A president granting absolute pardon to a convicted and impeached president-predecessor is historic indeed. It will give people today and future generations opportunity to debate and evaluate. The pardon covers a multitude of sins which are now left to Divine Justice – cum – Mercy to resolve. In a death-bed scene, a dying person might hear God saying: “I will forgive you, I know you have already suffered, but you should be purified some more in purgatory.”
On this occasion we are thinking of the many prisoners whose crimes of lesser gravity have not been proven and yet continue to suffer from the fact of “justice delayed justice denied.” Will they be given the same privilege or consideration? The pardoned president could not be more privileged, considering the many prisoners with lesser crimes of plunder and injustice who are rotting in jail only because they have no influence with the government and justice system. No wonder the statue of justice has covered eyes, ‘para walang favoritism.’
The pardoning president has spoken; the case ends there. But where is “restorative justice?”
We appeal for the many prisoners who may also deserve the same clemency for the sake of their poor families. A president pardoning a convicted president may have bigger implications than meet our eyes now. And so reflection must continue, but this time with civil society. May it bear the desired fruit of unity and reconciliation.
Archbishop Angel N. Lagdameo
October 26, 2007
Friday, October 26, 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
ALL ARE MEMBERS OF BARANGAYS
The forthcoming Barangay Election on October 29 will show-case how genuinely alive is our democracy. On that day the country, composed of 41,800 barangays, will be choosing their barangay officials. All Filipino citizens are members of a barangay. We encourage those of voting age to come to the polling places to vote for their barangay officials.
It is good to be reminded that according to the Omnibus Election Code (Art. VI, Sec. 38) barangay elections shall be non-partisan, i.e. no political party, organization or group shall intervene in the nomination and election of any candidate. Unfortunately, there are many barangays which have fallen under the control of political parties or politicians. As a result they are more in the service of some politicians or political party than the common good of the barangay.
There is a great need for education and social awareness of how the barangay, this smallest political unit of government, functions. We hope that what the Local Government Code of 1991 describes as the “Role of the Barangay” will be explained to the barangay members in order that they may genuinely and consciously participate in the functions of their barangay. The law states: “Role of the Barangay as the basic political unit: the barangay serves as the primary unit of government policies, plans, programs, projects and activities in the community and as a forum wherein the collective views of the people may be expressed, crystallized and considered, and where disputes may be amicably settled.” (Sec. 384)
All members of the churches, parishes, municipalities, Basic Ecclesial Communities are also members of the barangay. If they are taking interest in how their churches or parishes operate, similarly they should be interested in what is going on in their barangay with respect to the common good. As parishioners, they need to be aware of the laws of the church. As barangay members they are legally empowered to get involved in the common affairs of their barangay.
There are some 2000 Parishes all over the country. These Parishes also include most of the 41,800 barangays. In fact in many parishes, barangay officials are also officials or members of Barangay Parish Pastoral Councils. In some cases, the barangays are further divided into smaller units called Basic Ecclesial Communities.
The barangay activities offer great and many opportunities not only for social, political and economic interaction; they are also practical venues for faith interaction and sharing and inter-religious dialogue. In these non-partisan smallest political units of government, as happens in many Parishes and Municipalities, the church and the state can wonderfully interact and cooperate for the common good in the spirit of social co-responsibility.
Come October 29 may our Barangay Election be freed from the violence and corrupt practices that happen during local and national elections. May our Barangay Election produce the leaders that our civil society need for the common good. With the correct social conscience and sensitivity, the barangay members can make this happen.
Archbishop Angel N. Lagdameo
October 25, 2007
It is good to be reminded that according to the Omnibus Election Code (Art. VI, Sec. 38) barangay elections shall be non-partisan, i.e. no political party, organization or group shall intervene in the nomination and election of any candidate. Unfortunately, there are many barangays which have fallen under the control of political parties or politicians. As a result they are more in the service of some politicians or political party than the common good of the barangay.
There is a great need for education and social awareness of how the barangay, this smallest political unit of government, functions. We hope that what the Local Government Code of 1991 describes as the “Role of the Barangay” will be explained to the barangay members in order that they may genuinely and consciously participate in the functions of their barangay. The law states: “Role of the Barangay as the basic political unit: the barangay serves as the primary unit of government policies, plans, programs, projects and activities in the community and as a forum wherein the collective views of the people may be expressed, crystallized and considered, and where disputes may be amicably settled.” (Sec. 384)
All members of the churches, parishes, municipalities, Basic Ecclesial Communities are also members of the barangay. If they are taking interest in how their churches or parishes operate, similarly they should be interested in what is going on in their barangay with respect to the common good. As parishioners, they need to be aware of the laws of the church. As barangay members they are legally empowered to get involved in the common affairs of their barangay.
There are some 2000 Parishes all over the country. These Parishes also include most of the 41,800 barangays. In fact in many parishes, barangay officials are also officials or members of Barangay Parish Pastoral Councils. In some cases, the barangays are further divided into smaller units called Basic Ecclesial Communities.
The barangay activities offer great and many opportunities not only for social, political and economic interaction; they are also practical venues for faith interaction and sharing and inter-religious dialogue. In these non-partisan smallest political units of government, as happens in many Parishes and Municipalities, the church and the state can wonderfully interact and cooperate for the common good in the spirit of social co-responsibility.
Come October 29 may our Barangay Election be freed from the violence and corrupt practices that happen during local and national elections. May our Barangay Election produce the leaders that our civil society need for the common good. With the correct social conscience and sensitivity, the barangay members can make this happen.
Archbishop Angel N. Lagdameo
October 25, 2007
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
CASH GIFTS OR BRIBES?
“The more people and social groups strive to resolve social problems according to the truth, the more they distance themselves from abuses and act in accordance with the objective demands of truth…The unscrupulous use of money raises ever more pressing questions, which necessarily call for greater transparency and honesty in personal and social activity” (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, No. 198).
In the News too many question marks surround the recent distribution of 500,000 pesos each to governors among whom, appearing like a hero, is Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio. What was the purpose of the cash gifts? Where did they come from? Who was the personal source of the cash? Were they for local government projects? Were they for the forthcoming Barangay Elections? Why were they distributed only to pro-administration local officials? Why not also to the opposition? Who ultimately will profit from these cash gifts? Are they really gifts or bribes?
“The unscrupulous use of money raises ever more pressing questions, which necessarily call for greater transparency and honesty in personal and social activity” (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, No. 198).
Bribery is not an acceptable word even to culprits: so, it is better called “gifts.” And so, in order to feel good and escape the blame of conscience, …bribe is also called a “gift.”
With this sort of thing happening, our country is not only suffering from economic bankruptcy but also moral bankruptcy, disappointingly being shown by our leaders. We are very much concerned with our youth who are looking at our leaders for models in honesty, integrity, and transparency.
From the moral standpoint, one should not accept money about which questions can be asked because it renders responsibility, accountability, and transparency a dubious subject matter.
I encourage and support the plan of our respectable senators to make the appropriate inquiry on the matter of distributing said cash gifts.
+ANGEL N. LAGDAMEO, DD
Archbishop of Jaro
October 16, 2007
----------------------------
REGALO O SUHOL?
Sa patuloy ng pagdami ng mga mamamayan at mga samahang naglalayong malutas ang mga suliranin ng lipunan ayon sa katotohanan, higit silang lumalayo sa mga pag-abuso at kumikilos ng naaayon sa pangangailangan ng katotohanan. Ang walang pakundangang paggamit ng salapi ang siyang nagiging dahilan ng mas maraming mga katanungan, na mangangailangang magkaroon ng katapatan sa larangang pangsarili’t panglipunan. (COMPENDIUM OF THE SOCIAL DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH, No. 198.)
Mas maraming mga katanungang nagmula sa naganap na pamamahagi ng tig-kakalahating milyong piso sa mga gobernador, na kinabibilangan ng lumalabas na bayaning si Gobernador Ed Panlilio ng Pampanga. Ano ang layunin ng ipinamahaging salapi? Saan ito nanggaling? Sino ang pinagmulan ng salapi? Ang salapi bang ito’y para sa mga proyekto ng mga pamahalaang lokal? Ito ba’y para sa nalalapit na halalang pambarangay? Bakit mga kapanalig lamang ng administrasyon ang nabiyayaan? Bakit hindi naabutan ang mga mula sa oposisyon? Sino nga ba ang makikinabang sa salaping ipinamahagi? Ito ba’y mga regalo o suhol?
“Ang walang pakundangang paggamit ng salapi ang nagiging dahilan ng mas maraming mga katanungan, na higit na mangangailangang magkaroon ng katapatan sa larangang pangsarili’t panglipunan. (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, No. 198).
Ang panunuhol ay katangang ‘di katanggap-tanggap kahit na sa mga salarin kaya’t mas makabubuting tawaging “ala-ala o regalo.” Kaya upang makahinga ng maluwag at mawala ang bagabag sa konsiyensya, ang suhol ay tinatagurian ding “ala-ala o regalo.”
Sa ganitong mga nagaganap, patuloy na naghihirap ang bansa sa kakulangan ng magandang kabuhayan at kawalan ng paggalang at pagkilala sa kung ano ang tama’t kung ano ang mali, na nakalulungkot na nakikitang kagagawan ng ating mga pinuno. Nababahala kami sa mga kabataang tumitingala sa mga pinuno ng bansa bilang mga huwaran sa katapatan, integridad at kalinisan.
Mula sa usaping moral, hindi marapat at lalo’ng hindi matuwid na tumanggap ng salapi nang hindi nasasagot ang mga katanungan hinggil sa responsibilidad, pananagutan at katapatang kaakibat ng kasalukuyang usapin.
Kailangang ituloy ang balak ng mga kagalang-galang na Senador na magsagawa ng pagsisiyasat sa pamamahagi ng salapi sa mga opisyal ng pamahalaan kamakailan.
ARSOBISPO ANGEL N. LAGDAMEO
Arsobispo ng Jaro
Ika-16 ng Oktubre, 2007
In the News too many question marks surround the recent distribution of 500,000 pesos each to governors among whom, appearing like a hero, is Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio. What was the purpose of the cash gifts? Where did they come from? Who was the personal source of the cash? Were they for local government projects? Were they for the forthcoming Barangay Elections? Why were they distributed only to pro-administration local officials? Why not also to the opposition? Who ultimately will profit from these cash gifts? Are they really gifts or bribes?
“The unscrupulous use of money raises ever more pressing questions, which necessarily call for greater transparency and honesty in personal and social activity” (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, No. 198).
Bribery is not an acceptable word even to culprits: so, it is better called “gifts.” And so, in order to feel good and escape the blame of conscience, …bribe is also called a “gift.”
With this sort of thing happening, our country is not only suffering from economic bankruptcy but also moral bankruptcy, disappointingly being shown by our leaders. We are very much concerned with our youth who are looking at our leaders for models in honesty, integrity, and transparency.
From the moral standpoint, one should not accept money about which questions can be asked because it renders responsibility, accountability, and transparency a dubious subject matter.
I encourage and support the plan of our respectable senators to make the appropriate inquiry on the matter of distributing said cash gifts.
+ANGEL N. LAGDAMEO, DD
Archbishop of Jaro
October 16, 2007
----------------------------
REGALO O SUHOL?
Sa patuloy ng pagdami ng mga mamamayan at mga samahang naglalayong malutas ang mga suliranin ng lipunan ayon sa katotohanan, higit silang lumalayo sa mga pag-abuso at kumikilos ng naaayon sa pangangailangan ng katotohanan. Ang walang pakundangang paggamit ng salapi ang siyang nagiging dahilan ng mas maraming mga katanungan, na mangangailangang magkaroon ng katapatan sa larangang pangsarili’t panglipunan. (COMPENDIUM OF THE SOCIAL DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH, No. 198.)
Mas maraming mga katanungang nagmula sa naganap na pamamahagi ng tig-kakalahating milyong piso sa mga gobernador, na kinabibilangan ng lumalabas na bayaning si Gobernador Ed Panlilio ng Pampanga. Ano ang layunin ng ipinamahaging salapi? Saan ito nanggaling? Sino ang pinagmulan ng salapi? Ang salapi bang ito’y para sa mga proyekto ng mga pamahalaang lokal? Ito ba’y para sa nalalapit na halalang pambarangay? Bakit mga kapanalig lamang ng administrasyon ang nabiyayaan? Bakit hindi naabutan ang mga mula sa oposisyon? Sino nga ba ang makikinabang sa salaping ipinamahagi? Ito ba’y mga regalo o suhol?
“Ang walang pakundangang paggamit ng salapi ang nagiging dahilan ng mas maraming mga katanungan, na higit na mangangailangang magkaroon ng katapatan sa larangang pangsarili’t panglipunan. (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, No. 198).
Ang panunuhol ay katangang ‘di katanggap-tanggap kahit na sa mga salarin kaya’t mas makabubuting tawaging “ala-ala o regalo.” Kaya upang makahinga ng maluwag at mawala ang bagabag sa konsiyensya, ang suhol ay tinatagurian ding “ala-ala o regalo.”
Sa ganitong mga nagaganap, patuloy na naghihirap ang bansa sa kakulangan ng magandang kabuhayan at kawalan ng paggalang at pagkilala sa kung ano ang tama’t kung ano ang mali, na nakalulungkot na nakikitang kagagawan ng ating mga pinuno. Nababahala kami sa mga kabataang tumitingala sa mga pinuno ng bansa bilang mga huwaran sa katapatan, integridad at kalinisan.
Mula sa usaping moral, hindi marapat at lalo’ng hindi matuwid na tumanggap ng salapi nang hindi nasasagot ang mga katanungan hinggil sa responsibilidad, pananagutan at katapatang kaakibat ng kasalukuyang usapin.
Kailangang ituloy ang balak ng mga kagalang-galang na Senador na magsagawa ng pagsisiyasat sa pamamahagi ng salapi sa mga opisyal ng pamahalaan kamakailan.
ARSOBISPO ANGEL N. LAGDAMEO
Arsobispo ng Jaro
Ika-16 ng Oktubre, 2007
Saturday, October 06, 2007
OUR FIRM STAND AGAINST CONTRACEPTIVE MENTALITY
We hope it is not true that congress plans to appropriate one billion pesos for the purchase of condoms, birth control pills and other “reproductive health” products to control population growth. It if is true, we categorically object to it and instead strongly recommend that the one billion pesos be directly appropriated and/or added for hunger and poverty alleviation projects, as well as for free education of extremely poor children.
The use of abortifacients, contraceptive pills and devises, sterilization, directly willed abortion are wrong in themselves. They are against nature and God’s law. They are wrong not because the Catholic Church forbids them; rather the Church forbids them because they destroy the fruitfulness of human reproductive capacities given by the Creator and hence are morally wrong. (CBCP said this already in 1990 and at other times!). It is not just a matter of being conservative, but also of being morally upright.
The church advocates Natural Family Planning as the only morally acceptable way of practicing responsible parenthood. The Church does not forbid the advocacy of the increase or decrease of population provided the freedom of the couple to exercise sexual and family morality according to their religious conviction are respected. Since the Church objects to the use of artificial contraception, the church likewise objects to their dissemination, creating thereby a contraceptive mentality towards a culture of death.
It is not true that the Philippines growth rate is 2.36%. The Unite Nations using the same census data has arrived at a very much lower rate. The National Statistics Office has already projected a Philippine population growth rate of 1.99%. These notwithstanding, we do not subscribe to the allegations that population must be controlled because it is the main cause of poverty; there are other grave factors. We will not join countries with collapsing population growth rate.
We exhort our clergy to proactively preach the doctrine of the Church on principled population control. We strongly encourage and support our legislators in Congress and the Senate who promote the moral teachings on life, family and population.
+ANGEL N. LAGDAMEO
Archbishop of Jaro
CBCP President
October 6, 2007
The use of abortifacients, contraceptive pills and devises, sterilization, directly willed abortion are wrong in themselves. They are against nature and God’s law. They are wrong not because the Catholic Church forbids them; rather the Church forbids them because they destroy the fruitfulness of human reproductive capacities given by the Creator and hence are morally wrong. (CBCP said this already in 1990 and at other times!). It is not just a matter of being conservative, but also of being morally upright.
The church advocates Natural Family Planning as the only morally acceptable way of practicing responsible parenthood. The Church does not forbid the advocacy of the increase or decrease of population provided the freedom of the couple to exercise sexual and family morality according to their religious conviction are respected. Since the Church objects to the use of artificial contraception, the church likewise objects to their dissemination, creating thereby a contraceptive mentality towards a culture of death.
It is not true that the Philippines growth rate is 2.36%. The Unite Nations using the same census data has arrived at a very much lower rate. The National Statistics Office has already projected a Philippine population growth rate of 1.99%. These notwithstanding, we do not subscribe to the allegations that population must be controlled because it is the main cause of poverty; there are other grave factors. We will not join countries with collapsing population growth rate.
We exhort our clergy to proactively preach the doctrine of the Church on principled population control. We strongly encourage and support our legislators in Congress and the Senate who promote the moral teachings on life, family and population.
+ANGEL N. LAGDAMEO
Archbishop of Jaro
CBCP President
October 6, 2007
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