Sunday, November 29, 2009

Batas media outlets, nationwide, worldwide

BATAS INTERNET TV SOON TO GO ON AIR, GOD WILLING: To those who are asking me if I would still go back to anchoring a daily television program like the one I used to have before, I am inviting you to check our websites regularly and find out if we have already started operating the BATAS INTERNET TV where, God willing, I will be having a daily TV program again.
These four websites are www.batasmauricio.com, www.kakampimoangbatas.ning.com, www.batasradio.com and www.eradioportal.com. Check them every now and then, because we are now praying hard to God to allow this TV endeavour of ours to be blessed and finally allowed to go on air.
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BATAS MEDIA OUTLETS, NATIONWIDE, WORLDWIDE: But just so our readers are updated on the media outlets I am, solely by the grace of God, connected with right now, please allow me to make a listing of all these media outlets in this column today. Here they are:
Websites: www.batasmauricio.com, www.batasradio.com, www.eradioportal.com, www.kakampimoangbatas.ning.com, www.kiniray-a.com, www.mabuhaynews.com, www.youtube.com, www.metacafe.com, igoogle, www.philasiacareplansinc.ning.com, www.apocooperative.ning.com, www.attybatas.blog.com, www.facebook.com/batasmauricio, www.fanbox.com, www.multiply.com/batasm, www.twitter.com/attybatas, and, last but not least, www.blogger.com/batasmauricio.
Internet Yahoo e-groups (daily articles): Yahoo Groups: batasforum, ang bagong pinoy, electronicbarangay, Filipinos-Worldwide , KAPAMPANGAN COMMUNITY WORLDWIDE, LeaderPresidents 3810, OFW-News, philjury, pinoybiznet, pinoydiaspora, RY0607, UP Sigma Rho Fraternity and, RCI Ilustres.
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BATAS NEWSPAPER COLUMNS: Newspapers, daily columns: X-Files (nationwide), Sapol, Periodico Dabaw, Sidlak, Daily Zamboanga Times, Mindanao Gold Star Daily (Mindanao).
Newspapers, weekly, nationwide: Philippine Gazette, Tuldok Hotline, The Fortress, and Touchlife.
Newspapers, weekly, Mindanao: Edge Davao, Golden Chronicle, Mindanao Bulletin, Rapido News/Periodico Ini, Mindanao Wall Street Journal.
Newspapers, weekly, Visayas: Western Visayas Newsbreak, Samar Weekly Express, Romblon Text.
Newspapers, weekly, Region 1: Ilocos Times and People's Digest.
Newspapers, weekly, Region 2: Northern Forum Weekly, City Star Weekly, Vizcaya Vanguard, Quirino Quest.
Newspaper, weekly, Cordillera Administrative Region: The Baguio Junction.
Newspapers, weekly, Region 3:Central Luzon Business Week, Mabuhay.
Newspapers, weekly, Region 4: The Herald Group of Southern Luzon (Souther Tagalog Region).
Radio: BATAS INTERNET RADIO; DYKA CMN Antique; DYMS Aksiyon Radyo Catbalogan.
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BATAS ASKS FOR PRAYERS FROM ALL WHO BELIEVE IN GOD: Here is an article I wrote on April 23, 2009, for the BATAS Party List: “I am asking all Filipinos who believe that we should do something to bring back our people to the genuine fear and love of God, through a consistent reading of the Bible and using the Word as a basis for our daily lives, to pray for the BATAS Party List.
“BATAS (or the Bagong Alyansang Tagapagtaguyod ng Adhikaing Sambayanan, the party list I founded and which participated in the May 2007 elections) will still have to hurdle the disqualification ruling that the Commission on Elections issued against it, on the ground that it is a front for a religious organization.
“BATAS has already filed a motion for reconsideration of that disqualification order by the poll body, saying that it has already removed its first nominee who is the second-in-command of a religious organization.
“Chairman Jose Melo of the Comelec is saying that that disqualification order has to be resolved first, if the BATAS Party List is to be allowed to take the two seats that the Supreme Court allocated to it in the decision written by Associate Justice Antonio Carpio.
“At this point, the only thing that can sway things in favor of BATAS, as it were, would be sincere and earnest prayers to God, the Lord Almighty, that He would show His glory in this case to enable BATAS to fulfil its declared advocacy, and so I am enjoining everyone to pray for the party.
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BATAS INTERNET RADIO: Please listen to BATAS INTERNET RADIO through four websites: www.batasradio.com, www.kakampimoangbatas.ning.com, www.batasmauricio.com, and www.eradioportal.com. We go on the air 20 hours a day, from 4 am to 12 midnight, Mondays to Fridays.
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Saturday, November 28, 2009

X'mas tip: avoid eating processed meat to avoid cancer

X’MAS TIP: “AVOID EATING ALL PROCESSED MEATS TO AVOID CANCER”: Mike Adams, the Health Ranger Editor of NaturalNews.com (www.naturalnews.com) wrote an article in 2007 which remains very relevant this year, 2009, most especially because we are now once again in the midst of wanton celebrations for Christmas 2009 and New Year 2010.

As the Holy Bible is won’t to say, those who have ears, listen, and those who have eyes, see!
Here is Mike Adams’ disturbing piece about the relationship of cancer with processed meats (like ham, bacon, sausages, hotdogs and the like), which now happen to be Filipinos’ most favorite Christmas and New Year food:

“World cancer experts have finally declared what NaturalNews readers learned nearly four years ago: That processed meats cause cancer, and anyone seeking to avoid cancer should avoid eating all processed meats for life.

“Hundreds of cancer researchers took part in a five-year project spanning more than 7,000 clinical studies and designed to document the links between diet and cancer.

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PEOPLE SHOULD STOP BUYING AND EATING PROCESSED MEAT: “Their conclusion (was) published in the World Cancer Research Fund's report, Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity and the Prevention of Cancer: a Global Perspective (2007).

“(It) has rocked the health world with a declaration that all people should immediately stop buying and eating processed meat products and that all processed meat should be avoided for life!

“Processed meats, the report explains, are simply too dangerous for human consumption. And why? Because they contain chemical additives that are known to greatly increase the risk of various cancers, including colorectal cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, leukemia, brain tumors, pancreatic cancer and many more.

“The report, published at this DietAndCancerReport.org website also recommends that consumers: •Avoid all sugary soft drinks for life. • Exercise at least 30 minutes a day. • Get lean and fit, without becoming underweight.• Limit consumption of ALL meats (even fresh meat). • Breastfeed all infants for their first six months, avoiding infant formula.

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PROCESSED MEAT CONTAIN HEALTH HAZARDS FROM CHEMICALS MIXED WITH THEM: “Sadly, the WCRF still does not recommend that consumers use nutritional supplements to help protect themselves from cancer, indicating that the group still has a lot to learn about the role of medicinal mushrooms, sea vegetables, microalgae, Chinese herbs, rainforest herbs and superfood extracts in preventing and reversing cancer.

“But at least the group's recommendation that consumers now avoid all processed meat products is a huge step in the right direction.

“It is the first time that any internationally-recognized cancer organization has found the courage to make a partial proclamation about the health hazards of the chemicals found in processed meat products.

“It's almost as big a deal as when the American Medical Association, after years of taking millions of dollars from tobacco companies, finally admitted that smoking causes lung cancer and heart disease....”

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LIFE OF JESUS RECOUNTED IN THE MYSTERIES OF THE ROSARY: A keen study of the mysteries of the Holy Rosary will show that each of the mystery recited in praying it constitutes one important aspect of the life of Jesus.

In the Joyful Mysteries, for instance, what is recounted are the following events in the life of Christ: Annunciation, Visitation of Elizabeth by Mary, Birth of Christ, Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple, and Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple.

In the Mysteries of Light, we find the following: Baptism of Jesus, Wedding at Cana, Proclamation of the Kingdom of God, Transfiguration and Institution of the Holy Eucharist through the Last Supper.

The Sorrowful Mysteries narrate these events in the life of Jesus: Agony in the Garden, Scourging at the Pillar, Crowning of Jesus with Thorns, Carrying of the Cross, and Crucifixion and Death of Christ.

Finally, the Glorious Mysteries make an account of the Resurrection, the Ascention, Descent of the Holy Spirit, Assumption of Mary, and the Coronation of Mary as Queeon of Heaven and Earth.

Anyone who prays the Holy Rosary, therefore, gets to remember Jesus Christ and is reminded all over again of His status as our God and Savior.

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BATAS INTERNET RADIO: Please listen to BATAS INTERNET RADIO through four websites: www.batasradio.com, www.kakampimoangbatas.ning.com, www.batasmauricio.com, and www.eradioportal.com. We go on the air 20 hours a day, from 4 am to 12 midnight, Mondays to Fridays.
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Friday, November 27, 2009

2010, a better year for Filipino workers

2010 A BETTER YEAR FOR FILIPINO WORKERS: The country’s labor force can look forward to a better year in 2010, as 83 percent of companies operating in the Philippines which suffered reverses as a result of the 2009 global economic meltdown have already recovered and are back to normal operations.

This was disclosed Friday by Labor and Employment Secretary Marianito D. Roque, in an interview with BATAS INTERNET RADIO, at the program “Batas Radio Reports” which is being hosted by me Mondays to Fridays, at 7 to 8 in the morning.

Roque said the same positive forecast is being made by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) as far as overseas Filipino workers are concerned.

“While the original estimate was that OFW deployment would increase at around three percent only for 2009 compared to the figures in 2008, we are now seeing a seven percent increase, and this is as of September 2009 only,” he added.

In sum, all of these would mean that there will be more Filipinos who will be employed productively locally and internationally, Roque explained.

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INDUSTRIAL PEACE A REALITY IN 2009: Insofar as industrial peace is concerned, 2009 proved to be a banner year for the attainment of peaceful solutions to the problems that cropped up between labor and management, with a strong mediation and conciliation system in place.

Roque told BATAS INTERNET RADIO in the same Friday interview that mediators and conciliators of the department have become very vigilant whenever there is a report of labor dispute reaching the DOLE.

The mediators and conciliators would be at the company premises almost within 24 hours of a reported dispute, mediating and conciliating to find common grounds that would pave the way for an early settlement.

This must be the reason why only 600 notices of strike were filed with the Bureau of Labor Relations of the DOLE as of September 2009, compared to the 700 notices filed as of September 2008.

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ESHMAEL’S SMILE, AND MOURNING FOR HIS WIFE AND SLAIN SUPPORTERS: No matter how I looked at the Yahoo! News picture of Buluan, Maguindanao Vice Mayor Eshmael Mangudadatu smiling from ear to ear right after he filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for the governorship of the province, I couldn’t help but fee that there was something wrong somewhere.

Yes, Eshmael had every reason to smile and smile broadly because he managed to file his COC despite the threats against his life, and because he is now the standard bearer of the party that previously nurtured and carried the rival Ampatuan family to power in Mindanao for more than a decade now.

And yes, Eshmael should smile broadly because the other contender for the governorship of Maguindanao, the one they say was sure to replace his father in the same position, is now locked up in jail, and had been charged for the murder of his wife and other supporters and mediamen who were only covering a media event when they were mercilessly gunned down.

But to show that smile all over the world, in Yahoo! News yet, is something else. It seemed as if the only thing that really mattered to the man was the political position he was aspiring for, never mind that he lost his wife and 56 other supporters in running after it.

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ASCENSION OF OUR LORD: The “Ascension of our Lord” is the second “Glorious Mystery” in the Holy Rosary of Roman Catholic Christians, and it speaks about the manner by which the Lord Jesus was taken up to heaven after His resurrection.

Only two of the Gospels contain an account of the ascension. The first account is found in Mark, in its Chapter 16, verses 19 and 20, while the second account is found in Luke, in its Chapter 24, verses 50, 51, 52 and 53.

The Gospels of Matthew and John do not have this story, but the Book of Acts, in its Chapter 1, verses 1 to 11, contain a vivid description of how Jesus was “taken up to heaven.”

In Mark, this is how the story is told: “After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed His word by the signs that accompanied it.”

In Luke, the ascension is described in this manner: “When he had let them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left and them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.”

In Acts, the promise of Jesus returning after He was taken to heaven, “in the same way you have seen him go into heaven”, was made.

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Thursday, November 26, 2009

OFWs can now take PRC exams abroad

ANDAL AMPATUAN JR. MUST BE PHYSICALLY EXAMINED: There is now a need to subject Datu Unsay, Maguindanano Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., the prime suspect in the November 23, 2009 kidnapping and murder of 57 supporters of a rival candidate, to a thorough physical examination and determine whether he has any stabbing (or any other) injury in his body.

I am making this suggestion to find out the truth about claims made by Buluan, Maguindanao Mayor Ebrahem Mangudadatu to the effect that, prior to the cold-blooded killing of the victims which included about 30 or so media practitioners, Andal was stabbed by Ebrahem’s sister, Mayor Eden Mangudadatu. Eden was alleged to be one of the 57 who was killed in the carnage.

Ebrahem was quoted in a report posted at the Inquirer.net, the on-line edition of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, as saying that Eden, his sister and sister as well of Buluan Vice Mayor Ishmael Mangudadatu (who is running for governor against Mayor Andal), thought she and her group would be killed anyway, so she stabbed Andal.

If Andal will have any stabbing wound in his body, Ebrahem’s claims would be proved true, and so there is really a basis for holding Andal and detaining him now at the NBI detention cell. But if he has no injuries in his body, that would negate and belie Ebrahem’s claims, necessitating the release of Andal right away.

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PRC SETS LICENSURE EXAMS FOR OFWs STILL ABROAD: Filipinos who are now employed abroad but who were unable to take the required licensure examinations for the professions they have chosen while they were still in the Philippines can now have a chance to take those examinations even while they are presently working overseas.

The reason is that the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC), under its present Chairman, former Court of Appeals Justice Nicolas Lapena, is now furiously implementing a program that will administer professional examinations for interested overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in designated testing centers abroad.

In an interview with BATAS INTERNET RADIO Thursday, November 26, 2009, Lapena told me that, initially, Filipinos who have finished courses in architecture, engineering, accounting, teaching and nursing, can take those exams. Examinations for other courses will follow later.

The testing centers will be put up in Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi and other Middle East countries, as well as in Hong Kong and other Asian cities, Lapena said.
The chairman added that the exams abroad will become a yearly activity for the PRC, in line with the thrust of the Arroyo government to allow full professional development for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

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95,000 SLATED TO TAKE NOV. 29-30, 2009 NURSING EXAMS: And then, there will be 95,000 or so examinees for the November 29-30, 2009 nursing licensure tests that the PRC will conduct, a record number, Lapena also disclosed in the same interview with BATAS INTERNET RADIO.

Because of this big number of examinees, the PRC will set up additional testing centers all around the Philippines. Originally, only the regional offices of the PRC in the country’s 13 or so regions are being used as testing centers.

But since there is a tremendous increase in the number of Filipinos wanting to become nurses this year (2009) even if employment for nurses abroad appears to be tapering off, additional testing sites are now in place in San Fernando City, La Union, Angeles City in Central Luzon, and in Butuan, Pagadian City, Jolo and Tawi-tawi.

By December 2009, testing centers in Hong Kong for nursing graduates who are already there will also be put up for a special nursing exams among OFWs in the area.

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PROCLAMATION OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD : “Proclamation of the Kingdom of God ” is the third mystery in the Mysteries of Light, or Luminous Mysteries, of the Holy Rosary of the Roman Catholic Christians.

An account of this third mystery is found in Matthew 4:17, Mark 1:14 and Luke 4:15 of the Bible. In Matthew 4:17, the story is told that when Jesus heard that John the Baptist had been put in prison, He returned to Galilee, and then lived in Capernaum, by the lake in Zebulun and Naphtali, to fulfil what the prophet Isaiah said.

“From that on, Jesus began to preach,” the same Biblical verse says, and what Jesus started to preach was this: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

In Mark 1:14, an almost identical account is found, thus: “After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee , proclaiming the good news of God. `The time has come’, he said. `The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news.’ ”

In Luke 4:15, on the other hand, this is what is written: “He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.” Luke however says that Jesus began to preach after he was tempted for forty days in the desert.

What is the lesson that we can derive from the third mystery of the Mysteries of Light? It is that, there is a need for man, who has become wicked and mired in sin, to repent, stop sinning, and make the good news of God---the Bible nowadays---a necessary part of his life.

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BATAS INTERNET RADIO: Please listen to BATAS INTERNET RADIO through four websites: www.batasradio.com, www.kakampimoangbatas.ning.com, www.batasmauricio.com, and www.eradioportal.com. We go on the air 20 hours a day, from 4 am to 12 midnight, Mondays to Fridays.
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Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Where is Andal Ampatuan Jr.?

WHERE IS ANDAL AMPATUAN JR.? There is one other item that must be clarified immediately on the Maguindanao November 23, 2009 massacre which, as of this writing, already lists 57 individuals murdered mercilessly.

This is the claim, made by Buluan town Mayor Ebrahim Mangudadatu right after the killings were exposed in the media, that his sister, Mayor Eden Mangudadatu of Mangudadatu town, actually managed to stab Datu Unsay town Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. right after Eden’s convoy was waylaid.

A report of the Philippine Daily Inquirer first posted on Monday, November 23, 2009 at 1715 hours (or 5:15 p.m.), gave this account of the claim: “Buluan town Mayor Ebrahim Mangudadatu, brother of Ishmael, said they got witnesses who claimed that his sister, Mayor Eden Mangudadatu of Mangudadatu town, was brave enough to stab Datu Unsay town Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., the man who wanted to succeed his father, Andal Sr., as Maguindanao governor and the man against whom Ishmael would run.”

The same report then added: “ `Maybe sensing that all of them will be killed, she drew out a knife and stabbed Andal Jr. She’s brave,’ the mayor said...”

The question now is: is this claim true? Where is Andal Jr. now? If Andal Jr. was really stabbed by Eden and sustained injuries on his body as a result of this attack by Eden, then there is no question anymore that he, indeed, should be held liable for the murders, and arrested right away.

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NFA ASSURES SUPPLY OF RICE FOR THE REST OF 2009: The supply of rice for the rest of 2009 is more than sufficient, and the inventory of the government, through the National Food Authority (NFA), showing that there is 1.1 million metric tons of rice still available nationwide, confirms this fact.

This was made clear Wednesday, November 25, 2009, by Rex Estoperez, the public information officer of the NFA, in an interview with BATAS INTERNET RADIO over the program hosted by me, “Batas Radio Reports”.

Rex said the existing inventory can last for a minimum of thirty days. Should there be any problem in the days to come, the NFA under Administrator Jessup Navarro is prepared to import rice from abroad to assure a steady supply.

As of now, Rex added, NFA rice at Php18.25 a kilo can still be purchased, but the purchaser has to be a member of a family earlier identified by the Department of Social Welfare and Development as a beneficiary of low priced-rice and given a so-called “Family Access Card”.
The government is also making sure that the price of rice per kilo will not reach Php30.00, as the present price levels---Php26.00, Php27 and Php28.00---continue to be vigilantly enforced by the NFA.

However, the NFA is appealing to the public in general and to rice traders in particular to continue keeping watch over the sale of NFA rice, to assure that it is sold at prices mandated by the agency.

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THE HOLY ALPHABET: “The Holy Alphabet” is an Internet posting I first saw from the e-group of the Sigma Rho Fraternity of the UP College of Law, and it is an awesome expression of faith in God, using all the letters of the alphabet in the first words in every stanza.

This posting appears to have come from an Overseas Filipino Worker in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, by the name of Michael Cervantes.

I am reprinting it here, not in the way it is now posted in the Internet due to space limitations, but I would like the reader to make a particular note of the capitalized letter of each stanza:

“Although things are not perfect; Because of trial or pain; Continue in thanksgiving; Do not begin to blame; Even when the times are hard; Fierce winds are bound to blow; God is forever able; Hold on to what you know; Imagine life without His love;

“Joy would cease to be; Keep thanking Him for all the things; Love imparts to thee; Move out of 'Camp Complaining'; No weapon that is known; On earth can yield the power; Praise can do alone; Quit looking at the future; Redeem the time at hand; Start every day with worship; To 'thank' is a command;

“Until we see Him coming; Victorious in the sky; We'll run the race with gratitude; Xalting God most high; Yes, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but... Zion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!” Amen!

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BATAS INTERNET RADIO: Please listen to BATAS INTERNET RADIO through four websites: www.batasradio.com, www.kakampimoangbatas.ning.com, www.batasmauricio.com, and www.eradioportal.com. We go on the air 20 hours a day, from 4 am to 12 midnight, Mondays to Fridays.
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Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Dureza’s proposal for disarming armed groups in Mindanao snubbed: why?

WHO ARE THE DESCENDANTS OF ISHMAEL? According to Genesis 16:11 of the Holy Bible, an angel of God appeared to Hagar, the maidservant of Sarai, wife of Abram, and gave a pronouncement on the future of Hagar’s son, who will be called Ishmael.

The angel told Hagar: “ ` You are now with child and you will have a son. You shall name him Ishmael, for the Lord has heard of your misery. He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone’s hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.”

God, after renaming Abram “Abraham” and Sarai “Sarah” and confirming that He will make Abraham the father of many nations, had this to say about Ishmael: “And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and he will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation...” (Genesis 17:20).

God however made it clear that His covenant was not with Ishmael, but with Isaac, Abraham’s legitimate son with Sarah (Genesis 17:21). Do you know who among the nations or peoples of the earth today have become the descendants of Ishmael?

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WHY IS DUREZA’S PROPOSAL TO DISARM PRIVATE GROUPS IN MINDANAO BEING SNUBBED? I am bothered no end by the seeming snub that met the proposal made by Presidential Assistant Jesus Dureza for immediate disarming of armed groups in the region after some 46 people were abducted and later on murdered by armed men Monday.

While almost all dailies, national and local, and radio and TV outlets around the world carried Dureza’s plea for immediate “disarmament” in Mindanao, stressing even that any solution other than disarmament will not work to establish peace and order, not one police and military official, and even civilian authorities, commented on the matter.

It was as if there was a conspiracy of silence among our responsible and ranking officials about disarming private groups in Mindanao, a silence so thick that one could even bounce off from it.

The question here is this: are the police and the military and the government itself that powerless to implement an immediate program of disarming private armies in Mindanao? Are they afraid of something, or someone, on the matter of disarming armed men in the region?

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ROTARIANS HAVE NOT GIVEN UP ON MINDANAO: While kidnappers and murderers were busy eliminating political opponents in relation to the May 2010 elections in Mindanao, it is heartwarming to note that civic organizations like the Rotary International (RI) and Physicians for Peace Philippines (PFPP) continue to do everything they can to help people in the region.

Just a few days ago, members of the Rotary Club of Intramuros, Rotary Club of Ermita and Rotary Club of Pasay Gil Puyat of RI District 3810, and Rotary Club of Zamboanga City Central and of the PFPP, trooped to Ipil in Zamboanga Sibugay and started a project to provide a water system that would assure potable water supply to residents in the area.

PFPP Executive Director and District 3810 Past District Gov. Lyne Abanilla, vice president for classified advertising of the Manila Bulletin and current three-term chairman of RI Public Image Resource group for the Philippines and Indonesia, led the group in putting up the water project, using money donated to RI by Zamboanga City businessman Cesar Lim, who is also a Rotarian.

Dr. Art Platon, the Visionary President of the Rotary Club of Intramuros, told BATAS INTERNET RADIO Wednesday that they will return to Ipil next September to perform a massive medical-dental-surgical and prosthesis mission for the poor and the needy.

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AGONY OF JESUS, AS THE FIRST SORROWFUL MYSTERY: After the Joyful Mysteries and the Mysteries of Light, the Holy Rosary of Roman Catholic Christians deal with the so-called “Sorrowful Mysteries”, which depict the parts of the life of Jesus that culminate in His death on the cross.

The first of these “Sorrowful Mysteries” is the “Agony of Jesus”, which is the story of Jesus agonizing at his impending crucifixion and death on the cross, and which is found in Matthew 26:36-45, Mark 14:32-42 and Luke 22:39-46 of the Bible.

In this story, Jesus is portrayed as being sorrowful and troubled, knowing as He did what was going to happen to him in just a few hours, even prompting Him to say “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.”

Certainly, this is a powerful picture of Jesus in his human attributes, especially when this is viewed in the light of His subsequent statement, which shows Him placing completely His trust and confidence in the Father with the words “My Father, if it is possible, may this cub be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

The question is, if Jesus is the Son of God, why would he be troubled, and why would he say that, if possible, “this cup be taken from me”?

The answer, I believe, is that, it is necessary to show that in his human attributes, Jesus could agonize just like ordinary men, so that humans will not really despair when problems come to them, no matter how great those problems maybe.

There is a solution to the agony that everyone feels, and the solution is precisely what Jesus did: placing complete trust and confidence in the will of God.

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Blood of Maguindanao massacre victims in the hands of authorities

MOTIVATIONS FOR KILLING 40 PLUS PEOPLE IN MAGUINDANAO: What kind of anger and rage will drive a man to kill, in one bunch, a group of 40 plus people composed mostly of women and media personalities, such as that which happened in Maguindanao in Mindanao Monday, November 23, 2009?

Could it be anger and rage that someone had dared to fight against the usually-unopposed candidate of a politically-powerful clan? Or could it be anger and rage against someone who, because of his work in the media, have been exposing corruption and other abuses of someone in power?

Could it also be because of the irreversibly drug-crazed mind of whoever masterminded the killings, such that the gruesome death of about 40 or so people, including 13 journalists and two lady lawyers who were there only because they were trying to make a living, did not really matter to him at all?

-ooo-

JOSEPH JUBELAG OF MINDANAO BULLETIN SAVED BY INSTINCT: Joseph Jubelag, one of the three mediamen who escaped this carnage at Masalay, Maguindanao because he decided, quite accurately at the last minute, that danger awaited the group that sought to file the certificate of candidacy of a candidate for governor of Maguindanao, is my editor at the General Santos City newspaper “Mindanao Bulletin”.

Based on what happened to Joseph, I say it would be wise for any journalist (or for anyone for that matter) to heed one’s instincts once in a while, especially when it concerns personal safety and well-being.

I was told that Joseph decided to forego his plan to ride with the group, led by the wife of Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu who was running against Datu Unsay Mayor Zaldy Ampatuan Jr. for the governorship of the province, after he was told that some suspicious-looking men were checking the names of the journalists who were to cover the filing of Mangudadatu’s certificate at the hotel where they were billeted.

Joseph felt he was one of those being sought by the men, because, he thought, he had earlier written critical and biting articles against officials of Maguindanao and of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The reporters of the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Bandera from General Santos City got similarly lucky when, learning that Joseph transferred to his own car, they decided to join him, even when he no longer proceeded to join the filers.

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THE BLOOD OF THE MAGUINDANAO MASSACRE VICTIMS IN THE HANDS OF AUTHORITIES: Presidential Assistant Jesus Dureza, a prominent politician-businessman from Mindanao, should know what he is talking about when he proposed, one, the immediate disarming of all armed groups in Mindanao, and two, the imposition of a state of emergency in Maguindanao Province.

Indeed, lasting peace and order and real prosperity will never be attained in the south unless the warlords masquerading as politicians and businessmen are divested of their firearms, and made to answer for their crimes.

The bothersome question now is this: why, indeed, have we allowed the bearing of arms by various groups in Mindanao up to now, when, even the 1987 Constitution forbids the use of arms by anyone except by the police, the armed forces and other law enforcement agencies?

It would seem therefore that the blood of all those who were kidnapped and killed Monday in Maguindanao (and those who would still be similarly victimized, God forbid) are in the hands of the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and of the entire government itself, principally because of their collective inaction on the firearms issue all these years.

-ooo-

ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: The fourth “Glorious Mystery” in the Holy Rosary of the Roman Catholic Christians is the assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which deals with the taking up into heaven of Mary, body and soul.

Even among Christians though, this is a controversial issue, with many of the so-called believers outside of the Catholic faith insisting that the assumption of Mary into heaven did not happen.

But the teachings of Roman Catholic Christians point to the occurrence of the event, and Catholic popes and leaders from the 3rd century on actually cite many portions of the Bible to justify this belief.

In Wikipedia, an item on the assumption of Mary contains this explanation: “All these passages – John 14:3, Isaiah 60:13, Luke 1:28, Song of Songs 8:5, 1 Corinthians 15:21-26, Psalms 132:8, Psalms 45:9-17, Song of Songs 3:6, 4:8, 6:9, Genesis 3:15, and Revelation 12:1-2 – are drawn upon as Scriptural support of the Assumption both in that original document, and today by Catholic apologists.”

The prevailing thought is that these Biblical references show that Jesus would not have allowed His own mother to have died and her flesh to have degenerated to dust.

Also, considering Mary’s role in giving birth to the “seed” (Jesus) that will crush Satan, it is believed that the fate of Jesus in ascending to heaven body and soul is the same fate that happened to Mary.

-ooo-

BATAS INTERNET RADIO: Please listen to BATAS INTERNET RADIO through four websites: www.batasradio.com, www.kakampimoangbatas.ning.com, www.batasmauricio.com, and www.eradioportal.com. We go on the air 20 hours a day, from 4 am to 12 midnight, Mondays to Fridays.

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Sunday, November 22, 2009

Millions of CNN viewers choose Filipino as a world-class hero!

MILLIONS OF CNN VIEWERS CHOOSE FILIPINO AS “CNN 2009 HERO”: The Filipino is a world-class hero, and the latest proof of this is Efren Penaflorida of Cavite City who, because of his pioneering work in enabling children on the streets and from the slums to read books, learn how to write, and appreciate the rudiments of hygienic living, was chosen as the 2009 “CNN Hero of the Year” Saturday.

Fashioned out of the same sensational victory of world boxing great and holder of seven world titles Manny Pacquiao last November 15, 2009, Penaflorida’s having been chosen by millions of CNN viewers worldwide as the top hero of the news network for this year signifies a phenomenal recognition that the Filipino has, as it were, arrived when it comes to doing something relevant, important, and, of course, heroic, for his fellow human beings.

Whereas before Pacquiao and Penaflorida came into the scene many Filipinos have been generally branded as shoplifters, hard-headed, and good-for-nothing loafers mainly because of the sad experiences of a lot of our countrymen while working and sojourning abroad, there is now a new sense of respect for our people.

Here’s praying that more Pacquiaos and Penafloridas will surface among Filipinos here and abroad, so we can start claiming our rightful destiny as a race chosen and dearly loved by God!

-ooo-

OFW RECOGNITION BY DOLE MAY CREATE MORE PROBLEMS: I am in full, though painful, agreement with the decision of Labor Secretary Marianito Roque to give the “Model OFW Family of the Year Award” (MOFYA) to 34 families where the parents (or at least one of them) work overseas but which have managed to remain united and closely-knit despite their members’ temporary separation.

Indeed, there is a need to highlight the positive, as it were, and recognize the valiant and gallant efforts of these parents and their children to continue being one family, considering the undeniable fact that a broken family almost always results from an overseas work.

But then, this recognition will also give rise to a big and serious disappointment among the OFW-families which have separated, or which became dysfunctional precisely of the overseas employment of one of them.

While the recognition by Roque and his department through the MOFYA will give a boost to the 34 families that will be honored, it will create more recriminations and even induce hatred and dissent among the millions who are not similarly situated.

My suggestion is that, aside from giving the MOFYA, the Department of Labor and Employment should also find a way to make OFWs and their families continue to be united and closely-knit despite their separation, and it must do this real soon.

-ooo-

PACQUIAO SNUBBED BY HIS OWN PROVINCEMATES: If world boxing great Manny Pacquiao did not receive any reception, warm or otherwise, from officials of Sarangani Province in Mindanao where he intends to run as a congressman, it would seem he has no one to blame but himself and his staff.

One provincial media correspondent told me that while officials of the province tried to coordinate with Pacquiao’s entourage as to his schedule in going to the province after his victory parade in Metro Manila, they were ignored and largely treated as if they merely wanted to capitalize on the boxer’s huge popularity.

Because of this, no one among Sarangani officials showed up when Manny arrived there on Saturday, November 21, 2009, as a sign of protest.

I guess the boxer, who is now sure to run for a congressional seat against billionaire Roy Chiongbian, the son of the late Rep. James Chiongbian, should immediately hire professional and competent election staff to handle problems like this.

It would not be good for him to be getting snubbed simply because his present staff acted as if the people who wanted to be seen with their boss are desirous only of advancing their own agenda.

-ooo-

BIRTH OF JESUS IN THE MANGER: Easily one of the most fondly-remembered events in the Bible is now immortalized as the third Joyful Mystery in the Roman Catholic Christians' Holy Rosary, and this is the birth of Jesus Christ.

Mainly because the event augurs good tidings and happy cheers as it ushers in gift-giving and camaraderie among believers worldwide, the birth of Jesus Christ has become one of the cornerstones of the Catholic Christians' faith as it heralds the great love of God for man, making this the greatest love story of all time.

But completely different from this happy scenario is the account of the birth of Christ that is found in Luke 2:1 to 20, and in Matthew 1:18 to 25 of the Bible, both of which paint a very humble yet solemn and dignified occasion, befitting the Son of God.

This story starts with a census participated in by Joseph, the man who was pledged to marry Mary, the Virgin Mother of Christ. During the census, Mary gave birth to Jesus in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The birth of Jesus was announced by an angel of the Lord to the shepherds who were watching their flocks at night. The angel said that the Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord, had been born. Just then, a great company of heavenly host appeared with the angel, saying "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests."

The shepherds then left their flocks, looked for the baby wrapped in clothes in a manger and, when they found him, started telling everyone about him, glorifying and praising God.

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Saturday, November 21, 2009

“Great Fall” from rains, floods, strong winds coming!

RAINS, FLOODS, STRONG WINDS BATTER THE WORLD: News outlets in the Philippines and around the world carried three significant items Sunday, November 22, 2009, Philippine time, which confirm in no uncertain terms the admonitions of “rains, floods and strong winds” made by the Lord Jesus Christ against those who no longer listen to His Word and obey His commands and decrees, and who are therefore already set up for the “great fall”.

The items, as headlined by the media, including our very own Philippine Daily Inquirer, are the following: “Rain-lashed Britain braces for more floods”; “Ireland battles severe flooding”; and “Northeast monsoon brings strong winds to RP”.

These were the news only for Sunday. In previous days and months (and even years) though, we have been relentlessly reading items about “rains, floods and strong winds” wreaking havoc around the world, killing hundreds of thousands and damaging properties valued at billions and billions of dollars.

The unfortunate thing is that all of these are not about to stop as of yet. Jesus Christ was emphatic about the fact that these “rains, floods and strong winds” will all continue until they shall have caused the “great fall” of everyone and everything.

-ooo-

JESUS CHRIST WARNS ABOUT RAINS, FLOODS AND STRONG WINDS: Where did I find about Jesus Christ’s admonitions about “rains, floods and strong winds” as causing the “great fall”? From the Bible, of course, and, more particularly, from Matthew 7:26 to 27.

The King James Version states Matthew 7:267-27 this way: “And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it…”

On the other hand, here is how the New International Version puts Matthew 7:26-27: “…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..."

The English Standard Version puts it in this manner: “…And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it…"

-ooo-

“GREAT FALL” AWAITS ALL FOOLISH MEN: Is it a coincidence that much more than SARS, swine flu, ebola virus and other flu diseases, “rains, floods and strong winds” nowadays are causing the death of hundreds and thousands of men and women across the globe?

Was Jesus Christ’s use of these calamities in Matthew 7:26-27 simply an “accident”, or a “happenstance”, that merely coincided with the actual realities in the world some 2,000 years after He issued His warning against those who listen to His Word but do not do them?

In all humility, my view is that, no, it was not a coincidence. I am of the conviction that when Jesus Christ spoke about “rains, floods and strong winds” as causing the “great fall” of people who no longer obey Him and the Father in heaven, He was in reality describing the mode by which the “great fall” was to come.

Surely, for all of us who accept and have faith that Jesus Christ is our God and Savior, He was speaking truthfully about what was to befall all of us, if we continue to remain “foolish”, listening to His Word but not doing and obeying them.

-ooo-

RESURRECTION OF JESUS , AS FIRST GLORIOUS MYSTERY: After the “Sorrowful Mysteries”, the “Glorious Mysteries” in the Holy Rosary of the Roman Catholic Christians follow.

The “Glorious Mysteries” constitute the last batch of the mysteries of the Holy Rosary.

The first of the so called “Glorious Mysteries” is the “Resurrection of Jesus”, and long accounts of it are contained in Matthew 28:1 to 20, Mark 16:1 to 20, Luke 24:1 to53, and John 20 and 21.

All of these Gospels say that Mary Magdalene and another woman went to the place where Jesus was entombed, after his crucifixion and death, and found that His body was no longer there.

Then, an angel of the Lord appeared, and told the women that Jesus has risen, as He prophesied about Himself, and was in fact going to Galilee , to meet His disciples.

Shortly after this and in many other incidents thereafter, Jesus showed Himself to His disciples, allowing them to touch His wounds, even eating with them.

The Bible also shows that it was also after His resurrection that Jesus gave His disciples what is now known as the Great Commission: to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus likewise ordered His disciples to teach the nations to obey everything that He taught and commanded the disciples to do, assuring them that He will be with them, to the very end of the age.

-ooo-

BATAS INTERNET RADIO: Please listen to BATAS INTERNET RADIO through four websites: www.batasradio.com, www.kakampimoangbatas.ning.com, www.batasmauricio.com, and www.eradioportal.com. We go on the air 20 hours a day, from 4 am to 12 midnight, Mondays to Fridays.

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Friday, November 20, 2009

DOST-NCR: bringing hope to the poor

DOST NCR: BRINGING HOPE TO THE POOR AND THE MARGINALIZED: Thank God, in the name of Jesus, there are still government agencies which, though working very silently, really provide help and assistance to empower the poor and the marginalized in times of economic or other crisis, by showing them how to earn honestly and comfortably even without much capital or heavy investment.

One of these is the Department of Science and Techonology (DOST), especially its National Capital Regional office led by Director Dr. Teresita C. Fortuna. Even without fanfare and media attention, Dr. Fortuna and her officers are making sure that interested Metro Manila residents who have no steady jobs can have a way to earn a living.

Last Saturday, November 21, 2009, Dr. Fortuna sent two of her trusted technicians who are experts on liquid-soap making to the studios of BATAS INTERNET RADIO in Teachers Vilage, Diliman, Quezon City and, before an overflow crowd of about 100 or so individuals, demonstrated how easy it is to produce liquid soap which can be personally used, or sold to third parties.

Elvin B. Almazar and Romelen Tresvalles mesmerized those who came to see me last Saturday with the fact that in just about a few minutes, they were able to be productive and be satisfied that there is hope for them as they could do something to fight off poverty and despondency.

-ooo-

EVERY MOMENT, THANK GOD: This is the final installment of the article about Rick Warren, successful author of the phenomenal book “Purpose Driven Life” but whose wife, Kay, is afflicted by cancer:

“We need to ask ourselves: Am I going to live for possessions? Popularity? Am I going to be driven by pressures? Guilt? Bitterness? Materialism?

“Or am I going to be driven by God's purposes (for my life)? When I get up in the morning, I sit on the side of my bed and say, God, if I don't get anything else done today, I want to know You more and love You better.

“God didn't put me on earth just to fulfill a to-do list. He's more interested in what I am than what I do. That's why we're called human beings, not human doings.

“Happy moments, PRAISE GOD. Difficult moments, SEEK GOD. Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD. Painful moments, TRUST GOD. Every moment, THANK GOD…”

-ooo-

FRANCHISING BUSINESS AVAILABLE IN RP: Here is an Internet item on what franchising business involves, coming from Gerry Pira from the Yahoo egroup “pinoybiznet”: “When you buy a franchise, you often can sell goods and services that have instant name recognition, and get training and support that can help you succeed.

“Franchise opportunities available for the Philippines and other Countries include the following: Accessories Retail Franchises; Advertising; Bakeshop; Balloons and Parties; Beverage; Carwash; Cellular Phone; Coffeeshop.

“Computer Store; Consulting; Drug Store; Education; Engraving; Entertainment; Fitness; Food---Asian, Chicken, Chinese, Filipino, Pizza Pasta; Japanese; Mexican, Western; Gasoline Station; Hair Salon; Health Related; Ink Refilling; Internet; Laundry Memorial Park.

“Nail Salon; Pawn Shop; Personal Care; Printing; Retail Franchises; RTW Clothing; Spa; Skin Care; Supermarket and Convenient Stores. If you wish to know more about any of these franchise oppportunities, please send name, location, and contact info.

-ooo-

PRESENTATION OF THE CHILD JESUS AT THE TEMPLE: The fourth Joyful Mystery of the Holy Rosary, as prayed by devout Roman Catholic Christians worldwide, pertains to the presentation of the Child Jesus at the Temple, a story that is found in Luke 2:21 to 40 of the Bible.

At first glance, the account of how Jesus was presented at the Temple seemed to indicate concern merely for the completion of the then existing purification process for males as mandated by the law of Moses.

When one looks closer, however, it becomes apparent that this story of the presentation is actually another Biblical confirmation about who Jesus really is and what He is destined to do.

Thus, we can see two individuals, one man (the righteous and devout Simeon) and one woman (the prophetess Anna, then 84 years of age), prophesying about Jesus as Someone who will cause the rise and fall of many in Israel, and as Someone who will redeem God’s people.

Simeon in particular confirmed that he had received a revelation that he would not die unless he had already seen the Lord’s Christ. When Simeon saw Jesus, the Holy Spirit came over him, and he said he was ready to die in peace, since he already saw the Lord.

Anna on the other hand who was widowed after being married for only seven years, spent the rest of her life, until she was 84 years old, worshipping, fasting and praying at the temple. When she saw Jesus, she spoke about Him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

-ooo-

BATAS INTERNET RADIO: Please listen to BATAS INTERNET RADIO through four websites: www.batasradio.com, www.kakampimoangbatas.ning.com, www.batasmauricio.com, and www.eradioportal.com. We go on the air 20 hours a day, from 4 am to 12 midnight, Mondays to Fridays.

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Thursday, November 19, 2009

DOJ bats for better pays; Rotary Club dubbed “super excellent”

ROTARY CLUB GET “SUPER EXCELLENT” RATING: Dr. Arthur V. Platon, the recently-retired surgeon of Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center who found a new way of rendering public service as the Visionary President of the Rotary Club of Intramuros for Rotary Year 2009-2010, now has more reason to be happy giving Rotary’s “service above self” to the poor.

Last Thursday, November 19, 2009, on the occasion of the mandatory but once-a-year “Governor’s Visit” of the club led by District 3810 Gov. Connie Beltran, Platon’s presidency of the 28-year old club got a rating of “super excellent”, in view of its concrete and impact-generating projects for the poor and the youth.

Gov. Beltran said she was impressed by: one, water projects for different barangays in Sta. Cruz, Laguna; two, distribution of books and educational materials and school supplies for school children most affected by the recent typhoons that devastated the Philippines.

Three, livelihood projects and medical-dental-prosthetics mission among 25,000 residents of Tondo, Manila; and fourth, public imaging programs that highlight Rotary’s services worldwide.

Platon, who has a unique but at times “difficult” brand of leadership and presidency, couldn’t help but be teary-eyed by the accolade publicly given by Gov. Beltran, considering that many thought he could not be at par with the position.

-ooo-

GOD’S GUIDANCE IN TIMES OF WEALTH AND PROSPERITY, AND IN TIMES OF ADVERSITY: Here is the third part of an article posted in the Internet egroup “RY0607” by Mario Lopez about Rick Warren’s newest insights, after being successful with his “Purpose Driver Life” and finding out his wife, Kay, has cancer:

“It also brought a lot of notoriety that I had never had to deal with before. I don't think God gives you money or notoriety for your own ego or for you to live a life of ease. So I began to ask God what He wanted me to do with this money, notoriety and influence.

“He gave me two different passages that helped me decide what to do, II Corinthians 9 and Psalm 72. First, in spite of all the money coming in, we would not change our lifestyle one bit. We made no major purchases.

“Second, about midway through last year, I stopped taking a salary from the church. Third, we set up foundations to fund an initiative we call The Peace Plan to plant churches, equip leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick, and educate the next generation.

“Fourth, I added up all that the church had paid me in the 24 years since I started the church, and I gave it all back. It was liberating to be able to serve God for free….”

More of this will come next issue. Watch out for it, folks!

-ooo-

DEVANADERA BATS FOR AN IMPROVED COMPENSATION PACKAGE FOR DOJ PROSECUTORS, LAWYERS: Justice Secretary Agnes Devanera is seeking the immediate passage by Congress of a proposed law that would streamline and make more attractive the “compensation package” for prosecutors and public attorneys of the Department of Justice.

In an interview Friday, November 20, 2009, over BATAS INTERNET RADIO, Devanadera said the work at the Department is actually hampered by the perennial lack of prosecutors and public attorneys, so she is urging lawmakers to expedite the enacment of the proposed law.

“We are trying to improve the compensation package so we can entice more lawyers to join government service,” Devanadera told me at the program “Batas Radio Reports”

Right now, the secretary said, there is a lack of about 500 or so prosecutors, and a lack of a similar number of public lawyers for the Public Attorney’s Office. She said this needs to be remedied so that, she said quoting a former president of the country, “those who have less in life should have more in law.”

-ooo-

CRUCIFIXION AND DEATH OF JESUS: The final mystery in the “Sorrowful Mysteries” of the Holy Rosary of Roman Catholic Christians is the “Crucifixion and Death of Jesus.”

As this statement suggests, it is an account of how Jesus died through
crucifixion.

In Matthew, it can be found in its Chapter 27, verses 33 to 61. In Mark, it is written in its Chapter 15, verses 22 to 47, while in Luke, this story is told in its Chapter 23, verses 32 to 56. In John, it is narrated in its Chapter 19, verses 18 to 42.

Despite its obvious defeatist stance because it portrays the death of Jesus, the “Crucifixion and Death of Jesus” actually represents a glorious victory for the Son of God and for all those who believe in Him.

For this “death” is no death all. It is a victorious fulfillment of what Jesus had been saying all along, that He was going to die in the hands of sinners, so that the Scriptures will be fulfilled.

Then, this death was a necessary process, as it were, so that sins could be forgiven, and its actual happening, in the full view of witnesses, confirms God’s forgiveness of everyone who believes in Jesus and for those who repent and turn from their wicked ways.

The death of Jesus, therefore, signals a “defeat”, yes, but it is a defeat of sin and wickedness, and the triumph of God’s great love for man.

It is a “death” that made possible the grant of eternal life for everyone who believed that Jesus is their Lord and Savior.

-ooo-

BATAS INTERNET RADIO: Please listen to BATAS INTERNET RADIO through four websites: www.batasradio.com, www.kakampimoangbatas.ning.com, www.batasmauricio.com, and www.eradioportal.com. We go on the air 20 hours a day, from 4 am to 12 midnight, Mondays to Fridays.

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Escudero running for president, but all by his lonesome

CHIZ ESCUDERO STILL RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT: Sen. Francis Escudero, it seems, should not be counted out of the May 2010 presidential race yet.

The other day, he went to the media and announced, quite cryptically, that he will make public before December 1, 2009 his plans for next year which, everybody believes, would be his pursuing the presidency.

My reading is that, yes, he will still run for president in 2010, except that he will neither have a vice presidential candidate nor senatorial candidates. He will be running without any candidates at the local levels, too.

-ooo-

BIBLICAL WISDOM FOR MANNY PACQUIAO: World boxing great Manny Pacquiao may want to listen to words of wisdom from the Bible in connection with his well-publicized “quarrel” with his wife, Jinky, and learn a thing or two about what God says about a wife.

In Malachi 2:15, among others, it says: “Has not the Lord made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth.”

In Proverbs 5:18, this wish is raised: “May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in wife of your youth…”

“Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun---all your meaningless days,” Ecclesiastes 9:9 intones.

-ooo-

PURPOSES AND PROBLEMS IN LIFE: Here is the second part of the Internet article which, Mario Lopez, a fellow “Leader President” (a Rotary club president who served under Rotary Year 2006-2007), forwarded to me through the Yahoo egroup “RY0607”.

The article deals with new insights from Rick Warren, successful author of “Purpose Driven Life”, after discovering that his wife, Kay, has cancer:

“No matter how good things are in your life, there is always something bad that needs to be worked on. And no matter how bad things are in your life, there is always something good you can thank God for.

“You can focus on your purposes, or you can focus on your problems. If you focus on your problems, you're going into self-centeredness, `which is my problem, my issues, my pain.’ But one of the easiest ways to get rid of pain is to get your focus off yourself and onto God and others.

-ooo-

DEALING WITH THE GOOD AND BAD OF LIFE: “We discovered quickly that in spite of the prayers of hundreds of thousands of people, God was not going to heal Kay or make it easy for her.

“It has been very difficult for her, and yet God has strengthened her character, given her a ministry of helping other people, given her a testimony, drawn her closer to Him and to people.

“You have to learn to deal with both the good and the bad of life. Actually, sometimes learning to deal with the good is harder. For instance, this past year, all of a sudden, when the book sold 15 million copies, it made me instantly very wealthy.

There is more to this next issue…

-ooo-

BIRTH OF JESUS IN THE MANGER: Easily one of the most fondly-remembered events in the Bible is now immortalized as the third Joyful Mystery in the Roman Catholic Christians’ Holy Rosary, and this is the birth of Jesus Christ.

Mainly because the event augurs good tidings and happy cheers as it ushers in gift-giving and camaraderie among believers worldwide, the birth of Jesus Christ has become one of the cornerstones of the Catholic Christians’ faith as it heralds the great love of God for man, making this the greatest love story of all time.

But completely different from this happy scenario is the account of the birth of Christ that is found in Luke 2:1 to 20, and in Matthew 1:18 to 25 of the Bible, both of which paint a very humble yet solemn and dignified occasion, befitting the Son of God.

This story starts with a census participated in by Joseph, the man who was pledged to marry Mary, the Virgin Mother of Christ. During the census, Mary gave birth to Jesus in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The birth of Jesus was announced by an angel of the Lord to the shepherds who were watching their flocks at night. The angel said that the Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord, had been born. Just then, a great company of heavenly host appeared with the angel, saying “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.”

The shepherds then left their flocks, looked for the baby wrapped in clothes in a manger and, when they found him, started telling everyone about him, glorifying and praising God.

-ooo-

BATAS INTERNET RADIO: Please listen to BATAS INTERNET RADIO through four websites: www.batasradio.com, www.kakampimoangbatas.ning.com, www.batasmauricio.com, and www.eradioportal.com. We go on the air 20 hours a day, from 4 am to 12 midnight, Mondays to Fridays.


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Wednesday, November 18, 2009

May God’s people win in May 2010!

MAY GOD’S PEOPLE WIN IN MAY 2010! Now, only Brother Eddie Villanueva, the chieftain of Jesus Is Lord Church and the confirmed standard bearer running for the presidency in May 2010 of the Bangon Pilipinas Party, remains without a running mate.

All the other declared presidentiables have running mates by now: former President Joseph Estrada, Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay; former Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, former Optical Media Bureau chief and actor-TV host Edu Manzano; Sen. Benigno Aquino III, Sen. Mar Roxas; and Sen. Manny Villar, Sen. Loren Legarda.

The stage is therefore set for May 2010. Our wish? May God’s people win, for the sake of the candidates, and for the sake of the long-suffering Filipino people. If those who will be elected next year are still not God’s people, the Philippines will see difficulties and hardships among its people never before experienced by them.

The reason is that a leader who does not have the true fear and love of God in his heart will only bring more ruin and destruction to his people, especially during these times of great turmoil and widespread economic chaos, and that is what is impending to happen to Filipinos worldwide, if we don’t shape up.

-ooo-

LIFE ON EARTH IS A PREPARATION FOR ETERNITY: Here is another inspiring Internet posting, forwarded by Mario Lopez of the Yahoo egroup “RY0607” (the social site of Rotary club presidents who served for Rotary Year 2006-2007, and who are known as “leader presidents”):

“You will enjoy the new insights that Rick Warren has, with his wife now having cancer and him having `wealth’ from the book sales. This is an absolutely incredible short interview with Rick Warren, `Purpose Driven Life’ author and pastor of Saddleback Church in California.

“In the interview by Paul Bradshaw with Rick Warren, Rick said: People ask me, What is the purpose of life? And I respond: In a nutshell, life is preparation for eternity. We were made to last forever, and God wants us to be with Him in Heaven.

“One day my heart is going to stop, and that will be the end of my body-- but not the end of me. I may live 60 to 100 years on earth, but I am going to spend trillions of years in eternity. This is the warm-up act - the dress rehearsal. God wants us to practice on earth what we will do forever in eternity.

-ooo-

WE WERE MADE BY GOD FOR GOD: “We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn't going to make sense. Life is a series of problems: Either you are in one now, you're just coming out of one, or you're getting ready to go into another one.

“The reason for this is that God is more interested in your character than your comfort. God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making your life happy. We can be reasonably happy here on earth, but that's not the goal of life.

“The goal is to grow in character, in Christ likeness. This past year has been the greatest year of my life but also the toughest, with my wife, Kay, getting cancer.

“I used to think that life was hills and valleys - you go through a dark time, then you go to the mountaintop, back and forth. I don't believe that anymore. Rather than life being hills and valleys, I believe that it's kind of like two rails on a railroad track, and at all times you have something good and something bad in your life…”

More of this in succeeding issues. Stay tuned, folks!!!

-ooo-

ASCENSION OF OUR LORD: The “Ascension of our Lord” is the second “Glorious Mystery” in the Holy Rosary of Roman Catholic Christians, and it speaks about the manner by which the Lord Jesus was taken up to heaven after His resurrection.

Only two of the Gospels contain an account of the ascension. The first account is found in Mark, in its Chapter 16, verses 19 and 20, while the second account is found in Luke, in its Chapter 24, verses 50, 51, 52 and 53.

The Gospels of Matthew and John do not have this story, but the Book of Acts, in its Chapter 1, verses 1 to 11, contain a vivid description of how Jesus was “taken up to heaven.”

In Mark, this is how the story is told: “After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed His word by the signs that accompanied it.”

In Luke, the ascension is described in this manner: “When he had let them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left and them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.”

In Acts, the promise of Jesus returning after He was taken to heaven, “in the same way you have seen him go into heaven” was made.

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BATAS INTERNET RADIO: Please listen to BATAS INTERNET RADIO through four websites: www.batasradio.com, www.kakampimoangbatas.ning.com, www.batasmauricio.com, and www.eradioportal.com. We go on the air 20 hours a day, from 4 am to 12 midnight, Mondays to Fridays.

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Monday, November 16, 2009

NP’s firearms amnesty, pinahaba ni PGMA

KAILANGAN DIN NI PACQUIAO NA TUMUNGO SA OSPITAL: Kailangan ni Manny Pacquiao, ang tumatayong pinaka-dakilang boksingero sa buong mundo sa ngayon, na tumungo din sa ospital gaya ni Miguel Cotto, ang kanyang nakalabang Puerto Rican noong Sabado, a-kinse ng Nobyembre 2009, upang magpa-CT-scan at alamin kung mayroong higit pang diperensiya sa pagdurugo ng kanyang tenga.

Ito ang iginiit sa BATAS INTERNET RADIO noong Martes, Nobyembre 17, 2009, ni Dr. Arthur V. Platon, isang siruhanong ginugol ang pinaka-mahusay na bahagi ng kanyang buhay bilang duktor sa Jose Reyes Medical Center kung saan siya nagretiro matapos abutin ang edad ng 65 anyos.

Ayon kay Platon, isang Visionary President ng Rotary Club of Intramuros, ang CT scan ay kailangan upang makasigurado ang dakilang boksingero na ang tatlong maliliit na buto sa kanyang tenga na tumutulong sa kanya upang makarinig ay nanatiling ayos ang kalagayan, at ang tila-salaming bahagi ng tenga na naghihiwalay sa mga kanal doon at sa kanyang utak ay di napinsala.

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MGA MAHIHIRAP, TINUTULUNGAN NG MGA ROTARIANS NA LUMABAN SA KAHIRAPAN: Ang mga Rotarian mula sa District 3810 ng Rotary International (RI) ay puspusang kumikilos upang mapaglabanan ang kasalukuyang taghirap sa buong mundo ng mga mahihirap sa Tondo, Manila, sa pamamagitan ng pag-oorganisa sa humigit kumulang sa mga 25,000 residente doon bilang “Rotary Community Corps” (RCC), isang organisasyong kinikilala ng RI upang maging benepisyaryo ng mga proyektong pangkabuhayan ng Rotary.

Noong nakaraang Sabado, Nobyembre 14, 2009, ang mga kasapi ng Rotary Club of Intramuros at ng Rotary Club of Ermita sa pangunguna ng kanilang mga Visionary Presidents, Dr. Art Platon ng Intramuros at Eugene Tan ng Ermita, ay nangasiwa sa panunumpa ng tungkulin ng ilang mga residente sa Tondo sa “Gawad Kalinga Paradise Heights” sa Smokey Mountain bilang mga RCC officers, sa harap ng kanilang mga kasama.

Matapos ang panunumpa sa tungkulin, dalawang seminar pang-kabuhayan na tumalakay sa mga biyaya ng “urban gardening and vegetable growing” at ng pagko-kooperatiba ang nilahukan ng mga residente, na sa ngayon ay benepisyaryo na ng mga regular na medical-dental-prosthesis missions ng dalawang clubs, sa pakikipagtulungan ng Rotary Club of Tondo (sa ilalim ng kanyang pangulong si Konsehal Arlene Khoa).

Ganito ang plano ng mga Rotary clubs: ang mga kasapi ng RCC ay magtatanim ng mga gulay at mga bulaklaking halaman, at ang anumang aanihin nila ay ipagbibili sa isang kooperatiba na sila din ang may-ari na, pagkatapos, ay magbebenta naman sa mga Rotarians at sa publiko.

Ang kikitain dito ay gagamitin sa kalaunan sa pagbili ng mga tricycle upang maipakalat naman sa mga RCC members na kanila naming gagamitin sa hanapbuhay.

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PNP’S FIREARMS AMNESTY, PINAHABA NI PGMA: Ang lahat ng himpilan ng Philippine National Police sa lahat ng lungsod at bayan sa buong bansa ay binigyan ng karapatang tumanggap ng mga kahilingan o aplikasyon para sa nagaganap na “PNP firearms amnesty program” (o isang proyektong naglalayong gawing legal ang pagmamay-ari ng baril).

Ito ang isiniwalat noong Martes, Nobyembre 17, 2009, ni Police Senior Superintendent Danny Maligalig, ang hepe ng PNP firearms and explosives division, ang ahensiyang namamahala sa pagpapatupad ng kampanya sa pagpalisensiya ng mga baril, sa isang panayam sa BATAS INTERNET RADIO.

Ayon kay Maligalig, naglabas ang Pangulong Arroyo ng isang kautusan na nagbibigay ng dagdag na palugit, o hanggang Nobyembre 31, 2009 (mula Oktubre 31, 2009 lamang), upang mairehistro ang humigit-kumulang sa 1.1 milyong mga di nakarehistrong baril.

Ang kailangan lamang gawin ng isang nagmamay-ari ng baril na nagnanais makakuha ng amnesty ay magpakita ng kanyang birth certificate, proof of billing para sa anumang bayarin buwan-buwan, at magbayad ng Php1,000 bilang amnesty fee.

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PAGBABA NG ESPIRITU SANTO: Ang pangatlong “Misteryo sa Luwalhati” sa Banal na Rosaryo ng mga Kristiyanong Romano Katoliko ay nakapatungkol sa tinatawag na “Pagbaba ng Espiritu Santo”.

Ang misteryong ito ay hindi na kasama ng mga Evangelio nina Mateo, Marcos, Lucas at Juan, pero nakasulat naman ito sa Aklat ng mga Gawa ng Bibliya.

Sa kanyang Kapitulo 2, bersikulo 1 hanggang 41, sinasabi ng Aklat ng mga Gawa na habang nagkakatipon ang mga disipulo ni Jesus sa araw ng Pentecostes, nakarinig sila ng tunog na kagaya ng isang malakas at marahas na hangin mula sa langit, na pumuno sa bahay na kanilang pinagkakatipunan.

Matapos noon, nakita ng mga alagad ang tila mga dilang-apoy na naghiwa-hiwalay at dumapo sa bawat isa sa kanila, at naramdaman nilang napuno sila ng Espiritu Santo na naging daan upang sila ay makapagsalita ng ibang mga wika.

Ang mga Hudyo na nakasaksi sa mga pagsasalita ng ibang wika ng mga alagad ay lubos na namangha, bagamat ang iba sa kanila ay nagsabing lasing lamang ang mga ito kaya ganun.

Dahil dito ay nagsalita si Pedro, at nagsabing hindi pupuwedeng lasing lamang ang mga disipulo kaya sila nakakapagsalita ng ibang wika, sapagkat alas 9 pa lamang ng umaga noon.

Sa kanyang pagsasalita, tinalakay na din ni Pedro ang pagkakaroon ng kaligtasan ng mga makasalanan sa pamamagitan ng pagsisisi sa kanilang mga kasalanan at pagpapabinyag o bautismo sa pangalan ni Jesus.

Matapos ang pagsasalitang ito ni Pedro, nadagdagan ng tatlong libo ang bilang ng mga nananampalataya kay Jesus.

Ganundin, ang kuwentong ito ay nagpapatotoo minsan pa sa pangako ni Jesus na ipadadala niya ang Espiritu Santo sa mga maniniwala sa Kanya, katulad ng naging pangako naman ng Amang nasa langit (Lucas 24:49).


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PGMA extends PNP’s firearms amnesty

PACQUIAO MUST GO TO THE HOSPITAL, TOO: World boxing great Manny Pacquiao must, like his Puerto Rican foe, Miguel Cotto, also go to a hospital and have his ear and head CT-scanned as soon as he can, to determine if there is more than just bleeding in his ear after his November 15, 2009 fight.

Dr. Arthur V. Platon, a surgeon who spent the best years of his medical career at the Jose Reyes Medical Reyes where he retired after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65 years, insisted on this yesterday in an interview with BATAS INTERNET RADIO.

Platon, a Visionary President of the Rotary Club of Intramuros, said the CT-scan is necessary to assure the great boxer that the three small bones in his ear which help him hear are in order, and that the glass-like membrane acting as a shield between the outer and inner canals of the ear and the brain has not been damaged, too.

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ROTARIANS HELPING THE POOR TO FIGHT ECONOMIC CRUNCH: Rotarians under District 3810 of Rotary International (RI) are pushing the frontiers against the on-going economic crunch among many poor and underprivileged Filipinos from Tondo, Manila by organizing approximately 25,000 of them into a “Rotary Community Corps” (RCC), an organization accredited by RI to become a beneficiary of Rotary livelihood projects and services.

Last Saturday, November 14, 2009, members of the Rotary Club of Intramuros and the Rotary Club of Ermita led by their Visionary Presidents, Dr. Art Platon of Intramuros, and Eugene Tan of Ermita, inducted a group of the residents from a place in Tondo known as “Gawad Kalinga Paradise Heights” in the Smokey Mountain area as RCC interim officers, in the presence of their fellow residents.

Immediately after the induction ceremonies, two livelihood seminars on the benefits of “urban gardening and vegetable growing” and cooperativism were participated in by the residents, who are already beneficiaries of an on-going medical-dental-prosthetic missions by the two clubs in coordination with the Rotary Club of Tondo (under its Visionary President, Councilor Arlene Khoa).

The Rotary Clubs’ plan, which drew greatly enthusiastic responses from the new RCC officers and members, was: the residents would be planting and growing various types of vegetables and flowering plants, and then their produce would be sold to a cooperative to be owned by them likewise, which, in turn, will resell it to Rotarians and the general public.

The proceeds would later on be used to buy tricycle units for distribution to the RCC members to be used by them for transporting people and goods, for a fee.

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PNP’S FIREARMS AMNESTY EXTENDED: All Philippine National Police stations in every city and municipality nationwide have been authorized to accept applications for the still-going “PNP firearms amnesty program”.

This was disclosed Tuesday, November 17, 2009, by Police Senior Superintendent Danny Maligalig, the chief of PNP’s firearms and explosives division, which is overseeing the implementation of the extended amnesty campaign, in an interview with BATAS INTERNET RADIO.

Maligalig said President Arroyo has issued an order extending to November 31, 2009 the amnesty program which was originally projected to end by October 31, 2009, in the hope of registering some 1.1 million previously-registered (but which are not registered now), and totally unregistered firearms.

All that a firearm holder of owner wanting to avail of the extended amnesty program is to present his birth certificate, proof of billing for any utility and to pay Php1,000 as amnesty fee.

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PRAYING OF THE ROSARY IS BIBLE BASED: Roman Catholic Christians practice the praying of the Holy Rosary, which is something that is balked at by others who believe in Christianity on the argument that praying the Rosary is paganistic in origin.

I did some reading on the matter, and indeed, there is nothing in the Holy Bible that says Christians should pray the Rosary, as there is even no mention of the Rosary in any pages of that Book.

But when one looks at the mysteries of the Rosary, one begins to understand that whoever conceived and thought of this prayer, dedicated to Mary, the Virgin Mother of Christ, actually was following the examples of many leaders of the Christian faith, enshrined in many pages of the Bible, where they resort to repeating the history of the Israelites, from their exodus to their arrival at the Promised Land, as a means to strengthen their faith.

Just look at the story of Gideon, in Judges 6 and 7 of the Bible, and you will see what I mean. Before Gideon finally relented to be used as God’s chosen one to deliver his people from the Midianites who were causing them sufferings, he had to recount Israel’s story all over again.

This is what is happening when a Roman Catholic prays the Rosary: he is actually repeating a tried and tested tradition of Christian leaders, for he is reminded of the full and entire story of Christ, from the announcement of his birth by the Angel Gabriel to his Ascension to Heaven, taken directly from the Bible itself.

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BATAS INTERNET RADIO: Please listen to BATAS INTERNET RADIO through four websites: www.batasradio.com, www.kakampimoangbatas.ning.com, www.batasmauricio.com, and www.eradioportal.com. We go on the air 20 hours a day, from 4 am to 12 midnight, Mondays to Fridays.

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Sunday, November 15, 2009

Pagasa budget slash unconscionable, insensitive

PAGASA BUDGET SLASH UNCONSIONABLE, INSENSITIVE: Slashing the 2010 budget of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to a level which is even lower than its budget in 2009 is to me unconscionable and totally insensitive.

Unconscionable, because a lower budget would certainly give rise to a greater decapitation of the weather bureau which, as it is now, is already incapacitated in doing more effective forecasting to warn our people about impending tragedies coming from storms and other weather disturbances.

Insensitive, because we all know that storms and other natural calamities in our country are not just becoming more frequent, but, more importantly, even more devastating as recent events have shown us, so there is a need to really provide more, not less, funding to the sole government agency that can help us mitigate deaths and damage to property every time a typhoon comes.

I wonder why this budget-slashing is being done against PAGASA? Would we want to make our people more prone to sufferings and losses arising from natural calamities and catastrophes? Why?

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“2012”, THE MOVIE, CONFIRMS THERE IS AN END OF THE WORLD: There are talks that the movie “2012”, a highly entertaining tale of how the world will end on December 12, 2012 courtesy of director Roland Emmerich, is actually un-Christian, because it allegedly contravenes the basic Christian doctrine that no one knows exactly when the end of this planet will come.

In a way, these talks are correct, because the Bible is repeatedly saying that only God the Father knows the day when the world will end. Not even Jesus Christ, the Lord and Savior, and the angels in heaven, know the appointed date.

But, with due respect, these kinds of talk are missing the point of the movie, which is that, there is going to be an end to this world, whether we like it or not.

Yes, the world will end, and whether or not it will happen on December 12, 2012, or in the manner that Emmerich described in his movie (which has, by now, become a blockbuster), the end will certainly come.

That should be a sobering truth for all of us, because, if everything in this world will pass away one day and nothing is going to be left of the world as we know it, should we not prepare for this event and assure ourselves that we are in the good graces of The One who created the heavens and the earth?

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CAN EDU HELP LAKAS-KAMPI-CMD? Can Edu Manzano add spice to the efforts of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD to continue having Malacanang and the presidency in its grip even after May 2010?

Many are saying that Manzano’s having been drafted to become the running mate of Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard bearer Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. is already an abused tactic and has already backfired before, because many movie personalities nevertheless lost in their political forays despite their popularity.

But, if you ask me, there is always an inherent advantage in having a popular movie star as a candidate. First, there is no longer any difficulty in name recall and public awareness.

Second, there is a built-in wide-spread acceptance of the movie star which, with just a little more push from the party machinery, could translate into votes not only for him but for the other candidates from his group.

Third, movie stars, especially those who have already made good in their careers, can be considered as achievers in their own right, having succeeded in their chosen field of endeavor, and could therefore be expected to become good public officials.

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PRAYER IS THE ANSWER TO EVERY PROBLEM IN LIFE: A poem I found posted on a table inside a courtroom in Manila sometime in 1983, when I first became a lawyer attending my first-ever court hearing, confirms the power of prayer, thus:

“Prayer is the answer to every problem in life. It puts us in tune with Divine Wisdom, which knows how to adjust everything perfectly. So often, we do not pray in certain situations because from our standpoint, the outlook is hopeless. BUT NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD.

“Nothing is so entangled it cannot be remedied. No human relationship is too strained to bring about reconciliation and understanding. No habit so deep-rooted that it cannot be overcome. No one is so weak that he cannot be strong. No one is so ill that he cannot be healed. No mind is so dull that it cannot be made brilliant.

“Whatever we need if trust God, He will supply it. If anything is causing worry and anxiety, let us stop rehearsing the difficulty and TRUST God for love, healing and power.”

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BATAS INTERNET RADIO: Please listen to BATAS INTERNET RADIO through four websites: www.batasradio.com, www.kakampimoangbatas.ning.com, www.batasmauricio.com, and www.eradioportal.com. We go on the air 20 hours a day, from 4 am to 12 midnight, Mondays to Fridays.

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Discipline and training give Pacquiao 7th title

PACQUIAO WINS OVER COTTO: Manny Pacquiao is really the best boxer there is in the whole world now, and this is not only because he prevailed over Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto in their “Firepower” November 15, 2009 match, and also not only because he is the only one who has won seven titles in seven different divisions.

He has become the best in the sport simply because of his willingness to undergo the most rigorous preparation and training before his fights, something that many boxers and many other athletes seem unable to perfect.

Of course, it helped that Manny now has the money to pay for the best coach, the best seconds, the best trainers and the best of the best of equipment and training paraphernalia, but what Manny has in abundance at this point in his career and in his life is the spirit to subject himself to even the strictest conditions his handlers require of him.

As in every other aspect of life, plenty of training and disciplined preparation completely make the difference, resulting in victory, in glory and, in Pacquiao’s case, in fame, riches and, many a time, in being considered as the most handsome man in the Philippines and in the whole world.

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“2012”, THE MOVIE, IS NOT ABOUT THE BIBLICAL END OF THE WORLD: The Roland Emmerich “end of the world” movie, “2012”, is definitely an entertaining film but it lacks the bite of credibility, at least insofar as someone like me who was half-expecting that the movie would contain some references to Biblical descriptions of how the world will end from the point of Jesus Christ, as written in Matthew 24 of the Holy Bible.

I know that Emmerich could not have been expected to hue to the end of the world as Jesus described it, since Roland is not known to be a religious man (and a Catholic) and the movie is not a religious documentary, but then, he could have taken pains to give his viewers an inkling, at least, of the Biblical “end of the world”.

I do not know how that could have been carried out in the movie, but, then it would not have been very difficult to make a portrayal of it in the manner indicated in Mathew 24:29, thus:

"Immediately after the distress of those days, 'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.' “

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PROCLAMATION OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD: “Proclamation of the Kingdom of God” is the third mystery in the Mysteries of Light, or Luminous Mysteries, of the Holy Rosary of the Roman Catholic Christians, and an account of it is found in Matthew 4:17, Mark 1:14 and Luke 4:15 of the Bible.

In Matthew 4:17, the story is told that when Jesus heard that John the Baptist had been put in prison, He returned to Galilee, and then lived in Capernaum, by the lake in Zebulun and Naphtali, to fulfill what the prophet Isaiah said.

“From that on, Jesus began to preach,” the same Biblical verse says, and what Jesus started to preach was this: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

In Mark 1:14, an almost identical account is found, thus: “After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. `The time has come’, he said. `The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news.’”

In Luke 4:15, on the other hand, this is what is written: “He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.” Luke however says that Jesus began to preach after he was tempted for forty days in the desert.
What is the lesson that we can derive from the third mystery of the Mysteries of Light?

It is that, there is a need for man, who has become wicked and mired in sin, to repent, stop sinning, and make the good news of God---the Bible nowadays---a necessary part of his life.

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BATAS RADIO: Please listen to BATAS INTERNET RADIO, an Internet radio station under www.batasmauricio.com, www.eradioportal.com, www.batasradio.com and www.kakampimoangbatas.ning.com. Log on to any of these sites, click BATAS RADIO and you can stay tuned for 20 hours a day, from 4 in the morning to 12 midnight, Mondays to Fridays, enjoying the latest news, credible commentaries, free legal and problem counseling from the point of view of the Bible.

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Big number of presidentiables causing political instability?

DONATION-GIVING MUST BE USED TO ENTICE PEOPLE TO HAVE GREATER FAITH IN GOD: I do not wish to appear an ingrate now, but I would have appreciated it more if US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in promising US$ 5 million more aid to Filipinos devastated by Typhoons Ondoy, Pepeng and Santi, also did something to inculcate a better faith in God among the victims.

This is something that I have long wanted to see, not just in Clinton, but even among the other donors who have been sending money and relief donations since our country got devastated by natural calamities in the form of strong rains, high floods and strong winds in recent months.

The occasion of donation-giving should have been used by the donors, not just to display compassion to the afflicted and the suffering, but more to expressly or impliedly give honor to God and recognize that the destruction that is being wrought upon our country and its people by natural calamities have Biblical and spiritual dimensions.

That would have helped our people more, because any gesture of humility before God by the rich and the powerful is sure to give a lasting impression upon the lowly and the underprivileged, and would prod them to be more trusting in God.

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SIX PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES NOW CONFIRMED TO RUN IN THE MAY 2010 POLLS: With the announcement recently of former Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. of the Department of Public Works and Highways that he is indeed also running for the presidency in the May 2010 elections, there are now six confirmed presidential candidates that will slug it out next year.

The others are former President Joseph Estrada, Sen. Manuel Villar, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Senator Noynoy Aquino and Jesus Is Lord chief Brother Eddie Villanueva.

Of the six contenders, only three---Estrada and Aquino---have confirmed vice presidential candidates: Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay for Estrada, Sen. Manuel Roxas for Sen. Aquino and TV host Edu Manzano for Gibo.

The others are either still in the process of selecting their running mates or are simply unable to find one, although they keep saying, publicly at least, that they have already selected their running mates but are only awaiting the most opportune time.

This big number of presidential wannabes is perceived by many as unhealthy as it breeds political instability, because it results in greater division and polarization of the electorate and of our leaders.

From another point of view, however, having more than two presidential candidates really gives us the opportunity of having more choices as to who will run this country henceforth.

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LAST SUPPER AND THE INSTITUTION OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST: The fifth and last mystery in the Mysteries of Light (or the Luminous Mysteries) of the Holy Rosary of Roman Catholic Christians is the “Institution of the Holy Eucharist through the Last Supper”, an event which is now being used as basis for the Catholics’ claim that Jesus Christ is present in all Catholic masses around the world.

Found in Matthew 26:17-29, Mark 14:12-25 and Luke 22:7-20, the story about the Last Supper contains an order from Jesus, which is significant as it is unique: “do this in remembrance of me”.

The question of course is: why would Jesus tell his disciples, who were having the Last Supper with Him, to break bread and drink wine “in remembrance of me” or “in memory of me”?

There could only be one answer and here lies the significance and the uniqueness of the Last Supper: Jesus wanted all those who believe in Him to remember Him every time they partook of food and drinks, to remember that all the grace and blessings that come to them who eat and drink actually come from the benevolence of God.

And since everything comes from the benevolence of God, we should always be thankful to Him, and recognize that without Him, we are nothing and we have nothing, and that whatever we are eating and drinking represents Jesus, so that Jesus actually is with us all the time.

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Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Prayers for Manny Pacquiao

HOW TO CONNECT WITH BATAS INTERNET RADIO: To those who are interested to connect with us, as it were, at BATAS INTERNET RADIO, there are many ways of doing it, so you can go on live and talk to our listeners in the Philippines and around the world.

The first way is to call us, free of charge, wherever in the world you maybe, through Skype. BATAS INTERNET RADIO is listed with Skype under the name “batas radio”.

If you are already a Skype subscriber, find “batas radio” among its listed subscribers, and then ask that you be added as a contact. You can then call us for free.

If you have no Skype or you are not connected with the Internet, you can call us through our landlines: 496 80 82 and 394 1191. Just add the proper country codes and area codes if you are outside Metro Manila or outside the Philippines. Finally, you can also email us through batasradio@yahoo.com.

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PRAYERS FOR MANNY PACQUIAO: It is two to three days to go before the Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto November 15, 2009 fight in Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, USA as I am writing this, and the stage seems set for Pacquiao’s clinching his historic seventh world title in as many divisions, but I continue to be hounded by a prediction that he is going to lose this one.

I am praying that the prediction will not come true, but I remember having received it right after Pacquiao’s sensational second round knock-out of Ricky Hatton from a listener of mine in my radio program “Kakampi Mo Ang Batas” over station DYMS Aksiyon Radyo of Catbalogan City, which prompted me to write an article about it on May 6, 2009.

The listener did not give any reason for his prediction but, just so Pacquiao, his trainers, handlers and advisers will take heed, I am reproducing that article here, together with other articles I wrote about Pacquiao, in the spirit of fraternal concern. Here are those articles:

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“PACQUIAO TO LOSE IN HIS NEXT FIGHT: PREDICTION: Even as Manny Pacquiao and all Filipinos continue to revel over his sensational second round knock-out victory over Ricky Hatton Sunday, his advisers and trainers must take pains to ensure that the Filipino boxer remains strong in his faith in God in the days to come.

“This is so because, as talks of his next fight start to hog the headlines once again, there is a Filipino from Catbalogan City, Western Samar, who is saying that Pacquiao is going to be defeated in his coming ring assignment.

“This Filipino is a regular listener of mine over DYMS Aksiyon Radyo in Catbalogan City, at the program “Kakampi Mo Ang Batas” which is aired daily from Mondays to Fridays, at 11 in the morning (Philippine time), and simulcast worldwide through www.samarnews.com.

“In one of his text messages to me, the listener said: `mark my word…Pacquiao is going to lose in his next fight, whoever his opponent will be…’

“I found it eerie that the text message came to me right after I wrote in this column that Pacquiao is sure to be defeated in his succeeding fight, whoever he will be up against, if he stops displaying his faith in, and reverence for, God.

“By the way, that column was prompted by reports giving Pacquiao all the credit for his stunning victory over Hatton and his previous opponents, sidelining God’s role in those victories….”

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“PACQUIAO’S GIVING GLORY TO GOD CLINCHED THE FIGHT FOR HIM: To those who scoffed at what I wrote here in this column that God is going to favor Manny Pacquiao in the famed `Battle of the East and the West’, because, as between him and Ricky Hatton Pacquiao publicly honored God more with his actions and statements, God has proven you wrong.

“Pacquiao is no longer just a prized fighter, no longer just the best pound for pound fighter the world has seen, but, even more important, he is a fighter who is not ashamed to glorify God and the Virgin Mother with his thoughts, words and deeds, and God has returned the compliment, as it were.

“Manny is going to soar even higher, not only in boxing but in other things as well, if he continues to give glory to God and to the Virgin Mary in whatever he thinks, says or does.

“Deuteronomy 28:1-2 of the Holy Bible says: `If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all His commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God…’ ”

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BATAS RADIO: Please listen to BATAS INTERNET RADIO, an Internet radio station under www.batasmauricio.com, www.eradioportal.com, www.batasradio.com and www.kakampimoangbatas.ning.com. Log on to any of these sites, click BATAS RADIO and you can stay tuned for 20 hours a day, from 4 in the morning to 12 midnight, Mondays to Fridays, enjoying the latest news, credible commentaries, free legal and problem counseling from the point of view of the Bible.

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