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Friday, January 17, 2025
The STANDS: An INQUIRER Sports Newsletter
The need to continually refine our human laws
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By Fr. Roy Cimagala
Chaplain
Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)
Talamban, Cebu City
Email: roycimagala@gmail.com
WE obviously have to be governed by the rule of law. Without the law, we can only expect disorder and chaos, and all other forms of injustice. But we need to distinguish between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law, and know how to understand and apply the law properly.
Ideally, both the letter and the spirit of a certain law should be in perfect harmony. But that is hardly the case in real life. The problem, of course, is that the articulation of the law is conditioned and limited by our human powers that cannot fully capture the richness of human life, considering its spiritual and supernatural character that will always involve the intangibles and mysteries and the like.
That is the reason why we can go beyond but not against a particular law, when such law cannot fully express the concrete conditions of a particular case. Because of this condition, there is always the need to continually update and refine our human laws to capture better the true spirit that our laws should have.
In this regard, we have to realize more deeply that it is in Christ, in following his commandment of love, that we can move toward the perfection and true fulfillment of our human laws.
Yes, that’s what St. Paul said in his Letter to the Romans. And if we believe that St. Paul was an apostle, a special vessel Christ chose to preach to the Gentiles, then his words ought to be believed. The complete passage is as follows:
“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not covet,’ and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law.” (13,8-10)
With these words, we are made to understand that it is love or charity that summarizes and fulfills all the laws there are—those that come directly from God and those that are man-made which are supposed to reflect God’s laws.
We just have to understand what this love or charity is, because we can also have all kinds of charity that may not exactly be the charity as it should be. We all know that we are notorious for doing this. Thus, we should first find where we can have the true essence of charity.
We know that charity is the very essence of God. St. John, in his first letter, said it clearly. “God is love.” (4,8) And that charity was lived and continues to be lived, shown and taught to us by Christ, who is the fullness of the revelation of God to us.
Christ himself summarized and perfected all the divine commandments given to us by revealing to us a new commandment—that we love one another as he himself has loved us. (cfr. Jn 13,34) The question to ask is: How has Christ loved us and continues to do so?
We know that Christ is the Son of God who became man to save us. He went all the way to assume everything human, except sin, though he was made like sin, just to adapt himself to us for the sake of our salvation. (cfr. 2 Cor 5,21)
Our human laws should try to capture this law of love that comes from God. It’s love that knows how to blend truth, justice and mercy.
Thursday, January 16, 2025
Beware of online job offer scams and human trafficking
In an era where social media connects people globally, it has also become a breeding ground for job scams and human trafficking operations. These fraudulent schemes have victimized countless job seekers by exploiting their aspirations for better employment opportunities. Despite their promises, these offers often lead to financial losses, exploitation, or worse, involvement in illegal activities.
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) have consistently warned against accepting job offers abroad without proper verification. According to BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado, scam syndicates use social media platforms to lure unsuspecting Filipinos with lucrative job promises.
A recent case highlights the dangers: a 35-year-old man was intercepted at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) after inconsistencies in his responses during immigration checks revealed that he had been recruited via Facebook for a job in Cambodia. The victim’s travel documents were sent through a social media app, a clear sign of the informal and potentially illegal nature of the arrangement.
Last September, three Filipinos were denied boarding at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Thailand due to fake visas obtained through fraudulent online offers. These incidents underscore the growing sophistication of scam syndicates, which often use fake company names, addresses, and logos to deceive applicants.
These so-called job opportunities often lead to exploitative work environments. For instance, some victims find themselves working in scam hubs, forced to participate in illegal online schemes such as phishing. These activities not only exploit workers but also put them at risk of legal consequences in foreign countries.
The DMW has also reported cases of Filipino workers recruited through “third country” schemes, where individuals travel to one country as tourists before proceeding to another for employment. Last year, a report from the Philippine Embassy in Nigeria detailed incidents of Filipinos being arrested for cybercrime and immigration violations after being recruited through such schemes.
Social media platforms have become fertile ground for illegal recruiters. In 2024, the DMW shut down a recruitment office in Quezon City linked to a Dubai-based consultancy offering bogus jobs in Europe. Victims were scammed out of hundreds of thousands of pesos, with promises of employment in Italy and Malta. The DMW has since worked with Facebook to take down over 7,000 illegal recruitment posts, emphasizing the importance of vigilance when navigating online job advertisements.
The DMW advises job seekers to transact only with licensed recruitment agencies and verify job offers through its official website. Job seekers are warned to avoid recruiters who demand early payment of fees or fail to provide official receipts. Legitimate recruitment transactions should occur at registered business addresses, not through casual online interactions.
The consequences of falling prey to illegal recruitment extend beyond financial loss. Victims risk being stranded abroad, facing legal troubles, or becoming involved in illicit activities. Moreover, the government or private groups will find it difficult to assist those in such situations because individuals have not gone through proper channels for overseas employment.
As social media continues to evolve, so do the methods of illegal recruiters. Job seekers must remain vigilant, scrutinize job offers, and verify the legitimacy of recruiters. Reporting suspicious activities to the DMW or relevant authorities is not only a protective measure but also a step toward dismantling these exploitative networks.
Remember, the promise of easy money often comes at an unimaginable cost. By exercising caution and prioritizing due diligence, job seekers can protect themselves from the perils of illegal recruitment and ensure their safety and security when pursuing opportunities abroad.
Kylie Padilla: Never force something that has passed its expiry date
BY NEIL RAMOS
Kylie Padilla was hot topic on social media recently.
It all started with her sharing this on Threads:
“I swear I’m not naive, but I want my relationships to last forever, which is probably why I stay longer than I should. I just don’t want to accept failure. But never force something that has passed its expiry date.”
Many believe she is alluding to being single again.
One fan even commented, “If you really are single now. I know it’s an unsolicited opinion, but I would have to say it anyway. Challenge yourself to stay single for at least 1 year. It might be impossible for the Aquarius woman like you na walang karelasyon for that long, but it’s better to focus more on your kids and career muna sa 2025 than finding or having a love life. Try to have a strong goal, like winning an acting award this year. Why not, diba? I understand your physical needs, but don’t be in a relationship because of it.”
It actually prompted a reply from the actress.
“Exactly the goal,” Kylie retorted in the now deleted comment.
It didn’t end there.
Kylie also posted, “A lot of women are single because they elevated their standards. Can’t blame them for that.”
She followed it up with, “Cut it before any ties form. You know yourself, so be smarter.”
Kylie is yet to confirm speculations about her being single anew.
Recall the 31-year-old admitted to being in a relationship July last year.
She was previously married to actor Aljur Abrenica with whom she shares two sons, Alas and Axl.
Odette Quesada hits 60
BY MANILA BULLETIN ENTERTAINMENT
AT A GLANCE
Be part of this very special milestone birthday concert starting this weekend.
Odette Quesada is a celebrated Filipino singer, songwriter, and music producer widely recognized for her influential contributions to the Philippine music industry.
Often called the “Queen of Philippine Pop Ballads”, she gained fame with her powerful voice and deeply emotional performances. She is known for her evocative songwriting, making her songs timeless, and she continues to be beloved by generations of fans.
Beyond her performance success, her impact extends through her role as a mentor and advocate for the local music scene. Her soothing vocal talent and unforgettable songs continue to inspire and shape the careers of future generations of Filipino artists.
Because of this, Odette will be honored as one of the Pinoy Playlist Music Festival Ryan Cayabyab Music Excellence Awardees on Thursday, Jan. 16 at the BGC Arts Center.
And on Jan. 17, 18 and 24, Odette will be celebrating her 60th birthday at the same venue where she had her very successful homecoming concert five years ago - the BGC Arts Center, too.
Be part of this very special milestone birthday concert starting this weekend. Tickets are available at Ticketworld.
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Davao Light and Power
The overall residential electricity rate of Davao Light decreased by P0.2164 per kilowatt hour (kWh) this January, bringing the rate down to P8.9894/kWh from P9.2058/kWh last month. This rate applies to bills received from January 11 to February 10.
2025 OGP APRM: Championing open governance
BY AMENAH F. PANGANDAMAN, DBM SEC
BEYOND BUDGET
Assalamu alaikum wa Raḥmatullahi wa Barakatuh.
Today marks a milestone in our country’s journey toward more transparent, accountable, and inclusive governance, as we hold the media launch for the Open Government Partnership Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting (OGP APRM). To be held from Feb. 5 to 7 at Grand Hyatt, Bonifacio Global City (BGC), with side events at the University of the Philippines–BGC Campus, the OGP APRM affirms our nation’s leadership in championing open governance in the global stage.
The OGP and PH successes
The OGP is a multilateral initiative that aims to secure concrete commitments from governments worldwide to promote transparency, empower citizens, fight corruption, and harness new technologies to strengthen governance. Since its establishment in 2011, with the Philippines as one of the eight founding members, the OGP membership has grown to more than 75 countries and 150 local governments working alongside thousands of civil society organizations (CSOs) to co-create action plans to enhance transparency, accountability, and public participation in government.
Since President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (PBBM) appointed me to lead the DBM, aligning our national fiscal policies with the principles of open government has been one of our foremost advocacies.
Our progress has been remarkable. Under PBBM’s leadership, Executive Order No. 31, s. 2023, institutionalized the PH-OGP. In fact, the OGP is a key strategy in our Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, with our 6th National Action Plan as the first-ever medium-term plan to ensure the sustainability of our commitments. With the passage of the New Government Procurement Act, procurement is made more transparent through open contracting wherein stakeholders, including CSOs, will have access to procurement information and proceedings. It also requires bidders to disclose beneficial ownership information to prevent collusion in public procurement. These developments were showcased at the 2023 OGP Global Summit in Tallinn, Estonia, where the Philippines was praised as “a country with open government in its DNA.” This recognition highlights the strides we’ve made in fostering transparency and accountability.
In 2024, we have cemented our position as a global leader in budget transparency by ranking number one in the 2023 Open Budget Survey, not only in Southeast Asia, but the whole of Asia, and 15th worldwide.
Further, we have expanded our advocacy campaign OGPinas! nationwide, directly engaging with more than 4,000 participants in nine provinces. Inspired by this activity, four of our local government units (LGUs) were selected as new members of the OGP Local Program in April 2024 — Tagbilaran, Larena, Quezon City, and Baguio — joining South Cotabato and Borongan, which were accepted into the program in 2018 and 2020, respectively. With six LGUs as partners in open governance, I am happy to note that they hail from and complete the country’s main islands — Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. I am also proud, as the PH-OGP chairperson, to represent our country as a recently elected member of the OGP Steering Committee.
OGP APRM
This February, we at the PH-OGP are excited to host the OGP APRM, which will bring together high-level representatives of government, civil society leaders, and policy-makers from across the region, as well as global and regional partners to exchange experiences, best practices, and progress on open government initiatives and implementation on key issues.
The regional meeting will feature high-level and ministerial sessions, interactive breakout sessions, networking opportunities, and side events, to discuss progress on key open government initiatives and explore ways to tackle the region’s most important issues. Topics include anti-corruption and rule of law, civic space, climate, digital governance, inclusive public participation, mainstreaming and localization of open government, among others.
I am certain that our selection as host reflects the international community’s recognition of the Philippines’ leadership in promoting open governance. The regional meeting will serve as a platform to showcase our achievements, learn from the experiences of our neighbors, and foster collaborative solutions to challenges in governance.
2025 OGP Fun Run
To kick-start our hosting, we have partnered with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), to organize the OGP Fun Run 2025 happening at the Quirino Grandstand on Jan. 26.
More than encouraging physical activity, the Fun Run symbolizes our collective journey toward more transparent, accountable, and participatory government. It provides an opportunity for citizens to engage with the government, learn about our initiatives, and contribute to meaningful dialogue on governance.
Proceeds from the Fun Run will support PRC’s lifesaving programs and projects, adding a humanitarian dimension to our advocacy for good governance. Participants may choose from three kilometer, five kilometer, and 10 kilometer race categories, with registration accessible through the social media pages of DBM, MMDA, and PRC. I hope you and your family will join this activity.
Beyond budget, the Philippines' active participation in the Open Government Partnership underscores our unwavering commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and participatory governance. Through initiatives such as our hosting of the 2025 OGP APRM and the Fun Run, we continue to lead by example, demonstrating that open governance is not merely an aspiration but a tangible reality in our Bagong Pilipinas.
(Amenah F. Pangandaman is the Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management.)