Francis Leo Marcos speaks after being nabbed by NBI: “May mga tinamaan lang siguro sa challenge ko!”

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May 19, 2020 6:57 am

Self-proclaimed businessman and philanthropist Francis Leo Marcos spoke to the members of the media after being caught by the National Bureau of Investigation because of his alleged violation of the Republic Act 8050, also known as the Optometry Law.

According to Marcos, he’s using his wealth to distribute free reading glasses to the needy in different parts of the country.

Before becoming famous on social media, it was reported that Marcos led a group called “Perlinian Group-Marcos Foundation” that’s known for giving optical care to the masses for free.

Marcos said that a group of eye care professionals in Baguio file charges against him because they’re losing profits because of the optical missions led by his foundation.

“Basta kumita ako, nagbibigay ako ng optimum eyecare program sa ating mga kababayan, Luzon, Visayas at Mindanao, nakarating na ko ng Maguindanao, nakarating na ako ng Cagayan, dulo ng Pilipinas,” Marcos said.

Marcos insisted that he’s innocent and never did anything illegal during those optical missions.

“Wala ho akong ginawang hindi maganda, puro pagtulong lang lamang mo sa ating mga mamamayan,” he stated.

Marcos suspected that the reason why his case was brought up is that many powerful people wanted his reputation to get destroyed because of the ‘Mayaman Challenge’.

“Talagang may tinamaan doon sa Mayaman challenge ko, at talagang gusto po akong pabagsakin,” he said.

Marcos also claimed that he’s also a complainant, asking NBI to find the people pretending to be him on social media.

The National Bureau of Investigation on Tuesday arrested Francis Leo Marcos for alleged violations of the optometry law. The alleged businessman gained fame lately for posting his donations online. | ? by @tribunephl_yumi pic.twitter.com/6PXgJQq1zo

— Daily Tribune (@tribunephl) May 19, 2020

In some videos, it shows the optical missions launched by Marcos’ foundation.

Marcos repeatedly claimed many times that some wealthy individuals were upset by his ‘Mayaman Challenge’ because unlike him, they chose to stay at home keeping their money instead of helping the poor.

The businessman even received a complaint from his neighbor after he roamed around their posh subdivision while calling them to go out and help the needy.

Despite his philanthropic acts, Marcos’ identity was questioned by netizens, journalists, politicians, and even a scammer.

Businessman and Philanthropist Francis Leo Marcos caught by the members of NBI

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May 19, 2020 5:38 am

Businessman and Philanthropist Francis Leo Marcos have been caught by the members of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Tuesday.

In the news report by ABS-CBN, it shows Marcos already in the NBI Central office for allegedly violating Republic Act 8050, also known as the Optometry Law.

The case might be related to the optical missions allegedly led by Francis Leo Marcos in the past.

Exclusive Breaking: NBI arrests businessman Francis Leo Marcos. pic.twitter.com/K1A808NA1y

— Nikolo Baua (@Nikobaua) May 19, 2020

According to the journalist Manuel P. Mejorada, Marcos allegedly uses charities to raise funds but in the end, the latter is going to use the money he gathered in gambling.

“What FLM is doing is different. It’s not an investment. It capitalizes on our weakness to be helpful through charity. His past schemes have mostly dealt with fake charity work. His modus operandi was raise funds through donations for optical missions in which his organization gives free eyeglasses to indigent recipients. This is the main reason he adopted the Marcos family name. It attaches a sense of credibility to his scheme. And who would suspect that the giving of eyeglasses is a scam?” Mejorada said.

“I found out that he would usually approach rich people and ask for donations. Quite a number have fallen prey to his scheme and gave substantial amounts of money. After all, he is a “Marcos”. And he is supposed to be a billionaire. However, only a small portion of the money he got from donors actually goes to free eyeglasses. He squandered the rest on his lavish lifestyle and gambling,” he added.

Francis Leo Marcos suddenly has gone viral on social media because of his ‘Payaman Challenge’ where he challenged the rich people to go out of their houses to help the needy in the middle of the pandemic.

He even roamed around a posh subdivision while riding a luxury car to call his ‘neighbors’ to do philanthropic works.

His videos in the past even reached 100,000 live viewers and some of them urged him to enter politics.

However, Francis Leo Marcos’ real identity became suspicious when a member of the Romualdez clan and even the son of former Senator Bongbong Marcos disowned the businessman.

Francis Leo then admitted that he’s not related to the Marcoses, despite claiming before that he’s the son of Pacifico Marcos is the youngest brother of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr.

A known scammer and internet celebrity Xian Gaza also claimed that Marcos’ real name is Norman Mangusin and only falsified his identity to escape previous lawsuits.

NBI already hinted before that they’re investigating Francis Leo Marcos.

Baka mabaliw? ABS-CBN claims that millions of Filipinos mental health is in danger by the absence of Kapamilya shows

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May 18, 2020 2:42 pm

ABS-CBN believes that the absence of Kapamilya shows especially during the COVID-19 pandemic could affect the mental health of the Filipino people.

In a petition filed by ABS-CBN before the Supreme Court, they said that Filipinos who got used to watching Kapamilya top shows like “Ang Probinsiyano” are affected already by the absence of the said television shows.

According to them, entertainment being brought by ABS-CBN could help the people to survive the ECQ as most of them are forced to stay at home.

ABS-CBN is asking the court to block the cease and desist order issued by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) against them.

“While the cease and desist order is in effect, millions of avid Filipino fans, who watch ABS-CBN entertainment shows and programs daily, are deprived of this source of leisure and enjoyment,” ABS-CBN petition reads.

“Under the extended quarantine conditions, Filipinos are literally in prisn within their homes and are unable to go out. Such difficult constraints will surely add emotional and mental stress that is detrimental to their well-being,” it added.

They also claimed that the “unparalleled reach” of ABS-CBN is needed during the pandemic as they could give timely information to the public.

ABS-CBN pointed out that some places in the country only rely on the information being brought by the Kapamilya network and other radio stations they owned.

“With ABS-CBN’s unparalleled reach, it is imperative that ABS-CBN is on air to give timely and reliable information to the public, especially in light of the current public health emergency,” they said.

“In some areas, ABS-CBN operates one of the very few (if not the only) available television and radio stations. For instance, ABS-CBN’s Channel 34 DTTB Station is one of only two TV/DTTB Stations in Nueva Vizcaya, while its D-11-Zz Channel 2 (in) and Channel 11 (out) TV Station is one of only three TV stations in Mountain Province,” it added.

The network also mentioned to the petition that the continuous closure of ABS-CBN could affect its workers.

“If this severe financial hemorrhage is not stopped, ABS-CBN may be constrained to eventually let go of workers, reduce salaries and benefits, and substantially cut down on costs and expenses,” the network said.

ABS-CBN claimed that they’re losing P30 to P35 million per day in advertising revenues since NTC ordered them to stop their operations.

Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte slams ABS-CBN: “Kaya marami naiinis sa inyo dahil nanadya kayo!”

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May 18, 2020 10:04 am

Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte slammed ABS-CBN’s report about her interview with a radio station.

In her Instagram post, Mayor Duterte said that ABS-CBN only put her short statement instead of putting all her explanations on why her father, President Rodrigo Duterte was allowed to travel back to Davao City.

According to her, ABS-CBN’s latest news report about her is one of the reasons why many people don’t like Kapamilya Network.

“Alam niyo Abs-Cbn kaya marami naiinis sa inyo dahil nanadya kayo. Apart from this sassy answer, I gave a mouthful of numbers as legal basis, aba kahit isa wala man lang kayo sinulat. Ansabe ko IATF Omnibus Guide dated 15 May 2020 Sec. 7 (2) 2 at Notam DIA exemption to restricted travel 2) Government flights,” the Mayor said.

IATF Omnibus Guide Sec. 7 (2) 2 includes government officials as people permitted to travel under any form of community quarantine, including President Duterte.

She also said that instead of making new supporters, ABS-CBN only created new enemies.

Inday Sara then reminded that ABS-CBN franchise issue doesn’t have any connection with freedom of speech.

“Andami niyo na nga kalaban gusto niyo pa dagdagan. Kung sabagay pasok naman na sila Espasol, Sapin-Sapin at Chicharon sa bulsa eh noh, 6 months to 25 years. So tuloy lang tayo sa bias.,” she said.

“Magsulat kayo maayos oi. And for the record, walang connection ang freedom of speech at iba pang kieme ninyo sa isang franchise. Amen,” she added.

View this post on Instagram

Alam niyo Abs-Cbn kaya marami naiinis sa inyo dahil nanadya kayo. Apart from this sassy answer, I gave a mouthful of numbers as legal basis, aba kahit isa wala man lang kayo sinulat. Ansabe ko IATF Omnibus Guide dated 15 May 2020 Sec. 7 (2) 2 at Notam DIA exemption to restricted travel 2) Government flights. Andami niyo na nga kalaban gusto niyo pa dagdagan. Kung sabagay pasok naman na sila Espasol, Sapin-Sapin at Chicharon sa bulsa eh noh, 6 months to 25 years. So tuloy lang tayo sa bias. Magsulat kayo maayos oi. And for the record, walang connection ang freedom of speech at iba pang kieme ninyo sa isang franchise. Amen.

A post shared by Sara Z. Duterte (@indaysaraduterte) on May 18, 2020 at 2:42am PDT

On Monday, ABS-CBN reported that Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte defended her father’s decision to go back to Davao despite the domestic flight ban being implemented modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).

“So wala nay mas frontliner pa sa atong tanan sa presidente sa atong nasud (He’s the top frontliner as president of our country.)” Inday Sara Duterte said, according to the news report of ABS-CBN.

Three months ago, Mayor Inday Sara expressed her support to the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN.

“Davao City fully supports ABS-CBN sa kanilang pagpapa-renew ng kanilang franchise. Of course malaki din ang suporta ng ABS-CBN sa Davao City at sa buong bansa,” Duterte-Carpio said last February.

“Hopefully ma-resolve in a very positive way ang issue ng franchise ng ABS-CBN,” she added.

Mayor Inday Sara Duterte on her father’s decision to fly home to Davao City: “He’s the top frontliner of our country”

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May 18, 2020 8:58 am

Mayor Inday Sara Duterte defended her father President Rodrigo Duterte after the latter decided to back to Davao City despite the domestic flight banned being implemented under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).

In an interview with Davao City Disaster Radio, Inday Sara said that as the President of the country, her father is considered as the top front liner of the country.

“So wala nay mas frontliner pa sa atong tanan sa presidente sa atong nasud (He’s the top frontliner as president of our country.)” Mayor Duterte said.

Inday Sara refused to answer other questions about her father’s stay in Davao City citing that the presidential spokesperson should speak on behalf of the chief executive.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque already explained that as the chief executive of the Philippines, he should also check the current situation of Mindanao amid the COVID-19 crisis.

“President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is now in Davao City to visit his family whom he has not seen in months and to assess the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation in Mindanao,” Roque said.

“COVID-19 has affected not just one part of the country but the entire Philippines. As a father of the nation, President Duterte — considering his age and comorbidities — is a hands-on working Chief Executive who spent his weekend to check how this global health scare impacted the lives of people on the ground, especially those living outside Metro Manila and Luzon,” he added.

Duterte is set to come back to Manila before the next IATF meeting.

For two months, President Duterte stayed in Manila and spent 75th birthday under quarantine in Malacanang.

SP Sotto rejects the request of Atty. Gadon to restrict 9 lawmakers from deliberations and voting of ABS-CBN franchise

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May 18, 2020 8:07 am

Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III rejected the request of Atty. Larry Gadon to inhibit nine lawmakers from the deliberation and voting of the ABS-CBN franchise bill.

In a statement, Sotto denied that he’s “financially interested in the business of ABS-CBN” and insisted that it’s part of his job to tackle the issue of ABS-CBN’s franchise.

Gadon accused Sotto of having connections with ABS-CBN as his brother, Vic Sotto, is making movies with the television network giant.

The lawyer also alleged that Sotto receives royalties from ABS-CBN.

“I am not a stockholder. I am part of the Congress that is mandated by the Constitution to grant franchises. I cannot shirk from my sworn duty,” Sotto said.

“I suggest you listen to my interpellations before judging me,” he added.

Sotto is one of the supporters of ABS-CBN, saying that they’re going to approve the franchise of the network once it reaches the senate.

“ABS Franchise, bring it to the Senate, we will approve it!” Sotto said in a tweet on May 5.

Meanwhile, Senate Minority Floor Leader Franklin Drilon said that the request of Gadon has no legal basis because inhibition “is a personal decision of each senator.”

“No one can impose it, not even the Supreme Court,” Drilon said.

“We can only be disciplined if there are ethical issues involved in our participation in the ABS-CBN franchise, by the Senate, and no one else,” he added.

Here are the other lawmakers Gadon asked to inhibit:

1. Senator Pangilinan – Spouse is stockholder , Talent of ABS CBN with many years of broadcast , movies are shown earning fees and royalties

2. (Former) Senator Cayetano – The law office Cayetano Sebastian , is one of the law offices retained by ABS CBN , the law office where the late Rene Cayetano was founder and partner and Senators Allan Peter and Pia are also either partners or associates , Sebastian is husband of Pia Cayetano . The late former Senator Rene Cayetano had a long running television and radio show COMPANERO in ABS CBN

3. Senator Pacquiao – Receives fees and royalties from boxing fights , had a tv show in ABS CBN

4. Senator Lapid – Stockholder , Talent with latest show Probinsyano where he received talent fees and royalties

5. Senator Poe – Producer of tv show at ABS CBN , mother Susan talent and appears on several shows, Movies of adoptive father are shown over ABS CBN with royalties received

6. Senator Revilla- Talent , movies are shown in ABS CBN , receives royalties

7. Senator Angara – Wife works as top executive in ABS CBN

8. Senator Recto – Wife then actress Vilma Santos had tv shows in ABS CBN , son Lucky Manzano has current tv show

“Sa Katotohanan , lahat ng lumagda sa Resolution “expressing the sentiment of the Senate” ay nararapat rin na mag inhibit sa debate at botohan sapagkat meron na sila agad pagkiling o pre-judgement pabor sa ABS CBN sa kabila ng pag expire ng prangkisa nito at sa mga alegasyon ng mga violations nito na may sapat na katibayan na sa kasalukuyang nasa petition sa Supreme Court at nasa mga reklamo at resolution ng pag iimbistiga sa House of Representatives,” Gadon said.

SP Sotto supports opening of churches: Instead na buksan ang mga mall, dapat simbahan nalang ang buksan!

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May 18, 2020 3:17 am

Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III supported the opening of churches instead of opening malls and other big establishments during the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) and the Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ).

In a tweet, Sotto said that Churches and other small establishments should allow opening instead of big malls.

“Hindi ba dapat instead of opening malls we’d rather open the churches? With safe distancing of course!” Sotto said.

Hindi ba dapat instead of opening malls we’d rather open the churches? With safe distancing of course!

— Tito Sotto (@sotto_tito) May 17, 2020

“Hindi ba dapat instead of opening malls we should open the small businesses?” he added.

Hindi ba dapat instead of opening malls we should open the small businesses?

— Tito Sotto (@sotto_tito) May 17, 2020

The opening of shopping centers has been criticized by the netizens after photos of mall-goers not practicing social distancing has gone viral on social media.

Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla also ordered the malls in his province to temporarily close because of lack of social distancing.

Yesterday, Manila Apostolic Administrator Broderick Pabillo also questioned the decision of the government to open big establishments while limiting the people allowed to visit the church.

“The IATF came out with a recent decision that set the parameters for activities for the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) and the Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ). In the church we are happy that in both, religious activities are allowed. But at the same time, the limitations they set to religious activities are unreasonable – 5 persons for MECQ and 10 persons for MGCQ! It is just another way of saying that you do not have religious activities,” the bishop said.

“Where did they get these numbers? Why is it that they do not give the absolute numbers of persons who can enter a store, or work in the office, or in the factory? Do they say that only 10 persons should be in an office, or that 20 persons work in a factory, or that only 5 persons can enter a store at a time? This would be preposterous!” he added.

Bishop of Manila slams government for limiting religious gatherings to 5-10 people: “Do they say that only 5 persons can enter a store at a time?”

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May 17, 2020 2:18 pm

Manila Apostolic Administrator Broderick Pabillo expressed his disappointment over the restrictions imposed by the government on religious gatherings amid the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) and the Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) being implemented in different parts of the country.

In a Facebook post, Pabillo said that while he’s happy that religious gatherings are now allowed, the restrictions of people allowed to join the mass are ‘unreasonable.’

He questioned why the government limits the people allowed to join the mass while they’re not giving restrictions to the individuals entering groceries, factories, and offices.

“The IATF came out with a recent decision that set the parameters for activities for the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) and the Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ). In the church we are happy that in both, religious activities are allowed. But at the same time, the limitations they set to religious activities are unreasonable – 5 persons for MECQ and 10 persons for MGCQ! It is just another way of saying that you do not have religious activities,” the bishop said.

“Where did they get these numbers? Why is it that they do not give the absolute numbers of persons who can enter a store, or work in the office, or in the factory? Do they say that only 10 persons should be in an office, or that 20 persons work in a factory, or that only 5 persons can enter a store at a time? This would be preposterous!” he added.

According to him, some churches in the country, especially in NCR are big enough to accommodate a crowd of more than five to ten people while practicing social distancing.

He also said that the government made its decision without asking the Catholic Church for consultations.

“There are many churches with different sizes. Five persons for such a big church as Baclaran or the Manila Cathedral is laughable! The one-size-fits-all directive is really unreasonable! Why not give instead of the instruction that there be one meter or two-meter distance between persons in a church?” he said.

“This directive on religious activities was surely taken without any consultation with the religious sector. This is a problem with the government. They make arbitrary decisions without proper consultation with the sectors involved. So they come out with unreasonable directives!” he added.

Meanwhile, the Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas, an organization accredited by the Catholic Church reminded the devotees to avoid forgetting their donations to the church.

“As a result, collections and various offerings to our churches have also stopped. As members of the Church, we know that all the services and duties (of) our parishes and diocese require our continued contributions,” Laiko president Rouquel Ponte said.

“Therefore, we must not forget and neglect this important and fundamental duty,” he added.

Religious gatherings were restricted during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) imposed in the Philippines, one of the Catholic nations in Southeast Asia.

On May 16, IATF-IED has allowed several places in the country to conduct religious gatherings.

However, it’s only limited to not more than five to ten people so most of the devotees should still rely on watching online mass.

In South Korea, a religious group was blamed for spreading COVID-19 in the said country.

Former hater of Duterte now proudly says that he’s a ‘troll’ and being paid by the President: “NOT FOR THE MONEY, NOT FOR FAME. BUT FOR PROMOTING HIS GOOD DEEDS AND LEADERSHIP!”

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May 17, 2020 12:12 pm

A netizen proudly proclaims on his Facebook post that he’s a ‘troll’ of President Rodrigo Duterte.

In his post, netizen Arrienda Alexander narrated how he hated President Rodrigo Duterte in 2016 after he lost his job as a driver of a colorum vehicle.

However, as the days go by, he realized the Duterte is the only leader who wanted to implement the rule of law and stopping the colorum vehicles from operating is one of the examples of his leadership.

Alexander then proceeded on comparing what happened to him to the current situation of the ABS-CBN franchise, saying that the government only implemented the rule of law to the television network giant.

“Pag-upo ni Duterte nung 2016, nainis ako sa kanya kasi nasira ang hanapbuhay ko. Pinahuli nya lahat ng colorum kaya napilitan ako mag-iba ng hanapbuhay. Pero narealize ko, this president is FOR REAL. Alam nman ng lahat na ilang dekada ng corrupt ang LTFRB at LTO. Wala nga lang leader na may b*yag para bumangga dito,” Alexander said.

“Pareho din ng kaso ko ang ABS CBN. Wlang franchise kaya pag nag-operate eh colorum. Di ko maintindihan kung ano ang mahirap intindihin bakit maraming di makaintindi. Expired franchise, period,” he added.

The netizen explained why he considered himself as a troll of President Duterte even if he doesn’t even know the chief executive.

According to him, he’s being paid for being a troll, not by money but by the change brought by President Duterte and making the country ‘corruption-free’.

“Totoo. Isa ako sa maraming TROLL ni Duterte. Pero ano bang pakialam ko kay Duterte? Ni hindi ko nga kilala yan eh. Kaya lang sa mga ginawa nyang pagbabago, bayad na kami noon pa. Kung ako man ay isa sa mga TROLL ni Duterte, ito ay bilang pasasalamat sa kanya. 3 decades na corrupt ang gobyerno natin, ang magdeny nito, G*GO. Eto lang naman ang ilan sa mga binayad sa amin ni Duterte,”

Alexander listed the changes he believes brought by the President in the country:

“1. Boracay Rehab
2. Manila Bay Rehab
3. Driver’s license 5 yr expiration
4. Passport 10 yr expiration
5. Build Build Build
6. Hindi man totally nawala, hindi na ganun katalamak ang droga.
7. Tunay na leader na nagbunyag ng mga katiwalian ng mga malalaking isda sa bansa.
8. Tunay na pamamahagi ng lupa sa mga magsasaka.
9. After more than 30 years ngaun lang ako nakaranas na namigay ng cash assistance ang gobyerno tulong sa tao sa panahon ng Covid 19. Partida. Nationwide ito hindi Leyte lang.
10. Hinihintay ko na lang yung NATIONAL ID. 2018 pa pinirmahan pero may humaharang”

The netizen said that the things he listed above was enough payment for him to become a ‘troll’ of Duterte.

“WE ARE PROUD TROLLS OF DUTERTE. NOT FOR THE MONEY, NOT FOR FAME. BUT FOR PROMOTING HIS GOOD DEEDS AND LEADERSHIP,” he said.

As of writing his post already reached 15,000 shares and 34,000 reactions on social media.

May koneksyon sila! Gadon explains why 9 lawmakers need to distance themselves from voting on ABS-CBN franchise

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May 17, 2020 6:11 am

Attorney Larry Gadon sent a letter to the Senate of the Philippines, asking nine lawmakers to inhibit themselves from the deliberations and voting of the ABS-CBN franchise bill because of their alleged connections with the said broadcasting company.

Gadon mentioned House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Senators Manny Pacquiao, Lito Lapid, Bong Revilla, Sonny Angara, Grace Poe, Ralph Recto and Francis Pangilinan in his letter, saying that the said senators should distance themselves from the ABS-CBN franchise issue.

According to him, the said lawmakers have a connection with the broadcasting company giant.

Gadon then explained the alleged interest and connections of the Senators he mentioned in the letter: