Wednesday, February 17, 2021
What Will Life in Heaven Be Like?
For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 1 Corinthians 15:22-23
Thomas Edison, the inventor of the incandescent globe, or the “light bulb” as we call it today, was never one to waste words. Hard of hearing, he avoided a lot of social conversation; but when he said something, people listened. That was especially true of the night Edison lay dying. Struggling to say something, his wife and doctor leaned down to catch his dying words. With a smile he clearly and distinctly said, “It is very beautiful over there!”
Strange, though, how seldom we think of heaven. No wonder C. S. Lewis wrote, “It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this.”
Do you think much about heaven–who is going to be there, and what we will do once we’ve arrived? Some of you do. You are the ones who have written with questions–good questions, too–which deserve answers. Like what? Like these…
Question: What will we do? Float around on clouds like they do in the movies? In heaven there will be marvelous times of worship and praise, times of feasting (the marriage supper of the Lamb), and times of rejoicing. Forget the images portrayed by Hollywood. Most of the folks there won’t have to worry about what’s done in heaven anyway. The Bible is the only book in the world that tells us for sure what heaven will be like.
Question: Will my wife still be my wife in heaven? This was the very question that arose in the ministry of Jesus. So important was it that Matthew, Mark and Luke recorded Jesus’ discussion. The discussion was the response to a question which the Pharisees put to Jesus–a trick question–about a woman had been married to seven different men. Jesus rebuked them, telling them they didn’t know the law.
Jesus answered the question of marriage in heaven very clearly saying, “At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven” (Matthew 22:30). No, there will not be marriages in heaven. But relationships will be meaningful.
Question: Do people in heaven know what is happening here on earth? I would answer saying, “Yes!” Here’s why. In one of the parables, Jesus talked about rejoicing over a lost sheep, and then he said, “I tell you that in the same way there is more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent… In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:7,10). If it is not the angels who rejoice, it must be God’s children, who are now in heaven, in the Lord’s presence.
What I’m about to say I cannot prove, but I believe, based upon many years of study. I believe that God allows His children in heaven to know things that would gladden their hearts, like the birth of a grandchild, or someone who has come to faith in Christ. This is consistent with the nature and character of God, but I don’t believe that they know things which would cause sadness and sorrow.
Question: Are there tears in heaven? Yes and no! Twice the book of Revelation says that God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes (Revelation 7:17, 21:4), and in heaven, there will be no sorrow, but rejoicing. Initially there may be some tears over our failures to tell our friends and family how to get to heaven. It’s too good to keep to ourselves.
A final question: Do you know how to get to heaven? That’s my topic on the next edition of Guidelines.
Resource reading: I Corinthians 15.
https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/what-will-life-in-heaven-be-like/
Comelec assures neutral position on Palawan plebiscite
By Ferdinand Patinio
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) assured that it will implement the decision of the people of Palawan regarding the division of their province through a plebiscite next month.
“We would like to assure everyone that the Comelec will be nonpartisan in this plebiscite. We will implement whatever decision of the voters with respect to the plebiscite, whether they will ratify or reject the partition of the province of Palawan,” Comelec Commissioner Antonio Kho told reporters in a recent interview.
He said the Comelec will have no position with regards to the plebiscite.
“I would like to assure everyone that the Comelec, in holding this plebiscite, will be nonpartisan. We have no position whether we agree or disagree with this plebiscite. We will just implement the decision of the voters,” Kho said.
Kho also said there is no conflict of interest with the provincial government's move to fund the plebiscite, where it is campaigning for "Yes" votes.
“With respect to funding of plebiscite, under the law, it is the LGU of Palawan that will shoulder the cost of the plebiscite. They are providing the Comelec the budget necessary for the plebiscite. So I don't see any conflict of interest in this situation because it is provided for by law,” he said.
The voter will be asked to write “Yes” or “Oo” if they favor the split and “No” or “Hindi” if they are not in favor on the question, “Pumapayag ka ba na hatiin ang probinsya ng Palawan sa tatlong probinsya na papangalanang: Palawan del Norte, Palawan Oriental at Palawan del Sur alinsunod sa Batas Republika bilang 11259? (Are you in favor of the division of the province of Palawan into three separate provinces: Palawan del Norte, Palawan Oriental and Palawan del Sur pursuant to Republic Act 11259?)".
The Comelec originally set the plebiscite to ratify the division of the province of Palawan into three provinces on the second week of May 2020 but it was moved to March this year, due to quarantine restrictions amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Speaker Velasco backs placing entire country under MGCQ next month
Speaker Lord Allan Velasco is backing a proposal by the acting NEDA secretary to place the entire country under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) starting March 21, or more than a year since the country was first placed under lockdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I personally agree with NEDA’s proposal to place the entire country under MGCQ next month. It is about time we safely relax pandemic restrictions to lessen the impact of COVID-19 on the economy," he said in a statement.
"With vaccines on the way, we should start encouraging our countrymen to patronize businesses again while strictly adhering to minimum health and safety protocols."
Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Chua earlier urged President Duterte to further reopen the Philippine economy to mitigate the increasing hunger and job losses in the country. He said local government units can implement localized lockdowns to control the spread of the coronavirus in their respective areas.
He said the Philippines lost P1.04 trillion, or an average of P2.8 billion every day, in revenues since the start of the lockdown last March 2020.
Chua also proposed to further increase the capacity of public transportation from 50 percent to 75 percent, as well as to complement this with opening of more bike lanes.
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez warned the Philippines is placing last in terms of resurgence from the deadly outbreak, citing the country's negative growth rate of its gross domestic product (GDP).
"Medyo kulelat tayo ngayon, nahuhuli tayo pagdating sa recovery. In other words, tayo nagre-recover naman. Nakita natin 'yung GDP [natin] na bumagsak … maliit na lang 'yung negatives. From -16.5 naging -11.5, naging -8.7 o -8.3. So unti-unti na 'yung minus. Pero 'yung minus na 'yun, minus pa rin. E dati, +plus 6 tayo, +6.5. So, bagsak pa din," he told ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo.
(We're near the bottom, we're trailing in terms of recovery. In other words, we're also recovering. We saw our GDP fall … although the negatives are small. From -16.5, to -11.5, to -8.7 or -8.3. So they're decreasing slowly. But they're still minuses. Before the pandemic, we were at +6, +6.5. So, we're still at the bottom.)
"'Pag kinumpara mo sa ibang bansa, tayo pinakahuli, lalo na 'yung mga neighboring countries natin. Eh 'yung neighboring countries natin, maliit din 'yung COVID cases. Pero bakit naggo-grow sila o kaya mas maliit 'yung bagsak ng economy nila? Tayo yung huli."
(If you compare us with other countries, we're last, especially with our neighboring countries. They also have small number of COVID cases. But why are they growing or why did their economies fall slightly. We are last.)
"E dati, pre-pandemic, tayo 'yung second fastest. Tayo 'yung isa sa pinakamabilis. So, anlaki ng nawawala. Anong ibig sabihin po niyan? Less economic activity. Siyempre, 'pag may isang sektor ang nakasara, 'yung kabit-kabit na sektor na nagsu-supply doon, yung nakapaligid doon, sarado rin. 'Yung nagtatrabaho dun sa mga sarado na 'yon, walang trabaho hindi nakabalik," Lopez said.
(Before, pre-pandemic, we were the second-fastest growing economy. We were one of the fastest economies. So, we're losing a lot. What does that mean? Less economic activity. For sure, if a sector shuts down, other sectors surrounding it or supplying it will also close. Those who were working there, they lost their jobs and were not able to return.)
The unemployment rate in the Philippines was at 4.5 percent or 5 percent before COVID-19 struck the country.
When the pandemic hit in March last year, the jobless rate ballooned to 17.7 percent (7.3 million unemployed Filipinos) in April, before it went down at 10 percent (4.6 million) in July, and eventually to 8.7 (3.8 million) in October.
ABS-CBN to remain a Blocktimer for a little longer?
ABS-CBN might need to wait a little longer before it can see the light for a new franchise.
The glint of hope for ABS-CBN’s new franchise suddenly went bleak after House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco broke the bad news.
Kapamilyas’ hopes to obtain a new franchise got shattered, when Velasco said that any efforts of reviving the franchise of Kapamilya network would have to wait for the next administration.
“Calls to revive the franchise of ABS-CBN will have to wait until the next Congress.”
He added, “With a little over a year until the 2022 elections, the House of Representatives is bent on finishing the remaining priority measures of this administration to ensure that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte fulfills his campaign promise to the Filipino people.”
The Speaker’s statement came after President Duterte issued a fresh attack against the Lopezes and ABS-CBN.
Duterte in his late-night weekly taped state address said that he will not let ABS-CBN operate again even if Congress grants them the broadcast franchise it needed.
ABS-CBN has been shutdown since May 2020. It is due to the expiration of its franchise and the cease-and-desist order by the NTC.
On July 10, 2020, the Network’s franchise application got rejected by 70 Cayetano-led congressmen, which led to a massive lay-off of its workforce.
It would keep GMA, IBC, PTV and TV5 as the sole TV networks in the country.
Currently, ABS-CBN shows are airing on A2Z Channel 11 via a block-time agreement with Zoe Broadcasting Network. Recently, 2 ABS-CBN programs ASAP Natin ‘To and FPJ Da King get another airtime ion TV5 through its block-time deal is with Brightlight Productions.
https://www.lionheartv.net/2021/02/abs-cbn-to-remain-a-blocktimer-for-a-little-longer/
Tuesday, February 16, 2021
Do Babies Go to Heaven? (and Other Questions)
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. Revelation 21:1
Whenever I travel overseas and I have not been to a particular place before, I always am curious about what to expect when I get there. I want to know about the weather, the geography, the people, and my wardrobe–what kind of clothes I should bring, which is usually determined by what I’m going to be doing when I get there.
If you asked ten people if they expect to go to heaven when they die, most would say, “Yes–I hope so!” Yet very few people ever think much about who is going to be there, how you get there, and what we are going to do when we do get there.
For sure, heaven will be filled with surprises–for us and for others, as well, who are just as surprised that we’ve made it. I’ve received a number of letters from you, friends of Guidelines, asking specific questions about these issues. I’d like to answer some of these questions briefly, giving you answers based upon what the Bible says–which, after all, is the only authoritative book that gives us answers to questions about heaven.
Question #1: Who is going to be in heaven? That’s easy to answer. The Bible says that heaven is the eternal home of those who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ. It will be the home of God’s people of all ages and races. Make a note of John 14 in your New Testament, where Jesus made it very clear that He is “the way, the truth, and the life,” the door through which we enter heaven.
Contrary to what people often believe, heaven isn’t the home of all the good people in the world. It is the place which Jesus Christ has gone to prepare for those who know and serve Him.
Question #2: Will we know each other in heaven? At the transfiguration Jesus took Peter, James, and John into a mountain, and while they were together Moses and Elijah appeared. You read about this in Matthew 17. Jesus didn’t have to explain, “OK, boys, that’s Moses on the left; Elijah’s the short one on the right, the one with the bushy eyebrows and the fiery looking eyes.” They knew immediately. In eternity you will no longer have memories dimmed by the frailties of the flesh. We’ll be beyond the limitation of time and space. 1 John 3 says that when we see Christ, we will know Him. You will recognize loved ones. Heaven will be a time of rejoicing for God’s children.
Question #3: Do babies go to heaven? Answer–unquestionably, “Yes!” When David’s child by Bathsheba died, he cried, “Can I bring him back again? [Answer expected: No!] I will go to him, but he will not return to me” (2 Samuel 12:23). You can expect to see a child resting in the arms of Jesus when you die and go to heaven. For centuries, rabbis have taught that the age of accountability is 12. This has been based more on tradition than any clear statement in the Old Testament, but according to Romans 2, in the New Testament, until there is a clear knowledge of right and wrong, a child who dies is innocent before God. This is good news for anyone who has ever had a baby snatched from his arms in death.
Question #4: Does it matter if someone is an infant or someone is old, in heaven? It matters a great deal here, but it won’t matter in heaven, according to Isaiah 65 and 66. In heaven, no longer bound by the laws of time and space which now limit us, age will no longer be a factor. Why? Heaven is timeless, and if it is timeless, it is also ageless. More on this important topic tomorrow.
Resource reading: Revelation 21
https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/do-babies-go-to-heaven-and-other-questions/
House approves bill granting Bataan 3rd congressional seat
RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News
The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a measure granting Bataan province a third seat in the chamber ahead of the 2022 elections.
Voting 202-0-6, majority of lawmakers approved House Bill 8664, which would create the following congressional districts in the Bataan province:
- First District: Dinalupihan, Hemosa, Orani, Morong, Samal, Abucay
- Second District: Balanga, Orion Pilar
- Third District: Bagac, Limay, Mariveles
The incumbent representatives shall serve until their current terms expire.
Currently, the first District is represented by Geraldine Roman, while the second district is represented by Jose Enrique Garcia III, the bill's author.
The House-approved bill will now be transmitted to the Senate for its action.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/16/21/house-approves-bill-granting-bataan-3rd-congressional-seat
Locsin: No consuls, only attaches from proposed OFW department
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. rejected having “consuls” from a Department of Overseas Filipinos assigned in Philippine posts overseas.
In a tweet, Locsin called out “Mamao”, apparently referring to Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers Abdullah Mamao, and threatened him over sending “consuls” instead of attachès when a DOFW is created.
“One thing sure, DOFW will have attachès but never consuls. So Mamao don’t you dare browbeat my DFA people on that issue. Who the f*** do you think you are? Be careful. I will not debase the consular status,” Locsin said.
One thing sure, DOFW will have attachès but never consuls. So Mamao don’t you dare browbeat my DFA people on that issue. Who the fuck do you think you are? Be careful. I will not debase the consular status. https://t.co/Krz7GcsJqI
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) February 15, 2021
Locsin called on Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles to “rein in” Mamao.
“Karlo Nograles, next time rein him in unless you want to join him,” Locsin said.
Karlo Nograles, next time rein him in unless you want to join him. https://t.co/qdKgAGR94Z
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) February 15, 2021
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/16/21/locsin-no-consuls-only-attaches-from-proposed-ofw-department
Duterte blasts Robredo, Lacson over US 'extortion' criticisms in VFA threat
John Gabriel Agcaoili, ABS-CBN News
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night said the Chief Executive is the sole architect of the country's foreign policy according to law, days after he demanded the US must pay money if it wants to keep its Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the Philippines.
Duterte, in a public briefing, said that under the Constitution, "foreign relations or foreign policy is vested in the President alone."
"Kung ano ang policy na gusto niya ipalabas for the Philippines (What policy he wants for the Philippines), is vested in the President and not with the senators or the Vice President," he said.
Vice President Leni Robredo and Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson earlier criticized the President's demand for money from the US, saying this is "extortion" and may give the impression that the Philippines is a "nation of extortionists."
Duterte fired back, and claimed that Robredo forgets her law background "every time she opens her mouth."
"Being a lawyer, she should know that the Constitution says that, that is my function. It is not their function. At kung ano gusto kong sabihin para sa bayan, may purpose 'yan. Hindi nila kasi alam, na alam ko noon, na meron tayong binili na armas sa Amerika, it took them years to deliver, practically using the money, our money, for so many years," he said.
(What I want to order for my country, that has purpose. They don't know, which I know, that we earlier bought weapons from America, but it took them years to deliver.)
He added: "Dapat alam mo 'yan, abogado ka. You should not be opening your mouth while we are negotiating. Kasi madaming kasalanan ang Amerika sa atin. Ang pagka-alam mo lang kasi, napunta ka ng Amerika, nagsalita ka doon, you were treated almost as a royalty, tapos ito nangyari ngayon. Kakampi ka [sa kanila] ng walang rason."
(You should know that, you're a lawyer. America has a lot of offenses against us. What you only know is, you went there, made a speech, were treated as royalty, and this happens. You side with them without reason.)
Duterte reiterated that Robredo, one of his political arch-rivals, can't be president of the country. He also said he wasn't sure if Lacson's statement was "pretended ignorance."
"Sabihin ko sayo na you have nothing to do with this. I may accept your comments, but use it in a way … use a language that will promote your person, human being. Hindi 'yung basta-basta ka na lang magpost-post without really finding out whether you are part of it or not. I'm telling you, you are not. Next time, consult a lawyer in your office," he said.
(I'm telling you you have nothing to do with this. Don't just speak up and post something without really finding whether you are part of it or not.)
Duterte said the Philippines' ill-equipped military will falter against China in the event of war between the two neighboring countries, unless the US will provide its long-time ally in Asia weapons and defensive systems.
"We should be provided with the arms and armaments that's capable of at least, that will place us (in) equal footing with the other countries that are at war with us. Kasi titirahin talaga tayo ng China (China will really hit us)," he said, claiming Palawan will be the first area in the Philippines that will be hit in case of military conflict between the two superpowers.
Duterte unilaterally canceled the two-decade-old VFA last year, in an angry response after his ally, Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, was denied a US visa supposedly due to his role in the Philippines' violent war on drugs. The withdrawal period has been twice extended, however.
Philippine defense and military officials have affirmed their support for the VFA, which is central to Washington's Asia strategy, as China continues to flex its muscles in the continent.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said last week their "general feeling is for the VFA to continue" but that he told his US counterpart Lloyd Austin that "we don't want any miscalculations or accidents in the South China Sea because we are right smack there in the center of conflict."
Although he has said that he's a "friend" of both China and the US, Duterte has proclaimed his aversion for the Americans even before he won the presidential elections in 2016.
Ties between Manila and Washington have been strained under the Duterte administration, due to his frequent statements condemning US foreign policy while embracing China, despite the latter's aggressions in Philippine territories.
While the Philippines-US relationship "has always been strong", Lorenzana said the country "should not be made to choose" between Washington and Beijing.
Higit 500 na baboy pinatay sa Misamis Oriental dahil sa African swine flu
MANTICAO, Misamis Oriental - Hindi na pumalag ang mga residente ng barangay Pagawan ng kunin ng taga Department of Agriculture (DA) ang kanilang mga alagang baboy upang i-depopulate o patayin matapos makumpirmang African swine flu (ASF) ang ikinamatay ng ilang baboy sa lugar noong ika-3 ng Pebrero, 2021.
Umabot ng 568 na mga baboy ang pinatay at inilibing ng DA. Mga backyard hograisers ang may-ari ng mga baboy.
Binayaran ang mga may-ari ng P7,000 ng DA sa bawat baboy na kanilang isinuko pero ayon sa hograiser na si Divina Wapin, malaking kawalan din ito sa kanila.
May paglalaanan na raw kasi sana siya sa kikitain niya sa baboy.
“Pantubos ko sana yun sa isinanla naming lupa,” aniya.
Mapipilitan siyang magbenta na lang ng baka at maghanap ng maidadagdag sa pambayad lalo’t ipinagbabawal pa muna silang mag-alaga ulit ng baboy. Titiyakin daw kasi munang wala na ang virus.
Posibleng aabutin ito ng kalahating taon. Nangako naman ang probinsyal na pamahalaan na tutulong sa apektadong hog raisers na magkaroon ng ibang pagkakakitaan.
Dinisinfect ang pinaglibingan ng mga baboy at ang mga lugar na may namatay na baboy.
Dinisinfect din lahat ng papasok at lalabas sa barangay.
Ayon naman sa mga nagbebenta ng karneng baboy sa lugar, wala na halos bumibili sa kanila dahil sa takot sa sakit at dahil sa pagmahal ng presyo ng karne. Sa farms na raw kasi sila bumibili ng baboy na mas mahal kaysa backyard hograisers.
Sa susunod na linggo, isasagawa ang blood sampling ng baboy sa ibang mga barangay upang alamin kung hindi kumalat ang sakit.
- ulat ni Roxanne Arevalo
Umano'y supplier ng droga sa Negros Occidental, arestado
Arestado ang umano'y supplier ng ilegal na droga sa Negros Occidental Lunes.
Wala pang isang buwan nakapagtago ng suspek nang ma-aresto siya sa Barangay Estefania, Bacolod City pasado alas-9 ng umaga.
Ayon sa awtoridad, talamak na supplier ng droga si Sunga sa mga bayan ng Manapla, Victoria's City, Talisay City, Silay at Bacolod City.
Kinasuhan na ng paglabag sa Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act si Sunga. - ulat ni Gracie Rutao
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/16/21/umanoy-supplier-ng-droga-sa-negros-occidental-arestado
Health frontliner attacked after refusing entry to man with expired COVID-19 test
ZAMBOANGA CITY - A frontliner was injured after he was attacked by a man with a metal bar in Barangay Licomo, Zamboanga City on Sunday.
The victim was identified as Aldrin Arellano Suazon, 47 years old, a resident of Barangay Licomo and employee of the City Health Office.
Suazon was among the personnel assigned at the Licomo border to screen incoming travelers amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Investigation revealed that the suspect was denied entry by Suazon after presenting an expired RT-PCR test result at the border control in the city Saturday afternoon.
The suspect's documents were confiscated by another CHO personnel who was also on duty.
A day later, the suspect stormed Suazon’s residence and at the height of their altercation, the former got irked and subsequently attacked the victim using a metal bar.
The victim sustained fractures in his arm and other parts of his body.
The suspect is now under police custody.
Mayor Beng Climaco promised to assist the victim in his medical needs.- report from Liezel Lacastesantos
'Most wanted' sa Jamindan, Capiz arestado sa kasong rape
Arestado ang nangunguna sa listahan ng most wanted personalities ng pulisya sa bayan ng Jamindan sa Capiz Lunes ng umaga.
Sa bisa ng warrant of arrest na ibinaba sa sala ni Hon. Judge Rommel Leonor, ng 6th Judicial Region, RTC, branch 21, Mambusao, Capiz, nahuli si John Famucol, 19 taong gulang, sa Brgy. Agcococ, Tapaz, Capiz.
Si Famucol ay nahaharap sa kasong rape sa ilalim ng Article 266-A (1) (a) ng Revised Penal Code.
Walang piyansang inirekomenda ang hukom para sa pansamantalang kalayaan ng suspek.
Nakapiit na sa Jamindan police station ang suspek at nakatakdang iharap sa husgado. - ulat ni Rolen Escaniel
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/16/21/most-wanted-sa-jamindan-capiz-arestado-sa-kasong-rape
Better public service with new Rizal districts
Residents of the province of Rizal’s second district may look forward to being served better by their local government as the Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading a bill reapportioning it into three legislative districts.
“While it is a fulfilling challenge trying to serve the 2nd district, the reality is that as is, our resources always have to be stretched thin so that it could reach our more than one million constituents, which amounts to over half of Rizal’s entire population,” said Deputy Majority Leader and Rizal Rep. Fidel Nograles.
Nograles is the author of House Bill No. 6222 which seeks to reapportion the 2nd district.
Once passed into law, the current second district would retain the municipalities of Cardona, Baras, Tanay, Morong, Jalajala, Pililla, and Teresa.
The proposed measure would then establish the town of San Mateo as the third congressional district and Rodriguez (Montalban) town as the fourth legislative district of the province.
“Additional representation equals additional resources, which would lead to a much more equitable distribution of government services to the people of Rizal,” Nograles said.
Nograles said the reapportionment will have an immediate impact on the province’s pandemic recovery efforts as the representatives of the new districts would already be selected in the 2022 elections once the President signs the bill.
“This means that our countrymen will not be passive spectators in the recovery efforts because they will choose their representatives,” he said.
Even small number of voters can decide splitting of Palawan
THE plebiscite for the possible division of Palawan into three separate provinces can be decided even with only a few of its locals casting their voters, according to the Commission on Elections.
Comelec Commissioner Antonio Kho said on Monday the outcome of the plebiscite will be decided by the majority of the votes cast rather than a certain threshold.
Nevertheless, he said they will try to make sure that most of the 490,639 registered voters in Palawan will be able to participate in the plebiscite to make sure its outcome will reflect the decision of most Palaweños.
“We cannot really determine at this point in time if there will be high voter turnout as this will be the first time we will be holding an electoral exercise with a public health emergency. But we hope and we encourage voters to have a high turnout,” Kho said in a recent online forum.
Preparations by the poll body for the plebiscite slated on March 13, 2021 is now ongoing.
Last Thursday, Comelec started the information campaign for the plebiscite, through online, televised, or radio-aired messages running until March 11, 2021.
Comelec also ended on Monday the accreditation for foreign and domestic observers, who will be monitoring the conduct of the plebiscite.
Those accredited will be given passes granting them access and other privileges relating to the conduct of the plebiscite.
“The passes may be confiscated and the accreditation revoked for violation of the guidelines of the accreditation,” Comelec said in a statement.
The outcome of the plebiscite will determine if Republic Act 11259 or the Act Dividing the Province of Palawan into three provinces—Palawan del Norte, Palawan Oriental, and Palawan del Sur—will be ratified or not.