Understanding the ‘Catholic vote’

Many people will liken the notion of a “Catholic vote” to the alleged bloc vote of the Iglesia Ni Cristo. First, we must explain what it is not. The Catholic vote is not a bloc vote according to the dictates of the clergy. It would not be acceptable for the bishops and priests to dictate [...]

When religion turns political

As a student of society, I see religion primarily as a form of communication. In simple societies, it may often permeate all of everyday life, making it difficult to say what belongs to religion and what does not. As societies become more complex, they develop other ways of talking about the world that do not [...]

Despite Comelec purge, 2013 party-list race to be dominated by rich and influential

Despite the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) aggressive purging of party-list hopefuls seeking congressional seats in the 2013 elections, some groups linked to individuals who can hardly be described as belonging to the marginalized and underrepresented were able to make it to the list. No less than Comelec chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. had expressed disappointment with [...]

Prelate says no such thing as ‘Catholic vote’

Archbishop Jose Palma of Cebu, president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, today said there is no such thing as a “Catholic vote” in the country. The prelate’s statement came after another Church leader urged Filipinos to use their “religious beliefs in rejecting candidates who are not following the Church’s teachings.” Archbishop Ramon [...]

Catholics not only vote, they rule

Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles, who is also the vice chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Family and Life of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has urged the faithful to use the “Catholic vote” in choosing their leaders in the 2013 elections. But first, he should have been clear on the definition of [...]

HRW slams Aquino over paramilitaries

Little has been done to disarm and demobilize militias and paramilitary forces three years after the massacre of 58 people in the province of Maguindanao, Human Rights Watch said today. “Three years since the horrors of the Maguindanao massacre, the trial crawls along, half of the suspects remain at large, and the victims’ families still [...]

Vietnam: PM told to resign over economic failings

Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung received a rare call to resign yesterday from a member of the National Assembly in the latest challenge to his increasingly embattled premiership. Deputy Doung Trung Quoc of southern Dong Nai province told the prime minister it was time for action rather than words after a series of apologies [...]

Speaker to anti-RH solons: Stop delaying process

Let’s decide on the RH Bill once and for all, Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte Jr said as Congress resumes sessions Monday November 5. “We made the bill palatable to the critics and I hope they would stop delaying the proceedings because this is a very important piece of legislation,” Belmonte said. “We should decide on [...]

All Saints and All Souls Day: A reflection

It’s All Saints and All Souls Day again, but this time it has a political twist, as it is already election season. So if there’s any political candidate who will be campaigning today in our seaports, bus terminals or airports or worse in the cemeteries, this should warn you not to vote for that unscrupulous [...]

Church: Undas is for prayer, not politics

Parish priests will not take off 2013 candidates’ posters and streamers in cemeteries but politicians should respect what the holidays are for, a church official said. Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines’ media office director Pedro Quitorio reminded politicians on Monday to keep cemetery grounds free from campaign materials, often seen displayed in grave sites [...]

Bangladesh: Report claims 97 percent of lawmakers are corrupt

The government said yesterday it would take legal action against parliamentarians suspected of corruption  following a report alleging rampant graft, particularly among lawmakers from the ruling Awami League. A warning came from Information Minister Hasanul Haque Inu after Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) issued a report on Sunday which alleged that 97 percent of parliament members [...]

Masbate priest running in 2013 polls suspended from priestly duties

A Catholic priest running for governor of Masbate in the 2013 elections was suspended from his priestly duties after choosing politics over priesthood, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines said Wednesday. Masbate Bishop Jose Bantolo said Fr. Leo Casas, 37, was suspended from his functions and powers as a priest effective October 1. “All [...]

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