Friday, January 15, 2021
Bare plans on ABS-CBN franchise renewal –Defensor
Anakalugusan Party-List Rep. Mike Defensor asked the House leadership under Speaker Lord Allan Velasco (Marinduque) to make public its true plans for ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal.
Defensor, speaking during the “BTS sa Congress” coalition launch Thursday, said the current leadership should come clean for the sake of those pining for shuttered television and radio network’s revival.
“Siguro kailangang ilinaw na nila yan kasi labas nang labas sa social media, ipapasa daw nila, ayusin nila. Eh kawawa naman pati yung ABS-CBN supporters, and I’m just being fair to them, huwag naman nilang lokohin (I think it’s time for them to clarify that because according to social media posts, they will pass the franchise application. I pity the ABS-CBN supporters, and I’m just being fair to them, I hope they won’t get duped),” he said.
“Kung gagawin nila, gawin nila. Kung hindi naman, sabihin na nila na that is not a priority (If they are going to do it, then do it. If not, then they should say that it’s not a priority),” said Defensor, a staunch ally of former Speaker, Alan Peter Cayetano (Taguig-Pateros).
On July 10, 2020, the Legislative Franchises panel chaired by Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez voted 70-11-1 (yes-no-abstain) to reject ABS-CBN’s franchise application, which several House members had filed in behalf of the network. The panel hearings were held under Cayetano’s watch, amid the COVID-19 pamdemic.
The Lopez-owned network went off the air on May 5, 2020, or a day after its erstwhile 25-year operating franchise expired. It has since let some of its workers go.
Defensor was among the solons who were vocal in their opposition to the franchise renewal.
https://mb.com.ph/2021/01/14/bare-plans-on-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal-defensor/
Thursday, January 14, 2021
When We Fall Short
"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." Isaiah 1:18
It was not without some scientific basis that the prophet Micah, some seven centuries before Christ, exclaimed, "Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance?" Micah believed that God would have compassion and would "hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea" (Micah 7:18-19).
Only in recent years have scientists—chiefly oceanographers and hydrologists—come to appreciate the depths of the ocean floors. We do know that almost without exception, where there is no light, there is no life, and the deeper you go beneath the surface of the ocean, the more difficult it is, not only for humans to survive, but for anything to survive.
Nahum said that God pardons our sin, and because of His compassion, He hurls our sins into the depths of the sea. The Mariana Trench is among the deepest part of the ocean floor, but I would hardly expect to find my sins there. No. It was a picture, a beautiful one, which the prophet gave us to help us understand that when God forgives, the issue is settled, finished, never to be discussed again.
No matter how good you are or how evil you are, sooner or later you face the issue of finding acceptance before the Almighty. Does forgiveness come because of what we have done, or is it because of what Christ did, which God credits to us, as the Bible contends?
That is the issue! It was also the issue which confronted one of our Guidelines listeners who ended up in prison thinking that for him, life was finished. Let me quote his letter. "I was arrested on September 13, 1993. At the time I was looking at, the very least, 36 years in prison. I contemplated suicide and even went so far as to write my mother a suicide note. Then I found a pocket-sized New Testament Bible and began reading Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. I had never read a Bible before and although I didn't know what I was reading, I knew it was about Jesus Christ. Then some Christians came into my jail cell, and I was baptized in the Holy Spirit and all my suicide thoughts vanished. And I told God that I was a sinner, and I deserved all the years they wanted to give me. I thank the Lord so much for bringing me out of the miry clay and making me a vessel of honor. Before I made Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior, I never had anyone tell me what Jesus Christ did for me." And the letter was signed, "A brother in Christ."
This issue of falling short of God's expectations, of missing the mark, of going astray, or turning your back on God and what you know is right, is what the Bible describes as sin. We are all afflicted with the disease. Isaiah put it, "We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53:6).
"Too easy!" you may be thinking. "Isn't there something I must do?" we ask. The simplicity is profound. Isaiah says (1) We turned our back on God and chose our own devious ways, but (2) God sought us as a shepherd looks for lost sheep, and (3) He forgives our sin in response to our plea for help, and then (4) He walks with us as a shepherd, guiding us into the green pastures.
A word of warning: The simple things are never easy. The real issue isn't all the heathen over there but the darkness of my own heart within. The most difficult thing is to acknowledge your personal need and to realize that the solution is still the grace of God bringing forgiveness and restoration.
Resource reading: Isaiah 53.
PRRD hopes successor to be resolute vs. corruption
By Azer Parrocha
President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday expressed hope that his successor would be resolute in preventing corrupt practices at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
In a speech during the inauguration of Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 Project, Duterte expressed hope that the next President would also go after officials involved in anomalous biddings for infrastructure projects by the district engineering offices of the DPWH.
“I hope that the next President would be as forceful and resolute to confront this almost evil practice of people going around the country, naghahanap ng mga bidding tapos paghati-hatian lang nila kaya ang mga proyekto natin, ang pera ng Pilipino hindi sapat doon sa budgeted sa isang eksuwelahan…because of corruption (looking for bidding and then splitting it among themselves that’s why we lack funds to put up schools),” he said.
Upon Duterte’s orders, the Department of Justice (DOJ) in October 2020 investigated government-wide corruption, starting with the DPWH.
“With the ongoing revamp, I expect a more…when I leave the office, medyo kailangan lang i-control ng susunod sa akin (my successor will need to be able to control them),” he said.
He also congratulated DPWH Mark Villar for initiating a “total revamp” in his agency.
Late last month, Duterte bared the names of nine incumbent and former lawmakers allegedly involved in anomalous infrastructure projects.
The list of names was given to Duterte by the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) which recently initiated a probe on the alleged corruption in the DPWH.
He, however, clarified that the inclusion in the PACC list does not mean “condemnation or indictment.”
Duterte said they were entitled to presumption of innocence until proven guilty, adding the public should not take the list as “gospel truth.”
Meanwhile, Duterte also thanked the Supreme Court for heeding his call not to delay infrastructure projects with restraining orders.
“Sabi ko (I said) ‘Stop it. Unless there is really a compelling reason for the graft and corruption involved, do not delay. Do not hinder the progress of the country,’” he said.
Batangas provincial board supports bill seeking to renew ABS-CBN franchise
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Batangas has expressed support for a Senate bill seeking to give ABS-CBN Corp. a new franchise after a House panel rejected the company's application for a license to operate last year.
On Monday, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed a resolution expressing support for the bill filed by Senate President Vicente Sotto III, which seeks to give the broadcasting company a new license to operate its television and radio broadcasting stations for 25 years.
The resolution was sponsored by board member Bibong Mendoza, who said ABS-CBN Channel 2's closure had a "wide effect" on the Southern Tagalog region, where Batangas is a part of and where the company operated a regional channel.
In July, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises denied a new broadcast franchise for ABS-CBN Corp., which also prompted the shutdown of the regional stations.
Mendoza also acknowledged that network's significant contributions, such as when it delivered relief to the province following the eruption of Taal Volcano last year and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
At least 13 senators have backed Sotto's bill.
Under the law, all local, spending and franchise bills must first be approved on final reading in the House of Representatives before the Senate can tackle it in plenary.
Barangay chairman, patay sa pamamaril sa loob ng bahay sa Davao Occidental
Pinatay ng mga hindi pa nakikilalang salarin ang isang chairman ng barangay sa bayan ng Sta. Maria, Davao Occidental nitong Lunes ng hapon.
Ayon sa mga awtoridad, binaril sa loob mismo ng kaniyang bahay si Alex Abe sa Jassi Street sa Brgy Poblacion.
Iniimbestigahan pa ng pulisya at inaalam ang mga responsable sa krimen.
Kilala si Abe bilang masigasig sa kampaniya kontra ilegal na droga at nakatanggap umano ito ng mga banta sa kaniyang buhay matapos hulihin ang dalawang kilalang drug dealer sa kanyang sinasakupan.
Kinondena ng pamahalaang panlalawigan ng Davao Occidental ang krimen.
Ayon kay Davao Occidental Gov. Claude Bautista, nanghihinayang siya sa pagkawala ng opisyal, na isa sa mga pinakamasipag na public servant sa kanilang lalawigan.
"We guarantee that a speedy investigations and soon immediate arrests will be done," ani Bautista.--Ulat ni Hernel Tocmo
For Enchong and Jasmine, streaming platforms expand artists’ reach
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| Jasmine Curtis-Smith |
We all miss the unique, immersive experience of watching films on the big screen. Streaming movies and TV series on platforms like Netflix, HBO Go, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Apple TV+, iWantTFC, iwant and others has upended the way we consume filmed entertainment.
But Enchong Dee and Jasmine Curtis-Smith also see the upside of streaming, which has become the predominant way people watch films these days—no thanks to the pandemic.
Expanded visibility
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| Enchong Dee |
In fact, Enchong and Jasmine, last seen together in the Netflix film “Alter Me,” like the way streaming platforms make their films accessible to more people. “Steaming services stretch a film or genre’s reach,” says Enchong. “Now more than ever, artists are given the freedom to think outside the box—and this pushes us forward, to create more content and pursue themes that are timely, modern and relatable.”
For her part, Jasmine extols the expanded visibility it gives to artists everywhere. “Streaming networks like Netflix allow Filipino filmmakers to be seen across Asia and beyond. The same goes for actors—now, we have a wider platform to demonstrate what we can do.
“Also, if you’re an actor who wants to be a part of the regional or international scene, your exposure on a streaming site will give your audition a little push—it’s something you can be proud of. At kung nandoon ka na sa final level ng audition, and they ask, ‘Where can we watch any of your films?,’ you can say, ‘I have a film on Netflix.’
“Another thing, streaming platforms provide a second wind to some films that don’t do well at the box office when they’re shown in commercial theaters. Some of them came and went unnoticed, then became a hit when they were eventually streamed. It opens up our films to different types of audiences.”
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
Overcoming A Major Blunder
A man who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be successful. But if he confesses and forsakes them, he gets another chance. Proverbs 28:13, Living Bible
Long ago the writer of Scripture told us that he who does not offend in word or deed is a perfect man; and obviously, none of us qualifies. No matter how loving or kind you are, sooner or later you offend someone. You say or do something you know is wrong. More likely it is a protracted dalliance with your conscience, but then you crash and burn. That's when you come to the fork in the road. Do you do what is convenient and try to deny the whole issue, or admit it and find help? Sweeping the wrong aside, justifying yourself as being "human," is the path of convenience, and it's a well trod one, but it isn't a lasting solution which heals your brokenness.
The first major hurdle which you have to cross when you have violated your conscience is to admit your wrongdoing—something which a lot of people will never do. "He who conceals his sins does not prosper," wrote Solomon long ago, adding, "but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy" (Proverbs 28:13).
He knew first-hand because his own father, David, had been down that path. Glossing over wrong-doing, lying to protect yourself or keep your mate from knowing about something is never a solution. William Peterson paraphrases Proverbs 28:13, saying, "You can't whitewash your sins and get by with it; you find mercy by admitting and leaving them."
Long ago the prophet Samuel outlined the steps beyond confession, important ones which provide guidelines for us today. You find these in 1 Samuel 12.
Guideline #1: Don't fear that God will abandon you. (See 1 Samuel 12:20). When there is a spiritual awakening, it is usually the devil who is first to wake up, and he tells you, "There's no way out of this but to lie. You've gone so far that God won't help so don't even try." That's all untrue. God always hears the prayer of the person who is sincere in turning to Him.
Guideline #2: Don't give up, thinking that you have gone too far astray to come back. "For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own," Samuel told those who had turned their backs on God (1 Samuel 12:22). "As for me," he added, "far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you." Not bad. He wasn't there as a critic, but as a friend who wanted to help.
Guideline #3: Turn from what you know is wrong, and start doing what is right. Tough? Yes. Impossible? No. "You have done all this evil," said Samuel, adding, "yet do not turn away from the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart" (1 Samuel 12:20). OK, you blew it. You failed. In a moment of weakness, you violated your conscience. OK, don't keep on doing wrong but turn back and pick up the pieces. Get going on the right path. Almost always, those who really love you will forgive you and stand with you.
Guideline #4: Realize God wants to make you a person for Himself. He understands brokenness, human failure, and the sinfulness of the heart. He knows better than anyone else, but He's in the business of restoration and healing—not condemnation and judgment, at least not yet.
Guideline #5: Focus on the positive and remind yourself of what God has done in the past. Here's the word of encouragement from Scripture: "But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you" (1 Samuel 12:24). Redefining the point of your focus is vital. Get your eyes off your failure and remind yourself that God is faithful, that He has met you in the past, and that He will meet you today.
The future can be brighter because of the failure of the past, but only if you admit it, seek the help of others, and then let God's Holy Spirit restore you as His child.
Resource reading: 1 Samuel 12:18-25.
https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/overcoming-a-major-blunder/
UK COVID-19 variant now in the Philippines, says DOH
(UPDATE) — The new and more transmissible coronavirus variant first reported in the United Kingdom has been detected in the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Wednesday evening.
“Following strengthened biosurveillance and border control efforts, the Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Genome Center (PGC) today officially confirm the detection of the B.1.1.7. SARS-CoV-2 variant (UK variant) in the country after samples from a Filipino who arrived from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on January 7 yielded positive genome sequencing results,” the DOH said in a statement.
The DOH said the male patient is a resident of Quezon City who left for Dubai for business purposes last Dec. 27 and returned to the Philippines on Jan. 7 via Emirates Flight No. EK 332.
He was immediately swabbed and quarantined in a hotel upon arrival in the country.
“The positive test result was released the following day and the patient was referred to a quarantine facility in Quezon City while his samples were sent to PGC for whole genome sequencing,” the DOH said.
According to the agency, he was with his female partner during the trip but she tested negative for COVID-19. Despite this, she is now under “strict quarantine and monitoring.”
The DOH said the couple did not have any exposure to COVID-19 before their trip.
“Immediate contact tracing was done in close coordination with the QC government, and the initially identified contacts are asymptomatic and currently under strict home quarantine,” it added.
It said it is working with the Quezon City local government to “ensure timely and effective measures are in place to mitigate transmission.”
The Philippines has imposed travel restrictions until Friday against foreign nationals coming from the UK, the United States, China and several other areas where the new variant has been reported.
Filipino nationals arriving from those territories are exempted, but need to undergo mandatory quarantine upon arrival.
The Philippines has logged a total of 492,700 confirmed COVID-19 cases, as of Wednesday, of which, 24,478 are active infections.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/13/21/ph-detects-new-covid-variant-doh
