 Last night was a momentous event in the history of our political arena.
I cannot believe my eyes and what I was witnessing on Anc Channel as
JDV took the lead in confessing that he is a sinner and have fallen
short the grace of God.
Then he enumerated all the sins that he was aware of:
1. JDV disclosed having knowledge of the alleged attempts to tamper with the results of the 2004 elections but was quick to say that he would speak about it at some other time.
2. He accused the presidential palace of inaction on alleged assassination threats against him and his son, who blew the whistle on bribe offers in connection with a government contract to put up a multimillion-dollar national broadband network.
3. He also revealed that the Palace had control over the lawmakers’ district allocations or pork barrel, which they could not get without going through the President’s sons, referring to Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo and Camarines Sur Rep. Diosdado “Dato” Arroyo, whom he said were taking advantage of the neophyte solons.
After JDV confession as a sinner
other congressman took the cue and lined up
on the microphone and started their speech also by saying
"I am also a sinner." Last night the whole congress sounded like a church
and the millions of people who are witnessing this event stood as priest.
We can learn some valuable lessons in life here.
Is this a sign of true Repentance or Remorse?
Repentance is when you are sorry and know you have done something wrong .
Making a decision to stop and not to do it again.
Remorse is when you know you have done something wrong. And you are only sorry for the moment because you got caught and left with no choice but only to admit.
Repentance leads to Godly sorrow that brings life change.
Remorse leads to Wordly sorrow that brings death.
The question is what type of sorrow did you think happened in congress
is it godly sorrow (true repentance) or wordly sorrow (I am sorry because I have no choice)?
Let me hear what you think and please share with us the why?
What is your take on this?
  | a news anchor in the AM radio this morning had a different term for it, according to him it was a wonderful execution of "showmanship". at any rate, the entire thing was exceptionally "entertaining".
:-) |
 | i agree with you re remorse and repentance but i couldn't say yet if those confessions were genuine or not. there's been a lot of grandstanding in politics that it's hard to know when politicians are already telling the truth or think they are telling the truth.
i guess the only way to know it is to see the fruits just like what the Bible says that we'll know who is from God by their fruits. honestly, covering politicians for years makes me puke. the former speaker is known for coming out with speeches like the one he did last night. what happens next will determine if he's for real or a sham for the nth time. |
Comment deleted at the request of the author.  | What he did lastnight is better than say nothing at all. Bahala na si Lord kung anu man motives nya about it but what the heck! Kahit anung confession nya ala namang mangyayare eh. Definitely the truth is in our grasp pero what can we do about it? OUST the President? AGAIN? We need people inside the congress(a lot of them) that will stand for Godly principles like the priest/governor who stood against corruption! Haay nako. Nagiiba ihip ng hangin pag gobyerno ang pinag uusapan.Tara uwian na lang!!! Heheheh |
 | interesting...one thing i know..abante is in the same party with j d v, and they regularly meet.. u just might not know the influence abante is making... |
 | For me I saw it as a "call" for christians to pray more for the government and our nation. Since we know that our nation is destined for greatness, prunning should start first in the leaderdership of our government. We've been praying for so long that the fear of the Lord will come upon every government officials, who knows that it "might" be an answer to our prayers. At the end of the day, whatever the intention of JDV might be, the truth remains that there's a need and a call for more righteous leaders to make a stand during this situation. Lets do hope and pray that this event will lead to the betterment of our whole nation and not for the destruction of it. Shalom! |
 | My office ceiling is gray with flecks. I noticed it as I rolled my eyes up after reading about what JDV said on Inquirer.net.
Whether JDV is remorseful or regretful of his actions, how Congress chose to deal with it brings the situation back to status quo. JDV is no longer Speaker of the House, and it appears that most of the congressman took his confessions with a pillar of salt.
I'm terribly saddened by the entire situation. It's as if we've all become so callous to politics that much of our individual actions of world-changing are done outside of politics, almost as if we think politicians can no longer be used as agents of change. |
 | Far be it from me to be a judge on a matter that belongs only in the inner recesses of God's heart. The last time I checked, my name is still Jovie Galaraga not Holy Spirit - and I don't plan to change names - not now, not ever! |
 | why now lang? politicians are "wise" that's why they are where they are now... but we really do have to pray for them..."for this pleases our God and so that we can live peaceful lives." -(Holy Bible) (^^,) |
 | One thing is for sure, Pastor Chinkee... JDV was sorrowful that night... His subsequent actions will reveal whether or not such sorrow was Godly or worldly... |
| Well, if he'll leave a great legacy for the country baka eto na yun. Sana lang may magandang results ang pagkanta nya! Heheheh... |
 | well one thing is for sure- this political event draws a line between cynics, skeptics and those still hopeful of TRUE change among the faithful. yes, its easy to be disillusioned with our country's politicians but like it or not, they are leaders and as such, should lead by example and this one doesnt happen everyday.
was jdv's act sincere? we really do not know what his motives are especially with the timing and the circumstance but one thing is for sure; its between him and the Guy Upstairs now. would we have done the same in a similar situation?
choices, hard ones, will be made in the days ahead. not only with jdv, but with us as well. |
 | i listened to his speech over the radio as we drove home from cavite. i am hopeful and at the same time skeptical knowing the past but i felt strongly within my spirit to remain hopeful. the next coming days and weeks will be crucial. we will all need to pray |
 | While listening to him on am radio I was moved and wanted to do something. Either to ask someone to minister to him (JDV) or, in sheer boldness & bravery, approach him and share Jesus to him. I felt helpless not knowing what to do, all i did was silently pray. But one thing i know Jesus also died for JDV and he is very ready for the gospel. I'm happy to hear during our Victory Ortigas staff meeting that Congressman Abante, a partymate of him who used to be Baptst Pastor, is making a dent in his heart. |
| i still hope i can share One 2 One with him...kahit chapter 1 lang hehehehe! |
 | Politician is still politician.Sinabi nya dahil no choice siya.Just like what Chavit Singson did to Erap...Maybe he will be another Chavit Singson?Hope not!coz magulo na ang Pilipinas.Kawawa mga mahihirap natin kababayan..Wala na makain.Bahala na si Lord sa kanya kung ano intention niya.Kayo na lang humusga!AMEN...... |
 | one thing for sure he is a politician...you know. |
 | NO WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. I got goosbumps reading this post! well whatever it is repentance or remorse..."by their fruits you will know"...so i guess only time will tell...besides, you can look at the cup half empty or half full! dun nalang ako sa HALF FULL! PERO KAHIT NA..its A HUGE START! i just think we should PRAY them through! It is still a breakthrough...that must have taken so much for JVD to do that and in public pa!!! . Either that or the Lord must be shaking them really hard!
ANd YES ARMIN go and TRACK HIM DOWN and MINISTER to him! hehehe gusto mo samahan pa kita! hahaha!
How exciting what the Lord talaga is doing for the Philippines. WHen I was in the states, we would pray and cry out to God in every weeks prayer night that the Lord will turn our government to HIM and Im so glad to be witness to God's hand in our country now that IM back here. I know for a fact Filipino Christians specially intercessors around the world are praying for this nation so we are not alone here. My little prayer group in Glendale is proof kasi everyweek we would pray for the Phils and its leaders!! Personally, its another message to me that God DOES answer prayers and HE IS MOVING in the midst of his people! Galeng ni Lord! |
 | Wether Godly or Wordly Sorrow. I vote YES. I admire and even want to join JDV's campaign for moral revolution but not as speaker of the house. He said he is a peace maker which is true because he doesn't want to get in they way of people. But when corruptions were happening around him, he still was quiet.
As per our 1 2 1 booklet, to find out whether its Godly or Wordly, we need to see its fruits. If he pursues his moral revolution movement then it's Godly sorrow but if he keeps quiet after his defeat then his wonderful speech was in vain.
God is truly moving and changing Philippines. Tama prayer ni Pastor Joey Bonifacio dati for the our nation "Expose expose expose". |
 | He spilled a bit too much but a bit too late . . ultimately, God's purposes will prevail |
 | jenniebote wrote on Feb 5, '08, edited on Feb 5, '08  Is this a sign of true Repentance or Remorse?
Repentance is when you are sorry and know you have done something wrong .
Making a decision to stop and not to do it again.
Remorse is when you know you have done something wrong. And you are only sorry for the moment because you got caught and left with no choice but only to admit.
Repentance leads to Godly sorrow that brings life change.
Remorse leads to Wordly sorrow that brings death.  The phrase I quoted is sooooo defined, luv it ;) Thank you for blogging this!!!!! Very precise.
I watched the incident just now via the news...I'd rather not comment though... I choose to sit back and just wait and see what happens after that ;) God be with them in every decision they make. |
 | meljr wrote on Feb 5, '08 read a great article in PDI yesterday (De Quiros). it talks about JDV and GMA on opposite ends. In this scenario, it seems that both will fall.
To the question of Ptr Chinkee, I think it's worldly sorrow. Imagine if he was able to retain his position as House Speaker. Do you think he will deliver his 10mins-turned-50mins speech? |
| ako gusto ko i share sa kanya chapter THREE!! REPENTANCE!! hehehe |
| barong?? kailangan naka barong??? wala akong barong! hahahaha |
| hi ptr ferdie...im not familiar with abante..please expound. Sorry balikbayan pa ako hehehe |
 | Actually before I can even reflect on the item on remorse or repentance, I saw tonite, Cong. Nograles in his acceptance speech as replacement of JDV as House Head. He begins with saying "I believe it is God's will that I take this post..." Huh. C'mon now. I think this should be for another poll. I will pray now. |
 | aymon wrote on Feb 5, '08 I believe true repentance only comes from a pure heart...I don't know if their hearts r still pure.
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| my point remains...."by the fruits we will know"... hehehe |
 | Look at all of us getting enthused, amused, frustrated, angered, hopeful, cynical, prayerful, spiritual ... and I'm sure there are many other readers who have their own opinions who chose not to blog back. Overall, it's another political circus that reveals, more than anything else, who we are, as we react to what he's done. :-) |
 | That speech is just for a show. A powerful politician who has lost his grip to power. His speech was sickening to the gut. I will recant this statement if he and the rest of those congressmen will do a Zaccheus. |
 | It was a gripping moment.... the nation was stunned but JDV failed to meet people's expectations.... he should have told it all.... asking forgiveness for his own corruption, elaborating to the tiniest detail, offering to return what he stole, asking his fellow officials to follow his lead........... and divulge everything he knew about everybody. Maybe his call for moral recovery would have made him a hero!
But alas he did not.
Now, he has a new ally in convicted plunderer Erap. Maybe, its better that way. Perhaps he will prove to the nation that birds of the same feather indeed flock together.
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