Statement Denouncing the Evil of Money that Tampered Authentic Elections

INTRODUCTION:

Electoral process is the most fundamental element in a Democratic government. This is why the Right of Suffrage is guaranteed to every citizen of legal age. The Right of Suffrage is both a Legal Right and a Divine Right. It is accorded by Law and it is given by God by virtue of the Human Dignity of the Person. Suffrage is not only a Right. It is also a Social Responsibility. It is not limited to person’s own disposal, but it must be used for the consideration of the greater good. Suffrage is not only a Right and a Social Responsibility. It is likewise a Power of the People to transform the political situation in accordance with the will and plan of God of Fullness of Life. This follows the “dictum” that says, “Power and authority emanate from the people”.

The very basic element of Suffrage is Freedom. However, if the electoral process is marred and influenced by money to buy votes, political power to dictate decisions and coercion to intimidate people, then the Right of Suffrage is corrupted and breached. If the Right of Suffrage is breached by money, political power and coercion, then the exercise of the electoral process is not peaceful and it is not authentic. It does not reflect the free will of the people. Therefore it is a failure.

What are the events and incidents that violated Election Laws, tampered the Freedom and Right of Suffrage and breached the authenticity and integrity of Election results?

During the campaign period, Barangay Officials, Barangay Tanods and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) were alleged to have received money from a particular candidate to pressure political loyalty and support. Barangay Chairmen were alleged to have received 3000 pesos each, Barangay Councilors were given allegedly 2000 pesos each, Barangay Tanods were given allegedly 1000 pesos each and SK Chairmen allegedly received 2000 pesos each.

Some Barangay Officials and even SK leaders publicly endorsed their candidate in radio broadcast and local TV stations in the name of their constituents and members of their organizations, which is a gross violation of the Law against partisan politics of elected Barangay Officials and SK.

As the election campaign went, campaign posters were seen posted everywhere in different sizes, Although COMELEC Laws prescribe a common poster area and a limit on the size of campaign posters must be followed as a matter of Law. Posters were also seen nailed unto trees, which is also a violation of DENR Laws. Other violations were limit on airtime of candidates, limit of official poll watchers for each candidate, barangay fiesta during election period.

During the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) meeting and Candidates Forum on May 21, 2011, said issues were brought to the attention of the DILG and COMELEC. A copy of the statement urging said government agencies to act on the issues, was read in the presence of DILG and COMELEC representatives. After which a copy was forwarded to DILG and COMELEC offices. On May 23, 2011, government agencies concerned, immediately declared that there was no violation of Election Laws, without the merit of impartial, independent and thorough investigation on the alleged issues.

On the evening of May 26, 2011, Barangay Officials were seen going house to house campaigning for a particular candidate recruiting many pool watchers as way of vote buying. . On election day, CODE system was employed top ensure the actual delivery of votes of those who were bought. Using the possible combinations of the complete name of the particular candidate, the bought voter wrote the coded candidate name on the ballot.

Prizes of getting percentage of votes were promised to barangays. Awarding of projects was promised to the barangays that would deliver the win votes of a particular candidate.

2. What can be recommended in order to achieve a peaceful and authentic election free from anything that tampers and influences the freedom of suffrage?

To government agencies concerned: Investigate the events. It is you ministerial duty to investigate and gather witnesses and evidences. Implement and uphold the Laws without fear or favor.

To elected barangay officials: Give utmost respect to the Laws. Stop partisan politics. Stop vote selling. Stop selling out the dignity and freedom of your constituents.

To those who sold their freedom and dignity: Stop selling out your freedom and dignity. That is equivalent to betraying your sons and daughters.

To those who stood against political dynasty: Continue to uphold the Ideals of Democracy. You may not be the majority, but God is on the side of the Righteous.

CONCLUSION:

The recent election was not truly Peaceful and Authentic. It does not fully reflect the free will of the people because the Right and Freedom of Suffrage were influenced by massive vote buying and vote selling. The free will of people was coerced by partisan politics using elective positions to dictate people. Therefore the element of freedom which is the mot basic essential of an electoral process, was breached.

Election laws were not implemented to the full extent. Rather, it simply favored the powerful and the moneyed. The laws were supposed to ensure authenticity and integrity of election. These laws were meant to safeguard the freedom and right of the people. However, these laws were not as useful as they were intended to be.

If the government agencies concerned shall remain to be favoring the powerful and the moneyed, then upcoming elections will continue to regress and deteriorate until such time that the people will no longer trust in the fundamentals and ideals of Democracy. Election and political power are now founded on the evils money, eroding the value systems and gripping local media. Democracy is dying.

The only hope for Ilocos Sur lies in those who voted against money politics. The Kingdom of God shall reign in Ilocos Sur, not the kingdom of political lords.

Done on this 30th day of May 2011 at PPCRV Assessment Discernment Workshop, Archbishop's Residence, Vigan City.

Dallas vs Miami: Mavericks in 6 or 7

Dallas Mavericks and the Miami Heat square off in the start of their best of seven series in Miami for the NBA crown.

Dallas in 6 or 7!

Unfortunately, my Boston Celtics did not make it in the finals. Although they lost to the Heat, it’s not bad. At least they won a game compared to the swept Lakers in care of the Mavericks.

Miami Heat is a younger team but the Mavericks are more experienced. Sometimes, age or experience does not matter. It all depends on how the game is played in the court.  So, anything can happen in favor of Dallas; why not?

I don’t know the current pulse of the country on which they root for to bag the trophy but I believe that a lot pick the Miami Heat because of Erik Spoelstra, an American with Filipino ancestry who looks very Filipino.

At the start of the elimination round, it is remembered that the Heat was struggling. At that time, Filipinos at home and in the States did not care. Now that they are in the NBA Finals, many Filipinos come out yelling how proud they are to be a Filipino. Remember when Tim Lincecum, (American with Filipino ancestry) helped the San Francisco Giants win the World Series? “I am proud to be Filipino” slogan was deafening.  I do not really understand why some of us are proud to be citizens of this country when non-Filipinos excel like Spoelstra or Lincecum.

We surely hear that mantra again now that Spoelstra’s Heat is in the finals.  In a country where basketball is a passion, a lot follow up the series.

As I said before, it stinks and it’s not a cool Filipino attitude to be a fan of a team when it is only doing well or in the championship.  That is opportunistic.  A fan should be faithful to his team in good times and in bad.

Since Larry Bird, my team is always the Celtics but that does not prevent me in appreciating the skills of some of the Lakers’ players.

I don’t have my team in the finals, I don’t care who wins but I want the Mavericks to win without disrespecting the Heat.

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See related post at:
http://sapientiaaedificat.blogspot.com/2010/12/filipino-pride-and-erik-spoelstra.html

Lt. Col. Manny Pacquiao?

That is possible. The Philippine Army intends to promote the boxer and congressman to the rank of a Lieutenant Colonel as a reservist. If and when that materializes, the president who is the commander in-chief has the final say to approve or thrash Pacman’s promotion paper.

It is better if the Armed Forces opens its filing cabinet and reviews the names of deserving members of its ranks and file for career advancement. There are a lot of active and professional soldiers who better deserve a promotion.

In the past we read deserving soldiers bypassed in their promotion after failing in their  loyalty test.

That should not happen again.

If and when a reservist Lt. Col. Manny Pacquiao is called into active service, is he capable in leading his men probably graduates from the Philippine Military Academy to attack a known terrorist lair in the South; for example?

I am not taking for granted Rep. Pacquiao’s military background. For sure he has a military training. However, I doubt if his knowledge in military tactics, mathematics for warfare or military instinct is better than the professional soldiers.

If and when a reservist Lt. Col. Manny Pacquiao is called into active service in the future, it would be interesting to know how he fares in the battlefield and the tenacity of his organizational skills as well.

Army Parade For Pacquiao

The Philippine Army gives Manny Pacquiao the boxer a testimonial parade for his accomplishments in boxing.

Is this not stupid?

Does the government mean that the accomplishments of other Filipinos excelling in other fields are less important than boxing? Did the government give the same honor to Bata Reyes, Django Bustamante, Charice Pempengco, Arnel Pineda and Wesley So to name a few? What is so special with boxing?  How about our men and women in the medical, educational, religious, science and other interests?

The representative from Saranggani province could have refused the honor and  requested the amount the Army spends for the parade to be used in buying equipments in fighting insurgency and terrorist activities.

Next time Wesley So comes home after defeating strong chess grandmasters in an international tournament he wins elsewhere, do we expect our Army to give him the same honor given to Mr. Pacquiao?

Ryan Luis Singson: New Ilocos Sur Congressman

The First District of Ilocos Sur will have former Vigan Vice Mayor Ryan Luis Singson as its representative replacing his brother Ronald who is in a Hongkong jail serving for a drug related sentence.

The in-coming congressman, one of the children of Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson won the recently concluded special election in Ilocos Sur by a landslide over Atty. Bertrand Baterina of Sto. Domingo.

The following, related with the governor are also well-known politicians in the province:

Evaristo “Titong” Singson, former Vigan mayor – Brother

Jeremias “Jerry” Singson, former board member – Brother

Germy Goulart – Mayor, Caoayan, Ilocos Sur – Sister

Eva Marie Singson-Medina – Mayor, Vigan City – Niece

Ferdinand Medina – former Vigan mayor – Nephew in-law

Ronald Singson – former first district congressman – Son

We wish the new congressman good luck.

Proud to be a Filipino(?)

Whenever we are impressed with the achievement or talent of fellow Pinoy (Filipino), hyphenated or not; it is sometimes difficult not to express how proud we are to be a Filipino.

When Rep. Manny Pacquiao wins, Charice Pempengco or Arnel Pineda performs overseas, we are proud to be called a Filipino. The same is true when there are good columns written by the Jesuit-lawyer Fr. Bernas, Prof. Randy David or Rina Jimenez-David.

Famous non-Filipino citizens who look like us in the persons of Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, Canadian girl singer Maria Aragon who did a duet with Lady Gaga, former movie idol Phoebe Cates, singer/actress Vanessa Hudgens, Bruce Lee student Danny Inosanto and the like when depicted and admired by the press elicit some of us to say “I’m proud to be a Filipino” although everyone mentioned are American citizen except Aragon who is a Canadian.  Proud for what?

There is no difference when we say “I’m proud to be a Filipino” when there’s a Mexican citizen who looks like us and even has a name like ours winning something big.

Do we need other Filipinos or non-Filipinos who merely look like us to fire up our patriotism and love of country? What if there are none of them? Do we still say “I’m proud to be a Filipino”?

Patriotism comes from the heart and spirit of a citizen. S/he does not need a third party to manifest love and respect to the homeland. It comes from within. If we Filipinos are indeed proud, how proud are we when there is an endemic graft and corruption in the government? When there is grinding poverty because of greed, negligence or apathy? When criminal activities pepper the country? When some if not most of us cannot distinguish or refuse to know what is right and wrong?

If one is proud indeed to be a Filipino, there is no need for the sentiment to be advertised. Do something noble and good starting from within the family which is the foundation of the society and then move on into the community. Patriotism doesn’t only mean joining the armed services. It also means doing something no matter how big or small for the country and fellow citizens.

For me to be proud as a Filipino is to emulate what our heroes did in working hard to make this country bequeathable to next generations. Rizal, Mabini, Bonifacio and Ninoy Aquino to name a few taught us that to be a proud citizen, one is ready to make sacrifice for the country and work for the common good without expecting something in return even to the point of death.

"Catholic Church, Stop Meddling!" (Re-post)

(Due to persistent comments in the dailies claiming that the Catholic Church is imposing her will on the people and on the government, I am re-posting an old article from this blog.  The Catholic Church is not a dictator but simply a teacher. -COR INVICTUS)

The persisting rumble ignited by the artificial family planning issue gets uglier. In the process of an ecumenical Mass at the Manila Cathedral attended by the Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Edward Adams, Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, high ranking Church officials and counterparts from different faiths, a Jose Rizal-looking guy named Carlos Celdran unfurled his “Damaso” protest placard suggesting the hypocrisy of the clergy. 

(Padre Damaso, a Spanish Franciscan who had a daughter named Maria Clara is one of the fictional characters of the national hero’s NOLI ME TANGERE. The anticlerical novel exposes the abuses of the Spanish clerics when the country was under Spain’s colonial rule.)

Albay Representative Edcel Lagman is more unkind in his words as he sides with Celdran when he reminded that “Damaso” was just an “apt reminder” to Church officials of the “abuses and inequities of the clergy during the Spanish colonial regime when the Church wantonly interfered in secular activities and dictated on civilian authorities.” He goes on further saying “The message of Celdran is that ‘Father Damasos’ have survived the Spanish era and continue to bedevil government up to today,”

The Philippines during Rizal’s time is different from the Philippines today although somewhere along the line, there are indeed similarities. Rizal’s depiction of the abusive friars during his time is based from what he saw. At some point, Rep. Lagman is correct in saying that “Damasos” are still around in the persons of arrogant, self-centered and abusive priests. In fact, “Damasos”, are always in our midst for priests are also human like us who are sinful and imperfect. 

The point where I don’t agree with Lagman and countless fellow citizens is the issue on “interference in secular activities and on civilian authorities”.

When did the Catholic Church interfere in our secular activities and when did it dictate civilian authorities on what to do or what to legislate and what not to legislate?

If what is in the mind of Mr. Lagman is the Church’s opposition to artificial contraception and the Reproductive Health bill, I have not yet read or heard the Church/clergy telling us directly that we must not use artificial contraceptives. I have not yet heard the Church/clergy telling or compelling our legislators to enact or not to enact a particular law. I have not yet heard members of the Church castigating a politician or an ordinary citizen as a womanizer, gambler, corrupt, murderer, thief, etc. The Church/clergy has no intention to make us robots by telling us what to do and what not to do. It merely says what is wrong in our dispositions and actions with the intention to correct.

Whenever issues on morality and social justice are at stake, the Catholic Church cannot and will not remain silent or cowed. Contraception and artificial family planning, jueteng, graft and corruption, inequality in the justice system and neglecting the poor to name a few are all moral issues. In a country like the Philippines, if the Church remains silent who will take the side of the poor and the oppressed?

It’s true that there are some members of the clergy who are worse sinner than some of our politicians. Some have bad examples and they are indeed a disgrace. However, let me stress clearly that the clergy is not the Church --- they are a part of the Church.

The Church as a teacher of faith and moral issues cannot be shut up nor be threatened when the message of the Gospel is twisted or taken for granted

.

We want to do a lot of things good and bad. It is easier to do bad than good for that is the human impulse. It is easier to go against the Decalogue than to forgive. Can we imagine if there are no laws governing the country? In that case, there would be chaos and anarchy. In the same manner, when the Church does not have laws, anybody can do anything like probably what was done in Sodom and Gomorrah.

We may not agree with the teachings of the Church but that does not mean that our perspective is right and that the Church is wrong. There are a lot that we cannot understand on what the Church is saying but it is not correct to say that because we don’t understand them, they are wrong. If we believe that there is an Almighty who calls Himself “the Way, the Truth and the Life”, anything that that Being says must all be true even if we don’t understand or like what He says.

Thus the Church is always around to meddle to show us what is morally right and wrong. The issue on artificial family planning falls on that.

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See the original at:
http://sapientiaaedificat.blogspot.com/2010/10/to-catholic-church-stop-meddling.html

Conscience and Pride

When some of the followers of Jesus left him and went back to their old ways, Jesus asked the “twelve”: (Apostles) “Do you also want to leave?” Simon Peter answered “Master, to whom shall we go?   You have the words of eternal life.” (Jn 6:68)

The Almighty knows that sometime in the life of man, he goes astray from the truth. His faith is shaken and confused. Man falls into sin. Lucifer, unlike man, was not weakened by the effects of original sin. He was created as an angel but because of pride, he fell down from heaven. Had he repented and asked for forgiveness, I am sure God forgave him.

In these difficult times when flood of confusion ravages the truth, I think it is necessary to sit down; shed off the pride in us and go to the basics in understanding the issues of our time.

While it is correct that conscience is the inner voice of God in us, it is wrong to say that any kind of conscience is the voice of God. The Lord does not have a wrong opinion (voice). Hence, when in doubt, it is wise to seek the counsel of the learned or the authority instead of relying on our instincts which may be erroneous if not fatal.

A good intention is not necessarily a good conscience. My conscience tells me that it is good to kill a corrupt government official to weed out a bad egg but in truth, never that it is correct to commit a murder even if the intended victim is an evil incarnate.

“To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

The voice speaking the words of eternal life is inundated these days with the noise of apathy, arrogance, and recklessness. Once these are toned down if not turned off, Simon Peter is correct that we have nowhere to go than to cling to the One whose words leads us to eternal life.

PH Catholic Church: Is It Still Relevant?

Instead of intellectually dissecting the merits and demerits of the RH Bill, it is disgusting to read readers’ comments in some dailies. Some of these are good while others are silly.

I don’t have any intention to impose my opinion but I find the following ideas of readers sifted from the dailies as unfair if not absurd:

If the Catholic Church meddles in government affairs, they should pay tax.

I don’t think that telling what is right or wrong is meddling. Why pick up the Catholic Church alone to pay tax when the INC that directly meddles with the government through block voting is not considered? The Church is helping the poor and the needy but do other faiths do?

Archbishop Oscar Cruz “talks a lot” and is now retired; why not be the president instead?

This country respects freedom of speech and of expression. Archbishop Cruz is retired but he is also a Filipino citizen. It is insane to assume that now that he is retired, his opinions are now false. In fact, his analyses on current issues are accurate.

”I’m a faithful Catholic and studied the teachings of the Church. I found out that some are wrong.”  

I agree when issues are not moral like the Copernicus issue. But how really faithful a “faithful Catholic” in saying that the Church is wrong when she teaches issues on the sanctity and respect of life? This mentality called “relativism” is heretic. It is not true that what one thinks as correct is indeed correct. Truth is objective and not subjective. And how can anyone claim to be better that the Magisterium, the teaching authority of the Church which is infallible?

”Some priests are using condoms.”

These priests have no business in the active ministry. It is the duty of the laity to report these priests to their bishops. The laity is also called to evangelize and doing that greatly helps the bishops.

”In Italy, where Vatican is, there is abortion, contraception, red district, and homosexuality.”

Evil is everywhere even inside the churches. No matter how pious and focused one is while praying, strong temptations occur. But knowing that the above mentioned are wrong, why do we want them to have in this country? If you know that stealing government money is wrong, why still do it?

Separation of Church and State must be respected.

Cardinal Sin helped topple dictatorship. The Church exposed the evil of jueteng. The Church abhors graft and corruption as the main cause of poverty. In these instances, why were we silent and did not say that the Church is meddling the affair of the State? Do we only see Church intervention when we do not like what the bishops say?

So, how relevant is the Catholic Church in the Philippines in these confusing times?

The Church is as relevant as ever. She may have some misgivings because its hierarchy is composed of human being --- sinners and imperfect but when it comes to moral issues, the Church should have a perfect score. After all, Philippine bishops do not invent or write their own teachings but follow the official teaching of the universal Church. We note that during the infancy of the Church till now, 21st century, its history is full of scandals and heresies but for 2,000 years, this Church remains unshaken in correctly interpreting and teaching what Christ, her founder taught. We hear cathedrals and shrines in Europe closing down or turned into museum or substantial decrease in Mass attendance but to assume that the cause of these is the Church’s wrong teachings is totally unacceptable.

I can only say that the Church in the Philippines is at a critical period when some of her members fall to the heresy of relativism. The Church survives till the end of time but there is no guarantee that the faith of the majority of Filipinos survive in this time of confusion, liberalism, nonchalance, arrogance and stupidity as well.

QUOD DIXIT DIXIT Not a Religious Blog

One of my readers asks me if I have plans to convert this blog into a religious blog.

My answer is NO.

When I started QUOD DIXIT DIXIT, what I had and still have in mind is just to express my opinions through writing as a hobby. Looking back on my previous articles, I note poor sentence constructions and even grammatical errors.

I don’t care at all. I’m not here to write a dissertation paper and I don’t strictly cater to the intellectuals but for all. As long as my message is understood, I’m fine.

I don’t consider myself a writer or journalist and I am not feigning to be one or the other. I just want to share my opinions and it is up to my readers to agree or disagree with what I express.

I appreciate your time in reading and visiting this blog despite its numerous shortcomings --- not by choice or intent but because of time constraint.

Church Citation for Pacquiao?

Fr. Bel San Luis, SVD, Manila Bulletin columnist seems to suggest that the Catholic Church should give Rep. Manny Paquiao a citation for being a good Catholic.

Fr. Bel argues that Pacquiao the boxer is seen worldwide in the ring during his fights making the sign of the cross, kneeling in prayer before and after a bout and with a rosary chained on his neck. The columnist-priest says that such show of Catholicism can evangelize. As the representative of Saranggani, Mr. Pacquiao strongly opposes the RH Bill.

The SVD (Society of Divine Word) missionary has a point but giving Manny a formal citation from the Catholic Church is too much as far as I am concerned. Why should one who harms if not sacrilege the temple of the Holy Spirit be awarded or praised?

The good Ilocano priest knows that the human body, whom Manny the boxer is trained to destroy or make unconscious is the temple of the Holy Spirit. How could one using sledgehammer to disfigure the altar of St. Jude Parish church in San Miguel, Manila be given a citation saying that s/he is a good Catholic?

Saanko a maala, Apo Bel. (I cannot get it, Fr. Bel.)

Dios Habla El 21 de Mayo, "Día del Juicio"

Yo temo a Dios porque Él tiene el poder para catigarme en el infierno. Temo el pérdido del cielo y las penas del infierno. No pongo palabras en su boca o hacemos a él mentiroso, pero es cierto que Dios le habló a la gente de Oakland, California (y al entero del mundo) el 21 de mayo en todas las iglesias católicas de la diócesis durante de la Misa vigilia por domingo. Era a las 5:00 o 6:00 de la noche.

El buen Dios dijo:

"No deje que se turbe vuestro corazón. Tú tienes fe en Dios, creed también en mí. . . Yo soy el camino, la verdad y la vida ". (ver Jn 1-12. 14: - Quinto Domingo de Pascua Evangelio)

Exactamente el momento que Oakland, en particular, estaban esperando terremoto y aniquilación apocalíptico, el Creador y Señor del Universo habló a la gente que les asegure su amor diciendo: "Ten fe en mí. . . Yo soy la verdad ".

Como la verdad, Él no mintió cuando dijo que ni siquiera el Hijo del Hombre sabe la hora, pero sólo el Padre. Esto implica que cualquiera que dice la fecha exacta del fin del mundo es un mentiroso.

Algunos agoreros se sigue diciendo a brotar la exactitud de su cálculo o el genio de su comprensión de los acontecimientos bíblicos o del mundo que les llevan a concluir que el fin del mundo será en un día determinado y otra vez.

Eso no es totalmente malo. Los que creían que el mundo iba a terminar ayer estaban en un gran temor. Espero que se acercarón a Dios a través de la conversión espiritual. A pesar de la promiscuidad, el materialismo, el hedonismo y la terquedad de regresar a Dios, cuando el fin del mundo se escucha, el miedo tiene la mente.

No temen a Dios sólo cuando hay un tsunami, terremoto de magnitud 9,0, tornado que se borra una ciudad, la epidemia o la guerra. Temed a Dios todos los días.

Si tengo razon a interpretar la palabra de Dios, Él nos invita a confiar y creer en Él, tengan fe en Él y no a los mentirosos que ponen palabras en la boca de Dios. Confiamos en él para todos nuestros temores porque Él dijo que Él es el camino, la verdad y la vida.

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Este artículo es el version Castellano del artículo  en Ingles abajo.

God Speaks On May 21 “Judgment Day”

I fear God for He has the power to dump me in hell. I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell. I don’t put words into His mouth or make Him a liar but it is true that God spoke to the people of Oakland, California (and to the rest of the world) on May 21 in all Catholic churches of the diocese during a Sunday vigil Mass. That was 5:00 or 6:00 in the evening.

The good Lord said:

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me . . . I am the way and the truth and the life.” (See Jn. 14: 1-12 – Fifth Easter Sunday Gospel)

Exactly at a time when Oaklanders in particular were waiting for massive apocalyptic earthquake and annihilation, the Creator and Master of the Universe comforts the people assuring them of His love saying “Have faith in me . . . I am the truth.”

As the Truth, He did not lie when He said that not even the Son of Man knows the hour but the Father alone. That implies that any one who tells the exact date of the end of the world is a liar.

Some doomsayers are still to sprout telling the exactness of their calculation or genius in understanding the Bible or world events that lead them to conclude that the end of time will be on a particular day and time again.

That is not totally bad. Those who believed that the world was to end yesterday were in great fear. I hope that they went closer to God via spiritual conversion. Despite the promiscuity, materialism, hedonism and stubbornness in returning to God, when the end of the world is heard, fear possesses the mind.

Don’t fear God only when there is a tsunami, 9.0 magnitude earthquake, tornado that levels a city, epidemic or war. Fear God everyday.

If I’m permitted to interpret God’s word, He urges us to trust and believe in Him; have faith in Him and never the liars that put words into the mouth of God. We trust Him for all our fears for He said that He is the way, the truth and the life.

Farewell Dinner Before the World Ends

Friends from Oakland, California mention in their e-mail that believers of the end of the world on May 21 had an emotional family farewell dinner.

Per American custom on special occasions, dinner could be more or less as sumptuous as a Thanksgiving dinner. There should be a lot of hugging and tears between family members; pets included during their last supper.

Harold Camping, who predicted the Judgment Day is said to be watching TV to monitor how the world ends. It sounds crazy but who knows if he believes that he is exempted from being judged? Another twist that is beyond sanity to explain is why some members of Camping’s religious group still plan to go to work on Monday when the world ends on Saturday.

As I write this, it is 3:00 in the morning, May 21 in the US West Coast. So far, American press outlets do not send their crew and equipments to anywhere. The US press is correct in not covering the end of the world. What for still? Camping might be the only one interested to witness the end of time. If he is in a bunker, doesn’t he know that there is nothing impossible to God that no matter how sturdy where he is, it could be melted with a rain of fire?

Camping says that at 6:00 in the afternoon with no specific time zone, massive earthquake and catastrophe mark the second coming of Christ. Here in the Philippines, it is now 6:00 PM but everything is normal.

I am surprised that there is a heavy traffic from around the world visiting this blog about the end of the world. I hope their curiosity or fear about the end of time bring them closer to God and not to trivial things that distance them from salvation.

Couples With Two Kids: Reward, Benefits

That is the core of Sen. Lacson’s Bill No. 2768. Let us forget in the meantime the rewards due for lucky couples.

As a non-lawyer, what I know about any law is that it applies equally to all.

Upon reading the story, I was scratching my head not because it is itchy but a little bit unsettled thinking if millionaire or billionaire military and government officials who have two kids will be rewarded just like indigent couples.

If enacted into law, it will be another immoral law. Are couples here understood as married or any couple?

How could a young couple in their mid 20s say that their union can only produce two kids for the rest of their lives if they don’t use natural or artificial contraception? I have no problem with natural family planning but for some young Filipino couples for them to get the reward or benefits, they must use artificial contraception.

Assuming that a number of couples, say 5 million, are covered by the proposed law; their 10 million children if qualified, go to UP Diliman, Ateneo, San Beda, La Salle or UST. Do these schools get subsidy from the government to shoulder the free education of the qualified couples’ children?

We believe that the government can do afford that only if graft and corruption is totally eliminated from our system. For the last 10 years, news say, 400 billion was lost because of irregularities in just one single government agency, the National Food Authority (NFA). That is 40 billion pesos a year.

We don’t know how the bill is written but from the very start, it looks like it’s a nut.

The bottom line is; Sen. Lacson’s Bill when enacted into law is essentially the same with Communist China’s limiting couples to have only two kids or else they face imprisonment.

So, what other Bills are in the oven? Bills amending existing laws that marriage is no longer necessary or compulsory as an institution?

We are in dangerous times because of ignorance or out of stupidity.

¿El Fin del Mundo Hoy?

Pienso que en el proximo 24 horas, la prensa internacional sera inundada con noticias cerca del fin del mundo. Me he dicho en ingles que yo lo creo que nadie sabe el dia cuando ese dia o tiempo viene --- solo el Dios Padre.

Pueden Vds traducir en Castellano el articulo por seleccionar su idioma en la ventana a la derecha de este blog al "Google Translate".

Gracias.

Pray For Us Please!

It’s Saturday, Mary’s day in the month of May, Mary’s month.

May Mary, the Mother of God and our Mother who said that all generations will call her blessed intercede for all our material and spiritual needs. Mary, once a human like us knows our daily trials, struggles and fears.

At this time when many of us want to play God (not god); believing that we have the right to decide when a new life is to be conceived or not to be conceived, this nation entrusted into your maternal patronage under your Immaculate Conception needs your urgent guidance, love and constant intercession to your Son.

You have been helping us in our history. The last when we felt your hand was in EDSA-I. You are always there protecting us from danger.

If the unworthy and single voice of a sinner in me reaches you, the country devoted to you is again in danger; this time from the wrath of God. We need your intercession.

As we put our trust in you, let the Spirit enlighten our minds and open our hearts to know and follow the truth.

Please pray for the Philippines and us your confused children.

The World Won't End Today?

The Philippine Star says that the world won’t end today.

One of our readers mentions media unfairness (bias) in presenting the truth on boiling key issues today.  Equal time or space allotment given to opposing sides known as fair play is a fundamental element of good journalism sometimes taken for granted. Sad to say, some press people do not know what they are communicating to their audience once in a while too.

The headline from the daily says that there is no end of the world today contrary to the circulating Judgment Day warning to be otherwise if not unwise.

How does the news writer know that the end will not end today?

My standpoint is that NO one knows when time will end except God the Father. So, just like a thief, end of the world comes any time. If no one knows when that glorious time will be, it is improper to say something that implies when the world will end or will not end.   As if we know God’s time frame.

On the other hand, reminding the Filipino nation (and beyond) about the end of the world is needed  in these times when Satan is busy working in our midst sowing confusion, goading some of our officials to steal money from our national coffers; telling the unscrupulous and the weak to go against the Decalogue.

The end of the world reminds us that there is nothing permanent except heaven or hell as eternal dwelling.  Either one will be with the Creator in endless and unexplained bliss and joy or will be eternally tormented with the father of lies.  Eternal has no end.  To fellow sinners, now that we are once more reminded of the end of the world, it is time for conversion.  Conversion is not once but an everyday process.

If there is fruit that Judgment Day bears, may some of our greedy- kleptomaniac officials see the light –-- the same light Paul saw on his way to Damascus.  Lately, the papers say that PHP400 billion has been unaccounted for just in one government agency alone.  That money could have been used to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, and send children to school.

RH Bill cannot alleviate poverty, Mr. President.  Remember your campaign mantra: "Kung Walang Kurap, Walang Mahirap." (There is No Poverty if There's No Corruption)

May 21 Judgment Day Believers: Bon Voyage

To those who believe that Judgment Day is on the 21st, it is around 72 hours before zero hour. I am not sure if they continue to broadcast electronically or by “foot” the Judgment Day. Believing that the end is just a matter of hours from now, they should have made up their mind where to wait for the coming of Christ. I don’t think that they will converge in the A’s stadium in Oakland, California --- there’s a game against the San Francisco Giants. Perhaps they can go to the vacant football field of the Oakland Raiders.

I can imagine these believers converged with no food, water, iPods, cell phones or other electronic equipment, not even tents. The scene would be hundreds if not thousands praying together and repenting for their sins for their salvation as they believe is at hand.

Believers from other countries have their sports stadiums as meeting places to wait for Christ coming down from heaven. Here in the Philippines in Manila, the best place is at the Quirino Grandstand and Luneta Park. Forget the pamaypay (weaved palm handy fan) and water. Enduring the tropical heat and thirst are good for penance.

Anyway, additional information I came across about the Judgment Day says that the duration of this apocalyptic event lasts till October. I believe that God can judge the whole world population instantly and fairly but I am okay for five months. After all during creation, God could have created everything instantly but took him a week to finish his work.

Till now, there are still no news or internet report saying that crates of cash, jewelry or property titles from May 21 Judgment Day believers have been donated to poor and needy countries or communities. You might not have time to donate your riches which you don’t need after this life.

When you are in front of the Lord face to face, please pray for world peace, prosperity and that we who are still in the valley of sorrow will not give in to false prophets.

Till we meet again!

Pacquiao Spars With Lagman

The time I was eagerly waiting for arrived when Rep. Manny Pacquiao took the podium and squabbled with Rep. Edcel Lagman, his colleague in Congress.

Issue: RH Bill.

Too bad, I was not able to follow up the details of the live exchange of ideas. I was doing something at that time that required me to exert full concentration.

The following day, some daily papers headlined that the representative of Saranggani province has been knocked out in the debate.

Did Rep. Pacquiao volunteer to take the floor and debate Atty. Lagman, a UP alumnus or some pushed him to oppose the RH Bill in the august hall of congress?

Congressman Pacquiao was obviously coached and rehearsed by a ghost aide by furnishing him important facts about the bill. Unfortunately, as the exchange of ideas developed, former Pres. Fidel Ramos noted Pacquiao’s argument as “fallacious or very weak”.

Inside the ring, Manny is full of courage; not scared to fight bigger and taller opponents. The same courage did not work for him in the congressional floor. Debating in the senate, Rep. Pacquiao gave his best; sometimes speaking in English to drive his point but his best was not enough.

I appreciate congressman Paquiao in opposing the controversial RH Bill but he should have taken the courage not to engage in a fistfight of words against a lawyer.

If some quarters pushed Pacquiao in the lopsided fight, it was a disastrous decision. I am not familiar with the rules of congress but I assume that any one can be invited to deliver a talk (lecture?) about pressing issues.

Bishop Luis “Chito” Tagle could have been an excellent resource person. The bishop is not a lawyer but his academic record tells that he is very competent to clearly spell out the opposing position of the Catholic Church vis-à-vis the RH Bill. To say the least, Bishop Chito can argue with any member of the House.

Well, come on; since the government and the Catholic Church are both determined to fight for what they believe, probably it is better to cool down and relax and see what comes next. Will the bill be enacted into law or thrashed?

One way or the other, so long as graft and corruption is not controlled, if it cannot be eliminated, poverty stays even if our population is drastically reduced. So long as the government does not care to find ways to create jobs for the many, even if our number is much lesser, poverty remains. So long as greed, unequal distribution of wealth and lawlessness remain, so does poverty.

Pacman to Fans: Oppose RH Bill; Sen. Santiago: "Pacman, Back Off!”

I am not a fan of Manny Pacquiao the boxer or the congressman but I appreciate his fundamental understanding on a Genesis verse “Be fertile and multiply, fill the earth. . .” (cf. Gen. 1:28)

The passage is a command, not a request and not in the subjunctive mood.

As the debate heats and gets more interesting, we astray further and further from the basic rationale of the bill which is to reduce poverty via population control. This even results into name-calling and ad hominems.

As I always say, the Philippines is a rich country blessed with natural resources some of which are still to be developed. We are a poor nation because of unchecked graft and corruption, mismanagement, greed and the fascist dictatorship we suffered.

Had the country developed side by side with Japan or Singapore and became rich, would there still be an RH bill despite the current population density? If not, then there is no other way of understanding the bill other than “to reduce our population”.

To do that is to regulate birth either through the use of contraceptives or through natural family planning.

Mr. Pacquiao is correct in saying that the Bible does not set a limit on the size of the family for the command is absolute. --- no condition whatsoever is laid down.

It remains to be seen if the countless fans of the boxer-congressman support their idol in his fight outside the ring and how.

Now comes Sen. Miriam Santiago, a legal luminary and my favorite senator who I understand is working for a Theology-related Masteral degree at the Maryhill College.

Explaining the same verse, the senator says:

“The Bible does not say, 'Go out to the world.' It sounds very much like God is encouraging us to go out and copulate in public. . . . God said in the Bible, 'Go forth and multiply.' That meant that God wanted man, not necessarily to literally multiply, but to go out to work with the rest of the human beings of this planet and to apply the stewardship theory. Meaning to say, taking care of each other, who are all in the planet living together.” *

I really don’t know where the senator picked that idea up. For me, God is encouraging us indeed to copulate. There is no other way to multiply other than to copulate. Sense of decency prohibits human to have sex in public like what lower forms of animals do. The Genesis narrative of creation when he commanded “be fertile and multiply, fill the earth,”  the idea is to literally multiply in number and not the idea of Sen. Santiago.

The senator goes further that the Bible is not written by God or by eye witnesses for the Bible is written 70 years after His crucifixion.

Again, I disagree with the senator. She is correct though in saying (if that what she means) that God did not use his hand to write something but to say that He is not the author of the Bible is wrong. I don’t believe that her catechism teacher when she was a girl did not tell Miriam that God inspired people to write the Bible but still, He is the author of the Bible. If Sen. Santiago means the whole Bible was written on that span of (70) years after Christ’s death, she is totally mistaken or just kidding. If I remember what I learned, Genesis was written around 1500 before Christ. The Book of Revelation, around a century after Christ --- after the death of the last Apostle.

The Book of Revelation has no narrative about “go and multiply”.

We see two famous persons with different educational backgrounds expressing views about population which is one of the cores of the RH Bill. The congressman tells a more accurate understanding of the story of creation while Sen. Santiago, has a twisted if not false understanding of the Scriptures.

Not all, me included, have a clear and enlightened understanding of the moral and theological implication of the RH Bill. At best, we leave the theologians who specifically went to school to lecture and enlighten us on the issue. The question is: “How important is what they say when we think from the very start that their opinion is wrong and that we have a better understanding on the issue than theirs or our opinion  is correct while theirs is wrong?"

If we don’t believe what theologians say, do we have a reason to believe what lawyers, doctors, engineers and teachers say?

For me, I want my favorite senator Santiago to back off in the RH Bill fight and let Manny Pacquiao do the rumble. He is more easily understood.

RH Bill Opinions Get Nastier

The fight between pro and anti RH Bill proponents is getting nastier.  At least  in the press. The Catholic Church threatens civil disobedience by urging her followers not to pay tax should the controversial bill is approved. The president counters that he will jail those who don't pay their due to Juan de la Cruz. Sen. Miriam Santiago, a top caliber lawyer as far as I'm concerned says that civil disobedience is a legitimate avenue to protest.

If one only goes through discussion fora in the internet about the Reproductive Bill, some of us have funny, irresponsible if not simply stupid reasoning.

One opinion says that sex is not only a right of married couples but also a responsibility and that in every marital act; the Catholic Church teaches that it must always be open for the possibility of the transmission of new life.

A John Doe says that in Italy where Vatican City is, there are abortions, artificial contraception, red district, divorce and the like which the Church teaches as morally wrong if not evil. Then s/he says that the Church should respect the people's right of conscience and not impose anything --- that priests should only shepherd their flock in the church.

But why do the crime from other places in your backyard when you know that they are already crime? If one goes to hell, why follow him?

The Catholic Church does not impose anything to anyone. There is an absolute freedom of conscience. The Church simply fights unceasingly for what is right

Christ could have stopped Peter in denying Him for the second time. Christ could have stopped Judas Iscariot in betraying Him. Christ could have told His disciples not to leave Him when He was crucified. Christ did not force doubting Thomas to believe or not to believe that He is the risen Christ. Jesus only explained by showing His wounds.

The Church simply tells what is right and what is wrong and it is up to the individual to decide. There is no such thing as absolute freedom of conscience for the decision of the will is based on what one knows. A well-informed conscience is not arrogant and is willing to be enlightened.

The Church is not only understood as a physical structure but the faithful as well believing in Christ professing one faith as in the case of Catholics. Thus, it is the role of the clergy to “evangelize” not only inside a basilica or shrine but also their beyond, in the communities or society itself.

It is sad and scandalizing to know that some priests are really bad. This is a Church setback in her mission to evangelize. Bad as they are, why are we bothered with their bad deeds or examples? Just like all of us, they are answerable to God. Do something holy not because of a priest or anyone else but do it out of love to the Almighty. No matter how bad or evil a priest is, the sacraments he performs are always valid.

Another opinion asks how could an impotent or septuagenarians “do” their obligation in having sex and in transforming the possibility of a new life?

Impotency is a valid ground for annulment although I am not competent at this time in discussing the complexity of the issue. Was there an impotency before marriage? Did impotency occur after marriage?

For the second point, how could an old, fragile and dried up couple be still capable in transmitting a new life although sex could still be possible?

So, this is the kind of reasoning we Filipinos sometimes have that we bring out of sync, funny if not stupid ideas just to say or insist that our opinion is correct instead of taking sufficient time to study, ponder and reflect on what one tries to convey especially when what is on the plate are issues that cannot be decided by a majority or minority vote.

Truth is objective and not subjective.

"May 21 Judgment Day"

That day is getting closer. Repent and believe the Gospel (Mk. 1:15)

Billboards and vans guarantee that May 21 this year is the Judgment Day. The familyradio.com tells that the Bible guarantees that.

I would be very thankful if the website  cites where in the Bible regardless of edition or translation tells the date, “May 21, 2011”.

To those who believe that Judgment Day is indeed a matter of a week, I hope that they have already donated all their properties and riches to charities or destroyed them.  After all money (property) is the root of all evil. (cf: 1Tim. 6:10) That includes bank accounts; belongings such as  houses, jewelries, investments and cars.

What good still are these for when the end of time (if that is what they mean) is at hand? If you prefer to keep these or cannot detach yourselves form your possessions despite believing the Bible, the word of God guaranteeing it;  it's either you are false prophets or simply make God a liar.  At worst, hypocrite.

To me, the word “guarantee” means the occurrence of truth beyond reasonable doubt. One plus one has a guaranteed total of two. After Sunday, the next day is a guaranteed Monday.

In truth, the Bible says that “[B]ut of that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone." [Emphasis mine] (Mt. 24:36) Thus, not even Christ knows.

It is absolutely correct that what the Bible says as signs of end times like wars, earthquake, famines; nations will rise against nations (Mk. 13:8) are happening right now including the prevalence of false prophets (2Peter 2:1) but Matthew is firm and clear in saying that no one knows when but the Father alone.

I am not saying that the end of time doctrine is false. It is true. The Bible tells so but the exact month, day and year is not revealed by God nor will it be revealed by God because He cannot contradict Himself.

Judgment Day is tricky but I understand that they mean as the end of the world. In all that we do, think or plan, we are judged. If that is the message, i.e. "to be judged" per se the billboards and vans want to convey, they are just wasting their resources and time.  In fact the familyradio.com knows that they are judged in what they are telling that the Bible guarantees the exact judgment day, month and year.

If it is really judgment day --- end of the world --- on the specified date, Catholics have no reason to fear. Every time during Mass the priest prays “Deliver us O Lord from every evil and grant us peace is our day. In your mercy keep us free from sin and protect us from all anxiety as we wait in JOYFUL hope for the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ.” [Emphasis mine]

Catholics believe that no one knows the time except the Father. Those who make God a liar have all the reason to fear for His judgment.

God willing if we are still around on May 22, the implication is that God made a mistake.  But how can God who said that He is the Truth (cf. Jn. 14:6) say something that is false?  Through God's grace and love, starting May 22 if we are still around, I'm sure that there are a lot who continue to study what the Bible says as to when will be the end of the world and try to give another exact date.  I did not only learn Aesop's fable when I was a kid about a boy crying wolf! wolf! wolf! but I also learned in my catechism class that false prophets are agents of Satan who is the father of all lies.

To those who believe that the end of the world is May 21 this year, in case you have not yet given for free --- not for sale --- (Money has no use after death.) all of your properties and wealth; please remember us in the Philippines. We are a poor country and you can give your millions or in kind to:

CARITAS MANILA

2002 Jesus St.

Pandacan, Manila

Philippines

Tel: (632) 563-9311; (632) 563-9308; (632) 563-9309; (632) 563-9298; (632) 564-02-05

Fax: (632) 563-93-06; (632) 564-6678

E-mail: cm@caritasmanila.org.ph , segundamana@caritasmanila.org.ph

Thank you in advance for your donations. 

_______________

Photo Credit:

http://agabus.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Family-Radio-Judgment-Day-May-21.jpg

Manny Pacquiao to End Philippine Poverty: How?

Before entering the ring in his recent fight with Shane Mosley, the representative from Saranggani province mentioned that the fight of his life is to end poverty in this country.

That sounds good. Majority of Filipinos must be very happy to hear their favorite boxing champ launching a fight outside the ring. Hopefully, Rep. Pacquiao wins.

The $35,000 question is “paano” --- how?

Since Pacman was elected into office, thanks to his constituents, I am sorry but I haven’t heard anything from him that directly aims to fight poverty. When he goes back to Congress, hopefully, he presents one. Most that are heard is his persona as a boxer where all praises are heard and read mostly in the streets, coffee and barber shops.

How can a billionaire congressman execute his plan in knock outing poverty is a mystery to me unless like one of the great saints, he distributes his wealth to the poor and the needy. Most of us in the 21st century where gold and money seem to have salvific importance if not insurance; to live as poor by choice is easier said than done.

Or else, he runs for the presidency. Even if he gives his wealth and embraces a life of simplicity, his billions really helps but cannot end poverty. “The poor,” the Scriptures say, “are always in our midst.”

Some political observers believe that Rep. Pacquiao is building his formidable machinery for the next presidential elections. If he is secretly planning for that, it is high time for him to help the current government in its fight against graft and corruption. The first Pacman can do is to disassociate himself from perceived corrupt officials. “Tell me who your friends are and I tell you who you are.” Manny Pacquiao did not steal any centavo from the government but his being with perceived crook and corrupt officials drops the jaw of the cynics. We are all human that can easily fall from grace and embrace sin.

This sounds somewhat nonsense but the Chinese say that a thousand miles journey starts with a single step.

Since I am not from Saranggani, I have no way of saying if Rep. Pacquiao sponsors feeding programs for the indigents or has projects that shoulder complete medical bills for the needy or other outlets that greatly help the fishermen, farmers, the outcast and victims of social injustice.

We don’t know if Rep. Pacquiao is helping a lot behind the scene and we hope so. If the congressman from Saranggani is successful in ending the grinding poverty of this country, he will be remembered in history as someone who has done what any other president of the Philippines was not able to accomplish or for any other third world country leader failed to do.

“To see is to believe.”

In the meantime, we wish congressman Pacquiao good luck and may his noble and even Christian plan bear much fruit.

Basic Ilocano Phonological Differences

The Ilocano language spoken in Northern Luzon, some parts of Mindanao and elsewhere are the same except in accent or phonology. The disparity lies on the different dialects of the language where vocabularies from one place could have a different meaning to another or totally not understood.

Native Ilocano speakers from Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, La Union and parts of Pangasinan can accurately tell where one is from by merely listening how one speaks (accent and pronunciation) the language.

As I proceed, let me remind that just like in any other Filipino language, there are no long vowels in Ilocano. Although “u” or “o”, “f” or “p”, “v” or “b” are spelled, they have similar Ilocano tone and so with “Ilocanized” Spanish words such as f(p)iesta or V(B)iernes.

In Ilocos Norte, first and last letters are pronounced distinctly and properly although in Batac, “wen” (yes) is sometimes pronounced as “wa” or “owa”. In Laoag they say “Wen met ket.” (True indeed.) All of the letters are pronounced including the vowel “e” as in egg.

In Vigan, it is slightly different. They say “Wen me ke.” The “e’s” in the last two words are not pronounced but with a guttural stoppage. Still the “e” is “e” as in egg. In Bangued, the sentence is pronounced similarly like that in Vigan but the “e’s” are pronounced longer. Some towns of Ilocos Sur pronounce “wen” as “win” (pronounced exactly as “win” in English).

In general, there is an unwritten rule in Laoag that all terminal consonants preceded by "e" (as in egg) are pronounced syllabically.  Example: kammet (to eat using a bare hand), pammaneknek (proof or evidence), dalikepkep (to cross arms on the chest).

In contrast, in Vigan, terminal letters "t", "k", and "p" of the above words are not pronounced.  They are said as kamme, pammanene and delikepke. The "e's" in the first two words and the last syllable of the third word are pronounced as maragsa (^) i.e. Filipino grammar.

In La Union, "r" and "e" are thickly pronounced while in Pangasinan, the "e" sound is pronounced as "i" and vice versa.  They also pronounce "r" and "e" as they are pronounced in San Fernando, La Union.  Example: In La Union, newspaper is "newspapUr."  the terminal syllable is pronounced as "ur" as in "burr".  In Pangasinan, "kenka" (to you) is pronounced as "kingka" while "lingga" (sesame seed) is pronounced a "lengga".

Although words are pronounced differently in different accents, Ilocanos understand each other except in cases of dialectical differences.

_______________
*I don't have enough background in linguistics.  This article is merely based from mere observation.  -COR INVICTUS

P-Noy's Porsche Drives Him "Down"

Just like in some sports, one’s rating cruises up and down depending the input exerted and performance displayed in the tennis court, golf course or on chess board.

The same rule determines how a sitting president is gauged.

In the case of Mr. Aquino, his popularity as head of state plunges after buying a Porsche sports car. Many believes that in these difficult times, acquiring expensive “toys” should be eschewed to show solidarity with the suffering nation.

I have problems with that line of reasoning. Personally, it’s non sequitur that the president’s compassion is no longer focused on the poor and the ills of this country. It’s also unfair to say that other government officials driving a second hand car deserve to be labeled as “pro poor”. The point is; one’s intent is known based from action and not by possessions.

The president did not steal his fund in buying the sports car. Why is the president singled out when there are other high ranking government and military officials perceived as corrupt but are not paid with attention despite their “hidden wealth”?

Sometimes life is not fair. The president can afford a Porsche and is entitled to it.

Ombudsman Merci: Merci et Adieu

When I was busy with other things, embattled Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez unexpectedly quit her post despite her firm words that she won’t quit her post. From nowhere, she personally tendered her resignation to the president.

In her press conference, she reiterated that she was not shielding the Arroyos from a possible barrage of cases filed against them. Out of 10 questioned for their opinion, I doubt if three say that Gutierrez is honest.

The Ombudsman is gone. She should have done it as early as after the inauguration of Pres. Aquino out of propriety and to give the new president a chance to appoint another capable for the post.

How did she have a change of heart?

During Lent, so the story goes, Gutierrez in her self-retreat acknowledged that it is in the interest of the nation for her to go rather than to undergo an expensive and protracted impeachment trial that may polarize the country.

We appreciate that but again; she should have done it much earlier. But is it possible that she quit because she can no longer rely on the support of un-named influential persons of the past administration? In plain words, was she dumped like a dirty and wet rag?

Now that she is gone, individuals from all corners want her charged in court for her perceived misdeeds while in office.

Ombudsman Gutierrez is now a history. In exchange, Filipinos want justice done to those involved in corruption activities during the Arroyo administration.

That can only be done if the next Ombudsman is really serious in putting a close to stories where millions if not billions of government money disappeared like a smoke.

Fiesta Season

May is also known as the Fiesta month. Many towns and barangays throughout the province celebrate their feasts in honor of their patron saints.

It is interesting that although barangays are clustered in short distances, per each in a town holds a fiesta celebration with pomp and fun.

Nothing is wrong in celebrations made up of sports competition, stage presentations and the like. Remembering and contemplating the life of a patron saint by honoring him/her on his/her feast day should be given more weight. Fiestas are essentially religious and not secular events.

Upon reflecting their heroic lives full of faith and trust in God, we are challenged to emulate what they did to their neighbors.  They teach us to trust and love God in good times and bad.  Despite facing martyrdom they did not recant their faith or wavered to do good and holy.

For me, the latter is the essence in celebrating feasts; to appreciate and follow the footsteps of extraordinary men and women in history and eras --- and not by holding expensive parties or drinking sprees.

Anyway, we have been doing those since Spanish times. What else is new?

Los Angeles Lakers Melt Down

Heaped adulation for Rep. Manny Pacquiao’s victory over the ageing Shane Mosley is here to stay till days after his return home. Repeating over and over and over in the news how the congressman from Saranggani province out-pointed Mosley makes no sense.

Basketball is the most popular sports in this country although not our national sports. So far, I have not seen any “breaking news” from Manila papers internet editions saying that the Los Angeles Lakers were swept into the dustpan by the Dallas Mavericks in a stunning fashion.

When the Lakers suffered their third defeat, I knew that they were finished.

What went wrong with the mighty Lakers? They were a worse team than the Mavericks of course. For the dazed Lakers fans, who of them expected the result of the series?

I am not a Lakers fan but in fairness to them, they were a powerhouse under Phil Jackson until they melted down in the post-season conference. If I were a Lakers fan, I say that things could be different if Kobe Bryant is not a selfish player. He makes a lot of shots that don’t count. Bryant is not the same Bryant of five years ago. Unfortunately, Kobe has a hard time accepting that fact.

Frustrated for the team’s sure embarrassing defeat, Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom were ejected after committing flagrant fouls.  Resulting into such dirty tricks is a clear sign of unsportsmanlike the young must not emulate.

That made the Lakers performance worse. However, the team, during regular course of the season when the Lakers are winning, they appear to be the best players that they can easily defeat their opponents at will. I understand the pride exuding from the back to back champions. The luster of that pride was totally shut off by the Mavericks with unbelievable result.

If it is true that Phil Jackson now goes into retirement, it’s heavy for him to bring along his first and last career sweep out defeat. He is one of the greatest coaches in the NBA history if he is not the best. I wonder though why he left the Chicago Bulls when Jordan was no longer there. Probably Jackson knew that the Bulls were no longer championship contenders.

Years later, Jackson came back to coach the formidable Los Angeles Lakers of Kobe Bryant and Shaquile O’Neal where they won five championships.

Probably Jackson also sees the deterioration of the Los Angeles Lakers --- they are no longer a threat to other teams next year.

If there is a coaching vacancy on what Jackson perceives as a strong team, I'm sure that he ends his retirement and be on the floor again directing games.

We wish Phil Jackson and the Lakers well. Hopefully the famed Lakers can regroup and reinvent themselves under a new coach.

_______________
Photo Credit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:LA_Lakers_logo.svg

Pacquiao Won But . . .

Days before the fight, my prediction to friends was a “close fight”.

I was right.

Many believed that Rep. Manny Pacquiao would score a (devastating?) knock out against the aging former champion. If not, a defeated Mosley would have a disfigured face like Cotto’s and Margarito’s.

Contrary to the lofty expectation of most Filipinos, Shane Mosley gave Pacman a good fight. And to borrow the words of the great Muhammad Ali, Mosley’s face was still "pretty".

I am not a boxing expert but Rep. Pacquiao’s knock down in the 10th round looks like not a knock down to me. I leave that to the experts to discuss.

What I don’t understand is why did Rep. Pacquiao unable to score a knock out against his seven year senor. Mosley showed his age in the fight but flashes of his defensive skills shone but not enough to dethrone the Filipino boxing icon.

If Pacquiao were fighting a Mosley in his prime, I believe that the representative from Saranggani would have been knocked out in the later rounds.

Manny’s speed and footwork were there but the exchange of blows that downed Mosley could not finish him. He was dazed but back on his feet.

I’m not taking away any credit Rep. Pacquiao reaped in defeating the aging Mosley but like his other opponents he turned into punching bags, Mosley was an exception.

Rep. Manny Pacquiao should go home as soon as possible and resume his duties as an elected official.

Congratulations congressman!

Pacquiao Mostly

Once again, Filipinos everywhere and the nation are euphoric in anticipating the much talked-about Pacquiao-Mosley fight. Filipinos are indeed tireless in searching for their modern heroes. It looks that the search is over. They believe that the congressman from Sarangani province, Manny Pacquiao who doubles as a boxer is a hero.

From the very start, I know that he is not a hero for he has not done so far anything that is noble for the country risking or giving his life. And well --- he is still alive.

I don’t buy either the idea that his victories reap honors for the country. While it cannot be denied that Pacquiao is an excellent boxer, he was the “best promoter” of the corrupt and inefficient government of Gloria Arroyo. Boxing fans of different nationalities not familiar with the Philippines can familiarize themselves about the country by going to the internet. Of course, they don’t say anything out of respect and diplomatic courtesy but every time Pacquiao demolishes his opponent in the ring, this country is “unmasked”.

Is it better now under Pres. Aquino? I am not shy to say that P-Noy, the son of a distinguished couple who did so much for the country in dismantling dictatorship reminds all that the country, no matter how slow, is getting its feet together as his fight against corruption rages.

I have not heard anyone who is a member of a congress that also boxes. Americans precisely know that congress people are elected to enact laws. Period. If a US congress person does not do the job or does other things not in consonant with the definition of the job, Americans cry foul saying “Rep. N.N. is elected to enact laws and not to . . .”

In this country, we don’t care as long as Rep. Pacquiao is seen my millions of Filipinos box on television. It is better as far as I’m concerned if we watch his performance in Congress. Of course, it is not expected that he engages a debate with any of his colleagues but it is interesting to know how he fares in nursing the needs of his constituents and for the entire nation as well.

But who cares? Majority of Filipinos prefer to watch Rep. Paquiao in the ring and know everything about him as a boxer instead of tracking his achievement in Congress.

Sometimes, priorities don't make sense in this country mostly inhabited by Pacquiao fanatics.