CHIZ ESCUDERO SEEKS CLARIFICATION ON “PARTICIPATE IN ANY BUSINESS” DURING IMPEACHMENT TRIAL

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 A constitutional question took center stage during the September 14, 2026 impeachment proceedings involving Vice President Sara Duterte: How broad is the prohibition against the President and Vice President participating in business while holding office?

During the proceedings, Presiding Officer Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero questioned retired Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang, who appeared as an expert witness, about the meaning of the phrase “participate in any business” under Article VII, Section 13 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

The provision states, in part, that the President, Vice President, members of the Cabinet and their deputies or assistants shall not, during their tenure, “directly or indirectly, practice any other profession, participate in any business, or be financially interested in any contract with, or in any franchise, or special privilege granted by the Government.”

One of the issues raised was whether “participation” refers only to actively managing or operating a business—or whether ownership, shareholdings and other financial interests may also fall within the constitutional restriction.

Cabotaje-Tang explained during her testimony that participation could be direct or indirect and discussed circumstances involving ownership of shares and positions as a corporate director or officer. She also addressed Escudero’s questions concerning whether divestment may be required even when the business interest involved is relatively small.

The exchange highlights an important constitutional issue: the restrictions placed on the country’s highest executive officials are intended to address potential conflicts between public duties and private financial interests.

The discussion formed part of the ongoing impeachment proceedings. Testimony and arguments presented during a trial should not by themselves be treated as a final determination of liability; that determination rests with the impeachment court under the applicable constitutional process.

For readers, the key question remains: Where should the constitutional line be drawn between simply owning an interest in a business and actually “participating” in that business?

Source: Proceedings of the Senate Impeachment Court, September 14, 2026.

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50 MILLION MEMBERS? ELDER PEARSON SAYS THE CHURCH MUST PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE

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A recent message from Elder Kevin W. Pearson has sparked an important conversation about the future growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Speaking about the possibility of the Church growing from roughly 18 million members to 50 million, Elder Pearson emphasized that growth on such a scale would require continued revelation—“many great and important things”—through prophets, seers, and revelators.

But the message goes far beyond numbers.

He connected the need for preparation with the Church’s divine mission and our responsibility to prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. 

His remarks also bring to mind other messages Church leaders have shared about future growth. President Henry B. Eyring has taught that the growth of the Church will accelerate, while other leaders have repeatedly emphasized the worldwide gathering of Israel and the need to prepare spiritually for what lies ahead.

There have also been reports from Church members in Chile suggesting that leaders were told to prepare for significant growth and the adjustments that could accompany it. Such secondhand reports should be distinguished from official statements, but they add to the wider discussion taking place among Latter-day Saints.

Still, perhaps the most important question isn’t:

“When will the Church reach 50 million members?”

The more important question is:

Are we prepared to follow the revelation the Lord is giving His Church TODAY?

Because our willingness to receive and act on present revelation may help prepare us for whatever the Lord reveals next.

With General Conference approaching, this is something worth pondering and praying about. 

Could we one day see 50 million members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

If extraordinary growth is ahead, what changes and opportunities might come with it?

And most importantly, how are we personally preparing for the return of Jesus Christ?

Share your thoughts respectfully below. 👇

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3 Things to Understand About Your Temple Endowment

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The temple endowment is one of the most sacred experiences available to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Yet for many people, especially during their first few visits, the experience can feel unfamiliar or difficult to fully understand.

That is perfectly understandable. Temple worship is rich in covenants, ordinances, scripture, and symbolism. Understanding often develops gradually as we return to the temple, study the gospel, pray for guidance, and seek personal revelation.

Here are three important principles that can help us better appreciate the meaning and purpose of the temple endowment.

1. Covenants Are More Than Simple Promises

We sometimes describe a covenant as a “two-way promise” between God and His children. While that description can be helpful, a covenant is deeper than a simple exchange of promises.

A covenant establishes a sacred relationship with God.

Throughout the scriptures, the Lord invited His people to become His covenant people. Through authorized ordinances such as baptism and temple ordinances, we enter into and strengthen that relationship with Him.

The endowment therefore should not be viewed simply as a ceremony we complete. It is part of an ongoing journey of discipleship. We make sacred commitments to God and receive divine promises and spiritual power to help us follow Jesus Christ.

When we leave the temple, we can remember that the covenants we have made are personal. They can influence how we worship, serve, make decisions, treat our families, and live each day.

2. Understanding the Endowment Takes Time

No one needs to understand everything about the temple during the first visit.

The temple uses symbolism extensively, and symbols can contain multiple layers of meaning. This is similar to many scriptural accounts. Lehi’s vision of the tree of life, for example, contained symbols that taught important truths about Jesus Christ, God’s love, His word, and our journey through mortality.

Temple worship can work in a similar way. A teaching or symbol that means one thing to us today may teach us something deeper when we return years later.

That is one reason repeated temple attendance can be so valuable.

We should enter the temple with humility and questions rather than expecting ourselves to understand everything immediately. Study the scriptures, pray, listen carefully, and allow the Holy Ghost to teach.

Adam provides a powerful example. He faithfully obeyed God’s command before fully understanding its purpose. Later, an angel helped him understand why he had been commanded to offer sacrifices (Moses 5:5–8).

Faith can come before complete understanding.

3. Your Temple Experience Is Personal

The ordinances of the temple are the same for worthy participants, but what the Lord teaches each person through them can be deeply personal.

Someone attending the temple for the first time should not feel pressured to remember every detail. Instead, focus on Jesus Christ, feel the peace of the temple, listen to the Spirit, and allow understanding to develop naturally.

As we return again and again, familiar teachings can take on new meaning because we have changed. Our experiences, responsibilities, trials, questions, and spiritual maturity may allow us to recognize truths we did not notice before.

This is part of the beauty of temple worship: eternal truths can speak to individual circumstances.

The Temple Points Us to Jesus Christ

Ultimately, the purpose of temple worship is not simply to learn symbols or complete ceremonies. It is to bring us closer to Jesus Christ.

Doctrine and Covenants 109 describes the Lord’s servants leaving His house “armed with thy power” and carrying His name and His message into the world (see D&C 109:22–23).

The endowment can strengthen our understanding of God’s plan, deepen our covenant relationship with Him, and prepare us to serve His children.

If you sometimes leave the temple with unanswered questions, don’t be discouraged. Continue studying. Continue praying. Continue returning when circumstances allow.

Temple understanding is often a journey rather than a single moment.

As we faithfully honor our covenants and seek revelation, the Lord can gradually help us see beyond the symbols to the eternal truths they represent.

Remember these three principles:

1. Covenants create a sacred relationship with God.
2. Understanding the endowment develops through faith, study, revelation, and repeated worship.
3. The Lord can make your temple experience personally meaningful as you draw closer to Jesus Christ.

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