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Filipino Times
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Cardinal David: Online Gambling Is ‘Modern Slavery,' Calls for Total Ban
Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, former president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), stood firm on the Church's call for a full ban on online gambling, rejecting Pagcor's push for tighter regulation instead. Speaking at the 11th Philippine Conference on New Evangelization on July 18, David said the social damage caused by gambling far outweighs the financial gains for the government. He revealed that Pagcor chair Alejandro Tengco had written to the CBCP to argue that banning online gambling would lead to lost revenue for state social programs. In response, David criticized the logic, sarcastically saying that by the same reasoning, the government should also legalize harmful drugs like shabu just to earn money. David questioned the claim that access to online gambling can be controlled, especially among tech-savvy youth, and said that addiction to gambling—like addiction to social media—destroys families and erodes social bonds. He emphasized that such addiction is a form of 'modern slavery,' and the Church must be a space where people can find healing and community. Pagcor says the industry brings in over ₱100 billion in revenue and supports thousands of jobs. Still, David said profits should never justify enabling addiction, especially among vulnerable people. President Marcos has not yet declared an official position on the issue.
Herald Malaysia
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Herald Malaysia
Ensuring a ‘Church of the Poor' in the Philippines
It is not easy to become servant leaders of a synodal Church Jul 11, 2025 A file Photo of Father Danny Pilario celebrating a pre-dawn Mass with street children in Quezon City, in response to the call of Pope Francis in his encyclical Evangelii Gaudium (Joy of the Gospel). (Photo: UCAN files) By Ruben C. Mendoza The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) recently gathered in Bohol for their 130th plenary assembly. At this gathering of more than 80 bishops, the CBCP elected Archbishop Gilbert Garcera of Lipa and Archbishop Julius Tonel of Zamboanga as their next president and vice president, respectively. They will assume their positions by November. Just like previous CBCP officials, they will coordinate and collaborate with their fellow bishops on how the local Church in the Philippines can best respond to the signs of the times and grow in fidelity to its mission of integral evangelization. It has often been said in Church circles that what we need at present are 'servant leaders.' I think, though, that this kind of leadership is misconstrued even by the clergy, similar to the misunderstanding by James and John when they asked Jesus that they be seated at his right and left (Mk 10, 35-45). I suspect that many members of the clergy, just like the other ten disciples of Jesus, understand Church leadership in ways similar to that of traditional politicians. Sadly, ordained ministers are not immune from being influenced by their political culture so that at times, they act as if they are the 'kingpins' and/or CEO's of their parishes or dioceses, and even engage in their own brand of patronage politics. This, despite the Church's insistence that the model of leadership is Jesus, who came to serve and not to be served (Mt 20,28; Mk 10,45). In addition to patronage politics, the Philippine Church has to seriously confront the realities of clericalism and hierarchicalism in the local church, which demands self-reflexivity on the part of the clergy. Clericalism was often criticized by the late Pope Francis. In one of his addresses, he said: 'It is therefore necessary … to decisively overcome the scourge of clericalism.… Clericalism arises from an elitist and exclusivist vision of vocation that interprets the ministry received as a power to be exercised rather than as a free and generous service to be given. This leads us to believe that we belong to a group that has all the answers and no longer needs to listen or learn anything, or that pretends to listen. Clericalism is a perversion and is the root of many evils in the Church.' Clericalism, unfortunately, is still pervasive among the Filipino clergy and the laity, both of them thinking and acting as if the clergy are exempt from the norms that are ordinarily applied to lay people. The theological ethicist, James Keenan, argues that in the Church, we also have to deal with hierarchicalism, 'the exclusive power culture of the episcopacy,' since it is even more problematic than clericalism. It is a culture in which bishops are protected by their fellow bishops from accusations of any kind of abuse, even credible ones. It is a mindset that prioritizes power over service and ethical accountability. It is this kind of culture that explains the hesitancy and intransigence of certain bishops to make their erring brothers face the music. If we come to think about it, it is this culture that puts obstacles in truly reforming the Church since it places the members of the episcopacy in a privileged position, which I suspect many of them are not ready to give up. It is those same privileges that make ministers think of their priestly ministry not as a vocation but as a career. The leadership of ordained ministers in the Philippines will have to confront Philippine political culture and how it has affected people's understanding of leadership (including the clergy), and deal with both clericalism and hierarchicalism. The formation of those who are called to the ordained ministry would have to focus not only on their formal studies but also on cultivating virtues that form and empower seminary formandi to be truly at the service of the people. One way that this could be done is for them to be immersed in the life of the people, especially the poor, whom they are to serve. Pope Francis rightly called on the clergy to smell like the sheep, but I think that seminarians ought to already smell like them while in initial formation. It might already be too late when they are already ordained ministers. Leadership in the Philippine Church will have to be understood in light of the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines' (PCP II) vision of the Church of the Poor. For PCP II, the local Church of the Philippines needs servant leaders who have a special love for the poor, giving their 'preferential attention and time' to them and even sharing with them their own resources. Such leaders embrace and practice the evangelical spirit of poverty and, as such, live a life of simplicity. They are also leaders who are in solidarity with the poor, collaborate with them, and promote and defend their rights, 'even if this will mean alienation or persecution from the rich and powerful,' who, if I may dare say, at times include the Church's benefactors. Much remains to be done in order to realize this vision in so many ways and levels. It is challenging to reform the prevailing clerical culture, to say the least. I myself was in the seminary when PCP II was held and several years after, but I am not aware of any ecclesiastical efforts that provide the necessary structures that lead to the formation of the kind of leaders that PCP II envisions. The setting of a vision is not enough. It must be accompanied by actions and structures that realize that vision. Our bishops must be more intentional in this regard. Moreover, in light of the rediscovery of the importance of synodality, pastors of the Church of the Poor need to listen to various voices in the Church and society, especially to the vulnerable ones. Out of those voices which at times are competing and are in conflict with one another, they are to discern where the Spirit is and to where it is leading the Church. Synodality is a call to pastors to be truly consultative in the ways they exercise their ministry. It also demands that they recognize and harness the charisms of community members for the common good, deepening their bonds of communion with one another and fostering the participation of all in the Church's mission. It is not easy to become servant leaders of a synodal Church of the Poor. In the face of life's vicissitudes, one thing of which we can be certain is that God will give our pastors the grace of office to be faithful to their vocation. We hope and pray that they will cooperate with God's grace as they grow in their discipleship and do their part in building God's
GMA Network
09-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Incoming CBCP president to lead new council members
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has named its new Permanent Council officials, who will assume their post in December 2025. According to CBCP News, the new officials were chosen during the bishops' 130th plenary assembly held in Anda, Bohol. Lipa Archbishop Gilbert Carcera was named the new CBCP president, while Zamboanga Archbishop Julius Tonel will serve as the new CBCP vice president. Palo Archbishop John Du and Msgr. Bernardo Pantin, meanwhile, will keep their posts as treasurer and secretary general, respectively. Ilagan Bishop David William Antonio was reelected as representative of North Luzon, while Tarlac Bishop Roberto Mallari will be the new representative of Central Luzon. Cubao Bishop Elias Ayuban Jr. and Gumaca Bishop Euginius Cañete were appointed as representatives of Southwest Luzon and Southeast Luzon, respectively. Meanwhile, Daet Bishop Herman Abcede was designated as the new South Luzon representative. San Jose de Antique Bishop Marvyn Maceda and Calbayog Bishop Isabelo Abarquez are the new representatives of the West Visayas, and East and Central Visayas, respectively. Northern Mindanao will now be represented by Butuan Bishop Cosme Damian Almedilla. Meanwhile, Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo and Ipil Bishop Glenn Corsiga were named new representatives of Eastern and Western Mindanao, respectively. The newly appointed council members will hold office until December 2027 as they will serve two-year terms. The plenary assembly is the top decision-making body of the CBCP. The bishops hold regular sessions twice a year: in January and in July. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
08-07-2025
- Health
- GMA Network
Filipino bishops call online gambling addiction 'bagong salot or new plague'
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Tuesday warned the faithful against online gambling, calling it bagong salot or a new plague. In a statement signed by CBCP President and Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David, the group of Filipino bishops described online gambling as a deep and widespread moral issue hiding in entertainment and technology. 'Sa pagsusugal ang konsensiya ay unti-unting nagiging manhid. Tinuturuan tayong isipin na ito ay 'normal,' 'pampasaya,' o 'wala namang masama',' CBCP said. (With gambling, the conscience gradually becomes numb. We are taught to think that it is 'normal,' 'fun,' or 'there is nothing wrong with it.') The prelates noted that online gambling has become a public health crisis, comparing it to illegal drugs and other addictions, as it not only destroys a person but also a family's relationship. 'Hindi natin matiis na manahimik sapagkat ang pagkasugapa at ang pagiging talamak ng sugal ay salot, isang virus na sumisira at pumapatay sa mga indibidwal, pamilya at lipunan,' CBCP said. (We cannot afford to remain silent because addiction and the prevalence of gambling are a plague, a virus that destroys and kills individuals, families and societies.) The bishops also urged the government to impose appropriate regulations on online payment systems to restrict the public, especially the youth, from using them for online gambling. The government, they church leaders said, could prioritize the welfare of the public and not to promote gambling for the income this can generate. Meanwhile, the CBCP called on the faithful to speak out against online gambling and help addicts recover. 'Hindi laban sa pagsasaya ang Simbahan pero kapag ang kasiyahan ay nagiging sanhi ng pagkaalipin, at ang 'libangan' ay nagiging dahilan ng pagkawasak ng buhay — kailangan naming manawagan at magbigay ng babala,' CBCP said. (The Church is not against having fun, but when fun becomes a cause of slavery, and 'fun' becomes a cause of the destruction of life — we must call out and issue a warning.) 'Nais naming magpa-alala na tayo'y makakaalpas sa pagkaalipin sa pamamagitan ng marangal na trabaho, at sa patuloy na pagtahak ng landas ng katotohanan, kabutihan, katarungan, at higit sa lahat sa biyaya ng Diyos,' it added. (We remind everyone that we can break free from addiction through honest work, by continuing to walk the path of truth, goodness, and justice — and above all, the grace of God.) Proposed legislations Akbayan party-list Representatives Chel Diokno, Perci Cendaña, and Dadah Ismulla filed a measure restricting access to online gambling. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Tuesday proposed a measure that would impose strict regulations for online gambling in the country. Senator Risa Hontiveros filed a bill seeking to ban online gambling access in e-wallets and super apps in response to the growing clamor for tighter regulations on such games. Senator JV Ejercito, who earlier called for urgent and stricter government regulation of online gambling, said that he may consider pushing for its total ban depending on the results from studies. Meanwhile, Senator Juan Miguel 'Migz' Zubir filed a bill seeking an outright ban on all forms of online gambling. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
08-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
CBCP expresses concern over delay in VP Sara's impeachment trial
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has expressed concern over the delay of Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment proceedings as they urged the faithful to 'combat moral indifference.' 'We are disturbed by the delay in the Senate in executing the constitutional demand for the impeachment process of the Vice President,' CBCP said in a statement on Tuesday. 'We affirm that impeachment, when pursued with truth and justice, is a legitimate democratic mechanism for transparency and accountability in governance,' the group added. The Filipino Catholic bishops also urged the faithful to listen to different sides with openness and 'foster a culture of engaged citizenship rooted in our Christian faith.' Senate impeachment court spokesperson Regie Tongol earlier said the Senate is not holding off Duterte's impeachment. 'Claims of foot-dragging are baseless as actions speak louder than words,' Tongol said. The House of Representatives impeached Duterte on February 5 with more than 200 congressmen endorsing the verified complaint against her, which has been transmitted to the Senate for her impeachment trial. The Senate sitting as an impeachment court however voted last June 10 to return to the House of Representatives the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte without dismissing or terminating the case. The House already submitted the first required certification that the complaint complied with the one-year ban on subsequent impeachment complaints and that it followed the Constitution. The House under the 20th Congress has yet to submit the second certification concerning its willingness to prosecute. Duterte has entered a 'not guilty' plea in the verified impeachment complaint filed against her by the House of Representatives. Duterte, however, denied allegations against her, which include bribery, corruption, betrayal of public trust, misuse of confidential funds, contracting an assassin, and political destabilization — calling them 'false, misleading, impertinent, and mere conclusions of fact and law.' Duterte's camp said that the allegation in relation to her previous statement that she had contracted someone to kill Marcos, his wife, and Romualdez if she herself gets killed, 'does not offer any proof thereof [and] does not show what acts allegedly constitute such 'high crimes.'' Gaza situation, labor issues The CBCP also called on Catholics to take part in creating a 'just and peaceful' society. 'In this Jubilee Year, let us enkindle our hope, strengthen our solidarity and remain vigilant in our stewardship of truth, justice, and the dignity of every human person,' it added. The Filipino Catholic bishops also condemned the continued tension in Gaza as they reiterated their call for peace. 'Let food and badly needed humanitarian aid benefit all. We appeal for an immediate ceasefire so that serious negotiations can take place for a long-lasting solution to the problems of Palestine,' CBCP said. The prelates also called for a dialogue for just compensation among workers in the country. 'The Church must lead by example in ensuring fair salaries, benefits and dignified treatment of workers in our church institutions,' CBCP said. 'We appeal for dialogue among employees, employers and the government to arrive at mutually acceptable solutions on just wages and security of tenure as the workers rightfully demand and the Church's social teachings advocate,' it added. It can be recalled that the National Capital Region Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board approved a P50 increase in the daily minimum wage, drawing flak among labor groups, with some calling it an "insult." — BAP, GMA Integrated News
