25 Mayo 2024, Sabado

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

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Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024

Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party

Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance

supports May, Cardiac Illness Prevention Month 

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Chiz seeks to mend House-Senate ties preventing another Cha-cha word war

By Nidz Godino

“It’s not befitting for lawmakers to exchange unparliamentary remarks…we can probably start there before we discuss other issues,” Senate President Chiz Escudero said  during Kapihan sa Senado forum even  he remains unconvinced about changing  Charter, he wants to repair  relationship between  Senate and House of Representatives to prevent another heated public exchange among lawmakers.

Escudero, whose recent ascension to  Senate presidency has been endorsed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., will reach out to House Speaker Martin Romualdez soon to address how  two chambers can avoid trading barbs even with their disagreements on Charter change.

Newly-installed Senate president  envisions himself as  leader  will serve as  “bridge to finding solutions to problems” instead of flip-flopping on his position.

Measure  proposing economic amendments to  1987 Constitution was passed on final reading at the House in March, but  similar version remains pending at the committee level in Senate, where senators remain divided due to concerns about possible insertions of political amendments.

This, too, remains  concern for Escudero, who said  years-long difficulty in passing Charter amendments can be attributed to “hidden motives” by its proponents.

“Primary reason why Charter change does not push through or gets delayed is because of people’s doubts about  motives behind it, if people are asked directly about whether they are for or against is, I believe this will make it more likely to reach  final stage of approval ,” Escudero said.

Future Senate committee hearings tackling Charter change have also been been suspended indefinitely after Sen. Sonny Angara’s resignation as chairperson of  Senate subcommittee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes, Escudero said.

New  Senate president, however, stopped short of saying  upper chamber will no longer consider measures related to Charter change. “It’s not for me to say,” Escudero said on May 20.

In January, Senate unanimously expressed its opposition to  people’s initiative (PI) signature drive to change  Charter,  hounded by allegations of bribery and of being orchestrated by  lower chamber.

Senators were particularly concerned about how PI sought to amend Constitution to allow all members of Congress to jointly vote on proposed constitutional amendments in  constituent assembly. This meant 24-member Senate would be outnumbered by  House.

This triggered  series of public exchanges between senators and House lawmakers. At one point,  House member part of  constitutional amendments committee questioned Zubiri’s ability to lead  Senate and whether senators were “no longer listening to him.”

Escudero believes  Senate’s counterparts in House are aware of  independence of both chambers.

Senate’s Resolution of Both Houses 6 proposes amendments to specific economic provisions on public utilities, basic educational institutions, and the advertising industry. 

25 Mayo 2024, Sabado

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

Register now and vote in midterm polls

supports International Nurses’ Day

Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024

Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party

Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance

supports May, Cardiac Illness Prevention Month 

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

PM for any hospital discharge problem

‘Artista’ bloc behind Zubiri’s ouster due to injury dispute

By J.Lo

“We’re rules-based,” Zubiri said in video, prompting Revilla, who was wearing  ankle brace, to literally put his foot down and lament  lack of respect: “Bastusan na tayo dito, eh.”

 Ouster plot against Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri that cost him his Senate presidency has taken  unexpected twist  all due to  action star’s foot.

Talk is rife on social media that what triggered senators’ discontent at Zubiri’s leadership was his refusal to allow virtual attendance for Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr.,  nursing reopened Achilles tendon wound in his foot.

Video  of  undated session day went viral showing that Zubiri and Revilla talked about  latter’s request for virtual attendance, only for  former to turn it down because foot injury “isn’t as bad as  coma.”

Video  started rumors that incident prompted  “Artista” bloc composed of Revilla and fellow action stars turned Sens. Lito Lapid, Jinggoy Estrada and Robinhood Padilla  to turn against Zubiri and swing numbers for new Senate President Francis Escudero, who got 14 senators on his side.

It was Escudero who defended Revilla’s request during  May 14 session, later granted by the body against Zubiri’s wishes.

Sen. Ronald dela Rosa fanned speculation that this triggered  ouster plot.

Dela Rosa denied his “PDEA leaks” investigation triggered Malacañang’s discontent with Zubiri, who claimed he was demoted for offending “powers that be.”

Dela Rosa pointed instead at Zubiri’s stickler-for-the-rules attitude that irked Revilla, who in turn got  sympathy of his fellow actor-senators.

“When Senator Migz denied Revilla’s request, that triggered ‘artista’ bloc and caused them to harbor ill feelings against him,” Dela Rosa said.

Reducing  ouster plot to  “petty” cause did not sit well with Zubiri’s ally Sen. Nancy Binay, who mocked  tale of Revilla’s “powerful” twisted foot unseating  Senate president.

“It is weird to think that of all conspiracy theories that came out since  Senate coup,  senator’s foot  trigger why Senator Migz was booted out of his post… best or worst interest of the nation is just  foot away,” Binay said.

Binay said Escudero’s allies are making Zubiri’s ouster worthy of political drama by painting Revilla’s foot as “more powerful than the powers-that-be.”

“If that is the reason for Senator Migz’s ouster, then we can say they have really put their best foot forward…if  sore foot can inspire such decisive action, just imagine what  fully functioning pair of feet could do,” Binay said. “But for now,  foot has spoken. Let us all unite behind Sen. Bong Revilla’s foot.”

Binay vowed that the “Solid 7”  or those who opposed Zubiri’s ouster  would be formidable whether or not it chooses to be  minority or independent bloc in the Senate.

“Solid 7 will continue to march forward in 19th Congress…we will stand on two feet, or one foot. Injured or not, rest assured, we will always step up,” she said.

On his Viber group with reporters, Revilla merely laughed off  puns that poked fun at his foot injury, which is going down in history as  powerful political weapon.

“It is one of the triggers, but there are several problems already…let us move on from the issue,” Revilla said, vowing to put his best foot forward.

25 Mayo 2024, Sabado

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

Register now and vote in midterm polls

supports International Nurses’ Day

Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024

Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party

Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance

supports May, Cardiac Illness Prevention Month 

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Pulong seeks probe of EJKs in past 25 years

By Nidz Godino

“Human rights violations, including EJK, have been  perennial threat against  significant number of Filipinos for decades already,”  resolution from Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte wants Congress to investigate extrajudicial killings (EJKs) and human rights abuses in the country over past 25 years.

Son  of former president Rodrigo Duterte filed House Resolution No. 1745, asking  House of Representatives to direct  appropriate committee to conduct  probe “in aid of legislation.”

Duterte said  chamber should look into  “surrounding circumstances” behind incidents of EJKs all over the country, not only in Davao.

He cited in particular  reports of  Philippine National Police, Department of the Interior and Local Government and other related law enforcement agencies stating  cities of Manila, Cebu and Quezon are among  areas with recorded high incidents of EJKs and human rights violations.

Lawmaker  wants  probe to cover period of not only six years, but at least 25 years up to present.

Measure  stated that “this longstanding impunity has been consistent with  annual reports on extrajudicial killings by Human Rights Watch relating  human rights situation in the country remains appalling, if not ascending, across varying political regimes as shown by  unabated and progressing rate of  said killings, including attacks against political activists and journalists and abuses committed during  armed conflict with  current 54-year-old communist insurgency.”

Duterte added EJKs,  majority of which are related to illegal drugs, “have continued to peak” in 2023 during  administration of President Marcos.

Resolution  stated that Congress should evaluate existing laws, rules and regulations  uphold and promote  constitutional guarantee against any form of human rights violation.

25 Mayo 2024, Sabado

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

Register now and vote in midterm polls

supports International Nurses’ Day

Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024

Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party

Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance

supports May, Cardiac Illness Prevention Month 

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Komedya o Komida

Ni Derek Jorge

Komedyanteng ospital

KOMEDYANTE itong ospital sa kabayanan ng Bocaue, Bulacan, hindi  nga ho ito kasambahay naniningil ng deposito agad at palilipasin muna ang 24 oras pero bawal ang promisorry letter. Shout out muna kina Binang 1^st Barangay Chairman Alfredo Quiambao, secretary Michelle Santos at treasurer Con-con Adatu,admin Ricardo Sta. Ana, konsehal Aru Cando, Pepito Nicandro, Gerry Noel. Pagkuha mo Kiwal, bulati kong kikiwal-kiwal ng kwarto sa ipaaadmit mong pasyente, walang charity ward doon, P1,900 at P2,200 lang ang halaga ng room, palalagdaan sa iyo ang kasulatang bawal ang promisorry letter. Sige lang pirma, pero alam naman ng mga abogado nitong ospital na may “Anti-hospital hostage law” na hindi dahilan ang kakapusan mon ang pananalapi upang hindi ka pauwiin kung galling ka na at ang unang hakbang para magamit mo ang batas ayh PM. PM lang din ho sa akin kung may problema kayo sa discharge ng inyong pasyente. Pagbati sa mga kongresistang nagsisikap pagmalasakitan ang kapakanan naming mga nakatatanda-pagpapanatili sa 20% diskwento sa mga pangunahing pangangailangan. . Pero bakit kaya hanggang 20% lang Kiwal, bulati kong kikiwal-kiwal, dahil ba tinatanggal lang ang tubo sa puhunan at hindi ito kailangang galawin? Sa panukala nitong ilang deputado, ipinasasaklaw sa diskwento kahit mga produktong ipinakikilala pa lamang sa pamamagitan ng “promo”. Ipinaggigiitan ho ng mga hotel na ang mga ratang nasa promo gaya ng P500 ang sampung oras na pamamalagi na hindi saklaw ng 20% discount. Yun ho kasing promo ng kumpanya ay para sa kapakanan nito, paano naman ang batas na nilalabag na, dapat pang idiskwento ang nasa promo. Gusto ko ring tingkiin ang petrolyo, gasoline at krudo ng nagpapakargang senior citizen, dapat ikonsidera rin.   Komedya na naman ang magaganap sa mga lansangan sa pagtataguang pung at girian ng mga “unconsolidated traditional jeepney” at magsisiga-sigaang enforcer.  Tapos na kasi kasambahay ang grace period ng mga uncon at simul ana ng tugisan ng mga kulorum. Tyak magtatago ang mga kulorum hanggang manghinawa ang mga tugis boys. Alam nyo naman ang ugaling ningas-kugon, di pa rin nawawala at alam ng mga kulorum yun, pahinga muna, payagay-tagay muna. Pagkatapos ng sigwada, muling mamamayagpag ang mga kulorum, “happy days are here again”. Dyan nga Kiwal, bulati kong kikiwal-kiwal sa Imus City, Cavite, marami sa mga traditional jeepney ang ni walang ruta sa gilid, byaheng Dasmarinas City bayan-Imus City proper, kinunsinte ng mga awtoridad at pamahalaang lokal. Inutil rin dyan ang bantay-kulorum. Mababawasan kasambahay ang komedya sa munisipyo, city hall at barangay hall dahil mauudlot ang pamumulitika sa pamamahagi ng ayuda ng mga pulitiko. . Hindi na ho kasi kasambahay idaraan sa opisina ng mga ehekutibo lokal ang ayuda ni Social Welfare secretary Rex Gatchalian. Ito ho bang Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program o AKAP. Ang konswelo na lang ni Mayor at barangay chairman ay makapagmasid sa pamimigay, iniiwasan na ho kasi Kiwal, bulati kong kikiwal-kiwal na akalain ninyong mula sa pulitiko iyon kaya muling maiboboto sa nalalapit na naming halalan. Komedya  naman talaga itong nagaganap sa ating hudikatura, makaraan kasambahay ng mahigit isang dekadang paglilitis, katarungan nang tinatawag ang pagkakakulong ng tigagalawang taon ng dalawang saragateng tsuper na kahit tinawag ng korteng maingat naman sa pagmamaneho ay nakamatay pa rin ng beteranang mamamahayag at edukador. Makukulong nga kasambahay itong dalawang tsuper  Daniel Espinosa at Victor Ancheta makaraang mapatunayan ni Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 83 Judge Ralph Lee na nagkasala ng reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property with homicide sa pagkamatay ng journalist at UP Professor Chit Estella. Pinagbabayad naman kapwa ang Universal Guiding Star Bus Line Corp. at Nova Auto Transport Bus Corporation ng P7.46 milyong “moral and exemplary damage” sa pamilya ni  Estella o Lourdes Estella-Simbulan. Masasabing nasa “wrong place at wrong time” si Chit nang mga panahong iyon.   Itong  tsuper ng traditional jeepney byaheng Sto. Nino -Meycauayan City, mas pinili pang libre pamasahe kaysa tanggapin ang perang papel na P20, baka raw kasi hindi tanggapin mula sa kanya. Kasambahay, hangga’t hindi pinawawalang-bisa ng Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas ang pinalaganap nitong salapi sa bansa, kung nababasa pa naman ang serial number, hindi ito pwedeng hindi tanggapin. Isinukli din naman sa akin ang P20, at tinanggap ko naman kaya kailangang tanggapin mo rin driver, ang katangahan, hindi ipinag-aaraw-araw yan. Kung walang tatanggap, ang bangko, kahit anong bangko tatanggapin yan. Kasama yan sa hanap-buhay mo driver, kung wala pala akong alam, ibang salapi pa ang ibabayad mo, nungka. Consolidated na ba yang jeep mo, kung hindi magtago ka na. Tinutugis ho ngayon ng mga pulis ang kabaro nilang babae dahil nahuling nakikipagniig sa kapwa pulis at huli rin ng maybahay ang katalik. Hindi kinilala ni Col. Fajardo ang pasaway sa matinding kahihiyan, sino kaya ang life coach niyan? Nananawagan kasambahay ang obispong katoliko sa mga panatikong magdasal para ulanin. Noong araw ipinagpuprusisyon pa ng mga panatiko ang paghingi ng ulan kaya lang galit ang itaas sa pagkikilik ng imahen sa prusisyon dahil iyon ay dinidiyos pa kaysa Kanya. Paano diringgin kung mali ang pamamaraan. Lalo lamang lalala ang sitwasyon kung hindi matututuhan ng tao ang tamang pagtawag sa nasa Itaas.

Shout out muna sa Values Bocaue Advocates, Wilfredo Jimenez Jr., Alex Driodoco, Gemma Daseco, Delfin Lawa at Alex Castro. Shout out muna sa mga may “hang over” pang bagong Marked Men for Christ”. Nagsipagtapos ng phase 2 at 3 seminar sa Plaridel,Bulacan staff na kayo kung saka-sakali, unang staffing nyo ang Phase 1 sa San Carlos City, Pangasinan sa HUlyo 3-5,2024. Jonathan Fernandez, nagkakalimutan na yata a..    Salamat JO1 Adrian Montojo, magkatulungan tayo sa ikarereporma ng mga detenido.

25 Mayo 2024, Sabado

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

Register now and vote in midterm polls

supports International Nurses’ Day

Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024

Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party

Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance

supports May, Cardiac Illness Prevention Month 

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

‘Monster’ ship intrudes Ph waters

By J.Lo

“It’s a Chinese Coast Guard ship and there will be appropriate response from  NTF, coast guard, Philippine Coast Guard,” Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad, Philippine Navy spokesman for  West Philippine Sea (WPS),  told reporters China’s biggest coast guard ship is in the vicinity of Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal off Zambales, even as it continues checking alleged sightings of  pipeline in the land feature purportedly laid down by  Chinese.

Trinidad said  unnamed vessel was last sighted some 50 nautical miles from Panatag or Scarborough Shoal, also called Bajo de Masinloc.

Trinidad did not reveal other details of  Chinese vessel.

But in  post on X, Ray Powell, director of SeaLight, said  Chinese ship seen near Panatag  was actually  world’s largest coast guard ship 165 meters long with bow number 5901.

He also said on X that smaller CCG ship with bow number 5203 was also in the vicinity. They were last spotted in the area at about 5:15 in the morning.

Sighting  of the largest CCG ship dubbed “the Monster” came days after Beijing announced  issuance of  maritime regulation allowing its coast guard to pick up and detain for 60 days without trial any foreigner found trespassing in Chinese territorial waters. China considers almost  entire South China Sea its territory.

While  ship’s activities were being monitored, Trinidad stressed it’s up to  National Task Force (NTF) on WPS to decide which course of action to take next.

Trinidad also said  Philippine Navy is still verifying reports of pipe-laying work on Panatag Shoal by  Chinese.

“We are treating  initial report as unverified or unsubstantiated…we checked and we’re still trying to find other corroborating reports on that matter, so far,  report has been on its own, it’s still unverified or unsubstantiated…unsubstantiated, unverified report, that’s how we think of it as of now, ” he said.

Just days after China’s warning of more restrictions in West Philippine Sea, Filipino fishermen said harassment by  Chinese had gotten worse, based on testimonies from fisherfolk in Masinloc in Zambales during  onsite joint public consultation by  House committee on national defense and security and  special committee on WPS.

Witness  from Sta. Cruz town in Zambales, had already stopped fishing in Bajo de Masinloc due to intensified Chinese harassment.

Chinese would sometimes intercept them and confiscate their catch  usually worth some P10,000  and trade them with five kilos of noodles nearing expiry.

Others  expressed their concern that  Chinese would make good their threat to arrest them starting June 15.

In  message, Speaker Martin Romualdez underscored that Bajo de Masinloc is  “traditional fishing ground of Zambales and Pangasinan fisherfolk,” as it is within  country’s exclusive economic zone.

Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales  would relay  fishermen’s concerns to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Zambales Rep. Jay Khonghun and other congressmen suggested that assistance from  Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) be tailor-fit to  fisherfolk’s needs.

Khonghun said BFAR was giving fishermen “small fiberglass boats good for rivers while we need big vessels for  high seas.” He said Subic town in his district received one 20-foot boat from BFAR.

And while public consultation was going on,  Chinese dredger was spotted cruising  waters off Bucao, Zambales, raising concerns and questions about its presence.

Dredger , HONG FA 158, under  bareboat charter with Oromarine, was reportedly being operated by  China Harbour Engineering Co. (CHEC).

Zambales Ecological Network executive director Heidi Fernandez called  presence of  dredger  “slap in the face and mockery of our sovereignty.”

She said presence of  dredger was particularly contentious, given  suspension of sand dredging activities in Zambales due to environmental complaints.

CHEC was reportedly involved in reclamation and construction of artificial islands by  Chinese in Philippine waters.

Meanwhile, also in  bid to assuage  fisherfolk’s concerns, PCG Commodore Jay Tarriela  have “made  commitment to strengthen its presence in  West Philippine Sea by deploying more PCG vessels.”

“We will make sure Filipino fishermen will not be harassed by  CCG,” he said .

He said Armed Forces would also help in “carrying out whatever it takes to make sure our fishermen are safe.”

He stressed new Chinese regulation “has no legal basis and is another form of harassment.”

Tarriela attended  inauguration of  new PCG station in Itbayat in the Philippines’ northernmost province of Batanes.

New  PCG station was “very important to  PCG and  government” because it would be used to “monitor  movement of ships crossing Luzon Strait,” including Chinese research vessels, he said.

Last May 22, PCG also opened  new station in the town of Hamtic in Antique.

New  building for PCG station in Antique was  “commitment to providing better support to local government by upholding maritime security and maritime safety within  vicinity waters of Antique.”

“Establishment of this new monitoring station is  strategic move to enhance maritime domain awareness and strengthen security measures along  Luzon Strait, vital international waterway,  new facility not only extends  services offered by  national government through  PCG here in Itbayat, Batanes, but also improves  country’s maritime domain awareness efforts in Northern Luzon,” National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said, referring to  Itbayat station.

25 Mayo 2024, Sabado

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

Register now and vote in midterm polls

supports International Nurses’ Day

Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024

Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party

Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance

supports May, Cardiac Illness Prevention Month 

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

Zambales fishers plead for protection after Ch threatens to arrest ‘trespassers’

By Nidz Godino

“Gusto namin malaman anong seguridad ang puwede naming makuha…sabi nila June 15 manghuhuli sila, eh paano kami na laging nangingisda sa Bajo de Masinloc?”  Jeoffrey Elad, president of  Tropical Fish Gatherer Association in Barangay San Salvador, Masinloc, Zambales said fisherfolk from Zambales  sought answers from visiting lawmakers about whether  government can ensure their safety and protection while fishing in  West Philippine Sea following China’s directive to arrest “trespassers” in waters they claim as theirs.

During House lawmakers’ public consultation and inquiry on alleged “gentleman’s agreement” between former President Rodrigo Duterte and China in Masinloc, Zambales, representatives of fisher groups asked whether  government would protect them from possible arrest.

Fisherfolk’s fresh plea for urgent government action comes after China granted its Chinese Coast Guard (CCG)  authority to detain foreigners it suspects of “trespassing” its borders including disputed areas in  South China Sea that it claims to be its territorial waters for up to 60 days without trial.

Directive  is housed under regulations rolled out by  CCG that will take effect on June 15, according to Chinese state-run news agency China News Service. 

Coincidentally,  House joint panels’ public consultation took place around  same time  Chinese Coast Guard’s largest vessel with bow number 5901 was spotted by  Philippine Navy around 50 nautical miles from Bajo de Masinloc on Friday morning.

 “Wala tayong kakayahang labanan sila,” he added.

The fisherfolk leader  want  government to assure them despite China’s directive, Filipino fishermen can complete their fishing trips at Bajo de Masinloc, as they have done for decades. “Kahit nandoon ang China ok lang, pero ang hulihin kami ay masakit sa aming kalooban.”

Elad had to repeat his question twice after he did not receive  direct answer from lawmakers the first time, with Rep. Johnny Pimentel (Surigao del Sur, 2nd District) saying panel is probing  alleged secret deal to understand how it might have led increased activities from Chinese vessels in the area.

“Wina-water cannon kami palagi…kahit pag kukuha ng ayuda sa BFAR ,Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources… hindi talaga kami makalapit…ngayon, tinatanong namin, huhulihin ba kami…kaming mga taga-Masinloc, ‘yun lang ang gusto naming tanungin sa inyo,” Elad said.

Pimentel said  lawmakers will ask House Speaker Martin Romualdez and the president to include fisherfolk from Masinloc and  broader Zambales area in the government’s financial aid program.

“Ipaabot natin kay Speaker Romualdez at Presidente Marcos na masali naman sa ayuda mga fisherfolks dito sa bayan ng Masinloc, o mga mangingisdang naapektuhan din sa Zambales. ..may programa tayo diyan at ang nagli-lead diyan si President Marcos,” Pimentel said.

Early  during  public consultation, one spokesperson for  fisher group in Zambales said one-time cash aids fall short of addressing long-term impact of Chinese vessels’ “bullying” in  West Philippine Sea.

Noli delos Santos said cash assistance from  government is like “band aid” or “first aid” that disappears quickly with steep prices of basic goods and their increasing inability to fish without being harassed.

“Pagdating sa mga buyer, maraming huli, kaunti ang benta, dahil sa utang…maraming kita, mahal naman ang babayarin: bigas, kuryente, tubig, Dadaan ko na lang sa luha. ramdam niyo naman siguro ang kahirapan namin ” Delos Santos said.

On Friday, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro called China’s new detention policy “provocation and  violation to me of United Nations charter.”

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last week vowed to “take whatever measures” to protect Filipino citizens following China’s directive.

25 Mayo 2024, Sabado

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

Register now and vote in midterm polls

supports International Nurses’ Day

Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024

Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party

Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance

supports May, Cardiac Illness Prevention Month 

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

House pro-divorce vote valid

By Nidz Godino

“I don’t think he knows how to count…as if he was not Senate president,” Rep. Edcel Lagman stood firm on validity of results of  voting of  bill, after former Senate president Tito Sotto claimed that  vote of 126 for House Bill 9349 is “lost.”

Sotto’s claim was made before  House of Representatives rectified its apparent mix-up in  passing on third and final reading of  absolute divorce bill, clarifying that 131 congressmen voted in its favor, and not 126 as earlier reported.

Correction  came from House secretary-general Reginald Velasco, who told reporters  recount of  votes showed that  126 was incorrect, although 20 lawmakers who abstained still remained the same.

Sotto claimed  via social platform X that anti-divorce House members actually won since  count in favor should have been at least 128, or  majority of  255 quorum.

However, Lagman said  17-vote margin among 255 congressmen made  real difference on House’ final approval of  bill,  simply meant nays lost.

Lagman pointed out that 126 votes of those who voted in favor beat  109 who were against  measure, while  20 congressmen who abstained should not be counted in equation because this is not  vote at all.

 “Votes we only count here are how many congressmen who voted yes, and how many who voted no… yes votes beat  no votes… simple as that, we don’t count, or we exclude  abstentions because it’s  no vote at all,  neither  yes nor  no, ” Lagman expounded further.

Sotto is  known advocate against  passage of  divorce bill.

“Anyway, either way  small gap or big gap  it’s still victory,”  Bicolano legislator maintained.

Meanwhile, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines – Episcopal Commission on Public Affairs executive secretary Fr. Jerome Secillano said lawmakers who supported  bill legalizing divorce violated their constitutional mandate to protect marriage and  family.

“It’s not surprising anymore…  Lower House always passed it in previous Congress…we already have existing legal remedies to couple separation and yet Congress decided to add more, betrayal of their constitutional mandate to uphold marriage and  family, ” he said.

.

Absolute  divorce bill reportedly provides  limited grounds and well-defined judicial procedures for divorce and aims to save children from  pain, stress, and agony brought about by their parents’ marital clashes or irreconcilable differences.

It also reportedly allows divorced spouses  right to marry again for another chance at marital bliss.

But priest said it was incorrect to assume that divorce is  solution to all marital problems. “Fact remains that divorce is not  ultimate solution to problematic unions…in essence, divorce is anti-family, anti-marriage and anti-children,” Secillano added.

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

James 1:19

Listening and Doing

¹⁹ My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,

24 Mayo 2024, Biyernes

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

Register now and vote in midterm polls

supports International Nurses’ Day

Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024

Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party

Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance

supports May, Cardiac Illness Prevention Month 

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

DOT welcomes U.S. travel alert downgrade in Mindanao

By J.Lo

“We are very grateful to  government of the United States for having downgraded  travel advisory in Mindanao,” Department of Tourism (DOT)  welcomed United States’ decision to lower its travel alert for four destinations in Mindanao, viewing it as  positive step that will attract more foreign tourists to the region.

In  interview with reporters during  Philippine Experience Program (PEP) in Cagayan de Oro, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said  this makes Mindanao “ready” to “welcome the world”.

 “We feel that this will also encourage our tourists from all over the world to come and visit and to see for themselves  Mindanao is safe, Mindanao is  wonderful place for any kind of travel,” she added.

Last week, U.S. Department of State  had lowered  travel alert from level 3 to level 2 in four areas of Mindanao namely Davao City, Davao del Norte Province, Siargao Island and Dinagat Islands.

When an area is under alert level 3, U.S. citizens are urged to “reconsider travel” in that area. Alert level 2, on the other hand, urges U.S. citizens to “exercise caution” to  destination they are going to. 

U.S. state department said  development reflects  rescinding of Mindanao’s “state of national emergency”.

Tourism chief also said  DOT, Department of National Defense and  Department of the Interior and Local Government have signed  memorandum of agreement to “ensure development of tourism” of Mindanao is “strategic”.

This resulted in  “vibrancy” in communities and  good experiences of  tourists.

“Mindanao, especially Northern Mindanao, is very safe and truly ready for tourists…most importantly,  people here are very kind,” Frasco said .

24 Mayo 2024, Biyernes

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

Register now and vote in midterm polls

supports International Nurses’ Day

Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024

Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party

Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance

supports May, Cardiac Illness Prevention Month 

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

 Ph opens coast guard post after Ch build-up

By Nidz Godino

“In 2022,  area around Itbayat witnessed  military build-up as China responded to political developments between Taiwan and  United States,” National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said, announcing  opening of station on  Philippines’ northernmost inhabited island.

 Philippines  had opened  coast guard post in  country’s far north to boost security following China’s “military build-up” near Taiwan over  past two years.

Outpost  “shall gather essential maritime data and intelligence, enabling Philippine Coast Guard to respond effectively to threats such as illicit trade, trafficking, piracy, and foreign intrusions”, Año said in  statement.

“Securing peace, stability, and freedom of navigation along  Luzon Strait is crucial for ensuring Philippine national security and economic prosperity,” he added.

Itbayat is located around 150 kilometres (93 miles) south of Taiwan’s south coast.

China and the Philippines are enduring  bitter diplomatic dispute over rival claims to parts of  South China Sea.

China has built artificial islands and military installations in waters close to  Philippines.

China’s efforts to enforce its claims have in recent years including water cannon attacks by China Coast Guard vessels damaged Philippine government boats and injured several crew members.

Itbayat is just outside  area designated by  vaguely defined map of dashes that China uses to claim most of  South China Sea.

Ano made no reference to war games  China began on Thursday  encircled Taiwan with warplanes and naval vessels.