(January 31, 2009 – Saturday) – Priests who call themselves “Anak ng Bauan” join their townmates in this “Levitical town” in their protest over the pending operation of a cockpit, the first ever to be constructed in this municipality, where beer is not served and sold at public places. Today, Mayor Rhyan Dolor led his fellow public officials in dialoguing with representatives of the parish led by Fr. Carmelo Gozos, pastor of this town. According to Fr. Gozos, the municipal council has already passed an ordinance when he learnt about this cockpit. The municipal officials allegedly pointed out that this is legal and will give some livelihood to the people around that area.
In a statement done in the vernacular, the priests-sons of Bauan, led by Msgr. Alfredo Madlangbayan, Vicar General of the Archdiocese, lamented the fact that this legal form of gambling has radically departed from the good image of Bauan, where there are beerhouses, nite clubs or any fun houses. The priests warned their townmates that the entrance of a cockpit, even if legal, will lead to a culture of gambling, which would cause a lot of social problems, that would affect the families, especially the youth.
The statement, expected to be read tomorrow during the Masses in the three parishes comprising the municipality of Bauan — Bauan proper, Bolo and Aplaya — is signed by Msgr. Alfredo Madlangbayan, Fr. Jose Ilagan, Fr. Ernesto Mandanas, Jr., Fr. Nepomuceno Fruto, Fr. Leonido Dolor, Fr. Aloysius Buensalida, Fr. Gerry Garcia, Fr. Romulo Dolor, Fr. Eric Joaquin Arada, Fr. Emmanuel ARada, and Fr. Russell Matuloy. Expected to add their signatures are Fr. Hermogenes Quiambao, Jr., Fr. Eleuterio Ramos and Fr. Johannes Arada. According to Fr. Nonie Dolor, the principal author of the statement, Archbishop Ramon Arguelles has given his support and is even willing to lend his signature to the statement.
