Dilaab to launch Anti-Shaburakot Campaign

As the election fever rages on, the Church-based Dilaab Movement is launching a nationwide conscience-formation campaign for the upcoming 2007 elections dubbed as "Huwag Hayaang Lumusot Kandidatong Shaburakot."

"Shaburakot" is coined by Dilaab to define the anti-life candidate who is using illegal drug money and involved in corruption. According to its overall coordinating steward, Fr. Carmelo Diola, the campaign does not mention names but raises (laser) guide questions. With the launch via a forum and concert tonight, March 24 at the Mabolo Parish Parking Lot, he hopes that people would be emboldened to become "S (Shaburakot)-Busters."

Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal is endorsing the campaign, saying that that this will "help voters screen out people who are anti-life from the perspective of illegal drugs and graft/corruption."

Dilaab, which in Cebuano means "fire," took form in November 27, 2006 to give a collective name and cohesive representation of the three advocacy outreaches that the group is passionate about, namely: Pedro Kalungsod Outreach (for overseas Filipino workers), Kamatuoran (anti-narcopolitics) and Barug Filipino (anti-graft and corruption). Dilaab is also a proponent of the 12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do To Help Our Country, a widely popular booklet written by Atty. Alexander Lacson, on the little must-do acts of civic virtues (see related box). With the number 8 little act on the list—During Elections, Do Your Solemn Duty—as very timely, what better way indeed but to launch an event that campaigns for voting with a conscience.

Ever since its inception, the action-oriented movement has organized events that are aligned with their advocacy for heroic Christian citizenship that "marries little acts of good citizenship with theological virtues." Most recent was the series of activities that corresponded with the extensive government preparations for the ASEAN Summit. These included the forum entitled Heroic Christian Citizenship: Igniting Spaces of Hope, ASEAN and Beyond which featured insightful talks on how "Heroic Christian Citizenship" can be translated to our everyday lives—from the points of view of former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., PNP Csupt General Samson Tucay, and Atty. Alexander Lacson. A PADILAAB Art Exhibit was also held at the Ayala Center Cebu.

DILAAB has been vigorously carrying out programs to back its mission-vision such as the Heroic Christian Citizenship (HCC) module that is based on Atty. Lacson’s book; the 30-day Philippine National Police Values and Leadership School (PNP VLS) that had about 2,300 police personnel as graduates; the Integrated Family Relations Enhancement Program (IFREP) which assists would-be migrants and their families in their psycho-spiritual needs; the S-Leadership module of Potter’s Leadership Academy created by Selene Yu, a Wharton School graduate; and the Christian Advocacy Module, a follow-up to the HCC module to enjoin individuals to play a part in faith-based advocacies.

After getting a ton of positive feedback for its existing programs and activities, Dilaab as a nationwide movement might be in the works. "Are we going national? You could say that we are heading towards that direction. But then, we are not calling DILAAB a ‘national’ movement because it sounds pompous. Who told you to speak for the nation? A lot of groups are like that. We want to be humble," he said, adding that although core members are Cardinal Vidal, Bishop Chito Tagle of Imus, Cavite and Archbishop Antonio Ledesma of Cagayan De Oro, most members of DILAAB, which also counts in former Chief Justice Davide Jr., are not priests or the religious.   

What makes Dilaab different from other movements? Fr. Carmelo said that Dilaab consults and seeks the approval of Cardinal Vidal regarding activities. Second, it is open to suggestions from its members. Third, it is faith-impelled. He said, "Dilaab is very careful about appearing to be messianic, know-it-all, solve-it-all… First of all, we realize brokenness starts with us. Corruption, for one, means ‘hearts that are broken’—that’s what it means in latin. So, we are really faith-impelled. We don’t envision in creating a utopia, because only God can create that kingdom. In other words, I would say, we are very Christian, very priestly… I cannot speak for the other groups, but there’s a spirituality here."