VIVA SAINT AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO!

What are we doing?” he cried to his friend Alipius. “Unlearned people are taking Heaven by force, while we, with all our knowledge, are so cowardly that we keep rolling around in the mud of our sins!”

This famous son of St. Monica was born in Africa and spent many years of his life in wicked living and in false beliefs. Though he was one of the most intelligent men who ever lived and though he had been brought up a Christian, his sins of impurity and his pride darkened his mind so much, that he could not see or understand the Divine Truth anymore. Through the prayers of his holy mother and the marvelous preaching of St. Ambrose, Augustine finally became convinced that Christianity was the one true religion. Yet he did not become a Christian then, because he thought he could never live a pure life. One day, however, he heard about two men who had suddenly been converted on reading the life of St. Antony, and he felt terrible ashamed of himself. “What are we doing?” he cried to his friend Alipius. “Unlearned people are taking Heaven by force, while we, with all our knowledge, are so cowardly that we keep rolling around in the mud of our sins!”

He was baptized, became a priest, a bishop, a famous Catholic writer, Founder of religious priests, and one of the greatest saints that ever lived. He became very devout and charitable, too. On the wall of his room he had the following sentence written in large letters: “Here we do not speak evil of anyone.” St. Augustine overcame strong heresies, practiced great poverty and supported the poor, preached very often and prayed with great fervor right up until his death. Source

Of all the saints in the Catholic world, I can claim that its Saint Augustine is my role model. Like him, I was lost and was lead astray. I have once been an enemy of the Catholic Church, branding it unbending, monolithic and uncompromising. But like Saint Augustine, I felt something empty in my life but later realized that happiness and contentment can only be found in the unconditional faith and devotion to God. Yes, I am a sinner and I am aware of that. But that does not become a hindrance to go back to God and rest in His welcoming and comforting embrace. After looking back at past lifestyle and discover God through his son Jesus Christ, like Saint Augustine, I muttered, “Too late have I loved you.” But in the eyes of God, they say, there are no late comers.

Happy fiesta to Saint Augustine and Happy fiesta to Cagayan de Oro City and all Kagay-anons!

 

TSAP TSAP REPUBLIC

Lumad’ want self-rule, too

Tribal leaders seek autonomous region

By Ma. Cecilia Rodriguez
Mindanao Bureau
First Posted 02:31:00 08/26/2008

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—Fired up by the proposed Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE) that would govern an expanded Bangsamoro homeland, the lumad (indigenous peoples in Mindanao) are seeking an autonomous region for themselves. At a gathering here Monday of around 200 representatives of 13 indigenous peoples’ communities in Mindanao and Palawan, several tribal leaders called for the creation of an Autonomous Region for the Lumad of Mindanao.

The convenors said the meeting was held “in the spirit of finding a peaceful solution to the issue.” The community representatives who participated in the meeting mostly came from the affected lumad territory identified under Categories A and B of the BJE area as stipulated in the MOA.

The participants included Subanen, Higaonon, Talaandig, Armunanen Manobo, Ubo Manobo, Manobo Pulangiyon, Dulangan Manobo, Teduray-Upi, Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat, Lambangian, Blaan, Tboli, Tagakaolo, Bagobo, Banwaon, Mamanwa, Tagbanua, Mandaya, Mansaka, Ata-Manobo and Mangguangan.

Human rights activists have considered Mindanao a significant terrain for the indigenous peoples’ struggle for recognition and self-determination.

I hope the Lumads will not think about seceding.

 

 

WHO SPEAKS FOR MINDANAOANS?

Mayor Jojo Lopez of Maasim Sarangani in his defensive position at the town’s municipal hall. Maasim, Sarangani was attacked by MILF simultaneous with the attacks in Lanao del Norte.

WHO SPEAKS FOR MINDANAOANS?

Mike Banos

During last Thursday’s caucus of the League of Provinces of the Philippines at a local hotel in Cagayan de Oro to discuss its stand on the controversial Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain between the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Cagayan de Oro Press Club acting president Ed Montalvan asked the governors present what was easily the most intriguing question that afternoon:

“Why is the Moro Islamic Liberation Front speaking for the Moro people?”

Or to paraphrase it: Who appointed the MILF to speak on behalf of the Muslim people on the issue of Ancestral Domain?

The question was so politically charged that for a moment, non of the public officials present, who counted among them Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Political Affairs Gabby Claudio, Opapp Secretary Hermogenes Esperon Jr., GRP Peace Panel Chair Rodolfo Garcia and 14 provincial governors were unable to utter a word.

After signing a final peace agreement of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in 1996, everyone thought that peace would finally descend on Mindanao and make its tri-people realize the vast potentials of the island.

Alas and alack, the breakaway Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) had other ideas and chose to stay in the boondocks, this time fighting for a “Bangsamoro Homeland.”

As interesting as the Ed Montalvan’s question on who chose the MILF to represent the Muslim people is the question of who indeed, represents the Muslim’s as a people? The Sultan of Sulu who still claims Sabah and a substantial portion of Mindanao as his domain, for one, wouldn’t agree that the MILF speak on behalf of his kin.

On the other hand, the lumads, the third definitely not the lesser of the island tri-people, are also asking why substantial portions of their ancestral domains have been incorporated into the “Bangsamoro Homeland.” It is equally quite evident, they have not appointed anyone to speak on their behalf, especially on the issue of ancestral domain. It has been already noted by quite a lot of historians and anthropologists studying Mindanao and its history that the core problem of the Muslim secessionist movement is land and neither religion nor ethnic origin. To have a such sensitive issue discussed behind closed doors, then sign an agreement regarding it, however well intentioned such a move may have been, just wasn’t very smart nor forthright for the people involved.

The resulting conflagration (perhaps tad too tame a word to describe it) that followed the attempted signing of the controversial MOA on ancestral domain just validates the suspicion that the MILF does not speak for the Muslim people’s, in the same manner that the GRP peace panel headed by Garcia does not speak for the peoples of Mindanao when the two groups started carving up the island to accommodate a Bangsamoro state.

The national government’s decision to disclose the details of the controversial MOA on ancestral domain to the governors and other chief executives of Mindanao is a step in the right direction. The LGU heads may now proceed to consult their constituents to find out their mind sets on the issue of a Bangsamoro homeland. We hope the MILF also undertakes a similar exercise dispel the notion that it does not speak for the very people whom it purports to represent.

***

Ben Contreras of Mindanao Gold Star had this appropriate comment on how Gloria Arroyo handled the peace process.

To heal the wounds that divide the nation, Gloria promised not to run in the 2004 elections. She ran.

Today, her drumbeaters said Charter Change would not be used to extend her stay in office. Many senators allegedly took the bait. My good guess would be that she wants to stay in office even after 2010 via Chacha/Federalism. My good guess should be anyone’s good guess at all. The indications are all there.

And if you don’t see it coming, then you are not reading, listening or watching the news. Its almost like telling us, “You want war in Mindanao or Charter Change?” Isn’t that blackmail? Blackmail or not, a group told me that they are now ready for armed confrontation. You think you can do something? Yes, you can. Get involved. Join the civil society groups that would go to the streets in the near future. Be aware of the developments. Listen to the voice of the people. And most of all, don’t get caught with your pants down.

 

A “DAVAOENO” CARETAKER FOR THE FIRST DISTRICT OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL

This is rather repugnant to the senses. In a report in Mindanao Gold Star Daily, House Speaker Prospero Nograles will act as “caretaker” of the First Congressional District of Misamis Oriental. The same news also announced that the late Congressman Lagbas daughter, Atty. Jennifer Lagbas is appointed as Chief of Staff for the Congressional District.

As this developed, the happiest men will be Governor Oscar Moreno and Vice Governor Norris Babiera whose dream of a intact administration party has become a reality. That unity was in danger of being shattered after Cagayan de Oro 2nd Dist. Rep. Rufus Rodriguez filed a resolution to declare vacant the seat left by the late Danilo Lagbas. Oca and Norris are happy because there will be unity in their party, Lakas CMD,  never mind if this means that the people of the 1st District do not have an elected representative and worse, assigned with a person who is not elected by them and who will assume the functions of the Congressman extra constitutionally.

Accordingly, there can be no special elections unless there is a declaration of vacancy. Thus, even if it is of public knowledge that the congressional seat is vacant, there is still a need to declare its vacancy. The worst part of it is that the declaration of vacancy will be left to the discretion of house leadership. Thus even if there is actual vacancy, the House may or may not declare it vacant. Stupid and absurd!

On the other hand, where can you find a provision of law that designates a caretaker for a congressional seat left by a deceased Congressman? The welfare and interest of Misamisnons are subordinated by the interest of one party. No special elections to fill the vacancy just to preserve party unity. How is that?

With the appointment of Lagbas daughter as Chief of Staff, its still as if the seat is still occupied by them. Looks like the seat has been treated as some sort of an inheritance. This is another aberration of our political setup under the administration of Gloria Arroyo and her ally Speaker Prospero Nograles. The “caretaker” capacity is bereft of basis. This is another twisting of our laws, as twisted as the revival of Charter Change to prolong Gloria Arroyo’s stay in power.

 

SIDE COMMENTS

Mayor Constantino Jaraula of Cagayan de oro City

“Primarily, there was really no proper and official consultations with the LGUs that would be affected by the agreement. Wala sila’y paki kung unsay socio, economic and political consequences sa ilang mga negotiations.”

Mayor Celso Lobregat of Zamboanga City

“Do not build a Berlin Wall among the people of Mindanao,”

North Cotabato Vice Governor Emmanuel Piñol,

“We won the battle. But because this is just a TRO, therefore, our victory is just temporary.”

Rea Marie Jubelag, an officer of the University of Southern Mindanao Student Government,

“The inclusion of North Cotabato in the expanded Armm (Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao) is not the answer to the conflict here. In fact, it will only worsen the problem.”

Pigcawayan councilor Rolando Dillera, president of the Councilors League in North Cotabato

“This is not a fight between the Muslims and the Christians. But we, Christians, are just trying to defend what is right and due us. We can’t allow the government to ink an agreement, which will later cause animosities between the Muslims and the Christians,”

Representative Abdullah Dimaporo (2nd District, Lanao del Norte)

“We trust the Philippine negotiators and the President who will not do harm to us. In case we do not like the agreement, we can oppose it in congress. Definitely we can win in the plebiscite, whether we want ‘No’ or ‘Yes.’ There is therefore no reason for any worry on the MOA.”

Now is not the time for war. Our economy is suffering from the oil crisis, “We all saw what happened during the all-out-war of President Joseph Estrada against the MILF. The MILF were no match to our AFP, but the great damage were suffered by evacuating the poor families, and large sum of public funds used by the AFP which could have been utilized for schools and other much needed projects.”

“Let us give peace a chance. Let us see the outcome of the peace agreement,”

 

PROUD OF SABIO BUT…

Its natural. Kababayans will feel for their kababayans especially so if they are assigned to high positions in government and embroiled in a controversy. It will speak something of the place he comes from and it will be a dent of their pride if they see one of their own ousted for impropriety.

Cebuanos rallied in support of then Justice Davide when an impeachment case is filed against him, never mind there was really basis for his removal. Now it is Cagayan de Oro’s turn. A native son, Justice Jose Sabio Jr, is involved in the middle of a bribery scandal in the Court of Appeals. Given our strong regionalistic culture, it is not a surprise that Cagayanons rushed in aid of Justice Sabio, extolling him of his good reputation while he was still in Cagayan de Oro. But it would be preferable that before concluding, people should wait for the investigation conducted by the Supreme Court on the bribery issue.

Reading an article written by Mike Baños in the Mindanao Gold Star Daily entitled “How Sabio got involved in Meralco switcheroo,” raised some questions on the propriety of Sabio in his continued handling of the GSIS-Meralco case. According to former Ombudsman and now Meralco legal counsel, Simeon Marcelo said internal rules of the Court of Appeals provides that wherein once a ponente for a case has been determined after a raffle, that justice should retain the case even if he is transferred to another division. The ponente in this case is Justice Roxas. And Justice Roxas was transferred from the 9th Division to the 8th Division and so the case should have been deliberated in the 8th Division where the Roxas belongs. Sabio on the other hand, belong to the 9th Division in temporary capacity to fill in Justice Reyes who is on leave at the time GSIS-Meralco row exploded and was brought to the CA.

Atty. Marcelo said,

“They cannot change their own rules. That’s an old rule in the CA. Regardless if the ponente is transferred to another division or not, the case will always be with him unless he inhibits himself. Since Roxas was transferred to the 8th division, ultimately those that belong to the said division would be deliberating the case. So Justice Sabio was really out of the picture.”

Accordingly Sabio has no right to cling to the case since the TRO which was rendered by the 9th Division where Sabio fill in Justice Reyes who was on leave is not among those situations where the temporarily assigned justice could retain a case. The only time a temporarily assigned justice could retain a case is when there is a granting of a preliminary injunction, granting of a new trial and granting of execution pending appeal and a TRO, according to Marcelo, does not qualify as a preliminary injunction.

Other instances which could raise eyebrows is that even if Justice Reyes has returned Justice Sabio did not give in to him. Sabio’s reason is that both parties never questioned it on June 23, 2008 when oral arguments are presented. However this was countered by Marcelo who said that it was Justice Sabio’s job to inform the parties that Justice Reyes has already arrived but sadly they were not informed and allowed Sabio to preside the case on the impression that Justice Reyes was still on leave.

So those are some angles that people should look into devoid of any partisan and biased considerations. Justice Sabio is an upright man. His reputation as a good citizen of Cagayan de Oro speaks for himself. Good. But let us not be carried away by that. To be sure, lets be open minded about the issue and reserve conclusions until the investigating body comes up with the finding.

For more analysis, read uniffors’ ” Is anybody telling the whole truth here?”

 

WHY BOO CONG. RUFUS RODRIGUEZ RESOLUTION?

First,

RODRIGUEZ FILES RESO FOR MISOR SPECIAL POLLS

Susan Palmes

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez (2nd District) pushed for a resolution that seeks a special election in Misamis Oriental’s 1st District before 2010. A special election will alow easter Misamis Oriental to choose a replacement for Rep. Danilo Lagbas who died of cancer a month ago.

Rodriguez filed his resolution the same day Congress opened its session on Monday. It was filed around 11:30 am at the Lower House, a few hours before President Arroyo certifies the existence of a vacancy in the House of Representatives. It then calls a delivered her eight State of the Nation address at the Batasan. The Rodriguez resolution special election in the 1st District of Misamis Oriental.

Rodriguez said he filed the resolution in order “to uphold the system of democratic representation in the government and to ensure that the people of Misamis Oriental are not denied proper representation in Congress.” He said there was an urgent need to fill the vacancy in Misamis Oriental and in the Lower House.

Then…

WHY BOO CONG. RUFUS RODRIGUEZ RESOLUTION

The July 31, 2008 headline entitled “Misor officials boo Rufus’ resolution” of the Mindanao Gold Star Daily is a big letdown. Governor Oscar Moreno and Vice Governor were quoted to voice out dislike on the said resolution calling for a special elections in the 1st District left by the deceased Danilo Lagbas. Moreno said the move was a tactic to divide Misamis Oriental politicians and revitalizing a dormant opposition in the province.

“I can’t blame him, it’s a legitimate political strategy.”

Vice Governor Babiera echoed Moreno’s observation.

“Its an opposition strategy to open crack our unity.

“The people of Misamis Oriental would not like disunity in the province. We have yet to receive a resolution asking for a special election from any of the town councils. In my own opinion, its better to wait for 2010.”

Rodriguez defended his move saying he only did it “for the best interest of Misamis Oriental.”

“An elected congressman can get more projects for the district. I have nothing to do with Misamis Oriental politics and I am not endorsing any candidate.”

From the legal point of view, I see nothing wrong of Cong. Rufus’ move. The Constitution provides it, our election law also provides for it. To look at it objectively, Congressman Rodriguez was only following the law with regard to vacancy of congressional posts. In contrast, the contention of Moreno and Babiera saying that Rep. Bambi Emano of the 2nd District and Speaker Prospero Nograles act as caretaker of the 1st District has no basis in law. Rep. Emano and Speaker Nograles are elected in their respective district and are not elected to represent the constituents of the 1st District of Misamis Oriental, from the town of Balingasag to Magsaysay in the east.

What is clear is that the administration is insecure because the special election for sure will divide their fragile unity. For sure, at least 3 of its Provincial Board members are set to go on separate ways, namely Board Members Jimmy Caiña, Peter “Señor Pedro” Unabia and Benedict Lagbas, not to mention town mayors who are interested for the post. While the fear on the administration side is legitimate, it is not enough to prevent the holding of special elections so that the people of the 1st District will have a new representative again.

Can anyone imagine for the people of Misamis Oriental to be without representation for two years until 2010? How cruel is that?

 

SONA: “AN ANNUAL LYING RITUAL”-SEN. PIMENTEL, “STATE OF NO ACHIEVEMENT” - REP. GUINGONA III

“SONA, AN ANNUAL LYING RITUAL”

Nene snubs Sona, calls it an annual lying ritual
Lizanilla Amarga and Nora Soriño

Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr. snubbed the 8th SONA of President Arroyo yesterday.It is not worth going to Congress or watching on television or listen to over the radio,” he told The Gold Star Daily in a text message.

Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Antonio Trillanes, Panfilo Lacson, benign Aquino III and Alan Peter Cayetanoalso do not attend the SONA. Opposition councilors Teodulfo Lao and Roger Abaday said they agreed with Pimentel that Sona is an annual lying ritual. Lao said Arroyo failed to fulfill her 10 point agenda which she laid down d

During a previous Sona. He said the administration is good only after “kotong” (small time extortionists) but failed to put behind bars the big time corrupt officials in the government. They said the promise of two million jobs have remained unfulfilled. What is she saying is only to make her look good or at least save face,” Abaday said

TEOFISTO GUINGONA III: ARROYO SONA SPELLS NO ACHIEVEMENT ADDRESS

Gemma Tenorio

Valencia City-Through a long distance conversation aired over one of the local radio stations here, 2nd District Rep. Teofisto Guingona III ironically said that the Sona of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is not a State of the Nation but a State of No Achievement address.

 

TREATING FOREIGNERS FAIRLY

Magsaysay Bridge, Butuan City

Joe Pallugna

Cagayan de Oro is a microcosm of the entire Philippine archipelago in terms of entry of foreigners for varied purposes.

As we walk around the city, from the malls t markets, to piers and the airport, the beaches and the bars, even in downtown Divisoria, we see a lot of foreigners. We see Caucasians, Koreans, Japanese, Indians and all sorts of races and nationalities walking around, driving by or just enjoying the amiable and peaceful environment of Cagayan de Oro.

In the past years, however, I have personally noticed that more and more foreigners are getting frustrated, angry and disappointed how our community as a whole has been treating some of them,.

I had a German client before who married a lady from Camiguin and set her up in an apartment in Nazareth with all the appliances and food supply and financial support. The lady convinced my client to hire a houseboy. He went back to Germany to liquidate his assets and when he returned he realized that his apartment was empty and all the appliances were sold. The houseboy turned out to be the high school sweetheart of the lady.

I had a couple of American clients who brought all their savings from the US and invested everything here. They were later arrested and jailed because their Filipina wives eloped with their Filipino boyfriends while the foreigner husbands were out of the country.

I also had some Korean businessmen who invested in mining and trading, and were duped into bankruptcy by their Filipino partners. Some foreign retirees and pensioners who planned to spend the rest of their lives in Cagayan de Oro and built huge houses here or invested in beach resorts, or ventured into restaurants or into seemingly profitable enterprise ofr business hich were later on discovered by them to be just fraudulent schemes of their Filipino wives and the wive’s relatives to fleece the foreigners of their hard earned money.

I also had a Japanese client who invested money to buy 10 jeepney at a cost of half a million per jeepney or a total of 5 mullion. Soon, he realized that jeepneys cost only 350 thousand each and the jeepneys were registered in the name of his fiancée who ran away with one of the drivers. He lost all his money.

 

A TEST OF CHARACTER

Vendors at Lourdes College, Cagayan de Oro City

“Now we know what Bacal is really made of.

Bacal is soft; he is not made of steel after all.”

A Test of Character

Herbie Gomez

Imagine a man, covered with blood , carrying a dying boy in hi arms. He cries out for help, he asks people around to help him save a life and rush the boy to the nearest hospital.

That is not the picture the public is getting based on the pronouncements and the accounts of those who saw what happened to 15 year old Junrie “Babay” Balingit on a road in Upper Dagong, Carme at dawn Thursday.

Instead the public is seeing a councilor who was elected to be a public servant running away (okay let’s use walking away) from the scene of the Thursday road accident.

The reason of Alden Bacal and his apologists: angry relatives of Balingit might manhandle the former local TV news reader turned councilor.

Here was a boy, dying, and Bacal’s excuse for not helping is because he was afraid he’d get beaten up? Junrie Balingit was dying and Bacal was thinking of his personal safety. Something is definitely not right when a man leaves another human being for dead. And the more it becomes not right when a man voted to become a public servant puts his concern for personal safety above his duty to be a man for others.

The road accident was a test of character for Bacal. Never mind if he ends up charged in court or not. He already failed the test on all counts.

Now we know what Bacal is really made of. Bacal is soft; he is not made of steel after all.