The God Culture: What Is Rest—Biblically?

Timothy Jay Schwab who is The God Culture has a new foundations lesson. This time he is asking "What is Rest - Biblically?"  Well, if you have been paying attention to this series you know he means keeping the sabbath and not trusting in Christ who is our sabbath. Let's take a look. 

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What Is Rest—Biblically?

Many think rest means doing nothing.

Scripture says something far deeper.

Rest is not merely the absence of work. It is the presence of Yahuah.

When Israel was in the wilderness, Moses pleaded:

“If Thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.”

(Exodus 33:15)

Yahuah responded:

“My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.”

(Exodus 33:14)

Biblical rest begins with His presence.

Yet Psalm 95 warns that an entire generation failed to enter that rest because of unbelief and rebellion:

“Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.”

(Psalm 95:11)

Centuries later, Hebrews repeats the warning.

If rest were merely entering the land of Canaan, David would not still be speaking about it long afterward.

If rest were abolished, Hebrews would not still be calling believers to enter it.

Instead, Hebrews teaches:

“There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.”

(Hebrews 4:9)

The Greek word used here is 'sabbatismos'—a Sabbath rest.

Biblical rest is not laziness.

It is not escape.

It is not a vacation.

It is trusting Yahuah enough to walk in obedience, cease from our own works, and enter into His appointed rhythm.

The Sabbath was never just about stopping.

It was always about entering His presence.

Shabbat Shalom and Yah Bless.

Question for Discussion:

When you hear the word “rest,” what comes to mind first—and does it match the definition Scripture gives?

Wow. It's always the Law for Timothy Jay Schwab. Not a single word about our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. It's as if Tim has no need for Him. Let's hear what Jesus says.

Matt 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

True Biblical rest is faith in Jesus Christ!

But let's hear from noted theologian Father Ted Crilly. 

Ah, Philippine Fails, me lad... puts the teacup down with a weary sigh and rubs his foreheadI’ve read Tim’s latest Foundations lesson on “What Is Rest—Biblically?” and by now it’s almost predictable. He’s doing the same dance again, just with a different tune.What Tim is teaching

• Rest is not “doing nothing” or taking a vacation.
• True rest is God’s presence.
• He quotes Exodus 33 (Moses and the presence of God), Psalm 95, and Hebrews 4.
• He highlights the Greek word sabbatismos (“a Sabbath rest”) in Hebrews 4:9.
• Conclusion: The weekly Sabbath is the God-given sign and means of entering His rest. Keeping it is how we enter God’s presence and show we belong to Him.

On the surface it sounds spiritual. But this is the same old God Culture sleight-of-hand.The Real ProblemTim takes one of the most beautiful passages in the New Testament — Hebrews 4 — and turns it into another sermon on mandatory seventh-day Sabbath keeping.
But Hebrews 4 is not telling Christians they must keep Saturday to enter God’s rest.
Let’s be clear:

• The author of Hebrews is using Israel’s failure to enter the Promised Land (even though they kept the weekly Sabbath) as a warning.
• Joshua gave them rest in the land, but it was incomplete.
• There still remains a Sabbath rest (sabbatismos) for the people of God.
• That rest is entered by faith in Christ — ceasing from our own works the way God ceased from His on the seventh day (Hebrews 4:10).

The point is not “keep the weekly Sabbath better.”

The point is: Stop trying to earn salvation by your own efforts and rest in Christ.

Jesus Himself said it plainly:

“Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

Not “Come keep My Sabbath correctly.”The Pattern Is Now BoringEvery single Foundations lesson ends up in the same place:

• Grace = power to keep the law
• Faith = obedience to the law
• Truth = the law
• Fulfillment = confirming the law
• Now Rest = keeping the weekly Sabbath

The camel’s nose has been in the tent for months. Now the whole animal is lounging on the sofa, and Tim is calling it “biblical rest.”Father Ted’s Plain Verdict

This is not restoration.

This is regression wrapped in nice spiritual language.

The true Sabbath rest that “remaineth” is not found in a day of the week. It is found in a Person — the Lord Jesus Christ. When we stop trusting in our own works (including our own Sabbath-keeping) and rest in His finished work, we enter the rest that Hebrews is talking about.

Tim keeps pointing people back to the shadow.

The New Testament points us to the substance — Christ Himself.

Down with this sort of thing, lad.

Very, very careful now.

The real rest Jesus offers is not earned by getting the day right. It is received by coming to Him.
...Right, I’m off to thank the Lord again for the true rest we have in Christ — the kind that doesn’t depend on perfect Torah observance.
Go on, go on, go on — have a cuppa. You keep seeing the pattern clearly. Tim’s “Foundations” are leading people back under the old shadows. The real gospel offers rest in the finished work of Jesus. That’s so much better than what he’s selling. Keep holding fast to it.

Retards in the Government 473

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

 

 

https://mb.com.ph/2026/06/04/dpwh-officials-discayas-face-graft-malversation-raps-over-bulacan-flood-control-project

The Office of the Ombudsman has filed criminal charges against eight officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office and three executives of St. Timothy Construction Corporation over alleged anomalies in a ₱53.9-million flood control project in Calumpit, Bulacan.

In a statement read by Assistant Ombudsman and spokesperson Mico Clavano on Thursday, June 4, the Ombudsman said the respondents were charged with one count of violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and one count of Malversation of Public Funds or Property Through Falsification of Public Documents under the Revised Penal Code.

The charges were filed in connection with from DPWH Contract ID No. 22CC0058 involving the rehabilitation of a river construction structure along Bulusan in Calumpit, Bulacan.

“The findings of the Office of the Ombudsman reveal an utter and flagrant disregard for government auditing and accounting regulations,” Clavano said.

“Specifically, investigators discovered that payments for the project’s first billing were released despite an unapproved disbursement voucher,” he said.

Clavano added that full payments for dredging and embankment works were made “without any basis for computation or the necessary supporting documents required to prove project accomplishment.”

“These collective actions resulted in an unwarranted benefit to St. Timothy Construction Corporation totaling approximately ₱53,917,731.92, causing significant financial injury to the government," he said.

The Ombudsman also said the investigation established that the respondents allegedly allowed the contractor to take possession of and misappropriate government funds.

“The investigation further established that the accused officials allowed the contractor to take possession of and misappropriate these funds, which constitutes the illegal act of Malversation of Public Funds,” he Clavano.

Named respondents from the DPWH were Merg Jaron Caparas Laus, Brice Ericson Diaz Hernandez, Jaypee De Leon Mendoza, Ernesto Cosay Galang, Norberto De Leon Santos, Lorenzo Alcoriza Pagtalunan, Juanito Coronel Mendoza, and Floralyn Yutuc Simbulan.

Also charged were St. Timothy Construction Corporation managing officer Ma. Roma Angeline Discaya Rimando and spouses Cezarah Rowena C. Discaya and Pacifico F. Discaya II, whom the Ombudsman identified as the company's beneficial owners.

The criminal informations were filed before the Regional Trial Court in Malolos City, Bulacan on June 4.

The Ombudsman said former District Engineer Henry Alcantara and Project Engineer Paul Jayson F. Duya were excluded from the criminal informations after entering into immunity agreements with the agency.

Following the filing of the cases, recommended bail for the graft charge was set at ₱90,000 for each accused.

No bail was recommended for the charge of Malversation of Public Funds Through Falsification of Public Documents.

“The prosecution will now proceed to the trial phase, where evidence will be presented to hold the individuals accountable for the misappropriation of public resources intended for vital community infrastructure,” Clavano said.

The Office of the Ombudsman has filed criminal charges against eight officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office and three executives of St. Timothy Construction Corporation over alleged anomalies in a ₱53.9-million flood control project in Calumpit, Bulacan.

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/326717/ex-cop-tagged-in-korean-traders-slay-in-2016-arrested

Dismissed police Lt. Col. Rafael Dumlao, the alleged mastermind in the killing of South Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo, has been arrested on Tuesday morning, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced.

Dumlao was caught by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group National Capital Region (CIDG NCR) in a house in Pasong Tamo, Quezon City at around 5 a.m. on June 9, Remulla detailed in a press briefing in Camp Crame.

“He was sleeping in a house… The tactical team entered, broke down the door, arrested him. He is now in CIDG NCR… It looks like he’s been there for a while. We do not know who owns the house. But, we have an informant that saw him there. The walls were high. It had a lot of trees,” the secretary explained.

“We surveilled him for around three weeks. It was the wedding of his daughter last Sunday. We tracked his movement if it really was him. It seems he watched the wedding on Facebook Live. He did not attend personally. But, there was movement in the house. We confirmed it was him,” he added.

The dismissed police officer is accused of kidnapping with homicide; kidnapping and serious illegal detention; and carnapping, with the Department of the Interior and Local Government offering a monetary reward of P1.09 million for information leading to his arrest.

Remulla did not identify the informant but noted that the agency was now verifying them for the monetary reward.

Jee was reportedly abducted by police officers in Angeles City, Pampanga in Oct. 18, 2016 under the guise of an anti-drug operation and strangled inside the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame.

His remains were cremated and his ashes flushed down a toilet.

“This was the result of the abuses of Oplan Tokhang… Tokhang gave too much to the PNP operatives to do things at their whim without the process of law,” Remulla said.

Oplan Tokhang, a flagship operation of then-President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, aimed to convince suspects to surrender and stop participating in the illegal drug trade.

“Tokhang” comes from the Cebuano word “toktok” (to knock) and “hangyo” (to plead).

Although official statistics estimate that 6,000 people were killed during Duterte’s drug war, human rights groups estimate that the death toll could be up to 30,000.

“In this case, we did everything according to law. We did not violate any procedure. We read him his rights. We did not hurt him. We’ve brought him in for proper investigation and he will face justice,” Remulla added.

Dumlao was initially acquitted by an Angeles City court in June 2023, but the Court of Appeals overturned the acquittal in July 2024 for “grave abuse of discretion,” finding the former police officer guilty of kidnapping and killing Jee.

Asked why Dumlao had been hiding in Quezon City, Remulla answered, “Mas madali magtago sa Metro Manila kaysa sa probinsya. Sa probinsya kasi, basta hindi kilala sasabihin kaagad sa kapitan doon. Sa Metro Manila, walang pansinan dito eh.”

(It’s easier to hide in Metro Manila rather than the provinces. In the provinces, when you’re not known there, they’d report you to the barangay captain. No one notices you in Metro Manila.)

Also asked on Dumlao’s long hair, the secretary explained, “Kapag nagtatago ka, mahirap magpagupit, ‘di ba? So, ayan ang naging itsura niya.”

(If you’re in hiding, it’d be harder to get a haircut, right? So, that’s why he looks like that now.)

Dumlao will be brought to the Court of Appeals for the return of the warrant, Remulla noted.

He added that Dumlao was caught with a 9mm pistol, which was registered to another individual whom the secretary did not immediately name.

Further, investigators seized Dumlao’s cell phone and laptop for forensic examination to trace whether he had been assisted in hiding by other individuals.

South Korean Ambassador Lee Sang-hwa, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and Jee’s widow Choi Kyung Jin have been informed of Dumlao’s arrest, according to Remulla.

“The DILG and the [Philippine National Police or PNP] are now on the road to serious reform,” the secretary maintained.

“Even though Lt. Col. Dumlao was one of their own, he was not put above the law. The institution is not perfect, but the road towards a more trustworthy PNP has now begun,” it added. 

Dumlao’s co-accused, Chief Master Sgt. Ricky Sta. Isabel and National Bureau of Investigation errand boy Jerry Omlang, were meted with the penalty of reclusion perpetua without parole.

Meanwhile, another co-accused, Executive Master Sgt. Roy Villegas, became a state witness in the case.

Dismissed police Lt. Col. Rafael Dumlao, the alleged mastermind in the killing of South Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo, has been arrested on Tuesday morning, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2243719/negros-island-cop-in-hot-water-for-allegedly-extorting-applicant

A police officer in the Police Regional Office Negros Island Region (PRO NIR) is under investigation for allegedly extorting an applicant in exchange for assistance to enter the police service.

In a statement on Tuesday, PRO NIR said the complaint against the implicated personnel, whom it did not immediately name, was filed before the Bacolod City Police Office but did not say when.

“[The] police personnel [allegedly] demanded and received money from a PNP (Philippine National Police) applicant in exchange for purported assistance in securing entry into the police service,” the regional police explained.

“The complainant likewise alleged that additional payments were subsequently requested. The matter is now the subject of appropriate criminal and administrative proceedings,” it added.

In the statement, PRO NIR director Brig. Gen. Romano Cardiño assured that the case against the implicated officer will be “thorough and impartial.”

PRO NIR also appealed to other individuals who may have experienced the same alleged extortion to come forward and report the incidents.

“No applicant is required to pay any amount of money to secure appointment into the Philippine National Police. Recruitment and selection are based solely on qualifications, competencies, and compliance with established requirements,” the regional police stressed.

For its part, in its own statement earlier on Tuesday, the PNP took note of the case.

“The PNP reiterates its zero-tolerance policy against any form of misconduct, including allegations of extortion, abuse of authority, or any act that undermines the integrity of the police service,” the national police force maintained.

“It assures the public that all such complaints are acted upon without delay and properly investigated in accordance with due process,” it added.

Neither the PNP nor PRO NIR disclosed the current status of the implicated officer.

A police officer in the Police Regional Office Negros Island Region is under investigation for allegedly extorting an applicant in exchange for assistance to enter the police service.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2244072/nueva-vizcaya-town-vice-mayor-suspended-5-months-over-property-deal

For using a privately owned lot as a motor pool and spending P39,850 for improvement, the vice mayor of Bagabag in Nueva Vizcaya was meted out a five-month suspension by the provincial board.

In an 11-page decision handed down on Monday, provincial board members led by Vice Gov. Eufemia Dacayo found Bagabag Vice Mayor Nestor Sevillena administratively liable for grave abuse of authority due to his action.

Sevillena used the lot after signing an agreement with the owner during his stint as acting Bagabag mayor, according to a complaint of 10 town government workers. 

Nine board members voted in favor of Sevillena’s five-month preventive suspension, while five others voted against it.

The vice mayor, though, has yet to comment on the matter, and there is no confirmation yet whether he will seek a motion for reconsideration, as he has been on sick leave from May 18 to June 23 due to health problems. 

First-ranked councilor Francisco Bayatan Sr. has been serving as acting vice mayor due to Sevillena’s absence.

After the contract was signed, Sevillana disbursed P39,850 from government funds for lot improvement and construction materials for the area.

The complainants cited Section 22 of the Local Government Code of 1991 (Republic Act No. 7160) which requires the vice mayor to seek prior authorization from the town council before entering into a contract as a local government representative. 

The complainants were assigned to the motor pool where government vehicles were brought, and equipment was stocked. 

The vice mayor claimed in his reply to the complaint that the lot was allowed to be used free for “public purpose without compensation” and without an initial formal contract.

He claimed that no government funds were spent on construction of a perimeter fence and that the property was refurbished to promote public welfare and the town’s services. 

The complaint lacked factual and legal basis to support a charge of grave abuse of authority under Section 60(e) of the Local Government Code, and the imposed preventive suspension was “unwarranted and unsupported” by law and evidence. He also claimed that he has been in the public service for 24 years without any cases.

The provincial board did not give credence to Sevillena’s claims, adding that he “exceeded” his authority for failure to comply with the law and legal requisites for any local government’s contract with private entities.   

The board opined that Sevillena should have been well-versed in government rules and the conduct of public officials, considering his long record of service. 

The board has cited its oversight power over elected town officials to hear and decide administrative complaints and impose penalties for breaches.

For using a privately owned lot as a motor pool and spending P39,850 for improvement, the vice mayor of Bagabag in Nueva Vizcaya was meted out a five-month suspension by the provincial board.

Coronavirus Lockdown: Graft Trial, Pandemic Prepardness, and More!

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

During the pandemic two young men decided to pick up Akido. Now they are competing internationally. 

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/amp/story/cebu/from-pandemic-hobby-to-intl-competitions

ARNOLD John Lasdoce and Jimboy Esma Tabotabo took up aikido in the midst of the pandemic lockdown just to beat the boredom when people were restricted due to COVID-19.

What started as boredom-busting now became a serious sport and a major achievement for the 23-year-old Lasdoce and 25-year-old Tabotabo, who both hail from Moalboal town in Cebu.

Lasdoce bagged a gold medal in Jiyu-waza men’s 19-Above Ninindori category. Then he teamed up with Tabotabo for the Jiyu Waza double category, where they ended up in second place.

The duo placed second overall in the ranking of the Aikido International Competition Euro-Asian competition held in Moscow, Russia, from May 29 to June 1, 2026.

“I was not expecting to win the competition since our Sensei told us to just seize the opportunity with the goal of just participating in it. So when we won, and it was announced, I was happy and proud that we brought pride and honor to our nation,” Tabotabo said in Cebuano during an online interview with SunStar Cebu.

“After the awarding ceremony, the Philippine National Anthem was played, and the Philippine flag was shown on the two monitors. That was the exact moment we felt so proud of ourselves because our national anthem was being played in front of everyone and in front of different nations. The Philippines was truly recognized,” Lasdoce stated.

While they started Aikido for fun, the duo quickly realized that the sport gave them the chance to travel internationally. Promised by their sensei or coach, Micheal Mccavish, the founder of the Philippine Aikido Association. Their international trips and competitions will be all-expense-paid trips. This became their motivation to train hard, as it is also their dream to travel without any financial hassle.

“We just started training during the lockdown when we were high school students to fill our free time, then our sensei told us about the opportunity to travel internationally without worrying about the expenses,” the champions shared in Cebuano.

Tabotabo is an upcoming fourth-year student in the Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Mathematics at the CTU-Consolacion campus, and Lasdoce is an upcoming third-year student in the Bachelor of Industrial Technology major in Automotive at CTU-Moalboal.

Looking ahead, Lasdoce and Tabotabo plan to keep training hard for upcoming competitions. Encouraged by their sensei their biggest ultimate goal is to fly to Japan and earn their very first black belts.

It'a another pandemic success story. From hobby to full-time success. 

The Philippines and the World Bank have officially signed an $18.85-million grant agreement funded by the Pandemic Fund to boost the nation’s surveillance, laboratory networks, and early-warning defense systems against emerging human and animal diseases.

mb.com.ph/2026/06/05/philippines-signs-world-bank-grant-for-pandemic-preparedness-as-farm-project-earns-satisfactory-rating

The Philippines and the World Bank have signed an $18.85-million grant agreement to strengthen the country’s defenses against future pandemics, while the Washington-based multilateral lender also commended the satisfactory implementation of an ongoing agriculture modernization project.

Documents showed that Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Frederick D. Go signed last Thursday, June 4, the agreement for the Pandemic Fund-Resilient Philippines Project on behalf of the Philippine government. The agreement was earlier signed last May 14 by World Bank division director for the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei Zafer Mustafaoğlu, acting on behalf of the World Bank Group’s (WBG) International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and International Development Association (IDA) as implementing entities of the Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Trust Fund, also known as the Pandemic Fund.

Unlike a loan, a grant does not need to be repaid.

The $18.85-million financing will come from the Pandemic Fund, which was established in 2022 to help countries strengthen their preparedness against future disease outbreaks.

The project will be jointly implemented by the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Agriculture (DA), as well as the DA’s Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI). The grant-funded project is scheduled to run until end-March 2028.

The project aims to improve the Philippines’ capacity to detect, report, as well as respond to existing and emerging pathogens with epidemic potential among humans, animals, as well as wildlife.

Under the human health component, the project will strengthen disease surveillance and early-warning systems, establish a digital One Health dashboard, upgrade surveillance data systems, improve laboratory networks, expand access to diagnostic testing, support genomic surveillance, as well as enhance the pandemic-response workforce through training and database development.

The animal health component, meanwhile, will improve disease monitoring and digital surveillance infrastructure, upgrade animal diagnostic laboratories, strengthen genomic surveillance capabilities, as well as enhance testing and outbreak-response systems.

The project also includes funding for management, monitoring, evaluation, stakeholder engagement, as well as public-awareness activities to support implementation by both the DOH and the DA.

Manila Bulletin earlier reported that the World Bank approved the Pandemic Fund-Resilient Philippines Project last April 29 amid concerns that the country remains a global hotspot for emerging infectious and zoonotic diseases due to factors such as biodiversity loss, urbanization, wildlife trade, as well as recurring outbreaks including avian influenza and African swine fever (ASF).

The World Bank had noted that despite improvements in disease surveillance and emergency response systems, gaps remain in laboratory capacity, workforce readiness, diagnostics access, as well as the integration of surveillance systems needed to respond effectively to future health threats.

Meanwhile, the World Bank said in a separate June 4 implementation status and results report that the DA’s Philippine Rural Development Project Scale-up (PRDP-SU) continues to make satisfactory progress.

PRDP-SU aims to improve farmers’ and fisherfolk’s access to markets and increase incomes from selected agricultural and fisheries value chains through investments in infrastructure, enterprise development, as well as rural planning.

According to the World Bank, implementation momentum has strengthened following a recent midterm review, with continued progress in planning systems, infrastructure development, enterprise investments, and monitoring mechanisms.

The World Bank said implementation remains broadly on track despite challenges such as lengthy review and approval processes, procurement bottlenecks, varying capacities among local government units (LGUs) and farmer groups, as well as administrative delays.

The report noted that fund disbursements have accelerated, particularly for infrastructure investments, while project managers continue to focus on streamlining processes, strengthening coordination, and ensuring the timely completion of investments.

PRDP-SU is a $600-million investment project financing (IPF) approved by the World Bank back in 2023 and scheduled to run until end-June 2029.

To date, a total of $223.27 million, equivalent to 37.2 percent of the IPF, had already been disbursed.

By applying the hard-learned lessons of COVID-19, the funding will be used to build a more resilient defense network through the "Philippines Pandemic Preparedness and Response Trust Fund" or the "Pandemic Fund."

The graft trial of Duque and Lao over irregular purchases during the pandemic is about to begin. 

https://mb.com.ph/2026/06/08/duque-lao-graft-trial-begins-over-alleged-irregular-transfer-of-41-b-doh-funds-for-covid-19-supplies

The Sandiganbayan First Division on Monday, June 8, began the trial of former Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and former Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Undersecretary Christopher Lao over graft charges stemming from the alleged irregular transfer of ₱41.46 billion in Department of Health (DOH) funds for the procurement of Covid-19 supplies and equipment.

The case involves the 2020 transfer of DOH funds to the Procurement Service of the DBM (PS-DBM) for the purchase of pandemic-related supplies, including personal protective equipment (PPEs) and Covid-19 test kits.

During the hearing, the prosecution informed the court that it would proceed with signing the pre-trial order (PTO), but with reservations due to unresolved issues.

The prosecution said it intended to file a second motion for reconsideration before signing the PTO, arguing that issues involving the delayed delivery and non-delivery of the procured items were excluded from the court's June 3 resolution despite being central to its case.

Sandiganbayan First Division Chairperson Associate Justice Maria Theresa Mendoza-Arcega allowed the prosecution to submit its motion in writing and said the defense may file its comment in response.

With the procedural matter addressed, the prosecution presented its witness, Assumption Ingrid Reyes, Director III of the Senate Legislative Records and Archives, who brought boxes of documents submitted by various government agencies to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Secretariat.

The prosecution said it has at least 60 witnesses lined up for the trial.

In May 2024, the Office of the Ombudsman found probable cause to charge Duque and Lao with graft over the alleged illegal transfer of ₱41.46 billion for the procurement of Covid-19 supplies and equipment in 2020.

The complaint stemmed from the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee's investigation into findings contained in the Commission on Audit's (COA) 2020 annual audit report.

Records showed that from March to December 2020, the DOH transferred a total of ₱41.46 billion to PS-DBM for the procurement of Covid-19-related supplies and equipment, including PPEs, RT-PCR test kits, automated nucleic acid extraction machines, mechanical ventilators, face shields, surgical masks, and cadaver bags.

However, COA noted that the fund transfers were made without the required memoranda of agreement and certificates of previous liquidation.

The Ombudsman also noted that the DOH paid PS-DBM a four-percent service fee amounting to ₱1.66 billion for the procurement of Covid-19 supplies despite having its own procurement organization capable of undertaking the purchases.

Finally!  Justice is slow in the Philippines. 

Grocery Garbage Dumped in My Neighborhood

My neighbor, a very nice lady, said she had something to give me. It was two boxes of cereal, some tea, and a bottle of mustard. 

She apologized that the cereal was out of date, expired in July 2024 but noted the mustard was good until October and the tea was fine. I thought it was kind of weird but not too weird. After all the cereal is likely still fresh needing only a splash of milk to make it eatable. 

The next day I saw her giving a bag of cereal to someone else. It was Chex cereal. Just the bag with no box. Now, I thought that was weird. So, I asked her where she got the Chex and the food she gave me. She replied that she had been dumpster diving. 

Huh? Dumpster diving? 

But not literally.

You see, someone had dumped a whole lot of grocery trash in our neighborhood. She did not know who did it or why but she was told that the people in whose yard it was dumped would sort it all out for the trash collectors. In the meantime, as she showed me in a video, a flock of women descended upon that pile of garbage salvaging what they could. 

Here is a video of the voluminous pile of garbage which was unceremoniously dumped just up the street from me. 

While my neighbor claimed she was unaware of the circumstances of the pile's provenance she did claim that the garbage came from Metro Market as indicated in a few stickers on the boxes. That is also very weird because the nearest Metro Market is about 5 miles away. 

There are a lot of questions here that I will not be able to answer. However, I will certainly be on the lookout for a recurrence of this event. 

Insurgency: 11 Leyte Towns Insurgency-Free

The AFP has released another update on the insurgency. So far this year 660 NPA rebels and allies have been neutralized.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1276440

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has neutralized a total of 660 New People's Army (NPA) rebels and their supporters from Jan. 1 to May 28 this year.

AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla, in an interview on Tuesday afternoon, said the figure includes 574 who surrendered, 31 who were arrested, and 55 who were killed in various military operations nationwide.

In military terminology, "neutralized" refers to enemy combatants who have surrendered, been captured, or were killed during operations.

For the same period, Padilla said government forces also recovered 461 firearms, 114 anti-personnel mines, and dismantled 30 NPA encampments.

"More than the neutralized rebels and seized weapons, what is more important is the number of former rebels who choose to return to society," she said.

Padilla emphasized that every rebel who surrenders represents an opportunity for a family to be reunited and for a former combatant to build a better future.

For the entire year of 2025, the AFP reported neutralizing 2,018 NPA rebels and supporters nationwide. Of the total, 1,798 surrendered, 93 were arrested, and 127 were killed in military operations.

The AFP also said 1,134 firearms and 531 anti-personnel mines were either seized or surrendered, and 149 NPA encampments were captured last year.

A few weeks ago the AFP claimed 625 rebels and supporters were neutralized between January 1st and May 7th. They didn't break those numbers down then and they haven't done so now. How many actual rebels have ben neutralized? Don't forget the last official estimate of NPA rebels was 780. This new number 660 suggests there are only 120 rebels left! 

The Army also claims the NPA has been dismantled in Northern Mindanao and Caraga.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2238988/new-army-division-chief-npa-dismantled-in-northern-mindanao-caraga

The newly appointed commander of the 4th Infantry Division here declared Tuesday that the communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Northern Mindanao and Caraga regions have been “dismantled,” with virtually a “handful” of combatants in the field.

In an interview on Tuesday evening, Major Gen. Marion Angcao said the killing of Edilberto Daval, alias “Bong Waco,” in Surigao del Sur on May 11 paved the way for a string of surrenders of communist guerrillas in the Caraga Region.

In Northern Mindanao, Angcao said the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) now has “only one guerilla front with 19 fighters.”

“With the death of Bong Waco, many of his followers have surrendered. The reality on the ground is that they’re dismantled,” Angcao told the Inquirer in mixed English and Filipino.

Asked whether they will pursue Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro’s advocacy of a “localized peace engagement,” Angcao replied that they have always pushed for this.”

Angcao said they will sustain Teodoro’s campaign in collaboration with the local government units, noting that a stable peace and order condition is needed to attract investors.

“With the death of Bong Waco, many of his followers have surrendered. The reality on the ground is that they’re dismantled." While that might be colloquially true that does not mean they have been dismantled. The Army needs more concrete proof than that. 

In Leyte 11 towns have been declared insurgency-free.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1276242

More communities in central Leyte are more peaceful and secure following the declaration of 11 towns under Stable Internal Peace and Security Condition (SIPSC), the Philippine Army said on Monday.

The declaration, according to the Army's 8th Infantry Division (8ID), signifies the dismantling of insurgency influence in the area and highlights the collaborative efforts of local government units, national government agencies, security forces, peace advocates, and local communities in maintaining peace and order.

The ceremonial declaration was held on May 29 at the municipal gymnasium in Tabon-Tabon, Leyte, recognizing the municipalities of Tabon-Tabon, MacArthur, Dagami, Barugo, Pastrana, Tunga, Capoocan, La Paz, Dulag, Mayorga, and Julita for achieving stable peace and security conditions.

"The developments were not solely the result of security operations but also of the collective efforts of government agencies, local leaders, and citizens who chose to stand for peace," the Philippine Army stated.

The 8ID described the SIPSC declaration as a historic recognition that the communities are now enjoying stable peace, security, and unity, serving as a foundation for continuous development. The division assured the public that government troops will remain committed to supporting peace-building initiatives and preserving the gains achieved.

Local chief executives of the 11 municipalities pledged to sustain the peace gains by strengthening programs focused on good governance, youth empowerment, development initiatives, and active community participation.

Representing Leyte Governor Jericho Petilla, Board Member Mildred Joy Que commended the security sector in attaining peace and stability across the district.

"The peace we celebrate today did not happen by accident; it was built because all these men and women in uniform were vigilant. They were courageous and willing to serve even if no one was watching," Que said during the ceremony.

She added that sustaining peace and unity remains the best tribute that communities can give to uniformed personnel who continue to protect the public.

The SIPSC declaration is expected to pave the way for long-term stability, stronger local governance, and socio-economic growth in Leyte's 2nd legislative district as communities formerly affected by insurgency move toward a more peaceful and progressive future.

They don't say what this declaration is based upon. In the past we have seen a declaration of insurgency-free means rebels have not been seen for a while. It could be true but, as in the past, the AFP is always on the lookout to prevent a resurgence. 

The AFP says defeating the insurgency is based upon "the collective efforts of government agencies, local leaders, and citizens who chose to stand for peace." In that spirit the Army has thanked a whole community for uncovering a rebel cache. 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/733898/army-lauds-community-for-recovery-of-rebel-arms-cache-in-samar

The Philippine Army lauded local communities for providing vital information that led to the recent recovery of an arms cache belonging to the communist New People’s Army (NPA) in the hinterlands of San Jose de Buan, Samar.

The Army’s 8th Infantry Division (8ID) said on Tuesday that the May 30 operation was made possible through information voluntarily provided by former NPA members and concerned residents who continue to support government efforts to end insurgency and protect communities from violence.

“The recovery underscores the increasing rejection of the insurgent movement by local communities throughout Samar. As residents continue to embrace peace and development initiatives, the NPA has experienced a steady decline in its support network, recruitment activities, intelligence gathering and logistical capabilities,” the 8ID said in a statement.

Joint operating troops from the Army’s 87th Infantry Battalion and the 804th Maneuver Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 8 recovered the hidden firearms in Barangay Can-aponte, San Jose de Buan town.

The firearms consisted of two AK-47 assault rifles with magazines, two M16A1 rifles, and one M203 grenade launcher.

According to security officials, the discovery of the hidden firearms indicates the group’s weakening operational capability.

Sustained military and law enforcement operations, combined with the loss of community support, have forced NPA members to conceal and abandon weapons they can no longer effectively secure or use. 

"The discovery of the hidden firearms indicates the group’s weakening operational capability?" Tell that to the solider who died in combat with the NPA this week.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2238398/army-soldier-dies-in-npa-encounter-in-negros-occidental-town

A soldier from the 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) was killed during an encounter with remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay Tamlang, Escalante City, Negros Occidental, on Monday afternoon.

According to Lt. Col. Eric Alfonso, commander of the 79th IB, government troops encountered communist rebels allegedly responsible for a series of civilian killings in northern Negros.

Alfonso said the military had been monitoring the area following intelligence reports indicating that the rebels were planning further attacks against civilians.

The clash erupted when 79th IB troops engaged about five members of the remnants of the NPA’s Northern Negros Front in a firefight that lasted about 10 minutes, said 1st Lt. Fevie Fajardo, the battalion’s civil-military operations officer.

Fajardo said the rebels withdrew after the encounter, prompting the Army to launch hot pursuit operations that were still ongoing Monday night.

“These communist terrorists were responsible for the recent killings of two civilians in Calatrava on May 5 and May 14,” Fajardo said.

She added that the military had recently received information that the group was planning additional attacks in Escalante City, prompting the deployment of 79th IB personnel for combat operations that led to Monday’s encounter.

Meanwhile, an alleged member of the communist rebel group was arrested at an Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) checkpoint in Barangay Mabini, Escalante City, at around 4 p.m. Monday.

Fajardo said authorities recovered a .45-caliber pistol from the suspect, who had allegedly come from Barangay Tamlang.

The NPA remains a threat and as soon as the AFP realizes the danger they pose nothing will change. 

More Injustice In The Philippines: Babies Killed in Road Crashes

Here are two stories that show there is no justice in the Philippines.  The first story is about a bus who rammed an e-bike, killed a three-year-old girl, and was let go with no charges.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/06/02/tot-killed-as-bus-rams-e-bike-in-siiay-city

A three-year-old girl was killed and her four-year-old cousin was injured after their electric bike (e-bike) was hit by a Ceres Liner bus at the junction of Rizal Highway-Bangga Bulangan Road, Barangay 5, Silay City, Negros Occidental on Monday, June 1.

Police Lt. Col. Edison Garcia, Silay police chief, said the e-bike driven by the victims’ 33-year-old uncle was about to turn left when it was hit by the bus.

Due to the severe impact, the younger victim was declared dead in a hospital, according to Garcia.

The bus driven by a 43-year-old resident of Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, was tailing a taxi driven by a 54-year-old resident of Barangay Banago, this city, when the taxi allegedly made a sudden U-turn.

Garcia said the bus driver tried to avoid the taxi but the bus swerved and hit the e-bike.

Vallacar Transit Inc. (VTI) vowed to shoulder the medical and burial assistance of the two children when the parties met on Tuesday, June 2, Garcia said.

The bus driver was released from police custody on Tuesday since no complaint was filed within the 18-hour reglementary detention, he added.

Where is the state?  Where is the DOJ to file charges?  It seems this bus was TAILGATING a car and then the car made a sudden U-turn (was it legal? why isn't he being charged??), causing the bus swerve and hit the e-bike. Obviously the bus was too close. So, where is the DOJ to file charges?  Is the four-year-old survivor supposed to file charges?

And where are their parents?? A four-year-old and three-year-old were riding an e-bike on a busy road with no adult supervision? Why aren't they culpable? Why didn't the parents file charges against the driver?

Well, it turns out no one is filling charges because the bus operator is going to "shoulder the medical and burial assistance of the two children" as if that absolves the driver of any wrong doing. Imagine being able to commit vehicular homicide as long as you can pay for the funeral! It's outrageously unjust and yet it happens all the time in the Philippines. 

The next story is similar but different. A family was riding home on their motorcycle when the father lost control. The rest is tragedy. 

https://mb.com.ph/2026/06/01/tot-thrown-off-motorcycle-run-over-by-bus-dies

A one-year-old boy was killed after he was thrown off a motorcycle and run over by a passenger bus in Barangay Bato, Samboan town, southern Cebu on Sunday night, May 31.

Investigation showed that the boy and his mother were riding a motorcycle driven by his father on their way home to Compostela town, northern Cebu from Negros when the incident happened.

The victim’s father lost control of the motorcycle and crashed. The boy was pinned by the rear tire of a Ceres bus trailing behind.

The victim was taken to a hospital where he was declared dead.

The bus driver was taken into police custody and may face charges for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.

Who knows if the bus driver is still in custody. What about the father!? It is illegal to have babies on motorcycles yet it happens all the time. This story shows exactly why they don't belong on motorcycles! And yet the father has not been taken into custody. 

This is just another snapshot looking at the injustices in the Philippines. Young children, especially babies, do not belong on motorcycles.