“Be Merciful to the Poor”

December 7, 2010

(Excerpt from EBF Statement on the Brutal Dispersal of Striking Kuliglig Drivers)

The Ecumenical Bishops Forum (EBF) condemns the brutal handling of the Manila City government through its Police Department of the strike staged by “kuliglig” drivers on December 2, 2010.

While we, the Bishops, understand the motive of the City Government to regulate the operation of the “kuligligs” like all other vehicles plying the city, we don’t understand the necessity of inflicting physical harm on the drivers and destroying their vehicles. They were simply earning their living the honest way, which is better than stealing, as one of the drivers confessed he used to do. There is also no sense in the advice given them to remove the “engine” from their vehicle because some of them, as shown on television, had no legs with which to pedal their machine.

These “kuligligs” are proving helpful to the riding public, for otherwise they will not be patronized. These drivers are also residents of the city to whom the government has responsibility and concern, especially because they belong to the marginalized and less privileged members of society.

We believe that these poor and needy drivers would like to observe the law, that’s why they had to go to the Supreme Court to file a petition for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO), and also went to the City Hall to dialogue with City officials. But their efforts were to no avail. Hopeless and frustrated they did what they did not want to do: fight back in defense of their only source of livelihood.

We hope the City Government will find some creative way of helping these “kuliglig” drivers in a manner that will be beneficial to all parties concerned – the City, the “kuliglig” drivers” and the riding public.

As the prophet Daniel advises King Nebuchadnezzar “…listen to me – stop sinning; do what you know is right; be merciful to the poor, perhaps even God will spare you” Daniel 4:27).

Signed:

Bishop Elmer M. Bolocon

Executive Secretary

MOST REV. DEOGRACIAS S. IÑIGUEZ, JR., D.D.

Co-chairperson

BISHOP SOLITO K. TOQUERO

Co-chairperson

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Written by rage · Filed Under Jeric Abasa

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