Wednesday, February 10, 2010
AN OPEN LETTER
Mga mahal kong Kababayan:
Ako po si Reginald “Regie” Balisi TAMAYO ng Aparri, Cagayan tumatakbong SENADOR sa ilalim ng Ang Kapatiran Party.
Kagaya po ninyo ay pangarap ko ang mamuhay sa isang ligtas, makatarungan, at maunlad na bansa. Subalit hindi ito matatamo kung hindi tayo magkaisa at isulong ang nararapat na pagbabago. Simulan natin ito sa ating tamang pagpili sa mga kumakandidato sa ngayon. Iboto natin ang may plataporma, ang may malasakit sa bayan, ang makakalikasan, at ang may takot sa Diyos.
Ngayong halalan, manindigan tayo sa tama. Huwag nating balewalain ang ating prinsipyo. Ito ang paraan para maitama natin ang katiwalian sa bayan, ang pagsasamantala at pagmamalabis ng mga ilang namumuno sa atin. Gawin nating layunin ito sa buhay, tanda na mahal natin ang ating bayan.
Palaging sinasabi na ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan. Tayo rin ay pag-asa ng bayan dahil tayo ang naghahanda ng bayan na kanilang kinamumulatan. Bigyang pag-asa ang kabataan na mamuhay sa bayang ikakarangal nila.
Malawak ang karanasan ko sa lokal na pamahalaan at may sapat na edukasyon. Bitbit ko ang mga pangaral ng aking mga magulang, mga turo’t gabay ng aking simbahan, higit lalo ang mga pangarap ninyo para sa ating bayan. Ito ang magiging inspirasyon ko na malingkod sa inyo bilang Senador na walang bahid na pagsisinungaling at panloloko.
Tulungan po ninyo ako at hindi ko po kayo bibiguin. Tama na tayo ay mangarap! Tama na tayo ay mag-kaisa at magkabigkis-bigkis at isulong ang tama para sa bayan!
Salamat po at nawa’y pagpalain tayo ng Poong Maykapal.
Gumagalang,
Reginald “Regie” Balisi TAMAYO
Para SENADOR
Ang Kapatiran Party
0916-2513562/0928-2886878
http://reginaldtamayo.blogspot.com
reginaldtamayo@yahoo.com
- AB Philosophy, UP Diliman 1985
- MA Education, Lyceum of Aparri
- MBA, Lyceum of Aparri
- 6-term Municipal Councilor of Aparri, Cagayan
- Executive Assistant IV, Office of the Vice Governor
- Former Dean, Liberal Arts, Lyceum of Aparri
- Former Dean, Student Affairs, Lyceum of Aparri
- Special Assistant to the Executive Vice President, Lyceum of Aparri
- Lecturer, Graduate School, Cagayan State University
- Deputy Grand Knight, Knights of Columbus Aparri Council 4366
- Chancellor, Knights of Columbus Aparri Council 4366
- Prex Member
- Marriage Encounter Member
- President, Pugad Lawin Philippines, Seabreeze Base Call Sign “Java”
- Faculty President, Lyceum of Aparri
- Outstanding Councilor of Cagayan Awardee - given by Phil. Councilors League Cagayan Chapter
- Freelance Journalist
- Columnist, Northern Forum (Tuguegarao City), Guru Press (Tabuk City)
- Author, Barangay First, Empowering the Sangguniang Kabataan
- 45 years old, married to Lalaine Lubbui Jarabe-Tamayo, with 4 children Regina, Reiner, Riazel, and Ricci
Ako po si Reginald “Regie” Balisi TAMAYO ng Aparri, Cagayan tumatakbong SENADOR sa ilalim ng Ang Kapatiran Party.
Kagaya po ninyo ay pangarap ko ang mamuhay sa isang ligtas, makatarungan, at maunlad na bansa. Subalit hindi ito matatamo kung hindi tayo magkaisa at isulong ang nararapat na pagbabago. Simulan natin ito sa ating tamang pagpili sa mga kumakandidato sa ngayon. Iboto natin ang may plataporma, ang may malasakit sa bayan, ang makakalikasan, at ang may takot sa Diyos.
Ngayong halalan, manindigan tayo sa tama. Huwag nating balewalain ang ating prinsipyo. Ito ang paraan para maitama natin ang katiwalian sa bayan, ang pagsasamantala at pagmamalabis ng mga ilang namumuno sa atin. Gawin nating layunin ito sa buhay, tanda na mahal natin ang ating bayan.
Palaging sinasabi na ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan. Tayo rin ay pag-asa ng bayan dahil tayo ang naghahanda ng bayan na kanilang kinamumulatan. Bigyang pag-asa ang kabataan na mamuhay sa bayang ikakarangal nila.
Malawak ang karanasan ko sa lokal na pamahalaan at may sapat na edukasyon. Bitbit ko ang mga pangaral ng aking mga magulang, mga turo’t gabay ng aking simbahan, higit lalo ang mga pangarap ninyo para sa ating bayan. Ito ang magiging inspirasyon ko na malingkod sa inyo bilang Senador na walang bahid na pagsisinungaling at panloloko.
Tulungan po ninyo ako at hindi ko po kayo bibiguin. Tama na tayo ay mangarap! Tama na tayo ay mag-kaisa at magkabigkis-bigkis at isulong ang tama para sa bayan!
Salamat po at nawa’y pagpalain tayo ng Poong Maykapal.
Gumagalang,
Reginald “Regie” Balisi TAMAYO
Para SENADOR
Ang Kapatiran Party
0916-2513562/0928-2886878
http://reginaldtamayo.blogspot.com
reginaldtamayo@yahoo.com
- AB Philosophy, UP Diliman 1985
- MA Education, Lyceum of Aparri
- MBA, Lyceum of Aparri
- 6-term Municipal Councilor of Aparri, Cagayan
- Executive Assistant IV, Office of the Vice Governor
- Former Dean, Liberal Arts, Lyceum of Aparri
- Former Dean, Student Affairs, Lyceum of Aparri
- Special Assistant to the Executive Vice President, Lyceum of Aparri
- Lecturer, Graduate School, Cagayan State University
- Deputy Grand Knight, Knights of Columbus Aparri Council 4366
- Chancellor, Knights of Columbus Aparri Council 4366
- Prex Member
- Marriage Encounter Member
- President, Pugad Lawin Philippines, Seabreeze Base Call Sign “Java”
- Faculty President, Lyceum of Aparri
- Outstanding Councilor of Cagayan Awardee - given by Phil. Councilors League Cagayan Chapter
- Freelance Journalist
- Columnist, Northern Forum (Tuguegarao City), Guru Press (Tabuk City)
- Author, Barangay First, Empowering the Sangguniang Kabataan
- 45 years old, married to Lalaine Lubbui Jarabe-Tamayo, with 4 children Regina, Reiner, Riazel, and Ricci
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
The politics of conscience
The politics of conscience
I am saddened by the comment of a party-list congressman who thought that the “Catholic Church in the Philippines is practicing a double standard when it tells the people to choose the country’s next leaders by following their conscience, but at the same time it tells them not to vote for those candidates that support the reproductive health (RH) bill”(Solon hits Church double standard, PDI 01/26).
I presume he has a wrong notion about conscience. He must be referring to personal preference or a bad conscience and not to an informed conscience as taught by the Church. A person who claims that he uses his conscience in electing a candidate but his conscience is opposed to the teachings and ethos of the Catholic Church is using his personal preference or bad conscience. He only expresses such and not a showing of a well-formed and informed conscience. The Church helps the conscience to be formed by imbuing in the conscience of the person the teachings and traditions of the Church. It is only then that the conscience is informed. And only a formed and informed conscience should be followed.
Is the Church playing a double standard as claimed by the congressman? He said that “On the one hand, [the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines ] has said vote according to your conscience. On the other, it says it’s not moral to vote for people who support the reproductive health bill. There is a double standard here” This is an uncalled for remark. It is the moral obligation and duty of the Church to protect its flock from sinning especially by following policies that are anti-life and anti-family. It follows that the Church admonishes the faithful not to vote for candidates who push for anti-life and anti-family bills. In both cases, the Church persuades the faithful to use their informed consciences. That is not double standard- that is consistency!
I am saddened by the comment of a party-list congressman who thought that the “Catholic Church in the Philippines is practicing a double standard when it tells the people to choose the country’s next leaders by following their conscience, but at the same time it tells them not to vote for those candidates that support the reproductive health (RH) bill”(Solon hits Church double standard, PDI 01/26).
I presume he has a wrong notion about conscience. He must be referring to personal preference or a bad conscience and not to an informed conscience as taught by the Church. A person who claims that he uses his conscience in electing a candidate but his conscience is opposed to the teachings and ethos of the Catholic Church is using his personal preference or bad conscience. He only expresses such and not a showing of a well-formed and informed conscience. The Church helps the conscience to be formed by imbuing in the conscience of the person the teachings and traditions of the Church. It is only then that the conscience is informed. And only a formed and informed conscience should be followed.
Is the Church playing a double standard as claimed by the congressman? He said that “On the one hand, [the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines ] has said vote according to your conscience. On the other, it says it’s not moral to vote for people who support the reproductive health bill. There is a double standard here” This is an uncalled for remark. It is the moral obligation and duty of the Church to protect its flock from sinning especially by following policies that are anti-life and anti-family. It follows that the Church admonishes the faithful not to vote for candidates who push for anti-life and anti-family bills. In both cases, the Church persuades the faithful to use their informed consciences. That is not double standard- that is consistency!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Am a proud Catholic servant-leader
Am a proud Catholic servant-leader
Of late, I attended a forum about population dynamics and government resources. I presented my position as regards the hotly debated Reproductive Health Bill. I admit that my position is basically an echo of the stand of my church, the Catholic Church.
I pointed out that there are certain flaws in the bill. Among them is the not-so-clear view about the reckoning period of the protection of human life. I stood by my ground that human life begins at conception and hence the unborn child is human and possesses rights. Although the bill speaks of abortion as a crime but I suspect that it may be wantonly resorted to when the unborn child is deemed not a human being.
I also explained that I support that natural way of family planning. My church abhors the contraceptive mentality. The government seems to be pointing to population problem as the cause of poverty, street children, unemployment, and other social evils. What population problem is the government talking about? Probably, it is a narrow view to claim that there is over population when such is seen only as a problem in Metro Manila. In many of our provinces, there are many tracts of land that are not habited. If the country is overpopulated then these vacant lots should have been massively occupied by our people.
During another round table discussion, I presented the same position about the Reproductive Health Bill. I observed that that some of my listeners, who even claimed they are Catholics, frowned upon my ideas. They said that I was pontificating. I resisted the idea and said that I was only faithful and was showing my fidelity to the Gospel of Life and the teachings of the Church.
It is an unfortunate phenomenon that some of the clergy even support candidates who are pro-Reproductive Health Bill. They seem not to realize that the bill is anti-family and anti-life. I beg for their forgiveness if I say that they are showing their ignorance about the Catholic Faith and are still influenced by the antics of traditional politicians.
Everyone, before elections, calls for change and demands honesty in our leaders. I was being honest with my thoughts and I was trying my best to contribute my fair share in changing the political life in this country for the better. I don’t really mind if they don’t appreciate the effort. Be that as it may, it is a consoling thought that I remain firm with my faith and continue to live an authentic life as a Catholic.
Of late, I attended a forum about population dynamics and government resources. I presented my position as regards the hotly debated Reproductive Health Bill. I admit that my position is basically an echo of the stand of my church, the Catholic Church.
I pointed out that there are certain flaws in the bill. Among them is the not-so-clear view about the reckoning period of the protection of human life. I stood by my ground that human life begins at conception and hence the unborn child is human and possesses rights. Although the bill speaks of abortion as a crime but I suspect that it may be wantonly resorted to when the unborn child is deemed not a human being.
I also explained that I support that natural way of family planning. My church abhors the contraceptive mentality. The government seems to be pointing to population problem as the cause of poverty, street children, unemployment, and other social evils. What population problem is the government talking about? Probably, it is a narrow view to claim that there is over population when such is seen only as a problem in Metro Manila. In many of our provinces, there are many tracts of land that are not habited. If the country is overpopulated then these vacant lots should have been massively occupied by our people.
During another round table discussion, I presented the same position about the Reproductive Health Bill. I observed that that some of my listeners, who even claimed they are Catholics, frowned upon my ideas. They said that I was pontificating. I resisted the idea and said that I was only faithful and was showing my fidelity to the Gospel of Life and the teachings of the Church.
It is an unfortunate phenomenon that some of the clergy even support candidates who are pro-Reproductive Health Bill. They seem not to realize that the bill is anti-family and anti-life. I beg for their forgiveness if I say that they are showing their ignorance about the Catholic Faith and are still influenced by the antics of traditional politicians.
Everyone, before elections, calls for change and demands honesty in our leaders. I was being honest with my thoughts and I was trying my best to contribute my fair share in changing the political life in this country for the better. I don’t really mind if they don’t appreciate the effort. Be that as it may, it is a consoling thought that I remain firm with my faith and continue to live an authentic life as a Catholic.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
We demand honesty
We demand honesty
I COMPLETELY agree that “The depth of the depravity that the Philippines and the Filipino people find our governance to be, however, make honesty and how much of it, or the lack of it, the primary factor of choosing candidates” (The Crying Need For Honesty PDI 01/14). It seems that we have not produced honest leaders in our country because many of us are not also honest in choosing them.
It is a welcome sight in local elections for us electorate to be pleased with candidates who can entertain us. We sometimes snooze listening to platforms of government from honest candidates and instead heedful to the jokes, songs, and dance numbers of unscrupulous politicians. Any candidate who presents his platform of government is an outcast and a killjoy. We do remember the names of candidates who did perform like a clown in a circus than the honest candidate who recited details of his agenda. If only politicians give high value to truth-telling and fair play during elections and if only we demand honesty from them, our elections would be more crucial and, as a consequence, we would elect honest leaders in this country.
More often than not, we complain that we are served badly by our leaders. Cases of graft and corruption, side-stepping of laws by the powers-that be, deception, cover-ups, and many more- all these are indications that we are shortchanged by our elected leaders. But the question that arises now is whether or not we have also been honest in our voting privileges? Have we been honest in voting honest leaders? We seem to take our right of suffrage lightly that we don’t use it prudently. Electing dishonest people in the government seems to be no longer a matter of privilege but as a product of tradition because we always do it on a regular basis.
I imagine our country where truth is given a high premium. I picture our people especially our leaders not to bend the truth. I visualize our country to become a country of character where we build a culture of integrity and accountability. I envision a better Philippines after the May 2010 elections when truth reigns supreme.
I COMPLETELY agree that “The depth of the depravity that the Philippines and the Filipino people find our governance to be, however, make honesty and how much of it, or the lack of it, the primary factor of choosing candidates” (The Crying Need For Honesty PDI 01/14). It seems that we have not produced honest leaders in our country because many of us are not also honest in choosing them.
It is a welcome sight in local elections for us electorate to be pleased with candidates who can entertain us. We sometimes snooze listening to platforms of government from honest candidates and instead heedful to the jokes, songs, and dance numbers of unscrupulous politicians. Any candidate who presents his platform of government is an outcast and a killjoy. We do remember the names of candidates who did perform like a clown in a circus than the honest candidate who recited details of his agenda. If only politicians give high value to truth-telling and fair play during elections and if only we demand honesty from them, our elections would be more crucial and, as a consequence, we would elect honest leaders in this country.
More often than not, we complain that we are served badly by our leaders. Cases of graft and corruption, side-stepping of laws by the powers-that be, deception, cover-ups, and many more- all these are indications that we are shortchanged by our elected leaders. But the question that arises now is whether or not we have also been honest in our voting privileges? Have we been honest in voting honest leaders? We seem to take our right of suffrage lightly that we don’t use it prudently. Electing dishonest people in the government seems to be no longer a matter of privilege but as a product of tradition because we always do it on a regular basis.
I imagine our country where truth is given a high premium. I picture our people especially our leaders not to bend the truth. I visualize our country to become a country of character where we build a culture of integrity and accountability. I envision a better Philippines after the May 2010 elections when truth reigns supreme.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Catholics can make a difference in 2010 elections
Catholics can make a difference in 2010 elections
Time and again, Catholic bishops say there is no such thing as a Catholic Vote. In fact, they do not even endorse candidates nor support politicians during elections. They have a limited sway over Catholic politicians and voters. However, Catholics are thankful that bishops do not renege in their obligation to assert firmly their moral authority on issues that are not in accord with the teachings of the Church and are not reflective of the Gospel values. Indeed, there are non-negotiable issues that bishops would not admit any exception because they run counter to Catholic moral teachings. The Reproductive Health Bill is a case in point.
If we Catholics take our faith seriously, we will make a difference in the 2010 elections. Our voting privileges should be used prudently and elect only candidates who promote policies and programs that are in harmony with Catholic faith and morals. Conversely, if we vote for candidates whose policies and programs are contrary to the ethos of the Church, we participate in and condone in the intrinsic evil of such.
It is important then for us Catholics to go through the political agenda of the candidates and find out if they go along with the moral principles of the Church. It is unbecoming of Catholics to vote on the basis of neither party-affiliation nor popularity of the candidates. We have to dissect the stands of the candidates on the different issues of the day. We should not be misled by the seemingly early campaign ads of the candidates who appear to hold the answers to the problems of our country. Let us not be misguided by the pronouncement of candidates that they are Catholics yet they advance programs which are un-Catholic.
My pious mother, Tersing, taught me early in life to bend my knees in prayer. It is my daily prayer this Christmas that we Catholics will choose candidates in the 2010 elections that promote the faith and morals of the Church.
Time and again, Catholic bishops say there is no such thing as a Catholic Vote. In fact, they do not even endorse candidates nor support politicians during elections. They have a limited sway over Catholic politicians and voters. However, Catholics are thankful that bishops do not renege in their obligation to assert firmly their moral authority on issues that are not in accord with the teachings of the Church and are not reflective of the Gospel values. Indeed, there are non-negotiable issues that bishops would not admit any exception because they run counter to Catholic moral teachings. The Reproductive Health Bill is a case in point.
If we Catholics take our faith seriously, we will make a difference in the 2010 elections. Our voting privileges should be used prudently and elect only candidates who promote policies and programs that are in harmony with Catholic faith and morals. Conversely, if we vote for candidates whose policies and programs are contrary to the ethos of the Church, we participate in and condone in the intrinsic evil of such.
It is important then for us Catholics to go through the political agenda of the candidates and find out if they go along with the moral principles of the Church. It is unbecoming of Catholics to vote on the basis of neither party-affiliation nor popularity of the candidates. We have to dissect the stands of the candidates on the different issues of the day. We should not be misled by the seemingly early campaign ads of the candidates who appear to hold the answers to the problems of our country. Let us not be misguided by the pronouncement of candidates that they are Catholics yet they advance programs which are un-Catholic.
My pious mother, Tersing, taught me early in life to bend my knees in prayer. It is my daily prayer this Christmas that we Catholics will choose candidates in the 2010 elections that promote the faith and morals of the Church.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
De-Christianized Philippine politics
De-Christianized Philippine politics
The Maguindanao massacre bespeaks of the kind of politics we have in this country. Human life, it seems, is not precious in our political arena anymore. Gone are the days when politicians, at most, would besmirch only their rivals with contemptuous issues. At this time, unscrupulous politicians who dread they can be unseated in the elections silence to death their political contenders who are auspicious and service-oriented.
How many of these kinds of inhuman atrocities could have prevented had the government done something before to resolve the political differences in Maguindanao? Could the political lords in Maguindanao have stockpiled high-powered firearms if the government, particularly the military and the police, did its homework like intelligence network? Could anybody just slaughter the innocent lives of the victims of the massacre if he thinks he cannot be exculpated by the powers-that-be?
I just wonder how many of our public officials were elected into public office based on their platforms of government, credentials and character and not on the barrel of their guns as they use this to bully and terrorize people to vote for them. Such that when they are elected into public office, they act like self-empowering kings and queens who could do whatever they please in their political turfs even to the point of exterminating the lives of our people.
Politics in the country is seemingly de-Christianized or a Godless human activity. When shall we place God and his teachings at the very center of politics? Let us use politics for our own good based on the Gospel values. St. Thomas Aquinas says: “God is not offended by us except at what we do against our own good."
The Maguindanao massacre bespeaks of the kind of politics we have in this country. Human life, it seems, is not precious in our political arena anymore. Gone are the days when politicians, at most, would besmirch only their rivals with contemptuous issues. At this time, unscrupulous politicians who dread they can be unseated in the elections silence to death their political contenders who are auspicious and service-oriented.
How many of these kinds of inhuman atrocities could have prevented had the government done something before to resolve the political differences in Maguindanao? Could the political lords in Maguindanao have stockpiled high-powered firearms if the government, particularly the military and the police, did its homework like intelligence network? Could anybody just slaughter the innocent lives of the victims of the massacre if he thinks he cannot be exculpated by the powers-that-be?
I just wonder how many of our public officials were elected into public office based on their platforms of government, credentials and character and not on the barrel of their guns as they use this to bully and terrorize people to vote for them. Such that when they are elected into public office, they act like self-empowering kings and queens who could do whatever they please in their political turfs even to the point of exterminating the lives of our people.
Politics in the country is seemingly de-Christianized or a Godless human activity. When shall we place God and his teachings at the very center of politics? Let us use politics for our own good based on the Gospel values. St. Thomas Aquinas says: “God is not offended by us except at what we do against our own good."
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