The Asian Social Institute (ASI), the National Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA) of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Kaya Natin Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership, Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas, ChaCharot: Samahan ng Tutol sa Charter Change, and the Urban Poor Associates, are jointly convening a Kongreso ng Taumbayan, to insist that national decision-making must include the opinions most important stakeholders: the poor.

The Kongreso brings national focus to the issues that matter the most: food security, quality and sanctity of life, and the chance for a better future for all.

These issues should take up the time wasted on the attempt to change the Constitution.

Rice, EJK, and the TRAIN that struck the poor badly —BIGAS, TODAS, HAMPAS — preoccupy the poor.

Supposedly, these issues will be addressed by charter change. A shift to a Federal form of government —according to the Administration mouthpieces — will guarantee equitable distribution of resources and fully decentralized governance Therefore, they say: sure-fire food on the table, available work, wellbeing.

But the facts are clear. Today’s scandalous price of rice, the even more horrible prospect of no rice to buy, the constant threat of death by execution or as collateral damage in poor communities, and the extreme trials of the daily commute and extremely low buying capacity —among many other Calvaries endured by the poor—clearly shows that the welfare of the poor is last on the minds of the present Administration.

Even if Federalism proves a good option in the future, in the hands of the Administration today, any turn to Federalism will lead to anti-poor, anti-democracy outcomes.

Objectives

The Kongreso ng Mamamayan is convened, therefore, to set our priorities right as a nation.

Place the poor at front and center of national policy: this is the mantra of the gathering. Make sure there is food to eat at affordable prices, work available at decent wages, and efficient ways to travel to and from work—even before demanding more sacrifices in the name of so-called progress. In fact, all government policy and programs cannot be progressive if decision-making happened only among politicians.

Continue reading

CBCPNews
May 3, 2018
Manila, Philippines

Catholic bishops have issued a prayer to be recited by churchgoers for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections.

Released today by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, it asks for the “wisdom” to elect people “who will work for truth, justice, and the upliftment of human dignity”.

It also expresses the wish for a “gift of discernment” so that voters will elect candidates who will be able “to give a voice to the poor, the powerless, the abandoned, and the oppressed.”

Fr. Marvin Mejia, CBCP Secretary General, said it will be prayed in Masses from May 6 until May 13.

“It is suggested that it be said after the Post Communion Prayer of the Mass in all the masses,” according to him.

The prayer for the May 14 polls, which is available in English, Tagalog and Cebuano translations, was released on the eve of the start of the campaign period.

Prayer For The Barangay Elections

Lord God,
we come to you as the Barangay Elections approaches.
In Christ, you have given us the model
of a servant who lays his life down for his sheep.
Give us the wisdom to elect women and men
who will work for truth, justice, and
the upliftment of human dignity.

We ask you to enlighten our minds and hearts
so that we may search for Shepherds after your Son’s heart
to watch over our barangays.

Teach us Christ’s way of looking at people –
so that we will be able to give a voice
to the poor, the powerless, the abandoned, and the oppressed.

And finally, grant us the gift of discernment –
so that we may wisely exercise the gift of suffrage
as an expression of our desire for peace
and love for neighbor.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Saints Lorenzo Ruiz and Pedro Calungsod, pray for us.
Saint Michael and all Holy Angels, watch over us.

Panalangin Para Sa Halalang Pang-Barangay (Tagalog)

Panginoong Diyos,
dumudulog kami sa iyo habang papalapit
ang Halalang Pang-Barangay.

Kay Kristo, binigyan mo kami ng huwaran
ng isang lingkod na handing ialay ang kanyang buhay
para sa kanyang kawan.

Pagkalooban mo kami ng dunong
na makapaghalal ng mga babae at lalaking
magtataguyod ng katotohanan, katarungan,
at pagtataas ng dignidad ng mga tao.

Hinihiling naming liwanagan mo ang aming mga utak at puso –
upang makahanap kami ng mga Pastol na hinulma sa puso ng iyong Anak
na mangangalaga sa aming mga Barangay.

Ituro mo sa amin ang pamamaraan ng pagtingin ni Kristo sa mga tao –
upang mabigyan namin ng boses
ang mga mahihirap, mahihina, inabanduna, at mga inasapi.

At huli, tulutan mo kami ng biyaya ng pagwawari –
upang matalino naming magamit ang biyaya ng paghahalal,
bilang pamamaraan ng pagpapahayag
ng aming pagnanais para sa kapayapaan,
at ng aming pag-ibig para sa aming kapwa.

Hinihiling namin ang lahat ng ito
sa pamamagitan ni Kristo, na aming Panginoon.
Amen.

Maria, Reyna ng Kapayapaan, ipanalangin mo kami.
San Lorenzo Ruiz at San Pedro Calungsod, ipanalangin ninyo kami.
San Miguel at lahat ng mga Banal na Anghel, bantayan ninyo kami.

Pag-Ampo Alang Sa Piniliay Sa Barangay

(Cebuano)

Ginoo among Dios,
mianhi kami nimo sa okasyon sa umaabot na Piniliay sa Barangay.

Diha kang Kristo, gitagaan mo kami og modelo
sa usa ka sulugoon nga naghalad sa iyang kinabuhi
alang sa iyang mga karnero.

Hatagi kami sa kaalam sa pagpili sa mga babaye ug lalaki
nga kinsa magserbisyo alang sa kamatuoran, hustisya,
ug pagtuboy sa dignidad sa tawo.

Lamdagi ang among mga hunahuna ug kasingkasing –
aron makakita kami og magbalantay
nga naay kasingkasing sama sa imong Anak
na magbantay sa among mga barangay.

Tudloi kami sa paagi ni Kristo sa pagtan-aw sa mga tawo –
aron makahatag kami og tingog
sa mga kabus, sa mga walay gahum,
sa mga gibiyaan, ug sa mga dinaugdaug.

Ug sa katapusan, hatagi kami sa gasa sa pag-ila –
aron maangkon namo ang maalamong paggamit
sa gasa sa pagpili
isip pagpahayag sa among tinguha alang sa kalinaw
ug paghigugma sa among isigkatawo.

Kini among gipangayo pinaagi ni Kristo na among Ginoo.
Amen.

Maria, Rayna sa Kalinaw, i-ampo mo kami.
San Lorenzo Ruiz ug San Pedro Calungsod, i-ampo ninyo kami.
San Miguel ug mga Santos nga Angheles, bantayan kami.