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Marawi City’s grand mosque rare openings

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Vol. II, No. 47| May 6-12, 2022 (Shawwal 5-11, 1443) 2022 Elections

PNP stations nationwide now on full alert

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ANILA – Amidst reported hotspots in some parts of the country, the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday announced it has placed all its stations nationwide on full alert as part of its efforts to secure the May 9 national and local elections (NLEs).

(Full Story on Page A5)

Surveys or rallies don’t make candidates win

By ALI G. MACABALANG

S

urvey results or big campaign rallies do not make a candidate win. Somehow, however, these indicate a candidate’s popularity or unpopularity. The votes we will cast this Monday, May 9 are what will determine the victor.

Surveys, covering just 1,200 to 2,500 respondents out of 65 million voters, and huge

A2 BANGSAMORO REGION

crowds in rallies only serve to create perceptions on who lead or lag behind. Both means are prone to manipulation by moneyed political camps desiring to create a bandwagon for non-thinking electorates to follow.

Indicators of surveys and big crowds in cam-

A5 NATIONAL

Bangsamoro E-sabong shutdown fastest-growing right thing to do: region in PH Tolentino The Bangsamoro economy rises by 7.5 percent and sets a record as the second fastest-growing region in the Philippines and sets a record, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

MANILA – Together with his colleagues in the Senate, Senator Francis Tolentino said on Wednesday the decision of President Rodrigo Duterte to end e-sabong (online cockfighting) was the right thing to do.

paign rallies did not work for late former House Speaker Ramon Mitra Jr. and former Senator Mar Roxas in the 1992 and 2016 presidential polls, respectively. Despite their huge nation-wide political machinery, the two lost to Fidel Ramos and Rodrigo Duterte, who

lagged behind in surveys and crowdgathering tools.

Voting is the duty and lone privilege of responsible citizens to exercise in shaping a nation. It must be seriously done, not on the basis of selfish interests or whims but for a concern to the well-being

A3 EID’L FITR

of the majority citizens.

Ideal voting means the prudent check on candidates’ qualifications, platforms and morality to govern us.

Elected local candidates will lead us for three years, while the next president will rule for six years.

SURVEYS | A2

ADVERTORIAL ON PAGE A7

Maranaos mark We accept publications of the following: Eid’l Fitr with Extrajudicial Settlements, Court joy, renewed Orders, Legal Notices, Biddings, Obituaries, Articles for Promotion hope Muslims in the Lanao province marked a more joyous Eid’l Fitr on Monday, May 2, as they were allowed to perform the Eid congregation prayer at the iconic Grand Mosque inside the city’s most affected area (MAA).

and other announcements.

Visit us at Consunji St., Poblacion, Iligan City; or call 0633025565, 09481514695.

— Editors

For latest update, visit: www.philmuslim.today. For press release, send to: chiefeditor@philmuslim.today

A2 Commentary | from page A1:

Surveys or rallies don’t make candidates win polls Our casting of votes in Monday’s elections will be the first step in our lone power to decide for our local communities or the nation. Remember that no fruitful journey will happen when the first step is wrong. And an ideal decision is based on what will be good for the majority of people, not on our vested interests or whims.

We should choose candidates who can accomplish the programs they present to improve the life of the majority, not just to redeem a name tarnished by corruption and human rights violations.

Through the ballots, we should exercise our supreme power to reject candidates who may put personal, family, business and partisan interests over those of the marginal sectors. We can use this power to hold corrupt officials to account, on one hand, and show appreciation for those who set aside their personal convenience to serve the public, on the other.

The economy is in bad shape and made worse by a global health crisis. We need leaders who can improve it without resorting to more borrowing. The government is already deep in debt and reeking with a massive budget deficit. More borrowings will mean more taxes to be collected from the already overburdened workers and consumers.

An effective tax collection campaign is badly needed to persuade tax payers to honestly pay their dues.

This cannot be expected from a candidate haunted by issues of tax evasion.

Speaking before officials and workers in the health sector on the inauguration of a new state-run medical center, PRRD pitched once more on his campaign against illegal drugs, a stride that catapulted him to the presidency.

The Duterte administration’s staunch campaign against illegal drugs should continue. But it cannot be done when the next president is haunted by undisputed perception about involvement in cocaine use.

Monday’s voting can be defined as a choice between right and wrong. Make your votes be counted for the right in the name of God and for the welfare of majority Filipinos.

(Reactions or comments may be sent to: alimac.bulletin@gmail.com)

Muslim Filipinos start Eid’l Fitr on Monday MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur -- Muslims in the Philippines will start celebrating Eid’l Fitr this year on Monday, May 2, after the Bangsamoro Darul Ifta has declared that the new moon has been sighted in the country on Sunday evening.

According to Bangsamoro Darul-Ifta’ Executive Director and Grand Mufti of the Bangsamoro, Sheikh Abu Huraira Udasan, the groups assigned to perform the moon sighting on Sunday, which marked the 29th of Ramadan, finally sighted the crescent moon.

“Based on this, the Bangsamoro Mufti has declared that the Eid”l-Fitr will be tomorrow Monday 1st of Shawwal 1443H. corresponding to the 2nd day of May 2022. In Sha Allah,” said Udasan in a memorandum from the office of the Bangsamoro Mufti.

In Marawi City, the Maranaos will pray the Eid in Jameo Mindanao Al-Islamie, known locally as the Islamic Center for the first time in five years after it was devastated by the 2017 Marawi Siege. After its reconstruction, the Islamic Center is now called the Grand Mosque.

In Malacañang, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea confirmed to reporters in a text message the Palace has declared May 3 as a regular holiday throughout the country for Eid’l Fitr.

PHILIPPINE MUSLIM TODAY

Bangsamoro News

Vol. II, No. 47| May 6-12, 2022 (Shawwal 5-11, 1443)

Economy:

Bangsamoro fastest-growing region in PH

By KASAN M. USOP, JR

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OTABATO CITY — Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s (BARMM) economic performance increased by 7.5 percent in 2021 and recorded the second-fastest growth The economy of BARMM increased from 1.9% in 2019-2020 to 7.5% in 2020-2021, at constant 2018 prices. The top industries that registered the highest growth were: Human Health and Social Work Activities (22.2%), Mining and Quarrying (20.2%), Accommodation and Food Service Activities (17.9%), Construction (12.2%), and Financial and insurance activities (10.6%). All other industries also registered positive growths.

Measurement of the economic performance of every region is based on Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) — a tool to monitor the economic performance of a region covering the value of goods and services produced during the reference period, and Gross Regional Domestic Expenditure (GRDE) — the expenditure of residents of the region in the domestic territory plus their expenditures in other regions including the rest of the world.

PSA-BARMM Officerin-Charge Engr. Akan Tula, who presented the result of BARMM’s economic performance, said the region had the second -fastest growth among all regions in the Philippines,

between CALABARZON (7.6%) and CAR (7.5%), and was among the four regions in the country that surpassed the prepandemic per capita of GRDP and GRDE levels.

“With the 5.7 percent total GDP of the country, BARMM contributed 7.5 percentage points to the country’s economy in 2021,” Tula added.

It was also reported that BARMM’s GRDP is predominantly Servicesbased with 38.9% share, followed by Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing at 36.4% share, and Industry with 24.7% share.

Meanwhile, on the GRDE indicators, Household Final Consumption Expenditure (HFCE) has the highest share of expenditure items with 111.1%, followed by Government Final Consumption Expenditures (GFCE) with 37.9%, Gross Capital

among all regions in the country, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) announced in a news conference Thursday, April 28.

Formation with 16.9%, Net Exports to the Rest of the world with -1.3%, and Net Exports to the rest of the Philippines at -64.6%.

PSA Undersecretary Claire Dennis Mapa, through Assistant National Statistician Florante Barona, explained that the goal of measuring GRDP and GRDE is to provide policy-makers and stakeholders with a comprehensive picture which is observed as an important tool for planning and policy formulation at the regional level.

“GRDP and GRDE are major economic indicators that will bring change in the lives of our countrymen through its impact – as it says, better data, better lives,” Mapa said.

BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim said that the Bangsamoro people’s ability to adapt, remain strong, and keep determi-

nation despite the Covid19 pandemic, manifested in the economic performance of the region.

“The PSA final estimation of GRDP and GRDE are results of our shared work not just as the Regional Government but as one community, so we had to embrace such result as a whole and take a lesson too from such result,” Chief Minister Ebrahim said.

On the other hand, Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA) Director General Engr. Mohajirin Ali recognized that the current result of the region’s economic performance proved that BARMM is on track in fostering its concerted economic recovery efforts “remarkable by the significant double-digit decline in the region’s poverty incidence from 55.9% in 2019 to 39.4% in 2021.”

“This demonstrates again that we are now waving the dividend of peace and we must keep the momentum as we are going for the BARMM advancement program, aimed at accelerating the socio-economic recovery and sustaining progress towards poverty reduction and economic growth,” Ali said. (BIO)

9K cops, soldiers to ensure poll security in BARMM PARANG, Maguindanao – More than 9,000 police and military personnel have been deployed to various provinces in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to help ensure peace during the May 9 elections.

Brig. Gen. Arthur Cabalona, BARMM police director, said Thursday at least 6,347 police and 2,846 military personnel are assigned to the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi to secure the polling areas ahead of election day.

Cabalona said police personnel alone will secure1,195 polling centers, five provincial treasurer’s offices, 119 city and municipal treasurer’s offices where election paraphernalia are stored, 120 Commission on Elections (Comelec) field offices, and 86 canvassing areas.

Cabalona said the deployment includes 706 Reactionary Standby Support Force (RSSF) personnel for Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao.

“Another 405-strong Quick Reactionary Force (QRF) personnel will be on standby and ready to be

deployed anytime in case of emergency,” he added.

Additional police from regional mobile force battalion (RMFB) will augment personnel in Lanao Del Sur, Maguindanao, and Cotabato City while personnel from the RMFB–BASULTA will be deployed in the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.

Cabalona said there are also 2,516 police personnel trained as electoral board of inspectors as requested by the Comelec and are ready to serve as replacements in case some teachers back out on the day of the election.

“We need to ensure that the registered voters are free to vote for their candidates that during the process, they feel safe, secure, and protected,” Cabalona said.

Lawyer Ray F. Sumalipao, the Comelec-BARMM director, said the police have two vital roles during the elections—to serve as security personnel and to act as special members of the electoral board if the need arises.

CLAIRE GIGJE/PIA

News

Vol. II, No. 47| May 6-12, 2022 (Shawwal 5-11, 1443)

Maranaos mark Eid’l Fitr with joy, renewed hope

By APIPA P. BAGUMBARAN

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ARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA) — Muslims in the Lanao province marked a more joyous Eid’l Fitr on Monday, May 2, as

they were allowed to perform the Eid congregation prayer at the iconic Grand Mosque inside the city’s most affected area (MAA).

After enduring almost five years of not being able to celebrate Eid at the Grand Mosque, Maranaos filled the 9,484square meter Islamic Center regarded as the biggest place of Islamic worship in the country.

This was the first time that an Eid prayer was held in the mosque since the siege in 2017.

Tarhata Mala, who is a resident of the city, expressed her delightfulness for setting foot in the Grand Mosque as it has been a long time since she last prayed in it. She said they were sad about the closed mosque during the past Eid’l Fitr celebrations but with the Monday’s Eid, she was overjoyed for seeing her fellow Muslims praying along with her inside the iconic mosque.

A resident Brgy. Raya Saduc, Soraya Marandacan, also shared her gladness for having the chance to pray in the Grand Mosque once again which she truly missed.

“Alhamdullilah, nakabalik kami dito sa ground zero.

Nakakatuwa at

Mosque during the celebration of Eid’l Fitr.

She said they have gone through a lot in the previous years and they were not allowed to visit the mosque but now they were able to have their congregation prayer inside it.

Qabli said she was also excited to visit the Grand Mosque and see its better look. “Gumanda na siya. Nakita ko na naiba na [It’s beautiful. I saw that it is different now],” she added.

Like most of the buildings within the MAA, the battle-scarred Grand Mosque was one of the Islamic places of worship

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2022 Elections

VCMs for Marawi undergo final accuracy test before polls

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ARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--As elections draw near, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Marawi City spearheaded the final testing and sealing (FTS) of votecounting machines (VCMs) to ensure they are functioning properly for the May 9 polls.

The FTS for the 150 VCMs was simultaneously conducted at the Amai Pakpak Central Elementary School by poll workers who will man the precincts in the city.

LEFT: Soraya Marandacan joins thousands of worshippers during the Eidl Fitr congregation prayer held at Marawi’s Grand Mosque. She shares her excitement and gladness for having the chance to pray in the Grand Mosque once again. (Claire Gigje/PIA Lanao del Sur) RIGHT: A family still attends the Eidl Fitr prayer held at Marawi Grand Mosque despite having to stay outside the jam-packed mosque. (Michael John Paclar/PIA-Lanao del Sur)

nakakamiss.

Pumunta kami dito sa Grand Mosque kasi matagal na kami hindi nakapagsimba sa ground zero. Nakakatuwa kasi maraming tao,” she said.

[Praise be to Allah, we are back here at ground zero. It’s so joyful and we missed this. We went here to the Grand Mosque because we haven’t prayed at ground zero for a long time. We are very happy because a lot of people are here.]

Sittienor Saligidan Qabli, who came from the municipality of Saguiaran, also conveyed her happiness for having been able to pray at the Grand

repaired by the government through the Task Force Bangon Marawi. Its restoration was completed in October 2021 and was later on turned over to its designated administrators but the holding of regular prayers was not allowed due to the ongoing construction works with the MAA which could pose danger to worshippers.

With the first Eid prayer held at the Grand Mosque after the siege, the city’s displaced residents expressed renewed hope that they could soon return home in MAA and attend a regular prayer at the city’s Islamic Center. (APB/PIA Lanao del Sur)

LDS PNP calls for public’s cooperation for peaceful polls MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA) --The Philippine National Police (PNP) here in the province strongly urged the public to cooperate with the authorities, much more with the security sector, with the national and local elections drawing near.

Lanao del Sur Police Provincial Office Director PCol. Christopher Panapan stressed that while his personnel alongside the military will do their best to assure the orderliness of the situation during the day, the success and peace of the elections will still depend significantly on the effort of the residents impacting the conduct of the activity, whether or not they will be up for chaos brought by their feelings for some candidates.

He emphasized that what causes disorder in Lanao del Sur are mostly the residents themselves, thus, the call for their partnership with the security forces, and the urge to start within themselves the peace they desire to be upheld in the event proper.

Panapan further conveyed that it is time for the coming polls to manifest a change through having no record of failure of elections.

“It is not the sole responsibility of the security sector. Remember, security is everybody’s concern. If we seek protection, we should also protect ourselves…

Kailangan natin magcooperate at magkaisa tayo.

Ipakita natin na ang Lanao del Sur ay nagbago na at pagdating ng eleksyon, hindi na gaya noong mga nakaraan na eleksyon na mayroong failure of elections.

Dapat itong eleksyon natin na darating comes May 9, dapat maging successful at mapayapa,” he said.

[We need to cooperate and unite. Let us show that Lanao del Sur has changed and during the elections, it

is not the same as in the past when there was a failure of elections. The elections on May 9 must be successful and peaceful.]

Panapan earlier stated that they have already prepared their deployment plan for the security of their area but its finality was affected by a letter issued by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) requesting special electoral boards considering that some of the teachers refused to be at service.

As such, some PNP personnel has to be trained accordingly to serve in place of the declining teachers, which will entail a consequence in their initial deployment plan.

“The PNP and AFP can secure Lanao del Sur. But, the COMELEC has sent us a letter with regards to the problem of the electoral boards. Kapag iyong personnel natin magseserve as electoral boards, mavavacate kung saan sila nakadeploy to serve as security [If our personnel will serve as electoral boards, where they will be supposed to be deployed to serve as security personnel would be vacated]. So, we need augmentation.

For sure, our regional office will augment us here in Lanao del Sur,” said Panapan.

Additional challenges cited by the provincial director were the communication signal and the power supply, noting that the elections will be spearheaded until 7:00 in the evening.

He underscored that they will look into this and be given attention as these will still contribute to the whole process.

Panapan said currently the PNP here has not yet recorded election-related incidents. CLAIRE GIGJE/ PIA

A group of electoral boards unboxes the vote-counting machine for its final testing and sealing. (APB/PIA Lanao del Sur) During the process, 450 poll workers from the City Schools Division of Marawi (CSDM) followed a detailed set of instructions from taking out the VCMs from the boxes, setting them up, and generating the receipt of the initialization report to prove the machines are not pre-programmed.

Select poll watchers also filled out test ballots which are then fed to the VCMs to check whether the machines will properly read the ballots and produce voter receipt that matches the votes.

The VCMs are then closed and sealed by the electoral boards and will only be opened on Election Day. City Election Officer Norfaisa Paglala-Manduyog expressed her appreciation to the teachers who will serve as front liners during the elections citing their crucial role in ensuring an honest and peaceful election.

She also reminded them to remain non-partisan during the polls. "Di tayo pwedeng may kinikilingan o kinakampihan sa mga kandidato, yan po ay bawal [we should not be biased or biased towards the candidates, that is prohibited]," emphasized Manduyog.

The city election officer also advised the teachers to wait for their final appointment which will state their designated polling place. She said there is a possibility that their assigned polling centers during the FTS may not be their assignment on election day.

Meanwhile, total of 450 teachers from the City Schools Division of Marawi (CSDM) are ready to serve as members of electoral boards (EBs) come May 9 elections.

This was disclosed by City Schools Division Superintendent (SDS) Anna Zenaida Unte-Alonto during the final testing and sealing of vote-counting machines Thursday, May 5.

She said these teachers will religiously perform their election duties.

In response to the reminder of the City Election Officer that EBs should be trained public school teachers, the SDS assured that their teachers are all trained, equipped, and capable of letting honest, peaceful, and orderly elections prevail.

Alonto also conveyed her thanks to the teachers for carrying out their duties for orderly elections every three years. She further urged them to work together with election and security officers.

"Sana magtulungan tayo ngayong May 9 at itaguyod natin ang isang peaceful elections at sana matapos na walang masamang mangyari sa ating lahat [Let's work together this May 9 and promote a peaceful elections and hope that nothing bad will happen to all of us]," she added.

APIPA P. BAGUMBARAN

A4

Opinion

PMT to print twice weekly issues on 2nd anniversary

Marawi City’s grand mosque rare openings

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ore than five (5) long years after the Marawi war, the Grand Mosque was opened to the public last Eidel Fitr (May 2, 2022) with an unprecedented 8,000 prayers. My razed house is located fifty (50) meters from the mosque, next to former Senator Alonto’s residence at the Pangarungan village, so that every call to prayer, I used to hear and wake up to pray in the grand mosque.

The mosque was badly damaged by air strikes and bombings during the Marawi war. A philanthropist from Manila shed P135M for the repair and rehabilitation of the mosque. After the rehab works was finished last October 2021, the mosque was turn over to the Jamio Mindanao Al Islamia, the foundation that run the affairs of the mosque.

My Legal Point

by Atty. Bayan G. Balt

Sad to say, it was only last Eidel Fitr (May 2, 2022), the mosque administration hurdled to opened it for public prayers, this after securing permission from the dreaded and most criticized Task Force Bangon Marawi (or TFBM). More so, the Grand Mosque administration warn that the mosque will not be open for daily five times prayers because the dreaded TFBM and the City administration refused to give permit for its opening.

Marawi City government and the TFBM are violating people’s freedom of Religion.

If the information is true, the Marawi City government and TFBM* are attracting the ire and furor of mosque goers, thousands of them are victims of the war, worst they are violating our inviolable rights to free exercise of religious profession and worship guaranteed in the Philippine Constitution. This column calls on the city government and the TFBM to clarify and explain their position on why the Marawi City Grand Mosque cannot be open for public daily five times prayers. As citizen and victim of the Marawi war, we have every right to know and keep inform of the curtailment of our freedom of religion.

Freedom of religion cannot be curtailed.

TFBM and cohorts must be told that freedom of religion and belief is enshrined and protected under Article 3 Section 5 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which provides that: “No law shall be made respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. Further the high court in Aglipay v. Ruiz(64 Phil. 201) held: “Religion as a profession of faith to an active power that binds and elevates man to his Creator is recognized. And, in so far as it instills into the minds the purest principles of morality, its influence is deeply felt and highly appreciated”.

While Justice Teehankee in his dissenting opinion in Reli German et als vs. GEN. SANTIAGO BARANGAN (G.R. No. L-68828 March 27, 1985) stated: “The right of free worship and movement is a preferred right that enjoys precedence and primacy and is not subject to prior restraint except where there exists the clear and present danger of a substaneve evil sought to be prevented” In this regard, the City Government and the TFBM are obliged to disclose to the public, if there still exist a danger to the security of city residents, prompting the closure of the mosque for public prayers, after all, the city was declared liberated from the terrorists more than four years ago by President Duterte while the military have pronounced several times the feared ISIS terrorist has vanished with the arrests and killings of their leaders. Furthermore, there are report of political intramurals affecting certain group who are trying to take over the administration/and or management of the mosque from the Pangarungan family that owned the land were the mosque now stood. Our leaders owed from our people to clarify these issues in the interest of public service.

Penalty for preventing the free exercise of religious freedom.

Art. 132. Interruption of religious worship. – The penalty of prision correccional in its minimum period shall be imposed upon any public officer or employee who shall prevent or disturb the ceremonies or manifestations of any religion.

Clearly, the act of certain public officials in withholding a permit to open the grand mosque for prayers with threat of arrest is in itself preventing the free exercise of their religious profession.

————For comment at: bayanbalt@yahoo.com Atty. Bayan G. Balt is the former Chapter President of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP Marawi City and Lanao del Sur, 2013-2015) and President of the Alliance of Regional Coalitions Against People’s Poverty (ARCAPP).

Vol. II, No. 47| May 6-12, 2022 (Shawwal 5-11, 1443)

Watching from a Distance Masiding Noor Yahya

O

n June 19, 2022, Philippine Muslim Today will celebrate its 2nd anniversary.

As founder, and with the support of my colleagues, I plan to come out with a twiceweekly hardcopy issue of PMT, henceforth, in sha Allah.

On behalf of the men and women behind this first Muslim digital newspaper in the Philippines, allow me to express my sincerest thanks to all, especially those who patronize us, and who remain steadfast with us “come hell or high water” as the saying goes. Without you, Philippine Muslim Today would not reach this far. I will never forget your help; time will come when you will be recompensed.

world care less.

Now here comes Russia invading Ukraine for the former’s security interest, the West lead the world in condemning Russia.

Cursed are the oppressors, cursed are the subjugators.

00000 An old saying, attributed to Confucius, says "Give a man a fish, and you'll feed him for a day. Teach him to fish, and you've fed him for a lifetime.

That is exactly what our suffering people need. The rice and immediate reliefs may help them a while but not in a long 00000 time. They should be given proper education, jobs and liveliI don't blame him for ooner or later, people part hood and treated aspiring for a post. ways. Bapiya si badan go si equally with the othEverybody has the right to self- niyawa na makapemblag (Even er citizenry as traits advancement. But he the body and the soul have to sep- to justice. But first a needs to convince me arate), how much more for lasting peace must be achieved as the to vote for him. Getting friends? very objective of the electors to vote for him peace negotiations and accords. is the very purpose of the election cam-

S

paign. If a candidate doesn't win due to ineffective campaigning, it's wrong to say, that's the Will of Allah.

00000 Congratulations to all LET Passers. But they should not aim alone for their own selfdevelopment. As educators, they should work more to enculcate moral values and right conduct to the youth.

00000 It's easy to forgive but difficult to forget.

That's why I distance myself from you. Social distancing does best against Covid.

00000 PERMANENT SHELTERS? Hindi ba makakabalik mga IDPs sa mga lugar nila sa Ground Zero kaya permanent shelters?

Siempre, if makakabalik sila matagal na sila pinabalik, at no need to goive them Permanent Shelters.

00000 Muslims are oppressed, persecuted, driven away from homes, properties taken, bombed, killed thousands of them, but the

00000 Don't make your day useless and your night sleepless because of unnecessary chatting and gossiping.

God has created the day for us to explore his creation and find His bounty to make life meaningful. He created the night for us to rest to remember Him always.

So let us spend the day as God has prescribed for us and the night as He has enjoined of us.

Let us work during the day and rest during the night, if we are indeed believers.

00000 REMINDER: Those who wish to contribute articles for Philippine Muslim Today and The Ranao Star newspapers hardcopy may please email articles not later than midnight of every Wednesday to be included in the Friday issue.

Send articles dingyahya@gmail.com - Editor

to:

Philippine Muslim Today Inc. SEC Co. Reg. No. 2021030008913-02 TIN: 602-795-878-00000 PHILGEPS Red Registration ID No. 287438

Philippine Muslim Today newspaper is published weekly by Philippine Muslim Today Inc., a nonprofit, non-political Muslim organization aimed to promote universal unity, peace and understanding among diverse peoples.

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MASIDING NOOR YAHYA Publisher and Executive Editor

Opinion

“Work for your world as if you are going to live forever and work for your hereafter as if you are going to die tomorrow.”

granted his legal right. The concept of king being above the law is contrary to Islamic law. The law should be imposed upon all without distinction. The rulers are obliged to impose justice even if against himself or his relative. Allah said: “O ye believe, stand out firmly for justice as witnesses to God, even as against yourselves or your parents or your kin, and whenever it be (against) rich or poor. For God can best protect both, follow not the lusts (of your heart) lest ye swerve and if ye distort (justice) verily, God is well acquainted with all that ye do.” (Al-Quran: 4:135) In the light of the above teachings of Al-Quran, Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) said: “Verily if my daughter Fatimah committed theft, her hand will be cut, too.”

“The previous generations were destroyed by God because they departed from justice; when a noble man committed theft his hands were not cut off, but when a commoner committed the same, his hands were cut off.”

It was in the light of the above hadith when Umar Al-Khattab, without hesitation, passed a judgment to punish the son of Amr-As for committing violence against an Egyptian citizen.

According to report, the Egyptian and the son of Amr lbn al-As had a horse racing. The latter was defeated; he got angry and started to whip the Egyptian. When Umar received the complaint, he called Amr al-As and his son into the court. After the investigation he ordered the Egyptian to whip the son of Umar by saying: “I want you to whip the son of a noble man.” When the punishment was over, Umar Al-Khattab asked Amr Al As “Since when you have enslaved people?”

“Do you know that all people are born free?”. After that he ordered the Egyptian once more to give his whip to Amr Al-As for reason that the position and influence of the latter has led his son to commit such bad behavior.

In dealing with justice, we should treat people as we should be pleased to be treated. Faith is not complete until we love other people like our own selves. To insure the full implementation of justice, everybody is duty-bound to say the truth, Allah said: “You shall not withhold testimony.

He that withhold it will have sinful heart.

Allah has knowledge of all your actions.” (Al-Quran: 2:283) Speak for justice, even if it affects your own kinsmen; be true to the covenant of Allah. Thus he exhorts you, so that you may take heed.” (Al-Quran 6:152) Justice should even apply to people who hate us or to whom we have an aversion for: “O ye, who believe, stand out firmly for God as witness to fair dealing. And let not the hatred of others to your serve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just, that is next to piety; and fear God. For God is well acquainted with all that ye do.”

As mentioned earlier, justice should be the basic foundation of all action of mankind. Its implementation should not

Notes and Reflections Dean Macacuna A. Moslem

be only restricted to judicial matters but should cover all aspects of life.

DISCIPLINE AND EFFICIENCY Discipline and efficiency are also significant elements of administration, when they are neglected; development and prosperity become uncertain.

Hence, a Muslim is required to discipline himself through several methods such as praying, for example; Muslims are required to perform obligatory prayers on specific time with specified postures. The rules of prayers manifest the discipline which should be applied even outside of prayer. The prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Verily Allah likes those who perform their duty in perfect manner.”

The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) also encouraged a Muslim to work hard in life. He said: “Work for your world as if you are going to live forever and work for your hereafter as if you are going to die tomorrow” Lack of discipline and efficiency is considered un-Islamic, their end result cause the ruin of the government and the suffering of the nation. A single mistake committed by the progress of the people sometimes lasting for several generations.

The most effective way to impose discipline and efficiency in public service is for the leader himself to set good example to his subordinates. As leader par excellence, the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) had shown numerous and excellent examples for us to follow. Hence, it is incumbent upon us to follow his acts and deeds. Allah said: “Ye have indeed in the Apostle of God a beautiful pattern (of conduct) for any one whose hope is in God and the final day, and who engages much in the praise of God.” (Al-Quran: 33:21) The above verse can be adopted as a new concept of ethics in public service.

What is regrettable, however, sometimes is that, the leader himself becomes the root of inefficiency. His actions often contradict his statements.

The following verses will illustrate this: “Would you enjoin righteousness on others and forget it yourselves? Yet you read the scriptures. Have you no sense?” (Al-Quran: 2:44) “Believers, why do you say what you never do? It is most odious in Allah’s sight that you should say that which you do not do.” (Al-Quran 61:23) Inefficiency does not only come in the form of inexperience or lack of qualification or training but it may be in the form of delaying the service to the people. Under Islamic ethics, man is obliged to move fast in the rendition of his service to those who deserve it.

Likewise, in applying for position, one should intend to use the same for service and betterment of the people. It is wrong if we rush for position just for the sake of holding it regardless of our JUSTICE | A8

A5

Kidapawan Political Intramurals

Justice for All

in Islam does not permit disJ ustice crimination. Everyone should be

Vol. II, No. 47| May 6-12, 2022 (Shawwal 5-11, 1443)

O

ne of the features of our religion is that there’s always new wisdom every time it is discussed in many different media until “the whole sea gets exhausted if it were inks (and so the rest of the seas) before Allah’s words are finished.”

I live in Kidapawan City since 1987 but I have not trained my analytical attention to the city’s political intramurals.

In this current electoral season, I have devoted my attention to the Presidential race and the brewing political contests in Maguindanao in relation to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) governance.

Jun F. Piñol According to reports reaching me, the highly probable winner in the vice mayoralty race is Junjun Lamata. Being so, let’s take him as the common denominator in the mayoral contest among lawyer Pao Evangelista (son of incumbent city Mayor Joseph Evangelista), Jivjiv Bombeo (incumbent vice mayor and son of my friend Jun Bombeo), and Jun F. Piñol, a long-time friend and former journalist-turned politico.

There is a fourth mayoral contender, one Budoy Pinoy. He is least known, but still his followers in Barangay Singao and relative-employees in the city government would vote for him and their votes will be a minus factor from camps of Bombeo and Evangelista, while Piñol’s solid 24,000 followers remain intact.

Pao Evangelista On the basis of field reports I got, I am presenting the following three possible scenarios when Lamata made it to the vice mayoral post: Scenario One -If Jivjiv Bombeo is elected mayor, Lamata would likely be in rough working relation with him. It may be recalled that Bombeo had filed a case before the Ombudsman against 12 city councilors including Lamata.

The rift between them reportedly began

Punchline Ali G. Macabalang

when both were barangay officials of Barangay Poblacion, with Lamata as chairman and Bombeo as kagawad.

Many believed Bombeo and Lamata would drag their rivalry to their reign as mayor and vice mayor. Their tussle will be counter-productive and affront to public welfare.

Scenario Two – If lawyer Evangelista wins the mayoralty race, Lamata’s dream to rise to the mayoral post will be far-fetched. Analysts said lawyer Evangelista will either cling to the mayoral post for three-term with the backing of his influential father, the incumbent mayor who now guns for a seat in the North Cotabato provincial board, or give way to his father after one term.

Scenario Three – If Piñol makes it in the mayoral race, which many residents viewed as very likely, the offices of the city mayor and vice mayor will be sailing smoothly. Lamata and Piñol are longtime friends and partners in several undertakings.

Jivjiv Bombeo I personally know Piñol, just like his elder brothers – Efren, Manny and Pat. Of the three mayoral aspirants, Piñol enjoys the edge. He has been in politics for decades. He is the most experienced among Kidapawan politicians. He has served the city government as information officer, city councilor and vice mayor. He had also proven worth in the provincial government as provincial administrator and elected congressman in North Cotabato .

Piñol, who is in his mid-60s like me, told me his mayoralty bid would be his “last hurrah” in public service. His stance means Lamata will have very wide latitude to rise to the city’s top elected post, not to mention the fact that the two as well as their families have been friends.

In a nutshell, the third scenario for a Piñol-Lamata partnership is most preferred. It will hasten the process of fixing many loopholes, both known and untold, in Kidapawan City. Let’s elect Jun Piñol for good. God bless us. (AGM)

A6

National News

E-sabong shutdown right thing to do: Tolentino

By WILNARD BACELONIA

M

ANILA – Together with his colleagues in the Senate, Senator Francis Tolentino said on Wednesday the decision of President Rodrigo Duterte to end e-sabong (online cockfighting) was the right thing to do.

During an interview with One News, Tolentino said he was glad the word "value" was mentioned by the President, adding that technology should be driven not just by need but, likewise, human values.

He said if ever someone eventually pushes for a bill to resume e-sabong operations in the country, the measure should be in line with Filipino values.

"Will this promote hard work? Will this promote all things that we cherish as a culture, as a nation? Kung gagawa man ng batas, pag-usapan naman yung mga loopholes. Yung mga middlemen, yung mga nagpafacilitate ng mga online payments, papaano yung taxation? Papaano yung digital regulation? (If we will craft a law, we also should talk about the loopholes. The middlemen, the facilitators of online payments, how would the taxation work? How about the digital regulation?)," Tolentino said.

Tolentino also urged the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to order the removal of the online cock fighting feature from existing e-wallet applications.

Since Duterte already "cut the legal umbilical cord" of the e-sabong industry, Tolentino said removing the online cockfighting feature from e-wallet applications like GCash and Paymaya will avert possible illegal bet-

PNA File photo ting from unsanctioned cockfights.

The senator noted that the reason why e-sabong has proliferated and become a multi-billion industry is the fact that the BSP recognized those licenses issued by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation to online cockfighting operators and allowed cockfight aficionados to place the bets through e-wallet services.

"Kapag inalis mo na iyong feature sa mga payment service providers, wala ng makakataya doon sa GCash through cellphone and PayMaya. Papaano ka pa mag-a underground? (If you remove the feature in payment service providers, no one can bet in Gcash through cellphone and PayMaya. How can you go underground?)," said Tolentino.

(PNA)

PNP stations nationwide now on full alert

By MARITA MOAJE

M

ANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday announced it has placed all its stations nationwide on full alert as part of its efforts to secure the May 9 national and local elections (NLEs).

“We are all systems go. We have placed all police stations nationwide on full alert status,” PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos said in a statement.

As part of its election security preparations, the PNP on Wednesday simultaneously opened the "National Election Monitoring and Action Center" (NEMAC), and Regional Election Monitoring and Action Centers (REMACs).

Carlos said the NEMAC and REMACs will serve as the “eyes and ears” of the PNP Security Task Force NLE 2022 that will provide an updated report of all incidents related to election and security activities undertaken by the police.

He said that standby forces and quick reaction teams will be stationed on a 24-hour basis at the command posts in their respective headquarters.

"We will stand strong, we will finish strong and we will perform professionally for peaceful elections. The 225,000 strong men and women of the PNP are with the Comelec (Commission on Elections) to make sure that we guard the votes of our Filipino nation. That is a commitment. And to the Filipino people, your PNP will be there in all polling centers and polling precincts to

Vol. II, No. 47| May 6-12, 2022 (Shawwal 5-11, 1443)

2022 Elections Focus

Pacquiao emerges as dark horse in May 9 polls: campaign manager MANILA – Presidential bet Senator Manny Pacquiao's rank in the latest Pulse Asia survey positions him as the "dark horse" in the upcoming national polls, his camp said Wednesday.

"My thought has always been that we are the dark horse in this 2022 elections. You won't be the dark horse if you're number 1 or number 2 but at number 3 that's really the dark horse position. You're not expected to win but you can expect perhaps an upset in frontrunners," Pacquiao's campaign manager Buddy Zamora said in a television interview.

Former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Vice President Leni Robredo sustained their lead as the top two most preferred presidential candidates in the latest Pulse Asia "Pulso ng Bayan PreElectoral" survey from April 16 to 21, 2022.

Marcos retained his March poll rating of 56 percent while Robredo got 23 percent.

Pacquiao overtook Isko Moreno for the third spot with 7 against 4 percent, and Lacson placed fifth with 2 percent.

The national survey, based on a sample of 2,400 registered voters aged 18 years old and above, has a ± 2 percent error margin at the 95 percent confidence level.

"Yes, these are just numbers of the survey but we are standing on two legs.

We have a massive libreng pabahay (free housing) campaign, where we promise free housing to all those who would need a house in case we win," Zamora said when asked if Pacquiao believes he could pull a win on May 9.

He said Pacquiao's camp expects that about 12 million would vote for the senator based on the 35 million application forms they distributed for the housing program.

The camp, he said, is also banking on the support of the Christian community.

"We expect the winning vote to be somewhere around from 16 million to 20 million, I think these numbers will make out for the winner of the presidential elections like President Duterte won on 16.8 million in 2016," he said.

JOYCE ANN L. ROCAMORA /PNA

Warm, humid weather to prevail across PH

(PNA file photo) make sure that your votes will be counted," Carlos said.

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it is also ready to secure the elections with its police counterparts on election day.

"The AFP is prepared, we are ready, we have done the planning, we have done the organization, and we have set up our monitoring command centers. We are declaring 'red alert' by Friday so that we ensure that all AFP personnel across the country are accounted for by their commanders and ready for the election on Monday," AFP chief Gen. Andres Centino said.

He also assured the public that the AFP is strong and capable to perform its mandate of securing the May 9 elections. (With Priam F. Nepomuceno/PNA)

Mabuhay ang manggagawang mamamahayag.

DEFEND PRESS FREEDOM

MANILA – Warm and humid weather will prevail over most parts of the country due to the easterlies, the weather bureau said Thursday.

The frontal system affecting extreme northern Luzon will continue to bring rains over Batanes and the Babuyan Islands.

"The easterlies affecting the rest of the country will bring warm and humid weather. Rains are highly likely over the east of Mindanao also due to the easterlies," said Grace Castañeda of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

PAGASA forecast scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over Caraga and Davao Region.

Warm and humid weather with chances of isolated rains especially in the afternoon or evening is expected in other areas.

Castañeda added that there is no weather disturbance affecting the country.

The temperature in Metro Manila and Tuguegarao may reach up to 34 °C and up to 33 °C in the Kalayaan Islands, and the cities of Puerto Princesa, Laoag, and Legazpi.

Zamboanga's temperature may reach up to 34 °C; while Cebu, Tacloban and Iloilo's temperatures can reach up to 32 °C. Up to 31 °C temperature is expected in Davao and Cagayan de Oro. Moderate to strong winds and moderate to rough seas will prevail over northern Luzon.

Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate with slight to moderate seas.

MA. CRISTINA ARAYATA

Foreign News

Vol. II, No. 47| May 6-12, 2022 (Shawwal 5-11, 1443)

Covid-19 cases, deaths dropping globally: WHO chief G

ENEVA – The coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases and deaths continue to decline worldwide, but South African scientists that identified the omicron strain have reported two more sub-variants, the World Health Organization

chief said Wednesday.

Tedros Ghebreyesus said at a press webinar that Covid-19 infections and fatalities are continuing to decline globally, with reported weekly deaths at their lowest since March 2020.

"But these trends, while welcome, don't tell the full story. Driven by Omicron sub-variants, we are seeing an increase in reported cases in the Americas and Africa," said Tedros. "The South African scientists who identified Omicron late last year have now reported two more Omicron sub -variants, BA.4 and BA.5, as the reason for a spike in cases in South Africa."

The WHO chief said it is too soon to know whether these new subvariants can cause more severe disease than other omicron sub-variants, recommending vaccinations for protection.

'Continue vaccinating' Early data still suggest vaccination remains protective against severe disease and death, he said.

"The best way to protect people remains vaccination, alongside tried and tested public health and social measures," said Tedros. "This is another sign that the pandemic is not done with us."

Ministry announced on Monday that three children, diagnosed with the hepatitis virus of unknown origin, had died in the hospital.

Easterbrook said: "We are investigating all infectious or noninfectious causes of the source of the virus. So far, there has been no finding that this virus originated from any region, food, or poison."

Britain first reported an unexpected significant rise in cases of severe acute hepatitis of unknown origin in young,

At the same webinar, the WHO said the number of children with hepatitis of unknown origin, which had emerged in the UK last month and was later detected in other countries, had increased to at least 228 in 20 nations.

Responding to questions about hepatitis, Philippa Easterbrook, WHO researcher on HIV, hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections, said the health organization is investigating 50 reported cases.

The Indonesian Health

generally previously healthy children.

According to the WHO, on April 23, several other countries reported an unexpected increase in such cases.

Many cases reported gastrointestinal symptoms, including abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting, preceding presentation with severe acute hepatitis.

Most cases did not have a fever, but adenovirus had been detected in numerous instances.

(Anadolu)

SoKor becomes 1st Asian nation to join NATO’s cyber group ISTANBUL – South Korea on Thursday became the first Asian nation to join NATO’s cyber defense group, according to the country’s National Intelligence Service (NIS).

The NIS was formally admitted into the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Center of Excellence (CCDCOE) based in Tallinn, Estonia, Yonhap News reported.

With Seoul’s admission, the number of the

group members has now risen to 32, including 27 NATO members.

It “will represent South Korea in the center's training and re-

search activities.”

“We plan to strengthen our cyber response capabilities to a worldclass level by increasing the number of our staff sent to the center and expanding the scope of joint training,” the NIS said.

NATO established the CCDCOE in 2008 in response to an alleged Russian cyberattack that “crippled” Estonia's state networks. ANADOLU

A7

Muslim World League ramps up women’s empowerment efforts The MWL has supported women’s participation in all fields inside and outside Saudi Arabia

J

EDDAH: The Muslim World League has ramped up its women’s empowerment efforts, with several key leadership and management positions now filled by women.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 has always focused on the full participation of Saudi women at all levels in the labor market, contributing to the achievement of the Kingdom’s strategic goals.

Hutoon Mahmoud Sidiq, director of human resources at MWL, said: “MWL Secretary-General Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa has played an important role in stressing the importance and status of women in the Kingdom, and provided constant support for them to assume prestigious leadership positions, making women an effective partner in achieving successes at various levels both locally and globally.”

Hiring women into leadership positions in its headquarters and offices around the world has allowed the MWL to boost communication with women from different societies and promote religious moderation.

Women officials in the MWL are advancing the league’s mission to promote a tolerant and more peaceful world.

Sumaiah Redwan, general manager of partnerships and corporate relations at MWL Sumaiah Redwan, general manager of partnerships and corporate relations at MWL, said: “The MWL has supported women’s participation in all fields inside and outside Saudi Arabia, and through its initiatives and conferences, it has been highlighting the key role women play in building bridges between nations and peoples.”

The MWL has enabled women’s innovation and creativity at work, giving them decision-making control, says Shaima Alluqmani, manager of planning, research and studies for the league’s undersecretariat for executive affairs.

“My vision is to contribute to achieving the MWL’s goals through efficient strategic planning, and contribute to developing an innovation-based future vision for humanitarian work worldwide,” she added.

By focusing on women’s voices, encouraging education for girls and supporting women’s empowerment, including equal wages and career opportunities, the MWL is in a process of creating a new generation of female leaders.

Eman Hussain Filimban, general manager of relief, welfare and development, said: “Women have been empowered to help contribute to the development of the MWL and play a role in the MWL’s excellent and outstanding results across all areas.” Filimban aims to place the MWL at the forefront of international organizations by offering high-quality humanitarian services and professional development projects that set an example in the humanitarian aid field.

Raising Saudi Arabia’s competitiveness both regionally and internationally is also an important target, she added.

The women’s empowerment targets of the MWL have their origins in Islam, which advocates a natural equality between the two genders.

Source: ARAB NEWS

A8 Business News &

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JUSTICE FOR ALL… from Page A5 qualification or dedication to carry out the correlative duty.

Abi Sarwah reported: “I was behind the Prophet (Peace Upon Him) in one of our payers at Madinah, after we completed our prayer, the Prophet (Peace Upon Him) stood up immediately and rush to the room of one of his wives. All of us were bewildered at his action, after a while he comes back and noticing bewilderment on our faces he told us: I forget to deliver some of the gold and silver to those entitled. When I remember it, I have to rush to deliver it immediately I do not like to delay any duty.”

It was reported that in the battle of Uhud, the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) had offered his sword to his companion by asking, “Who wants this sword?”.

Everybody raised his hands, saying “me”. The Prophet (peace be upon him) asked, “Who will take this sword in order to use it?”. Having heard that, everybody became silent, then Abu Dujanah stepped forward and answered: “Give that sword, I will use what it deserves for”. After getting the sword, he immediately broke into

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 18 th day of April 2022 at Iligan City, Philippines.

(SGD) BELINDA A. DEL ROSARIO Affiant SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this 18 th day of April 2022 at Iligan City, Philippines.

(SGD) ATTY. EMMANUEL C. SALIBAY NOTARY PUBLIC Iligan City and Lanao Del Norte Notarial Commission No. 21-314 Until December 31, 2022 IBP Life Member No. 08289 PTR. No. 0448129, January 03, 2022(Iligan City) MCLE Compliance No. VI-0000316, July 18, 2016 Attorney’s Roll No. 48931 TIN No. 166-615-120

Vol. II, No. 47| May 6-12, 2022 (Shawwal 5-11, 1443)

Message of Support We stand for Samira Gutoc Tomawis, and, in sha Allah, we will vote for her for senator on May 9, 2022.

My vote and of my family may not count much for her winning but it is a sincere wish and prayers that someone like Samira Gutoc who is concern for the welfare of the Bangsamoro and the entire Muslims in this country will sit as a member of the upper chamber in Congress.

My fellow Muslims, please help for the realization of these prayers.

MASIDING NOOR YAHYA and Family

Doc. No. 14; Page No. 3; Book No. III; Series of 2022.

PMT: April 22-28, 2022; April 29-May 5, 2022; May 6-12, 2022.

Republic of the Philippines Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao MUNICIPALITY OF MASIU OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL REGISTRAR NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC CCE-00____-2022 R.A. 10172 CFN-00____-2022 Date: _________________ In compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-01, Guidelines in the implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 series of 2012 (IRR OF R.A. 10172) and Section 5 of Republic Act No.9048, notice is hereby served to the public that ABDUL RAHIM GADIA MANGANDOG has filed with this office, a petition for change of first name from “ABDUL RAHMAN” to “ABDUL RAHIM” and entries of his SEX/GENDER from “FEMALE” to “MALE” and whose parents H. SOBAIDA P. GADIA and H. ISMAEL H. MANGANDOG. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his/ her written opposition with the office not later than _______________.

(SGD) AMRON D. MACABANGKIT Municipal Civil Registrar Name of News paper: __________________ Place of Publication: ___________________ Date of Publication: ____________________ PMT: April 29-May 5, 2022; May 6-12, 2022; May 13-19, 2022.

the enemy’s group until he was martyred.

The above hadith illustrates the propriety and significance of fulfilling one duty as soon as possible without delay, what we usually witness, however are cases of people who are eager to obtain juicy position but reluctant to use the same for the service of other people.

Allah said: “Each one has a goal towards which he turns, so emulate one another in good work.” (Al-Quran 2: 148) “Vie with one another in good works, for to Allah you shall all return and he will declare to you what you have disgraced about.” (Al-Quran: 5:49) As culled from the foregoing notes and authoritative opinions, it is now clear that Islam abundantly provides a complete ethics of administration, being a Muslim, one must strictly follow the teaching of his religion. Unfortunately, many Muslim administrators throughout the world give no regard for Islamic ethics of administration. As a result, we now find most of the Muslim countries backward and confronted with serious problems of administrations. But there are some Muslim countries today that have begun to introduce Islamic values and ethics in administration. However excellent the teach-

ing of Islam, it could not achieve its goals unless those who are involved in administration adopt the Islamic teaching in their daily activities. The development of man is the most important element in establishing a good society and therefore, good government. Our goal is to create a society with high moral value that could properly improve the lives of the people. Hence, the necessity for every member of the society to have this value, especially one who is involved in public service, we regret to say that some Muslim countries have in some way failed in their efforts to instill such values among their citizen. This is the reason why malpractices and criminality are becoming widespread. What is more saddening is the fact that most of those involved or responsible for the act are educated people who are supposed to be trustworthy and, therefore, deserve to be respected.

“Let there arise out of you band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong. They are the ones to attain felicity.” (Al-Quran: 3: 104) ——Dean Macacuna A. Moslem is Assistant Secretary, Office of the President, Malacañang, Manila.