Valentine's Day 2024 in the Philippines

Valentine's Day 2024 is here! The Philippines LOVES Valentine's Day so much that the cops will literally stop you in the street to sing or give you a gift. But what about those who do not have a significant other? One town has found a remedy, 2 paid days of stress leave!

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1218549

Municipal employees not romantically attached can take two days off this month to avoid the stresses caused by seeing doting couples at the workplace.

This act of emotional consideration was made possible through Executive Order No. 9, called “Special Stress Leave,” signed by Mayor Matt Erwin Florido on Thursday.

The town mayor said he has first-hand knowledge on the emotional challenges of being unattached, so he makes it a point every Valentine’s Day to give single employees some time off.

"I can relate to single persons, especially those who had no boyfriend/girlfriend since birth, because I'm also single," Florido said in an interview after signing the EO.

Florido said he also feels the heightened level of stress the single employees go through every Valentine's Day, motivating him to devise incentives that would soothe their inner pain.

He said the single employees can either avail of the two-day stress leave or come to work and get double pay for braving the sight of overt displays of affection at the office.

The mayor said those who choose to remain home can redeem their days off on Feb. 15 and 16, allowing them to enjoy a long weekend with less emotional stress.

Florido said this incentive applies to all single employees, both regular and those on job order (contractual) status.

Presently, the municipal government of Gen. Luna has more or less 30 single employees, according to a recent tally.

Or they can get DOUBLE PAY just for working on Valentine's Day. What a waste of taxpayer money all because a bunch of incels don't have a girlfriend. 

Flower prices are going up as Valentine's Day approaches.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/economy/897113/flower-prices-double-a-few-days-before-valentine-s-day/story/

The prices of flowers have gone up by 100% a few days before Valentine's Day.

At Farmers Garden in Araneta City, Cubao, Quezon City, a dozen red roses now go for P1,500 from the previous P700, according to a report by Luisito Santos on Super Radyo dzBB.

Half a dozen red roses are now priced at P1,000, which previously sold at P500.

One piece of sunflower is now being offered at P500, an increase of P100 from the previous price. Three sunflowers now cost P2,000, previously P1,300.

Assorted bouquet goes for P1,500 from the previous P700.

Meanwhile, a special bouquet is being sold for P2,000, a 100% increase from the previous P1,000.

Vendors said the price increase took effect on Saturday as their suppliers at Dangwa Flower Market in Manila hiked their prices.

Sales of flowers are still a bit slow at Farmers Garden on Sunday, three days before Valentine's Day, but vendors are expecting brisk sales on Feb. 13, the eve of the annual event for lovers.

Vendors say the rise in prices is due to transport costs. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/12/flower-prices-to-double-this-week-due-to-rising-transport-costs-1

In addition, the MAFC expects prices to double this week due to a higher demand for fresh floral arrangements in the market.

“Flower prices increasing during Valentine’s, Mother’s Day, or All Soul’s Day is normal,” he said. “Roses will be the one heavily affected by the hike, while other flowers will also increase a little.”

To further debunk the scarcity myth during special occasions, the MAFC chairman explained that as demand grows for flowers, additional operational costs also rise due to more truck deliveries.

“Usually the industry provides six to seven trucks of flowers every early morning to Dimasalang, but since it’s almost Valentine’s, it will be up to 10 trucks [which is already a lot].”

But no matter because most Filipinos do not want flowers for Valentine's Day. They want money. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/11/what-do-most-filipinos-wish-to-receive-this-valentine-s-day-hint-it-s-not-flowers

A survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) from Dec. 8 to 11, 2023, revealed the top Valentine's Day gift that Filipinos would like to receive this year.

The results, released on Sunday, Feb. 11, showed that Filipinos' top Valentine's Day gift wish was money (16 percent).

This was followed by love and companionship (11 percent), flower (10 percent), and apparel (9 percent).

Others expressed their wishes as "any gift from the heart (5 percent), mobile phone (5 percent), watch and jewelry (5 percent), good family relationship (5 percent), food and grocery items (3 percent), chocolate (3 percent), loved ones' health (3 percent), motorcycles and other vehicles (2 percent), and appliances (2 percent)."

About 1 percent and below want to receive a kiss (1 percent), a child (1 percent), date or dinner (1 percent), house (1 percent), cake (1 percent), stuffed toy (0.4 percent), a wedding (0.3 percent), alcoholic drink (0.3 percent), and perfume and cosmetics.

Moreover, SWS found that more men wanted apparel (14 percent) and any gift from the heart (7 percent), while only 5 percent of women preferred apparel and 4 percent wished any gift from the heart.

Meanwhile, more women wished for money (19 percent) and flowers (13 percent), while only 12 percent of men wanted money and 7 percent desired flowers.

SWS pointed out that both men and women wished for love and companionship equally.

But if you'd rather give your love one something more exciting than a wad of cash you can give them the opportunity to win millions.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/12/valentine-s-day-treat-couples-to-receive-free-p100-lotto-tickets-from-pcso

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) announced on Monday, Feb. 12, its Valentine's Day treat for couples who will try their luck in lotto.

In a social media post, PCSO said the first 100 couples will receive free P100 major draw tickets at its main office in Mandaluyong City on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14.

"Be among the first 100 couples/ pairs and get P100 worth of jackpot bearing game tickets," PCSO said.

In addition, the agency emphasized the special draw for the upcoming Valentine's Day, called "4D Love of the Game," in which couples can participate by purchasing a 4D Lotto entry.

"There's a mini raffle with special prizes to be given away for couples who will join," PCSO said in a mix of English and Filipino.

"Simply buy 4D Lotto tickets worth P20, and you're in! It's that easy," it added.

Moreover, PCSO invites the public to visit the PCSO main branch office, as this promo is only available at the said location.

Of course it is a very limited offer and one has to visit the PCSO main office. 

Insurgency: Government Sees Total Victory vs Reds

 Here we go again. The AFP is telling one of its divisions to end the insurgency.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1218424

Newly installed battalion commanders of the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) of the Philippine Army have received marching orders to finish the insurgency in Panay.

In a press release Wednesday, 3ID commander, Maj. Gen. Marion R. Sison, said he has directed Lt. Col. Jovert Pimentel, new commander of the 82nd Infantry Battalion (82IB) who assumed office on Monday, and Lt. Col. Vicel Jan Garsuta, new commander of the 12IB who assumed office on Tuesday, to work closely with local government units (LGUs) and stakeholders to dismantle the remaining guerrilla fronts in Panay Island.

“It is crucial to coordinate, cooperate, and maintain open communication with our partners, as they play a vital role in helping us bring an end to the insurgency in Panay,” Sison said.

Describing Panay as a “sleeping dragon and the remaining bastion of the communist terrorist group,” he said, “It is essential to recognize that the resolution of this problem requires not only military action but also the effective implementation of Task Force ELCAC (End Local Communist Armed Conflict) as the best solution."

“Finish the fight! That's my first order. Lick the enemy, totally decimate and eradicate them, in coordination with the LGUs, civil society organizations, the private, religious, and the business sectors, to establish just and lasting peace in Panay,” Sison said

"Finish the fight!" That is what they have been saying for 50 years. 

United Nations Special Rapporteur Irene Khan recently visited the Philippines and advised that the NTF-ELCAC be abolished.  Of course all the security agencies were incensed. 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/02/07/2331555/government-sees-total-victory-vs-reds-end-ntf-elcac

The government expects to achieve “total victory” over communist rebels this year, which will mean the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) will no longer be needed, the assistant director general of the National Security Council said yesterday.

Jonathan Malaya noted that the communists have only 11 remaining weakened guerrilla fronts left nationwide, “which was impossible five years ago.”

The Department of Justice (DOJ) also said yesterday that the NTF-ELCAC would eventually be turned into a peace and security council.

DOJ spokesman Mico Clavano said this is the government’s plan for the task force, to be done in phases.

“For now, we want to get rid of guerrilla fronts and the violence we are seeing in Mindanao, but eventually we will have a peace and security council whose purpose is to maintain the peace we have achieved so far,” he said in an interview.

“From NTF-ELCAC, it will now be turned to a peace and security council when the time is right,” Clavano added.

The DOJ issued the remark in response to the recommendation of United Nations Special Rapporteur Irene Khan to abolish the NTF-ELCAC. She made the recommendation as she concluded her 10-day visit in the Philippines.

Khan also said the government should come up with an actual policy that will prevent red-tagging against innocent civilians.

In response, Clavano said the government should first define the crime of red-tagging, saying there is no clear definition of what it really is.

“In criminal law, if we don’t know what is prohibited, this cannot turn into criminal law because that will create a chilling effect,” he said.

“So we have to first define the means and bounds of this so-called crime, this red-tag, and then turn it into law,” he added.

During her meeting with DOJ officials last month, Khan raised concerns on red-tagging and impunity of media personnel.

DOJ officials said red-tagging is not a policy of the government.

The United Nations Special Rapporteur Irene Khan said the government should stop red-tagging which prompted officials to say that it is not government policy and they have no "clear definition" what red-tagging is.  The Supreme Court cleared that up a long time ago. 

https://verafiles.org/articles/vera-files-fact-sheet-why-red-tagging-dangerous

“the act of labelling, branding, naming and accusing individuals and/ or organizations of being left-leaning, subversives, communists or terrorists (used as) a strategy…by State agents, particularly law enforcement agencies and the military, against those perceived to be ‘threats’ or ‘enemies of the State’.”

Are they not paying attention or are they simply lying?

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace says amnesty is the key to ending the insurgency. Again.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1218405

Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. on Wednesday emphasized the importance of granting amnesty to members of revolutionary groups who have committed crimes in pursuit of their political beliefs.

“Amnesty does not only extinguish criminal liability for the acts committed by these former rebels. It creates a path toward their full transformation and enables them to return to mainstream society,” Galvez said in a statement.

During Tuesday's hearing of the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace Unification and Reconciliation, the government's peace adviser also said amnesty would be the key to building a better and brighter future for members of revolutionary groups, their families, and their communities.

Galvez also noted that despite the strong desire of members of these revolutionary groups to be productive citizens in their communities, the "looming threat of legal repercussions" limits them from doing so.

“They are torn between their desire to turn a new leaf, on one hand, and be held accountable for their political mistakes, on the other,” he said.

Galvez was among the rebel soldiers who were granted amnesty by the late president Fidel V. Ramos for his involvement in the 1989 coup attempt against the late president Corazon Aquino.

Galvez said he and his co-officers experienced the "transformative power of amnesty" as they were not only forgiven by the state but were also reinstated in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and were able to continue their career in public service after their retirement in the military.

Amnesty "creates a path toward their full transformation and enables them to return to mainstream society" says the government.  Perhaps. That is why they keep building housing for former rebels. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1218279

To ensure that former rebels will not return to armed struggle, the local government of Can-avid in Eastern Samar assured Monday to provide them with decent homes.

Mayor Vilma Germino issued the statement following the groundbreaking of the “Saad na Balay” (promised houses) project to benefit former members of the New People’s Army.

Germino said at least 10 houses, each worth PHP272,642 and designed half-concrete and half-fiber boards, will be initially built for the former rebels in Can-avid, she said.

“The goal is to provide a decent home to former rebels and encourage remaining active New People’s Army members to surrender and reintegrate into the normal community,” she said.

The project is a collaborative effort between the provincial and municipal governments, the Philippine Army, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

As part of the project, beneficiaries will receive training from TESDA for carpentry and masonry skills, making them the primary workforce during the construction of their homes.

They will be enrolled in the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantage/Displaced Workers program of the DOLE to provide them with income during the construction phase.

Livelihood assistance and other capacity-building interventions will also be provided to them.

Before the groundbreaking ceremony, OPAPRU Area Management Unit-Eastern Visayas chief Imelda Bonifacio told stakeholders and beneficiaries that the project is beyond physical structures.

“The focus of the ‘Saad Na Balay’ project aims to promote peace and resilience within the community. By engaging in dialogue and consultations with project beneficiaries, OPAPRU ensures a conflict-sensitive approach that aligns with its mission,” Bonifacio said. 

Who knew that building "decent homes" is key to ending the insurgency?  Hopefully they are not built out of light materials that will go up with a single spark.

Those who do not surrender will be killed.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1218312

Two New People’s Army (NPA) members were killed in a clash with government soldiers in Barangay Tuburan, Cawayan town in Masbate province on Monday, the Philippine Army (PA) said.

In an interview, Maj. Frank Roldan, 9th Infantry Division (9ID) Public Affairs Office chief, identified the suspects as Florencia Ygot Regala and Pedro Regala.

"The troops of the second Infantry Battalion encountered 10 members of the New People's Army (NPA) that lasted for eight minutes in Purok 5, Barangay Tuburan, Cawayan, Masbate. The slain rebels were members of Platoon 1, Komiteng Larangan Guerilla South, Sub Regional Committee 4," Roldan said.

Authorities also recovered from the site one M16 rifle, one caliber .38 revolver, one homemade shotgun, five cellular phones and backpacks belonging to the rebels.

Roldan said no casualties were recorded on the part of the government.

The troops, he said, are still scouring the encounter site and follow-up operations will be immediately conducted.

"The enhanced intensification of operations in Bicol against the communist terrorist groups is in response to the confidence the Bicolanos give to our soldiers to end insurgency problem in the region," Roldan said.

The AFP is still discovering NPA arms caches. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/7/npa-camp-arms-cache-discovered

Soldiers captured a New People’s Army arms cache in Sitio Dau, Barangay Balbalan Proper, Balbalan, Kalinga on Monday, February 5.

Lt. Col. Joel V. Lucas, 103rd Infantry Battalion chief, said residents informed them of the location of the weapons stash owned by the Kilusang Larangang Gerilya (KLG) Baggas, Ilocos Cordillera Regional Committee (ICRC).

Troops found an M14 rifle with two magazine assemblies and 22 bullets and one M1 Garand rifle with two clip assemblies and 16 bullets.

Lucas said they also found an encampment in the area occupied by communist rebels nine months ago.

“We will continuously conduct this kind of operation to end the insurgency in the Cordillera region and all the neighboring regions around the country that are being infested by the manipulative armed Communist Terrorist Group (CTG),” said Lucas.

And, despite the AFP sying the NPA is leaderless, top leaders continue to be killed.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/10/2-top-npa-leaders-killed-in-leyte-gun-fight

Two New People's Army leaders were killed in an encounter on Saturday, February 10, in Barangay Tinag-an, Albuera, Leyte.

Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade, identified the fatalities as Rolando Caballera, an executive committee member and a high-value target, and Crispolo Agunos Jr., a member of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee.

Vestuir said they were killed in a 15-minute firefight with the 93rd Infantry (Bantay Kapayapaan) Battalion responding to reports from civilians regarding the presence of the NPA in the area.

He said they were extorting from civilians and planning to kill unwary uniformed personnel and former rebels. 

As a member of the executive committee, Caballera masterminded the killings of former comrades who surrendered to authorities. 

He had standing warrants of arrest for various crimes and 15 counts of murder issued by the Regional Trial Court, Branch 18 in Hilongos, Leyte.

"The death of these two notorious NPA terrorists is a result of the firm resolve and commitment of our people to prevent the recovery efforts of the remnants of IC-LEVOX in their community. Through the timely information provided by some residents, we have pinpointed the area where these terrorists hide. Indeed, we attain the situation that the people are inhospitable to these NPA terrorists," Vestuir said.

He urged families of the slain NPA to claim their remains once their identification is finished to give them a decent burial.

Vestuir said the encounter will lead to more intensified operations against the NPA in Leyte. "We want them to surrender, otherwise, we will hunt them down," he said.

He said that with the death of another top NPA leader in their area of responsibility, it is imminent that the fighters under IC-LEVOX will be demoralized and their will to fight will be weakened. 

Again the death of NPA leadership means "it is imminent" that the reaming fighters "will be demoralized and their will to fight will be weakened." But the reality is the NPA continues to fight and new leaders rise to the top. 

Sextortion in the Philippines With Mariana Van Zeller

National Geographic's television show Trafficked: Underworlds with Mariana Van Zeller features the host traveling around the world documenting the dark underbelly of society. In season 4 episode 2 Mariana investigates sextortion. The trail leads her to the Philippines.

The program begins in Utah where Mariana discusses the case of a teenager named Jake. He was contacted on Facebook by a beautiful woman.  But she did not want to play unless he sent her a full body nude picture. He saved their conversation which went as follows:

Scammer: Take a full body nude photo and then we can play.  

Jake: How do I know I cont trust you?  

Scammer: We are just going to play no need for trust issues. 

Of course the scammer immediately threatens to send his picture to all his friends and family unless he wires money. Jake begs them to stop but they refuse. Jake then kills himself. 

But thankfully he saved all the messages and in his suicide note he told his mom to check the messages so she can find the address to where he wired money. It is the Philippines. 

Mariana Van Zeller hopes to track down Jake's extortionist who is using the name Mariz Abril. She meets a contact, a journalist who investigates cybercrime. He describes sextortion as: 

This is a calling, a passion this is no easy job. Becasue it's risky, really risky. 

Mariana asks her contact:

Why is the Philippines such a center of sextortion?

He says:

First thing, we're an English speaking country. They are familiar on how to befriend to build the trust and relationship to their victims. Number two, they can easily work without authorities noticing them. 

She then makes her way to Angeles City and talks to a trans dancer named Yumi. 

Yumi turned to scamming during the pandemic. She befriended an older German man online. When he suggested they get sexy she started recording. Yumi then threatened to send the video to his wife and son if he did not send money. He sent the money but not everyone has though she has not followed through on her threats to spread the photos and videos.

Mariana then follows the trail to Bulacan where she speaks with "Claudia." She is not a lone wolf but works as a scammer in a large organization with cubicles and management. This is where she segues into talking about the Queen of Sextortion, Maria Caparas.

On her hunt for Maria she talks with a man named Jamie who worked for her. 

Before the pandemic he participated in transsexual pageants for money. During the lockdown he turned to sextortion. 

During the pandemic I didn’t have a heart because at that time I did not have savings. I had absolutely no money. I was really super evil. That’s how I was. I didn’t have a heart for them. Even if you would die in front of me, I wouldn’t care as long as I get what I want.

It was Maria Cabereras who taught him the sextortion racket. 

Someone came to our place. A woman. This Woman was very rich. She became like a mother to us, a “madam.” She was the one who taught us how to do the scam. 

Mariana Van Zeller then drives to North Hill hoping to find Maria Caparas. Before setting out she talks to a man named "Peter" who is a government official who has "witnessed the corruptive power of the sextortion industry first-hand."

Mariana: You don’t want your face shown.

Peter: The far reach of the criminal syndicates can be very…how would you put it? 

Mariana: Dangerous? 

Peter: Mhmm. Even in the level of government, you can never really tell who is taking pay, who is taking cuts. And everyone is involved from the local level up to the mid-level government executives, and then I believe high up. 

Peter has more to say about corrupt politicians being complicit in the sextortion industry. 

In terms of corruption level, I guess we’re turning into Mexico and Colombia in so far as extortion is concerned. That’s what I fear the most. 

They invest in their security. They invest heavily on firepower. Rubbing elbows with bigwig politicians around our jurisdiction and other provinces as well. So, her power and influences just goes far reaching. 

Driving into North Hill Mariana is worried about appearing conspicuous. Even so she asks a random woman on a motorcycle where Maria Caparas lives. The woman says follow me and takes her to City Hall where she can find residential records. The women on duty say Maria does not live in town anymore but her sister does. They agree to take Mariana to meet Maria's sister but then one of the women makes a phone call. 

It turns out to be a bust as the local producer says they have to leave town as everyone is alarmed by the cameras and the cops want to know what they are doing. But it's not a total loss as Mariana finds a contact in the Bulacan Jail named Diego who has been involved with sextortion. 

Diego claims he watched one of the men he was sextorting kill himself on camera. 

Mariana: We spent time in the Untied States with families who lost their sons because they committed suicide because of sextortion.

Diego: Really? 

Mariana: You never heard of this? No one ever said, "I'm going to kill myself if you continue asking me for money, blackmailing me?"

Diego: Yes

Mariana: Did they kill themselves?

Diego: Yes

Mariana: They died?

Diego: Yes

Mariana: How did you find out he killed himself? 

Diego: Because the camera of his laptop was on. 

Mariana: Oh my god that's horrible. And you saw it happening? 

Diego: Yes.

Mariana: What did you say? Didn't you ask him to stop?

Diego: We chatted him, but he set up a rope and committed suicide. 

Only Diego knows if that is a truthful confession but Mariana appears to believe and its shock value certainly makes for good television. 

And that is really it. This 45 minute program is nothing but a shock piece. Sure there is a massive problem in the Philippines with cybercrime including sextortion. But the online child exploitation market is bigger. Mariana says:

Combating sextortion requires updated legislation, significant resources, and collaboration between law enforcement agencies around the world. But these things rarely happen, so these crimes continue. As does the pain they cause. 

Actually, these things DO happen. Fighting online child sex abuse is a multi-country effort in the Philippines. Therefore it should be easy to combat sextortion. However, as Mariana van Zeller notes, the Queen of sextortion, Maria Caparas, has been arrested many times but is ALWAYS inexplicably released. Obviously she has help from people higher up the food chain. 

The difference between sextortion and online child sexual abuse is the difference between people who foolishly and willingly send their nudes to strangers and children who are forced into being abused. At no point in this story does Mariana suggest people should stop sending nudes to strangers on the internet. Just think right now how many pictures of nude white men are being sent through the ether and into the Philippines. It is rather hilarious to think the Philippines is bombarded with the digital signals of nude white men.

Retards in the Government 351

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

 

https://www.manilatimes.net/2024/02/04/regions/village-chief-shot-in-bulacan/1930981

THE police are on the lookout for the two suspects in the shooting of a barangay chief in Santa Maria, Bulacan, on Friday evening.

PCol. Relly Arnedo identified the victim as Julian Rosillas, 59, married, and chairman of Barangay Mag-asawang Sapa in Santa Maria, Bulacan.

Two unidentified suspects shot Rosillas in front of the barangay hall, Arnedo said.

Rosillas suffered two gunshot wounds and was immediately rushed to Rogaciano M. Mercado Memorial Hospital for treatment.

Arnedo said the victim is now in stable condition but added that the attending physician has recommended the transfer of Rosillas to Bulacan Medical Center Provincial Hospital.

Police investigation showed that the gun attack took place at around 8:30 p.m. while Rosillas was outside the barangay hall. Two suspects onboard a black motorcycle appeared and one of them shot the victim twice in the abdomen.

The suspects fled after the shooting.

Operatives from the Santa Maria Police Station immediately conducted an investigation and manhunt to find the suspects.

A village chief has survived an assassination attempt. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/4/3-soldiers-nabbed-in-tarlac-buy-bust

Three soldiers were nabbed and suspected shabu worth P340,000 was seized in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Anupul here on Sunday night, February 4. 

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Tarlac identified the suspects as Corporal Venancio D. Delmoral, Corporal Juan Carlo G. Feliciano, and Sgt. Modesto D. Rosquero.

PDEA said that the suspects were considered high-value targets due to their active duty status.

Recovered from the suspects were a knot-tied transparent plastic sachet containing more or less 50 grams of shabu worth P340,000, a .45 caliber service firearm with magazine and four bullets, a car, and the marked money.

The operation was conducted with the local police.

Suspects face non-bailable case of violating Section 5 (sale of dangerous drugs) in relation to Section 26-B (conspiracy to sell) under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002

Three soldiers have been busted for drugs. 

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/02/06/2331289/sc-sacks-3-ca-employees-shabu

The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered the dismissal from the service of three Court of Appeals (CA) employees who tested positive for shabu in 2022.

In full session, SC justices found Garry Caliwan, Edmundo Malit and Frederick Mauricio administratively liable for using illegal drugs under Section 14(o) of Rule 140 of the Rules of Court.

The CA employees tested positive for shabu in a random drug test conducted by the appellate court in 2022.

The CA transmitted the case records to the Judicial Integrity Board (JIB), which recommended to the SC the dismissal of Caliwan, Malit and Mauricio.

Since Mauricio opted for early retirement, the JIB recommended that his benefits be forfeited, except his accrued leave credits, instead of dismissal from the service.

The JIB also proposed that Mauricio be disqualified from holding public office.

The high court agreed with the JIB’s recommendation of dismissal as penalty, considering that it was the second time that the CA employees tested positive for shabu.

Three SC employees who tested positive for shabu for the second time have been dismissed.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/5/police-general-colonel-ordered-detained-at-house

The House Committee on Public Order and Safety cited in contempt two high-ranking police officers for their apaprent refusal to tell the truth in relation to the alleged unlawful arrest, arbitrary detention, extortion, and grave coercion of four Chinese nationals last September 2023 in Parañaque City.

ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo moved to detain Southern Police District’s (SPD) Brigadier General Roderick Mariano and Colonel Charlie Cabradilla for supposedly lying and showing disrespect to the the committee during its probe on Monday, Feb. 5.

Tulfo called out Mariano for being a “disgrace to the Philippine National Police (PNP), especially to the high-ranking officers”.

“Obvious na obvious na nagsisinungaling ka, obvious na obvious na pinagtatakpan ka,” Tulfo told him to his face.

(It's obvious that you're lying, it's obvious that they’re covering up for you.)

“This investigation is not going anywhere because they’re really lying, we already have witnesses, and they don't want to talk,” the lawmaker added.

“We don’t have a choice, it's like your committee is being insulted, played with, laughed at. Maybe they thought we’re just toddlers here in Congress so we have to teach them a lesson,” he told the panel chaired by Santa Rosa City lone district Rep. Dan Fernandez. 

The House panel cited both Mariano and Cabradilla in contempt. They were slapped with a penalty of 30 days in detention at the House premises.

The two will join six other detained officers who were previously cited in contempt during a committee hearing on Jan. 30.

Originally detained for only 15 days, the detention of the six officers was extended to 30 days or “until such time they reconsider their statements” to the panel.

Fernandez bared that he expected the officers to be freed during Monday's proceedings, but he decided against it after the individuals continued to lie.

“The problem is you continue lying. I would like to release them but the lying persists,” noted Fernandez.

Two high ranking cops have been detained by the House for lying. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1218361

The Supreme Court (SC) has suspended a judge in General Santos City for gross neglect due to a 10-year delay in deciding on a rape case.

In a statement Tuesday, the high court said it imposed a two-year suspension on General Santos City Regional Trial Court Branch 35 Judge Oscar P. Noel Jr. as “a result of gross neglect of duty in his role as Assisting Judge (Justice on Wheels) in Alabel, Sarangani province.”

The Office of the Court Administrator inquired about an administrative complaint alleging a prolonged delay in a criminal case under Noel's jurisdiction since 2010.

Noel clarified that another judge initially presided over the rape charges against a certain Jimmy dela Torre filed on Oct. 30, 2007 and that he only assumed responsibility for it on Feb. 11, 2010, concurrently presiding over three different courts.

The case was heard in Maasim, Sarangani, with the Justice on Wheels (JOW) bus traveling to and from General Santos City once a month.

Noel said infrequent hearings were caused by his high caseload and time constraints, with hearing resets taking two to three months.

The Judicial Integrity Board (JIB) recommended that Noel was guilty of gross neglect of duty and meted him with a PHP250,000 fine. The SC adopted the JIB's findings but modified the penalty to a two-year suspension.

The SC cited invoked Section 15(1), Article VIII of the Constitution, mandating lower courts to decide cases within three months.

“Efficiency and dedication in case disposition were stressed by the SC, highlighting the inevitability of delays to the prejudice of litigants without such qualities. Judges, therefore, must possess a high sense of duty and responsibility in administering justice promptly,” the court said.

Under Rule 140 of the Rules of Court, as amended by AM 21-08-09-SC, the SC categorized the offense as gross neglect of duty in the performance or non-performance of official functions under Section 14(d).

A judge has been suspended for sitting on a rape case for 10 years. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/6/barangay-kagawad-falls-in-drug-sting

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency arrested a barangay kagawad or councilor in a buy-bust operation in this town on Monday, February 5.

The suspect was identified as Jaimes Bernard N. Peralta.

PDEA-Ilocos Director Joel Plaza said confiscated from the suspect were three heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected shabu weighing more or less five grams worth P34,000, a cigarette box, a motorcycle, and the buy-bust money.

Peralta faces a case for violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs) and Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs), Article II of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The suspect is detained at the PDEA Pangasinan Provincial Office in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan.

A barangay councilor has been busted for drugs. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1900429/3-ex-govt-officials-convicted-for-graft-malversation

The Sandiganbayan on Tuesday convicted for graft and malversation three former officials of the defunct Technology Resource Center (TRC) for greenlighting the disbursement of a former Laguna lawmaker’s “pork barrel” funds worth P10 million for a ghost livelihood project in 2007.

The antigraft court’s Sixth Division sentenced former TRC deputy director general Dennis Cunanan, former program manager Maria Rosalinda Lacsamana and chief accountant Marivic Jover to serve up to eight years in prison for graft, and up to 18 years and eight months for malversation of public funds.

All three were barred for holding public office while their retirement and gratuity benefits were deemed forfeited … On top of this, they were each ordered to pay P9.8 million—equivalent to the misappropriated state funds. They were also ordered to “solidarily refund” to the treasury bureau the same amount, with an interest of 6 percent per annum until fully paid.

The conviction of the three TRC officers was based on the irregular diversion in 2007 of P10 million in public funds from the pork barrel of then Laguna Rep. Danton Bueser to bankroll a livelihood program that turned out to be fictitious.

According to the court, the TRC sent the funds to a bogus nongovernmental organization (NGO), the Aaron Foundation Philippines Inc., without a notarized memorandum of agreement (MOA) against Commission on Audit rules. A MOA was later executed, but only after the funds were released to the NGO. There was also no list of beneficiaries, estimated cost, procedures for implementation and monitoring requirements.

3 former government employees have been convicted of graft. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/7/cop-shoots-wife-dead

A policeman assigned to Isabela, Basilan allegedly shot his wife during a heated argument inside their house in Barangay San Jose Gusu here on Saturday, February 3.

Police identified the suspect as Police Staff Sgt. Julius Santillan Ocariza.

Investigation said Ocariza repeatedly fired at his wife, Fredellen, killing her on the spot.

Police recovered three fired cartridge cases and two fired bullets from a 9mm pistol in the crime scene.

Ocariza escaped but was later arrested by the police.

Zamboanga City Police Office Operations Officer Police Major Albert Alfaro denounced the killing in a press conference on Tuesday, February 6.

A cop has killed his wife.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1901387/village-watchman-shot-dead-by-sibling-in-lipa-city

A barangay tanod (village watchman) was shot and killed on Wednesday, Feb. 7, by his younger brother in Lipa City, Batangas province on Wednesday, Feb. 7, police said Thursday.

The Batangas police said in a report that Jason Gangga, 44, was driving his tricycle around 7:30 p.m. with his wife as passenger, along J.P. Laurel Highway in Barangay Balintawak.

Suddenly, Jason’s younger sibling, Jonel, 36, who had been following the couple with his motorcycle, came close to the tricycle and shot his brother using a caliber 357 gun.

The suspect fled after the shooting and left his brother dead on the spot from a fatal gunshot wound on his head. His wife was unhurt in the incident.

The police immediately conducted a hot pursuit operation and captured the suspect in Barangay Bolbok.

The police seized the handgun used in the killing.

Lipa City police said the shooting incident was motivated by an “old grudge” between the two brothers but did not elaborate.

A village watchmen has been assassinated by his brother.