Year: 2020

Dear Friends,

Greetings!

We would like to invite you to sign a multi-sectoral joint statement against the passage of the Terror Bill, which the House of Representatives is expected to vote on soon.

While we may not succeed in blocking its passage, let us register very strongly our opposition to this legislation that could well spell the end of democracy and freedom in our country.

We would like to emphasize that this is not a statement of media alone but one that we feel should be joined by as broad a segment of civil society and as many freedom-loving individuals as possible.

May we also suggest that, on the day we release this statement, we launch a social media campaign in which we post selfies or portraits with our mouths taped shut with messages written on the tape. These could be the following – CRITICISM IS NOT TERRORISM; FREE SPEECH IS NOT TERRORISM; JOURNALISM IS NOT TERRORISM; ACTIVISM IS NOT TERRORISM – and other messages you may wish to make.

May we also suggest that we maintain this alliance should they enact this odious piece of legislation so that we can continue our collective defense of our rights and freedoms.

Kindly send this to your networks and please comment on this thread if there are others who want to sign on.

Deadline for submission of signatories is tomorrow, June 3, 7 am. We are posting this statement tomorrow at 9 am.

Mabuhay Ang Ating Kalayaan!
Mabuhay Ang Ating Karapatan!

Maraming salamat po!

For the NUJP Board,

Nonoy Espina
Chairperson

STATEMENT

We Reject the Terror Bill

Why do our government officials always think law and order, peace and security can be realized only at the expense of our rights?

We, journalists, media organizations, civil society groups, academics and other concerned individuals unequivocally reject the anti-terror bill that the House of Representatives railroaded through the wholesale adoption of Senate Bill No. 1083, to do away with the bicameral committee conference hasten its passage and enactment into law.

Let us be clear about one thing: We are against terrorism.

However, bad as the Human Security Act of 2007 is, this bill, should it become law, would be much worse, so much that it would be more apt to call it the Terror Bill.

Not only does this proposed law grant an “Anti-Terror Council” the power to designate, on mere probable cause, persons or entities as terrorists or terrorist groups, it also allows the Anti-Money Laundering Council, an ATC member, to freeze the assets of these persons or groups, all without granting them the opportunity to defend themselves and refute any information against them.

Worse, the proposed law would also allow the ATC to authorize the detention without judicial warrant of arrest of suspects for up to 14 calendar days, extendible by another 10 days.

These clearly violate the Constitution’s guarantee to due process and constitutes a usurpation of judicial power.

Worse, this bill would worsen the impunity with which many of our laws and rights are violated by the very ones sworn to protect and uphold these by doing away with the stiff penalties intended to prevent any abuse of this legislation’s most draconian measure, the extrajudicial arrest and detention of suspects.

The bill also poses mortal danger to the principles of freedom of the press and of expression in Section 9 defining the crime of “inciting to terrorism,” which can be committed “by means of speeches, proclamations, writings, emblems, banners or other representations of the same” and is punishable by 12 years in prison.

This provision is, however, prone to broad application much like this and previous administrations have used the existing offenses of inciting to sedition and rebellion to quell free speech and intimidate critics.

In effect, reportage on persons and groups deemed terrorist, or even merely repeating what they say, could be interpreted as committing inciting to terrorism.

While we all agree that the fight against terrorism is important and needs the participation and cooperation of everyone, we maintain that the proposed law is open to abuse by despotic governments to visit terror against critics and the people in general.

If a law to fight terrorism is to be contemplated, let the respect and defense of human rights be the paramount consideration.

Initial Signatories to the Joint Statement:

1. Most Reverend Broderick Pabillo, D.D.
2. Rev. Mariesol Villalon of United Methodist Church
3. Rev. Irma Balaba of National Council of Churches in the Philippines

Marielle Lucenio, Philippines
May 29, 2020

A Catholic school in the central Philippines announced that it will cease operations due to “difficulties” that the coronavirus pandemic brought to the institution.

The Angelicum School in Iloilo, an institution run by the Order of Preachers since 1978, announced that it will stop operations on July 31.

In a letter to parents, Dominican priest Maximo Gatela, school director, advised students to either opt for a home study program or transfer to another school.

While the country gradually shifts to a “new normal” due to the pandemic, several Catholic educational institutions are facing “hard times.”

Some opted to dismiss workers, especially those described as having “special working status” with the institution, like support staff.

The University of Santo Tomas Hospital, an institution also run by the Dominicans, earlier announced its plan to terminate workers due to financial losses.

Financial challenges

Father Nolan Que, a member of the board of trustees of the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines, admitted that most schools “struggle in terms of financial survival” due the pandemic.

He said that there were a lot of “unsettled tuition” in the past school year, resulting in lack of funds to pay for the salaries of teachers.

The priest, however, said that despite the difficulties “[it] does not mean that we should not be charitable to our employees.”

“It is now high time to be real witnesses to them,” said Father Que.

5 May 2020

Quezon City, Philippines – With the easing of the lockdown in Mega-Manila and in provinces across the Philippines church and envi groups come together in a Webinar Series themed, “Imagining a Just and Green Recovery: An Online Conversation”.

The webinar, organized by Philippine Misereor Partnership, Inc. (PMPI) brings together people from the field of justice, faith, and environmental protection to dialogue on a just and green post-Covid society.  

According to Yoly Esguerra, National Coordinator of PMPI, the webinar series takes its root from the wider global clamor for an immediate relief and sustainable recovery.” 

MPI joined thousands of grassroots and civil society organizations to call for a just and sustainable recovery with the belief that the interconnection of ecological destruction, climate crisis, and inequality as the root of the pandemic. 

Esguerra said, “We are challenged by this pandemic, but we hope to contribute to the global clamor by presenting to the public the Rights of Nature as a paradigm for our recovery and towards a better society.”    

From March 15, 2020 Mega-Manila was put in a lockdown as part of the Philippine government’s attempt to control the spread of COVID 19. 

The 1st of the Webinar Series was joined by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, principal author of Senate Bill No. 1097, “An Act Recognizing the Rights of Natural Ecosystems, Populations, and Process and Providing Mechanisms for the protection and enforcement thereof.”

Sen. Hontiveros during the webinar said, “The parallelism of Laudato Si and Rights of Nature is glaring. The Catholic Church can form a grass roots movement that they can shepherd that will not only help in pushing for the Rights of Nature Bill but also towards the internalization of the principles of Laudato Si.” She added, “Once we are able to pass the Rights of Nature Bill, change in peoples’ world view is already lived and present.”

Sen. Risa Hontiveros described our current world view as poisonous and murderous because humans have forgotten that if nature is destroyed, humanity will cease to exist. She concluded that there is a need to change our relationship with Mother Nature.

The PMPI along with NASSA/Caritas Philippines is advocating for a bill that will render nature as a rights bearing entity. The House and Senate versions of the bill are currently filed, awaiting its reading.

On its 2nd Webinar Series, the group with main discussant Fr. Danny Pilario is Dean, St. Vincent School of Theology – Adamson University opined that at the core our current debacle is injustice to our environment where the abuse of other life forms by humans is the norm.  

Fr. Pirio said, “Our economic system which features rapid urbanization and creation of megacities, increase global mobility, coupled with deforestation for industrialization, and wildlife trafficking in favor for profit, all makes for our lopsided relationship with nature.”

The World Economic Forum in an article wrote that people have converted nearly half of the world’s land into agriculture. Tropical forests have suffered the most, with some of the highest rates of agricultural conversion over the last few decades.

May 26, 2020

To: All Laiko Heads of National Lay Organizations & Arch/diocesan Councils of the Laity
Dear Brothers & Sisters,

The peace and love of the risen Lord be with you!

We are very pleased to inform you of the success of the recent Post Quarantine Conversations IV last May 23, 2020. The Zoom Room was closed with its maximum (100 people) capacity from different Dioceses and National Lay Organizations. With the very inspiring presentation of Bishop Gerry Alminaza cross-posted by the CBCP News to other FB pages, more than 10,000 people were able to view it and share its replay. Please pass and share this to others as we invite them to another inspiring event this Saturday. Watch here.

As we are celebrating Pentecost Sunday on May 31, we are pleased to invite you to the Post Quarantine Conversations V: New Mindsets for Emerging and Alternative Ministries…”Transitioning towards Digital Evangelization” on May 30, Saturday, 2:00 to 4:00 PM.

We will have an On-line Praise and Worship to be led by Bro. Mars Catan and a presentation on Digital Evangelization by Bro. Moses Catan, both from the ELIM GLOBAL COMMUNITIES.

We will be using a Zoom application for this. Kindly let us know if you’re capable and available to join this conversation by replying to this email on or before May 28, so that we could send you the link where you could register to actively participate in this meeting, as well as the mechanics.

Most Rev. Broderick Pabillo, the Laiko Board Members and the HOLY SPIRIT will be joining us in this on-line prayer meeting.

Thank you. Rest assured of my prayers for you and your loved ones’ safety!

Sincerely in the service of the Lord,

May 12, 2020

Dear Friends and Partners,

Greetings from Global Catholic Climate Movement – Pilipinas. 

This year we celebrate the 5th year of Pope Francis’ Encyclical Laudato Si’ On Care for our Common Home. Since its release, Laudato Si’ has been and continues to be the source of inspiration and passion to care for our common home for different religious and secular groups. We celebrate Laudato Si’ Week, not just to remember this significant church document but also to articulate its achievements and challenges. Bringing Laudato Si’ to life is as urgent as the climate emergency that we are facing. Considering the reality of the corona virus pandemic, GCCMPilipinas, the official chapter of Global Catholic Climate Movement, and its partner organizations, would like to invite you to the series of online activities to celebrate Laudato Si’ Week 2020 from May 16-24 with the theme, “Everything is Connected.” Because of limited slots, we urge you to pre-register with the link below.

May 16 at 4:30pm – Launching of Laudato Si’ Week 2020
–    will be live streamed in GCCM Pilipinas FB page:  https://www.facebook.com/gccm.pilipinas/  

May 19 at 4:00pm – Online Reflection with Fr. Sean McDonagh, SSC 
  “5th Year of Laudato Si: Achievements and Challenges”
       Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0lfuGtrjwpGtxhKs31hxeFBSQKSsAJrzy9

May 20 at 3:00pm – “Online Conversation on Divestment: Investment for the Future”
– exclusive for Religious Congregations and Oeconomus of the different Dioceses”          
Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEtd-yhqTwpEtJFH0OFGOIpvejw_vvXVzF0

May 22 at 4pm – Online Reflection with Dr. John Feehan: 
          “Laudato Si and Biodiversity in relation to Covid 19”
           Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIqceytqTguHtRAmF42Wj0qr74GkI8gGZdB

May 23 at 4:30pm – Interreligious Prayer: “Praying Together for Our Common Home”
         Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAqcuquqDgoHtZWESc7rARc0IMfu1SP8ZQi

May 24 at 10am – Online Celebration of the Holy Eucharist with Bp. Broderick Pabillo, DD – will be livestreamed by TV Maria, https://www.facebook.com/tvmariaphils/

May 24 at 11:30am – Online Global Prayer
       Link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZctc-GprjsuHNwL2RqskKdw2CJVAYLgTkMB

We thank you for your continued support in promoting Laudato Si’ and we look forward to continuous collaboration with you in caring for our common home. 

Please find attached Instruction to join Laudato Si’ Week 2020 online events. We are also resending you the Celebration Concept Note and the Calendar of Activities.

In Christ,

Circular No. 20-37

May 16, 2020

To All the Bishops and the Diocesan Administrators
Your Eminences, Your Excellencies and Reverend Administrators,

Re: Liturgical Guidelines in “New Normal” Condition

Peace!

We are sending you the Recommendations and Guidelines for the Liturgical

Celebration in the “New Normal” Condition. The CBCP Permanent Council discussed and approved this earlier today.

We would like to remind that since these directives are only recommendatory, Your Excellencies have to adapt them as your own especially that the dispensation regarding the Sunday celebration can only be made by the diocesan bishop and not by the Episcopal Conference (CBCP).

This set of recommendations and guidelines are formulated in view of the possibility that government and public health authorities will allow mass religious gatherings to resume, especially the public celebration of the Holy Eucharist; we have to be open to the reality that we have to do it in the “new normal” way.

With our best prayerful wishes of good health, I remain

Sincerely yours,  

Recommendations and Guidelines  for the Liturgical Celebration in “New Normal”  Condition

We need the Lord – the Bread of Life – in the Holy Eucharist! The Holy Eucharist is central and essential to the life of the Church and to the life of each individual believer. It is in this context that we understand our people’s desire to return to the parishes, participate in the liturgy, and receive the Eucharist, which up to now we are not able to do because of the current restrictions to address the coronavirus pandemic.

However, we tell ourselves that when the time comes and we are able to gather and celebrate the Eucharist, we will approach this next phase, in the context of the pandemic, with prudence, patience and loving and charitable mindset.

We offer you then some guidelines in view of the possibility, in the gradual return to the new normal that we will be allowed to celebrate the Sacraments with the people in attendance, especially the Holy Eucharist.