Tobacco Hypocrisy

The government of the Philippines has a hypocritical attitude towards tobacco usage and farming. On the one hand the Department of Health urges everyone to either quit or never begin smoking in the name of living a healthy lifestyle. 

http://tribune.net.ph/2025/04/05/doh-sounds-alarm-on-rising-tobacco-use

The Department of Health (DoH) has expressed alarm over the rising prevalence of tobacco use by Filipinos.

In a statement on Friday, the DoH reminded the public that nicotine addiction from tobacco products remained a critical public health concern in the Philippines.

Citing the 2023 National Nutrition Survey, tobacco prevalence went up from 19 percent in 2021 to 24.4 percent among adults aged 20 to 59.

With this, the DoH stressed that tobacco use is a major risk factor for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Globally, the World Health Organization estimates over eight million annual deaths attributable to tobacco.

In the Philippines, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority for 2023 and 2024 indicate that the top three causes of death — heart attacks, cancer and strokes — are all linked to tobacco use.

“Beyond its association with the top three causes of death, cigarette smoking is also linked to a range of other serious health conditions. These include lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and harmful reproductive health effects,” the DoH noted.

Additionally, smoking contributes to other diseases, including certain eye disorders and immune system problems like rheumatoid arthritis, the Health department noted.

The agency also emphasized the dangers of exposure to second-hand smoke, which is known to cause coronary heart disease, strokes and lung cancer in adults, and increases the risk of respiratory and ear infections, asthma attacks and sudden infant death syndrome in children.

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa recently came under fire for posing for pictures with executives of Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Co. at a Malacañang event.

Health reform advocates slammed Herbosa for “promoting tobacco products,” citing Joint Memorandum Circular 2010-001 of the Civil Service Commission and the DoH which explicitly mandates that government officials should avoid unnecessary interactions with and not accept donations from the tobacco industry.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro, however, said there was no evidence Herbosa accepted donations from tobacco companies.

“If the DoH didn’t receive any donation from the tobacco company, we don’t see anything wrong with that,” she added.

Yet, if people stop smoking excise taxes will stop being paid and Universal Healthcare will lose funding. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/933863/p27b-reduction-in-uhc-funding-seen-with-sin-tax-moratorium-on-tobacco-party-list/story/

The proposed moratorium on the implementation of the Sin Tax law on tobacco products will result in P27 billion worth of lost funding for the Universal Health Care Law, the Anakalusugan party-list said Thursday.

Anakalusugan party-list Representative Ray Reyes is referring to House Bill 11279 which seeks to postpone the existing 4% increase in tobacco products taxes for 2026 to make way for a 6% increase in tobacco products in 2027 and every two years thereafter.

The same proposed moratorium also provides that on years without a scheduled increase in the rate of tax except for 2026, the President, upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Finance, may increase the tax rate by up to 5% in case the actual national government deficit of the previous year exceeds the programmed deficit by an equivalent of the 2% of the gross domestic product of the previous year.

"The ‘Health Sabotage Bill’ threatens over P27 billion worth of government revenues over the next five years- funds essential for Universal Health Care, building health facilities, hiring medical staff, and other critical health services. Anakalusugan party-list strongly opposes the proposed moratorium on sin taxes, also known as the ‘Health Sabotage Bill.’ Its approval would drastically harm public health, burden the economy, and undermine our progress toward a healthier, more resilient nation,” Anakalusugan said.

The group urged the public to oppose the moratorium on sin taxes, saying the "financial loss would seriously cripple programs aimed at improving public health and welfare.”

Anakalusugan party-list said that projected health costs are set to increase by 18% by 2025, making the proposed moratorium “untenable.”

“Removing or freezing sin taxes will cause a rise in smokers across all demographics. Data from the Department of Health reveals that despite the current tax rates, the number of smokers has increased. Halting tax hikes means lost revenue for the government and rising healthcare costs,” it said.

The party-list also cited studies that claim sin taxes deter smoking and the use of harmful products like traditional tobacco, vape, and heated tobacco, while the proposed moratorium opens the door for 400,000 more smokers by 2030.

“The broader economic toll is alarming. Smoking results in P414 billion in lost productivity and disease treatment annually. This represents the untapped potential of our workforce, which is crucial for the Philippines' global competitiveness,” the group said.

“Failure to address these avoidable losses jeopardizes the nation's health, economy, and resilience. Public health is non-negotiable,” Anakalusugan added.

They say removing taxes will cause a rise in smokers but that would also mean more funds for Universal Health Care. Isn't that a win? 

Perhaps more perplexingly is how a local government in Ilocos Norte is treating tobacco farmers. They want to give financial rewards. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1254408

This municipality, considered as the rice granary of Ilocos Norte, is shifting its sight to expand its tobacco industry this planting season to generate more revenues for local farmers.

According to Mayor Joemelle Saguid Go-Sy, a series of meetings with farmers groups are ongoing to encourage more farmers to plant tobacco and help the local government unit (LGU) achieve its expansion target of 200 hectares from the current 123-hectare tobacco plantation.

In return, Go-Sy vowed to reward farmers who can help the municipality get its share of tobacco excise tax.

"For every 200 kilos of tobacco harvest delivered, a farmer will be given a cow, 100 kilos for goat, or an egg-laying chicken to boost their livelihood," Go-Sy told the Philippine News Agency in a recent interview.

The mayor noted that the terms are flexible depending on the needs of farmers.

Rice is the major agricultural product of Dingras, followed by tobacco, corn, garlic and lowland vegetables.

Planting tobacco also has added benefits to farmers because of the tobacco excise tax under Republic Act 7171, which grants benefits to farmers in towns and provinces that produce Virginia tobacco.

Under the law, local governments units that produce Virginia tobacco are entitled to a 15-percent share of national tax collections.

Farmers here earn an average of PHP50,000 to PPH70,000 per hectare from raising tobacco, which has a sure market from established buyers like the Universal Leaf Philippines Inc., the country’s biggest tobacco growing and processing company.

A cow, a chicken, and a goat for growing tobacco? But what about the DOH wanting to reduce tobacco dependence? Rewarding tobacco farmers would seem to not be in line with DOH goals. It is in line with retaining and reaping new smokers who will pay those excise taxes to fund Universal Health Care though. And isn't Universal Health Care a goal of the DOH? Shouldn't DOH encourge people to smoke?

The God Culture: 100 Lies About the Philippines: Lie #48: Maharlika Is A Hebrew Word

Welcome back to 100 lies The God Culture teaches about the Philippines. Today's lie concerns Timothy Jay Schwab's claim that Maharlika is a Hebrew word. As we shall see that is simply not true. 

Tim teaches this lie in his videos. 

Maharlika Origin. Is the Philippines Changing it's Name? Solomon's Gold Series - Part 6B  

38:39  Could Maharlika be Hebrew? Oh, well unthinkable right? Well, let's see for yourself. Why yes it does. The Hebrew word "mahar," same exact spelling, is a direct Hebrew word meaning, check this out, to acquire by paying a purchase price, endow surely, to bargain for a wife. Example "to Wed." So, a bride purchased for a price. Hmm. Who might that sound like? We'll get there. And "lecha." Again, direct Hebrew word, same sound and practically the same spelling. "Lecha" means "to for or of you" indicating possession. Whose  possession? Whose bride? Well, when you review Solomon's Gold Series as well as our Lost Tribe Series the answer becomes obvious. His bride, the bride of Messiah, and she was purchased or  redeemed with His blood. Now, look at this word this is an etymology with an exact match,  exact and abundant history to confirm that. No, we cannot possibly prove out in this video. We do it over 20 videos in Solomon's gold series and then another 20 in the Lost Tribe series. Maharddhika to Merdeka which was actually used in the Philippines not Maharddhika but the shortened version which discounts the original word completely in use in the Philippines. No it wasn't there. Maharddhika is not Maharlika nor is it its origin. It sounds a little similar. It has some of the same letters we admit, but this direct Hebrew makes far more sense as it  is an exact match. 

1:06:01  The real  complete history of the Philippines as the land of Ophir and a Lost Tribes location demonstrates a direct Hebrew etymology. Maharlika is Bride of Messiah as some may term the Bride of Christ and the land of the Lost Tribes of Israel. Yes, we do prove all of that. 

Tim also makes this claim in his book The Search for King Solomon's Treasure. 

The Search for Solomon's Treasure, pgs. 192-193

Maharlika:

Former Name Associated with the Philippines

Hebrew: mahar: מהר: to acquire by paying a purchase price, endow, surely, to bargain (for a wife), i.e. To wed. [238]

Hebrew: lecha: l’cha: lekha: לך: to/for/of you (indicating possession). ]239[

Our Interpretation: His Bride Purchased With A Price

We all know this as a reference to His ekklesia in the last days. Very interesting. There are linguists who represent the general academic position on this word originating in the Sanskrit as Mahardhika. No doubt it seems sort of close, but here is the challenge to that thinking. They have not followed the word’s migrations and evolution which requires one skipping and going back a generation and then changing the word and somehow we are supposed to believe that is logical etymologically.

This word migrated in use to Indonesia and Malaysia as Merdeka not Mahardhika. That word then travelled into Mindanao and was in use as Merdeka but not Mahardhika. However, we are then told we must believe that it is logical to say that the Filipinos took this word back to it’s origin in Sanskrit and made it longer back to Mahardhika and then, transformed it into Maharlika with no historical basis in the slightest yet it is a direct Hebrew word when one audits it. We find it far more logical to acknowledge the connection to Israel and the Hebrew origin of Ophir than to execute such gymnastics which never relate.

How is it that Maharlika and Guimaras both lead in Hebrew to the Bride of Messiah? We will cover this in the prophecy chapter and then, all will come into focus. Yah’s people are indeed in the Philippines. Some of these words have the same meaning in Philippine languages and Hebrew.

Tim claims Maharlika is a compound word composed of the Hebrew words "mahar" and "lecha." Mahar is Strongs #4117.

Solomon's Treasure Sourcebook, pg. 190

Oddly enough H4117 is only used in the Bible twice in a single verse! However, there is another "mahar" which is Strong's #4116.

https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h4116/kjv/wlc/0-1/

This word is used 64 times in 60 verses. It has nothing to do with marriage but means hastily and is translated in that manner every single time albeit using different synonyms. Is Tim unaware of this?  Or did he simply pass it over as not convenient for his thesis that Filipinos are Hebrews?

If Maharlika is a Hebrew compound word how is he sure mahar is Strong's H4117 and not H4116? He does not tell us. He doesn't even mention this word. That is dishonest. 

Tim's interpretation of Maharlika as Bride of Messiah is also theologically unsound. The only Bride of Christ is the church, those united to Jesus Christ through faith, not the Lost Tribes of Israel. And what sense does it make that a single class of people was named The Bride of Christ? None.

The fact is Maharlika is not a Hebrew word. It is a native Filipino word derived from Sanskrit. Crucial to understanding the etymology of Maharlika is how that word has been used to describe a class of people in the Philippines. 

Fransiscan missionary Juan de Plascencia is the first to mention the maharlika class. He does so in his book On The Customs of the Taglogs. Tim mentions him in his video but brushes him off as being an untrustworthy Jesuit. 

56:25 So, where did this narrative originate? Well, Maharlika has been all but erased  in history largely. As what we're about to show you is the very first account of the word in writing. The only contemporary account of the Maharlika  class was by the Franciscan friar Juan de Plasencia in the 16th century. He distinguishes them from the hereditary nobility class of the Tagologs, the maginoo class which included the datu. So, in his account he's saying they were not nobles, they were not royals, and that's the history that we have. The historian William  Henry Scott believes that the class originated from high status warriors, which he doesn't prove either, who married into mega new blood, he doesn't prove either, or were perhaps remnants of the  nobility class of a conquered line. he doesn't prove either. They were not nobility, they were lost tribes of Israel. They come from even the ones back to the land of Ophir before the lost tribes arrived. They come from Eber same that Abraham does. They are Hebrews. So similar high  status warriors in other Philippine societies like that of the Bagobo and the Bukidnon did not inherit their positions but were acquired through marital prowess, martial prowess sorry. So, the Jesuits are the origin of the narrative and  they can't even agree with themselves somehow. Hmm. 

No, the Jesuits are not "the origin of the narrative." Juan de Plascencia was a Franciscan who wrote about the customs of native Filipinos. Native Filipinos are the origin of the narrative. But Tim does not care about accuracy. What is his point anyway? Are we supposed to believe Juan de Plascencia  made up the word and the definition? Here is what he wrote concerning the Maharlika. 

The Philippines Islands 1493-1803, vol. 7. pgs. 174, 177-178

In addition to the chiefs, who corresponded to our knights, there were three castes: nobles, commoners, and slaves. The nobles were the free-born whom they call maharlica. They did not pay tax or tribute to the dato, but must accompany him in war, at their own expense.

In these three classes, those who are maharlicas on both the father's and mother's side continue to be so forever; and if it happens that they should become slaves, it is through marriage, as I shall soon explain. If these maharlicas had children among their slaves, the children and their mothers became free; if one of them had children by the slave-woman of another, she was compelled, when pregnant, to give her master half of a gold tael, because of her risk of death, and for her inability to labor during the pregnancy. In such a case half of the child was free—namely, the half belonging to the father, who supplied the child with food. If he did not do this, he showed that he did not recognize him as his child, in which case the latter was wholly a slave. If a free woman had children by a slave, they were all free, provided he were not her husband.

If two persons married, of whom one was a maharlica and the other a slave, whether namamahay or sa guiguilir, the children were divided: the first, whether male or female, belonged to the father, as did the third and fifth; the second, the fourth, and the sixth fell to the mother, and so on. In this manner, if the father were free, all those who belonged to him were free; if he were a slave, all those who belonged to him were slaves; and the same applied to the mother. If there should not be more than one child he was half free and half slave. The only question here concerned the division, whether the child were male or female. Those who became slaves fell under the category of servitude which was their parent's, either namamahay or sa guiguilir. If there were an odd number of children, the odd one was half free and half slave. I have not been able to ascertain with any certainty when or at what age the division of children was made, for each one suited himself in this respect. Of these two kinds of slaves the sa guiguilir could be sold, but not the namamahay and their children, nor could they be transferred. However, they could be transferred from the barangay by inheritance, provided they remained in the same village.

In Juan de Plascencia's narrative Maharlika means a free-born noble. That contradicts Tim's claim  Juan de Plascencia said they were not nobles. He also writes that this status was inherited through birth and marriage which contradicts Tim's claims. Did he even read what Juan de Plascencia wrote? It seems not. How does that correspond to Tim's alleged etymology of Maharlika meaning The Bride of Messiah? Why would free-born nobles be called Bride of Messiah? Oh, I know. Filipinos forgot their Hebrew heritage and this name is lost to time only for Timothy Jay Schwab to restore this lost knowledge.

The fact is Tim has not proven anything. He has asserted a false etymology based on his false history of the Philippines being a location of The Lost Tribes of Israel. But it turns out "mahar" has two meanings. The one Tim employs is used rarely and he does not even consider the more common word. It is evident he did not read what Juan de Plascencia wrote about the Maharlika. His etymology does not explain why the Maharlika were described as free nobles. Maharlika as a Hebrew word is simply one more lie taught by Timothy Jay Schwab who is The God Culture. 

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.