TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

1 Corinthians 13:4-5

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

10 Hulio 2024, Miyerkules

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Best wishes Mr. and Mrs. Seth Elyon San Pedro

happy 10th Anniversary Binang City, Laguna Chapter Servants of God in Christ Jesus Christian Ministries Inc., Dr. Enrico San Pedro, Pastor 

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Inaugural National Hopia Day to supply hopia for 1-year

By Cynthia Montojo

“From its humble beginnings as  Chinese immigrant food to its status as  Filipino cultural icon, hopia’s journey reflects  rich tapestry of cultural exchange and innovation, that’s why we feel  time for hopia to be celebrated in  grand manner has long been overdue, ” Chinese deli chain Eng Bee Tin Chief Operating Officer Gerik Chua  said  first-ever National Hopia Day in the Philippine will be hosted this month by Binondo-based Chinese deli chain Eng Bee Tin.

Special  day celebrates Filipino-Chinese heritage and how mooncake-like pastry hopia serves as symbol of friendship and cultures between  two.

Chua believes hopia is  example of how food can bring cultures together, creating something new and beloved that honors diverse origins.

Gerik’s younger sister Roche,  serves as  chain’s finance manager, stressed, “we will honor  stories woven into each bite…we will pay tribute to  enduring bonds of family, our shared culture, and  comfort of its familiar flavors.”

National Hopia Day celebrations will take place from July 19 to 21 in Mall of Asia Music Hall, where prizes will be given out, including  one-year supply of the brand’s products.

10 Hulio 2024, Miyerkules

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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

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No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

Best wishes Mr. and Mrs. Seth Elyon San Pedro

happy 10th Anniversary Binang City, Laguna Chapter Servants of God in Christ Jesus Christian Ministries Inc., Dr. Enrico San Pedro, Pastor 

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Contempt vs Alice Guo, 7 others; orders arrest

By Nidz Godino

“We do not want to set  precedence where mental health is invoked to skirt  obligation to appear before  Senate committee,” Sen. Risa Hontiveros, chair of  Senate women’s committee, ruled to cite suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo and seven others in contempt for their failure to attend  committee inquiry into  criminal activities of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).

Contempt is upon  separate motions of Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada and Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian. 

Hontiveros and other senators find her claims in her letter “devoid of credibility.”

Hontiveros also ruled to issue  warrant of arrest against Guo,  would still need to be signed by  Senate president before it takes effect.

Estrada moved to cite Guo in contempt after saying he found her letter explaining her absence due to mental health issues “unacceptable.”

Besides Guo, these are individuals who were cited in contempt for skipping  hearing: 

• Nancy J. Gamo
• Dennis Cunanan
• Wenyi Lin
• Seimen Leal Guo
• Jian Zhong Guo
• Wesley Guo
• Sheila Leal Guo

In  letter Guo’s camp sent to  Senate  suspended Bamban mayor  is not “physically and mentally fit” to attend  Senate hearing. She  has been  “subject of malicious accusations” and targeted with death threats, causing her to seek professional help.

Guo  could not find  medical professional to issue her  medical certificate because they “fear they may also experience  humiliation and ridicule  I am going through.”

Hontiveros said  while  panel recognizes  importance of mental health, Guo is being compelled to testify due to  gravity of  accusations against her.

Senate can also arrange for  government doctor to attend to Guo, if requested, the senator stressed.

Gatchalian  considers  absence of  invited resource speakers as  “sign of guilt” as this is already  committee’s fourth hearing into POGO hubs’ illegal activities. 

“Not attending  hearing will be their loss because it removes  opportunity for them to explain their side, sign that they have something they do not want to reveal or that they have something to hide, ” Gatchalian said.

Escudero  vowed to sign  arrest warrant against Guo if issued by Hontiveros, reminding Guo and her legal camp that  subpoena issued against her requires her to face senators out of “compulsion of law.”

Guo did not attend  previous hearing on June 26 due to what her legal counsel said was health reasons, took place less than a week after she was charged with qualified human trafficking before  Department of Justice. 

10 Hulio 2024, Miyerkules

Register now and vote in midterm polls

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

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

Best wishes Mr. and Mrs. Seth Elyon San Pedro

happy 10th Anniversary Binang City, Laguna Chapter Servants of God in Christ Jesus Christian Ministries Inc., Dr. Enrico San Pedro, Pastor 

PM for any hospital discharge problem

2 Cebuano clergy get Vatican appointments

By J.Lo

“Both Msgr. Limchua and Fr. Cartagena are  third and fourth Cebuano priests, respectively, to enter  Diplomatic Service of the Holy See,” official Facebook page of Archdiocese of Cebu said Pope Francis has appointed two priests from Cebu to positions in Vatican.

Pontiff  appointed Monsignor Jan Thomas Limchua as counselor of  Apostolic Nunciature to tNetherlands and Fr. Hezron Jhud Cartagena as attaché of  Apostolic Nunciature to Ivory Coast.

Archdiocese’s spokesmaon Msgr. Joseph Tan believed  pope’s decision to appoint Filipino priests to  Vatican shows his immense trust in their capability to perform responsibly as missionaries abroad.

Limchua had reportedly served as official of the Holy See’s Section for Relations with States and International Organizations of the Secretariat of State for four years.

He was ordained as priest of  Archdiocese of Cebu in 2010 and underwent diplomatic formation at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy,  diplomatic school of  Vatican.

He then began his career in the diplomatic service in September 2014, and served at  Apostolic Nunciature of Benin and Togo in West Africa and in Egypt.

He completed his theological studies at  Faculty of Theology of  University of Navarra in Pamplona Spain, while he took up his doctorate in Canon Law at  Pontifical Lateran University in Rome.

Cartagena meanwhile completed his missionary year in Brazil and, with  new assignment, is now officially  part of  diplomatic service of  Holy See.

10 Hulio 2024, Miyerkules

Register now and vote in midterm polls

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

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

Best wishes Mr. and Mrs. Seth Elyon San Pedro

happy 10th Anniversary Binang City, Laguna Chapter Servants of God in Christ Jesus Christian Ministries Inc., Dr. Enrico San Pedro, Pastor 

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Cayetano-Binay, reconciliation talks eyed

By Nidz Godino

“While these are matters of public interest, it is better if we sit down and talk about it behind closed doors,” Senate majority leader Francis Tolentino said  ethics committee  he heads will first sit down with Senators Nancy Binay and Alan Peter Cayetano and try to reconcile  two following Binay’s ethics complaint against Cayetano.

At  press briefing, Tolentino said  ethics committee will determine if  complaint filed by Binay against Cayetano is sufficient in form and substance.

But his committee will have to meet to organize its members and sit down with  two quarreling political rivals when hot heads have cooled.

Tolentino  agreed with Senate President Francis Escudero, who said  two should calm down and be reconciled.

He said their issues about  New Senate Building, became personal attacks against each other, should be discussed in private instead of in  public hearing.

Binay slapped Cayetano with  ethics complaint after  male senator called her  crazy female rumormonger (“Marites”) for allegedly backstabbing him for his wrong figures about  ballooning cost of construction.

Cayetano stood by his disparaging remarks and said Binay was diverting from  real issue at hand in her ethics complaint.

Cayetano’s accounts committee will hold its second hearing today on cost of  construction pegged at over P23 billion.

10 Hulio 2024, Miyerkules

Register now and vote in midterm polls

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

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

Best wishes Mr. and Mrs. Seth Elyon San Pedro

happy 10th Anniversary Binang City, Laguna Chapter Servants of God in Christ Jesus Christian Ministries Inc., Dr. Enrico San Pedro, Pastor 

PM for any hospital discharge problem

P10 M bounty vs Quiboloy hit

By J.Lo

“Such  surprisingly disproportionate reward for  Quiboloy creates prejudice in  minds of  people that he is more dangerous than those who commit murders and acts to topple  government…war with  presumption of innocence and endangers  life of  mere accused who has not yet been convicted,”  lawyer of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder and accused child abuser Apollo Quiboloy questioned  “discriminatory” P10-million bounty for  arrest of the preacher, saying “surprisingly disproportionate” reward endangers  life of accused who has not yet been convicted.

Department of the Interior and Local Government announced P10-million reward for information that would lead to Quiboloy’s arrest and P1 million each for his five co-accused.

Quiboloy is  subject of arrest warrants issued by  Davao City and Pasig City regional trial courts where he is facing charges of qualified trafficking and sexual abuse allegedly committed against  17-year-old girl in 2011.

Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio noted average rewards for child sexual abuse and human trafficking suspects is “only a little over a million pesos,” even for members of  Moro Islamic Liberation Front and declared terrorist organizations such as  Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army.

He also questioned source of  funds for the bounty,  Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos earlier said consisted of private funds.

Topacio urged Abalos to name  supposed donors of  funds for the sake of transparency and invoked that constitutional right of the people to information regarding matters of public concern, so that  public may know  motives and purposes of  supposed private individuals.

“This assault on dignity of Quiboloy is but  latest in  display of wantonness and disregard for rule of law of this administration,” lawyer said.

Topacio said Quiboloy cannot be blamed for refusing to submit to  courts over his trafficking and sexual abuse cases, considering  “harassment and persecution” by  government.

“If  person  subject of  warrant feels he cannot get fair and impartial justice under our present system of government  under executive then, while I do not condone it, I will be  last person to blame him for refusing to submit himself to  justice system that is far from being fair,” Topacio said.

Quiboloy has denied  allegations against him in courts in Davao City and in Pasig, claiming that these are recycled and came from disgruntled former members of  KOJC.

In  separate statement, Quiboloy’s lawyer Israelito Torreon also pointed out  “obstinate and continuous obsession” of  government against  preacher.

Torreon said  government “created  circus” out of Quiboloy’s “precipitate and unjust” indictment, instead of acting on his motion for reconsideration filed before  Department of Justice.

Case  in Davao City has been allowed by  Supreme Court to be transferred to  Quezon City court.

Immigration  lookout bulletin order has also been issued against Quiboloy to prevent him from fleeing the country.

Quiboloy,  self-proclaimed “Appointed Son of God,” is currently considered  fugitive as authorities try to locate him due to standing arrest warrants.

10 Hulio 2024, Miyerkules

Register now and vote in midterm polls

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

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

Best wishes Mr. and Mrs. Seth Elyon San Pedro

happy 10th Anniversary Binang City, Laguna Chapter Servants of God in Christ Jesus Christian Ministries Inc., Dr. Enrico San Pedro, Pastor 

PM for any hospital discharge problem

No military facilities under Ph-Jpn pact

By Nidz Godino

“Nothing in this agreement shall be construed as providing  basis for  Party to establish its military facilities in  territory of  other Party,” Japanese foreign ministry deputy press secretary Mariko Kaneko said at  briefing after signing of  agreement  at Malacañang  nothing in the Philippines-Japan Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA)  sets  legal foundation for  establishment of military facilities in both countries.

Signing  followed  second Japan-Philippines Foreign and Defense Ministers Meeting (“2+2”).

“So no misunderstanding on both sides, not to have  military base in another country…it does not provide legal foundation for establishment of military facilities,” Kaneko said.

Signing  of  RAA came shortly after Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and Defense Minister Minoru Kihara met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.at Malacañang.

RAA, allows Japanese and Filipino forces to enter each other’s country for joint military exercises, was signed by Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. and Kamikawa in ceremonies witnessed by Marcos, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Kihara.

Defense  agreement will take effect after ratification by the two countries’ legislatures.

Kaneko said Japan is “much concerned” about China’s dangerous actions in  East and South China Seas, including  June 17 violent disruption by  Chinese coast guard of  resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.

“Japan supports  position that China should uphold  international order and raise this issue to  Chinese government…we have been doing so and raise  voice in  international community so China will not be able to do such act, unilateral act, use of force to change status quo,” she stated.

Kaneko stressed Japan is fully supportive of  Philippines’ firm stand against unilateral action by China or any other country to change  status quo in the region.

She underscored  unwavering commitment of  Philippines and Japan to freedom of navigation and overflight.

Earlier, Manalo, Teodoro, Kamikawa and Kihara met in Manila for discussions on current bilateral security environment and on regional issues, including  situation in Taiwan and  Korean Peninsula.

They emphasized  need for  international community to speak out on importance of maintaining and strengthening  free and open international order based on  rule of law.

While it may have already gained early support from some senators,  RAA will still be subject to close scrutiny by  Senate before it gets ratified, Senate President Francis Escudero said.

“We will scrutinize it like other treaties Senate is asked to ratify by the Executive,” Escudero said.

He said  agreement has yet to be submitted to  Senate for ratification. “I personally welcome this agreement because it will strengthen and firm up our position on issue with China on West Philippine Sea. But there is no substitute for beefing up our armed forces on our own. And while we’re not yet there, it is good that we have arrangements like this to strenghten our position and situation,” he said.

Sen. Nancy Binay  would vote for  ratification of  RAA, as she called deal  representation of country’s commitment to peace and security in the region.

“Since 2022, former Senate president Migz Zubiri and then-ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko consistently pushed for  crafting of RAA between  Philippines and Japan,  signing of RAA is  fruit of  Senate’s effort for peaceful resolutions to maritime conflicts in Asia-Pacific Region,  assertion to our territorial rights and  reiteration of Philippines’ adherence to defend its national sovereignty,  RAA’s value to National Security underscores how increased maritime security cooperation safeguards Philippine economic interests,” she said.

Sen. Bong Go said  signing of  RAA is in  best interest of Filipinos.

“Interest of  people, interest of Filipinos, if it is good for the people, we will support it,” Go said.

For Speaker Martin Romualdez,  RAA is  “proactive approach in addressing security challenges and promotes  rules-based international order.”

He said  agreement sets “foundation for expanded defense collaboration that is poised to contribute significantly to regional peace and stability.”

“Signing of  RAA signifies  crucial moment in Philippine-Japan relations, heralding  new era of strengthened defense cooperation amid evolving regional geopolitical challenges,” Romualdez said in  statement.

Landmark  agreement, he maintained, allows expanded participation of Japanese forces in joint military exercises such as  Balikatan drills with  Philippines and  US, “marking  significant step forward in regional security efforts.”

He stressed  RAA is important in enhancing defense capabilities and fostering deeper strategic ties between Manila and Tokyo.

“RAA highlights our shared commitment to regional stability and security, strengthening our defense capabilities and reaffirming  Philippines’ strategic partnership with Japan,” he maintained.

He said  agreement reflects  two countries’ “shared values of peace, stability and prosperity in the region.” 

10 Hulio 2024, Miyerkules

Register now and vote in midterm polls

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

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

Best wishes Mr. and Mrs. Seth Elyon San Pedro

happy 10th Anniversary Binang City, Laguna Chapter Servants of God in Christ Jesus Christian Ministries Inc., Dr. Enrico San Pedro, Pastor 

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Davao police chief part of drug war

By Nidz Godino

“Development that Lito Patay , one of the implementers, one of the worst recorded violators during  war on drugs  is now Davao City police chief… is concerning to us,” International Criminal Court (ICC)  Assistant to Counsel Kristina Conti‘s “man of interest” in previous administration’s drug war is now chief of Davao City Police.

Conti said  latest appointment as Davao City’s police chief is  homecoming of sorts for Police Col. Lito Patay.

And for victims of  previous administration’s so-called war against illegal drugs, this is  cause for concern, especially as they expect  issuance of arrest warrants against former president Rodrigo Duterte and others who are behind  deadly killings.

“I don’t know how it would work in context of  possible warrant of arrest against his former principal, Rodrigo Duterte, and even Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa,” she stressed, referring to  incumbent senator who was Duterte’s first police chief and implementer of his anti-illegal drug campaign.

Patay is  member of  so-called “Davao Boys,”  group of policemen from  former president’s hometown who were brought to Metro Manila to supposedly take part in  implementation of  drug war.

Earlier  report found  Batasan Station of  Quezon City Police District led by Patay recorded  highest number of killings during anti-drug operations conducted in the first year of Duterte.

In May 2022,  little over a month before  end of Duterte’s term, Malacañang cleared Patay of  administrative charge filed in relation to  death of  minor during  police operation in Payatas, Quezon City in 2016.

Patay was appointed Davao city police chief earlier this week following  removal of several officers.

Conti,  represents victims and families in  ICC case,  will study their next steps with regard to Patay’s appointment.

“Problem is that this is  assignment, not  promotion…he was not given  higher rank where it is possible to file  complaint,” she said.

Still, she raised  question as to why he was appointed in Davao.

While Patay was not included in public documents released by  ICC, Conti said they have repeatedly mentioned his name in several of their submissions, citing his role in  implementation of  drug war.

Conti said there is  rumor  ICC is also asking for more witnesses who can identify who among accused are most responsible.

“ICC is looking at official, mid-level. I don’t know…. if top level… may reach up to Albayalde,” Conti said, referring to former police chief Oscar Albayalde.

Conti said  new witnesses being asked by  ICC should be those who actually received  instruction from the principal accused in  implementation of Duterte’s bloody war on drugs.

Asked if Patay can qualify as state witness, Conti said: “at this point, not yet…yes, any of  alleged perpetrators can become witnesses… ICC called insider witnesses. ..they can be  one to say how exactly  instruction was conducted…if no one admits, nothing will be known.”

Conti is confident  arrest warrants, particular for those who are deemed as  “most responsible,” will be released within the year.

But she said they do not expect it to be publicly announced by  ICC, given that these issuances are often treated as confidential.

Major  problem, she said, is serving and implementing  warrant since ICC mainly relies on governments to enforce it. President Ferdinand  Marcos Jr.recently maintained  ICC has no jurisdiction over  Philippines, but Duterte’s allies earlier questioned why he refused to put his position in writing.

On reports that  ICC prosecutor is asking for more witnesses, Conti  has no knowledge of it, but said it could be because they are trying to identify who else are responsible.

She said it is possible that arrests warrants will be issued for some individuals while investigation is ongoing for  others.

On their end, she said they are already preparing for trial “because that’s where we will have  more material role.”

“We’re waiting for trial and  presentation of evidence to prove that these persons are all guilty,” said Conti. 

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

1 Corinthians 13:1-3

13 If I speak in the tongues^[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ² If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ³ If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,^[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Footnotes

1. 1 Corinthians 13:1 Or languages
2. 1 Corinthians 13:3 Some manuscripts body to the flames

9 Hulio 2024, Martes

Register now and vote in midterm polls

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

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

Best wishes Mr. and Mrs. Seth Elyon San Pedro

happy 10th Anniversary Binang City, Laguna Chapter Servants of God in Christ Jesus Christian Ministries Inc., Dr. Enrico San Pedro, Pastor 

PM for any hospital discharge problem

P10 M bounty up for arrest of Apollo Quiboloy

By Nidz Godino

“I would like to inform you that we will offer reward money on any individual who can give us information on whereabouts of wanted Apollo Quiboloy, Cresente Canada, Paulene Canada, Ingrid Canada, Jackielyn Roy and Sylvia Cemañes , fugitives facing cases of child abuse and exploitation and qualified trafficking without bail,” Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said at  press conference reward of P10 million is being offered for information leading to  arrest of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy.

Abalos also said P1-million reward will be given in exchange for any information that could lead to  arrest of his co-accused, three of them surnamed Canada.

Philippine National Police (PNP) is also considering  filing of  complaint for obstruction of justice against former president Rodrigo Duterte over his remarks that he knows where Quiboloy is hiding but “won’t tell.”

If it is really true, that is obstruction of justice and we are checking if we can file against these people,” Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil,  PNP chief, said.

“We are not happy when people make such statements,” he stressed, referring to Duterte’s earlier claim of knowing where Quiboloy is hiding.

Marbil said harboring  fugitive is against the law.

“Quiboloy is not  pastor, he is a fugitive of law,” he stressed.

Abalos issued  similar warning, saying those coddling Quiboloy could also face possible charges.

“Of course, that’s obstruction of justice… PD Presidential Decree 1829 or obstruction of justice…they can be charged for harboring or concealing or facilitating  escape of any person he knows or has reasonable grounds to believe or suspect has committed offense under existing penal laws in order to prevent his arrest, prosecution and conviction, we are looking into this…we are reviewing any statement telling  possible whereabouts of Quiboloy if it falls under PD 1829 and we are just waiting for witnesses to warrant filing of cases under PD 1829,” Abalos said.

Quiboloy and his co-accused have standing arrest warrants for sexual and child abuse and human trafficking cases.