Wednesday, February 3, 2021
God Had Planned Something Better
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
Hindsight vision is always 20-20, but seeing what lies in the future is totally something else. The future is unknown, risky, and indefinite. It’s no wonder we hesitate to take the bold step whether it is launching a business or moving away from the security of the nest. No business or marriage would likely fail if we knew the future, but neither does any endeavor succeed apart from a measure of risk. The armchair critics risk nothing. They are the ones who quarterback from the sidelines. They are exactly right with their criticism, but they are worthless when it comes to playing the game.
The writer of the book of Hebrews talks about a genre of heroes–at least heroes from God’s point of view–whose exploits always seemed to fall short of success. The writer says, “Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy…” (Hebrews 11:36-38). Tough people, those who chose to face difficulty and the sure consequences that accompanied it, rather than to take the easy way out.
In the same passage the writer says, “And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect” (Hebrews 11:39-40). Did you notice that phrase, “God had planned something better for us…”? And what does that mean? Does it imply that it is better not to face the tough times of life? Naturally, that appeals to us. Nobody likes criticism or persecution for his faith. But that isn’t what it means.
Those individuals who were willing to pay the price for their faith did it without seeing deliverance. They willingly laid down their lives for a victory which they did not yet see.
Those whom the writer of Hebrews was addressing, though, did see a victory which those who lived in bygone years only anticipated: the victory of an empty tomb, the victory of seeing Jesus Christ go hand-to-hand in combat with the enemy and come off victorious.
It was this that the writer saw as “something better which God had planned.” What’s the bottom line? There are many things which we’ve got to take by faith–the times when we seem to lose, the times when we pray and it seems that evil triumphs, the times when you do right and seem to become the victim.
Can you accept by faith the proposition that God had planned something better? “Hey, just a minute!” you may be thinking. “Isn’t that like whistling in the dark, or pretending that something is true which really isn’t?” It all depends on your perspective.
If you live only for the hour, then perhaps the one who suffers or dies for a cause which will ultimately win is really the loser. But if God is God, and He is the Sovereign of the universe, then He will have His payday someday, and He will ultimately even the score, giving reward to those to whom it is due, and rendering judgment to those to whom it is due, as well.
The wheels of justice seem to grind so very slowly, yet the overview of history says that they grind exceedingly fine and sure. Better to lose in a cause that will ultimately win than to win in a cause that will ultimately fail.
Resource Reading: Hebrews 11
https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/god-had-planned-something-better/
Fear from anti-terror law due to law enforcers' track record: analyst
Law enforcers must prove themselves that the implementation of the new counterterrorism law will remain conscious in protecting human rights, a security analyst said Wednesday.
"I think the main challenge here is the track rating of our law enforcers. Some people, they don't trust our law enforcers about their credibility in implementing this kind of law," Professor Rommel Banlaoi, director of the Center for Intelligence and National Security Studies of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research, told ANC.
"I think the ball is now in the court of the law enforcement authorities to prove themselves that the implementation of the anti-terrorism law will remain conscious of the need to protect the rights of the people that this law intends to protect."
He made the remark as the Supreme Court on Tuesday began hearing oral arguments on petitions challenging the validity of the contentious Anti-Terrorism Act.
Despite such concerns, Banlaoi remains in favor of the anti-terror law "as the threat of terrorism in the Philippines has evolved into a more brutal and draconian form."
"We have to understand that the main intention of this law is not only to put to jail terrorist organizations but also to prevent individuals and organizations from committing actual acts of terrorism and put to justice all personalities and organizations supporting, financing, training, and even endorsing and glorifying acts of terrorism," he said.
As among those consulted when the measure was being crafted, Banlaoi stressed it was a "misunderstanding" that the law would be used against legitimate dissent.
"The anti-terrorism law is promoting and supporting activism, as long as this kind of activism will remain to be peaceful and lawful," he said.
"Of course, the anti-terrorism law will run after activists supporting armed struggle, propagating violence and even endorsing acts of violence."
The counter-terror law was signed in July 2020 despite heavy opposition over fears it could be used to crack down on dissent.
Among the law's contentious provisions includes warrantless arrest, prolonged detention without charges and the designation of any person or group as terrorists.
Iloilo City redistricting gets Congress nod
By Perla Lena
ILOILO CITY – The proposed redistricting of this highly urbanized city into two legislative districts earned the nod of the House of Representatives (HoR) on the third and final reading on Tuesday.
“Our dream of leveling up and becoming an even greater metropolis got a fresh boost today with the approval of our bill adding a legislative district in Iloilo City,” Iloilo City Lone District Rep. Julienne Baronda, author of House Bill 8477, said on Wednesday.
In an official statement, Baronda said once it becomes a law, the city will have two representatives in the HoR, which means a “louder voice in Congress”.
“With two legislators, we can expect more projects and programs from the national government, a doubled effort to woo investors, and more benefits for the people,” she said.
She added that she hoped the Senate will also pass a counterpart bill for the proposed redistricting.
Meanwhile, in an interview over RMN Iloilo, Mayor Jerry Treñas said he fully supports the proposed redistricting.
“As a congressman for nine years, I have seen how a congressperson can help out in the development of our city,” he said citing that Cebu, Marikina, and Makati among others were also divided into two legislative districts.
He added that if needed, he will try to campaign with senators he knows to seek their support.
The proposed redistricting of Iloilo City started during the time of former Rep. Raul Gonzales Jr. and Treñas.
“We continued what they have started, and we are fortunate to have successfully received support from our esteemed colleagues,” Baronda added.
She thanked the House leadership and her colleagues for supporting the bill.
One congressional district will be composed of Jaro, Lapaz, and Mandurriao districts while the other legislative district will have City Proper, Molo, Arevalo, and Lapuz districts.
‘2 BETTER THAN 1’; Iloilo City may soon have another legislative district
ILOILO City – The House of Representatives approved House Bill 8477 or “An Act Reapportioning the Lone Legislative District of the City of Iloilo” on its third and final reading yesterday.
Filed by Rep. Julienne “Jam-jam” Baronda last July 29, 2019, the bill aims to add a legislative district here to help accelerate the metro’s growth and development as Western Visayas’ economic hub and regional center.
“Our dream of leveling up and becoming an even greater metropolis got a fresh boost,” according to Baronda.
Such dream, she said, was started by former congressman Raul Gonzalez Jr. who filed House Bill 4256 in the 14th Congress, then by now Mayor Jerry Treñas who filed House Bills 1219 and 3474 in the 15th and 17th Congresses.
“We continued what they started, and we are fortunate to have successfully received support from our esteemed colleagues,” said Baronda.
House Bill 8477 is set to group the districts of Jaro, La Paz and Mandurriao together as the First Legislative District, and cluster City Proper, Molo, Arevalo and Lapuz as the Second Legislative District.
Treñas welcomed the development. “It is long overdue. The creation of another district means another congressperson will be able to provide more projects, financial assistance, scholarships and other services,” he told Panay News.
The former legislator emphasized, “The city has already developed so much that we can accommodate another congressional district. Our constituents will benefit a lot from this development.”
Baronda told Panay News “reapportioning the city does not only lend an extra voice (to the Ilonggos). It also signifies an extra (pair of) ear(s). Another district representative will allow for a better approach to the needs of the people.”
“The growth in our city’s population must be met with this measure to ensure proportional representation,” added Baronda.
Additional representation to voice Ilonggo interest
A barangay official also welcomed the bill’s approval, saying the city deserves more pro-people programs and services.
Barangay Hibao-an Norte’s Barangay Captain Ariel Mirar embraces the idea of another legislative district representative as the growing population implies more people have to be provided with public services.
Mirar believes reapportioning the city will help leaders deliver services to those who need them the most.
“Matagaan importansiya ang tagsa-tagsa ka proyekto nga ipalab-ot sa komunidad ilabi na gid sa aton kabarangayan,” he said.
He was seconded by another barangay leader. “As a public servant for 16 years, I believe Iloilo City is qualified to have two representatives. This will provide the city with better opportunities,and advantage when it comes to projects,” John Jesner Perce H. Punsaran, ABK president of La Paz District, told Panay News.
“I also believe that creating two legislative districts would spur economic development for the city. It is about time that Iloilo City, which has long been acknowledged as the cultural, commercial, academic, religious and governmental center in Western Visayas, gets another legislative district,” added Punsaran.
Another community leader, Kagawad Raymond Mosquera of Barangay Calaparan, Arevalo, echoed Punsaran saying, “Makadala sang dugang nga proyekto ilabi na gid infrastructures, sa ciudad sang Iloilo. Pamaagi man ini para mapadasig kag matagaan attention ang kada area sang duwa distrito.”
Baronda highlighted that this measure is for the greater good of the Ilonggos, saying “a stronger and concerted voice for the Ilonggo community in Congress by virtue of adding another district representative will underscore the urgency of bills, thereby allowing the possibility of an expedited process for proposed legislations that are of local significance.”
More responsive approach
With Iloilo City’s population at 447,992 as per the latest Philippine Statistics Authority National Census (2015), an additional representative can aid in delivering context-based programs and solutions.
Florist Maria Mae Abangan Soriano of Barangay Dulonan, Arevalo, meanwhile said it is practical to have two legislators speaking for Iloilo City.
“Naga-uswag na ang ciudad kag nagadako kag damu na ang responsibilities sang congressman. So need nga duwa ang ma-handle nga congressmen para matutokan maayo ang need sang pumoluyo,” she told Panay News.
Economic growth
The support for the reapportioning Iloilo City is also grounded on the enhanced funding support from the national government as it will lead to the much-needed boost in our city’s development that has been derailed by the pandemic.
For millennial engineering student Renz Deerick S. Baido, the additional representative for Iloilo City is a “great opportunity in terms of economic stability” and “is beneficial for our future.”
He asserted that since the pandemic has affected the economy, another congressman or congresswoman will help push for more employment and livelihood programs.
Baronda emphasized that this legislation can aid alleviate the ill-effects of the pandemic.
“The support of another champion for Iloilo City in the House of Representatives will provide that extra push for more legislation that can help enliven our economy,” she said.
Baronda emphasized that the reapportioning of Iloilo City does not mean a division or a split. The purpose of this piece of legislation is aimed at improving the lives of Ilonggos through better public service via additional representation.
“If we liken our city to a boat, it is better than two boatmen paddle it in going to our destination. We can get to where we want to be a lot faster,” she said.
She further said: “Take the case of our bill establishing the Iloilo City Hospital. If there are two congresspersons from our beloved city, they have a stronger voice in pushing for its approval. It may be a cliché but you know two is definitely better than one,” she further said.
House Bill 8477 is co-authored by Cong. Michael Gorriceta (2nd District, Iloilo Province), Cong. Raul Tupas (5th District, Iloilo Province) and Cong. Stephen Paduano.
A total of 207 legislators voted in favor of the bill while six abstained. No one voted against its passage.
It will be sent to the Senate for a counterpart legislative measure./PN
https://www.panaynews.net/2-better-than-1-iloilo-city-may-soon-have-another-legislative-district/