Drugged for love

Details: Category: Teachings & Articles; Published: Wednesday, 03 October 2018 08:06; Hits: 2454

Drugged for love

By Augusto A. Kho

Christ the Living Stone Fellowship
Rosales, Pangasinan 2441

September 23, 2018 (Sunday); 10:00 am

Updated: October 3, 2018 (Wednesday); 3:45 pm

Is passion alone can make you warm and safe? Is it true love must be so endearing that should shield you from any harm?

“For love is as strong as death,. Its jealousy is enduring as the grave. Love flashes like fire, the brightest kind of flame. Many waters cannot quench love, nor can rivers drown it. If a man try to buy one love with all his wealth, his offer would be utterly scorned” - Song of Solomon 8:6-7 (NLT)

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“I am here for love,” teary-eyed Maryam testified before the other inmates and I was there listening. “To keep him loving me, I always supply him with illegal drugs in order to keep him stay with me until I finally got caught…” she continued in her personal testimony before my turn to speak to them the Word of God.

Passionate love can be drugging until you fall into its treacherous trap unless you can shackle your raging emotion.

I’ve found Maryam (not her real name) testimony so intensely moving until it reminds me of the verse in Revelation 21:8 that says, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. “

Dual citizen

Maryam is a practising Iglesia Ni Kristo (INK) member but she thought that she have been excommunicated already due to her arrest.

In her tender age, her father brought her to Thailand where she grew up. She’s holding dual citizenship and works in call centre, shuttling from Thailand to South Korea. Once in a while she would pay a visit here in the Philippines and that is when she met her love partner whose name is Mar (not his real name though).

Drugged for love

She noticed that Mar always frequenting the company of his peer group who have the same interest – use of illegal drugs. In order to keep her man to stay with her always, she started supplying him with drugs on daily basis until she was apprehended by the policemen during their recent buy-bust operation. She is being placed behind bars just two weeks ago (as of this writing).

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It’s a tragic kind of love. To keep the man she dearly loves, Maryam drugged him for the sake of love. And she herself is being drugged without knowing it. How?

Love is blind

I had an encounter of this quotation when I was Grade 4. I saw my older sister wrote this saying in her personal slum book, the words that says” “Love is blind and lovers cannot see.”

I don’t know the profound meaning of it though that. But today, Science can somehow explain it to us why such a saying goes like that.

Lucy Brown, a professor of neuroscience in College of Medicine at New York writes, “When you’re in a relationship, you’re aware of the person’s flaws, but your brain is telling you it’s ‘OK’

and you tried to ignore them. In other words, science is now revealing that centuries of poets have had it right all along: ‘Love is blind.”

Science of love

In an article entitled, “Science of Love,” dated February 14, 2012 which is written by Arthur Aron, a psychologist in the State University of New York, he said, “.... the limbic system, responsible for reason and intellect can be altered levels of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin – neurotransmitters also associated with arousal – wield their influence...”

Dopamine

Dopamine according to Webster is monoamine C8H11NO2 that is decarboxylated form of dopa

and that occurs especially as a neutro-transmitter in the brain (1959).

Inside the brain, dopamine plays important roles in executive functions, motor control, motivation, arousal, reinforcement, and reward, as well as lower-level functions including lactation, sexual gratification, and nausea. The dopaminergic cell groups and pathways make up the dopamine system which is neuromodulatory. Dopaminergic neurons (dopamine-producing nerve cells) are comparatively few in number—a total of around 400,000 in the human brain according to Schultz W (2007).

In other words

In other words, this chemical dopamine which is being secreted by our brain may give you and me a euphoric state that stirs us so intensely yet it beclouds our reason (if we keep our souls unguarded).

It is normal to be elated by someone or something but let us be reminded that this only gives a temporary relief and therefore it is not everlasting. Only the love of Christ is worth –keeping. He said, “I am with you always,” (Matthew 28:20). And you can always count on Him.

Illegal Drugs

Illegal use of drugs is today’s national issue. Even the word “narco-politics” is a grave governmental concern. And even to this writing, drugs brought this nation Philippines to the international scene and we become a global phenomenon.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime's World Drug Report 2005 estimates the size of the global illicit drug market at US$321.6 billion in 2003 alone. With a world GDP of US$36 trillion in the same year, the illegal drug trade may be estimated as nearly 1% of total global trade. Consumption of illegal drugs is widespread globally and remains very difficult for local authorities to thwart its popularity.

And I do not know how much this illegal drug trade gross income in the Philippines alone.

Statistics on Drugs

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Illegal drug

Illegal drug knows no one. Even some belonging from the prominent families are being involved at times, be a businessman or a politician

For example, “Department of Justice (DOJ) indicts Kerwin Espinosa, son of a town mayor and businessman Peter Co; Peter Lim in illegal drugs“ as reported by Kristine Joy Patag (philstar.com) - July 19, 2018. Kerwin’s father was allegedly a narco-politician who was shot down inside his cell under the custody of his jail guards.

One shocking report reads, “Whole Talisay City police force relieved over alleged drug links,” (philstar.com) - September 2, 2018 - 11:40am. And that is truly scary because the very agency or our bureaucracy that sworn to protect us is now into this illegal drug trade.

Not even President Duterte’s son is spared. As of this re-writing, alleged Custom fixer Mark Taguba is indicted by Department of Justice (DoJ) but minus the Presidential son.

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It is remembered that an alleged “Broker pins Paolo Duterte, brother-in-law in Customs mess,” as reported by Jamaine Punzalan, ABS-CBN News and posted at Aug 31 2017 12:41 PM | Updated as of Aug 31 2017 04:15 PM

“War on Drugs” supporters

While “War on Drugs” supporters of the present administration hail this anti-drug campaign, the legal answer remained elusive whether this is legal and constitutional? And whether the alleged victims of “summary execution” is indeed a “state policy” and “systematic”???

When you call “systematic” it is empirical where data are being obtained to support the claim that makes it scientific.

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Drug, Drugged, Love Defined

Drug (Noun) a substance used in dyeing or chemical operations; a substance intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation and treatment or prevention of disease
Drugged (Transitive verb): to take drug for narcotic effect; to affect with a drug; to stupefy (confused) by a narcotic drug
Love ; a feeling of strong or constant affection for a person; attraction that includes sexuual desire; the strong affection felt by people who have romantic relationship; strong affection of kinship or personal ties.

Drug per se is not diabolical. Even plants and herbs possesses organically medicinal as ordained by God and He “blessed them” (Genesis 1:12,22). I saw poppy plantation where it grows naturally in the Golden Triangle between Burma, Laos and Cambodia when we visited those places a couple of years ago.

We used this opium, a pain reliever especially for cancer patients. In Revelation 22:2 it is mentioned that leaves and trees will be freely given as “healing to the nations” be literal or figurative.

Drugs if not regulated or controlled will result to drug- abuse that will eventually become a menace to society.

Drugged in various forms

We can be drugged for several reasons. And I am talking figuratively.

“Drugged for blood, revenge?” PNP on “War on drugs” is there such a thing as “quota-system” as well as P20,000 per head?

One Metro-Manila based evangelical Bishop testified that one of his church-member, a policeman is contemplating of resigning because of the “quota-system” on “War on Drugs,” is it true? Is it the state is drugged to kill and be like Nemesis, the Greek god of revenge, retribution and destruction.

Our female tourist guide in Turkey has shown us the temple where Nemesis’ monument can be found. Nemesis is an avenger, this Greek god has tremendous appetite for blood like Molech.

When Rep. Lagman accuses President DU30 as “worse than natural calamities” is referring the president as “destroyer” or “avenger” just like in John 10:10a? (See the Notes below).

“Drugged for food?” Esau lost his birthright (calling, anointing, sense of purpose).

That is why God called him “pornos” Greek term for the word “fornicator.” When a policeman trade his calling as “protector for the people “ for the sake of money out from quota –system if this is indeed true, will that makes him a pornographer or male prostitute?

“Drugged “ for power.

What is behind former CJ Maria Lourdes Sereno’s ouster? Is it politically-motivated and a sort of revenge? It can be recalled that President Duterte exposed to the media an alleged list of drug protectors which includes politician, a general and a judge. He called it a “list” although it is not validated by the Court. Can we call “media assassination” or merely “hallucinations” not on the basis of facts because it lacks scientific approach? Well, what then is the root of Sereno’s ouster as Supreme Court Chief Justice?

And this is very interesting – why would then Justice Teresita De Castro “accused, acted as witness against the accused and stood as a jurist “ against Sereno’s quo warranto is the Chief Justice now? Would this have something to do with “greed for power or position as if you’re drugged?”

“Drugged for money?” What is behind the impeachment of then Chief Justice Corona under P’Noy Administration, are they drugged for power or money or both?

How true are the statements of two congressmen who said they were forced to vote for Corona’s impeachment otherwise their PDAF will not be released? It is a “blood money?”

Corona was not only impeached but he was also completely stripped off his monetary benefits by the time he joined the Judiciary not until he died recently.

“Drugged” for pride and revenge. Herod.

In Matthew 14:3 is an account how a public official, Herod placed behind bars a servant of God named John, the Baptist. Herod the Great was the son of Antipater or Antipas, king of Judaea in 40 B.C. Antipater was a brave man and skilled in war but extremely suspicious and crue and destroyed the families of his political opponents, imprisoned and terminated his oppositionists. He imposed high taxes and had bloodshed on the land according to Thayer Bible Dictionary.

It was on the late rule of Antipas when Jesus and John the Baptist were born. Herod replaced his father Antipas who later took the wife of his brother Philip named Herodias. When John the Baptist sharply rebuked Herod’s immoral acts, the man of was placed into prison and later beheaded.

With such fate of a man of God from the hands of public official named Herod, what made the latter reinforcing agent to touch God’s anointed? Was Herod drugged for pride and revenge?

In the same way, what is behind Senator Trillannes’ amnesty irregularity as filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida? It is recalled that Trillanes first filed graft charges against Calida for “conflict of interest” in relation to the latter’s security agency who received government contracts. Is it an act of revenge as if drugged?

“Drugged “ for false gods and sexual immorality?

Israel as a nation is dubbed as “prostitutes” in Ezekiel Chapter 16.

Last year, we visited ancient Ephesus (now in Turkey) and saw the ancient relics of Greek god Diana or Artemis in Roman culture that insinuates false worship and immorality. Lesbianism, homosexuality and multiple partnership are merely a part of Greek culture and it is not considered immoral during their ancient time. Though Turkey today is 98% Islamic, their culture is very much Greek.

Today, the same ancient Greek culture are being legislated in the Filipino values through several “immoral” legislations being passed in the Congress today, be in the House of Representatives or Senate in the form of SOGIE Law and same-sex marriage called “Civil Partnership” under HB 6595 and SB 1271?

Other legislators are even pushing a bill to have Filipino Marriages to have expiration dates.

Are they drugged for sex or immoral lewdness?

Drugged for women?

Solomon has been anointed by God to build His Temple, yet he gone astray for marrying heathen women until God judged his kingdom and divided them into two.

Samson is called “Nazarite for life” a judge of Israel for 20 years (Judges 13:24) but he fell on several occasions with indecent women because he didn’t follow God’s standards.

Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez was the Speaker of the House but at the same time having problem with his marital problems as reported by the media. And in the middle of this year, he was ousted by Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) as House Speaker.

Can we be drugged in pursuing women that can cause our ouster from our office and ministry?

Drugged for spell?

The spell

The spirit of control or manipulation is something being referred by some other evangelical groups as “charismatic witchcraft.”

The name of Jezebel is mentioned in Revelation 2:20 who is responsible in “teaching and seducing” the servants of God with “fornication.” According to James Strong, “fornication” means “to act as an harlot, the one who indulges unlawful lust or sex; idolatrous.”

The word “fornication” is both literal and figurative.

Esau is called fornicator when he sold his birth-right over a bowl of lentil (Hebrews 12:16). Fornicator in Greek “pornos” means “a male prostitute” or “a man who indulges in unlawful sexual intercourse.” Figuratively it means “a man who prostitutes his body to another’s lust for hire” be it is for power, fame, position, money or favour.

Jezebel in Hebrew “iyzebel” means “married to Baal” (1 Kings 16:31). While Baal is the god of the Moabites (now Jordan) in Numbers 22:41 referring to “high places” (be it is literal or figurative).

Greed for position is like a “high places.” Just yesterday I heard that once party-mates, that is the mayor and vice mayor in the nearby town who were once in good terms have just started their “word-war” assaulting one another in preparation for the coming election next year.

This demonic spell can be seen normally in “high places” of governance, be it ecclesiastical (religious) or bureaucratic (public service).

Once they are on top, these high officials will start manipulating people, events and circumstances while their proponents and supporters are highly-drugged on their magical power and accord them with a “hero-worship” syndrome that beclouds their minds and reasons as if drugged with dopamine.

When you are deeply in loved like Maryam, you may simply got dragged with such intense emotions as if you’re high on drugs. That intense emotion and power-yielding motivation loses your own self-control as if you’re under strong spell of unknown spirit.

What drove Maryam to drug the man she loved that placed her into prison? Is it a lustful desire or demonic spell?

The sorcerers

Revelation 21:8, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. “

Sorcerer in Greek “pharmakeus” is pharmacy in English. Pharmakeus is “one who prepare or use magical remedies” referring to literal sorcerer. It originally came from the Greek root work “pharmakon” which is “a drug and spell-giving potion.” James Strong defines it as “druggist or poisoner.”

When someone convinces you making you irresistibly induced with his intoxicating speech and manipulating words that veers you away from truth, away from the Word of God, away from the Lord Christ that is “drugging” or “poisoning.”

When bishop or pastor will drags you closer to men or politician more than Christ and His Words then that is sorcery and witchcraft. When you are enslaved to the cunning words of men in power then that is sorcery and witchcraft.

Romans 16:17 (ISV) , “Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and sinful enticements that oppose the teaching you have learned. Stay away from them, because such people are not serving the Messiah our Lord, but their own desires. By their smooth talk and flattering words they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. “

NOTES:

Figuratively

Showing people and things in a way that resembles how they really look.

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Paolo Duterte and Taguba

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 Here's what else was in Taguba's text messages on Customs

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President Rodrigo Duterte's son Paolo and son-in-law Mans Carpio are mentioned in text messages of Customs fixer Mark Taguba to Tita Nanie

 Taguba changes tune: Paolo, Mans not part of BOC corruption

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Duterte names politicians, cops, judges in drug trade

ABS-CBN News; Posted at Aug 07 2016 01:19 AM | Updated as of Aug 07 2016 12:55 PM

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President Duterte speaks at a military camp. Malacanang photo

MANILA – (UPDATE) President Rodrigo Duterte, who is leading a relentless campaign against illegal drugs, bared on Sunday a long list of politicians and judges whom he accused of involvement in the narcotics trade.

Duterte’s list straddled the entire country. He read the names one by one in a nationally-televised speech after midnight. He said the names were validated by the police and the military.

"I ordered the validation. I am the one reading it and I am the sole person responsible for this one," he said.

Calida vs. Trillanes

“Duterte says it was Calida who found the flaw in Trillanes amnesty grant”

By: Cathrine Gonzales - Reporter / @cgonzalesINQ

INQUIRER.net / 11:40 AM September 08, 2018

'I cannot refuse': Duterte confirms Calida triggered review of Trillanes amnesty

(philstar.com) - September 8, 2018 - 1:55pm

KaladKaren’s experience shows urgency to pass SOGIE bill — Hontiveros

Gaea Katreena Cabico (philstar.com) - August 29, 2018 - 6:03pm

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Sen. Risa Hontiveros said the KaladKaren’s experience should serve as a “signal” to her colleagues in the upper house to finally end the debate on the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) Equality Bill and move for its immediate passage. - Office of Sen. Risa Hontiveros

Nemesis

In Greek Mythology, Nemesis was the Goddess of vengeful fate, rightful retribution, or revenge as represented in her name which has a rough translation of “to give what is due” from Greek language/ dialect to English. She was later also known as Rhamnousia and Rhamnusia. Nemesis is usually seen holding a sword, but in some images she can be seen holding a balance, scales or measuring rod

‘Damage by Duterte administration worse than natural calamities’

Philstar, September 15, 2018; by Jess Diaz

13 hrs ago

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MANILA, Philippines — The damage the Duterte administration has done to the country “could be worse than the combined disasters caused by Ondoy, Yolanda, Ompong and other typhoons and calamities,” opposition Rep. Edcel Lagman said yesterday.

EDITORIAL - Void from the start?

(The Philippine Star) - September 26, 2018 - 12:00am

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The criminal cases against Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV were revived after the amnesty granted to him by then president Benigno Aquino III was declared void by President Duterte. While the amnesty was granted to a group of rebel soldiers following the same procedures, only Trillanes lost the privilege.

Malacañang argues that the amnesty granted to Trillanes was invalid because he did not apply for it, and only Aquino’s defense chief Voltaire Gazmin approved it. Aquino has said his amnesty proclamation covered all the rebel soldiers.

Yesterday, Judge Elmo Alameda of the Makati Regional Trial Court’s Branch 150 set aside materials presented by Trillanes to prove that his amnesty grant is valid. Alameda went along with the petition of the Department of Justice and ordered Trillanes’ arrest for rebellion. But the judge allowed Trillanes to post P200,000 bail.

Trillanes might yet end up back in detention for the crime of coup d’etat in connection with the Oakwood mutiny. This was filed before another Makati trial court, Branch 148. The offense normally does not allow bail.

Malacañang voided the amnesty on the same day that Trillanes’ committee began its probe into possible conflict of interest and graft against Solicitor General Jose Calida, whose family-owned security company has bagged several contracts with various government agencies. The President said the voiding of Trillanes’ amnesty was the idea of Calida, who was also the one who initiated a quo warranto petition to kick out Maria Lourdes Sereno as chief justice.

Still to be resolved is whether Malacañang can void an amnesty without Senate approval for individual recipients. The Supreme Court under Teresita de Castro, however, has refused to touch the amnesty issue.

Some quarters argue that what applies to one should apply to all. With Alameda’s order, all the other rebel soldiers who were given amnesty together with Trillanes, some of them now working for the government, are in limbo.

The amnesty given by Fidel Ramos during his presidency to those who launched coup attempts against Corazon Aquino may also be affected. Among the recipients are Sen. Gregorio Honasan, Armed Forces chief Carlito Galvez and Chairman Danilo Lim of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.

If the government is challenging the validity of Trillanes’ amnesty, it should also go after the other recipients. Failing to do this bolsters accusations that the government, supported by a compliant judiciary, is engaged not in prosecution but persecution of its critics.

Trillanes should honor court order — Palace

Christina Mendez (The Philippine Star) - September 26, 2018 - 12:00am

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MANILA, Philippines — There is no more legal impediment for the implementation of Presidential Order No. 572 that voids the amnesty granted to Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV during the previous administration, presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said yesterday.

In a statement, Roque said this goes to show that President Duterte respects the decision of the judiciary.

“The court has spoken… Whatever Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV has to say can be addressed to the court,” he said.

“Let us stop the drama by (conducting) press conferences and allow the legal proess to take its course,” he said.

In another interview, Roque said the Makati regional trial court (RTC) can now proceed with the trial and find out whether Trillanes should be held liable for the rebellion charges filed against him.

“At this point, the military tribunal would be superfluous because the law provides that where you have concurrent jurisdiction over the civilian courts and the military courts… here you have a determination by the solicitor general, and actually, by the President, that he would defer to the court,” he said.

“That means the matter now is entirely on the regional trial court,” Roque said.

It is up to the senator to appeal the decision of the local court, according to Roque.

“He can still appeal the decision of the RTC on the issue. He can bring this up to the appellate court. Meanwhile, he has to honor the decision of the court unless he gets a restraining order of the Supreme Court (SC) or the Court of Appeals,” he said, before the senator surrendered.

“Right now, the warrant of arrest is immediately executory and he should respect our court and voluntarily surrender and face the charges against him,” he added.

Since Duterte has deferred to the Makati RTC, Roque said Malacañang is hoping that Trillanes will equally respect the court and voluntarily surrender so that he may prove his innocence of the charges leveled against him.

Will Trillanes suffer the same fate as that of detained Sen. Leila de Lima in seeking relief from the SC against Duterte’s Proclamation No. 572 that voided the amnesty he obtained during the previous administration?

A document submitted to the SC yesterday showed that Trillanes falsified the notarization of his petition earlier this month seeking to strike down the proclamation for alleged violations of the 1987 Constitution. – With Edu Punay

Trillanes arrest order part of Duterte’s authoritarian playbook, critics say

Rosette Adel (philstar.com) - September 25, 2018 - 6:55pm

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MANILA, Philippines — For opposition coalition group Tindig Pilipinas, the Duterte administration has reached into his authoritarian playbook after a Makati court issued an arrest warrant against Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, one of President Rodrigo Duterte's fiercest critics.

“Like Sen. De Lima, Sen. Antonio Trillanes dared to criticize this president and his corrupt, incompetent and murderous regime,” Tindig Pilipinas said in a statement.

“And so, the regime has decided to reach into his authoritarian playbook and on the flimsiest of reasons, in ways that pervert the justice system, against all logic has managed to get another arrest warrant,” it added.

The cause-oriented group made the statement after the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150 granted the Department of Justice’s motion for an arrest warrant and hold departure order against the embattled senator.

READ: Makati court orders Trillanes' arrest for rebellion case

“Congratulations Mr Duterte, hindi na lamang ang mga mahihirap ang nakakaranas ng kawalan ng hustista, pati na rin ang mga senador. Subali't magkaiba pa rin di ba? Para sa mga Senador—kulong dahil kumontra. Para sa mahirap—kamatayan dahil nanlaban,” the group said.

“But know this, you can no longer change the narrative. No amount of fear mongering, fake news and suppression of dissent can’t fill ur pepople's stomachs nor resurrect their murdered dead. Nahahalata na po ng taumbayan na wala silang maasahan sa gobyernong ito kundi bukbok, bugok, tepok,” it added.

Human Rights Watch Asia Division researcher Carlos Conder also issued a statement with tha same tone as Tindig Pilipinas, saying that the arrest of Trillanes is part of the persecution of critics of Duterte who oppose his “murderous drug war.”

Conde said the persecution began when Sen. Leila De Lima was arrested based on trumped-up charges.

He said Trillanes has also “proven to be the biggest thorn in the side of Duterte” for he accused several people in the administration including the president’s son, Paolo Duterte, of corruption. Trillanes also supported the International Criminal Court’s preliminary examination of complaints against the president.

“Trillanes' arrest today sends a chilling effect among other critics of the Duterte administration,” Conde said.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan, Liberal Party president, also said that while they respect the court's decision, they disagree with the order.

"It is as clear as day that the revocation of grant of amnesty is illegal and an abuse of presidential powers and must be vigorously opposed," Pangilinan said.

"All the pieces of evidence.submitted to the Court both documentary and testimonial prove a valid application and amnesty proclamation. Maliwanag na panggigipit ito ng administrasyon sa isang kritiko nito," he added.

'Dictatorship is on'

Trillanes’ party-list, Magdalo, also said democracy has died after the arrest of Trillanes.

Magdalo lamented how the court system is being used as an instrument to persecute the political rivals of Duterte.

“Sa paglabas ng warrant of arrest laban kay Senator Trillanes, natanggal na ang pagkukunwari ng administrasyong Duterte na tayo ay nasa demokrasya pa. Tayo po ay na sa isa ng diktadurya ngayon (With the issuance of the warrant of arrest against Senator Trillanes, this administration’s pretense that we are in the state of democracy is gone. We are in the state of dictatorship now),” Magdalo said in a statement.

“The issuance of warrant to arrest Senator Trillanes based on Proclamation No. 572 is an assault to the whole Philippine justice system,” it added.

Magdalo party-list said that despite this, the party would abide by the legal orders.

“We will continue to have faith on our institutions and legal processes,” Magdalo said.

Meanwhile, Sen. Grace Poe said she is confident Trillanes could defend his case before the court.

She also raised concern about trust in government.

"So kung kukwestiyunin 'yung kanya, lahat 'yun malalagay sa peligro at mawawalan ng bisa ang amnestiya na ibibigay ng gobyerno sa mga darating na panahon; papaano magkakaroon ng tiwala? Kaya ako, dasal ko naman na ang mahihiling natin dito ay ang pagiging patas ng Korte na pakinggan talaga," Poe said.

Arrest order sidelines important issues

Tindig Pilipinas also slammed Duterte for claiming there is an evil plot against him and arresting Trillanes amid the increase in prices of goods, failure to defend country’s borders, about to be tried in the ICC for crimes against humanity, and lowering of trust and approval ratings.

The group and Sen. Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV questioned the timeliness of the arrest order.

“Kahirapan at taas-presyo ang kalaban, hindi ang oposisyon,” Aquino said.

“Taumbayan ang nakakalimutan habang pinipilit na patahimikin si Sen. Trillanes at iba pang kritiko ng gobyerno. Habang nag-aaway away, ang mga pangunahing isyu ng taumbayan ang nababalewala’t naiiwan,” he added.

Aquino called on the government to stop its threats and intimidation of critics.

Trillanes voluntarily surrendered to the Makati RTC Branch 150 and posted bail worth P200,000 for his rebellion case that was dismissed in 2011 on Tuesday afternoon. He returned to the Senate afterward.

ICC chief ignores critics, says work continues

Pia Lee-Brago (The Philippine Star) - September 26, 2018 - 12:00am

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ICC head Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji pointed out that there are more conflicts in the world today than in 1998, when the Rome Statute established the ICC to address genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. - AFP

MANILA, Philippines — The head of the International Criminal Court (ICC) maintained that the Court cannot be distracted by critics and would continue to do its work.

He also urged countries to focus on why the Rome Statue was adopted.

“We cannot be distracted, by whatever reasons some people feel irritated by what the Court does,” Eboe-Osuji said.

In March, President Duterte announced the Philippines’ pull out from the Rome Statute that created the ICC after the tribunal announced it would initiate a preliminary examination of alleged crimes against humanity under his war on drugs.

The ICC expressed regret over the Philippines’ withdrawal from the Rome Statute and encouraged the country to remain part of the ICC.

A withdrawal, the ICC said, has no impact on ongoing proceedings or any matter which was already under consideration by the Court prior to the date on which the withdrawal became effective nor on the status of any judge serving at the Court.

Eboe-Osuji said that everyone should keep in mind that there are strong systems in place around the Rome Statue that ensures that there is no unfair prosecution against anyone.

“Humanity cries for justice, adding that no country can do it alone. The world needs a collective effort to solve collective problems,” he said.

The ICC said it remains committed to its independent mandate to help end impunity in a complementary manner with states and contribute to the prevention of future atrocities.

The ICC was officially notified on March 19 by the United Nations that the Philippines deposited on March 17 a written notification of withdrawal from the Rome Statute, the Court’s founding treaty, with the United Nations Secretary-General as the depositary of the Statute.

Withdrawing from the Rome Statute is a sovereign decision, which is subject to the provisions of Article 127 of that Statute, that becomes effective one year after the deposit of notice of withdrawal to the UN Secretary-General.

The Court stressed that the participation of states in the Rome Statute and their continued support for the ICC in the discharge of its independent and impartial mandate is essential to global efforts to ensure accountability and strengthen the international rule of law.

The Philippines ratified the Rome Statute on Aug. 30, 2011 and the statute took effect Nov. 1, 2011.

Petitions were filed before the Supreme Court to invalidate the country’s withdrawal from the ICC following Duterte’s order, since the Senate did not concur through a two-thirds vote.

The ICC president deflected the significance of remarks reportedly made by US National Security Adviser John Bolton earlier this month, that the ICC was an illegitimate court.

In response to Bolton’s reported remarks indicating that the US would be prepared to ban ICC judges and prosecutors from entering the country should a proposed investigation into alleged US war crimes in Afghanistan proceed, the judge responded that it was unfortunate that kind of threat was made, but again stressed the importance of focusing on the Rome Statute.

The US is not a party to the ICC and has consistently opposed an international court that could hold US military and political leaders to a uniform global standard of justice.

The US underscored it has a strong and independent judicial system and recognizes that “every situation is different.”