the teachings of the
Church, Curia admitted that she
an image with religious theme
affixed on the corporate’s enve-
lopes are some of the strategies
to give its members a seminar
on natural family planning and
responsible parenthood.
Have you been listening to your While advocates of the RH is promoting the natural fam- to spread the values on life and KCFAPI also provides fi-
heart? February is heart’s month Bill consider population growth ily planning as it also fosters the family, she said. nancial support to the church.
and maybe it is now time for you as one of the main reasons for respect and love of couples. She Being once a regent of the Curia said that the KCFAPI has
to hear what your heart says. There proposing the bill, Ma. Theresa also said that the side-effects of Daughters of Mary Immaculate earmarked ten million pesos out
are numbers that are important to G. Curia, KCFAPI Executive contraceptives are detrimental Circle particularly in Makina- of its more than three billion
know and you don’t have to be a Vice President on the other to the health of the person us- bang, Baliwag at Bulacan, Curia investment portfolio as CBCP
medical practitioner to understand hand believes that the nation’s ing them. sees an urgency for the pastoral Seed of Hope fund. Annual
these numbers. The most commonly productivity should be looked In her effort to involve the letter to be circularized to as earnings are given for CBCP’s
encountered is the blood pressure into. KCFAPI and its members in many people as possible. priority projects every July ple-
measurement. One can take his Curia said that “it is the gov- supporting the Church’s oppo- The Daughters of Mary Im- nary assembly of the bishops.
own BP and through a stethoscope, ernment’s task to provide oppor- sition to the RH Bill, she finds maculate with pro-life as its (Vanessa Puno)
sounds can be heard.
The first number that you can hear in blood pressure Relief / C1
measurement is what you call systolic. It is referred to as the
pressure in the arteries when the heart is pumping. And the ander Ulep of District T51 also joined the Lu- arrived at Council Chamber of Council 8111, where brother Knights headed by District
second number or the last sound is the diastolic which cor- zon team in distributing the relief goods. Tumauini, Isabela where a number of Brother Deputy Vicente Bayugan of District 113
relates to the pressure when the heart is relaxed. The optimal The team proceeded to Lasam, Cagayan Knights led by District Deputy Domingo T. joined the Luzon team in the distribution of
blood pressure based on scientific studies is 115/76. To make for the first stage of the relief operation. Bacud, Jr, of District 111 waited for them. the relief goods. One hundred eighty-three
this easier to remember, doctors round it off to 120/80. A Through the efforts of District Deputy Prior to the relief distribution, the Knights beneficiaries were from Ilagan, St. Ferdinand
blood pressure in excess of 140/90 (either one of the numbers) Glenn Serrano of District T47 and volunteer conducted a short program wherein Marti- Col, and San Mariano in Isabela.
is considered high and must be treated with lifestyle changes Knights, the grocery items were packed and nez, in behalf of the Luzon Deputy talked The beneficiaries considered the endeavor
and/or medications. How important is the number? Well, if distributed to Brother Knights who were about the purpose of the trip. as a big gift to them by the KC Luzon Ju-
a person with a blood pressure of 160/90 reduces his BP to affected by the said typhoon. One hundred Thereafter, more than one hundred fifty risdiction. Their positive response brought
120/80 through medicines, he will live approximately nine seventy-nine beneficiaries from Aparri, Ca- smiling faces revealed the joy they felt when fulfillment to the team and served as a
years longer. gayan; Lasam, Cagayan and Centro Alcala the team distributed the relief goods. Af- realization of their aim to be in solidarity
And adding to your monitoring is your heart rate. You were given assistance. fected brother Knights were from Tumauini, with brother Knights, especially those who
may check your heart rate by taking your pulse at the wrist The second stage of the relief operation Magsaysay and Cabagan in Isabela. are in need of their assistance. (Bonifacio
area or the neck area, and the normal heart rate at rest ranges was in Tumauini, Isabela. The Luzon team The final stage was in Ilagan, Isabela, Martinez)
from 60 to 90 beats a minute. The most accurate determina-

Area Sales
tion is by listening to the heart with your stethoscope. An
athletic person may have a heart rate as low as 50, which Unity / C1
may be normal for him. However, if a person is resting,
and heart rate is persistently above 90 beats per minute, he Airport down to his new resi- tended the reception were the

Meeting of
needs a checkup to rule out thyroid disease, anemia, heavy dence at the Archbishop’s Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop
smoking, and other disorders. During exercises, heart rate Palace located at D. Jakosalem Edward Joseph Adams, Manila
increases but should return to normal within two to four Street. Archbishop Gaudencio Cardi-
minutes of resting. Palma thanked the Cebuanos nal Rosales, Jaro Archbishop

Central Luzon
Listening and understanding the above numbers will help whom outgoing Archbishop Angel Lagdameo and gov-
each one of us to reflect whether we need to modify our diet Ricardo Cardinal Vidal regard- ernment officials led by Gov.
and activities, and let go of bad habits. ed as “a dynamo of faith”. Gwen Garcia and Cebu City
The new Archbishop will Mayor Mike Rama.

Seminarians / C1
ter unity, solidarity, and broth-
erhood among all the Catholic
Diocesan theology seminarians
in the Philippines, but likewise
to enkindle in them the impetus
to be agents of social renewal
making them more aware and
better equipped to face the lat-
est challenges posed by current
issues and concerns.
The Fr. Willmann Chari-
ties itself presently provides
educational assistance to 40
seminarians/ scholars who
are taking up their Theology
studies in various seminar-
ies nationwide as well as to
ten priests / scholars pursu-
ing their Licentiate/Doctorate
studies locally and to three
priests/ scholars studying in
Rome. Subject donation to the
SemNet Phils. helped defray
the costs their food and accom-
modation services, liturgical
celebrations, cultural programs
and small-group workshops for
about 600 seminarians from all
over the country who attended
the event. (Roberto T. Cruz)
slated
THE Fraternal Benefits Group
held an area sales meeting
of Central Luzon in Bulacan
Paradise Resort last Jan. 22,
2011.
Among the topics discussed
during the said meeting were
the review of the sales produc-
tion performance for 2010,
and the plans, programs, and
strategies for 2011.
During the meeting, the
area managers brought up
the sales techniques, tips and
skills in underwriting.
Gari San Sebastian, Frater-
nal Benefits Services Manager
discussed the 2011 fraternal
counselors’ incentive program
which is expected to help
boost up their sales perfor-
mance.
The said meeting was par-
ticipated in by the Central
Luzon Believers, Central Lu-
zon Conquerors and Central
Luzon Diamonds. (KCFAPI
News)
lead the 4 million faithful of
the archdiocese which consists
of 282 priests, 400 seminar-
ians, and almost one thousand
nuns.
Among the guests who at-
FBG / C1
programs, target assignment
per area or team and fraternal
counselors’ incentives.
Dr. Jaime Talag, medical di-
rector of KCFAPI talked about
underwriting skills and tips.
KCFAPI Executive Vice
President Ma. Theresa Curia
discussed the 2010 financial
Knights of Columbus Visayas
Deputy Dionisio Esteban, Jr.
and other officers of the Order
were also present to welcome
the new Archbishop. (Knights
Mirror News ERE)
highlights and 2011 corporate
economic overview. While
KCFAPI President and Su-
preme Director Alonso L. Tan
delivered his inspirational
message to the attendees.
The closing remark was
given by Gari San Sebastian.
(KCFAPI News)

To continue in the formation of our brother knights into a mature and practical Catholic laymen and leaders of
our Christian communities, the Spiritual Formation group of the Knights of Columbus at Luzon Jurisdiction
organized the “1st Supreme Director Alonso L. Tan Golf Tournament” on April 26, 2011, Tuesday
with Tee off starting at 6:00 am at the Alabang Country Club, Muntinlupa City.

Spiritual Formation is a timely response to the call of the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines (PCP II)
which states that “Lay faithful and particularly lay leaders should acquire the knowledge and skills necessary Knights of Columbus
to defend and explain the faith to others.” Please support this Golf Tournament. Luzon Jurisdiction
 The Cross
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 4
February 14- 27, 2011
C3

Christ’s presence in us
demands that we be
uncompromisingly pro-life
By Supeme Knight Carl A.
Anderson
IN Evangelium Vitae, Pope John Paul
II’s great pro-life encyclical, we read,
“The Gospel of life is not simply a re-
flection, however new and profound,
on human life. Nor is it merely a com-
mandment aimed at raising aware-
ness and bringing about significant
changes in society. Still less is it an
illusory promise of a better future.
The Gospel of life is something con-
crete and personal, for it consists in
the proclamation of the very person
of Jesus” (29).
Clearly, the pope was not saying
that one must be Christian in order to
be opposed to abortion or euthanasia.
The obligation of the law to protect
the innocent arises from principles
of natural justice, which we are all
obligated to follow, regardless of re-
ligious belief.
The obligation of the Christian,
though, goes beyond justice. Those
who follow Christ are called not only
to obey the law, but also to fulfill it.
John Paul II continues, “Through the
words, the actions and the very person
of Jesus, man is given the possibil-
ity of ‘knowing’ the complete truth
concerning the value of human life.
… In Christ, the Gospel of life is de-
finitively proclaimed and fully given”
(29). Thus, we know that the value of
every human person is revealed by the
love of Jesus Christ. We might go on
to say that the value of every human
life is measured by Christ’s love and
that Christ’s love is inseparable from
each of our lives.
Later in his encyclical, the pope
writes, “It is precisely in the ‘flesh’
of every person that Christ continues
to reveal himself and to enter into
fellowship with us, so that rejection
of human life, in whatever form that
rejection takes, is really a rejection of
Christ” (104). Christ’s loving embrace
of every human being is so intense that
he is truly revealed in and through
each person. According to John Paul
II, this “demanding truth” is revealed
to us when the Lord says, “Whoever
receives one such child in my name
receives me” (Mt 18:5).
The “demanding truth” of Christ’s
presence in each of us compels Chris-
tians to be uncompromisingly pro-life.
With St. Paul, we may truly say that in
the pro-life cause “the love of Christ
urges us on” (2 Cor 5:14). This attitude
is not a political tactic, nor does it
arise from intransigence or political
extremism. Rather, it dares not com-
promise the dignity that Christ’s love
has imparted to each of us.
The Church’s proclamation of the
Gospel of life calls us to enter into
this profound reality—the reality of
the Redeemer’s love for each human
being. This reality is the key to under-
standing who we are as persons and
our responsibilities to those around
us.
Our responsibilities as citizens are
measured by a calculus of justice, and
we must therefore work untiringly
for just laws. But our responsibilities
as Christians can only be fulfilled
through a vocation of love as revealed
by “the Creator and lover of life”
(100).
Evangelium Vitae concludes with an
appeal to the Blessed Virgin Mary,
“the incomparable model of how life
should be welcomed and cared for.”
The pope prays that all those who ac-
cept the Gospel of life may be granted
“the courage to bear witness to it reso-
lutely, in order to build, together with
all people of good will, the civilization
of truth and love” (105).
May Venerable John Paul II continue
to intercede for us, and may Mary al-
ways obtain for her Knights the grace
to be foremost in the defense of “the
sacred value of human life from its
very beginning to its end” (2).
Vivat Jesus!

Joseph P. Teodoro

For Brother Knights by Brother Knights

Atty. Rizal V. Katalbas, Jr.

From the Legal Standpoint

Focus: Aim high!
Focus: Aim High is this year’s
theme of the Knights of Colum-
bus Fraternal Association of the
Phils., Inc. (KCFAPI), the only
Catholic mutual benefit insur-
ance system in the country. One
aspect of the goal is to increase
the number of members availing
of fraternal benefits plans being
offered by KCFAPI.
The fraternal benefits group
(FBG) has lined up strategic ac-
tion plans to realize growth in the
number of members availing of
our fraternal benefits program.
Foremost is the strengthening
of our field sales manpower.
Early this year, we have ap-
pointed one new area manager
to cover the Bicol Region and 5
new team leaders in Visayas and
By Angelito A. Bala
Mindanao. We are now in the
process of engaging 5 new team
leaders in our East Central Min-
danao under the supervision of
Bro. Jose Amoroso. We have also
conducted basic training course
in Manila and Cebu during the
month of January 2011. With
this plan of action, KCFAPI can
ably cover more brother knights
who have not yet enrolled in any
insurance plan.
Second is the sales promo-
tions program addressed to our
field sales representatives. FBG
Officers with the active par-
ticipation of KCFAPI President.
Alonso L. Tan, and Executive
Vice President, Maria Theresa G
Curia, have launched the 2011
Incentives and Contests. The
ladderized programs start on the
Minimum Six (6) paid lives which
will qualify a fraternal counselor
to attend the Presidential Visita-
tions starting in the middle of
April 2011. The incentive will be
capped by the Focus Challenge.
Third are the incentive pro-
grams addressed to the broth-
er knights, family members
and councils. These are the Fr.
George J. Willmann, S.J. Awards
for Academic Excellence and the
Fathers for Good Philippines.
The fraternal benefits group
have just started to draw up
plans to achieve better aware-
ness and consciousness level on
KCFAPI and its products and
services for the forthcoming
State Conventions to be held in
Substitute
April to May 2011 by the three parental
authority
territorial jurisdictions. Some
officers of the Supreme Council
(not the Supreme Knight) will
attend the occasions.
The sales report for the month
of January 2011 has just been
THERE are three (3) types of guardianship recognized
finalized. Although we did not
under the law: (a) the legal guardian, which refers to
meet our first year contribution
those who do not need judicial appointment (except if the
income (FYCI) target for the
property of the minor or incompetent exceeds P50,000.00
month the number of fraternal
as provided under Art. 225 of the Family Code) such
counselors who were able to
as the mother or the father of the child or incompetent;
make more than 100,000 in FYCI
(b) the guardian ad litem, which refers to any competent
reached almost 12 while those
person appointed by the court to represent the interest
who brought in more than 6
of the minor or incompetent in a particular proceeding,
new paid lives was counted at
whose property is involved in a litigation; (c) the judicial
14. This is an indication that the
guardian who may be any competent person appointed
2011 FC of the Year will be hotly
by the court to represent the minor or incompetent, in all
contested and at least 2 fraternal
his civil acts and transactions.
counselors will be able to hurdle
Judicial guardianship is usually required for persons
the Focus Challenge.
exercising substitute parental authority over the minor.
Article 216 of the Family Code (E.O. N0. 209) states who
may exercise “Substitute parental authority”. In the said
provision it states:

Frequently Asked Questions “In default of parents or a judicially appointed guardian,

the following persons shall exercise substitute parental
authority over the child in the order indicated:
(1) The surviving grandparent, as provided in Art.
Q. Who are the personalities involved in cannot be both the insured and beneficiary. 214;
the purchase of a benefit certificate? It is the owner who must demonstrate insur- (2) The oldest brother or sister, over twenty-one years
A. When a benefit certificate is purchased, able interest on the life of the insured and not of age, unless unfit or disqualified; and
three distinct personalities of interest are the beneficiary. (3) The child’s actual custodian, over twenty-one years
involved: the insured, the owner and the of age, unless unfit or disqualified.
beneficiary. The insured is the person whose Q. What is the proper way to name a ben- primary beneficiary predeceases the insured. Whenever the appointment of a judicial guardian
death causes KCFAPI, the insurer, to pay the eficiary? The owner may indicate “proceeds to my over the property of the child becomes necessary, the
death claim. The owner is the person who A. A vague designation of a beneficiary wife, Maria; if my wife predeceases me, then same order of preference shall be observed. (349a, 351a,
may exercise the contractual rights stated often leads to difficulty in claims settlement to my children (Juan and Juana)—share and 354a)”
in the benefit certificate. The following are or worse, litigation. It is therefore important share alike; if both my wife and my children The provision lays down the order of preference of
some of the ownership rights: that the proposed beneficiary be designated predecease me, then to the KC Philippines persons to act as guardian of a minor or incompetent in
a) the right to assign the BC as security in such a way as to avoid any possible con- Foundation, Inc.—60% and Philippine Na- absence or upon disqualification of the natural parents or
for a loan fusion or uncertainty. The owner should tional Red Cross - 40%.” a judicially appointed guardian. As such, they are bound
b) the right to designate a beneficiary identify the beneficiary clearly. Designations For unclear beneficiary designations, to exercise the rights and duties of that of the natural
c) the right to designate dividend op- like “my wife” or “my children” often lead the insurer or KCFAPI may transfer the parent over the minor or incompetent. At this instance a
tions to litigation in cases of multiple marriages, death claim proceeds to the court and let court appointment is not necessary for the performance
d) the right to collect living benefits like children born out of different marriages or the court decide the rightful claimant to the of such functions.
cash value, early maturities, etc. illegitimate children. To prevent such a case, proceeds. The process is called settlement However, acts involving administration of the prop-
The beneficiary is the one who will receive an owner may write “My wife, Maria,” or via interpleader. This approach relieves erty of the minor necessitates a court appointment. This
the claim proceeds when the insured dies. “all children born out of the union of mar- KCFAPI from having to make restitution to is inferred from the last paragraph of provision which
A person, a trust, an estate or a business/ riage to Maria, share and share alike.” an injured party if the “wrong” claimant is speaks of matters affecting the property of the minor.
company may be declared as a beneficiary. It is also not rare to see nowadays desig- paid the benefits. Property of the minor may include insurance proceeds,
One person can both be the insured and the nations using primary and contingent ben- The owner must always notify the insurer maturities and other benefits derived from the policy
owner, or owner and beneficiary. A person eficiary to resolve lengthy discussions if the in writing to change a beneficiary. being the policy holder or the beneficiary, as the case
may be.
Thus, a person acting as the guardian under the said
ATTY. Henry A. Reyes is former- 2001 and 2002. The city’s various as CITYNET, European Com- provision, who engages in an act of administration of the
ly the City Administrator of the best practices were made known mission as Senior Consultant, property of the minor, say for example secure a loan under
City Government of Muntinlupa. through the Galing Pook Award LIONS Club where he served as the Benefit Certificate issued to the minor or incompetent,
His assumption to the post caps given by the Local Government President and Region Chairman, regardless of the value of the property must seek first for a
30 years of distinguished service Academy and the Department of and the Order of the Knights of court appointment as guardian and secure a guardianship
as a community leader, business Interior and Local Government Columbus. bond as required under the Rules of Court.
guru and public servant. His vast (DILG). The city also holds part Atty. Reyes joined the Knights The procedural aspect for a court appointment of
experience in both public and with honorable mentions by the of Columbus Muntinlupa Coun- guardianship is governed under Rules 92 to 93 of the
private corporations forms the University of the Philippines cil 8447 on July 1, 1983 and later Rules of Court and is mandatory for those exercising
foundation of his business and Center for Local and Regional on became Grand Knight in 1985 guardianship under substitute parental authority. The
community outreach initiatives. Governance which signified that and District Deputy of District requirements may be burdensome for the transacting
He has served as chairman, vice the methodologies devised by M-71 in 1987-1989. Since his party but the purpose behind this requirement is to
chairman, and director for local Muntinlupa are worth replicat- election in 2003, Atty. Reyes still protect the interest of the minor over his property and
and international working com- ing by other government units. sits as member of the Board of to ensure that the guardian faithfully complies with his
mittees, academic institutions, Atty. Reyes earned his Bach- Directors and now as President obligations as such.
socio-civic organizations and elor of Laws degree in 1970 and of Keys Realty and Development To avoid unnecessary inconvenience guardians of mi-
volunteer groups. his Cum Laude AB Philosophy Corp., a subsidiary of KCFAPI nors acting under “substitute parental authority” who
During his tenure, the city course in 1966 from San Beda which operates Holy Trinity transact business – i.e. with KCFAPI- in behalf of their
of Muntinlupa gained presti- College. Memorial Chapels located at Dr. ward should secure a court appointment and a guardian-
Atty. Henry Reyes gious award such as the Most
Business-Friendly City for years
He was connected with in-
ternational organizations such
A. Santos Ave., Paranaque City.
(Annie M. Nicolas)
ship bond as the case may be.
 The Cross
CBCP Monitor
C4 Vol. 15 No. 4
February 14 - 27, 2011

KCFAPI passes surveillance

audit for ISO certification
THE Knights of Columbus Fra-
ternal Association of the Phil-
ippines, Inc., (KCFAPI) has
recently moved a step forward
by passing the second surveil-
lance audit for ISO Certification
9001: 2008, conducted by the lead
auditor Clarissa M. Oracion of
Certification International.
The KCFAPI through the
valuable effort of Pedro Lube-
nia, KCFAPI lead auditor for
ISO certification, has passed the
surveillance audit with zero non-
conformity to the set standards
held last January 26, 2011 at the
KCFAPI main office in Intra-
muros, Manila.
The continued registration of
KCFAPI was recommended by
the Certification International as
a result of zero non-conformity
raised during the said surveil-
lance audit.
Observations for every area au-
dited were presented by the Certifi-
cation International lead auditor.
The five auditees were An-
gelito A. Bala for the Actu-
arial and Business Development
Group, Rowena M. Diapolit for
the Financial Management and
Accounting Services Depart-
ment, Pedro P. Lubenia for
the Corporate Audit, Edwin B.
The audit summary presented
revealed that the KCFAPI com-
plied with the Quality Manage-
ment System (QMS) procedure.
Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines Inc.,
The scope of QMS process that
was audited for KCFAPI was its
an established mutual benefits association is currently looking for:
Design, Development and Provi-
sion of Mutual Benefits. Auditor The Knights of Columbus Fraternal
The opening meeting was at-
tended by KCFAPI President Accounting Staff Association of the Philippines Inc.,
is an established and progressive mutual
Alonso L. Tan and Executive Vice
President Ma. Theresa G. Curia,
BC Holders’ Relations Office Staff benefits association operating for 52 years,
Vice President for Finance and Treasury Staff has been highly committed to provide
mutual aid and assistance to its members
Quality Management Representa-
tive Mary Magdalene G. Flores, Treasury Assistant and their immediate families.
Senior Manager for Corporate
Audit and Lead Auditor Pedro
Underwriting Staff KC Fraternal firmly believes that the
P. Lubenia, Vice President for In- Actuarial Assistant continued progress and success of the as-
formation and Benefit Certificate
Holders’ Services Ronulfo Infante, Real Estate Analyst sociation depends to a great extent on its
human capital
Vice President for Actuarial and
Business Development Angelito A. Accounts Executive Staff
KC Fraternal also believes that through
Bala, Vice President for Fraternal
Benefits Group Joseph P. Teodoro,
Foundations Staff training and a host of other benefits if
and key officers of KCFAPI. If you are dedicated, service-oriented, and have the promising potential to join us coupled with hard work, will help employ-
This ISO certification and ees and the association attain their goals
surveillance audit assures the in our continuous drive to provide mutual aid, assistance and excellent service
and objectives.
KCFAPI’s benefits certificate to our members. Kindly send your comprehensive resume’ thru fax number 527-
holders, fraternal counselors, In our continuous drive to provide excellent
and general public that the 2244 or hand-carry resume’ with a 2x2 photo and transcript of records to
service to our members, we are currently on
Association is committed to
provide the best services for its the look-out for individuals with promising
BC Holders. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS FRATERNAL potentials. He must be dedicated, service
Certification International is
a local company which is ac-
ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES, INC. oriented, and willing to undergo training .

Dawal for Customer Satisfac-
tion and Executive Vice Presi-
dent Ma. Theresia G. Curia and
Magdalene G. Flores for Man-
agement Responsibility.
credited internationally that Gen. Luna cor. Sta. Potenciana Sts., Intramuros, Manila Our compensation and employee benefits are
certifies the compliance of dif- comparable, if not better than most companies
ferent organizations to quality of our same size and nature of business.
You may also call 527 – 2223 local 202 for queries and look for Ms. Kristianne or Ms. Juno.
management system procedure.
(Vanessa Puno)

Charter presentation, installation of officers

of St. Francis de Assisi Council held
THE Knights of Columbus Lu-
zon jurisdiction held the charter
presentation and installation of
officers of the new council, St.
Francis de Assisi Council 15115
last January 25, 2011 at St. Francis
of Assisi parish in Pulo Cabuyao,
Laguna.
Luzon Deputy and Supreme
Director Alonso Tan presented
the charter certificate from the Su-
preme Council to Andres I. Lopez,
Grand Knight of the aforemen-
tioned new council, Fr. William T.
Bustamante, OFMCap, its chaplain
Picture taken during the Charter Presentation and Installa- and to its officers and members.
tion of Officers of St. Francis of Assisi Council 15115 Pulo Luzon Deputy and Supreme Di-
Cabuyao, Laguna held January 25, 1011. Standing from left: rector Alonso L. Tan was the guest
Luzon Deputy and Supreme Director Alonso L. Tan, Charter
Grad Knight of Council 15115 Andres I Lopez, Council Chap- of honor and speaker of the said
lain Rev Fr. William T. Bustamante, OFM Cap and District charter presentation.
Deputy Francisco John C. Sebastian, S56 The membership certificate and
emblem of the order were awarded
to the charter members by Fran-
cisco Jehu C. Sebastian, District
Deputy, S56, and Rey I. Penolio,
New Council Development Chair-
man, S56.
The presentation of charges and
investing of jewels that symbolize
the member’s rank was led by Se-
bastian and Ding S. Ang, District
Warden, S56.
Meanwhile, Grand Knight Lopez,
led the oath-taking of appointed
officers of the new council.
Thereafter, Lopez delivered
his inaugural address. Sebastian
and Bustamante also shared their
inspirational and spiritual mes-
sages respectively to the charter
members.
There were 32 charter members
who organized the council headed
by its grand knight. (KC News)

FST 2011 kicks- LD Tan attends first Squires

off in Manila
A Fraternal Service Training (FST)
given to newly appointed fraternal
counselors by the Fraternal Benefits
Group (FBG) of Knights of Columbus
Fraternal Association of the Philippines,
Inc. (KCFAPI ) was conducted on Janu-
ary 18 and 19 at the social hall of KC-
FAPI building in Intramuros, Manila.
Gari San Sebastian, Fraternal Benefits
Services Manager, introduced the par-
ticipants to the order of the Knights of
Columbus, its relevance and contribu-
tion to society and its corresponding
fundamental link to KCFAPI.
Significantly, he oriented the partici-
pants with the KCFAPI, its background,
plans, products which every fraternal
diocesan officers’ induction
counselor should know as they famil-
iarize themselves with the said mutual
benefit association.
Vice President for Fraternal Benefits
Group, Joseph P. Teodoro, zeroed in on
the sales techniques and strategies and
discussed on the sales opportunities
the fraternal counselors are exposed to
which could facilitate their optimal sales
performance.
The participants came from Metro
Manila Achievers, Metro Manila Drag-
ons, Northeastern Luzon Cavaliers,
Northern Luzon Gold Miners, North-
western Luzon Thunders, Southern
Luzon Lakers and Southern Luzon
Palawan Tamaraws. (KCFAPI News)

ALONSO L. Tan, Luzon Deputy and Su-
preme Director graced the First Squires
Diocesan Officers’ induction ceremonies
of the Diocese of Parañaque last January
22, 2011.
Tan was the keynote speaker of the
said induction ceremonies.
Mindanao Deputy Sofronio R. Cruz (second to the left) together with District Deputy Manrico Narvaez, Held at Mary Queen of Apostles
Newly Appointed Financial Secretary, Abraham Naniong, Sr. Grand Knight Joshua Alquiza and DGK/ Parish in San Antonio Valley, San
FW Porfirio Cudal during the turn-over of Council Jewels from KCFAPI
Isidro at Parañaque City, the induction
ceremonies was made possible through
the effort of Columbian Squires of the
Diocese of Parañaque led by George
Michael T. Tuyay, the Diocesan Area
Chairman of the said diocese.
Squire Gamaliel Marco M. Sampedro,
State Circle Chief Squire inducted into
office the Diocesan Circle Officers.
Meanwhile, Ramon C. Sanchez,
Executive Secretary of Luzon State
Squires Management Committee led
the induction of the Diocesan Manage-
ment Committee.
The affair started with a Eucharistic
celebration presided over by Fr. Gi-
anni D. Sandalo, PIME, parish priest
of Mary Queen of Apostles.
District Deputies of Parañaque Dio-
cese led by Eliseo P. Pacis, Chairman of
Round Table of District Deputies, were
present with Luisito M. Wong as Host
District Deputy and Eric R. La Guardia
as Host Grand Knight. (KC News)