Tagle issues prayer for rain as El Niño looms

Source: CBCP Newsroom

MANILA— As the country reels from the effects of the worst drought in two decades, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle has urged Catholics to turn to prayer.
The cardinal on Friday issued a mandatory prayer and urged priests to lead the faithful in praying for rain.

In Archdiocese of Manila, parishes started praying the “oratio imperata for the impending drought” last Sunday, Sept. 6.

Appealing to God’s mercy

“This impending situation brings us to the brink of helplessness, but not hopelessness, as we turn to God our Father, to turn His mercy on us and shorten the life of El Niño and bring down the rain to avert the crisis,” said Tagle.

“Let us together storm heavens with our supplications, that God’s mercy be upon us and avert the disaster that a prolonged and intense El Niño threatens us,” he said.

Aside from asking for His compassion and mercy, the cardinal said the faithful should also ask for forgiveness in neglecting their responsibility of caring for the environment.

“In praying to Him for His compassion and benevolence, we also seek His forgiveness for our ecological sins—our neglect and abuse of the environment, our ‘throw-away’ culture, and our failures as stewards of His creation,” Tagle said.

According to him, the oratio imperata should be prayed kneeling after Communion, and before the Post-Communion Prayer.

Two prayer intentions

He also ordered the insertion of two intentions into the daily and Sunday Prayer of the Faithful of the Mass.

“Lord, stay the hand of El Niño so that the drought it brings would not come and we will not have damage to our lands and crops and shortage in our power supply, we pray…

Lord, forgive us our many ecological sins that have brought so much anguish to our mother earth, give us the grace to be wise and conscientious stewards of your creation, so that all may be given life and spirit, we pray…”

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration has warned the public of an intensified effect of the El Niño starting this month.

The dry spell, the state weather bureau said, could affect as many as 79 provinces, which will experience “below normal” amounts of rainfall.

The weather phenomenon, it added, can impact crops and also threatens water supply in Metro Manila.

The Oratio Imperata Ad Petendam Pluviam reads as:

 

“God our loving Father, Maker of all Creation,

look kindly on us Your Children in this Earth

You have given us as our home, as we plead You

to shorten the life of El Niño now threatening our country

with prolonged drought, extreme weather, and low water supply.

“O merciful God forgive us our ecological sins

that have contributed to this adverse phenomenon;

Forgive our indifference to the groans and suffering of Mother Earth;

Forgive us our wastefulness, our disregard for the value

of the gifts of creation You have given us.

We promise to repent for our sins by following the Gospel of Creation,

and by caring for and being mindful of your Creation in all that we do.

“Give us the strength and wisdom to be good stewards of your creation

and to protect the environment from abuse and exploitation.

“At this time of impending crisis move us, dear Lord, to share more, serve more and love more.

“Loving God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, you entrusted the Filipino people to the special care of Mary our Mother, listen to the prayers, we bring up to you through her,  and grant us our petitions  through our Lord Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God for ever and ever. Amen.

Our Lady of Guadalupe,                    pray for us.

Saint Michael and the Archangels,   pray for us.

Saint Rose of Lima,                            pray for us.

Saint Lorenzo Ruiz,                            pray for us.

Saint Pedro Calungsod,                     pray for us.”

Manny Pacquiao aims for higher post

Sarangani Representative once again made a headline quoting "If it's God's will, he will be the next President someday".

Reports circulated online and earned netizens mixed reactions. Some had questions Pacquiao's ability to help as accordingly 2012's data report from United Nation shows that Sarangani, by where the Boxing icon and a Politician lives show unfavorable data listing the province as 7th among the Country's poorest province.

Many of the Filipinos believe that Pacquiao is now considered as a multi-millionaire for he have bagged major awards from his boxing career. And the Filipino people most especially his constituents are wondering why the Politian, a boxing icon, endorser and a businessman is skeptical to share his blessings to most of his poor to poorest constituents and becoming a President would be an issue for: One, Pacquiao is said to be the bottom performer in the Congress having very bad record in attendance. Two, there had been no significant projects under his consecutive terms in the Congress, and aiming for higher post irks most of netizens.

According to Rappler's interview the boxing legend Manny Pacquiao himself, becoming the highest official in the land in the future is not far-fetched especially if God ordained it for him.

“If it is God’s will, then I would like to become president,”

 

While the 1987 Constitution bars Pacquiao from running for either president or vice president for now due him not meeting the minimum age requirement of 40, the boxer will be eligible to do so come 2022.
 

Earlier in April, his promoter Bob Arum expressed confidence his ward would be definitely seeking the presidency once he retires from boxing.
 

  

“He’s going to be a president,” he said. “He’s going to run for the Senate of the Philippines in 2016 and then 2022 or maybe later, he’ll run for president.”

Arum’s predictions are ringing true so far, with Pacquiao confirming he will run for senator in next year’s elections.
 

Roxas Okays Possible Alliance with Pacquiao
 

While Pacquiao, a member of Vice President Jejomar Binay’s United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), has not yet indicated which political party he will be joining in 2016, Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Mar Roxas said he welcomes the possibility of the boxer joining their senatorial slate.

“It’s possible,” he said.
 

On the other hand, another LP member who declined to be named said their party had in fact reserved the last slot in their slate for Pacquiao.
 

“The LP is still waiting for Manny Pacquiao’s decision,” the official said. “It’s really up to him if he wants to join us.”
 

“I hope he will grab this opportunity to help us serve the people by expanding and strengthening the ‘daang matuwid’ policy,” he added. 

OPINYON: Ang skandalo sa Iglesia ni Cristo

Hindi natin  maintindihan kung bakit sa kasagsagan ng isyu noong mga nakaraang buwan hinggil sa mga umano'y anumalya sa pamunuan ng Iglesia ni Cristo ay itinatanggi parin ito ng kanailang pamunuan lalo't higit ng kanilang kasalukuyang pinuno na si Eduardo Manalo, gayong ang dating pinuno ng mga ito ay Nagsalita na din pala regarding sa isyu ng katiwalian na ginagawa ng mga Ministro nila pero ba't ganon parang walang aksyon. Sya narin ang may sabi na gawain ng Demonyo ang mga masasamang tulad niyon pero ano nga ba ang ginawa niya o nilang aksyon para mahinto ito?

Sana ang kapatid nating myembro at may tungkulin o mga manggagawa ng INC, yaman din lang na tinawag na pala kayong masasama ay makapag isip-isip na. I hate to say this but you and the public needs to know na hindi gawain ng isang pinuno ang tawaging masasama ang kanyang mga alagad sapagkat Dios man kahit ilang beses isinasantabi ng mga tao ay patuloy na nagmamahal dito at umaasang magbabago ang mga ito.

Para po sa kaalaman ng ating mga kapatid sa INC, Ang kaligtasan ay wala sa kamay ng mga Pari, mga relihiyusong tao o maging mga ministro ng iba't ibang sekta na katulad ng INC. Not even in the hands of the Manalo's or of the Pope. So please wake up. Ang totoong kaligtasan ay nasa puso ng bawat isa saatin. Kung ginagawa at sinusunod natin ang mga utos na ikinalulugod ng Panginoon. Pero gayon paman, kahit na nga mas madalas na sinusuway NATIN SIYA ay nananatiling mahalaga at MAHAL NIYA ang bawat isa saatin at kailanman hindi siya nawalan ng pag-asang ang bawat isa saatin ay magbabago at magbabalik loob sakanya ng kusa at ng walang pamimilit. Ito ang tunay na kahulugan ng 'kalayaang' ibinigay niya sa bawat isa saatin.

Oo nga't napakalaki ng ginagampanan nilang papel sa buhay espiritwal ng bawat isa saatin pero ang malayang pagpapasya mo parin ang siyang magliligtas saiyo at sa pamilya mo. At ito ay sa pamamagitan ng iyong tunay at solidong paniniwala at pananampalataya.

Minsan sinasabi natin na hindi tayo mahal ng Dios sapagkat hindi tayo direktang kinakausap niya. Pero ang totoo ang daming beses nya na palang tumugon sa mga dasal natin. Nabubulag lamang tayo ng sarili natin sapagkat inaasahan natin na siya mismo ang siyang direktang magsasabi saatin ng mga bagay-bagay na dapat nating gawin para sa tunay nating kaligtasan. Sa napakarami ng kwentong nagpapatotoo ng presensya at tulong ng Dios Ama, Sa lahat ng mga kwentong iyon lumalabas na kapwa natin, kapamilya man o kaibigan at minsan kahit kaaway pa natin ang siyang ginagamit niyang instrumento para tugunan ang mga hinihiling natin sa kanya. Pero dahil matigas ang mga puso natin at minsan pa-importante tayo ipinagpipilitan natin sa ating mga sarili na dapat siya mismo ang magpakita saatin at siyang magsabi saatin ng ating mga kamalian bago tayo magbalik loob sa kanya. O hindi ba't kayabangan ito?

Tulad ng sabi ng batang SI Nathaniel na kinagiliwan ng marami, Bakit daw kasi kailangan pa nating makita ang himala ng Dios, tulad ng presensya nito o maging ng mga anghel niya bago tayo maniwalang nandiyan siya gumagabay saatin?

Alalahanin po natin na kung tayo ay may kalayaang magpasya, may kalayaan din ang Panginoong magpasya kung sino lamang sa paningin niya ang karapat-dapat makakita o makarinig sa kanya. Wala tayong karapatang mag demand sa kanya para lamang sa mga pansarili nating mga interes o maging ng ating kaligtasan. Ang mahalaga ay pinapakinggan niya tayo at gayon na lamang ang pagibig niya saatin kaya may mga taong ginagamit niya para tayo ay paalalahanan o para tugunan ang ating mga pangangailangan.

Mga aral ng Simbahan:

Napakaganda ng nakapaloob sa sermon ng Pari sa misa niya. Binigyan diin ng Pari sa kanyang homiliya ang kahalagahan ng pagsasama ng lalaki at babae bilang mag-asawa. Dagdag niya, dapat lamang daw talagang hindi nakikialam ang mga magulang ng lalaki o maging ng asawang babae sa pagsasama ng dalawa. 'Pagkat sa palasyo raw iisa lamang ang dapat na Reyna. Kaya nga ipinag-utos ng Panginoon na bumukod ang mag-asawa para mamuhay silang payapa bilang isa na sumusunod sa mga utos ng Ama. At kasama sa tagubilin ng Panginoon ang pagpapasakop ng babae sa asawang lalaki.

Pero hanggang saan nga ba dapat pasakop ang asawang babae sa lalaki? Kasama ba dito ang pagtalikod ni Babae sa kanyang Panginoon para lamang masunod ang kagustuhan ni Lalaki?
Naalala ko pa noong minsang tinanong ko ang kapatid ko kung bakit siya itong dating pala-simba at aktibo sa mga relihiyusong aktibidad sa aming simbahan "chapel" ay bigla na lamang nahikayat na umanib sa ibang relihiyon na kinabibilangan ng kanyang asawa ngayon. Ang sabi niya, nasa paguusap daw ng mag-asawa iyon at dagdag niya pa hindi takot daw talaga siya sa mga rebolto ng mga Santo sa Simbahan. Mga rason na kahit mahirap paniwalaan ay siya ko na lamang ipinagkibit balikat. Mahirap paniwalaan sapagkat kung noon ay may sobrang malapit akong kapatid siya iyon na kasa-kasama kong magdasal ng rosaryo, ng novena. Sumama sa prosisyon at maging sa buwanan kung hindi man lingguhang pagsisimba. Kaya alam ko na nasabi niya lamang iyon for the sake of ending the conversation.

Ngayon dahil sa homiliyang ito ng Pari, naisip ko na, dito marahil nila ibinase yung pagtalikod niya sa Relihiyong kinagisnan niya na bagaman ay hindi pa niya lubos na naaaral ay bigla niya nalamang iniwan. Napakasakit. Actually doble-doble yung sakit dahil hindi lamang sa ipinagpalit niya kami na Pamilya nya. Yung Nanay niya na nasa bingit ng kamatayan na nakikiusap sa kanya noong mga panahong iyon na pagisipan ang relasyon nya sa lalaking Ama na sa dalawang anak ay hindi niya pinakinggan at kanya pang tinakasan, dito palamang sa isiping ito ay halos madurog na ang puso ko kaya may ilang taon ding hindi ko siya kinausap sapagkat namatay ang Nanay namin na bagamat hindi niya sinabi ay alam kong sobrang sama ng loob dahil sa pagtalikod niya. Pero mas masakit pala ang mapagtanto mo na kahit ang Panginoon ay lumuha dahil nakita niya na kaya pala siyang ipagpalit ng nilikha niya sa mga temporal na bagay na nagpapaligaya sa tao dito sa lupa para lamang masunod ang gusto nito.

At ito ay paulit-ulit nating ginagawa at nagagawa sa Panginoon. Pero kahit ganoon, minamahal niya parin tayo at binibinigyan ng laya na malayang makapagpasya.

Oo nga't ipinag-utos ng Panginoon na pasakop ka sa asawa mo pero natanong mo ba sa sarili mo minsan kung karapat-dapat bang isantabi ang Panginoon habang ikaw ay nasa isang relasyon?

Dahil moderno na ang panahon, moderno na rin po ang mga pagsubok na nararanasan ng bawat isa saatin ngayon. Kung noon ay hiningi ng napakaraming pagkakataon ang buhay ng mga mananampalatayang Kristiano, ngayon ay hindi na pisikal na buhay ang hinihingi saatin.

Hinihingi ng pagkakataon saatin ngayon na maipakilala natin ang Panginoon sa araw-araw nating mga buhay kahit na nga ang pwedeng kapalit nito ay ang buhay pag-ibig mo. At dito sa mga pagkakataong ito nasusubok kung gaano nga ba katibay ang ating pananalig at pananampalataya sa totong lumikha. Gabayan sana tayong lahat ng Poong lumikha. Siya nawa.

'Justice for sale' scheme at CA no longer new - VACC

Comm. Dante Jimenez |  ABS-CBNnews.com

MANILA - "Justice for sale" transactions at the Court of Appeals (CA) are no longer new, according to the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC).

VACC founding chairman Dante Jimenez made the statement following the Coalition of Filipino Consumers' call for an investigation into CA justices who allegedly sell their decisions in exchange for millions of money.

Jimenez claimed many of the cases filed by the VACC against drug lords were dismissed because the judges were bribed.

He urged the CA's clerks of court who are privy to the alleged illegal transactions not to be afraid and come out to expose the anomalies.

He said the VACC is willing to give them support.

The "justice for sale" issue was also brought up by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, who accused that several CA judges issued a favorable ruling for Makati Mayor Junjun Binay after being bribed.
Jimenez also pressed the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to resume the probe into alleged fixer "Ma'am Arlene," tagged as the "Janet Napoles" in the judiciary.

The name "Ma'am Arlene" first surfaced in 2013.

She allegedly throws parties for members of the CA and trial court judges. She also allegedly gives expensive gifts to members of the court in exchange for favorable rulings in cases.

‘Red tape’ slows down toxic milk tea probe

                                               by Jaime R. Pilapil and CATHERINE S. VALENTE| Manila Times

Police investigating the death of two people after they took a sip of a milk tea beverage believed to be laced with poison Manila on Saturday claim they’re having a difficult time coordinating with the Food and Drug Administration which they said have been requiring “too much” paper work.

Investigators from the homicide section of the Manila Police District sent samples of the beverage to the FDA for laboratory testing, but the agency’s staff allegedly refused to examine the specimen right away due to certain “requirements”.

Chief Supt. Rolando Nana, chief of the MPD, said they’ve been urging the FDA to test the samples while it’s still “fresh”.

FDA officer-in-charge Nicolas Lutero III however, said they already started started laboratory examination procedures, but insisted that the police still need to submit a medical abstract and an investigation report. He said they expect to come up with the laboratory test results early this week.
Manila City Hall inspectors immediately shuttered Ergo Cha Milk Tea store located along Bustillos Street in Manila after the suspected food poisoning incident on Thursday which led to the death of the store’s owner William Abrigo, 57 and customer Suzanne Dagohoy, 28.

According to Christopher Joseph S. Orozco, an emergency room physician at the Ospital ng Sampaloc where the victims were taken, the other customer Arnold Aydalla, 34 had been discharged.
“From all indications, there really was poisoning involved but it’s only the police who could tell if it was accidental or deliberate,” he told The Times.
Even Malacañang has taken interest on case.

“We’d wait for further results of the investigation before we make any comment. I don’t want to take the results as they seem on the surface,” Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte
said on Radio ng Bayan on Saturday.

The Manila City Hall immediately ordered the closure of the milk tea store. It’s employees have been taken into police custody for investigation.