Kakampi Mo Ang Batas
Atty. Batas Mauricio
PASIG CITY RESIDENTS NEED MORE CARING FROM CITY HALL: I am earnestly urging high officials of Pasig City in Metro Manila to roam around the premises of their own City Hall from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. everyday. This is to enable them to see the suffering that their constituents, especially the youth, are undergoing, just so clerks and other lowly personnel of the city can attend to their needs.
I was there at Pasig City Hall on April 30, 2018, on account of a mediation hearing involving a parcel of land in the city, and was I thoroughly shocked and surprised that hundreds of city residents, many of whom were young teens, noisily joined others who were queuing for one service or another at the back of the City Hall. The sun was mercilessly hot and punishing that Monday morning, and I am sure many of the residents felt the scorching heat, too.
The problem was, service was painfully slow, and so the residents had to be in line for long hours. And because the roof of the alley above their heads appeared to be of mere iron sheet, the burning heat of the sun made it feel like the place was right inside a fully-heated oven. I am sure many of them got fever after their ordeal. Which prompted me to ask myself: why was service snail-paced, and why was an appropriate shade not made available in the place?
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EXTORTION, PART OF MANY POLICE OPERATIONS: Omigosh, Gen. Camilo Cascolan, chief of the National Capital Region Police Office of the Philippine National Police, I am sure that not only 10 policemen from Quezon City Station 11 Special Drug Enforcement Unit are enmeshed in “kotong” or extortion, particularly victimizing those who are being arrested in connection with illegal drugs.
Without contradiction, I can say that almost all Filipinos know that when the police conduct an operation and effect arrests, especially on drug related cases, extortion almost always becomes a part of the operation—so that no cases would be filed against the arrested individuals, or even if cases are filed, they are nevertheless scaled down to bailable cases. I have also been informed that even if some suspects had already coughed up substantial money, cases are still filed against them. This is an open secret, Gen. Camilo Cascolan, and I believe this is known to the police force.
There is but one remedy against this malady, General. Under your leadership, please try to bring your policemen to true fear and love of God (whatever they maybe calling Him). The reason why many policemen can afford to be so devilish is that they do not have any fear and love of God in their hearts. I hope that my point is fully understood, Gen. Cascolan!
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A LEADER HAS TO HAVE GOD’S GUIDANCE AND PROTECTION: So okay, Secretary Harry Roque, President Duterte is not a “strongman,” as what Time Magazine boldly accused him with in its May 14, 2018 international edition. And, so okay, too, that the President is merely a leader who is “strong and decisive”, especially in his campaign against illegal drugs. The only question is this: is this the kind of leadership that is required so true and beneficial change will come to Filipinos?
I hope I am not misunderstood here, Sec. Roque. I voted for the President during the elections of 2016, and I led the church which I am leading right now (even if I am an unworthy leader of a church), the Children of God Blood Kin of the Christ Church (or the AND KNK, Simbahang Anak ng Diyos Kadugo Ni Kristo). Too, my support for him up to now can be proved by my columns in newspapers abroad, and in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
But someone has to tell the President that being “strong and decisive” are not the only qualities that would enable a country to achieve truly beneficial change. A leader also needs the guidance, blessings, and protection of God, which that leader can achieve only if he is a true believer, and if the qualities required by the Bible for good leaders are found in him. Is that not true, Secretary Roque?
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FOR QUESTIONS, REACTIONS: If anyone would like to ask me any question about what the burning issues of the day mean, or what we have discussed here, or to consult on any problem, whatever it maybe, please call 0917 984 24 68, or email me at batasmauricio@yahoo.com, or post your concerns at www.facebook.com/attybatas. Promise, I will answer right away. Thank God in the Name of Jesus, Amen!/WDJ