“…The LORD saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The LORD regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled…” –Genesis 6:5-7

The online edition of a big Makati City newspaper carried a story about Senator Cynthia Villar which appeared to be a bit awkward. Firstly, the newspaper claimed the senator’s husband, former Senator Manny Villar, was the “founder” of the Nacionalista Party (NP). It is a well-known fact the former presidential candidate is party’s current leader but he was not the founder. Hopefully, the paper is more careful in the future.

However, the senator’s statements were also awkward. The article claimed Villar was lamenting about the alliance between the NP and the ruling PDP-Laban, claiming one side was raiding the membership of the other. What she wanted to say, but stopped short of actually expressing it, was, is it alright for allied parties to be treacherous to one another by taking members of other parties within an alliance?

If you ask me, the truly awkward aspect is the senator’s lineage. Both the Villars and Aguilars of Las Piñas City are veteran politicians, she should know there are no loyalties in politics.

What usually happens is politicians gravitate toward whoever wields power – it’s why the country is in turmoil, right?

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Here is a clear explanation as to why more and more private motorists are involved in to physically and verbally encounters with Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) enforcers who flag them down for traffic violations. Atty. Veegee Garcia of Quezon City believes the squabbles, which often grow violent, are because of the enforcers.

According to her social media post: “Altercations between drivers and MMDA enforcers are becoming more common. If you ask me, the reason why private motorists get easily angered when they are flagged down for traffic violations is the fact that there are plenty of other motorists who violate traffic regulations but are not issued traffic tickets, especially those driving the likes of jeepneys, UV express, buses, trikes… Many of them stop on the road but don’t care to pull over, even positioning their vehicles outward so they can easily weave out later, causing jams; many cut through vehicles patiently lining up, just to enable them to be ahead on an underpass or in an overpass. These are very obvious violations, abounding in many streets, in front even of scores of enforcers, but which are not attended to. And yet, private motorists are flagged down for the flimsiest of reasons. This is really annoying.”

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Being two-faced represents one of the most debilitating problems in the Philippines, and the world.

As humans, one side can profess adherence to the welfare of their community and faith in God; while the other reflects personal greed, lack of concern for others, and disobedience to God’s commands.

This was witnessed poignantly during a visit to the Independence Visitor Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the United States.

Near the world-famous Liberty Bell is a fiery tirade on slavery, a period of American history when some whites practiced and defended “ownership” over blacks and used them as human slaves, while others were fiercely fighting for democracy and equality for all.

The truth is, this is not new. This was warned about in the first book of the Bible, Genesis; in Chapter 6, verses five to seven, and in Romans 3:23. God said man had become terribly sinful and his heart’s leaning was always towards sin. As a result, God vowed to eradicate the human race.

If we wish to avoid this deadly fate, we should endeavor to always have faith in, and obedience to, God.

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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, what we have discussed here, or to consult any problem, whatever it maybe, please call 0917-984-2468, email me at batasmauricio@yahoo.com, or post your concerns at facebook.com/attybatas. Promise, I will answer right away. Thank God in the Name of Jesus, Amen!/WDJ