The call for new politics and vindicated Christians

HAPPY WEEKEND
Gina Dizon

The recent decision of the Supreme Court on a burning issue three years ago is a joy to the congregation and sympathizers of St Peter’s Church in Sabangan, Mountain Province. The highest court of the land ruled on the right of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Philippines the possession of its church lot, and held illegal the intrusion of the district DPWH engineers and contractors on the property.

The SC said: “Unfortunately, defendants succeeded in constructing the gym and demolishing petitioner EDNP’s church building. Still it does not prevent the Court from ruling that the defendants forcibly entered the lot and seized possession of it from EDNP, entitling the latter to recover possession. This is of course without prejudice to any further action for the determination in a proper case of the true ownership of the land.”

The issue on the demolition of the church happened when the 2007 elections was then at its peak. As it stood then, traditional politics under the influence of then Rep. Victor Dominguez (may be rest in peace).

Under a state of ignoring the rule of law and exercising arrogant impunity, the story went that the gym was finally built and the church left whimpering in a corner to nurse its tormented wounds.

Those who favored the former solon who was then running for Congress in the May 2007 elections were separated from those who opposed the church’s demolition. As to whether they did not support the demolition of the church, apparently they couldn’t speak any more.

Among the ones overjoyed on the SC's decision is Juniper Dominguez who heads the independent Volunteers against Corruption. He said “the SC decision was the best Christmas gift for me".

He added, “justice will also be done if those who were in the position who should have condemned the destruction of St. Peters Church opted to be silent will be unmasked."

As the May 2010 elections nears, the call for new politics in Mountain Province, still remains a call. May I refer to you a related post which I wrote three years ago (Anglican Angle) here in the same paper for more backgrounder on the SC decision:

"The demolition of the Anglican Church in Sabangan by contractors of the multipurpose gym funded from the pork barrel funds of incumbent Rep. Victor Dominguez has created a situation wherein differing supporters of Mt Province congressional candidates took on the issue to propel candidacies of their respective candidates.

Based from campaign sorties, incumbent mayor of Sabangan and candidate for congressman Jupiter Dominguez’ supporters are supporting the mayor for having been at their side during the chaotic times of the church’s demolition in 2006, among other reasons. On the other hand, the candidate congressman’s rivals and their supporters claim the opposite.

Let the events that transpired be given credit to whom these are due. Where the mayor’s support was felt by people who claim it to be so, then let it be. Where Jupiter Dominguez’ rivals says the opposite, the burden is on them to prove it so.

With the issuance of the Anglican Diocesan Convention resolution which forwards a strong political position against Victor Dominguez, this has apparently invited comment from the solon’s supporters as well as those who capitalized on the issue and attacked church leaders for indulging in “hate campaign and partisan propaganda”.

While differing supporters and their candidates have their own political gimmicks and strategies to further their popularity basing their conclusions on the events that transpired from the church’s demolition, what currently stands is the solon’s denial of the church’s existence and consequent denial of a congregation who gather to express their religious faith and beliefs.

Victor Dominguez has repeatedly denied the existence of the Anglican Church in Sabangan with claims that the lot where the church stands is owned by the Poblacion of Sabangan.

While it is a legal controversy of who owns the lot where the church building stands, whether it is the Poblacion of Sabangan or the Anglican Church, the solon has blinded his eyes to the congregation of St Peter’s church who regularly conduct their church services at the very building which was demolished.

This is every evident on some 50 Anglican families who go to church every Sunday and who have been baptized Anglicans in the wooden one-story building, since the Anglican church was established in 1958 up to the moment. This is very evident also on the assignments of the many Anglican priests who have served in St Peter’s church year in and year out.

Bishop Renato Abibico of the Anglican diocese of northern Luzon, and who hails from Sabangan, himself says that he was a regular worshipper of the demolished church building which was then referred to as “pwestoan” in 1965.

The very act of denying the existence of St Peter’s church is denying the existence of the very people who have lived and continued to live in Sabangan. It is denying the existence of the very people who may have voted for the solon in the past 30 years of his term as solon of this 5th class province. It is denying the very principles of the divine law apart from State law, which makes up policies of the government where he sits as congressman.

Thus, the solon’s pronouncements were seen as having violated the very fundamental, human, universal, and constitutional rights to worship and religion which basically composes our essence as human beings. This notwithstanding let the Anglicans separately pursue with reason their individual choices of candidates this coming May 14 elections as part of their right to suffrage."