OPINIONS / COLUMNS (July 21 – July 27, 2008) In & Out Stevie T. Barreiro Render unto Caesar Bishop Sergio Utleg has endorsed the construction of a new shopping mall at the expense of the Laoag Central School stating that the project “will be good for the people of Laoag.” The development is somewhat surprising given the Church’s commitment to education. Many of the finest private schools are Catholic-run—Ateneo, La Salle, UST, and locally Holy Spirit Academy and DWCL. In fact, when the SSPS (under the SVD order) sisters left Holy Spirit, the diocese took over lock, stock and barrel to keep the school going. Given the above and the Church’s avowed commitment to morality and spirituality, the Bishop’s statement raised not a few eyebrows. While the Church has often condemned materialism, we have here a high-ranking Church official who endorses materialism at the expense of education. Why? According to sources, the deal stands to benefit the Church immensely. First of all, the property where the Central School exists is prime real estate, worth millions or even hundreds of millions. A clause in the deed of donation states that the property reverts back to the Church’s ownership “if the property is used for purposes other than education.” Secondly, as the new owner, the Church stands to profit immensely from the use of the property for commercial purposes. Sources say that while there were initial misgivings, the Church relented. Rumors have it that the initial offer of 25% of profits from rentals going to the Church was rejected while a later offer of 75% was allegedly accepted. Whatever the actual figure, it is logical to assume that the Church will certainly profit from the venture. At the expense of a hallowed educational icon. This is not absolutely surprising given the Church’s storied history. Some publications have it that the Church itself invented banking and usury. The origin of usury is allegedly ascribed to the Order of the Knights Templars sometime in the mid 12th century. This obscure and historically maligned order had reportedly become too rich, too powerful, and independent of the papacy that a plot was allegedly hatched in cooperation with King Philip I of France to break the order’s power and expropriate all the Templar assets in favor of the Church and Philip. Fast forward to the recent; there were reports particularly in the 1980’s alleging the laundering of Mafia funds in the Vatican banking system. Profits. In the Catholic hierarchy, the rank of Bishop is akin to that of a feudal baron or governor. It is thus logical to assume that the decision to endorse the project, and gain profit at the expense of education was not the Bishop’s alone but was made higher up. In the Holy Book, Jesus was asked “unto whom should we render tribute?” The Master replied: “Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s and unto God that which is of God.” It seems that the later followers of Peter have forgotten that message. Some historians postulate that the spiritual tone of the Church was forever lost when the Roman Emperor Constantine in a political move made Christianity, heretofore an oft persecuted sect that had become popular among the masses, the state religion of the empire. But that is another story. I would like to believe that the Catholic Church is the voice of spirituality setting the moral standards that we Catholics must live up to. However, much of what has happened in the Church is bound to disappoint the idealist in me. Beyond the façade of spirituality, the Church’s policies are definitely secular. Worldly. *** Rumors allege that those intimately involved in the conversion of the Central School into a shopping mall may have an ulterior motive. Reportedly a part of the fabled Yamashita treasure is buried underneath the school. Thus the construction of the mall may also be a cover for digging up the alleged hoard. While many dismiss the stories of buried treasure as figments of the imagination, there are also those who swear as to its existence. When I was living in Santiago, Isabela, I came across two people who it is said made their fortunes on unearthing buried treasure. My erstwhile father-in-law, who was once the top Hukbalahap commander in Cagayan Valley stated that one of them was their neighbor. A small time entrepreneur who ran a small store at the local market, this guy was renting the house next door when he began to dig allegedly to construct a new septic tank. My father-in-law stated that within a few months his “kumpadre” had bought the house and had considerably enlarged his business; later he confided that he had indeed, struck “gold”. My erstwhile father-in-law should know; he provided protection to his “kumpadre”. At the behest of a formerly prominent local personality, I even approached a current Ilocos Norte mayor once for assistance in verifying an alleged GBC or Gold Bullion Certificate reportedly belonging to a friend of mine. Before entry into politics, this mayor was reportedly engaged in shady deals involving alleged GBCs and US Treasury Bonds. Nothing came out of our transaction however. I later verified with a former high official of the Central Bank that the alleged GBC of my friend was spurious. Thus, there is also reason to be skeptical. Numerous tales abound. Informed people swear as to its existence. So is there any truth to the rumors? That something valuable is buried underneath the Laoag City Central School? And that the buried treasure is a major reason why some of the people associated with the project are going to all ends to make the deal happen? Like giving the Church an offer they can’t refuse? Ilocos Times copyright 2008 Back to top

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