“…Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave behind a blessing—grain offerings and drink offerings for the Lord your God…” –Joel 2:13-14
The unending flak thrown every September 21, the day former President Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial Law, to me, is an egregious waste of time. While there were politicians and oligarchs who suffered during that period, many ordinary citizens also managed to improve their lives amid the same era.
The same thing happened during the administration of former President Corazon Aquino, her son Benigno S. Aquino III, and all who occupied Malacañan Palace after 1986 – there was suffering, huge anomalies were committed, but many average citizens were still able to benefit regardless.
My message to those who make a living off criticizing past presidential administration: There are more important matters. Marcos is finished, along with the Aquinos; for the sake of prosperity and development, we should be talking about our present.
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The fourth joyful mystery of the Roman Catholic rosary talks about the dedication or presentation of the child Jesus in the temple. He was just eight days old at the time but Jesus was brought to the temple to be dedicated and presented to God (see Luke 2:21-40).
What is the significance of this part of Jesus’ life on earth? This shows, when viewed together with other events in His life here on earth, Jesus is indeed our God and Savior, and is God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. At the temple, two believers, who were already very old, were there – Hannah and Simeon. Hannah prophesied that Jesus was to be the Savior of the Israelites (the Bible teaches that there is no other Savior but God the Father). Simeon, on the other hand, claimed that God told him that he would not die until he has seen the Christ. When Simeon saw Jesus, he said that Jesus is the Christ and because he has seen Him, he, Simeon, could already die. These proclamations by Hannah and Simeon belong to the Biblical proofs that Jesus is God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
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A question from Jiji Alvior via Facebook Messenger: “Sir, Atty. Batas, I want to ask if I can file a case against someone who owes me a debt. He borrowed quite a large sum from me. I just wish to be advised. Thank you.”
Here is the answer of the Lawyers in the Light (or Lawyers Instructed on Godliness, Humility, and Truth): Yes, a person who has lent money to another can sue the borrower if no payment has been made. The first case that can be filed is called “sum of money,” where the lender can ask for the principal amount that was borrowed, then the interests and other penalties, plus attorneys’ fees.
On the other hand, if the borrow issued a check that bounced, there are additional cases that can be filed.
Batas Pambansa 22 is applicable for the check that bounced, estafa, or pretending the check was funded when it was not. In addition, if any property was used as collateral, that can also be foreclosed upon.
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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