Journalist Ben Tulfo has a message to Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan’s daughter, Frankie, against victim-blaming.
Yesterday, Pangilinan reacted on the news about a social media post from Lucban, Quezon Province police station advising women to dress properly if they wanted to avoid being a victim of predators.
“Mahalin natin ang mga kababaihan at huwag niyo abusuhin ang kanilang kabaitan,” the police station post reads.
“Kayo naman mga ghErlsz, wag kayo mag suot ng pagkaikli-ikling damit at pag naman nabastos ay magsusumbong din sa amin,” they added.
Pangilinan slammed the police station for making such comments.
“Stop teaching girls how to Dress? Teach people not to r*pe,” Pangilinan posted.
@kakiep83
Tulfo, who saw the post of Pangilinan, told the latter that she’s still too young to know everything in this world.
According to the veteran journalist, there’s no hope to teach predators to be respectful of women.
He suggested that the only thing women can do is to dress appropriately so the predators would not target them.
“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.
The journalist also mentioned the controversial law made by Frankie’s father.
“Bago natin sila baguhin, baguhin muna natin ang sarili’t pag-iisip natin. Gets mo Hija? Tatay mo ang author ng Juvenile Law,” the journalist stated.
Meanwhile, the chief of Lucban Major Rizaldy Merene, said that people misunderstood their post.
“Parang advice lang ’yun… kaso nga lang na-misinterpret na ng iba,” said Merene.
“Mali nga pero ang point lang niya doon is para lang ’wag lang mag-short, ’wag magsuot ng maiksing short, ’yun lang wala nang iba.” he added.
Even Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III couldn’t hide his amazement over the explanation of Leyte 4th District Representative Lucy Torres-Gomez on the anti-terror bill.
On his Twitter page, Sotto, a principal author of the controversial measure informed Senator Ping Lacson about the post of Gomez, explaining to the netizens why the anti-terror bill is already necessary.
“Congresswoman Lucy Torres Gomez makes a very compelling thesis in her IG on why we should prioritize the fight vs terrorism. Beauty and brains! @iampinglacson,” Sotto tweeted.
Congresswoman Lucy Torres Gomez makes a very compelling thesis in her ig on why we should prioritize the fight vs terrorism. Beauty and brains! @iampinglacson
Other Twitter users also praised the lawmaker for her Facebook post that reached more than 40,000 shares on social media.
A netizen said that Torres-Gomez bravely defended the bill despite the unpopular support it received from celebrities and student groups.
“I like how Rep Lucy Torres Gomez is very stern in her convictions in supporting the anti-terror legislation. She explained it perfectly in her Facebook post. Di nasindak kahit celebrity at pagiinitan ng wokes,” @PHPrimeMinister said.
I like how Rep Lucy Torres Gomez is very stern in her convictions in supporting the anti-terror legislation. She explained it perfectly in her Facebook post. Di nasindak kahit celebrity at pagiinitan ng wokes.
“Stan Lucy Torres-Gomez! Cancel her if you want but you cannot deny she has intelligently made all the points crystal clear which destroyed all your WEAKEST AND LAMEST DISINFORMATION, and TWISTED and FALSE ASSUMPTIONS about Anti-Terrorism Bill,” netizen @boogumtastic remarked.
Stan Lucy Torres-Gomez! Cancel her if you want but you cannot deny she has intelligently made all the points crystal clear which destroyed all your WEAKEST AND LAMEST DISINFORMATION, and TWISTED and FALSE ASSUMPTIONS about Anti-Terrorism Bill. #YesToAntiTerrorBillpic.twitter.com/pRugUrZjY3
However, there are still some people who were not convinced by the explanation of the lawmaker.
“Lucy Torres probably have not heard of aeta Edgar Candule who was branded as terrorist and whose case was dismissed and was never compensated as per HSA. Candule’s story is just one of the many stories of being red/terrorist tagged by the state. Konting reality check naman,” netizen @soltaule said.
Taule was referring to the case of Candule who was accused of being a member of the New People’s Army and was put under the custody of the authorities for almost three years.
As a result, the Aeta asked P480-M to the government for what they did to him.
Lucy Torres probably have not heard of aeta Edgar Candule who was branded as terrorist and whose case was dismissed and was never compensated as per HSA. Candule's story is just one of the many stories of being red/terrorist tagged by the state. Konting reality check naman. pic.twitter.com/SG5WQxACRS
Leyte 4th district Representative Lucy Torres-Gomez explained why the anti-terror bill is necessary for the country.
On a lengthy, social media post, Gomez mentioned what happened at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Jolo, Mindanao last year where 140 people were victimized by the terrorists.
According to her, the unfortunate incident might not happen if there’s a strong anti-terrorism law during that time.
“It wasn’t that there was no intelligence gathered on the arrival of these Indonesian terrorists in Jolo, as a matter of fact, they were red-flagged the moment they reached immigration. And the sad truth is, that bombing could have been prevented if only the Human Security Act (HSA) of 2007 provided for the arrest of foreign nationals suspected of terrorism,” Gomez said.
“It would be wise to review the Human Security Act of 2007 to understand its significant shortcomings, such that a new law to repeal it was deemed necessary. The most glaring is that the HSA is not equipped to help us PREVENT a terrorist act from being undertaken. After 13 years in effect, only one person actually got convicted, in connection to the Marawi Siege. The three co-conspirators were acquitted. Most cases involving terrorists were tried using the Revised Penal Code, a law that is predisposed to penalize acts already committed. Hence, we have no legal arsenal to stop terrorist plotters before they inflict widespread destruction. Furthermore, the HSA has no provision intended for foreign terrorists,” she added.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in Jolo
Gomez described that the current Human Security Act of 2007 gives suspected terrorist “free pass” in the country.
She also said that the weak laws in the country made the Philippines a recruitment haven for the members of ISIS.
“The terrorists are literally having “more fun in the Philippines,” because our laws allow it so. This makes us a very conducive venue to undertake, plan, and prepare for terrorist activities,” the lawmaker stated.
Torres-Gomez then urged the people to read the controversial bill instead of relying to the opinions of other people.
“This past week, we have seen strong opposition against HB 6875 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020. I urge you all to read the bill first-hand and not rely on second-hand opinions of others, who may have been influenced by those who twisted the interpretation of actual sections of the bill to suit their accusations. In the slides that follow you will read excerpts from the actual bill. There are many questions, but I will focus on two that seem to disturb many, from their perspectives,” she said.
SAF-44
She then proceeded on explaining why the HB 6875 has enough safeguards to prevent anyone to misuse it.
The lawmaker insisted that attending a rally to criticize the government doesn’t mean that law enforcers allowed to put you in their custody.
However, she said that if the rally was encouraging people to do harm to others, damage any properties, or possess any illegal weapons, the authorities were allowed to capture them.
Torres-Gomez also explained the role of the Anti Terrorism Council saying that they’re tasked to “implement the Anti-Terrorism Act by creating programs, investigating, and coordinating the prevention and fight against terrorism. Its most significant powers are (a) designation of a person or organization as a suspected terrorist, and (b) authorizing warrantless arrst for 14-24 days, upon finding of “probable cause” of terrorist activities defined in this Act,”
“Without these provisions, we have no way of apprehending terrorists BEFORE the attacks actually happen. Please take note, probable cause has to be established. It is explicitly stated,” she stated.
Torres also mentioned that while the current law also allowed unwarranted arrests to suspected terrorists, the authorities could only hold them for three days which according to lawmaker was not enough to gather evidence against the suspects.
“For those with serious reservations, especially in the determination of “probable cause,” we can address the Anti-Terrorism Council and the Department of Justice to establish “safeguards” against wrongful arrest and designation. These bodies can put in place clear-cut, evidence-based procedures in determining “probable cause” in the bill’s Implementing Rules and Regulations, to be crafted 90 days after the bill’s approval,” she said.
Marawi Siege
She also believes that terrorist doesn’t care if there’s a COVID-19 in the country right now, especially that the country was very vulnerable right now because of the pandemic.
“It is dishonest and a grave injustice to dilute its strength and purpose by putting activists, critics, and bashers in the same category as terrorists. This bill was made to stop terrorists, not to make life inconvenient and uncomfortable for activists and those who voice out dissent,” Torres said.
“Let us not reduce the argument as a simple choice between human rights in one corner, and terrorism in the other. Because terrorists have no regard for human life or rights, their intent, and actions so brutal and evil they can never even be mistaken as activists,” she added.
The post of Torres reached 36,000 shares as of writing and received praise from the netizens for her very clear explanation.
A model was furious after veteran journalist Jay Sonza posted her photo on social media while talking about the reaction the people on the alleged closure of three night clubs in the country.
On the Facebook post, Sonza questioned why more people expressed their sadness on the rumored shutdown of club Pegasus, Heartbeat, and Air Force One than the closure of ABS-CBN.
“Bakit ganoon, mas madami ang nalulungkot sa napapabalitang pagsasara ng Pegasus, Heartbeat at AirForce One kaysa tuluyang pagsara ng abs cbn kapamilya network?” Sonza said.
Sonza also posted a photo collage showing Kim Chiu, a mosquito coil with a resemblance to the logo of ABS-CBN, a girl wearing face mask and revealing clothes, and the Pegasus Club.
The post of Sonza reached thousands of reactions within an hour.
While most of the followers of Sonza laughed at his post, a model who claimed that she’s the girl on the photo used by the veteran journalist hints lawsuit.
Khaye Dee claimed that Sonza identified her as a model of Pegasus nightclub, which she vehemently denied.
“Mr. JAY SONZA pakibura yang post mo FYI hindi po ako nagwowork sa pegasus wala katotohanan yang nka collage jan!!! Pwede kita idemanda ng CYBER B*LLYING!!” Dee said.
In the photos she posted, she asked Sonza to take down the post properly but the latter was not responding on her calls.
Dee said that she’s only endorsing a face mask on the photo.
As of writing, Sonza has yet to be issued any statement on the post of the model.
Meanwhile, Jolliville Holdings Corp, the owner of the said popular night clubs denied that they’re closing because of the pandemic.
The corporation made their denial to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Wednesday.
Senator Joel Villanueva was disappointed after being informed about the announcement of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) urging online sellers to reveal their past transactions, register their businesses, and start to pay taxes.
Villanueva expressed his frustration on Twitter, asking BIR why they’re now targeting small online sellers who only trying to find a source of income amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The lawmaker urged the BIR to focus on trying to collect the taxes from the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGOs) instead of forcing the small businesses to pay the government.
“On BIR taxing online sellers: Pasalamat nga tayo at madiskarte ang mga Pilipino. Wala na ngang ayuda, i t-tax nyo pa. Hindi naman milyon milyon ang kinikita ng maliliit na online sellers. #PusoNaman,” Villanueva said.
“Dapat tutukan ng BIR ang POGO na may utang na P50B na tax last year pa. Ngayong COViD 19, pwede bang kapakanan ng mga kababayang Pilipino muna natin ang manguna? #PusoNaman,” he added.
Dapat tutukan ng BIR ang POGO na may utang na P50B na tax last year pa. Ngayong COViD 19, pwede bang kapakanan ng mga kababayang Pilipino muna natin ang manguna? #PusoNaman
On Thursday, the BIR issued a circular informing “all persons doing business and earning income in any manner or form, specifically those who are into digital transactions through the use of any electronic platforms and media, and other digital means, to ensure that their businesses are registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 236 of the Tax Code, as amended, and that they are tax compliant.”
“These shall include not only partner sellers or merchants, but also other stakeholders involved such as the payment getaways, delivery channels, internet service providers, and other facilitators,” the BIR document read.
Businesses that declare their status before July 31 were free from penalties for late registration.
“All those who will be found later doing business without complying with the registration or update requirements, and those who failed to declare past due taxes or unpaid taxes shall be imposed with the applicable penalties under the law, and existing revenue rules and regulations,” BIR said.
Meanwhile, Malacanang clarified that small online business owners earning 250,000 every year are not required to pay taxes.
“If your online business net income does not exceed P250,000 eh wala po talaga kayo ibabayad (you don’t have to pay),” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said.
A victim of the New People’s Army wrote an open letter to Miss Universe winners Pia Wurtzbach and Catriona Gray who both expressed opposition on the controversial anti-terror bill.
In a lengthy Facebook post, Drei Toledo told Wurtzbach and Catriona that they made insensitive tweets by telling the people that they’re against the anti-terror bill.
According to her, she didn’t expect that both beauty queens she admired would oppose the measure.
“You both probably won’t even waste time reading this. I have reached out to your painfully insensitive Twitter posts using your Miss Universe platform to spread so much ignorance about the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020. It’s not that I expected for either of you to respond anyway. I’m aware beauty queens have canned spiels all the time. You have people managing you and training you to say this or that, whilst you wish to project to the entire world that you are both confidently beautiful with a heart and that you wish to use your influence for the greater good,” Toledo wrote.
“However, how can you be sincere in all that when you have effectively used your platform to help CPP-NPA-NDF Communist-Terrorist propagandists to further oppress the REAL victims of CPP-NPA-NDF violence?” she added.
“How can you be so cruel?”
@catrionaelisa
She then asked how the beauty queens could sleep at night after they disregarded the victims of the communist group, including children who were forced to arm themselves.
“Have you been accustomed to so much privilege that you no longer care about the real victims of terrorism? Did someone gift you with something so incredibly expensive that you feel subconsciously indebted to suddenly echo that person’s #JunkTerrorBill propaganda?” she said.
“Do you both think you suddenly sound so “enlightened” because you allowed CPP-NPA operatives to exploit your influence to protect covert terrorists in the Philippines? Did you naively think you could mask your crass materialism by posting #WOKE statements embedded and circulated by CPP-NPA-NDF Communist-Terrorist propagandists?” she added.
“Oh, is it because there are no more photo ops to be had? No more beauty pageant titles to win? No big advertisements and contracts to be gained?”
@piawurtzbach
Before ending her post, she expressed sadness that the two beauty queens she admired supported the communist group.
“I feel sad I even genuinely admired both of you and celebrated with all the Filipinos all over the world when you won the title of Miss Universe. You are no different from the Oligarchs and the Deep State that fund and protect the untouchable leaders of the CPP-NPA-NDF Communist-Terrorist network,”
“You have sold your souls to the devil, and yet you look like angels. May God enlighten you. Truly. May you wake up from your deep slumber,”
She also criticized the ‘wokes‘ who wanted to protect communist group from the controversial measure.
Drei is the estranged daughter of alleged NPA official Antonio Lim Toledo.
Philippine News Agency featured her story about how she was victimized by her own father.
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III reminded the critics of President Rodrigo Duterte on how they disrespected the chief executive many times before pleading to him.
In a series of tweets, Sotto slammed the people opposing the anti-terror bill and questioned why they’re now asking something to the President.
“Ganun ganun na lang kung murahin nila si PRRD, ngayon nananawagan sila sa kanya? @iampinglacson” Sotto tweeted.
Ganun ganun na lang kung murahin nila si PRRD, ngayon nananawagan sila sa kanya? @iampinglacson
“Respect is an important element of personality. Whatever you give to others will return to you, with Profit”. Ganun din sa disrespect! Watch out!” he also said.
“Respect is an important element of personality. Whatever you give to others will return to you, with Profit”. Ganun din sa disrespect! Watch out!
Meanwhile, Senator Panfilo Lacson, one of the principal authors of the anti-terror bill said that the critics of the measure already changed their tune and now questioning how the government would implement the measure correctly.
“Many of those opposing the anti-terrorism measure have now shifted their aim to target the implementation. They have mastered the art of argumentation – when you run out of sound reasons to argue, just say: BASTA!” Lacson said.
Many of those opposing the anti-terrorism measure have now shifted their aim to target the implementation. They have mastered the art of argumentation – when you run out of sound reasons to argue, just say: BASTA!
“Tama si Ping, nuong hindi umubra mga pintas nila sa laman ng bill dahil wala mga sinasabi nila, sa implementasyon naman ang target. Futuristic? Ano ba talaga?” the senate president said.
Lacson and Sotto actively defended the bill on Twitter, the known stronghold of the Duterte critics.
On June 10, several academic institutions asked President Duterte to veto the anti-terror bill, saying that it could affect the freedom and rights of the students.
Several members of Makabayan bloc, like ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro urged the President to junk the controversial measure.
“We challenge (President Duterte) to veto the anti-terror bill, and to instead address and focus on the pressing needs and concerns of the Filipino people amid the COVID-19 crisis,” Castro said.
Even the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has joined the call to convince Duterte to veto the anti-terror bill.
BB. Pilipinas-World 2008 Janina San Miguel, the beauty queen remembered for her performance in the pageant’s question and answer portion, revealed the ‘ugly truth’ behind the beauty contests in the Philippines.
In an episode of Undercover Asia, San Miguel, who’s one of the interviewees, said that indecent proposals and the organizers of the contest were the reason why she surrendered her crown.
San Miguel, who’s a neophyte beauty pageant contestant during the time she joined Binibining Pilipinas, was disallowed to see her family while training for the competition.
“Accidentally, narinig ko na yung lolo ko nasa hospital na. Balak pa nilang di sabihin sakin na yung lolo ko m*mamatay na because I’m in the middle of training. Ayaw nilang ma-distract ako,” San Miguel said.
While winning in Binibining Pilipinas could give her a lot of endorsements, San Miguel said that some rich people were offering beauty queens of something that they might not like.
According to her, some people were ready to spend 3-M to spend a night with a beauty queen and ready to cash out 25-M if they wanted to be in a relationship.
“Noong nandoon na kami, sinabi na 3 million (pesos) for a one-night stand. ‘Yung 25 million (pesos), gagawin ka niyang girlfriend, bibigyan ka niya ng car, condo, resort, lahat,” she revealed.
“Ayun na nga yung maduming kalakaran nila. Andami talagang gustong maging girlfriend or wife ang isang beauty queen,” she added.
She refused to name the people who proposed to her indecently.
Three months before the Miss World 2008 pageant in South Africa, San Miguel decided to give up her crown.
San Miguel who’s 29-years old now chose to have a normal life far from the pageant world.
“Much important yung family ko rather than yung wealth and fame. Parang ang gulo-gulo showbusiness, ang daming indecent proposal din,” she said.
Binibining Pilipinas Charities Incorporated (BPCI) said that they’re aware already of the statement of San Miguel and planning to release a statement about the allegations of the former beauty queen.
President Rodrigo Duterte finally signed the law that would establish the National Academy of Sports (NAS).
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said that Duterte signed the Republic Act (RA) 11470 in Davao City on June 9.
“The Philippines has demonstrated that we can be on par with our neighbors in the region in terms of sports. With PRRD’s (President Rodrigo R. Duterte) signing of RA 11470, we are confident that we will be able to raise our student-athletes’ competitiveness in the field of sports and produce world-class athletes in the years to come,” Roque said.
Under the newly-signed law, NAS is tasked to give secondary education program that focused on developing the skills of young Filipino athletes.
They’re going to grant a full scholarship to the qualified athletes.
It’s planned to be built in New Clark City near the world-class Sports Complex where the 2019 Southeast Asian games held.
Aside from NAS, the law also seeks to build a high school for sports in different regions of the country.
NAS will be equipped with housing, sports facilities, and other amenities that would follow the international standards.
The photo was taken last year
Students would also be given access to the existing sports facilities in New Clark City so they could train properly.
NAS officials are also allowed to hire foreign coaches, trainers, and consultants to ensure that the students would be competitive internationally.
The budget of NAS would be funded by the Department of Education’s annual budget.
“As the Chairman of the Committee on Sports, I would like to express my gratitude to my fellow legislators for coming together in support of this measure for the benefit of our youth and for the benefit of Philippine sports,” Senator Christopher “Bong” Go one of the authors of the law said.
“Napirmahan na po ni Pangulong Duterte ang batas para maisakatuparan ang National Academy of Sports! Ang tagumpay na ito ay para sa ating mga batang atleta na nangangarap na magbigay karangalan sa ating bansa,” Sen. Win Gatchalian posted.
Last year, Bases and Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) President Vince Dizon already said that it’s already the best time to build a school that would focus on sharpening the skills of the young athletes who wanted to represent the country.
“Right now, we have the Philippine Science High School, we have the Philippine High School for the Arts, but we don’t have a Philippine High School for Sports,” said Dizon.
“This is going to be a fully subsidized high school from junior to senior, where we will have scholars who will be recruited through the Philippine Sports Commission and from the Department of Education,” he explained.
Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said that only bad people should be afraid by the controversial anti-terror bill.
In an interview with Daniel Razon, Dela Rosa defended the anti-terror bill saying that they put enough safeguards to it to avoid being misused by anyone.
According to Dela Rosa, if a terror suspect was put under the custody of the authorities, they’re required to report the incident to the court, anti-terrorism Council (ATC), and to the human rights commission.
Law enforcers were also not allowed to label anyone as ‘terrorist’ without the approval of the ATC.
“Additional safeguard ito, dahil baka mamaya hulihin nalang ng pulis ang isang tao at sabihin na terorista ka, pwede kang ikulong ng 14 days so mayroon tayong anti terrorism council na nagbabantay dito,” Dela Rosa said.
The anti-terrorism council is going to be led by the Executive Secretary with the help of the National Security Advisers, PNP, and AFP.
Dela Rosa explained that law enforcers still need to serve a warrant against people who allegedly committed heinous acts and they could only put them under custody without any warrant if the illegal act was done because of terrorism.
The former PNP chief said that he convinced the opposition senators to agree to the 14-day reglementary period under the anti-terror bill after he narrated his encounter with ISIS member Mohammad Reza Kiram during his term as the Davao City police chief.
According to him, they already caught Kiram but was freed because the current law only allowed suspected terrorists to be put under the custody of the police without a warrant for three days.
Later on, they confirmed that Kiram is really a terrorist who pledged his loyalty to ISIS and actively recruiting Filipinos to join their group.
Mohammad Reza Kiram aka Abu Abdul Rahman al-Filipini
Dela Rosa also slammed the disinformation being spread by the critics of the anti-terror bill, saying that the New People’s Army tried to convince the youth to oppose the controversial measure.
Dela Rosa even said that people could post ‘Mabuhay ang NPA’ on the internet without facing any consequences, but providing the group with weapons might put them in very big trouble.
“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.
The politician was also confident that law-abiding people would celebrate once the anti-terror bill becomes a law.
“Kung ikaw ay law-abiding citizen at ayaw mo ‘yung epekto ng terrorism, when this bill is signed into law, you will rejoice,” Dela Rosa stated.
“Pero kung ikaw ay isang terorista or supporter ng terorista, matakot ka sa batas na ito, yun lang ang napaka simpleng summary sa batas na ito. Ito ay ginawa para protektahan tayo against terorrism, hindi para i terrorize,” he added.