Stand Firm for Democracy, Courageously oppose Tyranny

‘(We are) born with all (our) rights. (We are) born as free as the bird that sings among the branches of the trees, free as the air that gives us life, the plant that perfumes the valleys with the aroma of its flowers, like the stars and all other creatures. We are born with the right to think freely and express our thoughts (and) the obligation to defend these liberties for which God has given (us) heart and strength.’

(Monsignor Gregorio L. Aglipay, Fundamental Epistle VI, 1903)

We are disturbed by the alarming events emerging in our country. Before our very eyes unfolds the horrendous extent of police brutality unleashed upon peaceful demonstrators who only assert their legitimate and inalienable right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. The policy of the state of abandoning maximum tolerance in the stead of the calibrated preemptive response is a repressive act that violates the indispensable democratic rights of our people.

Together with the numerous unsolved cases of killings and intimidations of activists and mass leaders in various regions of the country that are widely believed to be the handiworks of the military, the situation clearly points to an ever-increasing situation of violence, worsening political repression and human rights violations in the Philippines under the tentacles of a state-military bureaucracy.

The situation makes us plainly see the certainty of martial law, laying bare its dreadful face and bare iron hands to repress our people.

In the not-so-distant past, these harsh realities had been the fares of the Filipino people. The ruthlessness of martial rule still lingers in the hearts and minds of those who survived the Marcos dictatorship. What we have witnessed in the last few days were not mere nightmares of the past but actual savage acts committed by men in uniform upon harmless citizens. These are indications of a return bout of that ugly phase in our nation’s history and our collective life as a people.

We are disheartened to see that President Arroyo has opted to thread the same path of the Marcos dictatorship. She has betrayed our people by curtailing their freedom to express themselves without fear of persecution. In the midst of this situation – with the state violating the basic tenet that governs a democratic society – that is the primacy of civilian interest and welfare over the military - the people have the right to defend themselves and protect their democratic rights and civil liberties as citizens of the country.

Never again should we allow the mantle of martial rule engulf our nation and seize democracy. We have once withstood the brutality of the powerful and the mighty in order to restore democratic institutions in this country and to gain back our individual and collective basic human rights. We should not allow again these hard earned victories to be stolen once more by the very people we have placed into positions of power and authority.

People of God, stand firm for democracy and courageously oppose tyranny. ‘Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery’ (Galatians 5. 1). Let us denounce in the strongest possible terms the escalating political repression in the country, to remain vigilant against tyranny and terrorism of the state and the military, and to resist military infringement of civilian authority.

In Christ our Peace,

X THE RT. REVD. EPHRAIM S. FAJUTAGANA
General Secretary

10th October 2005
City of Manila

Firmly Stand Up For What Is Just, Noble And True

‘Stand firmly for things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely and honorable’ (Philippians 4.8)

We, bishops of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente, have come together in prayer and reflection to ask the Holy Spirit for the gift of wisdom that we may conscientiously and responsibly respond to the crises that beset our country in the light of our Christian faith and hope. In these trying times, when the shadows of doubt and despair cast their pangs into the hearts of our people, we take a stand on issues confronting the nation that we may help our people discern and do what is just, noble and true.

Our nation today is suffering from worsening economic and political maladies. The division among the country’s elite is intensifying and exacerbated by the mad scramble for greater hold on economic and political power. The majority of our people continue to wallow in poverty brought about by increasing prices of commodities, additional taxes and widespread graft and corruption. This sad plight of the poor is further aggravated by the suppression of their democratic rights with the aggressive emergence of state fascism in the country.

We lament the fact that the present crises rob our people of decent life as individuals, genuine democracy as a people, and sovereign right as a nation.

We ask our people to find strength in the assuring love of the Spirit and offer themselves in prayer to discern God’s will for them in these critical times. Humbly reflect upon the message of the gospel and courageously hold on to the hope that we have in Christ, and, armed with strong conviction, continue to labor until the day when just peace and prosperity dawn in our country.

We also ask President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to carefully read the signs of the times. Our times call for a president whose right to govern the nation is founded on the highest standard of morality and whose integrity and credibility to make rightful decisions can never be compromised with a lapse in judgment. Our people have weighed you and have found you wanting, and are now calling you to step down, Madam President.

We are therefore asking President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to take the patriotic duty to step down from the presidency to spare our country from the agony of further dissent and division and to give way for the establishment of a democratic government that can truly unite and represent our people. The Filipino people deserve a president and a government that will truly uphold their aspiration, promote and protect their wellbeing, and bring about a country that is genuinely independent and democratic.

We firmly believe that the present crises can be overcome by the goodness of the human heart and that a brighter tomorrow awaits our nation and people. In the light of our Christian faith and love for the motherland, we join the voices of the multitude clamoring for genuine social change, and urge all the faithful and the Filipino people to persist in the journey towards just peace, democracy and sovereignty.

Pro Deo et Patria,

RT REVD EPHRAIM S. FAJUTAGANA
Secretary, Supreme Council of Bishops

MOST REVD ALBERTO B. RAMENTO
Chairperson, Supreme Council of Bishops

19th day of July 2005

Obispado Maximo

An Appeal For President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo To Step Down

‘A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor.’ (Proverbs 28. 16)

God has given every person the gift of reason and understanding to make sound judgment and decisions. It is a gift bequeathed to humankind to advance their lot and pursue the progress of human society. Monsignor Aglipay has attested to this when he said that ‘we are born with the right to think freely and to express our thoughts according to the light of reason which God has endowed us… as long as we do not usurp the freedom of others and violate their rights’. Reason, however, is in no way to be selfishly used by anybody to appropriate undue profit for himself or herself.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s admission of committing a ‘lapse in judgment’ by talking to a COMELEC official during the last elections comprises an act of impropriety that casts doubts on the legitimacy of her ascendancy to power. While President Arroyo asked for an apology and pleaded for forgiveness, we believe that the Filipino people deserve more than these. The people require her to step down from office as just penance for the transgression she has committed. A president whose mandate is being doubted and whose ascendancy to power are being questioned has no moral authority to govern. The Filipino people, above all, have the right to exercise their sovereign power over a president whom they no longer trust.

We join the people’s clamor for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to resign from the presidency. In this time when our country is deeply embroiled in crisis, what we need is a president with unquestionable integrity and credibility, and whose competence to make rightful decisions can never be compromised with a ‘lapse in judgment’. The scripture warns us that a leader who can compromise sound judgment for personal gain cannot be trusted. ‘A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor’ (Proverbs 28. 16).

We beseech the Almighty to give President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo the courage to face the consequences of her action, enough reason to make a judicious decision for the good of the Filipino people, and the goodness of heart to peacefully leave Malacanang.

Pro Deo et Patria,

+ THE MOST REVD GODOFREDO J. DAVID
Obispo Maximo

30th June 2005

City of Manila

Firmly Stand Up For What Is Just, Noble And True

An Open Letter to President Gloria-Macapagal-Arroyo

‘I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.’ (3 John 1.4)

We seek certainty, Madam President, over the many events that are unfolding in our country that is under your watch. We are alarmed by the state of political anarchy - characterized by state repression, bureaucratic corruption and collapse of democratic institutions – that is fast becoming a grave threat to the cause of justice and peace in the country.

The way you have turned a blind eye at the killings of many activist mass leaders in broad daylight has deeply disturbed us. We wonder at your manifest disregard to the desecration of civil liberties and democratic rights in the country. You are also aware of the senseless killings of church people. We were waiting for you to condemn these killings and to order the impartial and thorough investigations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines after allegations that the military were behind these slaughters. We were instead surprised when you pampered the military with more power by the imposition of draconian measures such as the National ID System and Anti-Terrorism Bill.

Are we right to think that a military state is aggressively emerging and an undeclared state of martial law is being imposed upon our people? Are we right to consider the inclusion of churches and church organizations in the military’s list of ‘communist fronts’ and ‘enemies of the state’ as chilling indications of a growing state fascism in the country?

The testimony about the connections of your husband and your son with jueteng syndicates, Madam President, is a major scandal. The involvement of other prominent political figures and police officers reflect the condemnable degree of fraudulence in the government and police institution. This is clearly an issue of bureaucratic corruption. Should we now begin to doubt your efforts to put a stop to jueteng operations in the country? Should we believe that the illegal numbers game continues to proliferate because its operation involves individuals who are close to you?

The controversy over your alleged recorded conversation with a certain ‘Gary’, Madam President, underlines anew the accusation that you have cheated your way to the presidency. This puts to question the validity of your electoral mandate. We believe that this allegation speaks not only against your election but also of what our people think about the bankruptcy of the country’s political system. How can you stop people from having doubts that you have really used government resources in your campaign, rampantly manipulated and rigged the election’s results to secure your victory, and used terror tactics against your political rivals and progressive party lists?

Madam President, our people are scourged by the tyranny of violence and our country is drenched with the blood of the innocents. Plunder and corruption continue to impoverish our people. Personal and insatiable greed for political power thwarts democratic processes. These situations cannot but deserve the indignation of the Filipino people. The people are increasingly showing a militant posture over your administration’s unrealised promises to institute good governance and meaningful socio-economic and socio-political reforms. The mounting call for you to step down or to oust you from office, Madam President, on account of the reasons stated above, is fast becoming a popular people’s option.

Do not get mistaken, Madam President, of our intention for bringing these up to you. We speak in behalf of the Filipino people who aspire for the establishment of a truly democratic government in the country where their interests can truly be heard and served. We have taken this sincere effort to learn the truth from you. The signs of the times are telling us that the situation could get worse should we fall into silence and do not assert that which is just. We ask you to be kind enough to warrant our endeavour with your attention and answer.

Madam President, we in the Iglesia Filipina Independiente will always remember you in our prayers, asking God to help you find courage in your heart to firmly stand up for what is just, noble and true.

Pro Deo et Patria,

+ THE MOST REVD GODOFREDO J. DAVID
Obispo Maximo

12th of June 2005

Obispado Maximo