Nur Misuari joins Bangon Pilipinas Party
Former ARMM Governor, Nur Misuari will run as Governor of Sulu under the the Bangon Pilipinas party. This welcome move by Nur Misuari will bolster the growing chances of BP Party, now regarded as a strong alternative to the traditional political parties.
This move surprised the proponents of major political parties but also confirms the strong clamor of the Filipino people for drastic change in the government.
In accepting the nomination, Nur Misuari reiterated his belief in Bro. Eddie Villanueva's capability to lead our country to the much awaited sincere change and long lasting peace in Mindanao.
Atty./Bro. Monching Ocampo joins Bro. Eddie in Ondoy/Pepeng Relief Operations
At the aftermath of typhoon Ondoy and at the height of typhoon Pepeng, Atty./Bro. Monching Ocampo and Bro. Eddie Villanueva utilized their own resources in extending help to the hapless typhoon victims. Relief goods ranging from basic commodities to temporary shelters were provided and distributed with the help of Jesus Is Lord fellowship ministry.
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News Editorial by: Atty./Bro. Ramon "Monching" Ocampo
Ikaw, ano ang taya mo sa ating Bansa?
An increasing number of Filipino-Americans have signified to me their plans to go back and retire in the Philippines someday and perhaps, get actively involved in the alleviation of the country’s social, economic and political woes. They believe as well as I do that the Philippines will someday/somehow live up to its inherent potentials and become a prosperous nation taking into consideration our abundant God-given natural resources typical of a tropical country but especially more so, since our country is simply gifted with a people imbued with so much talent, abilities and character traits integral in the making of a great nation. Although the election of many existing political dynasties have resulted in the continuous proliferation of graft and corruption and patronage system in many of our local government bureaucracy, I firmly believe that it’s just a matter of time when we will finally be able to install competent, morally-upright political leadership in the highest echelons of our country’s political hierarchy. And without making any attempt to diminish the role of other Filipinos worldwide, I firmly that Filipino-Americans will play a pivotal role in bringing this political Renaissance possible.
It is no secret that our country does not have a strong middle class integral to a strong/progressive democracy. A great majority of the voting population of our country consists of the impoverished sectors which have perennially been susceptible to the degrading electoral practice of vote-buying and the resultant desecration/manipulation of the political will. Overseas-based Filipinos particularly Filipino-Americans, are the vaunted "middle class" sorely lacking in the Philippines and which many believe will be the much-needed catalyst to bring about the political renaissance age of our country. It has always been my hope and prayer that someday soon, a few dedicated Filipino-American imbued with what I call as the "NEHEMIAH" spirit and attitude, working as one cohesive group without any personal rivalries or deceit, jealousy or envy but with each one deferring to the other out of mutual respect, would somehow, harness and/or pool their respective financial resources together and get actively involved in the moral, social and economic transformation of the Philippines. Whether one agrees with me or not, it has always been my belief that this long-overdue transformation must necessarily include the political arena. After all, those who are entrusted with the national leadership are supposed to and could very well...do the most amount of good to the most number of people at the least possible time.
Indeed, the installation of morally upright political leadership must likewise be given equal importance as well so as to expedite the upliftment of the impoverished conditions of many of our people and thereby, restore to them, a healthy sense of self-worth and dignity. A people freed from the bondage of grinding poverry, will in turn, be able to resist the lure of the easy money being dangled like a proverbial lure by the scrupulous-minded politicians whose hidden agenda has always been to continue the endless cycle of poverty if only to perpetuate themselves in power and authority.
There is no doubt in my mind whatsoever that it is in this area of poverty alleviation in our country that Gawad-Kalinga headed by Bro. Tony Meloto is slowly but surely, making a big difference. Sadly enough, I find it very disturbing that not very many Filipino-Americans including the most prominent Catholic/Christian communities, are not as actively involved in said project, if at all. Will there ever come a time when many Fil-Am community leaders/organizations will finally rid themselves of their parochial/self-centered mentalities and support Gawad-Kalinga (GK) as the front-line humanitarian project of most, if not all, overseas-based Filipinos, thereby, heeding what is written in Philippians 2:2-4 to… "be like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain deceit but in humility, consider others better than yourselves, each one looking at the other person’s interests rather than your own.." From all past indications, this is a rather tall order, to say the least. But in retrospect, what is stopping us from at least, getting involved with GK even once? Isn’t our country and the Filipino people worth a decent shot from each and every one of us? As they say in Gawad-Kalinga, Ano ang taya mo sa ikauunlad ng ating bansa? After all, it is written..."To whom much is given, much is required"…Di ba?
Atty. Ramoncito "Monching" Ocampo, "Bro. Ramon", is a licensed lawyer by profession, an elder-disciple preacher of the El Shaddai DWXI-PPFI Catholic Charismatic community by vocation and a GK Advocate. He is also President of Bangon! Bagong Pilipinas (BBP), an advocacy for the moral, economic and political transformation of the Philippines. For comments, e-mail monching4senate@ymail.com.