Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Outreach/Christian Citizenship (Philippines)

Christian Citizenship (Philippines)
Outreach General Conference	Skill Level 1
	Year of Introduction: 1938

Contents

1. Describe the national, state or provincial, AY, Pathfinder, and Christian flags.

National Flag: Description of national flag

Pathfinder Flag: The Pathfinder flag is made from one of several materials, cotton bunting, rayon, or nylon. The flag is divided through the center both vertically and horizontally making four equal parts. The background colors are royal blue and white alternately sewed together with the upper left hand corner being royal blue. The Pathfinder emblem is centered in the heart of the background. The colors are descriptive of the purposes and ideals of Pathfindering. White means purity, blue means loyalty, red reminds us of the shed blood of Christ (sacrifice), and gold means excellence. The symbols also have meanings. The shield is the protection of God, the sword is his word, the Bible, and the triangle represents completeness. Completeness of the Godhead (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), and completeness of the three parts of education (Mental, Physical, and Spiritual).

AY Flag: The background is red and white, red symbolizing the blood of Christ and white representing purity. In the center, there is a logo that has AY which means Adventist Youth and it has three angels meaning the 3 angels message.

Christian Flag: The "Christian Flag" is a white flag with a blue canton and a red cross in it. It was designed by Charles Overton in 1897 to represent Protestants of all denominations. The cross symbolizes the crucifixion of Christ.

4. Explain the meaning of and reason for the National Anthem, and recite the words from memory.

The Philippine National Anthem is a product of revolution, a response to the need of the revolutionary times that gave birth to it. And this need arose in 1898, when the revolution against Spain was in its second year and a Filipino victory was in sight.

Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo astutely recognized the need for national symbols to rally the nation against the enemy. On June 5, 1898, he commissioned Julian Felipe , a Cavite pianist and composer, to work on a march for the revolutionists. Felipe worked on the assignment for six days and on June 11, sitting in front of a piano in the Aguinaldo living room, played his music before the president and his lieutenants. Named by Felipe the Marcha Filipino Magdalo (after Aguinaldo's nom de guerre and his faction in the Katipunan), the music was adopted on the spot and renamed the Marcha Nacional Filipina (Philippine National March).

The national anthem was heard publicly for the first time on June 12, 1898, when, standing on the balcony of his Kawit mansion, Aguinaldo proclaimed Asia's first independent republic before a cheering throng. Two rallying symbols were presented to the infant nation that day. Also displayed for the first time was the national flag, unfurled to the stirring strains of the marcha national played by the band of San Francisco de Malabon (now General Trias) whose members had learned the music the day before.

But still without words, Felipe's music was simply a march. It could not be sung. The need for lyrics was just as great as there was for the music. In December 1898, the Philippines was ceded by Spain to the United States of America in the Treaty of Paris. Having thrown off Spanish rule, the Filipinos found themselves under new colonial masters, the Americans. In February of 1899, the Filipino-American War erupted.

The defiant lyrics to march the stirring strains of Felipe were supplied by Jose Palma, a 23-year old soldier who was as adept with the pen as he was with the sword. He wrote a poem entitled "Filipinas" and this was wed to the Felipe composition. The anthem was readily taken by the young nation at war. But on March 23,1901, the war with America ground to a halt with the capture of Aguinaldo in Palanan, Isabela.

The first half of the century were years of humiliation for the Filipinos and their anthem. The American administors discouraged the singing of the anthem and in the 1920s, Palma's original spanish lyrics underwent several English and Tagalog translations. The most popular were the following versions, one in English by Camilo Osias and M.A.L. Lane and one in Tagalog.

In 1956, a new version penned by the Surian ng Wikang Pambansa (Institute of National Language) was adopted. These are the official Filipino lyrics sung all over the country today and given wider propagation through radio, television and cinema.

5. Give the rights and responsibilities of a citizen of your country.

Rights

We have the right to life, liberty, security and property. We have the right to a transparent, credible, competent and impartial justice system, free from influence and corruption, where wrongs are redressed and justice is dispensed fairly, speedily and equitably. We must have equal access to the courts and adequate legal assistance. We must be treated equally before the law regardless of our political, social and economic status.

We have a right to the security and privacy of our persons and our homes. The State shall respect and uphold our right to the privacy of communication, information, private transactions and affairs. The State shall ensure our freedom of movement and liberty of abode.

The requirements of due process of law shall be observed before, during and after trial. The accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty and shall enjoy the right against self-incrimination, the right to an independent and competent counsel preferably of his or her own choice, and the right to be informed of such rights.

Detainees and prisoners have the right to humane conditions of detention with adequate food, space and ventilation, rest and recreation, sanitary and health services, and skills training. They have the right to communicate with counsel, family and friends and be visited by them. The right to practice their religious beliefs and to express themselves shall likewise not be denied. The State must provide separate detention facilities for women and children in conflict with the law. Detainees and prisoners shall be given the opportunity for correction and rehabilitation towards their reintegration into society.

No person shall be subjected to arrests, searches, seizures and detention without due process of law. No suspect, detainee or prisoner shall be subjected to torture, force, violence, intimidation, harassment or threats. No accused shall be subjected to trial by publicity. Neither shall cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment or treatment or incommunicado or solitary confinement be imposed.

We have the right against involuntary disappearances. The State shall protect its citizens from all forms of systematic and massive extrajudicial and summary killings. The State shall take responsibility for all the acts of its State agents and give information and assistance to the families of the disappeared.

6. Have an interview with a local, regional, or national official of your country, and learn about his duties.

It is generally easier to get a local official to agree to an interview, though it is often more exciting to interview a more prominent person. The interview can be accomplished during a club meeting, and multiple Pathfinders can ask questions. Invite your guest well ahead of time, and make sure everyone in the club is on time. A visit by an official would be a very good reason to have everyone in the club wear their class A uniforms. If desired, you can make up several questions ahead of time, writing them on index cards, and distributing them to the members of your club. But do not be so rigid as to not allow them to ask spontaneous questions. Having questions prepared ahead of time on index cards are a good way to get things rolling. Here are some suggested questions:

• Could you describe a typical day at work?
• What is the most difficult part of your job?
• What is the most satisfying aspect of your job?
• To whom do you report?
• How did you get your position? Were you elected, appointed, or hired?
• How should a young person prepare for a life of public service?

7. Write a one-page essay or give a two-minute oral report about a famous person in your country. Mention what he has done to gain his recognition.

This would be an excellent opportunity to present a worship during the opening exercises of a regular club meeting. Encourage your Pathfinder to choose a person they are personally interested in. If they cannot think of anyone themselves, have a list of suggested persons at hand and encourage them to choose from the list. Famous people might be historical figures, politicians, actors, sports stars, or anyone else. It would be preferable to choose a person who has been a positive influence on the country.

Although the requirement asks that you "mention what he has done to gain his recognition," this should not be interpreted as excluding women. Men are not the only famous people in a country.

8. Do one of the following

a. Make a list of ten famous quotations from leaders of your country.

Where there is no corruption, there will be no poverty.

The Philippines reworked the formula for success in business – from one that required connections with influential people, to one that gives value to hard work and innovation above all else.

We have to invest in our greatest asset – the Filipino people.

Our people are the be all and end all, and we are not content with waiting for the benefits of growth to just trickle down the social pyramid.

We pursued all those who committed wrongdoing – regardless of their power or influence.

We have always said that good governance is good economics, and the results of our reforms on the economic end are proving us right.

The power behind all our efforts – whether in pursuing inclusive economic growth, improving competitiveness, food security or disaster risk management – comes not from any individual, but from the people.

Inclusive growth is not just a mantra for us; it is the yardstick by which we measure any government undertaking.

It has been the patriotism, the willpower and the wisdom of the Filipino people that has rescued our country from its darkest moments.

Our country has the social and economic momentum to go from success to success, and truly make waves throughout our archipelago, in the international community, and in the vast, immeasurable ocean of history.

b. Make a list of ten famous historic places in your country.

• 1. Intramuros, Manila
• 2. Rizal Park, Manila
• 3. Binondo, Manila
• 4. Rizal Shrine, Calamba, Laguna
• 5. Banaue Rice Terraces, Ifugao
• 6. Tabon Cave Complex, Palawan
• 7. Mactan Shrine, Cebu
• 8. Magellan’s Cross, Cebu City
• 9. Sandugo Shrine, Bohol
• 10.Biak na Bato, Bulacan

c. Make a list of ten famous historic events in your country.

1.Civil and armed campaign for independence from Spanish rule began

2. The capture of Emilio Aguinaldo by U.S troops in 1901

3.The invasion of the Philippines by the Japanese

4. The Liberation of the Philippines from Japanese

5. The  Philippines Independence day 1946

6. The Plaza Miranda bombings and 1972 Manila bombings

7.The Proclamation of Martial Law

8. The assassination’s of political rival of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos

9.The Southern Leyte mudslide in Philippines in 2006

10. Fate of terror-raided  unknown targets

9. Describe what you can do as a citizen to help your church and country.

The best way to help either your church or your country is by getting involved. Edmund Burke, an English philosopher summed this up when he said "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."

In your church, this means that you will show up for services on a regular basis. It also means you will support it with your tithes and offering, show up for business meetings, and not wait to be asked before you volunteer your services. If you see something that needs done, do it. If you do not have the skill to do it, or you think that you need permission first, talk to your pastor, an elder, deacon, or deaconess. Find your ministry!

For your country, it is much the same. Show up for public meetings, stay informed about the issues of the day, vote if you are eligible, and pay your taxes fairly and promptly.

12. Explain the meaning of this statement Jesus made in Matthew 22:21: "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's.

This verse teaches that governmental authority is to be respected, as long as it does not conflict with the moral obligations of being a Christian. Government serves a holy purpose; preserving social order, promoting the well-being of its citizens, and protecting their safety. If you believe that this does not apply today because you see the government as corrupt, you are urged to research the Roman government of the first century A.D. when these words were spoken by Jesus. Was Herod corrupt? Was Pilate just?

13. Explain why laws are established in your country.

The Constitution (1987) is the fundamental law of the land in the Philippines. It establishes the structure, policies, roles and duties of the Philippines’ government. It contains the Bill of Rights (article III), and sets out the State’s obligations to promote and uphold social justice and human rights (article XIII). Article II, section 2 of the Constitution provides that “generally accepted principles of international law” are “part of the law of the land.” Section 18 of the Constitution lays out the procedure how the President, as Commander-in-Chief, may call for the suspension of the write of habeas corpus of declare any part of the Philippines under martial law. Section 23(2) gives Congress, in times of war or other national emergency, the power to authorize the President to exercise powers necessary and proper to carry out a declared national policy. The Criminal Procedure Code (2000) contains all the rules of court on civil and criminal procedures. The rights of the accused are listed in Rule 115 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

The Revised Penal Code (An Act Revising the Penal Code and other Penal Laws No. 3815, December 8, 1930) (RPC) contains many of the Philippines’ crimes, including national security-related crimes, such as: treason (articles 114 to 116), piracy and mutiny on the high seas (articles 122 to 123), sedition (articles 139 to 142), illegal assemblies and associations (articles 146 to 147), and unlawful means of publication and unlawful utterances (article 154).

In the past decade, the Philippines adopted two laws that are primarily aimed to counter terrorism: the Human Security Act (2007) and the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act (2012).

The Human Security Act defines the crime of terrorism as the commission of an act defined under specific provisions in the Revised Penal Code and other special laws to sow and create widespread and extraordinary fear and panic among the populace, in order to coerce the government to give in to an unlawful demand. A Supreme Court challenge to the HSA, Southern Hemisphere Engagement Network, Inc., et. al. v. the Anti-Terrorism Council, et. al., was dismissed for lack of standing. In its 2012 conclusion to the Philippines’ fourth periodic review, the Human Rights Committee recommended the Philippines ensure the HSA defines terrorist crimes with enough precision to allow persons to regulate their conduct.

The Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act (2012) defines the crime “financing terrorism” as possessing, providing, collecting, or using property or funds with the unlawful and willful intention that they be used, in full or in part, to carry out or facilitate the commission of any terrorist act by a terrorist organization, association or group, or by an individual terrorist (section 4). It incorporates the definition under the Human Security Act of what constitute “terrorist acts” (section 3(j)). The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has the authority to investigate allegations of terrorist financing (section 10).

Other penal laws related to national security are the Anti-Piracy and Anti-Highway Robbery Law (1974); the Act prohibiting certain acts inimical to civil aviation, and for other purposes – Republic Act No. 6235; and the Anti-Money Laundering Act (2001).

The Act Defining and Penalizing Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance – Republic Act No. 10353 (2012) sets out the State’s policy on enforced disappearances (section 2) and defines enforced or involuntary disappearance (section 3(b)). It establishes the detainee’s right of access to communication (section 6) and places numerous duties, as well as criminal and civil liabilities, on private citizens and government officials in order to prevent enforced disappearances.

The Cybercrime Prevention Act (2012) lists down all the acts that constitute the offense of cybercrime (section 4). Several groups such as the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, Philippine Press Institute, Philippine Bar Association, etc. filed petitions before the Supreme Court challenging the validity of the law, claiming that it violates provisions in the Philippine Constitution. On 18 February 2014, the Supreme Court released a decision that declared unconstitutional the following provisions in the law:

1. a. Section 4(c)(3), which penalizes the posting of unsolicited commercial communications;
2. b. Section 12, which authorizes the collection or recording of traffic data in real time; and
3. c. Section 19, which authorizes the Department of Justice to restrict or block access to suspected Computer Data.