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VP Robredo on the cyber libel decision against Maria Ressa: “Ang banta sa kalayaan ng isa ay banta sa kalayaan ng lahat”

Vice President Leni Robredo described the decision of the court on the cyber libel charges against Rappler editor-in-chief Maria Ressa and former researcher  Reynaldo Santos Jr. as a “chilling development”

On Monday, Manila Regional Trial Court branch 46 convicted Ressa and Santos of cyber libel.

They were also asked to pay P200,000 in moral damages and P200,000 in exemplary damages to the complainant businessman Wilfredo Keng.

Robredo reminded the people what happened to Ressa could also happen to anyone.

“Ang banta sa kalayaan ng isa ay banta sa kalayaan ng lahat. Kung mababaluktot ang batas at mga institusyon ng gobyerno upang idiin ang isang Maria Ressa, ano pa kaya ang ibig sabihin nito para sa mga kalayaan ng ordinaryong mamamayan?”

“Alalahanin natin na hindi ito ang unang pagkakataon na ginamit ang batas para busalan ang malayang pamamahayag. Silencing, harassing, and weaponizing law against the media sends a clear message to every dissenting voice: Manahimik kayo, kung ayaw ninyong matulad sa kanila,”

According to her, information was very important amid the COVID-19 pandemic and Ressa’s Rappler is one of the media companies that delivering news to the people.

“Habang patuloy ang laban natin kontra COVID-19, kailangan natin ang malayang pahayagan, hindi lamang para masigurong nakabase sa wastong impormasyon ang kolektibo nating pagtugon, kundi para rin itaguyod ang katotohanan at paninindigan bilang mga pangunahing haligi ng ating demokrasya,” she said.

“Despite this outcome, it is incumbent upon the press, and every free Filipino, to hold fast to our courage and not be cowed into silence. Bagkus, patatagin pa sana nito lalo ang ating loob, sa patuloy nating pagpanday ng isang makatao, makatotohanan, at makatarungang lipunan,” she added.

After being convicted by the court, Ressa urged the people not to “be afraid” to exercise their rights despite what happened to her.

“Hindi lang po ito tungkol sa Rappler… tungkol po ito sa inyo. Because freedom of the press ithe foundation of every single right you have as a Filipino citizen. If we can’t hold the power to account, we can’t do anything,” Ressa said.

Filipina in UAE receives help from Emirates LOTO to provide 10,000 more meals for people in need

An Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) who captured the attention of the netizens for giving a free meal every day to the affected expatriates in Dubai, UAE has received help from Emirates Loto.

Emirates Loto invited the OFW Feby Cacher Baguisa-Dela Peña to the live draw to announce that they’re going to provide 10,000 meals to the good samaritan so she could help more people.

“Feby is, in all senses, a role model, and her generous act of kindness is now a source of inspiration for many across the globe,” Paul Sebestyen, Emirates Loto CEO said.

“Her story resonated with all of us here at Emirates Loto and we knew that we had to support her initiative to ensure that it sustains and those in need continue to be nourished every day. The world can use more Feby’s as she truly represents the best of us. We salute Feby for her altruism, sense of community, and changing the lives of those in need,” Sebestyen added.

Khaleejtimes.com also reported that the live draw was dedicated to the Filipinos celebrating the Independence Day.

She’s cooking 50kg rice, 60kg of chicken, and 25 dozens eggs to cook twice a day.

It could feed hundreds of people every day.

A few days ago, Baguisa-Dela Peña was featured by several international and local news outlets because of sacrificing her own budget to cook food to the people who couldn’t eat because of being jobless due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In an interview with South China Morning Post, Baguisa-Dela Peña explained why she’s sacrificing her time, energy, and money to help the people affected by the pandemic.

“Due to the pandemic, those people who are in line, they’re the ones affected by it… They lost their jobs, you know they’re on visit visas, because they cannot find a job right now because of this situation,” she said.

“Life is so hard and they don’t have anyone to depend on. Which government will give them their daily needs? To whom they should ask? If I stop this, many people will stop eating,” she added.

Baguisa-Dela Peña was not alone and was assisted by volunteers and donors to make her daily mission successful.

Pinky Amador cries during an interview with Korina Sanchez: “Takot akong magkasakit kasi mag isa lang ako”

After her video has gone viral on social media, Pinky Amador finally appeared in public to explain her side of the story.

In the latest episode of Korina Sanchez’s magazine show ‘Rated K,’ Amador revealed that she’s living in the said condo-tel for 18 years already.

“Sa umpisang 9 years, umuupa lang ako, wala akong problema sa landlord ko, pero noong binili ko na ‘yung unit ko ay kailangan ko ng makitungo sa administrasyon ng building… doon nagsimula ‘yung mga problema ko,” Amador said.

Amador explained that she’s only afraid to get infected by COVID-19 because she’s only living alone, and no one would help her if ever that she becomes sick.

She also expressed concern to her neighbors, especially to the elderlies that they might get exposed if ever that they’re not get informed enough about the repatriated Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) that the condo-tel accepted.

“Alam mo hindi ko kayang magkasakit dahil mag isa lang ako, Korina takot akong magkasakit kapag nagkasakit walang tutulong sakin dahil sarili ko lang ang inaasahan ko, marami pa akong gustong gawin sa buhay ko, marami pa akong gustong tulungan, marami pa akong gustong turuan,” she stated.

Amador also clarified that she’s not angry with the OFWs and considered them as heroes.

“Ang mga OFW natin, bayani ng bayan, bakit naman ako magagalit sa kanila sa katunayan ay naging OFW din ako, mahal ko ang mga OFW, natutuwa pa nga ako kung makakatulong ang building namin sa pagtanggap sa kanila,” Amador explained.

However, she said that the management of the condo-tel should inform them properly about the arrival of OFWs.

She said that they’re already trying to contact the hotel management for three straight weeks, but they allegedly kept ignoring their request.

“Bumaba ako sa basement namin, nakita ko sa labas elevator sa basement na may nakalagay doon na impormasyon na ang building pala namin ay isang stringent quarantine facility… so nagtataka ako nasan na ‘yung impormasyon na hinihingi namin sa loob ng elevator para naman malaman ng lahat ng tao na nasa building na matagal na pala silang tumatanggap ng PUM at PUM,” she said.

She also admitted that she may really cross the line when she confronted the hotel staff and asked the netizens for understanding.

“Maaring sumobra ako, pero ‘yun lang naman ay dahil sumobra na sila,” the actress stated.

The actress also wondering why the hotel staff seems trying to provoke her during the day she was recorded.

“Parang halatang halata na gagamitin nila pag udyok sakin, ‘yung pag video sakin para sirain ako, para makita ng buong mundo na ganitong tao sa Pinky Amador,” she said.

It was also revealed that the staff filed a complaint against Amador.

A lawyer also said that the hotel staff didn’t commit any illegal when they recorded Amador.

Amador then became emotional while urging the hotel management to inform them properly and help each other amid the pandemic.

The actress has been criticized by the netizens and accused her of discriminating the repatriated OFWs.

“[You are] accepting OFWs here with no testing results. Sino? P——–mo! Gawin mo ngayon ‘yan, hindi ako aalis dito! P——–mo, pag ako nagkasakit, babayaran mo ba pang-ospital ko? Tagalan mo pa, p——–mo, kakaladkarin kita dito!” Amador said in the video.

Food delivery drivers lumusong na sa baha para lamang maihatid ang pagkain sa kanilang customer

Food delivery drivers are considered as modern-day heroes who served the Filipinos in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.

And now, it seems that even the bad weather couldn’t stop them from working and delivering food to their customers.

Netizen Dado Agonias posted a video showing food delivery drivers braved the flood just to reach their customers at La Verna Hills Subdivision in Davao City.

The drivers left their motorcycle to a safe area while delivering the food to their customers.

According to him, food delivery drivers kept working despite the complaints they’re receiving from some of their customers and also the possibility of getting scammed.

“Saludo po ako sa mga tao na napasubo nalumangoy kahit na hanggang dibdib ang baha para lang maihatid ang food, tapos yung ibang costumers nagrereklamo pa matagal Yung delivery at yung iba scam pa hays,” Agonias said.

The netizen also narrated that one of the delivery riders ended up with a broken cellphone because of being exposed to the water while walking in the flood.

 

 

 

AFP reservist Dingdong Dantes expresses opposition on anti-terror bill’s current version: “Sadly, the Anti-Terrorism Bill is also causing fear”

Actor and Philippine Navy reservist Lieutenant Commander Dingdong Dantes expressed opposition to the current version of the anti-terror bill which was strongly supported by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

In his post during the 122nd celebration of Independence day, June 12, Dantes said that the anti-terrorism act was ‘causing fear’ because of the possible abuses that could happen once it signed as a law.

“Sadly, the Anti-Terrorism Bill is also causing fear—fear from abuse of power because of uncertainties and lack of dialogue. It is unfortunate that instead of uniting the people during these difficult times, the bill is dividing us. We must remember that the bill must yield the greatest net benefit to the people,” Dantes said.

While Dantes supported the eradication of terrorism in the country, he also said that proper consultation was also important.

“Artists were not consulted on this bill, and yet we are among those whose personal and professional lives are at stake. Contrary to the notion that we only exist to entertain, artists are actually vital storytellers of our nation’s past, present and future. We help bring people together; we help Filipinos stand as one nation as we have always done in the past and are continuing to do during the current pandemic,” he said.

“And since the Filipino’s cooperation, support, trust, and confidence is critical in the fight against terrorism, we, artists assert our role and responsibility in helping craft the law so that we may better contribute in bringing the people together towards one goal which is freedom and peace,” he added.

The actor suggested removing the “Section 9, Inciting to Commit Terrorism” that punishes  “any person who, without taking any direct part in the commission of terrorism, shall incite others to the execution of any of the acts… by means of speeches, proclamations, writings, emblems, banners, or other representations tending to the same end.” 

“Would deleting this section make the law useless? I believe not. But it would certainly protect the people’s freedom of speech and expression, especially that of the artists’ community,” he said.

If ever that President Duterte decided to sign the anti-terror bill, Dantes was hoping that the government would ask artists like him to participate in creating the “implementing rules and regulations” of the controversial measure.

“Umaasa kaming mga aktor na maririnig at pakikinggan ang aming boses. I too hope that we can still find a way to create an ideal Anti-Terror Law that respects Filipino’s constitutional rights and limitations within an environment of public trust and confidence,” he said.

Lawmakers who authored the bill insisted that the anti-terror bill has enough safeguards to prevent any kind of abuses.

Senator Panfilo Lacson said that the Philippines’ anti-security law is one of the weakest in Southeast Asia.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III assured that they put enough safeguards to the bill.

Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa also insisted that activism would not be affected by the bill, saying that they could even post ‘Mabuhay ang NPA’ on the internet as long as they’re not supplying arms to the group.

BB. Gandang Hari slams Vice Ganda: “Masuwerte ka at sumikat ka, dahil bobita ka!”

After 11 years, BB Gandanghari formerly known as action star Rustom Padilla slammed Vice Ganda for his statement about her transformation in 2009.

In her vlog, Gandanghari showed to her followers an old interview of Vice Ganda taken one decade ago questioning the transformation of the former action star.

“Super love ko si Rustom… ‘yung buhay na Rustom bago pinatay, ang creepy, sino bang pumatay kay Rustom? Hindi siya proud na bading siya, hindi naman niya kini-claim na bading siya,” Ganda said.

“Nag modeling school sa new york yata, bakit mag momodela? Ngayon siya magmo-modeling nasa 40s diba medyo may edad na,” he added.

Ganda apologized to his statements in 2009 saying that he’s only reacting as a fan of Rustom Padilla.

As a response, Gandanghari criticized Ganda and said that the statement made by the comedian one decade ago was an example of statements made by two-faced people.

“Ayaw mong tanggapin ang pagkababae ko, kukuwestyunin mo. Eh, wala ka naman palang sense. Masuwerte ka at sumikat ka, dahil bobita ka, `yun lang ang masasabi ko sa’yo,” Gandanghari said.

“Anong ibig mong sabihin na ang pagiging babae ay sinasarili? Ano parang ikaw? Pagdating mo sa kwarto ay naka-bra ka gano’n? Ipokrita,” she added.

Gandanghari even questioned why the comedian asked TV Patrol for an interview just to criticize the former’s decisions.

“Nagpa-interview siya sa TV Patrol para i-bash ako. Para sumikat. At in fairness, sumikat naman siya. Isang malaking bangaw! Isang malaking bangaw!” the former action star said.

The popular transgender’s statement was different from her statement five years ago.

In the interview, Gandanghari said that she’s fine with the fame being enjoyed by Ganda because they “belong to the same community”.

“He’s gay, I’m transgender, ang maganda naman doon, why not… biruin mo dito lang sa Pilipinas nangyayari ‘yan na hindi lang isang indibidwal sa isang community ang tinatanggap ng industriya, napaka open talaga natin, so I don’t mind being compared to him (Vice Ganda),” Gandanghari stated.

It’s not yet known why Gandanghari suddenly brought up the issue that happened almost a decade ago.

It seems that the former action star is not yet done with criticizing Vice Ganda as she made a series of vlogs to discuss the comedian.

You can subscribe to BB. Gandanghari channel by visiting her Youtube page.

Lopezes reportedly in talks with Pangilinan to air ABS-CBN shows on Cignal Cable?

ABS-CBN reportedly doing their best to air their shows as soon as possible.

In a report of Bilyonaryo the owners of ABS-CBN are already in talks with Manny V. Pangilinan to rent a channel on Cignal so they could reach the 2.2 million subscribers of the said cable company.

Cignal is owned by the PLDT group headed by Pangilinan.

ABS-CBN is currently facing one of their biggest challenges after the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) forced to shut down the television network giant due to its franchise issue.

The Office of the Solicitor General also filed a quo warranto petition before the Supreme Court to question the legality of ABS-CBN’s operation.

The company already lost millions of pesos because of its closure.

Some of the shows of ABS-CBN were planned to be aired on Kapamilya Channel tomorrow through other cable operators in the country.

Last year, Pangilinan said that he’s also open to possibilities to let ABS-CBN air their block timers in TV5 while they’re waiting for a new franchise.

“We have lots of highways…Setting politics aside, if they want to enter into a block time deal, wala naman kaming masyadong entertainment content,” said Pangilinan last December.

ABS-CBN has yet to confirm the reports.

Netizen explains why the song ‘Spoliarium’ is not about Pepsi Paloma, Vic Sotto and Joey De Leon

A netizen believes that the song Spoliarium by the legendary OPM band Eraserheads is not about a case of a 1980s star and three comedians.

Miguel Guzman made an unpopular opinion on social media and explained the real story behind the song of Eraserheads.

According to him, the Enteng and Joey being mentioned to the song is not Vic Sotto and Joey De Leon but the close friends of the band members, Vicent “Enteng” Villasante” and Joey “Cowpunk” Navera.

“Kung naniwala ka na yung reference ng “Enteng at Joey” ay sila Joey De Leon and Vic Sotto, then you believed on the wrong “meaning”… it’s NOT a fact.. why? Vincent Villasanta and Joey Navera, who are the one of the band’s close friends, made the EHEADS cover albums and who also helped the ‘heads finish their 5th album “STICKER HAPPY”, explained that this was just a drinking session with the Eheads… kahit si Enteng nilinaw niya na ang Spoliarium story niya ay inuman lang.. “bahala na kayo kung naniniwala pa rin kayo”(referring to the Pepsi Paloma theory),” Guzman said.

“Also another proof, at one of Ely’s gig, before perfoming the song, he stated “Uhmm.. this song is not about SOFTDRINKS” (referred kay Paloma).. MALINAW NA MENSAHE YAN.. Spread the REAL meaning..Look and believe on the REAL fact.. not the theory you believed that is true when there’s NO CONFIRMATION or PROOF about it. “Bago maniwala, magisip-isip ka muna. Marami ang namamatay sa Maling Akala” -Maling Akala by Eraserheads,” he added.

Guzman also showed a photo of ‘Enteng’ and ‘Joey’ together with Eraserheads, vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist Ely Buendia.

Guzman’s post reached 24,000 shares as of writing.

The said song became an urban legend and the discussion about the song was amplified because of social media.

Spoliarium has long been associated with the alleged r*pe and demise of the 1980’s star Pepsi Paloma.

Paloma filed a case against Vic Sotto, Joey De Leon and Ritchie D’Horsie.

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III also got involved in the urban legend, after the future senator had been accused of forcing Paloma to sign an ‘Affidavit of Desistance’ to junk her case against the three comedians.

The Senate President denied the accusations against him and to the three comedians, saying that the Pepsi issue was just a ‘gimmick’ of Paloma’s manager.

Despite the denial of the Senate President, the urban legend is still popular and a netizen even requested the ‘Spoliarium’ to be played during a live session of Vic Sotto and his wife Pauleen Luna.

Luna reportedly got offended and messaged the netizen who made the said request.

In 2011, the urban legend became more mysterious after Ely Buendia reportedly said that he would take the secret of Spoliarium “to the grave”.

 

 

 

Sen. Pangilinan proud of his daughter Frankie’s social media posts: “Ngayon alam ko na ang naging pakiramdam ng Tatay ko!”

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan expressed his admiration to his daughter Frankie after she clashed with journalist Ben Tulfo on the reason why predators are targeting women.

In his tweets, Pangilinan said that he now understood the feelings of his father when he was still young and doing activism in UP Diliman during the Marcos administration.

“Ngayon alam ko na ang naging pakiramdam ng Tatay ko nung isa akong nagmamartsa, nakikibaka at lumalaban na lider estudyante sa UP Diliman nung ‘80s nung panahon ng Diktadura. Pasensya na Daddy, ikaw din ang nagturo sa akin na mahalaga ang pagiging lider nung bata pa ako,” Pangilinan said.

Pangilinan also gave his blessing to Frankie to continue what she’s posting on social media.

“Go ahead then,  @kakiep83 . As my Father, your Lolo Dony, sought to understand what I did then despite the risks, so it is with me and you,” he told his daughter.

Yesterday, Frankie said that people should stop teaching girls how to dress because their attire should not be the reason to be the target of predators.

Tulfo then told Frankie that the only thing that women could do to protect themselves from predators is to wear proper attire.

“Hija, iba mag-isip ang mga manyakis at mga r*pists. Hindi natin sila matuturuan at mababago ang kanilang pagnanasa at pagiging kriminal,” Tulfo said.

“Ang tanging magagawa ay manamit ng tama. Huwag nating pukawin ang pagnanasa nila. Ito ang iyong magagawa,” he added.

Frankie then responded to Tulfo, calling the journalist “braver on Facebook” because she’s not using the said social media platform.

Topic #HijaAko became viral on Twitter after netizens expressed support to Frankie’s stand.

Aside from thousands of Twitter users, defeated senatorial candidates Erin Tanada and Samira Gutoc also expressed their support to the daughter of the Liberal Party president.

“So proud of you, hija,” Gutoc said.

Frankie then thanked the people who used #HijaAko.

“Been scrolling through #HijaAko for a while and I’m in genuine tears. you’re all so brave and strong and there aren’t words for how deeply I love you,” she said.

Sen. Bato slams anti-terror bill critics: ” Go ahead! I-junk natin ito, basta huwag ninyong sisihin ang gobyerno kapag nagka-leche leche tayo sa terrorism dito!”

Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa slammed the critics of anti-terror bill who insisted to junk the controversial measure because of possible abuses.

In an interview with DZBB, Dela Rosa challenged the critics to junk the anti-terror bill, but reminded them not to blame the government if ever that they become a victim of terrorists.

“Sige, i-junk ninyo. Gusto n’yo i-junk? Junk ninyo. Kapag kayo ay naging biktima ng terorista, sumabog ang bomba dyan, may namatay sa mahal sa buhay ninyo, o kayo mismo, huwag ninyong sisihin ang gobyerno na hindi gumagawa ng paraan para mahinto ang terrorism, para masawata ang terrorism,” Dela Rosa said.

“Sige, gusto n’yo another Marawi siege? Go ahead! Gusto n’yo ng another Zamboanga siege? Go ahead! Gusto n’yo bombing kaliwa-kanan? Go ahead! I-junk natin ito, basta huwag ninyong sisihin ang gobyerno kapag nagka-leche leche tayo sa terrorism dito,” he added.

Dela Rosa who’s one of the co-authors of the anti-terror bill reiterated his message to the critics that they’re not going to face any problems if they’re law-abiding once the measure becomes law.

“Itong anti-terror bill na ito, kung ikaw ay law-abiding citizen at ayaw na ayaw mo ng terorismo, you will rejoice when this bill is signed into law,” he said.

“Pero kung ikaw ay terorista o kaya’y supporter ng mga terorista, dapat matakot ka sa batas na ito. Kailangang-kailangan talaga natin itong batas na ito,” he added.

He also urged the public not to listen to the disinformation campaign launched by the critics, believing that the bill would badly affect the New People’s Army (NPA).

“Huwag kayong makinig diyan sa nagdi-disinformation dahil alam ko grabe ang disinformation na ginagawa ngayon dito, lalo na ng mga kaliwa, dahil alam nila na tatamaan ang NPA sa batas na ito,” Dela Rosa who’s also a former PNP chief stated.

“Kaya talagang nagkukumahog sila na sirain ang batas na ito, hindi maisabatas dahil alam nila na tatamaan ang NPA. Kaya basahin n’yo ang batas [para] mawala ang agam-agam n’yo,” he added.

In a past interview, Dela Rosa explained that they already put enough safeguards to the bill to prevent government officials from abusing it.

Dela Rosa also narrated how a member of ISIS that they already put under their custody gained his freedom because of the short reglementary period given to them by the current law.

“Very clear na ang activism is not terrorism, nakalagay ‘yan dito, kahit anong pananaw mo sa buhay walang problema ‘yan, we respect your ideology kung ano ang pinaglalaban mo basta wag ka lang talagang magbigay ng material support sa NPA, wag kang magbigay ng tulong doon, pero mag express ka lang ng dissent, walang problema ‘yan, kahit na sabihin mo ‘gobyerno ay salbahe, Duterte sira ulo’ kahit anong sabihin niyo wala yan,” he said.