People power readied vs. PNoy

People power readied vs. PNoy

LIFE'S INSPIRATIONS: “The LORD will vindicate me; your love, LORD, endures forever— do not abandon the works of your hands.” (Psalm 138:8, the Holy Bible).

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PEOPLE POWER BEING SET UP VS. PNOY: There is only one clear intention in the increasing attacks against the qualifications and competence of President Aquino to run the country nowadays---to lay down the basis for another people power, to oust him as soon as practicable.

The only way to counteract all of these attacks now is for him to show he is qualified and competent, and produce immediate and concrete results, especially in improving the lives of our people. People contented with their lives do not normally join people power movements.

But, if he is perceived to be unqualified and incompetent for the past year, and if nobody believes he has done something concrete to improve the lives of our people so far, it will be very difficult for the President to fight off the attacks against him, making him an easy target for legalized rebellion called people power.

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WHAT IS DE LIMA DOING? What, really, was in the mind of Justice Secretary Leila De Lima---a seasoned practicing lawyer before she joined the government of then President Arroyo and the government now of President Aquino---when she held the press conference to announce that there are new evidence and witnesses now which will prove the guilt of Hubert Webb in the Vizconde rape-slay cases?

Surely, she knew Hubert and his co-accused who underwent trial could no longer be charged and pursued once again for the same crimes, on grounds of double jeopardy, and that there is no piece of evidence now which could make Hubert, et. al. face a new trial. So, why the press conference?

Either she was just fooling around, which, I am sure, was not her intention, or she was only trying to hug the headlines once more, to enable her to re-acquire her status as the most-trusted government official at the start of the year, an honor which was wrested from her and is now held by Vice President Jejomar Binay.

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JESUS SAYS “I AM”: There are many parts of the Bible attesting to Jesus as God Himself. One of these is that found under John 8: 54-58, where it is stated: “…Jesus replied, `If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me.

“ `Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.’

“ `You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!’ `Very truly I tell you,’ Jesus answered, `before Abraham was born, I am…’ ”

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KAKAMPI MO ANG BATAS. 29 JUNE 2011

KAKAMPI MO ANG BATAS. 29 JUNE 2011

What is Coseteng noisy about?

LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance…” (2 Peter 3:9, the Holy Bible).
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WHAT IS COSETENG NOISY ABOUT? I am happy that former Sen. Anna Dominique Coseteng plans to file more charges against former officials and employees of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and Philippine Amateur Swimming Association (PASA) in connection with alleged misuse of funds and discrimination against local swimmers, but is she serious with these plans?

I mean, Coseteng was congresswoman for nine years, and senator for a number of years, but what did she do against supposed graft and corruption at PAGCOR and against supposed problems besetting swimming during her terms of office? Can she point to anything that would show she was really interested in the welfare of Philippine athletes while she was in a position to do something?

Or, is Coseteng making noises now simply because she is interested to return to politics once again?

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ROCO REMEMBERED: Six years after his death on August 5, 2005, former Sen. Raul Roco is still getting accolades for his insistence to be truthful whenever he delivered a speech or even as much as talked to anyone in public, a trait that endeared him particularly to the Filipino youth of his time.

The latest recognition of Roco’s truthfulness in whatever he said, especially in the presence of other people, came from Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Manolo Quezon, during an interview at the ABS CBN News Channel (ANC) the other day.

Quezon said Roco’s passion for watching what he says in public, ever wary of dishing out only the truth all the time, is something that President Aquino now is also exhibiting in the latter’s own speeches, and is something that will be displayed during his first State of the Nation Address on July 25, 2011.

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JESUS IS “MIGHTY GOD, EVERLASTING FATHER”: Here is a very beautiful and compelling message about Jesus Christ, found in Isaiah 9 of the Holy Bible: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned…

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.

“He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this…”

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30 minutes ago

KAKAMPI MO ANG BATAS.28 JUNE 2011

KAKAMPI MO ANG BATAS.28 JUNE 2011

Who in media received PCSO millions?

LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “…For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it…” (The Lord Jesus, in Matthew 16:25, the Holy Bible).
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WHO IN MEDIA RECEIVED MILLIONS IN PCSO FUNDS? Margie Juico, the chair of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, should now complete her exposes about anomalies at the charity agency by publicizing the names of all---I mean, all---media entities and personalities who were given PCSO advertising money under the Arroyo administration.

This should tell our people who were, or who were not, on the take from the PCSO, and, therefore, from the Arroyo government itself, by way of juicy PCSO advertising placements. This should explain to our people not only where PCSO money went, but why some media entities and personalities acted the way they did when Gloria Arroyo was president.

As for me, I never got even a single centavo from PCSO, even if, at one point or another, my office submitted requests for PCSO ad placements. I guess I was either not important to Gloria then, or I was simply out of the loop. Now, I am thanking God I never really got anything from the PCSO all through these years.

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CLARIFICATION FROM JBC NEEDED: Will someone from the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) enlighten us on the rule it is following when a nominee gets an opposition to his or her nomination, especially on grounds of integrity?

This clarification is necessary because among those being nominated as new Ombudsman, some groups and personalities have formally opposed their nomination, and yet, the nominees who were objected to are still being considered nominees just the same.

I thought that JBC rules require that, for a nominee who has been objected to, especially on grounds of integrity, there must be a prior vote of all JBC members favoring the nomination so that this nomination objected to could continue to be considered. Will the JBC clarify this for the sake of our country and our people, please?

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SAME-SEX MARRIAGES---WRATH FROM GOD: Here is a footnote on the issue of same sex marriages having been performed by a Baguio City group professing to be Christians, coming from Romans 1:18-32: “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people…

“Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men…

“Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity…”
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KAKAMPI MO ANG BATAS.27 JUNE 2011

KAKAMPI MO ANG BATAS.27 JUNE 2011

Janine Gutierrez: new showbiz star

LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “…And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him…” (Colossians 3:17, the Holy Bible).

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JANINE GUTIERREZ, A NEW STAR IN PHL SHOW BUSINESS: It seems that our entertainment industry got a new star in the person of 21-year old Ms. Janine Gutierrez, the eldest daughter of movie stars Ramon Christopher “Monching” Gutierrez and Lotlot De Leon, who is venturing into show business even if she already finished Bachelor of Science in European Studies at the Ateneo de Manila University just last March.

Minutes after she sang a song at Channel 7’s “Party Pilipinas” last Sunday, June 26, 2011, Janine immediately stormed her way as a trend leader in the social networking site, Twitter. As a virtual unknown before her TV appearance, Janine’s huge showing as a Twitter trend leader took everyone by surprise.

Some noted her refreshing beauty, while others extolled her pedigree (Janine is a granddaughter of Pilita Corrales, Asia’s Queen of Songs, Eddie Gutierrez, a movie icon in the 1960s, Christopher De Leon, a multi-awarded actor, and Nora Aunor, the first superstar in Philippine movies), and some talked about her having both beauty and brains.

Well, as far as I am concerned, Janine represents some kind of a beautiful new beginning among the country’s young entertainers---she is the only one who finished a college course first before venturing into the entertainment industry. This should signal a change for the better not only in the caliber of our entertainers, but in the level of Philippine entertainment itself.

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BATTLE FOR THE PEOPLE’S HEARTS AND MINDS NOW IN INTERNET: “Can we defend this in Twitter, Facebook or in some other networking sites?” This is now the question among government officials out to justify what they have done, in much the same way that officials in past eras were won’t to ask “can we defend this in Plaza Miranda?”

The heated three-hour exchange in Twitter between Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte and Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay last Saturday showed that the battle for the hearts and minds of the public has now shifted from traditional platforms like the Plaza Miranda of old, and the traditional media (newspapers, radio and TV), to the Internet.

And I believe this is going to be the direction of things to come, as events in the Middle East have also shown in just about a month or so ago---the future of governments and of political leaders will be decided by on-line exchanges and debates. Woe unto those who are still un-initiated in the new mode of on-line communications!

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MORE BIBLICAL RULES FOR DAILY CONDUCT: Here are more rules of daily conduct, given by God to the prophet Moses and which now appear under Leviticus 19:15-18 of the Holy Bible: “ ‘Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.

“ ‘Do not go about spreading slander among your people. Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the LORD… Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD…”

KAKAMPI MO ANG BATAS.26 JUNE 2011

KAKAMPI MO ANG BATAS.26 JUNE 2011

Same-sex weddings illegal in Phl

LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “… at the beginning… God ‘made them male and female…For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh…” (Mark 10:6-8, the Holy Bible).

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SAME-SEX WEDDINGS ILLEGAL IN PHL: Whether they knew it or not, those who officiated and participated in the same-sex weddings or “holy unions” between gays and lesbians in Baguio City last week actually violated at least two provisions of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines, exposing them to criminal prosecution and liability.

The first provision is Article 350 which is entitled “marriage contracted against provisions of laws”, and which imposes the penalty of imprisonment of up to 12 years for those contracting marriages in disregard of a legal impediment.

The legal impediment here is the requirement of the Family Code that marriages in the Philippines must be between a man and a woman, never between man and man, and woman and woman.

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REVISED PENAL CODE VIOLATIONS: The second provision of the Revised Penal Code violated by the same-sex weddings is Article 201, which is entitled “immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions and indecent shows”, and which carries the penalties of imprisonment of up to six years, and fine of up to P12,000.00.

Under Article 201, the penalties are to be imposed upon anyone “who shall publicly expound or proclaim doctrines openly contrary to public morals”. Undergoing same-sex marriages contravene public morals here in this country, where same-sex relationships continue to be viewed as taboo.

The priests, pastors or other religious leaders who officiated the same-sex marriages are equally liable under the foregoing provisions of the Code. I wonder why Baguio City authorities, especially its top local officials and its police department, simply stood idly by while these legal violations were taking place.

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BIBLICAL UNIONS OF MEN AND WOMEN: The pretense by the Baguio City church that the same-sex marriages which it allowed and performed are “holy unions” is appalling and blasphemous, in the face of what the Bible teaches about what unions are to be considered holy before God.

In Genesis 1:27, it is stated: “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” In Genesis 2:24: “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh…”

In Romans 1:18-32, same-sex relationships are declared as curses from God: “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people… Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another…”

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KAKAMPI MO ANG BATAS.25 JUNE 2011

KAKAMPI MO ANG BATAS.25 JUNE 2011

The truth in the POC-GTK row

LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “…But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one...” (2 Thessalonians 3:3, the Holy Bible).

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THE TRUTH IN THE POC-GTK ROW? Go Teng Kok was declared a “persona non grata” by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) not only because he sued the sports body on two occasions in violation of the POC Constitution, but more because of a series of “grave excesses” which the POC considered as sufficient bases to render him unfit to remain as a member or official of the POC.

This was made clear during the POC executive board meeting where Go, or popularly known as GTK, was “disowned” by the POC, and is in fact shown by the minutes of that board meeting (which meeting was considered a first at the POC because all its executive board members were present all at the same time---a phenomenon that rarely happened at the sports body).

Based on records coming from the POC, particularly the minutes of that fateful meeting of the POC executive board, it appears that Go Teng Kok was declared a “persona non grata” by the POC upon the vote of all its board members, including his known allies, after they tackled and were confronted with his alleged past excesses as a POC official.

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“COMPELLING REASONS TO DECLARE GTK PERSONA NON GRATA”: What were the supposed past excesses of GTK, entered into the minutes of the POC meeting, which prodded all its board members to disown Go Teng Kok and declare him a “persona non grata”? The minutes and the report of POC officials show the following:

First: The POC considered Go to have undermined efforts by the POC to unify the different sports sectors comprising the POC. This was allegedly due to his influencing the selection of leaders for wushu, billiards, basketball, table tennis, badminton, bowling, swimming, and volleyball.

Second: The POC considered Go to have influenced athletes to defy rules and policies promulgated by past POC officials. A case in point cited by the minutes and by my POC friends was Go’s alleged leading of a boycott of the Philippine National Games in Bacolod City, which resulted in the banning of the athletes that supported the boycott from the National Pool.

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“GTK VIOLATED POC CHARTER” AND MORE: Third: The POC found Go to have violated its Constitution by his having sued it twice, since it is the POC---not the courts---which is the final arbiter of disputes among national sports associations (NSAs) like the PKF. Because of this, the directive of the International Olympic Committee for POC to resist political, legal, religious, or economic pressures against the Olympic Charter was even disregarded.

Fourth: The POC found Go to have reneged on his own handwritten pledge to withdraw the first case he filed against the POC, and that while he had asked for arbitration to find an end to this first case, he nevertheless filed another case against the POC, this time to block the elections for PKF in Bacolod City.

Fifth: The POC found Go to have financially supported the election of convicted individuals as officials of NSAs; admitted that he operated a gambling den while he was president of the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association; and maintained close ties with someone awaiting deportation, as well as with illicit organizations abroad. Any reactions, Mr. Go Teng Kok?

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KAKAMPI MO ANG BATAS.24 JUNE 2011

KAKAMPI MO ANG BATAS.24 JUNE 2011

Truth in DSWD-Cotabato City aid mess

LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “… but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint…” (Isaiah 40:31, the Holy Bible).
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FILIPINOS NOW FEAR THE RAIN: When many of us were younger, rains were welcomed with glee and gladness. For rainwater then solely meant the onset of planting season, allowing our farmers to re-start the cycle of agricultural production which sustains the country’s economy. But nowadays, Filipinos have learned to fear rain and dread the water it brings.

Why? Because, suddenly, with rains come floods, and with floods, death and destruction. If it is any consolation though, this is now the rule not only in the Philippines but in the whole world as well. As Filipinos suffer from rains, floods and strong winds, all others worldwide are suffering from the same phenomenon.

But if the truth be told, it need not be this way. If only we listened, intently enough, to what the Lord Jesus said in the Bible, in Matthew 7:24-27, mankind would have avoided the death and destruction, because He provided a solution against destructive rains, floods and strong winds.

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WARNING BY JESUS ABOUT RAINS, FLOODS AND WINDS: Here is what Jesus said: “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

“But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash,” Jesus concluded.

If we read closely what the Lord said, He was actually saying that the rains, floods and strong winds will surely come. He knew that these natural calamities will come to the world and would bring death and destruction. That was the reason why He urged each one of us to hear His Word and obey His commands---to enable us to be saved. So what are we waiting for?

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DINKY SOLIMAN AND THE COTABATO AID MESS: Cotabato City Mayor Japal Guiani is standing his ground, and is insisting his constituents have not received any aid from the national government yet despite their misfortune due to the rains and floods that visited the city. And, despite Malacanang denials, I am prone to believe him.

A report by ABS CBN TV Patrol confirmed Guiani’s lament: millions of relief bags were found stocked and undistributed at the warehouse of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Cotabato City, notwithstanding the clamor for more aid from hapless city residents.

Indeed, while President Aquino may have authorized the release of some P10 million for the Cotabato City flood victims, and the money was immediately sent, it would seem DSWD sabotaged the Chief Executive by holding on to, and not distributing, the relief bags. Dinky Soliman has a lot of explaining to do here.

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KAKAMPI MO ANG BATAS.23 JUNE 2011

KAKAMPI MO ANG BATAS.23 JUNE 2011

PAPI 15th annual fete opens; tips on Spratly row

LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “The Lord will keep you from all harm---he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore...” (Psalm 121:7-8, the Holy Bible).

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PAPI 15TH ANNUAL FETE OPENS: I wish to congratulate the Publishers Association of the Philippines Inc., or PAPI, on its 15th annual gathering which started June 23, 2011, at the Makati Sports Club in Makati City. I also wish to thank its officers for asking me to give a brief talk about “spirituality and press freedom” during the second day of the gathering.

Allow me to reprint here the announcement made by PAPI Secretary General Johnny Nunez and President Juan P. Dayang about the affair: “The 2011 Midyear Media Conference and Executive Session of the Publishers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PAPI) opens Thursday (June 23) at the Ayala Hall of the Makati Sports Club in Makati City.

“Some 200 mediamen, including publishers, broadcasters, editors, provincial press clubs, presidents and members, columnists, commentators, public information and corporate communication executives, journalist and writers from the academe, college editors, book authors, visiting Filipino journalists working abroad are expected to attend this year’s 15th annual PAPI nationwide gathering.

“The general membership meeting and election of officers of the newly-reactivated Federation of Provincial Press Clubs of the Philippines whose participants are also delegates of PAPI event is scheduled to take the place prior to the formal opening ceremonies of the two-day conference.

“Among the speakers of the midyear media event are Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato C. Corona, Presidential Communications for Development and Strategic Planning Secretary Ricky Carandang, former University of the Philippines President Dr. Francisco A. Nemenzo Jr., and Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis.

“KBP-NCR Chairman Rey Langit, National Press Club President Jerry Yap, columnist Belinda Olivares Cunanan, Carmen Pedrosa, lawyer-columnist Melanio `Batas’ Mauricio Jr., Yes Magazine Editor Jo-Ann Q. Maglipon, and Albay Gov. Joey S. Salceda, will also speak on various topics.

“A cocktail reception will follow the opening ceremonies on Thursday, June 23.The event will culminate with a fellowship dinner and award-giving rites in the evening of June 24 after a whole-day business session.”

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WAYS TO DEAL WITH THE SPRATLY DISPUTE: Here’s a suggestion as to what the Philippines can do on the Spratly Islands dispute, written for the e-group of the UP Sigma Rho Fraternity by Bishop Bert Mercado: “1. Lease one of the Spratly Islands to the US for 100 years, with extension, to be used as their refueling station, beach for R & R, and even a base similar to Cam Ranh Bay Base or Subic Naval Base. The US presence in the South China Sea is a deterrent to Chinese bullying.

“2. Sign oil exploration contracts with one or two US oil-rigging companies. 3. File cases of Chinese violations of Philippine sovereignty before the International Court of Justice, and related international bodies. 4. Seek the support not only of ASEAN, but also of Japan and Korea which has navigational and security interests in the area. 5. If the Chinese intrude, we fire the first shot!!!”

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KAKAMPI MO ANG BATAS.22 JUNE 2011

KAKAMPI MO ANG BATAS.22 JUNE 2011

Economic plans for ARMM, Part II

LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty…” (Psalm 91:1, the Holy Bible).

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MORE GROUPS TO QUESTION LEGALITY OF ARMM POLL POSTPONEMENT: It is not only the Partido Demokratikong Pilipino (PDP) that will question before the Supreme Court the constitutionality of the law postponing the August 2011 elections at the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) once President Aquino signs it.

Former President Arroyo’s party, Lakas-Kampi, and LABAN (or Lakas ng Bayan, the party of former Sen. Benigno S. Aquino Jr. in the 1984 Batasang Pambansa elections), are also poised to file separate petitions before the high tribunal to have the postponement law nullified.

Then, there are individual politicians who are also itching to test the legality of the law. I have been told that the Catholic Church and other big groups allied with it will also file cases against the legal measure. It would seem everyone wants to “kill” the law, as it were.

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ECONOMIC PLANS FOR ARMM, PART II: Many people are convinced the postponement law must have to be “killed”, really, because postponing the August 2011 elections for ARMM will mean greater harm for the region and its people, in terms of economic plans and projects that would have to be shelved if new regional leaders are not chosen by the people themselves.

Aside from the plan to convert lands in ARMM as long grain rice fields where long grain rice---the staple food in Muslim countries worldwide---could be grown and harvested and later bartered and exchanged for oil, there is also a plan, envisioned by the Pex Mangudadatu-Tingting Cojuangco tandem, for first class rubber trees to be grown, cultured and developed in Basilan Province and then similarly bartered worldwide.

According to a plan by former Tarlac Rep. Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr., rubber from Basilan rubber trees could fetch a handsome price, and the entire industry could in fact put an end to the debilitating poverty of people in the ARMM, which could in turn lead to a conversion of the members of the Abu Sayaf and other separatist groups as responsible and peace-loving citizens of the Republic.

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BOOM FOR SEAWEEDS AND SUGAR INDUSTRIES EYED: There is also the plan being pursued by Cong. Peping to fully develop the seaweeds industry in Tawi-tawi by the establishment of factories that would process seaweeds in the province so that it could be sold as a finished product around the world later.

Then, Cong. Peping plans to duplicate efforts in Tarlac which made sugar a prime dollar earner for the province, through the development of thousand of hectares of land in the ARMM region which have remained idle and unproductive for quite some time now, for sugar cane planting.

People close to the former lawmaker and his wife Tingting could only hope and pray that the couple will continue being interested in the full development of Mindanao and ARMM, despite the efforts of discredited politicians to control the region for themselves, evidently in preparation for future political forays.

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KAKAMPI MO ANG BATAS. 21 JUNE 2011

KAKAMPI MO ANG BATAS. 21 JUNE 2011

Economic plans for ARMM, Part I

LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “…whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all…” (Mark 10:43-44, the Holy Bible).

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DILLY-DALLYING IN SIGNING ARRM LAW: Indeed, if Malacanang itself certified as urgent the bill postponing the August 2011 elections at the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the only reason why President Aquino is not immediately signing it into law now is that he and the other people interested to name officers-in-charge for the region are afraid the Supreme Court will declare that law unconstitutional, and allow the elections to push through just the same.

So there is a need to stall. So that those who will bring cases to the tribunal to question the constitutionality of the ARMM poll postponement will lose precious time, and therefore allow August 2011 to lapse without the elections being held.

But this is downright silly thinking. If the Supreme Court, as expected, rules that the poll postponement is unconstitutional, a new date for the elections can be set by the Court itself, or by the Commission on Elections upon the directive of the high court, even if August 2011 has already lapsed.

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ECONOMIC PLANS UP FOR ARMM: I pity our people at the ARMM if the elections are not held as scheduled, or are not held at all, because further delays in selecting the region’s new leaders by the processes mandated by electoral laws also delays all the more the implementation of plans and policies that would push it to real economic recovery and lift it out of the poverty that is gripping it now.

For example, I am personally aware that if the Pex Mangudadatu-Tingting Cojuangco tandem would get the governorship and vice governorship of ARMM, immediately the region will be able to enter into a contract for it to produce long grain rice for Muslim countries in the whole world.

I am privy to information that former Tarlac Rep. Jose “Peping” Cojuangco, husband of Tingting, has been approached by top officials of these Muslim countries, asking if he could arrange for the Philippines to produce long grain rice, in any quantity that the country could produce. Cong. Peping’s initial plan is to ask ARMM to allow its idle lands to be used for this project.

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“OIL FOR LONG GRAIN RICE” MULLED: The beauty of this plan, from the point of view of Cong. Peping, is that ARMM or the Philippines could ask that payments for the long grain rice we will produce would be in the form of oil, through some kind of a barter arrangement which is in vogue in Mindanao.

Then, as Cong. Peping’s plans envision, the Muslim countries buying the ARMM’s long grain rice could also be asked to put up refinery firms in the region so that the oil they will be paying us could be processed right here, thereby greatly bringing down oil prices, initially in Mindanao and, ultimately, in the whole country.

Splendid plans, indeed, but it seems some people in the Aquino government, who are also privy to the plans and intended projects of Cong. Peping and Tingting for ARMM, do not want these plans and projects to succeed. Indeed, I pity Filipinos from the ARMM.

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KAKAMPI MO ANG BATAS.20 JUNE 2011

KAKAMPI MO ANG BATAS.20 JUNE 2011

Ochoa on the way out as ES?

LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word…” (Ephesians 5:25-26, the Holy Bible).

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OCHOA ON THE WAY OUT AS ES? It is not an overload of responsibilities alright, but the designation of Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. as chief of the revived Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) signals his impending removal as Malacanang’s “little president”, whether the Office of the President or Ochoa care to admit it or not.

Overseeing crime prevention and prosecution in the country, at a time when the incidence of crimes is peaking beyond the ordinary, is a very demanding and rigorous work which requires focus and dedication. Ochoa, as anti-crime czar and as little president at the same time, will simply become ineffective in both pursuits.

It will not therefore be long after he takes on the PAOCC job that an announcement will be made stripping Ochoa of his position as executive secretary to allow him to devote his time to his new job, and a replacement is named to succeed him. At this point, I am almost certain who the replacement is going to be, and I am in fact willing to bet on this now.

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BATAS INTERNET TV NEW SKED: May I take this opportunity to inform all interested parties, both here and abroad, about the new schedule of programs which BATAS INTERNET TV started implementing since June 16, 2011, through the Internet website www.batasmedia.com. Here is the new schedule:

4 A.M. to 4:30 A.M.-Holy Rosary; 4:30 A.M. to5:00 A.M.-Invocation: Our Father, Philippine National Anthem, The Bible, Jesus, Eschatology; 5 A.M. to 5:30 A.M.-Ligaligin Natin; 5:30 A.M. to 6 A.M.--Sports Round-Up; 6 A.M. to 6:30 A.M.-Kakampi Mo Ang Batas GV AM;

6:30 A.M. to7:30 A.M.-The Gospel Hour; 7:30 A.M. to 8:15 A.M.-Batas ng Diyos; 8:15 A.M. to 9 A.M.-Juvy De Guzman Presents Let’s Talk On the Air ; 9 A.M. to 10 A.M.-Health & Travel @ Serbisyo Publiko; 10 A.M. to 10:30 A.M.- Kakampi Mo Ang Batas DYKA;

10:30 A.M. to 11:15 A.M.-The Better Globe Power; 11:15 A.M. to 12 noon-Kakampi Mo Ang Batas DYMS; 12 noon to 12:45 P.M.-Huntahan Ron and Aga; 12:45 P.M. to 1:15 P.M.-Birador ng Bayan; 1:15 P.M. to 2 P.M.-Ang Kamatooran; 2:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M.-Kilatis Panday Lipunan; 3 P.M.-Devotion to the Divine Mercy;

3 P.M. to 4 P.M.-Baletodo; 4 P.M. to 4:30 P.M.-Ang Kapangyarihan ng Panalangin; 4:30 P.M. to 5:30 P.M.-Anak ng Diyos; 5:30 P.M. to 6:00 P.M-Lifestyle at Iba Pa; 6 P.M. to 6:30 P.M.-ARBA; 6:30 P.M. to 7 P.M.-Balitang Patas 7 P.M to 8:00 P.M.-Grabe Ang Ating Diyos; 8 P.M. to 8:30 P.M.-Holy Rosary.

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KAKAMPI MO ANG BATAS.19 JUNE 2011

KAKAMPI MO ANG BATAS.19 JUNE 2011

Ways to solve Cotabato flooding

LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord...” (Ephesians 6:4, the Holy Bible).

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RIZAL AND THE PROPER TRAINING OF FILIPINO YOUTH: As the nation celebrated the 150th birth anniversary of its hero, Dr. Jose Rizal on June 19, 2011, I was struck by a question over his oft-quoted statement that the youth is the hope of the fatherland. Indeed, the youth is the hope of the country, but only if they are well-prepared and properly trained.

Suppose they were ill-prepared and improperly trained while they were still young, as the example of many Filipinos---leaders and ordinary ones, in and out of government---now show? So the question really is: how do we properly prepare and train our children so they could become the true hope of our nation, as Rizal envisioned?

“Train the child in the way they should go while they are young, and when they grow old they will never depart from it,” the Holy Bible, in its Proverbs 22:6, says. And what is the way to train and prepare these children?

Deuteronomy 6:5-7 shows the way: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up…”

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WAYS TO SOLVE COTABATO FLOODING: The possibility of Cotabato City being totally submerged by floodwaters due to erratic weather conditions in the next few days or even hours is prompting frantic calls for volunteers to help remove water lilies clogging the Rio Grande de Mindanao, but I am convinced that this is not going to be a full solution to this problem.

I suggest that Filipinos everywhere should now gather together, open their Bibles and study the Word of God, and then humbly pray for His deliverance. This is so because rains, floods and strong winds---the most devastating calamities being visited upon many parts of the Philippines and of the whole world in recent days---have a Biblical dimension.

In Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus warned about the “great fall”, or the total destruction coming from rains, floods, and strong winds, of people who no longer listen to the Word of God and who longer obey God, or even of people who listen but who disobey just the same.

Indeed, there is nothing man can do to control destructive rains, floods and strong winds on his own---for only God can. But God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, already shared with us, through the Bible, how to avoid these destructive natural calamities. Consequently, coupled with our human efforts, we must read the Bible now and obey God, if we want to avoid total destruction.

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OPPOSITION LAWMAKERS `SLEPT’ ON PURISIMA: Here’s a question for opposition congressmen questioning the capacity of Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima to remain in his post: is it not a fact that the opposition was given the opportunity to reject Purisima at the Commission on Appointment? How come they allowed Purisima to be confirmed by the Commission?

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KAKAMPI MO ANG BATAS.17 JUNE 2011

KAKAMPI MO ANG BATAS.17 JUNE 2011

Road users pork barrel & ARMM poll postponement

LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “…As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him…” (Psalm 103:13, the Holy Bible).

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CONNECTION BETWEEN PORK BARREL AND ARMM POLL POSTPONEMENT: Will the Road Board, whose members are appointed by the President, give away billions of pesos it has collected as road users tax as additional pork barrel for senators, congressmen and governors, on its own, and then risk being charged with plunder or graft and corruption later?

We must remember, as Sen. Panfilo Lacson said, road users tax collections are intended by law to be used for repairs and improvement of roads, and not as pork barrels of lawmakers or local government officials. Using the tax for some other purposes, as what was admittedly done here, constitutes a crime.

So, when did the Road Board get the courage to divert the road users tax from its original usage? When it was time to vote on the postponement of the August 2011 elections at the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) by our senators? Is that the connection between this road users pork barrel and the ARMM poll postponement?

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WHO ARE WE TO BELIEVE---CARANDANG OR DE JESUS? So, who are to believe on the issue of whether or not Malacanang was asked by former Transportation and Communications Secretary Jose De Jesus to reprimand Land Transportation Office chief Virginia Torres---De Jesus or Communications Secretary Ricky Carandang?

Carandang says Malacanang is not aware of any memorandum by De Jesus recommending administrative sanctions against Torres, but then De Jesus has produced that memorandum, giving copies thereof to media to back up his claims.

Clearly, Carandang either does not know what he is talking about, which is a sign of gross incompetence, or that he is simply pulling the wool over our eyes to hide his incompetence, or the incompetence or, worse, the criminal maneuverings, of some other Malacanang officials who maybe in cahoots with the corrupt and the greedy.

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OFFICIALS MUST BE SLAVES OF ALL: As a reminder to those who are in positions of power, we are reproducing here a discussion by the Lord Jesus with His disciples led by John and James on how a leader should conduct himself in office. This is how Mark 10: 35-45 describes this important discussion:

“Jesus called them together and said, `You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.

“ `Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many,’ ” Jesus said. For officials reading this, it is time to follow what Jesus said here.

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KAKAMPI MO ANG BATAS.16 JUNE 2011

KAKAMPI MO ANG BATAS.16 JUNE 2011

GMA was also good? Wendell Sulit’s honesty!

LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him…” (Proverbs 23:24, the Holy Bible).

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GMA DID SOMETHING GOOD FOR THE COUNTRY, AFTER ALL? Now, now, now!!! Will somebody please tell us the truth: who should get the credit for the recent improvement of the Philippines’ fiscal position and macroeconomic stability, as reported by Moody’s Investor Services : the government of former President Arroyo, or that of President Aquino?

The clarification is necessary because, even among President Aquino’s officials, a great degree of confusion is very evident. While one group says it was because of the economic policies of the Aquino government that economic improvement became possible, another group unabashedly attributes this improvement to the policies of the Arroyo government.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Gov. Armando Tetangco, Jr. has this to say, as reported by ABS CBN: “"In the last 10 years, we have grown quite impressively, even through the crisis, inflation has been muted, the BOP (balance of payments) has been in surplus, the GIR (gross international reserve) level has climbed many folds, the banks have been strong and stable, fiscal consolidation has been entrenched…”

So, Gloria Arroyo’s 10 or so years of presidency really did something good for the country then? So, whatever economic achievements the country and its people are experiencing now under President Aquino all came about because of the policies that Arroyo’s government espoused for the last 10 years? And I thought Gloria did nothing but to plunder our country?

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WENDELL SULIT: ALWAYS ABOVE-BOARD IN HER DUTIES: I am not aware of the truth or falsity of the charges against Ombudsman Special Prosecutor Wendell Barreras Sulit in connection with the plea bargaining deal between the Ombudsman and former Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia, but one thing is clear: in all her professional life as a prosecutor, Wendell has always been above-board in the discharge of her duties and responsibilities.

I know this for a fact, considering that right from the very first time that she started serving as an ordinary prosecutor, I had the opportunity of looking at her performance from the jaded eyes of a reporter, since I was then covering the Ombudsman and all its attached agencies for various media entities.

I know that many opportunities presented themselves to Wendell for her to make lots and lots of money out of her position, but then she chose to keep her nose clean, as it were, with the conviction that the only wealth she could bequeathed her children are a good name and reputation, a conviction handed down to her by her own parents.

I am sure Wendell would not do anything to sully that name and reputation now, especially since she is getting older, on her way to retirement. Among the many officials at the Office of the Ombudsman, Wendell is someone whose fear and love of God has remained intact through the years, something that she utilized well to enable her to graduate as a magna cum laude from the Far Eastern University in the 1970s.

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RID YOURSELVES OF MALICE: Here are more self-explanatory rules of behavior from the Bible: “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good…” (1 Peter 2:103).

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KAKAMPI MO ANG BATAS.15 JUNE 2011

KAKAMPI MO ANG BATAS.15 JUNE 2011

Pinoys enticed by media ads re: deadly foods

LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ…” (Philippians 3:20, the Holy Bible).

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PINOYS ENTICED TO BUY DEADLY FOODS VIA MEDIA ADS: The tragic incidents of food poisoning in a children’s birthday party in Bulacan which hospitalized more than 100 persons, in Batangas which sent 400 teachers to hospitals, in Qatar involving 156 Filipinos, in Isabela which downed 26 children, and in the mistaken use of a deadly chemical as salt which killed two school children in Tuguegarao, Cagayan, underscore the need to be extra careful in what we eat.

But over and above these sensational cases is the truth is that many of the foods we are exposed to daily are actually dangerous, as they are poison-laden, cancer-causing, and are killing many Filipinos slowly but surely, oftentimes unknown to them.

What is ironic here is that the producers of these deadly foods manage to entice many of us to buy and eat them just the same, through relentless radio-TV and print advertisements in media outfits which, despite knowing the health hazards of the foods being advertised, publicize them anyway on account of the billions of pesos paid by food producers as advertising fees.

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“BUY CHINESE LAST”: A group of persons who have Facebook accounts created a page called “Buy Chinese Last”, evidently to protest the so-called “bullying” of China of the Philippines and other countries who have staked a claim over the Spratly Islands at the South China Sea, in opposition to China’s own pretensions over the area.

The page was created and started by “Hill Roberts”, with the following caveat: “Don't buy anything made in China, unless you are desperate. This is a fight back how to handle China. Since we cannot fight them militarily, we can apply a different tactic by not, I repeat, not buying Chinese-made goods…” Some 349 Facebook account holders from across the globe have already signed up for the page.

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US OFFICIALS NOW SINGING A DIFFERENT TUNE: Now, officials of the US Embassy in Manila, led by Ambassador Harry Thomas, are singing a different tune. Whereas just a few days ago they were saying the US will not come to the aid of the Philippines in case of an armed conflict with China over the Spratly Islands, they are now saying the US will help the Philippines.

This is good, but who is the US fooling? US, with its trillion-dollar-loans from China, cannot be expected to help anyone fighting China, and the US Embassy’s first announcement of this fact, in reaction to a Malacanang statement that the Philippines expects US to help Filipinos in case of a war with China, represents the unchangeable reality in America.

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BIBLE FORBIDS ANGER: Did you know that getting angry is against the Bible? The Lord Jesus Christ does not want us to be angry. In Matthew 5:22, Jesus says: “But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment…”

“Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift,” Jesus adds in Matthew 5:23-24. So stop being angry, simply trust the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.

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KAKAMPI MO ANG BATAS.14 JUNE 2011

US heavily indebted to China, won’t help Phl

LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God…” (Philippians 4:6, the Holy Bible).

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NPC: EIGHT MEDIAMEN KILLED UNDER PNOY SO FAR: By the National Press Club’s own reckoning, there are now eight media personalities who were brutally murdered since the assumption of President Benigno Aquino III last year. Here is the NPC list of slain mediamen:

1. July 3, 2010: community journalist Jose Daguio of Barangay Tuga, Tabuk, Kalinga. 2. July 9, 2010: Miguel Belen, of DWEB FM station in Nabua, Camarines Sur. 3. August 1, 2010– Edilberto Cruz, publisher of Salida tabloid in Nueva Ecija.

4. December 10, 2010: Edison Flameniana Sr., columnist of Mindanao Inquirer. 5. January 24, 2011: Dr. Gerry “Doc Gerry” Ortega of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. 6. February 1, 2011: Cirilo Gallardo, 38, a broadcaster of DWWW Spirit 96.9 FM and a teacher of the Divine Word College, of Velasco, Tayum, Abra.

7. March 24, 2011: Len Flores Somera of Maysilo, Malabon. 8. June 13, 2011: Romeo Olea, reporter-announcer of DWEB-FM based in Nabua town.

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PROSECUTORS ARE JUST TOO OVERWORKED? Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile may have the right to be mad at Zamboanga City Assistant Prosecutors Alfredo Jimenez Jr. and Gladdy Bernabe for failing to decide criminal cases against a Chinese trader and his wife for almost four years. Justice delayed is indeed justice denied, especially because the delay allowed the trader and his wife to leave the Philippines, for good it seems.

But, perhaps, Enrile and his colleagues in the Senate should also look into the workload of prosecutors, not only in Zamboanga City, but in the whole country as well, because it appears fiscals are just too overwhelmingly overloaded with cases for preliminary investigation, while they are also burdened with court hearings, mornings and afternoons.

I suggest the Senate should find a way to increase the number of prosecutors across the country, so that one set would do nothing but conduct preliminary investigations, and another set would do nothing but attend court hearings.

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US WILL NOT HELP PHL: I hate to repeat myself on the issue of the United States of America coming to the aid of the Philippines in case a shooting war erupts between it and China on the Spratly Islands dispute, but I am going to say it again: the US will not help the Philippines.

The reason is simple, regardless of what the treaties and agreements provide: the US is now heavily indebted to China, to the tune of trillions and trillions of dollars. China literally owns the US now, because of these unpaid loans. So if China owns the US, will Beijing allow Washington to help Manila in case of a war? Clearly, the answer is no.

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