Summary Report from the Out-going CFD National President
As my term as CFD National President ends I would like to inform the entire organization on what has been accomplished so far in the governance of the organization at the national level i.e., through the initiative of the national president and the Board of Governors (BOG).
The following are our major accomplishments from 2010-2016:
1) On the appointment of CFD National Spiritual Directors
I think one of best things which happened to the CFD Organization was the move to ask Reverend Father Abraham (Abe) Arganiosa to serve as CFD National Spiritual Director for the year 2010-2013. This was made possible through the suggestion of Bro Ryan Mejillano who is a close friend of Father Abe. Father Abe holds a master’s degree in dogmatic theology and as such is very competent to act as our consultant in doctrinal matters. He also has a keen sense of discernment and is very able to advise us on pastoral matters. In the beginning of my second term as National President (2013), Father Abe transferred his pastoral service to the USA, and the new set of Governors thought it was good for the organization to have a spiritual director from among the clergy residing in the Philippines. I suggested Reverend Father Lucas Inoc who is also a brilliant priest and who knows very well the nature of the CFD organization and its members. Father Abe continues to serve the CFD organization as National Honorary Adviser.
2) Setting vision, direction and goals
In an effort to start professionalizing the organization, the BOG (2010-2013) in a concerted effort tried to lay down the path which they envision the organization to thread in the years which lie ahead. We made a wider horizon plan by means of Strategic Planning using S-W-O-T (Strength-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats). This was the first time in the long years of the existence of the organization that such an activity was made. The Strategic Planning was made possible through the valuable contribution of Bro Jovenal Alesna who facilitated the workshop and also of Bro Ryan Mejillano and Bro Hector Damaso who were members of the ad hoc committee. The BOG dedicated at least 2 quarterly meetings to finish this laborious brainstorming task. The output of the Strategic Planning is contained in a multi-page written compilation which is available to the general membership upon request.
3) On amending the CFD Constitution and By-Laws
In my term as National President, I have witnessed the rapid expansion of the CFD organization and I thought that the CFD Constitution and By-Laws needs to be amended in order to adopt to the dynamic growth of the organization. This is the reason why the BOG (2010-2013) studied and proposed some amendments to the CFD Constitution and By-Laws which has remained static in the previous years prior to our term. In the past, I have noticed that majority of the members of the Board of Governors were from CFD Cebu Chapter and the other chapters were not well represented within the BOG. This prompted me to propose amendments on the BOG election which are now contained in Article XI Section 2. The highlight of this particular amendment is the provision which gives preference to the diocesan chapter presidents. Other amendments were on membership, general assembly, organization of parochial chapters, notice of meetings, debates and rallies, and identification cards.
4) On promulgating organizational policies
When I assumed office in 2010, I was not aware of any standing organizational policy which were enforced. The CFD organization has been confronted with recurring situations and problems which can be properly addressed by enacting organizational policies to serve as a guide on how it should conduct itself and what actions to take when placed into such similar situations and problems in the future. In my term as National President, I have authored a total of twenty (20) policies which were reviewed and approved by the Board of Governors to wit:
1. Establishment of parochial chapters (CFD Policy No. 2012-01)
2. Establishment of diocesan chapters (CFD Policy No. 2012-02)
3. Training of speakers in local chapters (CFD Policy No. 2012-03)
4. Basic apologetics course manual (CFD Policy No. 2012-04)
5. Basic apologetics seminar (CFD Policy No. 2012-05)
6. Establishment of CFD chapters for college and university students (CFD Policy No. 2012-06)
7. Training of CFD National Speakers Bureau (CFD Policy No. 2011-07)
8. Training of CFD National Debating Team (CFD Policy No. 2011-08)
9. Religious Rallies (CFD Policy No. 2012-09)
10. Formal religious debates (CFD Policy No. 2012-10)
11. Radio and television programs (CFD Policy No. 2012-11)
12. Posting of debates, discussions, dialogues in the Internet (CFD Policy No. 2012-12)
13. Members with no parochial chapter (CFD Policy No. 2012-13)
14. Synchronization of elections (CFD Policy No. 2012-14)
15. Re-instatement of a deposed member (CFD Policy No. 2012-15)
16. Relation of CFD with Bible Apostolate (CFD Policy No. 2012-16)
17. Issuance of membership identification cards (CFD Policy No. 2012-17)
18. Duplication of Position (CFD Policy No. 2012-18)
19. Attendance in Board of Governors’ meeting (CFD Policy No. 2013-01)
20. Office of CFD national/regional/diocesan coordinator (CFD Policy No. 2015-05)
5) On the regularization of BOG meetings
In the past, the Board of Governors meeting were done erratically and many of those meetings were also poorly attended and did not meet the required quorum. I realize the importance of having a regular meeting among the highest governing body of the organization if the organization is to move forward and accomplish anything. In my term as national president, I made a deliberate effort to make the BOG meeting quarterly as mandated by our Constitution and By-Laws. Thanks to my fellow BOGs who have shown their commitment and dedication by travelling the distance just to attend our quarterly meetings and the CFD Chapters who generously accepted to host those meetings to wit:
BOG (2010-2013)
1. May 23, 2010/ Talisay City Hall/ BOG attendance: 21/21
2. August 28, 2010/ Talisay City Hall/ BOG attendance: 21/21
3. Nov 27, 2010/ Talisay City Hall/ BOG attendance: 15/21
4. February 2011/ Tambuli Beach Resort, Mactan, Cebu/ BOG attendance: 16/21
5. August 27, 2011/ Dipolog City/ BOG attendance: 15/21
6. November 25, 2011/ San Carlos City, Negros/ BOG attendance: 12/21
7. February 25, 2012/ Ormoc City/ BOG attendance: 7/21
8. August 18, 2012/ Cebu City/ BOG attendance: 10/21
9. November 24, 2012/ Cebu City/ BOG attendance: 12/21
10. February 24, 2013/ Davao City/ BOG attendance: 7/21
BOG (2013-2016)
11. May 26, 2013/ Cebu City/ BOG attendance: 21/21
12. August 24, 2013/ Cebu City/ BOG attendance: 9/21
13. November 22, 2013/ Cebu City/ BOG attendance: 14/21
14. February 22, 2014/ Ozamis City/ BOG attendance: 14/21
15. May 23, 2014/ Cagayan de Oro City/ BOG attendance: 16/21
16. August 23, 2014/ Cebu City/ BOG attendance: 10/21
17. November 28, 2014/ Davao City/ BOG attendance: 9/21
18. February 28, 2015/ Cebu City/ BOG attendance: 12/21
19. August 29, 2015/ Cagayan de Oro City/ BOG attendance: 13/21
20. November 28, 2015/ Cagayan de Oro City/ BOG attendance: 14/21
21. February 27, 2016/ Cebu City/ BOG attendance: 12/21
6) On the CFD Annual National Conventions
Prior to my term of office, the schedule of the CFD National Conventions were not regular. Many times it was made only once in three years that is together with the election of the new set of governors. Realizing the importance of annual gathering of the different chapters to tackle contemporary themes and to discuss organizational matters, I together with the BOG saw to it that the CFD national conventions will be done annually as already mandated by our Constitution and By-Laws. The following are the CFD Annual Conventions which were successfully held during our term:
1. May 28-29, 2011 “Answering the Challenges of Ultra-Traditionalism” Cebu City
2. May 26-27, 2012 “Defending the Gospel of Life” Dumaguete City
3. May 25-26, 2013 “Renewed Apologetics in the Year of the Faith” Cebu City
4. May 24, 2014 “Radiating the Light of Faith in the Year of the Laity” Cagayan de Oro City
5. May 23-24, 2015 “Modernism: A New Challenge of the Church Today” Davao City
6. May 28-29, 2016 “The Eucharist the Source of Healing and the Incarnation of Mercy in the Life of the Family and the Church” Cebu City
8) On endorsements from the Local Ordinary
During the years preceding my term of office as National President, I was aware of only one written endorsement from the local ordinary and it came from His Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal who was then the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cebu. Seeing the importance of making the CFD organization, as an organization, be recognized and duly endorsed by the other local ordinaries I commissioned Bro Alvin Gitamondoc to accomplish this task. As of this date, we have written endorsements coming from the following bishops:
1. Ricardo Cardinal Vidal – Archdiocese of Cebu
2. Archbishop Jose S. Palma – Archdiocese of Cebu
3. Bishop Patrick Daniel Y. Parcon – Diocese of Talibon
4. Bishop Isabelo Abarquez – Diocese of Calbayog
5. Bishop Filomeno Bactol – Diocese of Naval, Biliran Province
6. Bishop Patricio Alo – Diocese of Mati, Davao Oriental
7. Bishop Jose A. Cabantan, D.D. – Bishop of Malaybalay
8. Bishop Romulo G. Valles D.D. – Archbishop of Davao
9. Bishop Nereo Odchimar – Bishop of the Diocese of Tandag
10. Bishop Vicente Noel – Diocese of Talibon, Bohol
9) On the establishment of parochial and diocesan chapters
Among the plans envisioned by the BOG (2010-2013) was to propagate the CFD apostolate in all parts of the country by organizing new parochial and diocesan chapters and re-organizing existing chapters which has already become dormant. In order to implement this plan I took the initiative of creating the office of CFD national/regional/diocesan coordinators. I would like to mention the unparalleled accomplishment of Bro Alvin Gitamondoc who is responsible for establishing numerous CFD parochial and diocesan chapters in the Visayas and Mindanao in his capacity as CFD coordinator, speaker and debater. Also very instrumental in the establishment of CFD chapters in Luzon such as in Manila, Cavite, Tarlac, and Bulacan are the commendable efforts of Reverend Father Abraham Arganiosa and Atty Marwil Llasos. Thanks to these two gentlemen, the CFD organization now possess a truly national character. The following are the CFD local chapters established under my supervision:
Parochial Chapters
1. Our Lady of Lourdes Chaplaincy, Tambo, Ayungon, Diocese of Dumaguete
2. Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish, Diocese of Naval, Biliran Province
3. Immaculate Conception Parish, Leyte, Leyte
4. Immaculate Conception Parish, Baybay City, Leyte
5. Immaculate Conception Parish, Sogod, Southern Leyte
6. Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, Almeria, Biliran
7. Our Lady of Remedies Parish, Makinhas, Baybay, Southern Leyte
8. San Roque Parish, Naval, Biliran
9. St. Isidore Parish, Divisoria, Bontoc, Southern Leyte
10. St. James Parish, Caibiran, Biliran Province
11. St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Mangagoy, Bislig, Surigao del Sur of the Diocese of Tandag
12. Blessed Sacrament Parish, North Reclamation Area, Cebu City
13. St Bartholomew Parish, Diocese of Calbayog, Catbalogan City, Western Samar
14. Assumption in the Hills Parish, Maasin City, Southern Leyte
15. Saint Isidore Parish, San Francisco, Southern Leyte
16. St. Augustine Parish, Catmon, Southern Leyte
17. Immaculate Conception Parish, Pintuyan, Southern Leyte
18. St. James the Apostle Parish, Javier, Leyte
19. St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Javier, Leyte
20. Sto. Niño Parish, Plaridel, Baybay City, Southern Leyte
21. San Agustin Parish, Valencia City, Bukidnon
22. San Isidro Labrador Parish, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon
23. San Augustine, Valencia, Bukidnon
24. Santo Nino Parish, Don Carlos, Bukidnon, Diocese of Malaybalay City
25. Immaculate Conception Parish, Diocese of Mati, Bagangga, Davao Oriental
26. San Miguel Parish, Sto Tomas, Davao del Norte
27. San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish, Boston, Davao Oriental, Diocese of Mati
28. St. Augustine Parish, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, Diocese of Tandag
29. Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Carmen, Davao del Norte
30. New Cathedral Parish, Tagum City, Davao del Norte
31. San Augustine Parish, Panabo City, Davao del Norte
32. San Miguel Parish, La Filipina, Tagum City, Davao del Norte
33. Sto Niño Parish, Panabo City, Davao del Norte
34. San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish, Tandag City
35. Barobo Chapter, Surigao del Sur
Diocesan Chapters
1. Diocese of Talibon, Bohol /Spiritual Director: Rev. Fr. Greg Mendez
2. Diocese of Naval, Biliran Province/ Spiritual Director: Most Rev. Bishop Filomeno Bactol
3. Diocese of Maasin, Southern Leyte/ Spiritual Director: Bishop Precioso Cantillas
4. Diocese of Mati, Davao Oriental
5. Diocese of Tandag City, Surigao del Sur/ Spiritual Director: Bishop Nereo Odchimar D.D.
10) On the training of the debating team
Engaging in public debates is the distinguishing mark of the CFD organization. For many years the only debaters which came out in the national arena were Atty Marcelo Bacalso and Bro Socrates Fernandez. There was little or no effort to train others in the art of argumentation and debate. Even during my term as the Cebu Archdiocesan President I have started to put in place the mechanics and venue of holding mock debates. When I became the national president I had the BOG approve the policy regarding the national debating team (CFD Policy No. 2011-08). For the first time, mock debates between talented debaters from the different local chapters were held at the national level. I am glad to note that CFD Manila under the able leadership and mentorship of Atty Marwil Llasos has made a sustained effort to this effect. It is from the mock debates where I was able to harness my skills which made me together with Bro Alvin Gitamondoc successfully engage Mr. Ramil Parba and Mr. Ventilacion of the INC in the Grand Debate in July 11, 2014 at the Cebu Coliseum with estimated 5000 people in attendance mostly from the INC side.
11) On the training of national speakers
Part of my agenda when I assumed the office of the national president was to identify talented members of the CFD organization and let them be recognized on the national level. Again in the past, speakers during the CFD national convention were limited to Atty Marcelo Bacalso and/or Bro Socrates Fernandez who without doubt were notable figures within the CFD organization. To accomplish this in part, I drafted a policy on the training of national speakers and had it approved by the BOG (CFD Policy No. 2011-07). I believe that there is no monopoly of knowledge and I saw that some members of the CFD organization are equally capable of speaking in national gatherings. Thus for the first time the organization has witnessed the likes of Bro Cleb Calimutan who gave a talk on Sedevacantism, Bro Ryan Mejillano on The Anatomy of the SSPX/ The Overpopulation Myth/ The Catechism of the Catholic Church, Bro Wendell Talibong on Siri Thesis, Bro Rey Entila on Tradition and the Living Magisterium/ The Fifth Commandment/ Porta Fidei, Father Arganiosa on St Pius V and Quo Primum/ Validity of Pauline Rite Mass, Atty Miguel Abas on The Unconstitutional Provisions of the RH Bill, Bro Carlos Antonio Palad on Answering commonly asked questions on the Morality of Contraception & Abortion, and Atty Marwil Llasos on Answering Protestant Objections on the Eucharist. Bro Joven Alesna also became prominent as a talented moderator and facilitator. It was a pleasure listening to them at the sideline and seeing them shine.
12) On the resolution of the issue regarding the “God died” doctrine
I think the final challenge which I have to face in my capacity as National President was the resurgence of the controversy regarding the right interpretation of the expression of faith “God died.” This question was brought up by Bro Socrates Fernandez during the 2015 CFD National Annual Convention held in Davao City. During that time the invited priest-speakers in the persons of Rev. Fr. Abraham Arganiosa (Masters in Dogmatic Theology), Rev. Fr. Jorge Angga (STB in Dogmatic Theology, Magna Cum Laude), and Rev. Fr. Marbendear Morallas (Licentiate in Dogmatic Theology from a pontifical University in Rome) gave the same reply which did not please Bro Soc. Bro Soc subscribes to a figurative interpretation of the expressions “God died” and also to the title of the Blessed Virgin “Mother of God.” Since the issue was not cleared yet, by the time I returned to Cebu I gave a clarification to CFD Cebu members that the expression “God died” and its corollary “Mother of God” cannot be interpreted figuratively but should be taken in the literal sense i.e., the meaning conveyed by the words (CCC 116). Bro Soc refused to accept my explanation and continued to convince the members of CFD Cebu of his figurative understanding. Rev. Fr. Lucas Inoc, who is our national spiritual director, did not gave a categorical statement whether a figurative interpretation is acceptable or not. What he did was to urge both parties to refrain from using the terms “figurative” and “literal” and instead to stick to communicatio idiomatum.
During the BOG meeting in Cagayan de Oro (November 28, 2015) I presented to the BOG my explanation in the presence of Rev. Fr. Juliano Retiquez, the Spiritual Director of CFD-CDO. Father Retiquez accepted my explanation and in fact contributed his own research which supported my conclusions. By that time I was commissioned by the BOG to prepare a draft resolution on the matter which I will present to BOG on our next meeting in February 2016. In the intervening months, I undertook the task of preparing the draft resolution. I posted the initial draft in the BOG facebook group in which got positive feedback from Fr. Arganiosa, Atty Llasos, Ryan Mejillano, and Rey Entila all of which possess no meager theological knowledge to comment on the issue. I also sent copies of the draft resolution thru email to Rev. Fr. Russell Bantiles (Ph.D. Summa Cum Laude at Navarre University) and to Rev. Fr. Carlos Estrada (Provincial Superior of the Opus Dei in the Philippines). They remarked that they found the draft resolution correct. Both Fr. Bantilles and Fr. Estrada stated that the expression “Mother of God” and “God died” are not figurative. Fr. Arganiosa made a written statement wherein he strongly admonished the BOG to approve the draft resolution. I collated the draft resolution and the letter of positive response from Fr. Arganiosa, Fr. Bantilles, and Fr. Estrada and submitted it to Fr. Lucas Inoc and also to Archbishop Jose S. Palma.
During the BOG meeting last February 27, 2016 which was attended by Fr. Lucas, Bro Soc, and Atty Llasos, I provided the BOG a copy of the draft resolution with the email reply from Fr. Bantilles and Fr. Estrada and the letter of endorsement from Fr. Arganiosa. I planned to have the matter finally deliberated by the BOG as a collective body but this move was strongly opposed by Bro Soc on grounds that the matter will now be elevated to the Church authority in the person of Archbishop Palma. Why Bro Soc continued his opposition for the approval of the draft resolution despite the weight of authority of the priest-theologians who endorsed it of the likes of Fr. Arganiosa, Fr. Bantilles, and Fr. Estrada only he can answer.
Our close door meeting with Archbishop Palma was attended by Fr. Lucas Inoc, Bro Soc, Bro Adam, and myself. During that meeting Archbishop Palma pointed out that he was happy that I consulted members of the clergy such Father Carlos Estrada. During that meeting Fr Lucas stated that it was the person of Jesus and no other who died on the cross. Archbishop Palma for his part categorically stated that the expression of the faith “Mother of God” just like the Eucharist are not figurative but real. This is the most authoritative interpretation given so far by the Archbishop. However, the Archbishop also said that he will also consult the CBCP doctrinal commission. Based on the most recent meeting between Fr. Lucas with Archbishop Palma before the 2016 CFD National Convention, Fr. Lucas said that the Archbishop had asked him to prepare a position paper.
13) On things unaccomplished
Among the things which the previous set of officers under my leadership failed to accomplish are the following: 1. Renewal of the CFD organization’s SEC registration which had expired since the time of Atty Miguel Abas due to a failure to renew it during his time. We had some difficulty getting the approval of the local ordinary since it bears the name of “Catholic.” I would like to thank Bro Adam for making the follow-up with SEC and with the office of the Archbishop of Cebu. 2. The resolution of the conflict at the CFD San Carlos City chapter. The BOG (2013-2016) had plans to send a committee to investigate the matter under the Vice-President Internal but this was not pursued.
Prepared by:
Bro Ramon Gitamondoc
CFD National President (2010-2016)