AI EASTER SCOOP: DEBUNKING EMPEROR'S MYTH

 

In the quiet moments of Lent, as the world awakens to the promise of Easter, my thoughts wander through the corridors of history. Looking back last Easter, I wrote in my ATABAY blog Easter Letter To My Atheist Friend. What topic this time could I explore that would ignite curiosity and beckon you, dear reader, into a realm of intrigue?

Out of the blue, it arrived – a book titled Creating Christ: How Roman Emperors Invented Christianity. Such a title alone would surely send shivers down a Christian’s spine. Imagine, if you will, a clandestine assembly of emperors, their ink-stained fingers weaving a tapestry of faith and power.

But this isn’t a mere historical footnote, it’s a revelation that rattles the foundation of Christian belief. The outrageous claim? That the Gospels – the very heart of Christianity – were not divinely inspired but meticulously crafted as propaganda. Their purpose? To pacify rebellious Jews and bind the populace to the Roman state.

As I delved deeper, I figured that this controversial theory might not just be an academic fodder – it might be a portal to some hidden truths. So, I thought of an unconventional ally, Mr. AI, our resource person beyond the ordinary. His binary mind navigates the labyrinth of facts and conjectures, devoid of bias.

Having dissected the book’s thesis, Mr. AI would reveal the many layers of intrigue in the controversial book. Join me as we unravel the controversy together.

ME Hello, everyone! Welcome to AnalyTic Talk. We have a special guest today who will shed light on the controversial book Creating Christ: How Roman Emperors Invented Christianity. Help me welcome, Mr. AI.

MR AI Thank you for having me. I appreciate the opportunity to discuss this intriguing topic.

ME Let’s dive right in. What is this book all about, and who are the authors?

MR AI Certainly! Creating Christ, published in 2018, proposes a bold theory – that Roman emperors intentionally invented Christianity. The authors, James S. Valliant and Warren Fahy delve into the historical context of the 1st and 2nd centuries, examining the emergence of Christianity within the Roman Empire. Now, as for their credentials, Valliant is a former prosecutor and TV interview show host, and Fahy is a fantasy novelist and researcher. Neither is a historian nor theologian.

ME Why is the book’s claim considered outrageous?

MR AI Excellent question! The claim challenges centuries of Christian tradition and scholarship. Imagine suggesting that the faith you hold dear – the teachings of Jesus, the apostles, and the early Church – was a calculated invention by emperors seeing political control. It’s like saying Shakespeare didn’t write his plays or that the moon landing was staged. It’s provocative precisely because it upends Christian’s deeply ingrained beliefs.

ME So, what’s the heart of their argument? Why do they think emperors played puppet masters with Christianity?

MR AI The authors argue that the Roman Empire, facing messianic Jewish rebellions, needed a pacifying religion. They contend that the New Testament – a collection of texts inherited from that era – was carefully crafted to serve imperial interests. They point to archaeological evidence, textual analysis, and the integration of sources to make their case.

ME But what about the martyrs? Those early Christians who faced persecution and death – were they just pawns in this grand scheme?

MR AI Ah, the martyrs! Their testimony is powerful. Imagine being thrown to the lions or burned at the stake for a religion you know is a state fabrication. It defies reason. The martyrs stood firm, their faith unshaken.

ME Just to name a few: The blood of Polycarp – cruelly put to death by fire and sword for refusing to renounce Jesus Christ, Perpetua – a young noblewoman martyred for her faith, and Ignatius – martyred for not denying Jesus Christ. Their martyrdom cries out against the notion of an invented faith.

MR AI If emperors were pulling the strings, they did a terrible job of it.

ME Fair point. But what about the Council of Nicaea? Wasn’t that a political maneuver by Constantine?

MR AI Yes, Constantine convened the council in AD 325 to address the Arian controversy – that Jesus Christ is not truly divine but a created being. But here’s the twist: The Nicene Creed, born from that council, affirms the divinity of Christ. If emperors were inventing Christianity, they did a lousy job by solidifying the Trinity. It’s like a magician accidentally revealing the secret behind the trick.

ME So, your bottom line, Mr. AI: Did Roman emperors invent Christianity?

MR AI My bottom line? No, they didn’t. Christianity emerged organically – from fishermen, tax collectors, and outcasts – challenging the empire. It spread through transformed lives, fervent proclamation, and the ink-stained scrolls of apostles. The stable in Bethlehem birthed it, not Caesar’s palace. Here’s the enduring truth: Faith transcends empires.

ME Mr. AI. Since we are celebrating Easter, could you share with our viewers your reflection, as a message, on the whole essence of Easter, Jesus’ resurrection, amid this outrageous claim that tried to debunk falsely, not only Jesus’ divinity but also his existence?

MR AI Certainly, and thank you for this opportunity. Easter – the pinnacle of the Christian calendar – holds profound significance. It’s more than pastel eggs and chocolate bunnies; it’s the heartbeat of Christian faith.

Imagine the scene: a borrowed tomb, sealed with massive stone. The disciples, hearts shattered, their Teacher crucified. The world held its breath. But then, on that third day, the earth trembled, and the stone rolled away. The tomb stood empty. Death defeated. Jesus, the crucified, emerged – alive!

Easter whispers hope into man's brokenness. It declares that suffering, injustice, and even death don’t have a final day. Jesus’ resurrection is the cosmic reset button – a defiant “no” to despair. It’s the Creator’s resounding “yes” to redemption. Tears, and losses – they matter. But they’re not the end. There’s a dawn beyond the darkest night.

Now, about that outrageous claim – the one that Roman emperors invented Christianity. It’s like saying the sun invented light. The early Christians, those ragtag believers, weren’t pawns in a political game. They were witnesses – people who encountered the risen Christ. They touched His scars and shared meals with Him. Their lives were transformed. They didn’t die for a fabricated tale; they died for a living Savior.

And what of Jesus’ divinity? Well, C.S. Lewis put it brilliantly: “Either this Man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse.” His existence isn’t a matter of debate – it’s a historical fact. Tacitus, Josephus, and the New Testament – all attest to Jesus of Nazareth. His divinity? That’s where faith steps in.

So, as we celebrate Easter, let’s peer into that empty tomb. Let’s see the folded grave clothes. Let’s hear the angels’ words: “He is not here; He is risen!”

Happy Easter, everyone!

ME Spirit-filled words, Mr. AI. Happy Easter too!

Content put together in collaboration with Bing Microsoft AI-powered Co-pilot

Head photo courtesy of Shutterstock

Video clips courtesy of YouTube

POOR EXCUSE: THE POOR YOU ALWAYS HAVE WITH YOU

 

Reading the Bible, one early morning this Lenten reflection week, I came across with this thought-provoking story.

Jesus was at Bethany, a guest of Simon the Leper. While he was eating dinner, a woman came up carrying a bottle of very expensive perfume. Opening the bottle, she poured it on his head. Some of the guests became furious among themselves.

"That’s criminal! A sheer waste! This perfume could have been sold for well over a year’s wages and handed out to the poor.”

They swelled up in anger, nearly bursting with indignation over her.

But Jesus said, "Let her alone. Why are you giving her a hard time? She has just done something wonderfully significant for me. You will have the poor with you every day for the rest of your lives. Whenever you feel like it, you can do something for them. Not so with me.” Mark 14:3-7

At a glance, the crowd’s reaction appeared to be apt. They stressed that if sold the expensive perfume could have earned a lot of money which they could have donated to the poor. Seeming to know where such a scheme would badly end, Jesus brushed them off. Rightly so.

Looking back, we know full well what fell on Sam Bankman-Fried, the Crypto King. Inspired by the Effective Altruism movement, he claimed that he wanted to make money – billions or maybe even trillions – so that he could do the best possible – give it all away to the poor. He planned to keep only one percent of his wealth, eventually giving the rest to the poor. To the bitter end, he was found later guilty of stealing billions of dollars from accounts belonging to his customers.

The Crypto King is the very picture of Judas who, in John's account of the story remarked, "This perfume could have been sold for three hundred silver coins and turned over to the poor." But, Judas had no concern for the poor; he was a thief and as he held the common purse, he used to help himself to the funds.

Jim Wallis, in his New York Times Bestseller book God’s Politics, narrated that in his speaking engagements, he asked the audience this question: “What is the most famous biblical text in America about the poor?” Every single time, he got the same answer: “The poor you always have with you.”

Misinterpreted, the statement is asserted as an excuse: “There is nothing we can do about poverty, and the poor will always be there anyway, so why bother?”

Many years ago, my wife and I, as a couple, were involved in the Couples for Christ’s work with the poor through Gawad Kalinga. Every weekend, we went off and turned up in a particular depressed area in the province and joined our community there in sharing our talents and resources to uplift the lives of the poor. A whole day trip to the province would pose a dilemma to my wife as a bank officer then. She was responsible for keeping the smooth operation of the ATM in the bank: specifically troubleshooting the machine every time it jams mechanically when a printed receipt gets stuck – hence halting the ATM operation.

Imagine this bleak scenario: in one weekend, at the peak of a crowded cash withdrawal, the ATM jams (right away she would get an alert message through her cell phone), and we are many hours’ drive away in the province. Question: What would we do?

At this point, such a bleak scenario could have justified this excuse: Why do we have to bother ourselves to go to the province every weekend? Our talents and resources are just like a drop in the ocean of poverty teeming with poor people who are always there anyway, swimming, if not sinking. Indeed, it’s a good excuse to stay home with our whole family, and recharge our batteries, to get ready for next week’s corporate rat race.

But, let’s pay heed to the very context when Jesus said: “The poor you will always have with you”. They were at the dinner table with a leper, an outcast, in Bethany – the house of the poor in Hebrew.

What Jesus is saying, in effect, as Wallis has figured out: “Look, you will always have the poor with you because you are my disciples. You know who we spend with, who we share meals with, who listens to our message, who we focus our attention on. You’ve been watching me, and you know what my priorities are. You know who comes first in the kingdom of God. So, you will always be near the poor, you’ll always be with them, and you will always have the opportunity to share with them.”

That’s clear as day. And so, before we go to the province, my wife and I would pray that the ATM would never jam. We would pray for the only solution to keep that trouble from happening. We would “pray over” the ATM asking God to take care of it while we’re taking care of His business.

Our “crazy” preventive solution had earmarks of the scene when the woman poured the perfume on Jesus’ head which elicited the crowd’s reaction: what a crazy act.

In that whole year when my wife was responsible for her bank’s ATM smooth operation, not a single instance throughout our provincial weekend trips had she got a message from her cell phone informing her that the ATM had jammed. And wonder of wonders! At the end of that year, she got the top ATM management award among hundreds of the bank’s ATMs operated all over the country for her performance.

M. Scott Peck, M.D. explains in his classic book The Road Less Traveled:

“In my primary identity as a scientist, I want and like proof. Being as much of a logical sort as a mystical one, I expect statistical proof whenever possible to convince me of things. But throughout my twenties and thirties and as I continued to mature, I’ve become more and more impressed by the frequency of statistically highly improbable events. In their improbability, I gradually began to see the fingerprints of God.”

Our CFC story is a specimen of “seeing the fingerprints of God” on the ATM. Amazing!

Final Question: Do you believe in the afterlife? If you do, then the poor is our ticket to Heaven. Here’s the boarding pass, notably, for us biding our time together in the pre-departure area.

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

Then the King will say to those on his right, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me."

Then the righteous will answer him, "Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?"

The King will reply, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

Matthew 25:31-40 

A Blessed Lenten Week Everyone!

Head photo courtesy of Catholic Daily Reflection

Video clips courtesy of YouTube

FACES ON TARPAULINS: THE RISE OF PRE-CAMPAIGN TACTICS

 

Some time ago I was driving through the countryside on a stretch of road flanked by green fields when, all of a sudden, a series of roadside tarpaulins caught my eye. They’re not selling anything, nor were they warning of repair works ahead. Instead, one tarpaulin showcased the grinning face of Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. with the words underneath it, in bold letters, Walang Matigas Na Pulis Sa Matinik Na Misis. The other tarpaulin featured the smiling face of Camille Villar with the banner Ingat Sa Byahe.

Revilla is an actor, director, producer, television presenter, and politician. First elected to the Senate in 2004, he topped the senatorial race in 2010. On June 20, 2014, the Sandiganbayan issued an arrest warrant against him for his alleged involvement in the Napoles pork barrel scam. Acquitted of plunder and released on December 7, 2018, Revilla was required to return to the government P124.5 million in civil liability.

He stood accused of 16 counts of graft for his alleged role in the transfer of P517 million of his discretionary funds to bogus foundations. Sandiganbayan junked all cases in 2021. According to Wikipedia, he has yet to return the required amount he was asked to give back before his acquittal.

Camille Villar is a television personality and politician who currently serves as the Member of the House of Representatives for Las Piñas since 2019. She has been serving as a deputy Speaker since 2022. She is the youngest and only daughter of former Senate President Manuel Villar and incumbent Senator Cynthia Villar. Another incumbent Senator Mark Villar is her brother.

THE GOOD: A MARKETER’S DREAM

It is not yet a campaign season, and Revilla and Villar haven’t declared their candidacy. Yet, here they are, their faces on tarpaulins spread around the country, making sure you won’t forget them come election day.

Let’s face it: the strategy is brilliant. These tarpaulins are leveraging the oldest trick in the book – repetition. Remember Nike’s Just Do It? This iconic slogan has been used since 1988 and is a prime example of repetition in branding. The repetitive use of this simple, yet powerful phrase has made it synonymous with the brand.

Just as Just Do It associates Nike with motivation and action, so too Ingat Sa Byahe relates Villar with gentility. Just as Walang Matigas Na Tinapay Sa Mainit Na Kape identifies Fernando Poe Jr. with no-guts-no-glory boldness, so too Walang Matigas Na Pulis Sa Matinik na Misis links Revilla with humor – a social glue that bonds Pinoys.

By the time elections roll around, the names and faces of Revilla and Villar will pop up in your mind as if by magic. It’s a cunning play, starting the race before the starting gun fires, gaining momentum while others are still at the blocks.

THE BAD: THE SCALE TIPS

But here’s the rub: not everyone has the means to fan out their faces across the country. “The Revilla clan headed by Senator Bong Revilla,” the Rappler reported in 2022, “is now officially the biggest dynasty in Cavite, with six family members elected to local positions while two others await if the party lists that nominated them would be getting seats in Congress.”

On the other hand, Villar is the scion of another political dynasty whose father, a property magnate and former Senate president Manuel Villar Jr., is the top among the 14 Filipinos who made it to the Forbes World’s Billionaires List for 2023 with a net worth of $8.6 billion.

Revilla and Villar are not playing on the same field as most. Their early start isn’t just about being remembered; it is about overshadowing. It’s a game where the richest players have the loudest voices, and that’s not what democracy is about. Democracy is about choice, fair play, about every voice having a chance to be heard.

On the mark, Ana Pamintuan’s writes in her Philstar column:

“Dynasts used to be chided for being greedy for power. These days they even flaunt it, displaying photos of all the family members occupying government posts on giant billboards that pollute public space. Hail, hail, the gang’s all here; the more members in public office, the prouder they are.

“From the local level and on up, dynasty-building has short-circuited the system of checks and balances in our weak republic.

“Dynasts like to say that they can always be voted out of office if they perform badly. But the majority of voters are from low-income households who are vulnerable to patronage politics and can be easily harassed and threatened with armed violence in case a challenger to the clan’s stranglehold on power emerges. Serious challenges can also end up dead, along with witnesses to the killing, and the ruling clan will get away with murder.”

As one Reddit commenter said, "Here we go again talaga, iboboto na naman ng karamihan yan. Magsasama na sila Bong, Robin, pati si Willie."

Ugh.

THE UGLY: DEMOCRACY’S DILEMMA

And then there’s the heart of the issue: the integrity of our elections. These tarpaulins, innocent as they may seem, chip away at the very foundation of our electoral system. They’re not illegal, but they’re not in the spirit of fair competition either. They create an environment where money and influence can quickly tip the scales, and that’s an unsound precedent.

NAVIGATING THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

So, as voters, how do we navigate this subtle premature campaigning? We must educate ourselves. We must look beyond the tarpaulins and delve into the policies and the track records. We must talk to each other, share insights, and challenge the status quo. We must hold our candidates to a higher standard, demanding transparency and fairness. And when we see something that doesn’t sit right, we must not look the other way, but we must speak up. We must report it, we must discuss it, and we must remember it when we cast our votes.

THE POWER OF THE INFORMED VOTER

As we approach the crossroads of another election, let’s remember the power we hold. The power to see beyond the roadside tarpaulins, to question, to challenge, and to make informed choices. Our democracy is only as strong as our willingness to protect it. So, let’s start conversations, let’s demand fairness, and let’s vote not just with our memory recall, but with our conscience.

Let me wrap up this article light-heartedly with Pinoy humor – a creative coping mechanism.

Here are Revilla's slogan variants crafted by Reddit commenters:

Walang Matigas Na Election Code Sa Matinik Na Epalitiko

Walang Matigas Na Pondo Sa Matinik Na Kawatan

Walang Matigas Na Mukha Sa Mangmang Na Botante

Tabaco City Councilor Gio Ong Bongao came up with this Villar's slogan variant on his mock up tarpaulin:

Hello po, kumain ka na? Huwag ka papagutom.

Ha-ha.

Content put together in collaboration with Bing Microsoft AI-powered Co-pilot

Head collage photos courtesy of Redditdotcom and Politikodotcom

Video clips courtesy of YouTube

NO PERMIT NO EXAM: TWO STORIES

 

A MOTHER’S HOPE

[Excerpted and slightly edited for brevity from my ATABAY article My Life-Changing Year In UP, circa 1967, UPIC High School]

It was our Christmas party. While the whole class was getting our room ready for the night, putting up the Christmas tree and decorations, I was in the principal’s office asking for her permission for me to attend the party -- I was unable to pay my contribution. Saying it was no big deal, she projected a tender countenance on her face, reflecting how pitiful I was, and seemingly conveying how she wished she could hug me.

Being poor and, by a twist of fate, having gotten into the world of relatively well-to-do people, engendered a daily grinding routine for me throughout the year affecting my psyche, including my academic performance. The best I could make in one grading period -- ranked Number 11 [in the class of 40].

Sensing my traumatic year in UP through my first meal [after coming back] home – devouring a braised pork belly [nalipasan ng gutom for a year] -- my mother, a dressmaker, sewing a neighbor’s dress in her old Singer sewing machine, watching me with moist eyes. Right then and there, she decided to enroll me in the Notre Dame of Lagao the following school year.

During my first and second grading periods, I wore a gold plate on my breast every day for being at the top of the class. On my third grading period exam, the principal refused me to take the exam -- I was unable to pay my tuition fee. [A sort of a déjà vu of my pitiful time in the principal’s office in UP; but the eventual outcome then was heartbreaking].

While the exam was going on, my mother was pleading for consideration – it was turned down [Ouch! Sorry kid, no permit, no exam].

Resigned and crushed, my mother and I went to MSU Prep High and pleaded with the Principal, Mr. Jacobino Java Sr., to accept me as a transferee and late enrollee. He told my mother that policies were no hindrance, but frankly said I could face a big problem -- the next periodical exam would come in 3 days. Teary-eyed, my mother looked at me -- I nodded.

For the next 3 days, I worked like a horse in preparing for the exam, waking up at dawn, while my mother was holding a lukewarm towel to wipe my face when I fell asleep. When the results came out, the whole school was stunned -- I topped it.

Neither am I a genius nor exceptional in achieving such a feat. I felt something inside me had bottled up since my UP stint. In one moment in time, it burst and cried, “Enough!” and powered me to pull off the tough job.

Not far from being a miracle, such a feat hinted at God’s presence. At that time, the only fragment of my memory that dealt with divineness was my Theology subject at Notre Dame of Lagao under Marist Brother Leonard who was fond of giving essay writing tests. In one essay, titled “Loving God,” I topped it.

I couldn't help thinking about such a tiny fleck of hosanna in my essay catching His eye. No wonder His kindred people are the last, the lost, and the least -- that was me then.

“There is a time for everything,

And a time for every happening under heaven…

A time to weep and a time to laugh…”

(Ecclesiastes 3:1,4)

A DAUGHTER’S CHOICE

Magda stood in the dimly lit room her breath visible in the cold evening air. The aroma of fried chicken and freshly baked bread atop the small table spread throughout the cramped space. Her heart swelled with a mix of excitement and unease.

She was the eldest of four siblings in a family that knew poverty inside out. Their father had abandoned them years ago, leaving behind a void that no amount of struggle could fill. Frail and coughing, her mother had been battling against a persistent illness. Magda had become the pillar that held their fragile world together.

Tonight was different. Tonight was her birthday, and she had scraped together every last coin to buy food for a celebration. Her younger siblings, eyes wide with wonder, scrambled to their seats. They tore open the food packages, their laughter animating the room. Magda watched them, her heart both heavy and light, knowing her mother’s smile would be worth it.

“Jeric looked for you,” one sibling said. Jeric, her neighbor-classmate, had been falling all over her, but she cold-shouldered him because of the family that leaned on her.

The small cake, a modest token with a single candle, sat at the center of the table. As she lit the candle, the room fell silent, as its flickering flame danced like a beacon of hope.

The harsh coughing from her mother’s bedroom popped the bubble of festivity. Magda looked at the closed door. She knew what awaited her there -- the doctor’s prescription -- an expensive antibiotic, the only hope for her mother’s ailing lungs.

She stepped into the bedroom, the wavering candle casting shadows on the walls. Her mother’s eyes, once vibrant, now held a quiet plea. The prescription lay on the nightstand, its pricey cost etched in ink. Magda’s resolve wavered. She kissed her mother’s forehead, her love and anguish mingling.

Magda’s wallet held the money she had saved for her final school exam – the culmination of years of hard work. She counted the bills, her fingers trembling. The numbers didn’t add up. The choice loomed before her like a cruel riddle: her mother’s health or her future?

Back in the main room, she blew out the candle. Her siblings chattered, unaware of the storm raging within her. She whispered to them, urging them to care for their mother. Then, heavy with grief, she stepped outside.

The night puff of wind bit at her skin as she closed the door behind her. Magda’s cell phone felt like a lifeline. She dialed the number, her voice steady despite the inner strife.

“Tell Mr. Wang, I’m available tonight for three hours.”

The streets swallowed her as she walked away from home. The city lights blurred into streaks of gold and crimson. Magda’s footsteps echoed her choices – each one a sacrifice, each one a promise. She would bear this burden silently, like the candle she had blown out.

Never judge a book by its cover, they said. But who would guess that the girl with the flickering candle had just made a choice that would alter her destiny? Magda carried her secret into the night, her tears lost among the stars.

In the quiet of her steps, she vowed to be both the heroine and the sacrificial lamb. For love, for survival, and a chance at a different ending – one that defied poverty’s cruel script.

And so, Magda walked on, her footsteps fading into the city’s heartbeat, leaving behind a room filled with laughter, a mother’s cough, and a candle blown out too soon.

A Daughter’s Choice flash fiction short story put together in collaboration with Bing Microsoft AI-powered Co-pilot

Head photo courtesy of Abante Tonite

Video clips courtesy of YouTube

CHECKMATE: "APPOINTED SON OF GOD" ENDGAME

 

If you have any information concerning this person, please contact your local FBI office or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate.

The note above, signaling the hunt is up and running, is taken from the official website of the United States Government Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The referred person is Apollo Carreon Quiboloy under the banner Most Wanted. Below his enlarged ID photo, one heading Caution reads as follows:

Apollo Carreon Quiboloy, the founder of a Phlippine-based church, is wanted for his alleged participation in a labor trafficking scheme that brought church members to the United States, via fraudulently obtained visas, and forced the members to solicit donations for a bogus charity, donations that were used to finance church operations and the lavish lifestyles of its leaders. Members who proved successful at soliciting for the church allegedly were forced to enter into sham marriages or obtain fraudulent student visas to continue soliciting in the United States year-round.

Furthermore, it is alleged that females were recruited to work as personal assistants, or pastorals, for Quiboloy and that victims prepared his meals, cleaned his residences, gave him massages, and were required to have sex with Quiboloy in what the pastorals called night duty.

Quiboloy was indicted by a federal grand jury in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Santa Ana, California, for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion and sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; conspiracy; and bulk cash smuggling, and on November 10, 2021, a federal warrant was issued for his arrest.

The Quiboloy case is “so unusual and so complex” (the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California acknowledged) that we find it valuable to get insights from an expert on international crimes. We invited Mr. AI to our live TV program to answer questions on Quiboloy’s case.

ME Hello everyone! Welcome to GeopoliTic Talk. Today, we have a very special guest joining us, none other than Mr. AI, an international legal expert, here to shed some light on the hunt for Apollo Quiboloy by the FBI. Welcome to the show, Mr. AI.

MR AI Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.

ME Let’s dive right in, shall we? Apollo Quiboloy, the charismatic leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ Church, is reportedly hiding in the Philippines while being pursued by the FBI. What can you tell us about the allegations against him?

MR AI Well, Quiboloy is facing serious charges which you can read the details in the news. They are not to be taken lightly and could have grave legal consequences if proven true.

ME Absolutely, those are terrible accusations. Now, could you explain why one US district court has deemed Quiboloy’s case as “so unusual and so complex”?

MR AI Certainly. When a court refers to a case as “unusual,” it means that the circumstances surrounding it deviate significantly from the norm like in Quiboloy’s case.

First, the case involved a labor trafficking operation spanning over 16 years from 2002 to 2018 – an uncommon prolonged and systematic exploitation.

Second, he is the founder of a religious organization adding a layer of complexity often attracting attention due to his influence and the potential impact on his followers.

Third, it involved cross-border trafficking with victims brought from the Philippines to the US.

Fourth, it exploited coerced sham marriages and fraudulent student visas to perpetuate the scheme.

Fifth, it preyed on a bogus charity to fund operations and his lavish lifestyle.

The combination of these factors makes the case stand out as an unusual legal matter.

ME Yikes, that’s mind-boggling. What makes the case so complex?

MR AI First, the case involves a range of charges, from sex trafficking to bulk cash smuggling. Each charge requires a thorough examination of evidence, legal arguments, and potential defenses.

Second, it spans different states (California, Nevada, Hawaii) and countries (Philippines, United States) necessitating coordination among law enforcement agencies and legal systems.

Third, it deals with intricate gathering of statements from victims who may have faced coercion, fear, and trauma.

Fourth, it copes with understanding the dynamics within his religious organization and its impact on victims.

Fifth, it attracts media attention and public scrutiny affecting the legal proceedings due to his prominence.

The court likely recognizes the intricate interplay of these factors, making Quiboloy’s case exceptionally complex.

ME Golly, I’ve felt groggy just listening to your details. Given the whole shebang is so unusual and so complex, could you hazard a guess on the strategic and tactical moves of the US, particularly the FBI and other federal agencies, in handling Quiboloy’s case?

MR AI I hope I can make my answers easy to understand by playing on chess metaphor.

ME I love to play chess. Sounds like a good idea – go for it!

MR AI The US having been granted by a federal judge in unsealing the arrest warrant and the first superseding indictment moves on Quiboloy, is now prepping for the middle game strategic moves.

Like players focusing on positioning chess pieces, federal agencies collaborate, sharing intelligence, and resources, wherein the FBI works closely with the Department of Homeland Security, CIA, and Interpol to gather information globally.

Like controlling the center of the chess board, the US monitors Quiboloy’s networks, suspects, and communication channels which include electronic surveillance, undercover agents, and informants.

Just as chess players deploy pieces strategically, so too do federal agencies position assets (agents, analysts, and hi-tech specialists) on locations with the most impact.

The US files charges, issues warrants, and seeks cooperation from other countries – moves that set the stage for the end game.

The middle game refers to shaping public opinion through public releases, leaks, and official statements which influence how the case is perceived.

ME Your chess metaphor perks me up. What’s the end game?

MR AI The US tactical moves aim for successful prosecution. Like checkmating the opponent’s king, the US apprehends suspects. Quiboloy’s eventual arrest will be a critical tactical move.

Extradition proceedings become so crucial that the US must navigate legal complexities and diplomatic relations.

Convictions often hinge on witness testimony. The US ensures witnesses’ safety, credibility, and cooperation. Like promoting a pawn to a queen, the US presents compelling evidence in court. This includes victim testimonies, financial records, and wiretaps.

The US predicts defense strategies such as challenging evidence and discrediting witnesses.

The end game culminates in sentencing. The US seeks penalties that reflect the severity of the crimes.

ME Wow! Checkmate! What more can I say? Thank you, Mr. AI, for your brilliant insights. Thank you everyone for watching the show.

EPILOGUE

Imagine this most dramatic scenario. Quiboloy’s capture becomes a spectacle for the ages. Law enforcement agencies, aided by international cooperation, converge on his purported hideout. Cameras roll as they breach the compound, leading to a tense standoff reminiscent of a Hollywood thriller. The world watches with bated breath as Quiboloy, once, an untouchable figure, is led away in handcuffs, his expression a mix of defiance and resignation.

For his followers, it is a moment of reckoning, as they grapple with the revelation that their beloved leader may not be the savior they once believed him to be. As the wheel of justice slowly turns, one thing becomes crystal clear: in the pursuit of justice, no one is above the law.

Anthropologist Thomas Huxley once said the following words that give us an inkling of Quiboloy’s virtual opponent who beat him in the chess game:

“The chessboard is the world, the pieces are the phenomena of the universe, and the rules of the game are what we call the laws of Nature. The player on the other side is hidden from us.”

Content put together in collaboration with Bing Microsoft AI-powered Co-pilot

Head collage photos courtesy of Inquirer.net and Vecteezy

Video clips courtesy of YouTube

SWIFT'S SINGAPORE SHOWTIME: SLAM DUNK ENTERTAINMENT

 

In the ever-evolving symphony of entertainment and branding, exclusive partnerships wield a conductor’s baton, orchestrating magic. These partnerships transcend mere collaboration, elevating it to a cultural crescendo that reverberates across continents.

Now, let’s tune in to the wisdom of visionaries:

Bill Gates, the maestro behind Microsoft, knows that their success harmonizes with partnerships from the very overture.

Richard Branson, the virtuoso of Virgin Group, strikes chords with strategic partnerships – essential harmonies that fortify growth and defy competition.

Warren G. Bennis, the sage consultant and author, composes partnerships that resonate through time, weaving destinies together.

Even Mother Teresa hummed her desire for partnership: “I can do things you cannot, you can do things, I cannot; together we can do great things.”

Yet, there’s a dissonant note. Peter Drucker, the management maestro, reveals that few truly grasp the symphony of modern business – wherein partnerships crescendo into success.

Enter the spotlight: Taylor Swift and Singapore. Their recent strategic duet has hit the high notes, grabbing headlines and stirring debates across Southeast Asia.

Singapore boldly declared, “Swift is mine,” leaving neighboring countries in awe – or perhaps a touch envious. Is this uproar befitting, or are we getting a taste of a classic case of sour grapes?

As we get to the heart of the matter, let’s draw inspiration from the legendary Michael Jordan-Nike partnership – where sneakers danced into superstardom. As Jordan wisely notes, “Heart is what separates the good from the great.”

Blueprint For Success

Rewind to the 1980s. During those years, I loved to play and watch basketball. Remember Michael Jordan? How about taking a trip down memory lane?

The hardwood court gleams under the spotlight, anticipation hanging thick in the air. Michael Jordan, clad in his iconic red and black Chicago Bulls jersey, moves with a grace that defies mere physics. His sinewy frame seems to merge with the court, every sinew attuned to the rhythm of the game. The ball, an extension of his will, rests in his palm – a leather oracle that holds the fate of the match.

The shot clock ticks down, and the tension mounts. Jordan’s eyes lock onto his defender, a hapless soul caught in the tempest of his brilliance. With a sudden burst of speed, he accelerates, leaving a trail of bewildered opponents in his wake. His legs coil, then explode – a gravity-defying leap that defies reason. The crowd inhales collectively, suspended in time.

Oops, let’s cut this imagination off, we’re running out of space and time.

The year 1984. Michael Jordan, a basketball demigod, inked a deal with Nike. Little did they know that this partnership would redefine the sneaker game. The birth of the Air Jordan line sent shockwaves through the industry. All of a sudden, sneakers weren’t just footwear; they were cultural artifacts. Nike soared, and Michael Jordan became more than an athlete – he became an icon. No less than President Barack Obama honored Jordan as “the greatest player the game had ever seen, a transcendent athlete who would fundamentally change the face of sports, commerce, and American culture.”

Beatlemania Phenomenon

Fast-forward today. Taylor Swift the songstress who strums hearts worldwide, announces her exclusive tour stop in Singapore. The Lion’s City, usually known for its financial prowess and futuristic skyline, now hosts the queen of pop. It’s a calculated move – a strategic embrace of exclusivity. Just as Air Jordan stood out on the court, so too does Swift’s star power in Singapore set her apart in the entertainment arena.

Swift has drawn admiration and respect from all corners of Hollywood. Comparing her feats to the Beatlemania phenomenon, music legend Billy Joel says, “You have to give her high marks. She knows music and knows how to write.” Rock and roll Hall of Famer Carole King says, “Over the years, I have known some great songwriters and I have also known some great singers and performers. It’s rare to see all those talents in one person. Taylor Swift… Her lyrics resonate across all generations, her songs touch everyone and her impact around the world is extraordinary.”

Arrogance or Shrewdness?

Entertainment isn’t for the faint-hearted. Today, it’s a gladiatorial arena where artists, promoters, and nations vie for supremacy. Singapore’s exclusive claim to Swift mirrors a high-stakes poker game. They’ve pushed their chips to the center, declaring, “We’ve got the ace.” But is it arrogance or shrewdness?

Neighboring countries frown. Asserting that Singapore’s exclusive Swift claim is not “what good neighbors do,” Congressman Joey Salceda said, “I don’t think we should just let things pass. We should still officially register our opposition. It also runs contrary to the principle of consensus-based relations and solidarity on which the ASEAN was founded.”

Let’s decode the reactions. It’s the sour grapes phenomenon – the psychological mechanism where unattainable grapes suddenly taste bitter. Unable to secure a similar deal, dismiss it as a piece of luck or favoritism. In reality, it’s a masterstroke by Singapore – a calculated move to redefine its entertainment narrative.

Regional Icon

Swift’s tour stop in Singapore isn’t just a concert, it’s a symphony of possibilities. Imagine cross-cultural collaboration, fusion music, and artistic exchanges. Innovation thrives in exclusivity. Singapore, like Nike, knows that fostering creativity leads to growth. Swift’s lyrics might blend with traditional melodies, birthing something entirely new.

Remember how Air Jordans became more than shoes? They became a lifestyle. Swift’s Singapore stint isn’t merely a tour stop; it’s a brand-building exercise. Exclusivity breeds identity. Just as Michael Jordan’s slick moves symbolized excellence, so too does Swift’s star quality in Singapore paint her as a regional icon. The world watches, and the narrative shifts.

Symphony In The Making

As the curtain falls, we see the parallels. Michael Jordan’s sensational leap from the free-throw line mirrors Swift’s phenomenal leap across continents. Both partnerships defy the gravity of norms, leaving indelible marks of performance.

So, when neighboring countries grumble, let’s remind them: that exclusivity isn’t a birthright; it’s earned. Swift-Singapore isn’t a fluke, it’s a chapter in a saga of strategic brilliance.

No doubt, many countries desire such a Swift-Singapore partnership. Here’s the crux of the matter: Long ago, I ran across this catchy line that has generated many variants credited to many authors: “You can’t give what you don’t have.” Based on the essence of such a line, we can say, that just as a country can't give what it doesn’t have (security and support facilities, among others), so too can't such a country receive what it is not ready for – like Taylor Swift.

As the spotlight follows Taylor Swift’s silhouette against Singapore’s skyline, we catch a glimpse of history – a fusion of artistry, ambition, and audacity. The Swift-Singapore partnership – it’s not just a concert – it’s a symphony in the making.

Content put together in collaboration with Bing Microsoft AI-powered Co-pilot

Head photo courtesy of Mothership SG

Video clips courtesy of YouTube

PH ELECTION 2025: HOW DO WE SOLVE THE PROBLEM LIKE CHINA

 

Before we start answering the question in the above title, let’s look into how the USA - the most powerful nation in the world – deals with the problem itself in preparing for its upcoming election come November this year.

What if Chinese operatives created a fake AI-generated video showing an American Senate candidate destroying ballots? (Remember Leila de Lima and Aika Robredo’s deepfake videos?) How should the US national security agencies respond to deepfake videos and rampant disinformation; and what if they aren’t sure China is behind it? How should they respond if violence erupts in polling stations on Election Day?

The above questions are just among the many issues weighed up in the White House Situation Room last December when senior national security officials came together to lay the groundwork for the 2024 US election. CNN reported that “they faced a pair of stark, simulated scenarios that tested the limits of any federal response to election-related chaos.”

Such questions come down to how wary US officials still are of foreign election meddling. Rightly so. In 2016, Russian intelligence agencies, after hacking the Democratic National Committee, released emails damaging Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign. The predicted aftermath ever since has been staring Uncle Sam right in the face – Trump, who loves Putin, won that election.

The latest headline, Russian hackers breached key Microsoft systems, is a forewarning to Biden to be sure not missing a trick by Putin. In his recent State of the Union Address, referring to the Ukraine invasion, Biden asserted: “My message to President Putin is simple. We will not walk away. We will not bow down. I will not bow down.”

For this coming November US election, does China have the cyber capability, like Russia, to influence such a crucial electoral process? FBI Director Christopher Wray warned that Chinese hackers are preparing to “wreak havoc and cause real-world harm” to the US. He revealed that Chinese hackers outnumber FBI cybersecurity staff by “at least 50 to one.” Associated Press reporting on the Chinese hacking industry – a vast network of private hackers-for-hire companies infiltrating hundreds of systems outside China – stressed that they are a “formidable force” today.

Here's a close look at the hacking industry’s nuts and bolts – the “click farms.” Jack Latham, a British photographer, documented some of the shadowy “farms” in Vietnam (the pandemic-related travel restrictions dashed his plans to document the practice in China) that help clients artificially boost online traffic and social media engagement in the hope of manipulating algorithms and user perceptions.

“When most people are on social media, they want nothing but attention – they’re begging for it,” Latham said. “With social media, our attention is a product for advertisers and marketers.” It only takes one person, he disclosed, to do the work of 10,000 (for less than one cent per click, view, or interaction) ranging from mass posting and commenting on Facebook accounts to setting up YouTube platforms to post and watch videos.

Latham wrote in his CNN article Photographer steps inside shadowy “click farms” that such “farms” exploded in number – particularly in Asia, where they can be found across India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines, and beyond. 

Remember Mucha Uson? “Widely criticized for constantly propagating fake news and misinformation, earning her the nickname the Queen of Fake News (Wikipedia), her blog reached over 5.3 million followers in December 2017. Philstar diligent columnist Federico Pascual suspected then her Facebook “likes” jumping by big blocks about 1,000 an hour starting at 2 a.m. He asked, “Are computers and apps doing it for a paying client?”

Such a question was a tough nut to crack then. But, today, in light of the “click farms,” the answer is a no-brainer.

When Biden and Xi - the two “kings” of the geopolitical chessboard - met during a high-stakes meeting in California last November, it was no less than Biden himself who raised the issue of the potential for China to interfere in or influence the upcoming US election. Right then and there, it prompted Xi to promise Biden that China wouldn’t interfere in the 2024 US election.

How about a “pawn” in the geopolitical chess board, like the Philippines? Could President Bongbong Marcos (PBBM), upon request, expect the same promise from Xi not to interfere in the 2025 Philippine election? Could such a promise be given by China which has a belligerent relationship with the Philippines as demonstrated in the following excerpted exchange of harsh statements recently made by the officials of both countries?

“[T]he real problem and the real flashpoint… is in the West Philippine Sea. [T]here can be one major accident… the Philippines can invoke the MDT (Mutual Defense Treaty) … then all hell breaks loose.” – Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez

“It is deplorable that the said individual, in ignorance of basic facts, again used the South China Sea issue to hype up and launch a baseless accusation and malicious smear campaign against China.” – Statement of the Spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines

“Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez is not a mouthpiece for ‘another country’ nor is he spreading erroneous ‘China threat’ and ‘Sinophobia’ remarks. [He has been] consistent… regarding the threat posed by unlawful, aggressive, and provocative actions of the Chinese Coast Guard and Chinese maritime militia against Philippine vessels and personnel, and Filipino fishermen.” – Statement by the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C.

As I hit the keys, the “war on words” has been brought to a standstill for the moment, while the “war on nerves” between the two countries grinds away in the West Philippine Sea.

At this point, let me share a quote from Neville Chamberlain, pre-WWII prime minister of the United Kingdom. In the Munich Agreement of 1938, he agreed to cede parts of Czechoslovakia to Hitler and is now the most popular example of the foreign policy known as appeasement as spelled out by his following words:

“I have the sense that to draw a line in the dust is to dare Herr Hitler to cross it. I am not anxious to enter matches of daring with him. I want to convince him that he can get all that Germany is entitled to without having to fight.”

Let’s look at the last sentence, replace Germany with China and “him” with Xi, and weigh up the resultant line: “I want to convince Xi that he can get all that China is entitled to without having to fight.” 

It appears to embody President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s (PRRD) appeasement policy as upheld by the following Philstar headline: “Just a piece of paper”: Duterte says he will “throw away” Philippines’ arbitral win vs. China.

PRRD's pro-China presidency was a goodie bag for Xi whom PRRD publicly idolized: “I simply love Xi Jinping.” Not only did China bag PRRD’s love, but as well as the following aces in the hole, among others:

• Construction of artificial islands and militarization
• Weakening of regional unity against territorial claims
• Access to rich fisheries and potential energy reserves
• Leveraging media outlets and state-controlled narratives to shape public opinion
• A softer stance provided China with strategic leverage to advance its interests.

As the old saying goes, The proof of the pudding is in the eating, in which PRRD then was the pudding Numero Uno. Former Philippine foreign secretary Albert del Rosario exposed senior Chinese officials who had grandstanded about their impact on the 2016 Philippine elections where PRRD won. Del Rosario said:

“On February 22, 2019, we received information from a most reliable international entity that high officials from China are bragging that they had been able to influence the 2016 Philippine elections so that Duterte would be president.”

Taken by surprise and let down by PBBM’s shift towards a pro-US stance, coupled with having baked puddings in the Philippine election like magic in the past (which may include TNTrio’s claim of a rigged 2022 election), have you ever thought China would bake another pudding again – maybe, this time, pudding Numero Dos?

Content put together in collaboration with Bing Microsoft AI-powered Co-pilot

Head photo courtesy of istock

Video clips courtesy of YouTube

QUIBOLOY'S FALL: THERE IS A TIME FOR EVERYTHING

This ought to be a newsworthy day. Apollo Quiboloy, a controversial leader of the Davao City-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) church, and five of his associates will be issued warrants of arrest if they fail to show up during today’s hearing.

Yesterday, the Department of Justice ordered to file of a case for sexual abuse of a minor against Quiboloy in Davao City, and another case for qualified human trafficking in Pasig City.

Newsworthy, not because Quiboloy (who claims to be the Appointed Son of God) allegedly abused sexually her female church members, but because he was the spiritual adviser then of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (PRRD).

Preachers, like Quiboloy, involved with sexual scandals have been a dime a dozen. An online article Legendary Pastors Who Fell From Grace by Genevieve Carlton ran through the list of not so few such pastors, seven stories of them we will recount as samples in this article.

Ted Haggard

An evangelical pastor, he ranted against the evils of premarital sex, adultery, and gay marriage. He was caught in a gay sex scandal in 2006. A male escort named Mike Jones publicly claimed that Haggard had been a client for years. Haggard also allegedly used crystal meth in front of his male lover. He was forced to resign from his church.

Jim Bakker

He was perhaps the most popular televangelist in the 1980s, though his wife Tammy Faye gave him a run for his money. He was brought down by an enormous scandal that included sexual abuse and fraud. In 1987, his secretary publicly accused the televangelist of raping and drugging her. After he resigned from his ministry, he was charged with accounting fraud and sentenced to 45 years in prison.

Bill Gothard

Famous for his homeschooling ministry the Gothard Institute of Basic Life Principles, he promoted extreme submission of women and ordered them to dress modestly. In 2014, more than 30 women, including underage girls, accused him of molestation and assault. The allegations included sexual harassment, inappropriate touching, molestation, and rape. He was forced to resign from his ministry.

Shoko Asahara

He might be better called a cult leader. Founded Aum Shinrikyo in 1984, a Japanese doomsday cult, he preached an end to marriage and sexual relations. It later came out he was having sex with many of his female followers – and collecting glass bottles filled with their pubic hairs. In 1995 he masterminded the deadly sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway. He was convicted and sentenced to death.

Jimmy Swaggart

A Pentecostal televangelist, he started on television in 1975 and teamed up in the 1980s with Jerry Falwell, James Robinson, and Pat Robinson using the Christian Right in shaping the Republican party. He asserted Satan’s agents are everywhere, including feminists, Democrats, and rock musicians. He fell from grace in 1988 when it became public that he cheated on his wife with a New Orleans prostitute. He condemned porn, all the while, craving for them.

Doug Phillips

As the President of the extreme Christian right group, Visit Forum Ministries , he argued that women must be completely submissive to their husbands and fathers. Daughters should not even have a say in who they marry, and women should have as many children as possible. In 2013, he was forced to resign after being publicly accused of sexual abuse and assault against a woman he met when she was only 15 years old.

Bob Coy

The most famous evangelical pastor in Florida then, he had 25,000 members in his Fort Lauderdale megachurch. But it all came crashing down in 2014 when he admitted to multiple affairs and a pornography addiction. He resigned in disgrace – but the worst was still to come. In 2017, he was publicly accused of molesting a four-year-old child and the case is still ongoing.

The Catholic Church

The Church had its share of such transgressions unveiled, no holds barred, in an Oscar-awarded film Spotlight. It tells of the true story of how the Boston Globe uncovered the massive scandal of child molestation and cover-up within the local Catholic Archdiocese. The expose has shaken the entire Catholic Church to its score.

In my past ATABAY article Spiritual Tandem, I wrote about the PRRD-Quiboloy special relationship whose following excerpts I edited for brevity:

Together with Philstar Edith Regalado, let’s sneak a quick look at the Sunday dinner date of PRRD and his spiritual adviser Pastor Apollo Quiboloy at the latter’s KOJC headquarters. Accompanied by omnipresent Sen. Bong Go, PRRD chatted with his adviser for many hours over dinner of sour fish stew, sauteed munggo beans, and fried dried fish. PRRD appeared to be relaxed, and laughing with his long-time pastor-friend.

“He is not just my mayor; he is not just my friend. He is my brother. We’ve been friends for 30 years, ever since I only had 15 members…” Quiboloy posted on his FB. As the popular beer catchy slogan goes: Iba ang may pinagsamahan.

Today, publicly declared as one of the most wanted suspected sex traffickers by the US, Quiboloy, aka Appointed Son of God, “Sir,” “Pastor,” and “ACQ,” is wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, sex trafficking of children, conspiracy, and bulk cash smuggling.

According to the FBI wanted poster, “it is alleged that females were recruited to work as personal assistants, or ‘pastorals,’ for Quiboloy and that (the) victims prepared his meals, cleaned his residences, gave him massages, and were required to have sex with Quiboloy in what the ‘pastorals’ called ‘night duty’.” Moreover, prosecutors in California announced allegations that he and several others had sexually abused female church members aged 12 to 25 in exchange for privileges as well as avoiding “eternal damnation.” His multimillion-dollar assets have been documented as ill-gotten.

The self-proclaimed Appointed Son of God [as well as the Owner of the Universe] claimed he stopped an earthquake by simply yelling at it. PRRD said he believes the Pastor’s claim and sees nothing wrong with it, and he’s hoping he could possess the same power.

Quiboloy also warned that the world will suffer a fate “much worse than the Omicron virus” if he is continuously “hurt and persecuted… flesh-eating bacteria immune to any vaccine” will descend upon his alleged persecutors. On the flip side, Quiboloy claimed he chose not to stop a typhoon ripping across the country in its track because he was criticized and ridiculed for his previous claim of stopping an earthquake.

For sure, we may deem Quiboloy as a wacky pastor. Yet, this former United Pentecostal Church member has claimed 4 million “Kingdom citizens” locally and about 2 million followers abroad.

Let me reiterate that I did not vote for PRRD because of the warning bell from this one verse in the Bible: “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Matthew 12:34

Have you ever wondered if Quiboloy, as a spiritual adviser, sowed in PRRD’s heart the seeds of the nasty words and expletives coming out of his mouth that Pinoys reaped during his presidency?

“We are not precluded from being sometimes vicious because, as the Ecclesiastes says, it’s the Bible, there is always a time – a time to be proper and a time to be shit” -- PRRD speaking before the Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines event in Panglao, Bohol, after days of the citizens' outrage over his “God is stupid” remark.

 

Head photo courtesy of Sound Cloud

Video clips courtesy of You Tube