David Viehland

Fr Edwin Gariguez has been fighting mining on Mindoro Island for years. He has also promoted development among tribal peoples and the preservation of protected areas. This year, he was awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize during a ceremony held last Monday in San Francisco, United States.

The bombs went off last Thursday near Puerto Princesa, wounding four people. For the local bishop, they are connected to the investigation of former Provincial Governor Mario Joel Reyes. The latter, who is on the run, is accused of being the principal in the murder of Gerry Ortega, a Catholic journalist, killed in 2011.

In his first Chrismal Mass, Mgr Tagle calls on priests and lay people to spread the Gospel to free people from the enslavement of material things. He calls on the faithful to pray for the priests of his archdiocese, which serves 3 million people.

Members of the Inter-Religious Solidarity Movement for Peace condemn the killing of Arturo Eustaquio III, president of Universidad de Zamboanga, gunned down by unknown assailants on Sunday. He had been involved in education for years. His university was one of the main centres of higher education on the island of Mindanao.

The Sandiganbayan Court orders the arrest of Jose Miguel Arroyo, husband of the Philippines' former president, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, for kickbacks involving a project with a Chinese company. The main witness in the case is living under the protection of the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines.

The New People's Army claims responsibility for the murder of a businessman they claim is behind the PIME missionary's murder on 17 October 2011 in Kidapawan. Army says instead that the dead man was an active supporter of the peace campaign underway in North Cotabato province. Speaking to AsiaNews, sources complain about the stalled investigation into the missionary's death.

Sr. Mary Verzosa Pilar is one of the founders of the Philippine-life movement. Working since the '70s with parishes and dioceses to spread the culture of life among young women. The nun has recently won the Mystery of Life Award 2012, of the Archdiocese of Seoul.

Inspired by the theme 'Stewardship is discipleship,' Mgr Tagle launched fund raising for communities affected by typhoons Washi and Ketsana. Caritas Manila sent 6 million pesos in food and first aid. For Mgr Ledesma, housing now is the priority.