But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
— 2 Timothy 3:1-5

MAYPAJO, Caloocan City — In Matthew 10:21-23, the Bible states that "brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death," highlighting a potential future of family division and conflict.
This passage outlines a prophecy about persecution and division, stating that family members will turn against each other, even to the point of death, because of their faith. In context, this prophecy is part of Jesus's instructions to his disciples about the challenges they would face when sharing their faith.
The verse also specifically mentions "brother will betray brother to death," indicating that family members may be involved in the persecution and even execution of others who follow Jesus. Similarly, it states that "a father his child" and "children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death," suggesting that parents and children may also be divided and pitted against each other.
Collectively, Matthew 10:21-23 hints on "the end of times" and judgment nears for the faithful and unfaithful. The passage emphasizes that those who "endure to the end will be the one who will be saved."
Now, let's take a critical look in our country's political situation. It appears that the Biblical prophesy is manifesting as we find President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (PBBM)'s elder sister, lady senator Imelda Josefa Remedios 'Imee' Marcos-Manotoc withdrawing from the administration's senatorial slate, Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas. This marks a sharp break from her brother over the arrest and extradition of former president Rodrigo 'Rody' Duterte (FPRRD).
There are indications now of a rift between the Marcos siblings as in recent rallies before the break, the President had left his sister's name out of the roster of Alyansa candidates, while the senator said she and her brother "don't talk any more."
Senator Imee, who is polling outside the winning circle in the latest Social Weather Stations survey, has acknowledged a political debt to Duterte and his daughter, Vice President 'Inday' Sara Duterte-Carpio, who she refers to as her 'best friend'.
Mid-March, the lady senator, as chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, grilled top administration officials on their role in Duterte's arrest and extradition, arguing that the former president had been deprived of his rights. She asserted that by repeatedly invoking executive privilege and the sub judice rule during the Senate investigation, government witnesses appeared to be hiding essential facts about the arrest.
Senator Imee added that "beyond the constant narrative that the Philippines was simply complying with its international commitments, a deliberate effort to obscure the truth only gave rise to ever greater suspicion that the Constitution may have been disregarded and our sovereignty diminished by Duterte’s arrest."
Aside from the rift between PBBM and his sister, divisiveness has spread in the political ranks as many lawmakers in both the Upper and Lower Houses, as well as several officials and employees in government, have drawn the line as to which side they stand by regarding the issue of who is right and wrong.
And amidst these developments, the people whom they serve are forgotten, proving that it is not the welfare of the people they are suppose to serve is foremost in their thoughts but the quest of power and wealth.
So we go back and remind ourselves about "the end of times."

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