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Luke 24:1-53
THE RESURRECTED JESUS

A. The resurrection of Jesus is discovered.
1. (Luk_24:1-3) Women followers of Jesus discover the empty tomb of Jesus.
Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
a. Came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared: The actual event of Jesus’ resurrection is nowhere described, but the discovery of it is recorded in some detail. Here, the women who intended to give Jesus’ body a more proper preparation for burial discover that the stone is rolled away from the tomb, and that the body of Jesus is not inside the tomb.


i. A rich man like Joseph of Arimethea would probably have a tomb that was carved into solid rock; this tomb was in a garden near the place of crucifixion (John 19:41). The tomb would have a small entrance and perhaps one or more compartments where bodies were laid out after being somewhat mummified with spices, ointments, and linen strips. Customarily, the Jews left these bodies alone for a few years until they decayed down to the bones, then the bones were placed in a small stone box known as an ossuary. The ossuary remained in the tomb with the remains of other family members.
ii. The door to the tomb would be made of a heavy, circular shaped stone, running in a groove and settled down into a channel, so it could not be moved except by several strong men. This was done to ensure that no one would disturb the remains.
iii. Joh_19:42 specifically tells us that the tomb of Joseph of Arimethea that Jesus was laid in was close to the place of Jesus’ crucifixion (and the each of the two suggested places for Jesus’ death and resurrection bear this out). Joseph probably didn’t like it that the value of his family tomb decreased because the Romans decided to crucify people nearby - yet it reminds us that the in God’s plan, the cross and the power of the resurrection are always permanently and closely connected.
b. But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus: Once the women saw the stone rolled away and the tomb empty, their immediate reaction is that they were greatly perplexed (Luk_24:4). They did not expect to find an empty tomb. This shows that the resurrection accounts cannot be the product of wishful thinking; they were not even expecting that it could happen.
i. Mat_27:65-66 reminds us that there was a guard set round the tomb. The stone could not have been rolled away by the women (they were not strong enough) or by the disciples (even if they were brave enough, they could not overcome the armed guards). No one else would have wanted to roll away the stone, and Mat_28:2 tells us that it was an angel who rolled it away.
ii. The stone was not rolled away to let Jesus out. Joh_20:19 tells us that Jesus, in His resurrection body, could pass through material barriers. It was rolled away so that others could see in and be persuaded that Jesus Christ is risen from the dead.
2. (Luk_24:4-8) The angelic announcement of the resurrection.
And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’“ And they remembered His words.
a. Two men stood by them in shining garments: Even as angels announced the birth of Jesus, (Luk_2:8-15) so they also announced the resurrection of Jesus. The announcement of His birth was made to a few humble people, considered unimportant by the culture; His resurrection announced by angels to a few women.
b. Why do you seek the living among the dead? This was a wonderfully logical question. The angels seemed almost surprised that the women were surprised; after all, the angels had heard what Jesus said regarding His resurrection, and they knew the women had heard it also. They naturally wondered why the women were surprised.
i. At the church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem - the place Emperor Constantine’s mother Helena decided was the place of the true cross and the true empty tomb - there is the powerful sense of dead religion and traditionalism. Yet for hundreds and hundreds of years people have flocked to this place reeking of this kind of spiritual deadness in a desperate attempt to find God’s kind of life.
ii. We too often look for Jesus in the dead things - religious traditionalism, formalism, man’s rules, human effort, substitutes of the flesh. We will never ultimately find Jesus in those things - we find Him only where there is resurrection life, when we worship Him in spirit and in truth.
c. He is not here: These are some of the most beautiful and important words ever spoken by an angel to men. One may look all over Jerusalem and see countless thousands of tombs, but one will never find the tomb of Jesus - because He is not here.
i. One may see many graves and tombs in Israel today. There is an ocean of tombs on the Mount of Olives, and vast sea of graves outside the eastern wall of the temple mount. You can see the tomb of Rebekka, the tomb of David, the tomb of Absalom - but you won’t find the tomb of Jesus anywhere. As the angel said, He is not here.
ii. Every so often someone claims to have found evidence of the tomb of Jesus or the bones of Jesus. Each claim is found to be untrue, while the testimony of the angels is proven true over and over again: He is not here.
d. The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again: To the women, it must have seemed like a long time ago that Jesus said these words. Nevertheless, they needed to remember them and the angels remind them of what Jesus said.
i. Must is the critical word here; just as much as the crucifixion of Jesus was necessary and ordained, so was His resurrection. Jesus would have never come to the place of Calvary unless there was also an empty tomb of resurrection there also.
e. And they remembered His words: The first notes of hope are sounded in the hearts of the women when they are reminded of Jesus’ words. The empty tomb, the presence of angels, the words of the angels in and of themselves could not change their hearts - but His words could change and cheer their hearts.
3. (Luke 24:9-11) The women tell the apostles and are not believed.
Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles. And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them.
a. Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest: The women who had seen the evidence of the resurrected Jesus and remembered His words, are excited about what seemed to them to be the most wonderful news possible - that Jesus was alive and had triumphed over death.
i. They would not be excited like this if Jesus had only somehow miraculously survived the ordeal of the cross. These women knew that He had not survived; their own hands provided the hasty preparation of Jesus’ body on the day He was crucified. They knew beyond all doubt that He had been dead; so the news that He was alive meant so much more to them then perhaps saying Jesus was a survivor; it meant He was the conqueror over death and that He was everything they had hoped for and more.
b. Their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them: Despite their excitement, their testimony was not believed. In fact, to the apostles, it seemed as if the women told idle tales, a medical word used to describe the babbling of a fevered and insane man.
4. (Luk_24:12) The apostles come to believe.
But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened.
a. But Peter arose and ran to the tomb: We know from Joh_20:3-8 that both Peter and John ran to the tomb together. They saw grave clothes, but not as if they had been ripped off after a struggle. They saw the grave clothes of Jesus lying in perfect order, as if a body had just passed out of them (Joh_20:6-7). When John saw that, he believed, and Peter marveled. They had not seen the risen Jesus, but they knew that something powerful had happened to cause a body to leave behind those grave clothes in such a manner.
b. Marveling to himself at what had happened: When Peter and John observed what was in the tomb, they believed. This tells us that Peter analyzed the situation; he knew something spectacular had happened because of the condition of the grave clothes, but he because he had forgotten the words of Jesus (Joh_20:9), he did not yet understand.
i. You can know that Jesus rose from the dead, but unless you know His words, it won’t make sense. Unless you know the life and teachings of Jesus, you don’t know that the resurrection means that the payment that Jesus offered on the cross was perfect and complete. You don’t know that the cross was the payment and the empty tomb is the receipt. You don’t know that death has no hold on redeemed man. You don’t know that when God’s love and man’s hate battled at the cross, God’s love won. You don’t know that because Jesus was raised from the dead, we can be resurrected in Him.
c. What had happened: Because Jesus rose from the dead, we know that God no longer lives in a temple made with hands. In Jerusalem, one may see what remains of the magnificently spectacular temple that stood in Jesus’ day. These stones were 40 feet long, 18 feet high (too heavy to be lifted with modern cranes), finished with finely carved frames and fitted so perfectly they required no mortar; and these are the
retaining wall! But from the time Jesus died and rose again, that temple became just another building, because it was no longer the dwelling place of God.
B. On the road to Emmaus.
1. (Luk_24:13-16) Jesus joins two disciples on a road.
Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him.
a. Two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus: On this Sunday, these two disciples traveled to Emmaus from Jerusalem. As they walked together it gave them a great opportunity to talk.
b. They conversed and reasoned: As they talked, they spoke of the things that were biggest on their hearts - all of these things which had happened, the things regarding the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus.
c. Jesus Himself drew near and went with them: Jesus came along side these disciples, and went with them for a while. Yet for a time they were miraculously prevented from seeing who Jesus was.
2. (Luk_24:17-24) The disciples explain what they talked about.
And He said to them, “What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?” Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, “Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?” And He said to them, “What things?” So they said to Him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him. But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened. Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us. When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see.”
a. What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad? Jesus opened the conversation by asking them what they had been talking about. From this, we can know that Jesus had walked silently with them for a while, just listening as they carried on the conversation.
i. It was evident in their countenance - and perhaps even in their manner of walking - that they were sad. Jesus knew both what they already knew (that they were sad) and what they did not yet know (that they had no reason to be sad).
b. Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened here in these days? Jesus probably smiled when they said this. He knew pretty well what had happened here in these days.
c. What things? In saying this, Jesus skillfully played along with the conversation, encouraging the men to reveal their hearts. Jesus longs for us to tell Him our hearts, even though He already knows. There is great value for us in saying it to Him.
d. The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth: The men explained what they did know about Jesus.
• They knew His name and where He was from.
• They knew He was a Prophet.
• They knew He was mighty in deed and word.
• They knew He was crucified.
• They knew He promised to redeem Israel.
• They knew others had said He rose from the dead.
e. We were hoping: These disciples had a hope they felt was disappointed. Their hope was really not disappointed; but in some ways their hope was misguided (that it was He who was going to redeem Israel). But really, their hope was fulfilled in a greater way than they could have ever dreamed.
f. Just as the women had said: The only thing these disciples had to go on was the testimony of others, but they were slow to believe. The report of the women meant little to them, and the report of Peter and John who had seen the grave clothes meant little - because Him they did not see.
i. Jesus wanted to know from them what He wants to know from us today: can we believe without seeing with our own eyes? Can we believe based on the reliable eyewitness testimony of other people?
3. (Luk_24:25-27) Jesus teaches them why the Messiah had to suffer.
Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
a. Slow of heart to believe: Jesus told them that the problem with their belief was more in their heart than their head. We often think the main obstacles to belief are in the head, but they are actually in the heart.
b. Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory? They should have believed what all the prophets have spoken, that the Messiah would suffer first and then be received in glory.
i. The prophets spoke in Isaiah 53:3-5 : He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.


ii. Isa_50:5-7 is another example of what the prophets taught concerning this. The Lord GOD has opened My ear; and I was not rebellious, nor did I turn away. I gave My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting. For the Lord GOD will help Me; therefore I will not be disgraced; therefore I have set My face like a flint, and I know that I will not be ashamed.
iii. Dan_9:26 shows another prophet regarding these things: The Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself.
iv. Zec_12:10 is yet another example: They will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.
c. And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself: Jesus began to teach them what was surely one of the most spectacular Bible studies ever taught. Beginning in Moses and all the Prophets, He told them all about the Messiah.
i. He told them that the Messiah was:


• The Seed of the Woman, whose heel was bruised.
• The blessing of Abraham to all nations.
• The High Priest after the order of Melchizedek.
• The Man who wrestled with Jacob.
• The Lion of the Tribe of Judah.
• The voice from the burning bush.
• The Passover Lamb.
• The Prophet greater than Moses.
• The captain of the Lord’s army to Joshua.
• The ultimate Kinsman-Redeemer mentioned in Ruth.
• The son of David who was a King greater than David.
• The suffering Savior of Psalms 22.
• The Good Shepherd of Psalms 23.
• The wisdom of Proverbs and the Lover of the Song of Solomon.
• The Savior described in the prophets and the suffering Servant of Isaiah 53.
• The Princely Messiah of Daniel who would establish a kingdom that would never end.
ii. These men must have been amazed at Jesus’ ability to teach and understand the Scriptures - even though they did not know who He was yet!
d. Expounded to them in all the Scriptures: This describes how Jesus taught them. The idea of expounding is to simply let the text speak for itself; exactly what a Bible teacher should do his or her best to do.
i. The ancient Greek word for expounded (diermeneuo) has the idea of sticking close to the text. In another passage when Luke uses this word, it is expressed with the word translated (Act_9:36). Jesus didn’t go off on speculative ideas. He expounded, which means He stuck close to the text.
4. (Luk_24:28-32) Jesus is revealed to the disciples on the road to Emmaus.
Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther. But they constrained Him, saying, “Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” And He went in to stay with them. Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight. And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?”


a. He indicated that He would have gone farther: Jesus acted as if He might continue on farther, but did not want to force His company on these disciples. But they constrained Him shows that even though they didn’t know this was Jesus in their midst, they knew they wanted to spend as much time as they could with this man.
b. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him: What was it that showed them it was Jesus? It could have been the familiar way that He broke the bread and blessed God for it. Perhaps it was only then that they noticed His nail-scarred wrists. Whatever the outward reason, it was only because their eyes were no longer restrained as they were before (Luk_24:16).
i. Jesus can be right in front of you, walking with you and sitting down with you at every meal - and your eyes can be restrained from seeing Him. We therefore should pray that God would open our eyes to see Jesus as He is, as being with us all the time.
c. He vanished from their sight: As soon as their eyes were opened to who Jesus was, He left miraculously and they both said what was on their hearts. Their hearts burned as they heard Him speak and teach.
i. Did not our heart burn within us while He talked: God’s word can have this same effect on our heart, even when we don’t know that it is Jesus doing that work.
ii. Even when they didn’t know it was Jesus, even when they didn’t believe He was risen from the dead, their heart still burned because of the ministry of God’s Word and of Jesus, the Living Word of God. God’s Word has that power, but man’s word and wisdom does not.
iii. Neither of them knew the other’s heart burned until Jesus left. After that, they could have a fellowship of flaming hearts together. One reason Jesus left was so that they would love one another, and minister to one another.


5. (Luk_24:33-35) They tell the good news.
So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread.
a. So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem: After a seven mile walk one way, they were so excited that they went seven miles back - and probably much faster on the return. They had the passion to tell the great news of Jesus’ resurrection.
b. The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon: They had mutual confirmation of the resurrection of Jesus. Though the risen Jesus was not physically in their midst, His resurrection had been confirmed by more than two witnesses.
C. Jesus teaches His disciples and ascends into heaven.


1. (Luk_24:36-43) Jesus appears to the eleven.
Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, “Have you any food here?” So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. And He took it and ate in their presence.
a. Peace to you: These were words with new meaning, now that Jesus had risen from the dead. Now, true peace could come between God and man and among men.
b. Handle Me and see: Jesus wanted to assure them that His resurrection body was a real, physical body, though of a different order than our own bodies. He wasn’t some ghost or phantom.
i. As a demonstration of this, He ate in their presence. In most of Jesus’ resurrection appearances, He eats with the disciples.
c. They still did not believe for joy, and marveled: The disciples were completely convinced that Jesus rose from the dead, but they had a hard time accepting it because it seemed too good to be true. But it was their confirmed belief in the resurrected Jesus that give them power enough to change the world and courage enough to die for their convictions.
2. (Luk_24:44-48) Jesus teaches His disciples.
Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things.”


a. These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you: Jesus almost says “I told you so” by reminding them that all this has happened just as He said it would. To help His disciples take it all in, He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.
i. It must have been before this that the disciples were actually born again by God’s Spirit, when Jesus breathed on them and they received the Holy Spirit (Joh_20:22).
b. It was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day: Jesus wanted them to understand that the cross was not some unfortunate obstacle that had to be hurdled. It was a necessary part of God’s redemptive plan for man, and that it would be in the name of a crucified and risen Savior that repentance and remission of sins will be brought to the world.
c. You are witnesses of these things: Jesus solemnly told them that they were witnesses of these things. Not only witnesses of the events surrounding the work of Jesus, but also of the commission itself to spread the gospel. This was a work they were all mutually responsible for.
3. (Luk_24:49-53) The Ascension of Jesus.
“Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.


a. I send the Promise of My Father upon you: They could not do the work Jesus had called them to do unless they were endued with power from on high, and that power would come as the Holy Spirit was poured out upon them.
b. He lifted up His hands and blessed them . . . while He blessed them: Jesus left the earth blessing His Church, and He continues to bless them, as much as His people will receive.
i. Nothing but blessing had ever come from those hands; but now, Jesus stands as the High Priest over His people to bless them.
ii. When Jesus blesses His people, it isn’t just a pious wish like “I hope things work out for you” or “I hope you will be feeling better.” Instead, the blessing of Jesus has inherent power within it.
iii. “If he has blessed you, you shall be blessed, for there is no power in heaven, or earth, or hell, that can reverse the blessing which He gives.” (Spurgeon)
iv. When we think about those hands raised up in blessing, we can see the scars from the nails that were pounded through Jesus’ flesh and that kept Him bound to the cross. We can see that these hands of pain should are also hands of blessing.
v. Those nail-scarred hands show the price of your blessing; it is a price you cannot pay, but Jesus already has. What then keeps you from being blessed? All you must do is come to this Jesus and receive that blessing in trusting faith.
d. He was parted from them and carried up into heaven: Jesus had to ascend so that confidence would be put in the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit, not in the geographical presence of Jesus.
i. Act_1:3 tells us that this ascension into heaven happened 40 days after Jesus’ resurrection. He spent those 40 days proving the truth of His resurrection and preparing His disciples for His departure.
ii. “Those forty days were soon over. Very remarkable days they were, if you study them; so different from his former life. Nobody molested the Lord; no scribes or Pharisees contradicted him, no malicious Jews took up stones to stone him. . . . I might almost say that those days were the prelude of his glory, a sort of anticipation of his reign of peace, when he shall stand in the latter day upon the earth, and wars shall cease unto the end of the earth. When those forty days were over, the Master went his way. All was done that he had covenanted to perform, and he ascended to his reward.” (Spurgeon, Our Ascended Lord)
e. And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God: This shows the wonderful result of the ministry of Jesus in the disciples’ lives.
• They worshipped Him: This means they knew that Jesus was God, and they gave Him the honor He deserves.
• They returned to Jerusalem: This means they did just what Jesus told them to do. They were obedient.
• With great joy: This means they really believed Jesus rose from the dead, and let the joy of that fact touch everything in their life.
• Continually in the temple praising and blessing God: This means that they lived as public followers of Jesus, and could not hide their love and worship towards Him.
i. When God does this kind of work in His people, we say “Amen.”
source: David Guzik from e-Sword Bible

John 7:1-52
AT THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES
A. Jesus goes up to Jerusalem in secret.
1. (Joh_7:1-5) The contempt of the brothers of Jesus for Him.
After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him. Now the Jews’ Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. His brothers therefore said to Him, “Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing. For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.” For even His brothers did not believe in Him.


a. He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him: It was not a lack of courage that made Jesus stay in Galilee, but an awareness of the Father’s perfect timing - and it was not time yet.
b. The Feast of Tabernacles was a joyful, weeklong celebration, when families camped out in “booths” to remember God’s faithfulness to Israel during the wilderness wanderings.


c. Go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that you are doing . . . If you do these things, show Yourself to the world: Essentially, Jesus’ brothers are telling Him to “take Your stuff to the big leagues.” They say, “If You really do have all this miracle power, why don’t You go to Jerusalem and make Yourself really famous?”
i. The Living Bible gives a good sense of this: You can’t be famous when you hide like this! If you’re so great, prove it to the world!


d. His brothers therefore said to Him: The brothers of Jesus never seemed to be supportive of His ministry before His death and resurrection, (see also Mar_3:21) but that changed after His resurrection (Act_1:14).
2. (Joh_7:6-9) Jesus’ reply: we are of different worlds.


Then Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready. The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil. You go up to this feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, for My time has not yet fully come.” When He had said these things to them, He remained in Galilee.
a. I am not yet going up to the feast: Some compare this statement with what it says in Joh_7:10 (He also went up to the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret) as if they caught Jesus in a lie. Schopenhauer, the German philosopher of pessimism, pompously said: “Jesus Christ of set purpose did utter a falsehood.” But Christians have observed for centuries that if Jesus said He would not go publicly as to attract attention (as His brothers wanted), but that did not preclude Him from going up privately.


b. My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready: Because Jesus was completely submitted to the will of the Father, the timing of God the Father was important. But for Jesus’ brothers, who were not submitted to God’s will in the same way, any time was fine!


i. In Jesus’ life as well as our own, the Father’s timing is just as important as His will. Many stumble because they sense they know God’s will, but they move ahead of His timing. This is a sure recipe for frustration.
3. (Joh_7:10-13) Jesus goes up to a Jerusalem that is abuzz with rumors concerning who He is.
But when His brothers had gone up, then He also went up to the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret. Then the Jews sought Him at the feast, and said, “Where is He?” And there was much complaining among the people concerning Him. Some said, “He is good”; others said, “No, on the contrary, He deceives the people.” However, no one spoke openly of Him for fear of the Jews.


a. Some said, “He is good”; others said, “No, on the contrary”: Then as well as now, Jesus divides people. Those who heard Him and knew Him couldn’t remain neutral. They decided one way or another regarding who Jesus was, either good or a deceiver.


B. Jesus answers objections and teaches.
1. (Joh_7:14-18) Objection: Jesus isn’t educated; He is His own authority.
Now about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught. And the Jews marveled, saying, “How does this Man know letters, having never studied?” Jesus answered them and said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. “If anyone wants to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.”
a. Jesus went up into the temple and taught: Though Jesus avoided a grand entrance, He now teaches boldly. He never shrank back from proclaiming the truth.


b. How does this Man know letters, having never studied: The Jewish leaders knew that Jesus had not studied or been a disciple under a prominent rabbi (as Paul studied under Gamaliel, Act_22:3).


c. My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me: Jesus doesn’t point to His credentials, but to His doctrine. It is as if He says, “I don’t have a seminary degree, but judge Me by My doctrine.” If the Jewish leaders listened carefully to the doctrine of Jesus, they would know that it was all rooted in the Old Testament Scriptures, and that it was from God.


d. My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me: Jesus was an eloquent, gifted teacher, but He was not self taught. He was God taught! His authority was not from any man, but from His Father.
2. (Joh_7:19-24) Objection: Jesus is a Sabbath breaker.


“Did not Moses give you the law, yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill Me?” The people answered and said, “You have a demon. Who is seeking to kill You?” Jesus answered and said to them, “I did one work, and you all marvel. Moses therefore gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the law of Moses should not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath? Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”


a. Why do you seek to kill Me? Because He healed a man on the Sabbath, the rulers wanted to kill Jesus (Joh_5:16). The multitude didn’t know this, but the Jewish leaders did - though they denied it.
b. If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the law of Moses should not be broken: If it is permitted (even commanded) to do a negative work (such as cutting away the flesh in circumcision) on the Sabbath, why not a work that brings wholeness?


c. Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment: If the rulers and the people would only do this, they would embrace Jesus instead of contesting and rejecting Him.
3. (Joh_7:25-29) Objection: if the Messiah will appear suddenly and unexpectedly, how can Jesus be the Messiah?
Now some of them from Jerusalem said, “Is this not He whom they seek to kill? But look! He speaks boldly, and they say nothing to Him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is truly the Christ? However, we know where this Man is from; but when the Christ comes, no one knows where He is from.” Then Jesus cried out, as He taught in the temple, saying, “You both know Me, and you know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know. But I know Him, for I am from Him, and He sent Me.”
a. When the Christ comes, no one knows where He is from: The crowd, in their partial knowledge of the Old Testament, was convinced that the Messiah would come suddenly and spectacularly.


b. You both know Me, and you know where I am from: This first sentence of Jesus’ reply may well have been sarcastic. They thought they knew where He was from, but they were unaware of His heavenly origin.
c. I am from Him, and He sent Me: The crowds may be confused about where the Messiah comes from, but Jesus knew exactly where He came from. Jesus was not a confused man, wondering if He was really the Son of God.
4. (Joh_7:30-36) The leaders try to seize Jesus because many believed in Him.


Therefore they sought to take Him; but no one laid a hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come. And many of the people believed in Him, and said, “When the Christ comes, will He do more signs than these which this Man has done?” The Pharisees heard the crowd murmuring these things concerning Him, and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take Him. Then Jesus said to them, “I shall be with you a little while longer, and then I go to Him who sent Me. You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come.” Then the Jews said among themselves, “Where does He intend to go that we shall not find Him? Does He intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks? What is this thing that He said, ‘You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come’?”


a. Because His hour had not yet come: Until the time was right, no one could lay a hand on Jesus. There would come a time when Jesus would say that His hour had come (Joh_12:23). Until that hour, Jesus was protected.
b. I shall be with you a little while longer: Jesus assures the officers that came to take Him that He will go away, but only at the appointed time - at His ascension.


c. Does He intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks: Through His followers, Jesus did in fact go to the Dispersion and teach the Greeks - but the time for that was later.


d. What is this thing He said: Even though His words were misunderstood, they echoed in the mind of His hearers
5. (Joh_7:37-39) The great invitation: If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.
On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.


a. On the last day, that great day of the feast: At the Feast of Tabernacles, water was poured out daily at the altar to remind everyone of the water God miraculously provided for a thirsty Israel in the wilderness.
b. Let him come to Me: Jesus boldly calls people to Himself, claiming that He can satisfy the inner thirst in man.
c. Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water: The water of the Holy Spirit not only goes in, it also comes out. Not only does the believer receive blessing, but he becomes a blessing to others.


i. This is the contrast between two contemporary religious movements of Jesus’ day. The Qumran sect had no outflow, becoming stagnant and dead. But Christianity emphasizes outflow, extending life and blessing to others.
d. For the Holy Spirit was not yet given: The word given here is added by translators. More literally it is “for it was not yet Spirit.” John tells us that it was not yet Pentecost and the days of the Spirit.
e. Because Jesus was not yet glorified: John speaks of Jesus’ coming ordeal at the cross as being glorified, and that it must come before the power of Pentecost. Calvary is the necessary prelude to Pentecost, and the cross is seen as glory, not shame.


C. Who is Jesus?
1. (Joh_7:40-43) Jesus brings division among men.
Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, “Truly this is the Prophet.” Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee? Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?” So there was a division among the people because of Him.


a. This is the Prophet . . . This is the Christ: Some say one thing, others say something else about who Jesus is. But everyone had an opinion. One can not be confronted with Jesus and remain neutral; feigned neutrality is rejection, the same as open hostility.
b. Will the Christ come out of Galilee? Their rejection of Jesus was based on their ignorance. They didn’t know Jesus really was born in Bethlehem.


c. So there was a division among the people because of Him: There is a real sense in which Jesus is a divider of men. Because we cannot be of two opinions about Jesus, some will be for Him and others will be against Him.
i. Jesus repeated this idea in Mat_10:34-36 : Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to “set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law”; and “a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.”
2. (Joh_7:44-49) An attempted arrest.


Now some of them wanted to take Him, but no one laid hands on Him. Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why have you not brought Him?” The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this Man!” Then the Pharisees answered them, “Are you also deceived? Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in Him? But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.”


a. Some of them wanted to take Him, but no one laid hands on Him: The arrest was unsuccessful, but it wasn’t because the arresting officers were incompetent. It was because the time wasn’t right yet.
b. Because the Pharisees hate Jesus, they despise anyone who embraces Him: Are you also deceived? Have any of [us] believed in Him? But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.
3. (Joh_7:50-52) Nicodemus’ small stand for Jesus.
Nicodemus (he who came to Jesus by night, being one of them) said to them, “Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?” They answered and said to him, “Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee.”
a. Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing: Nicodemus tries to reason with the Jewish leaders, warning them of judging Jesus hastily.
b. Are you also from Galilee: Galileans were objects of Judean scorn, and the butt of Judean jokes. To the Jewish leaders from Judea, nothing good could come from Galilee.
c. Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee: In fact, a prophet had risen from Galilee. Jonah, who was a type of Jesus Christ came from Gath Hepher, which was three miles north of Nazareth in Lower Galilee (2Ki_14:25).
source: David Guzik of e-Sword Bible

Explain John 3:6
That which hath been born of the flesh is flesh, and that which hath been born of the Spirit is spirit. In the last verse was implied the law that like is produced from like, since the pure and spiritual members of God’s kingdom must be born of water and spirit. Here this law is expressly stated. Flesh produces flesh. Spirit produces spirit. Thus the necessity of a new birth is enforced, and the ‘cannot’ of John 3:3 explained. It is not easy to say whether ‘flesh,’ as here used, definitely indicates the sinful principles of human nature, or only that which is outward, material, not spiritual but merely natural. The latter seems more likely, both from the context (where the contrast is between the natural and the spiritual birth) and from John’s usage elsewhere. Though the word occurs as many as thirteen times in this Gospel (chap. John 1:13-14, John 6:51-52, etc., Joh_8:15, Joh_17:2), in no passage does it express the thought of sinfulness, as it does in Paul’s Epistles and in 1Jn_2:16. Another difficulty meets us in the second clause. Are we to read ‘born of the Spirit’ or ‘of the spirit’? Is the reference to the Holy Spirit Himself, who imparts the principle of the new life, or to the principle which He imparts,-the principle just spoken of in Joh_3:5, ‘of water and spirit’ It is hard to say, and the difference in meaning is extremely small; but when we consider the analogy of the two clauses, the latter seems more likely.â€"There is no reference here to ‘water;’ but, as we have seen, the water has reference to the past alone,-the state which gives place to the new life. To speak of this would be beside the point of the verse now before us, which teaches that the spiritual life of the kingdom of God can only come from the new spiritual principle.
source: e-Sword Bible

Commentary on John 3:5
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except any one have been born of water and spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. The answer is a stronger affirmation of the same truth, with some changes of expression which made the words no easier of acceptance, save as the new terms might awaken echoes of Old Testament language, and lead the hearer from the external to an inward and spiritual interpretation.
The first words have given rise to warm and continued controversy. Many have held that the birth ‘of water and spirit; can only refer to Christian baptism; others have denied that Christian baptism is alluded to at all. The subject is very important and very difficult. Our only safety lies in making the Evangelist his own interpreter. We shall repeatedly find, when a difficulty occurs, that some word of his own in the context or in some parallel passage brings us light. (1) First, then, as to the very peculiar expression,’ of water and spirit.’ We cannot doubt that this is the true rendering; no direct reference is made as yet to the personal Holy Spirit. The words ‘water and spirit’ are most closely joined, and placed under the government of the same preposition. A little earlier in the Gospel (chap. Joh_1:33) we find the same wordsâ€"not, indeed, joined together as here, but yet placed in exact parallelism, each word, too, receiving emphasis from the context. Three times between chap. Joh_1:19 and chap. Joh_1:33. John speaks of his baptism with water; twice there is a reference to the Spirit (Joh_1:32-33); and in Joh_3:33. John’s baptizing with water and our Lord’s baptizing with ‘holy spirit’ (see the note) stand explicitly contrasted. It is very possible that this testimony was well known to others besides John’s disciples, to all indeed in Judea who were roused to inquiry respecting the Baptist and his relation to Jesus. (2) It is possible that the Jews of that age may have been familiar with the figure of a new birth in connection with baptism. It is confessedly difficult accurately to ascertain Jewish usages and modes of thought in the time of our Lord. The Talmud indeed contains copious stores of information, but it is not easy to distinguish between what belongs to an earlier and what to a later age. We know that converts to the Jewish religion were admitted by baptism to fellowship with the sacred people. The whole tenor of the law would suggest such a washing when the uncleanness of heathenism was put off, and hence no rite could be more natural. Yet we have no certain knowledge that this was practised so early as the time of our Lord. There is no doubt that, at a later date, the proselyte thus washed or baptized was spoken of as born again. Here again, therefore, we have some confirmation of the view that in the words before us there is in some sort a reference to baptism,â€"at all events, to the baptism of John. (3) But what was John’s baptism? We see from chap. John 1:25 how peculiar his action appeared to the rulers of the people. Even if proselytes were in that age baptized, a baptism that invited all, publican and Pharisee alike, would but seem the more strange. John’s action was new and startling; and from chap. Joh_1:21-25 it appears that the leaders of Jewish thought beheld in it an immediate reference to the time of Messiah. It seems very probable that John’s baptism was directly symbolic, a translation into visible symbol of such promises as Eze_36:25, which looked forward to the new spiritual order of which he was the herald. To the sprinkling with clean water, the cleansing from all filthiness, of which Ezekiel speaks, answers closely John’s ‘baptism of repentance for the remission of sins’ (compare also Eze_36:31). To the promise which follows, ‘A new spirit will I put within you. ... I will put my spirit within you,’ answers just as closely John’s testimony to Jesus, ‘He it is that baptizeth with holy spirit.’ (4) The two contrasted elements in the baptisms of chap. Joh_1:33 areâ€"(a) the covering and removal of past sin; and (b) the inbreathing of a new life. In that verse ‘holy spirit’ is the gift and not the Giver. The Giver is the Holy Spirit; but the gift, that which is the essential element in the new baptism, is the bestowal of ‘holy spirit,’ the seed and the principle of a holy spiritual life. (5) These two elements were conjoined in the Christian baptism instituted afterwards: the cleansing of forgiveness through Christ’s death and the holiness of the new life in Christ are alike symbolized in it. Here, therefore, our Lord says that no man can enter into the kingdom of God unless he have been born anew, the elements of the new birth being the removal by cleansing of the old sinful life, and the impartation by the Holy Spirit of a new holy principle of life.â€"If this view of the words is correct, there is error in both extremes of which mention has been made. There is no direct reference here to Christian baptism; but the reference to the truths which that baptism expresses is distinct and clear.
source: e-Sword Bible

Commentary on John 3:4
Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? These are the words of a man amazed beyond measure. Jesus has read his thoughts, and the answer to his unspoken question has come with the suddenness and surprise of a thunderbolt. The solemn emphasis laid on the words ‘born anew’ forbids his thinking of a mere figure of speech, and apparently banishes from his mind the Old Testament expressions which approach the same truth (see Joh_3:5). The privilege which he attached to natural birth within the bounds of Israel is tom away by a word; the’ any one ‘of our Lord’s answer, makes all men equal; and the prize which seemed almost within his grasp is given to every one who has been born anew. In his bewilderment he sees no meaning in the words of Jesus, except they be understood physically of a second natural birth; and the evident impossibility of this he expresses in the very strongest terms.
source: e-Sword Bible

Commentary on John 3:3
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except any one have been born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Jesus answers his thoughts rather than his words, but the connection between the address and the answer is not hard to find. John the Baptist had familiarised all with the thought that the kingdom of God was at hand, that the reign of the Messiah, so long expected, would soon begin. Whatever meaning may be assigned to the words of John 3:2, we may certainly say that every thoughtful Jew who believed what Nicodemus believed was ‘waiting for the kingdom of God.’ But the Pharisee’s conception of the Messianic promise was false. In great measure, at least, his ‘kingdom of God’ was outward and carnal, not inward and spiritual,â€"a privilege of birth, belonging of right to Israel. This false conception Jesus would at once correct, and the gravity of the error is reflected in the solemnity of the language, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto thee.’â€"‘Any one.’ This more literal rendering is necessary here because of the next verse. Our Lord says simply any one. Nicodemus brings in the word ‘man,’ to give more expressiveness to his reply.


‘Have been born anew.’ It has been, and still is, a much controverted question whether the Greek word here used should be rendered again, or anew, or from above. ‘Again’ is certainly inadequate; for, though the word may denote beginning over again, commencing the action afresh, it cannot express mere repetition. Much may be said in favour of the third rendering, ‘from above.’ This is the undoubted meaning of the same word as used below (Joh_3:31); and a similar idea is expressed in the passages of the Gospel (chap. Joh_1:13) and First Epistle of John (chap. 1Jn_2:29, 1Jn_5:1, etc.) which speak of those who are begotten of God. It may also be urged that, as Christ is ‘He that cometh from above’ (Joh_3:31), those who through faith are one with Christ must derive their being from the same source, and may well be spoken of as ‘born from above.’ Notwithstanding these arguments, it is probable that anew is the true rendering. Had the other thought been intended, we might surely have expected ‘of God’ instead of ‘from above.’ The correspondence between the two members of the sentence would then have been complete; only those who have been born of God can see the kingdom of God. Further, born (or begotten) of God is a very easy and natural expression, but this can hardly be said of born (or begotten) from above: ‘coming from above’ is perfectly clear; ‘born from above’ is not so. The chief argument, however, is afforded by the next verse, which clearly shows that Nicodemus understood a second birth to be intended. But the words ‘except any one have been born from above’ would not necessarily imply a second birth. The Jews maintained that they were born of God (see chap. Joh_8:41), and would have had no difficulty whatever in believing that those only who received their being from above could inherit the blessings of Messiah’s kingdom. Our Lord’s words, then, teach the fundamental truth, that not natural birth, descent from the stock of Israel, but a second birth, the being begotten anew, a complete spiritual change (see Joh_3:5), admits into the kingdom of God.
On the general expectation of a king and a kingdom, see chap. Joh_1:49. It is remarkable that the kingdom of God is expressly mentioned by John in this chapter only (compare, however, chap. Joh_18:36).-‘Cannot’ is by no means the same as ‘shall not.’ It expresses an impossibility in the very nature of things. To a state of outward earthly privilege rights of natural birth might give admittance. In declaring that without a complete inward change none can possibly see (have a true perception of) ‘the kingdom of God,’ Jesus declares the spiritual character of His kingdom. In it none but the spiritual can have any part.
source: e-Sword Bible

Commentary on John 3:2
The same came to him by night. Chap. John 19:38-39, seems clearly to show that the motive of Nicodemus in thus coming by night was the same as the cause of Joseph’s secret discipleshipâ€"the ‘fear of the Jews.’ That he himself was one of ‘the Jews’ only makes this explanation more probable. We cannot doubt that he came alone; whether Jesus also was alone, or whether John or other disciples were present at the interview, we cannot tell.
And said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art come from God, a teacher. Every word here is of importance. On Rabbi see the note, chap. John 1:38. We may be sure that a member of the sect that carefully scrutinised the Baptist’s credentials (chap. John 1:19-24) would not lightly address Jesus by this title of honour, or acknowledge him as Teacher. But the words ‘Thou art come from God’ will appear even more significant, if we keep in mind that the most familiar designation of the Messiah was ‘the coming One,’ He that should come. The appearing of the Baptist quickened in the minds of ‘all men’(Luk_3:15) the recollection of God’s great promise; and the signs lately wrought by Jesus in Jerusalem may well have excited in the mind of this Pharisee hopes which find a hesitating expression in his words. No ordinary prophet would have been thus acknowledged as one ‘come from God.’ At the very least, the confession assigns to Jesus a supreme authority as Teacher. The confession of Nicodemus was made in the name of others besides himself. ‘We know;’â€"others amongst the Pharisees, perhaps already others amongst the rulers (chap. Joh_12:42), had reached the same point. No doubt the number was but small, too small to make confession easy, or to banish the very natural fear of the Jews which brought Nicodemus to Jesus by night.


For no one can do these signs that thou doest except God be with him. Nicodemus acknowledges the works to be ‘signs’(not so the Jews, chap. John 2:18), and he shows that in him the signs had precisely answered the designed end. The faith indeed which rested on these alone was imperfect, but it was faith; more could be gained; the faith could be educated, raised higher, and made more complete. How truly this faith has been educated will be shown when (chap. Joh_19:39) it shall come forth in honour of that crucified Redeemer who is here to be proclaimed (Joh_3:14). Such education, however, can be effected only by the word of Jesus, leading to fellowship with Himself. For this word Nicodemus now comes. In reading the following verses we must bear in mind that, as Jesus would train and strengthen the faith of Nicodemus, it is the weak side of this faith that is kept in view; but the Saviour’s acceptance of the faith as real is plainly to be seen in the openness and unreservedness of the teaching He vouchsafes. Many have pointed out the contrast between this discourse and those related in the other Gospels; but had there been no difference between discourses delivered to the half-instructed excitable multitudes of Galilee and those intended for a ‘teacher of Israel,’ the apparent agreement would have been a discord which no argument could explain away (see Introduction).
source: e-Sword Bible

Commentary on John 3:1
And there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. That this verse does not begin a new section is clearly shown by the first word ‘And,’ which links it with the last chapter; another indication of the same kind is seen when the true reading is restored in Joh_3:2 (‘to Him ‘for’ to Jesus’). A closer examination will show that the connection thus suggested is really very close and important. In chap. Joh_2:24-25, a very marked emphasis is laid on ‘man;’ the same word and thought are taken up in this verse. Joh_3:2 of this chapter brings before us a belief agreeing in nature and ground with that spoken of in chap. Joh_2:23-24. The last thought of chap. 2 is powerfully illustrated by the answers which Jesus returns to the thoughts of Nicodemus. Clearly, then, John means us to understand that out of the many who ‘believed in the name’ of Jesus was one deserving of special attention, not merely as representing a higher class and special culture, but chiefly because, brought by the signs to a degree of faith, he was desirous of knowing more; and our Lord’s dealings with Nicodemus show how He sought to lead all who were so prepared to a deeper knowledge and higher faith. The name Nicodemus is found in the Talmud, as a Hebrew surname borne by a Jew, a disciple of Jesus, whose true name was Bonai. There is nothing to show that the persons are identical, and on the whole it is more probable that they are not. It is most natural to regard the name Nicodemus as Greek, not Hebrew; compare ‘Philip’ (chap. Joh_1:43). Nicodemus is described as a Pharisee (see notes on chaps, John 1:24, John 7:32), and as ‘a ruler of the Jews,’â€"i.e., a member of the Sanhedrin (comp. chap. Joh_7:50), the great council of seventy-one which held supreme power over the whole nation. In other passages John uses ‘ruler’ in this sense (see Joh_7:26; Joh_7:48, Joh_12:42); here only does he join with it the words ‘of the Jews.’ The added words (see chap. John 1:19) show that Nicodemus stood connected with that body which was ever present to John’s thought as the assemblage of those who represented the self-seeking and formalism which Jesus came to subvert. The elements of hostility already existed, though the open conflict had not yet begun (see chap. John 2:18). It is not easy always to define the relation between ‘the Pharisees ‘and’ the Jews,’ as the two terms are used by John; for under the latter designation the leaders of the Pharisees would certainly be included. The former perhaps usually brings into prominence teaching and principles; the latter points rather to external action. The Pharisees took alarm at the new doctrine, the Jews resented the new authority. Nicodemus is not free from the externalism and prejudices of his class, but his candour and his faith stand out in wonderful contrast to the general spirit evinced by the Pharisees and the Jews.
source: e-Sword Bible

Commentary on John 3:26
And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou hast borne witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. Their description of Jesus (whom they do not name) shows their feelings. This man came to thee beyond Jordan, it has been thy great object to magnify his fame; and yet he is now thy rival, he baptizes, and all are flocking to him rather than to thee. Their last words are in their lips but a natural exaggeration; to the Evangelist, however, they are an unconscious prophecy (see an exactly similar instance in Joh_12:19-20). This is the last trial of the Baptist’s fidelity to his mission, and nobly is it sustained.
source: e-Sword Bible

Explanation on John 3:25
There arose therefore a questioning on the part of John’s disciples with a Jew about purifying. In the circumstances just described, discussion would inevitably arise as to the relative position and value of the two baptisms. A ‘Jew’ (see note on chap. John 1:19) had placed the baptism of Jesus above that of John in regard to its purifying power. Although the Jews in general were hostile to Jesus, this man may have shared the convictions of Nicodemus (John 3:1-2). The disciples of John refused to regard their master’s baptism as less efficacious than that of another, who had been himself baptized by him. Unable either to set the question at rest, or to ignore the opposition of the Jew, they brought the matter of contention before John. On the symbolic character of John’s baptism, see the note on Joh_3:5; on ‘purification,’ see ii 6, Joh_13:10, Joh_15:3, and 1Jn_1:7; 1Jn_1:9.
source: e-Sword Bible

Comment on John 3:24
For John was not yet east into prison. Words in which the Evangelist vindicates the accuracy of his narrative, and corrects a mistake apparently prevailing in the Church when he wrote. The earlier Gospels, dealing mainly with the Galilean work of Jesus, do not mention His entering upon His public ministry until after the Baptist had been delivered up. This seems to have led to an impression that the Baptist was imprisoned before our Lord entered on His public work. The false inference is here corrected.
source: e-Sword Bible

Explanation on John 3:23
And John also was baptizing in AEnon near to Salim, because there were many waters there: and they came and were baptised. Where Ænon and Salim were situated it is not easy to determine. The position assigned them by Eusebius and Jerome, near the northern boundary of Samaria, does not agree well with Joh_3:22. It is more probable that Salim is the Shilhim (translated Salem in the LXX.) of Jos_15:32, a town not far from the southern limit of Judea. In this verse of Joshua (in the Hebrew) Shilhim is directly followed by Ain, from which AEnon differs only in being an intensive formâ€"Ain denoting a spring, and AEnon, springs. The objection to this identification is that, as John was clearly in the neighbourhood of Jesus, it takes the latter from the route leading to Samaria and Galilee. But the history of the events of the period is so brief and fragmentary that this objection has not much weight. John no doubt alludes to the meaning of AEnon when he adds that there were ‘many waters’ there.
source: E-Sword Bible

Explanation of John 3:22
Alter these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. The introductory words ‘After these things’ may possibly include a considerable period. Apparently several months intervened between the Passover of chap. 3 and the visit to Samaria (chap. 4); but only two events belonging to this period are related. The words of this verse, however (tarried and bap-timed), show that after leaving Jerusalem Jesus remained for some length of time in the country parts of Judea. In no other passage than this is there any mention of the Saviour’s baptizing, and chap. John 4:2 explains that this baptism was only indirectly His. Still, however, it is clear that the baptism was by the authority of Jesus, the disciples acting only as His ministers. Yet they did not baptize with Christian baptism in the full sense of the term. They were engaged in preparatory work like that of the Baptist, just as the Twelve were sent forth by Jesus to declare the very message which John had preached (Matthew 10:7). The baptism of the Spirit was still future (chap. John 7:39). The next verse shows the main design of this section. When Jesus baptized in Judea, He came into direct and necessary comparison with John.
source: E-Sword Bible

Explanation of John 3:21
But he that doeth the truth cometh to the light, that his works may be made manifest, because they have been wrought in God. In contrast with those who commit evil is another classâ€"those who do the truth. The words expressing action in John 3:20-21, are different: that in John 3:20 (‘committeth’) refers directly to the particular acts, that which is used here (which properly denotes to make, to produce) brings into view rather the result. The man here spoken of is (so to speak) at work in raising the abiding structure of ‘the truth.’ So far as the truth has been revealed to him, his life is faithful to it; his works are an expression of the truth that is in his heart. As Jesus says (chap. John 18:37), ‘Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice; ‘so here we read, ’He that doeth the truth cometh to the light.’ There is a natural affinity between truth and light; he who is faithful to truth received is, through the very nature of the truth within him, impelled towards Him who is the Truth. He does not come to the light that his works may be made known to others: there is no self-seeking,â€"perhaps even it is not the conscious purpose of the man himself that is spoken of, but rather the instinctive aim of the truth within him, and thus in reality the purpose of God, that all the works of God be made manifest. The works of this doer of truth have been wrought in God. The discipline by which he is led to the Son is of the Father (see chap. 6 especially). For this cause he comes, and must needs come, at the bidding of the truth, that the works of God in him may be brought out of all concealment and made manifest. His coming to Christ is itself a manifestation of the preceding work of God in him.
source: E-Sword Bible

Lendwell, a CBANC company, today announced it has entered a partnership with E2 Lending to expand the range of products available for its customers.

AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 18, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Lendwell, a CBANC company, today announced it has entered a partnership with E2 Lending to expand the range of products available for its customers. With this partnership, Lendwell expands their resources to serve financial institutions with limited or no mortgage programs. These new offerings align with Lendwell's mission to simplify and provide savings in the mortgage lending process.

"We strive to give financial institutions access to the best-in-service tools in the mortgage lending space," said Gabe Flores, General Manager of Lendwell. "Our mission is to provide resources to elevate an institution's ability to be successful in servicing their customers and our partnership with E2 Lending helps us do that."


E2 Lending provides a suite of mortgage programs to small-medium sized community banks and credit unions that have expressed an interest in expanding their lending abilities, but aren't ready to add the necessary staff or take on the additional risk required. Within the suite is a full-service mortgage fulfillment center, with expertise in FHA loans, VA loans, and more.

"We make it simple to grow your lending operation, increase profitability, and avoid losing your members to the lender next door," said Anthony Senerchia of E2 Lending. "Whether you currently offer 15- & 30-year mortgages, but lack FHA and VA products, or you have no residential mortgage products at all, E2 Lending can fill the gap by underwriting, closing and funding these loans for you. Generating you more revenue and keeping your client happy."

E2's Lending products will expand the mortgage product offerings currently available through Lendwell. It joins settlement services, flood determination, automated valuation models, and more. Access to these products are included at no extra cost to all new and current CBANC Network members.

For more information or to start using Lendwell today, visit http://www.cbancnetwork.com/lendwell

Klover is proud to announce the opening of its first location in San Diego, California, on December 21st, 2019. To celebrate, Klover will be hosting a Grand Opening party from 12 - 8 PM featuring a DJ, live music, food, vendor appearances, and food trucks on site.
Klover makes shopping for cannabis an experience all its own. Walking into Klover, visitors will be greeted by 3-D art installations in a modern, bright, well-lit space. It’s event space also doubles as a rotating art gallery.
Klover aims to make the shopping experience simple, immersive, and enjoyable. They’ve curated more than just their high-quality, hand-picked stockâ€"every aspect of the decor and ambiance has been considered, from the playlist to the artwork.
Klover staff has undergone specialized training to better serve customers, whether they’re cannabis aficionados or first-time users. Klover recognizes the medicinal benefits of cannabis and embraces the responsibility of improving the lives of all guests that seek to purchase only the finest goods.
As the closest dispensary to the San Diego Airport, Klover serves Mission Hills, Downtown, Coronado, Gaslamp, and more. Klover is convenient to Sea World, the Zoo, Old Town, SDCCU Stadium, and many other area attractions. Just 500 feet from a trolley stop, Klover is a simple option for both residents and tourists.
Klover’s San Diego dispensary offers online ordering and has plans to expand to delivery in February 2020. Make sure to check out their calendar for upcoming events and to signup for their email list to be notified of deals.
Klover offers free on-site parking and an ATM. Visitors can also pay via debit or credit card.
Klover: San Diego, CA Dispensary Location DetailsKlover is located at:3500 Estudillo StSan Diego, CA 92110
Phone: (858) 414-1210
Web: https://kloverup.com/[/font]
Hours of operation are Mon-Sun: 7 AM - 9 PM

Commentary on John 3:20
For every one that committeth evil hateth the light, and he cometh not to the light lest his works should be convicted. This verse explains the last, and refers the action there described to a general principle. The universal law is, that he who committeth evil hateth the light. Not ‘he that hath committed,’ for what is spoken of is the bent and the spirit of the man’s life. The word ‘evil’ here is not the same as that rendered ‘wicked’ in John 3:19, but is more, general. The one word means evil in active manifestation; the other what is worthless, good for nothing. No doubt the second word is used in this verse partly for the sake of vivid contrast with the real and abiding ‘truth’ of John 3:21, partly because what is worthless and unsubstantial will not stand the test of coming to that very light which shows in all its reality whatever is substantial and true. Every one whose life is thus evil knows that in the presence of the light he must stand self-condemned. The experience is painful, and he endeavours to avoid it by turning from the light, till, as conscience still asserts its power, he seeks defence against himself by hating the light (compare 1Kings 22:. We must not forget the application that is in John’s mind. The light that is come is Jesus Himself. He is come; but men also must come to Him. If they came not, the cause was a moral one. Before He came, some light had been in the world (John 1:5); those who, living a life of evil (whether open wickedness or a worthless self-righteousness), hated this light, were thus prepared to reject the Light Himself.â€"The last word of the verse is remarkable, as it is more naturally applied to the doer than to his deed. Not only will the works be shown by the lightâ€"be exposed in their true character: the works are looked on as of themselves the criminalsâ€"they will be self-convicted, self-condemned. The thought of self-conviction has in this Gospel an importance that can hardly be over-estimated.
source: E-Sword Bible

Commentary on John 3:19
And this is the judgment,â€"the judgment is of this kind, takes place thus,â€"because the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light, for their works were wicked. These words bring out clearly that the ‘not believing’ spoken of in the last verse signifies an active rejection, and not the mere absence of beliefâ€"a rejection of the true light which in the person of Jesus came into the world, and henceforth ever is in the world. Men loved the darkness, for their worksâ€"not single deeds, but the whole expression and manifestation of their life-were wicked. The word used (‘wicked’) is that which elsewhere expresses the character of the arch-enemy as ‘the wicked one’ (John 17:15; 1 John 3:12). It denotes active evil, positive and pronounced wickedness.source: E-Sword Bible

Commentary on John 3:18
He that believeth in him is not judged: he that believeth not hath been judged already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. The two preceding verses express the Divine purpose in itself, and that purpose passing into accomplishment; this verse speaks of the actual result. Two of the terms of these verses, the believing in Jesus of John 3:16 and the judging of John 3:17, are here brought together. He that abides in faith in Christ abides in a state to which judging belongs not; whilst the faith remains, the idea of judgment is excluded, for the believer is one with the Lord in whom he has placed his trust. Not so with the unbeliever; on him the sentence of judgment is already pronounced. As long as the unbelief is persisted in, so long does the sentence which the rejection of Jesus brings with it remain in force against him. The great idea of the Gospel, the division of all men into two classes severed from each other, is very clearly presented here; but no unchangeable division is thought of. The separation is the result of deliberate choice; and whilst the choice is adhered to, the severance abides. As the faith of the believer is faith ‘in Him,’ faith that brings personal union, the unbelief is the rejection of His Person revealed in all its dignity, the only begotten Son of God.source: E-Sword Bible

Ephesians 2 1 Ug gihatagan kamo ug kinabuhi sa mga patay kamo tungod sa mga paglapas ug mga sala; 2 Nga kanhi mao ang inyong panag-gawi uyon sa kahimtang niining kalibutan, uyon sa principe sa kagamhanan sa hangin, sa espiritu nga karon nagabuhat diha sa mga anak sa pagkadili-masinulondon; 3 Nga sa taliwala nila nanagkinabuhi usab kita kaniadto diha sa mga kailibgon sa atong unod, nga nanagbuhat sa kabubut-on sa unod ug sa mga hunahuna; ug sa kinaiya sa mga anak sa kaligutgut, bisan ingon usab sa uban. 4 Apan ang Dios nga dato sa kalooy, tungod sa iyang dakung gugma nga iyang gihigugma kanato, 5 Bisan sa mga patay kita tungod sa atong mga paglapas, gihatagan kita niya ug kinabuhi uban kang Cristo; pinaagi sa gracia naluwas kamo; 6 Ug gibanhaw kita uban kaniya, ug gipalingkod kita uban kaniya sa mga langitnon nga dapit, diha kang Cristo Jesus: 7 Aron siya sa mga katuigan nga palaabuton, makapahayag sa labaw gayud nga kadato sa iyang gracia sa kaayo nga alang kanato diha kang Cristo Jesus: 8 Kay tungod sa gracia naluwas kamo pinaagi sa pagtoo, ug kana dili gikan sa inyong kaugalingon; kini hatag sa Dios: 9 Dili tungod sa mga buhat, aron walay bisan kinsa nga mangandak. 10 Kay mga binuhat kita niya, nga gibuhat kita diha kang Cristo Jesus alang sa mga buhat nga maayo, nga gitagana sa Dios, aron managgawi kita diha kanila. 11 Tungod niini, hinumdumi ninyo, nga kaniadto kamo, nga mga Gentil sa unod, ug ginganlan kamo nga mga walay-circuncicion niadtong ginganlan nga circuncicion diha sa unod nga gibuhat sa mga kamot: 12 Nga niadtong panahona kamo nanghimulag gikan kang Cristo, nahilayo kamo sa katilingban sa Israel, ug mga dumuloong sa mga tugon sa saad, nga kamo mga walay paglaum ug mga walay Dios dinhi sa kalibutan. 13 Apan karon, kang Cristo Jesus kamo nga kaniadto nanghilayo, gipahiduol kamo tungod sa dugo ni Cristo; 14 Kay siya mao ang atong pakigdait, nga naghimo ug usa sa duruha, nga maoy nagguba sa bungbung nga nakapabulag, 15 Sa gipaila niya pinaagi sa iyang unod ang panagkaaway, bisan ang Balaod sa mga Kasugoan nga nagsakup sa mga tulomanon; aron gikan sa duruha mahimo niya diha sa iyang kaugalingon ang usa ka bag-ong tawo, sa ingon niini nagabuhat siya sa pakigdait; 16 Ug aron makapasig-uli ngadto sa Dios kanila nga duruha diha sa usa ka lawas pinaagi sa cruz, sa napatay niya ang panagkaaway pinaagi niini. 17 Ug sa nakaanhi siya, nagwali siya sa pakigdait kaninyo nga atua sa halayo, ug pakigdait kanila nga ania sa haduol: 18 Kay pinaagi kaniya ang usa ug usa kanato may pultahan diha sa usa ka Espiritu ngadto sa Amahan. 19 Busa dili na kamo mga dumuloong ug mga umalagi, kondili mga tagilungsod kamo uban sa mga balaan ug sa panimalay sa Dios, 20 Sa mga tinukod kamo sa ibabaw sa patukoranan sa mga apostoles ug sa mga manalagna, nga si Jesucristo gayud mao ang pangulo nga bato sa pamag-ang, 21 Nga kaniya ang tagsatagsa nga tinukod, gipahaum aron mabalay nga magatubo sa pagkausa ka templo nga balaan diha sa Ginoo; 22 Nga kaniya, kamo usab ginatukod sa tingub sa pagkausa ka puloy-anan sa Dios nga anaa sa Espiritu.[/font]

Ephesians 1
Ephesians 1 1 Si Pablo, apostol ni Cristo Jesus pinaagi sa kabubut-on sa Dios, alang sa mga balaan nga anaa sa Efeso ug sa mga matinumanon diha kang Cristo Jesus. 2 Ang gracia kaninyo ug ang pakigdait nga gikan sa Dios nga atong Amahan, ug sa Ginoong Jesucristo. 3 Dalayegon ang Dios ug ang Amahan sa atong Ginoong Jesucristo, nga nagpanalangin kanato sa tanang panalangin nga espirituhanon sa mga langitnong dapit diha kang Cristo: 4 Ingon nga siya nagpili kanato diha kaniya, sa wala pa ang pagtukod sa kalibutan, aron kita mahimong balaan, ug walay ikasaway sa iyang atubangan diha sa gugma: 5 Sa iyang gipili kita nga daan aron mahimong inangkon nga mga anak pinaagi kang Jesucristo ngadto sa iyang kaugalingon, sumala sa kahimut-an sa iyang kabubut-on, 6 Alang sa pagdayeg sa himaya sa iyang gracia nga sa-walay-bayad gihatag niya kanato diha sa Hinigugma: 7 Nga kaniya anaa ang atong katub-sanan pinaagi sa iyang dugo, ang pasaylo sa atong mga paglapas, sumala sa pagkadato sa iyang gracia, 8 Nga iyang gipadagaya alang kanato sa bug-os nga kinaadman ug salabutan, 9 Nga iyang gipaila kanato ang tinago sa iyang kabubut-on, sumala sa iyang kahamut-an, nga iyang gituyo diha kaniya, 10 Alang sa usa ka hugna sa kahup-nganan sa mga panahon sa pagtigum sa tanan nga mga butang diha kang Cristo, niadtong mga butang sa mga langit ug ang mga butang sa yuta; diha kaniya, nagaingon ako, 11 Nga diha usab nahimo kita nga usa ka kabilin, sa gipili kitang daan sumala sa tuyo ni Cristo nga nagabuhat sa tanan nga mga butang, sumala sa pagbulot-an sa iyang kabubut-on; 12 Aron kita mahimo nga alang sa pagdayeg sa iyang himaya, nga kaniadto milaum kita kang Cristo: 13 Nga kaniya usab, sa pagkadungog ninyo sa pulong sa kamatuoran, sa Maayong Balita sa inyong kaluwasan, nga kaniya usab, sa mingtoo kamo, gipatikan kamo sa Espiritu Santo sa saad: 14 Nga mao ang pagsalig sa atong kabilin alang sa katubsanan sa iyang kaugalingon nga naangkon, ngadto sa pagdayeg sa iyang himaya. 15 Tungod niini, ako usab, sa pagkadungog sa inyong pagtoo sa Ginoong Jesus, nga anaa kaninyo ug sa gugma nga inyong gipakita sa tanan nga mga balaan, 16 Wala ako mag-undang sa pagpasalamat tungod kaninyo, nga gilakip ko kamo sa akong mga pag-ampo; 17 Aron ang Dios sa atong Ginoong Jesucristo, ang Amahan sa himaya, magahatag kaninyo sa Espiritu sa kaalam ug sa bugna sa pag-ila kaniya; 18 Sa maiwagan ang mga mata sa inyong kasingkasing, aron inyong hibaloan kong unsa ang inyong paglaum sa iyang pagtawag, ug kong unsa ang mga pagkadato sa himaya sa iyang kabilin diha sa mga balaan. 19 Ug kong unsa kadtong labaw gayud nga pagkadaku sa iyang gahum, alang kanato nga mingtoo, sumala sa buhat sa kusog sa iyang gahum, 20 Nga iyang gibuhat diha kang Cristo, sa pagbanhaw kaniya gikan sa mga minatay, ug nagpalingkod kaniya sa iyang toong kamot didto sa mga dapit nga langitnon, 21 Sa ibabaw sa tanang pamunoan, ug pagbulot-an, ug gahum, ug kaginohoan ug sa tanan nga ngalan nga ginanganlan, dili lamang niining panahona sa kalibutan karon, kondili usab niadtong umalabut: 22 Ug gipasakup niya ang tanan nga mga butang sa ilalum sa iyang mga tiil, ug gihatag siya aron mahimong ulo ibabaw sa tanang mga butang sa iglesia, 23 Nga mao ang lawas niya, ang kahupnganan niya, nga nagapuno sa tanan diha sa tanan[/font]

BACOLOD CITY -- The Provincial Government of Negros Occidental and the Kyushu Japanese Language School have partnered to provide a two-year scholarship for three Negrenses who will be studying in Japan.

The province announced Monday the signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) between Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. and Kyushu school president Manabu Taniguchi in rites held at the Provincial Capitol.

It was witnessed by Negros Occidental Scholarship Program Division head Karen Dinsay, Negros Occidental Language and IT Center administrator Cristina Orbecido, executive assistant Yoji Watanabe, and Shun Senokuchi of the Kyushu Japanese Language School.

The scholars are Kris Jane Bandejas, Arnelie Mayo, and Ria Arlos.

During their language study in Japan, they will be allowed to work 28 hours each week to support their living expenses.

The MOA also stated stated that the scholars are assured of their safety and security during their stay in Japan and will be assisted for admission to a university or employment in a company after their two-year study.

Marañon said that in Japan, there is a huge demand for Filipino human resources especially in the medical and hotel and restaurant management fields because of its ageing population.

Through the scholarship program, more Negrense students will be given opportunities to study in Japan every year, he added.

Last month, 24 Negrenses also completed the Basic Japanese Language and Culture Course in preparation for potential employment in Japan.

It is a separate Capitol scholarship program which aims to produce qualified professional and skilled Negrenses to study and work in Japan implemented with the Organization for Industrial, Spiritual, and Cultural Advancement (OISCA).

The 24 graduates, coming from various cities and municipalities in the province, trained under Japanese instructors Yoshiako Kato and Osamu Aisaka for three months.

Previous graduates are now in Japan on scholarship grants to continue their Japanese Language Training. They were allowed to do part-time work and receive allowances.(PNA)
Date posted: November 2017

November 2017
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines â€"  A church-based peace advocacy group has expressed opposition to the localized peace talk initiative now being pushed by the government.

While they support the continuation of peace talks between the goverment and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform (PEPP) said the talks must be negotiated on a national scale. PEPP is a group composed of cause-oriented and religious groups supporting peace efforts in the country.

“We understand that Davao City is home to the President. But in the peace talks, the NDF is into negotiation with the national government which represents a policy of inequality and oppression that bred armed revolutionary response from the people,” said Bishop Felixberto Calang of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente who is a PEPP co-convenor.

Calang was referring to the localized peace talk initiative championed by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, which President Rodrigo has openly supported.

Earlier, President Duterte ordered the government’s peace panelists to discontinue negotiating with their NDF counterparts stalling the talks just as it reached the fourth round.

Resumption of the peace negotiations with the NDF was one of Duterte’s agenda, but was put on hold following the series of attacks carried out by the New People’s Army (NPA) against government forces.

The CPP has also rejected the creation of the Davao City Peace Committee (DC Peace), the body tasked by Duterte-Carpio to initiate the localized peace talks with the communist group in the Davao area.

“Duterte-Carpio’s local peace talks will surely fail in its aim of dividing the revolutionary forces waging a nationwide people’s war. The Duterte regime is wasting time and the people’s money in setting up these useless local peace committees which will go nowhere and achieve nothing,” the CPP said in a statement.

For his part, Calang said he is confident the peace negotiations between the government and the NDF will continue through political will.

Even with the breakdown of the talks, Calang said the Initiatives for Peace, together with the PEPP, continues calling for the two parties to go back to the negotiating table and talk about the roots of the armed conflict and come up with measures to resolve this conflict. â€"Jigger J. Jerusalem/PNA

ZAMBOANGA CITY â€" Nine more stragglers, including the cousin of the Maute group leaders, were killed in a firefight as troops are conducting relentless clearing operation in Marawi City, a military official said Monday.

Col. Romeo Brawner, Joint Task Force Ranao deputy commander, said the nine were killed in fierce firefight that erupted Sunday dawn and lasted until the afternoon in the main battle area of Marawi.

Brawner said that one of the nine slain stragglers was identified as Ibrahim Maute alias Abu Jamil, the cousin of the Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (ISIS)-inspired Maute group leaders Omar and Abdulah.

“These nine stragglers are believed to be part of the remaining Maute-ISIS terrorists who attacked Marawi City on May 23, 2017,” he said.

He said the troops are still on the lookout for more possible Maute group stragglers in the main battle area of Marawi City.

“Thus, the military is warning the public that the main battle area is still off limits because of the danger posed by terrorist-stragglers,” Brawner said.

The death of the nine stragglers on Sunday came four days after the troops captured Indonesian extremist Muhammad Ilham Syahputra and killed two Maute stragglers in a firefight.

The troops captured Syahputra, 22, in the morning of November 1 in Barangay Loksadatu, Marawi City.

The two Maute stragglers, including Abu Talja the closed aide of slain Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon, were killed in the afternoon of November 1. (PNA)

By Marna Dagumboy Del Rosario December 29, 2017, 3:29 pm

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga -- The number of workers inside this Freeport has reached an all-time high total of 107,694 this year, according to the Clark Development Corporation (CDC).

A report submitted to CDC president and CEO Noel F. Manankil, showed that actual employment in Clark as of November this year was derived from 943 registered enterprises, including some government agencies.

The figure also represents a 12-percent increase as compared to the 93,467 total workers in the same period in 2016.

This is the highest number of workers inside the economic zone since the conversion of Clark Freeport from military facility into a productive commercial complex that started in 1993.

At the peak of stay of American troops in Clark, there were only about 20,000 workers inside the former US military facility, Manankil said.

The increase in manpower is being attributed to the sound investment climate and economic policies of the Duterte administration.

Among the biggest contributor of jobs here are Japanese-owned Nanox Philippines with 7,926 workers; Sutherland Global Services Philippines, Inc. with 6,071; iQor Philippines, Inc. with 5,857; L&T International Group, Phils. Inc. with 5,200; and Yokohama Tire Phils. Inc with 2,858.

The Japanese semiconductor firm Nanox attributed its increase in employment to the signed agreement with CDC and Clark International Airport Corporation for its PHP731-million expansion project here two years ago.

Industrial firms employ the biggest number of workers with 49,055 or 46 percent of the total number of workers while the ICT/business process outsourcing (BOO) firms are the second largest employment contributor with 22,883 or 21 percent.

The employment generation is also expected to increase significantly once the components of the New Clark City project of the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) get implemented in the coming years.

New Clark City is the country’s newest development project that will feature mixed-use real estate developments for housing, a business continuity center that would also house national government agencies, an agro-industrial park that will provide a platform for research and development, and the Philippine Sports City inside 9,450-hectare at Clark Special Economic Zone.

Under the "Build, Build, Build" mantra of President Rodrigo Duterte, the BCDA  started the construction of PHP9.3-billion passenger terminal project at the Clark International Airport last December 20.

The project is being implemented in partnership with Department of Transportation, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Finance and Department of Budget and Management. (PNA)

By Zen Trinidad

LOS BAÃ'OS, Laguna - The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) CALABARZON has driven developments for the so-called science and technology (S&T) regional ecosystem in the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon through various programs, projects and services.

Dr. Alexander Madrigal, DOST CALABARZON Regional Director, said that S&T developments are taking place in various sectors such as disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM), education, health, enterprise, livelihood, tourism and industries.

“Through our vicious cycle of innovation we have sustained to serve as living engines of science and technology who function to adapt to this speedy-transforming society in the region,” Madrigal said during the DOST Calabarzon’s 54th founding anniversary celebration of the regional office on Dec. 11.

He outlined smart systems they have developed in making CALABARZON disaster ready region such as a system that standardizes data gathering, monitoring and sharing practices from all DOST Regional offices known as Data Analytics-Ready Info Unified System (DARIUS).

The Center for Hazard and Environment Resource Mapping (CHERM) has been established which provides mapping services and a composite picture of communities for surveillance, monitoring, resources assessment, and emergency response to local government units (LGUs), State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), line agencies and other groups.

Madrigal also reported that other related projects included the adaptation of the Tsunami Early Warning Systems (TEWS) in partnership with Batangas State University and in collaboration with Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHILVOCS) and Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI), which monitors potential tsunami occurrences.

Also, the regional S&T agency has developed the Infrastructure Audit Manual which capacitates local government units to assess buildings, bridges and public structures’ resilience and integrity against earthquake and natural calamities.

To strengthen international and local linkages, the agency has established functional Regional and Provincial Food Safety teams and the institutionalization of international linkages with Temasek Foundation International (TFI) and Nanyang Polytechnic International (NYPi) in Singapore.

Local linkages with Nestle Philippines established in 2016 resulted in the partnerships with several DOST Regional Standards and Testing Laboratories (RSTLs) microbiological testing, now on its finalization stage.

The inauguration of the Halal Verification Laboratory (HVL) that uses the most advance technology in detection of haram (forbidden by Islamic law) and mushbooh (doubtful or suspect foods in Islam) food products, highlighted the 54th anniversary celebration.

The Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) has financed the project in a bid to strengthen and promote the Halal industry in the country as well as the international market estimated at USD 2.3 trillion.

The DOST’s Enhanced Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (ECEST) Program also resulted in the development of the Value Chain Approach on Island Economy, as approved by Regional Development Council (RDC) through Resolution No. IV-A 112-2017).

This strategy aims to develop island economy to uplift communities among municipalities with the highest poverty incidence in 23 Local Government Units (LGUs) classified as geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA) , especially in Quezon province.

“The DOST footprints have made its way into the far-flung islands and poor municipalities of Quezon,” Madrigal said.

In addition, the town of Alabat in Quezon has been established as “Makapuno Island” and with the application and grant of the Makapuno Trademark, opened trade opportunities for “makapuno” products to the international market and trading expositions.

These products were showcased during the 20-day Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Outbound Trade and Business Mission in Canada and United States in November and December this year in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) CALABARZON and MSMEs in the region.

Likewise, the CALABARZON Food Solutions Hub (CFosH) has been enhanced through the acquisition of freeze drying technology and equipment from Thailand and now serves local entrepreneurs in strengthening their production capability and pave ways to commercialization of newly developed products by the food MSMEs.

The food hub project was developed through the DOST CALABARZON’s partnership with DTI CALABARZON, Association of Laguna Food Processors (ALAFOP) and Laguna State Polytechnic University-Sta. Cruz.

On health and education sectors, Madrigal said that the agency has deployed and supervised RxBox Telehealth devices to health care-services-deprived communities since 2016.

DOST also initiated a PHP 12 million project that transformed traditional classrooms with innovative learning modules and advanced technologies equipped with laptops and computers, tablets, and smart TVs for student learning outcomes known as 21st Century Skills Upgrading and Enhancement Learning Abode (21stSkUELA).

The agency has awarded the Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosk Stations (STARBOOKS), which are one-stop repositories for science and technology and livelihood information, to 27 institutional beneficiaries.

Madrigal, who heads the Los Baños Science Community Foundation Inc. (LBSCFI, also forged a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Department of Education (DepEd) regional agencies for the promotion of tourism industry of this town through science and technology under the brand “Science Tourism”.

For its continuous commitment to public service, DOST CALABARZON was awarded Very Innovative Person Award from the Career Executive Service Board (CESB); Gawad Kalasag Award from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) through the Office of Civil Defense (OCD IV-A); and PAGASA Award.

In its “payback” to various stakeholders, the DOST CALABARZON also acknowledged the contributions of the various regional sectors, media and project beneficiaries through the Tambuli Media Awards, Best Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) Adoptors and SETUP Graduates; and Science Documentary Contests for students.

Madrigal upheld the commitment of the agency towards bringing science and technology and innovations closer to the people citing “behind all these, the root is science practiced by human nation through pro-people programs, projects and services.” (PNA)

By Lilian Mellejor December 29, 2017, 8:03 pm

DAVAO CITY â€" Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio backed off from direct involvement in the ongoing investigation of the fire that razed down the homegrown New City Commercial Center (NCCC) after some people questioned her integrity and impartiality.

“I don’t want to talk about the investigation,” the city mayor told reporters in a press briefing Friday at City Hall. The mayor is also going on leave from December 30 to January 1 to attend to her children.

But the mayor assured of the city’s cooperation. The city’s Central 911 and the City Engineer’s Office (CEO) will be on hand to give information on the city’s response operation and building plans of the NCCC should the national government’s investigation team need them.

This as Duterte-Carpio backed off from her earlier offer to include the city government representation in the special multi-agency task force investigating the mall fire incident.

She said some people have questioned her integrity and impartiality on the NCCC Mall investigation given her commitment as an endorser of Choice Mart, another brand of the NCCC supermarket. There was a suggestion for her to inhibit from the investigation.

“For the record, I am not part of the investigation team. I have never presented myself to investigate the mall fire and under normal circumstances, a City Mayor does not sign fire investigation reports of the BFP,” Duterte-Carpio earlier said in a press statement.

“Nobody can question how I did my work as Mayor in helping the family of the victims, the BFP (Bureau of Fire Protection, the NCCC, and SSI (Survey Sampling International) officials,” the mayor quipped.

Duterte-Carpio pointed out that the staff and the City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO) handled everything during the evening of December 23 to the present prevented chaos and hysteria among the victims and Dabawenyos in general.

During the press briefing Friday, Duterte-Carpio already asked media to direct all their questions on the investigation to the team looking into the incident.

The special multi-agency task force composed of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) as the lead agency, the BFP national office, Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO), the Philippine National Police (PNP) has already started its investigation into the incident and already visited the site on Thursday.

DILG Assistant Secretary for Public Safety Nestor Quinsay said BFP team continues to look for pieces of evidence to determine the cause of the fire.

He said each member-agencies are closely coordinating in gathering witnesses who were actually inside the mall when the fire incident happened on December 23.

Quinsay is looking at two to three weeks to complete its investigation.

Part of the investigation is the alarm system of NCCC mall.

BFP Davao Fire Marshall Supt. Fritz Alagano said the cause of the fire will be one of the issues that will be investigated by the Task Force created to investigate the fire incident.

The other issues are the failure of the water sprinklers and the alarm.Alagano said SSI has its own emergency alarm.

BFP Davao has already submitted all reports to its national office prior to the arrival of the investing team in Davao.

A third-party investigator is still expected as offered by Duterte-Carpio. This will be recommended by the families of the victims but professional fees will be covered by the city government. (Lilian C. Mellejor/PNA)

By Liza Agoot December 29, 2017, 9:01 pm

BAGUIO CITY â€" The city, being one of the top favorite destinations in the country not only during peak tourism season but even as a weekend destination, requires that the local government exert more effort to address the traffic situation.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan, in a recorded interview aired over a community television channel, on Thursday said the city government is awaiting the city council’s approval for its increased budget from PHP1.779 billion to PHP2.06 billion for 2018, which will be highly utilized to put in place infrastructures that will address the worsening traffic situation.

He said that the eight-storey multi-level parking building at the city-owned lot beside Justice Hall has been allocated with a PHP210-million budget and was identified as a priority project for 2018, to help reduce overcrowding of motor vehicles.

Earlier, Councilor Mylene Yaranon, chairman of the committee on infrastructure at the city council, proposed an ordinance mandating the construction of the multi-level parking building in the vacant lot near the fire department.

Domogan explained that one of the identified solutions to address the insufficient parking areas within the central business district area is the construction of multi-level parking structures in suitable areas around the city.

The mayor added that improvement of barangay roads to be used as alternative routes in order to address congestion on main roads is also among the priority infrastructure projects for the coming year.

He mentioned of the Balsigan barangay road that connects Marcos Highway to the Camp 8 portion of Kennon Road as among those on top of the list.

He said that with barangay roads being utilized, the commuters need not proceed to the central business district when going to other villages, which will help declog the traffic at the central business area.

However, with some of the barangay roads still to be improved, their utilization is lean, as some of the vehicle owners have difficulty traversing the highly inclined roads aside from their bad condition.

He pointed out that the traffic issue has become a problem in the city, especially during the weekends and peak tourism season when vehicles double in number.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Director Marie Venus Tan, in an earlier interview, said that in helping the city solve its traffic woes, they are also urging tourists to just walk around when in Baguio.

She said they are urging vehicle owners to leave their cars in the hotels and enjoy the cool weather while walking in going to the parks and other tourism destinations.

Tan added that walking is a healthy habit which is very appropriate in the city considering the short distance to and from the different destinations to the central business district and the city market where tourists can buy souvenir items.

At present, all efforts are being exhausted to ease the traffic in the city that reaches its peak during national holidays.

Baguio City Police Office Director Senior Superintendent Ramil Saculles said that through the mayor’s office, they asked for the use of the public school grounds as parking, to prevent vehicle owners from using the roads as their parking spaces.

The city government also sought the Government Service Insurance System’s permission to use its vacant lot located at DPS Compound in Marcoville Barangay as a temporary parking space from December 20, 2017 to January 6, 2018, to accommodate the enormous increase in the number of vehicles.  (PNA)

By Liza Agoot December 29, 2017, 9:03 pm

BAGUIO CITYâ€" The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) here is batting for a total ban on the use of firecrackers and pyrotechnics as a deterrent to fire incidents and injuries.

Senior Fire Officer 2 Camilo Balancia Jr., BFP-Baguio information officer, on Thursday said that while the law only provides for a regulation of the manufacture and use of firecrackers and pyrotechnics, they are hoping that it would totally be banned.

He said that they are glad nobody used firecrackers or pyrotechnics before and during the Christmas Day celebration. “We are happy we did not hear any sound of firecrackers or pyroctehcnics unlike in the previous years when weeks or even months before Christmas, there were already some people lighting them.”

Balancia said they attribute this to the strong campaign of the local government of Baguio and supported by different agencies involved that advocate the non-use of pyrotechnics and firecrackers.

City Mayor Mauricio Domogan, for four years now, has resolved not to sign any permit for the sale of firecrackers and urged the residents not to light any due to the many negative effects it causes.

Balancia said that there were incidents in the past where the use of firecrackers and pyrotechnics did not just cause injuries to people especially children, but led to fire incidents.

He said the BFP is supportive of the total ban citing three reasons â€" to prevent any incidents of fire, the smoke emitted is bad for the health and causes pollution and it generates so much waste, affecting in the environment.

During the launching presscon of the “Iwas paputok” campaign early this month, the Health Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) of the Department of Health reported that there were 22 victims of firecracker incidents in the Cordillera in 2016, most of them  children. (PNA)

December 29, 2017
LUBAO, Pampanga â€" The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the local government unit here on Friday opened the Negosyo Center at the municipal hall compound in Barangay San Nicolas 1st in this town to assist micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Trade and Industry officials led by DTI Region 3 Director Judith Angeles, Pampanga Director Elenita Ordoño, and Pampanga Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council chairperson Teresa Carlos and Vice Mayor Robertito Diaz, led the ceremonial cutting ceremony for the Negosyo Center office.

This is the 11th Negosyo Center opened in Pampanga which aims to promote “ease of doing business and facilitating access to services for MSMEs within its jurisdiction.” 

Its services include business registration assistance; business advisory services; business information and advocacy; and monitoring and recommending business-process improvement for MSMEs, among others.

The LGU provided the space where the Negosyo Center will be housed free of charge.

Mayor Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab, in a statement, said the opening of the Negosyo Center was timely as the LGU was expecting business owners to renew or apply for new business permits at the start of the fiscal year 2018.

DTI business name registration is a prerequisite in opening a new business venture.

Cayabyab also said that the opening of the Negosyo Center in this town will provide more convenience to businessmen who usually make a 30-minute travel to the capital City of San Fernando for their business name registration.

“We thank the DTI and the MSMED Council for establishing this Negosyo Center in our town. This is a testament of the government’s effort in empowering small-scale businesses who provide employment  to many of our cabalen as well as contribute to government coffers by means of their taxes,” she added. (PNA)

December 30, 2017 Posted on PNA
CAMP PANTALEON GARCIA, Imus City â€" A case of double-murder was filed against the suspect in the killing of a seaman’s wife Ruby Benalla Gamos and daughter Shaina Nicole, who were found in advanced stage of decomposition in their residence in Lancaster Subdivision, Barangay Navarro in General Trias City, Cavite on Dec.11.

As of press time, the Cavite provincial police office took custody of the suspect , who confessed to the killing of the victims and fled to Samar province where he was arrested by joint police operatives.

Suspect Ruel Cabatingan, 36 was flown in from Samar and directly turned over to the Cavite provincial police headquarters in this city and was presented during a media conference by Police Regional Office (PRO4A-CALABARZON) Director Chief Supt. Ma. O R. Aplasca.

Ruby’s husband Marlon Gamos has already filed a case of murder against the suspect before the Imus Prosecutors Office which was docketed under IS No. Iv-03-inv-12L-4481.

Investigation by the joint elements of the Cavite Provincial Intelligence Branch, General Trias Police Station and Cavite Criminal Investigation Group (CIDG led to the immediate identification of the suspect, an alleged lover of Ruby Gamos.

According to Cavite Provincial Legal Chief lawyer Arvie Bueno, the suspect has no lawyer yet, but said they are in contact with the Provincial Attorney’s Office (PAO) for legal assistance.

“If the suspect has no lawyer, he might be released temporarily. But he is under custody and jurisdiction of the authorities now, because he voluntarily surrendered and there was no hot pursuit involved,” Bueno added.

Initial evidence gathered that the victim Ruby Gamos was raped before she was killed by the suspect based on the sperm and urine of the suspect that was recovered at the scene, while the Gamos daughter was suffocated using a pillow.

Ruby’s husband said he has forgiven his wife for what might have transpired between her and the alleged extra-marital affairs she has committed.  But, Marlon expects justice to be served for his wife and daughter and that the full force of the law should be applied to suspect Cabatingan.

It was also gathered that the suspect and Ruby were schoolmates in high school.

Police investigation also revealed that the suspect left the crime scene carting away the victim’s personal belongings including a television and a red Toyota Wigo as the getaway car, which was later recovered by the Cavite cops abandoned in front of the Rita Samson Memorial Cemetery in Barangay Alapan 2A in this city.

Cavite Police Provincial Director Supt. William Segun, who formed and activated a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) has tracked down the suspect with joint police operatives in Samar during the manhunt operations.

Segun also assured the families of the victims that the Cavite police force will exert all possible efforts for immediate solution of the case.

Further police probe also disclosed that the suspect and Ruby were renting a house in Barangay Alapan in Imus City where they had a living-in arrangement together with Gamos daughter Shaina Nicole from January to June 2017.

Recently, the suspect was also seen by the victim’s neighbors staying in their house in Lancaster Subdivision, Cavite, where the SOCO Team also recovered pieces of evidence from the crime scene which are now undergoing laboratory examination. (Rogelio Limpin/PNA)

By Vicky Arnaiz December 22, 2017, 4:25 pm

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BORONGAN, Eastern Samar -- Four existing timber bridges in the towns of Maslog and Dolores, Eastern Samar will soon be replaced with permanent bridges, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

DPWH Eastern Samar district engineering office chief Manolo Rojas said on Thursday, they would soon construct four concrete projects along Hinolaso, Dolores-Maslog Road.

The bridges to be constructed include the PHP43.69-million Hinolaso Bridge III, PHP20-million Hinolaso Bridge, PHP17.77-million Hinolaso Bridge I, and PHP14.63-million Villahermosa Bridge.

The improvements of these four bridges connecting Hinolaso village, Dolores town to the interior town of Maslog, will result to higher farm productivity, transportation efficiency for agriculture products and consumers’ access to affordable, healthy and safe goods, said Rojas.

It has been observed that heavy vehicles don’t reach Maslog town due to absence of concrete bridges.

Maslog is a fifth-class town with 5,407 population. It can be reached by a four-hour motorboat ride.

Maslog is also a recipient of the government’s Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan project. The projects include the rehabilitation of a major road connecting Maslog to the national road and neighboring towns and provision of livelihood support to farmers. (PNA)

By Perla Lena December 29, 2017, 7:08 pm

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ILOILO CITY -- From driver to regional director in one day.

This happened to Reynaldo Tejero who served as regional director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for a day on Thursday, a break from his official designation as the agency's driver for 17 years.

Tejero’s designation as regional director was part of the “Bida Boss” program that is unique only in DTI-Western Visayas, said regional director Rebecca Rascon. It is part of the non-monetary benefit extended by the regional office to performing employees.

The “boss of the day” will hold office in the Office of the Regional Director, take immediate action on all official communications and perform necessary functions except the authority to sign.

It is an on-the-spot recognition to 25 percent employees in the region based on their Final Individual Performance Rating (FIPR), 360 degrees rating where they will be rated by their peers and the supervisor’s rating.

“This is our way of recognizing people that hinges on the culture of DTI, which is coaching and mentoring,” said Rascon, who was behind the initiative.

We coach people, we mentor them to be ready to move up the organization ladder, she added.

Tejero’s first order of the day was to send a memorandum to all drivers in the five provincial offices of DTI to submit a report on the amount spent for the fuel and maintenance of their vehicles in 2017.

Each province has one vehicle while the regional office has three, he said during an interview Thursday afternoon.

He hoped that at the end of the day, his officemates will remember him as being efficient in exercising his task as regional director.

Tejero belongs to the Mythical 5 of the DTI Sprint Award, which recognizes top performing employees of the department at the national level.

Tejero is the only non-technical person of the four employees of the DTI 6 who were included in the national mythical 5 percent. The three others include two senior trade and industry development specialist from Aklan and Capiz and the human resource management officer of the regional office. (PNA)

THE Negros Press Club (NPC) joined colleagues in mourning the death of veteran journalist Rolando “Rolly” Espina, who once served as the president of the country’s oldest press club.

“The NPC mourns the passing of one of its past presidents, Rolly Espina. We express our deepest sympathies and condolences to his family and relatives,” said current club president Renato Duran in a statement on Friday.

Espina passed away on December 28 at the age of 84 at his home in Bacolod City.

Duran said “the club recognizes the significant contributions of Espina to the media industry. He is one of the most respected journalists in the province.”

“The NPC will always remember and forever be thankful for the service he rendered to the club and its members,” he added.

According to a statement from his family, Espina died peacefully surrounded by his children and grandchildren.

Born on August 23, 1933 in Escalante City, Negros Occidental, Espina was a journalist for more than 50 years, from the pre-Martial Law Manila Chronicle, to bureau chief of the Philippine News Agency, the Philippine Star, to correspondent of various wire agencies and foreign periodicals.

He was also one of the founders of The Visayan Daily Star, and was chairman of the Negros Daily Bulletin.

Espina was also twice vice president of the National Press Club during the dual terms of his close friend and later National Democratic Front officer Antonio Zumel.

A noted civic leader, Espina was the charter president of the Bacolod Capital Lions Club, and was a recipient of several awards in recognition of his professional and civic accomplishments, including the Ang Banwahanon Award from the City of Bacolod.

Espina was the eldest of six children of Fulgencio Espina, an artist from Cebu, and Gracia Lopez, a niece of national hero Graciano Lopez Jaena.

He was married to the late pediatrician Lourdes Llavore of Fabrica, Sagay City with whom he had 11 children and, at last count, 23 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Dr. Lourdes Espina passed away in September 2000.

He is survived by his children Grace and Manuel Engallado, Nonoy and Leny, Inday Espina-Varona, Malou, Toto and Jocelyn, Mary Anne, Maté, Nenen, May and Ramon, Junjun and Merci, and Jay and Bingbing.

Espina’s remains lie in state at the Faith 3 and 4 halls of the Rolling Hills Memorial Chapels.

Interment is scheduled on January 6, after the 9 a.m. mass, at the Rolling Hills Memorial Park. (NLG with reports from PNA)

By Sarwell Meniano January 1, 2018, 1:09 pm

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TACLOBAN CITY -- The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) regional office here urged media persons in Eastern Visayas to help in the promotion of AmBisyon Natin 2040, which represents the vision and aspirations of the Filipino people for themselves and for the country in the next 25 years.

NEDA Regional Director Bonifacio Uy said people should always be reminded of their own aspirations and urged them to work with the government to achieve the long-term vision of a better living condition.

“NEDA and the Regional Development Council believe of the media’s power in advancing the development efforts aligned with the vision of Filipinos in the next 25 years,” Uy said in a recent year-end gathering of journalists here.

The official emphasized the important role of their partnership with the media as marketing arm in disseminating information and government policies.

“We understand the significance of media in attaining progress by shaping public perception, thereby, putting plans into concrete actions,” Uy said.

To help map out communication plans, the NEDA regional office hired staff with communication backgrounds and listed a broadcaster and officials from the Philippine Information Agency as members of the region’s highest policy-making body.

AmBisyon Natin 2040 is the result of a long-term visioning process that began in 2015. More than 300 citizens participated in focus group discussions and close to 10,000 answered the national survey, according to NEDA.

Technical studies were prepared to identify strategic options for realizing the vision articulated by citizens.

The exercise benefitted from the guidance of an Advisory Committee composed of the government, private sector, academe, and civil society.

Under the vision, all Filipinos by 2040 will enjoy a stable and comfortable lifestyle, secured in the knowledge that each one has enough for their daily needs and unexpected expenses, plan and prepare for their own and their children’s future.

The blueprint's goal is for Filipino families to live together in a place of their own, and have the freedom to go where they desire, protected and enabled by a clean, efficient, and fair government. (PNA)

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte -- The Presidential Communications Operation Office (PCOO) will establish the Provincial Communications Officers Network (PCO Net), a network of government communicators to ensure the efficient flow of information to the communities.

PCO Net, which is already established in several provinces like Surigao, Agusan, General Santos, Sarangani, Pangasinan, Cordillera, Siquijor, and Dumaguete, will be launched in other areas in Mindanao.

Virginia Agtay, Director of the News and Information Bureau (NIB), said PCO Net will be established in Compostela Valley sometime next year.

She said PCOO has been going to the provinces to launch the network.

The PCO Net is one of the PCOO’s initiatives to ensure that plans of the Duterte administration are communicated to every Filipino. This is also with the help of the members of media.

“We all play a vital role in cascading information to the grassroots,” she said, adding, “We are instruments in making or breaking the future.”

Agtay highlighted the PCOO’s aim to upgrade all provincial stations next year and build a Mindanao communications hub.

PCOO, she said will ground break the Mindanao hub which will house the state-owned Radyo Pilipinas, PTV, Philippine Information Agency (PIA), and the Philippine News Agency (PNA), a bureau under NIB.

She announced that Davao City is being positioned to be the broadcasting hub of Mindanao with a state of the art broadcasting facility.

During the Pressâ€"ComVal Information Officers Assembly dubbed “strength in Convergence” on Friday night held in Big 8, Tagum City, Agtay, who represented Presidential Secretary Martin Andanar, also highlighted the rebirth of PNA in October.

PNA also launched the first webcast -- English daily newscast which provides a public rundown of stories.

All initiatives of the PCOO, Agtay said is in line with the government’s transparency policy.

“Transparency will always become the cornerstone of this government for the people,” she stressed.

She also underscored the need to let the public know what is going on and deepen public understanding of the thrust current administration.

Government communicators are tasked to counter fake news, which is prevalent especially with the advent of the social media. Fake news which has plagued the country and placed the Filipinos at a disadvantage because others do not play fair.

“We cannot allow this thing to prevail that is why it is imperative for us to work harder to ensure the solidity of the communication network as we bring further our fight for accurate, truthful, and empowering news and information to the public,” she added.

She pointed to the spread of messages on Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms that discredit the good objectives of the President (Rodrigo Duterte) and other public officials in the national, provincial and local governments.

“We cannot allow this to happen because as journalists it is our duty to tell the true story,” she told participants of the Assembly.

Also part of the revitalization is the national convention of public information officers, provincial government communicators, and community influencers.

Agtay said it will be hosted by PCOO in February. The program broadens grassroots level to the provinces to help counter negative and fake information.

She urged communicators and journalists as the catalyst of genuine change because the Filipino people deserve nothing less.

Agtay urged them to remain committed to upholding the truth at all times and help banner the change of what the President has initiated. (PNA)
Date published:

By Lilian Mellejor January 1, 2018, 12:02 pm

COTABATO CITY -- Hours before the New Year ushers in, the Department of Health (DOH) in Region 12 reported 18 cases of firecracker-related injuries Sunday.

Jenny Ventura, DOH-12 “Iwas Paputok” campaign focal person, said as of 6 a.m. Sunday (December 31) 18 persons were reported hurt by firecrackers in the provinces of North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and the cities of Cotabato, Kidapawan, Tacurong, Koronadal and General Santos.

The DOH monitoring on firecracker-related injuries started on December 21.

Ventura said the figure is 5 percent lower during the same period last year.

South Cotabato had the highest number of firecracker victims with 11, three in North Cotabato, two in Sarangani, one each in Sultan Kudarat and Gen. Santos City.

Ventura said 17 of the victims were male and one female. Twelve of whom were children and six were adults.

She said that four had eye injuries and one victim had to undergo amputation on one of his toes. Of the number of victims, five used legal and government recognize firecracker while 13 used illegal firecrackers like “kwitis,” “piccolo,” “5-star,” “boga,” and “triangle.”

Five remained in the hospital while 13 were sent home, Ventura said.

The latest incidents of firecracker-related injuries came despite massive information campaign regarding the use and control of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices.

The drive aims to lessen if not totally eliminate the incidence of firecracker-related injuries or death and damage to properties during the holiday celebrations. Monitoring period is from December 21- January 4.

Through this year’s theme “OPLAN: Iwas Paputok, Fireworks Display ang Patok! Makiisa sa Fireworks Display sa Inyong Lugar,” DOH-12 asked local government units to organize community fireworks to ensure the use of safer alternative noise-makers in welcoming the holiday season.

Ventura remained hopeful that with the public’s cooperation the number of victims will be reduced than the previous years.

President Rodrigo Duterte on June 20 this year signed Executive Order No. 28 regulating the use of firecrackers and establishing community fireworks display. (PNA)

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan -- Thirty-eight fishermen, who were driven off the vicinity of Mangsee Island, Balabac, by Tropical Storm "Vinta" were greeted back in their homes by their relatives and families Saturday afternoon from Tawi-Tawi.

The fishermen were reported missing on December 24 after Vinta’s strong winds pushed their fishing vessels away from the shoreline of Mangsee where they had originally sought shelter.

Abdelnasser Gregana, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Office (MDRRMO) head of Mapun, said the rescued fishermen were transported to Rizal municipality in southern Palawan and were met there by relatives.

“Nandiyan na sila, ‘yong sa Rizal tapos ‘yong sa Mangsee unang sinundo ng lantsa ay walo bago sumunod ay anim (They are already there, 24 are from Rizal, and those from Mangsee, the first first survivors who were fetched were eight, then followed by six),” Gregana said.

Gregana related that upon their rescue, the fishermen were provided with medical attention as some had sustained wounds while struggling to survive the storm.

Bojie Lorenzo, MDRRMO of Rizal, said the fishermen were welcomed by their families who have been patiently waiting since Friday.

“They arrived here safely, bringing relief goods that were given to them by the local government. They were helped there in Mapun,” he claimed.

Search and rescue operations, according to Gregana, are continuously being done in Mapun since the survivors have told them many are still lost at sea. (PNA)

By Perla Lena of PNA


ILOILO CITY -- The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) on Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution urging the Committee on Legislative Franchises of the House of Representatives to hold its public hearing on the renewal of franchise by the Panay Electric Company (PECO) in this city.

PECO is the sole distributor of electricity in Iloilo City. Its franchise will expire in 2019.

The council cited that “for convenience and protection of consumers’ interests” as reason for asking that the consultation be held in this city.

During the regular session of the SP, the council was furnished a letter of Rep. Franz E. Alvarez, chair of the Committee on Legislative Franchises in Congress, asking for a legal opinion/position paper regarding PECO’s application.

Pending before the committee of Alvarez is House Bill No. 6023, or an "Act Renewing the Franchise of the Panay Electric Company, Inc, granted under Republic Act 5360 and extended by the National Electrification Commission to establish, operate and maintain a distribution system for the conveyance of electric power to end users in the City of Iloilo.”

Councilor Joshua Alim said that the public consultation would be an opportunity for consumers of this city “to air their grievances against the abuses and arrogance of PECO on overbilling, billing without reading, inefficient services, unannounced power outages to name a few.”

Alim added that he was in possession of voluminous documents containing complaints of consumers that he would submit before the committee.

Councilor Leone R. Gerochi added that he did not expect that the “application for franchise would be filed this early.”

“I agree that there will be a hearing here,” Gerochi said adding that they have to “collaborate their efforts so they have one voice.”

The council also asked Alvarez to furnish them a copy of the PECO application to study the document. (PNA)

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan â€" Police arrested on Dec. 30 a suspect in the murder of two Japanese nationals in Culion town, Palawan six months ago in Tarlac.

Palawan Provincial Legal Officer, lawyer Teodoro Jose Matta, confirmed Saturday afternoon the arrest of Sonny Anicete, alias “Tatan,” in Barangay Poblacion 1, Pura town, Tarlac by police personnel from the PRO 3 Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB).

Matta said the manhunt for Anicete was supported by Palawan provincial government under its peace and order initiative.

Reported to be the founder of the Palawan-based “Commando” group, Anicete is now detained in a jail facility in Tarlac l. His arrest warrant was issued by Judge Arnel Cesar of Branch 49, Regional Trial Court (RTC).

“We’re trying to see if he can be sent back to Puerto Princesa within the holidays. If not, maybe the first week of January next year, to be surrendered to the RTC,” Matta said.

He said there is a possibility to recommend Anicete’s incarceration at the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm (IPPF) where he could not escape.

“I am inclined to recommend that he be detained in Iwahig. He is very influential underground and can run away again if detained anywhere else. This goes to show too, that if you commit a crime in Palawan, it does not mean that you would go unpunished. Finally, the wheels of justice can now turn on this murder case,” he said..

Anicete, who has been on the run since June this year, was reported to be the recruiter of the suspected killers of Japanese nationals Itani Masaru, 59, and Arai Yoshihiru, 24.

The victims were shot and their bodies dismembered before being dumped into the water in a remote island located west of Galoc Island in Culion town, Palawan.

Those who have already been charged in the murder case were Hiroyuki Nagahama, 55, the supposed mastermind; and co-conspirators Reynante Labampa, Jovis Viscarra, alias “Jun”, and an alias “Bando.” (PNA)

DAVAO CITY â€" Except for the first few weeks after martial law was first declared in Mindanao due to negative impression, Davao Region’s trade and investments recovered even more robust until 2018.

“I think initially we thought this (martial law) would be detrimental to growth but because investors see that the President (Rodrigo Duterte) is serious in terms of bringing about lasting change, their interest remains bullish regarding Mindanao. In fact, more business delegations have expressed their interest in visiting Davao next year,” said Ronald Go, president of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCCII).

The DCCCII, which has over 300 businessmen and firms as members, has supported President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law to resolve old conflicts especially in Mindanao.

“Our president is unlike those in the past who perceived the threats in Mindanao as just a petty disturbance that could be taken care of with little money. They tried to use band aid fixes for wounds which were long infected,” Go said, emphasizing that the Philippines cannot move forward as a nation until these are handled with seriousness.

Go pointed out that other Asian nations became progressive once the elements which tried to sow division among them were dealt with decisively.

“We need to band together to quell any movement that seeks to divide us as a nation. If martial law is a means to that end then I think we all need to be patient and let things take their course,” Go added.

Go’s prospects for the region is confirmed by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) XI based on statistics as a good indicator that “it’s business as usual in Davao.”

DTI is bullish to overshoot targets at the end of the year. DTI XI regional director Ma. Belenda Ambi pointed out that peace and security is a strategy to develop industries.

She said that despite the President’s extended martial law from July to December, no significant change had been observed that caused the business climate to deteriorate.

While martial law had an impact on the tourism industry, Ambi said the sector quickly recovered few weeks after its declaration in May.

In fact, Ambi said, hotels were always fully-booked. “Our martial law is different. There is no fear that the military will abuse,” she said.

There could be increase in the prices of commodities but these are still within the suggested price set by DTI, Ambi added.

Investments

In its preliminary annual report, DTI XI reported that investments in Davao region hit P7.62 billion as of the third quarter of the year with Davao City registering with the biggest total investments at P4.9 billion.

Davao del Sur’s registered investments is pegged at PhP1.78 billion followed by Davao del Norte with P546.81 million and Compostela Valley province with P386.74 million.

Davao Region’s top ten Board of Investments (BOI)-registered companies as of the third quarter are San Miguel Foods in Davao del Sur; Communities Davao, Inc in Davao City; 8990 Housing Development Corporation in Davao City; Davao Corrugated Packaging Company Inc.; Agri-Tech Corporation in Davao del Sur; Prestige Homes and Realty Development Corporation in Davao City; Primeland Properties in Dvaao City; Filinvest Land in Davao City; Ahya Coco Organic Food Manufacturing Corporation in Davao City; and Agrotech Integrated Farms Inc. in Compostela Valley.

The whole year in 2015, Davao Region has a total investments of P4.708 billion and in 2016 at 10.266 billion.

DTI said that the three-year investment performance is P7.531 billion with 2015 as the base year.

There is 118 percent increase in investment in 2016 while 62 percent in 2017, DTI reported.

The top industries in terms of project cost are real estate projects; manufacturing, agriculture, forestry and fishing; and, electricity, gas, steam and airconditioning supply. In terms of employment are agriculture, forestry and fishing; real estate projects; and, electricity, gas, steam and airconditioning supply.

Bullish

Ambi is bullish on local and foreign investments next year. She said investments would continue to increase considering the strong promotion and marketing of Davao.

Romeo Castanaga, provincial director of DTI-Davao del Norte, said he looks forward to two industrial estates in Davao del Norte, the launching of the P1 billion township project, and another project by Anflocor in partnership with UPLB for commercial and institutional project under PEZA.

For Compostela Valley, Lucky Siegfred Ballegue, said Torre Lorenzo is set to open to the public its project in Kopiat, Mabini town.

The beach club project is already 80 percent complete. There is also a 184-room hotel.

DTI-Davao Oriental is also looking forward to the P24 billion industrial park project in Maputi, Banaybanay.

Sec. Datu Hj. Abul Khayr Alonto, chairman of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), said the swift action of the President to end terrorism in Mindanao had once and for all yielded positive results.

He said Mindanao continues to receive investment interests from various local and foreign investors.

Alonto bared that major infrastructure projects are being approved and rolled out as well.

“Rest assured that there is no letting up in our pursuit for economic progress and sustainable peace in the island-region, even in the midst of a martial law declaration,” Alonto said. (Lilian C. Mellejor/PNA)

Published by The Bohol Times in February 2001
DPWH 3 to blacklist erring contractorBy Bob GaleroCITY OF TAGBILARANTHE 3rd Highway Engineering District will take action against the erring contractor responsible for the worsening road condition in the northern part of the province.
Assistant highway district Engr. Pedro Jimenez informed the members of the provincial board last Friday that his office is now collating the record of some contractors who have poor performance in undertaking projects in the district.
Jimenez appeared during the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to explain the status of road construction within the jurisdiction of the Ubay-based DPWH 3, including the ongoing construction of the Inabanga Bridge project.
Provincial Kagawad Exequiel Madriņan, who is an engineer, questioned the repair works of the Poblacion Trinidad national road whose construction was reportedly completed a year ago.
Madriņan assailed the DPWH-111 over the defective road concreting in that area.
He also asked Jimenez if the erring contractors have been sanctioned by the DPWH 3.
The road concreting works of the Poblacion Trinidad area was criticized by the municipal officials of Trinidad owing to the presence of road cracks.
The cracks appeared because of the reported substandard use of construction materials.
In response, Jimenez said that DPWH 3 is now blacklisting the contractor responsible for the construction.
He said that his office was forced to undertake the repair works using its maintenance funds.
He also said that the contractor's remaining collectibles to the office are being withheld.
He said the contracted works which bear cracks was already beyond the warranty period.

Published by The Bohol Times in February 2001
Relampagos claims Lakas nominationBy Ric ObedencioCITY OF TAGBILARANTHE waiting has ended.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's political adviser Joey Rufino had virtually sealed the issue as to who would be the party's official candidate for governor here.
Both Gov. Rene Relampagos and former senator Ernesto Herrera talked with President Arroyo and political adviser Joey Rufino after the Friday meeting in the Sulo Hotel in Manila with Aumentado bugged down.
In that meeting, it was reportedly decided that Relampagos would be endorsed as the Lakas-NUCD's official bet for governor.
The same was almost announced in last Saturday's first presidential visit to Cebu with Relampagos being able to talk briefly with President Arroyo.
All the while, Aumentado opted to stay here in Bohol consulting with his lieutenants in preparation with his protracted fight with Relampagos for the gubernatorial seat come May elections.
Relampagos said yesterday morning that he is certain of the blessing as the official candidate of the administration party. He said the last of the talks with erstwhile rival Erico Aumentado was scheduled Monday but the second district solon failed to appear for some unknown reasons.
As regards the controversial gubernatorial row between Relampagos and Aumentado at the so-called "arbitration" committee level of the Lakas party, the issue looks like a foregone conclusion, the Relampagos camp said.
During a press conference in his office, the Governor said that under his slate are Calape Mayor Julius Caesar Herrera as his vice-governor and incumbent Vice-Gov. Edgar M. Chatto, former Inabanga Mayor Jose "Boy" Jumamoy and incumbent Rep. Eladio M. Jala as official candidates for congressman in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd districts, respectively.
As of the provincial board bets, the governor did not name the others for four vacant slots - representing one for the third and 2nd districts and two for first district.
Incumbent board members Eufrasio Mascarinas (first dist.) Tomas Abapo, Jr., Francisco Alesna (2nd) and board members Godofreda Tirol, Concepcion Lim and Exequiel Madriņan are in the Relampagos ticket.
Board members Isabelito Tongco and Arnold Lungay, the concurrent chairman of the LDP, are going to "graduate" after their last term expires on June 30 this year.
Alesna earlier, changed heart and defected to the Relampagos wing.
Like Roberto Cajes, he was formerly aligned with Aumentado.
Cajes is aiming for congressman if "blessed" by the 2nd district solon.
And board member Severino Caberte, whose wife is the sister of Aumentado's wife is out of the Relampagos camp, thus a vacant slot exists in the 3rd district.
The most probable to fill in the slot in the third district are former Jagna mayor Alexander Villacastin, last termers Duero Mayor Felix Casingcasing, Garcia Hernandez mayor Giselo Galido and Candijay former mayor Florante Cimagala.
Asked if his mayoralty bets down to councilors are complete, the governor said some are to be finalized this week.
In a separate interview in his residence yesterday morning, Relampagos confirmed the names being considered in his final slate.
He also disclosed that the contested official nomination would be in his favor under the official party of the ruling Lakas NUCD.
NOT TRUE, SAYS AUMENTADO
Aumentado expressed optimism that he would get the official nomination of the administration party.
Quoting Aumentado during his birthday bash at JJs Seafood Village last Friday night, Tagbilaran City Mayor Jose Torralba said yesterday afternoon that the arbitration committee of Lakas-NUCD is certain to pick Aumentado over Relampagos.
Torralba also said that Cong. Herrera is merely acting as a broker.
The final say on the matter, he said during the telephone interview, rests on the arbitration committee, not with Herrera. (With reports: FRED AMORA)

Published by The Bohol Chronicle in June 2004
By MICHAEL O. LIGALIGTo cushion a potential tourism setback, Gov. Erico Aumentado will take over today the chairmanship of the Sandugo foundation from city mayor Joe Torralba, who had admitted failures to jazz up the monthlong revelry.

Reeling from the mayoralty loss of his wife, Betty, the mayor is set to give up the baton of leadership of the Bohol Sandugo Foundation, Inc. (BSFI) to Aumentado, who is also the BSFI’s co-chairman, during a formal meeting today at the Capitol.

There were no details yet of the extent of help the provincial government would lend to the reportedly “mismanaged” founda-tion. But the Capitol has been doling out at least P300,000 to the BSFI every year.

It was not also clear if city mayor-elect Dan Lim would join the meeting today. But he had expressed an all-out support to Aumentado upon the former’s entry to city hall on July 1, the city’s charter day and kick off day of the festivities.

This is the first time that a governor takes over the Sandugo leadership since Torralba has been BSFI’s chairman over the past nine years.

But according to a Capitol source, the governor had an option not to get involve since the celebration has been managed by a privatized foundation.

In fact, Aumentado said last week he was not keen on the takeover since there is a foundation that has been handling the affair for years now.

But the governor, according to the source, had no other option but to occupy the front seat of the preparation, "for the sake of tourism."

“Bisan limitado na kaayo ang panahon, apan atong paninkamotan nga aduna gyud kitay Sandugo celebration (Despite the limited time we will ensure the pushing through of the Sandugo celebration),” Aumentado told dyRD’s Inyong Alagad yesterday.

“We cannot afford without having the celebration,” Aumen-tado said. “It will affect our tourism efforts.”

June 2003
Tourism boss reacts on berrating incident
By BOY I. PERNIA


"I will not take the scolding sitting down, if indeed I had any idea that the queries were in any form berating me," reacted Provincial Tourism Officer Baby Balio on a report that she was berated by a tourism industry player who is not connected with the provincial government.


She said that when she was confronted by Walter Sultan at the Bohol Tropics last July 19, she considered Sultan's "complaints as mere queries," knowing him (Sultan) to be an "aggressive member of the industry who was prone to dip his finger in other people's pies."


The incident happened at Cafe Atanacio of Bohol Tropics last July 19, while Gov. Erico Aumentado was interviewed by Teddy Montelebano, writer of Business World, who was invited by the provincial government to cover the Investment Forum here.


"Ako g'yud ning kasab-an si Baby," (I will really scold Baby), Sultan told this writer after the Manila journalist commented that he did not notice much publicity of the Sandugo festivity in the national media.


In fact, Sultan used his mobile phone to call Balio to come to Cafe Atanacio.


When the provincial tourism officer arrived, Sultan questioned her why there was no Bohol exposure seen on television telling Balio,"Ga-usikusik lang ka ug gasto pagadto sa Manila wa kay nahimo."


(You were just wasting funds in going to Manila, yet you did nothing).


Balio explained that she chose a morning slot so for the TV exposure to be carried to The Filipino Channel beamed to US viewers.


In her statement issued to the CHRONICLE yesterday, Balio said that she "retorted that if I had a hard time getting the small production budget, how could I imagine getting anything for the very expensive airtime." This was her explanation when Sultan expressed surprise whey she (Balio) had not thought of trying to seek funding for some payment to assure increased frequency or better time slots.


It maybe recalled that Sultan was formerly hired technical assistant for investment by Gov. Aumentado right after the election. However, he filed his resignation amidst a controversy in the local tourism industry which gave him a graceful exit from the position.

2019 Barangay Tagbuane Officials, Alburquerque, Bohol

Punong Barangay   Pizarras   Ramon   Dumagan   
Sangguniang Barangay Member   Barbon   Adriano   Comiling   
Sangguniang Barangay Member   Lopez   Nicanora   Caligang   
Sangguniang Barangay Member   Ligtas   Rosalie   Gonzaga   
Sangguniang Barangay Member   Baquial   Florencio   Candog   
Sangguniang Barangay Member   Veloz   Wilfredo   Lumanao   
Sangguniang Barangay Member   Lim   Luciano   Iroy   Jr.
Sangguniang Barangay Member   Dumagan   Maricel   Lijoc   
SK Chairperson   Milo   Erwin      
Barangay Secretary   Pamaos   Joselyn   Tinampay   

2019 Santa Filomena Barangay Officials, Alburquerque, Bohol

Punong Barangay   Bitoy   Ranulfo   Jubac
Sangguniang Barangay Member   Bantilan   Belenda   Nogalada
Sangguniang Barangay Member   Liso   Silvestre   Iroy
Sangguniang Barangay Member   Daplin   Danilo   Masayon
Sangguniang Barangay Member   Timaan   Elbert   Jipos
Sangguniang Barangay Member   Manungas   Nestorio   Balo
Sangguniang Barangay Member   Salibay   Georgia   Gabato
Sangguniang Barangay Member   Bandala   Mardonio   Darunday
SK Chairperson   Datoy   Mark Kevin   Liso
Barangay Secretary   Alolo   Karren Luvi   Rubio

2019 San Agustin Barangay Officials, Alburquerque, Bohol

Punong Barangay   Tesiorna   Alan   Tanupan
Sangguniang Barangay Member   Ungab   Aster   Daplin
Sangguniang Barangay Member   Bungabong   Francis   Masayon
Sangguniang Barangay Member   Labrigas   Abito   Alas
Sangguniang Barangay Member   Ungab   Maria   Centillas
Sangguniang Barangay Member   Auditor   Leonarda   Cagoco
Sangguniang Barangay Member   Borila   Elsa   Banluta
Sangguniang Barangay Member   Saligumba   Shiela Grace   Calos
SK Chairperson   Amba   Sweetzel Faye   Daplin
Barangay Secretary   Arlalejo   Angeles   Bungabong

2019 Ponong, Alburquerque, Bohol
Punong Barangay   Piel   Sergio   Ungab   
Sangguniang Barangay Member   Bagoy   Harry   Tagupa   
Sangguniang Barangay Member   Daplin   Manuel   Banghal   
Sangguniang Barangay Member   Daplin   Genaro   Balingcos   
Sangguniang Barangay Member   Daplin   Expedito   Desconte   
Sangguniang Barangay Member   Cescon   Michael   Ungab   
Sangguniang Barangay Member   Daplin   Juan   Desconte   
Sangguniang Barangay Member   Pacamalan   Allan   Banghal   Sr.
SK Chairperson   Daluran   Aira Marie   Ungab   
Barangay Secretary   Revil   Ana Fe   Daplin   

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An old church in Bohol before the earthquake. Photo by Mr. Wood

Gov. Art Yap reports the following highlights in the meeting of the governors yesterday with DOH:

·       Prioritization in Covid testing is now symptoms-based. This means that an individual who manifests no Covid symptom is allowed to proceed in going home to his or her province without the need of testing; and there is no more targets per province as to percentage of testing.

·       DOH targets to have “a total of 1.5 million tests by the end of July”. So far, the DOH has already conducted a total of 506,000 tests. 1.5 million is about 1.5 percent of our population.

·       Testing for subgroups A and B is non-negotiable and they are prioritized.
Based on DOH Department Memorandum 2020-0285, subgroup A refers to patients or healthcare workers with severe/critical symptoms, and relevant history of travel or close contact; while subgroup B refers to patients or healthcare workers with mild symptoms, with relevant history of travel or close contact and who are considered vulnerable. These vulnerable populations include the elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions that predispose them to severe presentation and complications of COVID-19.

·       With the addition of subgroups E and F, DOH is optimistic to achieve the overall goal of 1.5 million tests by end of July.

Subgroup E includes “personnel manning temporary treatment and quarantine facilities; personnel manning control points; National/Regional/Local Risk Reduction and Management teams; Barangay  Health  Emergency  Response  Teams    and barangay officials providing barangay border control; personnel of Bureau of Corrections and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology; personnel serving at COVID-19 swabbing center; and social workers providing amelioration and relief assistance to communities and performing COVOD-19 related tasks”.

Subgroup F includes “pregnant patients who shall be tested during the peripartum period and dialysis patients and immunocompromised patients with HIV, those chemotherapy or radiotherapy”.

CONTACT TRACING APP

·       IATF is endorsing StaySafe application which is now being reviewed by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), National Privacy Commission, DOH and DILG. Based on the evaluation, a component of the application was removed so that its use would be strictly for contact tracing related to Covid only.

·       LGUs may use contract tracing apps, other than the StaySafe app, as long channeling of all information to the DOH Covid guide can be efficient.

·       DILG Sec. Ed Año, who heads the team focusing on the contact tracing mechanisms, will still have to discuss this matter with the LGUs so that its implementation would be smooth if there are LGUs that would use digital contact tracing through apps other than the StaySafe app.

RE ANTI-TERRORISM BILL
·       â€œWith respect to the anti-terrorism bill, our lawyers are still studying our position and we will circulate our position on this matter.”- -League of Provinces of the Philippines

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Judiciary Act of 1789


act establishing the organization of the U.S. federal court system, which had been sketched only in general terms in the U.S. Constitution. The act established a three-part judiciaryâ€"made up of district courts, circuit courts, and the Supreme Courtâ€"and outlined the structure and jurisdiction of each branch.


The Judiciary Act of 1789, officially titled “An Act to Establish the Judicial Courts of the United States,” was principally authored by Senators Oliver Ellsworth and William Paterson and signed into law by Pres. George Washington on Sept. 24, 1789. The act's creators, by essentially all accounts, viewed it as a work in progress. Although indeed amended throughout the years, the basic outline it provided has remained largely intact.


The act divided the country into districts with one court and one judge in each, along with attorneys responsible for civil and criminal actions in their districts. The act also created the office of attorney general of the United States; the attorney general, a member of the cabinet, is appointed by the president and is head of the Department of Justice.


Circuit courtsâ€"which make up the middle tier of the federal court systemâ€"were created to serve as principal trial courts. They also exercise limited appellate jurisdiction. A local district judge and two Supreme Court justices preside over the circuit courts.


The act established that the Supreme Court would be composed of one chief justice and five associate justices and that all decisions of the Supreme Court would be final. The act also vested in the Supreme Court the power to settle disputes between states and provided for mandatory Supreme Court review of the final judgments of the highest court of any state in cases “where is drawn in question the validity of a treaty or statute of the United States and the decision is against its validity” or “where is drawn in question the validity of a statute of any state on the ground of its being repugnant to the Constitution, treaties or laws of the United States, and the decision is in favor of its validity.” In Cohens v. Virginia (1821) the Supreme Court reaffirmed its right under the Judiciary Act to review all state court judgments in cases arising under the federal Constitution or a law of the United States.

[size=78%]To cite this page:[/size]


    * MLA Style:   "1789 Judiciary Act." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Ultimate Reference Suite.  Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica, 2011.
    * APA Style:   1789 Judiciary Act. (2011). Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Ultimate Reference Suite.  Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica.

Proclamation of 1763: proclamation declared by the British crown at the end of the French and Indian War in North America, mainly intended to conciliate the Indians by checking the encroachment of settlers on their lands. In the centuries since the proclamation, it has become one of the cornerstones of Native American law in the United States and Canada.
After Indian grievances had resulted in the start of Pontiac's War (1763â€"64), British authorities determined to subdue intercolonial rivalries and abuses by dealing with Indian problems as a whole. To this end, the proclamation organized new British territories in Americaâ€"the provinces of Quebec, East and West Florida, and Grenada (in the Windward Islands)â€"and a vast British-administered Indian reservation west of the Appalachians, from south of Hudson Bay to north of the Floridas. It forbade settlement on Indian territory, ordered those settlers already there to withdraw, and strictly limited future settlement. For the first time in the history of European colonization in the New World, the proclamation formalized the concept of Indian land titles, prohibiting issuance of patents to any lands claimed by a tribe unless the Indian title had first been extinguished by purchase or treaty.
Although not intended to alter western boundaries, the proclamation was nevertheless offensive to the colonies as undue interference in their affairs. Treaties following Pontiac's War drew a line of settlement more acceptable to colonial settlers (see Fort Stanwix, Treaties of), but the continued westward movement of pioneers, and the settlers' disregard of the proclamation's provisions evoked decades of continued Indian warfare throughout the area. The addition of the balance of territory north of the Ohio River to Quebec in 1774 further exacerbated colonial conflict with Britain.
[size=78%]To cite this page:[/size]
MLA Style:   "1763, Proclamation of." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Ultimate Reference Suite.  Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica, 2011.
APA Style:   1763, Proclamation of. (2011). Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Ultimate Reference Suite.  Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica.                       

terrorist attack in Birmingham, Ala., on Sept. 15, 1963, on the predominantly African American 16th Street Baptist Church by local members of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK). Resulting in 14 injuries and the death of four girls, the attack garnered widespread national outrage.


Throughout the civil rights movement, Birmingham was a major site of protests, marches, and sit-ins that were often met with police brutality and violence from white citizens. Homemade bombs planted by white supremacists in homes and churches became so commonplace that the city was sometimes known as “Bombingham.” Local African American churches such as the 16th Street Baptist Church were fundamental in the organization of much of the protest activity. In 1963 the 16th Street Baptist Church hosted several meetings led by civil rights activists. In an effort to intimidate demonstrators, members of the KKK routinely telephoned the church with bomb threats intended to disrupt these meetings as well as regular church services.


When a bomb made of dynamite detonated at 10:22 AM on Sept. 15, 1963, church members were attending Sunday school classes before the start of the 11 AM church service. The bomb exploded on the east side of the building, where five girls were getting ready for church in a basement restroom. The explosion sprayed mortar and bricks from the front of the building, caved in walls, and filled the interior with smoke, and horrified parishioners quickly evacuated. Beneath piles of debris in the church basement, the dead bodies of four girlsâ€"Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley, and Carole Robertson, all age 14, and Denise McNair (age 11)â€"were discovered. A fifth girl who had been with them, Sarah Collins (the younger sister of Addie Mae Collins), lost her right eye in the explosion, and several other people were injured.


Violence broke out across the city in the aftermath of the bombing. Two more young African Americans died, and the National Guard was called in to restore order. The Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., spoke at the funeral of three of the girls. Despite repeated demands that the perpetrators be brought to justice, the first trial in the case was not held until 1977, when former clan member Robert E. Chambliss was convicted of murder (Chambliss, who continued to maintain his innocence, died in prison in 1985). The case was reopened in 1980, in 1988, and finally again in 1997, when two other former clan membersâ€"Thomas Blanton and Bobby Frank Cherryâ€"were brought to trial. Blanton was convicted in 2001 and Cherry in 2002 (Cherry died two years later). A fourth suspect, Herman Frank Cash, died in 1994 before he could be tried.


The bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church was examined by director Spike Lee in the Oscar-nominated documentary 4 Little Girls (1997). In the film, Lee interviews witnesses to the bombing and family members of the victims while at the same time exploring the backdrop of segregation and white harassment that were central to the time period.

Author: Chelsey Parrott-Sheffer
To cite this page:


    * MLA Style:   "16th Street Baptist Church bombing." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Ultimate Reference Suite.  Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica, 2011.
    * APA Style:   16th Street Baptist Church bombing. (2011). Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Ultimate Reference Suite.  Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica.

12-tone music is a large body of music, written roughly since World War I, that uses the so-called 12-tone method or technique of composition. The Austrian-born composer Arnold Schoenberg is credited with the invention of this technique, although other composers (e.g., the American composer Charles Ives and the Austrian Josef Hauer) anticipated Schoenberg's invention by writing music that in a few respects was similar technically to his 12-tone music.


Between 1912 and 1922 Schoenberg came to realize that he was searching for a new method of composition that would provide a new basis for musical structure to replace the old basis of tonality, which he felt was being stretched and distorted too much to remain a unifying structural principle. Instead of using 1 or 2 tones as main points of focus for an entire composition (as key centres in tonal music), Schoenberg suggested using all 12 tones “related only to one another.” In such a system, unlike tonality, no notes would predominate as focal points, nor would any hierarchy of importance be assigned to the individual tones.


The new unifying principle in composition would then arise from the particular order given to a collection of the 12 tones, an order that would be different for each composition. The basic order for any one composition came to be known as its basic set, its 12-tone row, or its 12-tone series, all of which terms are synonymous. The basic set for Schoenberg's Wind Quintet (1924) is Eâ™­â€"Gâ€"Aâ€"Bâ€"C♯â€"Câ€"Bâ™­â€"Dâ€"Eâ€"F♯â€"Aâ™­â€"F; for his String Quartet No. 4 (1936) it is Dâ€"C♯â€"Aâ€"Bâ™­â€"Fâ€"Eâ™­â€"Eâ€"Câ€"Aâ™­â€"Gâ€"F♯â€"B.


The basic set is not a theme, for it has no specific shape, rhythm, or loudness. It is a backbone, a musical idea that permeates the composition in which it is used. Because of the various principles of composing and manipulating the basic set recognized by Schoenberg and others, it is not often possible nor even desirable to hear the basic set when the composition is performed. This situation has led many people to attack Schoenberg's method as unmusical and as mathematical madness. Such views seem unjustifiable, because, as Schoenberg pointed out, his method specifies only a tiny fraction of the total nature of a compositionâ€"certainly no more than composing with tonality specifies.


Schoenberg's best-known pupils were the Austrian composers Anton von Webern and Alban Berg, each of whom wrote 12-tone music. Neither used the idea of the basic set in the same manner as Schoenberg did, and their music differs greatly in many respects from each other's and from Schoenberg's. Other important composers include the Russian-born Igor Stravinsky, the American Roger Sessions, the Austrian-born Ernst Krenek, the Italian Luigi Dallapiccola, and the German Hans Werner Henze. Many, such as Stravinsky (who had earlier criticized the approach severely) and Sessions, began writing 12-tone music after composing much non-12-tone music.


Some composers also have used some of the notions behind the basic set while simultaneously writing tonal music; among them are Schoenberg himself, the Austrian-born Ernst Toch, the American Walter Piston, and the Russian Dmitry Shostakovich. The American composer Benjamin Johnston combined principles of 12-tone music with microtonality (use of intervals smaller than whole tones or semitones). There are no sufficient analytic techniques used by musicians in understanding 12-tone music, which is partly why it remains not very well understood as a total musical phenomenon by composers, performers, and listeners alike. Twelve-tone music is an example of serialism (q.v.) in music.


To cite this page:


    * MLA Style:   "12-tone music." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Ultimate Reference Suite.  Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica, 2011.
    * APA Style:   12-tone music. (2011). Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Ultimate Reference Suite.  Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica.

White Heaven in Anda, Bohol
Photo taken in May 2020

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Tree by the Beach in Anda, Bohol
Location: Poblacion, Anda, Bohol
Photo by: Mike Ortega Ligalig

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Virgen Beach in Anda, Bohol

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A QUIET PRAYER
There is nothing better than older people praying for you.  We're not getting older, just getting closer to home!  The instructions are to pick people You want God to bless. I pick you.  Please pass this to people you want to pray for and include me.  This prayer is powerful, and prayer is one of the best gifts we receive.  There is no cost but a lot of rewards.  Let's always pray for one another.
The prayer :
        Father, Thank You for each and every day You have blessed us here on earth. Thank You for the forgiveness of our sins. Thank You for Your tender mercies. Thank You for giving us friends and family to share joys and sorrows with. I ask You to bless my friends, relatives,brothers and sisters in Christ and  those I care deeply for, who are reading this right now.  Where there is joy, give them continued joy. Where there is pain or sorrow, give them your peace and mercy. Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence.  Where there is need, fulfill their needs. Bless their homes, families, finances, their goings and their comings.  In Jesus' name, Amen.                                                                         If you choose to send this to more  people, you are truly blessed to have such friends.
Source: Facebook

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David J. Harris, Ph.D. ’92

Managing Director, Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race & Justice, Harvard Law School
First, and essentially, we must reckon with what our history has wrought. As difficult as such a reckoning will be to define, indicators will reveal the extent to which we have succeeded. In order to facilitate the process, we must acknowledge a foundational point: “We the People” has never included all of us. That cannot be subject to debate.

Once we acknowledge this defining exclusion, we can trace the myriad ways in which having denied large groups of people, notably African Americans and Native Americans, the most basic rights of membership and participation â€" the qualities of citizenship â€" has diminished life chances for individuals and communities. Understanding the real, ongoing harm from policies and practices that have differentially distributed access and opportunity, state violence, and deprivation will open our eyes to avenues for repair and restoration.

We must rethink our notions of justice, as well. Our current coupling of criminality and justice locks us into a fixation on punishment in lieu of a system of justice. I understand justice as being made whole, which promotes practices that center on health and well-being of all residents, and whole communities, as the hallmarks of safety.

Another more tangible indicator of our progress on the pathway to reckoning will be whether we not only hear and empathize with what people who have suffered for decades are saying, but act in truly responsive ways. As people are taking to the streets at great risk to themselves to decry the institutionalized racial violence perpetuated by policing, promoting legislation that bans chokeholds is tone deaf. New York had such a prohibition in place when Eric Garner was murdered. People are not asking for more humane policing, but for a direct reckoning with the culture and institution of policing, including its defunding.

All of our institutions, from government to industry, the academy to the press, must listen more attentively and respond more directly. In reckoning of the horror we have wrought, let us overcome our fear of the word reparations and begin the extensive repair we need.
Source: harvard.edu

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Rapid Testing Tool Not Worth It

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Olaer Spring Resort in Gensan will re-open soon.

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Gov't boosts nature protection drive
BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 28 2012 (PIA) -- Deeply concerned regarding the series of calamities that brought flood waters and landslides, the Aquino administration, through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), stepped up the government’s environment preservation and forest protection without any preservation, and also pushed the “greening” program in Mindanao.

In his directive to all regional directors, city, and provincial environment and natural resources officers, DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje, said “environment preservation and forest protection must be redoubled and all violators must be put to jail”.

Paje reiterated again Sunday his appeal to all local government officials to revisit the geohazard maps distributed by the agency and institute mitigating measures to shield communities from danger.

He also asked the local officials to cease from further issuing small-scale mining (SSM) permits as the DENR no longer issues environmental compliance certificate (ECC) for SSM.

Paje sounded off the appeal in the wake of the Pantukan landslide, which has already reportedly claimed 30 lives as of press time while many are still missing.

“I want you to close ranks and I also want you to closely coordinate with your respective local officials in the strict implementation of forestry laws, rules and regulations,” said Paje, in his directive to his DENR field officials.

Just recently, the anti-illegal logging task force of Region Xlll DENR Regional Executive Director Leonardo R. Sibbaluca apprehended 1, 723 pieces of illegally-cut logs of mix dipterocarp and miscellaneous species along the giant Agusan river.

The said seized forest products are now deposited at DENR Monitoring Station in Bit-os, Butuan City, ready for donation to Department of Education (DepEd) for school materials.

On the other hand, DENR Region-11 Director Jim O. Sampulna also reported the region’s task force confiscated a total of 4,319 cubic meters of illegally sourced or transported forest products with an estimated market value of 19,652,264.97.

Part of the seized items were donated to the DepED-11for the manufacture of school armchairs, desks, teachers’ table, and other school facilities.

In another development, the Land Management Service (LMS) of the DENR-11 has approved some 4,964 New Residential Free Patent titles covering about 81.49 hectares in the Southern Mindanao region.

Following its full implementation of Republic Act (RA) 10023 or the New Residential Free Patent Act, LMS-11 has approved a total of 1,332 NRFPs in Davao Oriental, while 1,001 in Davao del Norte.

While the approved titles in Compostela Valley reached to 1,429, and there were 1,202 new titles in Davao del Sur and Davao City.

The LMS has targeted a total of 6,627 Residential Free Patent titles for the whole region in 2012.

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https://www.chess.com/games/view/14842021

Photo by Mike Ortega Ligalig

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George Floyd Upheaval

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rewwBO8uhv4


Public Briefing: Discussion on Covid-19

Power of Video

Panglao requires registration
Link: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=3187348107991971&id=924510927609045

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Read the news:
https://ph.news.yahoo.com/steroid-reduces-death-risk-severe-virus-cases-140353522.html

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https://twitter.com/AmazonFashionIn/status/1272536674715734018?s=20
Green Initiative of Amazon Company

Or watch from this link:
https://youtu.be/yHeD7clpEuI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulFK2tv4GWQ

https://www.reuters.com/video/watch/idP$Km?now=true
President Trump Asks China's Help?

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=267093344367857


Wearing Face Mask in Time of Covid

The Jog Film

https://soundcloud.com/jwardmusic/oceans-hillsong-united


Hillsongs Oceans Song

https://goo.gl/maps/vnAZM47WK9vTKR3p7

ICM Mall in Tagbilaran City Location in Google Map

Vimeo Documentary Pause Journal

Worship Songs 2020


https://youtu.be/yHeD7clpEuI

SSS Calamity Loan Program

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