17 Disyembre,2024 Martes

14 days to 2025, Merry Christmas

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

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Tingog Party-List won’t handle PhilHealth, DBP funds

By Nidz Godino

“Funds are managed by DBP and PhilHealth…all we’re doing is lending  hand to these local government units that don’t have  technical capacity to go through these complex processes on their own,” Rep. Jude Acidre (Tingog Party-List)  said. Tingog Party-List will not manage any government funds under  memorandum for  program aimed at expanding hospital infrastructure and healthcare financing.

Acidre addressed in his privilege speech on Monday  controversies surrounding  memorandum his party-list signed with  Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth). 

Memorandum  for  Maalagang Republika: Rural Financing Health Development Program, signed on December 6, seeks to build more hospitals and provide funding for underfunded rural healthcare facilities.

Acidre  emphasized in his speech that Tingog’s focus is on its advocacy. He  said they want to help local governments “navigate  tedious process of applying for loans” for hospital upgrades.

“Tingog’s role in this program is simple and clear: advocacy and assistance…we do not touch  funds, we don’t choose which LGUs participate,” he added. 

Since  program’s funds will be sourced from  DBP and PhilHealth, health and finance experts have criticized  memorandum, warning of  potential for corruption and misuse of funds to gain support from local government units (LGUs) for  2025 midterm elections.

One of its strongest critics, former Health Secretary Tony Leachon, called  memorandum “patently illegal” on December 9, saying it may also be unconstitutional for violating non-partisanship mandate of government programs.

“This particular MOA ,memorandum of agreement to me is patently illegal, unconstitutional and there might be signs of electioneering,” he said .

Former Finance Undersecretary Cielo Magno also said in  podcast on December 11 that  memorandum is not just  form of “political patronage,” but could also lead to corruption.

Leachon argued that  third party is unnecessary since  Universal Healthcare Law tasks PhilHealth and DOH with expanding hospital infrastructure and providing  “technical assistance” such as consultation and advisory services.

“It’s not in mandate of PhilHealth to provide funding for LGU facilities because that’s the responsibility and job of  DOH,you don’t need  third party to do that…they’re  independent agency. … so why do you need  third party to force PhilHealth to fulfill its duties?” Leachon stressed.   

He also said that  legislative branch should not be involved in  budget execution of this program. 

According to Acidre, Tingog’s role is to facilitate  preparation of “hospital development plans” and “financial and operational feasibility studies” for LGUs. 

Leachon also questioned whether Tingog would be involved in  procurement and bidding processes for training, support and facilities, stressing that these fall under  DOH’s responsibilities.

Acidre explained that MOA “ensures funds are used for their intended purpose” and will be spent and accounted for according to  Commission on Audit’s guidelines. 

He added that LGUs are still required to comply with procurement laws and DBP charter should they participate in the program. 

The lawmaker countered  argument that  memorandum violates  Universal Healthcare Law, saying  PhilHealth cannot reimburse hospitals “if there are no hospitals to begin with.”

In  earlier statement, Tingog clarified their role is to complement agencies like DOH by building LGU capacity, facilitating access to DBP’s credit facility, and providing direct medical assistance programs.

Rep. Janette Garin (Iloilo, 1st District) defended MOA during  plenary session on Monday, saying  funds will not be transferred to Tingog. 

“Financial arrangements are strictly between DBP and LGUs, all subject to DBP’s mechanisms for accessing  loan,” she added.

Tingog Party-List is also represented by Yedda Marie Romualdez,  wife of House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

17 Disyembre,2024 Martes

14 days to 2025, Merry Christmas

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

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Pregnancy out of wedlock not immoral- Supreme Court

By J.Lo

“Public and secular morality refers to conduct proscribed because they are detrimental to conditions upon which depend the existence and progress of human society. Otherwise, if government relies upon religious beliefs in formulating public policies and morals, the resulting policies and morals would require conformity to what some might regard as a religious program or agenda,”  Supreme Court ruled  premarital sex resulting in pregnancy is not immoral and cannot be used as grounds for suspending  employee.

In  18-page decision dated July 23, penned by Associate Justice Ricardo Rosario,  Supreme Court ruled  sexual relations between two unmarried adults are not inherently immoral, as there is no law prohibiting such relationships.

Case  stemmed from  complaint filed by  grade school teacher against Bohol Christian School and its officials for illegal suspension. Teacher,  two months pregnant at the time, was verbally suspended by  school’s principal.

 Principal  insisted  teacher would remain suspended until she married the father of her unborn child.

Few  days later,  teacher received  formal notice stating that she was being indefinitely suspended without pay for “immorality,” with suspension to continue until she married her boyfriend.

In response,  teacher filed  complaint for illegal suspension before  Labor Arbiter, who initially ruled in her favor, finding  she had been constructively dismissed by school.

However,  National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) reversed this decision, stating there was insufficient evidence of constructive dismissal, prompting teacher to file  appeal before  Court of Appeals.

Although  appellate court did not find evidence of constructive dismissal, it declared  teacher’s suspension illegal. This led both school and  teacher to appeal  case before  Supreme Court.

Supreme Court upheld  Court of Appeals’ decision, emphasizing that sexual relations between consenting, unmarried adults are not inherently immoral.

High  tribunal further clarified that there is no law prohibiting such relationships, nor do they violate any fundamental state policies enshrined in  Constitution.

Supreme Court emphasized, in legal contexts, morality must be based on public and secular standards, rather than religious doctrine.

Supreme Court also ruled teacher’s suspension was illegal.

Citing  previous ruling,  Supreme Court said  pregnancy out of wedlock cannot be deemed “disgraceful and immoral.”

“Sexual intercourse between two consenting adults who have no legal impediment to marry, like respondent and her boyfriend, is not deemed as immoral. No law proscribes such, and said conduct does not contravene any fundamental state policy enshrined in the Constitution,”  decision read.

High  court also ruled that  school did not comply with  “procedural due process” as they did not issue  notice before suspending the teacher.

“Suspension from work must be reasonable to meet  constitutional requirement of due process of law. It will be reasonable if it is based on just or authorized causes enumerated in the Labor Code. The employee must also be given notice and the opportunity to be heard before judgment is rendered,”  court ruling read.

Due to this,  high court ordered  school and its officials to pay jointly and solidarily pay the teacher her back wages and 13th-month pay along with other benefits and attorneys fees.

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Matthew 1:20-21

²⁰ But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹ She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,^[a] because he will save his people from their sins.”

Footnotes

1. Matthew 1:21 Jesus is the Greek form o

16 Disyembre,2024 Lunes

15 days to 2025, Merry Christmas

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

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Palace concert for film industry

By Nidz Godino

Workers of  film industry are used to entertaining their audiences, but this time they were spectators who were treated with musical performances during  fifth installation of  Konsyerto sa Palasyo (KSP),  carried  theme “Para sa Pelikulang Pilipino,” at the Kalayaan Hall grounds.

It was  movie industry’s turn  to be honored by  Malacañang concert series  seeks to recognize  contributions of key sectors while promoting Filipino culture and talent.

Concert , initiative of  Office of the President and Radio-Television Malacañang, put spotlight on important role of  movie industry in  country’s arts and culture.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.and other key officials attended  show,  coincided with  eve of  start of traditional Simbang Gabi or dawn masses,  unique practice of Filipinos during  yuletide season.

Movie industry stakeholders were serenaded by performances from Dane Mercado, Molly Langley, Jon Joven, Gian Magdangal and  Sindaw Philippines Performing Arts Guild.  Highlight  of  concert was  special number by actress and singer Zsa Zsa Padilla.

Prominent personalities who were invited to the event include Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, Senate President Francis Escudero, Speaker Martin Romualdez, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr., Presidential Communications Secretary Cesar Chavez, officials and guests from  Manila International Film Festival and Film Development Council of the Philippines, lawmakers and Cabinet members.

Launched in 2023,  KSP aims to provide  platform for artists and to pay tribute to sectors that contribute to nation-building.

First  four KSPs highlighted  crucial roles of soldiers, athletes, teachers and health workers.

16 Disyembre,2024 Lunes

15 days to 2025, Merry Christmas

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

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Hse quad comm probes Duterte drug war, EJKs

By Nidz Godino

“For  past 12 hearings, we have heard various testimonies of victims, their families,  police, involved personalities who admitted their roles and participation,  cause-oriented groups, and those whose lives have changed forever due to  irreversible misstep they took that cost them their freedom,” quad comm, led by its lead chairman Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said  House of Representatives was kept busy in 2024, dealing both with political drama and innovations in its legislative function,  biggest move  lower chamber made for the year was  creation of quad committee,  combination of  House committees on dangerous drugs, public accounts, public order and safety and human rights.

Quad  comm’s investigation focused on  war on drugs of former president Rodrigo Duterte;  extrajudicial killings (EJKs) of thousands suspected of involvement in illegal drugs; and Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGOs), used by Chinese nationals for criminal activities including cyberscams, human trafficking, kidnap-for-ransom, torture and money-laundering.

Aside from  quad comm’s creation, another big step for  House in 2024 was  investigation initiated by  committee on good government and public accountability chaired by Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua.

Chua’s committee focused its investigation into Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds of  Office of the Vice President (OVP) and  Department of Education (DepEd), when she was still its secretary.

Quad  comm, led by Barbers conducted its first joint public hearings on EJKs, POGOs and war on drugs on Aug. 16 at Villa Bacolor Convention Center in Bacolor, Pampanga.

Quad  comm was authorized to conduct  comprehensive joint investigation into  possible connection between illegal POGOs, illegal drugs, EJKs and human rights violations in the course of former president Duterte’s bloody drug war.

Among  resource persons first invited to  quad comm’s first hearing were officials from  Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine Statistics Authority, Department of Foreign Affairs and Bureau of Internal Revenue.

Quad  comm likewise invited former Bureau of Customs intelligence officer Jimmy Guban to shed light on his submitted affidavit.

It also invited as resource persons former president Duterte, Senators Ronald dela Rosa, supposedly the chief architect of  drug war and Bong Go,  right-hand man and personal assistant of the former president to shed light on the issue.

Only Duterte appeared before  quad comm while Dela Rosa and Go consistently refused to attend  hearings.

Retired police colonel and former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office general manager Royina Garma, believed to be personally close to Duterte, testified before  quad comm and revealed that Duterte administration implemented  “reward system” for killers of drug personalities.

Reward  money allegedly ranged from P10,000 to P1 million, depending on  level of  importance of the person to be killed.

During his testimony before  quad comm, Duterte denied  reward and quota system, but admitted that he himself had killed around six to seven people during his war against criminal elements in Davao City while he was still its mayor.

During its 13th and last hearing for the year on Dec. 12,  quad comm issued  yearend summary of its findings that includes some of  proposed measures  resulted from its investigations.

Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales listed  house bills that were crafted as  result of  hearings: HB 10986, or  proposed law on Classifying EJK as  Heinous Crime; HB 10987, proposed Anti-Offshore Gaming Operations Act; HB 10998,  proposed Espionage Law of 2024; HB 11043,  proposed Civil Forfeiture Act; and HB 11117,  proposed Fraudulent Birth Certificate Cancellation Law.

Gonzales recalled calling for creation of  quad comm when he delivered  privilege speech on Aug. 5 following  apparent links in  investigations into  P3.6 billion worth of shabu seized in Mexico, Pampanga; P1.3 billion worth of shabu discovered in Mabalacat City, Pampanga, and illegal activities linked to POGOs.

He vowed  quad comm  will continue its work in January with even greater focus and determination, “Today, we only end  inquiry for the year; but we are already preparing for next year.”

Quad comm vice chair and Antipolo 2nd District Rep. Romeo Acop seconded Gonzales’ commitment.

Acop presented  report titled “A Tale of Two Shipments,” featuring  arrival in the country in 2017 of metal cylinders containing P6.4 billion worth of illegal drugs and  shipment in the country in 2018 of magnetic lifters containing P3.4 billion worth of illegal drugs.

It showed two shipments both arrived at  Manila International Container Port and allegedly involved some personalities.

During its meeting,  quad comm cited in contempt former PDEA chief Wilkins Villanueva, would be implemented when session resumes on Jan. 13, 2025.

Abang Lingkod party-list Rep. Joseph Paduano reminded Villanueva of his right to file  motion to lift contempt order on him.

Also cited in contempt was police Col. Hector Grijaldo, who did not attend  hearing despite  quad comm’s repeated invitation.

Quad  comm also lifted  contempt orders issued on Cassandra Ong, who filed  motion to lift  contempt and detention orders on her as she is sick and cannot be detained at the Correctional Institution for Women, which doctors of  CIW and  House confirmed that she is not fit to attend and withstand  congressional hearings; Alice Guo, now detained at the Pasig City Jail; Tony Yang, who is detained under custody of  Philippine Anti-Organized Crime Commission, sick and currently confined at  St. Luke’s Medical Hospital in Taguig; and police Maj. Leo Laraga, under  custody of  Quezon City Jail.

Barbers would be presenting before  House plenary its initial report dubbed as “quad comm’s progress report” anytime this week.

One of the most striking incidents that left  mark not only on congressmen, but also on the country and international community was when  desperate Vice President Duterte invaded  Batasang Pambansa complex by locking herself up at Room 304 of her brother Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte.

Interestingly, the Vice President claimed  she would stay in the room of her brother until her chief of staff at  OVP, lawyer Zuleika Lopez, is given justice and released from detention at House detention facility.

Lopez was ordered detained for contempt by Chua’s committee after she repeatedly “lied and evaded to give direct answers” to  members of the committee investigating real meaning of her letter to  Commission on Audit asking it not to provide any documents pertaining to its use of  P500-million OVP and P112.5-million DepEd confidential funds, respectively.

The Vice President has consistently refused to recognize and attend  hearings of Chua’s committee.

What made matters worse was when the Vice President went on  Zoom press conference with members of  media covering  OVP threatening to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Marcos and Speaker Martin Romualdez while claiming that her own life was under threat.

Kill  threat made by the Vice President is now  subject of investigation by  NBI.

Akbayan and the Makabayan party-list bloc in the chamber have filed separate impeachment complaints against  Vice President based on  pieces of evidence and testimonies from  resource people,  appeared in both  investigation conducted by quad comm and Chua’s committee.

Chua explained  ending  probe would allow  Armed Forces of the Philippines to conduct its investigation into allegations that two military officers received portions of  confidential funds from Duterte’s offices.

16 Disyembre,2024 Lunes

15 days to 2025, Merry Christmas

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

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Headlines

FMJ to fix DepEd budget cut – Angara

By Nidz Godino

“This, despite the President’s SONA ,State of the Nation Address where he asked Congress to help bridge  digital divide,” Department of Education, (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara said  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.has vowed to turn things around for DepEd, after both chambers of Congress cut DepEd’s proposed 2025 budget by P12 billion.

In  statement, Angara lamented how lawmakers’ “promises and nice words” had led to budget cuts that he said could derail  DepEd’s flagship computerization program.

Angara said  budget cut was  deviation from common practice among lawmakers to increase President’s proposed budget for education.

“In past years, Congress has increased the President’s proposed budget for DepEd and education…for whatever reason, nakalulungkot na hindi ito mauulit sa 2025 budget, pero ang maganda dito, mismong si President Bongbong ang nagsabi sa aming reremedyohan niya ito,” Angara said.

Bicameral  conference committee last week reduced to P737 billion, from P748.65 billion,  DepEd’s 2025 funding allocation in  reconciled version of  General Appropriations Bill (GAB).

Of the amount cut, P10 billion will be slashed from  DepEd’s computerization program,  aims to provide public schools with gadgets, equipment, software and training for teachers and students.

Meanwhile, public school teachers said  cuts were contradictory to  government’s commitment to deal with  learning crisis.

“Decision to slash P12 billion from  DepEd’s budget for 2025 amidst  ongoing learning crisis starkly contradicts  government’s commitment to prioritizing education, as mandated by  Constitution,”  Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) said.

Coalition chairman Benjo Basas said  budget cuts on computerization program would be  disservice to Filipino students, as  deficit could have been used to fill  massive digital gaps in public schools.

“By deprioritizing this initiative, Congress risks exacerbating existing inequalities and leaving millions of students unprepared for  demands of  modern, technology-driven world,” TDC said.

Basas said  reduction also delivers  blow to  welfare of public school teachers “already overworked, underpaid, and often forced to shoulder classroom expenses out of their own pockets due to insufficient government support…teachers and learners are  lifeblood of  education system, yet their welfare is too often sidelined in favor of programs with limited impact or, at times, purely controversial…stakeholders must unite to demand  higher education budget  genuinely addresses  sector’s needs… welfare of teachers, who form  backbone of the system, and learners, who represent its future must never be compromised,” TDC added.

House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro strongly condemned  Marcos administration’s P12-billion budget cut for DepEd, calling it  clear manifestation of  government’s anti-education and anti-poor policies.

Castro said students, teachers and education support personnel should not be made to suffer due to anomalies committed by Vice President and former DepEd secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio.

The House committee on good government and public accountability is investigating Duterte for her alleged misuse of  confidential funds of Office of the Vice President (OVP) and DepEd when she was still its secretary.

“This budget cut is completely unacceptable and shows where this administration’s priorities truly lie…instead of working towards  UN-recommended education budget of six percent of GDP,  Marcos Jr. administration is doing  opposite by slashing vital education funds, how can we resolve  learning crisis if there is  cut in the budget for education… P10 billion cut in computerization program is  big loss to our students who are desperate to cope with  digital age,” Castro said.

The progressive lawmaker pointed out that while  previous leadership of DepEd was marred with controversies,  solution is not to punish  entire education sector through budget cuts.

“Students, teachers and education support personnel must not suffer because of  anomalies committed by  former secretary Duterte…  answer to corruption is not to decrease funding, but to strengthen accountability measures and increase support for our learners,” Castro said.

For his part, former ACT Teachers party-list representative and now its first nominee Antonio Tinio said  “P10-billion cut from  computerization program would have provided thousands of students access to digital learning tools…this administration talks about economic recovery, but how can we achieve that when we’re compromising our children’s future, we demand  immediate restoration of  P12 billion budget cut, and call for  significant increase in education funding…education is  right, not  privilege,if there is  fund for confidential funds and infrastructure projects, there must be  fund for education of our youth,” he added.

Meanwhile, Makati 2nd District Rep. Luis Campos Jr. has welcomed the President’s directive to increase from P18,000 to P20,000  Service Recognition Incentive (SRI) for  country’s 1,011,800 public school teachers and non-teaching staff.

In  statement, Campos, vice chairman of  House committee on appropriations, said  increase in SRI for DepEd employees can be adequately funded by existing allocations in  2024 national budget, including  Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund (MPBF).

“We are all for  grant of additional cash incentives and allowances to our teachers and non-teaching staff in recognition of their hard work and to help them cope with  rising cost of living,” he said.

Campos said  MPBF , lumpsum allocation in the budget  can be used to fund deficiencies in  authorized salaries, bonuses, allowances and similar personnel benefits of national government employees.

“Our estimate is that only around P2 billion is needed to cover  increase in  SRI of our teachers and non-teaching staff from P18,000 to P20,000 each,” he said.

Campos said  MPBF has  allocation of P29.7 billion in  2024 national budget, and another P163.3 billion in  proposed 2025 GAB that Marcos is set to sign on Dec. 20.

He said he has been batting for  payment of higher cash benefits to teachers to supplement their basic salaries.

The Makati congressman is the author of House Bill 7840,  seeks to raise to P3,000  World Teacher’s Day Incentive Benefit that honors those engaged in  teaching profession.

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman previously said her office will ascertain  funding mechanisms to finalize  release of  money for  SRI of DepEd personnel.

15 Disyembre,2024 Linggo

16 days to 2025, Merry Christmas

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

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Veloso to be moved to Jakarta for transfer process

By Nidz Godino

“Ngayong araw na ito nakatakda ang pag-biyahe ni Mary Jane papuntang Jakarta para simulan ang proceso ng kanyang pag-transfer sa Pilipinas, alinsunod sa utos ng Indonesian Ministry for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections,”  Veloso family’s statement read, citing  Department of Foreign Affairs, Celia and Cesar Veloso said their visit to Mary Jane in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, has been postponed as she is expected to be transferred to the country’s capital.

Drug trafficking convict Mary Jane Veloso is set to be transferred to Jakarta as part of the process to return her to Philippines, her family confirmed on Sunday, December 15.

However, no definite date has been set for Mary Jane’s return to  Philippines.

“Kami, mga magulang at anak ni Mary Jane ay nanghihinayang na hindi kami matutuloy sa pagbisita kay Mary Jane dahil napaghandaan po namin ito at nasasabik namin siyang makasama makalipas ng isang taon mula ng huli naming bisita sa kanya,” Mary Jane’s parents statement read. 

 “Gayunpaman, kami ay masayang masaya dahil malapit na ang pag uwi ni Mary Jane sa ating bansa,” the kin stressed. 

Mary Jane’s family was scheduled for  “compassionate visit” to Mary Jane from December 16 to 18,  would have been their first time seeing her after 14 years of imprisonment.

On November 20, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced Mary Jane would return to the country after years of incarceration in Indonesia.

On December 10, Marcos also revealed  Indonesian government had urged  Philippine government to refrain from making any announcements about Mary Jane until  formal agreement was reached.

Indonesian government further said  Marcos would have  authority to pardon Mary Jane upon her return.

Mary Jane was arrested in 2010 on drug trafficking charges.

In 2015, she was granted  last-minute stay of execution after her recruiter surrendered to authorities, following  appeal from late President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.

15 Disyembre,2024 Linggo

16 days to 2025, Merry Christmas

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

PM for any hospital discharge problem

SoKor president impeached over ML debacle

By Nidz Godino

“Today’s impeachment is the great victory of people,” opposition Democratic Party floor leader Park Chan-dae said following vote South Korean lawmakers  impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed martial law bid, with  opposition declaring  “victory of the people.”

Vote  took place as hundreds of thousands took to  streets of Seoul in rival rallies for and against Yoon, who launched  failed attempt to impose martial law on Dec. 3.

Out of 300 lawmakers, 204 voted to impeach the president on allegations of insurrection while 85 voted against. Three abstained, with eight votes nullified.

With  impeachment, Yoon has been suspended from office while South Korea’s Constitutional Court deliberates on vote.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is now  nation’s interim leader.

Court  now has 180 days to rule on Yoon’s future.

Two hundred votes were needed for  impeachment to pass, and opposition lawmakers needed to convince at least eight parliamentarians from Yoon’s conservative People Power Party (PPP) to switch sides.

Seoul police official told media at least 200,000 people had massed outside parliament in support of removing the president.

On the other side of Seoul near Gwanghwamun square, police estimated 30,000 had rallied in support of Yoon, blasting patriotic songs and waving South Korean and American flags.

The South Korean president has vowed to fight on and doubled down on unsubstantiated claims  opposition is in league with  country’s communist foes.

Main  opposition Democratic Party  said ahead of  vote that impeachment was  “only way” to “safeguard  Constitution,  rule of law, democracy and South Korea’s future.”

“We can no longer endure Yoon’s madness,” spokeswoman Hwang Jung-a said.

At the rally outside parliament supporting impeachment, volunteers gave out free hand warmers  to fight  sub-zero temperatures, as well as coffee and food.

K-pop singer Yuri of the band Girl’s Generation  whose song “Into the New World” has become  protest anthem   had pre-paid for food for fans attending  demonstration.

“Stay safe and take care of your health!” she said on  superfan chat platform.

One protester  had rented  bus so parents at the rally would have  place to change diapers and feed their babies.

Another said they had initially planned to spend their Saturday hiking.

If  Constitutional Court backs his removal, Yoon would become second president in South Korean history to be successfully impeached.

But there is also precedent for  court to block impeachment. In 2004, then-president Roh Moo-hyun was removed by parliament for alleged election law violations and incompetence, but  Constitutional Court later reinstated him.

Court  currently only has six judges, meaning their decision must be unanimous.

Yoon has remained unapologetic and defiant as  fallout from his disastrous martial law declaration has deepened and  investigation into his inner circle has widened.

His approval rating  never very high  has plummeted to 11 percent, according to  Gallup Korea poll released on Friday.

Same  poll showed  75 percent now support his impeachment.

15 Disyembre,2024 Linggo

17 days to 2025, Merry Christmas

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

PM for any hospital discharge problem

‘Pinay’, 3rd most-searched term on Pornhub — yearend data

By Cynthia Montojo

“Pinay” rose to  third-highest spot on adult entertainment website Pornhub’s most-searched terms list, according to its latest yearend data.

“Pinay” moved up two spots as it overtook “lesbian” while last year’s No. 4 “Japanese” dropped to No. 8. For the fourth consecutive year, the most-searched term was “hentai” coming ahead of “MILF.”

Pornhub attributes  rise of “Pinay” to increasing number of viewers coming from the Philippines,  dropped one spot to third on  list of countries with  most amount of traffic to  website.

France just barely overtook  Philippines on that list likely because of  number of visitors and athletes that were at  Paris Olympics.

Philippines saw  major drop in time spent per visit on website, going from top spot with 11 minutes and 15 seconds to No. 14 with 9 minutes and 1 second. Mexico regained the top spot as the only country this year with over 11 minutes.

Philippines still had  biggest proportion of female viewers as Filipina viewers at 59%, with Argentina, only other country where there were more female viewers (51%) than male.

When it comes to age, nearly half of viewers are 18 to 24 years old while 28% of viewers are 25 to 34 years old. The remaining 27% are viewers aged 35 and above.

Around 97% of viewers in the Philippines use Pornhub on their phones,  1% increase that still makes it highest percentage out of any country this year.

Similar to processed data last year, site found  27.2% drop in Philippine traffic on January 15,  when Cebu’s Sinulog Festival was celebrated this year, compared to average day.

“Twink,” “anime,” and “Pinoy” are still  three most-searched terms on PornhubGay.

Most-searched terms in the Philippines are still “Pinay,” “Pinoy,” “Japanese,” and “hentai,” with “anime” rounding up the Top 5 after rising three spots.

Interestingly, “pinay dirty talk” and “hentai anime” saw big jumps as they rose 18 and 12 spot respectively to finish as Nos. 8 and 9.

“Hentai” overtook “Japanese” as  most-viewed porn category in the Philippines while “Reality” sneaked in ahead of “Asian” and “Lesbian.”

Site  also had insights for Relative Categories and Trending Searches, or when users in  country have viewed  particular category and searched trends more compared to the rest of the world.

Users in the Philippines viewed videos of “Reality,” “Hentai,” and “Korean” a whopping 642%, 465%, and 278% more than the rest of the world, respectively.

Searches  also churned out big numbers in the Philippines: 668% for “beautiful sex,” 623% for “extreme squirting,” 520% for “hot Asian big tits,” 403% for “best friend’s wife,” and 349% for “Japanese nurse.”

Lexi Lore and Johnny Sins returned as pornstars most viewed by Filipinos after missing last year’s Top 5. Also joining them are local adult star Sharinami, Eva Elfie, and Alex Adams.

Eva, Alex, and Johnny all made  most-searched pornstars Top 10 at Nos. 5 to 7 in succession. Lexi was at No. 20 which was a 12-spot increase from last year, and was the second-highest riser behind Sara Blonde who went up 19 spots to No. 12.

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Luke 1:30-33

³⁰ But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. ³¹ You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, ³³ and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”