…Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father…” –John 16:25

If anybody “profited” from Typhoon Mangkhut, locally named Ompong, which recently ravaged northern Luzon, it would have to be Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Jr., who, in the middle of the storm, received prominent media exposure as he anchored and directed both news gathering for the government, along with crafting the administration’s response to the storm.

From my perspective, it appeared Roque was the one discharging the duties of the president as he looked after and inquired about the country’s welfare, along with directing and guiding various government agencies to ensure relief goods were delivered promptly, roads were cleared immediately, and travel remained unhampered.

As a declared senatorial candidate in the upcoming 2019 midterm election, the storm offered an opportunity for Roque to be the center of attention. The country saw the presidential spokesperson’s capability to make government move in order to help those in need – more displays like this and his senatorial bid is a foregone conclusion.

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For those who seriously study the Bible, it could not have escaped their attention that Jesus, in John 17, made a very important disclosure about what, indeed, is the Name of God the Father. Jesus said the name given to Him, “Jesus,” is also the name of the Father.

What this clearly conveys is Jesus saying He is truly the Father.

Here is what Jesus said in John 17:11: “Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.” It should be clear, the name of the Holy Father is the same name that was given to Jesus – the Holy Father’s Name is “Jesus.”

From the teachings of the Children of God Blood Kin of the Christ Church, or the Simbahang Anak ng Diyos Kadugo Ni Kristo (AND KNK), it is clear Jesus meant, because His name and the name of the Father are one and the same, it is true, as Jesus claimed in John 10:30, He, Jesus, and the Father, are one.

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Here is a question from Mary Grace Anduyan (marygraceanduyan@gmail.com): “Good evening, Atty. Batas. I seek advice, if I have a right to file a complaint with the barangay against the people who have been throwing trash and other garbage along the sides of my house, near the door of that house. Our houses are just adjacent to each other. They say that they are placing their trash near their own house. I am not comfortable with this because there are times that their trash emits a foul smell, which reaches our house. I already informed them about this but they have been doing it repeatedly, causing damage to us already. What must I do? Can I file a case on this, Atty. Batas? Thank you.”

According to Lawyers in the Light (or Lawyers Instructed on Godliness, Humility, and Truth): Yes, you may bring a case before the barangay. Under Republic Act 7610, or the Local Government Code of 1991, all complaints by and between neighbors must first be filed before the barangay for conciliation. If no conciliation is reached, the case can then be brought before the court.

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Watch and listen to “Ang Tanging Daan,” a Bible exposition and prayer session that runs 24/7 and is broadcast in English and Filipino. The show airs live on Facebook at facebook.com/angtangingdaan. Please send reactions to 0917-984-2468, 0933-825-1308, 0977-805-9058, or via email at batasmauricio@yahoo.com./WDJ