People can abuse reason Work: An Opportunity for Ugnayan The Cross A3 when they demand proof B1 People to Transform to C1The News Supplement for D1A Supplement Publication of KCFAPI • from God, pope says • Reality • Couples for Christ • and the Order of the Knights of Columbus Eco group supports motion for reconsideration on Ortega murder case ENVIRONMENTALISTS support the move of the family of the late environmental advocate, Dr. Gerry Ortega to appeal the decision of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to exclude former Palawan Governor Joel Reyes from the roster of suspects in the Ortega murder case. Eco group / A7 July 4 - 17, 2011 Vol. 15 No. 14 Php 20.00 PCSO donations are used for social services, says prelate BELYING the accusation by the Phil- help the poor in the diocese. it has been done for years, Quevedo President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo able for disbursing government funds ippine Charity Sweepestakes (PCSO) Quevedo said the request was for a said. through PCSO. instead of the bishops, who merely that he received an SUV for personal vehicle they can use “for community Since the time of former President Juico has said that the bishops are received the donations, he said. use, Cotabato Archbishop Orlando organizing at the grassroots, capac- Corazon Aquino up to present, the criminally liable for receiving donations Lawyer Romulo Macalintal, also Quevedo stressed that his request for ity building, training of Indigenous government agency has been granting from the PCSO as the Constitutions pro- echoed the same sentiment saying the assistance from the agency was for the Peoples’ leaders, as well as to bring sick assistance to various Church-related hibit any government agency to appro- bishops did not commit a criminal of- use of the social action apostolate and people to hospitals when necessary.” organizations in support of their so- priate public funds to favor a particular fense by receiving donations from the not his own. He lamented that the Catholic bishops cial programs and poverty alleviation religion or religious group government’s charitable arm. In a statement, the archbishop said he are seemingly being singled out for ask- projects. But former Senator Aquilino Pimen- He stressed that there is no law in the has never requested PCSO for a vehicle ing donations from PCSO for projects Earlier, PCSO Director Margarita tel, in a Manila forum held June 5 said land that says receiving donations from for his personal use, but admitted that that are meant to help the poor. Juico has disclosed that at least 7 Catho- the burden of proof lies on the giver and PCSO is a criminal act. he indeed asked the agency for a vehicle Asking assistance from PCSO to help lic bishops had received SUVs amount- not on the receiver. Macalintal added that if giving dona- for their social action program meant to the poor is not something unusual as ing to several millions from former The PCSO officials should be held li- PCSO / A6 Bishop hits SC ruling on Hacienda Luisita By Roy Lagarde we are with them.” Voting 6-4, the high court A CATHOLIC bishop revoked the SDO in Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac and ordered the deplored the Supreme Department of Agrarian Reform Court ruling on the dis- (DAR) to hold a new referendum puted Hacienda Luisita, in the sugar estate. a 6,453-hectare sugar The magistrates in a 90-page decision penned by Associate plantation in Tarlac Justice Presbitero Velasco re- owned by the family quested DAR to report its com- of President Benigno pliance 6 months after the final- ity of the SC decision. Aquino III. “We are not happy, of course. It is very saddening especially Manila Auxiliary Bishop Brod- since it will be returned to the erick Pabillo, head of the CBCP people for a referendum,” said National Secretariat Social Ac- Fr. Edu Gariguez, Nassa execu- tion, questioned why there is tive secretary. a need for another referendum “It is like they do not want when the SC has already ruled to be blamed for anything. It is against the 1989 stock distribu- the SC’s job to resolve the issue. tion option (SDO) deal of the It appears that they failed to do Hacienda Luisita, Inc. it,” he said. “What we are asking from Pabillo said the decision is a the Supreme Court is to uphold blow to farmer-beneficiaries who whether SDO is valid or not. If had been dreaming of tilling it’s not valid, then why call for an- their own lands. other referendum,” Pabillo said. He said the ruling is also a “The decision would only let huge setback to the country’s the Cojuangcos to still have full Comprehensive Agrarian Re- control of the land while the form Program with extension farmers have none,” he said. and reform (CARPer). “The farmers are really sad and SC Ruling / A6 Bishops to elect UP students mount silent new CBCP protest vs RH IT was a silent protest, but it conducted by RH supporters. looks like the demonstration They also tied red ribbons carried out by some University around trees and lamp posts and officials of the Philippines (UP) students stuck the ubiquitous “No to RH MEMBERS of the Catholic renewed dedication in the showed conviction to go against bill” stickers in some parts of Bishops’ Conference of the service of the Gospel will bear the grain in a campus that had the campus to demonstrate the Philippines (CBCP) will abundant fruit for the Church been dismissed as simply going presence of the pro-life voice gather to elect their new and the society,” Bertone with the flow as far as support in what had been previously president this week. said. for a proposed birth control perceived as an RH-supporting The bishops from the “He encourages the bishops measure is concerned. university. country’s 86 dioceses will in their efforts in defense The students, part of a growing The silent protest culminated also vote their new vice of the value of each human group dubbed UP Against RH, in red-garbed students walk- president and members of life, of the sacredness of had been handing out around ing with red balloons toward the CBCP permanent council marriage, and of the family,” campus information materials a crowd gathered at the steps representing Luzon, Visayas he added. revealing the truth about the Re- fronting Palma Hall, one of the and Mindanao. Odchimar of Tandag and productive Health (RH) bill for university’s main buildings, for The election will take place vice president Archbishop a few days up to a July 1 march UP / A6 during the CBCP’s 103rd Jose Palma of Cebu are both plenary assembly to be held serving their first terms. at the Pope Pius XII Catholic The president and the vice- License of pastors in gay wedding Center in Manila on July president are elected for two- Media office re-launches 9-11. year terms and may serve for may be revoked – bishop Pope Benedict XVI, a maximum of two terms. By THE authority to solem- meanwhile, has assured his tradition, they are reelected for online radio nize a marriage of pas- “spiritual closeness” with the their second and last term. THE media office of the Catholic Ko ‘Yan” in coordination with the tors behind the recent Philippine bishops. In CBCP history, members Bishops Conference of the Philip- Office of the Civil Registrar Gen- same-sex mass wedding In a message relayed of the permanent council pines has re-launched its CBCP eral and National Statistics Office; in Baguio City may be through the Nunciature, enjoy four cumulative terms in online radio with more programs “Batas ng Bayan” in cooperation revoked, a Catholic prel- Vatican Secretary of State office, with the vice president aimed to further serve Filipinos here with the Public Attorney’s Office; ate said. Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone normally succeeding the and abroad. “Business Bits” with Manila Bul- Retired Archbishop conveyed to CBCP President president when his term Several new programs are be- letin VP Melito Salazar and several Oscar Cruz believes that Bishop Nereo Odchimar, the expires. ing produced in coordination with others. administering in a same-sex pope’s prayers for a fruitful The permanent council acts several government agencies and The occasion also provided a wedding goes against the merit gathering. for and in behalf of the CBCP key personalities in business and venue to recognize partners who of a priest or minister’s authority to “His holiness prays that when the plenary assembly politics. have supported the media office’s solemnize a marriage. this time for reflection and Elect / A6 Among the programs scheduled recent project, the Visita Iglesia Such authority is issued by the National Statistics to be begin this month are “Sagot Online / A6 License / A7 CBCP Monitor A2 Vol. 15 No. 14 World News July 4 -17, 2011 Money, political clout set tone for N.Y. debate over same-sex marriage whatever it took and an extremely J. Grisanti of Buffalo, N.Y., who said on religious corporation, benevolent order determined governor willing to do the Senate floor that “as a Catholic I was or a not-for-profit corporation.” anything to get his way.” raised to believe marriage is between a It also says failure to provide same- “That’s not something the church man and a woman.” sex ceremonies would not “result in can compete with,” he added in a tele- But he said he “would not respect any state or local government action to phone interview from the conference’s myself if I did not make an informed de- penalize, withhold benefits, or discrimi- headquarters in Albany, N.Y.