Jimenez, a former congressman of Manila, was known to be among the richest businessmen in Florida, USA. He was once jailed for his illegal contributions to the political campaign funds of former US president Bill Clinton and other Democrat candidates.
But Jimenez, MJ to his friends, now speaks of a different story, a different man with a different vision and mission in life.
MJ now talks of the holy rosary, holy water and Jesus Christ.
In his visit in Bacolod over the weekend as guest of the Vice Mayors' League-Negros Occidental Chapter, MJ amazed almost everyone in the political circle when, during his speech both at the L'Fisher Hotel and Casino Filipino Hotel Saturday morning, he talked of accepting Jesus in one's heart.
Negros and Bacolod politicians were expecting a political announcement from him.
For one, he is rumored to support Bacolod Vice Mayor Renecito Novero in running for congressman in the Lone District of Bacolod against incumbent Rep. Monico Puentevella.
"The problems the country is facing can't be solved by politics but only through acceptance of Jesus Christ...it's time for us to accept the facts that God loves us and God helps us no matter what. So, let's talk to God daily," he said.
Jimenez turned the gathering into a sort of a prayer meeting as he said he will not be running for any position in the 2007 elections.
"I believe that I can do better outside politics. And, if I am in politics a lot of my fellows will really hate me because I will speak the truth and truth will hurt them," he said.
He advised people especially the politicians to always campaign among their constituents to have a rosary in their hands, holy water and the image of Jesus Christ in their houses.
Asked why he is doing this, Jimenez said, "Because I've learned to know that there's God. I learned to accept Him during the time when I was in jail in America two years ago."
"Inside a bartolina (isolation cell) there, I learned that life is a wonderful gift that I received from God. I therefore vowed to take care of it and live it to the fullest while I am still in jail," he also said.
Jimenez said he spent almost P100 million in the printing of the images of Jesus Christ and distributing them all over the country.
He admitted that some people believed that the things he is doing now are ridiculous.
"But this is true. I am spending my money for the poor because I know when I die, I can't bring my money in heaven," he said.
Aside from spending for the printing of the images of Jesus Christ, he also earmarked about $20 million for the scholarship program in the Philippines. At present, MJ has more than 20,000 scholars from elementary to college.
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