“…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…” –John 17:11
Here is a question from someone who asked to be identified only as “Allan” (a follow-up on our item about a judge who had been severely criticized by the litigant of pending case): “Atty Batas, what will happen if the judge who had been criticized by a litigant refuses to transfer the case to another court? Does the judgment that the judge will issue have any validity?”
According to Lawyers in the Light (or Lawyers Instructed on Godliness, Humility, and Truth): Based on a landmark case dealing with the right of party litigants to have an impartial and fair judge issuing the judgment in their cases, it would appear the ruling by a judge who was criticized severely by a litigant would not be valid and would have no effect at all. Indeed, a decision issued by a judge based on a grudge can violate the litigant’s constitutional right to due process.
A verdict issued by a judge who was criticized can be set aside, especially if there is ample evidence showing that judge harbored such a grudge.
As it were, because the constitutional right to due process was violated by the decision of a criticized judge, that litigant can ask, at the proper time, for that said judgment be set aside.
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There is one thing that stood out in news stories about the life sentence imposed on retired Major General Jovito Palparan with regard to the kidnapping of two University of the Philippines students. Reports did not include details of the judgment, particularly, why he was found guilty. As a reporter for the now-defunct Daily Express, my editor, Enrique ‘Pocholo’ Romualdez, made sure we learned the reasons behind court judgements.
It is of paramount importance for readers to be informed of things like what evidence was accepted during the trial and what was brushed aside. For instance, the evidence used by Bulacan Regional Trial Court Judge Alexander Tamayo in his ruling against Palparan must be presented. Reporters and news organizations owe it to the public to only provide stories with a clear narration of facts.
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From the birth of Jesus as a baby boy in a “stable, old and forlorn” until His crucifixion and death on the cross, each and every event He figured in while in the world of human beings clearly demonstrated who He really was – He was not a human being but He was, in fact, God Himself – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
In order for this matter to be made a little more clear, we shall discuss in this column, starting today, the different events in His “life” on earth that prove He is God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We hope readers pay close attention to this discussion.
Any reaction is welcome, especially those who refute my words.
First, let us deal with the announcement of His coming to earth from heaven in the form of man with flesh and blood. Based on our earlier columns, there are several important verses from the Bible that announce His coming to earth; Genesis 3:15, Isaiah 7:14 and 9:6, Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 1:26-27, and John 1:1-14.
The proclamation is made clear: Jesus is God the Father who came to earth so He Himself could accept the penalty that should have been given to man for his sinfulness.
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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