Stand Point

If there is one way to describe President Duterte is that he can be consistent. I am not talking about his political agenda or economic plan, but about his recent statement calling God stupid. Saying those words is consistent with how his administration treated people. His lack of respect towards God is seen in his actions and policies. The outrage that many people felt following his tirade against God and the Catholic Church is valid. We hear about those who denounced Duterte as blasphemous while others were strong to defend the account of Adam and Eve in Genesis.

All the world’s a stage
And all the men and women merely players.
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts

RODRIGO R. Duterte’s presidency has altered and controlled the public discourse so radically in its favor in ways rude and bold. One tragic result: it has restricted and narrowed the celebrated freedom of the Philippine press and the people’s cherished right to know.

As lawyers, we are duty bound, under oath, to be dispensers of justice and as Filipinos, we are morally and historically bound to struggle and protect our freedom and dignity as a people and as a nation.

I am Jerome Succor Aba. I am a Muslim human rights worker from Mindanao, NOT a terrorist.

Statement of National Union of Journalists of the Philippines condemning Army’s attempt to bar Davao Today’s reporter, Kath M. Cortez, from covering Marawi protest released on March 31, 2018.

We appeal to you to let Marawi be rebuilt the way our ancestors did: one house at a time, one masjid at a time. One village at a time. We welcome those who are willing to help us in this endeavor, for the challenges are daunting and the costs are high. We appeal though that please help us rebuild according to our will in pursuit of the will of Allah (swt). Stand with us, help us, please, be one of us.

Year after year, the rituals of Holy Week will come and go. But how have they transform us? Perhaps this year, as we go about the rituals and liturgies, we could make a difference if we try to listen to the voices of those crying for justice, to cross the borders of difference and animosity, and to walk the paths of the people closest to Jesus heart: the poor and the sinner.

To express one’s dissent is of course not the ultimate solution to everything, but it is incorrect to dismiss it as useless. It is only when we talk that we generate better ideas; it is only when we generate better ideas that we create better policies; it is only when better policies are created that we, our actions are better directed.

Speech of Bro. Carlito “Karl” Gaspar, Ph.D., one of this years’ Datu Bago Awardees, during the conferment ceremony on March 13, 2018 held at the Royal Mandaya Hotel in Davao City. The award is the highest honor given by the local government of Davao City to its outstanding constituents.