Saturday, December 20, 2025

The God Culture: What The Bible Says About Tim's Remarriage

Timothy Jay Schwab who is The God Culture does not believe in salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, to the glory of God alone. Instead he believes that for a man to abide in Christ he must be doing something which is keeping the law. Specifically he is to keep the sabbath and the feasts. A man is not secure in his salvation because he can lose it at any moment if he is not keeping the law. In effect Tim is not a Christian in any sense of the word nor does he believe Jesus Christ actually saves. 

It is this legalistic doctrine which led me to remark that Tim, being married to a twice divorced woman, is in a constant state of adultery and is thus a hypocrite. Jesus condemns marriage to a divorced woman as adultery. Tim did not take too kindly to that truth and he has written a whole article to justify the unjustifiable. Let's take a look at his arguments. 

https://thegodculturephilippines.com/what-does-the-bible-really-say-about-divorce/

The topic of divorce has been debated throughout the centuries. While many sincere believers have wrestled with its implications, Scripture is not silent, and it is certainly not open to endless interpretation. When Moses wrote the Law concerning marriage and divorce, he did not preach flexible theology or moral relativism. He gave clear parameters — ones affirmed directly by Yahusha Himself. 

In recent days, an anonymous blogger has weaponized these passages — not for theological clarity, but as ammunition for personal attacks. This must be addressed. Not because we are concerned with his opinions, but because truth matters — and so does protecting the integrity of Scripture from those who twist it to justify their own sin.

As can be seen this article is a response to me. And no I have not weaponized the words of Christ. I have only used them to expose Tim and his false soteriology. Soteriology is the primary issue here. 

1. Yahusha Affirms Moses’ Law (Matthew 5, Matthew 19, Luke 16) 

Each time Yahusha addresses divorce, He begins with what the Pharisees or people had said, then corrects their twisted version of the Law. 

  • Matthew 5:31-32
    “It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication...”
    → Yahusha affirms Deuteronomy 24 by allowing divorce in the case of adultery.

  • Matthew 19:9
    “And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery…”
    → Again, the exception clause is clear. Divorce and remarriage are not adultery when caused by the other’s fornication.

  • Luke 16:18
    Taken alone, this verse seems hard—until we read verse 17 first:
    “It is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.”
    → Yahusha reaffirms the Law of Moses, not abolishing it. 

So what does the Law of Moses say about divorce? Oops! That origin of Messiah's words is negligently omitted from the questionable attack blog. Another example of malicious intent in willful defamation. Yahusha brings us Moses and the Blogger ignore the Son of Yahuah and calls himself the judge... Hmmmm...

This section is completely irrelevant. The issue is not divorce, which Jesus said was justified in the matter of fornication (adultery), but the issue of marrying a divorced woman. If Tim's wife committed adultery he is free to divorce her and remarry as long as the woman is not a divorcee. 

It is interesting that Tim does not cite Luke 16:18. He only mentions it and then says verse 17 affirms the Mosaic Law. Here is the passage in context:

Luke 16:14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.

15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.

18 Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.

Note that Jesus says the law and prophets were until John. That means the law and the prophets have reached their proper end. John was born to prepare the way of the Lord, to proclaim the arrival of Jesus Christ. The law stands as a schoolmaster to lead us to Christ and not as a way of life for us to follow. 

Galatians 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

Tim rejects this doctrine and teaches the exact opposite. 

19:30 So this is another example that we aren't to just have faith in Yahusha. That’s not enough. That’s not it.  No, no, no, no. We are to keep His commandments.
Sabbath Series: Part 5: The End Times Sabbath
40:11 The law is what redeems us.

He rejects justification by faith in Jesus Christ and says the law is what redeems us. 

2. The Law of Moses on Divorce and Remarriage (Deuteronomy 24:1–4) 

“When a man hath taken a wife... and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement... and when she is departed... she may go and be another man's wife.” 

Moses, under the inspiration of Yahuah, made clear that a woman may remarry after a lawful divorce due to “uncleanness” (i.e., adultery). Yahusha never nullified this law—He reaffirmed its moral integrity and corrected the abuse by the Pharisees, who were divorcing women for “every cause” (Matthew 19:3).

The argument here is that the Mosaic Law allows divorce and remarriage and even allows the divorced woman to remarry. Tim claims Jesus reaffirmed Deuteronomy 24. He quotes it in a choppy manner with plenty of ellipses to hide what the law actually says. Here it is in full:

Deuteronomy 24:1 When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house.

2 And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man's wife.

3 And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, which took her to be his wife;

4 Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before the LORD: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

Moses allows divorce for any reason, not adultery. In fact, adultery is actually punishable by DEATH, not divorce.

Deuteronomy 22:22 If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel.

So, uncleanness cannot mean adultery. 

If the husband grows to hate his wife he can give her a bill of divorcement and send her on her way. True, she can become another man's wife. However, she cannot become a priest's wife. 

Leviticus 21:7 They shall not take a wife that is a whore, or profane; neither shall they take a woman put away from her husband: for he is holy unto his God.

In this verse a whore is equated with a divorcee. Both profane the priest. Tim, as a minister, should take heed to this verse. 

Tim claims Jesus "never nullified this law." That is not true. Jesus overturns the Mosaic Law in Matthew 19 saying the law of divorce for any cause was given because of the hardness of their hearts. 

Matthew 19:3 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?

4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,

5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?

6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?

8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.

9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.

There it is as plain as day. Jesus overturns Moses saying divorce is only permissible in the case of adultery and forbidding marrying a divorced woman because it is adultery. He does not qualify the status of the divorced woman as having been wronged by an adulterous husband. He does not say "whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery except she was put away because her husband committed adultery." It is a total ban. Jesus does not cite Deuteronomy 24 but refers to the creation ordinance in Genesis 2 for this doctrine! This proves the law is not the final moral authority.

Marriage is not merely a legal recognition of the union of a man and woman but an unbreakable, spiritual covenant bond which reflects the union of Christ and His Church.

Ephesians 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

This being the case how much more should spouses forgive one another even in the face of adultery? We sin against Jesus Christ every day and yet he does not and never will divorce his Church. He forgives and loves her. Do note that Jesus permits divorce in the case of adultery and does not command it. Forgiveness is also a remedy for broken marriages.

The bond of marriage is only dissolved by death. 

Romans 7:1 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?

2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.

3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.

4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

The depth of those verses is beyond this article but they show that Christians have ONE spiritual husband: Jesus Christ. As a woman is bound to her husband so long as he lives and is freed by his death, so we are dead to the law through Christ and married to Him. We are not divorced from the law, we are DEAD to the law and married to Jesus Christ. 

The indissoluble nature of the marriage bond is why Jesus Christ declares marrying a divorced woman is adultery regardless of the cause of her divorce.  

📜 What the Bible Actually Teaches About Divorce and Remarriage

The topic of divorce has often been mishandled—not just by critics, but sometimes even by churches, theologians, and bloggers who cherry-pick verses without understanding their Torah context or Messiah's intent. 

Let’s walk through this properly and Biblically: 

📖 1. The Law of Moses – Divorce Is Not Ideal, but Permitted for Infidelity

Deuteronomy 24:1-2 (KJV)
"When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleannessin her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house.
And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man's wife."

✅ Moses permits remarriage after a legal divorce, especially in the case of "uncleanness" (which Hebrew scholars widely agree refers to sexual sin such as adultery or fornication).

Wrong. Moses allows divorce for ANY CAUSE, not just adultery. If this law is still in force today then a man can divorce his wife because he has grown to hate her and not only because she committed adultery. We saw above Jesus tells the Pharisees that Moses gave this law due to the hardness of their hearts. 

📖 2. Yahusha’s Words – Affirming Moses, Not Overriding

Matthew 5:32 (KJV)
"But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery." 
Matthew 19:9 (KJV)
"And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery..." 

✴️ Yahusha explicitly affirms that adultery or fornication is a legitimate cause for divorce.
He is not introducing a new law, but reinforcing the intent of Moses’ Torah—clarifying it against Pharisaic abuse and misuse of divorce for “any reason” (Matthew 19:3).

Wrong! While Jesus Christ allows divorce in the case of adultery he does not affirm the law of Moses. He overrides it, says the law was given because of the hardness of their hearts, and limits adultery as the only reason for divorce. There is no "clarifying it against Pharisaic abuse and misuse of divorce for “any reason”" because the law itself allows divorce for any reason. 

Deuteronomy 24:3 And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house

Moses said you can divorce your wife if you hate her for being fat, lazy, and unable to cook or clean. Jesus forbids this part of the law by referring to creation.

If Jesus really did reaffirm the Mosaic law concerning marriage and divorce then then polygamy remains regulated. 

Exodus 21:10 If he take him another wife; her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall he not diminish.

But Jesus never affirms this. Likewise, Tim never brings up this part of the law. He is focused on sabbath and feast keeping and ignores most of the other laws such as the necessity of washing after relations with one's wife and the prohibition on shaving. 

Leviticus 15:18 The woman also with whom man shall lie with seed of copulation, they shall both bathe themselves in water, and be unclean until the even.

Leviticus 19:27 Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard.

Therefore Tim's legalism is false because it is selective. He does not follow the law. That is why we need the grace of Jesus Christ and why righteousness comes from Him alone. 

📖 3. Messiah Defends the Integrity of the Torah 

Luke 16:17-18 (KJV)
"And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.
Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery..."

Here again, context matters. Yahusha just said that not even one letter of Torah will pass away. He is not abolishing Moses’ law—He is calling people back to its righteous use, not its perversion. Think about. That was the very message John the Baptist was called to preach, a return to the law as lawlessness is the definition of sin (1 John 3:4). A church teaching there is no law is teaching lawlessness. John the Beloved said that is the definition of sin.   

Yes, context matters. Here it is again:

Luke 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.

The law and the prophets were until John. John came to proclaim the Messiah, not to return people to the law. He came to prepare the way of the Lord!

Matthew 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

That is basic Bible teaching and Tim, a Bible teacher for 30 years, messes it all up saying John the Baptist was sent, not to prepare the way of the Lord but to return people to keeping the law correctly. And he dares to claim he is not legalistic!

⚖️ Legalism as a Weapon

...the difference between a teacher and a bully. 
The God Culture is not legalistic, but accused as such by an extreme legalist by his own behavior. Hypocrisy! A continued double standard by an imposter whose only interest is to defame and defile. 

Wrong! Tim's teaching is legalistic through and through. It's been documented in his own words in many articles and it is documented in this article once again. I am only judging Tim by his own standards in order to show the weakness of his graceless soteriology. Tim is contradicted by his own theological commitments.

Finally, Tim offers a justification for his and Anna's "marriage."

🛡️ The Truth About Tim and Anna – A Biblically Grounded Union 

Let us now address the reckless accusation made by the anonymous blogger, who publicly labeled Tim and Anna adulterers without knowing the facts—and worse, without any regard for the biblical standards of judgmenttruth, or love. 

✅ Tim and Anna’s Marriage Is Biblically Valid 

  • Anna was divorced due to infidelity—a matter well-documented and confirmed by experts in Biblical unions. This blogger is not. 

  • Tim did not break up any marriage, nor did Anna. 

  • Their marriage came after a lawful, biblically justified divorce under the condition Yahusha and Moses both affirmed—fornication/adultery. 

  • Thus, they were free to marry in the eyes of Torah and Messiah. And it is a good thing they did. 

📖 Deuteronomy 24:2 – “...she may go and be another man’s wife.”
📖 Matthew 19:9 – “...except it be for fornication...”
📖 Luke 16:17 – “...not one tittle of the law shall fail.” 

If these verses hold true—and they do—then Tim and Anna’s marriage is righteous, and anyone declaring otherwise is bearing false witness and violating Torah themselves.

Instead of justifying why it is ok to trample on the words of Jesus Christ who forbade marriage to a divorced woman as adultery Tim justifies his and Anna's divorces. But that's not the subject. The subject is: is it allowable for a man to marry a divorced woman? Jesus answers resoundingly NO, and calls it adultery. It is also ridiculous for Tim to appeal to Church authorities having "vetted" his second marriage to a twice divorced woman and approving it when he rejects everything the Church teaches. If they are wrong about the Trinity and the nature of salvation, as Tim believes, then he ought not to trust their judgement about his marriage. 

Certainly divorce and remarriage is a very painful topic for many thanks especially to the no-fault divorce laws in the USA and around the world. Millions of people are currently living in adultery because they married divorced women. It is a tragedy. That does not change the fact that those marriages, including Tim's, constitute adultery. Once again, let me reiterate that Tim's adulterous marriage would never have been brought up if he did not teach righteousness comes not from Jesus Christ but from the law and the law is what redeems us. 

16:44 Abraham kept the law and the sabbath. And so did Isaac and Jacob.  I mean how can they be called righteous if there was no law by which they could be judged as righteous? The very notion is ridiculous from the start.

Sabbath Series: Introduction Commentary Only

Soteriology is the primary doctrine undergirding this issue. As a man who lives day-to-day in adultery Tim is in no place to speak of righteousness via the law. One who teaches that righteousness comes through the law cannot dismiss Christ’s explicit prohibition on remarriage without collapsing his entire legalistic system. What he needs is the grace of God. It is too bad that Timothy Jay Schwab who is the God Culture exhibits every trait of a vessel of wrath fitted to destruction.  

Friday, December 19, 2025

Retards in the Government 448

 It's your weekly compendium of foolishness and corruption in the Philippine government.

 


The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) led by Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Thursday filed administrative complaints against 12 barangay officials and two Iloilo City Hall employees before the Office of the Ombudsman over alleged irregularities in the distribution of cash assistance under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program. 
The 12 barangay officials were Barangay Captain Rizaline Delmo of Quintin Salas, Jaro; Barangay Kagawad (councilor) Victoria Ruel of Quintin Salas, Jaro; Barangay Captain Amadeo Sultan of Simon Ledesma, Jaro; unnamed barangay kagawad of Simon Ledesma, Jaro; unnamed barangay treasurer of Simon Ledesma, Jaro; Barangay Captain Gina Elauria of Taytay Zone II, Jaro; Barangay Kagawad JingJing Pineda of Taytay Zone II, Jaro; Barangay Captain Visamin Cañal of Quezon, Arevalo; unnamed barangay kagawad of Quezon, Arevalo; Barangay Captain Remedio Bedia of Lanit, Jaro; barangay kagawad Huntado of Lanit, Jaro; and Barangay Kagawad Gonzales of Lanit, Jaro. 
The two respondents from Iloilo City Hall were Jobert Lim and Janicol Dizon. 
The barangay officials were accused of forcibly taking P8,000 out of the P10,000 cash aid to AICS beneficiaries during on-site payouts on Nov. 7, 11, and 12.
Beneficiaries were affected by typhoon ‘’Tino’’ in November and allegedly sought by barangay officials after they received the money from DSWD personnel and forced them to surrender the amount. 
“Their process seems systemic. They waited for the beneficiaries but what they imposed was a kind of tariff,” said Gatchalian. “It’s very sad. They were re-victimized and people of authority re-victimized them,” Gatchalian added. 
Gatchalian filed the complaints for violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, grave misconduct, and abuse of authority based on the recommendation of the fact-finding team led by DSWD Assistant Secretary for Regional Operations Paul D. Ledesma. 
Ledesma said the Iloilo City government requested AICS funding for victims of Tino. 
The DSWD distributed AICS totaling P21 million  at P10,000 each to 2,100 beneficiaries during the payouts. Of the 2,100 beneficiaries, only 14 were willing to execute complaint affidavits against barangay officials. 
Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas has condemned the deduction but has yet to issue a statement over the cases filed before the Ombudsman. The 12 barangay officials are known to be political allies of Mayor Treñas and her father, former Mayor Jerry Treñas.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development led by Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Thursday filed administrative complaints against 12 barangay officials and two Iloilo City Hall employees before the Office of the Ombudsman over alleged irregularities in the distribution of cash assistance under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program. 


https://mb.com.ph/2025/12/11/bir-lawyer-shot-dead-in-mandaue-city
Motorcycle-riding assailants gunned down a Bureau of Internal Revenue lawyer early Thursday morning, Dec. 11, in Mandaue City, Cebu province. 
Duke Ramil Perral Lincuna was driving an Isuzu Crosswind when he was attacked around 6 a.m. on a busy road in Barangay Bakilid. 
A motorist was able to take a video of the attack. 
The video showed two men on a motorcycle shooting at the driver’s side of the vehicle. The gunmen, who wore helmets and jackets, drove off after the attack. 
Emergency responders brought the lawyer to the Mandaue City District Hospital where he was declared dead. 
The victim, a resident of Barangay Lamac, Consolacion town, Cebu, was on his way to work at the Bureau of Internal Revenue-Cebu City, when he was attacked.
Motorcycle-riding assailants gunned down a Bureau of Internal Revenue lawyer early Thursday morning, Dec. 11, in Mandaue City, Cebu province. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2154244/plunder-other-charges-filed-vs-vice-president-sara-duterte-15-others

Civil society leaders have filed multiple criminal complaints — including plunder, bribery, malversation, and graft — against Vice President Sara Duterte and 15 others over the alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds.

A coalition of priests, academics, rights advocates and journalists, including Fr. Flaviano Villanueva, Fr. Roberto Reyes, and economist and former DOF Undersecretary Dr. Maria Cielo Magno, lodged the complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman on Friday afternoon.

The complainants claimed that respondents committed violations of Section 2 of the Republic Act (RA) No. 7080 as amended by RA 7659 (plunder); Article 219 and 212 of the Revised Penal Code (bribery and corruotion of public officials); Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code (malversation); Section 2(a) and (e) of the RA 3019 (graft); and Article XI, Section 2 of the 1987 Constitution (betrayal of public trust).

Aside from Duterte, the respondents named in the complaint are the following persons:

  • Zuleika T. Lopez Undersecretary and Chief of Staff (Office of the Vice President)
  • Lemuel G. Ortonio Assistant Secretary and Assistant Chief of Staff, (OVP)
  • Rosalynne L. Sanchez, Director for Administrative and Financial Services, (OVP)
  • Julieta L. Villadelrey Chief Accountant (OVP)
  • Gina F. Acosta Special Disbursing Officer (OVP)
  • Col. Raymund Dante P. Lachica Commander, Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group
  • Michael Wesley T. Poa Former Undersecretary, Chief of Staff of the Office of the Secretary, and
  • Head of Procuring Entity (Department of Education)
  • Sunshine Charry A. Fajarda Director for Strategic Management Office and Former Assistant Secretary (DepEd)
  • Undersecretary Annalyn M. Sevilla Undersecretary for Finance Service, Project Management Service, Education Program Management Service, Government Assistance and Subsidies Office  (DepEd)
  • Gloria Mercado, former Head of Procurement Entity and Undersecretary for Human Resources and Regional Development  (DepEd)
  • Ma. Rhunna L. Catalan Chief Accountant  (DepEd)
  • Edward D. Fajarda, former Special Disbursing Officer (DepEd)
  • Ret. Maj. Gen. Nolasco A. Mempin, former Undersecretary for Administration (DepEd)
  • Lt. Col. Dennis Nolasco member of the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group
  • John Does

The complaint alleged that the ₱612.5 million confidential funds were “diverted, misused and concealed through coordinated schemes” carried out across the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, which Duterte headed from 2022 to June 2024.

Broken down, the amount covers P500 million CFs allocated to OVP in 2022 and 2023 and P112.5 million during the time when she was the head of DepEd. 

In September 2024, Marikina 2nd District Rep. Stella Quimbo confirmed that the P125 million CF of the OVP in 2022 was spent in just 11 days — quicker than the initial reports of 19 days. 

Civil society leaders have filed multiple criminal complaints — including plunder, bribery, malversation, and graft — against Vice President Sara Duterte and 15 others over the alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1265066

The city government here has filed administrative complaints against an assistant department head and 32 workers of the General Services Office (GSO) involved in the alleged mass falsification of documents in their application for Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) loans.

In an interview on Thursday, City Legal Officer Karol Joseph Chiu said Mayor Greg Gasataya has approved the investigation report, which includes the recommendation of filing formal complaints against those involved.

“The City Legal Office (CLO) has been appointed as the hearing officer of the administrative cases,” he said.

The CLO started the investigation last month after GSO department head Gilda Luisma submitted an incident report regarding the 32 employees who falsified their pay slips and net pay certifications to qualify for GSIS loan.

The said employees are facing administrative complaints for serious dishonesty, grave misconduct, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

Tiu said GSO assistant department head Franklin Andre Familiaran, who signed the supposedly falsified documents, has also been charged for 32 counts each of the stated administrative cases.

He said the mayor also ordered Familiaran to serve a 60-day preventive suspension without pay.

“This is pursuant to the constant follow-up of GSIS with regards to the reported mass falsification in the GSO department. The incident has reached them and they are following up and making the city explain about it,” Tiu said.

The city government here has filed administrative complaints against an assistant department head and 32 workers of the General Services Office (GSO) involved in the alleged mass falsification of documents in their application for Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) loans.

Plunder and graft complaints were filed Friday with the Office of the Ombudsman against Surigao del Sur Representative Romeo Momo Sr. over the alleged P1.4 billion worth of government contracts bagged by the construction firm owned by his family.

A group of Catholic priests and lawyers from Tandag, Surigao del Sur said that based on government records, Momo family’s Surigao La Suerte Corp. (SLSC) allegedly received P1.4 billion in fuel and infrastructure government contracts across the province while Momo was the company's director and a Surigao del Sur representative.

“SEC filings show Congressman Momo was listed as a director during periods when SLSC was obtaining government projects. The company's paid-up capital [also] increased dramatically, from P10 million in 2019 to P200 million in 2023. These are not ordinary circumstances," the group said in a statement. 

"This involves a former top DPWH official and House Infrastructure [Committee co-] chairman whose family-linked corporation benefited from billions in government projects. Multiple contracts and Notices of Award bear signatures of Momo family members, serving as corporate representatives for SLSC. These are government-signed documents, and they speak for themselves,” it added. 

In response, Momo denied the allegations and tagged them as politically motivated. 

“I would like to make it clear that there is no conflict of interest in my work as Surigao del Sur first district representative. Such imputation of using public office for personal gain is not true. Wala po itong katotohanan,” he said in a statement. 

“I had already, in fact, divested from the Surigao La Suerte Corp. a long time ago. I’m no longer part of this company. Besides, it’s not doing business in my congressional district. People and documents can attest to that. These baseless complaints are all political motivated. It is nothing more than a desperate attempt to link me to a supposed corruption scandal,” he added.

Momo then said he will answer the allegations with additional details before the proper forum and at the proper time.

“I have always been guided by the highest standards of integrity and principle enshrined in the Constitution: Public office is a public trust. I will never betray the people of Surigao del Sur, whom I have served, and shall continue to serve, with utmost responsibility and accountability,” he said.

Plunder and graft complaints were filed Friday with the Office of the Ombudsman against Surigao del Sur Representative Romeo Momo Sr. over the alleged P1.4 billion worth of government contracts bagged by the construction firm owned by his family.

https://mb.com.ph/2025/12/13/ex-barangay-captain-murdered-in-basilan
Police are investigating the murder of former Mangalut Barangay Captain Haji Malik Aru of Akbar municipality, Basilan province in Isabela City, Basilan on Thursday, Dec. 11. 
Investigation showed that the gunman approached the victim on the Lamitan-Isabela Highway in Sitio Pilar, Barangay Binuangan, and shot him. 
His body was discovered by responding lawmen. 
Officials have appealed to residents and eyewitnesses for information that would lead to the arrest of the suspect. 
Police are conducting follow-up investigation. 
Possible motives are personal and political.
A former barangay captain has been assassinated. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/12/14/leyte-cop-faces-dismissal-for-shabu-use

Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr., acting chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), ordered the start of the dismissal proceedings against a police corporal who was discovered using illegal drugs in Palompon, Leyte.

The policeman, a member of the Palompon Municipal Police Station, tested positive for illegal drugs during a targeted drug test conducted last Dec. 5 and according to the investigation, he was monitored for using shabu two months earlier.

After a series of validations which confirmed the information, the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group formulated Target Intelligence Packet “K9” to include him in a random drug testing held on Dec. 5 .

The drug test result, claimed on December 13, showed that the policeman tested positive for methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu.”

Nartatez directed the immediate filing of administrative cases in accordance with existing PNP rules, with dismissal from the service among the penalties being pursued should the charges be proven.

“Let this be a clear message that the Philippine National Police is no place for those involved or using illegal drugs. Our counter-intelligence operation and internal cleansing mechanisms are strong,” said Nartatez.

“We will run after you and make sure that you will suffer the consequences as part of our commitment to protect the integrity of the organization and the honor of the badge,” he added.

Nartatez also emphasized that criminal cases may follow if supported by evidence as he underscored that no one in the organization is exempt from accountability as he stressed that the PNP will act decisively against personnel who violate the law and betray the public's trust.

He added that while the incident is considered isolated, it is being addressed firmly and without hesitation.

As part of sustained internal reforms, Nartatez also ordered the expansion of intelligence-driven and random drug testing across police units nationwide, particularly those in frontline and operational roles. 

A PNP officer has been busted for using drugs. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/12/14/village-official-stabbed-by-colleague-in-ilocos-norte

A barangay kagawad was stabbed and wounded by a fellow village official during a parking dispute in Barangay Abucay here on Friday, police said.

Police Major Kristian Lee Badua, chief of the Piddig Municipal Police Station, identified the victim as Kagawad Baptista.

Badua said the suspect, Kagawad Nicolas, allegedly blocked a parking area, prompting the victim to reprimand him.

A heated argument erupted, during which the suspect went home to get a knife and stabbed the victim.

The suspect was arrested and the victim was taken to a hospital in Batac City, Ilocos Norte.

The victim and the suspect were allegedly drunk at the time of the incident.

Badua said the suspect has expressed remorse but refused to say anything further about the incident.

The victim has expressed intention to file charges against the suspect.

Police said they will coordinate with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and refer the matter to the Liga ng mga Barangay.

A barangay kagawad was stabbed and wounded by a fellow village official during a parking dispute in Barangay Abucay.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2154960/retired-policeman-shot-dead-inside-cockpit-in-calbayog-city

A 57-year-old retired police officer was shot dead while watching a cockfight inside the Ipao Sports Complex, a cockpit arena, in Barangay San Policarpo, Calbayog City, Samar, on Saturday night, Dec. 13, according to the Police Regional Office in Eastern Visayas (PRO 8).

Based on the initial report from PRO-8, the victim, identified only as “Nonoy,” a resident of Barangay Monbon, Sta. Margarita, Samar, was inside the sports complex at around 8:03 p.m. when the incident occurred.

Police said an unidentified male suspect, described as wearing a gray long-sleeved shirt, black short pants, and a violet cap, approached the victim from behind and shot him three times. The suspect then reportedly fired two more shots before fleeing in an unknown direction.

Personnel of the Calbayog City Police Station immediately responded after receiving information from a concerned citizen and conducted an initial investigation at the scene.

Responding personnel from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office rushed the victim to the Calbayog District Hospital, but he was declared dead on arrival at around 9:20 p.m. by his attending physician.

PRO 8 said the Calbayog City Forensic Unit processed the crime scene and recovered five fired .45-caliber cartridge cases, one unfired .45-caliber cartridge, and a .45-caliber pistol with an inserted magazine found in the possession of the victim. 

Two additional magazines with ammunition were also recovered from the victim’s sling bag, along with other personal belongings.

The victim’s body was later brought to St. Peter Funeral Home in Sitio Talahib, Barangay Trinidad, Calbayog City.

A 57-year-old retired police officer was shot dead while watching a cockfight.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2155733/davao-sur-village-chief-aide-nabbed-in-drug-sting-operation

Agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-11) launched a drug buy-bust operation in Sulop, Davao del Sur on Monday, December 15, that resulted in the arrest of a village chief and his aide.

The village chief, identified only as “Kap,” was caught in the act of selling illegal drugs when a PDEA agent, posing as buyer, successfully bought one sachet of suspected meth during the sting operation that took place in Barangay Roxas at around 10:15 p.m. on Monday.

Agents claimed that the drugs contained in the sachet is worth some P8,000.

On the other hand, alias “Dionisio,” who was with the suspect, was also arrested in the operation.

The PDEA-11 office said four more sachets of suspected meth weighing around 23 grams, with an estimated street value of P156,400, were seized from the possession of the suspects. The marked money used by the poseur-buyer was also recovered by the operatives during the body search.

The suspects are now placed under the custody of the PDEA Regional Office 11 in Davao City.

The operation was done in coordination with the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit (RDEU), and personnel of Sulop municipal police station. 

A village chief and his aide have been busted for drugs. 

Thursday, December 18, 2025

Coronavirus Lockdown: Lost Classics, Computer-Assisted Instruction, and More!

More news about how the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines is being handled by the public and the government. 

The Asian Development Bank has issued a report on computer-assisted learning during the pandemic. 

https://www.bworldonline.com/economy/2025/12/08/717229/technical-snags-hindered-phl-efforts-to-roll-out-computer-assisted-instruction-during-pandemic/

THE Asian Development Bank (ADB) said computer-assisted instruction improved math but not English outcomes among students in remote Philippine locations during the pandemic.

The bank said the program was hindered by poor internet connectivity and the instability of operating systems in low-cost tablets.

In a working paper, the ADB, together with the Department of Education, said it conducted a 42-school randomized trial of computer-assisted instruction in remote areas.

“We find that the intervention increased student learning in mathematics, but not in English,” it said.

The tablets were the main source of instruction for 2.5 months before schools reopened, after which they served as a supplement to, rather than a replacement for, in-person instruction.

Filipino students were among the world’s weakest in math, reading and science, according to the 2022 Program for International Student Assessment. The Philippines ranked 77th out of 81 countries and performed worse than the global average in all categories.

“During implementation, schools and teachers faced challenges. Schools lacked staff with the skills to administer the servers, as they had no dedicated IT personnel,” the ADB said.

The bank added that power outages affected connectivity, despite the installation of solar panels and batteries.

It also said the Wi-Fi networks struggled to provide connectivity to synchronize the digitized learning modules with the tablets, particularly when classroom instruction resumed as the networks had been designed to enable connectivity from outside the schools.

The ADB also noted that the tablets provided to students were “relatively low-cost” and experienced operating system crashes and instability, which prompted teachers to assign static PDF file handouts, rather than using the interactive materials available.

“When teachers used static PDFs… server logs indicate little use,” it added. 

It turns out Philippine schools lack the proper infrastructure to use tablets for learning. That is a big challenge for the nation which will certainly continue to leave Filipino students far behind their international peers who do have the proper infrastructure to use tablets and other computer systems. 

Philippines foreign investments have reverted to COVID-19 lockdown levels. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/12/10/foreign-direct-investments-sink-to-over-5-year-low-in-september-amid-flood-control-corruption-scandal

Largely due to a mix of onshore concerns stemming from the flood-control graft scandal, net inflows of brick-and-mortar foreign direct investments (FDI) in the Philippines dropped to $320 million in September—the lowest level since the $313.8 million recorded in April 2020, when the most stringent Covid-19 lockdowns were first imposed.
The latest preliminary data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Wednesday, Dec. 10, showed that September FDI inflows fell by over a quarter from $432 million in the same month last year.
Japan emerged as the primary source of FDIs during the month, with the manufacturing sector receiving the largest inflows.
Japan was likewise the top source of equity capital placements since January, followed by the United States (US) and Singapore.
“Industries that received most of these investments were manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, and real estate,” the BSP said.
As of end-September, net FDI inflows dropped 22.2 percent to $5.54 billion from $7.12 billion in the same period in 2024. It can be noted that year-to-date inflows were lower year-on-year since January.
Measured against the Philippines’ FDI target of $10 billion this year, the nine-month total now stands at 55.4 percent. This year’s target is higher than last year’s $9.44 billion in attracted investments.
FDI refers to cross-border investments where a nonresident investor owns at least 10 percent of the equity in a local enterprise and may take the form of equity capital, reinvested earnings, or intercompany borrowings.
FDI net inflows as of end-September, the BSP said, were equivalent to 1.6 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) during the period.
Private-sector economists believe the decline in FDIs could be attributed to both global and local developments.
Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) senior research fellow John Paolo Rivera argued that while global uncertainty is a contributing factor, a more serious drag stems from onshore developments “due to the corruption scandal that stalled government spending, weaker-than-expected GDP growth, and the resulting dip in investor confidence.”
“These created hesitation among foreign firms, especially those assessing long-term projects in manufacturing, infrastructure, and services,” Rivera said, adding that the wild swings of the peso, compounded by delays in project approvals, contributed another layer of cautiousness to sentiment.
SM Investments Corp. (SMIC) group economist Robert Dan Roces said the over-five-year-low FDIs could be attributed to investors’ cautiousness amid slower economic growth domestically and still-elevated global interest rates.
Growth slowed sharply to four percent in the third quarter of the year due to dampened business sentiment and tightened government spending. GDP expansion averaged five percent in the first three quarters of 2025, below the government’s 5.5- to 6.5-percent goal.
Jonathan Ravelas, senior adviser at Reyes Tacandong & Co., said the decline reflects “global uncertainty, high borrowing costs, and lingering policy gaps,” noting that a strong rebound in the last quarter is needed to hit the central bank’s target.
Looking ahead, Ravelas expects “modest inflows in manufacturing and real estate if confidence improves.” He also asserted that “now” is the appropriate time for businesses to “push clarity and competitiveness to attract capital.”
Roces believes inflows to the country remain “positive, but momentum will likely stay moderate until borrowing costs ease and reforms gain traction.”
Rivera said the drop implies that “investors are waiting for clearer governance signals, more stable policy execution, and stronger economic momentum before committing fresh capital.”

It's more proof that corruption is more destructive than a virus which caused economically crippling lockdowns.

During the pandemic one author wished she could read classics. However, libraries were closed. That's when she decided to start her own press.

https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/arts-and-culture/2025/12/10/2493016/filipino-author-brings-lost-classics-food-books-new-readers-collectors

At a time when most people would rather scroll through their phones than read an actual book, it’s surprising to find a local publishing house adamant on bringing lost classics back to the forefront. Mara Coson is the writer and visionary behind Exploding Galaxies who has made this her goal. 

A published author herself — her first novel “Aliasing” (Book Works, 2018) has a magic realism vibe and is situated in a town peopled with unique characters — Coson’s realized her mission during her stint as a part of the editorial staff of Rogue Magazine more than a decade ago. 

“We once did a story on weeklies like The Philippines Free Press and Mr. And Ms. That’s where I first encountered the stories of Greg Brillantes, Resil Mojares, Wilfrido Nolledo, and many other writers,” she told this writer in an email interview. 

Moved to locate these writers’ published works, she met with twin roadblocks: they were either hard to find in bookstores or she needed to arrange a visit to a library. “It was always a matter of going to libraries, or finding a rare copy, but during the pandemic, libraries were closed! That’s when I decided it was time to start a press focused on just that.”

In 2023, Exploding Galaxies published its first book, Nolledo’s “But for the Lovers” (1970) described as the author’s magnum opus that challenges the idea of liberation in World War II Manila. 

Important work

“I wanted to share Nolledo’s writing with more people because it’s such an important work of Philippine literature. It’s crazy to think that [the novel] had not had an edition people could really easily access in over 50 years,” Coson said.

This was followed by Linda Ty Casper’s “The Three-Cornered Sun” (1979) that tells the story of the Philippines on the brink of Revolution against Spain in 1896; and Erwin E. Castillo’s “The Firewalkers” (1992) that is set in Cavite in 1913 after the Philippine-American War.

“With the novels, I found readers who were also struggling to find these rare titles. I hope they’re no longer considered rare these days,” Coson quipped. 

Last month, Exploding Galaxies published two books containing essays on food and Philippine culture by Doreen G. Fernandez and Edilberto Alegre, “Sarap” (1988) and “Palayok” (2000). 

“With ‘Sarap’ and ‘Palayok,’ the interest seems far broader because people love connecting with and through food. We have been getting readers across different generations, people who were readers of Fernandez or Alegre’s newspaper columns, or who have been wanting a copy of ‘Sarap,’ or who knew them in some way. [There are also those] who love food and are discovering these two voices for the first time.”

The two books (sold on the Exploding Galaxies' website and at select National Book Stores and Fully Booked branches) can be purchased separately or as a set in a slipcover case. The second option clicked with collectors who have since added the books to their respective libraries. Exploding Galaxies’ managing editor Sam Marcelo told this writer that the slipcased books have since sold out online although there are plans to make them available again. 

It's another story of resilience during and after the pandemic. 

The transfer of funds from PhilHealth to the national treasury has been a scandal. Former Finance Secretary and now Executive Secretary Ralph Recto says some of those funds were used to pay healthcare allowances.

https://politiko.com.ph/2025/12/12/philhealth-fund-used-to-pay-healthcare-workers-allowances-during-covid-19-pandemic-recto/politiko-lokal/

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said that part of the P60 billion funds transferred from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to the National Treasury was used to pay the allowances due to healthcare and non-healthcare workers who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In an interview on Bilyonaryo News Channel’s On Point, award-winning broadcast journalist Pinky Webb asked Recto where the transferred fund was used.

“We wanted to have health to health lahat. Apparently, possibly hindi napunta hindi napunta heath to health. But a big portion of that was used to pay the public health emergency benefits and allowances for health care and non-healthcare workers during COVID-19,” he said.

“In fact, we paid more than, from programmed and unprogrammed, more than a P120 billion.

Ito yung mga pinangakuan natin to pay them during the pandemic na hindi nabayaran. So under our administration, we paid them from programmed and unprogrammed,” Recto added.

Asked for clarification, Recto said about P28 billion was used to pay the allowances.

Recto, who was the Finance secretary when the fund was transferred, explained that the responsibility of the Department of Finance was to look for funds and manage the deficit, and they had nothing to do with where it would be used.

“Our job is to raise the revenue, manage our debt…, determine the deficit target so revenue kami. Ang public works ang nagde-determine kung anong project ang ipa-fund. And it is the DBM who manages the expenditures,” he said.

Now, being the Executive Secretary, Recto said, “I have more visibility in all the departments, and my job now is to help clean the house, so to speak.”

“That’s why we changed the secretary of the DPWH. I am working closely with Sec. Vince [Dizon] to reform the system in DPWH. Same thing with the DBM, we have a new secretary, and we are all working together to improve government performance, maximize the department’s outputs, and monitor the performance of the departments. And to ensure that the departments follow the instructions of the President,” he added.

Too bad some people are still waiting on those allowances. 

Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Dog Cruelty Again

Generally speaking Filipinos love dogs and take care of them to the best of their ability. However, there are many outrages committed against dogs in the Philippines. From eating them to allowing them to run the streets, dogs have a hard time in the Philippines. Here are two recent stories of cruelty against dogs. 

In this first report a dog was beaten to death outside a public market by three men who chased him after he ate a gamefowl. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/969577/for-allegedly-killing-gamefowl-dog-beaten-to-death-outside-montalban-public-market/story/

Authorities are looking for three men who allegedly took turns in beating a dog until it died on the sidewalk of the Montalban Public Market in Rodriguez, Rizal earlier this month.

According to Vonne Aquino’s report on “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday, CCTV footage taken on the morning of December 6 showed one of the men beating the dog with a piece of wood until it stopped moving.

The market’s employees and vendors said they had no idea as to the identity of the dog’s attackers. The dog reportedly killed a rooster used for cockfights.

"The dog allegedly killed a rooster used for cockfighting. So based on that scenario, it’s possible that they followed the dog here where the unfortunate incident happened,"  said Abdulbayan Intuan, the market inspector of the Montalban Public Market

He added that the three suspects were not vendors at the public market.

The dog’s remains eventually disappeared from the sidewalk as the remains were apparently taken away by unknown persons.

The authorities of Barangay San Jose are also investigating the act of cruelty that led to the dog’s death.

"We have also summoned the employees of the market so we can find out who did this," said Joel Patricio, head of the barangay’s monitoring department.

Meanwhile, the Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF) reminded the public that it is illegal to hurt and maltreat animals like dogs even if the animal did something wrong.

"If you need to file a complaint before the barangay for damages, do that. Let us not take it out on the animal, let us not hurt or kill it," said lawyer Heidi Caguioa, AKF program director

The animal welfare group assured that it will help file charges of violating Republic Act 8485 or the 1998 Animal Welfare Act against the men who allegedly killed the dog.

GMA Integrated News attempted to search for the suspects but no one in the community knew their identities.

No one knows who the suspects are and no one tried to stop them from beating the dog to death. If no one knows who the suspects are then how do they know the reason they beat the dog to death was because it killed and ate a gamefowl? 

To add insult to injury the remains disappeared as they were taken away by unknown persons. Hopefully the dog was buried and not eaten. 

The second and final story is about a dog who had its tongue ripped out. At first it was labelled a case of animal cruelty but after investigation it turns out that is not the case. 


https://mb.com.ph/2025/12/14/valenzuela-city-says-kobe-case-not-animal-cruelty-after-investigation

The Valenzuela City government has clarified that the incident involving a dog named Kobe in Barangay Balangkas does not constitute animal cruelty, following a thorough investigation by a joint task force.

Kobe had its tongue completely cut off on Tuesday, Dec. 9. 

Mayor Weslie “Wes” Gatchalian said the dog fight lasted for 19 seconds. 

"Five to six dogs were in a group. We saw that there was an altercation, one dog bit another dog. The bite was directly to the tongue,” he said in a press conference on Saturday, Dec. 13. 

Reports of an alleged animal cruelty case circulated online, causing fear in the community and drawing strong reactions from various animal welfare advocates. 

In response, the city government immediately formed a joint task force, dubbed “Task Force Kobe,” to conduct a comprehensive probe into the incident.

Based on the review of closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage and statements from eyewitnesses, authorities determined that the incident was the result of a dog-to-dog fight and was not caused by human intervention.

To support Kobe and the dog’s owner, the city government committed to providing medical assistance to the injured dog until his full recovery.

“From the Valenzuela City Government, we thank the cooperation of the dog owner, witness, animal welfare advocates, and concerned citizens to expedite the resolution of Kobe's case,” the city government said.

The local government also reminded the public to remain vigilant and discerning when consuming and sharing information online, and urged pet owners to continue complying with the Responsible Pet Ownership Ordinance No. 131, Series of 2014, to help ensure the safety and welfare of animals and the community.

Five to six dogs were in a group fighting? And one of them bit off the other dog's tongue! That is most certainly animal cruelty. It's called negligence. Allowing your dog to roam the neighborhood is not the mark of a careful loving owner. Nearly every house in the Philippines has a fence and the dogs must remain behind that fence where they are safe. There are laws about letting your dogs run wild. Sadly they are rarely if ever enforced.