World Day of the Sick

By +Oscar V. Cruz D. D.

Even the most powerful and influential political leader has an ending. There is eventually a closing chapter to the reign of but a mortal figure be this glorious or ignominious. A period is eventually written even to a fairy tale. This is a truism in the life of lowly laborers to that of heads of state. Their coffins may be different. Their graves can be marked or unmarked. But they are all equally dead, burned or buried, finished and done.

The most recent World Day for the Sick annually observed by the Church is directly addressed to both the ill and the healthy. It is in either category that humanity as a whole may be divided. The sick are reminded that God is nearer to them precisely because they need him more. The healthy are advised to care for the sick, to pray for them, to value their own health.
Read more

Ms. Ric
12 Feb 2007

Circumventing the law to fit their needs is another way these politicians are mocking the very institution they are supposed to be defending. We’re all singing the need for educated votes, but are the voters getting the education? They are getting fed a one sided propaganda.

Sunday Punch does a decent job educating the public on some of these would be politicos. Granted that sometimes it’s a one sided commentary, but at least it’s something. But what happens when our common voter can’t even afford the newspaper? Are they left to rely on what they hear from these politicos when they’re out shaking hands with the masses or giving their vaunted speeches? Why can’t COMELEC or the catholic church come up with a way of putting together a pamphlet containing all local to national would be politicos’ exposé: biography, voting records, accomplishments or lack thereof, kept or broken promises, and any scandal they’ve been proven to be a part of.

To keep things fair, give these same people the same space and a chance to counter, defend, or sell their ideals. Distribute these to the people. And to cover the non-readers, the Catholic Church should step up and have their volunteers read in barangay propers. Public broadcasting through TV and radios should also take place. Inundate the people with FREE and RELIABLE information. PLEASE educate the voters.

Rafael L. Oriel, Jr.
12 Feb 2007

Mr. Carrera, of course, I know what I am talking about in my posting dated Feb. 8th but I am not sure if you and Mr. Delfin understood it. Actually, it is plain and simple and really does not need any further explanation because it is self-explanatory but based on your responses, both of you sounded like you did not understand it at all. Either that or you and Mr. Delfin are just trying to evade the real issue, as always, by twisting it through your responses to mislead others.

Fortunately, Filipinos are getting smarter now than you think. Mr. Carrera, in my previous posting, it is very clear that I was talking about truthfulness and fairness of opinions being shared in Punch Forum. I was not talking about running a country or about corruptions that are happening in the country which is contrary to what you and Mr. Delfin are talking about in your responses. I think both of you are totally confused and confusing to others.

Both of you seem to have extreme and irrational distrust of PGMA. You are being blinded by your baseless or excessive suspicion of her motives as President. I think it is a total paranoia, if you ask me. For some unknown reasons, you do not want PGMA to be successful in moving the country forward even for the sake of the country and its people.

Anybody who understood my previous posting will know quite easily that the real issue is not the presidency of PGMA. The real issue is about the untruthfulness and unfairness of the opinion of Mr. Delfin. His statement that GMA could not even run a McDonald or 7-11 franchise is totally ridiculous and untrue.

I agree with Mr. Concepcion’s statement that GMA does possess what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur. Running a McDonald or 7-11 franchise is all about entrepreneurship. There are even greater possibilities that higher qualifications are required to run a McDonald or 7-11 franchise than to run for President of the Philippines. What an irony if that happens to be true?

Mr. Delfin, if you are really seriously thinking of buying a Brooklyn Bridge, do not ask me because you are asking the wrong guy. You should talk to those who specialize in misleading other people or to those who enjoy taking advantage of the naivety of others or to those who have the balls not to tell the truth, pretending to care when in fact they really do not give a damn. These are the kinds of people who will be willing and more than happy to sell you the bridge. Fair enough?

A Right and a Responsibility

With only about three months left to voting day, election fever is on the rise. There is no escaping it. Telltale signs are everywhere.

Television ads by official candidates and posturing wannabes, feigning as advocacy drives, are filling up the airwaves. Campaign posters-cum-calendar have started to mushroom on electric posts and open walls. Everyone is scrambling for exposure. Politicians and machineries are definitely hard at work.

But in the midst of all these, streamers have also been hoisted in Catholic churches all over the country, including here in vote-rich Pangasinan, with the message: “Walang hihingi. Walang tatanggap.”

Now that is a very welcome sight because it signals an involvement and it summons an awakening to responsibility.

As the banners indicate, it is an initiative of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), a national movement headed by the Catholic laity. The PPCRV is undeniably political, but it does aim to be non-partisan. And that is an example that will serve all other churches and religions well. Let’s maintain the separation of church and state; we must keep that boundary sacred. But church members, who are first and foremost citizens of this nation, do not have to be politically apathetic.
Read more

What’s in it for young leaders?

By Ermin Garcia Jr.

If Alaminos Mayor Hernani Braganza makes good on his word to quit public life once and for all, then he will make it to the Guinness World Record as the first and youngest Filipino public official to give up politics at a time when politicians are willing not only to spend millions but to kill and be killed over elective positions!

Still, his reason for turning around and simply walking away is refreshing as it is shocking! He says he’s frustrated and disgusted with the way our political leaders are shaping our political development.

If it’s any consolation to him and to many of us, his reason for turning his back on a promising political career is admirable at the very least. But inversely, it’s the same reason that people pray would keep honest and sincere public servants to stay in office to keep the fight for good governance alive.
Read more

Alex De Guzman
6 Feb 2007

I always read Sunday Punch News in the internet and I’m very happy about it. I came from a little island in Dagupan City name Salapingao East. Reason why I e-mail you is, if you can help me have the e-mail address of Dagupan Golf and Beach Club… or whoever is the president now.

Thank you so much. I live in New York and also belong to Fraternal Brotherhood “Mason” here in New York.

(You may send email to Mr. Dennis Canto at d_can2@yahoo.com)

The incumbent ‘under dog’

By Gerry Garcia

OSCAR Lambino, provincial chairman of Administration party LAKAS-CMD, is also the incumbent Vice Governor of the province . . . by which position, as gleaned from party Boss Speaker JdV’s recent enunciation of the “doctrine of the equity of the incumbent” as the party’s ruling principle in its choice of party bets, he has the edge over all his rivals for the top post in the coming May elections.

If this is the guiding rule of the party in the choice of candidates for governors, congressmen and mayors all over the country, no one, much less the party boss himself could say the province could be an exception to the rule simply because the wife of the incumbent governor, Dr. Jamie Eloise Manzano, is considering running for the post. Vice Gov. Oscar Lambino, who is an incumbnet official, is rabidly emphatic about this, saying Jamie is only the wife of the incumbent governor, but not a member of LAKAS-CMD.
Read more

JDV’s solomonic wisdom needed

By Jun Velasco

WHY is there too much madness in elections?

Take a look. Running for public office these days is no longer governed by the old rules where talent, merit, and well, experience were rewarded with victory.

Mind you, a sizable public have become cynical about the elections, they’d even  mock it by selling their votes saying after all they won’t  profit from it —  or worse, the nation won’t  profit from it and so  while there’s hay, take a bite of the meat.

Someone asked: at what point of our history did the three G’s (guns, goons and gold) begin to rule Philippine elections?      

And there’s a new one, cheat. So what kind of game are we playing, gentlemen and ladies?
Read more

Mita C. De Guzman
12 Feb 2007

Hello to my relatives in Dagupan City. My regards to my family Dela Cruzes... Atchie Linda, Madyline, Michael… and wife and husband, Merly Suarez and Joe… Kuya Ruben and Atchie Gilda dela Cruz Family.

I miss you all! More power to everyone, God bless.