Category: News

The Presidential late-night address did not respond well to the collective cry of our Medical Health Workers—an appeal to declare the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) protocol for the Greater Manila Area to address the growing infections of COVID-19.

This appeal of our Medical Health Workers are for real to fight the virus, for they themselves are on the frontlines of healing and caring our sick Filipinos.

The call for an Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) should not just be dismissed by blabbermouthed propaganda, our Medical Health Workers’ call is a manifestation of telling our government: to address the pandemic with medical solutions! They have seen how not to address it: of how this government spent billions of money on failed priorities, and allow the virus to infect more; of in-effectivity of military responses; and of political minions, military men and business interests advising on COVID crisis.

Indeed, the call of our Medical Health Workers is a revolution from the heart… They want to heal our land, they want us to be free from the virus, and more importantly, they want us to take “time-out” of our fears of the COVID-19.

It is counter-revolutionary for our government, to not heed their call, and still resort to their shadowed hard-headedness at the expense of our health safety and of the plight of our front-liners. It is counter-productive again, presenting other ways to recruit doctors and nurses in a military-way, but failing to assure the guarantee of just compensation and humanitarian assistance to those who are working in hospitals since the start of the pandemic. It is counter-Filipino of not listening and responding well to the cries of our medical front-liners!

As a pastor of the people of God, I am one with our Medical Health Workers in their call and commend their continuing heroic service to the Filipino people; remembering these words in the Bible: “Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.” (Jeremiah 33:6)

Online Forum sa Anti-Terrorism Act at Epekto nito sa mga Magsasaka

Dear Friends and Peasant Advocates,

Greetings of Peace and Solidarity!

We are inviting you to a webinar forum entitled,

“Magsasaka Hindi Terorista!: Online Forum sa Anti-Terrorism Act at Epekto nito sa mga Magsasaka”

on August 7, 2020 from 2:00-5:00 PM (see attached tentative program flow).

To discuss the salient points of the Terror Law and its implications on peasant organizations and their advocates’ struggle for land, rights and justice, we have invited Atty. Chel Diokno, Chairperson of the Free Legal Assistance Group.

This will be followed by a sharing of peasant organizations and advocate groups who will serve as reactors to tell their own experience of state repression and what they foresee will be the effect of the Terror Law for their sector in the coming days.

The webinar will also feature cultural performances by Ms. Mara Marasigan of the Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (UMA) and Sining na Naglilingkod sa Bayan (SINAGBAYAN).

The webinar is hosted by Anakpawis, UMA, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, AMIHAN Peasant Federation of Women, PAMALAKAYA National Federation of Fisherfolk Organizations, National Network of Agrarian Reform Advocates-Youth, Rural Missionaries of the Philippines, SINAGBAYAN, Sama-samang Artista para sa Kilusang Agraryo, Rural Women Advocates and Sentro para sa Tunay na Repormang Agraryo, which have been organizing the Peasant Update Online Forum since the start of President Rodrigo Duterte’s militarist Covid-19 lockdown.

We ask “why?” and “why now?” Do we really need it? With this unprecedented and tumultuous time of Covid-19 pandemic, our priority is to instill hope and foster healing of our people, recovery of our economy and rebuilding of livelihood. We have survived and surpassed many trying years and are now progressing. Why should we decide now to have a feasibility study for the inclusion of nuclear energy in our country? Some Western countries have already shut down their nuclear plants. Why are we now propagating and thinking of nuclear energy for our country?

The potential of a nuclear meltdown, like in Chernobyl and Fukushima, will be detrimental to the environment and the local residents. Also, the amount of nuclear waste it will produce every year will be tremendous and so does the cost to dispose of it.

While nuclear power is cheap to run and produce inexpensive fuel, the cost to build and maintain the facility are exorbitant. It will cost billions of dollars. What most people do not realize is they think they will save a lot of money from their electric bill. But the cost of construction and maintenance will be an added burden to our already deep national debt, which will be paid for by our very own citizens for generations to come.

With the executive order 116, s.2020, we hope that any future study conducted will be transparent, honest, and non-partisan. Neither will it be self-serving nor for the benefit of a particular person or a certain group. The so-called feasibility study will not be geared neither for profit nor for any personal gain.

As a point of reference, take into serious consideration the findings of Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corporation (Rosatom) about the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant. on April04, 2018. His Excellency, the Russian Ambassador Igor Khovaev, declares that its revival is “not possible at all.” He authoritatively concluded that the plant is “absolutely outdated.”

The Diocese of Balanga has issued a pastoral statement dated August 16, 2014 declaring that “Bataan Nuclear Power Plant is not the answer to the present need of our people. No one is safe with BNPP. It will only bring devastation and destruction of lives and of the environment. It is not beneficial to everyone nor a blessing to our country.”

Let us not be hasty, especially when the risk or danger outweighs the benefit. If there should be a feasibility study, it must be the use and application of renewable energy such as solar, water or wind , as we have seen in Ilocos Region, the Bangui Wind Farm, which supplies forty percent of Ilocos Norte’s electricity needs.

And so with the proposal of feasibility of inclusion of nuclear energy to our country, we ask not only “why? or why now?” but more so, “why not renewable energy?”

+Ruperto Cruz Santos, DD
Bishop of Balanga
Chairman, CBCP Episcopal Commission on PCF

You Are Invited Mercy Fabros Learning Session Series – An Urgent Call: A People’s Vaccine Against COVID-19

Warmest greetings!

We hope that you all are keeping healthy and safe during these strange times.

In honor and celebration of the life of a staunch health and human rights activist, our beloved colleague in the advocacy towards sustainable development, Mercedes “Mercy” Lactao Fabros, Social Watch Philippines-Alternative Budget Initiative (SWP-ABI) is launching the “Mercy Fabros Learning Session Series.”

You are all invited to the first episode tackling a timely public health discourse, “An Urgent Call: A People’s Vaccine Against COVID-19″ on August 5, Wednesday, 3:00-5:00PM (via Zoom).

We hope to see you all in this event as we are once again brought together by our dearest friend and mentor, our “Nanay Mercy”. As Mercy would always remind us about, we also hope that we continue to work in the spirit of human solidarity, help each other, and learn from one another as we all grapple to fight for people’s right to health and participation.

Please message us (alternative.budget.initiative@gmail.com) to register! You can also text Christian Payumo (09366367184) to secure your slot.

Social Watch Philippines

SAVE THE DATE! Thursday, 6 August 2020
«YOU ARE THE “NOW” OF GOD» (Cv 178)
Catholic Action’s young people in the light of Christus Vivit with all young people >> more
>> For registration: Format

AFTER Webinar with Luisa Alfarano, Emilio Inzaurraga, Msgr. Salvator Niciteretse
23rd July 2020
UNIVERSAL FRATERNITY AND POLITICS WITH A CAPITAL P
– video, texts of the interventions and final prayer >> more

UPCOMING WEBINARS – 4th September – 2th October
In the Special Year of the anniversary of the Laudato si’ >> more

The elderly are your grandparents
IFCA promotes among the CAs of the World the campaign launched by the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life >> more

#Pray for the world >> more

(…) The sign of those who walk this path of the Kingdom is creativity, always trying to do more.
And creativity is what takes life and gives life, and gives, and gives, and gives… It always looks for many other ways to give life.
Jesus, Who is the hidden treasure and the pearl of great value, cannot but inspire joy, all the joy of the world: the joy of discovering a meaning in life, the joy of committing oneself to the adventure of holiness.
Angelus, 26 July 2020

Release date: 27 July 2020

To our compatriots/kababayans:

In brief, here is the “State of our Nation” from Kapatiran Party’s perspective:

After more than four years into the administration of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, we are very disappointed that our country has hardly progressed in our democratic and economic development, in what is turning out to be a de facto Martial Law.

We saw positive signs of good governance emerging in the first three years, but became sadly lacking in this past year. In the first half of this regime, there were the quick response access to calling 8888, cleansing of Boracay and Manila Bay, clearing of streets esp. in Baclaran and Divisoria, increasing benefits of senior citizens, and attempts to unity by off-and-on inclusion of the vice-president in the cabinet. But many other campaign promises remain unfulfilled, esp. the pro-poor priority to end ENDO contractualization, as well as a realistic Balik-Probinsya program.

Pandemic response. In the past five months, the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic has been a dismal failure, especially if we compare it with most of our Asian neighbors — we continue to suffer from increasing infections and death rates. We protest the unequal treatment of violators of health protocols, like priority testing for VIPs and exemption from sanctions for irresponsible VIPs, like Senator Koko Pimentel and NCRPO Chief General Debold Sinas.

We appreciate the bayanihan spirit that has prevailed among our citizenry, esp. from the private sector, to volunteer their time, money and services, in partnership with our local government officials to address the survival needs of our poor sectors. We laud the sacrificial services of our frontliners, especially those in the health care sector. Many of them have given their lives due to the government’s failure to provide timely and effective protective equipments for them. We hope that as we open schools and turn teachers into frontliners, health protocols will be fully adhered to, so as not to jeopardize the well-being of our students and our education sector.

Apparent corruption. We question the lack of planning and transparency in the procurement of protective gears and mass testing kits, as well as the hiring of additional medical and contact tracing personnel. Why has the DOH not use the UP-developed testing kits? Why have the DOH, DOST and FDA hardly moved to verify and endorse our local organic cures, like VCO, lagundi, moringa and Prodex-B? What happened to the requirement of the president to give weekly financial updates on the implementation of the Bayanihan Act to the legislature? No reports to the public?

It would have been very helpful during this pandemic if the government could have rolled out the National ID system that was legislated in 2018 with a budget of Php2 Billion per year: where is it? What about the reported national debt of Php8.6 trillion as of June 2020: where did the money go? How is this going to be repaid? All these smell of not just incompetence but also of corruption. Even in the access to line 8888, why has there never been a report on how many calls have been received, and what actions were taken to remedy the charges of corruption? We hope the government will act immediately to clear all these suspicions, and present a clear plan for economic recovery soonest, with realistic job opportunities as we enter the “new normal.”

It is very sad that during this pandemic, our legislature showed apparent subservience to the whims of the executive, particularly in the hasty passing of the Anti-Terrorism bill and the denial of ABS-CBN’s franchise bid:

Anti-Terrorism Law. We find some provisions to be unconstitutional as written, hence we are grateful for the 18 petitions that have been filed before the Supreme Court by our respected legal luminaries, esp. retired SC senior associate justice Antonio Carpio and former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales. We hope that the SC will rule to void the entire ATL.

ABS-CBN franchise. We join the majority of our people who favor the granting of franchise to ABS-CBN by Congress (per SWS survey). Thus we hope that the denial of this franchise bid in the House Franchise Committee will be submitted to the 301 members of the House to decide on the future of the said network.

Press freedom. This apparent persecution of ABS-CBN reflects a pattern of  repression of critical media as well as misuse of the social media that employ trolls to proliferate fake news against critics allegedly using government funds. Our country ranks as third most dangerous nation for journalists in the world. The right to opposition and dissent is the main means for checks and balance in all democracies.

Charter change. We learn of plans by the administration to push Charter change very soon. Though we are open to Chacha towards federal and parliamentary forms of governance, we strongly oppose the proposals to take out term limits and anti-dynasty provisions. We hope a new Constitution will clearly call for a decentralized form of government based on the principle of subsidiarity.President Ramon Magsaysay said, “I believe that government starts at the bottom and moves upward,  for government exists for the welfare of the masses of the nation.”

Foreign policy. We favor the administration’s claim to “a friend of all, enemy of none” independent foreign policy, so we do not wish to be a province of China, USA or any country. However there are many instances of pro-China stances, like hesitance to file protests to their misuse of our islands and aquatic resources in the West Philippine Sea, reluctance to pursue investigation on the ramming of the fishing boats of our fishermen, special treatment for online gambling operations (POGOs), and deference  to abusive and criminal behavior of legal(?) Chinese migrant workers here. Thus, we salute ex-Ombudsman Carpio-Morales’ attempt to file a “crime against humanity” complaint against China’s President Xi Jingping before the International Criminal Court. We also urge the regime to clarify their off-and-on stance on the Visiting Force Agreement, which we favor at this time, in light of China’s aggressive moves globally.

Creation care. We see the mismanagement of our environment through the carbon-emitting use of coal & gas instead of alternative renewable sources of energy (like solar, wind and water/waves), and the exploitative deforestation in building the Kaliwa dam and other lands of our indigenous people.

Anti-poor actions. Besides the above abuses of the poor mentioned above, we also question the sincerity of this government to care for our poor compatriots. Why use local “gossipers” to turn themselves against their own neighbors in the house-to-house search for COVID positives? Why is there the plan to hunt down and tax the entrepreneurial poor who are trying to make a living online amidst this pandemic?

August 10, 2020

Dear Brothers & Sisters:

The peace and love of the Lord!

As we continue with our journey of faith through our online conversations amidst the uncertainties that we are facing, we would like everyone to be enlightened on the extent of this pandemic and related issues surrounding it.

With this, we are pleased to invite you once again to a “SHEMA” Listen and Do Conversations III: “The State of Pandemic in our Country “on August 15, 2020, 2pm to 4:00 p.m., via zoom. We have invited Dr. Maricar Limpin, Philippine College of Physicians Vice President to enlighten us on this very important concern. It is an imperative for all of us to be knowledgeable on this so that we could act accordingly and be spared from the onslaught of the Covid 19 virus.

Please invite the members of your organizations, your family members and friends. Kindly register by sending an email to: laiko_phils@yahoo.com.ph indicating your name & organization on or before August 14, 2020.

Thank you.
Our prayer for you safety. 

Sincerely yours in Christ, 

PMPI Press Release | Assessment of President Duterte’s 5th SONA

Quezon City, Philippines — A day after President Rodrigo Duterte’s fifth State of the Nation Address, July 28, Philippine Misereor Partnership, Inc. (PMPI), a faith based social development and advocacy network with more than 200 members nationwide held an online assessment of President Duterte’s State of the Nation’s Address (SONA) to the people.

DUTERTE’S GOVERNMENT IS A FAILURE

The Post-SONA “Virtual Rally” overwhelmingly gave a failure grade to five areas the network deems important – Human rights, Environment, Climate Change, Covid-19 response, and Philippine Sovereignty and the West Philippine Sea.

Fr. Danny Pilario, a Vincentian missionary priest in Payatas and known human rights advocate lamented the dangers of the newly passed anti-terror law and its continuous violations of right to life with the continuous killings of supposedly drug users/pushers despite the covid-19 situation. Likewise, the priest said that the government does not anymore respect the sanctity of the church as a place for people’s refuge. He narrated that he was actually in the Quiapo church to attend mass when two police officers confiscated the belongings and placards of some churchgoers who were silently sitting and showing off the placards.

“Para sa’kin, ito ay labag sa karapatang pantao, the human right to worship and express your faith in the divine,” Fr. Pilario said.

“All throughout the history from the medieval times even the ancient times, the church has always been the place of sanctuary and no matter how powerful is political power, they will respect the sanctuary of the church. But today in the context of anti-terror law, police have powers to just enter the church premises, pick on someone even during a rite. This for me is very difficult context on which human rights today is lived in the Philippines,” Fr. Pilario added.

Meanwhile, for Melody Asia, PMPI Anti-Mining campaigner and Rodne Galicha, a climate change advocate and Executive Director of Living Laudato Si’ Philippines, both said that even if President Duterte have mentioned for the fourth time during a SONA his concern for the environment, they are all lip service. The passage of the National Land Use Act (NLUA) which he said is his priority bill is not moving in Congress. There was even no mention to address the issues of climate change and climate emergency.

“How can you not fail this government in terms of environment protection when days before the fifth SONA, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has recommended the reopening of mining sites that were shut down during the time of late Gina Lopez, as DENR secretary and proposed that mining be the driver for our economic recovery, Ms. Asia said.

“No mention of climate change issues clearly indicates that this government does not put importance and priority to address this issue,” Mr. Galicia reiterated.

As for the COVID-19 response of the government, Dr. Isidro Sia stated the need for DOH to improve its response to the pandemic. He emphasized the need for effective communication to facilitate better understanding of the issue, policies on managing it must be humane and compassionate, and governance must be systematic. He said government must learn from experiences of other countries and that whole-of-society approach should be truly adhered to.

“I vehemently disagree to the statement of the President that we can’t do anything on the issue of West Philippine Sea. Sabi niya wala daw siyang magagawa, inutil daw siya. “He should have said that he will defend what we have already won at the United Nation’s Tribunal,” Atty. Alex Lacson, who is also the co-founder of MALCOLM Law Firm, said.

Furthermore, Atty. Lacson said that there are many ways to protect our territories without going to war. He said that other countries have done so already to protect their stakes in contested territories involving China, like Vietnam, Indonesia, and even Australia. “We can’t just surrender without putting up a good fight,” Atty Lacson added.

WHERE TO IN THIS SITUATION?

Bishop Colin Bagaforo, the newly installed National Director of NASSA/Caritas Philippines and Bishop of the Diocese of Kidapawan in a video message said that President Duterte should heed the call of the nation since there is a growing dissent and different opinions with regards to his report.

He asked the faithful to push for nation building that draws out from the demands of faith as indicated in the PCP II (Plenary Council of the Philippines II). “A nation where human dignity is upheld, respected and promoted, where moral principles prevail in social-economic life and where justice, love, solidarity are the inner driving forces of development,” Bishop Bagaforo said.

“We need to push for a just and green recovery and development. It looks like that the hurdle towards this is huge. However we need not lose steam and hope. We have to be patient but persevering, in ensuring that the rights of people and nature are respected, protected and fulfilled by this government” Yoly Esguerra, National Coordinator of PMPI said.

Also admonishing the people to draw strength from the Christian faith and deriving from the story of the weed and wheat in the bible, she said,  that the bad weeds will always be around in our society. For now, it might be hard to pull these bad weeds immediately, but at the right time and moment, we will be able to weed out the bad from the good. “For these to happen we must go back to our community and prepare them so that they themselves can recognize the good and bad and claim what is rightfully theirs.” Ms Esguerra added.

The participants in the online assessment have rated President Duterte’s performance with a grade of pass, ambivalent and fail. A whopping 93.2% have rated that President Duterte’s performance on the key thematic issues were a failure and only 6.8% have rated that they feel ambivalent or unsure. No one gave the President a passing grade.