“…For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear…” –Mark 4:22-23
As a voter in Tarlac’s first congressional district, I am interested to see how the case involving Marty Torralba, who is running for board member in my district, is resolved. Reports claim Torralba slapped an elections officer in Camiling, Tarlac because the official allegedly took down the candidate’s posters, which were reportedly posted in an undesignated area. Commission on Elections Commissioner Rowena Guanzon then castigated Torralba and proceeded to file criminal and disbarment charges against him.
I urge caution here. Proper legal processes must be observed at all times – avoid resorting to the media in solving this problem. The truth must come out on the basis of evidence fully acceptable to the court.
Unfortunately, in the Philippines, we have become accustomed to trial by publicity, whether it be through newspaper, radio, television, or even social media.
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The Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) are furiously lambasting one another in the media regarding a teenage girl whose remains were found with the left side of her face lopped off. PAO claims she was raped but the PNP said she was not sexually violated.
Wouldn’t it have been better if the two agencies tried calling each other first and privately discuss the matter? With both being agencies of the government, it is incumbent upon them to cooperate in order to arrive at a common truth regarding the crime.
Regrettably, their very public discourse in media has made the search for truth more elusive.
It is becoming more apparent the deceased teen is quickly turning into the victim of another, more gruesome crime – the inability to attain justice. What is happening with the PAO and PNP? Are they bent on trying to discredit one another? If I were president, they would all be fired!
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According to recent news, a man’s life expectancy is no 72 years. The same reports also say women have longer life spans than men. While this is good news, it isn’t anything new. Psalms 90:10 already clarified some thousand years or so before Jesus came to the world that a man’s life can reach 70 or 80 years if he has the strength and (of course) good health to endure.
In terms of women living longer than men, science has a solid explanation: Women do not abuse their bodies with vices like drinking, smoking, or other vile substances.
People should try to understand the reminders from the Bible about good health and long life. In 1 Timothy 4, we are told, while physical exercise has some benefit, training on spirituality and holiness is more beneficial. Additionally, in 1 Corinthians 11, it is stated that better health and more vigorous strength comes to those who remember the body and blood of Jesus every time they eat and drink.
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