Cory, Colon Cancer & Chlorination

The best we could do to help is to pray for her. The former President will surely survive colon cancer. She survived more lethal “cancers” in the past: a bloody dictatorship, several coup d’ etats, threats from the right and the left, etc.

This former housewife is not new to the great battles of life. She had been fighting social cancers. This physical one is no big deal compared to the one she is presently engaged against: the Arroyo Administration.

The news humbles us all. Cancer, like death, is a great equalizer. Its victims are rich and poor, powerful and powerless, landed and landless, famous and infamous, hero and heel. Before the Big C, we could boast of nothing except our prayers that God, in His infinite wisdom and love, will again allow a miracle to happen.

We gratefully share in the great lessons of life - a gift of the Aquinos - to the nation: Ninoy’s martyrdom, Cory’s people power and the family’s unbending faith in a God of wisdom and love.

Cancer occurs when the cells divide without control or order. Normally, cells divide when the body needs more cells. When cells keep on dividing even if new cells are not needed, a tumor forms. This tissue could be benign or malignant.

Malignant tumors are cancers and its cells can invade and damage other tissues and organs and can break away to enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system to form new tumors in other parts of the body. This spread is called metastasis.

Cancer of the colon, also called colorectal cancer, forms in the inner wall of the large intestines. Benign tumors are called polyps and could be removed through colonoscopy. Colon cancers mostly developed from polyps, could damage other tissues and could metastasize.

Symptoms of colon cancer are fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, change in bowel habits, narrow stools, diarrhea or constipation, red or dark blood stool, weight loss, abdominal pain, cramps, bloating…

The risk factors of colon cancer include genetic background, family history, high fat intake, the presence of polyps and chronic ulcerative colitis.

Chlorine in drinking water also increases the risk of colon cancer. People drinking chlorinated water over long periods have a 38% increase in the risk of colorectal cancer.

Drinking chlorinated water also increased risk of bladder cancer (by 80%) and arteriosclerosis with its inevitable results, heart attack and stroke. Drinking tap water that is chlorinated is hazardous if not deadly to your health.

According to Dr. J.M. Price (Saginaw Hospital): “Chlorine is the greatest crippler and killer of modern times. While it prevented epidemics of one disease, it was creating another. …After the start of chlorinating our drinking water… the present epidemic of heart trouble, cancer and senility began… Chlorine is an insidious poison.”

When chlorine reacts with other organic matters in water, a Disinfection By-Product (TBA) called THM or Trihalomethanes is produced. THM and chloroform, chlorine by-products, are carcinogenic.
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We could reduce THM and chloroform in our tap water used for drinking by aeration, storing water in refrigerator for 24 hours and using water treatment devices containing activated carbon.

Those above 40 years old should undergo digital rectal examination and stool occult blood testing. If above 50, submit to screening tests, like flexible sigmoidoscopy, every three to five years. Consult your physician. Change your eating habits. Reduce fat intakes. Increase fiber (roughage). Sources of fat: meat, eggs, dairy products, salad dressings, oils used in cooking…

Fiber is the insoluble, non-digestible part of plant material present in fruits, vegetables and whole grain breads and cereals. They would get rid of potential carcinogens in the colon, and allow less time for a potential carcinogen to react with the intestinal lining.

(This column was written the first time the late former President Cory Aquino was diagnosed with colon cancer)

Lobby money

Based on revelations made by Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, we concluded in our last column that out of the total appropriations for one senator in six years, the senator could illegally shave a minimum of P393,560,000.00.

That amount is small change compared to the average actual election expense of a senatorial candidate.

It is reported that three weeks to the day, Team Unity has already spent a total of Php 9.0 billion for its campaign, or a whooping Php 750.0 million per candidate. And yet, more than half of the TU candidate is not assured of victory.

The amount that a senator could steal in six years – is barya lang , and is never enough to replenish his election expenses. If he lost the last time he ran, he would want his expenses in that previous election replenished too. And as astute businessmen and politicians are wont to do, he wants a good tubo (profit) for his investments.

Why would a senator spend so much in getting elected and expect to earn too little payback even by stealing from the government? The reason is the real source of a senator's billions: lobby money .

Lobby money is any consideration – money or anything of value – that is promised, offered and given to a senator to influence, one way or another, a legislative action or inaction, decision or indecision.

The Constitution vests the Senate with powers such as legislation, oversight / investigation / inquiries, confirmation of appointments and many others. The acts of the upper house have far-reaching bearing on contracts, franchisees, businesses, taxes, landholdings, and a myriad other matters of national importance.

Lobby money could be in exchange of a vote of yes or no, or a committee chair's action, inaction or machination. Lobby money is no different from bribe money, grease money, extorted money or political contributions practiced by lesser mortals. All have the same and one purpose: to buy or influence official favor for one's personal interests.

Who resorts to lobby money? First and foremost, the administration, who must assure that its agenda and interests are carried out or protected in both houses of congress. Billions of pesos were spent to influence the outcome of several impeachment proceedings and legislative inquiries during the last four years.

Big business and landowners stand to lose billions of pesos from a piece of legislation, or from a simple word inserted or expunged from a proposed law.

For example, the Biofuel Act took too long to pass due to a powerful and lucrative lobby from oil companies, car manufacturers, big plantation owners and other prospective investors.

A simple amendment of the time frame for the implementation of the mandated use of biodiesel blend or ethanol blend in cars, or by simply changing the percentage amount of such blends, spares affected industries of billions of pesos in losses.

A legislated increase in the wages of employees faced a strong and emotional lobby from big employers all over the country. The lobbyists won, workers lose (and became more hungry).

Other lobbysists who will not hesitate to offer lobby money to a senator, sky is the langit , are drug dealers, smugglers, human traffickers / big time pimps, land grabbers / professional squatters, power brokers, mining companies, big tax evaders, gun runners, local warlords, big landowners, generals, foreign governments, the CIA, TNCs/MNCs, and many other interest groups, both legal and illegal.

It's good to be senator. Earning billions of pesos – for a corrupt senator - is easy. This, Miriam forgot.

Corrupt senator? It's a redundancy. Honest senator? That's an oxymoron. We will dwell on that next time.

Be Senator, Have Billions

Miriam Defensor-San-tiago is at her best again. But her best is not enough.

Her extensively reported “revelations” on the hundreds-of-million-peso-ways by which a senator could recover his election expenses mentioned too many, but too little. She forgot the most important thing.

Miriam hit the mark. But she spared the jugular. None of the incumbent senators, including the senator-candidates, are squirming and wriggling in fear and terror. They should tremble, more so that the tirades are vintage Miriam. But they are not. There is no rejoinder from the Upper House or any other house. Miriam's blows are not fatal.

What would a sitting senator get in terms of pesos to justify the hundreds of millions spent to win a seat? Salary of P 35,000 a month. Budget for office and staff, P1.7M per month. He could pocket an average of 40% for ghost employees which would amount to about P680,000.00.

For foreign travel and perks, the senator's budget is P760,000 a month. With ghost travels and ghost travelers, the whole amount, or 50%, is free for the taking. With an average of 50% kickback, our good senator keeps more or less P380,000.00 a month.

For committee chairmanships, a senator gets similar budget on top of what he/she gets as a senator. For the annual pork barrel / CDF allocation of P200 million, the senator receives a minimum of 10% commission or SOP from project contractors funded by the pork. But we know that senators get as much as 20%. With an average of 15% for our beloved senator, he gets for himself at least P30 million a year.

Adding up everything, for a single six-year term, a senator could earn P2,520,000.00 in salaries; P48,960,000.00 from ghost employees / office expenses; P54,720,000.00 from ghost foreign travels; P180.000,000.00 in commissions from his/her pork barrel / CDF allocations; for an average of two committee chairmanships, the senator gets twice of what he gets as a senator (excluding the salaries) amounting to P207,360.000.

In six years, the senator earns – solely for himself – P393,560,000.00 Or almost Php 0.5 Billion. Or P82,260,000.00 per year.

But Miriam forgot one very important thing, the one thing that could truly hurt the senators. The figures above are nothing, barya lang , compared to the real source of dirty wealth and riches for one greedy senator. Some senators find giving up the trickles mentioned above like a walk in the park. Did Miriam forget, or did she intentionally omit the true source of a greedy senator's billions?

She forgot the lobby money. And we will dwell on that in our next column.

Accept the money, ruin our children’s future

We still hear decent persons – even priests and bishops – tell people that “it is not bad to accept money, provided one votes according to one's conscience.” Based on the latest SWS survey, 51% in Mindanao agreed to the statement, slightly higher than the 50% nationwide. This is bad news.

Thirty-two percent (32%) of Filipinos disagreed with the statement. If this means that 32% of Filipinos believe it is bad to accept money and not vote for the vote-buying candidate – then it is still bad news.

But if it means that 32% of Filipinos believe that the act itself of accepting money is bad, regardless that one votes for the vote-buyer, another candidate, or never votes at all - then it is good news.

Most of us had become too comfortable with the thought, the possibility and the practice of receiving money, rice or anything of value (including promises) from candidates. I refuse to think that we became too impoverished as a people that we could be so despicable as to sell our honor, our future, and the future of our children – for a few hundreds of pesos.

While we defer to social scientists, we may venture to surmise that this bizarre and absurd collective psyche of the Filipino of our times is partly due to a gaping feeling of desperation and resignation among our people.

In the same SWS survey, it is shown that 7 out of 10 Filipinos believe that vote-buying will occur anyway; that their votes will be manipulated and not counted anyway; that whoever wins the election, it is still the same banana and nothing will change anyway; that whether we accept the money or not, we will get - for another three years – another batch of corrupt, do-nothing, money-making and politicking elected local and national officials, anyway.

Now, could we blame the Filipino if he accepts some amount for his most treasured vote, just enough for his children to survive another day?

However, I still pin my hopes on the 32%, where we belong. Great revolutions began with a handful of believers.

We will not accept money from candidates because our votes are not for sale, just as our honor, dignity and the future of our children are not for sale. Our children are not for sale.

We will not accept money, rice or anything of value from a candidate because that is what our conscience tells us.

And our conscience tells us more: We will not vote for candidates who give money, distribute rice and make empty promises. They may still win because of the 51% among us, but 32% of us will sleep and walk around with clear conscience during the next three years.

Beating the Merchants of Death

We understand the anguish of the parents of the accused in the famed “Vizconde Massacre” in the wake of the Court of Appeal's affirmation of the lower court's reclusion perpetua sentence to their boys. The Supreme Court would be their last chance to prove that their sons are innocent.

It is widely believed such incredibly inhuman crime committed many, many years ago is drug-related. Even after the conviction of the accused, more and more drug-related crimes are reported every year.

It is reported that eighty percent of crimes committed are drug-related. The Philippines , producing nearly $1.5 billion worth of marijuana every year, is the second biggest source of the banned narcotic next to Mexico .

Trendier drugs like ecstasy (methylene dioxymethampetha-mine) and shabu (amphetamine hydrochloride) are now sold over the counter or in tiyangge.

More and more Filipinos are hooked into drugs. The country has more or less two million drug users today, almost half million of them are high school and college students, and 90% of them are male between the age of 15 to 29 years old.

The situation is very alarming. It is as alarming as twenty or ten years ago. It is always so alarming that nobody cares anymore about anyone sounding the alarm.

Our apathy and despair in the face of the illegal drug problem is precisely what drug lords and traders – the Merchants of Death – want. The game plan is perfect. The drug menace is beyond our human capabilities to solve. Let it

be. The tentacles of the drug syndicates encompass everybody, and it means everybody, including some churches who receive donations from drug lords. So, better keep quiet about it. Unless you want another dead body disturb the peaceful neighborhood.

The drug enforcement agency can do just enough. They could conduct raids, arrest some small fry, uproot a hundred hills of marijuana, bust a shabu laboratory, report them to the media, and we all feel good about it.

But the scourge of illegal drugs continues. After hibernating for a few days or months during which the selling price soars, this evil returns with a vengeance, so that more crimes are committed, more minds destroyed and more lives devastated.

It is about time we seriously heed the call of PSupt Edwin S. Minion, PDEA-12 Regional Director, for greater cooperation from the citizenry, parents, schools and all sectors in our common fight against the drug menace.

Beating illegal drugs is not a purely PDEA concern. With a vigilant citizenry and more cooperative parents, our battle against this evil will have greater chances of winning.

Regional Director Minion proposes a more concerted and consistent campaign against illegal drugs. It dismays the public when they see finger-pointing and infighting among personalities and agencies supposedly entrusted to fight the drug problem, or when we hear law enforcers themselves allegedly involved in the drug trade.

Local government units, invoking the general welfare clause enshrined in RA 7160, could maximize their resources towards increased awareness through drug education, campus rallies, counseling and rehabilitation.

Director Minion believes that strengthening the family is one of the greatest defenses against illegal drugs. It is society that makes drugs survive. Children find drugs a good substitute to important things that they do not find in a home, such as love and a sense of belonging.

Parents should spend time with their children, develop their self-esteem, and check on their barkadas . A child with a strong sense of self could easily resist destructive habits.

The PDEA Region 12 chief also proposes a personal lifestyle change. Leaders, parents, government officials and persons in authority should look at themselves and the kind of role models they are in society. Addiction is a lifestyle, a way of coping with the world and ourselves. A value system that finds alcohol and tobacco (“gateway drugs”) desirable lead children to easily experiment on drugs.

Citizens, rise up. Let us do our share in the war against drugs. Laban natin ito.

Iniligtas ako ng aking mga magulang sa droga

Katawan. Isipan. Kinabukasan. Kahihiyan. Kalooban. Lahat iyan papatayin at dudurugin ng droga. Walang maiiwan, maliban sa ilang kilong nabubulok na buto at laman.

Bawat umaga, sa aking pagsakay sa terminal papunta sa eskwelahan, di ko maiiwasang makita ang tatlong nilalang na naglalakad na walang direksyon. Marurungis at payat – ang isa ay halos walang damit - wala nang pumapansin sa kanila. Bahagi na sila ng landscape.

Mga anak o apo daw sila ng ilang dating mayayaman at makapangyarihang pamilya sa aming bayan. Matatalino at magagaling na mga mag-aaral at atleta noon. Minahal nang lubos (pagmamahal nga ba?) ng mga magulang. Ngunit, nalulong sa droga. Nasira ang utak, katawan, kalooban, kinabukasan. Nasira rin ang magandang pangalan.

Nakakaawa. Ngunit may malaking papel na ginagampanan sa aking murang isipan ang mga “baliw” na ito. Sila ay buhay na paalala sa akin, at sa maraming kabataang katulad ko, na ang droga ay isang malupit na salot sa lipunan na dapat iwasan at pandirihan.

Di na kailangang maranasan o matikman ang droga upang malaman ang kamatayang dulot nito. Habang nakikita ko silang mga palaboy-laboy, naglalakad na blangko ang mga mata, nanghuhuli ng elepante at dragon sa isang mundong nalikha dahil sa marijuana o shabu, nanginginig ako sa takot at pangamba.

Salamat sa aking mga magulang. Iniligtas nila ako sa tiyak na kapahamakan na dulot ng droga.

Walang programa o tiyak na sistema ang Mama at Papa ko upang ako at ang aking kapatid ay mailayo sa droga. Walang lectures. Walang required readings.

Minahal lang nila kami. Sapat na yun. At kung paano nila kami minahal, yun ang pinakamatinding panangga para sa aming kaligtasan.

Sabay ang buong pamilya na nanonood ng telebisyon. Pinag-uusapan namin ang mga eksenang napapanood. Nadi-deepen at na-ka-clarify ang mga values. Malimit, napag-uusapan ang kasamaang dulot ng drugs.

Napag-uusapan din ang droga sa hapag kainan, habang nagbi-biyahe nang sama-sama, habang nasa paglalaro, o kaya, habang naglalaba o nagluluto.

Malayang napag-uusapan sa loob ng bahay ang droga; hindi ito tinuturing na taboo. Kung itinuring ng mga magulang ko na isang malaking sikreto ang tungkol sa droga, baka ikinamatay ko ang pagtuklas kung ano nga ba talaga ang pantastikong misteryo na bumabalot dito.

Hindi ipinilit ng aking mga magulang ang kanilang mga ideya sa akin. Kung namilit sila, tiyak nagrebelde na rin ako. Bilang tin-edyer, kailangan ko ng kalayaan, o breathing space. Kailangan ko ang aking mga magulang para sa mga payo, pagkain, damit at bahay, ngunit gusto ko ring patunayan na kaya ko ang mapag-isa.

Sabi ng mga magulang ko, delikado ang droga. Nakamamatay. At lubos akong naniwala sa kanila. Hindi nila ako pinuwersang maniwala; bagama't sila'y nagpapaliwanag, nagpapakita, Nagsusuhestyon. Ngunit hindi dumidikta. Hindi namimilit.

Iginagalang nila ang aking karapatang magdesisyon, at karapatang panagutan ang anumang resulta ng prebilihiyong makapag-desisyon.

Hinikayat nila ako na palaguin ang aking mga angking talino. Pakiwari ko'y umaapaw ang aking enerhiya at mga ideyang nais humulagpos sa aking isipan. Maliit pa ako'y todo-suporta na sila: oratorical, pagsusulat, pagsasayaw, musika, sports, eleksyon sa SSG o SK, pag-aaral ng IT, at marami pa. Nandyan sila lagi, sa bawat panalo… at sa bawat pagkatalo ko.

Kahit medyo hirap sa badyet, pinilit nilang magkaroon kami ng gitara, lyre, electric organ, mga flute, music books, CDs, VCDs, DVDs, mga laruan at dolls, mga bola ng basketball, table tennis, soccer at volleyball, raketa ng tennis at badminton, bisikleta, skateboard, scooter, at marami pang iba. Bukod pa iyan sa napakarami at iba't-ibang babasahin at libro na sinadyang bilhin.

Ilang beses nag-enrol ang Mama ko sa pagluluto. At kaylan man, hindi ko naisip na mas masarap ang pagkain sa labas at sa ibang lugar, kaysa sa simple ngunit masutansiyang luto sa bahay.

Pakiwari ko'y lagpas ulo ang mga dapat ko'ng gawin sa buhay. Tiyak ang aking mga layunin araw-araw. Nais kong maka-graduate ng may honor, kahit cum laude man lang. Ang dami kong assignments. Kulang ang aking oras para sa mga dapat tapusin. At natatapos ko lahat nang maayos dahil na rin sa suporta ng aking mga magulang.

Nagtiwala sila. Hindi sila naniniktik sa akin at sa aking mga barkada. Hindi sila nagduda na baka mahikayat ako sa kasamaan. Mas may tiwala sila na kaya kong himukin sa kabutihan ang aking mga kaibigan.

Hindi nila ipinagbawal na makakasama ko lagi ang aking mga kaklase. Kung ipinagbawal nila iyon, iisipin ko'ng sobra na sila, at magkikimkim ako ng tampo at galit. Maaaring gumamit na rin ako ng droga upang ipadama sa kanila ang aking sama ng loob.

Sinsero at parang kaibigan lang ang pakikipag-usap nila sa akin. Kahit hirap ako minsan, pinapayagan nila kong ibulalas ang aking mga nararamdaman, kasama na ang aking hinanakit. Sila na mismo ang humihingi ng tawad kung nararamdaman nilang nasaktan nila ang aking damdamin.

Kung ako'y matamlay at tahimik, hindi nila ito pinalalagpas. Hindi sila hihinto hangga't di nila nalalaman kung ano ang gumugulo sa aking isipan o pangangatawan. Sasabihin nila na tila may problema ako. Magpapaliwanag ako. At magkakaunawaan kami.

Matibay ang relasyon ko sa aking mga magulang. Ito ang pinakamalakas na panlaban ko sa droga. Hindi ako nakaranas ng tinatawag na emotional vacuum. Hindi sila nawala noong dinaranas ko ang pinakamahirap na parte ng aking adolescence . Hindi ko kinakailangang mag-droga o maghanap ng “ibang” kaibigan o taong “mahingahan” upang punuan ang isang emotional void .

Maliwanag at patas ang kanilang mga rules . Kung ako'y napagagalitan, alam ko na iyon ay dahil sa matinding pag-alala nila sa aking kapakanan. Minsan, hindi na nagalit ang Papa ko. Hindi na siya nagsalita. Umiyak na lamang siya, at doon ko napatunayan na ang bawat pagkakamali ko ay dumudurog sa puso ng aking mga magulang

Nagdi-disiplina sila, hindi nagpaparusa. Pagkatapos ng mga pagdidisiplina, niyayakap kami at pinapaliwanagan. Nauunawaan ko na kahit nagkamali ako, mahal na mahal pa rin nila ako.

Higit sa lahat, nagpakita sila ng magandang halimbawa. Kasama sila sa mga rally at protesta laban sa droga. Nagsusulat at nagtuturo sila laban sa droga. Banned sa bahay namin ang mga sleeping pills, tranquilizers o sigarilyo. Ang mga alcoholic drinks sa bahay ay gamit panluto lamang ng Mama ko. Mas higit silang kapani-paniwala dahil sa kanilang ginagawa.

Kung hindi dahil sa aking mga magulang, malamang, lulong na rin ako sa droga ngayon. At baka durog na rin ang aking katawan, kaluluwa, kalooban, kinabukasan at kahihiyan.

(Mithi Malaya, 20 years old, writes from NDMU. She has just graduated, cum laude, from the course BSIT)

Reasons to celebrate?

Filipinos had a lot to celebrate during the week that passed.

For a number of days , Gringo Honasan's arrest dominated the headlines and prime time news. One side, particularly the government, was exhilarated at the capture of somebody it considers the godfather of all coups. The other side, which includes the whole political spectrum from center of left leftward, found one more reason to damn the government for what they consider a policy to muffle dissent and exterminate the opposition.

Well, while the government tries very hard to trumpet the arrest of the former senator as a significant triumph, it eerily finds itself in the defensive in the media war. Unless the police escorts assigned to secure Gringo allow him to escape like what happened before, no doubt he will go the way of Erap Estrada, Nur Misuari and Crispin Beltran. They represent the full range of the “destabilizers” of the government, and it is to the best interest of the State that these people and many others like them be kept at bay until PGMA proves her point: that she is the best President the country ever had, so far.

Unfortunately for the government, Gringo is still seen by many as a hero. A sizable sector within the military establishment, and among civilians have great respect for Honasan and the causes he espoused. Accounts of his affairs with other women did little to tarnish his credibility and leadership. Some say, in a macho society like ours, dwelling on such aspect of Gringo's life serves to boost his mystic as the penultimate icon of male power and virility.

Speaking of male power , a recent international survey showed that it is in fact a myth in the Philippines . We ranked number six, and are proud about it, in efforts to close the gender gap in the country, while the US ranked number 22. This confirms our suspicions that we are actually a matriarchal society where men are allowed to occupy positions of power implementing the decisions subtly made by women. And in times where men fail, women had no choice but take on the reins.

Then, Manny Pacquiao made us proud again as a Filipino. He clobbered Mexican Eric Morales into surrender in the third round of their boxing match. Many believe Pacquiao is the best thing that ever happened to Filipinos of this generation. He gave us the reason to walk with heads up before the world and, without apologies, say, “Pinoy ako!”

The tragedy is that, this vicarious victory and pride actually highlights the extreme poverty in body and spirit of each Filipino. Could there be something better to be proud of as a Filipino than a Manny Pacquiao who clobbers, hurts, maims, conquers and in doing so, earns millions of pesos, in dubious world of big professional boxing manipulated and dominated by international syndicates?

In fact, thousands more important and great reasons to celebrate and be proud of are out there, other than Manny and Gringo, if we only look close enough and discover our true worth as Filipinos.

Words & swords

Since this is our maiden issue , we begin with self-disclosure.

Our advocacy is building peaceful communities through dialogues. Dialogue requires respect, openness and acceptance. Respect for the uniqueness of every person. Openness to point of views and ideas different from our own. Acceptance of the peculiarities and opinions of others.

Our tools are words. Simple written words. Words that bring peace and understanding. Not words in the sense of “pen is mightier than the sword”. In that sense, words and swords are anagrams. They are like two sides of a coin. Both are tools of war, whether for domination or liberation. Both are meant to bring death and destruction to combatants and non-combatants alike. Those words or swords bring unspeakable misery to women, children and all others who are innocent.

There is a war out there. Yes, in the battlefields. In rebel-infested countrysides and cities. But there is also a bloodier war raging in every boardroom, every classroom, every sports arena, every contest, every home. In every election. In the heart of every person.

The words we use and hear everyday are replete with words from the vocabulary of war. Words that serve to heighten divisions. Words that encourage domination of the weak by the strong. Words that legitimize the rights of the masters and the fate of the slaves and servants. Words that betray prejudice and discrimination. Words that glorify the survivor, adulate the winner and make the champion a demi-god. Words that do not give a second look at the loser, the goat and the wimp.

There is an ongoing war of survival among children fanned by parents who have favorites. The war becomes bloodier even after the last will and testament was read in courts. Schools nurture violence. The drive to vanquish the enemy is total by the time the child becomes a professional or a professional player. For personal glory, but more for the glory of the corporation.

War is good business. To keep the business good, the culture of war must be subtly promoted through education and mass media. Through words that will ensure cash registers kept ringing.

It is in this sense that the mass media becomes unwitting promoters of war, or active advocates for building peace. We choose the latter.

We want to build peace , let us use words that bring peace. To point out a few example, we consider as encouraging violence descriptions of the “terrorist”, “bandit”, “pirate” or “bomber” as a Muslim. We censure description of the rape victim as “beautiful, sexy and seductive”. There is no place in our book for a description of the farmers and the urban poor dwellers as “unshod”, or “illiterate”. Words used to describe any person, such as “fat”, “short”, “cripple”, “dark-skinned-fair-skinned”, “spinster”, and many more are considered derogatory and belittles the true worth of a person.

“Blessed are the peacemakers , for they shall be called sons (and daughters) of God”, said Jesus of Nazareth. Figure out whose sons and daughters those who promote war and violence. For men and women of peace, the Holy Qur'an declares, “You are the best of peoples, evolved for Mankind, enjoining what is right forbidding what is wrong, and believing in Allah.”

Join us in our journey towards a peaceful Mindanao where Christians and Muslims could truly live as brothers and sisters. Begin with words of peace. Shun the swords or words of violence and war.

Let us dialogue continuously. Through this simple newspaper.

(This article appeared as editorial in the maiden issue of a local newsweekly "Bull's Eye" about four years ago.)

Youth of the land, come forward, please!

Dr. Jose Rizal callEd them the hope of the Fatherland. He was referring to the youth. Ordinarily, youth is understood as referring to chronological age, perhaps 21 years old and below, or 35 and below or 45 and below. Paano naman kaming mga 46 and above?

Ah, we find solace in the more philosophical definition of youth. Youth is a quality of the heart and the mind. Youth, my philosophy professor says, is synonymous with idealism, commitment, reaching for lofty dreams at all cost, and harboring great love for the country and its people.

Many years ago, I did an interview, for a church newspaper, of an obviously aging man. His vision for the country was clear and resolute, his love for the poor oozed in his teary eyes and quivering lips, his determination to go on with his struggle to liberate his beloved country from oppression as firm as his grip of his fully loaded Carbine. I never knew how his life concluded, but never had I seen such pristine youthfulness in a 68-year old balding man.

I also know of very young politicians in South Cotabato who ascended the ladder of politics through the Sangguniang Kabataan. Early in their careers, they became experts in making money out of youth congresses, seminars and lakbay-arals. At a very early age, they were trained - and in no time became experts - in the great art of making money through graft and corruption, no thanks to some unscrupulous MLGOOs and older politicians.

At an age just past adolescence, these young leaders were robbed of their conscience and idealism, and instantly metamorphosed into nauseating, detestable thieves of public money. “So young, yet so corrupt” is a benign description for these people who, while young in age, are actually already rotting as hell and smelling like carcasses, very much like older politicians.

We need new leaders with youthful hearts. We need youthful leaders who will lead by example. We need leaders with the heart of the young, who are true to their words, who will not dare steal a single centavo from the public coffer, who will not falsify their gasoline receipts, who will not use their vehicles for any personal purpose, who will not allow or participate in any ghost purchase, vehicle repair, travel or training.

We need leaders who will be scandalized by any thought of being offered an SOP or a commission or any gift from a contractor or supplier. We need leaders who are true to their families, and who are not in the payroll of drug lords, gambling syndicates and illegal loggers.

We want leaders who will speak out against abuse and ignominy in government, promote transparency in government transactions, and practice all these – not only speak about it - in all his daily affairs.

Youth of the land, please come forward, and give life to a decaying politics. Burn your candles and give life to a dying country. Inspire and lead us into a better tomorrow.

Thank You, Ben

He is no Ben in Michael Jackson's song. This Ben is a better rat. Out of his many virtues I just recently discovered, this Ben has a better memory than anybody else.

He is Ben Sumog-oy, columnist in an award-winning local newsweekly, the Mindanao Bulletin. I knew him better, lately, as a media man, a respected thinker and an advocate of genuine governance and democratic principles.

But other than that, I have very limited memories of Ben. I may have never been fond of him twenty years ago, proof of which is that I have hazy memories of him. Well, I have hazy memories of almost everything in the past, a defense mechanism invented by my brain to ease the pain of remembering.

Ben was never part of my circle of influence then. When I was a national democrat, he was not. When he was a media man, I considered myself a propagandist of the people's struggle against the dictatorship. When I was a political animal, he was an NGO worker. Our lives met again in one crossroad: making local government work to improve the quality of life of the people. How that ill-fated advocacy and passion ended for both of us is another story.

Suddenly Ben remembers! His column on “Reflection and Analysis” printed in the April 25 – May 1, 2006 issue of Mindanao Bulletin, the fourth of a series of his treatise on the progressive forces in Sarangani, was like a nuclear bomb that fell on me.

Ben remembered the “Lampasak Massacre”. He remembered that I led the march of about 800 people from Alabel and General Santos City through nine high mountains and one river crossed 97 times to reach the scene of the crime and give honor to the 17 dead, 7 of them children. In the middle of Ben's column, I was already unable to read. An abundance of lachrymal liquid was trying to blur my field of vision.

Instinctively, I scavenged on my old folders and prized possessions. I was looking for a picture I never dared look during the last twenty years. When I finally found the last picture of the Lampasak Massacre, I was already sobbing like a child.

Thanks Ben. In remembering, you helped me remember... and live again.

I remember the dangerous times when armed men lord it over Alabel and the countrysides, and I was a young priest struggling to make sense of the cruelty of humans against each other. I remember that Artemia Apitan, a catechist, came to the doors of the convent crying for help for her seven-year child, Rosemin, who while celebrating her birthday the night before was killed with several neighbors and relatives.

I remember the spontaneous show of support and commitment from several sectors and personalities both from Alabel and General Santos City , and the unequivocal and daring decision to visit the site, document the incident and give homage to the victims. It was dry season but the river unexpectedly swelled; a two-hour trip lasted almost 9 hours and the group was able to reach the place at about 8:00 P.M. After the mass, we rested with wet clothes and began to trek down very early in the morning. Without food, some lumads and residents appeared from nowhere bringing us boiled bananas.

I remember the stories told by Ben in his column. Like Ben, Fr. Rene Cruz and I wrote voluminous documentations about the incident, but we just never knew what happened after. We were all caught in the storm, so to speak.

I remember that the armed group who perpetrated the massacre continued to terrorize, maim and kill people in Alabel even after EDSA. They did it in the name of democracy and in the name of God. We do not know what happened to them. Perhaps Ben knows.

I remembered that a community was born during that day. It was a community crying for justice for the 17 victims of the Lampasak Massacre, 7 of them children. It was a community whose courage and rage prepared richly the coming of the true EDSA in 1986 and the other EDSAs of the future.

Then, I wept that justice was never served. I despaired that God could be so uncaring for His people. I kept myself from remembering. To ease the pain.

I am sharing here the picture of the massacre victims taken almost twelve hours after they were herded in an open space to die... that we may all remember. So that in remembering, we will continue to cry for justice. So that as we remember, justice will be served sooner.

Thank you, Ben. May your tribe increase. And may the souls of the Lampasak Massacre victims rest in peace. Amen.

(About the photo: Tabi-tabi po! Seventeen persons, including seven children killed in a massacre perpetrated by a “fanatic” group in the mountains of Lampasak, Malapatan, Sarangani Province 20 years ago. Justice was buried with their bodies.)

De-humanizing Politics

Even after almost twelve years of trifling in the field of politics - invariably as “know-it-all” political officer, pretentious bureaucrat, “scapegoated sulsultant” , shady wonk, or plain kibitzer, Philippine political praxis – both national and local – never fails to shock me. Moral atrophy never fully overpowered me, a thing I treasure as one of the best things that happened – or did not happen – to me. Inversely, even if I was still “part of the system”, some friends would occasionally express their surprise at how differently I view things. “Ganyan ka pala mag-isip, ano ngayon ang gusto mong mangyari?” says a local politician I once admire a lot. Thanks for the question. It served as a wake up call from a slumber that was slowly robbing me of my honor and self-respect. Making a radical paradigm shift was made easier. Partly, for the good of my soul.

And partly, for the good of my country. Outside the penumbra of politics, I could freely speak out my mind, my rage and my hopes. As a modest share in building a nation.

Our political practice made power a supreme, if not absolute, value. Money is the necessary cog, motive and reward in the pursuit of power. And so also is the “pangalan” (reputation). I am still scandalized at how once decent men and women could be so blinded with the consuming desire to win an election. Without knowing it, they were already possessed by the obsession to corner the votes. Suddenly, everything – marriage, family, “friendship”, membership in organizations, public office, projects, budgets, civic and religious activities, etc. – are seen as means to the great end: Power. People are seen as voters, seldom as human beings. Assistance extended – financial or otherwise – are cash advances for the beneficiaries' vote during the next elections.

It is easy to blame the voters themselves for the state of decadence of our political culture. They get the kind of officials they deserve, and they have no reason to complain because they had already been paid, politicians say. Or, is it the churches, or the academe, for their failure to evangelize the masses or educate the youth? Perhaps, it is the family that failed to inculcate in the children a solid and unshakable foundation of honesty, integrity, peace and justice? “Human rights” lawyers – a redundancy because every lawyer, by their oath, should be human rights lawyers – who became politicians, bewail the absurdity of insisting on the “moral and right thing to do” during elections, as taught by Holy Mother the Church. The “right thing” assures nothing, except for aspirants to transform with certainty into lame duck politicians the day after.

Thus, people upon whom we reposed some hopes that somehow, with their courageous participation in a stinking political exercise, could make a difference, end up dancing with the music. Some commentaries, with patronizing compassion, refer to them as “victims”. It is the system that compelled them to do corrupt acts and make corrupt decisions, otherwise, they are actually decent men and women. The reasoning is tragic, no, tragically comic. An elementary pupil could figure it out. Bumenta na yan.

But the painful dilemma remains. And a very real one. The virus is all-consuming that it does not spare even those who underwent more rigid religious or academic formation. Our political praxis, it seems, is a world where only the rogues, the gangsters, the violent, the deceivers, the thieves, the vote-buyers, and the kapal-muks could survive. Some decent ones who were misled to venture into that world – often with pure intentions - were transformed by the virus in no time, and became as rabid as the others. Sometimes, more rabid.

God, wake me up from this very bad dream.

Suicide: A stupid thing to do

I WAS NOT ABLE TO CATCH the details, but it was Jim Paredes on TV lashing out at Panky of Pinoy Dream Academy (PDA), telling the Cebuana scholar that what she uttered the day before was the most stupid thing.

The stupid thing was Panky's idea that sounded like, “suicide is the highest form of art”. The comment was the result of the “set up” made by PDA itself with no apparent purpose but for the scholars to hurt each other. We could imagine Paredes saying, “stupid, stupid, stupid…” referring to the suicide thing, but he could also be referring to the stupid thing the TV network did for the scholars to injure each others' feelings. Paredes' reaction summed up the production's fear that a suicide of one of its scholars might dampen a very profitable TV program.

These thoughts came to mind when the local radio reported last week two suicides in just a day. In the face of this reality, people ask questions like, why would people take their own lives? How should we react to suicides? How could this stupid act be prevented?

We leave to psychologists and behavioral scientists the more difficult task of explaining the phenomenon of a human being taking his own life. Like everybody else, after muttering such words as “stupid, stupid…” in condemnation, we are immediately gripped with compassion for the victims. Especially so, that almost every victim speaks of “being not loved” as reason for copping out of this world.

“Nobody loves me… I will go out and eat worms...” These are words from a child who thinks nobody loves him. His thoughts are indications of morbid things to come.

Cases of suicides are symptoms of a sick society, a society suffering from great hunger for love or afflicted with some kind of cultural aberration. People are too busy earning a living that the glitter of money led them to treat one another as inanimate objects. They forgot their main task of loving. They were too engrossed with their personal concerns sidelining the people who are in great need of their loving presence.

Victims of suicides – the moment they were committing their act of self-annihilation – are not in their right minds and proper faculties to make correct and responsible decisions. That is why they are called “stupid…” because they did not know what they were doing. Jesus of Nazareth said, “Forgive them for they do not know…”

I heard of kindly priests who blessed, prayed and celebrated Mass inside the Church for victims of suicides despite the ambivalent stand of Church teachings on the matter. Those who took their own lives are victims and they must be treated and judged as victims.

In no way should such stand encourage suicide. That would be another stupid thing to do. Instead, it should encourage compassion and peaceful acceptance and healing on the part of the family of the victim. It should encourage us to love more so that no other suicides from henceforth will rock our collective conscience.

But more than that, every suicide is a condemnation of a society that loves less, that is cruel to its members, that judges unfairly and without compassion, that does not understand and provide for the needs of its members for love, acceptance and belongingness.

Families are the first line of defense against this “stupid thing to do…” It is in the home where the sacredness and supreme value of life must be nurtured, where strength of character founded in faith in a loving God is cherished, where the virtue of hope is our breastplate against despair, misery and desolation.

Want to atone for society's sin against suicide victims? Let us be more compassionate to others, and love them more.

(Mithi Malaya, 23, is now working with a government-organized NGO mandated to protect, rehabilitate and develop the environment in the Allah Valley Landscape of Southern Mindanao. She wrote this piece four years ago).

An Immovable Force

It was a test of wills. On one hand, the self-seeking will of the overwhelming majority in the De Venecia-led Lower House who thought they had absolute power, and on the other hand, the will of the overwhelming majority of the people fed up with self-serving machinations of spoiled brats who call themselves representatives of the people.

JDV's cohorts attempted, once again, to shamelessly force their collective will upon the Filipino people by changing their own rules. Changing the rules will assure speedy approval of a resolution convening Congress into a Constituent Assembly that will propose amendments to the constitution. No wonder, RC Constantino called them “totally bereft of principles, nauseating and serial rapists”.

In the wake of the approval of the Lower House' bill described by Rep. Chiz Escudero as “brazen, illegal, immoral and unconstitutional” , the people's anger and disgust snowballed to encompass the Upper House (Senate), the Catholic Church leadership, Mike Velarde's El Shaddai, Bro. Eddie's Jesus is Lord and Bro. Eraño Manalo's INK. JDV's flock was standing on squeaky ground and is admittedly no match in the face of such immovable force.

The collision between the speeding (cha-cha) train and the broad unity of the people would have been an enormous disaster for the congressmen if not for a belated realization of certain defeat that led the train operators to accept that theirs is garbage compared to the power of a disgusted people. It was politically wise that JDV's train changed course to avoid direct collision, saving his passengers from a major political debacle.

On second thought, JDV and his minions betray their arrogance when, despite their surrender due to an impending defeat, they quickly changed gear. Now, perhaps in sheer desperation or simply to save face, they are pushing for a Constitutional Convention. Then, in absolute hubris, JDV's house issues an ultimatum to a co-equal Senate to pass a resolution approving the third and last mode of amending the constitutional.

This time, the House surely faces not just an immovable, but an irresistible force.

Some “honorables” just don't learn their lessons.

The heat is on

Incumbents and aspiring politicians are a bit jittery during these times. The election heat is on, and the usual games played by power brokers, pollsters, media and powers-that-be are being readied to a fuller gear.

The name of the game is elimination of the enemy through carrot or stick, hook or crook. The ever-reliable guns, gold and goons find greater use these seasons. First, gold is offered, and if it fails, goons take care of the stubborn and the uncooperative. Guns will dispose of hopeless cases.

Candidates who have more money, guts, resources and empty (but believable) promises to offer a hungry electorate will most probably win this election. It is the same story over and over. Again and again. Election year after election year.

It is easy to be desperate in this situation. A complacent and acquiescent citizenry is a sure recipe for the corrupt and the vile to assume leadership positions in the government during the next three years. The only choice is to actively take part in assuring that the informed will of people prevails during this election.

To vote is our sacred duty. To vote apart from personal considerations, but in consideration of the common good is our moral duty this generation and our children's generation.

To enlighten and guide us, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has issued the following guidelines (“Ten Commandments for Voters”) in the exercise of our hallowed right to vote.

The parents of this hydrocephalous baby were known to be heavy users of LSD and marijuana. ( Picture courtesy of Philippine Publishing House)

Thou shalt vote according to the dictate of your conscience. Thou shalt respect the decision of others in choosing their candidates. Thou shalt seek to know the moral integrity, capabilities, and other personal qualities of the candidates you will vote for.

Thou shalt strive to understand the issues, platforms, and programs of candidates and parties seeking your vote. Thou shalt not sell your vote. Thou shalt not vote for candidates using guns, goons, and gold. Thou shalt not vote for candidates with records of graft and corruption.

Thou shalt not vote for candidates just because of “utang na loob (debt of gratitude), popularity, or “pakikisama” (camaraderie). Thou shalt not vote for candidates living an immoral life. Thou shalt put the welfare of the country above all else in choosing the candidates you will vote for.

Vote for the common good. Vote for our future. Vote for life.

Bisan corrupt, basta generous

“Very cute...” This was how the much-admired IGACOS Mayor Roger Antalan (in a 2002 lecture before Mindanao HRMOs) found the criteria written by some sitio voters for qualified candidates.

Written on tattered manila paper: “Ang among pilion ang Maka-Diyos, Maka-Tao, Maka-Kinaiyanhan, Malinawon, Daling Duolon.” And at the bottom in small letters, “Corrupt – pero gamay lang”.

At first glance, the criteria look “cute” indeed. It speaks abundantly of how our people, primarily the poor, experience and view corruption (and the peculiar meaning they assign to the terms pro-God, pro-people, pro-environment and peace-loving).

Or perhaps, it is the Filipino's distinctive way of surviving the inevitable realities of life, like taxes, death and graft and corruption – the last, so massive and prevalent that it boggles the mind, it defies imagination.

“Normal na man ina karon”. “Tanan gahimo man sina.” “Indi man malain ang ten (10) percent nga komisyon.” “Pasalamat lang man ina kag pakisama.” “Dapat praktikal lang kita.” Sila gani sa taas, bilyon-bilyon ang ginakawat.” Okay lang ina, basta i-share man nila sa mga tawo”. “ Bisan corrupt, basta generous.”

The politician must be approachable (daling duolon) , for a share of the loot. An honest candidate who does not give (dili maduolan) stands no chance against a politician who “shares” the money he plundered.

Our conscience finds solace in voting for the lesser evil, which is usually the most corrupt but the most generous. The “ corrupt – pero gamay lang” does not actually refer to the petty amount stolen – which is as abominable as the billions stashed away - but to the munificence of the “benevolent” politician however corrupt and destitute his heart and soul is, basta generous.

After all, voters do not remember the sins of their leaders. They remember only the “blessings” that come from them, usually, during elections.

This detestable mind set had become so ingrained in our sub-culture that any suggestion to the contrary shocks many.

For example, a water industry executive reported before a gathering of industry players that she issued a stern warning to all suppliers never ever to offer or give any gift, bribe or commission to any official or employee of her agency.

What she got from her audience were scornful remarks, “Sobra ka-arte sa imo” . “Sa umpisa lang iyan, pero later, bibigay din yan.” In fairness, majority of the participants praised her crusade as very daring, and wished her success.

There is a prevailing feeling that we could do nothing about corruption. It is a fact of life. Just dance with the music.

Why be a hero when one could simply live and let live, enjoy life with loved ones, accept some bits of goodies from political patrons, be “corrupt – just a little” sometimes, and live a peaceful, hassle-free life?

Good. Nice. And where did it all lead us to?

Among a lot of things, it transformed us into collaborators – without honor, without a soul, without self-respect - in a grand conspiracy to forever condemn ourselves to worsening poverty and misery as a nation.

Corruption – gamay o daku (petty or grand) - kills not only the body ( where have all the medicines and the doctors gone? ), but also the mind and the spirit ( where have all the best teachers gone? ).

Substandard roads, unfinished bridges, and inadequate public service facilities are fruits of corruption; they, too, kill. The more massive the looting of government funds, the more people (particularly journalists) who tried to expose graft and corrupt practices will be murdered. God help us!

I shudder at the thought of the future… of our children. It is not a very cute future!

Global Warming

Ayon sa bagong aklat ni Al Gore (ang totoong Presidente sa puso ng mga Amerikano – panalo siya ng 500,000 votes laban kay Bush), masasabi ko na sa loob ng sampung taon, mas kahindik-hindik na trahedya ang mangyayari sa mundo dahil sa global warming.

ooOoo

Dahil sa global warming, mas mainit na ngayon ang mundo, at mabilis na tumataas ang temperature taon-taon. Mas masakit ang init ng araw ngayon, di ba?

ooOoo

Global warming ang dahilan kung bakit nagkakaroon ng mga weather disturbances na siyang dahilan ng mas malalakas na bagyo (Milenyo at Reming sa RP, Katrina sa US), mas matinding El Niño o tagtuyot, at mga tsunami o mala-higanteng tidal waves.

ooOoo

Manipis na masyado o butas na ang maraming bahagi ng ating ozone layer na bahagi ng atmosphere. Kung kaya, mas maraming ultra-violet rays mula sa araw ang nakakapasok sa atmosphere ng earth.

ooOoo

Resulta ng mas mainit na temperature: mas maraming thunderstorm na mabubuo dahil mas matindi ang banggaan ng malamig at mainit na gases sa atmosphere, o kaya matitinding drought o baha dahil mas maraming surface water ang hihigupin pataas na siya namang ibubuhos ng mas malakas sa ibang bahagi ng mundo.

ooOoo

Dahil sa matinding init, natutunaw na ang million-year-old na ice caps ng earth, kaya tataas ang level ng dagat. Mga tuktok ng bundok na lang ang maiiwan, at magmistula tayong nasa sine na “waterworld”.

ooOoo

Bakit nagkaganito? Dahil sa sobrang pagkalbo ng mga gubat at bundok, sobrang pagsunog ng mga fossil fuel (krudo, gasoline) sa mga sasakyan at mga factory, sobrang gamit ng mga chlroflourocarbon o CFCs (mga pang-spray para pampaganda, insecticides, fresheners, aircon, etc.), at pagsunog ng mga plastic at iba pang mga non-biodegradable matter.

ooOoo

Anong gagawin natin? Huwag na bumili ng sasakyan, o bawasan ang paggamit ng sasakyan na de-gasolina o krudo. Gumamit ng ethanol fuel kung pwede. Magtanim ng mas maraming punong-kahoy. I-regulate ang pag-uuling.

ooOoo

Mag-recycle o huwag magsunog ng kahit anong basura. Mag-aral tungkol sa global warming at i-kwento sa iba. Sulatan natin ang mga Senador na ipasa na ang totoong Biofuel Act na nagmamando na ethyl alcohol o ethanol na ang gagamitin ng mga sasakyan.

ooOoo

Iwasan na ang paggamit ng mga CFCs. Ipatupad ang Clean Air Act. Gumamit ng mga organikong bagay at gamit. I-endorso natin ang Kyoto Protocol - na ayaw ng Amerika at ilan pang bansa - na nagmamando na wala nang gagamit sa buong mundo ng fossil fuel by 2030.

Drums of Life

We all love a parade. As a child, I would watch every parade in our barrio with great awe and enchantment. It evoked in me feelings of triumph and a sense of victory. Perhaps, it is the mass of people moving in one direction heads up and eyes fixed. I enjoyed no end the symphony expressed in synchronized movements of hundreds of swaying hands and moving feet.

However, the magic of parades may be more because of the drums playing. The drums dictate the cadence of the parade, and also the mood. The drums make a big difference, say, between a fiesta and a funeral. People walk or stride the way the drums are played.

Life is like a parade. Drums are played by whomever, or whatever, holds the key to power. Drums, or the cadence of life, are played by the dominant, the articulate, the financier, the righteous, the majority or the party in power. The parade is theirs. There is no place for a different drum.

In the maiden issue of this humble weekly born out of the publishers' desire to say a word or two in a society drowning in the cadence of corruption, hypocrisy, arrogance of power and violence, we preferred a barrowed phrase “A Different Drum” to label this space.

“The Different Drum” is a book written by M. Scott Peck (who also wrote “The Road Less Travelled”) which the amiable Board Member Joe Falcon lent us some time ago. In that book, Peck proposed that the only salvation of the human race is the creation of true communities: groups of human beings committed to peace-building. Corruption, poverty, arms race, war, and many others are stark anti-theses to peace.

For M. Scott Peck, peacemaking must be the first priority of civilization. He says, “Some of the victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are described as walking blindly down the street after the blasts, dragging bundles of their own skin behind them. I am scared for my own skin. I am even more scared for the skin of my children. And I am scared for your skins… I need you, and you me, for salvation. We must come into community with each other. We need each other.”

War begins in the hearts of people. If the annihilation of the human race begins in a violent heart, then it has already begun. The good news is that, peace also begins in the human heart.

Truly, something is terribly wrong with our times. A great illness has struck the land. People manipulate each other every step of the way, to prevail and dominate. Friendship is viewed as an investment. Loyalty is to help the boss cover up his acts of corruptions. Public service is nothing but a means to get votes in the next elections. A team player is somebody who will not rock the boat. The decent ones are kept out, and the grafter is promoted. The list is never-ending. And nauseating.

Lately, we have seen many great hearts giving up so much for peace: a father, mother or sister working abroad as domestic helper or construction worker for a better life for their families; a doctor resigning from a government position unable to understand why she has to approve purchases of medicines at double the price; a group of students expelled for speaking out against the corruption of their school head; an aspiring teacher languishing in limbo because she refused to deliver the bribe demanded by a school official; a contractor giving up his trade wondering why government contracts are awarded to a select few. And many more. The list is never-ending. And inspiring.

Without pretending to be any better (I have seen so much corruption and violence in my life and, many times, looked the other way), this corner will attempt to play a different drum. It is the drum that plays for a parade celebrating the little triumphs of peace, or sparks of human compassion, or blazing rage against societal evils. With great faith in the ordinary people struggling to barely survive but never losing their sense of right and wrong, we will attempt to articulate our firm hope that sooner, we could all come together and experience how it is to be true community.

For then, our parades will no longer be a show of force, or in solidarity with the violence of war, or a funeral for a fallen son or daughter, but celebrations of peace, compassion and true humanity.

Bulok na Pulitika

MATAGAL NA NATING ALAM ITO, pero uulitin ko: bulok ang pulitika sa Pilipinas. Bakit uulitin pa natin dito ang katotohanang ito? Kasi, bahagi na ang halos bawat isa sa atin ng mga kabulukang ito. Ang iba sa atin, manhid na. Wala nang pakialam. Wala nang nagagalit sa nakakasukang pulitika.

Ayon sa mga Obispong Katoliko sa Pilipinas sa kanilang 1997 “Pastoral Exhortation on Philippine Politics”, tunay na nakakasakit sa bayan ang pulitika sa Pilipinas. Ito ang pinakamalaking sumpa sa ating buhay bilang isang bansa, at ang pinakamatinding balakid sa ating tunay na pag-unlad.

Ayon sa kanila, ang pulitika ay naging tunggalian ng interes ng mayayaman laban sa interes ng mas nakararaming mahihirap. Sinisira nito ang sistema ng katarungan at ang pantay-pantay na pagpapatupad ng mga batas. Pabor ang sistemang pulitika na ito sa mga taong may mga padrino at koneksyon.

Ang pamahalaan ay pinamumugaran ng mga tauhan ng mga pulitiko, ayon sa mga Obispo. Marami sa mga empleyadong ito ay walang ginagawa kundi ang kumubra ng kanilang sweldo bawat petsa kinse at petsa treynta ng buwan. Dahil dito, pinanghihinaan ng loob ang mga opisyal at empleyadong may mabubuting loob at intensyon. Tatahimik na lamang ang iba, o kaya’y nag-re-resayn na lamang. Ang ibang nagpapatuloy sa kabila ng matinding pagka-eskandalo ay tinatakot, iniipit o kaya’y nagiging bahagi na rin ng mga kabulukan.

Sabi ng mga lider-Katoliko, ang tunggalian ng mga pulitiko ay para lamang sumikat sa midya o kaya upang mas malaki pa ang maaring tanggapin mula sa mga mas makapangyarihan. Ang sistema ay puno ng mga pagkakataon upang magnakaw, mamigay ng pabor sa mga taga-suporta, at walang pakundangang paggamit ng mga gamit at salapi ng gobyerno para sa pansariling layunin.

“Wala nang tiwala ang taong-bayan sa gobyerno, sa Kongreso, at sa sistemang elektoral, kung kaya hindi na rin nila nakikita ang halaga ng kanilang mga boto para sa kani-kanilang buhay at kinabukasan, maliban sa pagbenta nito sa panahon ng halalan para sa pansamantalang kita.

Kung bakit tayo naging ganito – isang bansang napakarami ang mga mahihirap at walang kapangyarihan – ay dahil hinayaan nating babuyin at i-prostitute ang ating pulitika, ayon pa sa mga Obispo.

Hamon nila, hindi hahayaan ng sinumang sumasampalataya sa Diyos ang ganitong uri ng pulitika, pulitikang instrumento ng kamatayan at pagkasira.

Ipinahayag ng mga pinuno ng simbahang Katoliko na ang pulitika ay may moral at espiritwal na dimensyon. Maari itong sumira o magbigay-buhay sa bayan. Ang misyon ng bawat Kristiyano ay upang punuin ng liwanag ng ebanghelyo at kaharian ng Diyos ang pulitika.”

Totoo ito noong 1997. Mas malala pa ang sitwasyon ngayong 2006. Pagkatapos ng siyam na taon, tila wala yatang nakikinig o naniniwala sa turo ng Simbahang Katoliko?

Ten things that will spoil our Christmas

First, politicians and political wannabes jostling for camera-friendly spots during the big “watch and prayer” rally spearheaded by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) opposing the indecent cha-cha proposals. The politicians should have avoided being seen at all.

Second, the same political pretenders for the 2007 elections lining the aisle to receive holy communion during Dawn Masses. They should try their best to remain anonymous or unnoticed especially during religious activities. Nobody believes their piety anyway.

Third, another super typhoon that begins with the letter “T” ( Tomas was here already, and he spared us - ed ) or “U” that will blow away roofs and ceilings of our already poverty-stricken countrymen, blowing away a million more hopes and dreams of a Merry Christmas and a better future. Only prayers could make super typhoons spare us.

Fourth, thousands of christmas lights strangling the trees, putting more stress into their hapless existence, further endangering their precious lives. Please pull down those electric wires and decorations immediately.

Fifth, government officials and employees justifying their cruel acts against the “lungs of the earth” saying the “light a tree” is happening only once a year, and what little price to pay to enjoy a colorful Christmas. Okay, but is it really the “colorful Christmas” or the next elections? Or is it the huge prizes?

Sixth, Christmas parties in resorts, beaches, hotels, big restaurants and even in offices spending huge sums of money for food, gifts and giveaways. What about a simple celebration with a mass or a liturgy or some community prayers, or an honest heart-to heart dialogues among officemates to promote understanding and reconciliation, and donate the huge budgets to the needy?

Seventh, Christmas greetings of politicians on radio and television reminding people about the true meaning of Christmas. Again, is it Christmas or the 2007 elections? They should silently return to the public coffers all the money they have stolen instead of using it to buy airtime to fool the people about their sham piety and virtues.

Eighth, “exchange gifts” with price ceilings, such as “gifts not less than Php 200.00…” Do not put any limit to gifts. The value of a gift is not measured by its monetary value, but by the love and humanity the gifts represent.

Ninth, too much eating and drinking. During Christmas seasons, more people die of hypertension, bangungot and heart attack, partly due to the food they eat, more alcohol intakes and overnight parties. Eat wisely. Have a good rest. Avoid alcohol, but if you cannot help it, do it with moderation.

Tenth, exploding firecrackers. Authorities should impose absolute ban on firecrackers for only one reason: exploding firecrackers contribute immensely to the depletion of the ozone layer. Global warming is more real than we could imagine.

Make your own list. Merry Christmas.

Will we survive Christmas?

Christmas 2006 begins with deaths and destructions caused by typhoon Reming. Like typhoon Milenyo a few months ago, Reming is one whose strength and devastation was never seen before. Survivors are one in saying that there will be no Christmas this year. They will postpone their celebrations because they have yet to build their lives.

Our heart goes to our Bicolano brothers and sisters, and their children and older loved ones. Images in our TV screens say it all. We shed a tear or two, but they do not do anything to alleviate the victims' pains and sufferings.

We have been through all these before. Even without “natural” disasters spoiling our Christmas, poverty – a greater disaster on all counts – is poignantly felt by Filipinos during Christmas. Or, should we say, during Christmas, Filipino families become more intolerant of their misery, the season being filled with pitches and sound bytes egging them to buy more, consume more, give more and celebrate more.

It is reported that, unofficially seventy percent of Filipino families are living below the poverty line. The more they see “ordinary families” glorified in TV screen celebrating an obviously “materialistic” and “consumerist” Christmas, the more majority of Filipinos tend to regard Christmas as something that must be avoided. The fact is, we cannot escape Christmas. We cannot avoid it. All we could do is survive Christmas.

To survive Christmas, we need to go back to its true meaning. It is not about having more money or buying more. It is about having more true friends and loving more. True friendship is not gained by exchanging material things, money, bribe, favors or promises of any kind. Loving more is forgiving, listening and understanding more, and spending more time with our beloved.

The message of Christmas is the good news that we have a Savior, God's greatest gift to mankind, whose greatest gift in turn, was his salvific suffering, death and resurrection made eternally accessible to human beings through the Eucharistic Celebration

Bringing our family members to mass or any sacred liturgy celebrating Jesus' birth will help us survive the consumerist and materialistic christmas unfairly rammed on us by the greedy gods of this world. What best way to celebrate Christmas than to continue our acts of loving, sharing and struggling to finally recover for our children the true Christmas taken away from us by big businessmen, politicians, thieves and deceivers.

Re-inventing Christmas

KIDS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD started singing Christmas carols as early as September, although our family agreed not to honor (read: give) their singing until December 1, often telling the kids, “wala pa krismas…”

Although a family consensus, I often find myself violating the rule. Despite seemingly valid arguments not to give yet, I am unable to resist the truth repeatedly reverberating through the shrill voices of the children singing in the months of September, October and November, “…kahit hindi Pasko ay magbigayan,” and instinctively reaching for some coins in my pocket. The next morning, we are in frantic search for coins for tricycle fares.

Well, December has begun. Christmas formally opens in the family abode. The five year-old Christmas tree is unwrapped and decorated. The lights were tested and found beautifully blinking in different patterns. The other Christmas decorations, hanging in the kitchen pantry and dining room the whole year round, were slightly dusted off, some Christmas songs played, and, voila, the Christmas spirit is on the air.

But the kids were no longer as excited, it seems. Until they were 9 or 10 years old, I remember them gazing with awe and admiration at the lights and the decors for hours the first time these were set up. Whenever we had the chance, we would stand together in front of the house after supper to enjoy the sights of the dancing lights.

This Christmas, we do not know what to do. I mean, we do not know what new things to do that would give deeper meaning and excitement to our Christmas, especially for the kids. The sock tacked on the door is no big deal anymore, where the kids used to wake up with excitement at 4:30am to find out Santa's gift for the day.

Except for the midnight meal ( Noche Buena ) and exchange gifts among family members after the mass, which include gifts for the pet dog, we have constantly changed the way we celebrated Christmas. Last year, for the first time, we had perfect attendance – together - in Simbang Gabi , thanks to the movie “Nine Mornings”, and thanks to a 1964 Volkswagen from my sister. Pagong made easier for us going to church at 3:30am.

The cool breeze of dawn was new to the kids. There is magic to the gentle air touching the face or the skin. The solemnity of the liturgy made them discover the beauty of an authentic religious experience. Except for the homilies (sharing of lay people on subjects that would have been better understood by the kids in a different setting), the whole experience was new for the children. Frankly, after our nine mornings, going to mass every Sunday was no longer as difficult for them.

The hot special bibingka and puto bumbong – it became part of the church landscape - was also something they looked forward to. Once, when the dawn mass ended earlier, we unanimously decided to visit the children's grandmother and aunties (my mother and sisters too) in another town 30 minutes drive away. Enjoying our baons served with their lola's prized sara-sara (boiled burned rice) and taho (salabat), the mere 20 minutes encounter – we had office and school - was worth one year of bonding. Early mornings possess such mysterious power that makes humans worthy of great miracles of love and forgiveness. The visit made a lasting impression on the kids, and both look forward to doing the same thing this year. Honestly, that visit was one of the reasons we made it a point to visit my 81-yr-old mother as often as possible.

Christmas need not be boring, or a burden. We could re-invent it every year. In fact, our happiest Christmas was at a time when the family was in the depth of poverty. In poverty, there were no obstacles and obstructions to our once-in-a-lifetime discovery and experience that family members are our greatest treasures, and that each of us are more than enough gifts for one another to make all our Christmases filled with meaning and happiness.

Small Claims Court

It certainly is very good news! The rules governing small claims - Php 100,000.00 and below -became effective last October 2008. Afterwards, three months were allotted to pilot test the judicial innovation, and another six months to consolidate the evlauation, assessments and reports. Please find below the FAQs on Small Claim Courts (SCC), courtesy of the Supreme Court itself:

What is A.M. No. 08-8-7-SC or the "Rule of Procedure for Small Claims Cases"?
It is a special rule of procedure adopted by the Supreme Court pursuant to its rule-making power under Sec. 5(5) of Article VIII of the 1987 Constitution, to govern small claims cases and is to be piloted in designated first level courts (Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts in Cities, Municipal Trial Courts and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts). This rule allows a plaintiff (the person suing) to sue a defendant (the person being sued) without the need of a lawyer.
This new rule becomes effective on 1 October 2008.

What is the purpose of small claims process?
The purpose of a small claims process is to provide a simpler and a more inexpensive and expeditious means of settling disputes involving purely money claims than the regular civil process.

What are the distinct features of a small claims process?
Inexpensiveness, informality, and simplicity. Every aspect of the process is designed to allow a person to handle his/her own case from start to finish quickly and inexpensively. There are ready-made forms available and strict procedural rules, including the rules of evidence, do not apply. Hence, there is no need for a lawyer.

What are "small claims cases"?
These are civil claims which are exclusively for the payment or reimbursement of a sum of money not exceeding P100,000.00.

What are "small claims courts"?
These are first level courts (Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts in Cities, Municipal Trial Courts and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts). They hear and decide small claims cases following this new rule of procedure.

Does the new rule on small claims cases create new courts?
No. The new rule simply provides a procedure for prosecuting, defending, and adjudicating small claims cases, which by law are already within the jurisdiction of first level courts. To jumpstart the launch of this new rule, the Supreme Court issued Administrative Order (A.O.) No. 141-2008 designating 22 first level courts all over the country as pilot courts to hear and decide small claims cases, in accordance with the new rule of procedure for small claims cases.
Thus, upon the effectivity of A.O. No. 141-2008, all small claims cases filed in the station of these pilot courts shall be assigned immediately to the said courts. Three (3) months after the implementation of this rule, an initial assessment shall be undertaken by the Technical Working Group (TWG) on Small Claims Court Pilot Project. Six (6) months thereafter, a final assessment and project review shall be submitted to recommend the feasibility of applying this rule to all small claims cases in all first level courts.

What is the scope of the rule?
The rule only covers cases in first level courts involving purely money claims where the value of the claim/s does not exceed One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00) and does not include interest and costs. (Sec. 2)

What kinds of claims or demands are covered by this rule?
Typical claims include actual damages caused to vehicles, other personal property, real property or person. Money owed under a contract of lease, contract of loan, contract of services, contract of sale, or contract of mortgage, may also be demanded. It also includes purely civil actions for payment of money covered by a bounced or stopped check. An amicable settlement reached in the barangay or an arbitration award involving a money claim may also be enforced under this rule.

Can separate claims be combined in one case?
Yes. The plaintiff may combine in a single statement of claim, one or more separate small claims against the same defendant provided that the total amount claimed, exclusive of interest and costs, does not exceed P100,000.00. (Sec. 6)

What kinds of actions or claims or demands are excluded under this rule?
Criminal actions are excluded because of certain limitations or mandatory requirements under the 1987 Constitution, particularly Sec. 14(2) of Article III (Bill of Rights), which grants the accused in all criminal prosecutions "the right to be heard by himself and counsel." Thus, a case for libel or slander cannot be filed in a small claims court. However, the civil aspect of a criminal action which seeks recovery of money as damages may be heard as a small claim if reserved or instituted separately prior to the filing of the criminal case. There are also some kinds of civil cases that cannot be brought to a small claims court no matter how little the amount is involved. Examples of these are a suit to force a person to fix a damaged good, or a demand for the fulfillment of an obligation which is not purely for money.

How does one start a small claims case?
The plaintiff must first accomplish a verified Statement of Claim (Form 1-SCC) and certify the information provided, stating that he/she has not filed any action involving the very same issue in any other court, tribunal or agency through a Verification and Certification of Non-Forum Shopping (Form 1-A-SCC). The Statement of Claim must be accompanied by certified duplicate photocopies of all supporting documents (i.e. contract, promissory note, affidavit/sworn statement of witnesses, pictures, receipts, etc…) The plaintiff then files the Statement of Claim with its accompanying documents with the small claims court, personally or through mail, and pays the correct docket and filing fees. (Sec. 5)

Are there filing fees to be paid for small claims cases?
Yes, the plaintiff or defendant shall pay the docket and other legal fees prescribed under Rule 141 of the Revised Rules of Court at the time of the filing of the Statement of the Claim with the Office of the Clerk of Court. If you do not have money to pay the fees because of your financial status, you may apply to the small claims court to qualify as an indigent, and once you qualify as an indigent you are exempt from payment of such fees. (Sec. 8)

Even if declared as an indigent, is a person still required to pay P1,000.00 for service of summons and processes?
Yes. Even if declared as an indigent, a person is not exempt from payment of the P1,000.00 fee for service of summons and processes in civil cases. (Sec. 8)

Once a Statement of Claim is filed in the small claims court, may the court dismiss the case at its own instance?
Yes. The court may dismiss the case outright when any grounds for the dismissal of a civil case is apparent or obvious from the Statement of Claim and supporting documents. (Sec. 9)

What is the duty of the court after a plaintiff files a Statement of Claim and it does not find any ground to dismiss the claim?
The court informs the defendant that a case has been filed against him/her through the issuance of Summons (Form 2-SCC) on the day of the receipt of the Statement of the Claim and accompanying documents. Through the Summons, the court directs the defendant to file his/her verified Response (Form 3-SCC) as well as other supporting documents or evidence, within a non-extendible period of ten (10) days from its receipt. The court also serves a Notice of Hearing (Form 4-SCC) to both parties, directing them to appear before it on a specific date and time, with a warning that no unjustified postponement shall be allowed. (Sec. 10) The Summons and Notice of Hearing must be accompanied by a copy of the Statement of Claim and documents submitted by plaintiff, and a copy of the Response to be accomplished by the defendant. (Sec. 10)

After a defendant has received the summons and notice from the court, what is he/she required to submit?
The defendant shall file with the court a duly-accomplished and verified Response together with proof that he/she has served such Response to plaintiff within the prescribed period. The Response shall also be accompanied by certified copies of documents and the affidavits of witnesses and other evidence in support thereof. (Sec. 11)

What is the effect if a defendant fails to file a Response within the prescribed period for filing?
The court decides the case based on the facts alleged in the Statement of Claim and the supporting documents attached to it. (Sec. 12)

Instead of filing a Response, can a defendant file a motion to dismiss the claim?
No. The filing of a motion to dismiss instead of a response is prohibited under the rule, except on ground of lack of jurisdiction. (Sec. 14)

What is a counterclaim?
A counterclaim is a claim which a defendant files against the person who sues him (plaintiff). Similar to a claim, a counterclaim must seek the recovery of money only. If a defendant believes that he/she is entitled to be paid money by the plaintiff, such defendant must include this counterclaim in his/her Response.

What happens when a defendant fails to include a counterclaim in his/her Response?
If the counterclaim is related to the plaintiff’s claim, or arose out of it (the legal term is "compulsory counterclaim"), it must be raised in the same case. Otherwise, it will be barred.

Apart from a motion to dismiss a claim, are there other pleadings, motions, or petitions that cannot be filed?
Yes. These are the prohibited pleadings in Sec. 14 of this rule.

Who are required to appear at the hearing?
The parties shall appear at the hearing personally or through a representative they may authorize under a Special Power of Attorney (Form 5-SCC) to enter into an amicable settlement, to submit to Judicial Dispute Resolution (JDR) and to enter into stipulations or admissions of facts and of documentary exhibits. (Sec. 16)

Are lawyers allowed at the hearing?
No, lawyers are not allowed to appear at the hearing unless they are the plaintiff or the defendant.

Does this mean that lawyers are not allowed throughout the small claims process? No, lawyers are only not allowed to appear at the hearing of the case. Since the process is still a legal process, the parties and their authorized representatives can still consult with a lawyer to assist them to prepare for the hearing or for other matters outside the hearing. (Sec. 17)

Who is allowed to assist a party who cannot properly present his/her claim or defense?
The court, in its discretion, may allow another individual who is not a lawyer to assist the party. (Sec. 17)

What happens if the parties do not appear at the hearing?
If the plaintiff does not appear, the claim shall be dismissed without prejudice. If the defendant does not appear, the effect will be the same as failure to file a Response under Sec. 12 of this rule. If both parties do not appear, the claim and counterclaim shall be dismissed with prejudice. (Sec. 18)

When is postponement of a hearing allowed?
It may be granted only upon proof of the physical inability of the party to appear before the court on the scheduled date and time. A party may avail of only one (1) postponement. (Sec. 19)

What is the role of the judge designated to hear small claims cases?
In small claims cases, the role of the judge is to ascertain the factual matters at issue and to elicit the evidence––all in one hearing, and render a decision thereafter The judge shall encourage the parties to settle by employing the different modes of Judicial Dispute Resolution (JDR).

Does the law authorize the Supreme Court to dispense with the right to appeal from the first level courts to the Regional Trial Courts (RTCs)?
Yes, under Sec. 36 of B.P. 129 as amended, “The Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980”, the Supreme Court shall adopt special rules or procedures applicable to cases requiring summary disposition in order to achieve an expeditious and inexpensive determination thereof without regard to technical rules. Furthermore, under Sec. 38 of the same law, appeals to RTCs shall be in accordance with the procedure prescribed by law, and by such rules as the Supreme Court may prescribe.

What then is the remedy of a party when the decision is final and unappealable?
The rule does not preclude a party from filing a petition for certiorari under Rule 65 of the Revised Rules of Court when there is grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction in relation to a judgment in a small claims action (such a petition is prohibited with regard to interlocutory orders). Further, the aggrieved party can also file an action for annulment of judgment when the requirements under the Rules of Civil Procedure are complied with.

Will the Rules of Civil Procedure apply?
Yes, the Rules of Civil Procedure shall apply to those matters not covered by the new rule, insofar as they are not inconsistent with it. (Sec. 25) For example, the Rules of Civil Procedure are applicable to issues of jurisdiction, venue on personal actions, prescription, parts of a pleading, presence or absence of cause of action, legal standing of parties to file the action, consolidation of actions, adjournments and postponements, grounds for dismissal including the fact that a condition precedent for filing the claim has not been complied with (i.e. prior conciliation before the katarungang pambarangay).

Are not the small claims cases effectively governed by the Rule on Summary Procedure, Court-Annexed Mediation, and the Pre-Trial Rule?
Yes. The small claims cases, being purely money claims of P100,000.00 or less are covered under the Rule on Summary Procedure. However, with the effectivity of this new rule, the court, in actions filed as small claims cases, shall now apply the more specific procedure under this new rule. By way of illustration, if a defendant files an answer called a Response to the claim, the court shall schedule only one (1) hearing for the purpose of encouraging the parties to settle without the appearance of lawyers, to hear the statement of the parties under oath, and to consider all documentary evidence of the parties. After such hearing, the court will also issue the decision on the same day. By providing more immediate and swifter justice, this new rule enhances the effectivity of the Rule on Summary Procedure, Court-Annexed Mediation, and the Pre-Trial Rule, and in effect, increases access to justice for the poor and disadvantaged members of our society.