“The pattern of the police’s use of search warrants, planting evidence and effecting the arbitrary arrests and detention of individuals like Pastor Dan Balucio is a glaring form of weaponization of the judiciary against activists and dissenters.”
In their petition, church leaders assailed that the vagueness of the Republic Act No. 11479 or the Anti-Terror Act of 2020 will expose them to “credible threat of prosecution” for their ministries and advocacies.
Human rights lawyer Ephraim Cortez pointed out that the definition of terrorism under Republic Act 11479 is vague and over broad, and could include humanitarian groups which have long been subjected to red-tagging.
Like the disciples who were transformed by the resurrection, let us not return to the life as it was. We can build a better world, a more humane, just and compassionate one! After this, we should not return to business as usual, but walk in the newness of life where love, justice and peace prevail.
“No one can deny its major contributions to Christian unity, the promotion of God’s word and the proclamation of God’s reign.”
“We are the people of the resurrection. There is a new breed of candidates whose hearts are aflame for genuine public service.”
“We pray for our nation and all the inhabitants therein, that they will know peace, genuine peace based on justice and righteousness.”
The survivors continue to need today assistance in livelihood, reparations, and efforts to address the roots of the vulnerability of their communities to climate-induced disasters.
“The defense of human rights is a task of every person.”
“People living with HIV should be loved as God has loved us. Being infected with the virus doesn’t make one a bad person.” – Rev. Phumizille Mabizela of South Africa
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO Bulatlat.com MANILA — Not all religious leaders are against the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) bill. A leader of the Protestant Church in Davao City has said that the RH Bill is not evil because it aims to do good for the Filipino people. Bishop Modesto Villasanta of the United Church…