Trouble looms among NP senatoriables

OCAMPO, MAZA AND MARCOS WILL JUNK ONE ANOTHER: Trouble seems to be already a-brewing, even at this early stage, among the front-running senatoriables of the Nacionalista Party (NP), particularly Representatives Satur Ocampo and Liza Maza of Bayan Muna and Gabriela and Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. of the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL).

Even as Ocampo, Maza and Bongbong are trying to paint a picture of unity among themselves as guest candidates of Sen. Manny Villar’s Nacionalista Party (NP), it is not difficult to see that, in the end, they would still be junking one another.

For one, both Ocampo and Maza are adamant not only in publicly saying that they had not decided to support any other senatorial candidate of the NP, even if, in the first place, they are supposed to vote for their party mates as a matter of party unity, but, likewise, they are relentless in pursuing the Marcos regime (headed by Bongbong’s father) for its alleged human rights abuses.

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CANDIDACIES OF OCAMPO, MAZA AND MARCOS UNDER THE NP MAY NOT HELP VILLAR: Whether this refusal to support“any other senatorial candidate of the NP” being referred to by them refers to Bongbong or some other NP senatoriable, this speaks volumes about the kind of help that the other candidates of the NP will receive from Ocampo and Maza and their group.

Now, can Bongbong and his KBL and its legions of supporters who are still won’t to chant “Marcos pa rin” at the drop of a hat be faulted if they would likewise refuse to support Ocampo and Maza?

This early, it can already be predicted without much opposition that Villar’s decision to field these three under the NP banner will not, after all, really help him in his own quest for the presidency.

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FORTUNATO ABAT: “TO BIRTH A NATION”, PART II: Here is the second instalment of the “concept paper” that former Defense Secretary Fortunato Abat wrote, in a bid to push for the scuttling of the May 2010 elections and the establishment of a “transition government” after President Arroyo finishes her term next year:

“How is this going to happen. With the AFP/PNP maintaining a neutral position, civil society or a component thereof intervenes in the governance of the nation as the occasion arises using Sec. 1, Art. II of the present Constitution which states `Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them.’

“ The AFP and the PNP and the civil society then coordinate to form the Transition Government constituted by a Transition Board presided by a Chairman who shall act as the Commander-in-Chief, and a Governing Council whose Head shall be the Chief Executive Officer.

“Officers and members of the Board and the Council shall be chosen from among the civil society and the retired military.

“The AFP/PNP shall insure that the transition is peaceful and orderly, and, conscious of their apolitical and protector roles, provide a secure climate for an authoritative governance of the transition government...”

More of this in our next issue.

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LUMINOUS MYSTERIES START WITH BAPTISM OF JESUS: After the Joyful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary of the Roman Catholic Christians, the Mysteries of Light, or the so-called Luminous Mysteries, come next, to narrate another aspect of the life of Jesus Christ starting from His baptism to the Institution of the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper.

Significantly, the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all contain an account of the baptism of Jesus Christ. In Matthew, we find the story in its Chapter 3, verses 13 to 17. In Mark, we find it in its Chapter 1, verses 9 to 13, while in Luke, the event is narrated in its Chapter 3, verses 21 to 22.

In John, the story is found in its Chapter 1, verses 29 to 34, although this account is not as specific about baptism as was written in Matthew, Mark and Luke.

Be that as it may, the baptism of Jesus, performed by His cousin, John the Baptist at the Jordan River, continues to be a confirmation of Jesus’ divinity, and of His status as the Son of God.

In all the Gospels, the story is told that after He was baptized, the heavens parted and the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus like a dove and lightning, with a voice from heaven saying “This is my son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Surely, in all history, there is no other person or being in this world whom God called as His Son, whom He loves and with whom He is well pleased except Jesus.

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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 24 hours a day, Mondays to Fridays.

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