About the author- litigation lawyer in telecoms, taxation, criminal, labor, appellate, family law and corporate; a radio broadcaster, speaker, author a husband, a father, advocate for consumers, for justice www.angkapatiran.org and a sinner who wants to
be a saint. hilman1108@yahoo.com
This story was taken from www.inq7.net
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Commentary : The lesser-known Sin
, June 26, 2005
Updated 05:55amam (Mla time)
Nandy Pacheco
Inquirer News Service
IN ADDITION to his great contributions to and his crucial and positive impact on the lives of millions of Filipinos as well as on so many worthy political and social causes, Jaime L. Cardinal Sin, former Archbishop of Manila, also gave encouragement to two organizations at a time when they needed it most.
We pay tribute to His Eminence Jaime L. Cardinal Sin for the genuine support he gave us when we started the Gunless Society in 1991 and the Kapatiran sa Pangkalahatang Kabutihan (KPK) in 2002. The KPK is a national, interfaith, nonviolent, political movement that seeks to renew Philippine politics and rid the Filipino nation of its evil dimensions, for the common good.
It was Gloria Alcuaz, a social activist, who arranged an appointment for our group to see the cardinal so that we could get him to endorse the Gunless Society project. A small group, made up of Mila Magsaysay-Valenzuela, Bea Zobel, Gloria Alcuaz, Mercy Tuazon, Alex Reyes Jr. and myself, went to see him. Cardinal Sin had no difficulty in supporting the project after we explained that the Gunless Society is rooted, first, in the prophecy of Isaiah that says, “they (people) shall beat their plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks, one nation shall not raise sword against another, nor shall they train for war again”; second, in God’s commandment “You shall not kill”; and, third, in the “Social Teaching of The Church” with particular reference to that part on the “Sanctity of Life and Dignity of the Human Person.”
As a result of that visit, Cardinal Sin issued a message endorsing to the government two related and complementary resolutions approved by the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines (PCP II). One of the resolutions “calls on all sectors of the Church to actively campaign for an end to the production and manufacture of the technology of death and the arms trade as part of the Church’s vision of peace”; and the other “calls for a massive campaign for a public policy to prohibit the glorification of guns and violence, lust and sex in the movies, movie billboards, TV, radio and print media.”
Cardinal Sin and Ricardo Cardinal Vidal were the first to sign the petition asking the government “to keep the environment safe by making it unlawful for anyone to carry guns and any instruments of violence in a public place unless he/she is authorized, in uniform and on duty. This ban would not apply to sportsmen or individuals who wish to keep licensed guns in their homes or gun clubs.” The other bishops followed suit. The petition also appeals “to the Government to impose this ban strictly and thereby carry out its mandate of creating a peaceful environment for its citizens.” In addition, Cardinal Sin sent a special message to Congress, urging the speedy approval of the gun control legislation. He did many other things in support of the Gunless Society, such as allowing a big billboard to be placed on the wall of his residence facing Shaw Boulevard, with the message: “You are welcome, your gun is not.”
We were able to gather over a million signatures on the petition. But sad to say, the reality is that one cannot expect a gun control law from a progun-dominated Congress. This has been the situation in Congress since the time of President Corazon Aquino up to the present. There is no political party in the Philippines that is committed to gun control.
With regard to the Kapatiran, the other cause for which we sought the assistance of the cardinal, he received Manolo Dayrit and me warmly when we went to visit him to get his endorsement of the movement.
Cardinal Sin expressed elation when we told him that we had just formed the KPK to renew and transform Philippine politics in accordance with the values of the Good News of Jesus and in the spirit of PCP II.
Cardinal Sin reacted by saying “it is about time for our lay faithful to be more actively involved in socio-political affairs.” In his reply to my letter of June 3, 2003, he also said: “I share your sentiments that Philippine society needs transformation and renewal. We must inject the Gospel values to our citizens, especially to our government officials. Genuine peace and progress can only take place if there is spiritual renewal.” He even asked us to get in touch with Fr. Vic Apacible, the minister for lay formation in the Archdiocese of Manila, to help us and put in context our good intentions.
With common good as its ideology, Kapatiran’s mission includes: (1) to build a nation of character; (2) to develop an enlightened, mature and responsible citizenry-from which servant leaders will emerge-through character building, values formation based on the social teaching of the Church, consistent ethic of life, love of country, and basic political education; (3) to make politics an effective means for the integral development of all rather than a tool for the advancement of a privileged few; (4) to draw up a list of clear and specific aspirations which can be woven into a coherent program of government; (5) to make politics a medium through which you can show love for neighbor and promote justice and peace; (6) to make a reality a government of the people, for the people, and by the people; and (7) to make Kapatiran a national vehicle for social and political transformation.
Cardinal Sin’s earthly work is now done, but we who follow him in his footsteps should not forget the example that he set. Neither should we ignore his wise counsel. He was a great teacher, a true leader, and above all a man of love and peace. The principles that he espoused must guide us all, Filipinos, as we work to build a better country for our children and for the future generations.
Cardinal Sin, you were indeed a faithful servant of God. We love you.
Nandy Pacheco is the founder of Nature/Gunless Society and Kapatiran Sa Pangkalahatang Kabutihan. He is also the president of Ang Kapatiran, also known as The Alliance for the Common Good.
Ryan’s Pinoy heart
By Maria eleanor Elape Valeros
The Cebu Freeman 06/27/2005
Another Pinoy youth sticks in a feather to the Filipino cap.
Gil Adrian “Ryan” Estenzo Torres, 17 years old, graduated class valedictorian at the International School Bangkok in Thailand, topping 150 students last June 6 with a grade point average of 4.28 - being the first Filipino student at ISB to have earned such distinction.
A scholarship grant from the Stanford University in Palo Alto, California dangles before Ryan when he comes to the United States to pursue an engineering course in September.
Apart from Stanford, Ryan was also accepted at the Brown University, a member of the Ivy League. He is also waitlisted at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Ryan was also the recipient of three other awards aside from clinching the Honor Roll. These were the Student Council Leadership Award, Computer Science Award, and Mathematics Award.
But apart from these awards, what inspired me to talk of his achievement was the fact that though he spent seven years in Bangkok - a major commercial and transportation hub in Asia, and was exposed to the cultures not just of the Thai people, but also of different nationalities - his heart remained proud of being Pinoy.
Learning that his sojourn to Thailand has not diminished his affinity for anything Filipino touches me deeply. Unlike many teenagers today, Ryan loves the Filipino culture with a passion. He attends school events in a Barong Tagalog. He loves the gag show Bubble Gang, listens to Pinoy music, watches Pinoy movies, and eats Pinoy food. He takes pride in patronizing Jollibee - a Pinoy entrepreneurial wonder.
Ryan is a rare find in his already corrupt generation!
His parents, Gil Torres and Elisa Estenzo, sent an excerpt of Ryan’s thoughts in answer to essay questions on his application to Stanford University. The answers not just reflective of his intelligence and hard work. His generous and loving heart - with emphasis on filial love - are showing through. Read on:
“Hi there! My name is Ryan. I look forward to a semester of fun, learning and sharing of ideas and experiences with you. There will be a lot of opportunities for these, I’m sure. Most of the time, you will see me study a lot and work hard at my assignments and other school responsibilities. I’m a very conscientious student. I drive for excellence in whatever work I do. But, it doesn’t mean to say that I am a nerd - I do know how to enjoy life and to have fun as well.
“There may be times I could get overbearing and bossy. Please don’t take it seriously. It is just a remnant from my experience organizing a regional Southeast Asian International Leadership Conference. As the lead organizer, it has been one of the biggest undertakings of my life that I thoroughly enjoyed. My dad always told me that a good leader is one who knows how to pass down the work to someone else and get it done, anyway. Being able to delegate work on other people and telling them that 150 people would be relying on their output, and making sure that they actually stayed on task, was a very fulfilling job.”
When Ryan was asked, “A picture is worth a thousand words, as the adage goes. Select a photograph no larger than 5×7 inches that represents something important to you, and explain its significance”, his answer was: “This is Gil Ellis “Lyle” Torres, my next and youngest sibling. There are three boys in my family - Justin, 19, is a college freshman; Ryan (me) at 17 and Lyle, 5 years old and a kindergarten pupil in Bangkok. Twelve years below my years, Lyle was a latecomer, but he has been one of the greatest things that happened to my life. His charm never ceases to make people smile even at their worst moments.
“His coming was a surprising yet joyful event for my family. I was the youngest child for the longest time but when Lyle came into the world, I embraced him with love and care, harboring no feelings of resentment or jealousy. I didn’t watch TV for many weeks; instead, I used the time to learn how to take care of an infant - feeding him, changing diapers and knowing how to appease him when he cries.
“My fondness for children gradually developed from this nurturing experience. I was enticed to join volunteer work at the Pakkret Orphanage Babies Home and the adjacent Baan Rachawadee Home for the Physically and Mentally Disabled. I discovered that I had a talent of knowing how to relate with children. Interacting with them and seeing the disadvantaged children respond gave me so much joy. I have been doing this volunteer work for the last six years.
“Looking into the future, Lyle’s importance to me is immeasurable. He is one of the reasons I pursue excellence in all the things I do. As an older brother, I know I have the obligation to return the favor to my parents. Due to my parents’ becoming older, and Lyle still in his early years, my family has agreed to divide up the responsibility of sending him to school. The eldest brother will take care of his High School education while I take care of his University education. Sending my youngest brother through university is a great challenge and responsibility that I take seriously. This is a very specific goal in my life that I intend to pursue.
“Today, I watch my brother grow. At five years, he is learning how to read and how to add and subtract numbers. He likes to use new words like “actually” or “definitely”. He is quick to pick up on new ideas that he thinks would make him appear more intelligent. I know he will have a great future. Who knows, he will be the next one to follow me to Stanford! Seeing him graduate with a degree would be the greatest reward of my life!”
Now that President Arroyo ADMITTED she did the inappropriate thing of talking to the Comelec Commissioner during the election process which may be the basis of possible criminal prosecution, can she still govern? Will she be forgiven by the people?
There are those who say she will be forgiven because she made an emotional appeal
which will address a forgiving people,the same people who seem to have forgiven Imelda, Erap.
In her statement to the people the President first defended herself that she did not ask the Comelec to do anything illegal as she was concerned of the slow Comelec process on the election returns. She wants us to trust her to take our country out of this morass.
Mrs President, review your economic policies, look into what Mahathir of Malaysia
has done to make Malaysia strong like removing the Philippines from the floating exchange regime that has doomed us with higher debt and a weaker economy.
Negotiate hard with the creditors tfor a 70 percent discount like what Argentina got for its debt. Require a government to government arrangement on the purchase of oil from suppliers . Never allow purchase in the spot market which is the most expensive way to buy oil.
Use more wind power generation, no more guarantees to independent power producers ON THEIR POWER GENERATION FROM THE GOVERNMENT.
ASK YOUR SON TO STEP DOWN AS CONGRESSMAN.
ASK THOSE AROUND YOU TO APOLOGIZE TO THE NATION FOR WRONG JUDGMENTS
AND MISMANAGING THEIR DEPARTMENTS.
YOUR CHALLENGE Mrs President is to get back the public trust, you have to
waive any immunity as sitting president from prosecution.
Bring down the tax rates to Hongkong levels, strengthen the BIR and Customs to collect revenue with training, equipment and budgetary support.
Ask the members of Congress to forego their pork barrel in favor of livelihood and poverty alleviation.
Thank you for reading this unsolicited advise.
Adrian Sison
a former student
hilman1108@yahoo.com
A Vissionary has the following message for Us:
reiterating the messages from fatima= TIME IS RUNNING OUT, CHRIST IS COMING SOON, PRAY FOR THE POPE. THE ANTICHRIST WILL REIGN SOON,
GO BACK TO GOD, THE POWER OF PRAYER SHOULD BE OUR PRIORITY
THE FRUITS OF THE MASS
Preparation for Mass. Apostolate and the Eucharistic Sacrifice.
Before Mass we have to prepare our soul to be ready for the most important event that takes place in the world each day. The Mass celebrated by any priest in the most out-of-the-way, the remotest corner of the world, even when no other person is attending, is the greatest thing happening on earth at that moment. It is the most pleasing thing that we men can offer to God. It is the opportunity to thank him for the many benefits we receive; to ask forgiveness for so many sins and such lack of love and for all our spiritual and material needs.
We all have things we need to ask for. Lord, that humiliation I can’t accept even for love of You … We desire blessings, happiness and joy for the members of our household. We are saddened by the fate of those who suffer hunger and thirst for bread and justice; of those who undergo the anguish of loneliness; of those who at the end of their lives are facing death without an affectionate look or the help of a friend.
But it is sin which is the wretchedness that causes suffering, and is the great world-wide malaise we have to remedy. It separates us from God and endangers souls with the prospect of eternal damnation. To bring men to eternal glory in the love of God – that was the essential desire of Christ when we celebrate Mass. Our apostolate is therefore directed towards the Mass and is strengthened by it.
Some minutes of thanksgiving after Mass will round off these most important moments of the day. They will have a direct influence on our work, on our family life, on the cheerfulness we show to everyone – and in the certainty and confidence with which we face up to the rest of our day. The Mass lived in this way will never be an isolated incident. It will nourish all our actions and give them a special tone, value and significance.
We always find our Mother Mary in the Mass. How could we take part in the sacrifice without remembering and invoking the Mother of the High Priest and Victim? Our Lady played such an intimate part in the priesthood of her Son during his life on earth that she is eternally united to the exercise of his Priesthood. Just as she was present on Calvary, so is she present in the Mass, which is a prolongation of Calvary. She helped her son on the Cross by offering him to the Father. In the sacrifice of the altar, the renewal of the sacrifice of Christ, she helps the Church to offer herself in union with her Head. Let us offer ourselves to Jesus through the mediation of Mary. Let us remember Mary during Mass, and she will help us grow in piety and recollection.
Excerpts from IN CONVERSATION WITH GOD by Francis Fernandez.
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Who’s Afraid of Bro. Eddie?
By Antonio C. Abaya
Written June 21, 2005
For the Manila Standard Today,
June 23 issue
Never before in living memory has this country been pushed to the edge of self-destruction as it has been in the past three weeks.
Whoever is manipulating all this has succeeded enormously in stripping President Arroyo and her government of the last semblance of credibility and moral ascendancy. She has become a hate object, the butt of text and email jokes, the target of derisive contempt and scathing insults. No national leader, male or female, can long stay in power carrying the baggage that she carries now.
President Arroyo is teetering on the brink of the precipice. And the only force that seems to be keeping her from being pushed into the void is the restraint and reluctance, especially among the middle class, dictated by self-interest: if she falls into the void, so will the rest of the country. Unless……….
Unless there is a credible and acceptable alternative leader or group of leaders who will provide the stability and the even keel to the ship-of-state in the coming storms, and the creative imagination to chart our way to a destination that we can all be convinced is our shared destiny.
Do we have such a leader or group of leaders in our immediate future, such as next week or next month or next year?
We probably do, but will he and they (never mind the ‘she’ for the time being) emerge triumphant in the inevitable squabbles that will ensue from an extra-constitutional demise of the Arroyo Government? Different groups will have differing agendas as they jockey for pre-eminence in the inevitable power vacuum.
And who will be the frontrunners in this jockeying for pre-eminence? In my column of June 01, I had mentioned that a five-person revolutionary council is being bruited about as the most likely core of a revolutionary government that will take-over if President Arroyo is forced out of power. But I did not name names.
In her June 14 column, Inquirer columnist Belinda Olivares-Cunanan, an unabashed defender of and apologist for President Arroyo, named four of those five: supposedly Susan Roces, Sen. Loi Ejercito, Fortunato Abat and Renato de Villa.
Cunanan pointedly excluded the rumored fifth, Evangelist Eddie Villanueva. Why she did not want to mention Villanueva at all is significant. Villanueva is the only one among the five who can excite and motivate a million people or more to attend a political rally at the Luneta, as he in fact did in the last days before the May 10 presidential elections in 2004. In other words, Villanueva is an actual potential threat, in fact THE only actual potential threat, to the Arroyo presidency, in terms of People Power mobilization. No wonder Arroyo-apologist Cunanan dared not mention his name.
Susan Roces can also draw a million people, but for an entirely different reason: out of sympathy for the death of her husband, FPJ, beloved of the star-struck masa and victim of massive fraud in the 2004 elections.
A combination of Villanueva and Roces – not necessarily as presidential and vice-presidential candidates – would be a potent political force.
Ms. Roces has repeatedly said she is not interested in entering politics and that a woman should not lead this country again. My information is that she and Villanueva have actually met and that she has explicitly deferred to Villanueva as the next leader of this country.
And this is not a sudden comradeship born out of the exigencies of the moment. In the funeral services for FPJ last December, at which politicians were pointedly barred from speaking, Villanueva and his religious group were the only ‘outsiders’ allowed to participate.
Villanueva, for his part, showed considerable political and mobilization skills in the 2004 elections, more than what the end results would indicate: he came out last in a field of five, after GMA, FPJ, Lacson and Roco, in that order.
A Villanueva-Roces combination would draw support from both the under-class and the middle and upper classes, which neither Erap nor Abat nor FVR nor the communists nor any of the trapos and family dynasts can match.
In presidential surveys in December 2003, Villanueva was getting only one percent. But this percentage kept on growing every month, until it reached five percent in the Pulse Asia survey of April 26-29 (with 9% undecided) and four percent in the SWS survey of May 1-4 (with 12% undecided).
His Luneta rally of May 6, a few days before Election Day, drew an estimated one million supporters, filling the park from the Quirino Grandstand to the Rizal Monument, by far the biggest rally for ANY candidate in the ENTIRE 2004 campaign.
In the SWS exit poll of May 10, Villanueva drew five percent (with 8% giving ‘no answer’). In the last publicly released Namfrel count of June 5, based on election returns from 79.21% of the precincts, Villanueva got 6.16% of the votes (versus 6.97 for Roco, 10.85 for Lacson, 36.97 for FPJ, and 39.05 for GMA).
So, from one percent in December to more than six percent in May, Villanueva’s share of supporters grew by more than 500% in only five months. Even granting that he was starting from a lower base, the growth of his support base was still phenomenal if you consider that support for Lacson actually decreased minimally during that period, from 13 to 11%, and so did support for Roco, from 16 to 6%, because of his illness.
Villanueva benefited from crossovers from Roco, as well as from many disaffected middle and upper class voters who could not stomach the idea of supporting either GMA or FPJ. And, of course, his biggest support base were the members of his charismatic religious group. What held them together was Villanueva’s rallying cry for a righteous leadership to extirpate the culture of corruption.
And if the elections had been scheduled for, say, September, instead of May, the growth momentum of his support base would have catapulted him above Roco and Lacson and would probably have placed him within striking distance of the presidency. He just plain ran out of time in 2004.
Is he now, in 2005, a political has-been, as another Arroyo defender in media describes him? That remains to be seen, if he were now to decide to flex his political muscles. Unless proven otherwise, Villanueva, supported by Ms.Roces, remains the only real potential threat to GMA, on the basis of mobilization capability and the broad spectrum of his support groups..
By contrast, the others in Cunanan’s four – Loi Ejercito, Fortunato Abat and Renato de Villa – are no threat to anyone except to themselves, assuming they are indeed members of the putative revolutionary council, which is by no means certain. Collectively, they could not draw 5,000 people to the Luneta even if they were to announce that they would sing and dance stark naked at the Quirino Grandstand.
Whoever is/are manipulating this train of events, he/they should realize that he/they need Villanueva-Roces on his/their side more than Villanueva-Roces need him/them on theirs, to attract the strongest support from the broadest sectors for a revolutionary council.
Who’s afraid of Brother Eddie? Everyone with a moist eye on Malacanang including its present occupant.
Reactions of acabaya@zpdee.net or fax 824-7642. Other articles in www.tapatt.org
Perspective
with Rowena V. Guanzon
Just say it
There is no way the president can survive the problem of the tape without saying a word about it. She just has to say if she called Comelec Commissioner Garcillano or not during the presidential election. If it was her, she can save her country the trouble and pain by resigning so that Senate President Franklin Drilon can call for elections and or a constitutional convention. If it wasn’t her, then she can help set up an independent and reliable mechanism for ascertaining the truth of the tape. But she cannot go about her daily business without giving us an answer. That’s not being honest, and that is not fair.
Now dubbed as “Gloriagate,” taken from the “Watergate” scandal during U.S. President Nixon’s term, the people’s recent dissatisfaction (according to a survey, the most unpopular president ever) is heightened by GMA’s ” I won’t dignify it with an answer” stance. It will not do to blame the opposition for this problem. It is not only the opposition who are calling for an answer. . Fernando Poe Jr. is dead. People like you and me are not interested in this issue because we want him or Susan Roces in Malacanang. We want a president who is not corrupt, and one who will not lie to us. We want a president who will not spare even her own husband if he has done something wrong. The reason for the unpopularity of Mike Arroyo is because the First Gentleman is suspected of having placed his friends in positions of tremendous power, and GMA has allowed it. Those who were appointed because of Mike Arroyo’s influence and who have a conscience should resign now. If they don’t, they are doing GMA a big disfavor. Resign, all of you who got your posts because of presidential patronage, especially those in government corporations.
The people, including those groups who supported GMA’s rise to the presidency are demanding an answer. Already, civil society groups are talking and the consensus is going towards a demand for the president to make a statement and say it once and for all, say whether it was it her or not in the taped conversation with Garcillano. Others are going to demand that she and Vice President Noli de Castro resign and the Senate President can all for a special election.
Garcillano and the Comelec are also not helping by keeping mum about it. Instead of an answer, all we have is a conspiracy to keep silent about it. If it was not Garcillano how come he is not saying so? He is hiding because he does not know what to say or he is still planning what to say.
GMA has a leadership duty in this issue, if only to avoid instability that is now affecting the economy. She should come out and say if she talked to Garcillano during the lections or not. If she says it was not her, the people must be assured of an independent and impartial way of finding the truth. There aren’t too many people in government that we can trust, but surely there must be three people who are acceptable to the people who can compose a commission. If only the politicians in the House of Representatives will conduct the investigation, they all have vested interests and cannot assure us of an impartial and speedy investigation.
Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos also has a duty. He cannot wash his hands and say we will get to it when a case is filed. That is a lot of hogwash. Your commissioner is being charged by the public with fraud in a presidential election and all you can say is you will wait if he is formally charged? If the people cannot trust the Comelec, why should we put our nation’s future in elections? Abalos does not only have a duty under the law, he should be mindful that an honest Commission on Elections holds the difference between the people’s belief in elections in this country and a revolt, where they can line up the corrupt against the wall.
And what is this talk that if you play the tape, you will be liable for sedition? Excuse me but I thought Martial Law ended in 1986. We had 14 years of that and there is no way we will take it sitting down. I can’t believe that there are people in this government who think we are stupid or have a short memory. Either that or they think we are all cowards.
We struggled against a dictatorship so that the future generation can be free. We (our generation) are not even dead yet and already, prior restraint on our freedom of speech is held over our heads like an executioner’s ax. I won’t be surprised if tomorrow some nut in the National Telecommunications Commission will say that downloading the “hello Garci” ring tone” is an act of sedition. The website has crashed due to the volume of texters who want the ring tone. Jokes about GMA’s silence are the new craze in textmania. If only we could do people power the “virtual” way by texting, this government would now be packing its bags.*
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The Gender Justice Awards: An advocacy strategy
For judicial reform
By: Rowena V. Guanzon , LLB, MPA
Introduction
Many women who suffer violence often do not file cases against their abusers mainly due to their lack of resources for litigation, lack of education, a support system, and the perceived unreliability of the justice system. The court process, which is lengthy and expensive, intimidates women, the poor and marginalized groups. Judges who have no gender awareness and sensitivity compounds the problem of women’s lack of equal access to the courts. Women see courts as “unreliable” in understanding their plight and as an institution that can render justice; hence many are discouraged from seeking redress in the courts.
Many judges and prosecutors continue to perpetuate the misconceptions and biases against women in their decisions, which is largely a product of a patriarchal judicial system and Philippine society. Cases are lost because of the inability of judges and prosecutors to understand the situation of women, their lack of gender awareness and lack of appreciation of unequal relations of power between men and women within relations. Many judges and prosecutors continue to use gender stereotyping of roles of women and prevailing misconceptions about rape and other forms of sexual violence. This problem can be solved in part through the education of women on their human rights and the training of lawyers who can render free or affordable legal aid, but more significant results can be achieved through education and raising the awareness of judges and prosecutors on violence against women and girl-children.
The 1st Gender Justice Awards
As part of the global effort to eliminate violence against women (VAW), the University of the Philippines Center for Women’s Studies, the U.P. Center for Women’s Studies Foundation, Inc., and the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women, supported by the United Nations Development Fund for Women (Unifem-East Southeast Asia), launched the Gender Justice Awards (“ The Awards)” last August 8, 2003.
The Gender Justice Awards is an advocacy strategy for judicial reform. With the aim of engendering the courts, the Awards highlights the need for judges to be gender-sensitive and gender-responsive in the conduct of their duties. Although it is an initiative TO UPGRADE THE QUALITY of court decisions in violence against women cases.
The first of its kind in the Philippines, The Awards was cited by Dr. Patricia Licuanan, President of Miriam College and member of the Philippine Delegation as an example of best practice in the Inter-governmental Meeting on the Beijing Plus 10 Platform in Bangkok on September 9, 2004. Dr. Licuanan emphasized the partnership of government and non-governmental organizations, women’s rights and children’s rights advocates, lawyers groups, media and business in making The Awards a success.
Atty Rowena Guanzon thought of this gender sensitive awards. We should listen to what the clinical psychologists and psychiatrists say as to understand the various reactions of victims of violence.
We congratulate all the awardees.
If Noah Was A Filipino
It is the year 2005 and Noah lives in the PHILIPPINES.
The Lord speaks to Noah and says: “In one year I am going to make it rain
and cover the whole earth with water until all is destroyed. But I want
you to save the righteous people and two of every kind of living thing on
the earth.
Therefore, I am commanding you to build an Ark.”
In a flash of lightning,God delivered the specifications for an Ark.
Fearful and trembling, Noah took the plans and agreed to build the Ark.
“Remember,” said the Lord, “You must complete the Ark and
bring everything aboard in one year.”
Exactly one year later, a fierce storm cloud covered the earth and
all the seas of the earth went into tumult.
The Lord saw Noah sitting in his front yard weeping.
“Noah.” He shouted, “Where is the Ark?”
“Lord please forgive me!” cried Noah. “I did my best
but there were big problems.
First, I had to get a Mayor’s permit for construction and your plans “did
not comply with the codes”. had to hire their “engineering
firm” and “redraw” the plans.
Then I got into a fight with Municipal Fire Safety Inspector over whether
or not the Ark needed a fire sprinkler system and extinguishers.
Then my neighbor objected, claiming I was violating zoning ordinances by
building the Ark in my front yard, so I had to get a permit from the
municipal planning office.
I had problems getting enough wood for the Ark, because there was a ban
on cutting trees to protect the Monkey-Eating Eagle.
I finally convinced the DENR that I needed the wood to save
the eagles. However, the DENR won’t let me catch any eagles. So, no
eagles.
The carpenters formed a union and went out on strike. I had to negotiate a
settlement with the KMU. Now I have 16 carpenters on the Ark, but still no
eagles.
When I started rounding up the other animals, I got sued by an animal
rights group. They objected to me only taking two of each kind aboard.
Just when I got the suit dismissed, the DENR again notified me that I
could not complete the Ark without filing
an environmental impact assessment on your proposed flood.
They didn’t take very kindly to the idea that they had no jurisdiction
over the conduct of the Creator of the universe.
Then the DPWH demanded a map of the proposed new flood plan. I sent them a
globe.
Right now, I am trying to resolve a complaint filed with the DOLE that I
am practicing discrimination by not taking godless, unbelieving people
aboard!
The BIR has seized all my assets, claiming that I’m building the Ark in
preparation to flee the country to avoid paying taxes. I just got a notice
from the BIR that I owe some kind of user tax and failed to register the
Ark as a recreational water craft.”
The NBI and ISAFP each wanted a piece of the action alleging that the Ark
would be used by the Magdalo soldiers to escape.
The PNP on the other hand insists that Misuari might use the Ark to flee
to Indonesia
Malacanang sees the opportunity to use the Ark for GMA’s Strong Republic
Nautical Highway presidential campaign sorties.
Finally the Senate got the courts to issue a TRO
against further construction of the Ark, saying that since God is flooding
the earth, it is a religious event and therefore unconstitutional.
I really don’t think I can finish the Ark for another 10 or 16 years!”
Noah wailed. The sky began to clear, the sun began to shine and the seas
began to calm. A rainbow arched across the sky.
Noah looked up hopefully.
“You mean you are not going to destroy the earth, Lord?”
“No,” said the Lord sadly….”The government is already doing that.”
