Senator backs bringing WPS case vs China to UN

By: Marlon Ramos - Reporter / @MRamosINQ

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Francis Tolentino on Sunday supported the proposal of retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio for the Marcos administration to bring China’s bullying and aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) to the attention of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

“I think Carpio is right [when he suggested] to elevate this to the consciousness of the member states of the [UNGA] since China has been disregarding the arbitral ruling,” Tolentino said in a recorded interview with radio station dzBB.

He was referring to the Philippines’ 2016 landmark victory in the arbitration court in The Hague that voided Beijing’s so-called “nine-dash line” claiming nearly the entire South China Sea.

Tolentino, who has a master’s degree in public international law, is vice chair of the Senate foreign relations committee, which is headed by Sen. Imee Marcos.

“There’s nothing wrong with [Carpio’s suggestion] as it will really make this an international issue,” he said.

In line with that recommendation, Opposition Sen. Risa Hontiveros filed a resolution on June 19 calling on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to seek UNGA’s action in putting an end to China’s harassment of Philippine vessels within the country’s 370-kilometer exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

‘Coastal states’

Carpio, who has been the leading voice in the country’s territorial dispute with China, had earlier said that the Philippine government must file a resolution in the UNGA to compel Beijing to respect the arbitral ruling.

“That will be put to a vote. I think we will win there,” he said in an online forum on May 30.

“Remember,” he added, “the majority of the members of the [General Assembly] are coastal states. They are afraid that their big neighbors might seize their exclusive economic zones.”

Fishermen’s plight

According to Tolentino, the move would also bring to light the situation of ordinary Filipino fishermen who have been forced to stay clear of fishing grounds within the country’s EEZ due to the illegal presence of Chinese patrol vessels.

Asked about the possibility of the UNGA ruling in favor of the Philippines, Tolentino said it was up to the DFA and the country’s representative to the international body.

“It depends on how our representative in the UNGA would explain the issue,” the senator said.

“But we have all the documents, not just the arbitral ruling, but also [the reports on] the bullying and other violations that China has been committing in the West Philippine Sea,” he added.

In a separate interview on Sunday, Hontiveros said she was “inspired” by Carpio’s proposal in filing Senate Resolution No. 659, which, she added, also honored the legacy of the late Sen. Rodolfo Biazon, who had spoken out against China’s trespassing Philippine waters.

“It’s also based on my belief that the UN must be able to tell China to ‘stop what you’re doing and start behaving properly,’” Hontiveros said.

While a decision by UNGA may not be legally binding, it would bring “meaningful political weight” to China’s future actions, she pointed out further.

Furthermore, UNGA’s action may help shape the “international norms and national policies of member nations” and guide the directions of other international bodies such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, she said.

CdeO LGBTQ federation celebrates Pride Month, vows to fortify community

BY FRANCK DICK ROSETE

Jun 26, 2023 07:51 AM

  

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The newly-created Cagayan de Oro City LGBTQ+ Federation vowed to strengthen its community in the face of discrimination its members continue to experience, stressing that there are still a lot of programs that need to be pursued.

CAGAYAN de Oro City Mayor Rolando Uy waves a rainbow flag to express his support to the LGBTQ+ community during the city’s Pride Month celebration at the Amphitheater, Divisoria, Cagayan de Oro City, on Saturday, June 24. (Photo courtesy of Rod Constantino, Cagayan de Oro City Information Office)

Barbie Neri, first president of the Cagayan de Oro LGBTQ+ Federation, said the creation of the organization is not enough without local laws that would protect the community, saying that the federation should be "indispensable."

"Meaning, we should not just vanish or be defeated by any administration that would lead the city," said Neri during the Pride Month celebration here at the Amphitheater, Divisoria, on Saturday, June 24.

The city, Neri said, should also pass an ordinance that would provide enough budget for the programs and livelihood of the LGBTQ+ community.

"Having an organization is not enough without funding from the local government unit," she said in vernacular.

MEMBERS and supporters of the LGBTQ+ community march in Divisoria, Cagayan de Oro City, holding a long rainbow flag in line with the city’s Pride Month celebration on Saturday, June 24. (Photo courtesy of Rod Constantino, Cagayan de Oro City Information Office)

On Aug. 10, 2020, the 19th city council passed City Ordinance No. 13941-2020, also known as the "Cagayan de Oro City Diversity and Equality Ordinance." It aims to eliminate all forms of discrimination, where discriminatory practices as defined in the said law shall be proscribed and penalized.

The city, under the said ordinance, shall also actively and progressively develop and implement programs, projects, and other initiatives to promote diversity and equality.

City Mayor Roland Uy issued Executive Order No. 106-2023 on May 15 creating the Cagayan de Oro City LGBTQ+ Federation to assist in promoting equality and diversity in the city. All of the barangays here were also directed to create their respective LGBTQ organizations.

On June 23, the very first set of officers of the said federation took their oath in front of Uy at the City Mayor’s Office.

Apart from strengthening the community’s protection and programs, the city’s LGBTQ+ federation also assured it will continue its branding as an independent and nonpartisan organization that is free from any political parties.

In his message, Uy vowed to continue his support for the LGBTQ community, and  urged the federation president to further strengthen the recognition of those LGBTQ members, especially those who are called Gandang Hari who are already unable to provide their talents because of their ages. 

"It’s pitiful to see a Gandang Hari. It’s like a withered leaf, where no one won’t take care of them," Uy said in vernacular, stressing the contributions of those old LGBTQ members in the city during their younger years.

During his incumbency as Carmen village chief, Uy organized three LGBTQ organizations in the said barangay — Gandang Hari, Gays on the Go, and Unique on the Go — to show his support to the community.

Many members and supporters of the LGBTQ community conducted a Pride march also on Saturday from Rodelsa Circle here, going to Kagay-an Bridge and Amphitheater as their final destination for the main program.

Various services have been conducted in line with the celebration, such as HIV testing, free check-ups, scholarship offerings, city vet services, and pet adoption. Several Drag Queens in the city also put laughter on the Kagay-anons’ faces as they showcased their colorful dance performances.

On June 29, there will be a mini job fair at the Amphitheater in relation to the Pride Month celebration.

Feast of Our Mother of Perpetual Help on June 27

BY CHRISTINA HERMOSO

Jun 26, 2023 09:28 AM

  

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Devotees will celebrate on Tuesday, June 27, the Feast of Our Mother of Perpetual Help (Ina ng Laging Saklolo).

Our Mother of Perpetual Help (Catholic Tradition)

A fiesta mass will be officiated by Fr. Rogerio Gomes, superior general of the Redemptorists, at the Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, also known as the Baclaran Church or Redemptorist Church, in Baclaran, Paranaque City.

This year’s feast marks the 75th year (1948-2023) of devotion to Our Mother of Perpetual Help at the Baclaran Church. Preparations for the celebration and countdown to the 75th year of novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help began last year.

Novena masses were offered from June 18 to 26.

Papal Nuncio Archbishop Charles John Brown who officiated the 8th novena mass on June 25 said, perpetual means “always and forever. She is a Perpetual one who helps us always and forever. She helps us overcome our fear,” the Papal envoy stressed.

Devotees traditionally light candles, pray the Holy Rosary, recite novena prayers, sing hymns, and offer flowers in thanksgiving for answered prayers, ask for the Blessed Mother’s powerful intercession, or simply, pay homage to Our Lady under the special title of Mother of Perpetual Help. Some even walk on their knees from the church door to the altar to ask for special favors.

Church officials encourage the faithful to pray and reflect on the “Memorare,” a special prayer of devotion and confidence on the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Known as one of the most visited Catholic churches in the country, the Baclaran Church receives hundreds of devotees particularly every Wednesday when traffic in the area is particularly heavy.

The novena masses are an old tradition rooted from the Wednesday public novena established by the Redemptorist fathers in 1948.

Rainy days in Visayas and Mindanao

By Arlie O. Calalo

June 26, 2023

THE inter-tropical convergence zone (ITCZ) where a low pressure area (LPA) has been embedded continues to bring rain and thunderstorms especially in Visayas, Mindanao and Southern Luzon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services (Pagasa) said.

Weather specialist Obet Badrina said the LPA, which was 500 kilometers east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar, had a slim chance of turning into a tropical depression.

"In fact, it may just reduce into cloud clusters in the coming days," Badrina said.

The ITCZ, an imaginary line where the air coming from the northern and southern hemisphere meets, is affecting Visayas, MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), Bicol Region, Aurora and Quezon.

Landslides or flash floods are possible in these areas due to moderate and at times heavy rains, the Pagasa forecaster said.

Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated downpour and thunderstorms.

Forget the stigma — it’s safe to travel in Mindanao!

PHILTOA positions Basilan as a next must-visit destination

BY JESSICA PAG-IWAYAN

Jun 26, 2023 02:14 AM

  

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With a total land area of 97,530 square kilometers, Mindanao is the second largest island in the Philippine archipelago. It is also home to beautiful beaches and landscape areas, including the Pink Beach in Zamboanga, Dinagat Islands with waterfalls, beaches, caves, and the Marang-marang mangroves in Isabela de Basilan.

This island has a lot more to offer. Still, the sad reality is that only a few local and international tourists are willing to experience this paradise. It’s because of the stigma of violence and crime attached to Mindanao.

Department of Tourism Undersecretary Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar

“Local and foreign alike generally have a negative outlook of the Mindanao islands,” says Department of Tourism Undersecretary Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar during the Philippine Tour Operators (PHILTOA) general membership meeting last June 14, 2023, at the Manila Hotel. “For decades, there has been a disproportionate amount of negative news about the island, painting it as a dangerous place. Even worse, whenever something bad happens in the municipality, barangay, or even in the smallest of communities in the island, it will always be reported in the news as Mindanao not as that area.”

With the help of PHILTOA and other organizations, DOT wants to change that image and position Mindanao as Asia’s next Muslim-friendly destination. It began during the event, where the organizers spotlighted Basilan Province's potential as a thriving tourist destination.

About Isabela City, Basilan
In an interview with Manila Bulletin Lifestyle, the mayor of Isabela City, Basilan Province, Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman said that in 2022 there were 30,000 tourists visited their city. For some, it might be a small number. Still, for Mayor, it’s a good indication that people braved their fear of seeing Mindanao, and Isabela City.

Mayor of Isabela City, Basilan Province, Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman

“Malaking tulong po yung mga taong naglakas loob na pumunta sa Isabela, lalo na yung mga influencer like Kulas and recently Erwan Heussaff,” she says. “Also, tinulungan po talaga kami ng DOT na sinama nila ang Isabela City sa mga circuits nila.”

She also proudly announced that they are confident that Isabela City is now a tourist-ready place. They already rolled out plans for sustainability, ensuring that their natural resources and landscape area won’t be exploited. In one of their beach areas, the local government unit (LGU) is implementing a daily cap off regarding the number of visitors.

“We controlled the number of guests in some of our tourist destinations,” she says. “Second, we make it to the point that the community is involved. We understand that they need to earn money, so we give them other support and opportunities so they will not solely depend on tourism industry.”

Regarding healthcare, Mayor Hataman is proud that they can provide good healthcare services in Isabela City, given that the city has three private hospitals and the Basilan General Hospital.

Some of the best spots to visit in Isabela City are Bulingan Falls, Isabela Channel, and the boulevard for sumptuous food trips. According to Mayor, it is best to visit their town every April or the whole duration of the local summer season.

Careful with our judgments

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

YES, we really need to be more careful with our judgments, since it is very easy for us to fall into rash judgments. Given our personal weaknesses and the conditions around, that tendency to make rash judgments is always there. We need to be wary of it and do whatever we can to counter it.

We are reminded of this danger when Christ said, “Stop judging, that you may not be judged. For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you.” (Mt 7,1-2)

We need to understand these words of Christ well. To be sure, he does not mean that we should never make judgments, since in the first place we are by nature made to judge. The fact that we have intelligence and will, and that we are meant to know and to love, simply presumes that we are made to judge. We cannot know anything nor love anyone if we do not make a judgment.

Thus, in that gospel cited above, Christ said took it as a given that we are made to judge. “For as you judge, so will you be judged,” he said. What Christ wanted to tell us that we just have to make sure that our judgments are fair and prudent. And given the limitations of our human condition, we have to be most wary when we make judgments.

Nowadays, with all the “Mariteses” around and the pervading culture of spreading all kinds of spins and narratives in the areas of journalism, politics, etc., we need to make extra effort to be protected from the pressure of making rash judgments.

But more than just being protective and resistant to this tendency of making rash judgments, we should enhance our duty to take the initiative to make charitable judgments of everyone and everything.

That means that we should try to think well of everyone and of everything. Even if we see defects, mistakes and other forms of evil, our judgment should remain charitable rather than simply condemnatory. Of course, we should keep the distinction between what is right and wrong, good and evil.

When we are faced with any form of evil, let us remember that we actually are given a golden opportunity to grow in charity. That should be the attitude to have in that kind of situation. Obviously, we would initially feel bad and can fall into anger and the like when evil comes our way. But we should not stay long there. We have to convert that situation into an occasion to be more charitable.

For this to take place, we obviously need to identify ourselves more closely with Christ who is the personification of charity and sound judgments. He gives us the proper example of how to be charitable in our judgments and reactions to the various events and conditions of our life.

Let’s realize that we can only see, judge and know persons, events and things properly when we have a vibrant interior or spiritual life, a vital link not only with theories and principles, but with God himself.

Let’s never dare to emit judgments that are mere products of our own making. We have to make them always in the presence of God and motivated by nothing other than love for God and for everybody else. We have to continually check on the rectitude of our intention, and the correctness and timeliness of our words and deeds.