Commentary

Pope's Publisher Defends Benedict XVI's Condom Remarks

Vox Bikol — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 18:40:01 +0000

The Great Condom Debate has entered Round Two. Now it looks like Pope Benedict XVI has really said something he has never said before. That would be news.

Barangay: Grassroots Democracy or Clan Politics?

Vox Bikol — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 00:40:04 +0000

Effectively empowered and mobilized to deliver basic services, the country's 42,025 barangays can serve as the community-based engines for democratic governance and development.

Don't Fear the Dead – CBCP Official

Vox Bikol — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 21:49:35 +0000

MANILA, Oct.30, 2010- An official of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines lamented the popularity of the Halloween and horror movies, saying it threatened to overshadow the Christian festival of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day.

First 100 Days: No Fundamental Reforms Against Corruption

Vox Bikol — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 18:06:06 +0000

"The drive against corruption will only gain momentum if there is real accountability, especially of the biggest crooks in government. The Aquino administration concretely can set the tone for this by going after former president Arroyo and her many big and small cronies, in her family and among her allies," Jose Enrique Africa, Ibon Foundation research head, said.

Aquino’s 'straight path' a Work in Progress

Vox Bikol — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 04:34:00 +0000

Media attention has largely concentrated on President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III's detailed allegations in his first State of the Nation Address of extravagance and profligacy in Gloria Arroyo's administration

The "expose" has been the subject of many column inches since the speech to the 15th Congress on Monday and little is to be gained by devoting more cyber space to issue.

Impunity's Roots

Vox Bikol — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 13:50:03 +0000

IMPUNITY - OR exemption from punishment - has been correctly called a culture, a way of doing things to which a particular community has become accustomed. It is almost inevitably mentioned as the primary reason why journalists and political activists continue to be killed in the Philippines, where a culture of impunity has indeed taken root. But it also applies with equal validity to the killing of nearly everyone else, especially the poor and powerless. Few murders in this country are ever really solved, with the perpetrators and masterminds being arrested, tried and punished.

AFP Modernization, What's the Score?

Vox Bikol — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 01:27:14 +0000

The Philippines was second to none in military might among countries in Southeast Asia, but that was long, long time ago.

Today, by twist of fate, the Philippines found itself at the bottom, gasping for breath trying to save whatever it could on its remaining aging aircraft and warships in its arsenal.

Church Has a Role in Solving Red Shirt Crisis

Vox Bikol — Sun, 23 May 2010 20:36:36 +0000

The recent violence in Bangkok is a result of the injustice and disenfranchisement suffered by a large section of Thai society for decades, says a lay Catholic social activist.

Rungtip Imrungruang, who works with ActionAid Thailand says that in such a scenario, the Church has a role to play beyond merely doing charity work.

ASIA - Time is Ripe to Follow Ricci's Lead

Vox Bikol — Sat, 15 May 2010 15:12:04 +0000

BANGKOK (UCAN) - May 11th is the 400th anniversary of the death of Matteo Ricci (Li Madou) the legendry Jesuit who was born in 1552 and died in 1610. His life and the example of his approach to China have been a matter of constant fascination, study and research, not least in the last six months with three international conferences - in Taipei, Paris and San Francisco -assessing his significance.

Has the Country Achieved a Clean, Honest, and Democratic Elections?

Vox Bikol — Sat, 15 May 2010 15:05:44 +0000

MANILA - Despite the long queues and the glitches of some PCOS machines, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is all too happy that the first automated elections pushed through without the failure of elections, the no proclamation, or massive disenfranchisement scenarios being predicted by election watchdogs and government critics. By 10 p.m. of May 10, Comelec Chairman Jose Melo could barely conceal the smile on his face when he was reading out the unofficial tabulated election results, a mere three hours after voting precincts have been declared officially closed.

Inadequate Budget Starving the Country's Health System

Vox Bikol — Mon, 10 May 2010 09:50:13 +0000

MANILA - Although the government claims to do its best in improving health services for the people, the dire working conditions of nurses and doctors and the diminishing health budget speak of a moribund healthcare system. As if this is not enough, the Arroyo administration is even tolerating the harassment of community health workers who only wanted to serve the underprivileged in far flung areas.

Bishops and Philippine Elections

Vox Bikol — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 21:56:54 +0000

The CBCP has always felt the local Church has to play a strong role in turning elections into a vehicle of social change. So in the coming May 10 elections, what do bishops think are the changes most needed today?

'Being Neutral Means Standing for Justice'

Vox Bikol — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 20:49:14 +0000

In Thai society, religion is seen as unrelated to politics. The current political conflict is destroying our society and divided the people, but religious organizations are passive about it. "Being neutral" is seen as not doing anything - which is wrong.

To be neutral means standing on the side of justice. If we are the judge and our children are accused, we listen to all the facts, then we have to dare to judge our children and, if necessary, punish them without any bias because justice is not neutral.