Category Archives: Law Enforcement

International, Law Enforcement, Politics, Religion, Travel

PHILIPPINE SENATOR BONG REVILLA A CHANGED MAN AFTER HOLY LAND ENCOUNTER

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Revilla
Revilla

Tel Aviv, Israel – As the Office of the Philippine Ombudsman prepared to indict three senators for their alleged role in the 10 Billion-peso pork barrel scam, most Filipinos went about their usual traditional Lenten season rituals – fasting, abstaining from meat, visiting churches, praying the rosary, going through the stations of the cross (via crucis) and giving alms to the poor. There is much anticipation for Easter Sunday, which Catholics know to be the day that Jesus Christ resurrected following his death on the Cross.

The three senators – Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Bong Revilla – are about to face plunder and graft charges for allegedly pocketing their pork barrel funds in an elaborate scheme supposedly masterminded by businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles who is now in detention.

Senator Revilla is on a different level of Lenten tradition, one that  low to medium-income people don’t usually get the chance to experience. Revilla, his wife and children, are in the Holy Land on a religious pilgrimage to what is believed to be the birthplace of Jesus.

In a skype call with Revilla’s wife, Cavite Representative Lani Mercado-Revilla, she indicated that  immediately upon their arrival in Jerusalem, she saw a transformation with the Senator. “His physical appearance and demeanor totally changed. He seemed like he was at peace,  like he just came out of the confessional box. In fact, throughout our flight from Manila to Tel Aviv, Bong was very calm and kept on listening to a video recording of “My Way,” sung by Rose Fostanes, the Filipina caregiver and winner of the first “X Factor Israel.”

Mrs.Revilla denied that the family was planning to seek political asylum in Israel, adding: “when we return to the Philippines after the pilgrimage, Bong will make an important announcement.” She didn’t say whether that announcement would be “guilty” or “not guilty.”

Meanwhile, Senators Enrile and Estrada, appear to be observing the Lenten season in solitary confinement in their respective mansions, perhaps praying for divine intervention.

 

Health & Medicine, Human Interest, International, Law Enforcement, Politics, Religion, The Media

PHILIPPINES’ CATHOLIC BISHOPS GO ON STRIKE OVER SUPREME COURT DECISION ON REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH LAW

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File photo: Philippine bishops with former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
File photo: Philippine bishops with former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Baguio City, Philippines – This week, the Supreme Court of the Philippines ruled that the controversial Reproductive Health Bill passed by Congress and signed into law by President NoyNoy Aquino is constitutional.

Meeting in Baguio City, the Philippine summer capital, the justices unanimously agreed to let stand most of the new law which provides for the distribution of condoms and other birth control devices in government clinics as well as sex education in schools.

Immediately after the announcement of the high court’s decision, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) declared a nationwide strike. The Philippine bishops have been against the measure from the beginning, often using the pulpit to encourage the Catholic faithful to oppose the bill, now law.

The nationwide strike comes at a crucial time as Filipinos approach the conclusion of the Lenten season, leading up to Easter Sunday.

A CBCP spokesperson said that effective immediately, all priests and bishops will refrain from saying mass or administering the sacraments in all churches and parishes in the country.

The strike is expected to paralyze this predominantly Catholic country of almost 100 Million people.

CBCP declined to say whether or  not the strike had the imprimatur of Pope Francis.

Food, Law Enforcement, Politics, Religion, The Media

CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES: WHAT’S ON THE MENU

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gen8bManila, Philippines – Freedom of Information, Death Penalty, Anti-Political Dynasty, Reproductive Health — these are issues too overwhelming for members of the Senate and House of Representatives in the Republic of the Philippines.  Theses issues are so controversial that passage of corresponding bills have become almost impossible. And the Philippine Congress is worried about its emerging reputation as a “Do-Nothing Congress.”

So, in their respective current sessions, both houses are busy drafting and hearing numerous bills that would easily gain bi-partisan support, among them:

  • House Bill 3926 to make adobo national dish of the Philippines, authored by Representative Rene Relampagos of the province of Bohol.
  • Senate Bill 1863 seeking to impose fines on establishments that refuse to serve half-cup rice orders, authored by Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.
  • House Bill 3979 to require bottled water to be included in the menu of restaurants and fast food chains, authored by Representative Lorna Velasco (Partylist, AMA).

Marcos’ bill aims to prevent unnecessary waste in the country’s main staple and to ensure enough rice supply even in times of calamity.  Velasco’s bill seeks to replace sodas and sweet drinks which are responsible for obesity, diabetes and other health issues faced by Filipinos.

In addition to these measures, the bi-partisan committee on ways and means has proposed two resolutions pertaining to the Congress itself:

  • Resolution to change the official name of the Congress of the Philippines to “Restaurant Congress of the Philippines” to better reflect its legislative priorities.
  • Resolution to rename bills to “menu.”  So, henceforth, the above bills will be known as House Menu 3926 and 3979, and Senate Menu 1863.