Good Morning Judge: The Summit

THE Duterte administration deserves congratulations for the successful hosting of the Asean Summit held in Metro Manila. For the first time, President Rodrigo Duterte in his speeches on various events in the summit has not been heard with his usual street language verbiage. One significant result of the summit is China’s agreement on the fine print of a code of conduct framework for the disputed South China Sea. It may be recalled that the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam are claiming certain areas in the region while China has been reportedly building war arsenals along some portions of the contested area. It is noteworthy, however, that Chinese President Xi JImping has been reported to have said that China “is not ready to go to war with anyone” over the South China Sea. Reports also have it that President Donald Trump has offered to mediate in the maritime dispute. Another bright aspect of the Asean summit is the expression of support by some Asean member countries on the rehabilitation of Marawi City which has been practically razed to the ground after the AFP assaults to drive out Muslim terrorists from the area. Japan has reportedly offered a $22 million grant for the reconstruction of Marawi and counter-terrorism operations. On the part of Russia, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has told President DU30 that his country is willing to help fight terrorism in the Philippines and provide weapons to the Filipino troops. It may be recalled that Russia has already donated 5,000 assault rifles and one million rounds of ammunitions and 20 army trucks to the Philippines and President DU30 has expressed his thanks to Medvedev for the help during the “crucial moment” in the fight against the pro-Islamic State militants in Marawi City. TRIVIA: Through this column, our AdeNU high school batchmate Tim Borromeo wishes to express his gratitude to Victor Candelaria of Zone 3, San Agustin, Canaman, Camarines Sur who found the former’s wallet containing some cash and important IDs while on board a passenger jeepney from downtown Naga. Our batchmate Pomping Requinta whose calling card is among the IDs in Borromeos wallet called this writer to inform the latter of the wallet found by Candelaria. Hi to former Camarines Sur Provincial Board Member Vicente Bonot and his charming spouse Lagring who now resides in their hometown Calabanga, Camarines Sur after their long sojourn in the United States. Lagring is celebrating her Nth birthday anniversary this coming November 17 and the lovely couple has invited their family friends for a luncheon-fellowship at their residence in Calabanga. QUOTATION OF THE WEEK: “WEALTH DOES NOT LEAD TO SUSTAINABLE PROSPERITY IF NOT SHARED BY ALL.” VP LENI ROBREDO FOR OUR WORD OF LIFE: “FOR I AM THE LORD, YOUR GOD, WHO GRASP YOUR RIGHT HAND; IT IS I WHO SAY TO YOU, ‘FEAR NOT I WILL HELP YOU’.” ISAIAH 41:13