Jaime Cardinal Sin

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

JUNE 21, 2005

Jaime Lachica Cardinal Sin (August 31, 1928 – June 21, 2005), the charismatic Archbishop of Manila died at the age of 76 due to renal failure. 

The government through Presidential Proclamation No. 863 gave him a state funeral and a period of national mourning with thousands attending his funeral. Cardinal Sin was instrumental in toppling Pres. Ferdinand Marcos’ regime through People Power 1 in 1986 that installed Cory Aquino as president. 

Again in 2001, he intervened that led to the ouster of Pres. Joseph Estrada and made Gloria Arroyo president.

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan Uy)

Photo credit: http://manilacathedral.org/

Goodbye Press Secretary Cerge Remonde

Philippine Press Secretary Cerge Remonde's sudden demise today is a huge loss to Cebuanos and to the local media of Cebu.

I still recall the day when me and Ricky Teves, Cebu Stamp Club's vice president were personally invited to his birthday party in his house in 1998. He was very involved with the Knights of Rizal that most of those who came were KOR members. Both me and Ricky got invited to join the KOR but got our hands full running Cebu Stamp Club.

He introduced to us his wife Marit, who in the later part of the evening gave Ricky some treasured stamps.

Humble, vibrant and charismatic, Cerge was destined to make the people of Cebu proud. When President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo won the presidency, she appointed him press undersecretary in 2001. Soon he found himself heading the presidential management staff. He was then appointed press secretary in 2009.

To the family of Cerge, I offer my condolences.

Above photo is from SunStar Cebu website.

updates:

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo conferred the Order of Lakandula with the rank of Grand Cross (Bayani) to the late Cerge Remonde on January 21, 2009. Marit Stinus-Remonde received the posthumous award that was given “for his outstanding service to the Republic of the Philippines and in recognition of his life as an exemplary media man and public servant.”

Two Philippine Presidents on PCSO stamp

The latest Philippine stamp issue featuring the 75th anniversary of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) shows two Philippine presidents.

This is the second time that two presidents are shown together in a stamp. The first was the issue released on June 12, 1992 that featured President Corazon Aquino and President Fidel Ramos.

The December 18, 2009 PCSO stamp features President Manuel Quezon and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. This is another welcome addition to those who collect Philippine Presidents on stamps.

Since 1934, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office has "lived up to the challenge of its mandated mission and purpose and has remained unwavering in carrying out its vision of uplifting the quality of life of the Filipino people. The agency has well established itself as a model government institution with its unquestioned dedication to serve the disadvantaged sectors of society. With these, the PCSO has developed a strong credence and incontestable acceptance from Filipinos who have all come to believe and get comfort on the fact that the PCSO will always be there for them, as long as needs need to be satisfied and hopes and dreams need to be given life and fulfilment."

Visit my Philippine Presidents on stamps website by clicking here.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights Stamp

Some weeks ago, more than 50 journalists and relatives of a political clan were brutally murdered in Mindanao. This dastardly deed is now known as the Maguindanao Massacre.

The alledged masterminds are now in government custody but other perpetrators numbering more than a hundred are still being hunted down by the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the National Bureau of Investigation.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued Proclamation No. 1959 declaring Martial Law in Maguindanao last Friday night. This move has made everyone apprehensive. The Senate and the House of Representatives convened yesterday as one body to tackle the issue.

Filipinos have a bad experience with Martial Law when President Ferdinand Marcos declared it in 1972. A lot of atrocities and human rights violations were committed during those years.

As the whole world celebrates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights today, I hope that the rights of the people in Maguindanao will not be violated and all the perpetrators be brought to justice.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights stamp was issued by the Philippine postal authorities on December 9, 1988.

The Latest 2009 Stamp of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is once again featured on Philippine stamps by the Philippine Postal Corporation in it's August 3. 2009 Philippines-Brunei Agricultural Cooperation issue.

The 7-peso stamp also features Hassanal Bolkiah, the Sultan of Brunei.

Visit http://philippinepresidents.110mb.com/ to see other stamps of Philippine Presidents.

A Day of Mourning

Four days ago, a group of people composed of journalists, lawyers, civilians and the wife of a candidate for a governatorial position in Maguindanao and their relatives were waylaid in what could be the country's most brutal slay in recent history. As of press time, the fatalities have reached the 57 mark. If not for a helicopter hovering above the area, all the victims and their vehicles would have been completely buried by a backhoe owned by the provincial government.

I could not believe that things like this would still be happening in this country that is supposed to be practicing the rule of law.

Being with media as a columnist in one of the top newspapers here in Cebu some years back, I condemn in the strongest sense this blatant attack against the press and the innocent civilians.

Together with everyone else in this country, I demand justice for the victims. I mourn with the families for their loss and may all the perpetrators believed to be more than a hundred be arrested and brought to court.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has declared today a day of mourning and has ordered a quick action on the incident.

Singapore Hosts APEC 2009

Singapore plays host to this year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings. The meetings started in February and will culminate in the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting on November 14 and 15. This year's theme is "Sustaining Growth, Connecting the Region".

APEC Singapore 2009 aims to build on APEC’s work to date in promoting economic growth, cooperation, trade and investment across the Asia-Pacific region. It focuses in overcoming the economic crisis and positioning member economies for a sustainable recovery in the post-crisis world.

The main areas for discussion during the year are: Positioning for Economic Recovery; Supporting Multilateral Trading Systems; and Accelerating Regional Economic Integration.

The 21 member economies of APEC are: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, People's Republic of China, Republic of China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, United States, and Vietnam.

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo left today for Singapore to join the other world leaders.

To publicize APEC 2009, Singapore Post issued the APEC 2009 MEETINGS stamps on November 5, 2009.

U.S. State Secretary Hillary Clinton Visits the Philippines

America's most popular and powerful woman, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived today in the Philippines for a two-day visit.

At a press conference, Clinton announced that "the United States is committed to a strong partnership and alliance with the Philippines."

"I would just reiterate that the US stands ready to assist our friends in the Philippines who are seeking to counter terrorism and radical extremism," she adds.

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo conferred to her the Sikatuna award with the rank of Datu in a ceremony at the Bahay Pangarap in Malacañang Palace. This award is given by the Philippine government to diplomats, officials and nationals of foreign countries who have rendered extra ordinary service in fostering, developing and strengthening relations between the Philippines and their country.

Bohol's Pride, President Carlos P. Garcia

Bohol's favorite son, the late President Carlos P. Garcia was born today November 4 in the year 1896. I am sure a big celebration is held there to commemorate this special day especially in his hometown, Talibon.

President Garcia took his oath of office on March 18, 1957 as the fourth president of the republic, the same day President Ramon Magsaysay died in a plane crash at Mt. Manunggal in Cebu. He served the unfinished term of Magsaysay.

During the November 12, 1957 elections, he won over all his opponents.

His great contribution to the Philippines as president was the strenghtening of democracy. He advocated and respected the human rights of the people and was known not to be vindictive towards his political foes.

Filipinos remember him for the character traits that helped shaped the course of his personal career and that of the state. He was a good leader who knew how to maintain the mystic required for true leadership.

He implemented the famous "Filipino First Policy", which encouraged Filipino businessmen to engage in foreign and domestic trade. He ran for reelection on November 14, 1961 but lost to his vice president, Diosdado Macapagal, who is the father of the incumbent Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. President Carlos P. Garcia died on June 14, 1971.

Visit the Philippine Presidents on stamps website to view all the stamps of President Carlos P. Garcia at http://philippinepresidents.110mb.com.

United Nations Secretary General on Philippine Stamps

"The United Nations is doing its utmost to respond — to address the big issues, to look at the big picture. We are forging a new multilateralism that can deliver real results for all people, especially those most in need." United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stresses in his United Nations Day 2009 speech.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appeared on a Philippine stamp set released by the Philippine Postal Corporation (Philpost) on October 29, 2008.

Featured on the P7.00 stamp is Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon while the P26.00 stamp portrays him with Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The stamps were issued to highlight his visit to the Philippines last year.

Charter Change

The death of Cory may have postponed moves by the House of Representatives in its bid to amend the Constitution but in the coming days or weeks, I have this feeling that Congress will go full blast with it. At the moment, House Resolution No. 1109 hasn't been withdrawn yet.

HR No. 1109 seeks to make amendments to the Constitution through the convening of a constituent assembly (Con-ass). It aims to make the House and the Senate as one body, not separate, and voting as one. The Senate is against this and wants to vote as a separate body.

Critics claim that the main agenda of Con-ass is to change the present form of government to a parliamentary one to extend President Arroyo's stay in the Palace.

I wish Congress would end its bid for charter change and heed Cory's strongest message against it, a few months before she passed away.

“Here we are again in the midst of the shameful abuses of the powerful that seek to destroy our sacred laws. Over the years, I have learned to endure pain and sadness,” Cory said. “But perhaps, there is nothing that causes me greater pain than to see our people betrayed again and again by those they have elected to lead and serve them. To those of us who fought long and hard to restore our democracy, the pain deepens at the thought that all our gains have so quickly been eroded.”

In a few months, we will be voting again for the next president. I believe that President Arroyo has done her best for this country in her incumbency. I thank her in advance for everything she has done for us and believe that she will hand over the presidency to the new president who will be serving under the 1987 Constitution.