27 April 1-7, 2021
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(From Page 13)
They know that an early exit is a possibility, so they are very likely guaranteeing themselves a neat little fortune stashed away somewhere. The bigger their golden parachute, the better. I do not know if the Lord will hear my prayers where the evil Duterte regime is concerned. But I will say that He has answered all of my prayers, all in His time. I do know that He will not answer one prayer, that Duterte fall ill and become permanently disabled soonest, thereby forcing him to surrender the reins of government to the vice president. Such a prayer is unchristian, I know, but I squeeze it in just the same. Then again, it is said that the Lord works in mysterious ways. It goes by many guises, but the law of karma, of cause and effect, of sowing what one reaps, is universal. Sooner or later, Duterte will get what he deserves, and it will not be pretty. To quote Romans 12:19, Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but have room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Amen to that.
Immigrant’s story...
(From Page 13)
Aquino and VP Jejomar Binay in 2010. Then Duterte was elected president in 2016 with Leni Robredo winning as VP. Many hoped that the Duterte presidency would usher a “new political era” in the history of the Philippines but it appears that with just more than a year left in his term, Duterte has failed to make any significant mark as president. May the new president who will succeed Duterte in 2022 do a better job in leading the Filipino people in reforming the political structure and culture of the Philippines. It is time to have leaders who will genuinely serve the true interest of the nation and its people.
Health & Wealth
(From Page 12)
“My faith in the reliability of the Word of God and the actuality of the resurrection of Christ and Truths presented by the Apostle Paul have enhanced and encouraged,” wrote Judy Miller, author of 19 motivational and Christian books, Pasadena, Texas, USA. “I personally recommend this book to the young people and millennials like me. This is a tremendous guide in the wisdom so needed in youth,” said Brent M. Solis, Evangelist and Minister, DAGUPAN CITY CHURCH OF CHRIST, Dagupan City, Pangasinan, Philippines. “HISTORICITY OF JESUS is not only a tool for Christian workers in the field, but it can be a helpful teaching tool in our Sunday schools, fellowships, lectureships and other gatherings,” wrote Atty. Junas T. Sagurit, President, Asian Christian University, Bugallon, Pangasinan, Philippines. “I eagerly recommend this book to all, notably to our Roman Catholic friends, said James Quitoriano, former Roman Catholic, and now Minister, GOLDEN GATE CHURCH OF CHRIST in San Francisco, California, USA. To get your autographed copies of the two books plus a Bible, just attend the Special Sunday with Edwin Bacani on April 11, 2021.RSVP: (650)438-3531 or (415)584-7095 or email:agmadlaing@hotmail.com *ART GABOT MADLAING is accredited and commissioned Notary Public and licensed Real Estate Broker (DRE #00635976) in California since 1981. He is founder of MOBILE SIGNING SERVICES, FITNESS FOR HUMANITY (aka FITNESS FOR CHRIST) and ACAPINOY. Art is active Evangelist with the GOLDEN GATE CHURCH OF CHRIST in San Francisco, California USA.
PerryScope...
(From Page 12)
could affect the “peace an stability” in the disputed territory. The Philippine government then demanded the immediate withdrawal of the Chinese vessels. It noted that the lingering presence was a “blatant infringement of the Philippines’ sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction.” The Philippine military also ordered more navy ships to be deployed to the WPS. This led Philippine Senate President Tito Sotto to say that he is not worried about the presence of the Chinese militia vessels in the WPS because of Manila’s defense treaty with the US, its longtime ally. He said that the 70-year-old Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) should be invoked if hostilities escalate between the Philippines and China. He said that if China attacks the Philippines’ navy ships it’s a violation of the MDT, which says that if a Philippine government boat or any property is attacked, “the MDT takes effect right away.”
The lesson of Mischief Reef In 1991, the Philippine Senate voted to reject the extension of the American bases agreement. The nationalists in the Senate were convinced then that the Philippines didn’t need the protection of the U.S. against foreign invasion. They asserted that continued presence of American bases was an affront to Philippine sovereignty. However, they didn’t demand for the rescission of the MDT, which obligated the U.S. to defend Philippine territory in the event of foreign invasion. It’s like them saying, “We don’t want you around but we expect you to defend us if we are invaded.” Indeed, it’s a love-hate relationship that is nurtured to this day. The following year, the US bases were closed when the termination took effect. Three years later, on February 8, 1995, Filipino fishermen observed a Chinese flag flying over the Mischief Reef, which is only 135 miles from Palawan. Eight Chinese ships were also in the area and some were armed. And the Philippine Armed Forces couldn’t do anything to take it back. As an afterthought to the Senate’s folly of booting out the Americans from Philippine soil, which left the Philippines at the mercy of a foreign country who’d use force to nibble at its territory, the U.S. and the Philippines signed a Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), which would allow the stationing of American forces on Philippine soil. The Senate ratified it on May 27, 1999, which makes one wonder how the senators -- who voted to remove the U.S. bases in 1991 -- voted for the VFA eight years later? Once again the nationalists went up in arms claiming that the VFA violates the Philippine constitution. But the VFA remained in force simply because the Philippine senators realized that they made a major blunder in terminating the bases agreement. Makeshift structures When the Chinese occupied Mischief Reef in February1995, they built makeshift structures on stilts that they used as fishermen’s shelter. The Philippine government protested the incursion but the Chinese said that they’re using them to shelter all fishermen at night including Filipinos who might need it. In 1998, the makeshift structures were replaced with permanent buildings. Years later, a military garrison was built and troops were stationed there. Twenty years later, China built an artificial island on it and built a huge air and naval base. The Chinese call it their “Pearl Harbor” in the South China Sea. Justice Carpio said that he’s worried that “they will now start claiming, building on Juan Felipe Reef, just like what they did to Mischief Reef in 1995.” The Chinese occupation of Mischief Reef serves as a lesson to President Duterte. Today, he is faced with a dilemma: What would he do if China refuses to withdraw its 200 vessels from the Julian Felipe Reef and starts building fishermen’s shelter just like it did 26 years ago on Mischief Reef? It seems like it’s déjà vu all over again. (PerryDiaz@ gmail.com)
Diliman way
(From Page 12)
stitution, execute its laws, do justice to every man and conserve myself to the service of the Nation. So help me God.” The acts of Duterte as President directly contradict this provision of the Constitution. Note the following acts of Duterte and his boys: First, Extra-judicial killings which number in tens of thousandsinspired by President Duterte and executed without limit by his unthinking enforcers, specifically, PNP and, to a certain degree, the PDEA – the current versions of the Davao Death Squads. The killings violate the due process and equal protection clause under section 1 and Article III of the Constitution on the Bill of Rights. By this kind of action, other provisions of the Constitution are also violated – section 2 of Article II which provides the duty of government to protect the people; section 5 of the same Article which sanctifies the protection of life; section 11, also of the same Article under which the “State values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for human rights.”; and section 17 of Article VII where he is mandated to”ensure that the laws be faithfully executed.” Second, The giving away of our valuable resources in our economic zones and territory in the West Philippines Sea to communist China and paying obeisance to his foreign master, Xi Jin Ping. This is in direct violation of our sovereign right as a country. It also violates section 7, Article II of the Constitution which provides that – “The State shall promote an independent foreign policy. In its relation with other states the paramount consideration shall be national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest, and the right to self-determination.” Where has this provision gone with the Duterte administration? It has gone to the waste basket of communist China’s Xi Jin Ping? Independent foreign policy as implemented by Duterte is like an action of a beggar in the streets of Metro Manila. Is that independent? National sovereignty has become a joke. Where is territorial integrity? It has become a scandal. Is the interest of Xi Jin Ping’s China our national interest? Where is right to self-determination? Are we on our way to becoming a province of Communist China? We certainly
will be – if President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has his way. I’m sure President Duterte has not forgotten he is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines under section 18 of Article VII of the Constitution. I’m even surer he remembers since he calls the AFP his military. So why did not his military do anything when the Communist Chinese invaded the West Philippine Sea, built islands and installed military installations, including possible nuclear weapons? In obedience to its master, the Armed Forces of the Philippines did nothing. In the inimitable words of the late Mayor Arsenio Lacson – deaf, dumb, mute, napako sa silya, (nailed to the chair) The AFP forgot that under section 3, Article II of the Constitution its duty is well-defined – “The Armed Forces of the Philippines is the protector of the people and the State. Its goal is secure the sovereignty of the State and the integrity of the national territory.” Why did it not do anything? Is it due to high salaries its members are now receiving? Is it due to the appointments of colonels and generals to high civilian positions after retirement where they are doing their on the job training (OJT)? Have President Duterte and the members of the AFP organized a mutual admiration club? Are the members of the military more loyal to the President Duterte than to the people and the country? Are their salaries paid by Dutertte? These questions need to be answered because of the total failure of Duterte and his military to follow their duties under the Constitution on the Chinese communist invasion and take over of the West Philippine Sea. Third, Section 27 of Article II of the Constitution provides that – “The State shall maintain honesty and integrity in the public service and take positive and affective measures against graft and corruption.” But no such positive and effective measures have been taken by the government of President Duterte.
Upside...
(From Page 11)
me, and I work to continue her legacy through my advocacy work with the Filipino Community Center in SF,” said Ramilo. “Our family is so grateful for this recognition of her impact and dedication to all,” Bulos’ only child Elizabeth Ramilo shared her appreciation with Inquirer.net. “She would want us to remember community members and families in need. And to help make positive changes to support issues such as affordable housing, veterans’ benefits, women’s rights, financial aid because of our pandemic, and affordable healthcare for all,” the medical assistant told Inquirer.net. “She encouraged everyone to be involved with a smile and a caring heart.” Bulos is among three South San Francisco women “trailblazers” to receive permanent official honors from their hometown. Also to honored are pioneer SSF City Council Members Robert Cerri Teglia and Karyl Matsumoto. Mayor Mark Addiego said Magnolia Center will be named after Cerri Teglia, a “South City” native who broke many barriers as the first female member of the City Council and four-time Mayor between 1978-1995. As a passionate advocate for older adults, she led efforts to plan, fund and build what was earlier known as the Magnolia Senior Center. Nicolas lauded recently retired Council Member Karyl Matsumoto as the spearhead for the Catrain station in progress that will bear the latter’s name. Having represented South San Francisco on the board of the Transportation Authority and San Mateo County Transit District or SamTrans, Matsumoto “incorporated her vision of a community plaza with art, landscaping, and accessibility features” and “persevered” throughout her City Council tenure from 1997-2020 in ensuring “getting the funding needed to make this project a reality.” In 2019 South San Francisco took a first step to honor Bulos’ contributions with a campaign to exhibit photographs and documents of her life at the Grand Library of the South San Francisco Public Libraries. Nicolas and librarian Eva Martinez collaborated on “Filipino American Empowerment: Celebrating the Legacy of Alice Pena Bulos,” drawing residents and friends whose lives Bulos touched. Martinez noted the dearth of representation from the FilAm community and took steps to fill the void.Adapted from original reprinted from Inquirer.net
