‘The news networks which have ignored or stayed away from the spiritual or deeper dimension of personal and social transformation still deny the news worthiness of this uncommon event.’
THE NBI Cybercrime Division started its investigation on a case filed against me by Sen. Bong Go over a column item where I wrote that he wanted Chinese workers to take over whining Filipino government employees, which I erroneously based on a wrong information.
Two agents conducted an online questioning last July 17 for which I was issued a subpoena.
My lawyer, Atty. Rowie Daroy Morales, immediately asked for a formal copy of the complaint filed by the law office of Go, Uy Cruz Lo Associates. She commented that that it was funny that I was being investigated and expected to answer questions on a case I didn’t have any idea of.
One of the agents finally read the cyberlibel complaint which they insisted should be treated confidentially. Atty. Morales stressed that the law provides for respondents to be provided a formal or hard copy to which they are allowed to respond during the investigation. The agents responded that we should first send a request for such issuance.
Even if the practice was improper Atty. Morales was gracious enough to oblige.
Elected government officials should be more selective in the filing of cyberlibel charges in the face of the more unsettling and livid tirades against them on social media. If they want to stifle dissent they may be going up against a brick wall. Countless bashers are taking up the cudgels for the few who have been marked for legal reprisals. Precious time and energy can be expended on critical health and public safety issues. In facing criticisms, Sen. Ping Lacson s a prime example of prudence and balance.
***
Life has been cheapened by COVID-19 and most people are suddenly aware of the loss of their mortal bodies and are now struggling with their souls. The spread of the virus has emptied churches and centers of worship and ministries, but more people gripped with uncertainty and fear are turning to God. The Christ’s Commission Fellowship (CCF) center on Ortigas Ave. would sit 15,000 in its four Sunday worship and preaching services. The numbers have reached a stunning 120,000 every Sunday since April. Other Born-Again, Catholic and Protestant Churches are experiencing a similar surge of online attendees.
The news networks which have ignored or stayed away from the spiritual or deeper dimension of personal and social transformation still deny the news worthiness of this uncommon event. This is, of course, good news which draws a strong parallel to the “good news” that the Gospel brings.
Priests, pastors and Bible scholars continue to warn that the “end times” are coming, or to what most of us refer to as the end of the world. According to Pastor Daniel Kolenda, who heads the Christ for All Nations Ministry, the present global calamity may be significant to the evangelical work of church leaders and ministers. To illustrate, he quotes John 9:4, “As long as it is day, we must do the work of he who sent me. Night is coming when no one can work.” The time left, and he says whether it’s one year or a thousand years, is almost certainly an open window to compel them to double their efforts for evangelism and the salvation of souls. Before the second coming of Christ dawns.
