our daily bore

It was a sober discussion. No shouting match or heated arguments. Maybe I am just too excited to witness it live how the traditional media, social media, and online forums see this issue. Even the most insinuating, biased and illogical questions and comments didn't receive deafening uproar. Only gestures of disagreements, smirk, or small and unnoticeable side comments. Even the most ardent critic, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, was sober this time. Yes, it was a bore. For the sensationalist media that wants to capture sound bites of heightened emotion, there was none. Save for some intense but still mellowed voice on the part of the churchmen. 

     Dino Manrique posted in FB his disappointment when ANC cut short its live coverage in favor of a Justin Bieber news. It might be ratings. For there was no graphic or explicit happenstance, why not switch it to any other news? Or maybe you're right! It was at that moment when topic was on legal matters that ANC thought it wasn't in-line with their biases. Oops! I mean, story angle. Look at the stories today of PDI: "2 National Artists frown on Mideo Cruz's 'shock art'", "F. Sionil Jose calls Mideo Cruz immature, juvenile", etc. That's their preferred angle.

     So what should be the scoop and manner to be newsworthy?

The public fury against Mideo's artwork in the Cultural Center of the Philippines is understandable. We are in a country that majority of citizens are Catholic. Politicians riding the issue is understandable. They always do that! Congressman Bagatsing, the same lawmaker that pushes the legalization of jueteng, wants CCP Chairman Raul Sonico and other officials to resign. Ilocos Norte Representative Imelda Marcos said she was considering filing administrative charges against CCP officials. She called up Manila Rep. Amado Bagatsing twice on Monday, to express her displeasure over the exhibit. Yes, Mam Imelda is the right person to define what is right and wrong in this country. Forget the abuses, martial law and human rights violations!

We can all understand that. It's in the system. But what I find very disturbing is yesterday's editorial of my favorite broadsheet -- Philippine Daily Inquirer. Amidst this latest issue, it said that violence, vandalism and setting of fire inside CCP is understandable. This is the paper that I read each day, trust and adore. This is the same journal that champions the poor, criticizes every corrupt politician of any party affiliation, always seeking truth, always condemning big crooked fishes, always logical, fearless and has sound judgement.

I might not agree with Inquirer's every stand but I always respect their views. Always a source of intelligent and intelligible opinion. But yesterday was a different case.

In the senate inquiry, Bishop Puebles said  “My actions have been misconstrued . . . cast a shadow of uncertainty on my dignity and moral ascendancy as a bishop.” And he also stressed that it was “service to the public” that motivated him.

     Again, that line! It was service to the public that motivated him. Are not the priest our church's foot soldiers? And the missionaries? The bishops are also doing the laundry work? And assuming that they are.. In the convenience of an SUV?

And now, another cause of concern (from inquirer.net):

There are 2 letters of apology that caught the nation's interest over the past days. One is from the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and one, from Rafa Santos. 

     CBCP was caught in a controversy over bishops requesting SUVs and Rafa Santos over his tactless remark regarding cat food for theatre people. Here's the full text of their letters (as well, my illogical outburst):

Courtesy of inquirer online, I read what our good bishops' responses to the SUV controversy they are in:

Davao Archbishop Fernando Capalla:

I don’t know why they take it against us and make it appear scandalous.

Tandag Bishop Nereo Odchimar:

(1) There are other beneficiaries who are not from the Catholic Church.

(2) Is it because of the bishops’ position on the RH bill?

(3) The CBCP’s individual members are “directly” answerable to the Pope. CBCP itself cannot sanction erring bishops.