8 Enero, 2025 Miyerkules

3 days to election campaign period, gun ban

 Happy New Year!

Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez, Happy 91st birthday Nanay  

No to SOGIE bill

supports National Bible Month 2025

supports Marked Men for Christ Philippines Seminar, January 30,31,February 1,2025, Kabaleyan Cove, San Carlos City, Pangasinan 

PM for any hospital discharge problem

ABS 2025

‘public demand’ extends 50th MMFF  run until January 14

By Cynthia Montojo

“We, at  MMFF, are overwhelmed with  continued support of  public for festival’s 50th edition…due to public clamor, we have decided to extend  theatrical run of MMFF movies to further showcase  locally produced films  truly impressive and artistically excellent,” 50th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) overall chairman lawyer Don Artes stated MMFF is set to continue for additional week due to “insistent public demand.”

Originally scheduled to end today, Jan. 7,  annual festival will extend  theatrical run of its 10 official entries until Jan. 14 in select cinemas across  Metro Manila area.

The official lineup for  50th edition of the MMFF includes “My Future You,” “Uninvited,” “Topakk,” “Hold Me Close,” “Espantaho,” “And the Breadwinner Is…,” “The Kingdom,” “Green Bones,” “Isang Himala” and “Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital.”

MMFF complimentary passes will also be honored until Jan. 14, making it easier for  public to attend and support  films.

In  statement, Artes expressed hope that  extended festival will boost earnings and continue to promote  growth of local films.

Artes added in the announcement MMDA is hopeful that 2024 MMFF earnings will continue to increase.

In  earlier statement, Artes expressed hope  festival box-office sales for 2024 will at least match that of  2023 MMFF, which went on to become  highest-grossing edition of all time with earnings surpassing P1 billion.

8 Enero, 2025 Miyerkules

3 days to election campaign period, gun ban

 Happy New Year!

Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez, Happy 91st birthday Nanay  

No to SOGIE bill

supports National Bible Month 2025

supports Marked Men for Christ Philippines Seminar, January 30,31, February 1,2025, Kabaleyan Cove, San Carlos City, Pangasinan 

PM for any hospital discharge problem

ABS 2025

Eala bid in Australian Open

By J.Lo

“I fought hard last week but the path in 2025 has just begun,” posted 19-year-old Filipina pride Alex Eala is out to extend her remarkable campaign in Canberra  to make more of  impression and soar to new heights in Australian Open qualifying round beginning today at  Melbourne Park.

Fresh off a semifinal finish in  Workday Canberra International as an unseeded player all the way from  qualifiers, Eala will have her mettle tested once again at 7 in the morning (Manila time) against Croatia’s Janna Fett in Round 1.

Her Final Four run in Canberra was her first ever deep campaign in  top-class WTA 125 tourney.

But there will be  higher mountain to climb from there on as she aims to become  first ever Filipina to play in  Grand Slam main draw.

She will net for that dream  grueling three-round, 128-player cast against  familiar rival in 28-year-old Fett,  grizzled veteran with  WTA ranking of No. 136 and 14 pro titles including in  singles and doubles.

6 Enero, 2025 Lunes

 Happy New Year!

Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

supports National Bible Month 2025

supports Marked Men for Christ Philippines Seminar, January 30,31,February 1,2025, Kabaleyan Cove, San Carlos City, Pangasinan 

PM for any hospital discharge problem

ABS 2025

Headlines

Printing of ballots starts for 2025 polls

By J.Lo

“We want to make sure  as much as possible at least 800,000 to 900,000 or one million at  most ballots will be printed per day,” Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia told reporters printing of 73 million ballots for  midterm elections and  first parliamentary polls in  Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) begins today.

Garcia said printing of ballots is estimated to take 77 days, from this afternoon until April 14.

According to him,  Comelec has  priority list of ballots to be printed, including those for around 11,000 overseas voters in countries not allowed to use internet voting, and for  BARMM parliamentary elections.

He said  Comelec had completed  Election Management System (EMS) containing  final list of all candidates participating in next year’s elections.

“It is not allowed to just change  EMS… we can subtract candidate names, but we cannot just add more to it,” Garcia said, noting that  Comelec had removed over 300 nuisance bets and those who were disqualified from  national and local elections.

He stressed  Comelec will proceed with  printing of ballots despite pending appeals filed by some of disqualified candidates before Supreme Court (SC).

Garcia stressed that  Comelec already afforded due process to those with pending disqualification cases and thus it should not stop Comelec from proceeding with their scheduled election activities unless ordered by High Court.

“We have to proceed with  ballot printing because time is of  essence…after  completion of  printing by April 14, we have less than a month to distribute  election paraphernalia,” he said.

Poll  chief already sent  letter informing  High Court  is set to start  printing of  ballots. Garcia said  Comelec will take  appropriate action depending on  orders of  SC.

However, he admitted  in the last elections,  Comelec was unable to comply with  SC order because  printing of ballots was already ongoing.

More government employees can vote ahead of  elections with Comelec now looking to expand  coverage of local absentee voting (LAV).

“We want to expand so that more government employees can avail of  local absentee voting, especially in  health sector…they have to be able to vote early because they are deployed during  election,” Garcia said.

Garcia also said other agencies of  government may send  letter to Comelec requesting for their employees who have duties during  election to avail of LAV.

Eligible to avail of LAV are government officials and employees, including members of  Armed Forces of the Philippines and  Philippine National Police, as well as members of  media, media practitioners including their technical and support staff, media voters who are duly registered voters.

Garcia, however, stressed that those availing of LAV can only cast their vote for national positions such as senator and party-list.

Comelec previously announced  it intends to automate  conduct of LAV for the first time to expedite  election process.

Garcia said ballots would be mass-fed to  machines immediately following  closing of  LAV voting hours.

Comelec will be deploying vote counting machines in various sites where  LAV will be conducted.

6 Enero,2025 Lunes

 Happy New Year

Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

supports National Bible Month 2025

supports Marked Men for Christ Philippines Seminar, January 30,31,February 1,2025, Kabaleyan Cove, San Carlos City, Pangasinan 

PM for any hospital discharge problem

ABS 2025

Halt of higher SSS contributions sought

By Nidz Godino

“This proposed SSS contribution increase is  height of government insensitivity…how about  teachers and workers who are already struggling to make ends meet on their meager salaries… Marcos Jr. administration appears more interested in padding its confidential funds than ensuring social services and people’s welfare,” ACT Private Schools secretary general Jonathan Geronimo said private school teachers are calling for  immediate suspension of  hikes for Social Security System (SSS) contributions this year, expressing worries about “further erosion of already insufficient take-home pay.”

Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Private Schools said  increase in SSS contribution rates from 14 to 15 percent would “crush” teachers and workers in  private sector  already bearing  brunt of soaring prices and “meager” wages.

Starting this month, private sector employees, household employers and domestic workers, self-employed workers, voluntary members and land-based overseas Filipino workers will be affected by  contribution increase.

Increase  was mandated under  Social Security Act of 2018,  stipulated that SSS should gradually increase contribution rate until it reaches 15 percent by 2025.  Increases  began at 12 percent in 2019.

Four-tiered contribution increase will ensure  pension fund’s financial viability for  benefit of its members, pensioners and their beneficiaries.

ACT Private Schools,  pointed out  private school teachers, along with other private sector employees, are already suffering from inflation, high utility costs and increased Philippine Health Insurance Corp. premiums.

Geronimo said  additional SSS deduction from their salaries would take  significant chunk from their “already insufficient” take-home pay.

“It is unacceptable that while huge confidential funds are given to  Office of the President and other agencies,  workers are  ones paying higher contributions… 2025 national budget is  most anti-people budget we’ve seen, with massive funds going to agencies notorious for corruption while social services remain severely underfunded,” he stressed.

Teachers’ group also criticized  SSS’s failure to fully implement 2016 pension hike that promised  additional P1,000 for pensioners.

“SSS seems more concerned about extending its fund life through increased collections rather than genuinely serving its members and pensioners,” Geronimo said.

ACT demanded  immediate suspension of  planned SSS contribution hike,  defunding of confidential funds and  reallocation of  2025 budget to prioritize education, health and other essential social services.

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

1 Peter 1:13

Be Holy

¹³ Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.

5 Enero,2025 Linggo

 Happy New Year

Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

supports National Bible Month 2025

supports Marked Men for Christ Philippines Seminar, January 30,31,February 1,2025, Kabaleyan Cove, San Carlos City, Pangasinan 

PM for any hospital discharge problem

ABS 2025

2025 GAA, ‘pork-free

By Nidz Godino

“We’ve been very clear  2025 budget is pork-free,” House Assistant Majority Leader and Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre said 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.is “pork barrel-free”.

In  text message Acidre said  claim of former Senate president Franklin Drilon that  2025 national budget includes substantial “pork barrel” allocations is not true.

Drilon said on earlier that P731.4 billion in pork barrel funds from  2024 GAA and  additional P347 billion in 2025 GAA was made possible through  Congress-introduced amendments in  2025 GAA.

He added  no discretionary funds are going to  legislators.

“Every single line item is transparent, with clear guidelines and implementation handled by  proper executive agencies,” Acidre said.

He said  legislative process is designed to thoroughly examine  budget and ensure all allocations are in line with  Constitution and country’s priorities.

“While funding adjustments may happen, they are done to make sure resources are distributed efficiently without cutting essential services,” Acidres said.

Aside from  presence of line items, Acidre said  guidelines are crafted by  executive agencies and programs themselves will be implemented by them.

None of the items and projects, according to Acidre, have been delegated to  legislative.

He said it is unfair to say that these funds are discretionary funds and represent  return to  old pork barrel system as all are within  purview of  executive and  executive agencies.

Drilon has challenged  Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to disclose  billions of pesos worth of Congress-introduced amendments in  2025 GAA.

DBM said earlier budget releases must comply with DBM rules like “First Issuance of Special Allotment Release Order” or FISARO which is  authorization document for  allocation and utilization of public funds for various government projects and programs.

Acidre said all executive agencies must comply with DBM’s rules.

Meanwhile,  Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) will take  Marcos administration to  SC to question  legality of lumping  funding institutions run by defense and interior departments with  education budget.

Stressing that counting schools and training institutions run by Department of National Defense (DND) and  Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in  education sector’s budget could be unconstitutional, TDC said  SC was  proper forum for the matter.

TDC chairman Benjo Basas said  group found it “absurd” that  Philippine Military Academy (PMA), National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP), Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA), Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC) and  Local Government Academy (LGA) were counted in education sector’s budget.

He stressed that if these institutions could be lumped with  education sector, all other agencies that have education programs like  Department of Agriculture and  Commission on Human Rights could be used to justify constitutional requirement of prioritizing  education budget when total allocation for education agencies was lower than other sectors like public works.

TDC was questioning how  P1.055-trillion funding for  education sector , holds  lion’s share of  2025 general appropriations  included  DND’s PMA and NDCP and  DILG’s PNPA, PPSC and LGA,  traditionally obtained their allocations from their parent agencies.

5 Enero,2025 Linggo

 Happy New Year

Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

supports National Bible Month 2025

supports Marked Men for Christ Philippines Seminar, January 30,31,February 1,2025, Kabaleyan Cove, San Carlos City, Pangasinan 

PM for any hospital discharge problem

ABS 2025

Headlines

SW must clearly specify locations of search– SC

By J.Lo

Supreme Court (SC) has reminded authorities that search warrants are invalid if they do not clearly identify places that will be searched, as it violates  right against unlawful searches and seizures.

Search warrants must be precise to avoid rights violations and invalidated operations, according to  SC.

Citing  decision by Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen,  SC has acquitted Lucky Enriquez of drug charges due to  defective search warrant and its irregular execution.

Case  stemmed from  2017 operation by  Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency,  PDEA implemented  search warrant showing  address “Informal Settler’s Compound, NIA Road, Barangay Pinyahan, Quezon City.”

Without knocking or announcing their presence, PDEA agents rushed through  open door and apprehended Enriquez, confiscating sachets of shabu.

SC ruled  search warrant gave PDEA agents unlimited power to search entire compound as it was too broad and essentially  general warrant, prohibited by  Constitution.

Government agents can only force their way into property if they are denied entry, rule that protects  person being served with warrant and agents from possible violence  could ensue from  unannounced entry,  high court said.

Enriquez was also unable to witness  search, SC noted.

4  Enero,2025 Sabado

 Happy New Year!

Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

supports National Bible Month 2025

supports Marked Men for Christ Philippines Seminar, January 30,31,February 1,2025, Kabaleyan Cove, San Carlos City, Pangasinan 

PM for any hospital discharge problem

ABS 2025

Ph to face 8 tropical cyclones in PAR from January to June – Pagasa

By Nidz Godino

With 17 cyclones entered Philippines in 2024, including six that hit Northern Luzon consecutively, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)  is urging Filipinos to prepare for  upcoming storm season.

 Two to eight tropical cyclones could form within Philippine area of responsibility in the first half of this year, according PAGASA.

At least one cyclone each month is expected from January to April. One to two cyclones are projected in May and June.

Despite  forecast,  January to May period is considered quieter time for cyclone activity in  western North Pacific ocean basin where  country is located, PAGASA noted.

Official cyclone names in 2025 are Auring, Bising, Crising, Dante, Emong, Fabian, Gorio, Huaning, Isang, Jacinto, Kiko, Lannie, Mirasol, Nando, Opong, Paolo, Quedan, Ramil, Salome, Tino, Uwan, Verbena, Wilma, Yasmin and Zoraida.

Auxiliary names include Alamid, Bruno, Conching, Dolor, Ernie, Florante, Gerardo, Hernan, Isko and Jerome.

State  weather bureau will replace Jolina, Maring and Odette, decommissioned after causing significant damage in 2021.

Five cyclone names might also be retired due to fatalities and financial losses: Aghon, Carina, Enteng, Julian and Kristine.

Cyclones Aghon, Enteng and Julian collectively caused more than P5 billion in damages.

Butchoy and Carina caused over P10 billion in damages, while Kristine and Leon resulted in P18 billion in damages.

Cyclones in 2024 led to nearly P40 billion in damages, along with significant casualties.

4  Enero,2025 Sabado

 Happy New Year!

Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

supports National Bible Month 2025

supports Marked Men for Christ Philippines Seminar, January 30,31,February 1,2025, Kabaleyan Cove, San Carlos City, Pangasinan 

PM for any hospital discharge problem

ABS 2025

DA vs price manipulation with removal of imported rice labels

By J.Lo

“In the coming days, our department will make  announcement regarding  removal of ‘premium’ and ‘special’ labels, ”Department of Agriculture (DA) will soon unveil its plan to remove labels from imported rice following consultations with industry stakeholders.

Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa mentioned DA held its first meeting on Thursday, January 2, to discuss measures to prevent price manipulation in rice. 

DA is also conducting ongoing consultations with various rice industry groups and associations.

DA already announced plans on Dec. 26, 2024, to eliminate both brand names and grade labels on imported rice.

In  statement, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. said these labels are often used by some retailers and traders to “intentionally confuse Filipino consumers” and “justify inflated prices.”

He  clarified rule will not apply to locally produced rice, citing  need to “protect Filipino farmers and traders.”

De Mesa also explained DA, along with Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), have seen some retailers set price of rice as much as P60 per kilogram in markets because it was labeled as “premium” or “special.”

Rice  should have been priced at P50 per kilogram, he stressed.

“When Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel last visited  Guadalupe Market with Secretary Roque from DTI, one thing we noticed was that some types of rice, should have been priced at  P50 level, were found to be priced at P60 simply because of ‘premium’ and ‘special’ labels,” De Mesa said.

DA’s consultations with retailers, traders, and importers revealed markup of P6 to P8 per kilogram is sufficient to cover  production and operational costs of imported rice.

While government hopes  removing labels will curb price manipulation on imported rice, Bantay Bigas spokesperson Cathy Estavillo told media move will not be effective and that it undermines consumers’ right to know  quality of  rice and whether they are buying local or imported varieties.

She added  overpricing and hoarding of rice and other agricultural commodities have long been issues, with little to no accountability enforced.

Based on  DA’s latest price monitoring as of January 2, local well-milled rice in Metro Manila markets is priced between P42 and P52 per kilogram, while imported well-milled rice ranges from P50 to P54 per kilogram.

For premium commercial rice, locally-produced varieties are priced between P46 and P58 per kilogram, whereas imported brands range from P52 to P60 per kilogram. 

Highest  grade, special commercial rice, can cost up to P63 for local varieties and around P65 for imported options.

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Micah 6:8

⁸ He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
    And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
    and to walk humbly^[a] with your God.

Footnotes

1. Micah 6:8 Or prudently