Gender Justice Awards

As we go through our advocacy of promoting equality, I saw this 'contest' from NCRFW's site (National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women) they call "Gender Justice Awards". In coordination with the University of the Philippines-Center for Women's Studies Foundation Inc. (UPCWSFI) and the United Nations Development Fund (UNDP), the project aims to aims to highlight the important role that the judiciary plays in addressing violence against women (VAW).

Now here's my take on this so called award. If this initiative came from these women organizations saying they will be awarding those in our judiciary, hearing VAW (Violence Against Women) cases. What do you think is a man's chance to win his case and for the judge to get the award? Take note that this effort is highly recognized and supported by no other than the United Nations and several women's group making the award one I would like to get too.

As of this posting, they have not announced or published the winners and what cases were involved. In the meantime, here's how judges could qualify;

Qualifications for Nomination

1. Judges from Municipal Trial Courts, Metropolitan Courts, Municipal Circuit Courts, Family Courts and Regional Trial Courts as well as Justices from the Sandiganbayan (specifically on sexual harassment cases), whether incumbent or have retired from service provided that, in case of the latter, he/she was incumbent at the time of nomination, who have handled cases involving violence against women (VAW) and have rendered a gender-sensitive decision, during the period January 2004 to December 2008, may be nominated.

2. The cases under consideration are those cases involving violence against women (VAW), such as rape (which includes marital rape, incestuous rape and statutory rape), domestic violence, physical injuries, acts of lasciviousness, sexual harassment, concubinage, parricide, and psychological and emotional abuse in legal separation and nullity of marriage, and other cases involving abuse of and violence inflicted on a woman or a girl-child.

3. The nominated judge/s must have shown sensitivity to women litigants in the conduct of trial of the case/s under consideration.

4. The nominated judge/s should: (1) exhibit integrity and moral character as a public servant and private citizen; (2) have neither record of convictions nor any pending charges at the time of the nomination and; (3) practice judicial decorum towards lawyers, litigants, witnesses and the public in general to establish his/her personal integrity.

Now I ask you what your opinion of gender sensitive decision involving VAW?

Boycott Avon

I was ecstatic last night after typing in domestic violence in Google and saw that there's a local campaign in the Philippines against domestic violence. Actress/TV host Ruffa Gutierrez is serving as one of the ambassadors. The long list of supporters includes Reese Withersppon, Salma Hayek, Lauren Conrad and supermodels Daniela Pestova and Adrianda Sklenarikova Karimbeu. Dubbed as “Speak Out Against Domestic violence,” the project was launched internationally in 2004 and is aimed to empower women who are victims of domestic violence. Article written by Rina Jimenez- David in Inquirer.

However, my delight suddenly turned into frustration as I went through the whole article about the foundation. (click here for the article). The reason? There's not even a footnote about men being abused nor were they included in the campaign. Is it safe to assume that the campaign of Avon is directed to men? That men are perpetrators of domestic violence and never victims of it?

Avon's tag line as the Company for Women may be doing them very well as its marketing strategy, but to actually carry this through out their campaign is downright insulting. It's like shouting to the whole world that since men are not their targeted consumers, they don't count, and that they can only protect those who wear bras and lipsticks. This is ridiculous.

I don't have a transcript of what happened during the launching of this event last month, but it was well attended with notable personalities like Rina Jimenez-David, Lea Salonga, Sen. Pia Cayetano, Boots Anson-Roa, Radio DJ's Chico Garcia and Delamar, former beauty titlist Abbygale Arenas De Leon, Cito Beltran and the program's ambassador Ruffa Gutierrez. The event was hosted by Boy Abunda. The event was well attended by women's rights advocates and other illustrados but I'm just wondering why there's not a single mention of men being included in this campaign too. There was not even an acknowledgement that men can be victims of domestic violence too. Even with Avon's press release in their local website, there’s not even one sentence recognizing the fact that domestic violence does not only affect women, but men as well.

Check out their main campaign page and see how biased they are and that this campaign is directed against men without acknowledging the fact that again, this is not a gender issue. It says, “In the Philippines, six women are abused every week. Four wives fall victim to domestic violence everyday. I(t) knows no boundaries-geographic, cultural or social status.” Look at this statement. See how they acknowledge that it is indeed a global issue but not a gender transcending one. Nevertheless, they still call for everyone, men included, to support their cause. How selfish could they be? Their marketing strategy is shameless, a direct attack to the dignity of men, whom they indirectly dub as perpetrators. Men are destined to be doomed.

Shelter for all Men

One of the ultimate goals of this movement, is to finally establish a center for men barred by law in joining their family. I started to believe that there's none and if ever this will be the first one, till I saw this old news clip from Cebu about it's city approving the establishment of Men's Center. The initiative was headed by a certain Teresa Fernandez of Cebu City Women and Family Affairs Commision or CCWFAC which she serves as its Executive Chairperson.

I haven't been to Cebu, but will probably soon if this project goes thru. This news clipping I got was published around December, and I'm guessing that by this time it's already serving it's purpose. And for this resolution, I want to commend again Ms. Fernandez, along with Councilor Leah Japson, the Bantay Banay Inter-Agency Coordinating Council and the local government of Cebu for supporting this project.

A batterer or an offender intervention program is cited under RA 9262 Sec. 14.

"SEC. 41. Counseling and Treatment of Offenders. – The DSWD shall provide rehabilitative counseling and treatment to perpetrators towards learning constructive ways of coping with anger and emotional outbursts and reforming their ways. When necessary, the offender shall be ordered by the Court to submit to psychiatric treatment or confinement."

As I write this article, I have not seen nor heard any program pertaining to the above captioned instruction from this law. Now let's compare it with this one;

"SEC. 40. Mandatory Programs and Services for Victims. – The DSWD, and LGU’s shall provide the victims temporary shelters, provide counseling, psycho-social services and /or, recovery, rehabilitation programs and livelihood assistance."

"The DOH shall provide medical assistance to victims."

Now out in the streets you'll definitely go, if you happen to be the 'offender', guilty or not, as soon as a protection order is issued, you're out. Now let's just say that the court found you guilty of the offense? I guess your just out of luck, as all you should get as per this law you just won a ticket to the Anger Management program (if there's one).

Equal protection of laws? Forget it, till this law is amended, we need to be very careful. If we can gather at least a million supporter for about a peso each, I'm hoping that a center for us will be built where rehabilitation and livelihood assistance aside from temporary shelter will be offered. With this project let's help them help us.

Here's what we need;

- 1 million members/supporter
- 1 million pesos for the Center and Services
- 1 million prayers that this come true

If you want to help us, a widget is placed in the left corner for your donation. It's linked via PayPal to accept international and local contributions.

Renewing my call

Many seem to not understand what my cause is, lest what RA 9262 is, till they become victim or the subject of it. For the past weeks, I dedicated my time doing some research so I can further my knowledge of the subject and to extend help to others as well.

With further research and with the feedback I’ve received, I can say that I have grown. I launched the site primarily to air what I felt at that time, and so that somehow others may be forewarned. Now I'm into answering questions like, “How can I really help?” With this question, I came to the conclusion that I need to revise my call to repeal RA 9262. This angered some who didn't even bother to read what the whole site is all about, thinking I'm just another chauvinistic, gender-biased bastard, a cry baby begging for some attention. The truth is, I am for the protection of everyone. I want all forms of abuse to stop.

The Diego Silang Movement will now focus more on Domestic Violence for all ages and gender. However, its main focus will be that of Father's Rights and our crusade to justice. I will be putting in more studies and reviews from books and experiences to let help this forsaken nation realize what fatherhood is all about. To the members of our gay and lesbian communities, I cannot speak for them as of yet, but they are welcome to speak out and share their experiences. We need all the help we can get to make this cause work for us. Let's make this call together and be vigilant of our rights. We all need protection and we all need help, but as long as this government focuses only on women's and children's rights, this will not be possible. Now I am renewing my call to amend RA 9262 immediately and focus on the protection of ALL GENDERS.

Acquitted?

Convicted or acquitted, it doesn't really matter now. Nicole recanted, and is now in the US, while her 'acquitted rapist is probably now on board the plane back to the US too.

Acquittal is not saying that Smith is innocent, in his previous statements we can recall that he acknowledged having sex with Nicole that time but was too drunk to remember if he forced her or not. Nicole says the same thing, thus, the basis of her recantation.

Now the problem is this, while the whole nation rallied behind Nicole when she cries help as she was raped by Smith, then later recanting her testimony? Where do we stand? It's like being suspended in thin air not knowing what really happened or what's next. You fought for her then the next day she's gone to the US deciding to forget 'her past'. But what about us? What about those thousands of supporters who rallied behind her?

What will you feel? I call this media frenzy, but not to worry it's not just the Philippines who's suffering from it.This is an internationally recognized phenomenon caused by the world seeing women as the weaker sex. Media and law seems to be in cohorts when saying that women are victims and men are mere perpetrators. Now who's the real victim? I really don't know, but if this happens to me, i'll be very scared to watch TV or even read the news.

My friend once told me that in law, there are actually four truths. One is that of the victim, another one for the perpetrator, one based on the law and lastly the truth which we may never be heard or be known at all.

This is my point, it does not follow that when a woman cries foul of rape or abuse, must we believe them right away. Pity those men who were falsely accused. Where do they go for help? Most of us go after these men because we assume that women will not simply cry for help or scream rape in order to protect their dignity. What about us? What about men? Is being accused of rape or abuse a status which we can be dignified for?

This is just another case of Andres seeking vindication. But again, as they say, the damage has been done. Will we be next? Remember we don't have the US at our back, we only have ourselves and the few pennies left in our pockets to defend ourselves and regain our dignity and wait for those who accused you, do a Nicole.

Disturbing Statistics for Fatherless homes

Let numbers speak for it self. According to a US journal, Getting Men Involved: The Newsletter of the Bay Area Male Involvement Network, Spring 1997:

Begin quote:

63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes
(Source: U.S. D.H.H.S., Bureau of the Census

90% of all homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes

85% of all children that exhibit behavioral disorders come from fatherless homes (Source: Center for Disease Control)

80% of rapists motivated with displaced anger come from fatherless homes (Source: Criminal Justice & Behavior, Vol 14, p. 403-26, 1978.)

71% of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes (Source: National Principals Association Report on the State of High Schools.)

75% of all adolescent patients in chemical abuse centers come from fatherless homes (Source: Rainbows for all Gods Children.)

70% of juveniles in state-operated institutions come from fatherless homes (Source: U.S. Dept. of Justice, Special Report, Sept 1988)

85% of all youths sitting in prisons grew up in a fatherless home (Source: Fulton Co. Georgia jail populations, Texas Dept. of Corrections 1992)

(Because only a portion of each age group grew up in a fatherless home,) these statistics translate to mean that children from fatherless homes are:

5 times more likely to commit suicide
32 times more likely to run away
20 times more likely to have behavioral disorders
14 times more likely to commit rape
9 times more likely to drop out of high school
10 times more likely to abuse chemical substances
9 times more likely to end up in a state-operated institution
20 times more likely to end up in prison.

end quote

Close family ties, a trait associated with Filipinos positively, and sometimes in a negative way. But just imagine growing up without a father given those numbers above. This is very disturbing. Growing up without a father is not just a temporary stain to one's upbringing but maybe carried out as he interacts with the society.

Men's Rights Now

After days of research, I'm starting to realize that we are not alone. Fighting for men's rights is a world wide phenomenon and with some sites of this international organizations hitting around a hundred thousand hits a month, we are now being heard and we are not alone. While thousand of studies and hundreds of organizations are being created worldwide for women's rights, we seldom hear about ordinary men, gays & lesbians. Are we so blinded by the this old notion that women are weak that we continuously forget about the others? Are we saying that men are mere perpetrators of this crime and they don't need protection or help from the governement? Now I say this is completely BS.

Equal protection, equal oppurtunity. This is what we want, and this is what we need.

The idea to come up with an organization such as theDiego Silang movement, is to let others be aware that the Andres we came to know in this country needs protection and help from the government and other soci-civic organizations too. This is an appeal that while we have created laws to protect our women and children specifically RA 9262, the law is actually a direct attack to the sanctity of marriage and is actually gearing towards the destruction of our families.

We condone violence as much as you do, but men need your help too. RA 9262 specifically states the benefits a women can get and the aid the governemnt shall provide. But how about us? What can the government do if we are falsely accused? What can the government do if they kicked us out of our homes, stripped of property, worst, of fatherhood?

If one is proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt, by all means, let them rot in jail. But what if the law is being used for other reasons than justice? Where can we go? Who will represent us if we can't avail the services of a lawyer? The answer is no one. No organization or government institution in this country advocates men's rights. We are all alone.

Several international organizations including the National Coalition of Free Men and Father's for Justice among others are both gearing up to empower men and other genders left alone to rot by this system.

This is the main goal of the Diego Silang Movement. We will not stop till the creation of a fair system by the government and that they heed our voices. We vow to assist those in need of assistance, be it men, women, gays or lesbians. We vow to fight for the abolition of RA 9262 till the government came up with a better law protecting all genders.


Domestic violence is not just a woman's issue, this is OUR ISSUE.

Husband's revenge

Now it's time to get back on track and stand for what is rightfully ours - our dignity, our being a father. One article from Phil Star last March says a certain woman was charged with kidnapping for failure to return her son to the father. To qoute the report further;


"In a resolution, dated Jan. 16, 2009, Quezon City Assistant Prosecutor Alfredo Agcaoili said Mary Pauline Javier had committed the crime charged by deliberately refusing to hand back the boy to his father. Assistant City Prosecutor Wilfredo Andres approved the resolution on the same day."


But wait, before you go rushing to Supreme Court, this case was filed in consideration of their previous compromise agreement to share custody of their son as they are now living separately. However, the woman allegedly failed to return their son back to his father for months now, prompting the latter to file writ of habeas corpus.


Keep in mind that this is a result of their previous agreement which the court approved. Never ever enter into an agreement without the court's approval. While you can gather enough evidence or witnesses to support your claim that the two of you agreed to something, this can easily be refuted. As they say, this so called agreement cannot hold water in court and can be used against you.