Updated: Sept. 30, 2022, 9:00 PM.
Vancouver, B.C.
Democrito C. Barcenas urges Filipinos living abroad not to forget and continue resisting
By Charmaine Y. Rodriguez and Teodoro Alcuitas
RENOWNED Martial Law survivor and Cebuano lawyer launched his second book on the atrocities experienced by Cebuanos during Martial Law in the Philippines to mark the 50th anniversary of one of the darkest periods in the country’s history.
Lawyer Democrito C. Barcenas wrote “Martial Law in Cebu, Stories of Life and Struggle During the Marcos Dictatorship,’ which is a compilation of stories written by 21 contributors who shared their personal experiences during the declaration of martial law as a highlight for the anniversary and, most especially, to counter the false information about the events.
Half a century after their harrowing ordeal, Marcos’ son, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., is back in Malacañang, 36 years after the Marcos family was forced into exile by the People Power Revolution in 1986.
The accounts include those of well-respected Filipino historian Resil Mojares, who is also an award-winning writer and critic of Philippine Literature as well as retired Judge Meinrado Paredes, and Judge Kit Enriquez, among others.
No revision of history
For Barcenas, it is very important to document the true events so history will not continue to be revised and so Filipinos all over the world will read about first-hand accounts from the victims themselves.
When Republic Act (RA) 10368, also known as the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013, was passed, Barcenas received closed to P1 million from the Philippine government, according to ph.news.yahoo.com
RA 10368 was considered unprecedented legislation not only in the Philippines, but in Asia, with the Philippine Government “acknowledging its legal and moral obligation for the gross human rights violations committed by the regime of Marcos.”
“Even if they gave me P20 million, it could not pay for what I went through. They took away my liberty. They harassed me. My wife was forced to travel 80 kilometers back and forth every day. We endured so much hardship and no money during that period,” Barcenas told ph.news.yahoo.com in Cebuano.
Asked about the significance of the book to Filipinos abroad, Barcenas said the book not only exposes what the Marcos family did but also teaches a lesson in fighting against tyrants.
“It is significant to note that while millions of Filipinos have settled abroad, they did not leave their cultural roots. There is greater significance of the book ” Martial Law in Cebu: Stories of Life and Struggle during the Marcos Dictatorship” because it is an essential reminder to all Filipinos, whether living at home or abroad, that we must always resist tyranny and oppression,” he told Philippine Canadian News.Com.
He added that the book is also is very important to young Filipinos or those of mixed ancestry abroad “because the young generation must continue the struggle for justice, democracy, and human rights so that they will have a better future for themselves and for their children in whatever country they reside.”
The book was launched on September 21, 2022 at the AS Lobby of the University of the Philippines-Cebu Campus.
One may message the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP)-Cebu City Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/ibpcebucity) to order a copy.
This book is a sequel to his first book – ‘Never Again’ published in 2019.
Barcenas, fondly called Atty. Mocring, was a past president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), Cebu City Chapter. Both he and wife Lourdes, who is also a lawyer are, members of IBP who honoured the couple with a Grand Prize during their Golden Wedding Anniversary last year.
Mocring is an alumnus of the University of San Carlos’ graduating in 1960. Lourdes passed the bar in 1992 and they maintain a law practice in the city to this day. The office, located in a nondescript building near the Capitol reflects Mocring’s simple but humble way of serving the people.
Lourdes taught at the University of San Carlos College of Law from 1998 – 2012, while teaching full-time as Associate Professor at the University of the Philippines Cebu.
I asked him once why he did not became a ‘de campanilla’ lawyer and his answer was – “This is the way I want to serve, among the people.”
At the height of Martial Law he provided pro-bono (free) legal services to those arrested by the regime. He notes in the book that when he was arrested and brought to the detention centre where there were already several detainees, they burst into joy thinking that their lawyer was coming to defend them. Their jubilation was doused when they saw their lawyer being finger printed instead.
They have four children, two of whom have followed their parents to the profession. Dakila, is a presiding Judge of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities in Cebu City, Branch 2, while daughter Ligaya, is a legal officer of Philhealth Cebu.
