EN ODB December Letter 2015

AP E D15

In Your Own Words Dear friends, The Ethiopian eunuch of Acts 8:2638 had access to Scripture—he just couldn’t comprehend what it meant.

“How can I understand it,” he asked, “unless someone explains it to me?”

And so God sent Philip to help him.

I believe we can all agree that God’s Word not only needs to be shared but explained if people of all nations are to know and experience a personal relationship with Christ,

grow to be more like Him, and serve in a local body of His family. This is our vision and the aim of our mission to make the life-changing wisdom of the Bible understandable and accessible to all.

This mission drives the efforts of Our Daily Bread Ministries to produce and distribute resources that help people draw closer to God through His Word and encourage them in their walk with Him.

Our ministry work in the Asia-Pacific covers 15 territories: Australia, Hong Kong, Fiji, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. Our resources currently cover 20 languages and dialects, but there are many, many more language and people groups that we have yet to reach. In Thailand, Indonesia, and Myanmar, for example, there are over 100 different ethnic tribes, each with its own culture and dialect.

It is a great challenge for us to minister to so many different language and people groups across the region. We must contextualise and develop content to meet their spiritual needs, and find new channels to distribute our resources to them. Apart from printed material, we also need to develop more ways to share God’s Word with them, including digital, audio, and video media. We thank the Lord that we are not doing this alone; He has provided key ministry associates who volunteer their time and effort to serve with us.

We need their help— and yours.

We need people who can help produce and translate our resources, and distribute them in various forms through different media, whether print, audio, video, or online.

If you are a missionary or know of people in the mission field who share our passion to reach others with God’s Word, do get in touch with us. As we work together to spread God’s Word to everyone, everywhere, let us remember that, like Philip, we are called upon not just to share the Word, but to explain it.

Reaching others together,

Christopher Tan Senior Vice President Global Ministry Operations, Asia-Pacific

Our Daily Bread is available in the following languages and dialects in the Asia-Pacific: 1. Bahasa Indonesia 2. Bahasa Malaysia 3. Cantonese 4. Chinese 5. English 6. Falam Chin 7. Japanese 8. Kayin 9. Korean 10. Lahu 11. Lai Chin 12. Laotian 13. Myanmar 14. Sinhala 15. Siyin Chin 16. Tagalog 17. Tamil 18. Teochew 19. Thai 20. Vietnamese (Languages in italics are translated by ministry associates.)

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The Philippine STAR

OPINION

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015

ACROSS THE Sketches

CTalk

ISAAC G. BELMONTE Head, Editorial Board

By ANA MARIE PAMINTUAN

Suggestions

Last week a visitor I know to be always prompt called to say she would be late for an afternoon meeting at our office. Half an hour past the original schedule, she called again to inform us that she was still stuck along Gil Puyat Street and asked to reset the meeting.

That was end-of-the-month, long-weekend payday Friday, the start of major sales at several shopping malls all over Metro Manila. It was also the height of the temper tantrum staged by the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) from Padre Faura in Manila to EDSA-Shaw in Mandaluyong (later extending to the EDSA Shrine in Ortigas).

On that day it took me two hours in the early afternoon to reach our office in Manila’s Port Area from EDSAShaw even with reckless driving – a trip that usually takes no more than 45 minutes. I was lucky because the INC shock troops were just starting to gather at EDSA. There are enough traffic horror stories on that day to fill the INC hate mail box to overflowing until 2020.

But the INC weekend was just the worst of it. Every day people in Metro Manila stew and cuss and waste precious hours, losing productivity (a staggering P2.4 billion daily is the current Metro-wide estimate) and worsening air pollution as vehicles idle or crawl in traffic, with no one seeming to be in charge except for the occasional appearance of some public official, TV crews in tow, to personally direct traffic for a few minutes.

The traffic doesn’t end after rush hour. Just try driving southbound along Roxas Boulevard, MIA Road and Macapagal Boulevard late at night, where potholes as large as moon craters plus construction of the NAIA Expressway have spelled hell for motorists for several weeks now. Will the gridlocks last throughout the rainy season?

Chairman Francis Tolentino of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), who’s distracted from traffic management by his senatorial ambitions, said the traffic situation is expected to get worse in the next 15 years.

Give him an A for candor and a D for political savvy with elections approaching. Already there’s a surfeit of jokes about walang madaanan, baradong daan, baku-bakong daan and many other wordplays on tuwid na daan or straight path. If Tolentino continues on his campaign path and President Aquino doesn’t do more about the traffic problem, the mess could become an election issue in 2016 in vote-rich Metro Manila. * * * Beyond carping, I’ve listed down some of the suggestions (aside from looking for an efficient traffic czar) given by harried motorists and commuters to ease traffic.

Several have in fact been proposed by business groups in the past years and listed in several comprehensive studies on the traffic situation.

Among the suggestions that can be implemented relatively quickly, with political will and resources: The Subic port must be put to greater use for shipments bound for Central and parts of Northern Luzon.

For Southern Tagalog, the Batangas port is underutilized and Sangley Point can be developed. This will decongest the Port of Manila, Ground Zero of last year’s traffic mess, which may soon be Ground Zero again with the approach of the Christmas season. The Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce has been pushing for the greater utilization of alternative ports for some time.

Logistics players and port officials have raised the issue of lack of manpower and additional costs in terms of overtime, but suggestions persist for midnight to 5 a.m. operations for cargo hauling at the Port of Manila, on top of regular hours, with schedules assigned to haulers electronically.

Garbage collection must be done at night for dumping at trash sites between midnight and 5 a.m.

Sidewalks on streets with high traffic density must be reclaimed for pedestrian use, cleared of vendors, barangay halls and long-running wakes used as fronts for illegal gambling.

Motorcycle traffic needs better regulation.

Keep out pedicabs, tricycles, horse-drawn vehicles and other slow-moving vehicles from main thoroughfares. As in sidewalk vending, there are in fact local ordinances for this that are never enforced even along main roads.

Open certain strategic roads in private gated subdivisions – something that will soon be done in Parañaque.

More subdivision roads need to be opened elsewhere, including in Quezon City and San Juan.

Land transportation agencies must intensify the campaign against colorum public utility vehicles – one of the biggest contributors to high vehicle density along EDSA and other major thoroughfares. The problem here is that a number of PUV operators happen to be well-connected.

The right connections also stymie attempts to regulate the entry of provincial buses in Metro Manila through the setting up of special depots, or to prevent buses from turning strategic spots into virtual terminals.

Transport officials have admitted difficulty in preventing PUV operators from imposing a boundary system on drivers. Admitting difficulty is not good enough; President Aquino should find someone who can do the job. When drivers’ daily earnings depend on the number of passengers they can transport per trip, they linger at every stop and pick up passengers even in the middle of the street.

These days, concerns have been raised about the possibility of more kotong or extortion after P-Noy designated the police Highway Patrol Group as the lead enforcer of traffic rules along EDSA. One suggestion is to require payment of all traffic violation fines in accredited banks, although this won’t prevent traffic enforcer and motorist from agreeing to the equivalent of an out-of-court settlement, without any receipt, just to avoid further hassle. * * * For the long-term, serious consideration should be given to creating an elective position for governor of Metro Manila. Traffic management cannot be left to the disjointed responses of the elected mayors of the metropolis, which was again evident during the INC protests. Any MMDA chief, a presidential appointee, always finds it tough to impose authority over mayors who often belong to political dynasties ruling the independent republics of Metro Manila.

Finally, everyone knows the mass transportation system must first be improved if the government wants people to leave private vehicles at home – which makes you wonder why action on this issue since 2010 has been going in the opposite direction. From the performance of the folks in charge of this under daang matuwid, we will just have to hope for a new team to come in next year.

At this point, unfortunately, it looks like the MMDA chief’s candid assessment of the duration of the traffic mess won’t be far off the mark.

By CITO BELTRAN

ANA MARIE PAMINTUAN

Published daily by the PhilSTAR Daily, Inc. with offices at R. Oca, Jr. and Railroad Streets, Port Area, Manila; Tel. No. 527-7901 to 15. Advertising Dept.: Tel. Nos. 527-2495, Associate Editors: 526-1991. E-mail address: feedback@philstar.net.ph

Editor-in-Chief

ROMEL A. LARA

IPI

Section Editors/Desk:

JUANIYO Y. ARCELLANA, RAMON M. LIM, DULCE A. SANCHEZ, PATRICIA P. ESTEVES, MARIANNE V. GO

ASIA-PACIFIC

MONGOLIA

How Partners Have Supported Our Mission in 2015

Churches translate our resources into Kachin, Laichin, Mizochin, and Siyinchin, covering 4 of the 100-plus languages spoken.

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EDITORIAL

Undermining justice

Occupy EDSA – if you want to denounce somebody

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US urged to take firmer stand on China

KRIZ JOHN ROSALES

Gov’t rejects income tax cut

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Sunset: 6:07 p.m.

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Temperature Range: 25.7ºC-32.0ºC

Congress vows Our Daily Bread passage of BBL A special day

Starting with prayer

MICHAEL VARCAS

of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) “Truth © Commission” in the Ministries, wake of the rales found Used probableby cause to indict officials. irregularities in the issuance of medi2013 ODB 3000, Kraft Ave. SE, Granders Rapids Michigan 49555-001, USA. permission. and six others are facing graft and difficulty in gathering pieces of evidence former BI Deputy Commissioners The Party-list solon sought the crecal passes and Summary Deportation corruption charges before the Office against some 74 more incumbent and Teodoro Delarmente, Roy Almoro and ation of the Truth Commission Order (SDO) in favor of Vo Van

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330,000 IN 2015

UK immigration hits record high, causing headache for Cameron

By HANNAH L. TORREGOZA

Senator Francis Escudero said the Philippine National Police (PNP) has enough budget to recruit new personnel and fill up vacancies that has bloated to 23,820. But it is slow in doing so.

Escudero said even if a fraction of these vacancies are filled,

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http://www.facebook.com/manilabullletin

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PNP urged to fill up 23,820 vacancies

TRAFFIC POLICE — Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis N. Tolentino (right) speaks yesterday at the orientation for the Philippine National Police’s Highway Patrol Group (PNPHPG), which has been called in to do traffic management duties amid the worsening traffic situation in the metropolis.

(Camille Ante)

@manilabulletin

twitter.com/manila_bulletin

By WILLIAM JAMEs

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Yellow Magenta Cyan

Black

ONDON, United Kingdom (Reuters) — Long-term net migration to Britain has hit a record high, underscoring the challenge Prime Minister David Cameron faces to dispel voter fears that immigrants are straining public services such as housing, hospitals, and schools.

As an island nation off northwest Europe, Britain is far from the frontline of the EU-wide crisis that has seen hundreds of thousands of migrants and refugees pour into the bloc this year via countries like Italy, Greece, and Hungary.

The bigger problem for Cameron is his inability to limit immigration by European Union passportholders, as freedom of movement is enshrined in the EU’s founding treaties. Arrivals from countries like India and China are also on the rise.

Official data on Thursday showed a net 330,000 people moved to Britain in the year to March, 2015, up 40 percent on the same period a year ago. A net 183,000 came from within the EU, up by 53,000.

The quarterly figures have become a regular source of political embarrassment for Cameron, who has insisted he is still working towards a declared overall target of ymv

less than 100,000.

Curbing migrants’ access to welfare benefits in order to deter them from coming to Britain is a key objective for the Conservative prime minister as he renegotiates the country’s relationship with the EU before putting its continued membership to a public vote by the end of 2017.

Immigration Minister James Brokenshire said the latest data was “deeply disappointing.”

“While these figures underline the challenges we need to meet to reduce net migration, they should also act as a further wake-up call for the EU. Current flows of people across Europe are on a scale we haven’t seen since the end of the Second World War,” he said.

Rising immigration has fuelled support for the UK Independence Party (UKIP) which wants to sever ties with the EU and impose much tighter entry rules.

“These figures reflect Borderless Britain and total impotence of the British government,” UKIP leader Nigel Farage said, calling for Cameron to negotiate tighter border controls with the EU. The debate has intensified in recent months, with the huge influx into EU of migrants and refugees fleeing poverty and war in the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere.

Kohima Ao Baptist Church translates Our Daily Bread into the spoken language of the Ao Naga tribe.

Yellow Magenta Cyan

is fuller. When you see a tumbler that is only half full, it will be hard to notice that it has improved to 60% or even 75%. You will notice the empty portion of the glass. Where before the empty portion was half but it is now only one fourth, we have a hard time seeing the improvements. So with poverty, although there is less poverty and suffering, what you would see is the poverty that still has to be eradicated and not the improvement. The half-full glass is the same glass as the half-empty glass. It depends on our perception or how we see the glass.

Poverty is there for us to solve.

We cannot eradicate it completely but we can mitigate it. Even in First World countries like the US, there are still poor people who have no house but are wandering vagrants.

Everybody, including Pope Francis, is emphasizing poverty. We just have to do what we can; each in his capacity to alleviate the suffering of the poor. Some can be more creative and help a greater number of people; some can give a meal to a vagrant; others can do a lot more.

But if we all do our part, it will end up to a satisfactory level. Those who can organize should do so. This is where we are generally deficient, namely, in organizing and working as a group. *** Clamor against traffic has reached a high pitch. We need a new MMDA Czar who is an urban planner or urban organizer. He must be clothed with powers to solve the problem. We now realize the need and it is up to us to solve the problem. There are many suggestions.

Some of them are to unclog many of the side streets that could unburden the main thoroughfares. Second, high- occupancy cars and buses will be the only ones allowed to use fast lanes. High traffic areas can be cordoned off and a special tax can be levied on the use of these roads during peak hours. Third, special

Second and third largest English newspapers, the Manila Bulletin and Philippine Star, print Our Daily Journey and Our Daily Bread articles respectively.

bus lanes can be dedicated to municipal buses which, like trains, will not be available to other vehicles.

New roads and widening of roads can be done. *** The Iglesia ni Cristo have every right to demonstrate and show placards. But right now, are they are saying is that they have the right not to be investigated for complaints against them by their own people? Are they ordinary citizens or citizens above the law? Is it not a half-lie to insinuate that the government has agreed not to investigate when there was no such concession? There are serious charges of detention as in the Napoles case, it can open a whole Pandora’s Box. The crookedness of some people appeared only because someone had been detained against his will. *** I would like to call the attention of Smart-PLDT that they are allowing people to charge against the Smart prepaid for unwanted services that cannot be terminated or extremely difficult to terminate, for example, the music of 2728 which makes it impossible to terminate but automatically charges against deposits. They charge every time you load up. People then go to Gmail. <emeterio_barcelon@ yahoo.com>

TAIWAN

MERRy-GO-ROuNd

Ships would be popular again

By FLORO MERCENE

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HE golden age of air travel is upon us. Take advantage of it while it lasts. Low-cost carriers are having a field day offering the lowest fares possible.

This has been going on for the last few decades in Europe. Today, Asian airlines are having the best of both worlds; low fuel price and high number of travelers.

That’s why there is fierce competitions from all air carriers, wanting to corner the market as much as possible.

The low prices of oil will not last long. At most, it is estimated that the current glut would last only for about two years before the price of oil inches up again.

Airline carriers are able to offer cut-throat-competition prices for tickets because aircraft manufacturers were able to come up with more efficient materials that are lighter but stronger than metal.

The high cost of fuel is offset by being able to carry more passengers and cargo at cheaper rates.

Engine manufacturers were able to design engines that consume less fuel, which translates into profits for the air carriers.

How long would this good fortune last? Nobody can say, but experts predict that once the price of fuel hits $135 a barrel, manufacturers would never be able to come up with an airline that could operate at a profit.

“There are many economists who believe renewed demand for oil would drive the price to $200 a barrel

Hallelujah Church distributes the Korean version of Our Daily Bread. C3TV/GoodTV and Christian Global Network broadcast our TV programs with Korean subtitles.

The whole of Saturday and early Sunday morning. Everyone was cursing somebody. With clinched fists, motorists within hearing distance of the crowd told them to hold their rally somewhere else. PUV passengers shouted at the protesters, “Umuwi na kayo!”

Meanwhile, an endless stream of not-so-likeable comments from the social and main stream media came in staccato manner. Bus, jeepney, taxi passengers, not exempting private vehicle drivers, were at standstill for three to four hours at EDSA corner Ortigas.

A neighbor of mine recalled in horror how he was forced to walk from Cubao to QC Hall where he was finally able to get a ride to our subdivision. A friend of his son, arriving from Bacolod at 7 o’clock in the evening, took a taxi at the airport that drove him only up to Buendia Avenue which was already filled with vehicles. He got home some four hours after.

Amidst all these protests that had disastrous consequences, many shared the same proposals to INC – next time why not hold them at your Philippine Arena in Bocaue?

It is so huge, you have the place all to yourself!

Please keep off EDSA, or anywhere else in Metro Manila where peaceful residents always look forward to being with their family after a hard day’s work.

or higher.”

I am quoting from the book Aerotropolis by John D. Kasarda and Greg Lindsay, who are foreseeing a future where aviation eventually halts to a standstill.

What are the alternatives? Many critics demurred, unable to imagine a world with fewer airplanes.

Two Canadian experts said domestic flying would be cut by 40 percent by 2025.

Instead of multiple flights between major cities, there would be fewer ones and passengers would be crammed aboard super-duper jumbo jets carrying 800 passengers.

We guess that majority would go back to riding trains and solar-powered vehicles. Ships would be popular again, which would be much bigger, faster, and safer than the Titanic.

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HONG KONG

Alliance Broadcasting and Holistic Good News Network broadcast Our Daily Bread audio readings in Cantonese.

Good News Broadcasting Association records and broadcasts Our Daily Bread audio readings in Chinese.

INDONESIA

Readers and individuals financially support distribution of 196 audio players, preloaded with Our Daily Bread readings, to pastors in remote areas. Overall goal is to reach 5,000 pastors in remote areas with Our Daily Bread Ministries resources.

MALAYSIA

The Rock Foundation broadcasts Our Daily Bread in English, Sinhala and Tamil on their TV station (Swarga TV) daily.

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PHILIPPINES

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INDIA

ready suffered so much!”

The banner headline of the Manila Bulletin last Sunday, August 30, sums it up all, “Occupy EDSA’ draws public outrage.”

Initially, INC followers trooped in front of DOJ building early evening of Thursday, August 27.

Overnight, they mounted blistering music and endless monologues that told of their being harassed by the justice department. “Complaints by dismissed ministers of their being virtually held illegally is our church’s concern. Leave us alone.”

But their outcry disturbed ICU patients in the adjacent PGH. Students of neighboring UP Manila were disquieted. It rendered gover nment and private offices stupefied. Not counting the closed vehicle traffic flow in peripheral streets.

Early in the evening of Friday, they moved out of DOJ premises to EDSA. But not after leaving tons of garbage and acrid latrine smell emanating from every available wall and crevices in the area.

At the corner of EDSA and Shaw Boulevard, there converged more members. They held a long line of speakers’ marathon but not before closing to traffic from that corner up to the EDSA Shrine. And southbound, the long line of vehicles froze atop the Kamuning flyover.

Here pandemonium reigned.

Perception of poverty

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Friday, September 4, 2015

The question about fasting

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MYANMAR

Views • Features

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A Christian NGO translates, prints, and distributes Our Daily Bread in Mongolian.

SRI LANKA

SOUTH KOREA

No water – no transfer

Managing Editor

MILLET M. MANANQUIL, RICARDO F. LO, LITO A. TACUJAN, DOREEN G. YU, MARICHU A. VILLANUEVA

After almost 25 years of being held “hostage,” Taclobanons under the leadership of Mayor Alfred Romualdez are putting the proverbial foot down and making a stand.

PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL PRESS INSTITUTE PRESS INSTITUTE If the Leyte Metropolitan Water District (LMWD) and the P-Noy MIGUEL G. BELMONTE ATTY. RAY C. ESPINOSA administration cannot provide waPresident and CEO Chairman of the Board ter connections for each permanent LUCIEN C. DY TIOCO Senior Vice President for Sales and Marketing shelter in the 14,500 unit township TERESA T. MENDOZA FERNANDO R. LOPEZ built north of Tacloban City, the Vice President for Operations Vice President for Circulation local government will not issue an occupancy permit!

It seems that the national government has been † maximo V. SoliVen †Betty Go-Belmonte pushing for the immediate transfer of disaster victims Founding Chairman (1986-1994) Founding Publisher (1986-2006) to the said location in spite of the fact that there is no source of water for the intended residents. The plan is to arrange for the Leyte Metropolitan Water Utilities to provide water via tankers as needed and this turned out to be the last straw for Romualdez and local officials because “water” and who controls it or manages the LMWD has long been a sore point for Taclobanons.

As told to me by a fellow UP graduate, the “war over water” started approximately 25 years ago when LMWD used to be under the sway of Tacloban City for a couple of years, until a change in the leadership of the National Government resulted in a change in who ran LMWD. In the initial struggle, I was told that two persons died or were killed during the squabbles; a poor “peasant” and one member of media who people believe was gunned down for his unrelenting criticism related to LMWD and the politics behind it.

So what exactly is the sore point? It seems that “control” or appointing powers for General Manager and Board of Directors for the government owned and controlled corporation is determined by who has the greatest number of consumers or connections. This is determined by the number of meters and subscribers located within Tacloban City versus the rest of the Leyte District under LMWD. Who ever has the majority gets to run the show. Subsequently, the group that controls the water district can determine the development and investment program of the water utilities.

Tacloban City officials want to tap investors like Maynilad or Manila Water to bid out the privatization of the water district to professional companies while the LMWD group has 14 allegedly relied on taking out close to a billion pesos in loans for development purposes without having to relinquish control of LMWD pAGE TWELvE REFLECTIONs TOdAy and being a power unto themselves.

In order to sustain their grip over the business, what LMWD allegedly does is resort to clustering customers within Tacloban City. Residents of a village are clustered under one main meter for statistical purposes while every five households would be enrolled under one meter. So instead of counting thousands of LUkE that 5:33-39

By ELINANdO b. CINCO individual homes and customers would result Pharisees wonder why Jesus’ disin Tacloban having the highest number of customers, ciples are feasting in his company. In HE and scribes Pharisees ROWD control experts say In this country, murder is an efAs in the attacks on journalists clustering reduces the numbers robsand Tacloban City response, Jesus gives the image of a to Jesus, “The disciples that the human psyche is fective tool not just to permanent- and left-wing activists, the only of the right to nominate and said manage the water district. wedding feast. He is the bridegroom of John fast often and offer attracted to the ranting of whose presence makes the wedding They can’t question loans prayers, being taken out by LMWD banquet a time of joy, not of penance. ly silence critical journalists and way to prevent impunity is by and the disciples of fiery speakers no matter pressure in Tacloban eliminate political rivals, but also catching Alaba’s killer and who- or question why the thewater Pharisees do the same; but yoursis Jesus’ coming has ushered in “new the substance of the speech. These the serviced There are wine,” new vitality, a time for rejoiceatof and drink.”

Jesus area. answered them, mob rule managers are quick to to undermine justice. Prosecutors, ever might have ordered it. The weaker than the rest even claims that every campaign and election “Can time you make the wedding guests cite Adolf Hitler, Fidel Castro, Che ing. The new wine needs new skins judges and private lawyers are nation’s criminal justice system period comes, waterfast supply parts of the cityissuspiwhiletothe bridegroom with Guevara, Sukarno, Mao Tse-tung in which to ferment. The Kingdom of Story on Page 2 philstarnews ThePhilippineStar PhilippineStar philstarnews www.philstar.com murdered with impunity, or else is weak enough without legal them?VOL. But the will come, and and Ho Chi Minh as typical of this God, which Jesus inaugurates, needs cuts off and only comes at days two in the morning VOL. 513 No. 04  http://www.mb.com.ph Friday, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015 • 7 SECTIONS • P18.00 • IN ciously METRO MANILA XXX NO. 39 • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015 • 10 SECTIONS, 80 PAGES ₱20 MM see their homes strafed, their cars professionals being intimidated forcing residents towhen bridegroom DOJ genre of demagogues. losethe sleep just to is filltaken pailsaway and a new atmosphere in which to grow. then they to willmake fast inpeople those In contemporary events, utilizThis saying of Jesus challenges His shot up and their relatives intimi- or murdered in connection with drums. The theory isfrom thatthem, it is intended to summon days.”

And officials he also told them a parable. ing these types of speakers is even motivaAustralia angry and blame their local particularly the disciples to consider theirINC dated by all types of thugs, from their work. leadersmade “No one tears a piece from a new cloak truer when the location of tions in following Him. If we want new warnswarlords against to government

By EDU PUNAY political Among lawyers alone, a non- Mayor. to patch an old one. Otherwise, he will the gathering is in a popular venue life in Jesus, we have to remove the The Department of Justice Another sore point is the fact that large consum‘militarization’ tear the new and the piece from it will has a built-in crowd attraction “old wineskins” in us and put onsummon the leaders ofand forces, drug dealers and influen- government organization counts (DOJ) will the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) for a preers like Robinson’snot Mall, Coke, hotels and similar South barons. match the old cloak. Likewise, no identity. new wineskins, namely, the Gospel liminary investigation into crimitialof gambling 38 murdered in the Philippines establishments are not charges – including serious owninto pipeline and values. The values of the nal A Chinese one given pours their new wine old wineThose assets are shared by world are China Sea afternoon, Judge since 2004, with only a handful engineer illegal detention – filed against lowers Last Tuesday meters but are serviced with water tankers. them byof expelled the the carriage skins.

Otherwise, the new Estimates wine will an event organizer. It seemnot compatible with the values themembers of many of the newly NEW DELHI (PNA/PTI) – Sereligious sect. installed bogie Jude Alaba of the Baler of perpetrators convicted. The and verelyErwin critical of Chinese military put the cost of this delivered water toitbe per Kingdom.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima burst the skins, and willatbeP250 spilled, ingly was also what some members wheels of a assertiveness in the South China vowed fairness in the conduct Metro Rail Transit the skins be ruined.

Rather,In of the INC had in mind. And they Lord, put a new and right spirit investigation, Sea, Australia on Wednesday cubic meter or 300%and higher thanwill residential prices.

Regional Trialwarned Court in Aurora group says lawyers in the coun- Rail of the preliminary train at the Light against “intimidation and aggresTransit wherein the eight respondents are new wine charge must beof poured had a popular cause at hand – dedepot in Pasay sion” in the disputed waters and addition, there is a delivery P150 into per fresh cubic within me. expected to file counter-affidavits province was shot dead in his try are “structurally threatened, City yesterday. maintained that India’s role was “as part of the process.” wineskins.

Anddelivery. no one who has been nouncing the Department of Justice P1,500 for This system crucial to stability in the Indian Aside from serious illegal desport vehicle as he drove intimidated” and even labeled meter or an average of Ocean utility region. non-bailable offense SOURCE: “365 Days tention with– a the old wine new, for he for “harassment and meddling in an 6 being challenged drinking and labeled as desires a money-making – the eight INC ministers are also into the town’s RTC compound. as “enemies of the state.” Among is ‘The old is good.’” problem” of their sect. facing charges of harassmentinternal as scheme that benefitssays, tanker operators especially when Lord 2015,” ST. PAULS Philippines, well as threats and coercion. The City of the 10-man First, they occupied the streets eight are members A man on a motorcycle pulled prosecutors and judges, several the tankers don’t deliver a full load, requiring several 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati Sanggunian, the INC’s highest (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; administrative Fax 895REFLECTION and vacant lots fronting DOJ on council. up to the SUV and emptied a have begged off from handling trips at night. This scheme increases the cost to do Expelled INC members Isaias 7328; E-mail: books@stpauls.ph; NEW WINE MUST BE POURED Padre Faura in Manila, and later Samson Jr. and Lito Fruto filed the .45-caliber pistol on Alaba, killing cases due to harassment and business and turns off potential investors considering Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

INTO FRESH WINESKINS. The at EDSA-Shaw Boulevard crossing complaints.

De Lima said investigating area in Mandaluyong last week. the judge and wounding his wife. threats to their lives and those of Tacloban City. prosecutors would issue subpoena requiring the respondents Aside from business establishments, I received But what the members did not Turn to Page 8 Probers are looking at drug cases their loved ones. anticipate was the virulent backinformation that many schools, several hospitals, as and land disputes that Alaba was Justice is one of the pillars of a well lash from the public whose ire was as government facilities have been appealing, handling for possible motives. working democracy, and murder requesting and ultimately complaining about the expressed in social media, as well UNDENIABLE FORCE (EPA) — This photograph released by Xinhua News Agency of China dAILy JOuRNEyand water shows infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) parading yesterday for the 70th Anniversary of the Victory of Chinese People’s as in broadcast and print media.

Last year, Alaba had also cleared is the worst way of undermining failure of LMWD toOuR provide connections Resistance against Japanese Aggression and World Anti-Fascist War on Tiananmen Square, Beijing, China, reflecting military might backed up by a double-digit increase in its military budget seen at $131.5 billion last year.

The public’s collective plea was

By DELON PORCALLA atheNew People’s Army commander it.Mindanao Every effort must be made to supply. Very recently, DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman Luzon Visayas Manila The government rejected yesshort of saying, “Enough of those WEATHER Pinoys? was quoted as asking why there was barely any water terday a bill filed in the House of accused of killing two soldiers 15 catch those behind the murder of Short protests. We, the people, have alRepresentatives that seeks to lower at the poor ladies comfort room at the Daniel Romualdez Blame the taxes paid by fixed-income years Judge Alaba.

LiFESTYLE ago. earners, saying the administration (Tacloban City) Airport? “patak patak lang.” That was Three things nutrition could not risk losing the gains of you should the robust economy. when Secretary Soliman was briefed on the decades old With 3.6 million children know about “We cannot put our fiscal sustainconsidered to be short, the the Filipino and credit rating at risk by oppression Taclobanons have Philippines ranks ninththat in REAd:endured psALM 82 in terms of respects, with the help ability of God, to do Millennial doing piecemeal revenue reducing the top 14 countries that have Give justice to the poor and the orphan; them good for this life.”legislation,” Finance Secretary Cesar their water “stunted children,” a reportsupply. by D-4 Purisima wrote in his text message a non-government organizavOICE FROM THE sOuTH uphold the rightsof of the the oppressed • To train the children to walk Ironically, the poor management LMWD has to presidential spokesman Edwin tion showed yesterday.

Lacierda, who relayed the message to The report by Save the ChilbuSiNESS the destitute volume (v.3, emphasis added). apparently inand insufficient of sales and with God. Palace reporters. dren, titled “Sizing up: resulted The Meralco generation charge “We urge Congress to approach fisStunting and Child Malnutri• To glorify God by acknowledgas a consequence lack of funds to improve their faciliseen stabilizing or going cal reform from a holistic standpoint tion Problem in the PhilipHouse planning ready to act measure nity session; to praise senators Him. Psalm 118:24 says,onpines,” This is the day the LORD has made.special N 21 November 1835 down this month with the goal of making the structure said 80 percent of the ties or operations.

Instead of making money or earning ing that what would be accomplished more buoyant, equitable, progressive world’s stunted children live “This is the day the has made;

By HANNAH L. 118:24 TORREGOZA and CHARISSA M. LUCI WhileLORD both chambers expressed tion (CIBAC) Party-list Rep. Sherwin — Psalm George Müller wrote, “Towould come from His faithful hands. and competitive,” Purisima said. in developing or poor counPeso has fundamental basis determination to pass the peace meaTugna saidprofits Representaprivate concessionaires in water, the LMWD He said this would allow the govtries.the House oflike we will rejoice and be glad in it.” for stability; inflation may day I have had it very much After much prayer, ernment and without lthough press for time, Consure, they seem not to agree on the gave this assurance after getting the tives is willing to hold extra session to continue increasing investTopping the list is India have bottomed out – bSP gress is determined to pass the date and for manner by which theywants will commitment of leaders God of the Senate days to ensure the passage of the BBL relies loans which could ultimately Today provides you and ments in the people and infrastructure, (61.7 million) on followed by What’s special about September 4?and impressed spell on myfinancial heart, ever hosting a fundraiser, Müller proposed Bangsamoro Basic carry this out. the House of Representatives at this month. which is crucial to national competiNigeria (11.04 million), PaWb mulls $250-million loan birthday Law (BBL) before it adjourns Feliciano the Senate-House leadership meeting usSpeaker But Drilon disaster forsaid the government your trust.

“Give day by day“Sonny” ourBeldaily kistan Perhaps it’s your or annivertiveness and ability to attract invest- By FR. EMETERIO bARCELON, sJ no longer office. merely to think about the received provisions to provide homes (9.6 million), China on October 10, 2015. monte Jr. and Deputy Majority Leader at Marco Polo Hotel at Ortigas Center Congress leadto build pumping stations ments and job opportunities.

(8.05 million), Indonesia (7.5 (Luke 11:3).

Given this affairs, people are also won- for more than 10,000 orphans. sary. make it special.

Orin Pasigbread” Senate President Franklin Drilon and Citizens Battle Against CorrupCity. ers did in MetroThat Manila would of here an orphan house, Even 6 state ofestablishment Purisima issued the statement in reb-1 million), Bangladesh (5.9  milto the bill authored by Marikina Today God wants to speak to you lion),dering Ethiopia (5.2 million),national maybe you could celebrate the historic Members ofbut thegovernment Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group traffic management at the Metropolitan why officials in charge RADITIONALLy Filipino actually to set about it,undergo andtraining I intoday I believe that action rather than Democratic Republic of Congo Manila Development Authority headquarters in Makati City yesterday. HPG personnel will replace MMDA constables in handling Rep. Miro Quimbo, chairman of the DRiVE events of this day. For instance, in 1781, through His Word. The believers at traffic along EDSA on been Monday. very the Turn to Page 8 and Lina says sorry families have seen themhave much in prayer relaunch a capital campaign on Face-Turn to Page 12 of studying implementing Rehabilitation Safer thebuses, city of Los Angeles, California, was Berea “searched the Scriptures daily” selves as poor. Improvespecting it, in order to ascertain the book, Müller would drop to his knees for ‘balikbayan’ Master plan approved everything EXCEPT the safer roads ‘Give Highway Patrol Group asection chance’ (Acts 17:11). founded.

NLEX and bus operators Or this: In 1993, Jim Abbott, ment in poverty situation Lord’s mind.” and appeal to God for his every need. providing for a water supply system thatMembers wasofbeing sign agreement on road safety box mess

By AUREA CALICA Today God desires to renew your in- Malacañang a pitcher for the New York Yankees, the HPG are currently unappealed to the public is difficult to see. While President Müller to live out James While At the same time,longed Presidential Comdergoing to effectively manage I’m not suggesting raising yesterday to give thewith Philippinea National backed P2 billion fund offered by thea seminar World  F-1

By MARIO CASAYURAN didn’t let anyone get a B.hit off his ner person. “The inward man is being Police Operations Office genuine Secretary traffic in the metropolis, and they admit-is wrong, there’s much we can Highway Patrol Group (HPG) a munications Noy Aquino manifested that he 1:27: “Pure and religion in funds Coloma Jr. calledgrant on the people Bank in traffic the inform of Herminio a 90 percent and 10their percent ted that additional task was more chance to improve Metro Marenewed day by day” (2 Cor. 4:16).

The apology for the controversial a pitches — and he was born without cooperate with law obeyFather challengingmeans than addressing learn carjacking. nila, particularly along the chronically tothe ENTERTAiNMENT was ready for the increased “basight ofenforcers God and the random inspection of “balikbayan” With God as your guide, September congested loan.

If the World traffic Bank is regulations. offering a GRANT, why to Page 19from Müller about trusting in rules and EDSA. right hand. Or if you’re a TV fan: boxes finally came yesterday fromIn Regine, Mark: tikos” near the end of his term, it caring for orphans and widows in TurnGod and His vast resources (v.8).

Bureau of Customs (BOC) CommisTaming the the first live 1951, US coast-to-coast 4 — and every day — can be special. are national government officials content withtotanker sioner Alberto D. Lina at the public is harder to see improvements in their distress.”

This led him pray.

We’re wise to bring our needs to animal that is hearing of the Senate ways and means — Dave Branon ‘Gov’t HouseGod may hold more the Lord first, asking Him to guide top In response, television broadcast was aired from deliveryon systems? social media committee. the poverty situation. The problem revealed to the Much has been San Francisco.

It was made in passing to Susan Aside from not issuing occupancy permits, I learned sessions on priority bills us in the best way to share our needs Niño This is the day the Lord hath made, of El said about social needs to be completely solved if it church leader the following purposes Ople, head of the Blas F. Ople Policy media being a But what if noneCenter, of during these events and the question and answer useful tool in from the Romualdez team thatof they are currently He calls the hours His own; Leaders of the House just like the regular sessions(Psalm bills toinibe passedwith by the end is to be considered solved. And this for opening an orphanage others.

— Roxanne Robbins situation’ session where Sen. Paolo Benigno establishing a facts seem to make your September 4 Representatives are study- from Monday to Wednes- of the year. name in show Aquino IV stressed the need for a clear Let heaven rejoice, let earth be glad, tiatingyesterday an independent audit to day, determine the actual feasibility of holdaccording to Speaker The House aims to pass is impossible. What is still lacking 82:3): Malacanang assuaged ing the business. cut customs policy on taxing shipments special? Try these ideas: fears of a shortage of water until ing plenary sessions from Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and the Bangsamoro Basic Law And praise surround the throne. and the balikbayan boxes. “©2015 ODB Ministries, 3000, user-customers LMWD in Tacloban CityNeptali andabyLeyte is what is observed. Peter Drucker To to demonstrate that even poor Monday to• Friday ensure Majority Leader the end of the month or early next year due to El Niño, say-of E-1Today God gives you newngopportu“Ako ay a humihingi paubefore the proposed P3.00215 the government is on top of the the passage of priority bills Gonzales II. — Watts ing district. r a ffort SM AvPrime e Holdings S E , Inc. G rpresident a n dHans R Sy ap ids, helpfully pointed out that the perman, such as Müller, by prayer and Once this before data collected, they will compare it K (left) and Walt Disney Asia theis 2016 election feBelmonte, Gonzales and trillion national budget situation.

ISN’T HE SORRY? — Hands pressed together over his lips like in humble prayer, Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Alberto president Paul Candland cross light sabers during the ceremonial Lina (left) appears before yesterday’s Senate hearing with an apology to overseas Filipino workers who raised a for howl over in. other House leaders met 2016 reaches plenary.

“We’re preparing this and the ver sets USA. Used ception of poverty will cause a lot faith — with the Lord’s blessing —of oftheMichigan launch49555-0001, of the two firms’ partnership at the Mall of Asia arena Tuesday toshould studies made Maynilad to challenge the claims the bureau’s earlier plan to break open ‘balikbayan’ boxes for stricter duties and taxes monitoring.

At right former BOC Presi-by The Truth Commission on ‘pork’ House might implewith Senate President FranChances approving night. public not is feel alarmed,” The partnership would bring Disney, Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars Commissioner Ruffy Biazon.READ: (Jun Ryan Arañas) Luke 11:1-4 The Bible in one year: sessionstoklin Drilon yesterday to (v.4). the bill will be by slim ifpermission. it is brands to life through dential Communications Operations mentcan Forunique this and other of complaints. be used rescue others Disney experiences at SM’s many leisure LMWD officials andtheifextended necessary go to court, to media Turn to Page 9 and entertainment properties. Story on Page 14.

Turn to Page 8 next week starting at 4 p.m., finalize their list of priority scam proposed former lawmakers linked to the pork materials contact ODB Ministries During PNoy’s term, has poverty • Ombudsman.

To “be used by God to benefit • Psalms 143-145 barrel even to the Office of the scam.

3 ex-BI Each commissioners faceusraps escape new day gives newover terrorist’s R. ROSARIO Under Bello’s proposal, the comat 322 P. Guevarra, San Juan City alleviation improved? Even if it has, the bodies of poor children, bereaved • 1By BEN Corinthians 14:21-40 * * *

By JUN RAMIREZ of the Ombudsman for the escape of a mission shall be clothed with authorJose Cabochan for violation of Section reasons to praise the Lord.

(Phils.); Tel.: 722-2010.” the people will still complain beof both parents, and seek in other 1BAP Party-list Rep. Silvestre Bello suspected foreign terrorist. ity to issue subpoenas and penalize 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019 (AntiEmail: utalk2ctalk@gmail.com Three former deputy commissionIII yesterday called for the creation of a Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Monon-cooperation among government Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) over cause they do not see that the glass MEMBER:

The Sarawak Chinese Annual Conference Information Communication Board records Our Daily Bread audio readings in Malay and selected Discovery Series titles in Chinese.

AUSTRALIA

SINGAPORE

LEGO® enthusiast Gene Tan breathes new life into the David and Goliath story with a comic book for younger readers.

NEW ZEALAND

Churches, ministries, and individuals distribute special resources commemorating the 100th anniversary of ANZAC and 200th anniversary of the arrival of the gospel in New Zealand.

Resources by Bible teachers David Cook and Mike Raiter target local readers (e.g.

ANZAC Day). Rejoice Chinese Christian Communication Centre broadcasts Our Daily Bread audio readings in Chinese.

We Can’t Do It Alone;

Your Partnership is Vital

After war broke out between North and South Korea in the 1940s, David Kim fled his home in Pyongyang. He was just 11 years old. He had been persecuted for being a Christian, but held on to his faith. Arriving in the United States, he was determined to help others hold on to theirs.

When David became a pastor, he realised that his congregation needed spiritual food beyond the weekly Sunday sermons. Touched by the encouragement he found in Our Daily Bread devotionals, he started translating them into Korean for his fellow countrymen. These proved to be so popular that when David was invited to pastor Hallelujah Church in South Korea, he recommended the resource to the congregation. He started giving out some 4,000 copies in 1990.

Today, Hallelujah Church maintains a fulltime staff member and more than 100 volunteers to print and distribute 650,000 copies of Our Daily Bread per quarter. It also oversees online and mobile resources, radio and cable TV broadcasts, and even translations into other languages.

We can’t do this on our own; we need the help and support of thousands of ministry associates, outreach partners, and volunteers.

The work and achievements of ministry associates like David, and subsequently Hallelujah Church, play a critical role in Our Daily Bread Ministries’ continuing mission to make the wisdom of God’s Word understandable and accessible to all. Every year, we distribute more than 60 million resources in 150 countries, covering more than 50 languages.

We can’t do this on our own; we need the help and support of thousands of ministry associates, outreach partners, and volunteers. They help to produce, translate, publish, and distribute our resources, and some, like David, even lead ministry efforts in their own countries.

This support from all our partners has been especially important for us this year, which has been a busy, yet fulfilling, one.

Starting with a name change in January, from RBC Ministries to Our Daily Bread Ministries, we have been working hard to expand our various ministries.

Our partners have helped us to produce more resources and distribute them through the Internet, mobile apps, radio, television, and printed material, while new media partners have come on board to help us reach more readers, viewers, and listeners.

We are grateful for the many churches, ministries, and individuals who have come alongside to help us roll out a wider variety of resources reaching out to more people. We thank God for their help and support in bringing God’s Word to people across the Asia-Pacific.

Watch the video interview here:

https://youtu.be/2k4gETbcf-Y

The Year Ahead In 2016, we aim to produce more evangelistic resources as well as resources catering to local readerships in the Asia-Pacific. These include: • Evangelistic resources. Help! I Can’t Face Tomorrow reaches out to people who are worried about the future or feeling lost amid pressures of today, while Where’s My Dream Job is written for fresh graduates who are job hunting or established workers who are feeling dissatisfied with their careers.

• E-book store. An e-book store app that will make more Christian literature available electronically to our readers, helping them feed their souls with God’s Word and fostering growth and godliness in the lives of God’s people.

We invite you to pray with us as we strive to make God’s Word understandable and accessible to all. Write to the Our Daily Bread Ministries office nearest you to receive our ministry updates and prayer requests.

How is Our Daily Bread Ministries Funded?

We are not funded or endowed by any group or denomination and are grateful for the support given to Our Daily Bread Ministries. Many people, making even the smallest of donations, enable us to reach others with the life-changing wisdom of the Bible.

Pray with us that God will continue to provide through His people the needed funds to support our work.

Visit us online at ourdailybread.org/donate for more information.