October 2019 has
been declared by Pope Francis as Extraordinary Missionary Month on the occasion
of the 100th anniversary of the promulgation of Pope Benedict XV’s Apostolic
Letter Maximum Illud (November 30, 1919).
I am happy to inform
you that a lot of solid and inspiring materials are available at the website
http://www.october2019.va to help everyone prepare, celebrate, implement and
live the Extraordinary Missionary Month — even beyond 2019.
One with you in renewing “Our Yes to Mission”, I remain
When: 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. Friday, March 8, 2019, assembly time Where: Saint Joseph Parish Church, National Highway, Sagay City, Negros Occidental; to march at 8:30 a.m. to Balay Kauswagan beside the Sagay City Hall where President Duterte will distribute CLOAs What: President Du30: DO 30K hectares for Negros farmers; start fulfilling your CARP promise of getting rid of oligarchic hacienderos
Three thousand Task Force Mapalad (TFM) landless farmers
carrying bundles of sugarcane — ala “karga-tapas” — will gather in Sagay
City, Negros Occidental in time for President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit to the
area, and urge him to fulfill his 2016 promise of getting rid of oligarchic
landlords who “get the fat of the land” and pursue his 2018 plan of declaring
“the entire (Negros) island as a land reform area.”
As TFM farmers welcome the chief executive’s arrival in
Negros for a CLOA-awarding ceremony on Friday, March 8, they will also appeal
to President Duterte to sustain the distribution of lands and not make his CARP
promise a mere lip service.
They will likewise urge the President to fast-track and
complete land distribution nationwide and start the ball rolling in Negros
Occidental, where the bulk of the CARP balance can be found.
TFM says the President can immediately distribute 30,000
hectares of Negros farms that have long been placed under agrarian reform.
Many of these landholdings are already in the last stages of
CARP processing before they are finally awarded to landless farmers. However,
these farms, although already acquired by the government for landless tillers,
ironically remain under the control of Negros hacienderos still profiting from
the landholdings even though these are no longer theirs.
Resistance and Solidarity Against Transnational Corporation
(RESIST), in collaboration with AGHAM Youth, and Philippine Network of Food
Security Programmes (PNFSP) invite you in the event, Rise to the Occasion: How
Safe Are Rice Imports? A forum on the effects of RA 11203 on food safety, on
the 6th of March, 8:30 to 11:30 AM, at the UP Diliman College of Science
Administration Auditorium.
The Rice Tariffication Law that was recently signed into a
law by President Duterte, has stirred various responses from stakeholders of
the local rice industry that includes producers, millers, traders and even
consumers. The said law fully liberalized the rice industry opening the local
market for the unbridled entry of imports that will be tariffied as a
commitment to an agreement under the World Trade Organization.
On the issue of food safety under the Rice Tariffication
Law, a clear and rigorous protocol as previously mandated to the NFA must be
ensured so that the rice for the consumers are safe. This is aligned with the
law, the Food Safety Act of 2013, that implements the food safety regulatory
system in the country. In the Rice Tariffication Law, the food safety
regulation will be undertaken by the Bureau of Plant Industry through the
issuance of the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC).
For the consuming public, food safety is a foremost
consideration taking into account that the rice imports may contain
contaminants that are hazardous to human health. The government should prepare
the policy protocol, the manpower and the facilities prior to the full
implementation of the Rice Tariffication.
In this context, a public forum will be held to bring into
public discussion the current status of the food safety regulatory function of
the government, the sufficiency and efficiency of the protocols and standards
on food safety of the country and how the public can participate in the
assurance of food safety. The public forum will be participated by farmers,
people’s organizations and consumers groups.
We hope for your positive response to this important event.
n this file photo, members of the Philippine Independent Church hold a demonstration in Manila to protest attacks against its leaders in October 2018. (Photo by Mark Saludes |UCAN)
The Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform (PEPP)*, is alarmed
over the harassment of two of our Core Group members, Bishop Felixberto Calang
and Fr. Christopher Ablon of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI). Their
names were listed, along with other members of the clergy, peace advocates and
human rights defenders, as “terrorist members of the New People’s Army and
Communist Party of the Philippines” in two sets of flyers that were anonymously
distributed last February 22 in Cagayan de Oro City. We have reason to be
alarmed for such accusation is baseless, malicious and dangerous.
As modern-day prophets, Bp. Calang and Fr. Ablon have
dedicated their lives and ministry to continuously preach and pursue just and
lasting peace so the love of God – richly deserved by our people, especially
the least of our brothers and sisters – may reign. Bp. Calang is also the
spokesperson of Sowing the Seeds of Peace in Mindanao, a network of civil
society groups in the said island, that was recently awarded with the 1st Gawad
AKAP Award by the Rotary Club of Fort Bonifacio Global City in behalf of the
Rotary International District 3830. Others who were recognized and honored for
their active pursuit of peace include such distinguished peacemakers like Bp.
Fernando Capalla, former OPAPP Sec. Jesus Dureza, DOLE Sec. Silvestre Bello,
head of the Peace Panel of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines
(GRP), Mr. Mohagher Igbal of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and peace panel
consultants of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), Mr. Rey
Claro Casambre of the Philippine Peace Center and Mr. Randy Malayao. Mr.
Casambre sadly remains incarcerated based on trumped up charges while Mr.
Malayao was recently killed by an assassin.
Since the cancellation of the peace talks last year, violent encounters between the parties have increased, the arrests and even killing of peace advocates are rising; the language of punishing student scholars for their activism is disturbing; new raids and the burning of equipment have surfaced; vandalizing of church property and the circulating of lists that falsely accuse church leaders/workers of supporting terrorists are a new and dangerous development.
Clarifications to ‘Come Una Madre Amorevole’ and Office to
Handle Abuse Being Examined
February 28, 2019 09:46 Deborah Castellano Lubov
We need to develop certain aspects of the Pope’s 2016 Motu
Proprio Come una Madre Amorevole ….
An office to manage protection of minors, not the same as
the current Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, is being
considered…
Both these points were confirmed to ZENIT by Archbishop
Charles Scicluna, president of the Maltese Bishops’ Conference, the Pope’s
entrusted reformer in combatting and investigating sex abuse, and one of the
four organizers of the recent Summit on the Protection of Minor’s in the Church
in the Vatican, Feb. 21-24, and Archbishop of Mumbai, India, Cardinal Oswald
Gracias, who is also one of the four prelates who have organized the encounter,
a papal advisor and President of the Bishops’ Conference of India.
The comments were made at the Augustinianum, Feb. 24, during
the final press conference of the meeting to combat sex abuse, convened by the
Pope, which brought together the presidents of the world’s bishops conferences
and other representatives in the Church and in religious life.
The speakers, along with Cardinal Gracias and Archbishop
Scicluna, who also is an adjunct secretary in the Vatican’s Congregation for
the Doctrine of the Faith, included Fr. Federico Lombardi, S.J., president of
the Joseph Ratzinger – Benedetto XVI Vatican Foundation, moderator of the
meeting; Fr. Hans Zollner, S.J., president of the Centre for the Protection of
Minors of the Pontifical Gregorian University, member of the Pontifical
Commission for the Protection of Minors, part of the Organizing Committee;
Mexican journalist Valentina Alazraki who had given an intervention at the
summit; Paolo Ruffini, Prefect of Vatican’s Dicastery for Communications; and
Alessandro Gisotti, Director ‘ad interim’ of the Holy See Press Office.
Each day began with prayer, then two interventions in the
morning, another in the afternoon, each followed with a question and answer
session, and then working groups based on language. Some highlights of these
days were the Penitential Liturgy on Saturday afternoon and the Mass on Sunday
morning. The Pope, following Sunday’s Mass and before the Angelus at noon, gave
a concluding speech, where he called for an “all out battle” against abuse,
stressing it must be eradicated. He said that where even one case of abuse
should emerge, “it would be treated with the utmost seriousness.” He also
decried cover up. Three immediate actions, among others still being considered,
include a new motu proprio on abuse for the Vatican City State, a rule book
provided by the CDF to provide bishops with an easy Q & A on how to handle
various situations, and task forces for places without resources or adequate
understanding.
Some victims, male and female, were present during moments
of evening prayer and they gave testimonies. The organizers met some victims
ahead of the conference.
The speakers have reminded during and before the Summit that
there are already strong guidelines and protocols in place, for zero tolerance
of sexual abuse toward minors and toward negligence of Bishops in Pope Francis’
2016 Motu Proprio ‘Like a Loving Mother.’
A press conference on the Rice Trade Liberalization Law will
be held on March 5, 2019, 9:30am-12pm at Max’s Restaurant, Quezon City Circle.
Below is the press statement of the Alliance of Rice Farmers
Against Rice Tariffication and participating
organizations.
We, from various national farmer organizations, civil
society groups, and food sovereignty advocates oppose the anti-farmer law. This
law titled “RA 11203: An Act Liberalizing the Importation, Exportation and
Trading of Rice, Lifting for the Purpose the Quantitative Import Restriction on
Rice,” is not the solution to the ongoing rice crisis. This law favors the
business interests of rice importers and suspected rice smugglers over poor
rice farmers. This piece of legislation abandons the State’s capability to
regulate rice importation. NFA is limited to maintaining buffer stock for an
emergency situation and disaster relief. NFA functions such as registration,
licensing and supervision of importers and all other grains businesses are
removed. RA 11203 hands over regulation of rice importation to traders and
importers. This is another form of legalizing rice cartel! Where does
government figure in this setup? Think about this: Whatever rice production
gains achieved in 2017 and in previous production years will be put to waste
with tarrification without state support. Rice tarrification runs opposite to
what rice farmers and other food security advocates campaigned for to level the
playing field against rice importation. Its principal author, Sen. Cynthia
Villar, must have thought that this law would make rice affordable to Filipinos
along with improving local rice production. But the truth is that it will
neither make rice cheap nor succeed in making local rice farming viable and
productive. Here’s why: The bill liberalizes rice importation by the private
sector without any restrictions. This means big corporations (San Miguel
Corporation for example) can import rice freely at unlimited volumes and
without applying for any license except a routine permit from the Bureau of
Plant Industry. Corporations can now import as much as two million tons. So
far, at least 180 corporations all over the Philippines have expressed interest
to enlist as importers! Aside from that glaring oversight, the budget allocated
for rice farmers is sorely insignificant? Take for example the lack of crop
insurance for their produce, vital safety net measure for rice farmers. The law
ensures the full mechanization of the rice production industry which will
result in massive displacement of rice farmers and farm workers. Yet, half of
the proposed Php 10 billion rice fund will be allocated for rice mechanization!
Mechanization aside, the government ignores a bleak reality:
The staggeringly high prevalence of bankruptcy among rice farmers (baon sa
utang ang karamihan ng magsasaka sa palay!). By penning this law, Sen. Villar
ensures the death of the rice industry! Pres. Duterte should review and junk
this law and in its place, draft another measure that represents the interest
of rice farmers and producers, consumers not only the interest of importers.
A plea to the government and the NFA for transparency:
Release the list of 180 corporations who plan to import rice.
Alliance of Rice Farmers Against Rice Tariffication Participating Organizations: Pambansang Kilusan Kababaihan sa Kanayunan (PKKK) Centro Saka, Rights Watch, PKSK Save Agrarian Reform Alliance Integrated Rural Development Foundation Pambansang Kilusan ng Magbubukid sa Pilipinas DKmp (Ka Jimmy Tadeo) National Movement for Food Sovereignty (NMFS) Kilusan para sa Repormang Agraryo at Kataturungan Panlipunan (KATARUNGAN) Rice Watch Action Network Federation of Free Farmers
We, the undersigned academics and professionals, are
expressing our deep concern as regards the process of reviewing and possibly
amending our Constitution.
We acknowledge the importance of discussing ways to improve
governance in the country, particularly when it comes to a possible shift to a
new, federal form of government. Some of us actually support federalism, while
others oppose it. We have nevertheless united in this common statement to
acknowledge the importance of evidence-based debate and discussion to root out
the main benefits and costs of such a reform.
Given the far-reaching implications of this reform, we
believe the process must be much more participatory—including not just those
who are for this reform, but also those who oppose it. International policy
experience and evidence suggests that constitutional reforms are more effective
if deliberations are front-loaded at the crafting stage, rather than belatedly
appended once these reforms are already ratified.
The present environment is not conducive to reforming the
constitution. The most recent nationwide surveys of SWS and Pulse Asia last
March 2018 show that only 25% of our citizens sufficiently understand our
existing constitution, while only 37% support the shift to federalism. 64% are
against charter change. ‘Changing the Constitution’ also ranked last in the
‘most urgent national concerns’ with only 3% of the Filipinos saying that it
should be acted upon immediately.
We do not support calls to channel this reform through a
Constituent Assembly.
Almost 80% of Congress is comprised of political dynasties,
and the empirical evidence suggests that a majority of them may face deep
conflict of interest if a new constitution aims for reforms that level the
political playing field. The risk of capture by vested interests affecting our
present politics is too great.
We do not support calls to postpone or cancel elections in
2019.
Finally, we believe that there are more pressing and
immediate policy challenges that our leaders must address. The rising death
toll linked to the anti-drugs campaign, which now includes many children and
young people. The killings of political leaders and priests also further raise
the spectre of injustice. Rising prices of basic commodities, transportation
and other needs are also hitting the poor, our workers, and millions of low
income households. If these are unresolved, then how can we credibly unite
around “rule of law” and “human rights” under an amended constitution?
Members of the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines join a demonstration in Manila in July to call for an end to the conflict in Mindanao. (Photo by Mark Saludes | UCANews)
by ruralmissionaries
We, the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP), a
national organization of women and men religious, priests and lay, condemn the
tagging of our organization as a “communist front”, this time through the
complaints filed by the National Security Council Deputy Director General
Vicente Agdamag to the United Nations (UN). The report, which was submitted to
the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva on Feb. 21,
alleged that we are trafficking tribal children.
This is such a desperate move to vilify us for we have been
effective in raising people’s awareness on the plight and demands of our
farmers, fisher folk, and indigenous peoples and in exposing the grave abuses
of human rights in the country. It only reflects the cowardice of those behind
this malicious act.
We condemn in the highest terms this slander of our
organization. We reiterate that our commitment to serve the rural poor drives
us to provide programs for them including literacy and numeracy for Lumad
children, livelihood programs, relief and rehabilitation, training and
education for rural communities.
This is definitely alarming as it can be used as
justification to go after rural missionaries, priests, sisters and lay workers,
and so we urge our fellow Christians to condemn these preposterous accusations
and echo the call to end the attack against rural poor and peace advocates
Human rights defenders in our country are in such perilous
situation. We must be ever vigilant and stand together with the Filipino people
in exposing and resisting the state’s attacks against those who oppose them.
-Rural Missionaries of the Philippines February 26, 2019
1986 revolution that ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos didn’t go far enough or credit God, they say
Protesters call for greater press freedom during the celebration of this year’s anniversary of the 1986 “people power revolution” in Manila. (Photo by Jire Carreon)
Joe Torres, Manila
Philippines
February 26, 2019
Catholic bishops in the Philippines have expressed dismay
over what they say is the failure to advance the “unfinished
revolution,” during celebrations this week to mark the anniversary of the
1986 “people power” uprising.
Bishop Teodoro Bacani, retired prelate of Novaliches Diocese
in the capital Manila, said the bloodless “uprising” to oust dictator
Ferdinand Marcos was “unfinished” because of the “self-centered
ways” of many Filipinos.
“We need a revolution of the heart that will make us
truly say God and country first before me and my family,” said Bishop
Bacani.
Bishop Arturo Bastes of Sorsogon noted the “short
memory” of Filipinos, which he said was “lamentable.”
He said Feb. 25th should be remembered as “one of the
shining glories of our nation.”
“I was one of those who joined the rejoicing crowd when
the dictator had to leave our country. The whole nation was aglow with
joy,” recalled Bishop Bastes.
He said the “spirit of the revolution” inspired
other countries to empower people to remove tyrannical rule.
He was referring to rallies in South Korea against strongman
Chun Doo-hwa and the eventual fall of General Augusto Pinochet in Chile.
“[The people power revolution] is one of the great
contributions the Philippines gave to the world,” said the prelate.
He expressed hope that young Filipinos will someday
understand the impact of the 1986 uprising.
Bishop Ruperto Santos of Balanga said the anniversary has
turned into a musical concert, a political gathering and a venue to air
grievances against the government.
“[The revolution] happened because of God. He showed
His power, and it is His power to protect and to perform miracles. It is so sad
that God has been set aside,” he said.
The prelate said no political party and no particular person
could be credited for the uprising. “God made use of all of us to be His
instruments of peace, of change and renewal,” said Bishop Santos.
“Let us give back the credit to God. He is the reason
why it took place.”
He called on Filipinos to “remember and pray” for
all those who “walked, stayed and prayed, the selfless, who shared food,
the kind hearted, who wished and spoke caring and forgiving words to all.”
The prelate said the “people power revolution” was
about the bravery and faith of the Filipino people.
Different church groups and militants gathered at the edsa Shrine to commemorate the Edsa 33rd Anniversary dubbed “Tayo and Edsa”. February 23, 2019.
Unity against tyranny
Days before the official celebration of the uprising on Feb.
25, various groups marched in Manila to call for unity against what they
described as “a return to authoritarian rule” under President Rodrigo
Duterte.
“No matter how tight his grip on power is, he would
surely be defeated by the might of the people,” read a statement from
women’s group Gabriela.
Migrante, an international organization of overseas Filipino
workers, decried Duterte’s supposed attempts to rehabilitate the family of
ousted dictator Marcos politically.
Benedictine nun Mary John Mananzan speaks before striking workers in the province of Bulacan north of Manila on June 23, 2018. (Photo by Inday Espina-Varona/ UCAN)
The Church People Workers Solidarity calls for respect on
workers’ rights amidst continued attacks on the rights of workers for just
wage, job security, right to self organization, collective bargaining and
democratic rights.
We are saddened that the collective voices of workers
seeking for refuge, solidarity and justice remains unheard and being
criminalized by the government. Last
February 4, 2019, the City Hall of Manila threatened to disperse the peaceful
camp out of Sumifru Workers in Liwasang Bonifacio. Manila City Hall officials
said that they are just following orders from Malacanang Palace. NAMASUFA negotiated with the City officials
and yet they are still given an ultimatum until the end of February.
Sometime in October 2018, NAMASUFA, the union of workers of
SUMIFRU Philippines Corporation, a banana plantation in Compostella Valley led
the strike demanding regularization of contractual workers and collective
bargaining with Sumifru Philippines Corportation. Despite a ruling of the Supreme Court
declaring Sumifru workers as regular employees of the company and not of the
cooperatives, Sumifru Philippines Corporation continued to ignore the demands
of the workers. Instead the company with
their paid goons, in connivance with the Philippine National Police and the
military, brutally dispersed their strike, arrested and threatened many
striking workers. It was also reported
that one union member was killed and the homes of some union officers were
mercilessly burned by suspected agents of the company. The martial law rule in Mindanao has also
intensified the attacks to the striking workers and considered the strike as
illegal. In fact, workers are forced to sign waivers and falsely presented the
workers as rebel surrenderees by state agents.
The attacks on Sumifru workers were also experienced by the
workers of Nutri Asia when they staged their strike last year calling to stop
the immoral and unjust contractualization policy inside the company and
demanded regularization. From June-July
2018, instead of taking heed to their legitimate and just calls for regular
job, policemen and Nutri Asia’s paid goons
brutally attacked the peaceful actions of workers and their supporters
including the dispersal of an ecumenical litrugy where Rev. Fr. Rolly De Leon
was attack by goons and around 19
workers, supporters and media personnel were illegally arrested and detained.
The monstrous effect of contractualization which Duterte
promised to be stopped is like a plague that has impacted majority of the
Filipino workers. The Department Order
174 of Duterte has been used especially by big multi national companies to
legalize constractualization and to escape from their legal obligation to the
workers. Hanjin Heavy Industries Construction Philippines in 2017-2018 forced
workers to sign quit claims, dismissed them and to evade regularization
directly to Hanjin, workers are rehired by the 18 in house subcontractors of
the company using the provisions of DO 174.
Now, more than 30000 workers lost their jobs as the company will close
and will merge with another multi national company.
It is alarming that instead of listening to the voices of
workers, the administration of Duterte used brute force. Under the administration of President
Duterte, the Center for Trade Union and Human Rights documented around 16000
workers who experienced violations on their right to freedom of association and
collective bargaining as well as 109
cases of civil and political rights violations affecting 7000 workers. While the Global Workers’ Rights Index, a
report of the International Trade Union Confederation in 2018, noted the
Philippines as one of the Top 10 Worst
countries in terms of repressing workers’ rights.
Truly, Duterte failed to fulfill his promises to the workers
and to the people. Duterte obviously favored the big capitalists such as the
Japan owned Sumifru, the giant condiments company Nutri Asia and South Korean
Hanjin Heavy Industries Philippines. Prices of commodities surge as a result of
the TRAIN Law and severely impacted the toiling sector especially the workers
and farmers.
We believe that the above mentioned incidents run counter to
both domestic and international human rights obligations of the Philippine
Government and thus call on the government to immediately stop all forms of
attacks to workers’ rights; stop contractualization, implement the workers’
call for national minimum wage of P750, stop criminalizing union activities and
trade union leaders and stop martial law in Mindanao. In the light of the
upcoming national elections, let us remember the failed promises of Duterte and
his allies and instead wisely choose those candidates that have clean track
records and truly serve the interest of the workers and the people.
As Pope Francis reminds us that the dignity and safety of
the worker shall always be protected.
Thus, we appeal to our brothers and sisters to stand in solidarity with
workers and their families in their struggle for human rights and justice. Let us help them in amplifying their calls to
the government; offer prayers and material support for their struggle and be
with them in their places of struggles.####
