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CIBAC PARTY-LIST FILES BILL PROVIDING FREE LEGAL AID TO STATE AUDITORS

August 25, 2023 – CIBAC Party-List Rep. Bro. Eddie Villanueva files House Bill 8952 which aims to provide free legal assistance to government auditors who are facing complaints before any court or quasi-judicial bodies due to acts in performance of their official duties.

Under HB 8952 or the Auditors Free Legal Assistance Act, any auditor or auditing personnel of the Commission on Audit (COA) facing any criminal, civil or administrative case involving service-related incident before a prosecutor’s office, court, administrative body, or any competent body or tribunal, shall be entitled to free legal assistance from the government. Further, retired state auditors shall also be entitled to the assistance even when the case was filed after retirement.

The free legal assistance includes legal representation in all stages of the case, legal advice or consultations, preparation of pleadings, motions, memoranda, and all other legal forms and documents, notarization of documents and all other legal services as directed by the Commissioner-in-charge. The funds necessary for the implementation of the bill shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

During the pork barrel scam in 2013, twelve (12) COA auditors faced raps when they raised red flags on the misuse of Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF). Ombudsman eventually junked the case after two (2) years.

“Harassment, threat or legal challenges from some politicians and high government officials are part of the risks that intimidate and hinder our state auditors to do their job properly and effectively. Given the cost of legal actions, state auditors are placed at disadvantaged position when they shoulder expenses in facing legal cases. Thus, to guarantee them all necessary legal services they will need in case they face administrative or court charges in the performance of their duties is a concrete gesture of our support to them and a testament to our commitment to fight corruption,” says CIBAC Rep. Villanueva.

“Our state auditors are our first line of defense against corruption in the government. The measure aims to inspire and embolden them to fight corruption head-on. We hope for the immediate passage of HB 8952,” adds the CIBAC solon.#

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CIBAC REP. BRO. EDDIE LAUDS HOUSE APPROVAL OF TRABAHO PARA SA PILIPINO BILL ON 3rd AND FINAL READING

August 22, 2023 – CIBAC Party-List Representative Bro. Eddie Villanueva lauds the House of Representatives approval of House Bill 8400 or the Trabaho Para sa Pilipino bill which is one of the priority legislations of the Marcos administration.

House Bill 8400, principally authored by CIBAC Representative Bro. Eddie Villanueva, mandates the establishment of a Jobs Creation Plan (JCP) that shall serve as a comprehensive and national master plan on employment generation and recovery. It aims to promote and ensure the employability, competitiveness, wellness and productivity of Filipino workers through efficient, effective and timely delivery of skills trainings and development programs.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) revealed that the country had a 95.7% employment rate in May 2023 – or about 48.26 million Filipinos employed. There remains 4.3% or about 2.17 million unemployed Filipinos out of the 50.43 million workforce.

“One of the key areas to focus on in order to produce more jobs is the crucial linkage between investments and job trainings. We must make sure that for every possible investment or business that will come to us, we must equip our workforce with the necessary skill and knowledge to ascertain the employability of our people. HB 8400 addresses this challenge. Through synergism and collaboration of our concerned government agencies, investments will be proactively matched with appropriate job trainings, government funding and incentives to ensure coordination and harmonization of our efforts that will ultimately result to creation of jobs for our people,” says CIBAC Rep. Bro. Eddie Villanueva.

“With HB 8400, there will be a whole-of-government approach to employment generation. Jobs creation will cease to be a concern of only one or two government agencies,” according to CIBAC Rep. Villanueva.

“Also, we are not only after quantity of jobs – but equally concerned of quality. Decent jobs is our goal. Generating decent and stable employment must be itself a primary objective alongside our pursuit of development. With this bill, we will make sure that the kind of workers needed by industries will be the ones that we will train and supply to them so that our workers will be valued and compensated properly,” adds the CIBAC solon.

The CIBAC solon also expresses gratitude to Representatives Gus Tambunting and Fidel Nograles who are co-authors and sponsors of the bill for the valuable contribution to the passage of the bill.

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CIBAC REP. BRO. EDDIE SEEKS TIGHTER SCRUTINY OF FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS DURING BUDGET HEARING

August 10, 2023 – On the first day of the budget hearings on the proposed FY 2024 budget at the House of Representatives, CIBAC Party-List Representative Bro. Eddie Villanueva raised the worsening problem of massive flooding in the country, particularly in Central Luzon, and seeks a tighter scrutiny and probe of flood control budgets lodged in separate agencies in the national budget.

In the past days, several provinces in Luzon, particularly Bulacan and Pampanga which are currently both under state of calamity, were submerged in high-level flooding caused by the heavy rains of typhoons Egay and Falcon and spilling rivers in the provinces. This happened despite the hefty multi-billion funds in the national budget aimed at mitigating flooding.

For year 2023, the government has appropriated Php 280 billion pesos for flood control management program under the budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). This is on top of other flood mitigation projects in the budgets of DENR, NIA and MMDA. For next year 2024, an amount of Php 265 billion under DPWH budget is being proposed to fund flood control projects – on top of other agencies’ flood control budgets.

“Naalala ko po sa aming pagsilip po sa 2024 National Expenditure Program o NEP, almost the same kinds of projects ang popondohan for next year. Puro flood control structures along rivers, slope protection, revetment, riverwall, etc. Madam Chair, these are the kinds of projects na pinopondohan natin in the previous years pero palala pa rin nang palala ang pagbaha sa ating bansa. Gusto ko sanang malaman kung effective ba ang ganitong approach? Heto ba ang solusyon sa problema natin sa pagbaha?” says CIBAC Rep. Villanueva during the budget hearing with the Development Budget Coordinating Committee (DBCC).

“Sa aming pag-aaral, around P1 billion pesos a [day] ang funding against flood. Meron po ba kayong assessment o review kung effective ang mga nailagay nating budget dito sa flood control? Meron po bang integrated budgeting ng flood control para hindi nasasayang ang pera, P 1 billion pesos a day, tapos andaming naaapektuhan? Iyon lang ang aking pakiusap, alang-alang sa milyun-milyong kababayan na taun-taon ay nalulubog sa baha, lalo na sa aking lalawigan sa Bulacan, bigyan po natin ng special na pagsilip ang mga flood control budgets during this budget season,” adds the CIBAC solon.

“Nakakagalit po kasi Madam Chair ang palala nang palalang problema ng pagbaha. At sinasabi ko Madam Chair na this time hindi ko po kayang pumayag na iaa-approve ang bilyun-bilyong budget na inilalaan natin sa flood control management program. Kailangan po nating magparamdam ng pangil ng accountability, hindi po pwedeng business as usual lang,” exclaims the CIBAC Rep. Villanueva. #

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CIBAC PARTY-LIST REP. BRO. EDDIE VILLANUEVA LAUDS HOUSE 3RD READING APPROVAL OF PENCAS BILL

August 2, 2023 – CIBAC Party-List Representative Bro. Eddie Villanueva lauds the approval by the House of Representatives on 3rd and final reading of House Bill 8443 or the Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System (PENCAS) bill.

The bill seeks to develop and institutionalize an information system and accounting framework that takes into account the state of country’s natural capital and its impact on the economy. Incorporating the health of the country’s natural capital into national accounts provides a broader picture of development progress than solely relying on traditional measures such as economic indicators (e.g. gross domestic product (GDP), etc.)

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the country’s natural resources composed of mineral, cropland, timber, and coastal and marine resources make up an estimated 19% of the nation’s wealth, contributing largely to national economic development. However, rapid growth and climate change are adding pressure to already strained natural resources.

“Economic growth must not be at the price of environmental degradation. The passage of PENCAS bill is a concrete step in our pursuit of sustainable development – a kind of progress that does not compromise the health and integrity of our natural resources but rather protects and promotes its conservation and well-being. By adopting a system that quantifies how we fare in taking care of our environment, we will be more conscious and apprised of the environmental implications of our actions and better plan our efforts towards growth. This will lead us to be more responsible stewards of our natural resources,” says the CIBAC solon.

CIBAC Rep. Villanueva is currently the Committee Chairperson of the House Committee on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and one of the principal authors of PENCAS bill. His bill, House Bill 8117, is one of the consolidated measures that form part of the final version of HB 8443.

CIBAC Rep. Villanueva awaits the swift passage of the measure into law, considering that PENCAS bill is one of the identified priority measures of the Marcos administration.#

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CIBAC Rep. Bro. Eddie C. Villanueva on PBBM SONA 2023

July 25, 20223 – PRESS STATEMENT
Office of CIBAC Party-List Rep. Bro. Eddie Villanueva
July 25, 20223

CIBAC REP. BRO. EDDIE PRAYS GOD GRANTS PBBM COURAGE AND MORAL ASCENDANCY TO CHASE INSPIRING SONA GOALS

In reaction to President Marcos’ State of the Nation Address (SONA), CIBAC Party-List Representative Bro. Eddie Villanueva says that only two things are necessary to immediately translate the inspiring SONA goals into a reality to be enjoyed by Filipino people.

“The President’s SONA is almost complete. We laud the plans on infrastructure, transportation, economy, agriculture, education, health and the fight against smuggling and corruption – to name a few. They are all perfect recipes for progress and inclusive development – a source of hope and inspiration for our people to be optimistic in the future,” says the CIBAC solon.

“However, all of these will be doomed to failure if the President will not have the needed courage to battle vested interests that will undermine national goals, and the required moral ascandancy to marshall and rally the support, cooperation and commitment of government and private forces. He needs to be sincere in battling corruption. The success of SONA plans hinges on these said crucial leadership qualities,” adds Rep. Villanueva.

“For this reason, I earnestly pray that God really grants the President with these divine enablements,” says Villanueva.

“As for CIBAC Party-List, we are willing to sponsor the legislative measures needed to achieve the SONA goals. However, we will not shun from fiscalizing the government if needed,” ends the CIBAC solon. #

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Full script of the Privilege Speech of Cong. Bro. Eddie C. Villanueva in celebration of National Bible Day January 30, 2023

KNOW GOD’S WORD, EXPERIENCE GOD’S WORK

Privilege Speech of Bro. Eddie C. Villanueva on National Bible Day

Session Hall, House of Representatives January 30, 2023

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues, and to all our countrymen, a blessed afternoon to all of you. Isa pong mapagpala, makasaysayang araw sa lahat.

Ngayong araw po ay ipinagdiriwang natin ang isang napakahalagang okasyon, ang “National Bible Day.” Bilang bahagi ng ating pagdiriwang, nais ko lang magbahagi sa inyo ng tatlong simpleng katotohanan patungkol sa Bibliya:

  1. What is the Bible?
  2. What are the proofs that the Bible is the Word of God?
  3. What does the Bible really offer to us? How can we get and maximize the benefits of the Bible?

Bago po ako magpatuloy, gusto kong pasalamatan ang lahat ng Members ng Constitutional Commission of 1987, na iyong Preamble ng Philippine Constitution, historically, ay in-improve nila sapagkat iyong 1935 Recto’s Constitution, 1973 Marcos’ Constitution at iyong 1987 Constitution. Doon po sa 1987 Constitution, iyong sinabi doon sa Preamble na, “We, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of Divine Providence…,” ay binago po iyon, in- improve nila, to please the heart of God, at ang ginawa po nila ay instead of “Divine Providence” ay inilagay nila, “Almighty God.” Before the eyes of eternity, before the eyes

of history, isang napakalaking gesture of honoring the living God who created the heavens and the earth. Kaya po gusto ko lang po, bago ako magsalita nang maikling privilege speech and then to be ended with a special prayer for the success of this Nineteenth Congress of the Republic of the Philippines, gusto ko lang pong i-take note, basahin sa inyo, at alam ko po ito’y mapapanood sa buong mundo through livestream at meron pong ilang television stations na nagko-cover-up nito. Ito po ang sabi ng Preamble ng Philippine Constitution:

“We, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of Almighty God, in order to build a just and humane society, and establish a Government that shall embody our ideals and aspirations, promote the common good, conserve and develop our patrimony, and secure to ourselves and our posterity, the blessings of independence and democracy under the rule of law and a regime of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace, do ordain and promulgate this Constitution.”

Kaya nais ko pong pasalamatan ang lahat ng Honorable Members of the Philippine Constitutional Commission noong 1987 at marinig ng buong bansa na we are not forgetting the sense of greatness during the time of the said Constitutional Commission. Ngayon po, hinihingi ko po ang inyong pandinig sa pagkakataon na ito upang lubos na maparangalan natin ang Diyos. Sabi po Niya sa Bibliya sa 1 Samuel 2:30, “Those who honor me, I will honor, God said; but those who despise me, will be disdained or be less esteemed.”

A.    WHAT IS THE BIBLE? WHAT ARE THE PROOFS OF THAT THE BIBLE IS THE WORD OF GOD?

What is this Bible? Being the Bible Day today, what are the proofs that the Bible is the Word of God?

Mr. Speaker, the Bible is simply the Word of God. As it is written in 2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for the teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” Bakit po mahalaga ang righteousness? Ang sabi ng Proverbs 14:34, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” Sa Romans 15:4 also says, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide, we might have hope,” pag-asa na kailangan ng lahat. Sa 2 Peter 1:19-21, reminds us, and I quote: “We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things.” I repeat, this is so important for the Filipino people and the whole world to understand, “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy or scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things.” Verse 21: “For prophecy, never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, through human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

Mr. Speaker, many are asking: Are there empirical evidence aside from Biblical Scriptures? Is there empirical evidence that the Bible is truly the Word of God? What differentiate it from other books? Let me cite some proofs:

Proof No. 1: The amazing process of writing the Bible.

Mr. Speaker, an ordinary book and even today’s existing religious texts were typically written by a single author or a conference of writers who consult each other. But not the Bible. It was written by around 40 authors. I repeat, the Bible was written by around 40 writers or authors as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit or inspired and anointed by the Holy Spirit over a period of 1,500 years, set in diverse cultural, historical, and geographical context. But take note, they were able to compose a unified message with no iota of any substantial contradiction. I believe, Mr. Speaker, everyone will agree that this is humanly impossible. Such a superhuman feat can only be supernaturally accomplished by no less than God Himself who transcends time and space. Tandaan po natin, kahit apat na writers lang i-commission natin, isulat ang buhay ni Rizal, ni Bonifacio, ni Mabini o ni President Duterte, o President Marcos, apat na writers lang, give them two or three years to write their biography, makikita po natin ang sangkatutak na contradiction and errors of judgement. But this Bible written for 1,500 years, written by 40 writers chosen by the Holy Spirit, you cannot find any significant contradiction whatsoever. Kaya po hindi dapat i-overlook ang kahalagahan ng Bible. Kaya tayo ay sumasaludo sa Members ng Seventeenth Congress of the Philippines, they enacted a law that every last Monday of January will be allotted as special holiday for Bible Day. Praise God!

Proof No. 2: The Bible is Filled with Prophecies and Discoveries Which No Other Literary Work Dared to Foretell

Ngayon po, number two, the Bible is filled with prophecies and discoveries which no other literary works dared to foretell. Mr. Speaker,

hundreds of detailed predictive prophecies are spread throughout the Holy Scriptures. All these prophecies have been fulfilled throughout history such as:

  • The life and death, resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ which were predicted by the Bible at least 700 years before His birth. More or less 300 prophecies were released and revealed and accurately fulfilled to the letter;
  • The oldest book of the Bible, the book of Job, already said that the earth hangs on empty space 4,500 years before it was scientifically confirmed by Copernicus in 15th century AD;
  • Isaiah 40:22 already revealed that “God sits enthroned above the circle of the earth” even before scientists discovered that the earth is round. Take note that other religious books claim the earth is flat, contrary to scientific findings.

Mr. Speaker, no man has accurate vision of what is to come. God and God alone has exclusive access to the corridors of time and can look into the future. Truly, the Bible is supernatural.

Proof No. 3: The Bible is Historically Verifiable and Accurate

Mr. Speaker, renowned archeologist Keith N. Schoville testifies, that “No historical statement in the Bible has proven false on the basis of evidence received through archaeological research.” For example: Mr. Speaker, you’ll be surprised to know that the Holy Bible has far more ancient manuscripts (more than 5,000) than the writings of Plato, Aristotle, Homer, Caesar, and Sophocles combined! This means that their existence could be far more questionable than the originality of the Biblical texts.

Mr. Speaker, this only proves that Bible authors did not just fabricate or invent stories out of their imagination. God did not use myths but rather real people and real events across history to reveal Himself to the world.

Proof No. 4: The Indestructibility of the Bible

Mr. Speaker, throughout the centuries, the Bible has been banned, burned, and banished. From Nero to Stalin to Mao, kingdoms, empires, and tyrants have tried their worst to do away with it. And yet the Bible remains here today, outlasting all of them. It is still the number one best- selling book of all time. Staying strong, influential, and powerful. Its words still saving, healing, delivering, and transforming—all by the power of God!

If the Bible’s words and claims were mere lies and fabrication, the same author then would not have willingly and joyfully martyred themselves and shed their bloods in defense of the Bible.

Take note beloved, fellow Members of this Nineteenth Congress of the Philippines, all public officials, historically, they took—they take their oath before the Holy Bible. So, this should not just be a gesture of tradition, but this must be a genuine gesture of love for God who created the heavens and the earth.

Proof No. 5: The Undeniable Power of the Bible to Transform Lives

Mr. Speaker, the undeniable power of the Bible to transform lives, this is proof number five. Out of the millions of books published throughout history, can anyone of them equal the transforming power of the Bible? No other text has massively transformed countless lives—

drug addicts have been cured; homosexuals have been changed; broken families mended; sick people healed; and the demon possessed freed; and an atheist, communist, radical activist like me before, converted into a firm believer of God.

Truly, 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Anyone who is in Christ Jesus is a new creation. All things—all things have passed away and all things have become new.”

Mr. Speaker, given all these proofs, I believe by now, it is established that the Bible is indeed God’s Word and God’s work. Now, if the Bible is the Word of God, what does it offer to me, to you all and to our nation? I believe the Bible is providing the most important point, road map to nation’s destiny.

Sinabi ng Psalm 33:12, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” Sinabi ng Proverbs 25:5, “Remove the wicked away from the King’s throne, or from the seat of power so that the government will be based on righteousness.” Why righteousness? Proverbs 14:34 says, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach or a disgrace to any people.” That is why in Proverbs 29:2 the Word of God says, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked rule, the people mourn.”

B.    WHAT DOES THE BIBLE REALLY OFFER TO US?

Letter B, what does the Bible really offer to us?

The Word of God in Romans 10:17, the Word of God is producer of faith—producer of faith. In Hebrews 11:6, “It is impossible to please

the Almighty God without faith.” By reading, meditating on God’s Word, a faith, living faith will be born—it be born in our hearts. In Psalm 107:20, the Word of God is also a medicine. Are you sick beyond the remedy of medical science? The very Bible says, “He sent His word. God sent His word and healed them and delivered them from their destructions.” The Word of God is a medicine.

In John 3:32, the Word of God is revealer of truth. Jesus said, “If you continue in My word, and indeed you are My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” St. Peter said, “There is no any other name given under heaven that man can be saved except the Name of Jesus,” Acts 4:12. “Walang ibang pangalang ibinigay sa silong ng langit na sukat ikaligtas ng tao,” ang sabi ni Apostol Pablo— Pedro na siyang kinikilalang unang-unang Papa ng Roman Catholic Church.

Sinabi ni Apostol Pablo sa I Timothy 2:5, “There is only one God and there is only one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” At sinabi din ni Lord Jesus sa John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, and no one can come to the Father except through Me.”

Sa Hebrews 4:12, ang sabi rito, “The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Sinabi ng Matthew 4:4, ang sabi ni Jesus, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Sinabi po ng Psalm 119:105, “Your Word, O God, is lamp to my feet and light to my path.”

At para sa mag-asawa, sinabi ng Ephesians 5:27—25, O mga asawang babae, magpasakop kayo sa inyong asawang lalaki. Asawang

lalaki, mahalin mo naman ang iyong asawang babae katulad ng ginawa ni Hesukristong ibinigay ang Kanyang buhay sa Kanyang mga anak sa iglesya ng Panginoon. In other words, kung susundin po natin ito, wala tayong makikitang giyera o mala-impiyernong pamilya sa ating lipunan.

Ang sinabi po sa mga kabataan naman, Proverbs 22:6, bakit ang bansa, kung minsan maganda ang takbo ng lipunan, kung minsan punong-puno ng problema dahil ang mga kabataan, napapariwara? Ang sabi ng Proverbs 22:6, paalala ko po ito during this Bible Day, mapakinggan man lang ng lahat ng kinauukulan, “Train up a child in a way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it,” Proverbs 22:6.

C.    HOW CAN WE GET AND MAXIMIZE THE BENEFITS OF THE BIBLE?

Now, the only remaining important question now, before I close in prayer, how can we get the benefits and promises of the Bible? How can we get or how can we maximize in our lives, especially in this Nineteenth Congress of the Republic of the Philippines, the benefits of the Bible? Number one po—thank you, Mr. Speaker and for everyone, for your patience. Ako po ay matatapos na sa isang panalangin, special prayer for the success of the Nineteenth Congress of the Philippines so that all of us can have a glorious legacy in the pages of history once we get old.

Una po, ang isang huwag nating kakalimutan, sinabi ng Romans 3:23, “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Lahat ng tao’y nagkasala. Walang matuwid kahit isa. Lahat po tayo’y tinimbang ngunit kulang, sapagkat minana natin ang original sin from our first parents, Adam and Eve, kaya mayroon po tayong sinful nature at iyon po

ang dahilan kung bakit lahat ng tao ay nagkasala, Romans 3:23.

Sa Romans 6:23, “The wages of sin is death,” not only physical death but spiritual death, separation from the Holy God that will lead to second death in the lake of fire, doon sa tinatawag na dagat-dagatang apoy ng impiyerno, second death. But, I have a good news to you, the gift of God is eternal life, in Christ Jesus our Lord, that is why mayroong John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son; whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”

Ngayon po, bago ako manalangin para sa ating common good at matagumpay na Nineteenth Congress of the Republic of the Philippines, especially before the eyes of history and for the eyes of eternity, ay nais ko lang po na huwag makalimutan iyong sinabi ng Hebrews 9:27, “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that, to face judgment.” There is no Court of Appeals in heaven. Ako’y kinikilala ko ang mga great lawyers dito sa Nineteenth Congress, wala pong Court of Appeals sa langit. It is appointed unto all men to die once, and then, the judgment, no Court of Appeals. Habang buhay po tayo, siguraduhin natin, siguraduhin natin na tayo po ay immigrant of heaven in eternity.

Noong Eighteenth Congress, nakaupo po ako rito, katabi ko ang aking kaibigan, si Congressman Jun Datol, at noong siya po ay magpunta sa wake ng aking mahal na asawang umuwi na sa langit, followed by Mayor Joni, sinabi ni Senator Joel sa kanya, Congressman Jun, mag-ingat ka sa COVID, “A, hindi ako tinatablan ng COVID”. After one week, he died because of COVID.

Alam po ninyo, Diyos lang ang nakakaalam ng ating kinabukasan. We cannot depend on our own ability. Let us listen to the admonition

and appeal of God. Pakinggan po natin ang tinig ng Diyos. Sa loob ng isang taon, 365 days, kung minsan may mga taong ni isang oras, hindi makapagbigay ng panahon sa salita ng Diyos, at ‘pag may dumarating na mga troubles and problems ay parang sinisisi pa nila ang Diyos na parang may patago sila sa Diyos. Ito po ay paalala lang at sinabi ng Romans 10:17, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Tatlong talata na lang po ang aking babasahin bago ako mag- pray. Nakalagay po sa John 1:12, paano tayo magiging anak ng Diyos? Sa John 1:12, iyan po, makikita ninyo sa screen, ang sabi po roon sa John 1:12, “To all who did receive Jesus, to those who believe in His name, He gave the right, the right to become children of God.” Hindi po tayo—lahat po tayo ay hindi anak ng Diyos. Lahat tayo ay nilalang ng Diyos subalit hindi pa tayo anak. Para tayo maging anak ng Diyos, basahin ninyo ang John 1:12, tutal Bible Day ngayon, inakda ng batas noong Seventeenth Congress, magkaroon lang tayo ng kaunting muni- muni. Ako ba ay anak na ng Diyos, o kasama lang ako sa milyon, bilyong tao na nilalang ng Diyos, directly and indirectly, subalit wala pa akong immigration paper as citizen of heaven. John 1:12, Datapwa’t ang lahat ng tumatanggap kay Jesus kinikilala iyong pagkakatawang-tao Niya mula sa anyong Diyos at namatay sa Krus ng Kalbaryo upang kayo at ako na makasalanan ay matubos sa Banal na Dugo ng Panginoong Hesus, mahugasan ang kasalanan sapagkat iyong kaisa-isang dugo ni Jesus, iyon lang po ang acceptable blood who has the absolute power to cleanse the sins of mankind. Why? Dahil iyong dugo lang iyon ang exempted sa original sin by virtue of virgin birth. Isa lang ho ang taong nagkatawang-tao na ipinanganak through virgin birth, walang iba kundi si Lord Jesus Christ. Tayo pong lahat biological process kaya walang qualified sa ating maging Mediator or Savior.

Sinabi po ng John 3:3, “Jesus Christ said, ‘Unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’” Maliban na ang tao’y maipananganak spiritually, hindi physically, maipanganak spiritually, hindi siya makapapasok ng kalangitan, sa impiyerno ang kanyang destination. Bakit po? Sapagkat iyong spiritual rebirth po, iyon ang susi at walang pupuwedeng— walang relihiyon na may kapangyarihang magligtas. Sumapi na tayo sa lahat ng relihiyon, kahit sa JIL Church na walang itinataas na relihiyon kundi si Jesus, impiyerno pa rin ang bagsak natin kapag hindi tayo nagkaroon ng tamang relasyon sa Diyos. Hindi relihiyon ang kailangan sa kaligtasan ng tao, mga minamahal, kung hindi, relasyon. Relasyon at hindi relihiyon. Panahon na para gisingin natin ang sambayanang Pilipino na huwag magtanikala, hindi tayo mapatanikala—hindi tayo dapat nakagapos sa fanaticism. Let us wake up while there is still time because there is no salvation after death.

At ang isa hong huwag kong kakalimutan, of course, iyong John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, whosoever believed in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Last but not least, 1 John 5:11-15, dito po ako magwawakas. Let it be recorded in history that on this very day, January 30, last day of January, as enacted by law sometime in Seventeenth Congress of the Philippines, this day is allotted to be the National Day for the Bible. And that’s why I took this, I take this ah—I would say advantage because I don’t want to be recorded in history, especially before the pages of eternity, that I am remiss to my duty to my beloved Members of Nineteenth Congress. Some of you may be antagonistic, I understand that. I used to be a radical communist for seven years of my life. I used to prove there is no God by using logic and philosophy. Because of my exposure to the teachings of Marxism-Leninism, thoughts of Mao Tse- tung, dialectical materialism theory, for seven years of my life, I taught

my college students “don’t believe in God. Belief in God is just a product of fertile imagination of human minds for the psychological and satisfaction of the suffering humanity. If there is God, how come millions of people are suffering from abject poverty, injustices, misery because of unabated political corruption and other reasons? So, what we need is unite the masses, advance the national democratic revolution to establish a just and humane society.”

Listen carefully, please, my beloved colleagues. Seven years of my life, that was my philosophy. I could debate with anyone at that time. I thought I was very intelligent. I realized, eventually, I was a fool. I was a fool, because the Bible says in Psalm 14, that “Those who say ‘There is no God’ are fools.” I am one of them. I was one of the fools for seven years of my life. Praise God before it’s too late. Jesus Christ arrested me and changed me from being a communist- radical activist. I am now an activist for Christ. My only mission is to bring all people regardless of religious affiliation, regardless of social status to the kingdom of God, through the saving knowledge of Jesus, then that’s all.

And before I pray, the word of God says, “Any one of you who labor, who is heavily burdened, come to Me, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). One-point, beloved colleagues, all of us spent quality time, many hours of our life, reading books, history books, philosophy books, all kinds of books, but we have not given quality time in reading the one and only love letter of God to humanity, the Holy Bible. Many of us, like me before, I used to philosophize the Bible. Priests and Pastors got troubled because of my philosophy, but I realized we have to face the truth. One day we will be facing the Lord and nobody can help us. No legal luminary can help us because there is no Court of Appeals in heaven.

So, before I pray, lulubusin ko na po ang paglilingkod ko sa Diyos at sa mga iginagalang kong Miyembro ng Nineteenth Congress of the Republic of the Philippines, bago po ako mag-pray, puwede po bang mahilingan ko lahat, tumayo lang tayo sandali. May I request everybody to stand up at maging sa mga television watchers na ito, tayo po’y lalapit sa Diyos.

Ang panalangin po’y special courtesy call sa Diyos, hindi ho sa mayor, hindi sa governor, hindi sa Presidente ng Pilipinas kung hindi sa Presidents’ President, King of kings, at isang araw, babalik Siya, the soon-coming King na parang magnanakaw na walang nakaka-expect. Kaya sa oras pong ito, magpakumbaba tayo sa Panginoon. Pagbigyan ninyo na po ako. Kung hindi kayo naniniwala sa Diyos, katulad ko dati na ako’y atheist, communist for seven years of my life, pagbigyan ninyo lang po ako bilang paggalang natin sa Bible Day. Yumuko lang po tayong lahat sandali at habang tayo’y nakayuko, damahin po natin ang presensiya ng Panginoong Hesus na nagsabi sa Matthew 18:20, “If there are two or three gathering together in My name, I am in their midst.” The Lord Jesus Christ who said in Matthew 28:18, “All power in heaven and in earth is given to me.” Ang sabi ng Panginoong Hesus, “Anyone who labor, who is heavily laden, come to Me and I’ll give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). The Lord Jesus Christ, as revealed by the Holy Bible, is offering His love, unconditional love. Romans 5:8, “God commended, demonstrated His love for you and me. When we were still sinners, Christ Jesus died for us.” Kaya sa oras pong ito, yumuko lang tayo sandali:

“Dakilang Diyos na may gawa ng langit at lupa, Ama naming sumasalangit, na ngayon ay nakatingin sa lugar na ito, the ongoing session ng Nineteenth Congress of the Republic of the Philippines, lantad sa Iyong mga mata ang bawat lalaki’t babaeng narito, Panginoon. Lantad sa Iyong mata ang 110

million plus Filipinos sa aming bansa, lantad sa Iyong mga mata ang billions of people on the surface of the earth all over the world, ang karamihan, Panginoon ay walang panahon sa Iyo. Ang iba’y mga lasing sa mga bagay sa sanlibutan, subalit sa loob ng Nineteenth Congress of the Republic of the Philippines, on this very day, January 30, 2023, the designated National Day of the Bible in our beloved country, narito po kami ngayon dumudulog sa Iyo, at bago kami dumulog, ipinaalala Mo sa akin ang Isaiah 59:1-2. Ang sabi Mo roon, and I quote You: “My hands are not short that I could not reach you. My ears are not heavy nor close that I could not hear you, but your iniquities, your sins are the reasons why My face is hidden from you, and I cannot answer your prayers.”

Sinabi Mo, Panginoon, anuman ang kasalanang nakikita Mo sa aming puso, kasalanang minana kay Adan at kay Eba, sa aming mga magulang, mga ninuno, kasalanang nagawa sa isip, salita, at gawa mula sa aming pagkapanganak, hanggang sa kasalukuyan, including the sins of omissions – sinabi Mo, Panginoon, ang mga kasalanang iyon ang dahilan kung bakit hindi Mo masagot at hindi Mo sasagutin ang dasal ng Iyong mga anak, maliban na lang ang dasalin namin muna ay ang tinatawag na “prayer of repentance.” Sinabi Mo, Panginoon, sa Banal na Kasulatan sa 1 John 1:9, “But if you confess your sins to Jesus, He is faithful and just to forgive you and cleanse you from all your unrighteousness.” At matapos na manalangin kami ng prayer of repentance, bubuksan Mo ang bintana ng kalangitan, ibubuhos ang lahat ng pagpapala sa kalangitan sa buhay ng bawat isa sa amin, maging sa aming minamahal na bansa. At Panginoon, anuman ang hilingin namin sa Iyo sa pangalan ng Iyong bugtong na Anak na si Kristo Hesus, na

nagsabi sa John 16:23-24, “Anuman ang hingiin ninyo sa aking Ama, sa pangalan ko’y ibibigay sa inyo. Hanggang ngayon ay wala kayong hinihingi sa pangalan Ko. Humingi kayo at ibibigay sa inyo nang malubos ang inyong kagalakan,” John 16:23-24.

Habang tayo’y nakayuko’t nakapikit, maikling pag-usal lang po ang aking kahilingan, sumunod lang po kayo sa napakaikling panalangin, nandito po at mapakinggan ng ating Panginoong Hesus na nakatayo sa ating harapan. Iyong mga nananampalataya, sumunod po kayo sa maikling panalaning ito:

“Panginoong Hesus, ako’y sumasampalataya sa Iyo. Bugtong Kang Anak ng buhay na Diyos. Nagkatawang tao Ka para lamang mamatay sa krus ng kalbaryo. Wala Kang kasalanan, ginawa Kang kasalanan upang kaming mga makasalanan ay magkaroon ng katubusan, mapalaya sa pagkaka-embargo ng diyablo. Wala Kang sakit subalit nang ibayubay ka sa krus ng Kalbaryo, Ika’y naging sakit. Iyong 39 stripes Mo na tinanggap sa krus ng Kalbaryo, tinanggap Mo ang lahat ng sakit, karamdaman upang sa Iyong mga latay, by Your stripes, we are healed.

Hindi lamang iyon, Panginoong Hesus, mayaman Ka sa lahat. Ang sabi ng 2 Corinthians 8:9, “Subalit nang magkatawang tao Ka’y naging dukha Ka upang sa Iyong poverty, matubos Mo kami sa curse of poverty at magkaroon kami ng kalayaan at magkaroon kami ng masaganang buhay.” Kaya, Panginoon, tulungan Mo ang bawat isa sa aming makalaya sa anumang sumpa na bunga ng original sin.

Salamat po, O Diyos. Tinatanggap Ka namin, Panginoong Hesus, sa aming puso bilang tunay na Panginoon, Tagapagligtas ng aming buhay, Manggagamot, Mapagpalaya sa anumang tanikala ng problema. Salamat po, Panginoong Hesus, sa buhay na walang hanggan. Salamat, Panginoong Hesus, ako’y Iyong pinatawad at binigyan ng karapatan na maging anak ng Diyos.”

Ako na lang po ang magwawakas na panalangin:

Dakilang Diyos, Amang sumasalangit, buksan Mo ang lahat ng bintana ng kalangitan. Iunat Mo ang Iyong mapaghimala, mapagpalang kamay. Idantay Mo sa mga lalaki’t babaeng nagbigay ng konting panahon para sa ‘Yong salita in honor of the National Bible Day today.

Abutin Mo sila, Panginoon, ng Iyong makapangyarihang kamay by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Anuman ang kabigatan sa kanilang buhay, alisin Mo ang bundok ng problema sa kani-kanilang mga puso’t buhay, sa kani-kanilang pamilya’t mahal sa buhay. I rebuke the mountains of problems and be cast into the sea.

Sinabi Mo sa Bible, ang mga anak Mo, kapag isinuko ang buhay sa ‘Yo, mayroong absolute authority to rebuke the devil’s works and You can open the windows of heaven. Buksan Mo ang mga bintana ng kalangitan. Ibuhos Mo ngayon ang lahat ng benepisyo ng krus ng Kalbaryo – ang kaligtasan, ang kagalingan, ang kalayaan sa kahirapan ng buhay o curse of poverty, at bigyan Mo ng masaganang buhay at

matagumpay ang bawat isa.

Inaangkin ko ang pangako Mo, Panginoon. Sa John 10:10, sabi Mo, kapag kami nananalangin, ipaalala sa Iyo ang mga pangako Mo sapagkat hindi Ka puwedeng maging sinungaling. Sinabi Mo sa John 10:10, “The thief,” referring to Satan, “cometh not but to steal the blessings of God to kill and to destroy.” But You said, Lord Jesus, “You came to give life and have it more abundantly.” Ibuhos Mo ang abundant prosperity sa Iyong mga anak without any reservation, no pain, no troubles because when You bless, the blessings are legitimate to Your people and there is no fear of any repercussion.

Salamat po, Panginoon. Tulungan Mo kaming lahat na mapasakamay Mo ang aming buhay, ang aming mga sambahayan, pamilya. Idinadalangin namin ang aming minamahal na bansa. Sinabi Mo sa 2 Chronicles 7:14, and I quote Your word, “If my people who are called by My name shall humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, I will forgive their sins, and I will heal your land.”

Idinadalangin namin ang aming bansang Pilipinas, mula sa Pangulo ng Pilipinas, sa Vice President ng Pilipinas, mga Senador, Cabinet Members, Governors, Congressmen, mga Mayors, Barangay Captain, hanggang sa pinakamaliit, Panginoon, na namumuno sa pinakamaliit na barangay at pinakamalaking barangay sa aming bansa. Iniutos Mo sa 1 Timothy 2, “Pray for all people.” Pray for the prime ministers and the presidents and the kings upang magkaroon ng

kapayapaan sa isang bansa. Itinataas namin sa ‘Yo silang lahat at silang lahat, Panginoon, ay makakakilala sa ‘Yo sa tamang paraan, sa Bibliyang paraan before it’s too late.

Salamat po, Panginoon. Continue to heal our land. And in Jesus’ Name, transform the Philippines to be a blessed nation of the living God – to be a model nation before the end of this world.

We praise You, Lord, at idinadalangin ko ang pag-ibig ng Diyos Ama, ang pagpapala ng Diyos Anak, ang matamis na pakikipisan ng Banal na Espiritu ay sumaamin nawang lahat, lalo na sa buong Nineteenth Congress Members na naririto, Panginoon, mula sa Speaker of the House hanggang sa pinakamaliit na employee, Panginoon, ng Kongresong ito’y matanggap namin ang Iyong unconditional love with divine health, divine strength, and financial victory.

Salamat po, O Diyos. Ibinabalik na namin sa Iyo ang lahat ng papuri, kaluwalhatian at karangalan. Ikaw lamang, O Diyos, ang tunay na dapat purihin, ang tunay na dapat purihin. Sa pangalan ni Kristo Hesus, lahat po ay magsabi ng “Amen.”

Hallelujah!

Before I leave the pulpit or this rostrum, I am more than willing to answer any question, whatsoever, after allowing me to deliver my privilege speech with prayer.

Marami pong salamat. God bless you more!

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CIBAC Rep. Bro. Eddie Villanueva: Fight against corruption a “must” to pandemic recovery

In a gathering attended by more than a thousand party leaders in Bulacan on Saturday, Citizens’ Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC) Party-List Representative and House Deputy Speaker Bro. Eddie Villanueva rallied campaigners to win and finish strong this coming elections as he underscored the crucial role of an anti-corruption watchdog in Congress as the country recovers from the scars of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The economy is already opening and our country is on its way to recovery. However, the gains we expect from our efforts will only be stunted, if not negated, by the worsening state of corruption in the government. We need to carry on and further intensify our anti-corruption advocacy because it is an integral component of our roadmap to restoration. This is the mandate and calling of CIBAC. We need to fulfill it and carry it on,” said Villanueva who is the House Deputy Speaker for Good Governance and Moral Uprightness.

Based on the 2021 Corruption Perception Index (CPI), the so-called international grading system of countries in the corruption perception, the Philippines scored 33 out of 100 – where 100 means a country is perceived clean while 0 is seen as highly corrupt. The nation ranked 117th out of 180 countries, a point and two notches lower than year 2020’s score and ranking – which is 34 and 115th, respectively. The Philippines’s score for the 2021 CPI is also below the average score of Asia-Pacific countries, which is 45.

According to estimates by the Office of the Ombudsman, around P700 billion of the national government’s budget is annually lost to corruption.

“Corruption will derail our efforts to recover from the scars of the pandemic. It will continue to siphon government resources away from needed programs and projects that will rescue Filipinos away from grinding poverty. CIBAC will return to Congress to serve as an objective fiscalizer of the use of public funds and resources. We will not allow corrupt and scrupulous elements in government to sabotage the recovery of the Filipino people who have been badly hit by the pandemic. Tuloy ang laban,” added Deputy Speaker Villanueva.

The CIBAC solon laid down the priority legislations that CIBAC will push in the next Congress which include, among others, Freedom of Information (FOI) bill, Foreign Debt Oversight bill, and a bill promoting government digital payment system to foster trust and transparency among taxpayers, thus improving revenue-generation.

In addition, CIBAC vows to conscientiously oversee the use of funds intended to aid the recovery of the agriculture sector and the micro-small-medium enterprises (MSMEs). Lastly, it will closely monitor the faithful implementation of the three laws it authored in Congress, namely: Republic Act (RA) 11476 GMRC and Values Education Law, RA 11509 Doktor para sa Bayan Law and RA 11731 or the Department of Migrant Workers Act. These laws were championed by CIBAC in Congress and shepherded in Senate by its Party Chairman Senator Joel Villanueva.

CIBAC is led by Deputy Speaker Villanueva as its 1st nominee with incumbent Congressman Domeng Rivera and practicing lawyer Atty. Cathy Valencia as its 2nd and 3rd nominees, respectively. It is number 105 in the ballot.