Category: News

An Appeal and an Invitation

Our brothers Archbishop Socrates Villegas, Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, Bishop Teodoro Bacani, Jr. and Bishop Honesto Ongtioco are now facing difficult days ahead. The processes related to the charges of the crime of sedition have now started to move. They are now asked to submit their counter affidavits. We ask ourselves as brother bishops, what can we do for them? In my previous statement about their situation, I said, “I am very saddened by this news and am greatly disturbed by this development. I know these bishops quite well. I had worked closely with two of them: I functioned as the vice president of Abp. Villegas when he was heading the CBCP, and Bp. David is currently my vice president in the CBCP. That they are accused of sedition and other criminal complaints is for me beyond belief.” 

I also said that I will “…pray for my brother bishops; this will be a very distressing situation for them, to say the least. I pray that they may remain calm and confident that in the end, they will be found innocent. I make this prayer to the Lord, with the Blessed Mother as our intercessor.”

We entrust them to the Lord and to our Blessed Mother.

Thus, today, my invitation and my appeal to all of you, brother archbishops and bishops in the whole country – Let us be in solidarity with them in prayer. Let us invite our priests, our religious, our people to join us in this solidarity in prayer.

On 6 August 2019, the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, let us remember them in our Masses. Let us pray for them, include them in our reflection and homilies, in the prayers of the faithful. Let us pray for them, our brother bishops, and beg the Lord to let them feel that they are indeed his beloved disciples. May they feel also that they are beloved to us, their brother bishops.

On 15 August 2019, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, let us include them in the prayers in our Masses. Let us entrust them to the maternal protection of the Mother of God, the Mother of Jesus, and who is our Mother too.

Let us not forget to include in our prayers, during the abovementioned special days, the people in government who are involved in the processes regarding the cases filed against these bishops. We pray to the Lord for them, with the intercession of the Blessed Mother, that a deep sense of fairness, justice and truth will guide them.

Dear Friends and Partners,

This coming August 8 will mark the 6th year since the historic Golden Rice uprooting by more than 400 farmers in the Bicol region in the Philippines. The action signified the intense protest of farmers and consumers against the genetically modified rice. Golden Rice, like other genetically modified crops, can greatly affect our health, environment and our local food systems that is vital to our culture and identity.

However, Golden Rice is again being field tested in the Philippines and Bangladesh. If the regulatory hurdles are cleared, Golden Rice might already make its way to commercialization and distribution in the local markets.

The Stop Golden Rice Network (SGN) would like to ask for your help and solidarity in calling the halt of the field trials and eventual commercialization of Golden Rice in the Philippines and Bangladesh. We would like to ask you as friends and allies to please sign on the letter addressed to the proponents from the Philippines and Bangladesh and show them the overwhelming global resistance against Golden Rice. Please send the letters online (attached are the relevant agencies and their contact details) on or before August 8 or submit them in person through the Philippine and Bangladesh embassies and consul offices in your respective countries. Of course you can document the activity and share online using our hashtags #StopGoldenRice #DefendOurRice #FightForOurRights.

Please let us know if you have signed on and feel free to circulate the letter and the call to action to your partners and networks!

Thank you and more power!

Warm regards,
Eloise Delos Reyes
Information Officer

DR. PARTHA S BISWAS
Golden Rice Project Leader
Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI)
Joyebpur, Gazipur-1701, Bangladesh
Email: psbiswasbrri@yahoo.com

DR. REYNANTE ORDONIO
Healthier Rice Project Leader
Maligaya, Science City of Muñoz, 3119 Nueva Ecija
Email: rlordonio@philrice.gov.ph

Dear Dr. Biswas and Dr. Ordonio,

We are writing to call on your good office to immediately halt the ongoing Golden Rice field trials and its eventual commercialization to the Philippines and Bangladesh.

We support the concerns of our fellow farmers and consumers in these countries, particularly with the safety and long-term impacts of the genetically modified rice. We understand that until now, no credible and independent studies have been made to establish the safety of the Golden Rice to the peoples’ health and the environment. On the contrary, studies have shown that Golden Rice can affect rice productivity which will have a far-reaching impact to rice diversity and rice security [1].

We believe that Golden Rice is inherently flawed and an unnecessary technology that will possibly cause more harm than solution to malnutrition. The latest study from India confirms that not only is the beta-carotene content in the Golden Rice negligible, but in fact, degrades so fast that farmers need to “vacuum-pack” the unmilled rice just to extend the beta-carotene shelf-life [2].  Even the US Dept. of Agriculture has deemed that the beta-carotene in Golden is not high enough to warrant a label as a nutritional product.

We do recognize however, that there is a need to address hunger and malnutrition in Asia and around the world. The solution is not Golden Rice, nor other biofortified food crops, but through 1) promoting diversified food production and diet to include the myriad sources of beta-carotene and 2) supporting the traditional and small farmers who remain the main producers and protectors of these diverse source of food. There are existing successful cases of reducing malnutrition incidences through traditional farming and food systems that further shows that Golden Rice is pointless [3]. 

We appeal that you consider the long-term effects of Golden Rice to the present and future of our women and children, our environment and rice biodiversity, our small-scale farmers and our consumers. The welfare and interest of these sectors should be respected and ensured.

Yours sincerely,
(Name, Organization)

References:
1. Bollinedi, H., Prabhu, K. V., Singh, N. K., Mishra, S., Khurana, J. P., & Singh, A. K. (2017). Molecular and Functional Characterization of GR2-R1 Event Based Backcross Derived Lines of Golden Rice in the Genetic Background of a Mega Rice Variety Swarna. PloS one, 12(1), e0169600.
2. Bollineni, Haritha & Dhakane-Lad, Jyoti & Krishnan, S & Bhowmick, Prolay & Vinod Prabhu, Kumble & Singh, Nagendra & Singh, Ashok. (2019). Kinetics of β-carotene degradation under different storage conditions in transgenic Golden Rice® lines. Food Chemistry. 278. 773-779. 10.1016/j.foodchem.2018.11.121.
3. Food Sovereignty Alliance India and Catholic Health Association of India, “Exploring the potential of diversified traditional food systems to contribute to a healthy diet”, 2018, https://foodsovereigntyalliance.files.wordpress. com/2018/12/Report-1.pdf

Stop Golden Rice! Network
MASIPAG, Convenor
2611 Carbern Village
Los Baños, Laguna
Phillippines
Tel/Fax(+63-49) 536-5549

July 31, 2019

To: All Laiko Members: National Lay Organizations and Arch/Diocesan Councils of the Laity
Dear Brothers and Sisters:

The peace and love of the Lord!

Our beloved bishops during their July 2019 Plenary Assembly appeal to us thought their Pastoral Letter: “AN URGENT CALL FOR ECOLOGICAL CONVERSION, HOPE IN THE FACE OF CLIMATE EMERGENCY” to discern the issues and actively care for the earth in personal, communitarian and institutional levels. The voices of faith must be an indispensable part of our continuing efforts at framing the agenda for collaborative ethical action.”

In response to this, we are pleased to invite you once again to a Lay Caucus on Saturday, 10 August 2019, 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. at the LAIKO Office Conference Rm. 2nd flr., Laiko Bldg, 372 Cabildo St., Intramuros, Manila. We have invited resource speakers who will update us on certain initiatives and hopefully guide us in our effort to save and protect our common home.

We encourage everyone to please come. A P100.00 solidarity fee will be collected to cover the cost of snacks & other incidental expenses. Kindly confirm your participation by calling the LAIKO Secretariat at tel. nos. 527- 5388, 251-9657, 0977-1794938 or 0908-2496512.

Thank you, we are looking forward to your usual positive response and active involvement.

Sincerely in the service of the Lord,

July 26, 2019 
Partido Manggagawa

The ‘ifs and buts’ on the anti-endo bill are over. After an overnight flip-flop on whether a presidential veto is coming out or not, the Security of Tenure (SOT) bill has finally found its death today inside the Palace.

“We didn’t expect that even a weak version of an SOT bill will suffer judicial killing from the President,” stated Rene Magtubo, PM national chair.

Magtubo said that between labor’s demand to end endo and the employers’ call to veto it, President Duterte has clearly surrendered to the capitalist blackmail.

He reminded the President that, three months into his administration, he forcefully warned employers that he will kill them for continuing with the practice of endo.

 “Now that he is three years into his term, he has completely made a U-turn by singing the capitalist chorus that businesses will die if workers are made regular. Duterte’s promise to end endo is dead,” said Magtubo.

The veto’s message, the labor leader said, was very clear on its intent: “That the President wanted to maintain country’s exploitative yet competitive status quo – our being a republic of endo.”

The labour group argued that: “Without a stronger anti-endo law, all type of work in the country is now candidate for all type of contractual employment arrangements. Businesses may grow out of this exploitative model, which NEDA, DoF, DTI and DOLE truly believe, but not the living standard of workers which is what social justice wanted to achieve.”

July 27, 2019
By Visayas Today

All four Catholic bishops of Negros island have ordered “church bells in all parishes, chaplaincies, mission stations, and religious houses every evening at 8 o’clock” starting Sunday, July 28, to protest a wave of violence in Negros Oriental province that has left at least 21 persons dead in little over a week.

The ringing of bells was originally ordered by San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza, in whose diocese many of the killings have happened.

But he was joined on Saturday, July 27, through a collegial pastoral statement by Bishops Julito Cortes of Dumaguete, Patricio Buzon of Bacolod and Louie Gabines of Kabankalan, who said the tolling of the bells, combined with an “Oratio Imperata,” a prayer for a special intention, in this case to end the killings, is intended “to remind us of the value of life.”

The prayer seeks to “embolden our government officials to speak out against the killings,” to “challenge our police and military personnel to fully embrace their mandate to serve and protect the people,” and to “empower our communities to stand for the sanctity and primacy of life.”

The bells are to be rung “until the killings stop.”

Aside from the recent killings, the prelates also cited the earlier deaths of nine people massacred at a farmers’ protest camp in Sagay City, Negros Occidental last October and of 20 men killed during two massive police operations on December 27 last year and March 30.

“And this is just to cite a few,” they added.

Human rights groups have counted at least 85 extrajudicial killings on Negros since President Rodrigo Duterte.began his term in mid-2016.

 “The blood of those killed cries to be heard. It calls out to our basic humanity to be one with those who have been afflicted by this violence,” they said.

 “How many more killings will it take for us to be able to hear these cries, and be moved to say, we are our ‘brother’s keeper’?” they added.

We are concerned about the spate of killings happening in Negros Island. Death seemingly hangs on the head of those people who help the marginalized group in Negros and those being suspected as part of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

Last July 24, Atty. Anthony Trinidad was mercilessly murdered by riding-in-tandem on his way home from a court hearing. He was 53, and survived by two sons and a daughter. His wife was also caught in the ambush, Novie Marie. She took a bullet in the shoulder, but survived.

Prior to his sudden passing, the good lawyer was already receiving death threats for several months. He was included in a hit list of an anti-communist group, Kawsa Guihulnganon Batok Kumunista (Kagubak), through flyers distributed in the area. He might have been listed due to his involvement in helping and defending political prisoners or because of the cases of peasant leaders he handled in the region from 2007 to 2008.

Atty. Trinidad was described by his family as kindhearted and soft-spoken man who was always willing to go out of his way to help people in need.

Barely 48 hours after Atty. Trinidad’s death, public servant Romeo Alipan, and siblings Arthur and Ardale Bayawan who both work in educational institutions were also shot dead.

We, at the Philippine Misereor Partnership Inc. (PMPI) mourn the demise of these people whose lives were dedicated to helping those in need, particularly those who suffered injustices and prejudices in the form of human rights violations.

“We are saddened and strongly condemn this new attack on our lawyers, especially those who are helping the poor. We continue to search for genuine peace and progress and continue to place our hope in our God who listens to cry of the poor,” Fr. Chris Gonzales, PMPI Negros Cluster Point Person and Social Action Center Director of Bacolod said.

PMPI asks for proper and impartial investigation of all these killings. The culprit must be held liable. That victims being suspected as having link with the Communists do not deserve to die merely because of this supposed association. They can be arrested and put behind bars if found liable of criminal acts but should not be killed in this senseless, brutal way. The culture of impunity and violence must be stopped now.

Killings Must Stop Now

Since the new administration assumed office in 2016, 38 lawyers and judges have been assassinated. Furthermore, the Defend Negros #StoptheKillings network recorded 74 victims of extrajudicial killings in the region since January of 2017, including the deaths of the 14 farmers in Canlaon City, and Majuyod and Santa Catalina towns.

 “Have we become a nation of murderers?  Are not government institutions mandated to protect citizens? Why are they so useless in catching killers? Or have the murderers become instruments to put down people perceived as threats to this government? Should we not hold the President liable because he arouses the killer instincts of people without holding them accountable? Of what use is his police and big intelligence fund?” Bishop Broderick Pabillo, Bishop Convenor of PMPI NCR-Urban cluster lamented on the continued killings in Negros.

May 31, 2019

Your Eminence,
Your Excellencies,

Peace be with you!

As a follow up from the Pastoral Symposium for Persons with Same Sex Attraction in 2016, the Episcopal Commission on Family and Life, together with Courage Philippines, is hosting a National Conference on “Courageous Love: Journeying with Persons who Experience Same Sex Attractions”. This will be held in the Lay Formation Center, San Carlos Pastoral Formation Complex, Makati City on 1 August 2019, Thursday, from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The focus of this conference will be the actual accompaniment experience of the Courage apostolate. This will kick-off their 25th anniversary celebration next year. For almost 25 years, Courage has been silently dining the Church’s task of accompanying persons with same sex attraction towards faithfulness to the Church, deepening relationships with our Lord and growth in holiness. This conference will be a great opportunity for us to listen and learn as they share with us their accompaniment stories. In so doing, it is hoped that such pastoral support system will be made available throughout the entire Church in the Philippines.

The main talks are:

– Psycho-genesis of Homosexuality (Dr. Lucille Afable Montes MD PhD)

– Finding Christ in Homosexuality (Mr. Edwin Valles)

– Keynote: Accompaniment according to the Magisterium (Abp. Gilbert Garcera)

– The Courage Accompaniment Experience Forum (Courage priest-chaplains: Fr. Daniel Healy, Fr. Ernie Montuerto OCD, Fr. Eugene David, with testimonies from Courage members)

In this regard, I would like to invite you as well as your clergy, formators and pastoral leaders who are already involved in this apostolate or are in the best position to implement this support program.

To register:

1) Deposit P500 (covering simple lunch and snacks) to any of the following accounts:

Account name: CBCP-ECFL
Account number: 632-763202435-1
Bank: Metrobank
Branch Name: Intramuros-CBCP
Account Name: Episcopal Commission on Family & Life – CBCP
Account Number: 4951-0076-47
Bank Name: Bank of Philippine Islands
Branch Name: Intramuros

2) Please scan and email the deposit slip with the names of your delegates to Ms. Peggy Burgoyne, in charge of registration on or before July 15, Monday:

Email: ecflcbcp@gmail.com and peggy.burgoyne@gmail.com
Mobile: Globe – 0915-672-1579 and Smart – 0999-753-4667

As always, we look forward to your gracious presence and count on your generous collaboration.

Sincerely,

+ Gilbert A. Garcera, D.D.
Archbishop of Lipa
Chairman, Episcopal Commission on Family and Life

Diocese of Surigao
September 21, 2019 (Saturday)
San Nicolas College Gymnasium
San Nicolas St., Surigao City

PROGRAM

05:30pm   Eucharistic Celebration  
HIS EXCELLENCY MOST REV. ANTONIETTO D. CABAJOG, DD
Bishop, Diocese of Surigao
Presider & Homilist

07:00pm        Dinner / Fellowship

National Anthem

Words of Welcome   MR. JELSON BANGOY
Diocesan Council of the Laity President

Online Pre-registration

The Student Catholic Action of the Philippines (SCAP), in cooperation with the Philippine Bamboo Foundation and Mga Anak ni Inang Daigdig, gladly invite your organization/institution to the Formal Launching of the 200K Bamboohay Challenge this coming 27th of July 2019 (Sat) at the Sacred Heart Parish, Kamuning, Quezon City from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

The 200K Bamboohay Challenge is a concrete and action-led project offered for this Year of the Youth in response to our Holy Father’s Laudato Si’ Encyclical to “hear the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor” as well as the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The project aims to grow as much as 200,000 and more native bamboos specifically at the threatened watershed areas of Metro Manila in a year’s time.

One of the critical issues is the struggling water source of the country’s capital. In planting more bamboos, it will sustain the health of watersheds, prevent soil erosion, and create livelihood for nearby indigenous communities. More than this is the project’s commitment to offer a formation program accompanying all stakeholders most especially the Filipino youth towards an ecological conversion.

We encourage a leader-representative from your organization/institution together with some of the members to join us. And, if willing and committed to be one of our partners in this ecological crusade, an online pledge signup will take place during the launching.

July 11, 2019

Dear friends,
Greetings of peace!

Trade union activist Marklen Maojo Maga, who was illegally arrested last February 22, 2018 and charged with illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, was convicted by the San Mateo Regional Trial Court last June 3, 2019.

Maoj’s family and colleagues are distraught to learn this very unfair decision by the court. It is devastating for the family, the trade union movement and political prisoners who are similarly charged and illegally detained using trumped up common criminal charges. The conviction is the first one under the Duterte government and sets a bad precedent on all other detained unionists and activistis by this Administration.

We sought the support of Commission on Human Rights, the International Labor Organization, the International Trade Union Confederation, human rights groups, Philippine solidarity groups and compatriots abroad to support the cause for the release of Maoj Maga. We are truly grateful for all the support that you have extended to me, and we appeal once more to you to be more relentless in the campaign to release my husband and other detained unionists and activists in the spirit of truth and justice in this country.

We invite you to come to “PALAYAIN II: A Gathering for the Freedom of Maoj Maga,” on July 26, Friday, 9:00am-12:00pm at the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) PARDEC Rooms, Commonwealth Ave., Diliman, Quezon City.

We hope to gather different labor centers, human rights defenders, peace advocates, representatives from institutions, personalities, friends and supporters of Maoj in a gathering that would further push the campaign to release Maoj Maga: particularly push for a reversal of the Court Order, and to amplify the call to junk all trumped up charges against him and other activists. Let us continue to work together for human rights and justice for our people. Your kind office may reach me through mobile #09074923571 and email: lenrdg2009@gmail.com. Thank you very much, and Mabuhay Kayo!

Free Maoj Maga Gathering
June 26, 2019 9:00am-12:00pm

PROGRAMME
9:00am Registration and Reception
9:30am National Anthem
Opening Prayer and Welcome Remarks – Fr. Eric Adoviso
Opening Message – Eleanor de Guzman
Cultural Performance
10:00am Case Briefs and Updates – Atty. Patrick Velez, Maga’s Counsel On Trumped Up Charges against Activists – PILC
Cultural Performance
10:30am Response and Messages from Guests
CHR Chairman Chito Gascon, Sen. Leila De Lima, Rep. Ferdie Gaite…
11:00am AVP
Sharing of Plans and Pledges of Support
11:15am Messages and Pledges of Support
11:45am Closing Remarks – Lito Ustarez, KMU

11:50am END