Shedding the Light of Truth on Current Philippine Realities

SHEDDING THE LIGHT OF TRUTH ON CURRENT PHILIPPINE REALITIES:

RECOVERING THE SPIRIT OF DR. JOSE RIZAL’S NOLI ME TANGERE:

REJECTING MORAL CORRUPTION, PROMOTING MORAL VIRTUE

February 22, 2011

The Social Cancer in Rizal’s Time and in Our Time

In 1886 our national hero Dr. José Rizal wrote his immortal Noli Me Tangere. In his introduction to the novel he affirmed that he aimed to raise a part of the veil covering the social cancer that was causing Philippine society to sink ever deeper into colonial bondage, ignorance, disease, and destitution. This social cancer was a pernicious socio-economic and political system that fed on the ignorance, incompetence, corruption, and hypocrisy of a critical mass of the Spanish colonialists and their native collaborators who ruled the Philippines at that time.

Today our country is in a similar situation. Under the rule of an administration that promised to take the path of righteousness and reform, our country and our people are suffering from a social cancer like that denounced by Rizal. Because of that social cancer, the life of ordinary Filipinos—the middle class and especially the poor--is not any better, and in fact is becoming more difficult and more dangerous. Even the rich are less and less secure in their persons and possessions.

Why have conditions in our country come to be this way? Things have become this way because the leaders of the political establishment who control the government of our country today are guilty of incompetence and corruption. Deceitfully concealed by ostentatious pronouncements dripping with hypocrisy, they unintentionally and unwillingly reveal their incompetence and corruption by their use of evasive discourse and inconsistent attempts an explanation.

This incompetence and corruption is not just in terms of specific areas of governance. It has gone to the point of wantonly manipulating the electoral institutions and processes which are the very foundation of the democratic way of life that our people have chosen, in order to maintain the illusion of a massive and uncontestable electoral mandate.

Incompetence of the Administration

The incumbent administration has revealed itself as incompetent. It gravely mishandled the Luneta hostage crisis of August 2010. Its bizarre moves in foreign affairs have unnecessarily offended Taiwan while earning the contempt of China. This administration is unable to contain the increasing incidence of crime that now kills and injures even the wealthy. It cannot capture high profile persons wanted by the law, who are just hiding within the country. In relation to the peace negotiations with extremist insurgent groups, it has granted them unwarranted concessions that have gravely weakened the negotiating position of the government. The recent capture of top CPP and NPA leaders was achieved by conscientious and competent elements within the AFP and the PNP, not because of, but rather in spite of the thrust of this administration’s policy in relation to the insurgencies.

The societal damage inflicted by the incompetence of the political establishment running the government is worsened by a mean, petty, self-righteous, and mentally dishonest attitude and mode of actuation, typically seen in their divisive treatment of the officer corps of the AFP and the PNP, and the intelligence community as well, reducing the effectiveness of these institutions. This mean, petty, dishonest, and self-righteous attitude is shown by their repudiating or dismantling of even the good policies and programs of past administrations, and attempting to take credit for some of the achievements of these past administrations.

Corruption of the Administration

This administration has shown itself to be corrupt, and with that corruption they are burdening our people with more hardship. This corruption is shown in many ways. One is the coddling of incompetent persons who were given high government positions, and when unable to perform up to standards, are retained in their positions or sent abroad for schooling in the knowledge and skills of the job they were appointed to. Foisting upon the people a government by improvisation, which spends the

people’s money to no good result, is indeed corruption. Then there is the rampant smuggling in major ports outside the Metro Manila. Its increasing the size of the graft-ridden pork barrel is of a piece with its other corrupt practices.

In addition, jueteng remains rampant as ever, and will soon be concealed under the guise of the so-called Loterya. This is not surprising since one of the high officials being coddled by the top person of this administration has been caught by the Senate dealing with a top jueteng magnate, after an attempt by a blatant lie to deny any such contact. Lately information has surfaced of public officials belonging to the ruling party engaging in illegal logging, often in collusion with insurgent forces,

ironically with the toleration of an administration that claims to have taken the righteous path.

There is also the matter of gifts of intimate personal favors and expensive cars. Receiving these is indeed corruption, as willy-nilly these will affect decisions on public policies and appointments. The moral culpability of receiving these favors and gifts forbidden by law is worsened by evasiveness and inconsistent explanations as to the real source and motive of these favors and gifts.

Moreover this administration, supposed to be a paragon of honesty, has appointed to head the COMELEC a person reputed to be one of the handful of most crooked election-fixing lawyers in this country. In one of his first public pronouncements this Chairman of the COMELEC made the unconscionable proposal to purchase the PCOS machines from Smartmatic, for an amount that COMELEC insiders describe as a huge overprice. One would think that when this self-righteous administration came to power, the days of tongpats were over, but obviously this is not the case.

The Administration and the Grave Crime of Manipulating the Electoral System

Arguably the most serious crime of this administration and its enablers is the manipulation—partly consummated, partly ongoing—of electoral institutions and processes. This crime strikes at the heart of the real democracy that the Filipino people aspire for. This administration is deliberately concealing the grave anomalies in the May 2010 elections, to convey the impression that it has an indisputable, massive, or landslide mandate. It is moving to put the COMELEC under its control through the appointment as Chairman or Commissioners of persons who are tainted by corruption or are unsuitable because of partisan connections with the appointing authority.

This administration’s manipulation of the electoral system has prominent elements of disrespect for the rule of law. Take for example its silence and inaction in the face of grave violations of election laws by the COMELEC, pointed out in clear and vehement terms by prominent members of the information and communications technology community and of civil society, and even by some well-known pro-administration figures. The consummated manipulation of the electoral system, in large part perpetrated electronically on a massive scale, with at least the acquiescence of the present administration, is an ethical enormity that dwarfs the evil of the “Hello, Garci” episode, because it allowed and will allow fraud on a gigantic scale and in a manner difficult to detect and even more difficult to rectify by the vast majority of ordinary citizens who are unacquainted with information and communications technology and the nefarious workings of many COMELEC officials.

Moral Corruption and Hypocrisy of the Present Administration

Perhaps the most lamentable fault of this administration, reminiscent of the Pharisees of biblical notoriety, is hypocrisy. This administration has deliberately cultivated a pretended image of personal honesty, integrity, and competence, while concealing much dishonesty, corruption, and incompetence. It has become very much like the whitened sepulchers castigated in the Bible. This concealment is in some cases abetted, in other cases unknowingly aided, by media outlets and practitioners. Some of the latter are complicit in deceit, others are mesmerized by the illusion of virtue projected by the regime, and still others are insufficiently informed.

The Catholic bishops of the Philippines, in a pastoral letter issued last January 30, 2011, rightly condemned “moral corruption,” in the sense of gross disrespect toward authentic human values and Filipino cultural values regarding human life. The present administration, elected on a promise of righteousness, of reform, of putting an end to corruption, is also guilty of a related form of moral corruption, of which hypocrisy is the characteristic feature. This hypocrisy is being acted out by this administration in many ways, including its biased and prejudiced choices of issues and persons to be investigated and prosecuted, on one hand, and to be concealed and protected, on the other hand.

The Present Administration Is Not Delivering on Its Promises

This early in its term, this administration shows clear signs that it cannot deliver on the promise of rooting out corruption and relieving the people of penury and hardship. What this administration is bringing about is mediocre and therefore insufficient aggregate economic growth, deteriorating socio-political conditions, worsening lawlessness, and increased insurgent recruitment and activity.

Under this administration we cannot expect the country to attain economic takeoff toward well-distributed national prosperity. Nor can we expect the country to advance toward attaining our basic securities—such as defense, internal security, food, water, energy--as a nation. Our national life will become even more degraded, for hypocrisy is now added to misgovernment, thus delaying insight and indignation on the part of the citizenry, while more damage is done to our nation. This dangerous trend of events will continue until the time when a critical mass of our citizenry discover that indeed this administration feeds on the social cancer that is draining away the strength and life of our country. God forbid that by that time our citizenry awaken to the harm perpetrated by the incumbent administration, the damage to our country’s viability and prospects for prosperity would be irreversible.

So that Our Nation May Have Abundant Life--Tearing Off the Veil of Hypocrisy and Taking the Road of Sincerity and Truthfulness

As Dr. Jose Rizal did in his own time, let us tear off the veil of this hypocrisy concealing the evils inflicted on our nation, and expose the cancer that gnaws at the vital organs of our society. Let us unite to perform the radical surgery that will excise this social cancer and to begin the restoration of our country’s collective and societal health. It is time that we put an end to the moral corruption of the political establishment. It is time that we inform the public of the real situation of our country and the truth of the public issues being debated in Philippine society today.

Let us accompany our people as they take the road of sincerity and truthfulness, the road that will bring prosperity, health, and education to our nation. Let us rid ourselves of the present death-dealing system, and make our own a kind of politics and governance that works for the common good and therefore gives abundant life to our people . Together let us vigorously promote the honesty, creativity, competence, and perseverance that can instill enthusiasm, discipline, and a strong and deep sense of nation among our people.

For our survival as a nation, for the good of our families and friends, for the future of prosperity and honor that our people deserve, by all means let us end moral corruption by removing the leaders who embody and perpetuate the present system. But more important than that, let us unite to propagate moral virtue by working for a change of system, not just a change of leaders.

Let our united pursuit of justice, truth, and integrity be authentic because we carry out this task comprehensively, and without unwarranted bias and without prejudice. Let us unite in working to carry out thoroughgoing reform not by negative moves rendered harmful by self-aggrandizing grandstanding, but rather by positive and productive moves that while correctly insisting on individual responsibility, nevertheless emphasize institutional and systemic change.

By empowering the marginalized majority of our people, let us help bring about a situation of equal societal power to all citizens. In this way we will carry out a social revolution that will establish and consolidate an authentic democracy—one in which all citizens enjoy formal equality under the law rendered effective for the common good by equality of real societal power.

In sum, let us unite for a Philippines whose people and society are free, prosperous, healthy, educated, and respected in the community of nations.

Unite to Defend Democracy and Build the Nation

Unite to Defend Democracy and Build the Nation !

             Philippine society is in the grip of economic, political, social, and cultural systems that are making our people increasingly miserable and divided. As citizens who love our country and desire the welfare of all our people, it is fitting for us to understand our present societal problems and to take resolute action toward solving these.

Sociohistorical Background

About sixty-six years ago, when the Philippines gained formal political independence, the citizenry were already aware that the country was burdened by severe societal inequities. The latter gave rise to tension and conflict, which soon broke out into armed rebellion.

Time and again the people put their hopes for a secure and abundant life on new leaders whom they thought would lead the country to peace and progress. Each election was seen as an opportunity to bring to power these new leaders.

On a few occasions the people, by massive street mobilizations followed by withdrawal of support by the military from the incumbent leaders, even deposed leaders considered to be corrupt or disrespectful of human rights, and changed them with new leaders who would govern the country in a decisively better way.

The hopes of our people have been shattered. Even well-meaning leaders failed to lead the nation to societal progress and harmony. Their failure was in part because they did not effectively promote the systemic changes that concretely manifest the justice and development that are in turn the preconditions for authentic and enduring societal peace.

        Corruption and opportunism added to the destructive effects of insufficient insight and deficient vision. More and more of our people were dragged into misery and often violent social conflict.

The May 2010 Elections

Our people again looked to the May 2010 elections for a change of leaders that would solve our societal problems. Relying on a new automated election system, they expected the elections to be an honest, efficient, orderly, and credible way of putting in power a new leader who would put an end to corruption and to the poverty that corruption breeds. This new leader was expected to unite the nation, strengthen democracy, serve the common good, and make the country flourish.

         The May 2010 elections and its aftermath have caused deep disappointment among more and more of the people.

The elections turned out to be seriously flawed. A cunningly designed way of manipulating the automated election system to favor parties and candidates willing and able to pay huge sums of money and political favors for a sham victory or margin was stealthily carried out. The electoral body—the Commission on Elections—and its contracted agents severely compromised the objective credibility of the elections by discarding basic security features decreed by law and meant to ensure the integrity of the automated election system. The discarding of the security features enabled the manipulation of the elections. It also points to the intent to commit electronic fraud of a kind and extent that amount to electoral sabotage.

The Characteristics and Acts of the Incumbent Regime

Contrary to the people’s hopes, the regime that emerged from the 2010 elections, behind the façade of an ostentatious pursuit of reforms, has turned out to be hypocritical. It is given to favoritism and arbitrariness in its purported fight against criminality, corruption, incompetence. It often shows itself to be indolent, capricious, and petty. It spends disproportionately large amounts of time and energy harassing and maligning its perceived enemies and cultivating a spuriously good public image. Meantime it neglects to focus on the people’s basic concerns. These include protecting the people from environmental hazards, and preventively remedying a long-impending shortage of electric power by full compliance with the law. Far from uniting the nation, the incumbent regime is further unnecessarily dividing it. Far from serving the common good, it is further harming it.

         Moreover, in the less than two years since it came to power, this incumbent regime has increasingly become either the perpetrator or the enabler of three emergent grave threats to authentic democracy.

First, seizure of state power by the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front, because of a combination of the regime’s ineptness and the opportunistic collusion of many of its high officials.

Second, impunity of the perpetrators of electoral sabotage through electronic fraud, and moves of the incumbent regime to entrench itself indefinitely in power by taking control of the machinery and method of electronic fraud and electoral sabotage, for use in subsequent elections.

The recent issuance by the Supreme Court of a Temporary Restraining Order on the purchase of the Precinct Count Optical Scan machines is an indication of its desire to prevent electronic fraud and electoral sabotage.

Third, wanton disregard of separation of powers and checks and balances in government, in order to perpetuate the immoral retention of huge tracts of landed property and to secure unwarranted political advantage through a judiciary made subservient to the leader of the regime.

Judicial independence remains threatened by the incumbent regime, and must be upheld at all times, more so in the light of the recent final and executory decision of the Supreme Court in the Hacienda Luisita case.

         It is for the foregoing reasons that the incumbent regime has lost our confidence. We are convinced that it cannot and will not effectively lead the nation to a secure and prosperous future. On the contrary, in many important respects the regime is dragging the country into decline.

Resolve, Action, and Appeal

We therefore must act promptly, decisively, and resolutely to stop and to reverse this decline. Consequently we unite in a collective project of societal systemic change that will promote the common good of our country. We unite according to the following principles:

First, the initiative and scope of this project of life-giving transformation is national, and is not limited to Manila.

Second, it has a moral foundation derived from the teachings of the various faith communities in Philippine society, and therefore entails dialogue and cooperation among these faith communities.

Third, its fundamental attitude and method is nonviolent.

Fourth, it aims for change of systems, not just a change of leaders.

Fifth, it affirms and puts into practice civilian supremacy at all times.

Sixth, it recognizes the role of the military as protector of the will of the people.

Seventh, it is morally legitimized by leaders of our faith communities.

Eighth, it draws support and participation from authentic representatives of the farmer, worker, fisherfolk, and other basic sectors of the people.

Ninth, it respects the rights and promotes the legitimate interests of the less numerous religious and ethnic communities.

Tenth, it is open to federalism.

          In response to the three emergent grave threats to authentic democracy perpetrated and promoted by the incumbent regime, we urge the citizenry to undertake the following:  

First, uphold democratic coherence and consistency; reject and rebuke collusion with elements of the extreme right and the extreme left.

Second, uphold the sanctity of the ballot; condemn electoral fraud of all kinds; demand truth and accountability in relation to electoral fraud committed at any time, including the electronic fraud in the 2010 elections.

Third, defend democratic separation of powers and checks and balances; protest against and resist all moves to concentrate the powers of government in a person or a clique.

       We appeal to our fellow citizens to consider the plight of our country and our people, and to join us in our common task of defending democracy and building the nation in accord with the principles and specifications stated above.

         In witness to our adherence to this message, project, and appeal, we hereby affix our signatures hereto, at Talisay City, Cebu, in the evening of 29 April A.D. 2012 and of 8 Jumada al-Akhir A.H. 1433.

Magkaisa upang Ipagtanggol ang Demokrasya at Itatag ang Bansa

Magkaisa upang Ipagtanggol ang Demokrasya at Itatag ang Bansa!

Ang lipunang Pilipino ay gapos ng sistemang pangkabuhayan, pampulitika, panlipunan, at pangkultura na lalong nagpapahirap at nagpapalabanlaban sa ating sambayanan. Bilang mga mamamayang mahal ang ating bansa at hangad ang kapakanan ng buong sambayanan natin, nararapat nating mabatid ang mga suliranin sa lipunan natin at gumawa ng matatag na pagkilos upang malutas ang mga ito.

Karanasan Mula sa Kasaysayang Panlipunan ng Pilipinas

Mahigit-kumulang animnapu’t anim na taong nakakaraan, nang nakamtan ng Pilipinas ang pormal na kasarinlang pulitikal, batid na ng mga mamamayan na pasan ng bansa ang paghihirap na dulot ng matinding kasalatan ng katarungan sa lipunan. Lumikha ito ng tensyon at salungatan, na mabilis humantong sa sandatahang himagsikan.

Paulit-ulit na ipinagkaloob ng sambayanan ang kanilang pag-asa para sa isang matiwasay at masaganang pamumuhay sa mga bagong pinuno na inaakala nila’y maghahatid sa bansa sa kapayapaan at pag-unlad. Ang bawat halalan ay itinuring nila sa pagkakataon na bigyang kapangyarihan ang mga bagong pinunong ito.

May ilang pakakataon din na ang mga mamamayan, sa pamamagitan ng mga maramihang pagkilos sa kalye na sinundan ng pag-urong sa panig ng militar ng pagtaguyod sa mga nanunungkulang pinuno, ay pinatalsik ang mga namumunong ipinapalagay na bulok o lumalabag sa karapatang pantao. Pinalitan ang mga ito ng mga bagong pinuno, na inaasahang mamamahala sa bansa sa talagang higit na mahusay na paraan.

Bigung-bigo ang pag-asa ng ating sambayanan. Kahit na ang mga pinunong ipinapalagay na may mabubuting hangarin ay di nakayanang pamunuan ang bayan tungo sa panlipunan pag-unlad at pagkakasundo. Bahagi ng sanhi ng kanilang kabiguan ang kakulangan nila sa mabisang pagtaguyod ng mga pagbabago ng sistema na kongkretong isinasakatuparan ang katarungan at pag-unlad, na siyang mga ganap na kailangang batayan ng tunay at walang maliw na kapayapaan sa lipunan.

Dinagdagan ng kurapsyon at pagsasamantala ang mapaminsalang epekto ng kapos na pang-unawa at kakulangan sa pag-iisip ng mga namumuno sa bansa. Parami nang parami sa ating mga kababayan ang kinakaladkad sa paghihirap at sa tunggaliang panlipunan na madalas humahantong sa karahasan.

Ang Halalan ng Mayo 2010

Muling tiningala ng ating sambayanan ang halalan ng Mayo 2010 bilang paraan para sa pagpapalit ng pamunuan na lulutas sa mga suliranin ng ating lipunan. Sa pamamagitan ng bagong automated election system, umasa sila na ang halalang ito ay magiging tapat, maaasahan,, maayos, at kapani-paniwalang paraan ng pagluklok sa isang pinuno na pupuksa sa kurapsyon at sa kahirapan na iniluluwal ng korapsyon. Inasahan na dudulutan ng bagong pinuno ng pagkakaisa ang sambayanan, patatatagin ang demokrasya, paglilingkuran ang pangkalahatang kapakanan, at pauunlarin ang bansa.

Ang halalan ng Mayo 2010 at ang kinalabasan nito ay nagpabata ng matinding pagkabigo sa paparaming mga mamamayan.

Napag-alamang mayroong matinding kasiraan ang halalan. Patagong isinagawa ang isang tusong paraan ng pagmanipula sa automated election system upang kilingan ang mga partido at kandidatong handang magbayad ng malaking halaga at pulitikal na pabor upang makamit ang huwad na pagpanalo o lamang sa boto. Ang tunay na kredibilidad ng halalan ay malubhang pininsala ng ahensiya sa halalan—Commission on Elections—at ng kanyang mga kontratadong galamay, dahil sa kanilang pagtanggal sa mga paraang pangseguridad na nakasaad sa batas upang matiyak ang katapatan ng automated election system. Ang pagtanggal sa mga paraang pangseguridad ang nagbigay-daan sa pagmanipula sa halalan. Inihahayag din nito ang balaking mandaya sa pamamagitan ng elektronikong pandaraya o electronic fraud, sa paraan at saklaw na maituturing na patagong pagsira sa eleksyon, alalaon baga’y electoral sabotage.

Mga Katangian at Kagagawan ng Nanunungkulang Rehimen

Kabalintuna sa pag-asa ng sambayanan, ang rehimeng sumulpot mula sa halalan ng 2010, habang nagtatago sa likod ng isang pasikat na paghahangad kuno sa reporma, ay mapagkunwari pala. Sa sinasabing pagtugis sa kriminalidad, kurapsyon, at kawalang-kakayahan, kinagagawian nito ang paboritismo at gumagalaw ito ayon lamang sa sariling kagustuhan, at hindi ayon sa batas. Madalas na ipinakikita ng rehimeng ito ang sarili na batugan, sumpungin, tuso at makitid ang isip. Ginugugol nito ang hindi angkop na napakalaking oras at enerhya para ligaligin at siraan ng puri ang kanyang mga itinuturing na kalaban at para pagyamanin ang isang huwad na magandang imaheng pangmadla. Samantala, hindi nito inaasikaso ang mga saligang usaping kinaaabalahan ng sambayanan. Nabibilang dito ang pagtatanggol sa mga mamamayan mula sa mga panganib na dulot ng likas na kapaligiran, at ang pagsagawa ng mga hakbanging makaiiwas at makapagbibigay-wakas sa matagal nang nagbabantang kakulangan sa kuryente, sa pamamagitan sana ng kumpletong pagsunod sa batas. Sa halip na pag-isahin ng bansa, lalo pang ito’y walang-katuturang pinaglalabanlaban ng nanunungkulang rehimen. Sa halip na paglingkuran ang pangkalahatang kapakanan, lalo pang pipininsala ito ng nabanggit na rehimen.

Bukod dito, sa kulang-kulang na dalawang taon mula nang nakamit nito ang kapangyarihan, ang nanunungkulang rehimen ay papalakas na nagpapasimuno o tumatangkilik sa tatlong umuusbong na napakalubhang banta sa tunay na demokrasya:

Una, ang pag-agaw ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas – Bagong Hukbong Bayan – Pambansang Demokratikong Hanay (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front) sa kapangyarihan ng estado, dahil sa magkahalong kawalang- kakayahan ng nanunungkulang rehimen at oportunistang pagkikipagsabwatan ng marami sa mga matataas na opisyal nito.

Ikalawa, ang kawalang-pakundangang paggawa ng electoral sabotage sa pamamagitan ng electronic fraud, at ang isinasagawang hakbang ng kasalukuyang rehimen upang manatili sa kapangyarihan nang walang taning, sa pamamagitan ng pag-angkin ng makinarya at paraan ng electronic fraud at electoral sabotage sa mga susunod pang halalan.

Ang pagpapalabas kamakailan ng Korte Suprema ng isang Temporary Restraining Order laban sa pagbili ng Precinct Count Optical Scan machines ay isang pagpapahiwatig ng hangad nitong iwasan ang electronic fraud at electoral sabotage.

Ikatlo, ang walang pakundangang pagbabale-wala sa separation of powers o pagbubukod ng mga kapangyarihan at ang checks and balances o pagpigil at pagkatimbang sa pamahalaan, upang panatilihin ang imoral na pagmamay-ari sa napakalawak na sukat ng lupain at upang makamtan ang isang hindi-karapat-dapat na kalamangang pulitikal na dulot ng isang hudikaturang sunod-sunuran sa pinuno ng rehimen.

Ang kalayaan ng hudikatura ay nananatiling binabantaan ng kasalukuyang rehimen, at nararapat na ipagtanggol sa lahat ng panahon, lalong-lalo na kung isasaalang-alang ang kamakaila’y pangkatapusan at agad-ipatutupad na pasiya ng Korte Suprema ukol sa Hacienda Luisita.

Dahil sa mga nilahad nang mga kadahilanang ito, nawala na ng nanunungkulang rehimeng ito ang aming tiwala. Kumbinsido kami na hindi nito makakayanan at hindi nito kusang pagsumikapan na pamunuan ang bansa tungo sa isang matiwasay at masaganang kinabukasan. Sa totoo lang, sa maraming mabibigat na paraan, hinihila palubog ng rehimeng ito ang bansa.

Matatag na Pagpapasiya, Pagkilos, at Panawagan

Dahil dito, dapat tayong kumilos nang maagap, walang-alinlangan, at matatag upang pigilin at baligtarin ang paglubog na ito. Bunga nito, nagkakaisa kami sa isang sama-samang proyekto ukol sa pagbabago ng sistemang panlipunan na magtataguyod sa pangkalahatang kapakanan ng lahat ng mamamayan. Nagkakaisa kami ayon sa mga sumusunod na panuntunan:

Una, pambansa, at hindi limitado sa Kamaynilaan, ang pagpapasimuno at saklaw ng proyektong ito ng mapagbigay-buhay na pagbabagong-anyo.

Ikalawa, taglay nito ang batayang moral na nagmumula sa mga itinuturo ng iba’t-ibang komunidad ng pananampalataya sa lipunang Pilipino, at dahil dito, nangangailangan ng paguusap-usap at pagtutulungan sa pagitan nitong mga komunidad ng pananampalataya.

Ikatlo, ang batayang simulain at pamamaraan nito ay walang- karahasan.

Ika-apat, layon nitong palitan ang mga sistema, hindi lamang ang mga namumuno.

Ikalima, pinagtitibay nito at isinasagawa ang pangingibabaw ng sibilyan sa lahat ng panahon.

Ika-anim, tinatanggap nito ang tungkulin ng militar bilang tagapagtanggol ng pasiya ng sambayanan.

Ikapito, dinudulutan ito ng moral na pagpapatibay ng mga pinuno ng ating mga komunidad ng pananampalataya.

Ikawalo, itinataguyod at nilalahukan ito ng mga tunay na kinatawan ng mga magbubukid, manggagawa, mangingisda at ibang pang saligang sektor ng sambayanan.

Ikasiyam, ginagalang nito ang mga karapatan at tinataguyod ang lehitimong hangarin ng mga komunidad panrelihyon at etniko na higit na maliit ang bilang ng mga kasapi.

Ikasampu, ito ay bukas sa pederalismo.

Bilang sagot sa tatlong umuusbong na napakalubhang banta sa tunay na demokrasya na isinasagawa at pinasisimunuan ng nanunungkulang rehimen, nanawagan kami sa lahat ng mamamayan na gawin ang mga sumusunod:

Una, itaguyod ang maka-demokrasyang pagkamatuwid at pagkamakatotohanan; itakwil at isumpa ang pakikipagsabwatan sa mga elemento ng kaduluhang maka-kanan at maka-kaliwa.

Ikalawa, itaguyod ang kabanalan ng balota; isumpa ang lahat ng uri ng pandaraya sa halalan; igiit ang katotohanan at pananagutan sa mga pandaraya sa halalan na ginawa kahit kailan, kasama na ang pandarayang elektroniko o electronic fraud noong halalan ng 2010.

Ikatlo, ipagtanggol ang maka-demokrasyang pagbubukod ng mga kapangyarihan o separation of powers at ang pagpigil at pagkatimbang o checks and balances; tutulan at labanan ang lahat ng kilos na nag-iipon ng lahat ng mga kapangyarihan ng gobyerno sa iisang tao o sa iisang pangkat.

Nananawagan kami sa aming kapwa mamamayan na isaalang-alang ang masaklap na kalagayan ng ating bansa at ng ating mga kababayan, at makiisa sa ating panlahat na tungkulin na ipagtanggol ang demokrasya at itatag ang bansa ayon sa mga panuntunan at pagpapaliwanag na ginawa sa taas.

Bilang patotoo sa aming pagtaguyod sa pahayag, proyekto at panawagang ito, lumalagda kami rito, sa Lunsod ng Talisay, Cebu, sa gabi ng ika-29 ng Abril A.D. 2012 at ika-8 ng Jumada al-Akhir A.H. 1433.

Maghiusa aron Manalipod sa Demokrasya ug Itukod ang Nasud!

Maghiusa aron Manalipod sa Demokrasya ug Itukod ang Nasud!

Ang Pilipinhong katilingban gigunitan karon sa ekonomikanhon, politikanhon, katilingbanon, kulturahanong systema nga maghimo sa iyang katawhan nga miserable ug magka-bahinbahin. Isip nga nasudnong katawhan nga nahigugma sa atong nasud ug nagtinguha sa kaayohan sa tanan, angay lang nga masabtan nato ang kasamtangan nga katilingbanong suliran ug mohimo ug determinadong lakang alang sa kasulbaran niini.

Katilingbanong Kasaysayan

Mga saysenta y sayes na ka tuig ang nakalabay sa dihang naangkon sa Pilipinas ang pormal nga politikanhong kagawasan, ang katawhan nasayod na nga ang nasud nagsagubang sa dili makiangayon nga systema. Ug kini ang nakamugna ug kasamok hangtod nga nahimo ang usa ka armadong rebelyon.

Apan ang katawhan diha sa mga lider kansa ilang gituohan nga maoy modala sa nasud ngadto sa kalinaw ug paglambo. Matag eleksyon gitan-aw nga kahigayonan nga magdala ug gahum alang niining mga bag-ong lider.

Sa pipila ka mga okasyon, ang katawhan mihimo sa kinatibok-an nga lihok sa kadalanan ug gisundan sa pagbuhi sa suporta sa militar niadtong nangatugdanan, bisan ang napalagpot nga mga lider nga giila nga limbongan ug way pagtahod sa katungod sa katawhan, giilisan ug bag-ong mga pangulo nga maayong momandu sa nasud sa lig-on nga pamaagi.

Ang paglaum sa katawhan naguba. Bisan ang mga maayong pangulo napakyas sa pagdala sa nasud ngadto sa katilingbanon nga kauswagan ug kaangayan. Ang ilahang kapakyasan nahitabo tungod kay dili epektibo ang ilang paghimo sa pag-usab sa sestima aron makita ang hustisya ug pag- ugmad nga maoy mohatag sa usa ka tinuod ug malungtaron nga kalinaw.

Ang pagpanikas ug ang pagka mapahimuslanon mipuno sa makadaut nga epekto sa kakuwang sa panabot ug dili klaro nga panan-aw. Ug nakapasamot kini nga ang katawhan ginudnud ngadto sa kaalutan ug pintas nga katilingbanon nga kasamok.

Ang Mayo 2010 nga Eleksyon

Ang katawhan padayon nga milaum ug kausaban sa Mayo 2010 nga eleksyon pinaagi sa pag-ilis ug mga lider nga maoy mosulbad sa katilingbanong suliran. Misalig sila sa bag-o nga kahimanan nga sestima sa eleksyon, ilang gilauman nga mahimong matinud-anon ang piniliay, may kaakohan, pinahimutang, ug kasaligan nga pamaagi sa pagbutang diha sa gahum sa usa ka pangulo nga maoy motapos sa panikas ug kakabos nga mugna sa kurapsyon. Kining bag-ong pangulo gilauman nga mohiusa sa nasud, mopalig-on sa demokrasya, moalagad sa katawhan, ug mapauswag sa nasud.

Ang Mayo 2010 nga eleksyon ug ang resulta niini nakamugna ug lawom nga kadismaya sa daghang katawhan.

Ang maong piniliay nahimong usa ka dakong sayop. Usa ka maigmat nga paagi sa pagmaneho sa minakina nga sestima sa eleksyon aron paghatag ug pabor niadtong mga partido ug kandidato nga andam mobayad ug dakong kantidad sa salapi ug politikanhong pabor alang sa usa ka limbong nga kadaugan ang hilom nga gipahigayon. Ang mga botante – ang “Commission on Elections” – maingon man ang mga ahensya nga gipaapil niini mihimo ug negosasyon batok sa gitinguha nga kamatuoran sa piniliay pinaagi sa pagtangtang sa mahinungdangong bahin sa siguridad maoy nagtugot sa pag- maniobra sa piniliay. Kini usab nagtukmod sa paghimo ug paglimbong sa eleksyon ug pag-guba sa mga pumipili.

Ang Kinaiya sa Naglingkod ug Kasamtangan nga Rehimen

Sukwahi sa unsay gilauman sa katawhan, ang rehimen nga mitumaw gikan sa 2010 nga piniliay, luyo sa gipakita nga masilakon nga tinguha sa kausaban, migawas kini nga pagpaka-aron-ingnon lamang. Ang gitinguha nga pagbatok sa krimen, tikas, ug kakuwang sa kahanas napulihan ug pagbuot sa unsay ilang gustong mahitabo. Dinhi nakita ang katapol, walay klaro ug pagka walay hinungdan. Migasto kinig dakong panahon ug kusog aron lang pag-guba ug pagdaut sa kaaway ug pagmugna ug maayong imahen ngadto sa publiko. Apan wala kini magtumbok sa unsay panginahanglan sa katawhan. Kini naglakip sa pagpanalipod sa katawhan gikan sa kadaut sa kalikupan, ug pagsumpo sa dugay nang suliran sa elektrisidad pinaagi sa pagpatuman niini sa balaud. Inay unta hiusahon ang nasud, gidala na hinuon sa pagka-bahinbahin ang katawhan sa kasamtangan nga rehimen. Wala kini makahatag ug kaayohan, hinuon kadaut ang namugna niini.

Labaw sa tanan, wa pa gani ang duha ka tuig sukad kini makalingkud sa gahum, kining kasamtangan nga rehimen padayon nga nahimong responsible o nagbuhat sa tulo ka mitumaw nga grabeng paghulga sa tinuod nga demokrasya.

Una, pagsakmit sa estado sa gahum sa “Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front,” tungod sa kakuwang sa kaakohan sa maong rehimen o pagpakiglambigit sa iyang mga taas nga opisyal.

Ika-duha, pagkalingkawas sa silot sa mga nakasala sa pag- sabotahe sa piniliay pinaagi sa paglimbong ginamit ang electronika sa nagsunodsunod nga election.

Ang labing bag-o nga pag-pagawas sa Korte Suprema ug Temporaryo nga Pagdili sa pagpalit ug “Precinct Count Optical Scan” na mga makina maoy timailhan nga sumpoon ang pagpanglimbong ug pag-sabotahe.

Ika-tulo, ang kapuslanan nga pag-buwag sa gahum, ug sa balance sa kagamhanan aron pagpatunhay sa imoral nga paghawid sa dagkong mga katigayonan sa yuta ug pagpanalipod sa way kasiguroan nga politikanhong benepisyo pinaagi sa korte nga matinumanon sa rehimen.

Ang kagawasan sa korte nagpabilin nga gihulga sa kasamtangan nga rehimen, busa kinahanglan nga panalipdan sa kanunay, labi na gayud sa nahitabo bag-o pa lang nga pag- patuman sa desisyon sa Korte Suprema sa Hacienda Luisita.

Tungod niining maong mga hinungadan, nawala ang among pagsalig sa kasamtangan nga rehimen. Kami nakumbensir nga kini dili gayud epektibo nga maka-dumala sa nasud alang sa usa ka sigurado ug mabungahon nga ugma. Hinoon, ginudnod niining maong rehimen ang nasud ngadto sa pagka-alaut.

Kasulbaran, Lihok, ug Hangyo

Busa, kami, kinahanglan nga molihok ug mohimo sa dihadiha nga mahinungdanon nga aksyon, ug determinado nga mosumpo ug mousab niining maong mga panghitabo. Ug nagkahiusa kami alang niining hinugpong nga proyekto alang sa kausaban sa sestima ning atong katilingban aron mapauswag ang kaayohan sa atong nasud. Kami nagkahiusa sumala niining mosunod nga mga baruganan:

Una, ang katuyoan ug panan-aw ning maong proyekto nga maghatag ug kinabuhi sa kausaban, alang sa tibuok nasud ug dili kay sa Manila lamang.

Ika-duha, duna kini maayong pondasyon nga nakutlo gikan sa mga pagtulon-an sa nagkalain-laing komunidad sa pagtuo sa Pilipinhong katilingban, busa nagkinahanglan ug panag-sabotsabot ug kooperasyon niining maong mga komunidad sa pagtuo.

Ika-tulo, usa ka mahinungdanong kinaiya niini mao ang pagka-dili gusto ug kagubot.

Ika-upat, gitinguha niini ang kausaban sa sestima, dili lang pag-ilis ug mga lider.

Ika-lima, kini nagmatuod nga ang katawhan mao ang adunay labaw nga gahum sa tanang higayon.

Ika-unom, kini nakakita ug miuyon sa katungdanan sa militar nga maoy tig panalipod sa katungod sa katawhan.

Ika-pito, kini gipamatud-an sa mga pangulo sa mga komunidad sa pagtuo.

Ika-walo, kini mokuha ug suporta ug pagka-lambigit sa mga tinuod nga representante gikan sa mga mag-uuma, trabahante, mangingista ug ubang sector sa katawhan.

Ika-siyam, kini nag-tahod sa katungod ug nagpa-lambo sa tinuod nga interes sa mga gagmay nga relihiyoso ug “ethnic” nga komunidad.

Ika-napulo, kini abli alang sa “pederalismo” nga pang-gobierno.

Agi ug tubag niining tulo ka mitumaw nga hulga sa tinuod nga demokrasya nga gipaluyohan ug gisuportahan sa kasamtangan nga rehimen, among giawhag ang katawhan nga mohimo niining mosunod:

Una, makanunayon nga moduyog ug mosuporta sa kahiusahan alang sa demokrasya; isalikway ug badlungon ang mga elemento sa moguba niini.

Ika-duha, moduyog ug mosuporta sa kasagrado sa balota; mosaway sa tanang matang sa kahilokan nga makahimong hugaw sa eleksyon; mo-insister gayud sa kamatuoran ug modawat sa tulobagon nga may kalambigitan sa himoon nga hugaw nga piniliay sa bisan unsang panahon, apil na ang nahitabong tikas niadtong piniliay sa tuig 2010.

Ika-tulo, panalipdan ang demokratikanhong pagbuwag sa gahum ug panalapi; mo-protesta ug dili motugot sa tanang kalihokan aron mopalig-on sa gahum sa usa ka tawo o pondok.

Kami mihangyo ug mi-apelar sa tanan nga tan-awon ang kahimtang sa atong nasud ug katawhan, ug moapil kanamo ning among hiniusang gimbuhaton sa pagpanalipod sa demokrasya ug sa pagtukod sa nasud nga nahiuyon sa insaktong prinsepyo ug desenyo.

Agi ug pagksaksi niining among pagkamatinud-anon ning maong mensahe, proyekto, ug apelar, kami mobutang sa among mga lagda dinhi, sa Dakbayan sa Talisay, Cebu, niining gabii sa ika 29 sa Abril A.D. 2012 ug sa ika 8 sa Jumada al-Akhir A.H. 1433

The Cebu Declaration: Defining the First Steps toward National Transformation

THE CEBU DECLARATION:

DEFINING THE FIRST STEPS TOWARD NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION

ENCOURAGED BY THE SUCCESS OF THE FIRST OPEN ASSEMBLY CONVENED IN LIPA CITY, BATANGAS BY THE NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION COUNCIL ON AUGUST 27, A.D. 2014 / DHU AL-QA’DA 2, A.H. 1453, WE WHO BROADLY REPRESENT THE CITIZENRY, UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF DELEGATES FROM THE VISAYAS AND MINDANAO, HAVE GATHERED IN CEBU CITY ON OCTOBER 1, A.D. 2014 / DHU AL-HIJJAH 7, A.H. 1453 TO PROCLAIM OUR SUPPORT FOR THE LIPA DECLARATION AND TO PROPOSE CONCRETE AND IMMEDIATE STEPS TO TRANSLATE THE DESIRED OBJECTIVE OF NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION INTO A VIABLE PROGRAM OF ACTION.

WE NOTED WITH GREAT PAIN THAT WHILE THE MORAL AND SPIRITUAL CRISIS AND ITS POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC EFFECTS CONTINUED TO DEEPEN, THE NATIONAL POLITICAL LEADERSHIP CONSISTENTLY FAILED TO SHOW THE WILL OR THE CAPACITY TO RESPOND TO THESE ILLS IN ANY APPRECIABLE MEASURE.

ASIDE FROM THE GRAVE PROBLEMS WHICH PROMPTED THE LIPA ASSEMBLY TO CALL ON THE PRESIDENT TO IMMEDIATELY STEP DOWN, VARIOUS NEW ISSUES HAVE SINCE EMERGED, TO WHICH THE INCUMBENT ADMINISTRATION HAS FAILED TO ADEQUATELY RESPOND.  THESE INCLUDE:

1       1)   THE EXACERBATED TENSIONS AMONG THE COMMUNITIES OF MINDANAO    AND THE SULU ARCHIPELAGO CAUSED BY THE FAILURE OF THE AQUINO ADMINISTRATION TO ADEQUATELY CONSULT ALL THE CONSTITUENCIES AND STAKEHOLDERS IN THE PEACEBUILDING EFFORT, THUS REVIVING THE ATTRACTION OF ISLAMIST EXTREMISM;

2) THE TOTAL FAILURE, IF NOT DOWNRIGHT REFUSAL, OF THE AQUINO REGIME TO COMPLY WITH A DIRECT ORDER OF THE SUPREME COURT TO FILE CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST ALL THE LAWMAKERS AND MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT AND THE COMMISSION ON AUDIT WHO WERE INVOLVED IN THE GRAVE MISUSE OF THE PRIORITY DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE FUND (PDAF) AND THE DISBURSEMENT ACCELERATION PROGRAM (DAP), BOTH OF WHICH THE COURT HAD UNANIMOUSLY DECLARED UNCONSTITUTIONAL;

3) THE TOTAL ABSENCE OF ANY OFFICIAL EFFORT TO REFORM THE AUTOMATED ELECTION SYSTEM, WHICH WAS THOROUGHLY CORRUPTED AND DEBASED BY THE COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS (COMELEC) IN ITS EFFORT TO PRODUCE “MACHINE-MADE” AND “DE FACTO” HIGH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS DURING THE 2010 PRESIDENTIAL AND THE 2013 SENATORIAL ELECTIONS, BUT WHICH THE ADMINISTRATION IS ONCE AGAIN PREPARING TO USE IN THE PROJECTED 2016 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS, WITHOUT RESTORING THE SAFETY FEATURES AND ACCURACY MECHANISMS WHICH THE COMELEC HAD ILLEGALLY REMOVED IN THE PREVIOUS TWO ELECTIONS;

4) THE UNPRECEDENTED YET UNPROSECUTED AND UNPUNISHED CORRUPTION IN THE TOP LEADERSHIP OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE (PNP), WHICH HAS THOROUGHLY DEMORALIZED THE PNP RANK AND FILE AND SUBSTANTIALLY ERODED PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR AND CONFIDENCE IN THE LAW ENFORCERS;

5) THE ARBITRARY IMPOSITION OF UNREASONABLE TAXES ON THE POOR, INCLUDING THE SMALLEST SARI-SARI STORE OWNERS AND SIDEWALK VENDORS, ON THE VARIOUS PROFESSIONS AND ON ALL RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS, WITHOUT ANY PUBLIC HEARING OR ACCOUNTING, OSTENSIBLY FOR THE PURPOSE OF RAISING REVENUE TO SUPPORT GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS, BUT IN EFFECT FEEDING THE ADMINISTRATION AND NOMINAL OPPOSITION POLITICIANS’ INSATIABLE APPETITE FOR CORRUPTION; 

6) THE UNRESOLVED ELECTRIC POWER CRISIS WHICH HAS BROUGHT ABOUT THE MOST EXPENSIVE ELECTRICITY RATES IN THE WORLD AMID EXTENDED POWER OUTAGES THAT THREATEN TO THROW BACK THE COUNTRY INTO A LITERALLY DARK AGE, AND FOR WHICH THE ONLY SOLUTION IMAGINED BY THE ADMINISTRATION IS THE GRANT OF EMERGENCY POWERS TO PRESIDENT AQUINO.

IN LIGHT OF ALL THESE, AND RECALLING ALL THE POINTS RAISED IN THE LIPA DECLARATION, WE CALL UPON THE NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION COUNCIL:

1)      TO NOW PURSUE ALL NECESSARY AND AVAILABLE  LAWFUL MEANS TO COMPEL PRESIDENT AQUINO TO STEP DOWN AT THE SOONEST POSSIBLE TIME;

2)      TO IMMEDIATELY ORGANIZE AN ALTERNATIVE GOVERNMENT, CONSISTING OF MEN AND WOMEN OF INTEGRITY AND PROVEN WORTH, IN ORDER TO ASSURE THE NATION AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY THAT PRESIDENT AQUINO’S REMOVAL AND THE PROSECUTION AND IMPRISONMENT OF EVERY CULPABLE MEMBER OF THE GOVERNMENT FOR CORRUPTION WILL NOT CREATE A POLITICAL VACUUM;

3)   TO INITIATE SUFFICIENTLY EXTENSIVE CONSULTATIONS WITH THE ISLAMIC COMMUNITY AND OTHER CONSTITUENCIES IN SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES IN ORDER TO ARRIVE AT AN AUTHENTIC CONSENSUS ON HOW TO SOLVE THE LONG-FESTERING INTERCULTURAL PROBLEM IN THE AREA, FREE FROM UNWARRANTED INTERVENTION BY ANY FOREIGN INTERESTED PARTY;

4)   TO ACTIVELY SUPPORT THE CALL AND EFFORT OF concerned citizens to establish a People's Truth Commission to discover and reveal the accountability and any consequent liability of HIGH OFFICIALS OF the AQUINO administration, arising from its massive MISUSE of public funds through the Disbursement Acceleration Program that has been ruled unconstitutional by unanimous vote of the Supreme Court;

5)   TO CAUSE THE IMMEDIATE FILING OF CRIMINAL CASES AGAINST ALL THE SENATORS AND CONGRESSMEN, MEMBERS OF THE CABINET, THE COMMISSION ON AUDIT AND THE VARIOUS GOVERNMENT AGENCIES INVOLVED IN THE MISUSE OF THE PDAF AND THE DAP FROM 2010 TO DATE, AND TO USE WHATEVER PUBLIC PRESSURE IS NECESSARY TO MAKE ALL THOSE INVOLVED IN THESE CASES TO IMMEDIATELY VACATE THEIR RESPECTIVE POSITIONS;

6)   TO VIGOROUSLY SUPPORT THE EFFORTS OF CONCERNED CITIZENS TO INFORM THE PUBLIC THAT AS LONG AS THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM REMAINS AN INSTRUMENT OF ELECTORAL SABOTAGE PERPETRATED BY CORRUPT OFFICIALS OF THE COMELEC IN COLLUSION WITH DISHONEST POLITICIANS, ELECTIONS ARE HARMFUL TO DEMOCRACY AND TO THE PEOPLE;

7)      TO AMPLIFY THE CALL OF THESE CONCERNED CITIZENS FOR SYSTEMS CHANGE TOWARD NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION AS THE ONLY REALISTIC MEANS TO ABOLISH THE UTTERLY CORRUPT COMELEC, ESTABLISH AN HONEST AND CREDIBLE ELECTORAL BODY, AND CARRY OUT OTHER REFORMS NEEDED TO RESTORE THE INTEGRITY AND CREDIBILITY OF THE ELECTORAL PROCESS;

8)      TO ORGANIZE PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE PNP RANK AND FILE IN THEIR CALL FOR A THOROUGH CLEANUP OF THE PNP AND AN IMMEDIATE CHANGE IN ITS TOP LEADERSHIP;

9)      TO STRONGLY SUPPORT THE CITIZENS’ RESISTANCE TO THE IMPOSITION OF UNREASONABLE TAXES AND THEIR CALL FOR ACCOUNTABILITY OF GOVERNMENT TAX COLLECTION AGENCIES AND OTHER GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, IN THE COLLECTION OF TAXES AND THE APPROPRIATION AND SPENDING OF GOVERNMENT REVENUES FROM TAXATION

10)  TO ORGANIZE A PANEL OF EXPERTS WHO WILL CRAFT A COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY TO ADDRESS THE COUNTRY’S ENERGY REQUIREMENTS IN A MANNER FREE OF BIAS FOR ANY PARTICULAR ENERGY SOURCE AND TAKING INTO PRIMARY CONSIDERATION THE INTERESTS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND THE CONSUMERS RATHER THAN THOSE OF THE VARIOUS ACTORS IN THE POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION CHAIN.

INVOKING THE AID OF ALMIGHTY GOD THE MOST GRACIOUS AND MOST MERCIFUL, AND REPOSING OUR TRUST AND CONFIDENCE IN THE FILIPINO PEOPLE, WE PRAY THAT ALL THESE MAY COME TO PASS SOON.

DONE IN CEBU CITY, THIS 1^ST DAY OF OCTOBER A.D. 2014 / 7^TH DAY OF DHU AL-HIJJAH A.H. 1453.