Joseph the model

Think Bits

Last Sunday, Father Ramon Mores, SJ suggested that fathers and boys should make Joseph, the foster father of Jesus, their role model because of the faith and trust in God the Father that he exemplified when he took on the responsibility of caring for the Virgin Mary and Jesus despite the fact that he knew that the baby in her womb was not his.

Father Mores’ suggestion is timely because a lot of parents, especially fathers, have neglected or abandoned their children. I think this is a gender concern. For the male to be concerned only about making the woman pregnant to prove himself a man is considered a norm. In the process he ignores his responsibility in providing for the needs of the children.

A man thus leaves a woman on her own in rearing the children which is the sad result of gender bias. So I am heeding the suggestion of Father Mores in making Joseph my role model.

To everyone, wishing you all a merry Christmas and joyous and peaceful Yuletide.

* * *

I would like to submit my humble opinion on the propriety of members of the judiciary receiving allowances from local governments.

My honest conviction is that members of the judiciary should not and must not receive allowances at all from the local government unit so they can maintain their independence.

Like Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, I do understand that the members of the judiciary have needs that have to be met for them to function properly.

Mayor Rama is accommodating their requests for allowances because as a lawyer, he has seen the difficulties they encounter.

But I think it is the responsibility of the Supreme Court to adequately provide for them because they play a very crucial and sensitive role in making the wheels of justice turn.

I agree that the budget for the allowances of the members of the judiciary could have been used to finance some of the needs of the marginalized.

* * *

Las Vegas KTV Music Lounge was ordered padlocked by Mayor Rama because of violations of city ordinances on lewd shows. Surveillance conducted by the Cebu Anti-Indecency Board showed that ladies danced half naked in the club, thus the board personnel were not performing beyond their authority in closing the music lounge.

Now the club’s managers are appealing to emotions by warning that about a hundred employees will lose their jobs due to the closure.

But the closure would not have happened if only they had heeded the warning of the authorities the first time they were caught staging a lewd performance.

I am happy that Mayor Rama is cracking down on these night clubs because if they are left unmonitored, I am pretty sure they would continue to show lewd dances. If these bars do not want their employees to lose their jobs because of a closure order from City Hall then they must strictly observe decency laws. This is also to protect women from becoming objects of pleasure and commercialization.

* * *

I would like to address once again the irresponsible assertion of the former mayor that the city is bankrupt.

First, the word is a very strong one.

If one is to examine the finances of the city it is truly not bankrupt. In fact, the city government with the approval of the Bando Osmeña – Pundok Kauswagan- dominated council just passed a proposal to give calamity assistance to employees at P20,000 each.

In addition, the council recently approved a slashed budget in the amount of P 5.9 billion.