“…What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?…” –James 2:14-16
Two groups that have been relentless in assisting the poor and marginalized through providing legal assistance have joined forces; Bitag Media Unlimited Inc. (Bitag), owner of the radio-TV-internet program “Bitag Kilos Pronto,” and Buklod ng mga Abogadong Tagapagtaguyod ng Adhikaing Sambayanan (BATAS), a group of lawyers that have been providing free legal assistance since 1994 through multimedia program “Kakampi Mo Ang Batas.”
Journalist and business executive Ben Tulfo leads Bitag, while I serve as the head of BATAS.
The union of the two groups came about through an agreement between myself and Tulfo, following a collaborative legal effort that began earlier this year.
Tulfo and I have been closely associated since around 2005, when we served as co-hosts for an early morning show on cable. Yet, even before that, we already developed a friendship after he brought me in as a columnist for a daily tabloid where he served as editor-in-chief. Around the same time, I was hosting my own television program on the same station with co-hosts who dealt with offering fast and practical solutions to legal questions asked by viewers.
We later parted ways when I left the television station. However, destiny and God’s will brought us back together.
All of us at BATAS, my wife, former Judge Angelina Domingo Mauricio; my siblings, Attys. Leny Lazo Mauricio and Marisa Lazo Mauricio Panotes; and my brother’s wife, Atty. Irene Fenix Mauricio, are joyful and thoroughly excited about this tandem.
On a daily basis, the hundreds that troop to the Bitag offices are now receiving legal assistance from BATAS.
Those with inquiries should watch Tulfo’s program “Bitag Kilos Pronto,” which is published on YouTube and airs on Facebook Live. In addition, “Kakampi Mo Ang Batas” also airs on both platforms, along with the “Star Radio Catbalogan” and “Melanio Lazo Mauricio Jr.” Facebook pages.
Bitag and BATAS promises prompt responses for those who raise their legal questions and other related concerns.
Thank God in the Name of Jesus, Amen!
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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