The God Culture: What Is Covenant?

Having looked at the definition of faith as given by Timothy Jay Schwab who is The God Culture let's take a look at his definition of covenant. Both faith and covenant relate to one another. It is by faith one is grafted into the covenant. But as we saw previously, Tim defines faith as works which means one has to work, be obedient, to be in the covenant. 

What Is Covenant?

 

FOUNDATIONS

What Is Covenant? (Biblical, non-denominational framing)

Here is the first problem. It sounds like Tim is being neutral. Like he is gung-ho for Sola Scriptura. Alas, that is not the case. His rejection of "non-denominational framing" is really a rejection of the Church. Tim is on record calling the Church the synagogue of Satan and claims he is here to restore the truth. 

The synagogue of satan was installed and their doctrines as what we call the early church today but the true early church was wiped out. 

New Sabbath Series Trailer

Any Statement of Faith or creed from the Church amounts to Freemasonry.

So how then do we govern ourselves? Who do we follow? What church do we attend? Is there a denomination that gets this right?

You will never find denominations in scripture. His ekklesia cannot be broken into such. In our age, there are a Remnant of believers only. It is not 1.5 billion but a few in terms of the population of the world. They are one and defined as keeping His commandments. Those come from the Bible as should all of our doctrine.

Any organization one enters is a creation of men. You will notice just about all of them attempt to boil down their theology into a Statement of Faith or Mission Statement of sort. These are meaningless as any Statement of Faith that does not include every letter of the Word is no such. The origin of such practice is freemasonry as the Bible never says to create a Statement of Faith. You will find every False Prophet comes from the church within and has a great resume and great sounding Mission Statement. That is Pharisaism not Bible. If one can whittle their faith down to a sentence or paragraph, they are extremely shallow.

Rest: The Case For Sabbath, pg. 416

That is all more than a little ironic since this definition amounts to a Statement of Faith. Tim is not only using the scriptures but he is using his own words to explain them. That is not much different from the Westminster Confession of Faith which explains doctrines and provides the Bible passages which prove those doctrines. 

Covenant is the relational framework Elohim established from creation to govern His kingdom, define humanity’s purpose, and restore what was broken by sin. It is not a contract between equals, but a binding oath initiated by Elohim, rooted in His character, promises, and authority.

In Scripture, covenant means:

Elohim binds Himself by oath (Gen 15; Gen 22:16–18; Ps 89:3–4)

Humans are invited into loyalty, obedience, and trust, not negotiation

Blessing flows from alignment; curse from rebellion (Deut 28)

Covenant is always relational before it is legal

From the beginning:

Creation itself is covenantal (Gen 1–2: order, authority, boundaries)

Adam’s role was priest-king stewardship under covenant

Sin is covenant violation, not merely rule-breaking 

Throughout Scripture, covenant is progressive, not replaced:

Adamic → Noahic → Abrahamic → Mosaic → Davidic

All find their fulfillment and confirmation in Messiah, not cancellation

This is partially correct. The covenant God has established with men is initiated by Him. However, man is not merely invited into the covenant. God unilaterally enters into covenant with whomsoever he will, namely the elect. To make the covenant a matter of invitation tramples on the doctrine of God's decree and sovereign election. He chooses whomsoever he will and passes by all the rest. He chose the nation of Israel above all other nations.

Deut 10:15 Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day.

Amos 3:2 You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.

Every Israelite child was automatically a member of the covenant God made with that nation. The sign of the covenant was circumcision. Of course while every member of the nation was part of the visible covenant people not all were actually members of the elect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel (Romans 9:6). Meaning the covenant is much deeper than blood or promises of land.

Here is the covenant given to Abraham. 

Genesis 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

2 And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.

3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,

4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.

5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.

6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.

7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

9 And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations.

10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.

11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.

12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.

13 He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.

14 And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.

Note that the promise is given to Abraham's seed. Who is that? Ultimately it is Jesus Christ. 

Gal 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

In his definition of covenant Tim has left out Jesus Christ. He has omitted the covenant between the Father and the Son. 

Isaiah 53:10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

This is called the pactum salutis or the covenant of redemption. In this eternal, pretemporal covenant, the Father appoints the Son to redeem the elect. That covenant is foundational to understanding the Gospel and the covenant of grace. However, this is no place to discuss it as the topic is too immense. See Herman Witsius' two volumes On the Economy of the Covenants for a thorough discussion of covenantal theology. 

The so-called “New Covenant” is not new in content, but renewed, internalized, and written on the heart (Jer 31; Ezek 36), just as the prophets foretold.

Covenant explains why Messiah came, what sin is, what obedience means, and how restoration works.

Without covenant:

The Gospel becomes abstract

The Kingdom becomes vague

Grace becomes disconnected from purpose

With covenant:

The story is unified

Messiah is correctly understood

Scripture speaks with one voice

Shabbat Shalom. Yah Bless.

The end of this definition, that the covenant is necessary to understand why Christ came, is correct but the first part is woefully wrong. Tim says there is no new covenant. There is only a renewal of the old! That's not what the Bible says. 

Hebrews 8:6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.

8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:

9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.

10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.

12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away. 

Hebrews 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. 

And if Tim does not wish to listen to Paul let him hear Christ. 

Matt 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Yes, the new covenant is indeed...NEW! The old has been fulfilled and is no longer in force. The entire purpose of the old covenant, namely the law, was to lead us to Christ! 

Galatians 3:23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

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 cites Jeremiah 31 in support of the covenant being not new but renewed. However, Jeremiah disagrees with him. 

Jer 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:

33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

Tim is correct in noting that the covenant is internalized with the law being written on the heart but that only undermines his contention that it is renewed. The old covenant was with ONE NATION, Israel. Yes, gentiles could be grafted in but the covenant was with that one nation only.  The new covenant is with the world, the gentiles, all those whom Christ has elected to salvation and who he will graft into Himself by regenerating them, drawing them, and giving them the gift of faith to believe the promises. But Tim teaches we are to keep the law and the measure of our law keeping is what grafts us into Christ, makes us righteous, and keeps us in covenant with Him. 

20:05 For us to not keep his law, uh-oh here it comes, is also to not love Him. As if we love Him what do we do? John 15, keep my commandments. Even in revelation what are they found doing at the very end the end times remnant? Keeping His commandments, His law.  Do we love him? This is a covenant folks and it is  the way it works. See that's the way he defines this. It's a covenant relationship. This is intimacy with the Creator.  He loves you that much. He wants to be intimate with you in relationship. Are we in relationship with Him or not?

Sabbath Series: Part 3B. Messiah Kept the Sabbath.

Thus law keeping is the essence of the covenant according to Tim. 

A more Biblical definition of the covenant is to be found in the Westminster Confession of faith. 

I. The distance between God and the creature is so great, that although reasonable creatures do owe obedience unto him as their Creator, yet they could never have any fruition of him, as their blessedness and reward, but by some voluntary condescension on God’s part, which he hath been pleased to express by way of covenant.

II. The first covenant made with man was a covenant of works, wherein life was promised to Adam, and in him to his posterity, upon condition of perfect and personal obedience.

III. Man by his fall having made himself incapable of life by that covenant, the Lord was pleased to make a second, commonly called the covenant of grace: wherein he freely offered unto sinners life and salvation by Jesus Christ, requiring of them faith in him, that they may be saved, and promising to give unto all those that are ordained unto life, his Holy Spirit, to make them willing and able to believe.

IV. This covenant of grace is frequently set forth in the Scripture by the name of a testament, in reference to the death of Jesus Christ, the testator, and to the everlasting inheritance, with all things belonging to it, therein bequeathed.

V. This covenant was differently administered in the time of the law, and in the time of the gospel: under the law it was administered by promises, prophecies, sacrifices, circumcision, the paschal lamb, and other types and ordinances delivered to the people of the Jews, all fore-signifying Christ to come, which were for that time sufficient and efficacious, through the operation of the Spirit, to instruct and build up the elect in faith in the promised Messiah, by whom they had full remission of sins, and eternal salvation, and is called the Old Testament.

VI. Under the gospel, when Christ the substance was exhibited, the ordinances in which this covenant is dispensed, are the preaching of the Word, and the administration of the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper; which, though fewer in number, and administered with more simplicity and less outward glory, yet in them it is held forth in more fullness, evidence, and spiritual efficacy, to all nations, both Jews and Gentiles; and is called the New Testament. There are not, therefore, two covenants of grace differing in substance, but one and the same under various dispensations.

https://thewestminsterstandard.org/the-westminster-confession/#Chapter%20VII

There are only two covenants of God made with man. One is the covenant of works made in the Garden of Eden which Adam broke when he ate the forbidden fruit. Because Adam is our federal head all men are subject to this covenant and its penalty which is death. The second is the covenant of grace made to all of God's elect people through faith in Christ. This covenant was administered differently in times past but is now revealed in its final form under Jesus Christ. All of the law including the sacrifices and ordinances pointed to Him and are now fulfilled and abrogated. 

Tim's definition of covenant is not Biblical at all. It leads one away from trust and faith in the promises of God to trust in one's own works instead. It also presents a false view of the new covenant as being a renewal of the old. Tim’s covenant is actually a repackaged Covenant of Works. Ultimately there is nothing but heresy in this definition. The fact that it sounds good on its face is what makes this poisoned apple so dangerous. 

Retards in the Government 459

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

 

https://mb.com.ph/2026/02/23/nartatez-orders-probe-into-involvement-of-ex-cops-in-criminal-syndicate-operations

Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, J., chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), ordered a thorough investigation into the alleged involvement of dismissed and retired policemen in the operation of criminal syndicates.

The statement was issued after Department of the Interior and Local Government *DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla said there are at least 10 former police officials involved in the operation of some criminal syndicates.

Nartatez said he already directed the Intelligence Group (IG) and the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) to conduct a deep-dive validation.

“We are not just looking at their current activities but also their possible connections inside the organization. Even if they are already out of the service, they still carry the tactical knowledge they learned here, and that makes them high-risk,” said Nartatez.

“We are consolidating all records of their previous administrative cases to see if there were 'protectors' who allowed them to flourish before their dismissal,” he added.

Nartatez assured the public that cleansing the ranks remains a priority.

Aside from the immediate investigation, Nartatez ordered a reassessment of internal monitoring systems to prevent corruption that may continue after retirement or dismissal.

He said ethics training and anti-corruption workshops will be strengthened while early detection mechanisms will be tightened, particularly in sensitive units. 

Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, J., chief of the Philippine National Police, ordered a thorough investigation into the alleged involvement of dismissed and retired policemen in the operation of criminal syndicates.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/02/26/ncca-official-charged-in-court-with-2-counts-of-cyber-libel

Two counts of cyber libel have been filed in court against the head of the Public Information and Community Affairs Office (PICAO) of the Iloilo provincial government for allegedly maligning former Iloilo City mayor Jerry Treñas.

Charged was Jose Nereo C. Lujan, who is also an incoming committee member of the National Committee on Monuments and Sites (NCMS) of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

It was learned that Lujan’s service at NCMS is voluntary in nature and that he has not taken his oath of office as of posting time.

Last Feb. 24, RTC Judge Judita Patriarca P. Nafarrete of Branch 38 issued an arrest order against Lujan who immediate Lely surrendered and posted bail of P48,000 for each count of cyber libel.

Lujan was charged by the Iloilo City prosecutors with violations of Section 4(C)(4), Chapter II, of Republic Act No. 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, in relation to Articles 353 and 355 of the Revised Penal Code.

Prosecutor Caryl Kate Fabella-Genova III had earlier dismissed Lujan’s motion for reconsideration and recommended the filing of cyber libel charges against Lujan.

Fabella-Genova ruled there was sufficient evidence to hold Lujan accountable for his earlier Facebook posts against Treñas.

The case stemmed from the eight counts of cyber libel filed by Treñas against Lujan for allegedly damaging his reputation.

The prosecution said that Lujan’s posts were allegedly intended to embarrass Treñas by claiming that the former mayor was a leading traffic violator, supposedly citing an upset stomach as an excuse to get out of a gridlock.

Also cited by the prosecution was another post by Lujan who claimed that Treñas “could not go to heaven.” The picture of the former mayor was included in the post.

Of the eight counts of cyber libel filed by the prosecutor, only two were found with probable cause that warranted the issuance of an arrest order against Lujan.

Two counts of cyber libel have been filed in court against the head of the Public Information and Community Affairs Office of the Iloilo provincial government for allegedly maligning former Iloilo City mayor Jerry Treñas.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/02/26/ex-dpwh-secretary-bonoan-10-others-charged-for-rigged-bidding-of-5-foreign-funded-flood-control-projects

Criminal complaints were filed on Thursday, Feb. 26, against former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary Manuel M. Bonoan and 10 others on the alleged rigged bidding of five foreign-funded flood control projects.

Complainant John J. Chiong of Task Force Kasanag (TFK) asked the Office of the Ombudsman to charge Bonoan and the co-respondents with violations of Sections 3(e) and (g) of Republic Act No. 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act; Section 65 of R.A. No. 9184, the Government Procurement Reform Act; and R.A. No. 7080, the Anti-Plunder Act.

The other respondents named in the complaints were DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, Undersecretary and bids and awards committee (BAC) Chairman Ador G. Canlas, BAC Vice Chairperson and OIC Assistant Secretary Pol M. Delos Santos, BAC Vice Chairperson Alex G. Bote, BAC members and Director of Bureau of Construction Allan S. Borromeo, Director of Design Blesilda S. Ramos, Project Director of UPMO-RMCII Teresita V. Bauzon, Project Director of UPMO-FCMC Ramon A. Arriola III, OIC Director Bureau of Design Lara Marisse I. Esquibil, BAC Provisional Member Gliciridia C. Tumaliuan-ali, as well as private respondent companies Sino Road and Bridge Group Co. Ltd., China International Water & Electric Corp., Hunan Road and Bridge Construction Group Co. Ltd., and Beijing Urban Construction Group.

"This complaint arises from systematic bid rigging, manipulation of the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC), unlawful disqualification of lowest bidders, irregular award of multi-billion infrastructure projects, and solicitation of money," the complaint stated.

Based on the complaints, the five DPWH foreign-funded projects involved are the Malabang Viaduct Marawi City project; Ranao (Agus) River Basin Flood Control Infrastructure - Package 1, Balo-i, Lanao del Norte; and Laguna Lakeshore Road Network (LLRN) -- Packages 1, 2, and 3.

"In this case, there was a series of overt acts across multiple projects involving multi-billion contracts, at least P360 million excessive award in one project alone (Malabang Viaduct)," the complaint said as it pointed out that "there is a pattern of repeated irregular awards."

Chiong alleged that the respondent former and incumbent officials manipulated the bidding process for all the projects, and the Invitation to Bid posted in Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) reflected zero approved budget for the contract (ABC).

He also alleged that Bonoan issued Department Order No. 173 Series of 2024 on Oct. 1, 2024 and removed the ABC ceiling in foreign-funded projects to allow unrestricted bidding and later adjusted the ABC by 15 percent in favor of preferred bidders.

By concealing budget ceilings, Chiong claimed that the respondents showed manifest partiality and evident bad faith to their preferred suppliers.

Chiong also alleged: "In this case, respondents posted zero ABC despite approved budgets, awarded a bid above the ABC, failed to publicly open financial bids, and approved irregular BAC resolutions. These acts defeat transparency and competitiveness and constitute criminal violations under Section 65 of R.A. No. 9184."

Those named in the complaints could not be contacted for comments as of posting time. Manila Bulletin will post their comments once available.

Criminal complaints were filed on Thursday, Feb. 26, against former Department of Public Works and Highways secretary Manuel M. Bonoan and 10 others on the alleged rigged bidding of five foreign-funded flood control projects.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/03/01/chief-tanod-shot-dead-in-escalante-city-barangay-hall

A 61-year-old chief village peacekeeper was shot dead in Escalante City, Negros Occidental on Saturday, Feb. 28. (Escalante City Police Station) 

Seven unidentified armed men gunned down a 61-year-old chief village peacekeeper at the barangay hall of Pinapugasan Proper in Escalante City, Negros Occidental on Saturday, Feb. 28.

Police Capt. Lindsey Caraballe, deputy chief of Escalante City Police Station, identified the victim as Eduardo.

Caraballe said the suspects only targeted the victim, who was on duty at that time, along with other peacekeepers.

The suspects fled and took the victim’s handheld radio. 

Caraballe said the victim sustained three bullet wounds and was declared dead in a hospital.

Police are probing the motive of the attack and are not discounting the possibility that the incident could be linked to another shooting where a farmer was killed by communist rebels in the adjacent Barangay Dian-ay, Escalante City on Thursday, Feb. 26.

The 42-year-old farmer was killed for allegedly being a military asset.

A 61-year-old chief village peacekeeper was shot dead in Escalante City, Negros Occidental.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1269961

The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) on Friday announced a reshuffle of key officials, including the removal of two superintendents from their posts.

At a ceremony held at BuCor headquarters in Muntinlupa City, Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said the move “is a proactive measure intended to bolster the Bureau's effectiveness in managing correctional facilities and responding swiftly to emerging challenges.”

“The change of leadership aims to ensure that the correction facilities continues to uphold its twin-mandate of safekeeping and reformation while maintaining public trust and confidence,” he added.

Relieved were Leyte Regional Prison head, C/Supt. Ricardo Sespene Jr. and Correctional Institution for Women superintendent, CT/SSupt. Marjorie Ann Sanidad.

Catapang said they were relieved “pending the resolution of investigations concerning their conduct,” without elaborating.

Sespene was reassigned to the BuCor Land Control and Management Center Anti-Squatting Unit, while Sanidad was moved to the New Bilibid Prison Hospital.

C/SSupt. Ruben Formoso replaced Sespene, while CT/SSupt. Daisy Sevilla-Castillote, former chief of the San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm (SRPPF), succeeded Sanidad.

New Bilibid Prison superintendent C/SSupt. Roger Boncales was transferred to the Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm and replaced by Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm head C/Supt. Gary Garcia. C/Supt. Edgardo Mendoza Jr. of the Davao Prison and Penal Farm (DPPF) will take over Iwahig, while C/Supt. Abel D.R. Ciruela moves to DPPF.

C/Supt. Alfredo Devaras Jr., former NHQ and Headquarters Support Company commander, was named the new superintendent of SRPPF.

The Bureau of Corrections announced a reshuffle of key officials, including the removal of two superintendents from their posts “pending the resolution of investigations concerning their conduct.” 

https://mb.com.ph/2026/03/02/cop-arrested-for-kidnapping-girl

A police officer was arrested for allegedly kidnapping a nine-year-old girl in Labrador, Pangasinan on Feb. 26. 

Investigation said the victim was walking home from a store when a black vehicle stopped in front of her. 

The suspect opened the door, forcibly pulled the victim inside, sped away, and left her in Bugallon, Pangasinan where she was rescued. 

The victim, who was screaming and crying inside the vehicle, noticed a police uniform hanging in the back, and positively identified the suspect from photographs of police officers shown to her. 

Police confirmed the identity of the suspect and the victim positively identified him again during a lineup at the Sual, Pangasinan police station. 

The suspect was arrested and placed under the custody of the Labrador police station. 

Police Col. Arbel Mercullo, Pangasinan police director, reiterated their commitment to protecting children, strictly enforcing the law, and not tolerating violations within their ranks. 

The Philippine National Police said a formal complaint for kidnapping and serious illegal detention were filed before the Prosecutor’s Office in Lingayen, Pangasinan against the suspect.

A police officer was arrested for allegedly kidnapping a nine-year-old girl.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2189253/army-soldier-sought-for-wounding-2-civilians-in-catarman-shooting

Police have launched a manhunt for an active Philippine Army member allegedly involved in a shooting incident that left two civilians wounded Monday morning in Barangay Dalakit, Catarman.

The incident occurred at 8:45 a.m. and was reported to the Catarman Municipal Police Station (MPS) at about 9 a.m., authorities said.

The victims were identified as a woman of legal age and a 23-year-old man, both residents of Barangay Airport Village in Catarman. Their names were withheld pending further investigation.

The suspect, also of legal age, is an active Army personnel reportedly assigned in Maulong, Catbalogan City, Samar.

According to initial police reports, a concerned citizen alerted the Catarman MPS about the shooting shortly after it happened. Responding officers immediately proceeded to the scene to secure the area and begin an investigation.

Personnel from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) rushed the victims to the Northern Samar Provincial Hospital for medical treatment. Authorities have yet to release details on the extent of their injuries.

The suspect reportedly fled the scene immediately after the shooting.

Police said it coordinated with neighboring stations in establishing checkpoint operations to intercept and arrest the suspect.

Investigators are now working to determine the motive behind the shooting and whether the incident stemmed from a personal dispute or other circumstances.

As of press time, the suspect remains at large.

Authorities urged anyone with information regarding the suspect’s whereabouts to immediately coordinate with the Catarman MPS.

An active duty solider has killed two people. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2190156/retired-cop-companion-killed-in-maguindanao-del-sur-ambush

Gunmen ambushed and killed on Tuesday, March 3, a retired police officer and his companion in Datu Montawal, Maguindanao del Sur.

Captain Nurjhasier Sali, police chief of Datu Montawal, identified the victims as Elias Dandan, former police chief of Pikit, Cotabato, and Raymund Bioy, both residents of Barangay Kalawag, Pikit, Cotabato.

Sali said the victims were on board a black pick-up truck heading for Poblacion Pikit when ambushed at about 2:30 p.m. along the national highway.

Citing an initial investigation, Sali said two men riding on a motorcycle drove by the victims’ vehicle and opened fire.

When the police arrived at the crime scene, they found two men lying lifeless inside the vehicle with gunshot wounds.

Members of Datu Montawal police station rushed the victim to University of Southern Mindanao Hospital in Kabacan, Cotabato. The victims, however, were declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

Further investigation is ongoing.

Gunmen ambushed and killed on Tuesday, March 3, a retired police officer and his companion in Datu Montawal, Maguindanao del Sur.

Coronavirus Lockdown: Grocery Stores Struggle, COA Affirms Disallowance, and More!

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

The Lumpia Queen has taken over the world. Her reign began in 2022 during the pandemic. After her videos went viral she was able to convince her academic advisor to incorporate her content creation as part of her immersion project and turned it into a career. 

https://mb.com.ph/2026/02/28/abi-marquez-on-family-food-and-the-responsibility-of-representing-filipino-flavors-globally

On social media, she reigns as the Lumpia Queen. At just 25, Abi Marquez has transformed her love for Filipino food into a global platform, earning accolades from the Webby Awards, a coveted spot on Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia, and, most recently, Creator of the Year at the Adcolor Awards. She is also a 2025 Gold Stevie winner at the International Business Awards, where she was recognized as Most Innovative Content Creator of the Year.

But beyond the perfectly edited reels and viral recipes, who is Abi? What sparked her journey from filming home-cooked meals to representing Filipino cuisine on the global stage?

In celebration of International Women’s Month, Manila Bulletin Lifestyle sat down with the trailblazing creator for an intimate conversation about her beginnings during the pandemic, the challenges of building a brand from scratch, and the purpose that fuels her work today.

Inside a loving home, where it all began

“I started doing content in January 2022,” she recalls. “We ate rice three times a day at home. One night, I made pasta for dinner and thought, ‘this is special.’” Armed with her phone and curiosity, she uploaded the video. It went viral.

Instead of basking in the numbers, Abi studied them. “As the nerd that I am, I made a formula for it,” she says with a laugh. She repeated what resonated, refining her storytelling while staying rooted in Filipino flavors.

Food, after all, was always central to her life. The second of four children, Abi grew up in a household where meals were sacred. Her father, an engineer turned entrepreneur, encouraged patience and experimentation, even critiquing dishes with gentle suggestions. Her mother, a nurse who chose to raise the family full-time, cooked three meals a day. No one started eating until everyone was at the table. Even today, that rule stands.

The discipline followed her to school. A graduate of Santa Rosa Science and Technology High School, she took up the Accountancy, Business, and Management senior high school track before earning a degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management (HRIM) at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman. Numbers excite her as much as narratives do. She understands bookkeeping, business models, and audience analytics with equal enthusiasm.

Yet she was never confined to the classroom. Abi joined filmmaking contests, dance competitions, the student government, and even founded the first Honor Society chapter for HRIM students in her college.

From thesis to lifetime career

When content creation began gaining traction during her final semester, she made a bold move. Faced with delays in a traditional internship, she convinced her dean to allow her to turn content creation into her immersion project. She wrote case studies and approached them with academic rigor. From the beginning, she treated it not as a hobby but as a career.

The early days were not glamorous. Without corporate experience, she navigated brand emails by instinct. “I basically pretended to know what I was doing,” she admits. Burnout soon followed. As a one-woman team, she shot, edited, wrote, negotiated, and posted her work. There were Saturdays spent editing instead of sitting at the family table. Those were the moments she cried.

“With the demand that I had with sponsorships and just the workload, it was a very difficult moment for me to catch up with everything, especially the fact that I would miss family occasions,” she shares. “I would miss weekends with my family because of work, which was really a big deal to me.”

Today, she leads a growing team and works with a management team that handles the business side. The challenge now is different. “It’s harder to explain your vision than to just do it yourself,” she says. Still, the improved quality of life affirms her belief that longevity in this industry requires collaboration.

Putting Filipino dishes on the world map

With visibility comes pressure. As one of the few Filipinos representing local cuisine on global platforms, Abi feels a responsibility to be inclusive and informed. “The biggest challenge I face is becoming a responsible, inclusive representative of Filipino cuisine on a global scale.”

Learning, for her, is an active pursuit. She reads, watches, travels, and most importantly, listens. Conversations with fellow Filipinos, whether abroad or in newsrooms, deepen her understanding of the stories behind the food. Each exchange shapes how she presents Filipino flavors to the world.

What’s next for the Lumpia Queen?

A cookbook is in the works, a tangible extension of her digital universe. She hopes to travel more, meet Filipinos overseas, and understand how food connects them to home. This year, she is also going offline, teaching culinary classes at UP Diliman, speaking to students at Ateneo, and organizing kitchen workshops for children in partnership with World Vision.

And yes, she confirms, a restaurant is part of the dream. While many creators expand into products, Abi envisions a space where people can taste her creations firsthand. “It’s more fulfilling for me to share the food that I cook and watch it change someone’s mood,” she says.

For women still searching for their place, her advice is simple. Stick to your story. In a world obsessed with virality and comparison, authenticity remains her secret ingredient. “Your set of experiences is yours alone,” she says. “Block out the noise. Believe you can do anything as long as you put your time and effort into it.”

From a humble pasta video to global recognition, Abi proves that when passion meets purpose, even the simplest dish can open doors to the world.

It's another story of a Filipina succeeding during the pandemic by turning food into money. 

In 2022 Legazpi CIty gave 64.5 million pesos in assistance to various groups. The COA has now disallowed that assistance. 

https://mb.com.ph/2026/02/28/coa-affirms-disallowance-on-p645-m-assistance-given-to-legazpi-city-employees-tricycle-drivers-seniors-in-2022

The Commission on Audit (COA) has affirmed its disallowance on the P38 million cash incentives given to the officials and employees of Legazpi City and the P26.58 million financial assistance (FA) given to tricycle drivers and senior citizens during the tail-end of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2022.

Spouses Carmen Geraldine B. Rosal and Noel E. Rosal, the former mayors of Legazpi City, appealed the COA decisions on the disallowed payments.

They argued that the passage of the ordinances which allowed the welfare and financial assistance cannot connote bad moral judgment or negligence since it was made during the Covid-19 pandemic and the aftermath of several natural calamities.

They also argued good faith behind their actions, and, thus, they should not be held personally liable for money that was already distributed.

But the COA found their arguments without merit.

The COA stressed that Provincial Resolution No. 0384-2023 dated Feb. 7, 2023, issued by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, declared as invalid and inoperative Ordinance No. 16-0013-2022 and Appropriations Ordinance No. 16-0023-2022 of the city, which granted the EWA and additional incentives.

As a result, the COA said that the grant of the FA to tricycle drivers and senior citizens was in violation of Section 261(v) of the Omnibus Election Code on the prohibition against the release, disbursement, and expenditure of public funds during the 45 days preceding a regular election.

It also said that good faith may not be appreciated in favor of the Rosal spouses, as the grant of EWA was immediately disbursed without the required review by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. It added that the timing of the grant was also questionable.

"While the grant was incidentally made during the pandemic, it is worth emphasizing that it was made only on Dec. 22, 2022, which was already at the tail-end. Thus, there was hardly any urgency anymore that would justify non-compliance with the above discussed provisions of law," the COA pointed out.

The nine-page decision was signed by Chairperson Gamaliel A. Cordoba and Commissioner Douglas M.N. Mallillin.

The COA says this was actually a sneaky way to get around election laws by doling out cash. It was also done when the pandemic was basically over in December 2022! No word on whether this money will be returned. 

SMX Convention Center continues to recover and expand post-pandemic. 

https://mb.com.ph/2026/03/03/smx-breaks-event-record-expands-capacity-nationwide

SMX Convention Center sets new records in 2025 as demand for business and industry events accelerates nationwide.

SMX Convention Center, the meetings and exhibitions arm of SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SM Prime), reported that it hosted a record number of events and visitors in 2025—giving it greater confidence to continue expanding to serve untapped demand.

In a media briefing, SM Hotels and Convention Corp. (SMHCC) Senior Vice President Walid Wafik said, “we are adding capacity ahead of demand as part of our long-term plan because there are some markets that we didn’t tap on yet because of the limited capacity that we have.”

He noted that, “with sufficient capacity we think MICE [meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions] can be a significant driver of tourism business activities and regional growth for the Philippines.”

“We are scaling capacity in step with demand, while focusing on developments that complement our current portfolio. This allows us to extend growth beyond the capital and strengthen our presence in key provincial markets,” said SMHCC Executive Vice President Peggy Angeles.

In Cebu province, SMX Convention Center Seaside Cebu will soon rise. It is poised to become the largest convention center in the Philippines and is scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2026.

In Pasay City, SMXCITE, or SMX Center for International Trade and Exhibitions, is under construction within SM Mall of Asia (MOA) complex. The 18,000-square-meter (sqm) facility is set to open in early 2027 and will be the country’s largest international exhibition venue.

Wafik said that while these facilities have yet to be completed, they have already started receiving bookings for both properties.

“This gives us confidence that the added capacity will attract additional shows and events plus this also gives us a good edge with international events that we have not been tapping or Manila wasn’t being considered because of the limited sizes of the venues. So this is opening great new doors for us,” he added.

SMX said its strong performance last year reinforces its position as a top destination for large-scale events in the country. It currently has eight convention centers and trade halls, three of which are in Metro Manila, including Megatrade Hall at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City, while the others are in Davao, Bacolod, Clark, Olongapo, and Cebu’s Sky Hall.

Across these properties, SMX booked 1,632 events, up 10 percent from 1,480 in 2024. Booked events during the year were almost evenly divided between Metro Manila and regional venues, reflecting the rising popularity of provincial destinations.

Visitor traffic climbed 38 percent to 8.42 million from 6.1 million, as the expanded lineup of booked events and their strong audience pull translated into higher foot traffic.

“Since the pandemic reopening, we have seen sustained demand not only in Metro Manila but also in key regional destinations. The accessible locations of our venues also encouraged walk-in visitors, particularly for exhibitions and consumer shows open to the public,” said Angeles.

Major events staged at SMX venues in 2025 included flagship trade exhibitions and consumer shows such as Philconstruct, World Food Expo (WOFEX), SiGMA Asia, Manila International Auto Show (MIAS), and TravelTour Expo (TTE), along with bridal fairs and large-scale cosplay conventions.

MICE will certainly be the driving factor in their growth as business meeting and conferences converge on these convention centers. 

Grocery stores are struggling due to weak economic growth. 

https://mb.com.ph/2026/03/02/grocery-stores-struggle-as-filipino-consumers-cut-back-on-spending

Consumer spending in supermarkets at the start of the year remains clouded by uncertainty, as the ongoing political noise and weaker economic growth are prompting Filipinos to spend their money elsewhere, according to the Philippine Amalgamated Supermarket Association Inc. (Pagasa).

Pagasa President Steven Cua said spending in the first quarter will unlikely to rebound from the worse-than-expected holiday period during the latter part of last year, which is typically the highest sales period of any given year.

Cua said members of the supermarket group are still “uncertain” whether sales will gain upward momentum as early as next month.

“The political sentiment is really hurting us. People say that's separate, but bloggers, TikTok, everything on social media, is killing us,” he said in a chance interview last week.

The country’s economic growth expanded by just three percent in the fourth quarter of 2025, the slowest since the pandemic, in the aftermath of the flood control scandal that stalled government spending.

According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the consumer confidence index worsened to -22.2 percent in the quarter, down from -9.8 percent in the previous three months.

While the corruption scandal continues to affect sentiment, Cua pointed out that consumer confidence is also being weighed down by an even more divisive political climate en route to the 2028 presidential elections.

To recall, Vice President Sara Duterte has announced that she intends to run for the country’s top post in the elections, a move that is seen to dictate the status of her impeachment case.

At the same time, the International Criminal Court (ICC) recently concluded the confirmation of charges against her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, over alleged crimes against humanity, which is expected to cast a shadow over the country’s political landscape.

To encourage consumer spending, Cua said the country is badly in need of some much-needed “good news.”

“When Manny Pacquiao has a fight, there's no crime, right? What goes up? The sales of alcohol. People want to drink and watch. So those are feel-good things,” he explained.

While supermarkets are reeling from the impact of weaker spending, Cua said this is the opposite for hard discounters who are on an upswing as consumers are now more keen to buy cheaper goods.

Hard discounters Dali and O! Save offers a no-frills shopping experience, selling private-label goods at prices lower than branded counterparts.

“They keep opening, they have the capital. We don't have the capital to burn, that's why we are wait-and-see,” said Cua.

He noted that hard discounters could continue growing at a faster rate this year as household budgets tighten, especially amid increases in oil prices.

If oil and transportation costs continue to take up a larger share of consumers’ wallets, he said shoppers will likely turn to alternative stores such as hard discounters rather than traditional supermarkets.

Amazing that the flood control scandal is now affecting grocery stores! That's the power of corruption. It has wiped out much post-pandemic growth. 

Assassinated Citizens February, 2026

Assassination is normal in the Philippines not only for government officials but also for regular citizens. The most common method of assassination for both citizens and officials is a motorcycle duo riding up on the target and then blasting them away. This series will document the number of citizens assassinated on a monthly basis. These stories are to be distinguished from regular murder cases which happen on a daily basis. 

https://mb.com.ph/2026/02/05/gunmen-fatally-shoot-septuagenarian-in-negros

A 74-year-old woman was shot dead by unidentified armed men in Purok Halimbawa, Barangay Tapi, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental on Tuesday, Feb. 3.

Police identified the victim as Leonor, the owner of a house where seven New People’s Army (NPA) rebels reportedly stayed and killed in series of encounters with soldiers in April 2025.

Investigation said three armed men approached the victim’s husband and inquired about his wife’s whereabouts. He accompanied the suspects to the house of the victim’s sister.

The suspects told him to go inside and introduced themselves as NPA while the victim was instructed to go to the balcony.

A gunshot followed and the victim was found lying on the ground with a bullet wound in the head.

Recovered from the crime scene was a fired 9mm bullet.

The Army 15th Infantry Battalion condemned the killing and condoled with the victim’s family.

They called on the public to remain calm, refrain from speculation, and support authorities by providing any information that may help in the ongoing investigation.

Police are conducting follow-up investigation.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2182232/electric-coop-director-shot-dead-in-oriental-mindoro

A ranking official of the Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative (ORMECO) was shot dead Friday night in Pinamalayan town, police said.

In an exchange of emails on Saturday morning, PLt. Col. Joel Paningbatan, chief of the Pinamalayan Police Station, identified the victim as Tony Mendeja, 64, a member of ORMECO’s board of directors representing the municipalities of Bongabong and Bansud.

Paningbatan said Mendeja had pulled over his Isuzu D-Max vehicle along a roadside in Barangay Del Razon at around 8:30 p.m. to check the vehicle’s lights.

Minutes later, a lone gunman riding a motorcycle arrived and shot the victim.

The suspect, described as wearing a white T-shirt and riding a black motorcycle, fled after the shooting.

Mendeja was rushed to a community hospital but later succumbed to a gunshot wound that struck his side, police said.

“The gun that was used is still of an unknown caliber, and we are still waiting for the SOCO (Scene of the Crime Operatives) report,” said Paningbatan.  

Authorities said the victim had just come from Calapan City, where he attended a memorandum of agreement signing for a solar lights project, before the attack. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/976576/ex-miss-philippines-earth-runner-up-gunned-down-in-isabela/story/

A 32-year-old public school teacher and former national beauty pageant finalist was gunned down early Friday evening, Feb. 13, while seated inside her vehicle outside her residence in San Manuel, Isabela, authorities said.

Police identified the victim as Lullete Jane Ramilo-De Guzman, who was inside a sport utility vehicle with her three children when the attack occurred at about 6:45 p.m. in Barangay Cabaritan.

Investigators said the victim’s father had just stepped out to open their gate when an unidentified assailant, riding a motorcycle without a license plate, entered the area and fired multiple shots at close range.

The gunman then sped away toward the eastern section of the town along the national highway, police said.

Ramilo-De Guzman sustained gunshot wounds to the face and torso. She was taken to Manuel Roxas District Hospital, where doctors declared her dead on arrival.

Her children were not injured but were reported to be in shock after witnessing the incident.

The victim had represented her hometown in pageantry and placed as a runner-up in the 2013 edition of Miss Philippines-Earth, where she also received several special awards.

She later pursued a career in education after completing a degree at University of Perpetual Help System-Isabela campus.

Police said they are examining several angles, including personal and professional motives, but no suspect has been identified so far.

Police Major Rogelio Natividad, chief of police, said they were still gathering evidence and conducting follow-up investigation, and that authorities had yet to establish a clear motive.

Authorities are awaiting forensic findings to determine the type of firearm used and have appealed to residents to share any information that may help identify the attacker.

The victim’s husband, Clifford Dela Cruz, had to rush back to Isabela from Manila after learning of the shooting.

In a Facebook post, Dela Cruz condemned what he described as a senseless act driven by ill will and expressed anguish over seeing their children grieve.

He expressed grief and disbelief over her killing, recounting their final conversation about half an hour before she was shot, making plans to spend time together once he returned home.

Dela Cruz said he was shocked when he received a call from his mother 

https://mb.com.ph/2026/02/13/man-shot-dead-in-front-of-mall

An 18-year-old man was shot dead and his companion was wounded in front of a shopping mall in Barangay 9 here on Thursday night, Feb. 12.

Police Col. Eugene Rebadomia, officer-in-charge of the Bacolod City Police Office, identified the victim as Christian, a resident of Barangay 6, this city. 

Rebadomia said the incident was first reported as a traffic accident. However, further verification revealed that it was a shooting.

Initial investigation showed that the victims – Christian, the back rider, and Nognog, the driver – stopped in a traffic light when a man appeared and shot them in the head.

Bystanders initially believed the incident was an accident.

The victims were taken to a hospital where Christian was declared dead and Nognog recovering.

Authorities recovered two .38 caliber revolvers from the victims. Four spent shells from a .45 caliber firearm were found at the crime scene.

“We are taking this incident seriously. We will not tolerate this kind of violence in the city,” said Rebadomia.

Police are conducting backtracking operations and profiling the victims who are allegedly involved in robbery-holdup incidents here.

“There is a possibility that they are linked to holdup incidents, including the so-called ‘tuktuk kalawit’ modus, where suspects flag down tricycles and threaten drivers at gunpoint to steal their mobile phones,” Rebadomia said.

Authorities are also looking into their possible connections to illegal drugs. Investigators are examining the victims’ motorcycle to find out if it was stolen or legally owned.

Police have identified persons of interest. 

https://mb.com.ph/2026/02/17/maguindanao-del-sur-mayors-nephew-killed-in-ambush

A daylight ambush along a national highway in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town on Tuesday left one dead and two injured, including the brother of Shariff Aguak Mayor Akmad Ampatuan Sr., police reported.

Police Capt. Steffi Salanguit, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, said the victims were on board a black Nissan Livina traveling from Cotabato City to Shariff Aguak when a white mini-van without a license plate tailed them and opened fire with assault rifles at about 11 a.m.

Despite his injuries, the driver, Datu Morsid Ampatuan – the mayor's nephew – managed to reach an Army checkpoint in Datu Unsay but later passed away in a hospital.

Injured were Yasser Ampatuan, 49, the mayor's brother, and Lemon Bangen, 36, a resident of Datu Hofer Ampatuan. They are receiving treatment at the Bangsamoro Regional Medical Center.

Mayor Ampatuan Sr. survived a separate rocket-propelled grenade ambush in Shariff Aguak on Jan. 25.

Salanguit said the motive remains unknown and an investigation is ongoing.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/02/19/puerto-princesa-airport-manager-shot-dead-on-ash-wednesday

An official of the Puerto Princesa International Airport in Palawan was gunned down on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18.

The victim was identified as acting manager Joanna Jonson-Infante.

Investigation said the victim was walking on Bayview Road in Barangay San Pedro, Puerto Princesa City at about 5:30 p.m. when a man appeared from behind and shot her.

The gunman fled and the victim was taken to a hospital where she was declared dead.

Police have formed a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) to further investigate the incident and fast-track the arrest of the suspect.

Lawmen urged people with information about the incident to get in touch with the Puerto Princesa Police Station 1 at 09985985903 or the Puerto Princesa City Police Office at 09778557732. 

“Your timely cooperation is vital to the successful resolution of this case, the upholding of the rule of law, and the preservation of peace and order in our community,” the Puerto Princesa City Police Office said.

The Civil Aeronautics Administration of the Philippines condemned the murder of Infante.

Officials called on authorities to conduct a thorough and swift probe to hold those behind the crime accountable.

CAAP, led by retired Lt. Gen. Raul del Rosario, vowed close coordination with local law enforcement agencies and full cooperation in the ongoing investigation.