Amidst cheating allegations of Marcos camp; Robredo confident her victory is clean

Photo taken from a live TV coverage of CNN

Metro Manila  — It’s the day the Liberal Party (LP) and Leni Robredo’s supporters have been waiting for — her victory in the vice presidential race formally proclaimed after she won by a narrow margin against Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos.

The outgoing Camarines Sur representative said in an interview she is also excited and anxious about her new job.

“Excited ako, siyempre may kaunting takot kasi marami namang wala sa control natin,” Robredo said. “Pero siguro mas nangingibabaw ang excitement na binibigyan ako ng bibihirang pagkakataon to make a difference.”

[Translation: I’m excited, of course, but a bit petrified because there are things beyond our control. But it's more excitement that I feel since I’m being given this rare opportunity to make a difference.]
Asked to comment on allegations that the results of the vice presidential race have been rigged in her favor, Robredo said she sees no logic behind that.

“Ako iyong baguhan sa partido eh, bakit ako ang makikinabang? Parang hindi ko nakikita ang logic noon,” Robredo said. [I’m a rookie in the party, why will I benefit from it? I can’t see the logic in that.]

Robredo said her conscience is clear. And she believes that the Liberal Party is equally clean.
“Ang sa akin, ang interes ko ay ang mailabas ang katotohanan kasi kailangan ko ring makita na wala naman akong kasalanan, walang kasalanan ang partido. Sigurado ako na walang ginawa ang LP sa akin,” said Robredo.

[Translation: On my part, I’m interested to know the truth because I want to see that I have not been part of any cheating and that the party has nothing to do with it. In fact, I’m sure that LP didn't do anything for me.]

Robredo, however, said she also would like to know if there was indeed cheating. She said for her to be able to defend herself, she wanted to know everything — including the statements of witnesses.

“Ang datos naman nagpapakita na lahat kasinungalingan ang nilalabas nila. Kung mayroong bago sana ubusin na nila para kami naman na nasa posisyon dumepensa, makapag depensa,”Robredo said. “Kasi ako, kung totoo yan, interesado rin ako.”

[Translation: Data show that what they’re saying are all lies. If there is any new information, I hope that they disclose it so I can defend myself once and for all… I’m also interested to know if it’s true.]
“Gaya ng sabi ko dati, ang eleksyon na ito ay naging pangit in the sense na naging very divisive siya. Iyong away away ng mga tao saka iyong mga komento naging very vicious na kailangan nating mag rebuild. Hindi nakakatulong ang ganito,”she added.

[Translation: As I said, this election has been very ugly in the sense that it became very divisive. All the arguments and the comments have become very vicious, that’s why we need to rebuild. This issue doesn't help.]

Before proceeding to the Batasang Pambansa complex for her proclamation on Monday, Robredo attended a Thanksgiving Mass at the St. Peter’s Church on Commonwealth Ave. in Quezon City with her daughters Aika, Tricia, and Jillian.

The Robredo ladies were accompanied by the incoming vice president’s lawyer, Romulo Macalintal, Robredo’s campaign manager, Sen. Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino, members of the Liberal Party and other supporters.

Witnesses on alleged cheating surface

As congress proclaims the next president and vice president of the country, three persons surfaced and claimed there was indeed cheating during the elections.

They went to the Senate with Boy Saycon of the Council of Philippine Affairs to reveal the supposed rigging of the polls.

One of the so-called whistleblowers said they are local government employees in Quezon. He said he was the logistics supervisor during the elections, while his two companions were the ones encoding and 'fixing' the votes that were fed to the servers.

The man claimed a high ranking government official from LP ordered them to do it.

One of the witnesses also claimed that they were supervised by people allegedly from Smartmatic, the poll service provider for the 2016 elections.

“We manipulate what is brought to us by the municipality. This is where we add the numbers and rini-refine namin dinadala sa Smartmatic. Sila ay may bato sa lahat ng server,” he said.

[Translation: We manipulate what is brought to us by the municipality. This is where we add the numbers, and then refine it before it is brought to Smartmatic. They are the ones who transmit (results) to servers.]

The man said they were given pre-programmed memory cards and they copied and pasted votes for LP’s Mar Roxas, Leni Robredo and other candidates.

He claimed roughly 200,000 votes were taken from Marcos and 300,000 votes were added to Robredo.

The man also claimed returning senator Franklin Drilon benefited with about 100,000 votes.

Gamiaw WorldNews: Attempted North Korea missile launch fails – South Korean official

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A North Korean missile launch attempt early on Tuesday morning appears to have failed, a South Korean military official told Reuters.

The launch attempt took place at around 5:20 a.m. Seoul time (2020 GMT), said the official, who asked not to be identified, without elaborating. South Korea's Yonhap News Agency said the attempted launch appeared to have been of an intermediate-range Musudan missile.

Japan put its military alert on Monday for a possible North Korean ballistic missile launch, state broadcaster NHK reported.  via Reuters

Globe, PLDT take over SMC's telco assets

Photo Source: Internet photo

Manila Philippines — A landmark deal among major telecommunications players promises to bring much faster internet speeds to mobile phone users in the next few months.
However, it also raised concerns that valuable telco assets are becoming even more concentrated in the hands of a few, removing competition in a fast-growing and lucrative market.

San Miguel Corp. (SMC) sold its telco assets to the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) and Globe Telecom, Inc. for about P70 billion on Monday.

At the center of the deal is the 700-megahertz spectrum frequency, which is more cost-efficient to operate, has wider coverage, and reaches indoor areas better.

Globe and PLDT are splitting the assets, each taking a 50% stake in Bell Telecommunications Philippines, Inc.; Eastern Telecommunications Philippines, Inc., and Tori Spectrum Telecommunications, Inc. (formerly wi-Tribe), among others.

It represents a coup for the two carriers, who have dominated the industry since 2011, when the Pangilinan-run PLDT bought out Digital Telecommunications Philippines, Inc. (Digitel), which operated Sun Cellular.
SMC had initially planned to use the assets itself, holding talks with Australian carrier Telstra Corporation, Ltd. for a partnership valued at around $1 billion.

Industry watchers had hoped the SMC-Telstra joint venture would become an important third player in the market to help push prices down and make services better. Negotiations fell through this March, however.

In a statement, SMC said it decided to sell its assets because the legal and commercial risks in the investment were far too large to take on alone.

It added that the deal seemed the most beneficial for consumers, since Globe and PLDT would be able to maximize the assets much faster.

"This is a sacrifice we have to make to finally unlock the full potential of our high-quality, mobile broadband spectrum faster and allow consumers access to its benefits through the combined resources, network and expertise of the two carriers," SMC President and COO Ramon Ang said in the statement.

Faster internet sooner

Globe and PLDT have assured they will make the most of the 700-mHz spectrum frequency, with improvements to be rolled out within the year.

Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu said in a press conference also on Monday that the company would immediately begin hanging new antennas onto its existing cell towers.

Customers should experience faster mobile internet speeds in just three to four months, he said. "We are not starting from scratch. We already have the resources and we can order the equipment fairly quickly."

Globe aims to extend this frequency to 90% of all cities and municipalities in the Philippines, he added.

Meanwhile, PLDT President and CEO Manny Pangilinan said in a statement: "PLDT has an execution team in place already which will enable PLDT to integrate this acquisition rapidly into our current network... It is fully our intention to improve internet access and coverage nationwide on an accelerated basis."

PLDT said it would increase its capital expenditure by $100 million in 2016 and 2017 so it could invest in the 700-mHz spectrum frequency, particularly by building more cell sites in rural areas.
Ayala-owned Globe plans to spend $750 million on capital expenditures this year, with majority of this earmarked for mobile data.

Globe is financing this buyout mostly through debt, borrowed from local banks. PLDT is funding it by selling 25% of its stake in Beacon Electric Asset Holdings, Inc., which has a 35% interest in Manila Electric Co. (Meralco).

PLDT shares jumped 9.13% on Monday, closing at P1,901 apiece. Globe shares rose by 5.6%, ending at P2,310 apiece. SMC also saw a 5.8% increase in share prices, closing at P80.30 apiece.

Duopoly allegations

Sen. Bam Aquino, who took the lead in passing the Philippine Competition Act, lamented the deal.
"A lot of Filipinos like myself were looking forward to a third player to shake up the telco market and improve competition. Knowing that this third player is far from reality again is unfortunate," Aquino said in a statement.
The hold Globe and PLDT have on the telco market has been controversial. Their supposed duopoly was heavily discussed during the presidential and vice-presidential campaigns. Candidates said the country's sluggish internet speeds and high prices were due to the lack of competition in the industry.

Incoming President Rodrigo Duterte has himself threatened Globe and PLDT to improve their services or else he would have a third player come in. The government holds some frequencies of its own and theoretically could sell it to another company to open up the market.

But Cu said, with massive potential unlocked in the new 700-mHz frequency, competition would likely become even fiercer between Globe and PLDT.

He also nixed talks of a duopoly, saying that only happens when two industry players are comfortable with each other. But he said, "[Globe and PLDT] are at each other's throats constantly. We compete with each other fiercely, both in terms of price, in terms of features and in terms of products as well."
Moreover, Globe and PLDT are returning their unused frequencies to the government. These frequencies cover the complete range of 2G, 3G, 4G and even 5G. Cu and Pangilinan both said this would enable the government to still bring in a third player to the industry if they so wish.

Nevertheless, the newly-formed Philippine Competition Commission has said it is taking "keen interest" in the deal.

"It is within the powers of the Commission to evaluate all business agreements and transactions that may have potential impacts on market competition," the Commission said in a statement on Monday.
It added that even without implementing rules and regulations yet for the watchdog, the provisions of the competition law were fully in effect.

"The Commission will gather more information and details on the transaction, and until such time, shall refrain from commenting further on the potential effects of the subject transaction on competition." via CNN Philippines

Duterte set to meet Cabinet appointees today

               

President-elect Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte  by Rita Salonga | RH News via REUTERS/Stringer

President-elect Rodrigo Duterte is scheduled to meet his Cabinet appointees in the coming days.
According to incoming Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, Duterte already called for a meeting today in Davao City.

Aguirre said that the presumptive President will be making a number of announcements to his appointees, especially those from the National Bureau of Investigation.

Aguirre also mentioned that Duterte is contemplating on what Cabinet position he will be giving Vice President-elect, Leni Robredo.

Meanwhile, Duterte is allegedly a victims of “dagdag lipat boto.”

According to the whistleblowers, identities withheld, President Duterte lost almost four million votes.
The alleged whistleblowers came to the Senate, together with Boy Saycon, Secretary General of the Council for Philippines Affaires.  The group claim that they know the massive cheating that happened during the recently concluded national elections.

The group said that they were in-charge of manipulating the votes in the municipal level and Liberal Party standard bearer Mar Roxas, Leni Robredo and Senate President Franklin Drilon benefited from the said vote manipulation.

They narrated that they trained for 14 days and that they were not aware that they were prep to cheat in the elections.

For the Vice presidential race, Senator Bongbong Marcos Jr. lost atleast 300,000 votes in Quezon.
In Mindanao, the group claimed that the modus used was ballots were already pre-shaded and pre-voted.

Gamiaw WorldNews: Kidnapped Mexican striker Pulido escaped by punching captor – official

                                                                           

Mexico’s striker Alan Pulido (L) is seen next to Tamaulipas State Governor Egidio Torre Cantu after Pulido has been rescued within a day in Ciudad Victoria, the capital of Tamaulipas State, Mexico May 30, 2016. REUTERS/Stringer TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY | By Natalie Ann Schachar via RH News and Reuters

MEXICO CITY  – The authorities billed it as a rescue, but Mexican football player Alan Pulido escaped his kidnappers by punching the one guarding him, snatching a cellphone and calling for help, a top official in the country’s violent northeast said on Monday.
State security forces located Pulido within minutes of his call from a safe house in the restive city of Ciudad Victoria in Tamaulipas state, as they were scouring the area nearby, state prosecutor Ismael Quintanilla told local radio.

The 25-year-old Mexico national team striker who also plays professionally with the Greek team Olympiakos disappeared in his hometown on Saturday night, when he was intercepted by gunmen after leaving a party with his girlfriend.

Pulido called Mexico’s emergency services around midnight on Sunday after the fistfight. He then cut his wrist trying to open a locked glass door, Quintanilla said.

“There was an exchange of blows between them,” Quintanilla said. “At some point he was able to make a call.”

Police have detained the captor, one of least four involved, who belonged to a criminal gang. It was unclear whether they were connected to the feared Zetas drug cartel, which controls much of the state.

In the early hours of Monday, Tamaulipas Governor Egidio Torre Cantu appeared on local television, flanked by Pulido, congratulating security forces for rescuing him.

The player was wearing a multicolored T-shirt and shorts and had a bandage wrapped around his right hand.

Pulido was in a “good state of health,” and was with his family after receiving medical and psychological attention.

Tamaulipas, which abuts the U.S. state of Texas, is an especially violent area of Mexico, which is grappling with grisly drug gang violence.

Pulido was a member of the Mexican national team that competed in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. He has also played for the Greek team Levadiakos and the Mexican club Tigres.

Our Daily Bread: FICKLE FOLLOWERS

FICKLE FOLLOWERS

Julie Ackerman Link

Read: John 12:12-19; 19:14-16

Behold, your King is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt. —John 12:15

How quickly public opinion can change! When Jesus entered Jerusalem for the Passover feast, He was welcomed by crowds cheering to have Him made king (John 12:13). But by the end of the week, the crowds were demanding that He be crucified (19:15).

I recognize myself in those fickle crowds. I love cheering for a team that’s winning, but my interest wanes when they start losing. I love being part of a movement that is new and exciting, but when the energy moves to a new part of town, I’m ready to move on. I love following Jesus when He is doing the impossible, but I slink away when He expects me to do something difficult. It’s exciting to follow Jesus when I can do it as part of the “in” crowd. It’s easy to trust Him when He outsmarts the smart people and outmaneuvers the people in power (see Matt. 12:10; 22:15-46). But when He begins to talk about suffering and sacrifice and death, I hesitate.

I like to think that I would have followed Jesus all the way to the cross—but I have my doubts. After all, if I don’t speak up for Him in places where it’s safe, what makes me think I would do so in a crowd of His opponents?

How thankful I am that Jesus died for fickle followers so that we can become devoted followers.

For Further Thought

Read these Bible verses and ponder Jesus’ love for you
(Rom. 5:8; Rom. 8:37-39; Heb. 13:5-6,8; 1 John 3:1).
Allow your devotion to Him to grow.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Christ deserves full-time followers.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Drilon : Duterte is first president proclaimed in absentia

Photo Source: Interaksyon

MANILA Philippines  - Senate President Franklin Drilon on Monday said that Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is the first president in the entire Philippine history to be proclaimed in absentia.

To my recollection, yes (in absentia), although attendance is not a requirement. The proclamation can be done without the presence of the candidate. The Senate president said in an interview at the session hall.

But Drilon said that the most important thing that will happen today will be for our Senators to perform their constitutional role as members of the National Board of Canvassers to proclaim the President and Vice-President in the May 9, 2016 elections.

We consider the proclamation as a constitutionally mandated duty of Congress and we will perform it. It is not affected by the absence of the proclaimed winners, but it is a constitutional act, which is critical to the peaceful transfer of power between one administrations to the other€ he said.

Drilon said performing this constitutional task brings stability in the political system.

"You cannot imagine what will happen to this country if we do not proclaim any President or Vice-President", he added.

Gamiaw WorldNews: Syria conflict: Chief opposition negotiator resigns

Mohammed Alloush accused Syria's government of "Continuous aggressions"  

against the Syrian people. CT: Reuters via BBC News

The chief negotiator of Syria's main opposition umbrella group, Mohammed Alloush, has resigned over what he called the failure of peace talks.

Mr Alloush, from the High Negotiations Committee (HNC), said the talks had not brought a political deal or eased the plight of Syrians in besieged areas.

The HNC suspended its involvement in the UN-brokered "proximity" negotiations with a Syrian government delegation in Geneva in April.

No date has been set for a resumption.

"The three rounds of talks were unsuccessful because of the stubbornness of the regime and its continued bombardments and aggressions against the Syrian people," Mr Alloush said.

A truce between rebel and government forces is frequently violated.

Photo Source: AFP

The Saudi-backed HNC has for months expressed its frustration about the progress of the Geneva talks.

It has been angered by the lack of humanitarian aid reaching besieged areas, the slow release of political detainees and the absence of movement towards a political transition in Syria without President Bashar al-Assad.

A nationwide truce between rebel and government forces brokered by the US and Russia is officially still in place, but is frequently violated.

Mr Alloush's resignation could prompt further departures.

Reports say another member of the HNC has signalled he too may quit.

More than 250,000 Syrians have been killed and about 11 million people have been forced from their homes during the civil war, which began with an uprising against Mr Assad five years ago.

Latest #Hallan2016 News: Admin official ordered us to manipulate votes—alleged witnesses

Alleged witnesses faced Senate on Monday. CT Inquirer

Manila Philippines - Three alleged poll fraud witnesses, who claimed they were used to manipulate the votes in the last May 9 national elections, showed up at the Senate on Monday.

Their faces were covered when they faced the media to expose their roles in the alleged fraud.

One of the witnesses, who described himself as a logistic supervisor, said a high-ranking government official, who he said belongs to the administration’s Liberal Party, had ordered them to manipulate the results of the votes.

The witnesses were accompanied by Pastor Saycon, secretary-general of the Council on Philippine Affairs (Copa), during an ongoing press conference at the Senate. RAM

British, Filipino businessmen eye more food ventures

Source: ANC's YouTube Channel

MANILA Philippines  - More British and Philippine companies are getting into brand partnerships and are looking outside the capital for growth, Chris Nelson, Philippine chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce said on Monday.

Outside of engineering, software and pharmaceuticals, there's a growing push for businesses in both countries to partner in the food and beverage industry, Nelson said.

Nelson credits a combination of diplomacy, a growing trade industry and improved Philippine-British ties for this thriving partnership.

Pacquiao eyes perfect Senate attendance

Eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao is all set for his greatest fight yet — at the Philippine Senate.

Aside from vowing "perfect attendance", the boxing champion said he is interested in heading the committee

on sports. CT: Ina Andolong |CNN

Boxing champ Manny Pacquiao on Saturday vowed good attendance in the Senate.

He said this is one of the reasons he declined to participate in the Rio Olympic Games.

"Kung makaya nating i-perfect, bakit hindi?" Pacquiao said.

[Translation: If we can achieve a perfect attendance, why not?]

"Kaya nga hindi natin tinanggap 'yung Olympics dahil, sabi ko, mag-start pa lang. Excited ako dun sa trabaho ko tapos mawawala na naman ako. Sabi ko, nakakahiya sa taong bayan na naglagay sa akin sa posisyon tapos unang buwan ng serbisyo ko, wala ako."

[Translation: That’s why I did not accept the offer to play in the Olympics because I’m just starting on the job. I'm excited to work, but then participating in the Olympics means I'd be gone again for some time. I told myself, it would be embarrassing to those who elected me to the position to see me absent during my first month in office.]

Pacquiao, who's been criticized for his absences as Sarangani representative, arrived in Davao City Friday night to meet with incoming president Rodrigo Duterte.

He said he's here to express his support for the next president.

Pacquiao joins Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano and Bong Go, executive secretary of Rodrigo Duterte, in a

friendly basketball match Saturday morning

The boxing champ ran under Jejomar Binay's UNA, but he said he's always been a Duterte supporter and even encouraged the mayor to run for president.

But when Duterte failed to file his certificate of candidacy in October 2015, Pacquiao opted to join the UNA senatorial slate. Duterte was a last-minute substitute candidate of PDP-Laban.

Pacquiao said he's even open to joining PDP-Laban if necessary.

“Kung 'yan ang kwan para maipakita ang suporta kay Digong, why not? Pero kumbaga ang sinasabi ko, bakit isipin natin 'yung partido partido? Ang importante isipin natin 'yung para sa pagbabago,” said Pacquiao.

[Translation: If that's how I can show support for Digong, why not? But why should we think of parties? What's important is that we think of change.]

The 'people's champ' at the Senate

On his priorities as senator, Pacquiao said he is pushing for bills that will benefit the poor, including a measure that will give free education from elementary to college.

He is interested in heading the committee on sports.

To prepare for his new job, Pacquiao said he plans to study.

He enrolled in a short course on legislation and governance at the Development Academy of the Philippines.

Though he said he's enjoying his "retirement" from boxing, he said he still can't say if another fight is still possible.

"Hindi natin masabi pero, sa ngayon, ang nasa isip ko, sa focus ko ay pagtatrabaho," said Pacquiao.

[Translation: We can't say for sure, but for now, I am focused on my work.]

Duterte to jumpstart peace talks with CPP-NPA soon

(File photos). (L) Jose Maria Sison, founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP);

(R) incoming President Rodrigo Duterte

Davao City — Even before he formally assumes the presidency, incoming president Rodrigo Duterte wants to jumpstart peace talks with the communist movement soonest. He has ordered Jesus Dureza and Silvestre Bello to fly to Norway and talk to Jose Maria Sison, founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), who has been on self-exile in The Netherlands for decades now.

“I have commissioned them to go to Oslo, to the Scandanavian countries to hold the preliminary talks there. For the broader framework to talk about, and to accompany maybe, Jose Maria Sison in coming home” Duterte said.

There is no schedule yet on when that Oslo meeting will happen. Norway has been the host of the peace talks between the Philippine government and the CPP.

Dureza is the incoming presidential peace adviser, while Bello will lead the government peace panel. Bello will also hold the concurrent position as labor secretary.

Sison will be granted safe conduct pass once he returns to Manila.

“If it’s convenient for him to come tomorrow, fine. Let me know, because I have to prepare the authority for him to come in, his billeting,” said Duterte.

Aside from Sison, Duterte also wants safe conduct passes for ranking New People’s Army leaders, Benito and Wilma Tiamzon, so they can also participate in the negotiations.

The Tiamzon couple is currently detained inside Camp Crame, facing kidnapping charges.
Duterte described his strategies in dealing with rebel groups as inclusive, thus the need for their leaders to join government.

“It cannot be a coalition government. I’d be frank with you. I would be placing the entire government in jeopardy, because of the strong resistance from the military and the police, and it’s natural,” Duterte said.

He is also open to proposals of integrating former rebels into the armed forces or the police.

Duterte noncommittal on Aquino’s peace talks with MILF

Aside from the CPP-NPA, there are also pending peace deals with the Moro rebel groups.

The incoming government appears noncommittal on the 2014 peace agreement the Aquino administration signed with the MILF.

 “We will work out our own roadmap, and we'll still conduct consultations eh,” incoming presidential peace adviser Jesus Dureza said.

Duterte's ultimate solution to the Mindanao conflict is a shift to federalism.

He admits, these efforts are contentious and will take time.
CT:CNN Philippines

PNoy insists no hero’s burial for Marcos

CT: RH Radio report

President Benigno Aquino III was dismayed to the decision of president-elect Rodrigo Duterte to allow the former president Ferdinand Marcos to be laid to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Aquino directly said that it is unworthy to give a former strongman a hero’s burial.

According to the outgoing president, it is a big insult to the people, especially the human rights victims if Marcos will be given a hero’s burial.

'Yun,- 'yon!, Opinyon!: Separation of Church and State ba i-kamo?

Ni: Aram Oaya Odumreb

Makailang beses na rin po nating natalakay dito ang paksang ito, ngunit heto ulit po tayo at muling tatalakay sa napaka-init na isyung ito hinggil sa isinisigaw ng ilan kasama na rin ng ipo-proklamang bagong Pangulo ng Republika ng Pilipinas - ang kasalukuyang alkalde ng Davao City na si Rodrigo Duterte.

Noon pong isang linggo, nai-post sa ating Blog-Balita page ang isa sa mga panayam sa kontrobersyal na Mayor kung saan nasabi nito na mula sa araw na iyon hanggang sa a-bente nuebe ng Hunyo, ngayong taon, bago pa sya tuluyang magsimula sa panunungkulan bilang Pangulo ng Bansa, ay talaga naman daw sisiguraduhin niyang malalantad ang mga umano'y baho ng Simbahang Katolika. Natitiyak niya raw na dahilan sa mga eksposey na kanyang isisiwalat ay umano'y babagsak ang Simbahang Katolika. Matagal nya na raw gustong gawin ito, kaya bago pa raw sya umupo sa pwesto ay gagawin niya para imulat umano ang mata ng karamihan sa atin.

Kasabay nito ang pag-kwestyon din ng Mayor sa sagradong sakramento ng kumpisal. Sino nga raw ba ang mga Pari para pilitin siyang ikumpisal sa mga ito ang kanyang (mga) kasalanan kung pu-pwede nya naman daw na direktang ikumpisal sa Ama sa Langit ang kanyang nagawang kasalan?

Separation of Church and State

Kahapon, ipinagdiwang ng Simbahang Katolika sa buong mundo ang kapyestahan ng katawan at dugo ng Panginoong Hesu-Kristo o ang tinatawag na " Feast of Corpus Christi. " Sa maringal na misa na pinasinayahan ng butihing Koraparoko ng Simbahan ng San Roque na si Fr. Pascual,  tinalakay nito ang bisa ng kumpisal at ng komunyon. Kung kailan ito dapat gawin at kung bakit natin ito ginagawa. Pahapyaw nya ring tinalakay ang papel ng Simbahan sa lipunan kaugnay sa hirit ng ilan na hindi dapat nangingialam ang Simbahan sa gobyerno.

Ayon sa Kora, malinaw ang batas hinggil sa Separation of Church and State. Ngunit ang nagmimistulang malabo ay ang application nito para sa iilan. Ang sinasabing Separation of Church and State sa ating saligang batas, ay malinaw na nagsasabi na bawal na manungkulan at tahasang makialam ang mga Pari o sinomang lihitimong alagad ng simbahan na hawakan ang Pamahalaan o syang magpatakbo ng gobyerno.

Halimbawa na lamang dito ang kaso ng dating Gobernador ng Pampanga na si Rev. Fr. Eddie T. Panlilio, kinailangan niyang pansamantalang iwan ang kanyang bokasyon, ang kanyang tungkulin bilang Pari at siya'y pansamantalang sinuspendi sa mga gawaing pang-simbahan, mula nang ihayag niya ang kanyang intensyon na manilbihan bilang Gobernador ng Pampanga. Isang magandang halimbawa na hindi pinapayagan ng Simbahan na manilbihan ang sinomang alagad nito at hayaang humawak ng dalawang posisyon - at sa magkaibang panunungkulan. Ito'y sapagkat nauunawaan ng Simbahan na maaaring magkaroon ng komplikadong interes ang taong hahawak ng dalawang posisyon. Ito'y maaari ring maipaliwanag sa mas mabilis na pamamaraan gamit ang kataga sa Bibliya na "Hindi ka maaaring maglingkod sa dalawang diyos".

"Walang aliping maaaring maglingkod ng sabay sa dalawang panginoon sapagkat kamumuhian niya ang isa at iibigin ang ikalawa, paglilingkuran nang tapat ang isa at hahamakin ang ikalawa. Hindi kayo maaaring maglingkod ng sabay sa Diyos at sa kayamanan." - Lucas 16:13

Ngunit bakit nga ba nakiki-alam at nagsasalita ang Simbahan at nagbigay pa ng giya para sa matalinong pagboto, na siya namang ikinasama ng loob ng alkalde ng Davao City na si Digong Duterte? Ayon sa Simbahan, ang kanilang inilabas na palatuntunan o guide  para sa matalinong pagboto ay hindi lamang umano para sa alkalde - ito'y para sa lahat ng tumatakbo sa lokal man o nasyonal na posisyon.

Nagsasalita man at kung pangingi-alam man ang tawag ng ilan sa ginagawa ng Simbahang Katolika, ginagawa naman nito ang mga ito para rin lang naman sa ating mga tao - na siyang pinoprotektahan at obligasyon nito. Alalahanin po natin na sa lipunan mayroon tayong apat na mahahalagang bahagi na siyang bumobuo rito - Ang Pamilya,  Eskwelahan, Simbahan at Gobyerno. Sa mga ito ang Simbahan ang siyang bukod tanging tagapangalaga ng moral na aspeto ng bawat tao, kaya sila nagsasalita para mapangalagaan ang sagradong karapatan ng bawat isa saatin.

Solicitations - Pamamalimos ng Simbahan

Hinggil naman sa  isyu umano ng mga solicitations, matagal na po nating alam na wala namang mga hanap-buhay ang ating mga ka-Parian. Kaya madalas na namimigay ang mga ito ng mga solicitation letters  sa mga negosyante o maging sa mga politiko man. Ngunit gaya ng namamalimos sa lansangan, opsyon din po ng mga negosyante at mga politikong ito, kung sila ay magbibigay o hindi. At kapag ka nagbigay sila hindi ho ba't dapat naman sanang 'wag ng ipangalandakan ito ng kung sinomang herodes na nagbigay tulong? At kapag ka ba tayo ang nagbibigay kinakailangan ba na ang tao, asosasyon o organisasyong ating binigyan ang siyang kinakailangang magpaliwanag kung saan nanggaling ang perang ating ibinigay sa kanila? Hindi naman ho, hindi ba?

Samakat'wid, tungkulin ng nagbibigay na siguraduhing maluwag sa kaniyang loob at galing sa kaibuturan ng kaniyang puso ang pagpapasya na siya ay mag-alay ng kanyang ambag. Kasama rin dito ang tiyakin na sa malinis na kamay galling ang pera o donasyong kanyang ibinibigay, sapagkat hindi mo naman maaaring pagpaliwanagin sa madla ang taong naambunan lamang ng iyong biyaya.

Pasensya na po sa mga maka-Duterte diyan, hindi ko po sinisiraan ang inyong iniidolo. Gaya ng paliwanag ng Simbahan, ito ay hindi lamang patungkol sa alkalde, bagkus para narin marahil sa ilan sa ating mga politiko na tinamaan na yata ng magaling at mukhang umakyat na lahat ng dugo sa utak nila at kung anu-ano na ang sinasabi, makakuha lamang ng atensyon nang masa.


Ang Kompisal at ang Komunyon

Ang komunyon po ay ang pinaka-sagradong parte sa loob ng selebrasyon nang Santa Misa. Dito tinatanggap natin ang katawan at dugo ng ating Panginoong Hesu-Kristo. At dahil siya'y bukod tangi sa kalinisan, marapat din siguro na tayong mga tatanggap sa kanya, ay masiguro nating tayo ay karapat-dapat na siya ay papasukin sa malinis rin nating katawan. At ito'y masisigurado natin sa pamamagitan at sa bisa ng kumpisal. Opo, tayo po ay nangungumpisal, para nang sa gayon, maging karapat-dapat tayong tumanggap sa kalinis-linisang katawan at dugo ni Kristo.

Kailan nga ba natin kailangang mangum-pisal bago tayo tumanggap ng sakramento ng komunyon? Nagbigay ng tatlong mahahalagang batayan ang Koraparoko para sa mas mabilis at epektibo nating pagsusuri saating mga nagawang kasalanan. Ito ang mga sumusunod:

• Full Consent - Tanungin ang iyong sarili kung ang kasalan bang nagawa mo ay buong puso  mong pinahintulutang mangyari.

            Hal. Nangalunya ka ba? Nakipagsiping ka ba sa taong hindi mo naman asawa?

• Full Knowledge - Suriin ang sarili sa kasalanang nagawa. Timbangin kong ito ba ay bago sayo o baka naman mula pa sa umpisa ay alam mo ng mali ang gawin ang bagay na iyon. Kasama rin dito ang mga bagay na nagagawa natin na kung saan tayo ay walang kontrol o wala sa lugar para pigilang mangyari ang hindi dapat mangyari.

          Hal. Wet dreams - kasalanang ipinapalagay ng ilan, sapagkat sinasabi ng ilan na kung ano ang

laman ng isip mo bago ka matulog ang siyang mapapanaginipan mo. Ngunit ang tanong  dito ay, kontrolado mo ba ang isip mo sa tuwing ika'y natutulog? Ngayong alam mo na, na  may epekto sa'yo ang pagi-isip sa mga mahahalay na eksena bago ka matulog, kailangan mong iwasang mag-isip ng mga ganitong bagay bago ka matulog para maiwasan mo ang

pagkakaroon ng tinatawag na wet dreams.

               Isa pang halimbawa, Rape. Marahil kunot noong sasabihin ng ilan ay 'depende'. Kung ika'y  babae o lalake man na napagsamantalaan at malinis ang loob mo na wala kang ibang motibong naibigay para gawin sayo ang kahalayan o krimeng ito, nangangahulugan iyon na ikaw nga ay tunay na biktima at walang kinalaman o full knowledge sa kasalanang ito.

• Grave Sin - Tanungin mo ang sarili mo, Grave o Mortal sin ba ang nagawa mong kasalanan?

          Hal. Alam natin na mortal na kasalan ang pagpatay ng tao. Manggahasa ng kapwa, pero ginawa mo parin dahil sa personal na kadahilanan. Ano man ang dahilan mo, ito'y mananatiling mortal na kasalanan na siyang itnatatwa ng Maykapal.

Ang tatlong mga mahahalagang batayan sa itaas ang siyang magagamit ng bawat isa satin para suriin natin ang ating mga sarili kung nararapat na ba tayong mangumpisal  bago tayo tumanggap ng komunyon. Kung ang sagot mo  sa mga tanong sa itaas ay lahat Oo, Kapatid kinakailangan mo ngang mangumpisal! Pero, kung dalawa lamang sa mga ito ay Oo, at ang isa nama'y hindi, maaari ka pang tumanggap ng komunyon, mataimtim lamang na magdasal na harinawa'y mapatawad tayo sa mga kasalanang ating dinadala at tuluyang talikuran ito.

Napaka-halaga po ng Kumpisal, sapagkat ang Panginoon na mismo ang nagsabi "Sinomang pinatawad ninyo sa lupa, ay siya Ko ring patatawarin sa Langit".


Walk of Shame: Flores de Pusher

Nakakalungkot po ang sumambulat na balita sa radyo't telebisyon noong isang lingo. At dahil sa hindi po kami sang-ayon sa ginawa ng lokal na Pamahalaan ng Batangas sa sapilitang pagparada ng mga bilanggo na may mga arkong naglalarawan nang mga kasalanang kanilang nagawa ay minarapat po naming huwag nang ilathala ang nakaka-pangilabot na balitang ito.

Ayon sa kaliwa't-kanang mga ulat, sapilitang pinag-martsa ng kasalukuyang  alkalde ng Tanauan City na si Mayor Antonio Halili ang mga nahuling pinaghihinalaang drug pusher/user. Tama po ang inyong nabasa, sila ay pinaghihinalaan pa lamang. Hindi pa po sila nahuhusgahan ng hukuman at marahil ay hindi pa man lang nadidinig ang kanilang mga kaso. Hindi pa man nahahatulan ay naapakan na ang kanilang mga karapatan sa hindi pagbibigay sa kanila ng maayos na paglilitis. At iyon po ay nalabag ng sapilitan silang pag-martsyahin sa lungsod na ito. Nasaan po ang CHR, sa mga pagkakataong iyon?

Mga kababayan, hindi po sa hindi natin naa-appreciate  ang ginagawang effort ng ating mga opisyal. ang sa'tin lamang po ay mapangalagaan ang mga karapatan ng ating mga kababayan, ng mga maliliit na madalas ay siya silang naaabuso at napapagsamantalahan para lamang sa kasikatan o bentahe ng iilan.

Oo nga po't sila'y sinasabing may nagawang kasalan. Sino ba ang wala sa atin? Naaalala niyo ba ang sinabi ng Poong Hesus, sa mga taong kumokutya at sana'y babato hanggang sa ang babaeng iyon ay mamatay sa kasalan nang pakiki-apid? Batas po sa kanilang lugar ang batuhin hanggang sa mamatay ang sinomang (higit lalo ay babae) mahuhuling gumagawa ng kapares na kasalanan. Ngunit ano ang ginawa at sinabi ng Panginoong Hesus?

" Maunang pumukol ang sinomang walang kasalanan!"

Kung gayon, sino tayo para mangunang humusga sa mga taong kagaya nila na maging ang hukuman na siyang may hurisdiksyon sa bagay na ito ay wala pang sinasabi? Nararapat din kayang ang mga pulitikong napagbibintangan sa kasalanan sa Bayan ay pagmartsahin din at gawan ng kanilang sariling arko na kagaya nito?

Sakali kayang mapagbintangan din ang kasalukuyang alkaldeng ito ng koropsyon, papayag din kaya siyang pagmartsahin dala ang sarili niyang arko na may nakalagay na Flores de Corruption,  at sa kanya'y isasabit rin ang mga katagang "ako'y corrupt, 'wag ninyong tularan!" 'Payag ka kaya Mayor, Sir?

Sinasabi po sa report nang isa sa nangungunang pahayagan sa bansa na ito raw mga hakbang na ito ay una pa lamang sa matatapang na hakbang na maaaring gawin ng ating mga lokal na lider alinsunod sa matapang na aksyon at kampanya umano ng uupong bagong Pangulo. Sa isang banda maganda po na tila baga nagkaroon ng enerhiya at ngipin ang ating mga pinuno para labanan ang matagal ng kanser ng ating lipunan.

Ngunit, gising mga kababayan! Tila baga nalimutan na ninyo ang mga katagang Hindi naaayos ng mali ang paggawa ng isa pang bagay na mali rin! Nakakaawa po iyong isa sa batang anak ng isa sa mga pinaghihinalaang pusher  na nakasama sa mga ipinaradang bilanggo doon sa Batangas. Ang bata ay natukso ng mga kalaro nito at marahil ay patuloy na matutukso lalo't papalapit na ang muling pagbubukas ng klase ngayong Hunyo.

Tandaan po natin na ang itinatakwil natin dito at ang malinaw nating kalaban rito ay ang mga gawang hindi mabuti - ang mga kasalang nagagawa ng tao  - hindi po ang ang mga taong gumagawa ng kasalanan. Sapagkat, ang taong makasalanan ay may kakayahan at pagkakataon pang magbago, hindi po natin kinakailangang gawin ang mga mararahas na hakbang na ito para sa agarang pagbabago. Dahil ang tunay na pagbabago at epektibong solusyon ay yaong mga planong pinag-aralan ng todo, na walang taong maa-agrabyado higit sa lahat ay maa-abuso. Sapagkat ang taong hindi napahiya, ay mas may pag-asang magbago kumpara doon sa ipinahiya mo na para bagang pinatay mo na sa mapang-usig na isip at dila ng mga tao.

Ito po ang gawain ng Simbahan, ang magsalita at ilahad ang tama para sa kabutihan ng lahat, hindi lamang ng ilan kundi para sa pangkalahatan. Kaya bago po tayo sumigaw ng Separation of Church and State, isipin natin kung para kanino at saan nga ba ang ginagawa ng Simbahan, nang sa gayon ay hindi naliligaw ang isip ng ating mga kabataan. Huwag po nating iisiping kalaban ang Simbahan, sapagkat sa lahat, dito po tayo pu-pwedeng tumakbo anumang oras at anomang bigat ng ating mga dinadala.

At kung gugustuhin po talaga natin ang pabagsakin ang Simbahan, aba brod, mag-isip at makinig ka, may ibang boses na bumubulong saiyo para ika'y magamit at sa kumunoy ng kasalanan ay malugmok ka. Isipin po natin na walang magandang lipunan, kung walang Simbahang pupuna at gagabay rito.

Maliwanagan sana ang ating mga bagong halal na lider at sila sana'y gabayan ng Poong lumikha at sa kanilang pwesto'y 'wag sanang umabuso, at kanila sanang maisip na sa mga tao'y may pananagutan sila. At ang kanilang tungkuli'y maging tagapamayapa, hindi ang gawin ang kasalungat na mga gawa!
Gamiaw, Pilipinas!

Our Daily Bread: The Tragic Flaw

David McCasland

Read: 2 Chronicles 26:3-15

His fame spread far and wide, for he was marvelously helped till he became strong. —2 Chronicles 26:15

In literature, a tragic flaw is a character trait that causes the downfall of a story’s hero. That was true of Uzziah, who was crowned king of Judah at age 16. For many years, he sought the Lord; and while he did, God gave him great success (2 Chron. 26:4-5). But things changed when “his fame spread far and wide, for he was marvelously helped till he became strong. But when he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction” (vv.15-16).

Uzziah entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar (v.16), openly defying God’s decree. Perhaps pride convinced him that God’s rules applied to everyone except him. When Uzziah raged against the priests who told him this was not right, the Lord struck him with leprosy (vv.18-20).
In literature and in life, how often we see a person of good reputation fall from honor into disgrace and suffering. “King Uzziah was a leper until the day of his death. He dwelt in an isolated house, . . . cut off from the house of the Lord” (v.21).

The only way we can prevent the nectar of praise from becoming the poison of pride is by following the Lord with a humble heart.

Humility’s a slippery prize
That seldom can be won;
We’re only humble in God’s eyes
When serving like His Son. —Gustafson

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The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives. —Proverbs 27:21 NIV

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Our Daily Bread: Peace, Be Still

Joe Stowell

Read: Mark 4:35-41

He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” —Mark 4:39

My friend Elouise has a wonderful way of putting life into clever perspectives. Once when I asked her, “How are you today?” I expected the usual “fine” response. Instead, she said, “I’ve got to wake Him up!” When I asked what she meant, she kiddingly exclaimed, “Don’t you know your Bible?!” Then she explained: “When the disciples faced trouble, they ran to wake up Jesus. I’m going to run to Him too!”

What do we do when we are stuck in a troubling situation with nowhere to run? Maybe, like the disciples who were stuck in a life-threatening storm, we run to Jesus (Mark 4:35-41). Sometimes, however, we may try to bail ourselves out of trouble by seeking revenge, slandering the one who has caused our problem, or just cowering fearfully in the corner as we sink into despair.

We need to learn from the disciples who fled to Jesus as their only hope. He may not bail us out immediately, but remembering that He is in our boat makes a difference! Thankfully, He is always with us in the storms of life, saying things like “Peace, be still!” (v.39). So, look for Him in your storm and let Him fill you with the peace that comes from knowing He is near.

Lord, teach us to run to You in the midst of trouble.
Forgive us for trying to bail ourselves out, and lead
us to the peace of trusting Your wisdom and ultimate
deliverance. Thank You that You will help us!

______________________________________________________________________________

_________

Make Jesus your first option when the storms of life threaten you.

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Duterte and Robredo's proclamation scheduled for tomorrow, Monday the 30th of May

File Photo: Rodrigo Duterte (left) incominf PH President and Lenie Robredo (Right), incoming VP
CT: CNN PH

Metro Manila – Congress will proclaim Rodrigo Duterte as president and Leni Robredo vice president on Monday (May 30).

“The projected proclamation would be afternoon of Monday,” Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III, co-chair of the joint canvassing committee composed of senators and congressmen, said in a statement Saturday.
The congressional canvassing committee ended its vote count on Friday, with Duterte winning by a landslide 16,601,997 votes. This is more than 6.6 million votes from those obtained by his closest rival, administration bet Mar Roxas.

But the administration gained the upper hand in Robredo who won the tight race. She obtained 14,418,817 votes – a gap of only 263,473 from the votes for Bongbong Marcos.

Congress took three days to tally the certificates of canvass – the fastest in Philippine election history.
“It's good we ended on a Friday so our staff could have the weekend to finish the joint committee report,” Pimentel said.
The joint body directed the secretariat to finish the committee report in time for the scheduled proclamation.
Duterte had told reporters in Davao he will not attend his proclamation, but his lawyer, incoming Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre said the mayor “might” yet be present in the proceedings.
Aguirre recalled Duterte’s earlier pronouncement that people should not believe him when he says something “improbable.”it.

Marcos 'seriously considering' filing electoral protest

FILE PHOTO of Sen. Bongbong Marcos | CT: Joyce Ilas CNN PH

Metro Manila  — An allegedly high number of undervotes, faulty voting machines, and possible cheating in Mindanao.

These are some of the possible grounds for complaints that the camp of Sen. Bongbong Marcos is mulling to file after Congress wrapped up its tally of presidential and vice presidential votes early Friday evening.

Marcos' lawyer George Garcia said the senator was seriously considering filing an electoral protest based on pieces of evidence they're gathering which would show 3 million "undervotes" — or those who did not vote for a vice president.

"We are now in the process of collecting affidavits," Garcia said. "For the information of the public, almost 30 CCS (canvassing and consolidation system) pina-pull out ng Comelec. Kinumpuni, pinalitan o ginawa sa Sta. Rosa plant (CCS were altered, replaced or all done at Sta. Rosa plant)."
However, filing an electoral case is costly.

Garcia said Marcos might have to spend between P30 million and P50 million — which he said was something to think about.

'Seesaw' VP race

After three consecutive days, the National Board of Canvassers completed the tally of 167 certificates of canvass (COCs) for the presidential and vice presidential elections — with Rodrigo Duterte and Leni Robredo emerging as winners.

The vice presidential race was a close fight — with Marcos and Robredo alternately leading the race.
But when the tally ended, Robredo was ahead of Marcos by 263,473 votes.

Sen. Koko Pimentel, who headed the Senate panel of the joint congressional committee, said things went on smoothly.

"But we could not have done it ourselves," Pimentel noted. "The lawyers were all cooperative. So I have to give credit to the candidates for having chosen very responsible lawyers to represent them."
Meanwhile, with the work done, lawmakers directed the secretaries-general of the Senate and House to make a report on the outcome of the canvassing.

On Monday, the joint session of Congress will reconvene at 2 p.m. for the proclamation of the president and vice president.

Teachers have yet to receive their allowance from COMELEC

FILE PHOTO: Teachers on Board of Election Inspector's (BEI's) training in

preparation of 2016 National Elections. CT Rita Salonga of RH Radio

Almost a month has passed after the May 9 elections and yet more than 66,000 teachers who served as Board of Elections Inspectors have yet to receive their allowance from the Commission on Elections.

According to COMELEC Chairman Andres Bautista, out of the 476,000 BEI, 86 percent of them have been paid their Php4,500 honorarium already.

Bautista said that one of the reasons of the delay of payment is that the money from the field officials was not given to the poll workers or if ever it was, then it was not deposited in the bank.

Also, there is a possibility that the transaction on the automated teller machines of the Land Bank of the Philippines was unsuccessful.

The law states that the government should pay those served as poll workers within 15 days after they rendered their service.

What or whoever is the cause of delay in paying the said honorarium may be charged with an election offense.

Group of Seven sends strong message to China

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, center, stands with other leaders of Group of Seven industrial nations, from left, European Council President Donald Tusk, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, U.S. President Barack Obama, Abe, French President Francois Hollande, British Prime Minister David Cameron, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker as they pose for the family photo during the first day of the G-7 summit meetings in Shima, Japan, Thursday, May 26, 2016. (Japan Pool via AP) CT also to Inquirer

ISE CITY, Japan—With a keen eye on the Philippines’ legal battle with China over territory in the South China Sea, the leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) advanced democracies have agreed to send a strong message on the importance of international law in resolving maritime disputes in Asia.
Though no individual countries were mentioned, the contents of their declaration at the close of an annual summit appeared to be directed at China.

China’s claim to nearly the entire South China Sea and militarization of the region has angered some of its Southeast Asian neighbors and sparked fears over threats to freedom of navigation in the strategic waterway.

“We are concerned about the situation in the East and South China Seas, and emphasize the fundamental importance of peaceful management and settlement of disputes,” the G7 leaders said.
The leaders—representing the United States, Japan, Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Canada—said settlement of disputes should be “peaceful” and “freedom of navigation and overflight” should be respected.

They said claims in the East and South China Seas should be made based on international law and countries should refrain from “unilateral actions that could increase tensions” while also avoiding “force or coercion in trying to drive their claims.”

They also stressed that judicial means, “including arbitration,” should be used.

That call came ahead of a ruling expected within weeks on China’s claims brought by the Philippines to the United Nations Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. China has said it does not recognize the case.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stressed the importance of the rule of law and mentioned the Philippine case as a focal point.

“As for the Philippines, soon the decision in its arbitration case will be announced. From the standpoint of the rule of law, it’s important that respective countries clearly demonstrate their stance [on this],” Abe said.

Before Friday’s declaration, the G7 leaders said they should pay close attention to the Philippine case, with some of them stating that they should “raise their voice on this,” if necessary.

On the first day of the two-day G7 Ise-Shima Summit, the seven heads of state arrived at a decision to send a bold signal emphasizing international law in disputes in the East and South China Seas, a Japanese spokesperson said.

“On the expected judgment by the [UN] court of the issue of the oceans, G7 should pay keen attention on this, and, if necessary, will raise their voice on this,” said Yasuhisa Kawamura, press secretary of Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Clear signal
At a briefing late Thursday, Kawamura relayed to the press the outcome of the closed session among the G7 leaders who had gathered for their annual meeting at the Shima Kanko Hotel nestled in the picturesque Ise-Shima region.

“They agreed on the importance of observance of international law, rule and principle. This point should be sent out as a clear signal to the rest of the world. That is G7’s expected role,” Kawamura said.

He said the G7 leaders also recognized concerns about the people’s freedom of navigation and overflight, which, he added, were personally important to the heads of state.

Asked to elaborate on what conditions would necessitate raising the G7 bloc’s voice, Kawamura clarified that these words were only a “comment” by the participants, and were not a wrap-up conclusion.

Though not a member of G7, China, the world’s second-largest economy, cast a shadow over the talks with its increasingly aggressive posture in the East and South China Seas.

China is locked in dispute with G7 host Japan over ownership of a group of uninhabited islands in the East China Sea known to the Japanese as the Senkakus and to the Chinese as Diaoyus.

To bolster its claim to the islands, China has declared an air defense identification zone in the East China Sea, which Japan, the United States and their allies have refused to recognize.

South China Sea row
China also claims almost all of the 3.5-million-square-kilometer South China Sea, including waters within the exclusive economic zones (EEZ) of its smaller neighbors in the region.

Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan have overlapping claims in the South China Sea, crisscrossed by sea-lanes where $5 trillion in global trade passes every year and home to islets, reefs and atolls believed to be sitting atop vast energy reserves.

Asserting its sweeping claims, China has built artificial islands on seven reefs in the Spratly archipelago and provided at least three of them with ports, radars and airstrips that could receive military planes.

Without military muscle to defend its territory, the Philippines has challenged China’s claims, bringing a law-of-the-sea case in the UN arbitral court in 2013 after China grabbed Panatag Shoal (international name: Scarborough Shoal) in 2012.

Rich in resources and a traditional fishing ground for Filipinos, Panatag is located just off the main Philippine island of Luzon, well within the country’s EEZ, and more than 1,000 km from the nearest Chinese landmass, Hainan.

China has refused to take part in the UN court proceedings, accusing the Philippines of “political provocation” in seeking international arbitration.

Japan and the United States, whose leader, President Barack Obama, is present at the G7 meeting, have long expressed support for the Philippine decision to pursue a case against China, but both are careful not to comment on its legal merits.

Principled approach
Pressed to answer yes or no to a question on whether G7 would take a leadership role in the maritime disputes involving China, Kawamura said the issue was not so black and white.

“Diplomacy is sometimes not a yes or no type of interactions,” he said. “Let me put it this way: They (G7 leaders) recognized the concerns, and they recognized the necessity to address it, and they agreed to a principled approach to the issues on the oceans.”

Kawamura cited another comment by the world leaders that G7 might need to cooperate with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and possibly bring up the issue at the upcoming East Asia Summit in September. With a report from AFP

Our Daily Bread: Displaying God's Glory

DISPLAYING GOD'S GLORY

Dave Branon

Read: Romans 8:1-10

Those who live according to the Spirit, [live according to] the things of the Spirit. —Romans 8:5

I love baseball and have been a fan of the sport since I was a little kid. I especially enjoy following the Detroit Tigers. But during a recent season, the Tigers’ poor play and losing record early in the season frustrated me greatly. So for my own personal well-being, I took a break. I spent 4 days avoiding anything to do with my favorite team.

During those 4 Tiger-less days, I began to contemplate how difficult it is to give up things we’ve grown accustomed to. Yet there are times when God may want us to.

For instance, we may be involved in an activity that has become all-encompassing—and we know it would be best to limit it (see 1 Cor. 6:12). Or we may have a habit or practice that we know misses the mark of pleasing God, and we realize that we need to let it go because we love Him and want Him to be glorified through us (15:34).

When we do find things that interfere with our relationship with the Lord, with His help we can stop. God has given us the provision (1 Cor. 10:13), and the Spirit provides the power (Rom. 8:5).
Let’s ask Him to help us not let anything block His glory from shining through.

You are perfect, Lord, and we are so far from

perfect. Please chip away at our imperfections
through the work of Your Holy Spirit. Help us
each day to grow more and more like You.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Drawing close to Christ produces a growing Christlikeness.

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Malacanang warns Duterte of alleged overhauling of govt agencies

File Photo of Presidential Communications Group Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr.

Malacanang was adamant with the alleged impending move of incoming President Rodrigo Duterte to overhaul government agencies as soon as he assumes office on June 30.

According to Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., Duterte should know first the rights of the employees who will be affected with the said “rigodon.”

Coloma added that there are some officials whose careers will be jeopardize with the said move.
The PCOO Secretary said that one option that an incoming administration can do is to do a revamp of the positions in the government.

Prior to this, President-elect Duterte announced that there will be a massive reshuffling on government agencies, including the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Land Transportation Office, Bureau of Corrections, among others.

Gamiaw Bulletin - Mata ng Halalan: OFFICIAL #Halalan Result: Duterte won the Presidency while Robredo wins VP post

Meet the Philippines 16th President Rodrigo Duterte and New VP Leni Robredo

As Congress finished its canvassing of votes for the Presidential and Vice Presidential races, the result for the Presidential post further solidifies the win of presumptive President Rodrigo Duterte.
After tallying 167 certificates of canvass, Duterte wins the presidential race by a landslide with 16,601,997 votes.

Liberal party standard bearer Mar Roxas followed as a distant second with 9,978,175 votes; Senator Grace Poe with 9,100,991; Vice President Jejomar Binay with 5,416,140 and Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago with 1,455,532 votes. The late Roy Seneres, whose name remained in the official ballot, got 25,779 votes.

Durterte will be the country’s 16^th president.

Meanwhile, Congresswoman Leni Robredo, on the night of her late husband, Jesse Robredo’s birthday emerged as the winner in the controversial Vice Presidential race.

Robredo got 14,418,817 votes, against the 14,155,344 votes of Senator Bongbong Marcos Jr.
The Vice presidential race has been peppered with much controversy as the Marcos camp claims that they were cheated and have asked that they will be given a chance to conduct a system audit.
According to Marcos’ legal team, they will seek the COMELEC’s permission for their own IT experts to conduct a system audit to figure out the extent of changes that the SMARTMATIC did when they change the hash code of the data packet in the COMELEC’s transparency server during election day.

Source: Pilipinas Halalan Result form COMELEC's server

Meanwhile, Robredo is currently in Naga City to witness the launching of a bust in honor in honor of her late husband Jesse.  Jesse was Naga City’s former mayor before assuming the post of Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government, under the Aquino administration.
Incidentally, a massive party is set to happen on June 4, dubbed as “One Love, One Nation” at the Crocodile Park in Davao City, as supporters gather to celebrate the victory of Duterte.

On the other hand, below are the proclaimed winning Senatorial Candidates: