Category: News

CFC International Council Statement Ref. No. 19-014 March 6, 2019

On May 13, 2019, we Filipinos will exercise our sovereign right to elect national and local officials. It is an awesome responsibility. For us Couples for Christ, it is an opportune time to fulfill our duty to be “responsible members of society and patriotic citizens” of our country.

As CFC, we are non-partisan, and so CFC as an institution will not be endorsing any particular candidate for any office.

However, our Philippine Church, through the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has issued a pastoral letter (Seek the Common Good, January 28, 2019). We urge everyone to read and reflect on it. The letter urges Catholics “to engage in principled partisan politics.” This means that we, in our individual capacities, can actually “campaign for good candidates as an exercise of their Christian faith.”

In discerning who is a good candidate, we need to rekindle our CFC core values, to seize this chance to uphold and promote those same values. We should thus be reminded of the following:

We are PRO-GOD. We need to look for candidates who are pro-God as well, who believe in God and, in their personal and professional life, manifest that they are God-fearing, with Godly character and integrity.

We are PRO-FAMILY. Who among the candidates values family and rises to its defense? A pro-family candidate is against legislations or advocacies that pursue divorce, same-sex marriage and other initiatives that diminish the dignity of marriage and family.

We are PRO-POOR. A pro-poor candidate is one with genuine heart and compassion for the poor. He is therefore not corrupt because the corrupt deprive families, especially the poor, of what is necessary to live a dignified life, worthy of one created in the image and likeness of God.

We are PRO-LIFE. Does the candidate value and respect the sanctity of life? A good candidate is therefore one who is against abortion, extrajudicial killings and the death penalty.

In engaging in “principled partisan politics,” we shall do so “by sincere dialogue in a spirit of mutual charity and with anxious interest above all in the common good”. (Compendium of the Social Doctrine 574) Let this election not destroy our unity as CFC. Let us remain above the fray and noise and preserve and maintain the moral ascendancy we as CFC are constantly striving for.

This May election is a perfect opportunity to live out our continuing theme for 2019 – Rekindle the Gift. Fulfill Your Ministry. Live as Children of Light. This theme is best expressed in our battle cry for 2019: AWAKE! ARISE! FULFILL! BE THE LIGHT!

Let us AWAKE to the reality of where our society is at today. Let us acknowledge that real change needs to happen. Let us recognize that this change can only happen if we are convinced that we are part of the solution.

Let us ARISE and defend the values we hold dear, especially the values that define and nurture our marriages and families.

Let us FULFILL our sacred mission to be indeed Families in the Holy Spirit Renewing the Face of the Earth. We can only renew the earth if we begin with ourselves and with our own families. In this May election, let us fulfill our duty to vote according to our consciences.

Let us BE THE LIGHT! As a light dispels the darkness, let our convictions and our actions shine the light on what is wrong in our country today. Let us consider that our single vote, taken collectively, can be a shining beacon for all to see.

We urge everyone to reflect on these and, with deep prayer, discern what would truly be good for our country.

Together, as CFC, let us indeed BE THE LIGHT IN THE LORD that shines in the darkness.

May God be glorified!

One in four women between 15 and 49 experiences physical, sexual, or emotional violence

UCANews | Mark Saludes, Tuguegarao City, Philippines
March 8, 2019

There seems to be no escaping violence, physical or otherwise, for many poor Filipino women, especially in rural areas.

At the age of 12, Excel Buqueg escaped from an abusive and violent stepfather who had been hurting her since she was six.

The young girl, now 19, was forced to live with a man much older than her who later fathered her two children.

“I was lucky to find a man who saved me from suffering,” she said.

She might have escaped the violence at home, but not the viciousness of poverty and lack of access to social and economic opportunities.

Her partner, an Aeta tribesman, belongs to the poorest tribal community in the mountains of the northern Philippine province of Cagayan.

The couple live deep in the forest far from a village center and without a permanent shelter. They forage for food in the jungle to survive.

There is no private space where she can attend to herself as a woman.

“That’s the hard part,” she said in the local language.

“I can sleep under a makeshift shelter but it took me some time to adjust to having no toilet,” said Excel who comes from the lowlands.

There have been times the couple have quarreled over how to get resources for them to survive.

“He’s never raised a fist to me,” she said. But the supposed shared responsibility of raising the family was passed to her.

“He does not want to work and only relies on whatever we find around us,” said the young woman.

To make ends meet, Excel works on nearby farms during planting and harvest seasons, slinging her children in a blanket that she ties across her back.

She never went to school and claimed that she has already forgotten how it feels to be a child.

“How can women defend their rights if they do not experience the full range of economic, social and cultural opportunities?” she said.

Violence against women and children has become a pervasive social problem in the Philippines.

A National Demographic and Health Survey by the Philippine Statistics Authority in 2017 revealed that one in four Filipino women aged between 15 and 49 experienced physical, sexual, or emotional violence committed by their husband or partner.

Lawyer Patricia Miranda, policy advisor of the international aid agency Oxfam in the Philippines, said “structural violence deepens the system of violence against women and children.”

She said social structures and institutions, including the community, “harm women by preventing them from meeting basic needs and rights.”

“It becomes a cycle,” said Miranda. “A girl might have escaped violence at home but she would still experience violence in some other form because of gender stereotypes,” she said.

Violence against women is manifested in different ways, including early marriage, lack of access to education and reproductive health.

Directions to Venue

4 March 2019

Dear Fellow Missionary-Disciples,

Warm greetings!

October 2019 has been declared by Pope Francis as Extraordinary Missionary Month on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the promulgation of Pope Benedict XV’s Apostolic Letter Maximum Illud (November 30, 1919).

I am happy to inform you that a lot of solid and inspiring materials are available at the website http://www.october2019.va to help everyone prepare, celebrate, implement and live the Extraordinary Missionary Month — even beyond 2019.

One with you in renewing “Our Yes to Mission”, I remain

Sincerely yours,

When: 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. Friday, March 8, 2019, assembly time
Where:  Saint Joseph Parish Church, National Highway, Sagay City, Negros Occidental; to march at 8:30 a.m. to Balay Kauswagan beside the Sagay City Hall where President Duterte will distribute CLOAs
What: President Du30: DO 30K hectares for Negros farmers; start fulfilling your CARP promise of getting rid of oligarchic hacienderos

Three thousand Task Force Mapalad (TFM) landless farmers carrying bundles of sugarcane — ala “karga-tapas” — will gather in Sagay City, Negros Occidental in time for President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit to the area, and urge him to fulfill his 2016 promise of getting rid of oligarchic landlords who “get the fat of the land” and pursue his 2018 plan of declaring “the entire (Negros) island as a land reform area.”

As TFM farmers welcome the chief executive’s arrival in Negros for a CLOA-awarding ceremony on Friday, March 8, they will also appeal to President Duterte to sustain the distribution of lands and not make his CARP promise a mere lip service.

They will likewise urge the President to fast-track and complete land distribution nationwide and start the ball rolling in Negros Occidental, where the bulk of the CARP balance can be found.

TFM says the President can immediately distribute 30,000 hectares of Negros farms that have long been placed under agrarian reform.

Many of these landholdings are already in the last stages of CARP processing before they are finally awarded to landless farmers. However, these farms, although already acquired by the government for landless tillers, ironically remain under the control of Negros hacienderos still profiting from the landholdings even though these are no longer theirs.

04 March 2019

Dear friends and colleagues,

Greetings of solidarity!

Resistance and Solidarity Against Transnational Corporation (RESIST), in collaboration with AGHAM Youth, and Philippine Network of Food Security Programmes (PNFSP) invite you in the event, Rise to the Occasion: How Safe Are Rice Imports? A forum on the effects of RA 11203 on food safety, on the 6th of March, 8:30 to 11:30 AM, at the UP Diliman College of Science Administration Auditorium.

The Rice Tariffication Law that was recently signed into a law by President Duterte, has stirred various responses from stakeholders of the local rice industry that includes producers, millers, traders and even consumers. The said law fully liberalized the rice industry opening the local market for the unbridled entry of imports that will be tariffied as a commitment to an agreement under the World Trade Organization.

On the issue of food safety under the Rice Tariffication Law, a clear and rigorous protocol as previously mandated to the NFA must be ensured so that the rice for the consumers are safe. This is aligned with the law, the Food Safety Act of 2013, that implements the food safety regulatory system in the country. In the Rice Tariffication Law, the food safety regulation will be undertaken by the Bureau of Plant Industry through the issuance of the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC).

For the consuming public, food safety is a foremost consideration taking into account that the rice imports may contain contaminants that are hazardous to human health. The government should prepare the policy protocol, the manpower and the facilities prior to the full implementation of the Rice Tariffication.

In this context, a public forum will be held to bring into public discussion the current status of the food safety regulatory function of the government, the sufficiency and efficiency of the protocols and standards on food safety of the country and how the public can participate in the assurance of food safety. The public forum will be participated by farmers, people’s organizations and consumers groups.

We hope for your positive response to this important event.

Sincerely,

Rafael Mariano
Co-Convenor
RESIST Network

The Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform (PEPP)*, is alarmed over the harassment of two of our Core Group members, Bishop Felixberto Calang and Fr. Christopher Ablon of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI). Their names were listed, along with other members of the clergy, peace advocates and human rights defenders, as “terrorist members of the New People’s Army and Communist Party of the Philippines” in two sets of flyers that were anonymously distributed last February 22 in Cagayan de Oro City. We have reason to be alarmed for such accusation is baseless, malicious and dangerous.

As modern-day prophets, Bp. Calang and Fr. Ablon have dedicated their lives and ministry to continuously preach and pursue just and lasting peace so the love of God – richly deserved by our people, especially the least of our brothers and sisters – may reign. Bp. Calang is also the spokesperson of Sowing the Seeds of Peace in Mindanao, a network of civil society groups in the said island, that was recently awarded with the 1st Gawad AKAP Award by the Rotary Club of Fort Bonifacio Global City in behalf of the Rotary International District 3830. Others who were recognized and honored for their active pursuit of peace include such distinguished peacemakers like Bp. Fernando Capalla, former OPAPP Sec. Jesus Dureza, DOLE Sec. Silvestre Bello, head of the Peace Panel of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP), Mr. Mohagher Igbal of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and peace panel consultants of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), Mr. Rey Claro Casambre of the Philippine Peace Center and Mr. Randy Malayao. Mr. Casambre sadly remains incarcerated based on trumped up charges while Mr. Malayao was recently killed by an assassin.

Since the cancellation of the peace talks last year, violent encounters between the parties have increased, the arrests and even killing of peace advocates are rising; the language of punishing student scholars for their activism is disturbing; new raids and the burning of equipment have surfaced; vandalizing of church property and the circulating of lists that falsely accuse church leaders/workers of supporting terrorists are a new and  dangerous development.

by ruralmissionaries

We, the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP), a national organization of women and men religious, priests and lay, condemn the tagging of our organization as a “communist front”, this time through the complaints filed by the National Security Council Deputy Director General Vicente Agdamag to the United Nations (UN). The report, which was submitted to the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva on Feb. 21, alleged that we are trafficking tribal children.

This is such a desperate move to vilify us for we have been effective in raising people’s awareness on the plight and demands of our farmers, fisher folk, and indigenous peoples and in exposing the grave abuses of human rights in the country. It only reflects the cowardice of those behind this malicious act.

We condemn in the highest terms this slander of our organization. We reiterate that our commitment to serve the rural poor drives us to provide programs for them including literacy and numeracy for Lumad children, livelihood programs, relief and rehabilitation, training and education for rural communities.

This is definitely alarming as it can be used as justification to go after rural missionaries, priests, sisters and lay workers, and so we urge our fellow Christians to condemn these preposterous accusations and echo the call to end the attack against rural poor and peace advocates

Human rights defenders in our country are in such perilous situation. We must be ever vigilant and stand together with the Filipino people in exposing and resisting the state’s attacks against those who oppose them.

-Rural Missionaries of the Philippines
February 26, 2019

1986 revolution that ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos didn’t go far enough or credit God, they say

Joe Torres, Manila  Philippines
February 26, 2019

Catholic bishops in the Philippines have expressed dismay over what they say is the failure to advance the “unfinished revolution,” during celebrations this week to mark the anniversary of the 1986 “people power” uprising.

Bishop Teodoro Bacani, retired prelate of Novaliches Diocese in the capital Manila, said the bloodless “uprising” to oust dictator Ferdinand Marcos was “unfinished” because of the “self-centered ways” of many Filipinos.

“We need a revolution of the heart that will make us truly say God and country first before me and my family,” said Bishop Bacani.

Bishop Arturo Bastes of Sorsogon noted the “short memory” of Filipinos, which he said was “lamentable.”

He said Feb. 25th should be remembered as “one of the shining glories of our nation.”

“I was one of those who joined the rejoicing crowd when the dictator had to leave our country. The whole nation was aglow with joy,” recalled Bishop Bastes.

He said the “spirit of the revolution” inspired other countries to empower people to remove tyrannical rule.

He was referring to rallies in South Korea against strongman Chun Doo-hwa and the eventual fall of General Augusto Pinochet in Chile.

“[The people power revolution] is one of the great contributions the Philippines gave to the world,” said the prelate.

He expressed hope that young Filipinos will someday understand the impact of the 1986 uprising.

Bishop Ruperto Santos of Balanga said the anniversary has turned into a musical concert, a political gathering and a venue to air grievances against the government. 

“[The revolution] happened because of God. He showed His power, and it is His power to protect and to perform miracles. It is so sad that God has been set aside,” he said.

The prelate said no political party and no particular person could be credited for the uprising. “God made use of all of us to be His instruments of peace, of change and renewal,” said Bishop Santos.

“Let us give back the credit to God. He is the reason why it took place.”

He called on Filipinos to “remember and pray” for all those who “walked, stayed and prayed, the selfless, who shared food, the kind hearted, who wished and spoke caring and forgiving words to all.”

The prelate said the “people power revolution” was about the bravery and faith of the Filipino people.

Unity against tyranny

Days before the official celebration of the uprising on Feb. 25, various groups marched in Manila to call for unity against what they described as “a return to authoritarian rule” under President Rodrigo Duterte.

“No matter how tight his grip on power is, he would surely be defeated by the might of the people,” read a statement from women’s group Gabriela.

Migrante, an international organization of overseas Filipino workers, decried Duterte’s supposed attempts to rehabilitate the family of ousted dictator Marcos politically.

The Church People Workers Solidarity calls for respect on workers’ rights amidst continued attacks on the rights of workers for just wage, job security, right to self organization, collective bargaining and democratic rights.

We are saddened that the collective voices of workers seeking for refuge, solidarity and justice remains unheard and being criminalized by the government.  Last February 4, 2019, the City Hall of Manila threatened to disperse the peaceful camp out of Sumifru Workers in Liwasang Bonifacio. Manila City Hall officials said that they are just following orders from Malacanang Palace.   NAMASUFA negotiated with the City officials and yet they are still given an ultimatum until the end of February.

Sometime in October 2018, NAMASUFA, the union of workers of SUMIFRU Philippines Corporation, a banana plantation in Compostella Valley led the strike demanding regularization of contractual workers and collective bargaining with Sumifru Philippines Corportation.  Despite a ruling of the Supreme Court declaring Sumifru workers as regular employees of the company and not of the cooperatives, Sumifru Philippines Corporation continued to ignore the demands of the workers.  Instead the company with their paid goons, in connivance with the Philippine National Police and the military, brutally dispersed their strike, arrested and threatened many striking workers.  It was also reported that one union member was killed and the homes of some union officers were mercilessly burned by suspected agents of the company.  The martial law rule in Mindanao has also intensified the attacks to the striking workers and considered the strike as illegal. In fact, workers are forced to sign waivers and falsely presented the workers as rebel surrenderees by state agents.  

The attacks on Sumifru workers were also experienced by the workers of Nutri Asia when they staged their strike last year calling to stop the immoral and unjust contractualization policy inside the company and demanded regularization.   From June-July 2018, instead of taking heed to their legitimate and just calls for regular job, policemen and Nutri Asia’s paid goons  brutally attacked the peaceful actions of workers and their supporters including the dispersal of an ecumenical litrugy where Rev. Fr. Rolly De Leon was attack by goons and  around 19 workers, supporters and media personnel were illegally arrested and detained.

The monstrous effect of contractualization which Duterte promised to be stopped is like a plague that has impacted majority of the Filipino workers.  The Department Order 174 of Duterte has been used especially by big multi national companies to legalize constractualization and to escape from their legal obligation to the workers. Hanjin Heavy Industries Construction Philippines in 2017-2018 forced workers to sign quit claims, dismissed them and to evade regularization directly to Hanjin, workers are rehired by the 18 in house subcontractors of the company using the provisions of DO 174.  Now, more than 30000 workers lost their jobs as the company will close and will merge with another multi national company.

It is alarming that instead of listening to the voices of workers, the administration of Duterte used brute force.  Under the administration of President Duterte, the Center for Trade Union and Human Rights documented around 16000 workers who experienced violations on their right to freedom of association and collective bargaining as well as  109 cases of civil and political rights violations affecting 7000 workers.  While the Global Workers’ Rights Index, a report of the International Trade Union Confederation in 2018, noted the Philippines as one of the  Top 10 Worst countries in terms of repressing workers’ rights. 

Truly, Duterte failed to fulfill his promises to the workers and to the people. Duterte obviously favored the big capitalists such as the Japan owned Sumifru, the giant condiments company Nutri Asia and South Korean Hanjin Heavy Industries Philippines. Prices of commodities surge as a result of the TRAIN Law and severely impacted the toiling sector especially the workers and farmers.

We believe that the above mentioned incidents run counter to both domestic and international human rights obligations of the Philippine Government and thus call on the government to immediately stop all forms of attacks to workers’ rights; stop contractualization, implement the workers’ call for national minimum wage of P750, stop criminalizing union activities and trade union leaders and stop martial law in Mindanao. In the light of the upcoming national elections, let us remember the failed promises of Duterte and his allies and instead wisely choose those candidates that have clean track records and truly serve the interest of the workers and the people. 

As Pope Francis reminds us that the dignity and safety of the worker shall always be protected.  Thus, we appeal to our brothers and sisters to stand in solidarity with workers and their families in their struggle for human rights and justice.  Let us help them in amplifying their calls to the government; offer prayers and material support for their struggle and be with them in their places of struggles.####