tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-187553412024-03-13T18:27:30.978+08:00Baptist Churches in the PhilippinesThis blog is a companion tool of https://familymatters.netlify.com/. The website contains, among others, the complete provisions of the Family Code of the Philippines, relevant laws, legal procedures in cases involving the family, and free legal information. This blog contains a directory of Baptist churches in the Philippines and covers programs and activities of churches and Bible schools.Atty. Gerry T. Galaciohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17233852101336409722noreply@blogger.comBlogger315125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18755341.post-19452247284093589012019-09-30T20:46:00.002+08:002019-09-30T20:46:57.261+08:00The 30th Fundamental Bible Conference in Metro-Manila, October 24-25, 2019<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WPLcCeC8f0I/XZH4fZZrINI/AAAAAAAAMtc/Xb0Edrk7mloZzMMGn_-WYYaoTWvpH0m4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Livioco%2B2019%2Bconference.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WPLcCeC8f0I/XZH4fZZrINI/AAAAAAAAMtc/Xb0Edrk7mloZzMMGn_-WYYaoTWvpH0m4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Livioco%2B2019%2Bconference.jpg" data-original-width="450" data-original-height="340" /></a><br />
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When: October 24-25, 2019; 2:00-9:30 PM<br />
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Where: The Astoria Plaza #15 J. Escriva Drive, Ortigas Center, Pasig City<br />
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Keynote Speaker: Dr. Art Sinski, Senior Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Bremerton, WA.<br />
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Pre-registration fee (until Oct. 15) is Php 150.00; Registration fee on Oct, 24 is Php 180.00<br />
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<b>Topics/Message Titles:</b><br />
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1. “Genuine vs. Counterfeit Worship Pre- and Post-Rapture”<br />
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2. “The Root and Result of Compromise” <br />
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3. “Vital Signs to Look for in a Church” <br />
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4. “The Trustworthiness of God” <br />
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5. “The Perils of Pragmatism” <br />
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6. “The Bible on Same-sex Marriage” <br />
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7. “The Proper Use of Social Media” <br />
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8. "The Good Minister's Belief And Behavior" (I Timothy 4:6-16)<br />
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9. "A Mandated, Righteous Response To False Teachers" (Romans 16:17-20)<br />
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10. "The Critical Nature Of Theology To The Life Of Your Pulpit And Church" (Pastorals)<br />
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11. "Ephesus: Thirty Years After The Pastorals" Revelation 2:1-7. <br />
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<b>For more details, check out and like the page, Facebook @fundamentalbibleconference.</b>Atty. Gerry T. Galaciohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17233852101336409722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18755341.post-53024460325818237252019-02-06T11:22:00.000+08:002019-03-26T15:08:15.148+08:00Legal discussions on the Family Code of the Philippines for pastors and church members<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PuB2CVJREzs/XFpWgrTJnYI/AAAAAAAAL0Y/aDNtJgTasNc1H-gHwnG0ui1-xFqAbO58gCLcBGAs/s1600/LU%2Bwith%2BFM%2BBitballoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="760" height="58" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PuB2CVJREzs/XFpWgrTJnYI/AAAAAAAAL0Y/aDNtJgTasNc1H-gHwnG0ui1-xFqAbO58gCLcBGAs/s200/LU%2Bwith%2BFM%2BBitballoon.jpg" width="200" /></a>Over the years, I’ve conducted seminars for <a href="https://baptist-rp.blogspot.com/2006/05/biblical-fundamentalism-conference.html">churches</a>, <a href="https://baptist-rp.blogspot.com/2006/03/landmark-baptist-college-pasig-legal.html">Bible schools</a>, and <a href="https://baptist-rp.blogspot.com/2006/11/baptist-mission-partners-philippines.html">groups of pastors</a>. In these seminars, I’ve emphasized to the pastors that they must have a working knowledge of the <a href="https://familymatters.netlify.com/" target="_blank">Family Code of the Philippines</a>. <br />
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Posted below are some discussions in my <a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">“Legal Updates”</a> blog about the Family Code and other topics that are relevant to the Filipino family. Please post these links in your church website or social media accounts.<br />
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<b>Most-read discussions:</b><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2006/01/adultery-concubinage-and-psychological.html" target="_blank">Adultery, concubinage, marital infidelity, and psychological violence</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2007/06/can-mother-be-deprived-of-custody-of.html" target="_blank">Can a mother be deprived of custody of her child?</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2006/12/with-links_06.html" target="_blank">Custody battles over children: what determines fitness of a parent over another?</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2006/10/support-for-abandoned-woman-and-family.html" target="_blank">Financial support for an abandoned woman and her family</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2010/08/did-supreme-court-order-all-credit-card.html" target="_blank">Did the Supreme Court order all credit card companies to reduce their interest rate of 3% monthly and penalty fee of 3%?</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2018/05/divorce-obtained-abroad-by-filipino-against-alien-spouse-recognized.html" target="_blank">Divorce obtained abroad by a Filipino citizen against alien spouse recognized in the Philippines</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2008/04/miss-ms-or-mrs-philippine-law-on.html" target="_blank">Miss, Ms, or Mrs? Philippine law on surnames for married women</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2008/08/visitation-rights-over-illegitimate.html" target="_blank">Visitation rights over illegitimate children</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2008/07/problems-and-issues-with-ra-9255-and.html" target="_blank">What surname should illegitimate children use?</a><br />
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<b>Heirs and inheritances</b><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2011/07/if-your-spouse-dies-without-last-will.html" target="_blank">If your spouse dies without a last will, who will inherit?</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2011/07/legitimes-and-intestate-shares.html" target="_blank">Legitimes, free portions, and intestate shares</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2011/09/rights-of-illegitimate-children-when.html" target="_blank">Rights of illegitimate children when their parent dies without a last will</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2011/09/who-inherits-from-illegitimate-child.html" target="_blank">Who inherits from an illegitimate child?</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2011/09/right-of-legitimate-children-to-inherit.html" target="_blank">The right of legitimate children to inherit</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2011/09/settle-estate-of-your-deceased-spouse.html" target="_blank">Settle the estate of your deceased spouse before marrying again</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2011/10/properties-acquired-when-you-were.html" target="_blank">Is property acquired before marriage the exclusive property of each spouse or does it belong to both spouses?</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2011/10/do-inherited-properties-belong.html" target="_blank">Do inherited properties belong exclusively to the spouse who inherited them or to both spouses?</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2011/10/last-will-must-be-probated-preterition.html" target="_blank">Last will must be probated; Preterition (when a compulsory heir is omitted in a last will)</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2009/01/can-nephews-and-nieces-inherit-from.html" target="_blank">Can nephews and nieces inherit from their grandparents, unmarried aunts or uncles?</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2007/12/disinheriting-children-and-descendants.html" target="_blank">Disinheriting children and descendants, legitimate as well as illegitimate</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2007/12/how-to-disinherit-your-spouse.html" target="_blank">Disinheriting your spouse</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2007/08/desperately-seeking-susan.html" target="_blank">When a man is married to or living in with several women successively or simultaneously, who has the right to inherit from him?</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2009/03/article176-of-family-code-computing.html" target="_blank">Article 176 of the Family Code: how to compute the inheritance of legitimate and illegitimate children; an illegitimate child gets only 50% of what a legitimate child is entitled to</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2012/04/who-inherits-from-person-who-died.html" target="_blank">Who inherits from a man or woman who died single and with no last will?</a><br />
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<b>Primers on the Family Code of the Philippines</b><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2006/11/family-code-of-philippines-primer-on.html" target="_blank">Primer on marriage</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2006/12/family-code-of-philippines-primer-on.html" target="_blank">Primer on void and voidable marriages</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2007/01/family-code-of-philippines-primer-on_21.html" target="_blank">Primer on paternity, filiation and legitimate children</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2007/01/family-code-of-philippines-primer-on_28.html" target="_blank">Primer on illegitimate children</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2007/02/family-code-of-philippines-primer-on.html" target="_blank">Primer on legitimation</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2007/01/family-code-of-philippines-primer-on.html" target="_blank">Primer on legal separation</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2006/12/family-code-of-philippines-primer-on_17.html" target="_blank">Primer on rights and obligations between husband and wife</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2006/12/family-code-of-philippines-primer-on_22.html" target="_blank">Primer on the family and family home</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2007/08/primer-on-family-code-of-philippines.html" target="_blank">Primer on the property relations between husband and wife</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2007/09/primer-on-family-code-of-philippines.html" target="_blank">Primer on absolute community of property</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2007/08/primer-on-family-code-of-philippines_26.html" target="_blank">Primer on donations by reason of marriage</a><br />
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<b>Other discussions on legal procedures in civil and criminal procedures:</b><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2010/05/legal-procedures-01-jurisdiction-of.html" target="_blank">Legal Procedures 01: Jurisdiction of trial courts MTC, RTC</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2010/05/legal-procedures-02-jurisdiction-of.html" target="_blank">Legal Procedures 02: Jurisdiction of the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2010/05/legal-procedures-3-katarungang.html" target="_blank">Legal Procedures 03: Katarungang Pambarangay</a> <br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2010/05/legal-procedures-04-cases-not-subject.html" target="_blank">Legal Procedures 04: Cases not subject to Katarungang Pambarangay</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2010/05/legal-procedures-05-preliminary.html" target="_blank">Legal Procedures 05: Preliminary investigation</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2010/05/legal-procedures-06-arrest-and-bail.html" target="_blank">Legal Procedures 06: Arrest and bail</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2010/05/legal-procedures-07-search-and-seizure.html" target="_blank">Legal Procedures 07: Search and seizure</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2010/06/legal-procedures-08-rights-of-accused.html" target="_blank">Legal Procedures 08: Rights of the accused</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2010/06/legal-procedures-10-pleadings-and.html" target="_blank">Legal Procedures 10: Pleadings and motions before arraignment</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2010/06/legal-procedures-11-arraignment-and-pre.html" target="_blank">Legal Procedures 11: Arraignment and pre-trial</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2010/06/legal-procedures-12-trial-procedure-in.html" target="_blank">Legal Procedures 12: Trial procedure in criminal cases</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2010/06/legal-procedures-13-motions-during.html" target="_blank">Legal Procedures 13: Motions during trial of a criminal case</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2010/06/legal-procedures-14-criminal-cases.html" target="_blank">Legal Procedures 14: Criminal cases subject to Summary Procedure</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2010/06/legal-procedures-15-summary-procedure.html" target="_blank">Legal Procedures 15: Summary Procedure in criminal cases</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2010/06/legal-procedures-17-promulgation-of.html" target="_blank">Legal Procedures 17: Promulgation of judgment in criminal cases</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2010/06/legal-procedures-18-remedies-after.html" target="_blank">Legal Procedures 18: Remedies after conviction</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2010/06/legal-procedures-19-duration-of.html" target="_blank">Legal Procedures 19: Duration of penalties</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2010/07/legal-procedures-20-prescription-of.html" target="_blank">Legal Procedures 20: Extinction and prescription of the crime; civil liability</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2010/08/legal-procedures-22-filing-of-complaint.html" target="_blank">Legal Procedures 22: Filing of complaint and answer in civil cases</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2010/08/legal-procedures-23-default-or-failure.html" target="_blank">Legal Procedures 23: Default or failure to answer</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2010/11/legal-procedures-24-motion-to-dismiss.html" target="_blank">Legal Procedures 24: Motion to Dismiss</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2010/12/legal-procedures-25-kinds-of-pleadings.html" target="_blank">Legal Procedures 25: Kinds of pleadings and motions in civil cases</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2011/07/legal-procedures-26-after-last-pleading.html" target="_blank">Legal Procedures 26: After the last pleading or motion</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/t5bl3e1deyd8h5v/Pre-trial%20conference.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Legal Procedures 28: Pre-trial conference in civil cases (PDF)</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/cfopq3jetdm5ogp/Trial%20procedure%20in%20civil%20cases.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Legal Procedures 30: Trial procedure in civil cases (PDF)</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/lmx1fp9t7dyv5us/Civil%20cases%20under%20Summary%20Procedure.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Legal Procedures 31: Civil cases under Summary Procedure (PDF)</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/n7oi4j6j6389xb0/Summary%20procedure%20in%20civil%20cases.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Legal Procedures 32: Summary Procedure in civil cases (PDF)</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/o6kexhr51upnjyb/Modes%20of%20discovery.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Legal Procedures 33: Modes of discovery (PDF)</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/nzq6fgeobsgfn2m/Provisional%20remedies.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Legal Procedures 34: Provisional remedies, injunction, TRO (PDF)</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/mche56nqiiqa0gm/Promulgation%20of%20judgment%20in%20civil%20cases.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Legal Procedures 35: Promulgation of judgment in civil cases (PDF)</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/y47bzdi6tto1uq7/Motions%20and%20petitions%20for%20losing%20party.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Legal Procedures 36: Motions and petitions for losing party (PDF)</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/2e7dg56bxw0o6kx/Execution%20of%20judgment%20in%20civil%20cases.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Legal Procedures 37: Execution of judgment in civil cases (PDF)</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/jbqgbuz00lrlgr4/Appeal%20from%20MTC%20to%20RTC%20in%20civil%20cases.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Legal Procedures 38: Appeal from MTC to RTC (PDF)</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/7bastlkbxj5k2f1/Appeal%20from%20RTC%20to%20CA%20in%20civil%20cases.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Legal Procedures 39: Appeal from RTC to Court of Appeals (PDF)</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/0qyu1566zc8noqk/Appeal%20to%20the%20Supreme%20Court.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Legal Procedures 40: Appeal to the Supreme Court (PDF)</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/8cmbu4hz9ptrrz6/Special%20civil%20actions.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Legal Procedures 41: Special Civil Actions (PDF)</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/w9ep6bthrcwgfit/Special%20Proceedings.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Legal Procedures 42: Special Proceeding (PDF)</a><br />
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<a href="https://famli.blogspot.com/2011/12/ad-cautelam-court-jurisdiction.html" target="_blank">Ad cautelam: filing of pleadings as precaution or appearing in court even as you question its jurisdiction</a>Atty. Gerry T. Galaciohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17233852101336409722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18755341.post-22619658793070231522018-10-12T08:36:00.004+08:002018-10-12T08:36:51.084+08:00The 29th Fundamental Bible Conference in Metro Manila, Oct. 25-26<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lGrxhy-BUZk/W7_sY8dn1OI/AAAAAAAALXE/l4GF9emASLMBBD713tK2CSr-gRNSFtZWQCLcBGAs/s1600/Livioco%2Bconference%2B2018.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="273" data-original-width="450" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lGrxhy-BUZk/W7_sY8dn1OI/AAAAAAAALXE/l4GF9emASLMBBD713tK2CSr-gRNSFtZWQCLcBGAs/s1600/Livioco%2Bconference%2B2018.png" /></a><br />
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For more information, visit <a href="http://www.facebook.com/fundamentalbibleconference" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/fundamentalbibleconference</a> Atty. Gerry T. Galaciohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17233852101336409722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18755341.post-66852449949124172682018-06-11T11:10:00.000+08:002018-06-11T11:30:37.747+08:00“Sex Offenders Groom Churches Too: How predatory behavior goes undetected in congregations” (Christianity Today International)<b><a href="https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2018/june-web-only/sex-offenders-groom-churches-too.html" target="_blank">“Sex Offenders Groom Churches Too: How predatory behavior goes undetected in congregations”</a> (Christianity Today International, June 2018) by Kimberly Harris</b><br />
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Excerpts:<br />
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A man who had long sexually abused children sat in front of his pastor, wanting to confess his crimes. He began cautiously, mentioning that there had been accusations against him. He got no further, as his minister broke in, “Well, that’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard of,” the minister said quickly. “You’re the last person I’d believe that of. End of conversation.”<br />
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This true account was shared in Anna C. Salter’s 1991 book, Predators, Pedophiles, Rapists, And Other Sex Offenders. As a psychologist who has spent over 20 years working with and studying victims and sexual offenders, Salter says that “many offenders report that religious people are even easier to fool than most people.”<br />
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Evangelical churches can also grow in understanding what kind of culture sexual abusers count on and work to create. Psychologists call it “grooming.” A proposed definition of grooming states that abusers, “... strategically manipulate the victim, their family, and the community to hide their deviant intentions and avoid detection.” The predators that are statistically likely to be in the pews, volunteering, and even behind the pulpit aren’t just grooming their victims, they are grooming their community to view them as trustworthy and even as spiritual leaders.<br />
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<b>Related article: <a href="https://www.dswd.gov.ph/dswd-supports-call-to-break-the-silence-in-child-sexual-abuse-and-exploitation/" target="_blank">DSWD supports call to ‘break the silence’ in child sexual abuse and exploitation</a> </b>(February 2017)<br />
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Excerpts:<br />
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The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), as the lead agency in the protection and promotion of children’s welfare and rights especially the disadvantaged and vulnerable, pledged to fully support the call to end child sexual abuse and exploitation during the Break the Silence National Network Launch held on Monday at the Philippine Christian University (PCU).<br />
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Break the Silence is a campaign against child sexual abuse and exploitation started by Stairway Foundation, Inc., a children’s rights organization.Atty. Gerry T. Galaciohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17233852101336409722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18755341.post-82492374672616441472018-03-14T12:52:00.000+08:002018-03-14T12:52:06.562+08:00“5 Ways Your Church Could End Up In Court” (Christianity Today)<b>By Emily Lund at <a href="https://www.christianitytoday.com/pastors/2018/march-web-exclusives/risk-management-matters.html" target="_blank">https://www.christianitytoday.com/pastors/2018/march-web-exclusives/risk-management-matters.html</a></b><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">Pastors must educate themselves, their boards, and other staff members on the issues that could land them in court. Each of the following stories concerns a church that recently encountered such issues. <br />
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<b>Church Factions Compete over Property</b><br />
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Be aware of the legal matters that could affect your property, and ensure that policies, procedures, and documentation are in place before a disagreement erupts. <br />
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<b>Saddleback Church Faces Sexual Abuse Allegations</b><br />
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Though no longer the top reason churches end up in court, sexual abuse remains a major issue in churches large and small. <br />
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<b>No Legal Recourse for Syrian Man in Oklahoma Church Lawsuit</b><br />
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For most Christians, baptisms are a cause for celebration—but for an ex-Muslim man from Syria, his baptism was nearly his death sentence. <br />
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<b>A Landmark Religious Freedom Ruling</b><br />
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From a risk management perspective, this case could establish a critical precedent for cases involving churches and religious freedom. <br />
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Violent Incidents at Churches—and a Deadly Common Denominator</b><br />
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In November of 2016, in Jamestown, New York, 36-year-old Shari J. Robbins encountered her estranged husband—against whom she had a restraining order— in a church parking lot. During the confrontation, Robbins’s husband shot and killed her. </blockquote><br />
<a href="https://www.christianitytoday.com/pastors/2018/march-web-exclusives/risk-management-matters.html" target="_blank">Read the complete article.</a>Atty. Gerry T. Galaciohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17233852101336409722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18755341.post-18939318246449797042018-01-04T20:31:00.000+08:002018-01-05T15:03:46.855+08:00“5 Things The Bible Says About Paying Pastors or Church Leaders” (Christian Media Magazine)<b>Excerpt:</b><br />
<br />
“It always seems to be a constant source of contention; how much should a pastor make, if anything? On the one hand, people argue that they are to be servants and thus can serve within the church as pastor while working elsewhere. They will cite the Apostle Paul and say that he had a tent-making job, then claim that modern pastors must do the same. So, it’s a question that is on a lot of people’s minds. The Bible, however, clears up any confusion on the subject.” <br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://christianmediamagazine.com/5-things-bible-says-paying-pastors-church-leaders/#comment-36659" target="_blank">Read the complete article by Michael Krauszer.</a></b> Atty. Gerry T. Galaciohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17233852101336409722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18755341.post-78740116583187423122018-01-02T15:00:00.000+08:002018-01-05T15:04:13.383+08:00“Feelings versus Truth” (Christian Media Magazine)<b>Excerpt:</b><br />
<br />
“Even if we wholly believe in the infallibility of the Bible and characterize God as our “Lord”, the majority of us still generally live out of our limbic system. You know – the emotional part of our brain that virtually each and every time overrides our prefrontal cortex, which is the part of our brain that was designed to compel us to pursue wise decisions. I have heard it said that we make 90% of our decisions based on how we feel. And as we witness every day, that process produces an overwhelming assortment of turmoil and heartbreak.<br />
<br />
“For those of us who characterize ourselves as Christians, let’s take a look at how we stack up in this area. Compelling statistics from various sources indicate:<br />
<ul><li> Extramarital affairs are nearly as prevalent in the church as they are outside of the church<br />
<br />
</li>
<li> Pornography use is already rampant among those who attend church as roughly 70% of men 30% of women struggle with unbiblical compulsive sexual activities they cannot stop<br />
<br />
</li>
<li> Road rage, though sadly joked about so often within the church is on a regular basis” </li>
</ul><b><br />
</b> <b><a href="http://christianmediamagazine.com/feelings-versus-truth/" target="_blank">Read the complete article by Steve Hunt.</a></b>Atty. Gerry T. Galaciohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17233852101336409722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18755341.post-75959502966019090862016-11-25T05:14:00.000+08:002016-11-28T05:17:05.587+08:00Reformers Unanimous (RU) Recovery Ministries Conference, Bethany Makati, Nov. 28, 2016This one-day conference, starting 9 AM, will discuss how pastors and churches can deal with various kinds of addictions. <br />
<br />
This ministry is based in North Love Baptist Church in Rockford, Illinois (Paul Kingsbury, pastor) with Dr. Ben Burks as International Director.<br />
<br />
Besides Pastor Kingsbury and Dr. Burks, the RU team includes Sis. Wendy Burks, Missionary Tim Farley, and Bro. Eddie Ferguson.<br />
<br />
The RU team has previously held this same conference in Batangas City hosted by the Good Shepherd Baptist Church.Atty. Gerry T. Galaciohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17233852101336409722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18755341.post-31848307348000082212016-10-21T12:02:00.002+08:002016-10-21T12:02:19.806+08:00The 27th Fundamental Bible Conference in Metro Manila, Oct. 25-28, 2016<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uBAl14Rg1sI/WAmR-RNTjOI/AAAAAAAAG2Q/EaJkiJPcrb4plRRsYi7uFmGycDhGzPUAQCLcB/s1600/27th%2BFBCMM%2Bposter%2B445%2Bpx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uBAl14Rg1sI/WAmR-RNTjOI/AAAAAAAAG2Q/EaJkiJPcrb4plRRsYi7uFmGycDhGzPUAQCLcB/s1600/27th%2BFBCMM%2Bposter%2B445%2Bpx.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Date and time: October 25-28 (Tuesday to Friday), 6-9:30 PM<br />
<br />
Venue: Philippine National Red Cross Auditorium, Rizal Chapter, 611 Shaw Blvd. Brgy. Kapitolyo, Pasig City, Metro Manila<br />
<br />
Registration fee: Php 180.00<br />
<br />
For more information, please contact Dr. Roberto-Jose Livioco, Conference Chairman:<br />
<br />
Email: fbc_ministries@yahoo.com<br />
<br />
Mobile: 0917-584-4316<br />
<br />
Landline: 801-6789, 514-8340 or 646-3354<br />
<br />
www.facebook.com/pages/Fundamental-Bible-Conference-in-Metro-ManilaAtty. Gerry T. Galaciohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17233852101336409722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18755341.post-2917371942214054462016-05-27T02:47:00.001+08:002017-07-03T12:42:09.916+08:00800-plus free interactive Bible exercisesAs part of the resources of <a href="http://baptist-distinctives.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://baptist-distinctives.blogspot.com</a>, I am creating 800-plus interactive exercises from various sources. These free exercises are either matching type or cloze (fill in the blanks) and have time limit and automatic scoring. Each exercise has a total number of items ranging from 10 to 50-plus, depending on the topic’s complexity.<br />
<br />
Some <a href="http://interactive-bible-exercises.bitballoon.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">500-plus interactive exercises are now available</a>. These exercises are hosted on Bit Balloon, a free web hosting service. Available exercises and topics are:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><a href="http://interactive-bible-exercises.bitballoon.com/theology/indextheology" target="_blank">Theology</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://interactive-bible-exercises.bitballoon.com/Bible%20Doctrines%20Christology/indexchristology.htm" target="_blank">Christology</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://interactive-bible-exercises.bitballoon.com/pneumatology/indexpneumatology" target="_blank">Pneumatology</a> <br />
<br />
<a href="http://interactive-bible-exercises.bitballoon.com/Articles%20of%20Faith/indexarticlesoffaith.htm" target="_blank">BBFI Articles of Faith</a> <br />
<br />
<a href="http://interactive-bible-exercises.bitballoon.com/christology/indexchristologytimed" target="_blank">Christology</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://baptist-distinctives.blogspot.com/2010/06/review-quizzes-and-activities-for.html">Biblical distinctives of Baptists</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://interactive-bible-exercises.bitballoon.com/Scofield%20Reference%20Notes%201917/indexscofield.htm" target="_blank">Scofield Reference Notes (1917)</a><br />
<br />
Terms and definitions from world religions and cults (<a href="http://interactive-bible-exercises.bitballoon.com/Terms%20and%20definitions%20world%20religions%20and%20cults/indexworldreligionsandcultsflashcards.htm" target="_blank">flashcards</a> and <a href="http://interactive-bible-exercises.bitballoon.com/Terms%20and%20definitions%20world%20religions%20and%20cults/indexworldreligionsandcultsmatchingtype.htm" target="_blank">quizzes</a>), <br />
<br />
<a href="http://interactive-bible-exercises.bitballoon.com/biblical%20manhood%20and%20womanhood/indexcbmw.htm" target="_blank">Biblical manhood and womanhood</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://interactive-bible-exercises.bitballoon.com/creationism/indexcreationism" target="_blank">Creationism</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://interactive-bible-exercises.bitballoon.com/evans/indexevanstimed" target="_blank">The Great Doctrines of the Bible by Evans</a>.<br />
<br />
Miscellaneous: <a href="http://interactive-bible-exercises.bitballoon.com/christology/fifty%20reasons%20christ%20suffered%20and%20died%20part%201" target="_blank">Fifty reasons Christ suffered and died</a>, <a href="http://interactive-bible-exercises.bitballoon.com/miscellaneous/psalm%2019" target="_blank">Psalm 19,</a> or <a href="http://interactive-bible-exercises.bitballoon.com/miscellaneous/church%20covenant" target="_blank">church covenant</a> </blockquote>Atty. Gerry T. Galaciohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17233852101336409722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18755341.post-36502229757957969462016-03-30T04:35:00.000+08:002016-03-30T04:36:05.830+08:00Free or low-cost ways to put your church services online (Facebook streaming, YouTube, etc.)From “<a href="http://christianmediamagazine.com/5-low-cost-ways-put-church-service-online/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">5 Low Cost Ways to put your Church Service Online</a>” by Christian Computing Magazine:<br />
<br />
“These days churches need to be online. If your church has a website or a Facebook page, you’ve taken the first important step towards connecting with people in today’s culture. But what’s the next step?<br />
<br />
“A lot of people attend church remotely – that is, they still want to participate in the church service, but for numerous reasons are not able to physically be at church. What if there was a way for your church to have the sermon, or even the entire worship service, available online for viewing?<br />
<br />
“There are actually several options out there for putting your church services online – and some of them are even free. Here are five of Christian Media Magazine’s favorite tools getting church service videos out on the internet:”<br />
<br />
<a href="http://christianmediamagazine.com/5-low-cost-ways-put-church-service-online/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read the complete article.</a>Atty. Gerry T. Galaciohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17233852101336409722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18755341.post-56741737766290605862015-02-12T07:35:00.000+08:002015-02-12T07:59:21.495+08:00The Fundamental Bible Conference in Metro-Baguio, Pines City Baptist Church, February 23-25, 2015<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_92DYibXLb8/VNvnmTYCTkI/AAAAAAAAFEw/Intp--DxedU/s1600/FBC%2BMetro%2BBaguio%2BFeb%2B2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_92DYibXLb8/VNvnmTYCTkI/AAAAAAAAFEw/Intp--DxedU/s1600/FBC%2BMetro%2BBaguio%2BFeb%2B2015.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Venue: <a href="http://www.pinescitybaptistchurch.org/pcbc-blog" target="_blank">Pines City Baptist Church</a>, No. 1 Malvar St., Trancoville, Baguio City; Phone: (074) 442-2862; Smart:0998-254-0868; Globe: 0915-221-0238; email: pinesbaptistbaguio@yahoo.com<br />
<br />
Registration fee: Php 150.00<br />
<br />
Conference Committee Chairman: Dr. Roberto-Jose Livioco <br />
<br />
Keynote speaker: Dr. Ron White, 33 years as a missionary to Japan<br />
<br />
<b>Schedule of activities:</b><br />
<br />
<b>February 23, Monday</b><br />
<br />
Registration 1-2 PM<br />
<br />
Seminar 1: 2-3 PM "What Does It Take to Be a Biblicist in Our Choices?" by Pastor Erick Garcia <br />
<br />
This message will lay down what ought to be the underlying, fundamental basis or authority for belief and behavior - not tradition, not experience, not church, not reason, not research but divine revelation found in God's Word, the Bible. <br />
<br />
Seminar 2: 3-4 PM "How Decisions Are Affected If There Are Errors in the Bible" by Pastor Jared Garcia <br />
<br />
This will address underlying concerns on the Bible's trustworthiness and why orthodox Christianity upholds the doctrine of Biblical inerrancy - that all other bases are flawed and fallible.<br />
<br />
Break<br />
<br />
Seminar 3: 6-7 PM To be arranged<br />
<br />
Service 1: 7-8 PM "Excellence in Missions" by Dr. Ron White<br />
<br />
<b>February 24, Tuesday</b><br />
<br />
Seminar 1: 9-10 AM "Man's Interpretation or God's Integrity" by Pastor Gary Jones <br />
<br />
This will underscore the importance of taking God at His Word, that the meaning of the Scripture is found in the text of Scripture (author's intent - not in the imagination of the reader), and that the proper reading of the Scriptures is an issue of God's integrity, not simply a preference to a particular hermeneutical approach.<br />
<br />
Service 2: 1-11 AM "Excellence in Music" by Dr. Ron White<br />
<br />
Break<br />
<br />
Seminar 3: 6-7 PM "Are We Settling for Substitutes?" by Dr. Roberto-Jose Livioco<br />
<br />
This will underscore the importance of the Christian's living a separated life and highlight the tragedy all can expect for making choices based on the world's principles, even for those who claim to be identified with the fundamentalist camp.<br />
<br />
Service 3: 7-8 PM "Excellence in Ministry" by Dr. Ron White<br />
<br />
<b>February 25, Wednesday</b><br />
<br />
Seminar 1: 8:30-10 AM Panel Discussion<br />
<br />
Service 4: 10-11 AM "Excellence for the Master" by Dr. Ron WhiteAtty. Gerry T. Galaciohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17233852101336409722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18755341.post-72263133128548802412014-10-08T05:09:00.005+08:002014-10-08T05:22:46.413+08:0025th Fundamental Bible Conference (2nd Far East Regional Conference of International Partnership Ministries), Oct. 27-31<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5heJnP9zjYA/VDRXFePjFNI/AAAAAAAAE9U/GshkCI0UcbY/s1600/Livioco%2B2014%2Bconference%2Bgraphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5heJnP9zjYA/VDRXFePjFNI/AAAAAAAAE9U/GshkCI0UcbY/s1600/Livioco%2B2014%2Bconference%2Bgraphic.jpg" /></a></div><b>Oct. 27-28 at The Demiren Hotel, Tiano-Makahambus Sts., Cagayan de Oro City</b><br />
<br />
<b>Oct. 29-31 at The Integrated Bar of the Philippines, 15 Julia Vargas St. Ortigas Center, Pasig City</b><br />
<br />
For inquiries, you may call 829-37-33; 801-67-89; 514-83-40; 636-55-35.<br />
<br />
The one-time registration fee of P150.00 will enable delegates to avail of notes and pens, and to attend all the sessions. Visit and "Like" us at Facebook for updates and details of time schedules.<br />
<br />
<b>Lineup of seminar speakers:</b> <br />
<ol><li>Dr. Kevin Callahan, President of IPM, Hanover, Pennsylvania</li>
<li>Dr. Bill Bowen, IPM International Representative</li>
<li>Rev. Matthew Barfield, IPM Vice-President of Field Ministries</li>
<li>Pastor Jun Gonzales, Pastor of Las Pinas Baptist Church, Las Pinas </li>
<li>Pastor Abet Tiangco, Pastor of Promised Land Baptist Church, Malabon</li>
<li>Dr. Roberto-Jose Livioco, Foundation Baptist Church, Pasig City</li>
</ol><b>Topics:</b><br />
<ol><li>"Ethical Concerns Regarding Electronic Pleasures" by Pastor Abet Tiangco </li>
<li>"God's Design for the Christian Home" by Pastor Jun Gonzales</li>
<li>"Discerning Errors of the Charismatic Movement" by Dr. Kevin Callahan</li>
<li>"Decisions by Convenience, Covetousness, or Conviction" by Rev. Matthew Barfield </li>
<li>"Biblical Separation Applied" by Dr. Roberto-Jose Livioco</li>
<li>"The Role of Prayer in Global Missions" by Dr. Bill Bowen</li>
</ol><b>Keynote speaker this year is Dr. Chuck Phelps, Senior Pastor of Colonial Hills Baptist Church, Indianapolis, USA.</b> His messages will cover the following<br />
<ol><li>"Assurance When You Are Afflicted"</li>
<li>"How to Bring Faith to Your Family</li>
<li>"How to Have a Double Portion of God's Blessings</li>
<li>"Bringing Great Joy to Your City"</li>
</ol>Atty. Gerry T. Galaciohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17233852101336409722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18755341.post-55254346259821992382014-06-10T07:58:00.001+08:002015-03-27T05:21:42.121+08:00Supreme Court decision on RH law a victory for freedom of religion<table border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="4" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 210px;"><tbody>
<tr> <td height="82" valign="top" width="174"><b>Plain Language summary:</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/592893/sc-ruling-on-rh-law-win-win" target="_blank"><img alt="http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/592893/sc-ruling-on-rh-law-win-win" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U7ECvs3-iw8/U5jNN1WofeI/AAAAAAAAEY4/S3G9mUMQn0I/s1600/pdiscrulingrhlaw.jpg" /></a> <br />
<br />
<b>[1]</b> Sections 7, 23 and 24 of the RH law obligate hospital or medical practitioners to immediately refer a person seeking health care and services to another accessible healthcare provider despite their conscientious objections based on religious or ethical beliefs. <br />
<br />
<b>[2] The obligation to refer imposed by the RH Law violates the religious belief and conviction of a conscientious objector.</b><br />
<br />
“Generally, healthcare service providers cannot be forced to render reproductive health care procedures if doing it would contravene their religious beliefs.”<br />
<br />
<b>[3] Exception: in life-threatening cases, healthcare providers cannot invoke freedom of religion.<br />
<br />
</b>“But an exception must be made in life threatening cases that require the performance of emergency procedures. In these situations, the right to life of the mother should be given preference, considering that a referral by a medical practitioner would amount to a denial of service, resulting to unnecessarily placing the life of a mother in grave danger.”<b><br />
<br />
<b>[4] Freedom of religion preferred in Constitution; Benevolent neutrality doctrine</b><br />
<br />
</b>“In case of conflict between the State and Constitution’s free exercise of religion clause, the Court adheres to the doctrine of benevolent neutrality” which is “the spirit, intent and framework underlying the Philippine Constitution.”<b><br />
<br />
<b>[5] No compelling State interest to set aside benevolent neutrality</b></b><br />
<br />
<b>[6] Relevant US case: “<a href="http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2014/june-web-only/supreme-court-sides-with-hobby-lobby-in-5-4-decision-on-hea.html" target="_blank">Supreme Court Sides with Hobby Lobby</a>”</b><br />
<br />
“In a 5 to 4 ruling, the Supreme Court ruled that the federal government cannot require faith-based companies to provide potentially abortifacient contraceptives to their employees in violation of their owners' religious beliefs.” (<a href="http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/13pdf/13-354_olp1.pdf" target="_blank">Read the complete decision</a>.)<b> </b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><b>The Supreme Court, voting unanimously, upheld the Reproductive Health Law as Constitutional. But the Court, at the same time, struck down certain provisions of the RH law because they violate the Constitutional provisions on freedom of religion and freedom of speech.</b> Among the provisions declared un-Constitutional are:<br />
<br />
Section 7 and the corresponding provision in the RH-IRR insofar as they: a) require private health facilities and non-maternity specialty hospitals and hospitals owned and operated by a religious group to refer patients, not in an emergency or life-threatening case, as defined under Republic Act No. 8344, to another health facility which is conveniently accessible; xxx<br />
<br />
Section 23(a)(l) and the corresponding provision in the RH-IRR, particularly Section 5 .24, insofar as they punish any healthcare service provider who fails and or refuses to disseminate information regarding programs and services on reproductive health regardless of his or her religious beliefs.<br />
<br />
Section 23(b) and the corresponding provision in the RH-IRR, particularly Section 5 .24, insofar as they punish any public officer who refuses to support reproductive health programs or shall do any act that hinders the full implementation of a reproductive health program, regardless of his or her religious beliefs; xxx<br />
<br />
<h3><b>Obligation to refer violates freedom of religion</b></h3><h3><b> </b></h3>“Sections 7, 23, and 24 of the RH law commonly mandate a hospital or a medical practitioner to immediately refer a person seeking health care and services under the law to another accessible healthcare provider despite their conscientious objections based on religious or ethical beliefs.” <b>The Court ruled that the obligation to refer imposed by the RH Law violates the religious belief and conviction of a conscientious objector: </b><br />
<blockquote><blockquote>Once the medical practitioner, against his will, refers a patient seeking information on modem reproductive health products, services, procedures and methods, his conscience is immediately burdened as he has been compelled to perform an act against his beliefs. As Commissioner Joaquin A. Bernas has written, "at the basis of the free exercise clause is the respect for the inviolability of the human conscience." </blockquote></blockquote>The Court further explained: <br />
<blockquote>Though it has been said that the act of referral is an opt-out clause, it is, however, a false compromise because it makes pro-life health providers complicit in the performance of an act that they find morally repugnant or offensive. They cannot, in conscience, do indirectly what they cannot do directly. One may not be the principal, but he is equally guilty if he abets the offensive act by indirect participation.</blockquote><br />
<h3><b>Freedom of religion preferred in Constitution </b></h3><br />
The Court said: <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">Freedom of religion was accorded preferred status by the framers of our fundamental law. And this Court has consistently affirmed this preferred status, well aware that it is "designed to protect the broadest possible liberty of conscience, to allow each man to believe as his conscience directs, to profess his beliefs, and to live as he believes he ought to live, consistent with the liberty of others and with the common good." </blockquote><br />
<h3><b>Penalties by RH law on healthcare service providers who refuse to refer are un-Constitutional</b></h3><blockquote class="tr_bq">The Court is not oblivious to the view that penalties provided by law endeavor to ensure compliance. Without set consequences for either an active violation or mere inaction, a law tends to be toothless and ineffectual.<br />
<br />
Nonetheless, when what is bartered for an effective implementation of a law is a constitutionally-protected right the Court firmly chooses to stamp its disapproval. The punishment of a healthcare service provider, who fails and/or refuses to refer a patient to another, or who declines to perform reproductive health procedure on a patient because incompatible religious beliefs, is a clear inhibition of a constitutional guarantee which the Court cannot allow.</blockquote><br />
<h3><b>Exception: in life-threatening situations, healthcare providers cannot invoke freedom of religion</b></h3><blockquote class="tr_bq">While generally healthcare service providers cannot be forced to render reproductive health care procedures if doing it would contravene their religious beliefs, an exception must be made in life threatening cases that require the performance of emergency procedures. In these situations, the right to life of the mother should be given preference, considering that a referral by a medical practitioner would amount to a denial of service, resulting to unnecessarily placing the life of a mother in grave danger.</blockquote><br />
<h3><b>Doctrine of benevolent neutrality</b></h3><br />
In striking down these provisions, the Supreme Court said that "in case of conflict between the State and Constitution's free exercise of religion clause, the Court adheres to the doctrine of benevolent neutrality" which is "the spirit, intent and framework underlying the Philippine Constitution."<br />
<br />
The Court explained what benevolent neutrality is all about:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">The benevolent neutrality theory believes that with respect to these governmental actions, accommodation of religion may be allowed, not to promote the government's favored form of religion, but to allow individuals and groups to exercise their religion without hindrance."</blockquote><h3><b> </b></h3><h3><b>No compelling State interest to set aside benevolent neutrality </b></h3><br />
The Court may set aside benevolent neutrality if there is a compelling state interest. In the case of the RH law, the Office of the Solicitor General said that the compelling State interest was "fifteen maternal deaths per day, hundreds of thousands of unintended pregnancies, lives changed." But the Court rejected this argument: <br />
<blockquote>The undisputed fact, however, is that the World Health Organization reported that the Filipino maternal mortality rate dropped to 48 percent from 1990 to 2008, although there was still no RH Law at that time. Despite such revelation, the proponents still insist that such number of maternal deaths constitute a compelling state interest. </blockquote>Atty. Gerry T. Galaciohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17233852101336409722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18755341.post-52511109352898469412014-06-06T06:01:00.000+08:002014-06-18T05:07:55.183+08:00Supreme Court Justice Jose C. Mendoza: Life begins at fertilization, not during implantation<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/aR-Qa_LD2m4&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aR-Qa_LD2m4&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
<br />
The Supreme Court has affirmed that the <a href="http://baptist-rp.blogspot.com/2014/06/scdecisionrhlawfreedomofreligion.html">Reproductive Health law is Constitutional</a>.
But the Court has also said that several provisions of the RH law are un-Constitutional
because they violate the freedom of speech and freedom of religion clauses of
the Constitution. <b>As to the moment when life begins, the Court said that it
is a scientific and medical issue that should not be decided without proper
hearing and evidence. But the Court allowed each Justice to express personal
views on this issue.</b><br />
<br />
<b>Justice Jose C. Mendoza is the ponente (writer) of the Court’s decision on the RH law. He expressed his view that life begins at fertilization, not when the fertilized egg has been implanted on the uterine wall.</b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“In all, whether it be taken from a plain meaning, or understood under
medical parlance, and more importantly, following the intention of the Framers
of the Constitution, the undeniable conclusion is that a zygote is a human organism
and that the life of a new human being commences at a scientifically well-defined
moment of conception, that is, upon fertilization.”<br />
<br />
“This theory of implantation as the beginning of life is devoid of any
legal or scientific mooring. It does not pertain to the beginning of life but
to the viability of the fetus. The fertilized ovum/zygote is not an inanimate
object - it is a living human being complete with DNA and 46 chromosomes. Implantation
has been conceptualized only for convenience by those who had population control
in mind. To adopt it would constitute textual infidelity not only to the RH
Law but also to the Constitution.”</blockquote>
(Note: Statements in Supreme Court decisions that do not affect rulings, like personal views, are called obiter dicta.) <br />
<br />
<h3>
<b>Overview of Justice Mendoza’s views:</b></h3>
<br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="4" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 440px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td height="314" valign="top" width="100"><b>Plain and legal meaning</b></td>
<td valign="top">Webster’s Third New International Dictionary describes conception
as the act of becoming pregnant, formation of a viable zygote; the fertilization
that results in a new entity capable of developing into a being like its
parents.
<br />
<br />
Black’s Law Dictionary gives legal meaning to the term “conception”as
the fecundation of the female ovum by the male spermatozoon resulting
in human life capable of survival and maturation under normal conditions.<br />
<br />
Continental Steel Manufacturing Corporation v. Hon. Accredited Voluntary
Arbitrator Allan S. Montano<br />
<br />
Gonzales v. Carhart</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="100"><b>Medical parlance</b></td>
<td>Mosby’s Medical, Nursing, and Allied Health Dictionary defines conception
as “the beginning of pregnancy usually taken to be the instant a spermatozoon
enters an ovum and forms a viable zygote.” It describes fertilization
as “the union of male and female gametes to form a zygote from which
the embryo develops.”
<br />
<br />
The Textbook of Obstetrics (Physiological & Pathological Obstetrics)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="100"><b>Intention of the Framers
of the 1987 Constitution</b></td>
<td valign="top">Records of the Constitutional Convention also shed light
on the intention of the Framers regarding the term “conception”used
in Section 12, Article II of the Constitution. From their deliberations,
it clearly refers to the moment of “fertilization.” The records
reflect the following: <br />
<br />
Rev. Rigos: In Section 9, page 3, there is a sentence which reads:<br />
<br />
“The State shall equally protect the life of the mother and the
life of the unborn from the moment of conception.”<br />
<br />
When is the moment of conception?<br />
xxx<br />
<br />
Mr. Villegas: As I explained in the sponsorship speech, it is when the
ovum is fertilized by the sperm that there is human life.</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Atty. Gerry T. Galaciohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17233852101336409722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18755341.post-9639724819329852092014-03-21T08:09:00.000+08:002014-03-21T08:15:35.041+08:00Online Bible quizzes <div style="text-align: left;">
These interactive exercises (matching type, multiple choice, cloze, and flashcards) are part of my Baptist Distinctives blog. For the timer and automatic scoring to work, you must enable Javascript in your browser.</div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://googledrive.com/host/0B974furNxV78OWx3c2FvRmZKejg/Articles%20of%20Faith/indexarticlesoffaith.htm" target="_blank">Articles of Faith</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://googledrive.com/host/0B974furNxV78OWx3c2FvRmZKejg/biblical%20manhood%20and%20womanhood/indexcbmw.htm" target="_blank">Biblical manhood and womanhood</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://googledrive.com/host/0B974furNxV78OWx3c2FvRmZKejg/Christology/indexchristologytimed.htm" target="_blank">Christology</a><br />
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<a href="https://googledrive.com/host/0B974furNxV78OWx3c2FvRmZKejg/creationism/indexcreationism.htm" target="_blank">Creationism</a> (flashcards
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<br />
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<a href="https://googledrive.com/host/0B974furNxV78OWx3c2FvRmZKejg/Scofield%20Reference%20Notes%201917/indexscofield.htm" target="_blank">Scofield Reference Notes 1917</a><br />
<br />
World religions and cults (<a href="https://googledrive.com/host/0B974furNxV78OWx3c2FvRmZKejg/Terms%20and%20definitions%20world%20religions%20and%20cults/indexworldreligionsandcultsflashcards.htm" target="_blank">flashcards</a>;
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<br />
<a href="https://googledrive.com/host/0B974furNxV78OWx3c2FvRmZKejg/Miscellaneous/indexmiscellaneous.htm" target="_blank">Miscellaneous exercises</a> </div>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Easy-to-remember shortcut is <a href="http://tinyurl.com/onlinebiblequizzes" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/onlinebiblequizzes</a> but you also go directly to <a href="https://googledrive.com/host/0B974furNxV78OWx3c2FvRmZKejg/index.htm" target="_blank">https://googledrive.com/host/0B974furNxV78OWx3c2FvRmZKejg/index.htm</a></div>
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Atty. Gerry T. Galaciohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17233852101336409722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18755341.post-80584266437494337612013-12-10T00:01:00.000+08:002013-12-10T00:01:00.040+08:00Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan): Where is God When Things Go Wrong?<iframe width="425" height="239" src="//www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/vhu7On9IhOo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="239" src="//www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/TkAxK4lS288" width="425"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
“<a href="http://www.preachtheword.com/bookstore/whereisgod.pdf" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377513234741252226" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_s8127-wyIgU/SqDDy7O20II/AAAAAAAADWM/arNRXFRKHUM/s320/where+is+God+edited.jpg" style="float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0pt 10px 5px 0pt; width: 219px;" /></a><a href="http://www.preachtheword.com/bookstore/whereisgod.pdf" target="_blank">Where is God When Things Go Wrong?</a>” by evangelist and apologist John Blanchard is a free PDF booklet to download<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>from David Legge’s <a href="http://www.preachtheword.com/index.php" target="_blank">www.preachtheword.com</a> and by kind permission of <a href="http://www.evangelicalpress.org/" target="_blank">www.evangelicalpress.org</a> (Note: This download is for personal use only and should not be printed or copied. The book can be ordered singly or in bulk from <a href="http://www.evangelicalpress.org/" target="_blank">Evangelical Press</a>.)<br />
<br />
Excerpts:<br />
<blockquote>
Why should issues of good and evil, or human suffering, cause any problems? If the British philosopher Bertrand Russell was right to dismiss man as ‘a curious accident in a backwater’, why should it matter in the least whether lives are ended slowly or suddenly, peacefully or painfully, one by one or en masse? If the Oxford professor Peter Atkins, another dogmatic atheist, is right to call mankind ‘just a bit of slime on a planet’, why should we be remotely concerned at the systematic slaughter of six million Jews or half a million Rwandans? Are we traumatized when we see slime trodden on or shoveled down a drain? The whole world wept over the destruction and death brought about by the tsunami in the Indian Ocean, but why not have the same anguish over the fate of beetles or bacteria, rats or reptiles? If human beings are simply the result of countless chemical and biological accidents, how can they have any personal value, and why should we turn a hair if dictatorial regimes or natural disasters dispose of them by the million? The same applies to violence or bloodshed on a personal or limited basis. If we are nothing more than biological flukes, with no meaningful origin or destiny, why should the way we treat each other matter more than the way other creatures behave?<br />
<br />
How can we jump from atoms to ethics and from molecules to morality? If we are merely genetically programmed machines, how can we condemn anything as being ‘evil’, or commend anything as being ‘good’? Why should we be concerned over issues of justice or fairness, or feel any obligation to treat other ‘machines’ with dignity or respect? When people respond to tragedy by asking, ‘How can there be a just God?’ their question is logically flawed, as without him words like ‘just’ and ‘unjust’ are purely matters of personal opinion.</blockquote>
Atty. Gerry T. Galaciohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17233852101336409722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18755341.post-16490174344096988342013-09-27T07:56:00.002+08:002013-10-03T08:46:39.517+08:00The 24th Fundamental Bible Conference in Metro Manila, October 22-25, 2013<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: .25em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img alt="24th Fundamental Bible Conference" height="320" id="Image1_img" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlfyOwULIUs/UkTEVEuaQ2I/AAAAAAAAEI8/qLkHGK8tbHk/s320/2013.jpg" width="213" /> </div>
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
Date: October 22-25, 2013
<br />
<br />
Venue: Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Julia Vargas Avenue (back of Megamall)<br />
<br />
Speaker: Dr. Matthew Recker, Senior Pastor, Heritage Baptist Church, New York, USA<br />
<br />
Conference chairman: Dr. Roberto-Jose Livioco (<a href="http://foundationbaptistchurch.org/" target="_blank">Foundation Baptist Church</a>, Pasig City)<br />
<br />
For more information, please call 801-6789, 829-4474, 514-8340, 0917-8139-551, 0922-898-4725, or surf to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fundamental-Bible-Conference-in-Metro-Manila/" target="_blank">Facebook Fundamental Bible Conference page</a> <br />
<br />
<b>October 22</b><br />
<br />
“Authentic Corporate Worship” by Pastor Gilbert Castillo, Gospel
Light Baptist Church, Quezon City<br />
<br />
“Christ’s Offer to the Moslem World” by Dr. Roberto-Jose
Livioco, Foundation Baptist Church, Pasig City<br />
<br />
“The Glory of His Character” by Dr. Matthew Recker - Keynote Speaker
Heritage Baptist Church, New York City, New York, USA<br />
<br />
<b>October 23</b><br />
<br />
“Lessons from the Lord’s Prayer” by Pastor Jun Gonzales,
Las Piñas Baptist Church, Las Piñas City<br />
<br />
“Victorious Living in Stressful Times” by Pastor Leo Lorenzana,
Promised Land Baptist Church, Malabon City<br />
<br />
“The Glory of his Creation” by Dr. Matthew Recker<br />
<br />
<b>October 24 </b><br />
<br />
“The Challenge of False Cults” by Pastor Carl Gormley, Calvary
Baptist Church, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan <br />
<br />
“Biblical Manhood” by Dr. Phil Kamibayashiyama, Director, Bob Jones
Memorial Bible College, QC<br />
<br />
“Biblical Womanhood” by Mrs. Debbie Recker, Keynote Speaker’s
Wife <br />
<br />
“The Glory of His Church” by Dr. Matthew Recker<br />
<br />
<b>October 25 </b><br />
<br />
“Glorying God in Our Body” by Pastor Cornelio Sacramento, Christian
Baptist Church, Bulacan, Bulacan<br />
<br />
Panel Discussions<br />
<br />
<br />
“The Glory of His Commission” by Dr. Matthew Recker <br />
<br />
<b>Pastors & Christian Workers Fellowship, October 25, 2013, 3:00-5:00 PM</b>, Meal
P100; “Completing Our Course with Joy” by Dr. Matthew Recker Atty. Gerry T. Galaciohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17233852101336409722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18755341.post-59750265498602733452013-06-01T17:39:00.000+08:002013-06-02T07:55:21.396+08:00Due process must be observed in terminating church membership<table align="left" border="1" bordercolor="red" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="2" style="margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 250px;"><tbody>
<tr><td valign="top"><b>What is due process?</b><br />
<br />
(1) “Before a person can be deprived of his life, liberty, or property, he must be given an opportunity to defend himself.”<br />
<br />
(2) “Fundamental fairness”<br />
<br />
(3) “Opportunity to be heard”<br />
<br />
(4) “What due process contemplates is freedom from arbitrariness; what it requires is fairness and justice; substance, rather than the form, being paramount. What it prohibits is not the absence of previous notice but the absolute absence thereof.”<br />
<br />
<b>Supreme Court ruling: </b>“While the civil courts will ordinarily leave ecclesiastical matters to church authorities, they may however intervene when it is shown that they have acted outside the scope of their authority or in a manner contrary to their organic law and rules.” (<a href="http://baptist-rp.blogspot.com/2013/03/instances-when-secular-courts-can.html">Fonacier vs. Court of Appeals and Isabelo De los Reyes, Jr., 1955)</a><br />
<br />
<b>Plain English explanation: </b><br />
<br />
(1) The pastor, board, or congregation, must comply with the church constitution or rules in terminating church membership.<br />
<br />
(2) Church leaders must educate members on how church membership is terminated.<br />
<br />
<b>Biblical due process: Matthew 18:15-17
</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Several years ago, a young pastor from a province south of Metro Manila was actively opposed by some church members. When he couldn’t take these members’ actions anymore, he announced after the Sunday morning preaching that he was terminating their membership right there and then. His church was split the next Sunday, and he has since then transferred to another church.<br />
<br />
The Philippine Supreme Court has ruled in the following cases that due process must be observed when church membership is terminated:<br />
<br />
<b>[1] <a href="http://baptist-rp.blogspot.com/2013/03/secular-courts-do-not-have-jurisdiction.html">Taruc et al vs. Bishop de la Cruz et al, 2005<br /></a></b>
<br />
<blockquote>
We would, however, like to comment on petitioners’ claim that they were not heard before they were expelled from their church. The records show that Bishop de la Cruz pleaded with petitioners several times not to commit acts inimical to the best interests of PIC. They were also warned of the consequences of their actions, among them their expulsion/excommunication from PIC. Yet, these pleas and warnings fell on deaf ears and petitioners went ahead with their plans to defy their Bishop and foment hostility and disunity among the members of PIC in Socorro, Surigao del Norte. They should now take full responsibility for the chaos and dissension they caused.</blockquote>
<br />
<b>[2] <a href="http://www.supremecourt.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2001/sep2001/134963_64_melo.htm">The Church In Quezon City, 2001<br /></a></b>
<br />
<blockquote>
As early as 1988, the respondents-Board of Directors patiently and persistently reminded, advised and exhorted the erring members, including herein petitioners, to stop espousing doctrines, teachings and religious belief diametrically opposed to the Principles of Faith embraced by the CHURCH. The respondents-Board of Directors further warned them during Sunday worship gatherings, in small group meetings and one-on-one talk, that they would face disciplinary action and be dropped from the membership roll should they continue to exhibit acts inimical and injurious to the teachings of the Holy Bible which the CHURCH so zealously upholds.
When they ignored petitioners’ exhortations and warnings, the erring members should not now complain about their expulsion from the membership of the CHURCH by the Board of Directors on August 30, 9193.
The Board of Directors, before deciding to purge their list of membership, gave the erring members sufficient warning of their impending ouster. </blockquote>
<br />
<b>[3] <a href="http://baptist-rp.blogspot.com/2013/03/instances-when-secular-courts-can.html">Fonacier vs. Court of Appeals and Isabelo De los Reyes, Jr., 1955<br /></a></b>
<br />
<blockquote>
The Supreme Bishop cannot punish an erring member without first giving him an opportunity to be heard and to defend himself, and, in any event, without first securing the opinion of the Judge of the Curia de Apelaciones, and in serious cases, the case needs to be referred to the Supreme Council of Bishops. With regard to a case where a bishop is involved, the action shall be submitted to the Supreme Bishop for approval. And in case of guilt, the accused may appeal to the Curia de Apelaciones, whose decision shall be final. Such is the procedure laid down by the constitution of the church when disciplinary action needs to be taken against a delinquent member. It is not, therefore, correct to say that the Supreme Bishop can take action alone in connection with an erring bishop, even in disregard of the Supreme Council, in view of the over-all powers he claims to possess under the circumstances. </blockquote>
Atty. Gerry T. Galaciohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17233852101336409722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18755341.post-16269413414077784422013-03-24T06:30:00.000+08:002013-03-27T08:21:07.908+08:00Instances when secular courts can intervene in church disputes (Supreme Court ruling in Fonacier vs. Court of Appeals and Isabelo De los Reyes, Jr., 1955)<table align="left" border="1" bordercolor="red" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="2" style="margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 450px;"><tbody>
<tr><td valign="top"><b>Summary: </b><br />
<br />
<b> [1] Case title: </b> “Santiago A. Fonacier,
petitioner, vs. Court of Appeals
and Isabelo De los Reyes, Jr., respondents” G.R. No. L-5917, January 28,
1955<br />
<br />
<b> [2] Supreme Court ruling: </b><br />
<br />
(A) While the civil courts will ordinarily leave ecclesiastical matters
to church authorities, they may however intervene when it is shown that
they have acted outside the scope of their authority or in a manner
contrary to their organic law and rules. <br />
<br />
(B) Civil courts have jurisdiction to revise decisions on ecclesiastical
matters where it is necessary for settling the question of civil and
property rights, or when property rights are affected. <br />
<br />
(C) Civil courts can intervene if a member is expelled without due process and a property right is involved. <br />
<br />
<b> [3] Plain English explanation: </b>
Secular courts can intervene in church disputes (a) if the pastor,
board, or congregation, acted contrary to the church constitution or
rules; or (b) when the dispute affects personal or property rights; or
(c) if a member is expelled without due process and a property right is
involved.<br />
<br />
<b>[4]</b> <b>Related post: “<a href="http://baptist-rp.blogspot.com/2010/04/how-to-prevent-church-splits.html">Doctrine of Church Autonomy: secular courts and church disputes</a>”</b> <br />
<br />
Note: Claro M. Recto was the lawyer for the respondents. He later on became a senator known for his nationalism; the famous avenue in Manila is named after him. Ferdinand E. Marcos acted as the Supreme Court’s amicus curiae (“friend of the court”).
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3>
<b>Facts of the case: </b></h3>
<br />
[1] The Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI), represented by its Supreme Bishop Gerardo M. Bayaca, filed a case with the Court of First Instance (CFI) of Manila against Bishop Santiago A. Fonacier. The IFI sought to require Bishop Fonacier to render an accounting of his administration of all the temporal properties in his possession belonging to the church and to recover the properties from him. The IFI claimed that Fonacier had ceased to be its Supreme Bishop. <br />
<br />
Bishop Isabelo de los Reyes, Jr., having been elected as Supreme Bishop after the filing of the original complaint, was later made a co-plaintiff in a supplementary complaint. <br />
<br />
[2] Fonacier claimed in his defense that: <br />
<blockquote>
(a) he has not been properly removed as Supreme Bishop; <br />
<br />
(b) his legal successor was Juan Jamias who had been elected in accordance with the church constitution ; <br />
<br />
(c) Bishop De los Reyes, Jr. formally joined the Protestant Episcopal Church of America and for this reason ceased to be a member of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente; <br />
<br />
(d) Bishops De los Reyes and Bayaca having abandoned the faith, fundamental doctrines and practices of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente, ceased to be members and consequently, have no personality in filing the complaint.</blockquote>
<br />
[3] On May 17, 1950, the court rendered judgment declaring Mons. Isabelo de los Reyes, Jr. as the sole and legitimate Supreme Bishop of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente, and ordering Mons. Fonacier to render an accounting of his administration of the properties and funds of the church. <br />
<br />
[4] The Court of Appeals affirmed the decision of the CFI. Fonacier then filed a petition for review with the Supreme Court. <br />
<br />
<h3>
<b>Some issues raised by Fonacier and the Supreme Court ruling</b></h3>
<br />
<b>[1] Issue: </b> The Court of Appeals erred “in holding that the ouster of Bishops Manuel Aguilar, Alejandro Remollino, Isabelo de los Reyes Jr., Gerardo Bayaca, Juan Quijano and Pablo Tablante decreed by the Supreme Council and the petitioner as Obispo Maximo was illegal.” <br />
<br />
<b>Ruling: </b> The civil courts have jurisdiction to review the action regarding the ouster. <br />
<br />
(A) “Where a decision of an ecclesiastical court plainly violates the law it professes to administer, or is in conflict with the laws of the land, it will not be followed by the civil courts.” <br />
<br />
(B) “Expulsion of a member without notice or an opportunity to be heard is not conclusive upon the civil courts when a property right is involved.” <br />
<br />
“Since it is claimed that the ouster was made by an unauthorized person, or in a manner contrary to the constitution of the church, and that the ousted bishops were not given notice of the charges against them nor were they afforded an opportunity to be heard, the civil courts, have jurisdiction to review the action regarding the ouster.” <br />
<br />
<b> [2] Issue: </b> The Court of Appeals erred in holding that the abandonment of the constitution, restatement of articles of religion and abandonment of faith or abjuration alleged by petitioner are unquestionably ecclesiastical matters which are outside the province of the civil courts.<br />
<br />
<b>Ruling: </b> “The amendments of the constitution, restatement of articles of religion, and abandonment of faith or abjuration alleged by appellant, having to do with faith, practice, doctrine, form of worship, ecclesiastical law, custom and rule of a church having reference to the power of excluding from the church those allegedly unworthy of membership, are unquestionably ecclesiastical matters which are outside the province of the civil courts.” (45 Am. Jur., 748-752, 755.)
Atty. Gerry T. Galaciohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17233852101336409722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18755341.post-9330473783534596312013-03-01T09:17:00.000+08:002013-03-24T12:07:29.482+08:00Secular courts do not have jurisdiction over expulsion or excommunication of church members (Supreme Court decision in Taruc et al vs. Bishop de la Cruz et al, 2005)<table align="left" border="1" bordercolor="red" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="2" style="margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 450px;"><tbody>
<tr><td valign="top"><b>Summary:</b><br />
<br />
<b>[1] Case title: </b> Dominador L.
Taruc, Wilberto Dacera, Nicanor Galanida, Renerio Canta, Jerry Canta,
Cordencio Consigna, Susano Alcala, Leonardo Dizon, Salvador Gelsano and
Benito Laugo, petitioners, vs. Bishop Porfirio B. De La Cruz, Rev. Fr.
Rustom Florano and Delfin Bordas, respondents. (<a href="http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/mar2005/144801.htm" target="_blank">G.R. No. 144801, March 10, 2005</a>)
<b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>[2] Issue: </b> Whether courts have jurisdiction to hear a case involving the expulsion/excommunication of members of a religious institution.<br />
<br />
<b>[3] Supreme Court ruling: </b>
“The expulsion/excommunication of members of a religious
institution/organization is a matter best left to the discretion of the
officials, and the laws and canons, of said institution/organization. It
is not for the courts to exercise control over church authorities in
the performance of their discretionary and official functions. Rather,
it is for the members of religious institutions/organizations to conform
to just church regulations. In the words of Justice Samuel F. Miller:
… all who unite themselves to an ecclesiastical body do so with an
implied consent to submit to the Church government and they are bound to
submit to it.”<br />
<br />
<b>[4] Note: Civil courts can intervene if a member is expelled without due process and a property right is involved.</b> Please read “<a href="http://baptist-rp.blogspot.com/2013/03/instances-when-secular-courts-can.html">Instances when secular courts can intervene in church disputes</a>” (Supreme Court ruling in Fonacier vs. Court of Appeals and Isabelo De los Reyes, Jr., 1955). In this case we’re discussing (“Taruc et al vs. Bishop de la Cruz et al”), the Supreme Court ruled that due process was observed and no property right was involved. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b>Facts of the case:</b><br />
<br />
<b>[1] Political differences lead to conflict between church members and parish priest Fr. Florano</b><br />
<br />
Petitioners were lay members of the Philippine Independent Church (PIC) in Socorro, Surigao del Norte. Respondents Porfirio de la Cruz and Rustom Florano were the bishop and parish priest, respectively, of the same church in that locality.
Petitioners, led by Dominador Taruc, clamored for the transfer of Fr. Florano to another parish but Bishop de la Cruz denied their request. It appears from the records that the family of Fr. Florano’s wife belonged to a political party opposed to petitioner Taruc’s, thus the animosity between the two factions with Fr. Florano being identified with his wife’s political camp. Bishop de la Cruz, however, found this too flimsy a reason for transferring Fr. Florano to another parish.
<b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>[2] Petitioners organize mass during town fiesta with another priest, Fr. Ambong, despite appeals by Bishop de la Cruz</b><br />
<br />
Hostility among the members of the PIC in Socorro, Surigao del Norte worsened when petitioner Taruc tried to organize an open mass to be celebrated by a certain Fr. Renato Z. Ambong during the town fiesta of Socorro. When Taruc informed Bishop de la Cruz of his plan, the Bishop tried to dissuade him from pushing through with it because Fr. Ambong was not a member of the clergy of the diocese of Surigao and his credentials as a parish priest were in doubt. The Bishop also appealed to petitioner Taruc to refrain from committing acts inimical and prejudicial to the best interests of the PIC. He likewise advised petitioners to air their complaints before the higher authorities of PIC if they believed they had valid grievances against him, the parish priest, the laws and canons of the PIC.<br />
<br />
Bishop de la Cruz, however, failed to stop Taruc from carrying out his plans. On June 19, 1993, at around 3:00 p.m., Taruc and his sympathizers proceeded to hold the open mass with Fr. Ambong as the celebrant.<br />
<br />
<b>[3] Bishop de la Cruz excommunicates Taruc and other members</b><br />
<br />
On June 28, 1993, Bishop de la Cruz declared petitioners expelled/excommunicated from the Philippine Independent Church for reasons of:
<br />
<blockquote>
(1) disobedience to duly constituted authority in the Church; </blockquote>
<blockquote>
(2) inciting dissension, resulting in division in the Parish of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, Iglesia Filipina Independiente, Socorro, Surigao del Norte when they celebrated an open Mass at the Plaza on June 19, 1996; and </blockquote>
<blockquote>
(3) for threatening to forcibly occupy the Parish Church causing anxiety and fear among the general membership.</blockquote>
<b> [4] Obispo Maximo urges Fr. Florano to step down voluntarily but does not interfere with Bishop de la Cruz’s decision</b><br />
<br />
Petitioners appealed to the Obispo Maximo and sought reconsideration of the above decision. In his letter to Bishop de la Cruz, the Obispo Maximo opined that Fr. Florano should step down voluntarily to avert the hostility and enmity among the members of the PIC parish in Socorro but stated that:
<br />
<blockquote>
… I do not intervene in your diocesan decision in asking Fr. Florano to vacate Socorro parish…</blockquote>
<b> [5] Bishop de la Cruz reassigned; his successor continues to support Fr. Florano</b><br />
<br />
In the meantime, Bishop de la Cruz was reassigned to the diocese of Odmoczan and was replaced by Bishop Rhee M. Timbang. Like his predecessor, Bishop Timbang did not find a valid reason for transferring Fr. Florano to another parish. He issued a circular denying petitioners’ persistent clamor for the transfer/re-assignment of Fr. Florano. Petitioners were informed of such denial but they continued to celebrate mass and hold other religious activities through Fr. Ambong who had been restrained from performing any priestly functions in the PIC parish of Socorro, Surigao del Norte.
<b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>[6] Taruc and other excommunicated members file complaint with Regional Trial Court of Surigao City, contending that their expulsion was illegal and violated due process; RTC rules that it has jurisdiction over the case</b><br />
<br />
Because of the order of expulsion/excommunication, petitioners filed a complaint for damages with preliminary injunction against Bishop de la Cruz before the Regional Trial Court of Surigao City, Branch 32. They impleaded Fr. Florano and one Delfin T. Bordas on the theory that they conspired with the Bishop to have petitioners expelled and excommunicated from the PIC. They contended that their expulsion was illegal because it was done without trial thus violating their right to due process of law.
Respondents filed a motion to dismiss the case before the lower court on the ground of lack of jurisdiction but it was denied. Their motion for reconsideration was likewise denied so they elevated the case to the Court of Appeals.<br />
<br />
<b> [7] Court of Appeals reverses RTC decision, saying that civil courts should not interfere in the internal affairs of a religious organization except for the protection of civil or property rights</b><br />
<br />
The appellate court reversed and set aside the decision of the court a quo and ordered the dismissal of the case without prejudice to its being refiled before the proper forum. It held:
<br />
<blockquote>
… We find it unnecessary to deal on the validity of the excommunication/expulsion of the private respondents (Taruc, et al.), said acts being purely ecclesiastical matters which this Court considers to be outside the province of the civil courts.
…
“Civil Courts will not interfere in the internal affairs of a religious organization except for the protection of civil or property rights. Those rights may be the subject of litigation in a civil court, and the courts have jurisdiction to determine controverted claims to the title, use, or possession of church property.”
…
Obviously, there was no violation of a civil right in the present case.
…
Ergo, this Court is of the opinion and so holds that the instant case does not involve a violation and/or protection of a civil or property rights in order for the court a quo to acquire jurisdiction in the instant case. </blockquote>
<b> [8] Supreme Court affirms CA ruling; courts do not have jurisdiction to hear a case involving the expulsion/excommunication of members of a religious institution</b><br />
<br />
Petitioners appealed from the above decision but their petition was denied. Their motion for reconsideration was likewise denied, hence, this appeal.
The only issue to be resolved in this case is whether or not the courts have jurisdiction to hear a case involving the expulsion/excommunication of members of a religious institution.
We rule that the courts do not.
Section 5, Article III or the Bill of Rights of the 1987 Constitution specifically provides that:
<br />
<blockquote>
Sec. 5. No law shall be made respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination or preference, shall forever be allowed. No religious test shall be required for the exercise of civil or political rights. </blockquote>
In our jurisdiction, we hold the Church and the State to be separate and distinct from each other. “Give to Ceasar what is Ceasar’s and to God what is God’s.” We have, however, observed as early as 1928 that:
<br />
<blockquote>
upon the examination of the decisions it will be readily apparent that cases involving questions relative to ecclesiastical rights have always received the profoundest attention from the courts, not only because of their inherent interest, but because of the far reaching effects of the decisions in human society. [However,] courts have learned the lesson of conservatism in dealing with such matters, it having been found that, <i>in a form of government where the complete separation of civil and ecclesiastical authority is insisted upon, the civil courts must not allow themselves to intrude unduly in matters of an ecclesiastical nature</i>. (italics ours)</blockquote>
We agree with the Court of Appeals that the expulsion/excommunication of members of a religious institution/organization is a matter best left to the discretion of the officials, and the laws and canons, of said institution/organization. It is not for the courts to exercise control over church authorities in the performance of their discretionary and official functions. Rather, it is for the members of religious institutions/organizations to conform to just church regulations. In the words of Justice Samuel F. Miller:
<br />
<blockquote>
… all who unite themselves to an ecclesiastical body do so with an implied consent to submit to the Church government and they are bound to submit to it. </blockquote>
In the leading case of Fonacier v. Court of Appeals, we enunciated the doctrine that in disputes involving religious institutions or organizations, there is one area which the Court should not touch: doctrinal and disciplinary differences. Thus,
<br />
<blockquote>
The amendments of the constitution, restatement of articles of religion and abandonment of faith or abjuration alleged by appellant, having to do with faith, practice, doctrine, form of worship, ecclesiastical law, custom and rule of a church and having reference <b>to the power of excluding from the church those allegedly unworthy of membership, are unquestionably ecclesiastical matters which are outside the province of the civil courts</b>. (emphasis ours) </blockquote>
<br />
(Note: Facts of the case above are from the Supreme Court decision but numbered and with some paragraphs broken up for easier reading. Headings are mine.)
Atty. Gerry T. Galaciohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17233852101336409722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18755341.post-3960312860865485622012-12-10T00:01:00.000+08:002012-12-10T00:01:00.033+08:00Free ebook: “What every church leader needs to know about church communications”<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.effectivechurchcom.com/2012/12/free-for-december-2012-what-every-church-leader-needs-to-know-about-church-communications/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="323" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-COKdn_ygH2Q/UL51_BgRDWI/AAAAAAAAEDQ/JgJgceVYtks/s400/what%2Bevery%2Bchurch%2Bleader%2Bneeds%2Bto%2Bknow.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>
Yvon Prehn, founder of the “<a href="http://www.effectivechurchcom.com/" target="_blank">Effective Church Communications</a>” ministry, provides this <a href="http://www.effectivechurchcom.com/2012/12/free-for-december-2012-what-every-church-leader-needs-to-know-about-church-communications/" target="_blank">free ebook</a> only for this month. Yvon says:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“An effective church communication ministry that enables unchurched people to find Jesus as Savior and grow to mature disciples takes the joint efforts of all the church staff. Church communications that fully fulfill the Great Commission take more than a church administrator who knows how to create professional-looking publications.<br />
<br />
“They require involved pastors and leaders. Unfortunately, this involvement is rare and that lack of involvement results in less than effective communications and often frustrated church communicators. But this book will help your church leaders understand the need for their involvement and the limits to their communication involvement in this vital area of church leadership, management and growth.”</blockquote>
Atty. Gerry T. Galaciohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17233852101336409722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18755341.post-68426386753710740512012-10-18T10:04:00.001+08:002012-10-18T10:04:39.505+08:00The 23rd Fundamental Bible Conference in Metro Manila<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KGKSzNphpMc/UH9jdTYp57I/AAAAAAAAEC8/ZInsh6IzEsg/s1600/23rd%2BConference.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KGKSzNphpMc/UH9jdTYp57I/AAAAAAAAEC8/ZInsh6IzEsg/s400/23rd%2BConference.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
Time and date: Oct 23-26, 2012; 6:00-9:30 PM<br />
<br />
Venue: Integrated Bar of the Philippines #15 Julia Vargas St. Ortigas Center Business District Area, Pasig City, Metro-Manila<br />
<br />
Theme: "Redeeming the time, because the days are evil," Eph 5:16.<br />
<br />
Keynote Speaker Dr. Guy Simpson, Senior Pastor of Independent Bible Fellowship Church in Harrington, Delaware, USA<br />
<br />
Other speakers: Pastor Jun Gonzales (Las Pinas Baptist Church), Dr. Phil Kamibayashiyama (Bob Jones Memorial College, Quezon City), Pastor Eric Garcia (Pines City Baptist Church, Baguio City), Pastor Cornelio Sacramento (Christian Baptist Church, Bulacan), Pastor Gary Jones (Lighthouse Bible Believers Church, Paranaque City), Mrs. Edith Jones, and Pastor Leo Lorenzana (Promised Land Baptist Church, Malabon City).<br />
<br />
Registration fee (One time): P160.00<br />
<br />
Conference chairman: Dr. Roberto-Jose Livioco<br />
<br />
For more information, please call 636-5535, 801-6789, 829-4474, 0922-898-2565
Atty. Gerry T. Galaciohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17233852101336409722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18755341.post-78585865900468820722012-02-14T00:10:00.002+08:002014-02-20T10:18:43.148+08:00250,000 visitors and counting for my Family Matters website; Thanks to everyone who have browsed this site<a href="https://googledrive.com/host/0B974furNxV78QnJlMnNlZFE3V1E/index.htm" target="_blank"><img alt="Family Matters home page" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yMRDrj2kO8o/TzbCkI3NPhI/AAAAAAAAECk/AHYEI2AafXs/s320/FM%2Bhome%2Bpage.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707963503848799762" style="float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 266px;" /></a><b>(Note as of February 20, 2014: I transferred my “<a href="https://googledrive.com/host/0B974furNxV78QnJlMnNlZFE3V1E/index.htm" target="_blank">Legal issues and family matters</a>” website to Google Drive, a free file storage and web hosting service. You can also use the shortcut <a href="http://tinyurl.com/familymatters-ph" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/familymatters-ph</a> to access the website.)</b> <br />
<br />
According to my Sitemeter.com tracker, my website “Legal issues and family matters” reached over 250,000 visitors more than a week ago. Soli Deo gloria!<br />
<br />
The website became online December 17, 2005. It contains the complete text of the Family Code of the Philippines and numerous laws relevant to the Filipino family.<br />
<br />
It has been averaging 240 plus visitors daily since last week (see the graphic <a href="http://baptist-rp.blogspot.com/2012/02/250000-visitors-and-counting-to-my.html#dailyvisitors">below</a>). Google Analytics, my other website tracker, reports that, for the past month, visitors have come from 84 countries. The top ten countries with the most number of visitors are the Philippines with 83%, and the remaining 17% divided among the US, United Arab Emirates, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, United Kingdom, Qatar, India, and Japan.<br />
<br />
“Legal issues and family matters” contains numerous Gospel links and my website trackers report that these have been clicked.<br />
<br />
What bothers me, however, is that the 2nd most browsed page in this website is that on <a href="http://www.familymatters.org.ph/Relevant%20Laws/RA%209262%20Anti-Violence%20Against%20Women.htm" target="_blank">RA 9262</a>, our country’s law on anti-violence against women and their children (see the Google Analytics report below).<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p338H8IUJWI/TzbB5HHTlnI/AAAAAAAAEB0/thIfESUXfrQ/s1600/FM%2Btop%2Bpages.jpg"><img alt="Family Matters top pages" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p338H8IUJWI/TzbB5HHTlnI/AAAAAAAAEB0/thIfESUXfrQ/s400/FM%2Btop%2Bpages.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707962764645078642" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 199px; margin: 0 100px 10px 0; width: 400px;" /></a> <span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">How you can help “Legal issues and family matters”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">[1]</span> If your church or ministry would like to sponsor the web hosting fees for “Legal issues and family matters” and its co-hosted website “Better English for everyone”, please email me at gtgalacio@yahoo.com for more information.<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>My current web hosting plan with dot.PH Domains is US $66 per quarter with a monthly bandwidth limit of 15 GB.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="dailyvisitors"></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-07u3t2raXIs/TzbB59W7viI/AAAAAAAAECI/hrgY8au8Dqk/s1600/FM%2Bweekly%2Breport.jpg"><img alt="Family Matters weekly report" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-07u3t2raXIs/TzbB59W7viI/AAAAAAAAECI/hrgY8au8Dqk/s400/FM%2Bweekly%2Breport.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707962779206139426" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 386px; margin: 0 100px 10px 0; width: 400px;" /></a>Because of the increasing number of visitors, I need to upgrade to the next higher plan of US $155.40 quarterly billing (US $41.80 monthly) with a bandwidth limit of 30 GB per month. With annual billing, the cost is lower at US $38 monthly or a total of US $458.00.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">[2]</span> More than 78% of visitors reached “Legal issues and family matters” through search engines like Google and Yahoo. You can help increase traffic to this website by posting links to it from your websites, blogs, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media.<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b2FkE7l6zmY/TzbO8btDZVI/AAAAAAAAECw/t0cdzEFciGE/s1600/FM%2Btraffic%2Bsources.jpg"><img alt="Family Matters traffic sources" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b2FkE7l6zmY/TzbO8btDZVI/AAAAAAAAECw/t0cdzEFciGE/s400/FM%2Btraffic%2Bsources.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707977115362878802" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 201px; margin: 0 100px 10px 0; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Internet ministries</span></span><br />
<br />
My Internet ministries consist of two websites www.familymatters.org.ph and www.betterenglish.org.ph, and several blogs, namely, “<a href="http://saltandlight2005.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Salt and Light</a>” (articles on relationships, marriage, family), “<a href="http://www.baptist-rp.blogspot.com/">Baptist Churches in the Philippines</a>” (directory of churches); “<a href="http://www.famli.blogspot.com/">Legal Updates</a>”, “<a href="http://www.campusconnection.blogspot.com/">Campus Connection</a>”(youth-oriented articles including photography), “<a href="http://www.words-and-photographs.blogspot.com/">A picture is worth a thousand words</a>”, and “<a href="http://www.baptist-distinctives.blogspot.com/">Baptist Distinctives, free online Bible Institute for Asia, Africa and Latin America</a>”. I also have free PDF newsletters available for download on legal issues affecting the Filipino family.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">How I became involved in Internet ministries</span></span><br />
<br />
I have always been interested in reading and writing. During my grade school days in the 1960’s, I woke up early everyday to go to the guardhouse and read all the English newspapers delivered to a Chinese business tycoon who owned the compound I grew up in. Afternoons after my classes, I would again go to the guardhouse to read the Evening Post (if I remember the newspaper’s title correctly).<br />
<br />
That Chinese business tycoon had in his garage a room filled, from floor to ceiling, with hundreds of Reader’s Digest, Life Magazine, Saturday Evening Post, and other magazines. During school breaks, I would spend hours there reading. Whenever I missed lunch, my mother would begin looking for me and she would always find me in that room.<br />
<br />
During my high school years (Rizal High School, 1969-1973), I continued my habit of reading newspapers; I spent part of my lunch breaks in the library. In my junior year, I became a sports reporter for our schoolpaper “The Rizalian”. The adviser, Miss Consolacion Constantino, patiently edited my articles, but none of my articles was ever published.<br />
<br />
After I lost my NSDB mining engineering scholarship in UP Diliman, I followed the UP guidance counselor’s advice that I should go into writing as a college course and career. I graduated in 1979 with an AB English degree from Philippine Christian University.<br />
<br />
I became an English grammar teacher (Dona Aurora High School in San Mateo, 1981-1983), and then a journalism teacher and schoolpaper adviser (Quezon City Science High School, 1983-84, and Rizal High School, 1984-1995). In 1985, I enrolled in a BASIC programming course in my alma mater PCU. In my work, I learned desktop publishing (Pagemaker 4), word processing (MS Word 2), and graphics (Coreldraw 3), using our school’s 486 computer, Brother laser printer, and flatbed scanner. (My first computers were a Texas Instrument 99/4A with 16k of memory and a Commodore 64, both gifts from my nephew Ken.)<br />
<br />
I was admitted into the Philippine bar in 1995 and practiced law until 2005 when I stopped accepting cases.<br />
<br />
In 2003, as I was surveying the ministries still open to me considering my age and circumstances, I learned that online writing was a viable ministry. I canvassed several schools and institutions where I could possibly learn website design. One company in Shaw Boulevard (opposite Jovan Condominium) charged Php 60,000 for its website design course. Too expensive. Genetics Computer Institute had a website design program costing Php 16,000 while Informatics offered its program at Php 20,000. Their curriculum was not what I really needed. Meralco Foundation offered an HTML course at only Php 4,000 but by that time, I had already learned how tedious and error-prone hand coding was.<br />
<br />
I began buying books on website design; the books were very expensive, with prices ranging from Php 500 to Php 1,700 (Vincent Flanders’ Son of web pages that suck). I read through the books even though I could not really understand what I was reading. I then bought from a computer bookstore in SM Megamall and SM Centerpoint several tutorial CDs on Dreamweaver and Microsoft Frontpage.<br />
<br />
In 2005, I designed and printed out using Pagemaker 5 a sample page of what I wanted my website to look like. To inspire and challenge myself, I brought the printout wherever I went and looked at it from time to time; I also showed it to friends, telling them that I was designing a website. Applying what I learned from designing yearbooks in my work as a schoolpaper adviser, I did a detailed storyboard for each page of my website. Starting that January, I spent my mornings reading my Dreamweaver book and studying the tutorial CD. I thought that I did not have to understand or learn everything about website design. I only had to learn whatever I needed for the website as I conceptualized it. All this time, I also began learning what blogs were.<br />
<br />
By late October 2005, I already had created my first blog (“<a href="http://www.famli.blogspot.com/">Legal Updates</a>”). I finished designing my website www.familymatters.org.ph by late November. Although I had registered the domain name and paid the web hosting fees by early December, I did not know how to upload the files from my computer to the server. I did not know what FTP (file transfer protocol) was.Atty. Gerry T. Galaciohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17233852101336409722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18755341.post-33388460216937219152012-01-23T04:06:00.011+08:002014-02-20T10:27:23.158+08:00900,000 visitors and counting for “Better English for everyone” website<a href="https://googledrive.com/host/0B974furNxV78d1FYbjM5UFhMWHM/index.htm" target="_blank"><img alt="Better English for everyone" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_s8127-wyIgU/TNogB9pEAuI/AAAAAAAADyY/zNEbOFjCkU8/s200/better%2Benglish.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537773909904196322" style="float: left; height: 154px; margin: 0pt 10px 3px 0pt; width: 200px;" /></a><b>Note as of February 20, 2014: “<a href="https://googledrive.com/host/0B974furNxV78d1FYbjM5UFhMWHM/index.htm" target="_blank">Better English for everyone</a>” can now be accessed through Google Drive, a free file storage and web hosting service. You can also use the shortcut <a href="http://tinyurl.com/betterenglish-ph" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/betterenglish-ph</a> to access the website.</b><br />
<br />
<b>Note as of May 16, 2012: </b>Special thanks to the following churches for
their love gifts for the 2nd quarter web hosting fees of my websites: [1] Maranatha
International Baptist Church in Parang, Marikina, led by Ptr. Manny
Orara (Php 5,100); and [2] Amazing Grace Bible Baptist Church, Block 27
Lot 77 Phase 2, Greengate Homes, Malagasang II-B, Imus, Cavite, led by
Ptr. Florentino Chua (Php 500).<br />
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">According to my Sitemeter.com tracker, my website “</span><b>Better English for everyone</b><span style="font-weight: bold;">” reached </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">over 900,000 visitors late last night</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Soli Deo gloria!</span><br />
<br />
The website became online September 27, 2007. It has been averaging 1,700 plus visitors daily since last week (see the graphic below). It reached 3,000 visitors (first time ever) on November 29, 2011.<br />
<br />
Google Analytics, my other website tracker, reports that <a href="http://baptist-rp.blogspot.com/2011/09/700000-visitors-and-counting-for-better.html#analytics">visitors have come from 195 countries or territories</a>. The top ten countries in number of visitors are the USA, Philippines, India, United Kingdom, Brazil, Thailand, Spain, Mexico, Canada, and Australia.<br />
<br />
“Better English for everyone” contains numerous links to Gospel websites and my website trackers report that these have been clicked, even by visitors from Restricted Access Nations. Thanks to everyone who have browsed this site.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Note: </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Please read </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">“</span><a href="http://baptist-rp.blogspot.com/2011/09/700000-visitors-and-counting-for-better.html#help" style="font-weight: bold;">How you can help this website</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">” or “</span><a href="http://baptist-rp.blogspot.com/2011/09/700000-visitors-and-counting-for-better.html#howistarted" style="font-weight: bold;">How I became involved in Internet ministries</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">”.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fuSbBaj75tk/Txxxc4dF-hI/AAAAAAAAEA0/T7c3nBhdhEg/s1600/Sitemeter%2Bmonthly%2Breport%2BDecember%2B2011%2Bto%2BJanuary%2B2012.jpg"><img alt="Better English monthly report" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fuSbBaj75tk/Txxxc4dF-hI/AAAAAAAAEA0/T7c3nBhdhEg/s400/Sitemeter%2Bmonthly%2Breport%2BDecember%2B2011%2Bto%2BJanuary%2B2012.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700555969348893202" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 374px; margin: 0 100px 10px 0; width: 400px;" /></a>The Sitemeter graphic above shows the number of visitors (yellow bars) and page views (red bars) from December 24, 2011 to early morning January 23, 2012.<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JO8EnSTo2Nc/Txxxydu53GI/AAAAAAAAEBA/Thjg-iQkKWU/s1600/Sitemeter%2Bweekly%2Breport.jpg"><img alt="Better English weekly report" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JO8EnSTo2Nc/Txxxydu53GI/AAAAAAAAEBA/Thjg-iQkKWU/s400/Sitemeter%2Bweekly%2Breport.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700556340132961378" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 182px; margin: 0 100px 10px 0; width: 400px;" /></a>Atty. Gerry T. Galaciohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17233852101336409722noreply@blogger.com4