‘…Duque may be shielding his benefactors and protectors wielding more power and influence than him.’
NO one believes Health Secretary Francisco Duque III when he says that he knows nothing of the massive anomalies at Philheath. He claims that as chairman of the board he is confined to policy-making and has nothing to do with the implementation of policy programs. He forgets that the pressure is thrown again at President Duterte, whom Duque has strangely fashioned as a buffer to persistent accusations against him.
On one hand, when he bravely rebuffs or ignores the brickbats, including those coming from the Senate, Duque may be shielding his benefactors and protectors wielding more power and influence than him. In that case, people should sympathize with and refrain from demeaning Duque. Someone like him must be uncommonly formidable to endure the heavier pressure of staying on as secretary and chairman of Philhealth while struggling and standing alone.
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Rabbi Curt Landry, founder of Curt Landry Ministries, has an advice on how to cling to God’ protection especially for those who feel vulnerable or scared and that safety is a distant dream. “God’s promises are written, covering the pages of Genesis down to Revelation. By examining God’s word closer we can discover more promises than we could imagine.” God is not a man that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will not make it good/” (Number 23:19) Through God’s word and the mighty blood of our Savior, each of God’s assured promises becomes available to us. The following are some of these promises and their meaning to us. Of the nine blessings of Passover (the last Passover was on Appril 8-16, 2020), several center on protection. These blessings come through obedience, an open heart, and of placing our feet under God’s Passover table. It does no matter if we are Jew or Gentile; each of these Passover blessings hold specific and unique importance which grows as we discover Jesus.”
“Passover serves as a vital mode – an appointed time – where can meet God, honor him, and require the blessings and the mindsets to move forward. This does not mean that those who have missed or misunderstood Passover’s role cannot access God’s promised protection. Prayer is one way to access this protection for ourselves, our families, our callings, pets, properties, and anyone or anything else. We can pray daily as a verbal agreement of God’s sovereignty and the truth of His being our protector. We can plead the Blood of Jesus, we can utilize anointing oil. Psalm 97:10, ‘You who love the Lord, hate evil! He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.”
Proverbs 1:33, ‘But, whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil.’ Deuteronomy 33:27, 29, ‘The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms; He will thrust out the enemy from before you, and you will say, ‘Destroy!’ Happy are you, Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord, the shield of your help and the sword of your majesty!”
