Duterte does a delicate balancing act

Duterte announces lifting of unilateral ceasefire July 29. Photo by Rene Lumawag of PPD

Duterte announces lifting of unilateral ceasefire July 29. Photo by Rene Lumawag of PPD

Last Monday, July 25, in his first State- of-the- Nation- Address, President Duterte was applauded when he declared a unilateral ceasefire in the armed conflict with the communist rebels.

He said: “To immediately stop violence on the ground, restore peace in the communities and provide enabling environment conducive to the resumption of the peace talks, I am now announcing a unilateral ceasefire with the CPP/NPA/NDF effective immediately. And call on our Filipinos in the National Democratic Front and its forces to respond accordingly.”

Before the week ended, he withdrew that headline grabbing announcement. At 7 p.m. of Saturday, July 30, Presidential Spokesperson Ernie Abella read the President’s statement:

“Let me now announce that I am hereby ordering for the immediate lifting of the unilateral ceasefire that I ordered last July 25 against the communist rebels.

“Correspondingly, I am ordering the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to also withdraw the operational guidelines they issued in pursuance to that ceasefire declaration.”

In a statement issued Sunday, the CPP said it was set to issue reciprocal ceasefire declaration at around 8 p.m. also on Saturday.

ose Ma. Sison. Fromjosemariasison.org

ose Ma. Sison. Fromjosemariasison.org

“It was quite capricious for the GRP President to have imposed such ultimatums of a few hours or several days for the CPP to act in accordance with his whims. It was quite disconcerting that the GRP President would impose such an inflexible ultimatum on the CPP. Despite his anti-crime bravado, it would seem he has shown the drug lords and protectors of criminal syndicates more flexibility and accommodation,” the Party said.

The CPP reiterated the advice of its founder, Jose Ma. Sison to Duterte, “ to exercise a little more prudence and display more measured temperament as a way of appreciating the situation from a broader historical perspective in order to avoid such impulsive acts as imposing ultimatums by the hour on a conflict that has spanned nearly fifty years.”

In an interview with Radyo Inquirer, Sison didn’t hide his irritation towards his former student,”Masyadong butangero yang si Duterte at gusto niya ay gulo agad….kung ayaw niya ng katahimikan eh di huwag…”

Cooler heads are now trying to manage the situation. Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus G. Dureza issued a statement giving the government’s version of what went wrong.

Dureza said the day after the President announced and unilateral ceasefire and expecting the NDF to “respond accordingly,” the Left’s umbrella organization “instead of issuing its expected declaration said they could not do so as yet as they were waiting for the precise written orders on the ceasefire. In immediate response, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and subsequently the Philippine National Police issued their respective policy guidance in writing on how they would carry on with a ceasefire in place. Copies thereof were sent immediately to the NDF in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Yet in spite of this, there was still no declaration from them.”

Sison, in a statement, said, “The Central Committee of the CPP has to study these defective issuances of the AFP and PNP and also find out whether current political prisoners shall be released through general amnesty.

“President Duterte should be patient and not expect quick surrenders from highly principled and experienced revolutionaries who have a growing mass base against the rotten ruling system of big compradors and landlords. It took at least three days for the Duterte government to make clear what is the content of its unilateral ceasefire order. The CPP and NDFP should be given enough time to study tbe implications and consequences of the GRP ceasefire order and what will soon be the CPP unilateral ceasefire order to the NPA.”

Dureza related that something happened on July 27 that made Duterte’s unilateral ceasefire shaky: “The following day, July 27 a firefight happened between the NPAs and elements of the AFP civilian auxiliary in Davao del Norte resulting to the death of a civilian auxiliary force member and the wounding of 3 others. The President then called on the CPP/NPA/NDF again to explain why this happened in the midst of his ceasefire declaration.”

 Four-year-old Allih Hachaso, son of Police Officer 3 Eric Hachaso, gives President Duterte a snappy salute duting the latter’s visit at  Camp Nakar, Lucena City July 28. Photo by Toto Lozano, PPD


Four-year-old Allih Hachaso, son of Police Officer 3 Eric Hachaso, gives President Duterte a snappy salute duting the latter’s visit at Camp Nakar, Lucena City July 28. Photo by Toto Lozano, PPD


It must be noted that Duterte has been making the rounds of military camps since the third week of July explaining his policy of giving the Left a major role in his government while telling them of the increase of benefits that they will be receiving upon his orders.

The President is doing a delicate balancing act. He knows what happened during the administration of Corazon Aquino who had to repel several coup attempts fueled by the military’s resentment of her “Leftist” advisers.

On Thursday, July 28, he went to Camp Nakar in Lucena, the base of the Armed Forces’ Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM). Philippine National Police officials assigned in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon (CALABARZON) joined the soldiers.

From Camp Nakar, he proceeded to Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal, and headquarters of the Philippine Army’s Second Infantry Division.
In Camp Nakar, he explained: “ Meron tayong development sa ating bayan. I know that it is a… Medyo resistant kayo to accept it because of the historical — ‘yung sakit. Maraming namatay sa inyo, pero bagamat marami ring namatay sa mga komunista. But as President, I have to seek peace for our country. Not only with the communist insurgency but doon rin sa Muslim insurgency.

“Mahirap tanggapin na mukhang ang labas niyan is patawaran nang lahat. Alam ko medyo hindi madali tanggapin ‘yan. But, as a President and Commander-in-Chief, I have to think of the Republic of the Philippines and the whole of the people in this country. Hindi pwede na estudyante pa ako pati hanggang ngayon nagpapatayan; and we continue to lose men, good men, mga sundalo pati pulis, until now.”

He assured the soldiers that he will support them the way he supported his policemen in Davao.

“I never allowed any police officer or the ordinary patrol man to go to prison for performing the duty. I would like to reiterate now that policy and to include the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines na basta magtrabaho lang kayo, in accordance with your mandate wala kayong problema. Wala talaga ikaw problema because I will be there. Sinabi ko sa SONA — to be with you.

“I will protect you and I will answer for the things that I ordered na gawin mo. Sinabi ko ito ‘yan, gawain mo ‘yan, at ika’y nagkakaroon ng kaso, masabit ka, wala ka talagang problem. Forget about the problem because I will answer for you personally and officially.”

That’s why on Friday, when he went to the 60th Infantry Battalion headquarters in Asuncion, Davao del Norte, he made sure he condoled with the widow of the slain CAFGU Panggong S. Komanod.

The New People's Army. From PWRC.

The New People’s Army. From PWRC.

That’s where he announced the final deadline of 5 o’clock July 30 for the CPP/NPA/NDF to reciprocate with a ceasefire declaration.
Dureza said, “It is very clear that the President walked the extra mile for peace. And no doubt, he will still continue to do so at any given opportunity.”

The peace talks will resume on August 20-27 in Oslo, Norway.

The CPP statement mentioned about the President re-issuing a ceasefire declaration “simultaneously with a similar unilateral declaration by the CPP and NPA on August 20.”

Duterte does a delicate balancing act

Duterte announces lifting of unilateral ceasefire July 29. Photo by Rene Lumawag of PPD

Duterte announces lifting of unilateral ceasefire July 29. Photo by Rene Lumawag of PPD

Last Monday, July 25, in his first State- of-the- Nation- Address, President Duterte was applauded when he declared a unilateral ceasefire in the armed conflict with the communist rebels.

He said: “To immediately stop violence on the ground, restore peace in the communities and provide enabling environment conducive to the resumption of the peace talks, I am now announcing a unilateral ceasefire with the CPP/NPA/NDF effective immediately. And call on our Filipinos in the National Democratic Front and its forces to respond accordingly.”

Before the week ended, he withdrew that headline grabbing announcement. At 7 p.m. of Saturday, July 30, Presidential Spokesperson Ernie Abella read the President’s statement:

“Let me now announce that I am hereby ordering for the immediate lifting of the unilateral ceasefire that I ordered last July 25 against the communist rebels.

“Correspondingly, I am ordering the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to also withdraw the operational guidelines they issued in pursuance to that ceasefire declaration.”

In a statement issued Sunday, the CPP said it was set to issue reciprocal ceasefire declaration at around 8 p.m. also on Saturday.

ose Ma. Sison. Fromjosemariasison.org

ose Ma. Sison. Fromjosemariasison.org

“It was quite capricious for the GRP President to have imposed such ultimatums of a few hours or several days for the CPP to act in accordance with his whims. It was quite disconcerting that the GRP President would impose such an inflexible ultimatum on the CPP. Despite his anti-crime bravado, it would seem he has shown the drug lords and protectors of criminal syndicates more flexibility and accommodation,” the Party said.

The CPP reiterated the advice of its founder, Jose Ma. Sison to Duterte, “ to exercise a little more prudence and display more measured temperament as a way of appreciating the situation from a broader historical perspective in order to avoid such impulsive acts as imposing ultimatums by the hour on a conflict that has spanned nearly fifty years.”

In an interview with Radyo Inquirer, Sison didn’t hide his irritation towards his former student,”Masyadong butangero yang si Duterte at gusto niya ay gulo agad….kung ayaw niya ng katahimikan eh di huwag…”

Cooler heads are now trying to manage the situation. Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus G. Dureza issued a statement giving the government’s version of what went wrong.

Dureza said the day after the President announced and unilateral ceasefire and expecting the NDF to “respond accordingly,” the Left’s umbrella organization “instead of issuing its expected declaration said they could not do so as yet as they were waiting for the precise written orders on the ceasefire. In immediate response, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and subsequently the Philippine National Police issued their respective policy guidance in writing on how they would carry on with a ceasefire in place. Copies thereof were sent immediately to the NDF in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Yet in spite of this, there was still no declaration from them.”

Sison, in a statement, said, “The Central Committee of the CPP has to study these defective issuances of the AFP and PNP and also find out whether current political prisoners shall be released through general amnesty.

“President Duterte should be patient and not expect quick surrenders from highly principled and experienced revolutionaries who have a growing mass base against the rotten ruling system of big compradors and landlords. It took at least three days for the Duterte government to make clear what is the content of its unilateral ceasefire order. The CPP and NDFP should be given enough time to study tbe implications and consequences of the GRP ceasefire order and what will soon be the CPP unilateral ceasefire order to the NPA.”

Dureza related that something happened on July 27 that made Duterte’s unilateral ceasefire shaky: “The following day, July 27 a firefight happened between the NPAs and elements of the AFP civilian auxiliary in Davao del Norte resulting to the death of a civilian auxiliary force member and the wounding of 3 others. The President then called on the CPP/NPA/NDF again to explain why this happened in the midst of his ceasefire declaration.”

 Four-year-old Allih Hachaso, son of Police Officer 3 Eric Hachaso, gives President Duterte a snappy salute duting the latter’s visit at  Camp Nakar, Lucena City July 28. Photo by Toto Lozano, PPD


Four-year-old Allih Hachaso, son of Police Officer 3 Eric Hachaso, gives President Duterte a snappy salute duting the latter’s visit at Camp Nakar, Lucena City July 28. Photo by Toto Lozano, PPD


It must be noted that Duterte has been making the rounds of military camps since the third week of July explaining his policy of giving the Left a major role in his government while telling them of the increase of benefits that they will be receiving upon his orders.

The President is doing a delicate balancing act. He knows what happened during the administration of Corazon Aquino who had to repel several coup attempts fueled by the military’s resentment of her “Leftist” advisers.

On Thursday, July 28, he went to Camp Nakar in Lucena, the base of the Armed Forces’ Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM). Philippine National Police officials assigned in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon (CALABARZON) joined the soldiers.

From Camp Nakar, he proceeded to Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal, and headquarters of the Philippine Army’s Second Infantry Division.
In Camp Nakar, he explained: “ Meron tayong development sa ating bayan. I know that it is a… Medyo resistant kayo to accept it because of the historical — ‘yung sakit. Maraming namatay sa inyo, pero bagamat marami ring namatay sa mga komunista. But as President, I have to seek peace for our country. Not only with the communist insurgency but doon rin sa Muslim insurgency.

“Mahirap tanggapin na mukhang ang labas niyan is patawaran nang lahat. Alam ko medyo hindi madali tanggapin ‘yan. But, as a President and Commander-in-Chief, I have to think of the Republic of the Philippines and the whole of the people in this country. Hindi pwede na estudyante pa ako pati hanggang ngayon nagpapatayan; and we continue to lose men, good men, mga sundalo pati pulis, until now.”

He assured the soldiers that he will support them the way he supported his policemen in Davao.

“I never allowed any police officer or the ordinary patrol man to go to prison for performing the duty. I would like to reiterate now that policy and to include the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines na basta magtrabaho lang kayo, in accordance with your mandate wala kayong problema. Wala talaga ikaw problema because I will be there. Sinabi ko sa SONA — to be with you.

“I will protect you and I will answer for the things that I ordered na gawin mo. Sinabi ko ito ‘yan, gawain mo ‘yan, at ika’y nagkakaroon ng kaso, masabit ka, wala ka talagang problem. Forget about the problem because I will answer for you personally and officially.”

That’s why on Friday, when he went to the 60th Infantry Battalion headquarters in Asuncion, Davao del Norte, he made sure he condoled with the widow of the slain CAFGU Panggong S. Komanod.

The New People's Army. From PWRC.

The New People’s Army. From PWRC.

That’s where he announced the final deadline of 5 o’clock July 30 for the CPP/NPA/NDF to reciprocate with a ceasefire declaration.
Dureza said, “It is very clear that the President walked the extra mile for peace. And no doubt, he will still continue to do so at any given opportunity.”

The peace talks will resume on August 20-27 in Oslo, Norway.

The CPP statement mentioned about the President re-issuing a ceasefire declaration “simultaneously with a similar unilateral declaration by the CPP and NPA on August 20.”

Photo-journalists debunk doubts on ‘La Pieta’ picture

Photo by  Mark Z. Saludes of UCAnews

Photo by Mark Z. Saludes of UCAnews

Proof of the greatness of a creation is the emotion that it evokes, favorable or unfavorable.

Such is the picture of Jennelyn Olaires cradling the dead body of her partner, Michael Siaron, a 30-year-old pedicab driver, who was shot dead by motorcycle-riding men while he was waiting for passengers past midnight of July 22 in Pasay City.

Inquirer captioned the heart-wrenching photo by Raffy Lerma, “La Pieta,” after the famous sculpture by Michelangelo Buonarroti of the sorrowful Mary holding the dead body of Jesus.

Lerma’s photo was a medium shot showing a partial view of the background, a sign, “Bawal magsakay at magbaba ng psahero dito” and cardboard sign with the word “pusher”, which news report said, was left by the killers.

A close-up version was posted online by photo journalist Mark Saludes of UCAnews.

Both Lerma and Saludes’ photos captured the anguish in the face of Olaires, whom news reports

ABC-CBN’s Basilio Sepe took a shot of the sorrowful moment from a higher angle conveying the feeling of smallness and helplessness of the couple.

The picture unnerved President Duterte who belittled is as “drama” in his first State of the Nation address last Monday.
“Eh tapos nandiyan ka nakabulagta and you are portrayed in a broadsheet na parang Mother Mary cradling the dead cadaver of Jesus Christ. Eh yan yang mga yan magda-dramahan tayo dito,” Duterte said.

Photo by Raffy Lerma of Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Photo by Raffy Lerma of Philippine Daily Inquirer.


Doubts about the photograph were raised in social media.

Musician and advertising executive Dennis Garcia said he sensed “something fishy with these shots,” referring to the many versions of the July 22 killing.

“why so many angles? staged with dramatic lighting? and no authorities in sight?inquiring minds want to know, Inquirer…” he asked.
Garcia further said, “in aid of destabilization?”

Sports broadcaster Manolo Chino Trinidad also voiced out his doubts about the too-perfect-to-be-true photograph with the following thoughts posted at 8:25 in his Facebook page.

“Ang tunay na drama sa likod ng litrato

“Kahit saan natin tignan ay walang paliwanag sa pagkamatay o pagpatay sa ating ka-anak. Ang drama dito ay kung paano nai-drawing ang kuha na sukat na sukat at may multiple angles pa.

“Eto ang imahe na sumasalamin sa katayuan ng Philippine Media—un klase na ginagamit para bilugin ang isipan ng sambayanan.”
Two hours after, Trinidad posted this:

“Binabawi ko ang sinabi ko kanina

“May nagpadala sa akin ng mensahe sa pamamagitan din nitong Facebook—isa sa mga tunay na tinataya ang buhay para lamang makakuha ng mga imahe na nailalaman ng ating mga pahayagan.

“Ang kuha na ito ni Raffy Lerma ng Philippine Daily Inquirer ay hindi raw drawing gaya ng aking nasabi kanina.

“Ang pakay daw dito ay makuha ang ‘honesty of the situation.’ Ang kumuha daw nito gaya ng ating mga photojournalists ay walang agenda kundi kunan ang napapanahong talakayan ng “extra-judicial killings.”

Trinidad shared the statement of Saludes, one of the photo-journalists who was at the scene of the crime.

Hoto by Basilio Sepe of  ABS-CBN.

Hoto by Basilio Sepe of ABS-CBN.

Saludes explained that the lighting;

“(It) was from floodlights (MMDA and Policemen who responded), ilaw ng mga TV Networks (ask GMA7, CNN, TV5 AND ABS-CBN who were there), flashlights from people who were looking at the crime scene (some were from cellphone flashlights), flash ng mga photojourn ng tabloids.”

Saludes further said: “Si Raffy Lerma walang dalang flash at hindi gumagamit ng flash tulad namin na nag-aral ng documentary photography. So sumasabay lahat ng walang ilaw sa kung anong available light.

“In fairness sa mga nakasama ko na photogs during that night, walang sumisigaw ng “ISA PA”. Lahat walang imik, hindi nagsasalita at nakikinig lang sa pagmamakaawa ng babae na tulungan ang asawa nya while trying to do our jobs.

“Totoo na maraming walang credibility sa industry natin, pero para gawing dahilan ito para ilayo ang issue ng extra judicial killings eh hindi naman yata tama.

“To think na inilabas din namin ang identity ng subjects sa frame.

“Nakakahiya naman siguro for fellow PJs na andun kung idrowing yan ni Raffy, ni Noel Celis, ni Eli Sepe, ni Linus Escandor, ni Vincent Go o ni Mark Saludes habang kagat-kagat ng eksenang iyan ang pansin at ulirat namin.

“Isama na ang puso.

“I am standing for Raffy and the rest of the PJs who were there.

“I am standing for photojournalism.

“Sa presscon lang uso ang sumisigaw ng “ISA PA” o ng “ATRAS KA NG KONTI ATE.”

“We are not just photographers, we are Photojournalists.”

Duterte gives Yasay a graceful exit

Now I see how astute President Duterte is.

He can appear to be assuring you of his trust and confidence while actually cutting your neck.

That was what his July 19 video statement released by Malacañang on the status of Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay, Jr. showed.

In the video, a very formal Duterte in barong tagalog with the emblem of the President of the Republic of the Philippine behind and in front of him, said:

“I would like to arrest a few rumors going around that Secretary Yasay of the Department of Foreign Affairs is on his way out. I would like to assure the Secretary that he is in good company and there is no truth to the rumor that there is a plan for his ouster, far from it actually.

“I would like the Philippines to know that I personally pleaded with Secretary Yasay to join the government because he us competent, honest, and he knows his business. He has a professorial job on the western side of the United States.

“He knows whereof he speaks. So hindi totoo yan.

“Although there’s a caveat. Actually, Secretary accepted the position on the condition that he will only serve for a few months, not even a year because he has contractual obligations to teach, professorial chair, well most universities in the western side.. California, Hawaii and somewhere else.

“Let me douse cold water on the rumor and arrest the circulating.. It’s not good.

“Yasay speaks for me. Everything that he says in public both national and international comes from my guidance. And he has my backing and full support. And I said, I place my entire trust in him to take care as being the spokesman for our foreign affairs.

“Sana matapos na iyang haka-haka. Maraming Salamat.”

So Yasay stays put as DFA secretary for now. But he will be out soon,“For a few months, not even a year,” Duterte said.

That’s exit. Duterte just made it graceful.

That’s sooner than what Yasay expected who was presumed to be holding the DFA position until the one-year ban on defeated vice presidential candidate Alan Peter Cayetano expires.

Cayetano becoming foreign secretary is not being mentioned now. Besides, it’s doubtful if Cayetano is interested to be the country’s chief diplomat.

DFA would not serve Cayetano’s higher political ambitions unlike the Department of Interior and Local Government which gives one direct contacts with local government that would be useful in future electoral exercise.

Controversy hounded Yasay from the moment his name was mentioned as the next foreign secretary. There were no lack in materials against him. There’s the Banco Filipino case and his controversial stint as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Being passed around through email are records of Yasay’ s unpaid tax debts and mortgages in the United States going back to the 1990s. He has also been delinquent in the payment of his New York bar dues.

Definitely,Yasay is not the worst foreign secretary. DFA has had its share of incompetent secretaries.

But Yasay’s major flaw is, he talks to media too much. That’s a catastrophe if you are ignorant about the subject you are talking about.

Not fired but he will exit. Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. shares a light moment with President Rodrigo R. Duterte during a meeting at the Music Room in Malacañan Palace on July 19.Photo by King Rodriguez/PPD

Not fired but he will exit. Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. shares a light moment with President Rodrigo R. Duterte during a meeting at the Music Room in Malacañan Palace on July 19.Photo by King Rodriguez/PPD


And he has very bad timing.

Before the July 12 release of the decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration on the case filed by the Philippines against China on the disputed waters in the South China Sea, Yasay talked about engaging in bilateral talks and joint exploration with China.

He revealed that he rebuffed the pressure of the ambassadors of countries pushing the issue of freedom of navigation in South China Sea (United States and Japan) for him to issue a strong statement against China when the Arbitral Court’s decision comes out.

He was seen as pro-China so much so that he was crucified when he didn’t look joyful while reading the DFA statement on the Arbitral Court’s decision that overwhelmingly favored the Philippines.

Then perhaps to negate his pro-China image, he spilled to media his conversation with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of Asia-Europe Meeting in Mongolia. He said that he rejected Wang’s proposal that bilateral talks between the Philippines and China would not be based on the Arbitral tribunal’s ruling.

One can’t have a secretary of foreign affairs that conducts dealing with other countries through media. Other diplomats would be scared discussing sensitive matters with him.

Duterte talks of Yasay having commitments for a teaching jobs in the United States – “California, Hawaii and somewhere else.”
School term in the U.S. begins in September. That means Yasay will only be up to September? The next question: who will be the next foreign secretary?

Inspired by Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, solons propose state-run crematoriums

AKO Bicol representatives. Proponents fro state-run crematoriums.

AKO Bicol representatives. Proponents fro state-run crematoriums.


Inspired by the spate of killings which is an offshoot of President Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs, three congressmen proposed building a crematorium in every legislative district.

The proposal, contained in House Bill No. 135 authored by AKO Bicol party list Representatives Rodel Batocabe, Alfredo Garbin, and Christopher Co, is reminiscent of Nazi Germany more than 80 years ago, when Adolf Hitler waged a campaign to eliminate the Jews.

More than 20 million were killed in the 12-year reign of terror. Gas chambers and crematoriums were built to hasten the killings and the disposal of dead bodies.

News reports about the bill quoted Batocabe as saying, “Should President Duterte stay true to his mission to eliminate drug pushers by hook or by crook, our cemeteries will definitely be filled to the brim and the crematories will greatly help in this regard.”

Garbin added, “With a projected increase of deaths, congestion of our burial land will get worse so much so they are no longer conducive to the living and its dead residents.”

Almost all of the more than a hundred killed in the campaign against illegal drugs since July 1 (more than 300 since May 10 after the election which Duterte won) are poor, wearing slippers. A number were killed because they allegedly tried to grab the policemen’s pistols with their hands cuffed.

HB 135 tasks the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to manage, operate and maintain a secured, clean, and adequately-equipped crematory in each legislative district. It shall formulate the socialized rates for the cost of cremation, proportionate to the financial capability of the surviving family of the deceased.

Stressing that their measure is pro-poor, the authors said their bill also provides for a socialized fee structure to help indigent and marginalized families to avail themselves of free cremation services while sparing them of expenses for burial land and casket.
“With subsidized cremation costs, the government can ensure the affordable and accessible burial services to our people. Suffice it to state, this is a social equal access to social services even until their deaths,” Batocabe said.

He noted that cremation is generally cheaper than the traditional burial rites. Citing a 2015 data, he said a memorial lot costs at least P70,000, with an additional amount of at least P25,000 for the interment, including the casket.

Public cemeteries, which are cheaper require renewal fees which could lead to disposal of the remains if the surviving family defaults on payment, Batocabe said.

Gas chamber -crematorium in Hitler's Auschwitz

Gas chamber -crematorium in Hitler’s Auschwitz

Cremation process costs approximately P25,000, with the optional niche costing between P35,000 to P50,000. However, such niches are designed to hold numerous urns, still making it affordable in comparison.

Batocabe said, “Our poor will have the choice to spend less, and still give their loved ones a respectable burial without burning a hole in their pocket.”

Another advantage, Garbin said, is that cemeteries will be decongested and visits for the annual All Saints’ and All Souls’ days would not be stressful.

Co said their measure encourages the productive use of lands for agricultural, residential and industrial purposes. “Cremation is more environmentally friendly compared to traditional burial which could introduce contaminants from the coffin and the body,” he said.

Rep. Co is the brother of Albay businessman Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co, chief executive officer of the family-owned Sunwest Group of Companies that is into real estate development, construction and hydro power generation, among others.

The Cos may yet include, if they are not yet into that business, crematorium building. With more than 230 legislative districts, a crematorium in every district, that’s one good business. As good as the funeral business that news reports said is predicted to “flourish” this year.

Excuse me, I’m about to puke.