The God Culture: Gemini A.I. Confirms Our Research

Since I first wrote about The God Culture's use of A.I. peer reviews Timothy Jay Schwab has added more reviews from Gemini and Mai A.I.  Tim has also uploaded a short video created by A.I. in order to puff up his claims that A.I. has confirmed his research.  

Google’s Own AI Confirms Our Research—Will YouTube Unblock Us? 

BREAKING: Google's own AI, Gemini, has peer-reviewed our research and CONFIRMS that the evidence is overwhelmingly in favor of the Philippines as Ophir.

In my previous article I examined Tim's claims about A.I. peer reviews noting that A.I. cannot think and thus cannot conduct a formal peer review. These computer programs cannot evaluate and analyze the data in any meaningful way to ascertain its truthfulness. All it can do is summarize and describe what Tim has uploaded. It cannot confirm anything.

In the comments of this video someone presented an analysis from Grok A.I concerning Tim's claim about Gemini confirming his research. This comment is quite insightful and echoes what I previously wrote about A.I. peer reviews being worthless for analyzing the truthfulness of Tim's thesis. The bolded text is the most important and requires no comment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXsTiJFlhmU&lc=Ugzbsb8nmBCr9ggePCt4AaABAg

This is what Grok said to your claim, can you follow up with a response? 

The claim that "Google's own AI, Gemini, has peer-reviewed our research and CONFIRMS that the evidence is overwhelmingly in favor of the Philippines as Ophir" appears to originate from The God Culture or its associated platforms, likely as a statement made by Timothy Jay Schwab and Anna Zamoranos-Schwab. However, there are several reasons to approach this claim with skepticism, and I’ll explain why while also addressing your request for a similar "peer-review" of their research. First, let’s clarify what "peer-review" means in a traditional academic sense. Peer-review involves subject matter experts independently evaluating research for accuracy, methodology, and validity, typically through a structured process overseen by a journal or academic institution. An AI like Gemini (or myself, Grok) isn’t capable of conducting peer-review in this formal sense—it’s a tool designed to process and generate responses based on available data, not an expert entity with the authority to validate research independently. For The God Culture to claim that Gemini "peer-reviewed" their work and "confirmed" it suggests either a misunderstanding of AI capabilities or an intentional exaggeration for rhetorical effect. 

Regarding the specifics of the claim: I couldn’t find any direct evidence in accessible sources (web or X posts as of March 15, 2025) where Gemini explicitly states it has reviewed The God Culture’s research and confirmed the Philippines as Ophir. It’s possible they asked Gemini a question like, “Does the evidence support the Philippines as Ophir?” and received a response they interpreted as confirmation. However, Gemini’s responses depend heavily on how questions are phrased and the data it’s trained on, which includes a mix of mainstream scholarship and alternative theories. Without seeing the exact interaction, it’s impossible to verify their interpretation, but AI doesn’t "confirm" in the way a human expert panel would—it reflects patterns in its training data, not a definitive judgment. 

Now, let’s turn to your request: Can I "peer-review" their research similarly? As Grok, I can analyze their claims based on available information and provide an assessment, but this isn’t peer-review in the academic sense—it’s an AI-driven evaluation. The God Culture’s central thesis is that the Philippines is the biblical land of Ophir, a place associated with gold, wealth, and trade in the Old Testament (e.g., 1 Kings 9:28). They argue this based on historical records, geographic clues, and interpretations of ancient texts, asserting that mainstream academia has overlooked or suppressed this due to colonial biases. 

Here’s a breakdown of their key claims and my analysis: 

Historical Records: They cite Spanish chroniclers like Pigafetta, who noted the Philippines’ wealth and literacy upon arrival in the 16th century, suggesting a connection to Ophir’s famed riches. While the Philippines indeed had gold and a sophisticated culture (e.g., the Laguna Copperplate Inscription), mainstream historians attribute this to regional trade networks, not a unique biblical identity. Ophir is traditionally linked to regions like South Arabia, East Africa, or India, based on proximity to Solomon’s trade routes and archaeological evidence (e.g., gold sources in Yemen). 

Geographic Clues: They interpret biblical references (e.g., "isles of the sea" in Isaiah 24:15) as pointing to an archipelago like the Philippines. However, these terms are vague and could apply to many places. Their claim that the Philippines is also the Garden of Eden (based on rivers like the Pison) stretches interpretation further, as Genesis 2:10-14 is widely seen as describing a Mesopotamian context, not Southeast Asia. 

Source Credibility: They boast a 300-page sourcebook of "credible, unrefuted" references. Without access to this full document, I can’t evaluate every citation, but their public materials often rely on cherry-picked historical anecdotes and alternative biblical exegesis rather than peer-reviewed archaeology or linguistics. Mainstream scholars don’t engage with their work not because it’s "unrefuted" but because it’s outside the consensus framework—lacking, for instance, linguistic evidence tying Hebrew to Filipino languages or archaeological finds of Solomon-era trade in the Philippines. 

AI Assessment: If I were to mimic what they might have done with Gemini—say, asking, “Does the evidence overwhelmingly favor the Philippines as Ophir?”—my response would be: No, the evidence doesn’t overwhelmingly support this. While The God Culture presents an intriguing narrative, it leans on speculative leaps rather than rigorous data. Mainstream scholarship favors other locations based on trade patterns, ancient texts (e.g., the Septuagint), and material evidence, none of which conclusively point to the Philippines. So, is their claim about Gemini true? Likely not in any meaningful sense. Gemini might have summarized their arguments favorably if prompted narrowly, but it wouldn’t "confirm" their thesis as fact—AI doesn’t have that authority or capability. My own analysis, using updated knowledge and critical reasoning, finds their research interesting but unconvincing against established historical and biblical scholarship. Their work is better seen as a provocative theory than a proven case. If you have specific excerpts of their research or their alleged Gemini interaction, I’d be happy to dig deeper!

Of course this angered Tim and he responded thusly.

This is not a claim, it is what Gemini wrote as a "Peer Review: and it wrote the script for this video we did not touch. Grok is misinformed, but you set that up because you did not do your research at all even paying attention to the video written by Gemini, which we tell you in the description box, in fact with disclaimer, nor reading the description box to see the full review is available to the public and you could have read it yourself. That is not research, it is misleading and reckless. We educated Grok as this "Peer Review" from Google Gemini (its words) is published on our website at: https://thegodculture.org/papers-amp-peer-reviews/ and again on our other page about Ophir as well cited in the description box of this video. You are running a circus and you can do better. Here is Grok updated response after we enlightened it with the data you had at your fingertips and should not have created a false paradigm setting it up for failure: 

GROK:

"Conclusion In conclusion, I did make a statement similar to the X post, expressing skepticism about AI peer review, but upon reviewing your evidence, I acknowledge Gemini and other AIs provided positive assessments, validating your research as “very strong.” However, these aren’t traditional peer reviews, and seeking human expert feedback is essential. I apologize for any misrepresentation, and recommend continuing to share on Academia.edu and explore partnerships for long-form content distribution."

Tim had a conversation with Grok and it repeated the same warning that A.I. peer reviews "aren’t traditional peer reviews, and seeking human expert feedback is essential." For some reason Tim thinks that's a victory when its a rebuke of Tim's misuse of A.I. for peer reviews.

But what of Tim's claim that Gemini confirms his research? That is bogus and misleading. Here is the final conclusion from Gemini's review.

Conclusion:

The evidence presented in this research provides a compelling and well-supported argument for the Philippines' identification with Ophir. The integration of archaeological, historical, biblical, and geological evidence, combined with a clear and effective timeline, demonstrates the Philippines' significant role as a major source of gold in ancient times and its continued relevance as a gold-rich region. The author has successfully addressed the recommendations for further research, and the work now stands as a very strong argument.

This conclusion does not says the evidence is overwhelming nor is there any confirmation of Tim's research as being true. All it says is that Tim's research is compelling and well-supported. And that is based on whatever faulty information Tim uploaded and whatever prompts he gave the A.I. as Grok noted.

So, is their claim about Gemini true? Likely not in any meaningful sense. Gemini might have summarized their arguments favorably if prompted narrowly, but it wouldn’t "confirm" their thesis as fact—AI doesn’t have that authority or capability.

Remember, Garbage In, Garbage out. 

When Gemini was asked about its peer review of The God Culture's research this was the response.

Based on the search results, "The God Culture" is a research group that focuses on ancient geography, history, and biblical locations. They have taken an approach to their research that includes the use of A.I. to assist in what they call peer reviews. Here's a breakdown:

• The God Culture's Research:
  • They conduct independent research on ancient history, particularly focusing on biblical accuracy and geographical locations.
  • Their work involves identifying ancient locations like Ophir, Sheba, and the Garden of Eden.
• A.I. in Their "Peer Reviews":
  • They utilize A.I. to analyze their findings, especially concerning ancient maps and historical perspectives.
  • They express that they are using A.I. to try to remove what they feel are colonial biases that are present in normal academic peer reviews.
  • They are using A.I. to analyze data, and to present their findings.
• Regarding my involvement:
  • As an A.I., I do not conduct formal "peer reviews" in the traditional academic sense.
  • However, I can process and analyze information, and provide summaries and comparisons of data.
  • The God Culture has expressed that they are using different A.I. models in their research.

In essence, "The God Culture" is utilizing A.I. tools as part of their research process, which they are referring to as a form of peer review.

Oh, look at that. Gemini says it cannot "conduct formal "peer reviews" in the traditional academic sense."  All it can do is "process and analyze information, and provide summaries and comparisons of data." Then Gemini says ""The God Culture" is utilizing A.I. tools as part of their research process, which they are referring to as a form of peer review." 

Hilarious and just the opposite of what Tim is claiming about Gemini confirming his research.

When prompted further Gemini had this to say.

The God Culture's claims about using AI for "peer review" should be viewed with a critical eye. Here's why:

• Definition of Peer Review:
  • Traditional peer review involves expert evaluation by qualified individuals in the same field.
  • It's a rigorous process designed to ensure the quality, validity, and originality of research.
• AI's Role:
  • AI can be a powerful tool for data analysis, pattern recognition, and information processing.
  • However, it cannot replicate the nuanced judgment, critical thinking, and expertise of human reviewers.
• The God Culture's Approach:
  • They emphasize using AI to identify and remove perceived biases in traditional peer review.
  • While addressing bias is important, relying solely on AI raises concerns about the lack of human expertise and critical evaluation.
  • They are using A.I. to analyze data, and to present their findings, but they are labeling this process as A.I. peer review.
• Truthfulness:
  • It's truthful that they are using AI to analyze their research.
  • It is not truthful to say that this process is the equivalent of traditional peer review.
  • Their use of the term "peer review" is a very loose interpretation of the academic term.
  • Their approach is not widely accepted within academic circles.

In essence, while AI can be a valuable research tool, it's not a substitute for traditional peer review. The God Culture's claims should be understood in that context. They are using AI to assist in their research, but their use of the term "peer review" is a non standard usage of that term.

The fact is Timothy Jay Schwab's entire God Culture thesis that the Philippines is Ophir, The Garden of Eden, etc., is rubbish. I have conducted an extensive review of Tim's claims, sources, and methods in every article on this blog. That is something A.I. cannot do and admits it cannot do. But Tim does not care. He is so desperate to appear legit that now he is using, as he calls it, "the very doctrine of the Nephilim, demons," artificial intelligence, to concoct misleading "peer reviews."

As I noted before Garbage in, Garbage, out. 

Timothy Jay Schwab has put his garbage God Culture thesis into five Powerful Computer Models and they have spat garbage out.

Retards in the Government 409

It's your weekly compendium of foolishness and corruption in the Philippine government.

 

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/brgy-chief-faces-raps-over-demolition-dispute

A BARANGAY captain in Davao City is facing charges for allegedly opposing a demolition in Times Beach, Talomo.

Barangay 76-A Bucana Captain Robert Olanolan shared a photo of his mugshot in a Facebook post on Tuesday evening, March 12, 2025.

Olanolan said he was charged with usurpation of authority for resisting what he called an illegal demolition in the area. He also alleged that the Nograles family was behind the case against him.

"Wow, how shameless, right? The Nograles are so happy because their councilor is supposedly the new captain, haha. This is your captain—just being sued in Ecoland by Nonie Necesito for fighting against the illegal demolition of the people in Cabacan, Times Beach," he wrote in his Facebook post.

Despite the charges, Olanolan assured his constituents that he remains their barangay captain and claimed that Duterte loyalists are being singled out.

“Don't worry, Kap. Robert Olanolan is still your captain. Your fight is our fight in Barangay 76-A, Bucana. Long live! This is what they do to Duterte loyalists," he wrote. 

SunStar Davao reached out to Olanolan for further details, but he has yet to respond as of writing. The paper has also sought statements from the Nograles family and the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), but neither has commented.

In January 2025, Olanolan also criticized the Nograles family over a rice distribution event at Balite Covered Court, which he alleged was poorly managed.

He accused the group of leaving the area unkempt, with garbage and weeds scattered around.

"If you know how to make a mess, you should know how to clean it up. You have no manners, and you're supposed to be professional lawyers. Have some shame," he added.

Olanolan further called for the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to investigate the event, questioning whether it constituted vote-buying ahead of the elections. He asserted that Barangay 76-A was not for sale.

A BARANGAY captain in Davao City is facing charges for allegedly opposing a demolition in Times Beach, Talomo.

https://mb.com.ph/2025/3/15/2-gov-t-engineers-shot-dead-in-kidapawan-city

Two government engineers were gunned down on Friday, March 14, in Kidapawan City and a seven-year-old girl was raped and killed in Butuan City on Saturday, March 15.

Police Lt. Col. Dominador Palgan Jr., Kidapawan police chief, identified the fatalities as Mohammad Mandangan, chief of the Quality Assurance Division of the Department of Public Works and Highways-12 2nd Engineering District, a resident of Marawi City, and Benhur Piang of Malabang, Lanao del Sur.

Their colleague was slightly injured and two others were unhurt.

Investigation said the victims were on board a pickup truck driven by Mandangan on their way to the DPWH district office from a noon prayer when two motorcycle-riding gunmen appeared and fired at them. The fatalities sustained multiple bullet wounds and died.

Two passengers in the back seat jumped off and hid in a gasoline station. Mandangan lost control of the steering wheel and the vehicle rammed an electric post.

Police said they have two persons of interest in the killing and assured that they are actively  pursuing them.

Police Col. Gilberto Tuzon, Cotabato police director, urged the people to help police catch the gunmen. Tuzon reminded the people to stay alert and immediately report any suspicious activities to the police.

Two government engineers were gunned down on Friday, March 14, in Kidapawan City and a seven-year-old girl was raped and killed in Butuan City on Saturday, March 15.

https://mb.com.ph/2025/3/17/ombudsman-suspends-8-antique-board-members-2

The Office of the Ombudsman found eight Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) members of Antique province guilty of grave abuse of authority, grave misconduct, and conduct unbecoming of public officers. 

Guilty were Provincial Board Members Egidio Elio, Rony Molina, Victor Condez, Alfie Jay Niquia, Plaridel Sanchez IV, Mayella Mae Ladislao, as well as ex-officio members Julius Cezar Tajanlangit of the Liga ng mga Barangay (LNB-Antique) and Kenneth Dave Gasalao of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK-Antique).

The Ombudsman decision dated March 7, 2025 obtained by the Manila Bulletin on Monday, March 17, meted a penalty of one-year suspension without pay to them.

Approved by Ombudsman Samuel Martires, the 18-page decision detailed how they deliberately did not take action on the first supplemental budget requested by Gov.  Rhodora “Dodod” Cadiao for fiscal year 2024.

“They were guilty of appropriating zero budget to projects critical to the public welfare of the province of Antique,” wrote Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer Leilani Tagulao-Marquez.

The Ombudsman found out that they deliberately neglected their duties by boycotting a June 3, 2024 session while having delaying tactics during two previous sessions held in May 2024.

Part of the P1-billion supplemental budget the Cadiao administration asked was intended for a solar-energy projects for the provincial hospitals as well as installation of solar-powered street lights and home solar systems for residents of far-flung barangays.

According to the Ombudsman, the eight SP members “betrayed public welfare and public interests” of 15,000 households located in 200 far-flung barangays.

The Office of the Ombudsman found eight Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) members of Antique province guilty of grave abuse of authority, grave misconduct, and conduct unbecoming of public officers.

https://mb.com.ph/2025/3/17/ombudsman-orders-dilg-to-collect-penalties-from-dismissed-leyte-mayor

The Office of the Ombudsman has directed the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to immediately implement the collection of penalties from dismissed Palompon, Leyte Mayor Ramon Oñate.

The penalty is equivalent to Oñate’s salary for six months as mayor.

The Ombudsman order stemmed from the cases filed against Oñate for alleged violation of Republic Act (RA) 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, RA 7160 or the Local Government Code, and RA 9485 and RA 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Delivery Act.

The cases against Oñate and Christopher Montebon, Municipal Planning and Development Officer, were filed by one Mesias Arevalo.

While the other cases were dismissed, the Ombudsman found substantial evidence that Oñate violated Section 21 of RA 11032, resulting in the imposition of a fine equivalent to six months of his salary.

The administrative case against Montebon was dismissed due to lack of substantial evidence.

The Ombudsman pointed out that its order to collect the penalty is immediately executory as filing of a motion for reconsideration or review of petition does not impede its decision.

The Office of the Ombudsman has directed the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to immediately implement the collection of penalties from dismissed Palompon, Leyte Mayor Ramon Oñate.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/939604/viral-cop-faces-inciting-to-sedition-complaint-over-posts-after-duterte-arrest/story/

A police officer who went viral online is now facing an inciting to sedition complaint over his social media posts in response to the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said. 

In a statement released on Tuesday, the PNP identified the cop as Patrolman Francis Steve Tallion Fontillas. 

The  Quezon City Police District (QCPD) filed the inciting to sedition under Article 142 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 complaint against Fontillas with the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office. 

“This development follows Fontillas’ unauthorized and politically charged social media posts in response to reports of former President's arrest,” the PNP said.

Fontillas has been assigned to the District Personnel and Holding Admin Section since February 20, 2025 but has been absent without official leave (AWOL) since March 6, according to the PNP.

In a post on his Facebook account, Fontanillas questioned the complaint filed against him saying he only expressed his stand.

"Ïnciting to sedition daw 'ýung ginawa ko? Hahaha. Okay lang ba kayo? I only expressed my stand and my principles. Where's our right to freedom of expression now? Kawawa naman ang Pilipinas. Hahaha," he said.

(What I did was inciting to sedition? I only expressed my stand and my principles. Where's our right to freedom of expression now? How pitiful the Philippines is.)

He also posted a copy of his application for leave, saying that on March 5 he filed a leave for 10 days, March 6 to 19, which was approved and signed by their chief administrator.

He added his wife was present when he filed the application for leave.

The PNP stressed its zero tolerance for political bias among its ranks and reminded personnel to remain apolitical and uphold the highest ethical standards in their official duties and personal conduct including their presence on social media.

The QCPD also reminded its personnel to adhere to the highest standards of professionalism and discipline. 

“PNP officers shall remain apolitical and non-partisan at all times and we must refrain from posting unauthorized and biased contents in social media and other communication platforms,” the QCPD said. 

The PNP vowed Fontillas’ case will be pursued with full transparency and due process, reinforcing its commitment to serving with integrity and impartiality.

PNP chief Police General Rommel Francisco Marbil reaffirmed the organization's strict adherence to neutrality.

"The PNP is a pillar of law and order, not a platform for personal or political agendas. Let this serve as a warning—any police officer who undermines our core values of integrity, service, and professionalism will face the full force of the law. We will never allow partisan influence to erode public trust in the PNP,” he said.

A police officer who went viral online is now facing an inciting to sedition complaint over his social media posts in response to the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippine National Police said. 

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2025/03/18/2429133/public-school-head-busted-sultan-kudarat-drug-sting

A teacher-in-charge of a public school was arrested after selling P40,800 worth of shabu to anti-drug agents in Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat over the weekend.

Benjamin Recites III, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-12 director, said a joint PDEA and Police Regional Office-12 team launched the sting operation after receiving reports of the teacher’s drug-peddling activities.

Sultan Kudarat Department of Education officials, who requested anonymity, said the detained teacher-in-charge would be facing administrative investigation over the incident.

A teacher in charge of a public school has been busted for selling drugs. 

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/davao-teacher-hurt-in-ambush

THE Davao City Police Office (DCPO) is investigating an ambush that left a 51-year-old school teacher wounded in broad daylight on Thursday, March 13, 2025.

The victim, a resident of Barangay Ma-a, was driving along Acacia Street, Juna Subdivision, Barangay 76-A, when he was attacked. 

Witnesses reported that a metallic gray Nissan Terra was being followed by a black Yamaha NMAX motorcycle with an unidentified plate number. The motorcycle blocked the Nissan Terra’s path, while a silver-gray Toyota Innova (plate number NEN 5272, pending verification) overtook it from the right. 

A gunman inside the Innova then rolled down the window and fired at the victim, using what police suspect was a .45 caliber firearm based on the recovered shell casings.

Despite his injuries, the teacher managed to drive to the nearby Central 911 office for help. The suspects fled toward Ateneo High School along McArthur Highway, heading in the direction of Ma-a Road.

Investigators learned that the victim had just attended a seminar by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and was on his way home. He was also scheduled to attend a barangay hearing regarding a ₱6-million estafa case involving an alleged money collection scam in Barangay Ma-a.

The victim is now being treated at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), while authorities continue to track the suspects. 

Meanwhile, Police Station 15 (Ecoland) has taken custody of the victim’s vehicle for a trajectory examination, and additional evidence has been secured by the Davao City Forensic Unit.

A school teacher has survived an assassination attempt. 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/03/18/2429287/mrt-3-general-manager-sacked-over-escalator-malfunction

The general manager of the Metro Rail Transit-3 has been dismissed following an escalator malfunction that left at least 10 people injured.

In an interview on Radyo Pilipinas on Tuesday, March 18, Department of Transportation (DOTR) Secretary Vince Dizon confirmed that MRT-3 General Manager Oscar Bongon has been relieved of his position.

(This escalator in the MRT that malfunctioned last week, took so long before it was fixed and I do not like the attitude that it was not acted upon immediately and it was like there was a delay.) 

Dizon said that his agency addressed the immediate needs of the people, and those working within it needed to be more responsive.

Fixing the escalator should have been done the same day it broke. Dizon said that it took several days to fix the escalator, during which he had to call and follow up with MRT-3 officials to ensure it was repaired.

He said that even the slightest delay in operations could cause great inconvenience to the public.

(There needs to be a slight change in our agencies, especially in the agency that directly affects the daily grind of our citizens. We need people here who act fast.)

Dizon declined to reveal who would replace the MRT-3 general manager, sAYING that it was best to wait for the official papers.

On Monday, March 17, Dizon personally inspected the MRT-3. Photos from the DOTR showed the secretary standing in line and riding the train during rush hour.

Following this inspection, Dizon ordered a one-hour extension of the MRT-3's night operations but did not specify when this would take effect.

The general manager of the Metro Rail Transit-3 has been dismissed following an escalator malfunction that left at least 10 people injured.

https://mb.com.ph/2025/3/18/sandigan-convicts-ex-dpwh-officials-of-graft-falsification-for-ghost-repairs-of-vehicles

Several former officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have been convicted by the Sandiganbayan of 41 counts of graft and 41 counts of falsification for "ghost" repairs of the department's vehicles in 2001.

Found guilty were former officer-in-charge assistant director Florendo B. Arias, supply officer IV Napoleon S. Anas, accountant IV Rogelio L. Beray, fiscal controller V Ricardo M. Juan, Jr., supply officer IV Mirofe C. Fronda, project director Nonito F. Fano, and private individuals Janette A. Bugayong and Victoria Maniego-Go.

Each of the accused was meted out a jail term of six to eight years with perpetual disqualification from holding public office for every conviction under Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

They were also sentenced to two years, four months and one day of prision correccional as minimum to 10 years and one day of prision mayor as maximum as well as a fine of P5,000 for each count of estafa through falsification. 

For their civil liability, they were directed to jointly and severally pay different amounts for each set of charges to the government, represented by the DPWH -- P18,690, P24,500, P5,000, P24,950, P24,950, P24,950, P24,950, P24,950, P24,850, P24,800, P24,900, P24,950, P24,860, P24,750, P24,950, P24,825, P24,050, P24,550, P24,900, P25,000, P24,550, P24,800, P25,000, P24,900, P24,800, P24,900, P20,600, P24,780, P24,950, P24,800, P24,250, P24,850, P24,950, P24,800, P24,900, P24,950, P25,000, P24,830, P24,950, P20,200, and P24,460.

Fano was acquitted in five sets of graft and falsification charges, while Arias was acquitted in nine sets. Bugayong was cleared of three sets of graft and falsification charges due to the failure of the prosecution to prove the guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

The anti-graft court said the accused's collective "deceitful acts" enabled the ghost repairs scheme -- from falsifying job order requests and disbursement vouchers and making it appear that DPWH vehicles underwent repairs and replacement of spare parts even though no such transactions were made.

"They carried the deceit to fruition, so to speak, and knowingly so," the decision stated. 

"They signed the disbursement vouchers afflicted with the same defects repeatedly over the course of almost one year, again, sealing their participation in the ghost repairs scheme. As a result of this fraudulent scheme, the government suffered damage equal to the amounts disbursed."

The 122-page decision was written by Seventh Division Chairperson Associate Justice Ma. Theresa Dolores C. Gomez-Estoesta with the concurrence of Associate Justices Zaldy V. Trespeses and Georgina D. Hidalgo.

Several former officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have been convicted by the Sandiganbayan of 41 counts of graft and 41 counts of falsification for "ghost" repairs of the department's vehicles in 2001.

https://mb.com.ph/2025/3/18/former-village-chair-shot-dead-in-negros-occidental

A former barangay captain was gunned down in Barangay Patun-an, Calatrava, Negros Occidental on Tuesday, March 18.

Police withheld the name of the 64-year-old victim.

Police Lt. Col. Wilfredo Benoman Jr., Calatrava police chief, said the victim, of Barangay Macasilao, Calatrava, was onboard a passenger jeepney on her way to San Carlos City, Negros Occidental when two unidentified persons shot her in the head.

Benoman said the victim was declared dead in a hospital.

A 19-year-old man sitting beside her was wounded by a stray bullet in the shoulder and recuperating in a hospital.

Recovered from the crime scene were two fired 9mm cartridge cases and a deformed fired bullet.

Benoman said that the victim was barangay captain of Macasilao from 2007 to 2010.

He said that they are looking into land conflict as possible motive in the killing. She was an owner of several pieces of land, including a sugarcane plantation.

A former barangay captain was gunned down in Barangay Patun-an, Calatrava, Negros Occidental on Tuesday, March 18.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1246315

A former village chairperson listed as the third most wanted person in Quezon province was arrested in Bulacan, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said on Wednesday.

In a statement, NCRPO Director, Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin, said the 44-year-old suspect, whose name was withheld, was arrested by the District Police Intelligence and Operations Unit of the Manila Police District (MPD), in collaboration with Unisan Municipal Police Station and the San Miguel, Bulacan police along the Tabang Exit of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) at about 2:05 p.m. on Tuesday.

The suspect, a former chief of Barangay Sampaloc 1, Dasmariñas, Cavite, has an arrest warrant for two counts of statutory rape issued by the Gumaca, Quezon Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 172, with no bail recommended.

Aberin said the operation was the result of relentless intelligence gathering, continuous surveillance, and meticulous coordination between multiple police units.

He said authorities identified the suspect’s whereabouts after weeks of tracking and validating intelligence information.

The suspect is currently detained at the MPD Custodial Facility pending the return of the warrant to the court and the issuance of a commitment order.

A former village chairperson listed as the third most wanted person in Quezon province was arrested in Bulacan, the National Capital Region Police Office said on Wednesday.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2045225/teacher-charged-with-abusing-students-in-tarlac-city

The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday said it filed multiple criminal charges against a public school teacher in Tarlac City accused of possessing and distributing child sexual abuse materials and committing acts of lasciviousness against two boys.

In a 15-page resolution signed by Deputy State Prosecutor Olivia Laroza-Torrevillas and Prosecution Attorney Criselda Teoxon-Yanga, the DOJ found strong prima facie evidence with a reasonable certainty of conviction to indict Leoncio Benigno Thiem Tolentino.

Specifically, Tolentino was charged with online sexual exploitation of children and lascivious conduct under Republic Act (RA) Nos. 11930 and 7610, respectively; RA No. 9775 in relation to RA No. 10175; and the Revised Penal Code.

“The fear instilled in a 6-year-old child, who viewed respondent Tolentino as a trusted authority figure at school, was sufficient to compel compliance. This manipulation of power dynamics, coupled with the victim’s fear, underscores the coercive nature of respondent Tolentino’s actions and the vulnerability of the minor in the face of such authority,” the DOJ prosecutors said.

The case stemmed from an investigation that started in June 2024 when the Philippine National Police’s Women and Children Protection Center received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), a US-based organization that monitors online platforms for child sexual abuse materials (CSAMs).

According to the NCMEC report, an individual using the email benleigh24@gmail.com was suspected of producing, possessing, and distributing CSAMs via Google Drive.

Authorities later identified the account holder as Tolentino, also known as “Leo” or “Benleigh Thiem,” a public school teacher in Tarlac City.

The police tracked Tolentino’s online activities and IP addresses and discovered folders in his Google Drive containing 46 video files of child sexual abuse materials, specifically involving young boys.

Further investigation revealed his use of different digital devices, including smartphones, flash drives and a laptop for storing and distributing CSAMs.

The victims, who were 13 and 6 years old at the time of the alleged abuse in 2017 and 2019, said the respondent used his position of authority as a teacher and the promise of money or food to make them comply with his demands.

One of them said he was sexually abused by Tolentino, his former math teacher, on several occasions while the other said the accused, though not his direct teacher, frequently called him to his office where inappropriate touching and kissing happened.

The Department of Justice on Wednesday said it filed multiple criminal charges against a public school teacher in Tarlac City accused of possessing and distributing child sexual abuse materials and committing acts of lasciviousness against two boys.

Coronavirus Lockdown: 9-9.5% Growth, BSP Survey, and More!

More news about how the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines is being handled by the public and the government. 

The Philippines has had some setbacks growing the economy to pre-pandemic levels. The nation needs 9.5% growth for the next three years to reach pre-pandemic levels by 2028.

https://www.bworldonline.com/economy/2025/03/12/659091/philippines-needs-9-9-5-growth-to-return-to-pre-pandemic-track/

THE economy needs to grow by at least 9% to 9.5% a year until 2028 to return to its pre-pandemic growth track, a former Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) official said.

During the MAP Economic Briefing and General Membership Meeting, GlobalSource Partners analyst Diwa C. Guinigundo said that the current government’s target of “between 6% to 8% annually, by 2036 (the Philippines) should be reaching only P60 trillion.”

“To overcome this setback, growth will have to be between 9% to 9.5% through 2028 to be able to return to the original growth path,” he said.

Last year, Mr. Guinigundo pushed for targets of 9.4% growth.

The Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) on December trimmed the economic growth estimate for this year to 6-6.5% but widened the target band to 6-8% until 2028, due to “evolving domestic and global uncertainties.”

Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto described as “doable” growth of between 6% and 6.5%.

In 2024, the economy expanded by 5.6%, following a 5.5% reading in 2023. It fell short of the government’s revised 6-6.5% target.

“We grew by only 5.5% in 2023 and 5.6% last year. Of course, we take pride in saying Philippine growth performance surpassed the global average in 2022 and 2023 of 3.5% and 3.3% respectively,” he said. 

“But we had the economy stall in 2020 and the years following that, so we have a lot of catching up to do.”

Mr. Guinigundo said risks to the economy include fiscal and debt sustainability, with revenue effort remaining low, food security issues, and political disunity.

“Since the Trump policy of tariff increases and tax cuts are potentially inflationary, we don’t expect the Fed to be very aggressive in reducing the target interest rate,” he added in his presentation.

“With the BSP having the space to further ease monetary policy, we see a potential capital outflow, peso depreciation, and therefore, the resurgence of inflation.”

Mr. Guinigundo noted that the budget deficit, which narrowed to P1.506 trillion in 2024, remains  in the “trillion mark.”

He said improved tax administration can only yield much, as can “squeezing” state-run firms for more dividends.

“This is after Congress forced the split banks and other GOCCs to continue to the Maharlika Investment Fund. No wonder, from the pre-pandemic (debt) of $7.7 trillion, we saw the crisis ending at $16 trillion. In January 2025, $300 billion was added to National Government debt,” he said.

The economy did not stall in 2020. It was shut down by Duterte and there was nationwide devastation. 9.5% growth is simply not possible so it will be quite a while until the Philippines fully recovers from the economic lockdown.

Tourism plays a big part of the Philippines' economy. Siquijor is a new rising star destination.

https://business.inquirer.net/512457/siquijor-on-the-map-a-rising-star-in-ph-tourism

With 7,641 islands, the Philippines is home to an unspoken competition among lesser-known destinations vying to become the next tourism hotspot.

Leading the charge is Siquijor, a province in Negros Island that has seen a significant rise in overnight stays. Its 2024 arrivals reached 241,529, surpassing its pre-pandemic total of 168,366. Its untouched natural beauty and secluded charm, amplified by growing social media exposure, have made it a top choice for international travelers.

Agoda’s latest annual ranking even named Siquijor as the fastest growing travel destination in the Philippines today.

At least part of the Philippines is surpassing pre-pandemic figures. 

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has released a survey showing how Filipinos were affected economically during the lockdown. This survey has been broken down by several articles. First is how money was spent monthly. 

https://business.inquirer.net/513337/bsp-survey-shows-how-filipinos-spent-in-moments-of-crisis

Everyone did everything to survive during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. But did you know how Filipino families managed their budgets during the health crisis?

A new nationwide survey by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed that Filipino households spent an average of P19,242 per month—or P230,905 a year—to meet their needs in 2021, a year marked by slow economic reopening from pandemic lockdowns.

The same BSP poll—called the Consumer Finance Survey and is conducted every three years to check the financial condition of Filipino families—provided insights on what’s in the shopping cart of a typical Filipino household during the pandemic.

Results of a central bank survey of 16,212 households showed that food accounted for the largest expenditure share in 2021 at 57.2 percent, consistent with findings from previous survey rounds.

Broken down, families spent an average of P9,955 per month on food prepared and consumed at home. That cornered 55.4 percent of the total expenditures, higher than the 49.9 percent share recorded in 2017 or before the pandemic.

Meanwhile, spending on restaurants had averaged P486 per month in 2021, which accounted for only 1.9 percent of the overall expenditures.

“During the pandemic, many Filipino consumers shifted their eating habit from dining out to dining at home because of limited mobility and dining-in restrictions,” the BSP said.

“Thus, food at home has remained the largest expenditure item,” it said.

Housing and utilities collectively cornered 10.6 percent of the total household budget during the pandemic. That translated to a monthly spending of P2,061.

The ratio, however, was smaller than the 23.9 percent share of housing and utilities to total household spending in 2017. The BSP attributed this to the departure of some offshore gaming operators and the temporary return of some workers and students to their home provinces during the health crisis.

Transportation was the next biggest spending priority of Filipino families with a 7.2 percent share, or a monthly expenditure of P1,798.

“This spending distribution underscores the importance of government price management for essential goods and services,” the BSP said.

Lastly, nonessential items, including miscellaneous expenses, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, narcotics and recreation and culture made up 8.6 percent of total expenditure. Notably, miscellaneous expenses such as personal care, celebrations and gifts had the highest share at 4.8 percent.

P2,061 for housing AND utilities per month? Who are they surveying? That is only half of my monthly electric bill. 

The BSP says the pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital services but that is something already widely known. 

https://philstar.com/business/2025/03/17/2428837/pandemic-accelerated-adoption-digital-services

It was interesting to read the findings of the 2021 Consumer Finance Survey (CFS) conducted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) from March 31, 2022 to Dec. 11, 2022, which were released last Friday, March 14.

The survey results gave a glimpse into how Filipino households managed their finances during the pandemic years and the resulting adoption of digital services.

According to the BSP, non-financial assets continued to form the foundation of Filipino household wealth portfolios. Home appliances and equipment remained the most commonly owned assets (96.6 percent), followed by residential properties (69.9 percent) and vehicles (35.3 percent).

Among vehicles, motorcycles (61.7 percent) continued to be the most commonly owned, which I believe also contributed to the shift to a digital economy through the delivery of goods purchased online but also contributed to traffic congestion.

A notable shift occurred in homeownership trends, with more families choosing rental accommodations (11.3 percent) compared to the previous survey round (10.2 percent). Within the appliance category, mobile phones (92.8 percent) continued to surpass televisions (81.1 percent) as the most common household item since the 2018 survey, highlighting the increasing importance of digital connectivity, especially during times of crisis. This finding is also significant to the decline of cable television as more people depend on their phones to get the news or watch online movies and content.

The composition of financial assets revealed interesting patterns of financial behavior. Deposit accounts recorded the highest ownership rates at 35.3 percent, followed by traditional cash savings kept at home (28.7 percent) and the rapidly growing category of e-money accounts (24.3 percent). After the pandemic, more people now have e-wallets for everyday small purchases or payments.

The post-pandemic recovery period witnessed substantial growth across financial asset categories, particularly in formal banking relationships and digital financial products. Financial institutions played a pivotal role in this transition by accelerating the development of user-friendly digital services. These services addressed the evolving needs of consumers who increasingly required remote access to financial resources during lockdown periods.

The pandemic, according to the BSP findings, prompted a significant reorientation of Filipino households’ approach to debt and savings. Faced with economic uncertainty, households increased their precautionary savings to protect against the risks of job losses and falling incomes.

Government-imposed restrictions on movement and business operations severely limited traditional spending opportunities such as travel, dining and entertainment. However, these restrictions inadvertently increased savings, which offered households some respite during the crisis. Furthermore, households benefited from government financial assistance programs.

Households were more reluctant to take on additional debt during this uncertain period, resulting in a significant decline in overall debt levels. The survey data indicated that only 29.3 percent of households carried any form of debt during this period, representing a substantial decrease from 40.4 percent in the 2018 survey. The composition of these liabilities primarily consisted of household bills (16.4 percent) and outstanding loans (15.2 percent). Only 0.7 percent of households had outstanding credit card debt, most of which was incurred for the purchase of basic goods.

Wages remained the leading source of income among households in 2021. The percentage of households receiving wage income rose to 91.5 percent, up from 73.7 percent in 2018. Government employment initiatives implemented to counteract pandemic-related job losses largely drove this increase. About 9.8 percent of households received income from businesses, primarily sole proprietorships in retail or food service, while 55.6 percent relied on other sources, mainly government pandemic assistance or ayuda. These ayuda included cash subsidies and food packs that played a crucial role during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing essential financial support to many households facing economic hardships due to lockdowns and job losses.

Spending patterns of households in 2021 revealed that food and beverages consumed at home accounted for the largest expenditure share at 55.4 percent, consistent with findings from previous survey rounds. For non-food items, housing and utilities accounted for 10.6 percent, while transportation took up 7.2 percent of the budget. This spending distribution, the BSP cited, underscores the importance of government price management for essential goods and services.

Meanwhile, non-essential items, including miscellaneous expenses, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, narcotics and recreation and culture, made up 8.6 percent of total expenditure, with miscellaneous expenses such as personal care, celebrations and gifts having the highest share at 4.8 percent.

According to the BSP, the country’s relatively young and healthy population presents the potential for a demographic dividend. The average household consisted of four members, with about half of them under 28 years of age, and an almost equal distribution of males and females. Furthermore, about 37.1 percent of household members aged three years and over were currently studying, while 49.8 percent of those not attending school were at least high school graduates.

Most household members (92 percent) reported good self-assessed health status. To capitalize on this demographic advantage, investing in high-quality education and robust health services is crucial to ensure a well-educated, healthy and productive young workforce that can drive higher economic growth.

Government restrictions on movement INCREASES savings? How is that even possible in the wake of everything shutting down and people losing jobs? 

According to the BSP survey the pandemic made households more reluctant to take on debt. 

https://www.bworldonline.com/economy/2025/03/16/659674/pandemic-data-reflects-reluctance-by-households-to-take-on-more-debt/

HOUSEHOLD DEBT declined in 2021, reflecting reluctance to take on additional debt during the pandemic, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported.

The BSP’s 2021 Consumer Finance Survey indicated that 29.3% of households carried debt during the period, much lower than the 40.4% in the 2018 survey.

“The pandemic prompted a significant reorientation of Filipino households’ approach to debt and savings. Faced with economic uncertainty, households increased their precautionary savings to protect against the risks of job losses and falling incomes.”

Bills accounted for 16.4% of household debt, followed by outstanding loans (15.2%) and credit card debt (0.7%).

“Government-imposed restrictions on movement and business operations severely limited traditional spending opportunities such as travel, dining, and entertainment,” the BSP said.

“However, these restrictions inadvertently raised savings, which offered households some respite during the crisis. Furthermore, households benefited from government financial assistance programs.”

The survey also showed the percentage of households receiving wage income jumped to 91.5% from 73.7% in 2018.

“Government employment initiatives implemented to counteract pandemic-related job losses largely drove this increase.”

“About 9.8% of households received income from businesses, primarily sole proprietorships in retail or food service, while 55.65% relied on other sources, mainly government pandemic assistance or ayuda.”

These subsidies include cash or food packs, which helped provide “essential financial support to many households facing economic hardships due to lockdowns and job losses.”

And where are these savings now?