Vol. 42 No.

10 OCTOBER 2008

00 Php 70.00

Quote in the Act

I am one of the biggest losers in this village. The provincial television says our government will take care of us... But they are lying. For 10 days, weve been dumping our milk.

ISSN 0300-4155 Asian Magazine for Human Transformation Through Education, Social Advocacy and Evangelization
P.O. Box 2481, 1099 Manila, Philippines
Copyright 1974 by Social Impact Foundation, Inc.

IMPACT
REMITTING ADDRESSES

Jie Cunai, a dairy farmer in Shijiazhuang, China; after 5 deaths and hundreds of hospitalized infants due to melamine content in infant formula which earned a global criticism on China where 20 milk companies reportedly spiked processed milk with the industrial chemical in order to inflate protein readings and pass quality tests.

Kazakhstan is an independent country. It can have friendships with whomever it wishes.

Condoleeza Rice, US Secretary of State; lately visited Kazakhstan and rebutted suspicions that the United States was trying to steal Russias allies against a backdrop that the balance of power among the former Soviet republics may be tilting toward Kremlin.

People have lost their confidence. They have no buying power. They are losing their retirements, their vacation funds, and they are scared to commit to buying anything.
Gil Colon, sales manager at a high-end art and furniture store in Las Vegas, describing the impact of the financial crisis in the US that prompted Washington to proceed with a $700-billion bailout of the banking industry.

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Theres great hypocrisy in French politics. People dont name things as they are. Every time they see a swarthy skin or a Muslim name, youre oppressed.
Fouad Douai, a Muslim who is charged with building Grand Mosque in Strasbourg, France; complains about how Muslims, which is presently the second largest religion in France, are not given equally treatment with other major religions.

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PEDRO C. QUITORIO III EDITOR -IN -CHIEF PINKY B. BARRIENTOS, FSP A SSOCIATE E DITOR EULY BELIZAR ROY CIMAGALA ROY LAGARDE LOPE ROBREDILLO KRIS BAYOS S TAFF W RITERS ROSALYNN GARCIA S ALES & ADVERTISING ERNANI RAMOS CIRCULATION LAURENCE JOHN MORALES L AYOUT A RTIST
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not only egregiously insulting to the Filipino community in the UK. It is also very malicious and is a blatant display of racial prejudice.
Edgardo Espiritu, Philippine Ambassador to UK; protesting to BBC that lately aired an episode of Harry and Paul depicting a Filipina maid being used as sex toy.

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IMPACT October 2008

CONTENTS
EDITORIAL

IMPACT

October 2008 / Vol 42 No 10

The abominable E-VAT .......................................... 27

COVER STORY

Issues on the juvenile Justice and Welfare Law (Republic Act 9344) ................................................ 9 The strings around Australian aid that constrict poor Philippines .................................................... 12 Milk of human blindness ....................................... 19
DEPARTMENTS

Working towards good governance ...................... 16

ARTICLES

The Fallacies behind the Consolidated Reproductive Health Bill ....................................... 4 CBCP advances restorative justice and alternatives to imprisonment ............................... 7
THE US economy is supposedly based on solid fundamentalsuntil Lehman Brothers, Washington Mutual and their pesky peers caught the world by surprise and declared that America was in a worst downturn after the Great Depression in the 30s. Strangely enough, during the Great Depression nobody had to be told that they were in a bad shape, because every Tom, Dick and Harry (now include Oprah!) felt it. This time, the banking industry had to do the spinning and convince the treasury to convince congress to liberate the banking economy with a $700 billion bailout. And while the bailout debate was on progress, Lehman Brothers was shelling out millions in bonuses to its executives. Apparently, after sending jitters to the Bush administration and the ongoing political campaign, observers concluded that US economy was after all based on subprime commodities, as the real state, which are umbilically tied with the banks. Consequently, any default in mortgages would impact heavily on the banking industry. Because, in America everything is loaned from the banks: from houses to washing machines and the fancy evening dress. Not so in the Philippines. Close all the banks and the Filipino will continue smiling all the way. First, because only an iota of the 85 million or so Filipinos has loans in the banks; the others wont be granted anyway. Second, the vast majority of Filipinos have comfortably nothing in their wallets to waste for the banks. So, why the heck? Take it or leave it, but the Philippine economy is founded on a most solid fundamentalits people. Principally, Philippine economy is based on OFWs and their wives who go on a wild shopping spree every after monthly

Quote in the Act ....................................................... 2 News Features .......................................................... 21 Statements ................................................................ 23 From the Blogs ......................................................... 26 From the Inbox ........................................................ 28 Book Reviews .......................................................... 29 CINEMA Review .................................................... 30 News Briefs .............................................................. 31

visits to Western Union. The higher the population, therefore, the more OFWs. Logically, the more OFWs, the better for Philippine economy. Conversely, remove all OFWs and their remittances, and the Philippine economy collapses. (But perhaps, Malacaang, the only gambling operator in the world that is government-based, will not worry a bit if only jueteng operations will be implemented in every town and PAGCOR be established in every street corner of big citiesand make gambling as the paramount economic fundamental.) Which is why, it is incomprehensible why some people in Congress wants to kill OFWs (they comprise, according to an educated guess, 25 percent of the total population) even before there are born. The likes of Lagman, still believe the myth of the 60s that the lesser the population the better the economy while about 70 countries in the world today are bewailing the irreversible demographic winter. The pro-reproductive scheme people seem not to understand why the most populous countries in the world are the most economically progressive while the least are passing out in hunger. In the Philippine context the rub is not about overpopulation or de-population. At the end of the day its all about governance. Mr. Jose Lugay puts it simply in our cover story: We are poor because of poor governance. Need we say more? Read on.

Volume 42 Number 10

ARTICLE S

The Fallacies behind the C Reproductive Healt

By Fr. Carmelo O. Diola

he Churchs position really begins with the often-quoted passage from John 10: 10: I came that they may have life and have it to the full. The issues at hand are really a matter of life and deathand the Church has the duty to defend and promote life. The Churchs position is based on very basic moral imperatives: do good and reject evil; do not choose the lesser evil; the end does not justify the means; etc. The issues, to my mind, are further complicated by a rather prevalent mindset, promoted by some members of the academe, media, and entertainment industry, called moral relativism. It portrays people who think and act without any reference to an objective moral order as progressive, modern, and relevant. This leads to irresponsible freedom. On the other hand, there is the on-going challenge of forming the consciences of people compounded by the sheer number of the faithful. The Churchs position assumes a Christian perspective of the human being as an integral whole of body and spirit. After all, has anyone seen a spirit alone receiving communion or a physical body alone eating a meal? If the human being were only a physical body, then contraception is, by all means, the right way to go. The Church assumes that human sexuality, pregnancy, and parenthood are a call to loving and responsible stewardship and children are a gift from God with inherent and inalienable rights. When these basics are not respected, are we not falling into the slippery slope towards a culture of death, rather than life? In what ways does the proposed bill lead to this slippery slope? The authors of this bill have moved from mere demographic concerns to the so-called reproductive rights. This is a clever move since the perspective of Malthus, who predicted dire consequences for a world wherein human population will outstrip natural resources, has since been debunked, as in the famous Ehrlich-Simon wager of 1980.1 In House Bill 16, the proposed bills predecessor, the author notes: This bill addresses theproblem of an uncontained population escalation thatderails sustainable human development.2 Bad governance In 2004, Prof. Ernesto Pernia of the UP School of Economics wrote: Rapid population growth alone cannot explain poverty. Bad governance, high wealth and income inequality and weak economic growth are the main causes.3 The bill confuses priorities by calling for population control to achieve development. But isnt development the result of good governance and isnt good governance the fruit of principled politics? That for every P100 in the government budget, P60 go to private pockets4 and that a lamppost that costs only P15,000 is purchased at P150,000.00 or an LGU paying P50 thousand each for 470 units of computers costing only P19 thousand eachshows us how unprincipled our politics is. Studies show that from 1977 to 1997, a total of $48

billion was lost due to corruption, exceeding our foreign debt, at that time, of $40 billion.5 Political corruption is getting in the way of development. Perhaps what needs to be controlled are another group of people, not the poor. In addition, a basic assumption of the bill is greatly confusing. It is not true that the Philippines growth rate is 2.36 percent. The United Nations using the same census data has arrived at a very much lower rate. The National Statistics Office has already projected agrowth rate of 1.99 percent. 6 The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) website even shows a 1.72 percent growth rate for 2008.7 Which of the two, Congress or the CIA, has a population agenda for the Philippines? And what about the three thousand Filipinos leaving the country to join 10 percent of the population already abroad? Although I am no demographer, I ask

Jose Locsin Jr / CBCP News

IMPACT October 2008

The Fallacies behind the Consolidated Reproductive Health Bill

dren; etc. with the all-embracing reproductive rights. Here is what, to my simple mind, makes the bill even more misleading: when truth is mixed with half-truths. As one noted commentator puts it: Their claim to be pro-poor, pro-family, and pro-life is only a semantic faade cloaking pro-death capabilities.8 Studies show that abortions rise with the advent of the contraceptive culture. Abortion provides back-ups to failed contraception and operate under the same attitude and lifestyle. Some studies show that 50 percent of all who have had abortions in the USA were failed contraceptive use, while 80 percent of those who undergo abortions also use contraception.9 One can only ask how many of the 50 percent of couples of reproductive age in the Philippines who use condom also resort to abortions. The reason for this connection is rooted in our being human. Sex is meant for procreation. In contraception, sex is separated from openness to life. Sex then becomes purely utilitarian and we seek pleasure without the consequences and responsibility that go with it. The question is often raised: when does life begin? This is a philosophical question not within the competence of scientists, medical practitioners, and politicians. Some say it is when the sperm penetrates the egg. Others when cells begin to divide. Still others when the fertilized egg is implanted. The Church position is likened to a hunter who carries a gun and sees a moving object. He is not sure whether it is a man or a wild animal. The rule is: dont shoot and take the safer option. IUD and other methods considered by proponents of the bill as non abortifacients, do not take the safer option. The bill does not listen to the voice of history. Wasnt legalized abortion in the USA preceded by the inundation of contraception? And how about the rise of sexually-transmitted diseases and AIDs? In addition, contraception, pornography, and the flesh trade form an ugly triumvirate. Children become an accident and so we need essential medicine like contraceptives, as Sec. 10 of the bill puts it, to heal the disease of pregnancy. How preposterous. Despite the bills description of abortion of a crime punishable by law (Sec. 3, L), one gets the uneasy feeling that this is really a Trojan horse, especially that the term reproductive health in international legal parlance includes abortion, as a simple google search would yield. The bill also does not condemn the act. This is not to mention anatomical manipulations imposed by the bill, like the IUD, that really cause death to a living being. Hence, the image that comes to mind is a Rambo carrying two loaded and smoking machineguns and saying: I will not kill anyone The use of abortifacients, contraceptive pills and devices, sterilization, directly willed abortion are wrong in themselvesThey are wrong not because the Catholic Church forbids them, rather the Church forbids them because they destroy the fruitfulness of human reproductive capacities given by the Creator and hence are morally wrong.10 Freedom of conscience The bill also does not respect the consciences and culture of our people. Parents are just an afterthought in the values education of their children. While parents are mentioned five times,11 only twice (i.e. Sec. 3g and 12) are they mentioned in connection with their role as educators but then only limited to technical information. With schools taking over the role of parents as educators,

Consolidated lth Bill

myself how many more years, at this growth rate, will it take before what a Newsweek article in September 2004 refers to as Baby Bust. The caption goes: For more and more countries, the problem isnt having too many people but having too few. Once zero population growth sets in, the trend is irreversible. So while countries like Singapore and others are encouraging higher population growth, here we have some people in government trying to reduce our numbers. Half-truths I must say the authors of the bill are quite clever in lumping together legitimate and pressing concerns, like the needs of nursing mothers; gender equality; maternal, infant and child health and nutrition; end to violence against women and chil-

Volume 42 Number 10

The Fallacies behind the Consolidated Reproductive Health Bill

Jose Locsin Jr / CBCP News

have decided to become part of Big Brother production, only that the all-seeing eye is more malevolent than benevolent. Therefore, it seems, that despite the bills pro-poor appearance, one cannot help but sense that it is not really about alleviating the plight of the poor as it is an unseen hand imposing a foreign ideology on us and prescribing remedies threatening more ill than good. The poor are just used as an excuse. The better options Yet, mere opposition to the bill is not enough. After all, there is truth that the inability of couples, especially the poorest, to achieve their desired fertility directly reduces their well being13 (i.e. when they desire to have fewer children) and that rapid population growth and high fertility ratesdo exacerbate poverty. 14 In short, there are indications that family size makes it difficult for families to emerge from poverty. 15 A breathing space(s) is neededbut one designed by nature and God. There are actually very good options. Modern NFP methods promote dialogue between the spouses, their bodies, and with each other; they promote virtue; they are environmentally sound, introducing no foreign objects and having no side effects; and they are effective and user-friendly. And the Church allows couples, for serious reasons and with due respect to moral precepts, decide not to have additional children for either a certain or an indefinite period of time. (Humane Vitae 10). With 50 percent of couples not resorting to any birth control method and many expressing their desire to plan their families, a big
Fallacies, page 23

the bill is contrary to the natural right and duty of parents as specified in Art. 5c of the Charter of the Rights of the Family (1983): Parents have the right to ensure that their children are not compelled to attend classes which are not in agreement with their own moral and religious convictions. In particular, sex education is a basic right of the parents and must always be carried out under their close supervision There is also outright disregard for the freedom of conscience, despite protestations to the contrary. The bill requires no spousal consent or authorization for ligation and vasectomy for any person of legal age. (Sec. 21, a.2). It requires mandatory reproductive health education from Grade 5 to Fourth Year High School with topics the Church finds offensive (Sec. 12). Values, like parents, are treated as an afterthought. Larger families no longer receive benefits with the indication of a very questionable recommendation of two children per family (Sec. 16). The list goes on. Even those who dissent can be penalized under an amorphous provision: Any person who maliciously engages in disinformation about the intent or provisions of this Act (Sec. 21e) shall be penalized and a public official dismissed from service (Sec. 22). So if, as the bills proponents claim, all that the government seeks is to provide information and options, both artificial and natural, to all its citizens, then why resort to such an iron fist? The bill, then, tries hard to appear tolerant when, in truth, it is not. I could not help but imagine an Orwellian specter12 where government controls every facet of life, including the bedroom. It seems many people in Congress
Jose Locsin Jr / CBCP News

IMPACT October 2008

ARTICLES

By Rudy Diamante

wenty-one years ago, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) through the Episcopal Commission on Prison Pastoral Care (ECPPC) declared the last Sunday of October of each year as Prison Awareness Sunday. This years observance which falls on October 26 carries the theme, Pag-ibig Mo: Tanglaw, Gabay at Lakas Ko (Your Love is my Light, Guide and Strength. It serves to remind us that it is love that brings life and hope to our brothers and sisters in prison. Because of the love Christ has shown, sinners repented, the lonely jumped with joy, the weak became strong and the hopeless were filled with hope. It is in this light that the Church promotes Restorative Justice, a value-based response to crime that focuses on restoring the losses suffered by victims, holding offenders accountable for the harm they have caused, and building peace within communities. The Catholic Church staunchly advocates a kind of Justice that moves beyond punishment towards the restoration and healing of those involved in crime. This kind of justice has biblical origins aside from being mandated by the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.

The Church hierarchy believes that fair and effective criminal justice systems which ensure respect for the human rights of all those involved are a prerequisite for combating crime and for building societies based on the rule of law. In our current criminal justice system, justice is believed to be achieved by meting out punishment. You do a crime, you do time in the penitentiary. While wallowing inside a decrepit prison cell, you pay your debt to society and justice is served. The meaning of justice is primarily shackled in legal terms that exact punishment that fits the crime. But this prevalent understanding of justice is a diversion from Gods justice as described in the Bible. In Psalm (82:3) the Bible exhorts us to Defend the poor and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and needy. Obviously this is not suggesting that the afflicted and the needy should be punished. Rather, we are being commanded to help them. Justice in the aforementioned verse refers to the actions of mercy and love. Also in Isaiah (1:16-17) God commands, Wash yourselves clean. Stop all this evil that I see you doing. Yes, stop doing evil and learn to do right. See that justice is donehelp those who are oppressed, give orphans their rights, and defend widows. Again, the kind of justice involved

here is to do good to the outcasts of society by correcting the injustice that has been done to them. Gods justice is to compassionately intervene against the violence done by others. Sin carries its own punishment. God does not need to aggravate it with additional painful penalties. Jeremiahs words are clear: You have brought this unto yourself by abandoning the Lord your God when he led you on his way Your own wickedness will correct you, and your unfaithful ways will punish you. You should know and see how evil and bitter it is for you if you abandon the Lord your God (Jeremiah 2:17-19). In contrast to the prevailing criminal justice system that gives more weight to retribution or punishment, restorative justice views criminal acts more comprehensively, rather than defining crime only as lawbreaking. It recognizes that offenders harm victims, their communities and even themselves. Likewise, Restorative Justice requires offenders to take responsibility for their actions and for the harm they have caused while seeking redress for victims, recompense by offenders and reintegration of both parties within the community. More importantly, Restorative Justice recognizes the importance of community involvement and initiative in responding to and reducing crime rather than leaving the problem of crime to the government alone. Recognizing this, the United Nations

Volume 42 Number 10

Photo courtesy of CBCP-ECPPC

CBCP advances restorative justice and alternatives to imprisonment

CBCP advances restorative justice and alternatives to imprisonment

in its 1999 congress on crime and justice in Vienna encouraged the development of Restorative Justice policies, procedures and programs that are respectful of the rights, needs and interests of victims, offenders, communities and all other parties. The Vienna Declaration stressed among others the importance of prison reform. It likewise endeavored to use and apply the United Nations standards and norms in crime prevention and criminal justice in national law and practice with the end view of introducing national, regional and international action plans in support of victims of crimes, such as mechanisms for mediation and Restorative Justice. On the local front, our congress upon the prompting of the restorative justice advocates has introduced House Bill 4369 or Recognizance Act of 2008 which seeks to include the promotion of Restorative Justice as a means to address the problems confronting the criminal justice system such as protracted trials, prolonged resolution of cases, lack of judges, inability to post bail bond, congestion in jails, and lack of opportunity to reform and rehabilitate the offenders. The Bill mandates the rights of detainees, except those charged with crimes punishable by life imprisonment, to be released on recognizance before resolution of their cases by the Regional Trial Court irrespective of whether the case was originally filed in or on appeal to the court. The CBCP-ECPPC also encourages the victim-offender mediations that provide an interested victim the opportunity to meet his offender in a safe and structured setting. In the presence of a trained mediator the two discuss the crime in order for the offender to learn about the crimes adverse impact on the victims life and to take responsibility for the resulting harm. There is also a family or community group conferencing that brings together the victim, offender and their families and friends. This allows the victim to have a direct involvement in responding to the crime and engages the offenders support system for making amends and shaping his future behavior. On the other hand, peacemaking or sentencing circles help pave the way in developing consensus among community members, victims and their supporters as well as the offender, along with his supporters, on how to deal with the aftermath of the crime. Restorative Justice is anchored on the gospel of Jesus in Matthew 18:15-20. Here, Jesus laid down the three steps to take when dealing with an offender. First is by personally approaching the offender and pointing out his fault on a one-on-one basis. If this fails, the second step is to bring in one or two others to help in the reconciliation process. If it a g a i n yields no positive result, the third resort is to refer to the local community of faith, the Church. As such, Christians are called to combine biblical insights with Church moral teachings to help them make appropriate response to crime and criminal behavior. Throughout the world, practitioners and moralists alike are looking again at restorative justice practices as a fairer and more just way of practicing criminal justice. They maintain that past experience had shown that punishment based on retribution offered no redemption for the offenders and the victims themselves. Stoning a sinner to death, hanging a criminal or exiling him to perish in the desert does not wash away the sin of the criminal nor the grief of the victim. Spiritual penance, remorse for the crime committed and walking the righteous path more effectively achieve the goal. We Christians and human rights advocates have the will, the vision, the opportunity and the responsibility to be advocates for systemic change. The faith community must lead the way in practicing restorative justice. We need to be supportive to members of the church who are victims, offenders, and their families. As Restorative Justice Advocates we are called to: repent of the sin we have committed that has fostered retributive justice; speak prophetically and consistently against dehumanization in the criminal justice system; establish restorative justice as the theological ground for ministries; intensify our ministries with those who work within criminal justice, victims of crime and their families, those who are incarcerated in jails and prisons and their families, and communities traumatized by crime; provide a biblical/theological basis for a restorative justice approach to criminal justice; be a center for resourcing, teaching, learning, and networking; work collegially with other groups and organizations whether they are inside or outside the denomination, religious or secular, by finding common ground to bring about systemic change; serve as the primary advocate and interpreter of Restorative Justice Ministries; identify and expand critical models and facilitate the development of Restorative Justice Ministries; That restorative justice has theological basis and is supported by the main thrusts of Church moral and social teachings, the CBCP-ECPPC believes that this kind of Justice will help in crime prevention and improve our criminal justice system. I

Photo courtesy of CBCP-ECPPC

IMPACT October 2008

ARTICLES

Issues on the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Law (Republic Act 9344)
By Melanie RamosLlana criminals are using Republic have greatly influenced these groups strongly oppose
Photo courtesy of CBCP-ECPPC

is name is Mario, a 14 year-old street child from Cubao. Abandoned by his parents at aged seven, Mario learned how to fend for himself by working as a watch-your-car boy in Aurora Boulevard. Since he had no more parents and needed money to sustain himself, he joined a syndicate and was employed as an errand boy. Mario would be asked to deliver letters, money and packages to certain individuals assigned to him. He never questioned what he was delivering because all he cared about was the money the syndicate gave him after each successful delivery. In one of his errands, Mario didnt get as lucky. He was accosted by the police while delivering a small package which contained Shabu to a certain Mr. Ty and was taken to the police station for questioning. The police eventually found out that Mario is only 14 years old, thus, could not be charged in court. Under the new Juvenile Justice and Welfare Law (Republic Act 9344), children below the age of 15 years cannot be held criminally liable. The police was perplexed and frustrated on what to do with Mario. His case is serious and under normal circumstances, a person who is arrested for his crime can be jailed for many years. However, since Mario is only 14 years old, he could not be tried in court, nor jailed. He would only be asked to undergo certain programs for his rehabilitation. Law enforcements officers claim that Marios story is not an isolated case. They say that

Act 9344 to their advantage by recruiting younger children to conduct their illegal activities since these children wont be put behind bars. In the absence of intervention programs for apprehended children in conflict with the law, most of them are just released to their families, as if no crime has been committed. This situation has outraged many victims because children seemed to go Scott free. This concern came to the attention of certain legislators who believe that Republic Act 9344 is ineffective and is instrumental in the increase of crimes committed by children. Congressman Mauricio Domogan of Baguio City recently filed House Bill 3370 proposing to lower the age of criminal responsibility (the age when a child can be charged in court) from 15 years old to 10 years old. He cited that media and advanced technology

childrens perspectives and judgments which have resulted to their maturity and ability to know right from wrong. Another politician from Bicol, Congressman Salvador Escudero III also supports this line of thinking and filed a bill (House Bill 3867) restoring the age of criminal liability of a person under eighteen years of age. According to child rights advocates, the moves of these two legislators are contrary to international treaties that the Philippine government has signed in relation to its children and do not promote the best interest of young people. The Juvenile Justice Network (JJN) and the Philippine Action for Youth Offenders (PAYO), two well-known groups promoting the rights of children, especially those in conflict with the law, have been vocal about their opposition to the abovementioned bills. Both

the lowering of the age of criminal responsibility of children from 15 to 10 years old and have addressed the issue on the use of children by syndicates in committing crimes. Below is the stand of these two juvenile justice groups: On lowering the age of criminal responsibility The setting of the age of criminal responsibility in Republic Act 9344 to 15 years old was not arbitrarily decided on. It was based on two scientific researches conducted by the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) in 1997 and of the Philippine Action for Youth Offenders (PAYO) in 2002. PLMs Beyond Innocence study found that the age of discernment or the ability to determine which is right and wrong, of In-school Filipino children is 15 years old. In 2002, PAYO conducted a similar study (Arrested Develop-

Volume 42 Number 10

ARTICLES
ment), and looked out the age of discernment of out-of-school Filipino youth since they are the ones who usually commit crimes. PAYOs study revealed that the age of discernment of out-of-school Filipino children is 18 years old. These studies were the basis for pegging the age of criminal responsibility in Republic Act 9344 to 15 years old. PAYO and the JJN believe that until another scientific study can clearly show why the age of criminal responsibility should be lower than 15 years old, Sec. 6 of Republic Act 9344 should be maintained and implemented. In relation to the issue on the age of criminal responsibility, the Committee on the Rights of the Child, the body assigned to monitor the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN CRC), of which the Philippines is a signatory to, published its General Comments on Juvenile Justice, which stated that a minimum age of criminal responsibility below the age of 12 years is considered not to be internationally acceptable. States Parties are therefore recommended to increase their low MACR (Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility) to the age of 12 years as the absolute minimum age and to continue to increase it to a higher age level. At the same time, the Committee urges States Parties not to lower their MACR to the age of 12. A higher MACR, for instance, 14 or 16 years of age, contributes to a juvenile justice system which, in accordance with Article 40(3)(b)CRC, deals with children in conflict with the law without resorting to judicial proceedings, providing that the childs human rights and legal safeguards are fully respected. Furthermore, Rule 4 of the Beijing Rules (which was also signed by the Philippine government) states that the beginning of the MACR should not be fixed at too low an age level bearing in mind the emotional, mental and intellectual maturity of the child. On the issue that criminal elements or syndicates make use of minors in the commission of crimes While there may be syndicates or criminals that have used the provisions of Republic Act 9344 to further their crimes, PAYO and the JJN believe that this is not a credible On the effective implementation of the law Certain stakeholders, such as barangay leaders who have been tasked to manage children in conflict with the law (CICL) in communities, as well as the police, have been saying that the law is ineffective and is the reason for the increase in the crimes committed by young people. These groups are now pushing for the immediate amendment of the law. While several reports have attributed the reported increase in the crimes allegedly committed by minors to the passage of Republic Act 9344, this allegation is unfair and is without scientific basis. There are no conclusive reports/statistics which could claim that the reason why minors commit crimes is solely because of Republic Act 9344. It must be noted that factors that drive children to commit offenses are many and to single out Republic Act 9344 as the source of all problems is a generalization. Furthermore, one must note that the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Law was only enacted in April 2006. Its proper implementation was not immediately facilitated since the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC), the agency created to monitor all issues in relation to juvenile delinquency prevention and rehabilitation, had to prepare guidelines for stakeholders in implementing the law. This took considerable time and effort since stakeholders were also consulted. This being the case, one cannot truly say that the law has failed in its mandate to promote juvenile justice and welfare

We need a change in perspective and attitude in the way we see children who have offended to truly make the difference in their lives.
argument to push for the lowering of the age of criminal responsibility. If these cases are indeed true, then all the more the children should be protected from these exploitations. PAYOs Rodolfo Diamante has this to say, Why should we punish children when it is clear that they are the ones being exploited? Shouldnt we punish the criminals who use them, rather than the children? The solution to this dilemma is to apprehend and to slap stiffer penalties on criminals who use children in their illicit activities. Children used by syndicates should be brought under the protective custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and not behind bars.

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Issues on the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Law (Republic Act 9344)
since it has not yet been implemented in full swing. Improving the Law While it is true that no law is perfect and Republic Act 9344 has its own deficiencies, Senator Kiko Pangilinan, the main author of the law, has filed Senate Bill 2380 to amend some of its provisions in order to improve its implementation. Senate Bill 2380 clarified the definition of a 15 year-old child and stated that a child is deemed to be 15 years of age on the day of the fifteenth anniversary of his birth date. It also clarified certain procedures of the law, especially on the filing of a petition for a voluntary or involuntary commitment (putting a child in a rehabilitation center) in specific circumstances. Many stakeholders are confused on how to handle repeat offenders or children who have committed crimes more than three times. Senate Bill 2380 proposes that these children be considered as neglected children and should undergo intervention programs supervised by the Local Social Welfare and Development Officer (LSWDO). If it is in the childs best interest, the child may be placed in a rehabilitation center. As regards children who are below 15 years old and who commit heinous crimes such as rape and murder, they shall be placed in proper rehabilitation centers. As regards the issue of curfew, Senate Bill 2380 recognizes that curfew ordinances enacted by local governments are implemented for the protection of children. However, no penalty should be imposed on the child for curfew violations. Instead, the child should be brought to his or her residence and provided intervention programs, if necessary. Vagrancy has been decriminalized under Republic Act 9344. On the issue of children being used by criminals, Senate Bill 2380 proposes that persons who use children in illicit activities be penalized using the maximum period of the penalty prescribed by the law for the crime committed. Furthermore, to truly promote Restorative Justice, the spirit behind Republic Act 9344, the bill reiterates the importance of assisting victims of crimes. The next steps Marios case, as mentioned in the beginning of this article, is just one of the many colorful stories of children in conflict with the law in the Philippines today. With the proper implementation of Republic Act 9344, it is hoped that these children will be properly assisted and guided to live better lives. Republic Act 9344 does not tolerate the crimes committed by young people. If stakeholders seriously study the provisions of the law and truly apply the principles of Restorative Justice, it is clear that young people must be held accountable for their offenses, but in a manner that is appropriate to their situation and development. In the spirit of Restorative Justice, offenders must be assisted to make things right with their victims and provided competencies to improve themselves and their situation. Victims must also be supported and community participation in reintegrating children in conflict with the law must be strongly promoted. Efforts to train stakeholders in understanding the law and properly implementing it are underway. But more than these inputs, we need a change in perspective and attitude in the way we see children who have offended to truly make the difference in their lives. We need to move beyond what they have done and to see them as personswho may have done things wrongly and who need to account for these wrongdoings, but when given the chance to make things right, may turn out to be better people in the end. I

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ARTICLE S

The strings around Australian aid that constrict poor Philippines

By Jaybee Garganera, Kawagi Fernan & Fr. Archie Casey, SX

t was recently reported in the Philippine Daily Inquirer that the Philippine Government would be entering into negotiations with AusAID for an 18 million dollar grant to be used to survey the Philippines mineral deposits. ($18-M Australian grant eyed for minerals survey, Sept. 12, 2008, PDI). Moreover the Australian Regional Economic Policy Support Facility (REPSF) research study completed in December 2005, ASEAN Minerals: Enhancing Trade and Investment, focused on how to harness the untapped potential of the minerals sector in ASEAN member countries and capitalize on emerging growth opportunities in global markets. This had been requested by the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Minerals (ASOMM) through the ASEAN Secretariat. Drawing on the consultations undertaken in ASEAN member countries, the study examined the key factors constraining the development of the minerals sector in the region. The assessment revealed that the relatively poor performance of the sector can be attributed to economy-wide factors such as

underdeveloped infrastructure and weak governance, and factors specific to the minerals sector such as poor reliability of geological data and unclear licensing processes. These factors raise the risks associated with mining in the region and limit the capacity of ASEAN member countries to offer an attractive investment regime and mobilize necessary capital. The study also found that, in parallel with global trends, the management of environmental and social issues related to mining is becoming increasingly important in ASEAN, both from the perspectives of investors and the community generally. The policy recommendations, developed within the ASEAN Minerals Action Plan 2005-2010 framework, highlighted the need for a strong and effective policy framework to foster the sustainable development of the minerals sector in the region. This underscored the role of governments in providing strategic direction; the requisite legal, regulatory and institutional frameworks to pursue economic, social and environmental objectives; accountability, transparency

and stakeholder engagement; and systems to deliver tangible benefits to their citizens. (aadcp Newsletter No. 9, January 2006). The mining agenda According to the latest DENR-MGB information there are 17 mining projects in eight regions with Australian involvement. These are scattered throughout the length and breadth of the Islands, they can be subdivided into one failed flagship project in Rapu-Rapu Island, Albay; three first tier priority mineral development projects in Nueva Vizcaya, Masbate and Agusan del Sur; three feasibility/financing stage projects in Benguet, Zambales and Agusan del Norte; four advanced exploration stage projects in Surigao del Norte, Nueva Vizcaya and Davao Oriental and last but not least six priority exploration projects in Apayao, Nueva Vizcaya, Pangasinan, Leyte and Albay. The minerals to be extracted according to the priorities of the mining companies, whether junior or majors are predominantly gold, copper, nickel, silver and zinc,

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The strings around Australian aid that constrict poor Philippines

with the vast majority interested in gold. The approximate total hectarage under Australian interests according to the mining tenements are 113,810, which is roughly about of all the present available mining areas in the country. The 17 mining projects have invested in the Philippines in the period from 20042007 approximately US$328 million dollars and at the same time created 2,749 jobs. The total Philippine metallic mineral production exported in 2007 was valued at PhP80.7 billion. Is the overt Australian Aid interest double-edged? G. Mudd has established the key trends in Australian mining and milling. The base metal mining sector, including copper, leadzincsilver and nickel, has been a prominent and critical feature of the Australian minerals industry. The longterm production trends in the base metal sector governing historic fields remain relatively undocumented. This includes trends in ore grades, mining technique (open cut versus underground), solid wastes produced (tailings and waste rock), technology (e.g., milling) and known eco-

nomic resources. Overall, the key trends are declining ore grades versus increasing metal production and ore milled, and increased open cut mining and associated waste rock (though this latter aspect remains significantly under-reported). The extent of known economic resources has steadily increased for all commodities analyzed, principally due to the inclusion of lower grade ores and/or difficulty to treat ores (such as nickel laterites) or new deposit discoveries. Based on present mine plans and proposals, future metal production will increasingly shift towards lower ore grades and larger open cut mines to maintain production levels. There are sufficiently known economic resources for about three decades or more, providing a basis to sustain the existing base metal industry but beyond this timeframe is difficult to predict. These trends point to the need to accurately report complete data on base metal mining and milling as key inputs into quantifying mineral resource trends as well as the environmental aspects of sustainable mining.

In the light of AusAIDs many projects in the Philippines which foster the sustainable development of rural communities as well as peace and development, it must be questioned why surveying mineral deposits is even being entertained by such an organization as AusAID. We do not doubt that AusAID is aware of the problems that follow extractive industries in third world nations, yet this mineral survey will compound those problems by opening up even more of the Philippines to mining. Social and environmental concerns Mining in the Philippines is incredibly destructive to the environment and rural communities. As an archipelagic nation, large-scale mining is inappropriate for the geography of these islands as it affects the uplands, and the problems flow down slope to also affect the lowlandslandslides, the pollution of major water sources and the displacement of people to name but a few. Last year Oxfam Australia released a report on this subject, specifically the prob-

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ARTICLES

lems that arose when a mining company (also Australian) entered a rural community in Northern Luzon. Human rights violations, deep community divisions and acts of violence all followed. The mining firm, OceanaGold, was accused of using coercion and bribery to manufacture consent in the community to support the mine. (The full text of the Mining Ombudsmans report for 2007 can be read at Oxfam Australias website). In addition, the ghost of the failed flagship Rapu-Rapu Mining project in the Bicol region is still fresh to many Filipino citizens. One should not forget that Lafayette Philippines, Inc. (LPI) operated that first-class and showcase mine, and LPI was owned by Lafayette Mining Limited, an Australian company. Recently, Philippine Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas (PhilDHRRA) released its Philippine Asset Reform Report Card (PARRC), an attempt to measure the performance of the Philippine Government in delivering the promise of social justice through the asset reform laws (Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law [CARL], Indigenous Peoples Right Act [IPRA], Fisheries Code and Urban Development and Housing Act [UDHA]). The section report on IPRA (for Indigenous Peoples)

revealed that more than one-third (1/3) of Ancestral Domains are directly affected by mining and logging. Of those affected by mining, more than 70 percent are operating without the consent of the IP communities (lacking genuine Free and Prior Informed Consent [FPIC]). While we do not think that all communities which have received AusAIDs assistance are directly affected by mining, nevertheless, minings ill effects harm the Filipino people and especially the Indigenous Peoples. It is hard to reconcile AusAIDs desire to support sustainable development yet fund a study which the Philippine government will then use to promote largescale and destructive mining in our last remaining forests, critical watershed areas, protected natural parks and Ancestral Domains. Moreover Australia has committed to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which includes a commitment to providing clean water. As a development agency, AusAID should be more concerned with how the Australian development budget is being undermined by mining projects that threaten the availability of clean water. Fifteen percent of Filipinos have no access to improved water supply (1990-2003 data). The pressure will increase as demand for water exceeds sup-

ply, prompting the government to take greater control over water resources especially in the highlands (mostly under claim by IPs) to ensure supply for the rapidly growing cities, industries in the lowlands and mining sites at the expense of community rights. More importantly, it is even clear that given the resistance and struggles of many local communities against the entry of large-scale mining, this aeromagnetic survey, part of a larger geological survey, that AusAid is considering to support in order to identify high mineral potential to attract further and bigger investments, may only aggravate the peace and order situation in these conflict areas. Australias aid programme in the Philippines focuses on strengthening security and stability including disaster preparedness and response, economic governance, and raising the living standards of the rural poor. Australia and the Philippines are close regional partners and the two countries share an interest in reducing poverty and improving stability and security in the Philippines. Australia, through its international aid agency AusAID, for example, allocated A$70 million in overseas development assistance to the Philippines in 2006-07. At the same time, The Australian

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The strings around Australian aid that constrict poor Philippines

mining industry is one of the most active in exploiting resources in developing countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Pacific region. The industry and, indirectly, the Australian people are reaping the rewards of this activity. As shareholders, we receive dividends and a booming mining industry contributes revenue to our economy. There are, unfortunately, too many examples of Australian mining companies being associated with environmental damage, complicity in human rights abuse and allegations of corruption. A pattern emerges: communities in Papua New Guinea continue to live with the devastating practice of disposing of mine waste into valuable waterways still used at Ok Tedi and by Emperor Mines at Tolukuma; Congolese community members are considering legal action against Anvil after deadly military suppression; and an independent investigation by The Age (newspaper) recently confirmed that irregular offers were made by Climax Mining (now OceanaGold) when it was seeking local government approvals in the Philippines. There is little doubt that the mining industry can bring about economic development and poverty alleviation. There is also no doubt, however, that a failure to respect human rights and the environment is counter-productive to development. When corporate activities and human rights abuses coincide, there are no winners. Australia is reaping the rewards of an extended mining boom so both government and industry can well afford to devote some of the profits to ensuring communities grievances are heard and resolved. We should not enjoy the riches of this mining boom without protecting the lives and livelihoods of those whose resources are being extracted for our benefit. (Andrew Hewett is executive director of Oxfam Australia). The critical issues The mineral survey should not therefore be pursued, because the critical issues enumerated in the Australian Report Facing the Future are not being addressed by either the Philippine or Australian Governments in their haste to revitalize the metallic mining industry before the prices dip, the investments dry up and China, Japan, Korea, India and Brazil gobble up the reserves. Facing the Future identifies seven critical issues facing the minerals sector: The Sustainability of the Minerals Sector and its capacity to support the social, economic and environmental processes which underpin sustainable development. The need to improve Governance of the sector, including clearer definition of roles and responsibilities; increased transparency, inclusiveness and accountability; and new mechanisms to deliver sustainability. The need to improve Resource Valuation and Management of minerals resources and ecological values; of the human, intellectual and community resources which drive our development; and the social and cultural heritage values which enrich our quality of life and define our relationship to each other and to the natural environment. The need to improve Stakeholder Engagement recognizing the technical and political complexities inherent in more open and transparent engagement processes. Fairer Distribution of Costs and Benefits to ensure lasting equitable social benefit from the exploitation of mineral resources. The promotion of Inter-Generational Benefits by improving understanding of sectoral impacts on the health, economic well-being, cultural and social relations of communities; developing social baseline data for all operations; and establishing effective monitoring systems to measure long-term benefit to local communities. The promotion of the rights and well-being of Indigenous Communities by ensuring that operations receive the prior informed consent of local indigenous communities; that traditional owners are able to assess and respond to mining proposals; and equitable distribution of benefits between companies, communities and government. These critical issues are sadly ignored by both host and overseas Governments. Moreover the lack of budgeting of economic resources and personnel add to the complete lack of transparency, right to information, appropriate consultation and capture by elite investors/families, more interested in personal gain. There is a lack of a sound value system which could counter the temptation to generate shortterm results in ways which impair longterm performance, reputation and social standing. For Australian companies who operate across a number of countries, it appears that their standards are driven only by expediencythat they apply lower standards in countries with weaker environmental legislation and limited capacities for enforcement. The indigenous peoples rights Finally indigenous communities cannot be seen simply as another stakeholder, with the same rights to participate in decisions as any other stakeholder group. The International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discriminationunder which Australia has voluntarily accepted obligationsrequires that states balance the rights of different racial groups. It does not require balance beMining, page 20

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C O V E R S T O R Y

Is poor governance the cause of our misery?

Working towards good governance

By Jose B. Lugay

e say that the Philippines is blessed because 82 percent of our 89.7 million population is Catholic. We are ashamed however when we learn that the Philippines is the No. 1 most corrupt country in Asia and No. 8 in the world! As if this bad news is not enough, we have become a land of disastersyearly visited by typhoons, landslides, earthquakes and man-caused disasters like the recent sinking of Princess of the Stars and the MOA-induced MILF war in Mindanao. Yet in spite of this we are still rated among the happiest people on earth. While we are undergoing a fuel and pines when bills cannot be passed due to governance by a well trained government rice-crisis and the increasing cost of food, the lack of quorum, and the Senate goes on manager, those who earned their (CESO) 2.8 million families experience hunger daily grandstanding in their investigative work. Career Executive Service Officer status subsisting on only 2 meals a day. Our It dismays us when the World Bank re- similar to a Masters Course in Manageyouth, 1524 years old, 18 million of them, ports that 40 percent of the Infrastructure ment. They will qualify to be upgraded into are unemployed. POEA records show that Budget (which partly includes the pork the 3rd level of compensation once apfor the first half of this year, there were barrel) goes to corruption! pointed to a plantilla position in any 640,000 workers who migrated to work government agency. Unfortunately this abroad compared to 479,725 over the same Governance in government group of professionals are paid 70 percent period last year. While 8,000,000 Filipinos The salaries of government person- less than their counterparts in the private working in 150 countries sustain the Phil- nel can be 70 percent lower than the same sector. More often than not, those with ippine economy by sending their earnings position in a medium-sized private busi- political connections even not attaining amounting to P17 billion per year, this is ness enterprise. Surprisingly the first level the same level of competence, are apexchanged with a heavy pricethe de- government employees like the positions pointed instead. struction of the Filipino family life of those of clerk and helper, earn 20 percent more According to former Civil Service remaining here with single parents. than the private sector because of the Commissioner Ms. Karina David, Of the Our elected leaders in Congress are social benefits, like cost of living allow- total occupied Chief Executive Officer getting their pork barrel, P70 million per ance, and productivity bonus. (CEO) positions (in government, less congressman, P200 million per Senator or This deficiency while debilitating the than 50 percent are eligible despite the a total budget of P22.5 billion per year. It morale of these government employees presence of almost 4,000 career execudemoralizes us, the citizens of the Philip- does not paralyze the conduct of good tive eligibles who are waiting to be appointed A country cannot develop as long as career personnel are treated as mere appendages of those who wield power. The Constitutional mandate of the Civil Service Commission can only be fully achieved once our elected officials learn to respect the bureaucracy and recognize that a professional core of public servants is a major partner in good governance. The subject of corruption, exposing the government as culprit appears daily in the news. If the system of implementation of our Civil Service Rules is not violated or better yet is updated to the demands of modern management, corruption may be prevented. Corruption is a result of a deficient system and bad governance. Take the following situation today in most government offices where majority of the people are not elected.
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Working towards good governance

www.pia.gov.ph

Presently, most of government employees are hired through the help of elected politicians. While the appointment must follow Civil Service Rules, there is another way for the politicians protg to occupy a plantilla position, meaning, a permanent position within the organizational chart approved by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and funded by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). Becoming a permanent employee takes a longer time since the hiree starts as a contractual or as a job order employee. The law requires that contractuals have a specific type of job which is different from a regular job and the hiree stays only until the specific job is done. A job order is a position which may be filled up by a person under the budget called MOOE for Miscellaneous Operating and Other Expenses. The plantilla positions have a definite budget called PS for Personnel Services. Once inside the organization as a job order employee, which may be a continuous job for many years, it is not difficult to promote the politicians protg to a permanent job. As long as the politician stays in power the job order employees job is secure. More likely than not, this politicians protg who is beholden to his boss may be the conduit for corruption. The blight of politicians The more politicians are elected whose main goal in life is to enrich himself and stay in power as long as he can by hook or

by crook, the more the Philippine government will be governed without transparency and integrity. I suppose we have reached the apex of this retrogression since the Philippines is now the No 1 most corrupt country in East Asia and ranks No 149 out of 176 countries rated in the world. The 176th rank is the most corrupt. The intricacies and nuances of employment of government workers differ in an essential waythe permanency of the job of the government employee. While this was to protect the good employees from summary dismissal, this also lengthens the stay of unproductive employees whose presence eventually demoralize the rest of the organization. The current difficulties of a manager, a newly elected governor who had no training at all in governance within the government system is a case that will become a classic in government management. This is the case of Governor Among Ed Panlilio. The present crisis faced by Governor Ed Panlilio started with his hiring of 187 casual workers. By definition, casual employees are hired for a specific non-continuing job, for example, a carpenter to repair a damaged furniture. The contractual employees are usually hired through a General Contractor and payment of his salary is through this contractor. In effect the contractual employees benefits are also paid by the contractor. Through the governors executive or-

der, the Biyaya a Luluguran at Sisikapan (BALAS) the casual workers were hired. They were assigned to work at checkpoints for the control of the issuance of permits and official receipts in the extraction and hauling of lahar sand. Since this is a continuing job, the BALAS workers would expect to be treated like job order employees which have all the social benefits and payments of regular employees except that they do not have retirement benefits. The success of the BALAS hired personnel resulted in the sudden increase in quarry revenues which catapulted to P136.48 million within a period of 7 months in 2007 compared to the 2006 quarry income of P137,577.00. The figures said much in terms of governance: 1. The previous administration of Mark Lapid did not exert sufficient effort to put controls to prevent cheating by the quarry operators. 2. The established system, that is, payments were collected by many individuals who by the quarry operators bribe money issued official receipts which may have shown less quantity of sand per truckload than actual. The improvement in the BALAS procedure was to remit the payment directly to the provincial treasurers office. 3. This created a rising expectation among the BALAS workers of their share of the bounty. 4. This also created expectations among the provincial board members a

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C O V E R S T O R Y with the full knowledge of existing laws and practices. The control of constitutional bodies like the Civil Service Commission, the Commission on Audit, and executive controls done by the Department of Budget & Management, the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel, and all laws and their corresponding Implementing Rules and Regulations plus the many Administrative and Special orders are there to follow and may not be violated. If an experienced private sector administrator takes over and change systems and procedures in what appears to him/her as bureaucratic, slow and full of inefficiencies, he/she may do it only at his/her own peril. A mass uprising is expected as what has happened in the case of Pampanga. Improving governance in government is a task badly needed. It takes experienced management persons schooled in the culture and operating values of the Filipino to succeed in managing the transformation. It is not enough that a person has an unquestionable moral and ethical background to succeed in managing change in the most corrupt government in Asia. Everybodys concern At the national level, we need advocacy groups to protect our peoples interests against the passing of laws that favor business stakeholders at the sacrifice of the peoples long term well being. We need to harness professionals to give more time and help to newly elected local government leaders in properly managing their resources, the better to attain the hundred and one promises they proclaimed during the campaign. It requires more than the will and passion of the elected government leader to achieve their goals. It requires basic management tools of planning, leading, organizing and controlling. It requires the understanding of the values of the people already in place as well as the people who will occupy new positions. The most difficult part in governance is the eradication of a systemic graft and corrupt practices. The government bureaucracy and the legal system combined can make it almost impossible to make a change overnight. But it can be done with the help of many honest and hardworking people now in government who just need a charismatic leader to harness their potential for good governance. I

share of the bonanza. 5. The national media immediately hailed this breakthrough in quarry income with a slant that the provincial board during the past administration made money for themselves. Of course many of them were re-elected. They kept their silence until the right occasion came. The sense of achievement in the control of corruption soon ended. The vicegovernor Joseller Yeng Guiao offended by the power of administrative control designed by Governor Panlilios Provincial Administrator, lawyer Vivian Dabu, together with 12 of the 13 provincial board members of Pampanga planned a recall petition. They are now collecting 100,000 signatures of registered voters so that the recall election can be done this May 2009. The governors 15 close staff members who recently resigned from their responsibilities, formed the Kilusang Marangal Inc. (KMI) headed by Averell Laquindanum who issued their stand: NO RECALL, YES TO REFORM. They objected to the recall move while it challenged the Panlilio administration to implement much needed reform. They asked the governor to ensure checks and balances at the Capitol by not concentrating power and authority on the provincial administrator who holds other positions of influence. While the complaint in Pampanga

www.pia.gov.ph

started from the strike of the casual laborers under the BALAS executive order, it ignited the political opposition who were defeated last election by a mere 1,147 votes, to see this as their convenient entry to regain their lost political control. Ramon Magsaysay Awardee Grace Padaca, governor of Isabela has this to say: While we are aware that there are escalating problems in Pampanga, we believe that a genuine effort to resolve them will be more beneficial to the Kapampangans than a political exercise that will further polarize and divide the community

The most difficult part in governance is the eradication of a systemic graft and corrupt practices.
While we continue to support Gov. Panlilios crusade to promote good governance in his province, we also believe that he should listen to the voices of these groups and work at immediately addressing and resolving these growing concerns in order for him to become a more effective governor. Changing the value system The system of governance in government cannot be changed in an instant. One must know the value system that is prevailing in the organization. While change has to be done, it should be done always

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Milk of human blindness

By Constance Kong

hina's dairy scandal could happen again unless the government sees that major reforms are needed to uproot a culture of corruption. Chinas dairy scandal has taken the lives of four babies and left more than 54,000 infants with kidney stones. But the real problem is the system which allows such scandals to occur. Addressing the World Economic Forum meeting in the port city of Tianjin, Prime Minister Wen Jiabao seemed to understand what is needed to fix the problem. He said Beijing would face the milk crisis candidly and he called for improved corporate morality. But this missed the point by a country mile. Improved corporate morality is essential but it is not going to be achieved by a government edict. This is not Chinas first toxic food scare. Many of them have bubbled to the surface over the past ten years. Wikipedia, which is often inaccessible from China, provides

an extensive list of food contamination incidents that have occurred since 2004. And while draconian punishments, including executions, have been meted out in the past, little progress in corporate morality is apparent. Production of shoddy food and medicines continues unabated as unscrupulous business people pursue higher profits, often with the collusion of corrupt government officials. In the current crisis more than 20 people have been detained for adding the toxic chemical melamine to milk. However, over 11 percent of the countrys milk may have been contaminated with the toxin, so more than a few people must be responsible. It is possible that some local government officials and even some dairy companies were complicit in the scam or were at least turning a blind eye to the addition of deadly chemicals to products intended for human consumption. No doubt the outcome of the investigation will be the execution of some milk brokers and even of some government officials. But it is unlikely that

this will change the modus operandi of the market. In the latest news on the crisis, the World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concerns that Chinese authorities must have known of the problem for some time before news of it broke in early September. As it currently appears, the central government only came clean about the baby formula crisis after the New Zealand government raised the matter. It is conceivable that had Wellington not blown the whistle, the cover-up might have been allowed to continue. Recently, the Chinese blogosphere has been buzzing with reports that media outlets were stopped from reporting on the rise in kidney stones in infants as early as July. One newspaper from southern Guangdong Province, Nanfang Zhoumo (Southern Weekend), was stopped from reporting a possible link of the sick infants with baby formula according to a recent blog posting by its own editor, Fu Jianfeng. The blog posting has since been removed and Fu has been unavailable to talk

with the media. Reports are now surfacing that families of affected children are being pressured to withdraw law suits against Chinese companies. Part of the reason is that a number of the leading brand companies implicated in the affair are owned or partly owned by the central or provincial governments. The Communist Party does not want to be embarrassed or to make massive compensation payouts. Lawyers representing the victims families have been told that the Communist Party should be trusted to do the right thing. Had Chinas dairy crisis occurred in a Western-style democracy, senior government ministers and bureaucrats would have been forced to resign. But not in the one-party state that is China. If the Chinese government seriously intends to ensure that this crisis will not recur it needs to do three things. First, food companies need to be privatized. As long as the State retains a fiduciary interest in these companies they will remain untouchable. China can introduce stringent

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Milk of human blindness

food and drug regulations, but corporate morality will not improve until company directors fear the law. Second, China must establish a rule-of-law culture. As long as guanxi (or relationships culture) is allowed to continue, there will be individuals who believe their relationship with a government official gives them immunity from the law. China needs to adopt the Western concept of separation of powers. Its courts need to be independent of the government so that they can investigate
Mining, page 15

and prosecute criminal activities, including those involving government officials. At present, only government officials who find themselves on the wrong side of an ideological debate or faction fight need fear prosecution. Third, China should unleash its media. An independent media is critical for keeping both the private sector and the government honest. The media should be allowed to raise important questions about when the central government became aware of the

milk problem and which officials were involved in a possible national cover-up. Chinas goal for the 21st century is to build a civic and harmonious society. Major political reform is essential to achieving this. But with too many vested interests at the top, reform remains a pipe dream for ordinary citizens. Wen Jiabao, Chinas honorable Prime Minister, who is wheeled out at every catastrophe to restore confidence in the system, may welcome a candid review of the dairy scan-

dal. But the current system does not, and perhaps cannot, lend itself to a transparent and impartial investigation. Until genuine political reform occurs little will change to improve morality and ethics in China. In the meantime, as the ancient Chinese adage has it, the people will continue to chi ku, to feast on bitterness. I (Constance Kong is the pen name of a Shanghai-based business consultant. This article is reprinted with due permission by MercatorNet)

the industry itself. In the Philippines the attempts by foreign and local companies to railroad the FPIC of the IP communities is/ will be contested in the courts of law, seeking equity and respect for hard won IP title rights which are being daily abused, in the greedy rush for profits by irresponsible junior and major mining interests. No to mineral survey In the name of the 12 million Indigenous Peoples belonging to 95 distinct tribes, the Philippines should not allow the mineral survey. What essentially distinguishes the Indigenous Peoples from the rest of the Filipino population is their concept of land as granted and entrusted by one Creator for everyone to harness, cultivate, sustain, and live on. This land concept has become distinct because it adheres to the spirit of collectivism and rejects the idea of private property. Mining destroys the link because it destroys this life enhancing bond with the land. We can only re-affirm what the Australian Bishops underlined: We have undoubtedly received past economic and social benefits from this environmental abuse. The vast wealth from agriculture and mining has come at the loss of native ecosystems and species, and land and water quality. Our vast coal reserves have produced cheap electricity for industry and households, but have been a major cause of greenhouse emissions. (Australian Catholic Bishops Statement on the Environment, 2002, p.5) I (Jaybee Garganera is the National Coordinator of PhilDHRRA; Kawagi Fernan is Extractives Policy Analyst of Alyansa Tigil Mina; and Fr. Archie Casey, SX is the coordinator of JPICC-AMRSP.)

Photo courtesy of CBCP-NASSA

tween the interests of different stakeholder groups, but rather that they balance the rights on indigenous and non-indigenous title holders. The legal fiction of terra nulliusthat the Australian continent was legally and effectively unoccupied prior to European settlementwas overturned only in the 1992 High Court decision on the Mabo case. Similarly in the Philippines the IPRA Law overturned a similar mind-set on the 29th October 1997. Indigenous property rights derive from the traditional laws of indigenous people. Prior to Mabo, the indigenous system of law and culture was seen as inferior to the Western system, and indigenous property rights were vulnerable to extinguishment or impairment under the common law. Mabo and the Commonwealth Governments Native Title Act 1993 were based on the recognition of indigenous laws and customs that existed before the acquisition of sovereignty in Australia.

The IPRA Law in the Philippines underlined the right to communally owned property as opposed to individual property rights before the acquisition of sovereignty in the Philippines. The Native Title Act allowed indigenous groups to lay claim to unallocated Crown land to which they had a clear cultural connection. Similarly IPRA allowed the IP claim of Ancestral Domain to flourish in the Philippines as opposed to the Torrens titling system based upon a philosophy rooted in the Western capitalist mode of economic relationships. In 1996 the High Court determinedin the Wik casethat native title rights were not necessarily extinguished by the grant of pastoral leases. This had implications for the mining industry because numerous mining tenements are located on pastoral leases. Elements of the mining industryand some State governmentsconducted a fierce campaign against native title rights, which damaged the reputation and long-term interests of

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N E W S FEATURES

Bishops ask P50 B for CARP as House tackles national budget

BAGUIO CITY, October 3, 2008Roman Catholic bishops urged the Congress to prioritize the extension of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) and allocate sufficient budget for its implementation. Bayombong Bishop Ramon Villena said requisite appropriations of at least P50 billion a year would be needed to institute reforms that would truly benefit poor farmers who remain landless. The bishop made the appeal during a gathering of various local public officials and farmers groups held Friday at the Hotel Supreme, this city. The activity, organized by Northern Luzon bishops, also coincided with the ongoing deliberations on the national budget at the House of Representatives. In his speech, Villena stressed the continuing of plight of the farmers through 20 years of CARPs poor implementation. He described the said sector as the one of the most marginalized and forgotten in terms of services coming from the government. Theres something wrong with the CARPs implementation, he said, that needs to be assessed. He called on the people to pray and continue hoping that the remaining time left towards CARPs completion would be for the good of the rural folks. Hope it will really benefit all the poor farmers and community, not benefit those who are already rich, he said. When we speak of life in the language of our farmers, we speak of land and water. For the poor farmers, land and water means survival and growth, Villena added. Other bishops who attended the gathering include Tuguegarao Archbishop Diosdado Talamayan, Bishops Carlito Cenzon of Baguio and Artemio Rillera of San Fernando, La Union. Last week, other prelates led by Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma and Kalookan Bishop Deogracias Iiguez met again with House Speaker Prospero Nograles and reiterated the call of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) to expedite the deliberation of CARP extension. They also appealed to the legislators to vote for an extension with the pro-poor reforms in time for the expiration of funding for CARP this December. tion of Nograles on the concern of farmer groups on some amendments being introduced as perfecting amendments that have serious and debilitating effects on the gains of CARP and its failed promises to the rural community. The bishop is referring to the inventory of proposals that some farmer organizations belonging to the Rural Poor Solidarity considered as killer amendments. The group, for instance, cited the provision of meager funding for CARP and limiting Land Acquisition and Distribution to lands that has been issued Notice of Coverage by June 2008. They also cried foul on the lifting of the prohibition on the conversion of agricultural lands to non-agricultural uses, use of public funds for agriculture use into corporate farming and other retrogressive amendments that runs contrary to the spirit and intent of agrarian reform and social justice. (Roy Lagarde / CBCPNews)

Roy Lagarde / CBCP MEDIA

Expressing concern given that there are more or less 20 session days left for Congress to act on such legislation, Ledesma reminded Nograles that CARP is a social legislation that represents the transpartisan commitment to bring about a brighter future for the thousands of small farmer families. Iiguez, for his part, called the atten-

CBCP to launch national farm center

MANILA, October 4, 2008The National Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA) of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) will launch a National Farm Center at the Misereor Village, Sto. Nio Hill, Balaring, General Natividad, Nueva Ecija, on October 8, 2008. More than 200 farmers and 240 families will benefit from the project which is intended to promote and showcase the practice of sustainable agriculture. NASSA Executive Secretary Rosanne Mallillin, SPC said the farm center would add more teeth to the promotion and practice of sustainable agriculture among 77 Diocesan Social Action Centers in the country. Expected to attend the ceremonies are Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap and Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman, a number of Catholic bishops and Social Action Directors from different dioceses across the country. The Department of Agriculture including its Bureau of Soils and Water Management, Bureau of Plant Industry and its Regional Field Unit III assisted the project. The center will showcase various aspects of a diversified intensive organic farming system including seedbanking, livestock raising, vermi-composting, farm enterprising and other agricultural activities. The center, when fully developed, will also serve as a venue for national and local trainings, and become an organic agriculture model that can be replicated by farmers, groups and organizations, Sr. Rosanne said in an interview with CBCPNews. Farmers will also be given organic vegetable seeds during the launching ceremonies which will also include ribbon-cutting ceremony, tree planting and site tour. (Melo M. Acua)

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N E W S FEATURES

ROME, October 5, 2008 Benedict XVI opened the world Synod of Bishops on the Word of God expressing the hope that it give birth to a new missionary dynamism in the regions of the world where it seems that God is dead. Today the Pope presided over the inaugural Mass of the synod, which will end Oct. 26, at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. The synods theme is The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church. Nations that at one time were rich with vocations are now losing their identity, under the deleterious and destructive influence of a certain modern culture, the Holy Father noted in his homily. There are those who, having decided that God is dead, declare themselves god, taking themselves to be the singular artificers of their destiny, the absolute lord of the world, he continued. Clearing God away and not awaiting salvation from him, man believes he can do as he pleases and poses himself as the sole measure of himself and his action.

Pontiff: Synod to tell world that God is not dead

But when man eliminates God from his horizon, when he declares that God is dead, is he truly more happy? Does he truly become free? When men proclaim themselves absolute owners of themselves and lords of creation, can they really build a society where freedom, justice and peace reign? Division and confusion Benedict XVI answered the question in the negative,

explaining that the daily news amply shows that with this vision the will to power, egoistic interests, injustice and exploitation, violence in all its forms spread. The end of all this is that man finds himself alone and society more divided and confused. The Pope said that with this synod the Church wants to show the world that evil and death do not have the last word, but Christ is the victor in the end. Always! The Church never tires of

proclaiming these glad tidings, as she does today in this basilica dedicated to the Apostle of the Gentiles, the one who first spread the Gospel in vast regions of Asia Minor and Europe, he said. To accomplish this mission, the Pontiff added, the Churchs primary and fundamental mission is to nourish herself on the Word of God. In fact, if the proclamation of the Gospel constitutes her reason for being and her mission, it is indispensable that the Church know and live that which she proclaims so that her preaching is credible, despite the weaknesses and poverty of the human beings who constitute her. Citing St. Jerome, he added: Whoever does not know the Scriptures does not know the power of God nor his wisdom. Ignoring the Scriptures means ignoring Christ. The synods work will begin on Monday with a meditation offered by Benedict XVI. (Zenit)

Bishops of India call on government to respond to anti-Christian violence

NEW DELHI, India, October 1, 2008The Bishops Conference of India issued a statement this week denouncing the antiChristian violence that has swept the country and calling on the government to take greater steps to ensure the safety of all believers. The Fides news agency reports that the bishops of India said they were moved and concerned by episodes of extreme violence against Christians and they expressed their disagreement with the apathy and indifference of the government both at the central level as well as in different states. The ancient civilization of India is humiliated and its values such as Truth, Tolerance and Respect, so jealously guarded throughout the centuries, are trampled upon. The lay and democratic image of India is being seriously damaged in the eyes of the international community, the statement claims. The bishops also call for strong measures against terrorism, such as the immediate disarmament and detention of fundamentalist groups, compensation for Christian churches that have been damaged and the bringing to justice of those responsible for these actions. The bishops also reaffirmed that constitutional rights should be enjoyed by all Indian citizens, including Christians, and they noted that the response of Christian communities to the violence has always been one of peace and forgiveness. On Tuesday, the Bishops Conference also expressed its thanks for Indias Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh for assuring the European Union that the Indian government would protect Christians constitutional rights. Singh also described the violence against Christians as a National Shame. (CNA)

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www.catholicnewsagency.com

STATEMENTS

Your Love is my Light, Guide and Strength

Message of the Most Reverend Pedro D. Arigo, D.D. Chairman, CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Prison Pastoral Care in observance of Prison Awareness Sunday on October 26, 2008
strength. We are reminded that it is Love that brings LIFE and HOPE to our brothers and sisters in prison. Because of the love Christ has shown, sinners repented, the lonely jumped with joy, the weak became strong, and the hopeless were filled with hope. This is what love can do. This is why Christs longing is that we give each other love and this is also why each of us yearns to be loved. Love gives hope. Today, the church urges us to seek the humanity in the wrongdoers and look at the prisoners and their victims as our neighbors and show them our love. Today the CBCP-ECPPC reminds the faithful to work for Restorative Justice, a value-based response to crime that focuses on restoring the losses suffered by victims, holding offenders accountable for the harm they have caused, and building peace within communities. We staunchly advocate a kind of Justice that moves beyond punishment towards the restoration and healing of those involved in crime. A kind of justice that has biblical origins and in consonance with the principle of Gods love and compassion especially the needy We believe that fair and effective criminal justice systems which ensure respect for the human rights of all those involved are a prerequisite for combating crime and for building societies that make the person whole.

ear brothers and sisters: Love is the motor that makes a person run, the inspiration that moves him. For one who truly loves, no wish of the beloved is impossible to fulfill, no challenge too difficult to overcome. Hence, the greatest thing that one can offer God and neighbor is the love that comes from within us. If we truly love God, then everything falls into place. We will know how to give God first priority in our life. And the love of our brothers and sisters will naturally follow, for the love of neighbor flows from and compliments the love of God. Today as we observe the Prison Awareness Sunday we have chosen the theme Your Love is my light, guide and

Fallacies, page 6

window of opportunity beckons for critical collaboration within the moral space. There are actual experiences, like in the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, among others, that show this to be possible. The Church, despite its human limitations, continues to be an expert in humanity as it has been through the ups and downs of history. It continues the saving work of Jesus Christ in time and space. Those who listen to its wisdom drink from the waters of life. Yes, the Church is indeed conservative. It has to be when it comes to conserving life-giving values and life itself in the midst of these confusing times. I (Fr. Carmelo Diola is a priest of the Archdiocese of Cebu where he teaches at the Seminario Mayor de San Carlos. He can be reached at frmelodiola@dilaab.net).
Notes 1 Cited by John Carroll. Addressing Demographic Realities: A Complementary Perspective, in A Balancing Act: Social and Catholic Perspectives on Population and Development, p. 27. The wager went like this: Paul Ehrlich, a biologist, had gained prominence by his doomsday predictions of world-wide famine and the exhaustion of earths resources. His outspoken and abrasive manner prompted Julian Simon, an economist who saw population growth as stimulating human ingenuity (the ultimate resource) and economic development, to challenge him to a bet. Simon pointed out that if resources were becoming more scarce, as Ehrlich claimed, their price should go up. He therefore proposed that Ehrlich buy $1000.00 worth of any five metals he might choose, $200 worth of each. They would then wait for ten years and see whether the prices, adjusted for inflation, rose or fell. If they rose, Simon would pay Ehrlich the amount by which they had risen; if they fell, Ehrlich would pay Simon. Ehrlich jumped on the opportunity and bought the metals. They then waited for ten years, at the end of which time, the prices of all five metals had declined. Ehrlich paid Simon $576.07. 2 Edcel Lagman. Proposed House Bill 16. 3 Ernesto Pernia et al. 2004. Population and Development: the Real Score. 3. 4 Earl Perreno. Pork in Pork and Other Perks: Corruption and Governance in the Philippines. QC: PCIJ. 5 Transparent Accountable Governance (TAG) Project. A Guide to Pork Barrel Watch. 2004. 6 Angel Lagdameo, Our Firm Stand Against Contraceptive Mentality, Oct. 6, 2007.

7 8

CIA. The World Factbook, Aug. 21, 2008. Antonio Montalvan. The Faade Lagman et. al. want us to see, in PDI, 23 June 2008. 9 Janet Smith, University of Dallas, Connection Between Contraception and Abortion. Google Search. 1 0 Angel Lagdameo, DD, Our Firm Stand Against Contraceptive Mentality, Oct. 6, 2007. 1 1 These are: Sec. 3g. While the number and spacing of children are left to the sound judgment of parents and couples based on their personal conviction and religious beliefs, such concerned parents and couples, including unmarried individuals, should be afforded free and full access to relevant, adequate and correct information on reproductive health and human sexuality and should be guided by qualified State workers and professional private practitioners; Sec. 4a. Responsible Parenthood REFERS TO the will, ability and commitment of parents to respond to the needs and aspirations of the family and children more particularly through family planning. Sec. 4r. Population Development - REFERS TO a program that aims to: (1) help couples and parents achieve their desired family size; (2) improve reproductive health of individuals by addressing reproductive health problems; (3) contribute to decreased maternal and infant mortality rates and early child mortality; (4) reduce incidence of teenage pregnancy; and (5) enable government to achieve a balanced population distribution. Sec. 12. In support of the natural and primary right of parents in the rearing of the youth, the POPCOM shall provide concerned parents with adequate and relevant scientific materials on the age-appropriate topics and manner of teaching reproductive health education to their children. Sec. 16. Ideal Family Size The State shall assist couples, parents and individuals to achieve their desired family size within the context of responsible parenthood for sustainable development and encourage them to have two children as the ideal family size. Attaining the ideal family size is neither mandatory nor compulsory. No punitive action shall be imposed on parents having more than two children. 1 2 The adjective Orwellian describes the situation, idea, or societal condition that George Orwell identified as being non-favourable to the welfare of a free-society. It connotes an attitude and a policy of control by propaganda, misinformation, denial of truth, and manipulation of the past, including the unperson a person whose past existence is expunged from the public record and memory, practiced by modern repressive governments. Often, this includes the circumstances depicted in his novels, particularly Nineteen Eighty-Four. (Orwellian from Wikipedia) 1 3Alejandro Herrin, Social Science Perspectives on Population and Development, in A Balancing Act: Social and Catholic Perspectives on Population and Development. 1 4 Ernesto Pernia et al. 2004. Population and Development: the Real Score. 3. 15 John Carroll. Addressing Demographic Realities: A Complementary Perspective, in A Balancing Act: Social and Catholic Perspectives on Population and Development, p. 29.

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STATEMENTS

The Duty of Responsible Stewardship toward the Environment

A Pastoral Letter on Mining And God saw that it was good (Gen. 1:4; 10; 13; 19; 21; 25; 31).
rothers and sisters in Christ: This is the phrase that keeps recurring and recurring in the creation account in Genesis. All that God created are goodthe light, water, dry land, bird of the air, heavenly bodies, plants, creatures of the sea, animals and man. God blessed man and woman and said to them: Fill the earth and subdue it; till it and keep it (Gen 1:28; 2:15). Our care of the earth is a noble trust that comes from God. He wants the earth to be productive and fruitful and not for exploitation as if inexhaustible. The Second Plenary Council of the Philippines, n. 324, says: The sovereignty granted to us by the Creator is not a license to misuse Gods creation. We are but stewards of creation, not its absolute master. And stewards are accountable to the Creator and giver of all good things. The Capiceos are accountable before the Creator of the natural resources that abound in the province of Capiz. Hence, we should not abuse them for personal, monetary, political or other self-serving motives. Instead, we should be wise and just stewards of our natural resources since they are ultimately ordained towards God. Natures bounty, a sign of Gods endless generosity, should give glory to his name. The Book of Psalms declares: How many are your works, O

Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures These all look to you (Psalm 104: 24; 27). How can nature and its resources glorify God and mirror his goodness if they are already damaged and plundered due to abuse and misuse? Mining, especially abusive, irresponsible, anti-environmental and illegal, has an adverse social impact on affected communities (CBCP Statement on Mining Issues and Concerns, June 29, 2006). In Capiz, an estimated 24,460 hectaresalmost 9 percent of its total land areaare potentials for mining due to pending applications. In some barrios of Maayon and nearby areas, the socalled mining exploration has taken place because of a new Environmental Code which permits the said exploration thus implicitly lifting the 50 years mining moratorium, supposedly to end in 2048. Some questions come to mind: What is the truth about this so-called mining exploration? What is the real status now of the 50 year mining ban initially 15 years and later extended to 50 years passed as an ordinance in Capiz in 1998? What are the motives behind the new Environmental Code for Capiz? Indubitably, mining contributes to the local and the national income. Economic activities are created

in mining sites. But most often, these are short-term activities. Mining in our country, like the one in Marinduque, Nueva Viscaya or Surigao, Rapu-Rapu in Sorsogon has shown that poverty continues to prevail in mining sites. Foreign mining companies, possibly after bribing local officials, have dislocated people, caused a lot of deforestation, landslides, and floods in barrios and rice fields. Sad to say, silts and muds sometimes accompany flash floods from the mountains during typhoons. If responsible mining promises jobs and boosts the local economy, where is real development in the area? Is it within our sight? Does mining and its income-generating activities help build schools, health or nutrition centers in the locality? The Philippines lose over 2 billion dollars annually because of environmental degradation. This is something alarming and hence safeguards should be instituted. The Second Plenary Council of the Philippines, n. 321 cautions that mining, among others, becomes a moral issue when done with inadequate safeguards for ecological integrity. We should give what is due to the environment. We should preserve its integrity and ultimately collaborate with God to attain its perfection. How can the integrity of Gods creation be preserved if irresponsible exploration, ex-

cavation and extraction due to mining only bring scars and dusts to the earths surface, destroy the water table and consequently endanger our source of water? This is a grave injustice to God. Can we live peacefully in conscience that after mining, what remains for the affected people are pollutions, toxic wastes and health hazards? This is highly unjust to the people. Are we happy if someday our rivers, like the rivers of Maayon, Panitan, Pontevedra and Panay become polluted and silted due to mine tailings? These are serious threats to human and marine lives. If all that God made is good, why do they become threats? As long as mining remains abusive, irresponsible, anti-environmental and illegal, we will continue our firm resolve to oppose mining in all its forms. Our natural resources have limitations which imply a moral duty on our partthe duty of responsible stewardship. We have to work out for the security of the present and future generation. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Patroness, intercede for us who value the right to life, a healthy environment and a lively natural landscape! Sincerely in our Lord, + MOST REV. ONESIMO C. GORDONCILLO, D.D. Archbishop of Capiz

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STATEMENTS

Blessed are the peacemakers (Mt. 5:9)

y dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Peace be with you! Peace is a greeting. Peace is a salutation. Peace is a blessing. Peace is a gift from God. Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God. Jesus said to his disciples, I leave you peace, my peace I give you. Its a peace that the world cannot give. Its a peace that the world cannot understand. We cry in anguish for peace! We pray for peace. Our term of peace is very much different from that of God. We want peace but we go to war. We secure peace so we take up arms. We negotiate for peace so we build fortresses. We seek peace but we are influenced by our fears and biases. We cry for peace but we become hostile. We pray for peace but we hate. We fight for peace so we kill. This must not be our way. Peace loving people and people of goodwill are the sincere arbiters of peace. Let us unite to bring peace and go beyond the conflicts, tensions, and anxieties stemming from fear and armed conflict. We must stand and demand for permanent peace. Peace by all and for all. Genuine and lasting peace for us, Filipinos, Natives, Muslims, or Christians. Peace for Mindanao, a place where Lumads, Muslims, and Christians can settle in peace, harmony, in dialogue, understanding, respect, and reconciliation. Recently, peace is under attack and the wounds of inter-ethnics strife marking the history of Mindanao in the mid70s and 90s is showing its ugly face. It is in times like this when the all-too-much sentiments of anger, fear, hatred and confusion are lumped together, that we urgently appeal to both our Muslim and Christian communities to stay calm, vigilant, and work together to protect peace and provide security by preventing atrocious attacks and looting from rebels driven by the orgy of madness and violence. We cannot allow peace and peace process to be held hostage by armed group who are resolved to perpetuate armed conflict. Peace is elusive as of now. No peace when fear and fighting escalates. No peace when people are insecure and displaced. No peace when our hearts is filled with bigotry, prejudices, discriminations, retaliations, anger and resentments. No peace

when violence rules, persons are frightened and violated, lives are loss and properties damaged. No peace when there is no cessation of hostilities. No peace when there is the vicious exchange of firing and shooting between the offenders and defenders. No peace at all, only a lull, a deadening silence, and the demon of war may ferociously strike again. No peace, but it doesnt stop us to urgently seek peace, the path of peace, and to pursue it. What now of peace? Shall we give the name of peace to a truce, to a mere laying down of arms, or keeping or registering arms for self-defense. Is it an arrogant exercise of power or authority? Is it an external order based on violence and fear? Is it a temporary balance of forces, or a trial of strength consisting in the immobile tension of rival powers? Can we call it a political script and the game of the generals? (Montalbo, M.B., Fr., The Church Speaks on Peace, 1990, p. 36). I have my doubts and my anxiety increases. Peace, we pray and pray, we must. Peace is the courage to deal with the travails of peace and the hope to carry on with faith in times like this. What is badly needed for peace are conversion and reconciliation and healings! It is not enough to suspend war and conflicts, to impose truces and armistices, to define boundaries and relationships, to create sources of common interests; it is not enough to paralyze the possibility of radical strife through the terror of suffering and destruction. Progress must be made towards a Peace which is loved, free and just, founded on the reconciliation of hearts and healing of the spirit (Montalbo, M.B., Fr., The Church Speaks on Peace, 1990, p. 53). It is therefore imperative for communities of Christians, Muslims and Lumads, led by their respective religious leaders, to bring about durable and lasting peace through integrity of mind and heart, a way to reconciliation and peace, repentance and forgiveness. This process bolstered by a sincere and genuine political and socio-economic reforms and projects can bring peace and development to our people suffering from strife and fear due to armed conflict. It is strongly recommended to make this reconciliation and healing process a top priority now or during the Mindanao Week of

Peace celebration starting November 27 until December 3 and beyond (A joint statement of Bishops-Ulama Conference, 6 August 2008, General Santos City). Henri Nouwen in his book, the Road to Peace, challenged us peacemakers who embraced the gospels spirituality of peacemaking. In our struggle for peacemaking he challenged us to deepen our roots and anchor it in a contemplative spirit and prayerful life. One of the reasons why so many of us developed strong reservations for peacemaking is precisely because we do not [possess] the peace we seek in us as peacemakers ourselves. Often we are fearful, angry, bitter, resentful, trying to convince people of the urgency of our protest or appeal, he said. Thus it is an irony that we peacemakers often reveal more of the demons we are fighting than the peace we want to bring. St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of peace, long ago has this spiritual advice to us, While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, he said, be careful to have it more fully in your heart. Our pilgrimage to peace is one of friends and not of hostile factions inciting hostility between each other. Though we belong to different classes and tribes, we must band together for peace, listen to Gods call of peace, promoting the culture of peace through dialogue and respect, praying for peace, acting for peace, resolutely and ceaselessly seeking peace, pursuing it, beating the instruments of war into plowshares of integral development (Is. 2:4, CBCP, Seek Peace, Pursue it! 31 January 1990, Tagaytay City). We commend out efforts for peace to our loving Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Peace, whose birthday we are celebrating today. Because she believed and kept Gods Word, she brought forth into our world by the power of the Spirit the Prince of Peace, Jesus the Lord. May the Lord guide our feet into the way of peace (Lk 1:79). May the grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be yours. (1 Cor 1:3) + MOST REV. ELENITO GALIDO, DD Local Ordinary Diocese of Iligan September 8, 2008

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FROM THE B L O G S

irst was the lead content in toy paints. Children love to lick their toys, put these in their mouth while playing and feeling good. Unknown to their doting parents, their children were being slowly poisoned by such a deleterious element. How many kids worldwide have actually suffered from ill for such gross negligence and odious greed for money by the toy manufacturers involved in the fatal misdeed, nobody really knows to this date. One thing however is certain. The presence of lead in the human body, especially the young and tender bodies of children, is something that is neither readily nor easily neutralized. Second was the notorious formalin ingredient in foods for the latters long preservation but for their consumers gradual embalming even long prior to their death. This detestable phenomenon of manufacturing food products at the expense of the consumers health is, to say the

Triple whammy
least, unconscionable. One thing is certain, viz., the manufacturers do not eat the food they produce. For them, all was well as long as profits came in much and fast. How true is the saying that avarice respects nobody and vows to nothing except money. Third is now raging the infamous melaminean ingredient that is not only found in milk product but also in plastic chairs and tables! Again, the children are the victims while parents agonize with them. Meantime, the milk producers deliriously made their way to the banksas milk drinking kids are either found sick at hospitals or at home, so much so that some are already dying or even dead. Such a betrayal of public trust by supposedly credited milk manufacturers in exchange of flowing profits, is not only censurable and disgusting but also cries to heaven for vengeance. To hold money and profits above human life and health is downright inhumanity to man. The above triple whammy has some things in common. First, their primary motivation and fundamental objective is profitmore profit at that. Second, their instant victim and long range prey is humanity as a whole. Third, their origin is one and the same country. Fourth, the governments of all other countries have an infallibly delayed mode of reaction. Finally, give those victimized countries some time, their people easily forgetuntil other poisonous products

probably from exactly the same country, again invades local markets, especially so during the Christmas season. Just in case the Filipinos forget, only last Christmas, cheap but very defective Christmas lights invaded the Philippine market from exactly the same country. These products have caused numerous home fires, body burns and deaths even. One thing quite discomforting about this whole issue of poisonous products in the local markets: they all come from one and the same country the ruling administration is courting to high heavens with unlimited graft and corruption. It is a moral impossibility that the present government would do anything much more to the said country than speak softly, move gently and act carefully against it for exporting to the Philippines deadly products.
www.ovc.blogspot.com

Capitalism unlimited

s this definitely is not an argument against capitalism by itself, this is certainly not in defense of communism it itself. However, this is unequivocally a vehement objection against capitalism unlimitedor unbridled capitalistic practices in business, commerce or industry, in marketing, trading or exchanges. For while at the center of the world still objectively remain human beings with their respective human dignity and human rights, the economic system subscribers to capitalism unlimited and money becomes the prime rationale, the focal spirit and the soul of the whole system. Human persons wherefore become merely the means and not really the beneficiaries of the market forces and the economic system in general. Translated in more simple language, this means that people are altogether at the service of capital and capital becomes their inescapable lordforgetting that capital without peoples investments and/or deposits is pointless, inutile, and fruitless. The most demonstrative evil ingrained

in capitalism unlimited has been recently brought to fore with the so called economic tsunami that is now ravaging the US financial system. It is reported by tri-media that as some kind of a economic panacea, the US government is prepared to bail out the depressed American market to the tune of no less than 700 billion dollars. Just to have a feel of how much money the US federal treasury is injecting into the failed American system of capitalism unlimited, it is said that 700 billion dollars bills stacked up straight is as high as the perpendicular measure of the earth. This is staggering! The detestable underlying reality behind all these apparently even laudable pair of bankruptcy of private capitals and infusion of public funds consists in the following veiled huge injustice: When capital is raking profits, these are altogether considered private and personal in nature and implications. But when capital has lost even in its pants, so to speak, the losses become public and socialized precisely by the infusion of public fundsto save capital. In other

words, the profits of capitalism unlimited all belong to the capitalist. The losses however of the same absolute capitalist incarnate are all charged to the citizens. How convenient! And how unjust! The conclusion is rather obvious: Private capital cannot but be subject to ubiquitous government regulationon unqualified condition that the government itself is not saddled by graft and corrupt practices itself. Wherefore, when a private capital wastes, gambles with and loses private investments and/or deposits, it is but fair and just that the investors and/or depositors decidedly run after the capitalist, and the government puts this behind barslocked and secured. In the not too distant past, there were certain bank runs plus a well advertised education plan company that folded up. While their depositors and investors all suffered big loses, practically nothing substantial was heard about the capitalists responsible for the financial disaster. This is so unfair, so unjust!
www.ovc.blogspot.com

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IMPACT October 2008

EDITORIAL

The abominable E-VAT

Illustration by Bladimer Usi

ince its implementation, the 12 percent E-VAT has been the subject of a good number of public outrages, strong denunciations and loud protests. It is because with the E-VAT, the few powerful, influential and ego-centered public officials are perceived to be feasting on the millions of poor, helpless and destitute citizens all over the land. It would take a good amount of inglorious mental gymnastics to conclude that the 12 percent E-Vat is reasonable especially in the face of nationwide poverty, in the absence of employment, and the rise of prices of basic commodities that compounds misery with the low purchasing power of the peso. Only those who really have no conscience can even dare claim that the 12 percent E-Vat is conscionable. For them, it is the only fair and sincere way of qualifying the national economy concretely under the long-ruling administration. As far as Malacaang is concerned, such unconscionable heavy and unforgiving taxation is good for the people, better for the country, best for national development. For charging the destitute, the elite, the business tycoons, the jobless, the professionals, the students and even the babies exactly the same 12 percent E-Vat is not only unjust but also unfair.

For one of the most basic principles or fundamental norms of social justice is that those who are more blessed in life should give more to society, in the same way that those who have but little, may give less. This is plain and simple equity. But worst of all is that after the unforgiving payment of 12 percent E-Vat, the persistent disturbing questions remain: Where do all those taxes really go? What are they truly spent for? Who actually benefit from them? Of course, there are ready and well-crafted answers from government technocrats and spinners. But the concrete and honest answers will have to come from hundreds of Filipinos leaving the country everyday to find work abroad, because there is none here; from the growing number of people deprived of survival needs as food, shelter and medicine because what should have been given them were stolen; and from the misery now visible in the faces of millions of poor Filipinos living in extreme poverty. In a country where endemic corruption eats up 60 percent of the national budget that is painstakingly, if anomalously, sourced from foreign borrowings, the EVAT is simply abominablelike the legendary ogre that feeds daily on humans in order to survive.

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FROM THE I N B O X From the emails of Lan Bergado, lanspidey@yahoo.com

A good lesson...

y mom had only one eye. I hated her... she was such an embar-

rassment. She cooked for students and teachers to support the family. There was this one day during elementary school where my mom came to say hello to me. I was so embarrassed. How could she do this to me? I ignored her, threw her a hateful look and ran out. The next day at school one of my classmates said, EEEE, your mom only has one eye! I wanted to bury myself. I also wanted my mom to just disappear. I confronted her that day and said, If youre only gonna make me a laughing stock, why dont you just die?

My mom did not respond... I didnt even stop to think for a second about what I had said, because I was full of anger. I was oblivious to her feelings. I wanted out of that house, and have nothing to do with her. So I studied real hard, got a chance to go abroad to study. Then, I got married. I bought a house of my own. I had kids of my own. I was happy with my life, my kids and the comforts. Then one day, my mother came to visit me. She hadnt seen me in years and she didnt even meet her grandchildren. When she stood by the door, my children laughed at her, and I yelled at her for coming over uninvited. I screamed at her, How dare you come to

my house and scare my children! GET OUT OF HERE! NOW! And to this, my mother quietly answered, Oh, Im so sorry. I may have gotten the wrong address, and she disappeared out of sight. One day, a letter regarding a school reunion came to my house. So I lied to my wife that I was going on a business trip. After the reunion, I went to the old shack just out of curiosity. My neighbors said that she died. I did not shed a single tear. They handed me a letter that she had wanted me to have. My dearest son, I think of you all the time. Im sorry that I came to your

house and scared your children. I was so glad when I heard you were coming for the reunion. But I may not be able to even get out of bed to see you. Im sorry that I was a constant embarrassment to you when you were growing up. You see...when you were very little, you got into an accident, and lost your eye. As a mother, I couldnt stand watching you having to grow up with one eye. So I gave you mine. I was so proud of my son who was seeing a whole new world for me, in my place, with that eye. With all my love to you, Your mother.

Power of prayer

n a small town, a person decided to open up a brothel, which was right opposite to a church. The church and its congregation started a campaign to block the brothel from opening with petitions and prayed daily against his business. Work progressed. However, when it was almost complete and was about to open a few days later, a strong lightning struck the brothel and it was burnt to the ground. The church folks were rather smug in their outlook after that, till the brothel owner sued the church authorities on the grounds that the church through its congregation and prayers was ultimately responsible for the destruction of his brothel, either through direct or indirect actions or means. In its reply to the court, the church vehemently denied all responsibility or any connection that their prayers were reasons for the act of God. As the case made its way into court, the judge looked over the paperwork at the hearing and commented: I dont know how Im going to decide this case, but it appears from the paperwork, we have a brothel owner who believes in the power of prayer and we have an entire church that doesnt.

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IMPACT October 2008

B O O K REVIEWS

Third World Women on Ecology, Feminism, and Religion Rosemary Radford Ruether, Editor
A take on cross cultural communication, this volume of essays written by fourteen Latin American, Asian and African women delves on the issues of religion, ecology and feminism. The writers though coming from various cultures and social classes have nonetheless committed themselves in pushing for the upliftment of the status of women and underprivileged in their own societies. Some of the essays reflect on the interrelatedness of women and nature, and how in the context of the developing world both have been exploited, not only by colonizing powers but also by their own respective societies. Others explore the role of indigenous religion in identifying the sacrality of nature and the role of women as mothers and caretakers of nature. Ruether in her introduction notes that first world women have a lot to learn from women in the third world and vice-versa. But women in the developing world have a lot to discover as well from each other in their struggle to liberate themselves from the bondage of patriarchy and impoverishment. The book is an interesting and enlightening read as it gives a fresh perspective on the interconnections between ecology and feminism, the interconnections between the domination of women and the domination of nature, or ecofeminism, and how religion interplays with this connection, in both positive and negative ways. This volume is published by St. Pauls.

Women Healing Earth

How to Stop Hidden Addictions and Achieve Great Success Bo Sanchez

In this inspirational volume, best-selling author and internationally-sought speaker Bo Sanchez speaks of seven steps on how to overcome addictions. Sanchez claims that each of us, whether aware or not, has an addiction over something unseen from the prying eyes of people. Through a checklist, Sanchez invites the reader to find out his/her own harmful habits. Sp e a k i n g t h r o u g h h i s own experience of battling and conquering his own compulsions, Sanchez offers hopes to those who find themselves unable to get rid of their own obsessions. This inspirational book offers a step by step procedure on how to go about conquering ones own compulsions and walk into freedom. Just off the press, this book is published by Shepherds Voice Publications.

7 Secrets to Real Freedom

Becoming Fully Human

The Greatest Glory of God Joan Chittister, OSB
What is a simple life in a world and a society where having enough is never enough? Whats the value of simplicity? This and other simple questions on life found in the pages of the book will surely make the reader evaluate and think seriously everything that he/she has learned since childhood about life. Published by Paulines, the book explores various topics that speak of a spirituality that understands and accepts both the humanity and sacredness not only of oneself but also of other persons. As the blurb on the cover puts it succinctly, the book reveals that no matter our color , economic or social status, or religion, we are all dealing with the same human desires, fears, needs, feelings, and hopes. Coming to see the heart of the other allows us to see our own, which in turn leads us to live lives dedicated to respect holiness, balance and peace. A fine read for anyone who is in search of answers to the simple questions in life.

Exploring Filipino Mysticism in Quiapo Teresita B. Obusan

The outcome of a study on the spirituality of devotees of Poon Nazareno in Quiapo, this volume explores the subject of mysticism as experienced and lived by the common tao. Obusan avers that there is a thinking that mysticism is only for the spiritual elite, and that ordinary people are hardly considered as candidate mystics. Such argument is debunked in this research study. Interviewing a good number of Quiapo devotees representing a cross section of Philippine society, Obusan attempts to shed light on the popular religiosity of the ordinary Filipino. A social worker by profession, Obusan is very much interested in the subject of Filipino spirituality and popular religion. This book is published by the Institute of Spirituality in Asia.

Mystic or Mistake

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ENTERTAINMENT

C ATHOLIC INITIATIVE FOR E NLIGHTENED M OVIE A PPRECIATION

Cast: Judy Ann Santos, Dennis Trillo, TJ Trinidad, Ces Quesada, Sharlene San Pedro, Kris Bernal, Irma Adlawan Director: Jun Lana Producer: Lily Y. Monteverde Screenwriter: Jun Lana Genre: Horror/ Drama Distributor: Regal Films Location: Manila/ Batangas Running Time: 100 min. Technical Assessment: Moral Assessment: CINEMA Rating: For viewers 14 and above
Nagka-amnesia si Mira (Judy Ann Santos) bunga ng isang matinding aksidente. Hindi naman sumuko ang asawa niyang si Paul (Dennis Trillo) sa pag-aalaga sa kanya at sa pagpapaalala kung sino siya. Unti-unti ay inilalapit ni Paul si Mira sa kanilang nag-iisang anak, si Sophie (Sharlene San Pedro) na isang bulag. Habang pinagtatagni ni Mira ang kanyang pagkatao ay may nakikita siyang isang babaeng nagmumulto. Kasabay nito ay ang pagkakatuklas niya iba pang katotohanan sa kanyang pagkatao sa pamamagitan ni Dave (TJ Trinidad) na siyang tanging pinagtaguan niya ng kanyang mga sikreto. Isa sa mga sikretong ito ay ang kanyang kakambal na si Maria (Judy Ann Santos) at ang kanilang pinagmulang angkan ng mga mangkukulam. Si Maria nga kaya ang babaeng nagmumulto at hindi matahimik? Habang tumintindi ang banta sa buhay ng pamilya ni Mira ay unti-unti rin siyang napapalapit sa katotohanan ng kanyang pagkatao. Isang matagumpay na pelikulang katakutan ang Kulam. Maayos ang daloy nito at talaga namang tatakutin ka mula simula hanggang wakas. Mahusay ang pagkakasulat at pagkakadirehe. Tamang-tama ang timpla ng drama at horror at sakto sa bilang ang pagtatago at pagbubunyag ng mga sikreto. Mahusay din ang pagkaka-arte ng lahat ng tauhan lalo na si Judy Ann Santos na gumanap ng isang tunay na mapaghamong papel. Maging ang mga pangalawang tauhan ay pawang mahuhusay din tulad nina Sharlene San Pedro na mahusay sa pagkakaganap na bulag at Irma Adlawan bilang kanilang inang mangkukulam. Lubos na nakatulong din ang maayos na pag-iilaw at disenyong pamproduksiyon. Bagamat halatang ang ibang eksena ay hango mula sa mga Korean horror, nagawa pa rin nitong bigyan ng tunay na

Pilipinong bihis ang pelikula dahil sa tema nitong tunay na malapit sa kalinangang Pilipino. Totoo nga kaya ang kulam? Ito ang tanong na matagal ng bumabagabag sa bawat ordinaryong Pilipino na makakarinig ng tungkol dito. Totoo man o hindi, isang bagay ang malinaw, ito ay hindi kagagawan ng kabutihan kundi ng kasamaan. Ipinakita ng pelikula ang lakas ng

kapangyarihang itim na ito ngunit ipinakita rin dito na sa bandang huli, ang kabutihan pa rin ang magwawagi. Higit na makapangyarihan ang pag-ibig at pagmamahal sa anumang mahika o vertud tulad ng sa kulam. Marami nga lang mga eksenang nangangailangan ng gabay ng magulang sakaling manood ang mga kabataan. Nariyan ang pagpapakamatay, pakiki-apid at ilang mga nakakakilabot na eksena na maaaring magdulot ng trauma o bangungot sa mga bata.

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IMPACT October 2008

N E W S BRIEFS CAMBODIA

Govt questions the current state of education

The Ministry of Education Youth and Sport here said the govt isnt satisfied with the current quality of education. The Ministrys higher education deputy director general, Mak Ngoy, said increasing the number of higher education institutions is a positive sign, but the country is struggling with the hard task of strengthening quality. THAILAND

Assams Udalguri district, about 100 kilometres north of Dispur, the state capital. BURMA

Burmese dissidents in jail rises

Human rights groups say that the number of dissidents in Burmas jails has nearly doubled in the past year. A report by two rights groups says that there are now more than 2,000 political prisoners in the country. It says that almost a thousand people were arrested during last years monkled uprising.

continuing concerns over peace and order in the country, while that on Jordan was kept in force after employers refused to comply with new conditions for hiring Filipinos. S. KOREA

S. Korea says N. Korea spending money on weapons, not food

A S. Korean lawmaker said N. Korea has bought weapons worth $US65 million dollars over the past years despite its severe food crisis. Citing an undisclosed govt report, Kwon Young-Se of the conservative ruling Grand National Party said the weapons came from China, Russia, Germany, the Slovak Republic and other countries. The Souths intelligence agency and defence ministry refused to confirm the information. MALAYSIA

ing 5,000 inspectors in dairy factories across the country, as the tainted milk scandal continues to impact on countries as far away as South America. The measure, the latest in a series aimed at containing the scandal, is to ensure that dairy factories comply with food safety standards. PAKISTAN

Zardaris India comments mark break with past

President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed unorthodox views about his countrys relationship with India. He suggested that India posed no threat to Pakistan and called the Islamist militants fighting in Indian Kashmir terrorists. Both views run counter to those long held by Pakistans powerful military which defines India as an existential threat. Zardaris comments thus mark a radical break with the past. AFGHANISTAN

Thai says Cambodia VIETNAM fired first in border Group urges govt to clash release detained Authorities here accused Cambodia of firing the first Catholics
shots in a recent border incident in which injured 3 soldiers. Thailands foreign ministry urged the Cambodian govt to ensure theres no repeat of the incident near the disputed 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple. It said the shooting against the unarmed Thai soldiers was a brutal act and is contrary to the spirit of friendly relations. INDIA A US-based human rights group said Vietnam should free Catholics arrested for holding peaceful prayer vigils and hold police and others accountable for attacking parishioners. Human Rights Watch said eight Hanoi parishioners have been under arrest since mid-August, when Catholics started their latest round of protests for the return of church lands confiscated by the state since the 1950s. PHILIPPINES

Malaysian blogger pleads not guilty on sedition charge

A popular Malaysian blogger has pleaded not guilty to sedition over an article he wrote that linked the deputy prime minister and his wife to the murder of a Mongolian woman. Raja Petra Kamaruddin, who has been held in detention since August under tough internal security laws, has asked for a trial. CHINA

Australia names nabbed Taliban leader

Australias Special Operations Task Group in Afghanistan has named the Taliban commander captured in the southern province of Uruzgan recently as Mullah Sakhi Dad. The Australian defence department said Sakhi Dad, understood to be connected to the Taliban leadership, was captured with another insurgent by special operations troops and the National Afghan Army on October 1.

Ethnic violence in Indias Assam

Communal violence in the Northeast Indian state of Assam has led police to impose a curfew and issue shoot on site orders. At least 33 people have been killed and thousands left homeless in violence between Bodo tribes people and Bangladeshi settlers. The fighting erupted in Rowta in

RP maintains worker bans to Lebanon, Jordan

Labor officials here are maintaining bans on sending Filipino workers to Lebanon and Jordan despite calls for them to be lifted. The ban on Lebanon was kept due to

China posts inspectors to dairy factories

The Chinese govt is post-

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