A United Front

If you ask me, I'd have to say that the CFC International Council has weathered this storm like the true captains of this great ship of ours. They have displayed great restraint, dignity, and resolve in steering us through this crisis to ensure that the CFC community emerges from its trials and lamentations intact and full of renewed faith. It was no small task, in fact I saw it as something almost too daunting to take on.

It is in this spirit that I'd like all of you to help me HELP THEM. I know you all have done your part to contribute to the community, in helping spread the truth, and keeping the faith that we'll get through this crisis, but for the Home Office, the troubles are not over. For those who attended this past MC Teaching Night and was able to see the presentation on the current financials, it is no secret that our tithes have not equaled their overhead costs. The HO has done its part in massively cutting down its expenses, but with the decline in tithes brought on by the exodus of some of our members to the FFL, it has not been quite enough. So, I'm asking you all to show join me in showing our appreciation for a job well done to the IC and the whole HO staff, from the ftw's to the volunteers. Every little bit counts, and each will represent a small but important part of a solid and UNITED FRONT.

Some have already started on their own, our friends, the musicionaries from the 29AD band are putting together a benefit concert for the HO and the ftw's. Here's their invite:

Music of Hope

When: December 14, 2007, Friday, 6:30 in the evening

Where: The Arena, San Juan City

Help our CFC home office and full-time workers. Experience a night of music, dance and praise with the 29AD, Kenosis, Central-C Band, Rene Henson and the 4Bars.

Ask your household heads. Bring your whole family, neighbors, officemates, classmates, and friends!

Help us find sponsors too!

As the song goes --- why don't you give love on Christmas day!

Tickets available at the CFC Center and at the gates.

Ticket prices

Court Seat @ P200

Ring Side @P150

Lower Box @P100

Upper Box @P50

Contact Phil de Guzman thru mobile number 0922-8149446 / 0919-5536753 or landline number 727-9607 or Gina Nagrampa at landline number 727-0682 to 87 loc. 37.

God loves you! God bless you!

and the flyer:



UPDATE: A video trailer!




It will no doubt be a very entertaining evening, and I enjoin you all to invite not just fellow CFC'ers, but ALL your friends and family. Hindi naman kayo ipapahiya ng 29AD, hehe. I'll be posting this invite and the link to the invitation in their very own blog (please comment on their blog too to show our wholehearted support) in our E&A section, as well as reminding you all a few days before the event. Matagal pa kasi eh, baka makalimutan nyo. =)


As for the rest of us? Well, if there was ever a time that CFC needed each and every one of us, it is now. I'll see you all on Dec. 2, and you can bet I'll be paying double for my ticket. It's the least I can do.

It Is Not Over

It looks like the FFL's spin machine is in high gear with Nonong Contreras appearing to defy the peace that the CBCP has tried so hard to broker with his media appearances and attacks on GK. There has been a rash of TV appearances on ABS-CBN, with him still questioning GK's finances and disbursements. His statements make for great soundbites, although with GK a properly audited foundation, they are baseless without further proof. Once again, the soundbites are great for catching people's ears and sowing doubt, but worthless as a credible source of information. Politics at its finest.

If he really feels that there is an anomaly, then he should bring GK to court, along with their auditing partners. Maybe the CFC financials for the past 26 years should be opened up too, while he's at it.

With the CBCP's statement saying that the reason for the split wasn't about the money (which was also confirmed to them by FFL's Roland Nillas) and more about its deviation from spirituality, then as FFL's spokesperson, Mr. Contreras' attacks on GK would seem to go against what the FFL (ergo Frank Padilla) is telling the Bishops.

Let us put this into perspective:

From the very beginning, Frank Padilla's main reason for his split with CFC was because of GK's veering away from its spirituality and taking away the CFC's focus on evangelization (see GK-3). Money was never mentioned. The emphasis on spirituality only gave Frank Padilla the platform to elevate it to the Bishops' attention.

It would seem that with his spokesperson going on the offensive about GK's financials, Frank may have been misleading the Bishops all along. FACT: It is about the money.

Could it be that it would pay to sow doubts about the integrity of CFC and one of its pillars, GK, in a drive to recruit CFC members to his new group now that the Bishops have recommended the split?

Could it be the fact that the CFC will retain its Vatican Decree be such an annoyance to the FFL that they have to launch a campaign to discredit the CFC (by questioning GK's financials)?

Your opinions please.


Now this article in the Inquirer that covered the dialogue features statements from supposedly anonymous CFC Household Heads who gave their take on the situation:

"They said to them, there appeared to be a "power grab" within the CfC after some elders ignored the advise of the bishops-- Reyes, Lagdameo, and Bishop Socrates Villegas, who was said to represent Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, to seek a "win-win" situation and resolve the conflict.

Instead, one group went ahead with the election of the council of new elders, led by Tale, last June 22, three days before the CfC's 25th anniversary, they said."

It was incredibly irresponsible of the Inquirer reporter, Nikko Dizon, to report what amounts to be an opinion without at least trying to get all the facts from the CFC Council. In short, get all sides of the situation. The inflamatory term, "power grab", was designed to appeal to minds and hearts, esp. to those who are still undecided.

I ask you all now, is this over? I guess we will be bringing into the public light the days and moments before that fateful election. Stay tuned.

Up next, The Definition Of FORGIVENESS according to The Easter Group's Gary Faustino.

In the same post...CFC/CFC-GK/CFC-FFL tongue twisters...you know, in case there wasn't enough abbreviations to contend with in the first place. :-)

There is no peace in sight...yet.

Progress!

Thanks to an anonymous commenter in the previous entry, we now have news from the CBCP on the results of yesterday's meeting between the two CFC factions and the Bishops.

CFC opts to split

printable page

Manila, August 28, 2007 -After a whole day of deliberations with the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on the Laity chaired by Antipolo Bishop Gabriel V. Reyes, the two conflicting groups from Couples for Christ decided to go separate ways temporarily with the hope of uniting into one later.

The parties involved are the Couples for Christ led by Bro. Jose Tale and the Couples for Christ for Family and Life chaired by Bro. Frank Padilla.

In an exclusive interview with CBCPNews early Tuesday evening, Episcopal Commission on the Laity Chairman and Antipolo Bishop Gabriel V. Reyes said the split will be temporary but both parties “will remain open to unification” in the future.

CBCP President and Jaro ( Iloilo ) Archbishop Angel N. Lagdameo, Bishops Ramon Villena of Bayombong (Nueva Vizcaya), Guillermo Afable of Digos (Davao del Sur) and Honesto Pacana, S.J. of Malaybalay (Bukidnon) attended the meeting at the Council of the Laity of the Philippines Building at Cabildo Street, Intramuros, Manila.

“The Couples for Christ for Family and Life led by Bro. Frank Padilla is now recognized as a diocesan private association of the faithful in the Diocese of Antipolo,” Bishop Reyes said. He added the group may go into other dioceses with the permission of the bishop of the place.

“It is for the bishop to decide whether to accept one or both in his area,” Bishop Reyes explained.

He said Bro. Jose Tale will look into reports that Gawad Kalinga “is veering away from the vision-mission statements of the Couples for Christ and several teachings of the Catholic church."

Asked of Gawad Kalinga’s tie-up with government and other religions, Bishop Reyes said “there is nothing wrong with tie-ups with government agencies and other religions.” He added “tie-ups with other religions should be guided by the Catholic church’s rules on Ecumenism.”

Bishop Reyes confirmed money matters had nothing to do with the conflict. He appealed to Couples for Christ members to continuously pray for their organization and continue to work in their respective communities.

Tue, 08/28/2007 - 20:09 — Melo Acuña

I do wonder if both parties will each issue their own statement (mass texts have been sent by both) or issue a joint one. I'm not going to hold my breath for that one though.

I am sincerely hoping that this will end the strife and attacks, but I'm not so sure.

See, this statement from the CBCP itself, "Bishop Reyes confirmed money matters had nothing to do with the conflict" seems to be an official gesture to signal an end to the warfare.

Might it just have been a coincidence then that last night's TV Patrol episode on Gawad Kalinga on the other hand, featured the Easter Group's Nonong Contreras questioning its use of donated funds?

What is it really?

It is interesting to note that GK has audit partners to ensure its financial credibility, while the CFC under Frank Padilla has yet to issue a complete financial statement.

Will the sniping continue?

I was hoping that this site could be put to rest in the quest for peace and unity after this Bishops' Dialogue, but then again....

Coming up next...

It All Depends.

Pandora's Box - Show Me The Money!

A religious organization is fueled by tithes, contributions, and donations. In CFC, how the money is spent was managed by its leader, Frank Padilla. The sole authority to approve major expenses and disbursement of funds lay with him. As a religious organization, the use of tithes must be accountable to the members of its community. These were given in good faith, and are supposed to go towards the organization's evangelistic goals and missions. It is of important note that there has only been one real accounting made by CFC in its years of operation, the one spearheaded by Lito Tayag when he was a member of the council in the late 90's. Actually that was just an attempt, it was never completed.

This subject was actually opened up in a comment in a prior entry before I was ready to post on it. There were several comment inquiries as to where the money from the DOH funds that was discussed in a previous topic was going and if an accounting of it has been made. In fact, I think a keen commenter hit it right on the head of the nail with this comment:

"After twenty-six years in charge perhaps it's harder to resign and let others take charge than it first appears. No one who knows more than the spin really believes this is about GK."

So I ask, as of today, what is CFC's financial status?

This report was given by HO Director, Lito Tayag, during the MC Teaching Night on Aug 21, 2007. Lito Tayag is a Council Member who was formerly a partner in a major multinational accounting firm.


Questions to be asked and answered:

Who are the employees who have unliquided cash advances?

When were the bank loans taken out, and why?

Who are the 10 employees who retired?

If anyone out there has answers to these questions and can help "show me the money", you are welcome to email or comment.

Coming up next, The Ghosts From the Past that Haunt the Present: Emails and revelations about the Coops for Christ and attempts to borrow money from them.