Philippines In New Brand Of People Power

MANILA, Philippines - The country is experiencing a “new brand” of People Power in various archdioceses and dioceses according to CBCP President and Jaro (Iloilo) Archbishop Angel N. Lagdameo.

“Various activities in the form of people’s response to calls for communal action are borne out of discussions in the parishes, groups and associations for truth, justice and accountability,” Archbishop Lagdameo said over Catholic-run Veritas 846 early Thursday morning.

He said communal action comes after prayers, discussions and reflections on the prevailing issues affecting the country.

Archbishop Lagdameo said Social Action Center directors have began to take part and spearhead small group discussions and the formation of Truth Centers in various areas of the country. He emphasized communal action comes from prayers, reflections and thorough discussions of issues affecting the country and its people.

“The perceived meddling of the Catholic Church in civil affairs is based on our desire to foster and strengthen programs for the common good as it involves moral issues,” he said.

In a previous interview with a ranking wire agency correspondent, Archbishop Lagdameo said the country may no longer have activities and “peaceful uprisings” similar to EDSA People Power I in 1986. He said there has been a paradigm shift.

“The street parliamentarians of EDSA People Power I are now nearly a quarter of a century older and may no longer have the strength and stamina,” Archbishop Lagdameo noted.

He added the most of the country’s young generation seem not to care about political issues because their concerns are personal “going to school, finding decent jobs, acquiring modern mobile phones and have regular access to the internet.”

The prelate however noted more and more people are getting exposed to the almost unimaginable accounts of graft and corrupt practices and scandals over the past few years. (Melo M. Acuña)