ATTY. JOHN M. LARO

22/05/2026

17/05/2026

Ang pahayag na ito mula kay Associate Justice Marvic Leonen ay bahagi ng kanyang paliwanag sa kasong Pangilinan v. Cayetano sa Korte Suprema. Ito ang pinakabuod ng kanyang legal na pananaw:

1. Ang Kapangyarihan ng ICC ay nakabatay lamang sa Kasunduan (Treaty)
Ang mga kapangyarihan, proseso, at obligasyon na kaugnay ng International Criminal Court (ICC) — tulad ng pagtutulungan, pagtanggap ng kaso, paghahatid ng suspek, at pakikipag-ugnayan sa Tagausig — ay umiiral lamang at nagiging may-bisa para sa Pilipinas dahil tayo ay sumali at naging kasapi ng Rome Statute. Ito ay isang kasunduang pandaigdig.

2. Hindi nakapaloob sa Batas Bansa (RA 9851) ang mga kapangyarihang ito
Ang Republic Act No. 9851 o ang batas na naglalayong parusahan ang mga krimen laban sa sangkatauhan, krimen sa digmaan, at iba pa — ay hindi naglalaman o nagbibigay ng kapangyarihan sa loob ng ating bansa na sundin o ipatupad ang mga utos ng ICC. Ayon kay Justice Leonen, hindi isinama ng Kongreso sa RA 9851 ang mga proseso o kapangyarihan ng ICC. Ang RA 9851 ay batas para sa loob ng bansa lamang at hindi batas na nagbibigay-kapangyarihan sa korte ng ibang bansa o organisasyon.

3. Pag-alis sa Kasunduan = Pagkawala ng bisa
Nang umatras o umalis ang Pilipinas sa Rome Statute, nawalan na ng bisa ang kasunduan. Dahil dito, ang mga obligasyon at kapangyarihan na galing lamang sa kasunduan ay nawala na rin. Hindi ito nanatili o naging bahagi pa rin ng ating batas lokal dahil hindi naman ito isinama sa RA 9851 noong ito ay ginawa ng Kongreso.

Mahalagang Aral para sa Isyu ng ICC Warrant:

Ito ang pinakamatibay na legal na dahilan kung bakit walang bisa at hindi maipapatupad sa Pilipinas ang anumang utos o warrant ng ICC. Dahil wala na tayong kasunduan, at wala ring batas sa ating bansa na nagbibigay kapangyarihan sa ICC, ang anumang aksyon ng ICC ay wala nang puwersa o bisa sa ating teritoryo. Ang RA 9851 ay batas natin, pero hindi ito kasangkapan para sundin ang ICC.

10/05/2026

Sometimes your battle looks bigger than your strength.
Sometimes the giant in front of you laughs at your faith, mocks your prayers, and makes you feel too small to win. But remember this: David did not defeat Goliath because he was stronger. He defeated him because he trusted a stronger God.

The world will always focus on the size of the giant.
God focuses on the size of your faith.

There are battles you cry about at night.
Problems that keep attacking your mind.
Fear that whispers, “You will never make it.”
Pain that tells you to give up.
But the same God who guided the stone of David is the same God fighting for you today.

Your weapon may look small.
Your resources may seem limited.
People may underestimate you.
But one touch from God can bring down every giant standing against your life.

Do not let fear decide your future.
Do not run from the battle God already prepared you to overcome.
Stand firm. Pray harder. Believe deeper. Trust completely.

Because victory does not come from human power alone.
Victory comes from the hand of God.

The giant will fall.
The fear will break.
The storm will end.
And the same people who doubted you will witness what God can do through a faithful heart.

You will win.
Not because you are perfect…
but because God is with you. 🙏🔥

.33

25/04/2026

🙏 “PLEASING GOD, NOT PEOPLE”

🔰 INTRODUCTION

📖 Galatians 1:10 KJV
“For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.”

👉 In the dispensation of grace (Eph. 3:2):
We are saved by grace alone
But we are called to serve Christ faithfully

👉 The greatest purpose of life is NOT:
❌ Popularity
❌ Approval
❌ Applause
👉 The greatest purpose is:
✅ To please God

🔢 1️⃣ THE PRIORITY OF GOD’S PLEASURE
📖 Colossians 1:10

A. Walk Worthy of the Lord
👉 Live consistently
B. Work to Please Him Fully
👉 Not partially
C. Will Submitted to God
📖 Romans 12:2
D. Worship Centered on Christ
👉 Not self

🔢 2️⃣ THE PROBLEM OF PEOPLE-PLEASING
📖 Proverbs 29:25

A. Fear of Man Brings Snare
👉 Trap of approval
B. Focus on Image Over Integrity
👉 Hypocrisy
C. Following the Crowd Blindly
📖 Exodus 23:2
D. Forgetting God’s Opinion
👉 Misplaced priorities

🔢 3️⃣ THE POSITION IN CHRIST
📖 Ephesians 1:6

A. Accepted in the Beloved
👉 Already approved
B. Assured by Grace Alone
📖 Romans 5:1
C. Anchored in Christ’s Work
👉 Not performance
D. Affirmed by God, Not Men
👉 Secure identity

🔢 4️⃣ THE PRACTICE OF PLEASING GOD
📖 1 Thessalonians 4:1

A. Abound in Godly Living
👉 Grow spiritually
B. Align with Sound Doctrine
📖 2 Timothy 2:15
C. Avoid Worldly Compromise
📖 Romans 12:2
D. Act in Faith Daily
📖 Hebrews 11:6

🔢 5️⃣ THE POWER TO PLEASE GOD
📖 Philippians 2:13

A. God Works Within You
👉 Divine enablement
B. Grace Strengthens You
📖 2 Timothy 2:1
C. Spirit Leads Through the Word
👉 Not feelings
D. Christ Lives Through You
📖 Galatians 2:20

🔢 6️⃣ THE PERSECUTION FOR PLEASING GOD
📖 2 Timothy 3:12

A. Godly Living Brings Opposition
👉 Expect resistance
B. Standing for Truth Costs Something
👉 Not popular
C. Separation from the World
📖 John 15:19
D. Steadfastness in Suffering
👉 Endure faithfully

🔢 7️⃣ THE PRIZE OF PLEASING GOD
📖 2 Corinthians 5:9-10

A. Aim to Be Accepted of Him
👉 Life goal
B. Appear Before Judgment Seat
👉 Accountability
C. Awards for Faithfulness
📖 1 Corinthians 3:14
D. Approval from the Lord
👉 Eternal reward

🔚 CONCLUSION

👉 Pleasing people leads to:
❌ Pressure
❌ Pretending
❌ Pride
👉 Pleasing God leads to:
✅ Peace
✅ Purpose
✅ Eternal Reward

📣 CALL TO ACTION

✅ Set Your Aim to Please God
👉 Make it your goal
✅ Stand on Sound Doctrine
👉 Rightly divide
✅ Separate from Worldly Approval
👉 Choose truth
✅ Serve Christ Faithfully
👉 Finish well

💭 FINAL THOUGHTS

🔥 People’s approval is temporary
🔥 God’s approval is eternal
🔥 If you please men, you lose God’s reward
🔥 If you please God, you gain eternal glory
🙏
✨ LIVE FOR GOD’S SMILE, NOT MAN’S APPLAUSE ✨
🔥 IF YOUR GOAL IS TO PLEASE GOD, TYPE “AMEN!” ✝️

24/04/2026

✝️ GOD IS GREATER THAN ALL YOUR BURDENS

🔰 INTRODUCTION

Life is filled with burdens—sins, fears, regrets, failures, and struggles. But the message of grace today is this: God is greater than all of them. In this Dispensation of Grace, God has already provided the answer through the finished work of Christ. The problem is not the size of your burden—but your view of God’s sufficiency.

📖 Romans 5:20
📖 2 Corinthians 12:9
📖 Colossians 2:10
👉 Where sin abounds, grace much more abounds.

🔵 1️⃣ GREATER THAN YOUR GUILT
(God’s grace overcomes sin)

📖 Romans 3:23–24
📖 Colossians 1:14
A. Sin is Universal – All have sinned
B. Shame is Heavy – Guilt burdens the soul
C. Salvation is Provided – Redemption through Christ
D. Sin is Forgiven – Through His blood

🔵 2️⃣ GREATER THAN YOUR FEARS
(God gives peace)

📖 Romans 5:1
📖 2 Timothy 1:7
A. Fear of Judgment – Removed in Christ
B. Fear of Death – Victory through resurrection
C. Fear of Future – Secure in grace
D. Faith Over Fear – Trust God’s Word

🔵 3️⃣ GREATER THAN YOUR FAILURES
(God’s grace is sufficient)

📖 2 Corinthians 12:9
📖 Romans 8:1
A. Failures are Real – We fall short
B. Forgiveness is Ready – No condemnation
C. Favor Remains – Accepted in Christ
D. Forward Movement – Walk in grace

🔵 4️⃣ GREATER THAN YOUR PAST
(God gives a new identity)

📖 2 Corinthians 5:17
📖 Ephesians 1:7
A. Past is Painful – Mistakes remembered
B. Pardon is Given – Sins forgiven
C. Position Changed – New creature in Christ
D. Purpose Renewed – Live for Him

🔵 5️⃣ GREATER THAN YOUR PROBLEMS
(God supplies grace daily)

📖 Philippians 4:19
📖 Romans 8:28
A. Problems are Present – Life is difficult
B. Provision is Promised – God supplies needs
C. Purpose in Pain – Works for good
D. Power in Weakness – Grace sustains

🔵 6️⃣ GREATER THAN YOUR PRESSURES
(God strengthens the believer)

📖 Ephesians 3:16
📖 Colossians 1:11
A. Pressure from Life – Trials and stress
B. Power from God – Strength in inner man
C. Patience Produced – Endurance grows
D. Praise Continues – Rejoice in grace

🔵 7️⃣ GREATER THAN YOUR DOUBTS
(God’s truth stands sure)

📖 Romans 3:4
📖 2 Timothy 2:13
A. Doubts Arise – Questions come
B. Doctrine is Clear – Truth rightly divided
C. Depend on Word – Not feelings
D. Divine Faithfulness – God cannot fail

🔻 CONCLUSION

No matter how big your burdens are—God is bigger. His grace is greater than your sin, His power stronger than your weakness, and His truth greater than your doubts.
📖 Romans 5:20
📖 Colossians 2:10
👉 Stop focusing on your problems—start trusting God’s provision.

📣 CALL TO ACTION

A. Admit Your Need – Romans 3:23
B. Believe the Gospel – 1 Corinthians 15:1–4
C. Count on Christ Alone – Romans 4:5
D. Continue in Grace – Colossians 2:6

💭 FINAL THOUGHTS

1️⃣ ✝️ God is Greater than Sin – Grace abounds
2️⃣ 💪 God is Greater than Fear – Peace is yours
3️⃣ 🔒 God is Greater than Failure – You are secure
4️⃣ 📣 Preach this Truth – Others need hope