I had the chance to spend an afternoon with Bangon Pilipinas Presidential candidate Brother Eddie Villanueva last weekend. I’ll write an exhaustive piece on the topics we covered such as the RH Bill, Separation of Church and State, etc. on a separate entry in Blog Watch. This post will be a little more personal and will center around the question that I’ve been wanting to ask him for the longest time. Was it God’s will that Bro. Eddie lost in 2004 and what is God’s will for the 2010 elections? Pretty tough question right?
This was his answer. I might have missed a few words here and there since I don’t have a video copy of the event (was just transcribing) but I’ll try to double check after Noemi uploads it on Youtube.
God is not a dictator. The perfect will of god cannot happen without the partnership and obedience of god’s own people. God does not wish a single soul to be perish in hell but all should come to repentance or else they will go to hell. He respects free will. Blessings through obedience, curses through disobedience.
This made me really think about voting and my personal spirituality. I decided to go to the Bible to look for answers and this is the verse that comes closest to talking about what God wants in a leader:
14 When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you and have taken possession of it and settled in it, and you say, “Let us set a king over us like all the nations around us,” 15 be sure to appoint over you the king the LORD your God chooses. He must be from among your own brothers. Do not place a foreigner over you, one who is not a brother Israelite. 16 The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the LORD has told you, “You are not to go back that way again.” 17 He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray. He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold. 18 When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the priests, who are Levites. 19 It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the LORD his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees 20 and not consider himself better than his brothers and turn from the law to the right or to the left. Then he and his descendants will reign a long time over his kingdom in Israel. (Deuteronomy 17:14-20)
It’s not just a voting for who YOU want, it’s voting WHO God wants
Based on the bible, the elections is not just a simple casting of votes. It’s a deep spiritual obligation not just to our country, but also to our God. You know what’s funny? If you check at the past two presidents and you try to match them up to the standards set in the bible then you know we’ve failed miserably in electing our leaders.
I am not saying, on any account, that Brother Eddie Villanueva is God’s chosen candidate or that it was God’s will that Bro. Eddie should have won in 2004. What I am saying is that we should really pray, research, and carefully choose who we will vote for in the upcoming 2010 elections. It is our obligation not just to the country, but to our conscience and to our God that we pick the right candidate based on his standards.
At the end of the day, don’t look to surveys, campaign materials, advice from the taxi driver, or “randomness”, to pick your candidate. All of these things are worldly and they can easily be manipulated and rigged. You cannot trust these kinds of things when you are deciding on who to vote. The mentality of “Iboboto ko na lang si X kasi yung gusto ko naman na si Y walang pag-asa eh.” is just crap. If the candidate doesn’t measure up to God’s standards, don’t vote for him or her.
What will happen if we don’t vote for the right person? It’s also in the bible!
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. (Proverbs 29:2)
A challenge for you, dear reader
And that, my friends, is my challenge for you. Don’t treat your vote lightly. It’s not something that you just write down on a piece of paper and regret later on. Remember to pray for who you will vote for and don’t just rely on the campaign materials that you see on media and even from what your friends say. What’s important is that you pick a candidate who is righteous, otherwise we will all mourn for the next 6 years.
Again, let me say that this is not an endorsement whatsoever of Bro. Eddie, it’s just a reminder that we should all hold our candidates to a higher standard and that we should really vote according to our conscience and God’s will.
PS: Watch out for my post on Blog Watch
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Thank you Carlo for a more balanced treatment compared to past. In the end, it is our individual assessment, realization and ACCOUNTABILITY before God and men on how we react to what the candidates present to us.
Past performance of each candidate is there available to an earnest seeker. But then not all of them are perfect, each have a flaw somewhere and somehow. But the questions is, who do they hear in their plan to lead? Who do they hold highest in their priorities? Whose agenda holds highest in their lips, hearts and acts? Has their past been consistent (to the best degree) to what they say?
Endorsements are important and do play a role, true. But beyond or over and above that, we are all responsible to God (now and hereafter) and countrymen for what we say. Is it what our ego dictates or does it reflect what God wants?
A review of the past elections is clear in understanding what God wants and what man wants. A good barber can give you the best haircut but not all people go to the barber to secure the best. That is their will and they receive the consequences of their choices.
We all hope we chose the right one this time, else receive the dire consequences once again. Again, thank you for your time spent. As the guide of the fast today in sum says: The wise listen ro wisdom, the fool scoffs at it.
God bless my friend.
Mr. Carlo Ople,
Thank you for the unbiased review of your encounter with Bro. Eddie. it is a wise move of you to search in the Bible what Bro.Eddie is talking about and preaching for the longest time. this proved that what Bro.Eddie says about righteous leadership is not self-serving, rather it is in accordance with God’s standards, not somebody else’s.
i have read one of ur negative blogs kasi about Bro.Eddie and like other bloggers against bro.eddie it is disappointing. but my heart somehow leaped for joy that u conveyed to the readers of ur site that we must choose our candidates based on God’s standards so the “people will rejoice and not mourn.”
Mr. Ople
Good day!
I hope your encounter with Bro Eddie Villanueva made a change of mind in you, not only about the coming elections, but about your life as a whole.
I know while you were doing an interview with Bro Eddie, God is touching your heart.
Respond to His call.
Let us all promote righteousness in the government. God bless you.
@Mau: I’m a Christian
Got saved 2 years ago. Attending Victory Greenhills. I have to admit, meeting Bro. Eddie did inspire me to hold our leaders to a higher standard.
@Karis & Ted: Thanks for the comments!
The verse above is so powerful though. It makes you realize that we’ve been going against the bible in the past elections haha. We elected a womanizer and then a liar to the Presidency.
Very well said, Mr. Carlo Ople.
The verses you’ve shown here indeed is very, very disturbing – in a positive way.
Hoping many people will be enlighten and more open, especially to the Word of God, since we are one of the Christian countries in Asia.
your so correct mr. ople.
that’s why its hurting to us that other people think we are just Bro.Eddie fanatics. for the sole reason that they dont understand that what we are fighting for is all about God’s agenda. it just so happen that God’s standards embodies this candidate and we all know who.
bangon pilipinas!
Nice post, to God be all the glory!
Nice blog. Keep it up unbiased and clear.
May your tribe increase. I hope this coming election voters will not take lightly their sacred right to elect their leader.
Great!!! indeed Bro. Eddie will just be an instrument of God in fulfilling His agenda for the Philippines. It’s about time for us, who are hoping and praying to have a new Philippines, to taste and experience this dream. BABANGON ANG PILIPINAS…
mabuhay ka sir carlo! you have just encountered the light and reflection of God thru bro. eddie.
kudos! more write ups…
Bangon Pilipinas, Gumising sa katotohanan, Iboto ang taong may takot sa Diyos at may tunay na pagmamahal sa kapwa. Iyan ay Bro. Eddie Villanueva. Lahat po ng kandidato bilang Presidente ng Pilipinas ay may mga napabalitang katiwalian (pagnanakaw, pumatay ng tao, rape, ay ilang lamang sa mga napabalita) habang dila ay nasa kapangyarihan ng kanilang posisyon. Except Bro. Eddie Villanueva. Mag isip isip po tayo mga kababayab ko. Mayroon bang napabalitang karumaldumal na ginawa mismo si Bro. Eddie Villanueva? Hindi po perfecto si Bro. Eddie na hindi na siya nagkakasala ngunit ay ang importante sa lahat po ay yung may takot sa Diyos ang dapat na mamuno sa ating pinagpala ng Diyos na bansang Pilipinas.
Lubos na nagtitiwala sa Diyos,
Bro. Fides / Toronto
seriously, I am surprised to see this post. I saw your previous blogs about Villanueva, not so negative but not so positive either. In particular, allow me to quote your posts.
“I personally believe that these three men [Villanueva,Panlilio, Velarde]are doing a great disservice to this country by doing what they’re doing. That’s just my personal opnion. They have the right to run, but I really don’t believe that they have the training, competencies, and experience needed for the Presidency. ”
(http://www.juancountry.com/jil-bro-eddie-villanueva-formally-to-run-for-president-2010/)
and the other post at http://www.juancountry.com/politics-of-god-bro-eddie-villanueva/
But this post seems to make a turn? I’m sure a lot of juancountry.com readers noticed that too. So we’d like to know what is in Villanueva that you saw, after that interview? Is there something more in him that meets the eye of a typical Juan? (or surveys, if I may add?)
Based on your intellectual analysis of his personality, his sincerity (if there is any that you find) and capacity to lead (again, if there is any)- do you think this guy could really be a rescue volunteer (maybe not a messiah) responding to a distress call, who will do his best to save this country?
Are you now considering this preacher?
Could he be a modern day David? A “shepherd” tending his flock, who knew nothing about war and the battlefield. But when he heard these Goliaths mocking his God and his nation, stood up against the giants with a shepherd’s staff, a sling and 5 stones (oh I heard the preacher has 7Es under his belt, so make it 7 stones.)
“At the end of the day, don’t look to surveys, campaign materials, advice from the taxi driver, or “randomness”, to pick your candidate. All of these things are worldly and they can easily be manipulated and rigged. You cannot trust these kinds of things when you are deciding on who to vote. The mentality of “Iboboto ko na lang si X kasi yung gusto ko naman na si Y walang pag-asa eh.” is just crap. If the candidate doesn’t measure up to God’s standards, don’t vote for him or her.”
Very well said. Thank you for sharing your profound realizations, Mr. Ople. God bless you!
@RJ: Thanks for the comment. Let me just clarify that this is not an endorsement of Brother Eddie. The article is all about realizing the right method on how we should pick our leaders. We always turn to the stupidest things when we decide on who we will vote for. As a catholic/christian nation, it’s amazing that we haven’t been following the bible’s precepts when it comes to who should we support and put into the Presidency.
I’m still undecided on who I will vote for in 2010, but definitely I will be praying and watching all the candidates ’till I make my choice (I’ve already eliminated a bunch though for pretty obvious reasons).
With regards to his sincerity though, only God can know for sure what’s in a man’s heart. But I honestly felt that Brother Eddie was a very sincere person. Let’s leave it at that for now. Competence is another discussion all together and that’s something I won’t be able to determine in just one sit down interview with any candidate.
well said! god bless the philippines!
Hello Carlo,
For a fact, i like your Grandfather. His eyebrows that has an upward point reminds me always of my Father. I got one of those kind of eyebrow also in the left and so as my son. I don’t know if you have one.
Bro. Eddie seems to be not so good at answering questions that tends to lift himself better than the rest. But he sure is good at pointing the conversation towards the right direction. That is glorifying God.
For me, its important to know that you are attending Victory Greenhills and that you have been counted righteous by the Blood of Jesus 2 years ago.
With that, i am confident that your views will be much clearer now than you were in 2004.
SHALOM!
Nerio Cloma
http://www.clomaclan.wordpress.com
Mr. Ople,
Im really happy with your entry regarding your up close and personal meeting with Bro. Eddie Villanueva. I also felt Bro. Eddie’s sincerity and burning passion for the nation when I decided to volunteer for him last 2004 eventhough I was still 15 at that time. Bro. Eddie inspired me so much to the point of changing my view from a happy go lucky youth to a more concerned and patriotic youth. I am not a member of JIL but I continue to support him until now because I believe what we need now is not a traditional leader but is very much qualified and knows how to do the job. Bro. Eddie has COMPETENCE, CHARACTER, COURAGE and COMPASSION.
Btw, it is great that you searched for the answers to the scriptures itself to clarify that Bro. Eddie is but obeying God’s commands in governance.
I would like to give you a copy of the book “Break the Curse, Bring in the Blessings: The Philippines in 2010″ written by Atty. Lyndon Caña, a two termer councilor of Bacolod City who won as an independent candidate.
I will ask Atty. Ted to give you a copy.
May you be used by God in opening minds to the truth that indeed God himself wants this nation blessed and he has set a criteria of the kind of leader that we should support. And basing on that criteria, I can say that it is only Bro. Eddie who fits.
Thanks! More power!
BABANGON ANG PILIPINAS!
God bless you Mr. Carl Ople..
Let’s keep praying until something happens.
Also we need to take some actions. I am excited for the election, never felt this before, ngayun lang.
Bangon Pilipinas!
Nice post. I had serious doubts when Bro. Eddie decided to run again for president. Is it really because of God or is it human tendencies talking. It left me really undecided for this coming elections.
It may not be your intention but your entry just gave me the BIG push to the “decided” side. Thank you.
God bless you!
Panahon na para Bumangon kabataan!
It is now or never for our Generation.
We are not born to stay into the church alone. Step out in FAITH!
KKB MOVEMENT is for Bro. Eddie!
I am so blessed to have read this post. Thank you Mr. Ople.
I am one of Bro. Eddie’s supporters simply because he taught me to have passionate love for GOD, love and compassion for others, and to live in integrity, faithfullness and excellence. He also ignited patriotism in me. What inspires me most is that he is not only full of good words but full of good deeds. He is the man who lead by example.
How i thank GOD for HIS unfailing love that HE will not totally abandon us because of our sins…HE is sending Bro. Eddie C. Villanueva to stand between the gap for the restoration and revival of our beloved country The Philippines! I and other millions of people are standinjg with him for the Cause of God. How about you…fellow reader?
Very well said, i will repost this.
Carlo,
I respect your opinion; however, God had condemn many people who uses his name for personal gain. Villanueva is a typical example. Matthew: 7:21-23 Jesus says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”
But who can say for sure what is God’s will? Wouldn’t we know it only after it is done?
Hi Carlo! I would like to comment on this post:
“If you check at the past two presidents and you try to match them up to the standards set in the bible then you know we’ve failed miserably in electing our leaders.
——————————————
Eto lang ang gusto kong itanong sa mga kapwa ko kristiyano. Ang dali kasi nating ituro ang eleksiyon sa klase ng lider na nakukuha natin sa ating bansa, kung ang pinaka-ugat naman talaga ay ang klase ng lipunan na meron tayo kung kaya ganito ang ating liderato. Hindi kaya tayong mga kristiyano at ang iglesia Niya ang nagkulang sa pagbibigay liwanag sa ating paligid upang ang karamihan ay makakilala kay Kristo at magkaroon ng pagsasaayos ng buhay at ng sa kalaunan ay ang buong lipunan ay magbago kasama na ang ating liderato? Taal pueblo, taal gobyerno, ika nga ni Rizal. Kung anong klaseng gobyerno ang meron tayo ay sa kadahilanan ng klase ng ating lipunan. Bakit sa eleksiyon natin sinisisi ang klase ng liderato na meron tayo? Di kaya dapat natin suriin muna ang ating mga sarili kung ano ang ginagawa natin bilang kristiyano at iglesia upang tayo ay maka-apekto sa ating lipunan upang magkaroon tayo ng liderato na may takot sa Diyos at pag-ibig sa bayan at sa kanyang kapwa? Ako ay naniniwala na hindi sa eleksiyon nagsisimula ang pagbabago, kung di nagsisimula ito sa liwanag ng Diyos na ipinamamahagi ng bawat kristiyano o ng iglesia sa kanilang sinasakupan. Oo, kailangan nating maging maingat sa pagboto, pero ano nga ba ang kalooban ng Diyos para sa atin? Sa eleksiyon nga ba makikita ang kasagutan o sa paglaganap ng liwanag ng Diyos sa pamamagitan ng Kanyang iglesia sa iba’t-ibang sektor ng lipunan?
We’re only reaping what this present and previous generations had done to our country, but I believe we can change the course of history if we continually sow good things to people around us. Let’s remember Galatians 6:7-10, wag tayong mapagod sa paggawa ng mabuti sa ibang tao, lalong-lalo na sa ating mga kabataan – sa susunod na henerasyon, dahil sa kalaunan ay ating aanihin ang mga bagay na ito para sa magandang kinabukasan ng ating bansa. Lahat tayo ay may part sa pagbabago ng Pilipinas at hindi sa iisang tao lang. Ang klase ng liderato ng isang bansa ay bunga lamang ng klase nang ating pagtatanim sa ating lipunan.
Affect the heart of the people with God’s light and the nation will change.
@Lead Philippines
That’s the reason we’re taught by the Lord to pray, so we can communicate with Him.
Using God’s name for personal gain is considered “Blasphemy”. Just like the Muslim people during the 911 incident. They are blinded by their emotions and religion to use the plane to hit the 2 towers in the name of their Alah. Becasue they are following a man’s perogative of serving Alah. There is no difference between Villanueva and the Muslims. It is immoral and unethical that will lead there followers to be condemn.
@Mark, bago ka mag dadaldal ng kung ano-anong akusasyon eh bakit hindi mo muna panoorin ang recorded interview ng mga bloggers ng blogwatch.com kay Bro. Eddie? Magcomment ka ulet dito after mo panoorin. Mga 2 hours Question and Answer portion ang nasa video.
@Mark, I also encourage you to read this post from one of the bloggers who intervied Bro. Eddie. http://newphilrevolution.blogspot.com/2010/01/pagbabago-according-to-bro-eddie.html
Hi Carlo,
Thanks for this post about choosing the right candidate in particular. I hope you dont mind me reposting this one in facebook to give an objective way to choose who to vote using biblical standards.
Sometimes the truth hurts weather you like it or not. I only speaks the truth!
@ Mark
how sure are u that Bro.Eddie used God’s name in vain? what is ur basis? give ur accusations a concrete and specific example.
u are not there in the interview with Bro.Eddie kaya hindi mo alam sinasabi mo.
a good example is mr carlo ople. he wrote negative comments about bro. eddie before. but afer his interview w/ the man, his perspective in choosing a leader became different. though he didnt diretly endorsed bro eddie (yet) in this blog, he was enlightened that choosing a leader is a spiritual, moral, and patriotic obligation to our country, not just some piece of crap.
what’s more, mr ople consulted the GOOD book. and his realizations became much clearer.
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Upon reading your post on this blog, names of different politicians came in to my thoughts, “He must be from among your own brothers,” this clearly states that he should also be a Christian(Filipino), in thoughts, in words, and in acts. Secondly, “must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself” and in this “He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold,” for which I think that man must not be too rich. Another, “He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray,” our ‘former president’ had many wives and it’s possible for him to take more when he gets in power again and for sure his leadership will make Philippines one more level down to poverty, but no more chances for that man, WE have learned our mistakes. Lastly, based on my understandings that king must also be a Bible Reader.
Raine Kim Yu
I am for Bro.Eddie
way to go raine!
Great! I hope and pray that many would STAND FOR WHAT WE BELIEVE! Among the presidentiables… it’s ONLY BRO. EDDIE WHO MEASURES UP TO THE STANDARDS that God has set in the Bible. Yet it’s true that many Filipinos who call themselves ‘Christians’ fail to acknowledge that ONLY A RIGHTEOUS LEADER COULD BRING ABOUT THE CHANGE THAT WE ARE LONGING FOR! Calling all Filipinos! Please MAKE THE CHANGE HAPPEN! VOTE FOR BRO. EDDIE VILLANUEVA! We are facing either BLESSING or CURSE. VOTE WISELY!
I was a volunteer for Bangon Pilipinas last 2004 Elections and your post inspires me a lot. I would like to ask your permission if I can re-post this article in my blog? I will put the credit and link back to this article. Thank you
I left comments here and in some of your posts a few days ago. I think it was spammed.
Anyway, I really love your post. Thank you very much for this. God bless the Philippines!!
…i was browsing po to see kung merong e-book na Break the Curse Bring in the Bleesing and the web end me up here….
..can i knpw where to find a copy or CAN I have a copy of the book?…thanks,,,Godbless,Shalom
Great article. very well-said. “It’s not just a voting for who YOU want, it’s voting WHO God wants”. Thanks for writing about this.
Good day Mr. Ople!!!indeed it is very encouraging!!! i hope and pray that all Filipino people may be able to read and understand it by heart that we do need a leader who best fits those qualities and is God’s appointed one!!! let’s continue to win this battle for God’s glory!!! the time is NOW!!! BABANGON NA ANG PILIPINAS!!! GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!!!
Bro. Eddie is not superman or any super hero. But he is the only Presidential candidate that will qualify God’s standard for choosing a leader in Deuteronomy 17:14-20
We have already tried the intelligent among the intelligent, the famous among the famous, but our country is now almost into ruins. We need genuine change, we need an overhaul of our system. We have prayed a number of times for these…Might this be God’s offer to the nation this 2010? Might this be an offer to put a person who is righteous and who fears God to the Presidency? So that the nation will be blessed…
I believe Bro. Eddie has the academic preparation, and the administrative experience..I believe he is a sincere person. I believe in the cause of Bangon Pilipinas!
I will vote for him!
EDDIE AKO!
Because God says so.
Walk in obedience. Step out in faith!
ES TU TURNO BRO EDDIE!! ES TU TURNO PILIPINO!!
well-said, Carlo…
I am with you about the standards of choosing and appointing a leader in a country…it should be the Bible…nothing else…
Surveys are flaccid.
Political are definitely pointless.
It is surprising that even now,our so-called brother-and-sister-Christians have OTHER sets of standards.
I overheard a preacher ranting about Bro. Eddie’s inexperience in politics and why people should not vote for him when in fact he should have examined (as it was his responsibility) God’s say of choosing a leader.I just hope and pray that we would not appoint another Saul in the seat of the president.
And one last thing, and I know this is immature of me to do so but I couldn’t help myself but respond to the postings of a guy named Mark, so here…
@MARK,
Dude, you are out of context, man….
What are you talking about?
magtagalog ka na lang para mas lalo tayong magkaintindihan…
@Mark..naliligaw ka yata. so sorry to tell you hindi mo mabe-brainwashed mga supporters ni Bro. Eddie. We christians are led by the Holy Spirit. Wala kang magagawa kung hindi mag-join sa majority na nasa katotohanan. tyak hindi ka maliligaw.
Hi Carlo,
What a nice thought indeed. I could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in you as you talked. Iba talaga pag led ng Holy Spirit tumatagos sa kaibuturan ng kaluluwa. May you continue to support God’s will for our country Philippines. God bless you more and more.
tukayo(with same name),
I thought I heard a preaching from a pastor.
Your article is very good. Unbiased. Simple with substance. I like this.
“It’s not just a voting for who YOU want, it’s voting WHO God wants”
I will show my love to Bro. Eddie by not voting for him. Bec. politics will compromise his calling.
A good leader is a good follower… I will vote a leader who acknowledge that he cannot perfectly lead a nation without the help of God… who knows not to depend on his own ability but totally depend on God… who uses his authority in righteousness and cling to what is good – for the welfare of his people… who has an intimate relationship with God and knows how to love his neighbor… who knows his authority but above all, considers and recognize the authority which is greater and above him,who is GOD… I am voting for brother Eddie… but it doesn’t mean that he was perfect forthat position… but because he has a perfect God! I do not trust totally in what he can do, but i put my whole trust in what his God can do through him!
“When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily; but with honest, sensible leaders there is stability.” Proverbs 28:2 (The Living Bible)
“A nation without God’s guidance is a nation without order. Happy are those who keep God’s law!” Proverbs 29:18 (Today’s English Version)
“When good people run things, everyone is glad.” Proverbs 29:2 (The Message Translation)
kaya…
Ako ay para TUNAY NA WALANG KORAPSYUN!
EDDIE na TAYO!!!