Thursday, February 28, 2008

Power Play for a Power Grab of the Power Sector?

In an effort to appease a public in Metro Manila crushed by unstable jobs and livelihoods, constantly increasing prices of basic commodities and ever rising power and water bills despite tightly managed consumption, Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo called on MERALCO to decrease its rates. For this purpose she directed the Department of Trade and Industry to file an omnibus petition with the ERC.

While the action is welcome and in fact long overdue, we are wary of the timing and motives behind this order. Mrs. Arroyo is under pressure to resign from office in the face of serious allegations of corruption and evilness. And if we are to believe the scuttlebutt, her family has more than a foothold in the power sector. For these reasons we question the offensive on MERALCO as a sinister attempt to consolidate her family's stake in the power sector in the guise of a desperate attempt to gain some public sympathy.

Lest we forget the Arroyo family now has a sizable influence in TRANSCO, courtesy of the recently questionable winning bid of Monte Oro Grid Resources for the transmission monopoly. Diosdado "Buboy" Macapagal, the President's brother, is closely affiliated with Walter Brown, one of the owners of Monte Oro. Another stakeholder, Enrique Razon, is a close friend of First Gentleman Mike Arroyo and the treasurer of the administration's Team Unity in the senatorial campaign last year.

Ownership and control of the national transmission grid is highly lucrative and very strategic. It can be used to favor one generator over another, to favor loyal supporters over critics. While transmission is regulated by the ERC, let us not forget it is Mrs. Arroyo who appoints the ERC Commissioners and that Congressman Mikey Arroyo heads the Energy Committee of the House of Representatives. This is rent-seeking of the highest order.

We remain critical of MERALCO's high electricity rates and denounce the practice of the Lopezes of favoring affiliated IPPs even when cheaper electricity is available. We have long maintained that Metro Manila consumers rightfully own MERALCO. This however does not mean that we condone a power grab by a power hungry and infinitely greedy Arroyo family.

The Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) was one of the first laws signed by Mrs. Arroyo in 2001. Like the ZTE deal, she knew it was flawed but she signed it nevertheless. Unlike the ZTE deal, the EPIRA has been in effect for the past seven years and has resulted in 15 rate hikes instead of the promised cheaper electricity. The onerous IPP contracts were reviewed and found to be onerous, but not renegotiated. And now the flaws are being used to the advantage of Mrs. Arroyo and her cabal.

The Freedom from Debt Coalition vehemently condemns this.

We reiterate our call for affordable electricity and for a new energy law that does not contribute to global warming and that recognizes consumers as equal partners in the sector. We will pursue our vision of an environmentally sustainable, accountable and democratic power sector in a post-Arroyo scenario.
 

Edison Chen's end of the road


Edison Chen
 
Finally, Edison Chen is back. The racy photos which was copied from his laptop when he sent it for repair created too much scandal for a nation to take. Canadian-born Chen, 27, quit the showbiz after his marriage proposal to girlfriend Vincy Yeung was denied by her family after consultation and advised Chen to go for rehabilitaion for "sex addiction". Chen was mauled in rehabilitation in Utah after some male residents there mauled, kicked and thretened him.
 
He immediately returned to Vancouver Canada to join her mother. Then flew to California for a possible film making in Hollywood.
 
Last Thursday, Chen met the press in Hong Kong and read his statement:
 
"I would like now to apologize to all the people for all the suffering that has been caused and the problems that have arisen from this, he said. "I would like to apologize to all the ladies and to all their families for any harm or hurt that they have been feeling. I am sorry".
 
After a succesful negotiation with Police for a possible arrest, now he has the Triad to mind to which is after him. (Teka-Muna)
 

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Father Fernando Suarez Healing Mass Schedule for March 2008

Mar 3 - 5, 2008 - see schedule below
Lenten Parish Mission, "His Healing Presence"
Cathedral of Christ the King
2699 Peachtree Rd NE Atlanta, GA 30305
View Parish Mission Flyer

Contact: Dottie O'Connor
(404) 233-2145 ext. 462
www.ctkevangelization.org

SCHEDULE:
Mon, Mar 3, 2008 at 7pm
Eucharistic Celebration and Talk - "The Power of the Cross" followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Confession (no Healing Service)

Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 7pm
Eucharistic Celebration and Talk - "The Power of the Eucharist", followed by Healing Service

Wed, Mar 5, 2008 at 7pm
Eucharistic Celebration and Talk - "The Power of Healing", followed by Healing Service





Mar 8 - 13, 2008 - see schedule below
Companions of the Cross - Texas Parish Mission at:

Queen of Peace
3011 Telephone Rd. Houston, TX 77023
Contact: Fr. Christian Riesbeck, CC
Tel: (713) 921-6127

Our Lady of Mount Carmel
6723 Whitefriars, Houston, TX 77087
Contact: Fr. Sean Wenger, CC
Tel: (713) 645-6673

Catholic Charismatic Center:
1949 Cullen Blvd., P.O. Box 230287 Houston, TX 772
Contact: Fr. Michael Scherrey, CC
Tel: (713) 236-9977

SCHEDULE:
View Parish Mission Flyer

Mar 8 and 9, 2008, Queen of Peace and Our Lady of Mount Carmel: Fr. Fernando will preach at all Saturday and Sunday Masses at Queen of Peace; Fr. Jeff will preach at all Saturday and Sunday Masses at Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Mar 11, 2008 at 7pm, Catholic Charismatic Center: Eucharistic Celebration and Talk - "The Power of the Cross", Confessions after Mass (no Healing Service)

Mar 12, 2008 at 7pm, Catholic Charismatic Center: Eucharistic Celebration and Talk - "The Power of the Eucharist", followed by Healing Service

Mar 13, 2008 at 7pm, Catholic Charismatic Center
Eucharistic Celebration and Talk - The Power of Healing, followed by Healing Service

Delta Goodrem in sexy bikini

Australian singer Delta Goodrem in a flattering two-piece bikini! Something I should dream during my sleep. Sigh!








Monday, February 18, 2008

Jami Gertz in sexy bikini

Well, dont get me wrong. She's still hot, see the body.





Debt activists to Ombudsman Gutierrez: Too late the hero

"Too late for heroic acts."
 
This was the statement issued by the Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC) and the Youth Against Debt (YAD) concerning Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez's decision to inhibit herself from the investigation of alleged anomalies surrounding the government's aborted $329.48-million National Broadband Network project with China's ZTE Corp.
 
Describing it as an act of hypocrisy to save an irredeemably corrupt and inept institution, the groups said the latest act of Gutierrez will not salvage the image and the reputation of the Ombudsman as a venue of Malacanang's spin masters to whitewash cases of anomalies and corruption involving Mrs. Arroyo and her family.
 
"Though we welcome Ombudsman Gutierrez's decision to inhibit herself from the investigation, the Office of the Ombudsman remains morally weak—lacking the needed integrity to search for truth and accountability," FDC Secretary-General Milo Tanhuling said.
 
"The people are not gullible. Just because Gutierrez defaulted from the case, it does not automatically mean this institution can provide us with genuine justice and political clarity. Its long history of inaction and of being fence sitters amid rampant graft and corruption is phenomenal," Tanchuling said.
 
"Unless this office is cleansed of Mrs. Arroyo's apologists, the Ombudsman cannot be trusted in providing justice," Tanchuling said
 
FDC scored the institution's continued inaction on other cases involving Palace "cronies," such as former agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn Bolante's involvement in the P728-million fertilizer fund scam allegedly meant to divert fertilizer funds for then presidential bet Gloria Arroyo's campaign kitty in 2004.
 
"Instead we call for the establishment of an independent body without any connection with Malacanang that will immediately audit and investigate all loan-financed government contracts beginning with the suspended ZTE-NBN deal and other projects implicated in the Lozada testimony," Tanchuling said.
 
For their part, YAD spokesperson Bianca Lapuz said the ZTE-NBN deal is just the tip of the iceberg. "There are more of these illegitimate projects hidden from public scrutiny, irresponsibly entered into by our government which in turn becomes illegitimate debts which will be shouldered by an already debt-burdened people," Lapuz said.
 
 The youth group demands the suspension of other illegitimate projects pending their investigation starting with the $400-million Cyber Education Project (CEP), the $503-million North Luzon Railways Project and the $884-million South Luzon Railways Project.
 
FDC and YAD are also calling for a comprehensive audit of all public debt and all policies, regulations and laws that govern public borrowings, including the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) law, the practice of extending sovereign guarantees and the resulting contingent liabilities.
 

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Arroyo urged not to veto debt service cuts

Debt and environmental watchdogs ask government to prioritize health and environment over debt service payments in 2008 budget

13 February 2008, Quezon City.   As the Senate inquiry on the NBN-ZTE scandal sizzles, civil society groups assembled in front of a government hospital in Quezon City to draw attention to another illegitimate debt and to oppose any presidential veto of the P25.9 billion debt service cuts in the 2008 budget.

Members of the EcoWaste Coalition and the Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC) peaceably assembled at the Philippine Heart Center (PHC) to urge the Arroyo administration to desist from vetoing the crucial cuts in debt servicing that will allow the people to enjoy the benefits of increased spending on health and other essential services.

To dramatize the need to prioritize the people's health over unconscionable debt payments, especially of illegitimate debts, the combined force of the "green warriors" and the "debt warriors" put up hospital beds complete with volunteer patients outside the PHC and staged a mock blood transfusion to depict the life-sustaining benefits of cutting onerous debt payments.

"An executive veto of the budget cuts in debt servicing or the reported 'calibrated spending,' which is a de facto veto, will have insidious effects in the efficient and effective delivery of health care and other essential social services.  We urge the government to prioritize the health and other basic needs of the people and put a stop to all debt payments that have not benefited the people, the economy and the environment," said actor – environmental advocate Roy Alvarez, Vice-Chairperson, EcoWaste Coalition.

The groups found an ally in Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez, Jr. who, in a text message, said that "the debt service cuts in the 2008 budget can change and uplift the lives of millions with the realignment of funds for basic social services.  I join the civil society in urging the executive branch to heed the people's clamor for relief and release from indebtedness, particularly from tainted and illegitimate debts.  The government has to make courageous decisions to correct the gross injustice, including the need to repudiate some of these debts." Bishop  Iñiguez chairs the Public Affairs Committee of the influential Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

Both the EcoWaste Coalition and FDC are particularly opposed to the continued payment for 26 defunct medical waste incinerators in government-run hospitals that our country imported under a development package signed in 1997 by the governments of Austria and the Philippines.  The waste burners were retired in 2003 to conform to the phase out of medical waste incinerators under the Clean Air Act. The Philippines, which started to pay for the loan's principal in 2002, will have to pay US$2 million annually until 2014 unless the debt is canceled or repudiated.

The groups lamented that the controversial loan package not only resulted to a US$2 million per year debt burden, but also endangered the health of Filipinos with the release of extremely toxic pollutants such as dioxins, the most notorious byproducts of burning garbage and reportedly the most toxic chemical known to science.

Visayas green groups denounce communist-tagging by military, call on city officials to condemn Army statement

In a statement sent to the media, Iloilo environmental and citizens groups opposed to the proposed coal plant strongly denounce the statements made by Captain Lowen Gil Marquez of the Philippine Army for branding them communist front organizations.

"While we do not want to give credence to this shallow red-baiting reminiscent of the Marcos years, we want to register our disgust to this evidently counter-productive effort by the AFP.  This is a scary precedent.  It, not only defeats the very objective of public hearings which is to involve the public, but in the bigger picture it is in contradiction to the very essence of democracy," the groups stressed in the statement.      

 

"Captain Marquez is grossly irresponsible. This is brazen coercion in an attempt to intimidate groups that are concerned with the health and environmental impacts of the coal-fired power plant." Melvin Purzuelo of the Green Forum - Western Visayas said.

"What this AFP officer is saying is that the active participation of the citizens in the discourse for alternative sources of energy and the protection of the environment is equivalent to rebellion or insurgency. This same officer, by the way, has sworn to protect the Philippine constitution and defend the rights of its people," their statement added.      

 

Purzuelo further underscored that the AFP is mandated to be neutral in the whole EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) process so why is the Army endorsing the project "as pro-people" when the DENR has yet to determine the possible health and environmental impacts of the proposed project?

Civil society organizations intends to file a case with the Environmental Courts against the Armed Forces of the Philippines for endorsing the proposed coal-fired power plant in Iloilo City. "The endorsement of an environmentally critical project in a very critical regional urban center is a flagrant violation of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process."

"Marquez is conditioning the people who are against the coal-fired power plant not to participate in the February 15, 2008 Public Hearing. If it is not the official policy of the AFP to endorse projects undergoing the EIA process then we will ask the Philippine Army for a summary investigation of Marquez' irresponsible actions," Purzuelo added.

"If this government is really serious in involving the people on important matters affecting our region then we call on our public officials to strongly condemn this clear case of harassment meant to intimidate the public from exercising their rights to expression and performing their civic duties.  We are challenging these officials to stand up against the AFP's red-scare tactics and for freedom of expression," the groups' statement ended.

 

Professional, Church-based, transport, youth and non-governmental organizations have submitted positions papers against the coal-fired power plant.

 

Monday, February 11, 2008

October to December 2007 Healing Testimonials

October to December 2007 Healing Testimonials
(back to Testimonials Index Page)
 

Dear Fr. Fernando,

On Thursday, Feb 8 my husband and I travelled from Montreal to attend your healing mass. It was the Lord who took us there as the previous day we were involved in an accident where all 3 of us escaped. As the car could not be used anymore, a friend took us to Ottawa for the Mass. Father, you prayed over my husband and I noticed the prayers were intense and I actually said to myself that he is healed. However, I did not say anything as he had to be seen by the doctor on the 1st of March. Amazing but yesterday the doctor told him not to worry as his recent test results were okay. He has to be followed up but this was a big test which would reveal his condition. Also during the mass, you prayed especially for prostrate cancer patients. It was like you read our minds. Father, in the name of the Lord, I thank you profoundly. You have brought joy to my family and unceasing gratitude. May God Bless You and Keep You Safe. For more than a year now, I have been worrying about my husband's health. Please continue to pray for my son who is autistic. I trust that with perserverance my son's condition will improve also. I will keep the faith going. The Lord's mercy is unending,

Grace B.
Montreal, P.Q.

Dec 16, 2007


Dear Fr Fernando,

Greetings of Peace and Love...Father I attended your healing masses while you were here in Philippines three times and you prayed over me twice. It was indeed a wonderful and memorable experienced to personally witness God's unfailing love, forgiveness, mercy, peace and healing. Father I don't know if you could still remember me but I could earnestly remember one of my prayers when you laid your hands on my head and that was to pass the licensure exam for teachers. Father today I'm so grateful to God, to Jesus, Mama Mary, to you and my family & freinds coz our prayers has been granted. I successfully passed the board exam Father. Thank you so much again Father, I will surely attend again your healing mass this coming December. May God continue to bless you and Fr. Jeff more and more. See you soon!

In Christ,
Evy
Manila, Phils
Dec 16, 2007


Hi Father Fernando,

I was at the Eucharistic convention July 8th in Atlanta, Georgia. First I
will tell you about the very painful life I had.I have been mentaly ill since
1991. I suffered from anxiety, depression, obessive compulsive thoughts of suicide daily for the last four years. I have also been in mental hospitals six times. Even medication and doctors could not take these thoughts away. I did not drive for about ten years and I would not get in a car at all for 5 years.I would only sit in the back of the car with childlocks for fear of jumping out. I could not believe God would allow me to experience so much suffering in vain. A month prior to your Eucharistic healing on July 8th in Atlanta, Georgia, I believe God was at work. My sister got a brand new car and asked me if I would sit in the front seat. For some reason I felt no fear. We were able to go down the street and eat lunch. This was a triuphant moment for me, praised be God! I then befriended a man at work. I told him my mental status, and he trusted me and took me in his car. I road again in the front seat with little or no fear several more times. Praise God again! Now prior to the convention I had been going to a Protestant church. But my Catholic roommate insisted I return to my church. So I walked into her Catholic church and saw the bulletin for the Eucharistic convention. As soon as I read about Father Fernando's gift of healing I called the church priest and had an hour confession July 7th. Something in me told me this for real, and get ready for the Eucharist. I have never stop believing that it is truly the body and and blood of our dear Christ. The next day I was so happy at the convention, I could see a modern day disciple of jesus- Father Fernando. I cried tears of joy and release of anger and pain throughout the whole mass. When I saw people being slain in the Holy Spirit I was so exited as though I was living in the days when Jesus walked this earth. When Father Fernando came up to me I was holding a paper for prayer requests for other people and my Rosary beads wrapped around my hand.

At that moment that Father Fernando put his hands on my head and neck I claimed my healing. Now I did not get slained or feel anything physical, however, I decided that God can do anything. I have faith in My God, and I do not need a sign. Since that night at the Convention I have returned to the Catholic church with desire. I love going to communion, and I am very involved in the Marian movement. My priorities have changed. Instead of earthly riches, trophies, and status I want to help Jesus convert as many souls as possible. I want to glorify the Lord. As far my testamony. I am still riding in cars without fear, and my thoughts of suicide have practically vanished. I am prudent, however, and will continue my medicine and seeing the doctor until God decides to heal me completely. I plan to drive in the future.

God Bless you Father Fernando & God Bless Jesus and the Holy Spirit which cured me through the Eucharist. I would like to offer all my years of mental illness as a sacrifice to my Savior Jesus Christ. In Christ with love,

Grace
Georgia
Dec 2, 2007


Father Fernando,

My name is Kristina Kula.  I live in Richmond Hill, Ontario.  I
met with you twice over the past year; once in Vancouver with my
friend Ursula and the other time in Ottawa.  I have been undergoing
treatment for Ovarian Cancer for the past couple years.  At this time,
I am fine and my illness is stable.  I wish to Thank You with all my
heart for everything that you have done for me.  I feel as though my
body is slowly being healed with every visit. God Bless You, you are
my Angel, messenger from God.  I will try to bring my daughter to your
Healing Mass on December 4th, 2007.

God Bless You,

Kristina

Richmond Hill, ON
Dec 2, 2007



Dear Father Fernando,

I e-mailed you 3 weeks ago about my Irritable Bowel Syndrome-Diarrhea and now I am completely healed. Thank you very much Father Fernando. Now I am able to take my son to the mall and enjoy my weekends with him, go to work without getting stressed out because of the diarrhea that has been bothering me before I e-mailed you. Father Fernando, I am not really sure if you still remember my email because I know a lot of people are asking for your help. To this very day, I haven't talked to my son's dad yet. He's still in Taiwan. I decided not to push through with my Petition for Child Support because it is not really what I need from him. I told him about it through yahoo chat by sending him messages offline because I know for sure he'd be able to read it once he goes online. I told him that his son and I are still waiting for him to come back and still praying that we'll be reunited as a family again. But then again, as usual, I received no reply. I decided to swallow my pride and thought that if I would make a move once again, I've got nothing to lose. I sent him pictures of me and our son early this morning on the post. He's most likely to receive it 2 weeks after. His niece sent me his pictures in Taipei via email and I admitted that seeing his photos once again after almost 3 years made me smile. I know God won't get tired of hearing my plea. Nothing has changed Father. I still love him despite the pain he has caused me when he left. Please help me pray that he'll one day realize me and my son's worth -- that one day, he would come back to us and we'd be a happy family once again.  Father Fernando, I know there are a lot of women out there who are in the same situation where I am in right now - solely raising their children and finally gave up on the father of their child. Mine is different. I still have the same high hopes that he would be able to find his way back to us. I never get tired of praying that he would be able to realize that we are still here, waiting for his return. I never get tired of loving him despite the odds and the many problems we have been through. Father, please help me pray that he would forgive me for whatever it is that I have done which made him decide to leave me and our son. I honestly don't know if I did anything wrong in the past. I am totally unaware of it. I hope he'd be able to find it in his heart to forgive me and bring back the love that he once had for me and our son.

Thank you very much Father for taking some of your time reading my e-mail. May God continue to bless you as well.

Take care always.

Your sister in Christ,

Sheryll Anne Apostol

Dec 2, 2007



Dear Fr. Suarez,

              Im not sure you remember me, but I think youll remember my father, Efren Ll. Cruz, whose kidneys you healed in the St. Joseph Chapel.
Hes the cousin of Me-an Lagasca, who is my tita. Anyway, I would just like to thank you for healing my eyesactually, you healed more than my eyes.

              My mom brought me there that day, so I had to take a leave from
school. We were supposed to go to the clinic at my dads office for a test
because I had a severe case of hyperventilation Monday earlier that week.
They had to bring me to the school clinic in a stretcher. I went with my parents, lola and two titas to Camp Crame, just thinking that maybe my dad could be healed today, and wont need an operation anymore. We waited for a long time on our pews, and I thought of thinking about myself. Did I want to have anything healed? I guess so. I worry too much and Ive been getting sick easily; Ive also suspected that because of how much I worry, some spirit has been feeding on my distress for many years. That would explain why I feel negative emotions so heavily. Ive never told anyone in my family about the latter. But for some reason, I thought that maybe if I asked for healing for myself, that would be asking too much from God. My mom told me that I was just like my dad in that respect. Even so, if nothing happened to me, I hoped that whatever healing was left for me would go to my dad.

              I wanted to be healed from my stressIve experienced many
headaches, Ive had depression before, and I hyperventilated recently. Ive
been wearing glasses since I was nine, and some years ago, the doctor told me that they were permanent. On the side, I wanted the pasma in my hands taken away, too. But I thought that because I felt that I didnt deserve it, maybe I shouldnt ask at alljust ask for my dads healing. In the end, I
thought that this was an opportunity that I couldnt afford to miss, so why not take it? I asked my mom what I should have healed: she told me to have you heal my headaches. What I really meant to ask was a way to phrase everything.

              When I saw my dad get up from after you healed him, my eyes
started to water. That made me very happy, and perhaps it gave me hope for myself. We were lining up for our turn, my mom and me, and soon enough, we found ourselves standing in a row, waiting for you. Beside me, there were two women on the ground crying, with one of them shaking all over and making the sign of the cross. Then another woman came up to me and told me to pray instead. Over and over again, I repeated what I wanted to have healed, thinking that God knew everything I really wanted. I saw my mom fall down and next thing I knew, you were already in front of me, and you touched your fingers to my forehead and blew on me. I didnt fall down, but lost my balance a little. I stood there, still crying, and removed my glasses. I was looking around for my mom, but the real reason I still stood there was because some cloud passed over my vision and I was hoping against hope that it actually worked for me. My mom found me instead and we walked back to our pew, where the rest of my family except my lola were seated.

              While they talked amongst themselves, I was looking around,
trying to wipe my eyes because what I was seeing could not be real. I trained them on one of the statues on top of the altar and found my vision clearing slowly. Thats when I really started to cry; I was so happy! When we got out of the chapel, my mom and my lola kept pointing to signs at a distance, asking me to read them. And while I found that none of them were really sharp, I could read them, whereas I really needed my glasses before. My vision wasnt perfect, but its clearer than it has been in years. Later, I found out that my hands didnt shake anymore and that the spirit was gone.

            Ive gotten a hold of your schedule, and I plan to watch you on TV this Sunday. I heard that people get healed just watching like that too. I suspect that my eye grade went a little higher again, because I have to squint just a little more to see the writing on the board at school. Im praying that maybe this time, my vision reaches 20/20. Thank you very much for everything
youve done. J

Yours truly,
Mavi Cruz

Dec 2, 2007


Dear Father,

Good day. I had an e-mail to you last October 3, 2007  requesting for
prayer healing of my sick mother. Praise the Lord and thanks to you
father  because the health of my mother has improved after one day of my
request.  She can now eat at speak well. My mother said her only problem
now is she can't stand alone due to knee joint pains and  light bleeding
on her tongue. We in the family are also praying for her because we have
no money to pay for the hospitalization as  we belong to a poor family.
Last year she is on off from  Mercado General Hospital and 2 times
confined in 2007. The doctors attending on her in the hospital is very
kind as they know our financial situation.

The entire family said thanks a lot to you father. What a blessing that
one time I saw you on Sunday TV mass here in the Philippines and I
believed that you have blessed healing power of our Dear Lord Almighty.
Hope to see you personally here in the Philippines.


God bless you in your ministry!

Thanks,

Dory M. Almazan
Philippines
Dec 2, 2007


On Sept. 8,2007  My wife Luci and I attended the Healing Mass at
Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Los Angeles. We were there to ask   Fr. to pray for our Grandson  who had open heart surgery. Fr. prayed over his picture and he is now home Thanks to GOD. After his prayer I told Fr. I
had  bad hearing and would he pray over me . H e  touched my ears and
breathed on them and said now you and hear. At that very time I could
under stand better. I can now  under stand words that I could not before.
My clarity is 100% better Thanks be to GOD and JESUS for the healing
powers though Fr.Fernando. We are now working hard to get Fr. to parishes in our area so more people can see and believe in in our LORD GOD. Thanks Fr. and we will see you soon .

Frank and Luci karcher
Thousand Palms, CA

Dec 2, 2007


Hi Father Fernando,

I went to your healing mass in Glendale, CA (March 17, 2007). I know
that you will not remember it anymore; I'm the one that grabs you and
was crying. I was asking for prayer and healing because I was
diagnosed with breast cancer. You took my right hand and put it on
your heart, touch my hand and whispered to me that "I'm healed". I
will not forget that day. After the surgery (March 19, 2007) the test
result came back my doctor told me that I will no longer needing a
chemo or radiation and even a long term medicine. After hearing these
things, I cried and remembered what you have told me. I have told all
my friends about it.

Father, there is not enough words to thank you for what you have done
for me. I 'am also praying that the Lord will continuously give you
power and strength so that you can heal more people, because there are
really more sick people out in this world.

Thank you very much,
Maria R.
Long Beach, CA

Dec 2, 2007


Dear Fr. Fernando,

Thank you for all healings you did for me; now I can walk normally because you prevented the enlargement of my heart and this happens during your Eucharistic Celebration at El Segundo on Sept 8th, happens to be the birthday of Virgin Mary. I was provided by my doctor Dr. Gina iomico-Trahan, Jacksonville, Florida, with such information. I am all right now.

Then, I went to Eucharistic Celebration at Hammond, Indiana, on Nov 10th, about my lungs which was affected by a bilateral pneumonia five months ago and which affect my breathing and again I experience easy breathing after you touched my shoulder. Everything is all right but, the pain on my waist surfaced when I do a long walk so, I went to Talcott Church, Harlem,
Chicago, on Nov 12th and this pain simply disappeared after your touched my head and shoulder. I know you are one of Jesus' apostles sent by Him to cure the sick and at the same time, let people on earth remember Him as most powerful Lord.

Yes, Fr. Fernando, He uses you as His medium to take care of His "sheeps". Now, I always pray for you during the celebration of the mass because you need the strength , wisdom and health. You barely rest as if you are after all the "lost sheeps" who needs your help.

Paul Dunglao
Jacksonville, Florida

Nov 27, 2007

P.S.  When are you coming over here at Jacksonville? We have to fly wherever you'll have  your Eucharistic Celebration. I pity those who can't fly or make the trip to be with you.



Dear Father Fernando,
PEACE! I wish to thank the Lord through you
because now I am relieved with my chronic coughing. Remember that for
several times that I went to your healing session, I was really asking
to heal this terrible cough that was disturbing me for at least 20
years or more. Now I am happy to tell you that I am healed. I hope
that this will last so that I can still continue my mission work for
the benefits of our Filipino Migrants here in Milan, Italy.

THANK YOU
FOR THE ROSARY BEADS THAT YOU GAVE!!!
Rest assured of my prayers
for you and for your healing mission. Regards also to Fr. Jeff.

God bless!
Sr. Zenaida Dimaculangan
Milan, Italy


My name is Ines Corcoran from London England.   I was diagnosed with
degenerative disc disease.  I had two operations to remove and fuse
discs in my spine.  Recently I was told by an orthopedic consultant
that I have four discs on my neck that are given me constant agonizing
pain and lost mobility on my left arm.  After Father Fernando prayed
with me, the large lump on my neck caused by the discs bulging has
receeded and I was able to move my head, something I could not do
before.  I claim this healing in Jesus name!!

Ines Corcoran,
London England
Oct. 23, 2007


Dear Father Fernando,

Thank you for sharing with us this prayer for healing. I happened to find out about it after hearing mass last Oct 22 at the Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the BDO Building in Makati. I saw it placed near the statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. After saying it myself, I thought I would share it with others who might be in need of physical and spiritual healing right now, as my part in your healing ministry. I am glad to inform you that someone i actually do not know took the time to make a powerpoint presentation with the prayer and the picture i sent through the internet. I have attached here the said presentation. I hope that you may bless that said presentation so that it may reach more people like us who need God's healing grace but are tied to their computers. God surely works in mysterious ways.

"Blessed be the name of the Lord God who heals and reveals, forever and ever, Amen." is the part which I have added. May God be glorified in all things.

Father, if it is God's will, please pray for me for my total healing. I firmly trust that Jesus will heal me from my present infirmity, if He wills me to.

Thank you and I hope that i would be able to hear from you. I shall still be sending the prayers to other people.

CARVELO CANTOR
Makati City, Philippines

Oct 25, 2007


PRAYER FOR HEALING

Lord, look upon me with eyes of mercy.
May Your Healing Spirit rest upon me.
It is through Your power that I was created.
since You created me from nothing,
You certainly recreate me.

Fill me with the healing power of Your Spirit.
May Your lifegiving powers flow into every cell
of my body and into the depths of my soul.
Mend what is broken.
Cast out anything that should not be within me.

Rebuild my brokenness.
Restore my strength for service in Your Kingdom.
Touch my mind with Your wisdom,
Thay my mouth may always proclaim Your praise.
Teach me to reach out to You in my need and
Help me to lead others to You by my example.

Most loving Heart of Jesus
Bring me health in body and spirit
That I may serve You with all my strength. AMEN.

"I AM ONLY AN INSTRUMENT OF THE LORD.

IT IS HE WHO HEALS."

To Jesus, through Mary.

Fr. Fernando Suarez, CC
Mary Mother of the Poor


BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD GOD WHO HEALS AND REVEALS, FOREVER AND EVER. AMEN.


Dear Father Fernando
Thank you for saving my life. Iam 38 years old and
recently attented the Eucharistic Congress at Atlanta
on June, 8 2007. For the passsed 20 years i have been
having a terible nightmare that never goes away.While
iam asleep, unknown evil clothed in black comes to
supressed me in my sleep and makes me feel helpless at
dawn, and this has been going on for the last 20
years.Due to my troubled mind, Iam unable to functions
properly,have a job non complete my education. But by
the grace of the Almightly God for the first time in
my life after you extend your supernatural hands of
healing upon my forehead i was able to sleep for the
first time in 20 years without fear. I thank you for
coming to Atlanta, and extending your gifted blessing
that  Our heavenly father gave you to save us. I
prayed that by this time next year i have another
opportunity in meeting with you.

Martha Omon.
Atlanta, GA
Posted Oct 25, 2007


Dear Fr. Suarez,

Thank you for healing my husbands frozen shoulder and chest pains on March
18, 2007 at St Dorothys Church in Glendora, CA.

The Lord really works in mysterious ways.  My husband, Julius Abadilla,
volunteered to drive us (my two sisters and myself) to Glendora on that
Sunday night.  One of my sisters was scheduled for eye surgery the following
week and we were praying and hoping for miracle.  It was Julius first time
to attend a healing mass hence the skepticism.

After the mass, he volunteered as a catcher and then helped to control the
lines.  He did not have any intention to join us when we were lined up but
my oldest sister insisted. The following morning he was able to bend, raise
and move his right arm without any pain and his chest pains were gone. Prior
to your healing, he underwent several months of therapy at Kaiser for the
frozen shoulder.

Thank you, Fr. Suarez and we hope to see you again this week at one of your
healing services.

Sincerely,

Lita Abadilla

Glendora, CA
Oct 25, 2007


Dear Fr. Fernando,
We were on vacation in California and we were very lucky to attend your
Healing
mass in Long Beach, my sister''s swollen and painful hands due to arthritis
subsided, my brother painful knees are improved , the pain on my lower back
and
L lower extremity due to sciatica is improving, I use the rosary, rub it on
the painful areas to help me with the pain. Thank yopu very much for your
healing and prayers.
Prayers and God love

Emma
Houston, Texas

Oct 25, 2007


Fr Fernando,

Thank you for the miraculous healing of June Bill and Pat Merry over tje past year. Pat had lung cancer which had spread and June was told she had no hope with Legionnaire"s Disease. She is the onlu survivor this respirologist in Florida had ever had survive! He told us it was the power of prayer ! Dr Al Andary also deserves special blessings for his care, and the nurses as well.

Thandks be to God! I pray for continuing hjealth for Pat Merry and June Bill thank you very much!!

Sue,Mary,Sarah
Florida
Oct 3, 2007


Dear Father Fernando:

I attended your healing service at the Eucharistic Congress in Atlanta , Georgia on Friday evening, June 8th. I realize that you probably get hundreds of emails each month, so I will try to be brief.

I went for two other people who could not attend the conference. One is a good friend who has a lump in her breast that was scheduled for biopsy this week and the other was for my daughter, who was diagnosed with HIV three years ago at the age of 20.

I purchased two of the rosary bracelets and when you prayed over me I held them out and you touched both of them with your hands before touching me on my forehead. While I have been to many healing services over the years and have been prayed over dozens of times, this was the first time I had actually felt weak and fell backwards. Afterwards, as I knelt at the altar before the Eucharist and held my hands up in prayer, the tips of my fingers tingled as though they had pins and needles. I praised God throughout this time, even though I am still not sure what the tingling fingertips means!

I saw my friend the next day at the Eucharistic Congress and gave her the bracelet at that time while explaining the wonderful experience from the night before. She has now been to the doctor two days ago and had the lump excised. We are praying that it will be benign! PRAISE GOD!

Something very interesting happened last night, though (June 23, 2007). I had brought the second rosary bracelet with me on vacation this past week, intending to give it to my daughter who was coming to visit one day. I forgot to give it to her (along with your CD on healing) and ended up driving back to Atlanta last night with the bracelet in my car.

My son and his girlfriend were at the house when I arrived and they set about to unload my car for me while I took off to my gardens to try and water the wilting flowers! (It has been in the 90's all week with no rain.) While I was out in the yard, they made several trips up and down the stairs to unload the car. On the last trip, my son's girlfriend apparently was out of breath and was succumbing to an asthma attack. She decided to finish up with the last few things, thinking she would run to her house nearby to get her inhaler when she was done.

However, she said that when she picked up the bracelet, she immediately felt her lungs clear up and felt a cold tingling sensation throughout her body! Apparently she ran into the house and flung the bracelet onto my coffee table, terrified, and then ran out to find me. When she came up to me, her eyes showed me something was wrong as she said, "What is in that bracelet?" I tried to figure out what bracelet she was talking about, but could only think that she meant the rosary bracelet. I answered, "What do you mean….. 'what's IN it' ….there is nothing IN it – the bracelet is made of pearls on a string. Did you break it?" (Her eyes showed fear so I thought maybe she was afraid to tell me that she had broken it by mistake.)

That's when she said, "No, I didn't break it, but it freaked me out! What kind of bracelet is it?" I told her that it was a "healing bracelet" and that I bought it at the healing service at the Eucharistic Congress. (I had told her and my son about the healing service the day after I had gone. My son had been working and she had decided not to come, even though I had invited her to join me.)

She looked at me wide-eyed and told me what happened to her lungs and the cold feeling that passed through her as she held the bracelet in her hand! She said she could now breathe fine and had never had an asthma attack suddenly stop before! PRAISE GOD! This girl has many maladies and it would be SO LIKE GOD to show her that HE knows her and wants to heal her!

I told her to take the bracelet, but she said that she wants my daughter to have it. Can I possibly purchase a few more?

Thank you, Father Fernando, for allowing God to use you for His Glory!

Lauren
Atlanta, GA
Oct 3, 2007


Dear Father Fernando

On January 8th 2007 my husband and I welcomed our 3rd child into this world with the glory of god by our side she was our miracle baby. What made this pregnancy so special was she was also a twin. During my pregnancy we were told it was very high risk and they recommended abortion within the 1st 6 weeks. For the next 2 months we continued to see doctors every 2 weeks as they monitored the growth of both babies, and continued to recommend aborting one of the twins due to slow growth and there was the risk if an abortion was attempted we could possible lose both or complications could arise later on and we could lose both babies. This went against all our beliefs as catholics, what overwhelmed us was the constant pressure from the various hospital staff and doctors who strongly recommended the abortion it was repeated each time we saw the doctor and as we continued to say NO they eventually transferred us to another hospital in the city.

During this time we had heard about Father Fernando and found out he was scheduled for a healing mass in our city and decided to attend. It was a very spiritual evening as he blessed both of us and the twins and we prayed over our decision to leave everything in the hands of god. No matter what happened we believed god would prevail and decide what is best for our twins. On January 7th I sat in the hospital with my husband and we prayed to God and thanked him for everything he blessed us with since our union. It was a long night and we prayed all night and through the grace of god and the anointing we received that night with Farther Fernando our baby girl was born completely healthy and our baby boy stayed with god. As human beings we should always believe that god triumphants on all things no matter how terrible we may think the situation maybe. We cannot see or imagine all the battles god fights for us. Even thought it may not be the end result we want god already knows our future path before that end. He once again blessed our family, we believe Father Fernando blessed us with god and god used him to prepare us for what was to come. May god bless who ever reads this and we pary it provides them with courage and strengthens their faith.

Celine and Rod

Oct 3, 2007


I attended the Filipino Alliance Charismatic Prayer in Burbank California last July 13. I rested in spirit after Father Fernando Suarez touched my forehead . My lockjaw problem was healed right after I was prayed over by Father Fernando. Now I can eat with big bites and I can laugh. Thank you God. Also, thank you Father Fernando for sharing your gift of healing to us.

Elizabeth
California, USA

Oct 3, 2007

Source: http://www.fatherfernando.com/test2007octdec.shtml


 

April schedule in Stratford Connecticut

April 5 - 8, 2008
Parish Mission
St. Mark's Roman Catholic Church
500 Wigwam Lane, Stratford, Connecticut 06614
St. Mark's Church Website
View Parish Mission Flyer
 
Contact: Fr. Donald Guglielmi or Parish Secretary,
Tel: (203) 377-0444
 
SCHEDULE:
April 5 and 6, 2008 - Fr. Fernando/Fr. Jeff will preach at all Saturday and
Sunday Masses
 
April 7, 2008 at 7pm - Eucharistic Celebration and Talk - The Power of the Cross/The Power of the Eucharist, followed by Confession (no Healing Service)
 
April 8, 2008 at 7pm - Eucharistic Celebration and Talk - The Power of Healing, followed by Healing Service
 

March schedule in Atlanta Georgia and Houston Texas

Mar 3 - 5, 2008  - see schedule below
Lenten Parish Mission, "His Healing Presence"
Cathedral of Christ the King
2699 Peachtree Rd NE Atlanta, GA 30305
View Parish Mission Flyer
 
Contact: Dottie O'Connor
(404) 233-2145 ext. 462
www.ctkevangelization.org
 
SCHEDULE:
Mon, Mar 3, 2008 at 7pm
Eucharistic Celebration and Talk - "The Power of the Cross" followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Confession (no Healing Service)
 
Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 7pm
Eucharistic Celebration and Talk - "The Power of the Eucharist", followed by Healing Service
 
Wed, Mar 5, 2008 at 7pm
Eucharistic Celebration and Talk - "The Power of Healing", followed by Healing Service
 
 
 
 
Mar 8 - 13, 2008 - see schedule below
Companions of the Cross - Texas Parish Mission at:
 
Queen of Peace
3011 Telephone Rd. Houston, TX 77023
Contact: Fr. Christian Riesbeck, CC 
Tel: (713) 921-6127
 
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
6723 Whitefriars, Houston, TX 77087
Contact: Fr. Sean Wenger, CC 
Tel: (713) 645-6673
 
Catholic Charismatic Center:
1949 Cullen Blvd., P.O. Box 230287 Houston, TX 772
Contact: Fr. Michael Scherrey, CC 
Tel: (713) 236-9977
 
SCHEDULE:
View Parish Mission Flyer
 
Mar 8 and 9, 2008, Queen of Peace and Our Lady of Mount Carmel: Fr. Fernando will preach at all Saturday and Sunday Masses at Queen of Peace; Fr. Jeff will preach at all Saturday and Sunday Masses at Our Lady of Mount Carmel
 
Mar 11, 2008 at 7pm, Catholic Charismatic Center: Eucharistic Celebration and Talk - "The Power of the Cross", Confessions after Mass (no Healing Service)
 
Mar 12, 2008 at 7pm, Catholic Charismatic Center: Eucharistic Celebration and Talk - "The Power of the Eucharist", followed by Healing Service
 
Mar 13, 2008 at 7pm, Catholic Charismatic Center
Eucharistic Celebration and Talk - The Power of Healing, followed by Healing Service
 
 
 

Father Fernando February schedule in Las Vegas Nevada

Feb. 27, 2008 @ 7:00 pm
Healing Mass
St. Bridget Catholic Church
220 N. 14th St.
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Contacts:
Celeste - 702-785-3895
Roger & Jorie - 702-869-4428
Fr. Sullivan - 702- 735-1210 
 
Feb. 28, Thur. @ 7:00 pm
Healing Mass
St. Bridget Catholic Church
220 N. 14th St.
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Contacts:
Celeste - 702-785-3895
Roger & Jorie - 702-869-4428
Fr. Sullivan - 702- 735-1210
 
 

Father Fernando February schedule in BC Canada

February 8/08 @ 7:00 pm
Our Lady of Fatima Parish
315 Walker St.
Coquitlam, B.C.
Contact: father Poorten
Tel. 604 936 - 2525
Celso & Marie Holgado
Tel. 778 888-3658
604 582-6839 
Feb 12, 2008 @ 7 pm
Canadian Martyrs Church
5771 Granvile Avenue
Richmond, B.C.
Contact: Celso & Marie Holgado
Tel. 778 888-3658
604 582-6839
 
 
February 13, 2008 @ 7pm
St. Francis De Sales Parish
6610 Balmoral St.
Burnaby, B.C.
Contact: Celso & Marie Holgado
Tel. 778 888-3658
604 582-6839 
 
February 14, 2008 - 7 pm
St. Luke's Catholic Church -
20285 Dewdney Trunk Rd.
Maple Ridge, B.C.
Contact: Father Abundso
Secretary/ 604 465-5383
Celso & Marie Holgado
Tel. 778 888-3658
604 582-6839
 
 
 

Friday, February 8, 2008

Lozada lauded for his courage in revealing the truth about ZTE-NBN deal






BLOWING their whistles in support of national broadband network project
whistle blower Rodolfo Noel "Jun" Lozada Jr., members of the Freedom from
Debt Coalition today staged a protest action in front of the Senate
condemning the alleged role of First Gentleman Mike Arroyo in the
controversial deal.

Former House Representative and now FDC vice president Etta Rosales lauded
Lozada for his courage in revealing what he knows about the involvement of
former Commission on Election chair Benjamin Abalos and Mrs. Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo's husband in the $329-million ZTE-NBN deal.

"The ZTE-NBN deal is a glaring example of how the government conducts its
business concerning billions of dollars at the expense of the taxpayers who
will shoulder the burden of footing the overpriced bill. Jun Lozada is right
in saying that this deal is 'one transactional example of a dysfunctional
government procurement' system," said Rosales.

In his press conference Wednesday morning at the De La Salle Greenhills,
Lozada revealed that when he left the project in January 18, 2007, the deal
was only worth $262 million. The following month, the Office of the
President issued an executive order transferring the Telos, the implementing
agency of the NBN project, under the Department of Transportation and
Communication. After two months, Lozada was surprised to learn that the
project was approved at $329 million, not through the originally planned
build-operate-transfer scheme but through a loan from China.

Lozada also narrated how Chairman Abalos threatened to have him killed
because the then COMELEC official wanted to protect his $130 million
commission from the project.

"Lozada was allegedly asked by NEDA chief Romulo Neri to 'moderate their
greed'. Indeed, this case has clearly exposed the rapacity that has become
the hallmark of this Arroyo administration and its officials. Enough is
enough!" exclaimed the former activist lawmaker.

"We fought for the cancellation of this overpriced project after Joey De
Venecia exposed the anomalies involved, because just like its analog
predecessor, the Telepono sa Barangay, it has the potential of becoming a
'white elephant' project," said Rosales.

"The ZTE-NBN deal could be Mrs. Arroyo's waterloo. We just hope that nothing
bad will happen to Jun Lozada and his family for breaking the code of omerta
regarding this anomalous deal," stressed Rosales.

Lozada lauded for his courage in revealing the truth about ZTE-NBN deal






BLOWING their whistles in support of national broadband network project
whistle blower Rodolfo Noel "Jun" Lozada Jr., members of the Freedom from
Debt Coalition today staged a protest action in front of the Senate
condemning the alleged role of First Gentleman Mike Arroyo in the
controversial deal.

Former House Representative and now FDC vice president Etta Rosales lauded
Lozada for his courage in revealing what he knows about the involvement of
former Commission on Election chair Benjamin Abalos and Mrs. Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo's husband in the $329-million ZTE-NBN deal.

"The ZTE-NBN deal is a glaring example of how the government conducts its
business concerning billions of dollars at the expense of the taxpayers who
will shoulder the burden of footing the overpriced bill. Jun Lozada is right
in saying that this deal is 'one transactional example of a dysfunctional
government procurement' system," said Rosales.

In his press conference Wednesday morning at the De La Salle Greenhills,
Lozada revealed that when he left the project in January 18, 2007, the deal
was only worth $262 million. The following month, the Office of the
President issued an executive order transferring the Telos, the implementing
agency of the NBN project, under the Department of Transportation and
Communication. After two months, Lozada was surprised to learn that the
project was approved at $329 million, not through the originally planned
build-operate-transfer scheme but through a loan from China.

Lozada also narrated how Chairman Abalos threatened to have him killed
because the then COMELEC official wanted to protect his $130 million
commission from the project.

"Lozada was allegedly asked by NEDA chief Romulo Neri to 'moderate their
greed'. Indeed, this case has clearly exposed the rapacity that has become
the hallmark of this Arroyo administration and its officials. Enough is
enough!" exclaimed the former activist lawmaker.

"We fought for the cancellation of this overpriced project after Joey De
Venecia exposed the anomalies involved, because just like its analog
predecessor, the Telepono sa Barangay, it has the potential of becoming a
'white elephant' project," said Rosales.

"The ZTE-NBN deal could be Mrs. Arroyo's waterloo. We just hope that nothing
bad will happen to Jun Lozada and his family for breaking the code of omerta
regarding this anomalous deal," stressed Rosales.

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Lozada committed an act of valor and integrity, not destabilization


Rep. Risa Hontiveros said that dismissing Lozada's explosive
statement as an attempt to destabilize the country would not do,
saying that what Lozada divulged lays accountability on the NBN deal
at the doorstep of Malacanang.

"What he said corroborates previous testimonies made by Joey De
Venecia and Sec. Romulo Neri, making these allegations of corruption
involving the NBN deal a sticky and unbearable truth for the Arroyo
family," Rep. Hontiveros said. "Dismissing it would not do and we must
be able to identify who is ultimately accountable for this
controversy. The Arroyo family should face the music to put a closure
to this issue."

She lauded Lozada for his bravery and sense of integrity. "The
strongest critique that any decent Filipino could do in light of a
government known for the basest form of fraud and corruption is to
stand up for truth and justice. The symbol of Filipino integrity and
valor is not carried by high officials, certainly not those in
Malacañang, but by people like Lozada. We hope that he would be
steadfast and unforgiving in this journey to unearth the truth behind
the NBN anomaly," Rep. Hontiveros said.

The deputy minority leader, meanwhile, chastised the Office of the
Ombudsman for sitting on a case filed by AKBAYAN against former
COMELEC Chair Benjamin Abalos. She warned that Abalos might go into
hiding, especially with Lozada's account on Abalos' role in the
controversial deal.

"We fear that Abalos would do a Bedol to evade these charges," Rep.
Hontiveros said.

"It has been four months since the criminal charges against Abalos was
filed before the Office of the Ombudsman, and nothing has happened
since then. This delay is not only unacceptable, it also fuels
suspicion that Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez is out to protect
someone," Rep. Hontiveros said.

"Once Lozada makes his testimony formal before the Senate Ribbon
Committee, we would consider using it to supplement our complaint
against Abalos," she said. "However, the Ombudsman doesn't even have
to wait for Lozada's testimony to act on the complaint. The statements
made by Sec. Romulo Neri and Joey De Venecia are enough to hold Abalos
accountable."

On October 9, 2007, Deputy minority leader and AKBAYAN Rep. Risa
Hontiveros charged Abalos for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt
Practices Act (RA 3019), Revised Penal Code, and the Code of Conduct
and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (RA 6713).
She earlier called for Ombudsman Gutierrez to inhibit herself from the
case to ensure that it would be independent and quick.

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Policy change needed for energy crisis solution

As expected, the Energy Summit did not offer any real or lasting solutions to the problems facing the oil and power sectors.

The proposed summit recommendations—revisiting the nuclear power option and more foreign and private investments in the whole energy sector — like the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) and Oil Deregulation Law that preceded it — will only exacerbate already serious problems therein.

Likewise, proposals to lift or suspend the value-added tax (VAT) on oil and power and the scrapping of oil deregulation law are more likely to be junked by a panel of experts the energy department has assembled over the weekend at the Asian Development Bank to finalize the summit’s resolutions.

The Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC) believes that without changing the paradigm and current policies of the government, the summit’s resolutions will end up as mere palliatives to a chronic crisis.

The Coalition is pushing for the lifting of VAT on oil and power and the cancellation of onerous independent power producer (IPP) contracts to significantly reduce the cost of fuel and power in the country. It is also for the scrapping of the oil deregulation and EPIRA law to restore and strengthen the role of the State and communities in the oil and power industry.

Moreover, FDC is fighting for a paradigm that recognizes the crucial importance of renewable energy, environmentally sustainable technology, community participation and control – a paradigm we believe, is beyond the imagination of the Arroyo government, global capital, international financial institutions (IFIs) and the threat of climate change. The use of fossil fuel such as oil is the biggest factor behind climate change.

Clearly, what manifested during the week-long summit is the ‘solid defense’ put up by the government, IFIs such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and International Monetary Fund (IMF)-World Bank, and the oil and utility giants in blocking proposals to overhaul the ‘fundamentals’ – the deregulation and privatization policies which made the costs of oil and power one of the highest in the world.

Prices of oil rose by more than 500 percent since the passage of the Oil Deregulation Law in 1998. Pump prices was up P4 per liter further when Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo imposed VAT on petroleum products. Electricity rates, on the other hand, had doubled since EPIRA was enacted in 2001. The IFIs were all behind the crafting as well as the financing of these policy reforms in the oil and power industry. ADB loans in the country’s energy sector for the last 30 years (1978 to 2008), for instance, is already around $2.8 billion.

We know the days of cheap oil are over. But we also know that these days, transnational oil and power companies are enjoying super profits that the so called reforms in power and oil sectors have advanced rather than controlled.

The Arroyo government has decided to align itself with global capital rather than with ordinary and struggling consumers, in an unholy alliance blessed by the IFIs. We are condemned to ever rising oil and power prices, with little or no prospects of immediate relief and lasting long-term solutions to make life more bearable particularly for the least advantaged.

Monday, February 4, 2008

New POEA guidelines on "direct hiring" is anti-migrant worker

The Philippine Overseas Employment  Administration (POEA) issued its new guidelines on direct hiring of Filipino  migrant workers on 18 December 2007 effective 15 January this year. 
 
 The Filipino Community Services and  Information Network (FILCOMSIN), an alliance of 40 Filipino migrant worker  organizations in Hong Kong, oppose the  guidelines on the following grounds:
   
These new guidelines are a    resurrected version of the POEA Memorandum Circular 41 issued in 1994 banning    the direct hiring of Filipino migrant workers for abroad.  The Filipino migrant workers community    in Hong Kong vigorously opposed the ban then    because it was against the interests of countless Filipino migrant workers who    were benefiting from the direct hire scheme. In 2001, the migrant-led campaign    against the ban successfully forced the Philippine government to revoke its    implementation in Hong Kong through the DOLE    Order 11, Series of 2001.  We    believe that the conditions that motivated the Filipino migrant community in    Hong Kong  to campaign against the banning of    direct hires have not changed. The new restrictions directly contravene the    DOLE revocation of the banning of direct hiring in Hong    Kong. We see no justification for these new restrictions on    direct hiring now being imposed by the Philippine government.   
  
    
The Philippine government¡¦s claim    that the new restrictions contained in these new Guidelines on direct hiring    will provide greater protection for Filipino migrant workers is old empty    rhetoric and holds no promise for us.  Abuses and exploitation of Filipino    migrant workers persist because of the deregulation of the labor export    industry by the government to protect the interests of profiteering    recruitment agencies and other allied businesses.  These business interests and the    government are totally dependent on one another and will never put the    interests of the migrant workers ahead of theirs. 
 
Time and time again, the government  justifies its new rulings and guidelines in the name of our rights and interests  as Filipino migrant workers.  In  actual fact , not only have these instruments not made any real impact on our  lives, they have legitimized   extractions of new  revenues  for the government and profits for recruitment and placement agencies at our  expense.
 
The POEA 2006 Guidelines on  Household Service Workers (HSW) is a classic example. We have been made to  believe that the no placement  fee  policy under these guidelines is in the best interest of Filipino domestic  workers going abroad.  Information  being gathered by Filipino migrant rights advocates groups in Hong Kong after  the new policy was introduced overwhelmingly shows  that  a typical outbound domestic worker now  pays an average of 10 to 12,000 pesos for training fees on top of placement fees  amounting to 90 to 100,000 pesos which Hong Kong-based placement agencies  continue to charge and share with their Philippine recruiters. Fully aware of  the charges being extracted from domestic workers despite its no placement fee  policy, the Philippine government is now saying that it has no jurisdiction over  Hong Kong companies who are overcharging ¡V an  obvious point raised by many when the policy was first introduced. Meanwhile,  the charging of training fees by training centers run by  private recruitment agencies has surged  ahead and without any scrutiny and accountability by the POEA and its sister  agency, TESDA.  
 
 We are convinced that the new  guidelines on direct hire are bound to follow the same pattern.   The imposition of a US$ 5000 repatriation  bond and US$ 3000 performance bond is a new form of extraction which will have  even further negative effects on Filipino migrant workers.  These new requirements are likely to lead  to a number of scenarios:  
 
 a) employers  will pass on the charges to the workers
 b) employers  will recruit via the private recruitment agencies instead of going through the  hassles of  the direct hire scheme  under the new guidelines.  The  migrant workers will be at the losing end once again. They will be deprived of  an opportunity to be recruited with less or without costs on their part under  the previous direct hire arrangement.
 c) employers  will recruit somewhere else which would mean less job opportunities for us and  would expose prospective migrants in dire economic situation and desperate to  find work abroad  to illegal  recruitment and to overcharging private agencies.    
 
 3. The absence of any reference to  the implications of the new guidelines on ¡¥direct hires¡¦ whose papers are in  process confirms the government¡¦s ill-thought policy-making processes and  insensitivity towards these affected migrant workers.
 
 In conclusion, FILCOMSIN demands  that the Philippine government scrap the new POEA guidelines on direct  hire.  We further demand that the  government maintain DOLE  Order NO.  11, series of 2001. 
 
 We hold the Department of Labor and  its agencies, POEA and TESDA,   accountable for the continuing extraction of fees from Filipino domestic  workers by placement agencies in destination countries and by Philippine  training agencies in cahoots with Philippine recruitment agencies. 

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Maltheia Dairy Farm - another fake job recruitment asking job applicants of money

Maltheia Dairy Farm - another fake job recruitment asking job applicants of money
 
 
Maltheia Dairy Farm
Maltheia Dairy Farm
Address: Ferryhill Road Epsom Mount Eden 1023 Auckland New Zealand
Auckland - 5434
Contact: Anahera Maori(Human Resources Department)
Tel. 0-6-764-80685
 
 
 

Saturday, February 2, 2008

Father Suarez Healing Masses Being Closely Monitored - GMA TV News

GMA Saksi News: Father Suarez Healing Masses Being Closely Monitored
 

33-Meter Statue of Mother Mary Being Built

33-Meters Statue of Mother Mary Being Built. the Montemaria Shrine - GMA Saksi news
 
 

Fr. Fernando featured in Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho

On January 5, Jessica Soho's Kapuso Mo featured Fr. Suarez. If you have not seen it, here it is.
 
 
 
 

Friday, February 1, 2008

One day more for Fr. Fernando Suarez's healing mass

Today's Parañaque healing mass will be the last in Metro Manila. Afterwhich, on February 4, Father Fernando will be in Daet, Camarines Norte. The Daet mass is the last in the Philippines. According to news report, Fr. Fernando will be back in September.
 
After seing Father Fernando's schedule , he will start again to say mass in Canada on February 8. I know it is a really long time when he will be back. Somehow, I prayed that the those who badly need him and have not had the oppurtunity to see Fr. Suarez can still manage to wait and live a little longer until he returns. Below is Daet schedule.
 
 
Feb 4, 2008 @ 2:00pm
Healing Mass
Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity
Gahonon, Daet
Camarines Norte
Contact: Fr. Jose R. Julian (63919)-460-8412 ;
(63 905)-4190-117
 

Fr. Fernando Suarez holds last day of healing mass in Metro Manila

Fr. Fernando Suarez holds last day of healing mass in Metro Manila