News Roundup 21 May 2022
May 21, 2022 • 5 min Read
Pope Francis declares late Cebuano archbishop Camomot ‘venerable’ | INQUIRER.NET – Pope Francis has given the go signal to grant the late Cebuano archbishop Teofilo Camomot the title of “venerable.” The Archdiocese of Cebu formally announced the development on Saturday, May 21. “On May 21, 2022 the Holy Father Pope Francis authorized Marcello Cardinal Semeraro, Prefect of the Congregation of the Causes of Saints in the Vatican, to promulgate a decree on the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Archbishop Teofilo Bastide Camomot, granting him the title of Venerable,” the archdiocese said in a statement. Venerable is a title given to a deceased person recognized formally by the pope as having lived a heroically virtuous life or offered their life. A miracle is needed for Camomot to become a “blessed” and another miracle so he will be declared a saint of the Catholic Church. It was the Daughters of St. Teresa, a religious congregation which Camomot founded, which earlier petitioned for the opening of a cause for beatification and canonization of the Cebuano archbishop. On Oct. 15, 2010, Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, then the archbishop of Cebu, announced that the Holy See had approved the opening of the cause for Camomot’s beatification and canonization. A diocesan inquiry was then made. Since the cause for sainthood was started for Camomot, the late archbishop has been called a “Servant of God.” Camomot, fondly known as Monsignor Lolong, was known for his exceptional love for the poor. In some instances, he pawned his episcopal ring and pectoral cross (the large crucifix worn by bishops) and gave the proceeds to the poor. The archbishop would also give away whatever he had to the needy. Camomot died in a vehicular accident in San Fernando town on Sept. 27, 1988. He was 74.
‘Win’ for Robredo backers in Cebu: VP wears Hablon de Argao dress at daughter’s graduation | INQUIRER.NET – Supporters of Vice President Leni Robredo in Argao, Cebu expressed excitement after Robredo was seen wearing their handwoven barong dress at the graduation of her youngest child, Jillian, in New York City. Rainera Lucero, one of the leaders of the group Argaoanons with Leni, said that their volunteer community greatly appreciated the gesture, especially since some of them are still dealing with post-election grief. “It was a big win for us because we were so sad [about] the results of the elections. It’s hard to accept, really….The only thing that made us feel a little better was when VP Leni said, ‘Let’s continue this. Let’s do the Angat Buhay [Foundation].’ We were livened up, more so when she wore our dress…Grabe ang impact,” she said. Lucero explained that the floral Hablon de Argao barong dress, which her group gifted to Robredo when she visited their town to campaign in February, captures the story of Argao, its women and its cultural heritage. She also credited the team who handcrafted Robredo’s dress—weaver Josephine Cameros, sewer Jovencio Fuentes, and painter Joel Capuyan Gozon. Jima Bejagan and Jorelyn Concepcion, from the Cebu Technology University—Argao Campus (CTU-AC), were also thanked for their efforts to revive the Hablon de Argao industry in the past 10 years, after adopting it as an extension project. “It’s not about the dress, but it’s about the story of the dress,” Luceero said. “And it wasn’t just our group that was very happy. It was those who were involved, and also the Argaoanons who love our cultural heritage and the things that Argaoanons are proud of,” she added. In a Twitter post, Robredo thanked Argaoanons for the gift that showcased their community’s “talent and craftsmanship.”
UP Pol Sci dep’t highlights list of active, retired faculty members; Clarita Carlos reacts | PHILSTAR.COM – The University of the Philippines’ Department of Political Science stressed on Saturday that the roster of its active and retired faculty members can be found on its website. Based on the statements shared on its social media platforms, its official and active faculty members are regularly asked to speak in public fora or share their thoughts on matters of public interest. “Institutional affiliation and accountability are critical for the faculty to effectively carry out the mandate of the University in instruction, research and extension service,” the department said. Being affiliated with an institution is important “because it lends credence to the character and credibility of the faculty members,” it added. On its website, one could see that retired Prof. Clarita Carlos, who was a panelist at the SMNI Presidential Debates in February, is not included in the UP Political Science department’s list of professor emeriti, active professors and lecturers. Hours later, Carlos questioned why the department released such an announcement. “Why this notice suddenly? Because ostensibly, as relayed by our chairman to me last week, the department took a ‘collective stand’ about the issue of my styling myself as ACTIVE when I am RETIRED!” she said on Facebook. She said that ever since she was retired, she has always been referring to herself as a retired professor from UP. According to her, this is a form of “being cancelled” by her department. “Hindi ako nagumpisa nito (I did not start this)…But, I cannot allow people to destroy my name which I have painstakingly built in 56 years thru sheer hard work and perseverance,” she added. Carlos also said that she may invoke cyberlibel laws to protect her from ” irresponsible and malicious accusations.” On Thursday, Carlos, without giving names, said on Facebook that “some cretins in her department now want to cancel her.” She said she has served as a political science professor for 56 years. In the SMNI Presidential Debates, Carlos asked candidates, including Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., if they plan to make the Philippines a member of the Quad or the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, which is made up of the United States, Australia, India and Japan. Unverified reports which made rounds online earlier this month showed Carlos is being eyed by the presumptive president-elect as the new foreign affairs chief. Marcos’ spokesperson Atty. Vic Rodriguez, however, debunked these lists last week, saying there is no truth to them other than their plans to install likely vice president Sara-Duterte Carpio as the education secretary and ex-Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Benhur Abalos to lead the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
