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Month: September 2021
Joint Pastoral Message on the Culture of Murder and Plunder
Our dear people of God in Northern Philippines:
The Messiah must be killed and after three days rise again. The Lord predicted His fate and by His death and rising, our sins are forgiven. It was a necessary sacrifice born from His total obedience to the Father. His death is the only death we need. There is no other death needed anymore to improve our situation or to merit God’s mercy. The death of Jesus was the death once and for all.
How may we describe the present social condition of our nation?
It is like living in the valley of death—killing of drug users and opponents; helpless death in the pandemic, death by governance without vision, death by shameless corruption that seems to break all records. Killings! Murders! Deaths!
Since the past five years, more than thirty thousand poor Filipinos have been killed in the campaign against illegal drugs.
Journalists have been killed, political opponents have been murdered, court judges have been assassinated, priests have been shot and critics have been bullied and threatened. The killers are at large and the blind supporters of these murderers applaud the killers.
The pandemic was a calamity of nature that we could not control. We saw death in our homes and offices. The heroic medical health workers risked their safety and some perished with their PPEs on. While other nations have risen from the pandemic, our death toll continues to rise.
The poor are slowly dying from joblessness due to ridiculous confusing quarantine classifications. Incompetence kills peoples. Ineptitude kills nations and economies. Hunger kills slowly.
Bullets kill. Viruses kill. Governance without direction kills. Corruption kills. Trolls kill with fake news. Hunger kills. When will the killings stop? The poor pay for the corruption of the powerful. The nation is sinking in debt.
Are we facing a dead end and are we helpless? NO. We overcome evil by the power of good. Our help is from the Lord!
This is the time for PENITENCE AND ATONEMENT for our national and personal sins. We can organize penitential rosaries and reparation prayers to the Divine Mercy that the Lord may forgive our murders and our support of murderers. May our penitence lead us to generous and courageous works of mercy and charity in our own personal little ways! “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love,” said Mother Teresa.
We citizens must be law abiding but we are not pacifists.
We must RESIST a murderous and corrupt public order guided by the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church #400…admitting that it is legitimate to resist authority should it violate in a serious or repeated manner the essential principles of natural law.
Saint Thomas Aquinas writes that “one is obliged to obey … insofar as it is required by the order of justice“. Natural law is therefore the basis of the right to resistance.
Non-violent resistance, such as peaceful assemblies of dissent or sober discussions of social issues guided by the Gospel or rallies for honesty and heroism, is the path we must choose always (#401). This is the only morally acceptable resistance.
We have a moral duty to resist and correct a culture of murder and plunder as much as the prolonged pattern of hiding or destroying the truth. “As history demonstrates, a democracy without values easily turns into open or thinly disguised totalitarianism” (#407)
In #408 of the same Compendium, we are taught that “In the democratic system, political authority is accountable to the people. Representative bodies must be subjected to effective social control…The obligation on the part of those elected to give an accounting of their work is a constitutive element of democratic representation.”
Guided by this, we commend, bless and encourage the FULL INVESTIGATION, by those in authority, of any whiff of corruption; as we also reproach, rebuke and censure those who obstruct the legal process to arrive at truth and justice. To them we use the rebuke of the Lord “Get behind me, Satan! You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” (Mark 8:33).
FREE ELECTIONS which allow the selection and change of representatives is the most effective way to make political authority accountable (cfr. #408). In this spirit, we plead with our youth and first time voters to register themselves. We appeal to the sense of patriotism of the reluctant candidates to bring back ethics in our political life and run according to your conscience not according to the surveys.
This is not the time for despair but courage. This is not the time to be quiet but to stand up for God. Against the tide of murders and plunder, let us bear witness to TRUTH and LIFE!
Continue readingGroups Hit DOE for Pushing “Bad” Policy to Promote Garbage Incineration
September 6, 2021
Quezon City, Philippines— Climate and health groups expressed opposition to the Department of Energy (DOE) draft Circular on Waste-to-Energy and the agency’s inclination to circumvent existing laws just to promote garbage incineration, disguised as WTE, in the country.
“Renewable energy is defined as energy created from natural processes that do not get depleted. DOE’s claim that WTE technologies are a form of “renewable energy” is fallacious. Waste, the feedstock for WTEs, cannot be properly classified in the same category as wind, wave or solar energy. Waste consists of discarded materials (e.g., paper, plastic and glass) that are produced from the extraction and processing of finite natural resources such as minerals and fossil fuels. Moreover, burning these materials will do more harm to our environment and climate,” said Atty. Lievj Alimangohan of EcoWaste Coalition.
The DOE’s draft circular which is now undergoing public consultation wants to package garbage incineration as “renewables” and provide special incentives for this type of technology such as priority dispatch, double equivalent in of RE certificates per MWh of production and exemption from competitive selection process for incinerator projects involving LGUs.
“By classifying WTEs as “renewable energy”, the DOE Circular unduly expands the scope of the Renewable Energy Act. Worse, the policy promotes and legitimizes anti-competitive conduct in the power sector by giving special preferences for incineration over genuine renewable energy systems. Also, by providing specific exemptions from the Competitive Selection Process, the policy also exposes consumers to disadvantageous power supply agreements,” said Alimangohan.
“WtE technologies (traditional heat recovery incinerators, pyrolytic incinerators, plasma pyrolysis, gasification, etc.) ALL produce poisonous and toxic substances. These facilities simply transform the garbage problem into a more persistent environmental and health problem. They merely transform the waste into other forms of wastes, such as carbon monoxide, dioxins and furans, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide, methane, volatile organic compounds, aldehydes, particulate matter and heavy metals such as mercury, lead and cadmium. This is true even for WtE facilities that claim to be “high-tech and clean”. All WtE are a massive waste of energy. They produce only small amounts of energy while destroying large amounts of reusable materials. Conversely, zero waste practices such as recycling and composting conserve 3 to 5 times the amount of energy produced by waste incineration,” added Sonia Mendoza of Mother Earth Foundation and a former Commissioner at the National Solid Waste Management Commission.
“Dealing with the solid waste problem sustainably involves reducing the volume of waste at source and promoting a less extractive and more circular economy. Incinerator technologies however, draw attention away from sustainable production and solutions that address the waste problem at its roots. Instead, incinerators legitimize continued extraction and high-carbon economic development. The promotion of WTE technologies as “renewable” is a clear case of greenwashing,” said Archie Abellar of GAIA Asia Pacific.
The groups emphasized that studies in Europe and the United States invariably show that WtE facilities generate very small amounts of energy and have very low efficiency rates of 19-27%. In Europe, WtE facilities contributed less than 1.5% to the European Union’s final energy consumption. Given these low energy conversion rates of WtE facilities, they cannot be expected to actually become baseload renewables in the Philippines.
“Since WtE facilities produce low amounts of usable energy, the power generation segment of these facilities is not profitable. In the United States and Europe, WtE facilities’ main sources of revenue are subsidies, tipping fees, and contractual “put-or-pay” arrangements shouldered by local governments. In other words, not only are WTE facilities inefficient, they need to be propped up through public financing,” the groups said.
The groups further noted that WTE technologies and facilities are not just harmful to health and the environment, but financially burdensome which are harmful “solutions” that have been greenwashed to appear eco-friendly.
# # #
The #breakfreefromplastic is a global movement working towards a future free from plastic pollution. The Plastic-free Pilipinas project is a collaboration of #breakfreefromplastic members EcoWaste Coalition, GAIA Asia Pacific, Greenpeace Southeast Asia, Health Care Without Harm Southeast Asia and Mother Earth Foundation.
For more information, please contact:
Geri Matthew Carretero
info@breakfreefromplasticph.org
The Facemask: Symbol of Corruption; Downfall of Duterte
In this time of pandemic where many people are getting sick or are dying or have already died and where many more are getting hungry and losing their jobs and their businesses, President Rodrigo Duterte, his loyalist Bong Go and their underlings as well as their Chinese cohorts have used the health crisis to steal the people’s money in billions of pesos.
Nothing speaks more eloquently of the symbol of corruption in this present administration than the facemask and faceshield that we Filipinos are required to wear. These protective gears were bought from their Chinese connections at grossly overpriced amounts, totaling into billions of pesos!
That this plunder of public funds was done at a time when the whole nation is suffering from the ill effects of the pandemic is appalling and unforgiving. It is a brazen act of corruption committed with impunity and without regard to human life.
The source of the funds are the laws passed by Congress and signed by Duterte known as Bayanihan 1 and 2.
While poor Filipinos get their “Ayudas” from the Bayanihan laws in small amounts, patiently waiting for their measly share to tide them over for a few weeks under community quarantines, this Duterte Administration awarded more than P8 Billion contract to an unknown small company known as Pharmally Pharmaceutical, Inc. with a small capital of P625,000 and with a fake address and its incorporators linked to a Chinese who was a former economic adviser of the President.
With the procurement of these grossly overpriced facemasks and faceshields and other medical supplies, Pharmally hit a jackpot, earning billions of pesos at the expense of the poor and suffering Filipinos.
They literally made a killing out of this corrupt transaction. While Filipinos are dying and more are getting sick, Duterte and his cohorts are laughing themselves all the way to possibly staying in power beyond 2022 with a huge election money to be able to buy the votes of the poor and suffering Filipinos.
This facemask transaction has unmasked the hypocrisy of Duterte who has vowed to fight corruption and remove officials even if there is just a “whiff of corruption” in any government agency.
We are indeed stupid as a people if we allow ourselves to be fooled again by this populist President.
Unmask him now and remove any protective shield of power that he still presently enjoys. Otherwise the virus of complacency and don’t-care-attitude of majority of our countrymen will continue to infect our nation, a virus that is more potent and virulent which destroys not just individual lives but more so the very foundation of our beloved Philippines.
Kung hindi ngayon, kelan pa? Kung hindi tayo kikibo at umaksyon, kawawa ang Pilipinas, kawawa ang susunod na henerasyon!
Leni vs Sara: Why Robredo is the better choice
By: Solita Collas-Monsod
4 September 2021
Women politicians and leaders—the right kind, of course—are getting to be more and more the attractive choice as we approach the elections next year. Two weeks ago, I presented hard evidence from a study involving 193 countries and their COVID-19 outcomes, which showed that when women-led countries are compared to countries similar to them along a range of characteristics, they have performed better, experiencing fewer cases as well as fewer deaths.
Reader Eugenio S. Jose then emailed me, asking me to see if there were women leaders who turned into dictators. An interesting point, and I followed his suggestion.
My findings: Apparently, as of June 2020, 70 countries in the modern era have seen women-led governments. As far as I can make out, only one of them, Indira Gandhi of India, became a dictator, on the ruse of a state of emergency in India. This after being prime minister for nine years. But then, her dictatorship (involving suspension of civil rights, press censorship, no deaths/tortures) lasted only 21 months—she herself called for elections, where she lost her seat. But she became prime minister again three years later, so obviously she had some redeeming traits.
Understand, this was a quick and dirty look. But it suggests that 1) women don’t become dictators (one among 70); and 2) the only exception was, compared to male dictatorships (think only of Marcos), a rather short, almost benevolent one.
So that’s another argument for women-led governments. They are very much less likely to seize power and hold it till death do them part. Which is something that we should think about, considering what has been happening around the world, and more importantly in the Philippines of late.
Now comes the question: Which woman leader should we choose? There are, unfortunately for us, only two who are in the running, and at that, no one has officially declared. But we know who they are: Vice President Leni Robredo and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.
Well, what do we know about them? I went to Wikipedia, and I also googled the two ladies. And I must say, based on what I read from these two sources, there is no question in my mind that Leni Robredo is the better candidate. You are of course free to disagree with me, Reader, as long as you also show your basis.
First, the similarities: Both are lawyers, with Leni an Economics major (UP) and Sara a Respiratory Therapy major (San Pedro College). Leni had to take the bar a second time before she passed—and I can understand why, with a young, growing family to look after while she was studying.
Sara has been active in politics since 2007, with a hiatus in 2013-2016, as vice mayor and then as mayor, with either father or brother as her running mates. Product of dynastic politics.
Leni entered politics in 2013, battling the matriarch of the reigning political dynasty, whom she beat handily (70 percent over 20 percent). Do you remember that picture of her waiting for a bus to take her from Makati to Naga? What does that tell you about her? So eight years in politics, including the vice presidency which she won battling other dynasties.
What is noteworthy, Reader, is that search as I might, I could not google any information about any project or any activity that Sara Duterte undertook as a political leader, much less in civil society. I do remember a picture of her assaulting a sheriff who was trying to do his duty. On the other hand, Leni Robredo has the Sumilao Farmers’ Express, the Sentro ng Alternatibong Lingap Panligal, which extends legal support to the needy, and the Lakas ng Kababaihan ng Naga under her belt. The Office of the Vice President always passes the COA audit with flying colors, and has received awards for excellent management.
Another, and perhaps the most important, difference between the two, is that Leni will come into the presidency with clean hands and a clean heart. No political baggage: She is a widow, her children have no political ambitions, so the corruption potential is minimized. Only remember our previous women presidents who had to contend with either spouse, children, or siblings.
Think of it, folks. Wouldn’t you like to have, finally, a leadership approach that is nurturing, moral, and reconciliatory, after five years of the opposite?
Climate Emergency and Ecological Conversion
LCSC Public Summit 2021 – Invitation
September 1, 2021
Dear Brothers/Sisters in Christ,
May the Peace of Christ be with you!
LCSC’s mission is for every Catholic to meet Christ, to live Christ and to share Christ. It is designed for rapid and massive evangelization, accompanied by the systematic empowerment of laypeople to participate in the work. It is hoped that through this lay initiative, the Church will have a vision for mainstreaming Catholic lay evangelization, to be able to bring as many Catholics as possible to vibrant faith in Jesus Christ as our way of responding to the call of New Evangelization. Aside from the parishes, Live Christ Share Christ also goes to the publics to proclaim the Gospel and bring back lapsed Catholic back to the Church. It is a process by which Catholics in their own public setting get to meet Jesus in a personal way and also learn how to share Him with others.
Amidst the realities of life, we are to give witness to everyone that Christ is the answer to all man’s problems. We share our faith because it gives us hope – a hope for a better future and that God has a beautiful plan. And because of our faith, we understand that for this world to be better it needs to experience the love of Christ.
Thus, LCSC will have its 1st LCSC Publics Summit this coming September 17, 18, 24 and 25. This event is for all stakeholders and members of particular Publics Group and through this summit, may they be able to: 1. Grow in faith and virtue as destined by their profession. 2. Appreciate their particular work as a special call and mission. 3. See their profession in the light of the special call and plan of God for them 4. Be instruments of integrity in the workplace Below are the schedule per Publics Group:
September 17, 2021, 7PM LCSC Publics Summit Opening Ceremony
September 18, 2021, 7PM Government and Private Corporations and Agencies
September 24, 2021, 9AM Men and Women in Uniform and Non-Uniformed Personnel
September 24, 2021, 9AM Religious and Diocesan Congregations, Orders, and Organizations
September 24, 2021, 7PM Teaching and Non-teaching Staff and Educators of Private/Public Schools, Parochial Schools, Colleges and Universities
September 25, 2021, 2PM LCSC Publics Summit Closing Program
This FREE online event will be via Zoom and will also be livestreamed in the Live Christ Share Christ Facebook Page and other Crossposting-partner Facebook Pages. To join, simply register through this link: https://bit.ly/LCSCPublicsSummit2021 We look forward to be with you, as well as your diocese, parishes, and organizations. Together, let us take this opportunity to be nourished and empowered, as we do our mission of proclaiming Jesus through New Evangelization.
We are hoping for your favorable response. Thank you and God bless!
In Christ’s Service,
Naomi “Mimi” David
LCSC Publics Coordinator
Live Christ Share Christ Misison
Approved By:
Dylan Reyes
National Coordinator
Live Christ Share Christ Mission
Noted By:
Frank Padilla
Moderator
Live Christ Share Christ Mission
Pope Francis calls for prayer, fasting for Afghanistan
At the Angelus, Pope Francis calls Christians to show solidarity with the people of Afghanistan, especially women and children, the victims of violent attacks in recent days. “Let us continue to assist those in need”, he says, “and pray that dialogue and solidarity may lead to peaceful and fraternal coexistence.”
By Vatican News staff reporter
“I am following the situation in Afghanistan with great concern,” Pope Francis said on Sunday, adding, “I share in the suffering of those who mourn for the people who lost their lives in the suicide attacks last Thursday, and of those who are seeking help and protection.”
Almost two hundred people were killed in the suicide bombing at Kabul’s airport last week, and thousands of people are still waiting desperately to flee to the country as the Taliban takes control of the war-torn nation.
Continue readingDuque is the disaster that he is because of his enabler — Duterte
Statement by the Movement Against Tyranny
August 31, 2021
The Movement Against Tyranny is aghast at the extent of mismanagement and irregularities in the government’s pandemic response, as revealed in the 2020 COA reports and the ongoing Senate investigations.
Particularly odious are the transactions in the DOH, to include overpriced personal protective equipment, medicines and supplies that point to a deliberate scheme to plunder the nation’s coffers under the cover of the pandemic.
Clearly, Sec. Francisco Duque, III has to go. But he is a mere symptom; it’s Duterte who is the disease, the cancer that has to be excised if we are to be saved. In fact others like Duque have not been eliminated, only transferred to other government positions and allowed to fester there, so that they remain under Duterte’s watch and control, lest they be pressured to tell on him.
More than ever, therefore, Duterte should be stopped and brought to justice, before any effort at reform could be credible at all.#
Ref.: Sr. Mary John Mananzan and Dr. Carol Araullo,
MAT co-convenors
International Eucharistic Congress to be held in Budapest from 5 to 12 September
Mr. Rouquel A.Ponte
President
Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas
Rome, 31 August 2021
During the Congress, IFCA is promoting a webinar on Friday 10 September at 11.30 p.m. (Philippines time) on the theme: The Eucharist at the heart of Catholic Action’s formation proposal for lay missionary disciples.
There will be three thematic workshops dedicated to the theme Eucharist and Prayer, Eucharist and the Poor, Eucharist and Care for Creation.
We asked Bro. Albert Loteyro, as representative of the Philippines, a member country of IFCA, to prepare a short introduction for the workshop on Eucharist and care of creation.
We thank Bro. Albert Loteyro for his participation in the various webinars we have promoted, especially in the IFCA ASIA meetings.
I hope to meet you online next Friday, even if the hour is a bit late! I invite you, if possible, to share the news of this meeting with all the members of Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas. To participate in the meeting, you need to register for the Format.
I thank you and greet you together with the Coordinator of the IFCA secretariat and with the Ecclesiastical Assistant Msgr. Eduardo Garcia. Cordial greetings