June 23, 2020

To: All Laiko Heads of National Lay Organizations & Arch/diocesan Councils of the Laity
Dear Brothers & Sisters,

The peace and love of the risen Lord be with you!

After the success of the series of Post Quarantine Conversations, we are now joyfully shifting gears toward the exciting “Season of Creation Conversations’.

We are very pleased to inform you that the Holy Father announced that this year is a Special Anniversary Year of the Laudato Si’ ( May 24, 2020 to May 24, 2021) and one of the main events the whole Church is preparing for is the “Season of Creation”.

At the forefront of this endeavor is the Global Catholic Climate Movement- Pilipinas, together with their Partner Organizations.

We would like to invite all of you again to join us this June 27, 2020, at 2 pm for the Season of Creation Conversations I: “Journeying Together Towards the Care of our Common Home.” Our guest presentors are: Fr. John Leydon, Bro. John Din and Sr. Bing Carranza of the GCCM-Pilipinas.

We will be using a Zoom application for this. Kindly let us know if you’re capable and available to join this conversation by replying to this email on or before June 26, so that we could send you the link where you could register to actively participate in this meeting as well as the mechanics. It will be on a first- come – first- serve basis since participants are limited to 100 persons only.

Most Rev. Broderick Pabillo and the Laiko Board Members will be joining us in this sharing.

Thank you. Rest assured of my prayers for you and your loved ones’ safety!

Sincerely in the service of the Lord,

June 19,2020

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy has gone way too far in her red-baiting and vilification activities by accusing one of the living pillars of Philippine activism, Sr. Mary John Mananzan, of aiding and abetting rape, pillage, mass murders, and other horrific crimes.

In her Facebook post on June 17, Badoy said Mananzan was an official of an alleged terrorist organization who “aided and abetted” the following: “rape, pillage, plunder, economic sabotage, mass murders, the destruction of our culture, the unabated blood bath of our indigenous peoples, the burning of schools, the recruitment of our children into the terrorist fold.”

She also accused the 80-year old nun of putting forth “the godless and vicious ideology — communism”, “sowing division and hate” and of using the “hurtful language of hate and intolerance.”

Badoy’s hysterical red-tagging to demonize the activist nun was in response to Mananzan’s earlier post calling out Judge Rainelda Montesa for her guilty verdict of cyber libel on journalists Maria Ressa and Reynaldo Santos, Jr.

Such wild and baseless accusations coming from an undersecretary and official of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) not only defames Sr. Mary John’s person and reputation but puts her life and liberty in peril. Precedents are aplenty: human rights defenders and social activists first being name-called as “communist terrorists” by government officials and thereafer being illegally arrested and charged with trumped up crimes or worse, being victims of extrajudicial killings.

Under the new Anti-Terrorism Act awaiting Pres. Duterte’s signature, such accusations can result in Mananzan’s designation as a suspected “terrorist” subject to 24-hour surveillance, warrantless arrest and detention without charges of up to 24 days, and a host of other violations of her rights and liberties.

Mananzan is only the latest in a long list of activists and Duterte critics red-tagged by Badoy and the agencies she works with. We demand a public apology from Badoy retracting and correcting her condemnable Facebook post. We demand that the PCOO, NTF-ELCAC, AFP and PNP stop their vicious, malicious and dangerous red-tagging activities. There will be consequences should Badoy and her ilk persist in their unconscionable conduct.#

June 19, 2020

Nearing death’s door, aging and ailing Negros farmers mourn over Danding’s failure to return to them their land before tycoon died

‘Cojuangco lived and died rich, while we continue to be poor and may likely die still poor and landless despite working hard’

Following Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr.’s recent demise, aging and ailing farmers of Negros Occidental expressed grief not just over his passing, but also because the businessman died without returning a vast agricultural landholding in the province to them, even when the said property was awarded to the peasants over two decades ago through the government’s Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

“Many people were saddened by Mr. Cojuangco’s death. They remembered him as the kingmaker, the tycoon, and the boss of a company that sells the country’s most popular beer. Some politicians even described him as a very nice person with a kind heart,” said Noel Magan, president of the ECJ CLOA Holders and Farm Workers Association (ECHAFAWA)-TFM, a Negros-based peasant group and member of the national peasant federation Task Force Mapalad.

“But for us, his former farmworkers, while we also condole with his family and loved ones over their loss, what we will never forget was Cojuangco’s failure, in fact, refusal to give up control over a landholding that was no longer his,” Magan said.

“This caused us misery, prolonging our hardship, especially among my fellow peasants, who have grown old serving no one but Boss Danding but stayed poor and are now suffering from serious illnesses but can’t afford treatment. Perhaps, they would later on die without also affording a decent burial,” he added.

Magan is referring to the 12 contiguous haciendas covering 4,654 hectares found in the cities of Bago and La Carlota and the towns of La Castellana, Isabela, Hinigaran, Murcia, San Enrique, Himamaylan, and Pontevedra, all in Negros Occidental.

The haciendas, used to be owned by the late Cojuangco through his firm, ECJ & Sons Agricultural Enterprises, Inc. were supposedly awarded to Magan and 1,200 other farmworkers, through certificates of land ownership award (CLOA) that were generated in their favor by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in 1997.

However, the farmworkers/CARP beneficiaries were unable to directly manage their haciendas and benefit from the fruits of their labor “because Cojuangco remained the lord of the landholdings,” said Magan.

Cojuangco’s continued grip over the haciendas became possible through DAR Administrative Order No. 2 of 1999, issued by then Agrarian Reform Secretary Horacio Morales Jr., during the presidency of Joseph Estrada, who was Cojuangco’s vice presidential running mate in the 1992 polls. The order set the rules and regulations for the establishment of a joint agribusiness venture between Cojuangco and the CARP beneficiaries.

Under the business deal, Magan’s group, through the ECJ Farmworkers Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multipurpose Cooperative, the use of the landholdings owned by the CARP beneficiaries would be assigned to the joint enterprise in exchange for a 30 percent equity in the venture, while Cojuangco’s camp would get 70 percent-equity in exchange for providing capital, facilities, and technical expertise to operate the haciendas.

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We, the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres in the Philippines, impelled by the love of Christ to educate the young and serve the poor and underprivileged in our hospital and pastoral ministries, are moved by that love to proclaim and promote a just and humane society, where people can enjoy free exercise of their rights and practice critical solidarity in socio-political affairs.

We believe that authentic democracy promotes critical solidarity between the people and the government.  As citizens, we are convinced that active participation in nation-building not merely means being cooperative to government programs and policies but also includes giving constructive criticism as a form of check and balance to government powers.

While we condemn terrorism, we cannot be silent on the dangers of the Anti-Terror Bill approved by Congress.  We reject the bill as anti-poor and the marginalized, anti-democracy, anti-human rights.

“Be alert and of sober mind!” (1 Pt. 5:8)

We believe that terrorism is an evil that must be subdued.  But every act against it must be based on clear and precise understanding of terrorism for it to be just, humane, and effective in promoting a peaceful and harmonious community.  The broad definition of terrorism in the Anti-Terror Bill can be misused and abused, thereby endangering legitimate pastoral works and associations on behalf of the poor and marginalized in society. In an era where red tagging is rampant, our fight for social justice and equity, human rights and freedom, any action or words that call the government to accountability and responsibility can be recklessly labelled as terrorist acts. Teaching the young how to protect and fight for their rights and freedoms and practice responsible and critical citizenship may be construed as promoting or tolerating terrorism, thereby stifling the integral education of the young, which we earnestly promote.

We firmly believe and promote human rights and fundamental freedoms as enshrined in our Constitution as keys to authentic human and social development.  As foundations of democracy, they are to be zealously valued and safeguarded.  We reject the Anti-Terror Bill because it threatens our valued rights and freedoms of expression, of speech, of the press, of association, and the right of the people to assemble peaceably and petition the government for redress of grievances, since anyone can be a suspect and be tagged by the government as terrorist. Student and pastoral actions critical of government’s inaction and abuses can now be considered acts of terrorism.

We believe that the Anti-Terror Bill violates the Constitutional provisions of due process and separation of powers.  The bill subscribes to the principle of guilty until proven innocent, warrantless arrest, arbitrary detention up to 24 days, as well as the establishment of an all-powerful Anti-Terror Council under the Office of the President with the power to determine what constitutes terrorism—a role exclusively reserved by the Constitution for the courts. We cannot allow the government to exercise Martial Law-like powers under the pretext of protecting the people against terrorism.

At a time where our people are suffering because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the approval of the Anti-Terror Bill is badly timed.  It shows how the government is railroading the signing of the bill into law while people cannot gather en masse to express their disapproval.  The pandemic has become an excuse for them to do what they want, hoping that they can pass public scrutiny.  Instead of focusing their attention on alleviating the sad condition of the people, the economy, the frontliners, and the victims of the pandemic, the government is busy fortifying its powers. An Anti-Terror Law in the hands of abusive leaders is a disaster for the people they swore to protect and serve.

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June 15, 2020

 To: All Diocesan Councils of the Laity
       National Lay Organizations and 
       Lay Institutions and Groups

 A warm “Laudato Si’” greeting to all of you!

 The Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development has embarked and announced a Special Laudato Si’ Anniversary Year from 24th May 2020 – 24th May 2021. It hopes that this anniversary year and the ensuing decade will indeed be a time of grace and “Jubilee for the Earth”, for humanity, and for all God’s creatures. The anniversary year which began with the Laudato Si’ Week 2020 last May 16 to 24, is now proceeding with several initiatives focusing on the preparation and celebration of the Season of Creation on September 1 to October 4, 2020.

This year of celebrations and actions for the Season of Creation align squarely with the CBCP Pastoral Letter entitled “AN URGENT CALL FOR ECOLOGICAL CONVERSION, HOPE IN THE FACE OF CLIMATE EMERGENCY”, which reiterated its appeal made in 2003, stating:

“In 2003, we issued Celebrating Creation Day and Creation Time to introduce the celebration of Creation Day on September 1st of every year and the observance of Creation Time between September 1 and October 4.”

The pastoral letter also echoed Pope Francis’ call by declaring that:

“As your pastors, we call for a continuing ecological conversion in all our Metropolitan Provinces, Dioceses, Parishes and Basic Ecclesial Communities — to discern the issues and actively care for the earth in personal, communitarian and institutional levels.”

Therefore, the CBCP- Episcopal Commission on Lay Apostolate (CBCP-ECLA, Laiko) endorses to you the Season of Creation 2020 and encourages the different Diocesan Councils of the Laity, National Lay Organizations and other Lay Institutions to promote and celebrate this in your different Dioceses, Parishes and Organizations. 

A more detailed program of activities and liturgical resources will be proposed and circulated soon by the GCCM-Pilipinas and Partner Organizations for our common use, which may also be properly contextualized in your respective localities.

We thank in advance the Global Catholic Climate Movement-Pilipinas and Partner Organizations for their dedication in calling everyone to a collective response to care for our common home.

Sincerely yours,

+ MOST REV. BRODERICK S. PABILLO, SDB, D.D.
Chairman
CBCP-Episcopal Commission on the Laity

16 June 2020

FR. MARVIN MEJIA
Secretary General
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines
Intramuros, Manila

Dear Fr. Mejia,

Greetings of peace and good health!

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference on the Philippines Episcopal Commission on Health Care would like to share to all arch/dioceses the updated COVID-19 response directory attached herewith containing the following:

• Directory of National Government Agencies
• Directory of COVID-19 Testing Laboratories
• Directory of COVID-19 Referral Hospitals
• Directory of Mental Health Services for COVID-19
• Directory of Telemedicine Services for COVID-19

Keeping everyone in our prayers through the intercession of Our Lady, Health of the Sick.

Thank you so much.

Sincerely in the Lord,

June 16, 2020

 To: Their Excellencies, the Bishops,
      The Clergy and the Religious
      All Diocesan Councils and National Lay Organizations,

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

 In the light of the recent conviction of Rappler CEO Maria Ressa, the Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas would like to invite you to a brief by Atty. Theodore Te, (former SC Spokesperson) Legal Counsel of Ms. Ressa, on June 19, 2020, Friday, 3 PM via Zoom.

 In as much as this legal battle affects many major rights of citizens and institutions, we need to have a clearer understanding of its background, case development and most importantly, its constitutional implications on the Filipino people and our democracy.

 “Be sure to put your feet in the right place, then stand firm!”
(Abraham Lincoln)

 We wish for our people to continue making a stand for justice, righteousness and freedom, but on the foundation and primacy of truth.

Should you be interested, please email back to the CBCP-Laiko (laiko_phils@yahoo.com.ph attn: Joseph Jesalva) so we can send you the link.

For the Council of the Laity of the Philippines,

Noted by: 

  + MOST REV. BRODERICK S. PABILLO, SDB, D.D.
 Chairman  CBCP-Episcopal Commission on the Laity 

16 June 2020

Quezon City, Philippines — One month after network giant ABS-CBN got shut down by a cease and desist order from the National Telecommunication Commission, Rappler CEO and Executive Editor Maria Ressa was convicted over cyber libel charges, Monday, June 15. The Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 46 sentenced Ressa to a minimum of six months and one day to a maximum of six years in jail.

 The social development network, Philippine Misereor Partnership Inc (PMPI) expressed “dismay and outrage over these turns of events. In a statement it said that the right of people to access information is violated by these actions and is a de-facto government crackdown on media perceived to be hostile to it. The need to provide a balance information, not only government propaganda is healthy for society’s democracy. Democracy is founded on the capability of its citizens to critical information.

 PMPI National Coordinator, Yoly R. Esguerra further said that “The indictment of Maria Ressa and the continuing cases filed against her, are not only about Maria, or Rappler, or even just an issue of press freedom. It is the asphyxiation of our democracy, an indication of a sick and manipulated justice system, of legislative lapdogs, of a control-freak and vindictive executive branch.”

 She adds “that information should be considered as an “oxygen of democracy”. The ability of citizens to participate effectively in the social and political life of the nation depends, in obvious ways, on the breath of information it receives.”

 Echoing statements of many rights group, it says that this is another nail in the coffin for our already strangled democratic rights and a clearly an intimidation to all dissenters of the Duterte administration. It further said that the indictment is an attack to press freedom, especially since President Rodrigo Duterte has been very vocal against the online news outlet, he even banned Rappler from Malacañang because of its supposed ‘twisted’ reporting in 2018.

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