THE AUG2020-APRIL2021 VOL. LXXII ISSUE NO.1 Cover by 12-St. Monica 2 news AUG 2020 - APRIL 2021 VOL. LXXII ISSUE NO.1 AUG 2020 - APRIL 2021 VOL. LXXII ISSUE NO.1 news 3 Duterte Signs Pope Francis Anti-Terror backs civil Bill into Law unions for by Rynna Estacio LGBTQ+ President Rodrigo Duterte signed into couples law a highly controversial bill that aims Photo by Gregorio Borja/ AP Photos il unions for same-sex couples, although to broaden the country’s anti-terrorism The statements represent a break by Rynna Estacio he endorsed such legal arrangements campaign. from the Church’s teachings and his when he was archbishop of Buenos Aires. strongest comments yet on the issue. Pope Francis has become the first He also sought to support the church’s It was signed just days before it was Photo by Karl Norman Alonzo/ Presidential Photo leader of the Roman Catholic Church LGBT followers in his public statements effective as law. Nonetheless, Francis’s comments do to support same-sex civil unions. since he was elected pope in March 2013. Executive secretary Salvador Medialdea Over 250 organizations, including the not, in any way, alter the Catholic doc- Republic Act No. 11479, or the Anti-Ter- and presidential spokesman Harry Roque country’s top schools, urged President trine, but represent a remarkable turn for His comments came in an inter- The Ozanne Foundation, which advocates rorism Act of 2020, seeks to strengthen Jr. said the president signed the bill in its Duterte to veto the anti-terrorism bill. a church that has fought against LGBT view in a feature-length documen- for LGBT equality in religious settings, the Human Security Act of 2007, giving entirety. Roque said the president signed legal rights — with past popes calling tary film, Francesco, which pre- said “This will bring hope to millions of more surveillance powers to government the measure after thoroughly reviewing National Security adviser Hermogenes same-sex unions invalid and deviant. miered at the Rome Film Festival. lesbian and gay couples around the world, forces. It criminalizes incitement of the provisions with his legal team. Esperon Jr., National Intelligence Co- and will enable them to know that they terrorism “by means of speeches, proc- ordinating Agency director general The pope did not express any open- The film, which includes interviews have the pope’s blessing to be in a family, lamations, writings, emblems, banners Lawmakers opposed to the bill, saying it Alex Monteagudo and Interior secretary ness to extending marriage to same-sex with the pontiff, tackles issues that and indeed to have a right to a family.” will worsen the state of human rights in Eduardo Año assured the public that the or other representations.” Under the law, mean the most to the pope, includ- couples, but said “Homosexuals have suspected terrorists can be jailed up to 24 the country. measure carried enough safeguards to a right to be a part of the family. They ing the environment, migration, pov- On the other hand, conservative critics days without a warrant. discourage abuse by law enforcers. are children of God and have a right to erty, inequality, and discrimination. within the church hierarchy, who have for The new measure also met intense oppo- a family,” in his interview with Evgeny years accused Francis of diluting church The new law also authorizes the An- sition from several sectors when Duterte Unlike the Human Security Act, the Afineevsky. “Nobody should be thrown “What we have to create is a civ- doctrine, saw the remarks as a reversal of ti-Money Laundering Council to freeze certified it as urgent and as the House of current anti-terrorism law has a provision out, or be made miserable because of it.” il union law,” he said. “That church teaching. Some have publicly at- assets and bank accounts of individuals Representatives deliberated the contro- that allows the state to tackle foreign way they are legally covered.” tacked him, even accusing him of heresy. or groups tagged as terrorists. versial measure. fighters more effectively, Esperon said. As pope, he never publicly endorsed civ- isolated overseas Filipino workers who all of the reported OFWs are also await- to the need of our OFWs because of the shoulder everything, but there should at persons in hospitals now who are badly OFWs in are residing in Saudi Arabia have report- ing unpaid wages by their employers. sheer size, the lockdowns, and also the least be a contribution from the govern- in need of blood transfusions like cancer edly resorted to selling and donating their lack of manpower. And, unfortunately, ment.” Upon asked where the money will patients, accident victims, people with blood in order to buy basic necessities. our POLO office has been shut down be- be sourced, Villar said perhaps it may be blood disorders, mothers who are giving Saudi Arabia The workers used to be employed in a According to the Department of Foreign cause there are 16 infected of COVID-19 included in the General Appropriations birth, and so many others, and with a lim- restaurant which was shutted down due Affairs – Office of the Undersecretary Act (GAA). ited supply of blood nationwide, we are to the COVID-19 pandemic. for Migrant Workers Affairs or the in danger of running out,” he said. sell their DFA-OUMWA, Sauda Arabia has the This is not the first time that stranded most number of stranded Filipinos in OFWs had to donate their blood in order Senator Richard J. Gordon, chairman As stated by "24 Oras reporter" JP Soria- need of repatriation at 88,000. They are to get funds. In 2016, Senator Cynthia and CEO of the Philippine Red Cross, As of now, this is still an on-going issue blood to no that the OFWs sold their blood in ex- currently working on getting the OFWs Villar raised the suggestion for the gov- stressed the need for blood donors and appropriate course of action should change for 500 Riyal or around P6,600. home within two to three months. ernment to put up a blood money fund because the country faces a shortage of be taken. Our fellow Filipinos in Saudi for OFWs who may need it in the future. blood supply, which could place the lives Arabia are living in scarcity and one survive of patients, including accident victims, way to help them is to inform others of One of the OFWs expressed that along "The biggest problem in Saudi Arabia is by Sofia Martinez at risk. their current situation or reach out to the with everybody else, they do not have Riyadh alone is bigger than the Philip- She quoted, “We give funds for repatria- officials whom you know that can assist enough funds to be able to buy basic ne- pines," DFA-OUMWA undersecretary tion, legal assistance, why not give funds them. Midway during the prolonged global cessities. Majority had to resort to selling Sarah Arriola said. "So it's very difficult for blood money? This is an emergen- “We need your help. Amid the ongoing lockdown, it was reported that several their blood in order to buy meals. Almost for our foreign service post to respond cy. I’m not saying the government will Covid-19 crisis in our country, there are 4 FEATURE AUG 2020 - APRIL 2021 VOL. LXXII ISSUE NO.1 AUG 2020 - APRIL 2021 VOL. LXXII ISSUE NO.1 FEATURE 5 essential for us to carry out these plans. It feels like a bigger responsibility for Appreciating Keeping us. It is very challenging considering How are you going about balancing SC that this is the first time learning is done duties with academics? through this set-up therefore, we do Creator not have existing experiences on how Now this is not a new question! Before Up With to handle the student body this way. we filed our candidacy for the SCO, we However, we still strive to produce are very much aware about this. And Culture projects for everyone. Since we are even though proper time management the unable to monitor the discipline and well- sounds too common to answer, it really By Angela Faith Dizon being of the Scholasticans because of is the key! We won't deny that we do lack of communication and interaction, encounter difficulties especially with the the cooperation of everyone is very You just finished the first module for the adjustments at hand but we are learning Student important and much more needed during and discovering a pace comfortable day and decided to jump straight into the this time. We trust that everyone will still for us to do our tasks. We discipline hourly break. Engulfed in comfy clothes, practice and embody our school's virtues. the light breeze of the fan and imagination, ourselves in providing time spaces for academic works and SCO duties. We are a hasty scroll through the Internet was Council What are the tasks given to you? the go-to relaxation stop. Until the also very thankful to receive guidance by Hannah Fenella Bacosa and #walangpasok topic fell in the Trending from our moderator & from one another. Sophia Kaila Mindalano We want the presence of the Student Tab and the spiral of never-ending Council to be visible which is why we information oblivion and emotional And lastly, words of encouragement from Being a leader isn’t easy. It isn’t a role are encouraged to plan activities that intensity finally began. Leaving the other our honorable Student Council! that anyone could fulfill. It takes a lot of can be done in this online set-up and are modules untouched for another day.