TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

John 8:12

Dispute Over Jesus’ Testimony

¹² When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

11 terrorists succumbed in Maguindanao del Sur

By J.Lo

MILITARY authorities are looking into bodies of 11 members of  Dawlah Islamiya  killed in more than two-hour running gunfight in hinterland barangay of Tuayan in Datu Hofer, Maguindanao del Sur.

Philippine Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade, in  report  to Maj. Gen. Alex Rillera, commander of Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said  hostilities erupted when  slain terrorists opened fire at soldiers checking on reports by residents of Barangay Tuayan about  terrorist group’s presence in the area  who approached their location from two directions.

Soldiers from  601st found two M14 and five M16 rifles, three B40 shoulder-fire anti-tank rocket launchers and five homemade bombs beside  cadavers of  slain members of  Dawlah Islamiya.

Local officials said three Dawlah Islamiya members were wounded in  gunfight, seen being carried away by companions who retreated when they ran out of ammunition. Military forces did not suffer any casualties.

Media  saw  confidential initial government report about  military operation,  stated  two Philippine air force fighter planes dropped eight 500-pound bombs in hinterland areas where  militants were spotted. Two military helicopters further targeted  militants.

This came after 13 armed militants belonging to  Dawla Islamiyah surrendered with their firearms to  military, said Rillera.

It was not immediately clear if  militants provided information that helped  military decide to launch  assault.

“This is  good side of coming out and laying down your guns  you can now live peacefully with your loved ones,” Rillera told militants, who surrendered in  ceremony  in South Cotabato.

Dawlah Islamiya, operating in  fashion of  Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, has  reputation for bombing passenger vehicles and business establishments whose owners refuse to pay protection money on  monthly basis.

Members of  multi-sector municipal peace and order councils in Datu Hofer and in nearby towns had confirmed cadavers of the 11 Dawlah Islamiya terrorists had been turned over to barangay officials for proper burial.

Rillera said they have received reports  slain Dawlah Islamiya terrorists were planning to put up roadside bombs  that can be detonated from  distance using mobile phones  along secluded stretches of roads in barangays whose residents are actively supporting  anti-terror operations of  6th Infantry Division.

Ph seeks to host climate disaster fund

By Nidz Godino

“We urge partners from  private sector, civil society, partner countries and governments and developing funding institutions to support  Philippines in this bid…you have been there for meaningful collaboration with our government to tackle  climate crises,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said  Philippines intends to host  more than $400-million fund  several countries have committed as compensation for nations bedeviled by extreme weather conditions caused by climate change.

FMJ voiced his administration’s intention for the country to host  “Loss and Damage Fund” in  speech delivered for him by Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr. at  opening of Philippine Pavilion, themed “Together Today for Tomorrow,” at  Dubai Exhibition Center .

Event  was part of  United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), which runs until Dec.12.

Philippines has yet to officially bring up its intention before COP28.

In his message, FMJ also called world leaders to ensure prompt implementation of “Loss and Damage Fund” to help nations cope with  effects of climate change.

“Philippines’ call for  immediate operationalization of this fund to assist developing and vulnerable countries to respond to droughts, floods and rising sea levels exacerbated by climate change,” FMJ said.

FMJ cancelled his attendance at COP28, citing “important developments” in the case of 17 Filipino seafarers held hostage by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militants in  Red Sea.

Developed countries, led by US, want  fund to be based in  World Bank, but developing nations said this would make it hard for them to tap into  funding.

FMJ said his administration has carried out transformative solutions to mitigate  impact of climate change and address biodiversity loss and pollution.

“More than just  environmental issue, for us, it is  matter of survival, of justice and of protecting  rights of our people… Philippine Development Plan sealed  national development priorities on accelerating climate action and establishing sustainable and livable cities,” he said.

Philippine government has allotted P453.11 billion for climate change adaptation and mitigation for 2023, while P889.65 million has been granted to local government units for climate change adaptation programs and projects under  People’s Survival Fund, he said.

FMJ likewise noted  Philippines is heading toward low-carbon development.

“We are on track towards achieving  35-percent renewable energy share in  power generation mix by 2023 through policy reforms that allow more investors for offshore wind and floating solar…we need to protect our forests, our oceans and our biodiversity,” Marcos said.

Philippines, he said, remains as  third largest geothermal power producer in the world, next to  US and Indonesia.

“Philippines, being mega-diverse country, is home to 50,000 species of flora and fauna, 50 percent of which can only be found in the country. ..we are intensifying  protection of natural resources to restore natural ecosystems and maximize ecosystem services that will benefit indigenous peoples and local communities,” he added.

Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said  approval of  Loss and Damage Fund  long being pushed by developing nations most affected by climate change  is one of  biggest achievements of this year’s conference. Loyzaga heads  Philippine delegation to COP28.

“There was expectation that countries would start with $200 million, but they raised  over $400 million in pledges and more to come,” Loyzaga said after leading opening of  Philippine Pavilion inside  Dubai Exhibition Center.

Loyzaga stressed  fund would not only help vulnerable countries recover from natural disasters but would also enhance their resilience to climate change.

“As far as  Philippines’ leadership is concerned, we’re very much recognized for  loss and damage fund, we hope to be able also to have  seat on that Loss and Damage Fund board in order for us to further pursue  representation of vulnerable countries” Loyzaga told Filipino journalists.

COP28’s host country,  United Arab Emirates, has committed $100 million to the fund. Germany has also reportedly pledged $100 million, while  European Union promised $275 million.  US and Japan pledged $17.5 million and $10 million, respectively.

In 2022,  Philippines topped  World Risk Index, which measures countries’ disaster risk from extreme natural events and  effects of climate change.

In  speech at Malacañang, FMJ underscored  significance of COP28 to  Philippines, one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change.

“But we must also take  lead when it comes to  global move and  global aspiration that  most vulnerable communities around the world will somehow be assisted by  developed countries when it comes to these measures to mitigate and to adapt to climate change,” FMJ said.

In  statement, Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda  lauded  deal reached during  COP28 climate change summit in Dubai for setting up of  loss and damage fund.

“This is  welcome development of  decades-long battle on loss and damage as we continue our call for climate justice and demand  developed countries to deliver on their commitments in  Paris Agreement,” Legarda said in statement.

She said  development was made possible after countries like Philippines supported it when it was discussed in last year’s COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

“I am aware our Philippine delegation has been working hard on putting  loss and damage agenda on the table since last year’s conference and pushing towards  establishment of  Fund in  ongoing negotiations with G77,  COP28 presidency of the United Arab Emirates and other stakeholders,” Legarda said.

She said more industrialized countries should take  lead in putting up  fund for countries like  Philippines, which have  low contribution to greenhouse gas emission but are most vulnerable to drought, rising sea level and strong typhoons.

“Our stand is that developed countries most responsible for climate change must do more for countries least responsible, to pursue climate justice is to exact accountability from  most responsible for  climate crisis based on  developed countries’ historical responsibility for emissions,” Legarda said.

In her taped speech delivered  during  High-level Dialogue with  COP28 Philippine delegation in Dubai, Legarda thanked  Climate Change Commission and Department of Environment and Natural Resources for presenting  country’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas emission by 75 percent, as part of  Philippines’ obligations to  Paris Agreement.

“In order to minimize  scale and intensity of climate impacts, we must adapt to  as well as leapfrog to  low-carbon systems and transform our ways of living for  better. .. Philippines has, for far too long, been  face of loss and damage and climate risk and vulnerability,” Legarda said.

Paris Agreement was adopted as  legally binding treaty on climate change during  COP21 in Paris in 2015.

It aims to keep “increase in  global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels” and “to limit  temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.”

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China executes 2 Pinoys for drug trafficking

By Nidz Godino

“We offer our most sincere condolences to their families and loved ones…we respect  wishes of their families for privacy, and as such are withholding  identities of  two Filipinos,” Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)said two Filipinos convicted for drug trafficking have been executed in China.

DFA did not name the two Filipinos in its statement  on execution, which happened on Nov. 24.

Execution  was confirmed to  DFA by  Philippine consulate general in Guangzhou.

Two Filipinos were arrested in Guangdong in 2013 for carrying luggage with 11.872 kilograms of shabu hidden in DVD players, according to DFA.

They underwent trial for drug trafficking and appealed their 2016 conviction with  assistance of the DFA.

Their death penalty sentence was upheld in 2018.

DFA said  Philippine government exhausted all measures to appeal to China to commute  death sentence to life imprisonment on “humanitarian grounds,” adding that there were also “high-level political representations in this regard.”

“Our repeated appeals were conisistent with  laws and values of our nation, which put  highest premium on human life, in the end, the Chinese government, citing their internal laws, upheld the conviction, and the Philippines must respect China’s criminal laws and legal processes,”  DFA said.

DFA urged Filipinos not to fall prey to syndicates when traveling abroad and to be vigilant of  “modus operandi of drug syndicates in recruiting unwitting travellers as drug mules.”

Filipinos are also urged to “refuse to carry any package that you have not personally packed and thoroughly inspected,”  DFA added.

“While we at DFA are saddened by  execution of  two Filipinos, their death strengthens  government’s resolve to continue our relentless efforts to rid  country of drug syndicates that prey on  vulnerable, including those seeking better lives for themselves and their families,”  DFA said.

According to  DFA, 92 Filipino death penalty cases in China, 91  are drug-related.

Of  92 cases, two have been commuted to life imprisonment and 86 reduced to fixed term.

With  two executions, there are two remaining death penalty cases that are pending review or on appeal,  DFA added.

As these developed, operations of  Philippine e-Visa System in China are suspended until further notice, DFA said.

For further inquiries, visa applicants in China are advised to contact  nearest Philippine embassy or consulate by visiting  directory at https://dfa.gov.ph/about/dfa-directory/our-foreign-service-posts-dfa.

DFA did not mention in its advisory  reason for  suspension of Philippine e-Visa operations in China.

DFA soft-launched Philippine e-Visa system in Philippine foreign service posts in China on Aug. 24, allowing foreign nationals to apply for temporary visitors’ visas remotely.

E-Visa is part of efforts to further improve consular services.

It allows foreign nationals entering the country for tourism or business to apply for temporary visitors’ visas remotely through their personal computers, laptops and mobile devices.

E-Visa system was developed in partnership with  Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) since December 2022.

This project is part of  DFA’s strategic goal of optimizing ICT for its consular services, and is affirmed by  policy directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.to reinvigorate  tourism industry.

Pilot testing of  prototype e-Visa system was conducted by  DFA on July 11, 2023 with DICT representatives and consuls general, visa officers and visa assistants of Philippine foreign service posts in China.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla called for stricter visa processing for Chinese nationals who want to enter the country, as he disclosed  plan to have third-party service provider VFS Global to handle  issuance of visas instead of  DFA.

DFA defended its mandate to issue Philippine visas to foreign nationals, saying its foreign service posts conduct thorough assessment of visa applications.

DFA spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said  “DFA’s visa-issuing mandate is integral to  current national gatekeeping mechanism of admitting foreign nationals into the Philippines.”

DFA’s mandate to issue Philippine visas to foreign nationals through its foreign service posts, she said, is anchored on international and domestic laws such as  1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations,  1987 Administrative Code and  Codified Visa Rules & Regulations of the Philippines of 2002.

She noted  this function authorizes  DFA to conduct vetting procedures to ascertain  status of visa applicants as legitimate visitors and their travel purpose to the Philippines.

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

John 6:35

³⁵ Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

Komedya o Komida

Ni Derek Jorge

Komedya SMNI ni Quiboloy

MAKATATANGGI naman pala kasambahay ang seaman kung sasampa sa barkong daraan sa lugar sa karagatan ng mga pirata. Shout out muna kina Binang First Bocaue, Bulacan Barangay Chairman Alfredo Quiambao, asahan ninyo ang buong suporta ng Komedya sa inyong pangasiwaan, brgy. Administrator Ricardo Sta. Ana, Lupong Tagapamayapa members Serapio Bautista, Reynaldo Dela Cruz, Mario Eustaquio, Oscar De Guzman, Alfredo San Juan, Victor Santiago, Helen Ayala, Necy De Vera at Orlando Sta. Maria, Izze Lizano. Kiwal, bulati kong kikiwal-kiwal, dapat magdahan-dahan ang aplikante seaman sa pagpirma ng kontrata, hindi sakay na lang nang sakay dahil kailangang kumita, pagkatapos pag nabihag na nang pirate saka ngangawa. Para lamang iyang pagkonsidera sa uri ng barkong sasakyan, anila’y pinakamalaking magpasahod ang tanker nguni’t mapanganib namang pumutok. Humilata na lang at ngumanga bahala nang kumalam sikmura. 17 Filipino seaman ang bihag ng pirating Yemeni. Itaas daw sa International Bargaining Forum ang usapin. Itinatag ang IBF noong 2003, usapan  ng mga  maritime employer, kinakatawan ng “Joint Negotiating Group”,  seafarers’ unions, hinggil sa sweldo at kondisyon ng patrabaho sa seaman. Batay sa  United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, pinakamalaking supplier ng seaman ang Pilipinas mula 2021,  400,000 Filipino seafarers overseas,  average, mula 2016 hanggang 2021, anang Maritime Industry Authority. Batay kay House secretary general Reginald Velasco, gumastos ang opisina ni Speaker, House Secretariat at House member ng P39,605,123 mula January hanggang October 2023.  P4,347,712 sa  Office of the Speaker, P35,257,411 sa  House Secretariat at iba pang kawani sa mga official trip. Binubusisi ng panel ni Parañaque Rep. Gus Tambunting sa utos ng plenaryo ang  SMNI report “fake news” , paglabag sa  probisyon ng legislative franchise nitong nakamit noong August 2019 para makakilos hanggang 25 taon, 2044. Shout out din muna kay Bea Caalim. Maligayang bati Ginoo at Gng. Aristides Valdez, mabuhay ang bagong kasal.  Pastor Saturnino Abraham, agarin mo naman ang dokumento ng lupa para sa pabahay ng mga Badjao sa Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat.  Jonathan Fernandez, muzta na, nagkakalimutan na tayo a. Problema ba, pag-usapan natin, ndgodino@yahoo.com.

SMNI apologizes for report on Speaker’s travel expenses

By Nidz Godino

“We are very much willing to admit that, indeed,  source was wrong…in this committee hearing, we are very appreciative of  guidance provided by  data,”  Davao City-based Sonshine Media Network Inc. (SMNI) program anchor Jeffrey Celiz has apologized over its “unverified” reports  Speaker Martin Romualdez had spent some P1.8 billion for travel.

Celiz admitted during  hearing of  House committee on legislative franchise  they failed to validate  information  they received from his source about Romualdez’s travel expenses.

He pointed out  he did not intend to disrespect  chamber through their report but maintained it was within his “editorial authority.”

“Without any intent of malice or imputing any sign of disrespect to the Speaker of the House because we presume it is part of our editorial authority and policy as well to open questions pertaining to public interest issues,” he claimed.

Asked by Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel if Celiz was willing to recant his statement and apologize to Congress, Celiz replied “affirmative.”

“If that will heal  wound of  degree of insult that was forwarded to Congress, if that will be  effect, it is not  problem for me personally because it is our job to point out mistakes but it is also our duty to ask questions… yes sir, my answer is on affirmative,” Celiz maintained.

During  hearing, House secretary general Reginald Velasco reported Office of the Speaker, House Secretariat and House members posted  total of P39,605,123 in expenses from January to October this year.

Velasco added  of this amount, P4,347,712 were disbursed by  Office of the Speaker while P35,257,411 were spent by  House Secretariat and other members of  chamber during their official trips.

Panel , chaired by Parañaque Rep. Gus Tambunting, was directed by  House plenary to conduct an inquiry into  SMNI report after several lawmakers filed resolutions about  “fake news” allegedly being peddled and  red tagging of individuals by  broadcasting company.

It was directed to investigate if SMNI had violated any provision in its legislative franchise that was acquired by  station in August 2019 and allowing it to operate for 25 years or until 2044.

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FMJ vows to bring home 17 hostages

By Nidz Godino

“We’re doing everything possible to bring them home,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said in his video message from Manila to  Filipino community at the Dubai World Trade Center  Philippine government will exhaust all remedies available to bring home safely  17 Filipino seafarers held hostage by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militants in  Red Sea,  as authorities bared plans to expand  list of high-risk areas in one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.

FMJ  said  opted to cancel his participation in  28th Conference of  Parties to  United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change or COP28  to personally address “important developments” in the case of  17 Filipino seafarers.

According to FMJ, high-level delegation would be dispatched to Tehran, Iran to extend assistance to  Filipino seafarers.

“That’s why we formed  delegation to go to Iran and talk to those who are holding them so that they can go home… perhaps you understand,  we put that first because we have to ensure of course  security of our countrymen,”  Chief Executive told Filipinos based in  United Arab Emirates.

Department of Migrant Workers officer-in-charge Hans Leo Cacdac said they are looking at discussing  expansion of  high-risk areas in  Red Sea at International Bargaining Forum (IBF) in response to  kidnapping of  Filipinos.

“What we’ve done is we have reached out to  social partner,  ship owners and employers’ group,  International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) representatives back home, we wish to discuss the matter on possibility of looking into  expansion of high risk areas, red zones in  Red Sea, there were already high risk areas off  coast of Yemen but we just encouraged our social partners, including ourselves, to sit down and discuss the matter of expansion of high risk zones…because what happened with  Galaxy Leader was incident happened outside  high-risk area zone,” Cacdac said.

Seafarers are advised in advance if their vessel’s route or destination would be in areas with high risk for pirate attacks and kidnapping, he said.

“Seafarers have  right to refuse but if  seafarers still choose to board  ship, their salaries will be doubled… effect when you are passing  high risk area,” Cacdac said.

“But it has to go to  social partner venue to discuss this, which is termed as International Bargaining Forum or IBF, so we are hoping to discuss this matter at  IBF level,” he said.

Established in 2003, IBF was set up as  process  maritime employers, represented by  Joint Negotiating Group, and seafarers’ unions, represented by  ITF, could negotiate over  wages and conditions of employment of seafarers serving on ships  ITF special agreements apply.

Cacdac did not say how this would affect  country’s deployment of Filipino seamen.

DMW official assured  public  government continues to provide assistance to families of  17 Filipino hostages.

“Role of DMW is to make sure  families are assured of  fullest support and assistance of  government as directed by the President, we are also providing them  necessary assistance such as  DOH ,Department of Health if they need medical assistance and if they need counseling, we provide  necessary services,” he said.

He said certain foreign governments are helping  Philippines secure  safe return of overseas Filipino workers. He did not elaborate.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said  17 Filipinos are “in good condition” and are expected to be freed soon.

Yemeni rebels seized  cargo vessel in retaliation for Israel’s offensive in Gaza, according to  recent statement by  DFA.

Philippines was  top source of seafarers in the world in 2021, according to  United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.

Country  deploys more than 400,000 Filipino seafarers overseas, on average, from 2016 to 2021, the Maritime Industry Authority said.

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Hebrews 1:1-2

God’s Final Word: His Son

1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, ² but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.

Duterte will face only Ph courts

By J.Lo

“It is Filipino people who should give judgement, and not foreign nation,” Sen. Bong Go said in on sidelines of  bicameral conference committee meeting at  Manila Golf and Country Club in Makati former president Rodrigo Duterte will only face Philippine courts and not  “foreign nation.”  Go expressed confidence that  Marcos administration will not cooperate with  International Criminal Court (ICC)’s investigation on Duterte for alleged crimes against humanity.

He was reassured by  statement of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  said in post on his official X account there was no need for  international tribunal investigation on previous administration’s drug war deaths because of  country’s own justice system.

“There is democracy in our country, and  ICC is only investigating lawless countries…we don’t have  dictator here,” Go said.

He  defers to  moves at  House of Representatives to adopt  resolution urging  Marcos administration to cooperate with  ICC’s investigation on Duterte and  latter’s police chief, now Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa, for  deaths in  bloody narcotics crackdown.

But should  former chief executive be invited in  impending congressional investigation, Go said Duterte should be accorded due respect.

“Let us give to the former president what is due to him, for his service to the country,” Go said.

Senator , who served as Duterte’s longtime aide, was mentioned in  documents submitted for allegedly knowing about  Davao death squad when Duterte was mayor, another subject of  ICC probe.

Go also denied  he and Dela Rosa talked to Marcos about protection from  ICC when senators had  casual dinner with Chief Executive at the official residence.

Allowing investigators and prosecutors from  Hague-based International Criminal Court will not only prove that lady justice is indeed blind in  Philippine justice system, but also means it applies to all  ordinary or powerful figures alike, Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante said.

“By cooperating with  ICC, we send  strong message that justice is blind and applies to all, regardless of socioeconomic status,”  chairman of  human rights committee of  House of Representatives declared.

Abante,  authored House Resolution 1477 along with Rep. Ramon Gutierrez (1-Rider party-list), said such cooperation is vital given  injustices inflicted upon  “marginalized and underserved” during  drug war under  previous administration.

Abante also lamented drug war under former president Duterte “affected  most vulnerable members of our society, often  poor  disproportionately impacted.”

“By cooperating with  ICC, we demonstrate our resolve to hold individuals accountable for grave offenses… precedent and sends  powerful message against impunity,” he said, as he wanted to “extend full cooperation” to ICC prosecutor Karim Khan in his investigation of  drug war.

Official records indicate around 6,000 deaths resulting from Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, while human rights groups and  ICC suggest  toll may range from 12,000 to 30,000 between 2016 and 2019.

2020 study by  non-profit organization Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services Inc. (IDEALS) revealed  majority of victims in  drug war are economically disadvantaged.

In its study titled “Beyond the Numbers,” IDEALS compiled  dataset encompassing approximately 500 cases of human rights violations from 2016 to February 2020.  Cases  predominantly originated from Metro Manila, with additional instances recorded in Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite and Cebu.