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Trafficker mom offers own kids for online sexual exploitation
A 32-year-old woman from Talomo District, Davao City has been sentenced to four life imprisonments and ordered to pay a total of P6 million for multiple violations, including the violation of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act and the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act. The woman was arrested after offering to sexually abuse her six-year-old son and one-year-old daughter in exchange for money or other considerations. The presiding judge found her guilty of qualified trafficking, child abuse, and offering child sexual abuse material through a computer system. In addition to the life sentences, she was also sentenced to an additional 14 years in prison and ordered to pay fines and damages. The arrest and rescue operation were carried out by law enforcement agencies in collaboration with social workers. The conviction is seen as a testament to the government's efforts to combat trafficking and online sexual abuse and exploitation of children. The International Justice Mission-Philippines estimates that nearly half a million Filipino children were victims of this crime in 2022 alone. Convictions like this are crucial in deterring such crimes and the community's vigilance in reporting cases is essential. To report information about child abuse, contact the Davao City Hotline or the Philippine.....»»
4 life sentences for human trafficker
In the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 33 of Davao City, American national John F. Stanfield, also known as Bill Rush, has been found guilty on multiple counts of heinous crimes, including four counts of qualified trafficking in persons, five counts of rape through sexual assault, one count of attempted rape, and four counts of child abuse. His victims were four minor Filipino children, the youngest being just five years old at the time of the offenses. Stanfield has been sentenced to four life imprisonment terms, coupled with a maximum of 89 years in prison. In addition, he faces a substantial fine totaling P8,000,000 and has been ordered to pay the victim-survivors an aggregate of Php3,850,000 as civil damages......»»
Senate cites 4 Socorro leaders in contempt
The Senate on Thursday cited in contempt four high-ranking members of the alleged cult group Socorro Bayanihan Services Incorporated, or SBSI, over their denial that forced marriages of minors had happened in Sitio Kapihan, Socorro town in Surigao del Norte. Senator Risa Hontiveros made the motion after Quilario and the others repeatedly denied that forced marriages of minors happened and were facilitated by Socorro Bayanihan Service Inc., despite the testimonies of child witnesses present at the hearing. “I respectfully move to cite in contempt Jey Rence Quilaro, Mamerto Galanida, Janeth Ajoc, and Karren Sanico,” Senator Risa Hontiveros said after hearing testimonies of child witnesses at the hearing. With no objection from the members of the Committee of Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa ordered the detention of the four individuals at the Office of Seargent-at-Arms in the Senate. Speaking at the hearing, a member of the alleged cult group, alias Jane, narrated how she was forced to marry a fellow member at the age of 14. Alias Jane directly pointed to Quilario as the one who chose her 18-year-old husband. She added that they were forced to have sex after being married or be accused of disobeying “God.” She added that her mother, despite being married to her father, was also forced to marry another fellow member. Jane said she decided to run away from the village due to the unwanted marriage and forced labor that she had experienced throughout her stay in Sitio Kapihan under Senyor Agila’s leadership. Hontiveros sought the probe under Senate Resolution 797 on the cases of rape, sexual abuse, forced labor and child marriage perpetrated by the Socorro Group. The Senate panel found out that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources cannot go inside the SBSI community to conduct regular monitoring and evaluation. The post Senate cites 4 Socorro leaders in contempt appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Dela Rosa: ‘Hindi pwedeng magsinungaling ang mga bata’
Several underage members of the Socorro Bayanihan Services Incorporated on Thursday narrated how they were forced to marry and have sexual intercourse with adults as well as locked up within their mountainous community at Sitio Kapihan, Barangay Sering, in Socorro town, Surigao del Norte. In a media interview, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa admitted that he believed the statements of several child witnesses attended the Senate’s public investigation on the alleged cases of rape, sexual abuse, forced labor, and child marriage perpetrated by the Socorro-based group against their young members. “Hindi pwedeng magsinungaling ang mga bata. Nakikita ko Iyan. Sabihin mong biased ako sa mga bata pero naniniwala (Children can’t lie. I see that. You may say I’m biased to children but I believe them),” said Dela Rosa. During the joint investigation by the Senate committees on women and children, and public order and dangerous drugs on Thursday, 15-year-old Jane, not her real name, said she was coerced to marry an 18-year-old man she never met before. She said it was “Senyor Agila” whose real name is Jey Rence Quilario, the SBSI leader, who ordered and facilitated her marriage. She added that Quilario forced her to immediately sleep and have sex with her new husband so can “go to heaven.” Lovely Novie Savandal, also a member, emotionally shared that her 12-year-old sister was compelled to marry someone she didn’t know personally. Savandal said the Quilario was forcing every married couple to have sexual intercourse, if not, they will be punished. Dela Rosa grilled Quilario after Savandal recalled her sister’s experiences. “Bakit gustong gusto mong mag sex ang mag asawa? Bata, 12 years old? Pipilitin mong makipag sex sa lalaking hindi niya kagustuhan. Kinasal mo na, tapos sisiguraduhin mo pa na sila ay mag sex. Tapos kapag hindi mag sex, pina-punish mo ‘yung bata (Why do you want the couple to have sex? A child, 12 years old, [then] you will force her to have sex with a man. You already had them married. Then you still want to make sure they have sex. And when they don’t, you punish the child),” he asked the SBSI leader, Despite revelations from the witnesses, Quilario denied every allegation and claimed he could not do such a thing. “Hindi po ‘yan totoo. Hindi ko po magagawa (There is no truth to that. I cannot do that),” he said. During the opening of the panel’s hearing, Senator Risa Hontiveros revealed that managed to recruit 3,650, including 1,587 minors. “Sabi po ng liderato ng SBSI sa mga interviews, parang normal subdivision lang daw ang [Sitio] Kapihan. Ewan ko lang, pero sa subdivision namin, ‘di nila nire-require ang iisang gupit para sa mga babae, ‘di po inilibing sa ilalim ng lupa ang mga cellphone ng mga dalaga at binata,” she said. Hontiveros earlier revealed that SBSI conducted cult practices including rape, human trafficking, and even punishing disobedient members to swim in human feces. She said some SBSI members were ordered to wear the same haircut and had their cellphones buried underground. They are even forced to drop out of school. Meanwhile, Commission on Human Rights Director Jasmin Navarro-Regino said SBSI is now being subjected to several human rights violations after hearing the testimonies of witnesses during Thursday’s Senate hearing on SBSI’s suspected cult activities. Regino said the CHR has already conducted its initial investigation, conducted by a five-member team in Sitio Kapihan. “We found out initially, based on interviews with children, [that] there was forced marriage…There was a violation of the right to access education, and likewise, there’s a violation of the freedom of movement of these people,” she said. “We will submit our initial investigation report because it is based on many violations,” she added. The post Dela Rosa: ‘Hindi pwedeng magsinungaling ang mga bata’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Senate committee cites Socorro ‘cult’ leader, 3 others in contempt
Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. leader Jey Rence Quilario alias Senior Agila and three others were cited in contempt by the Senate committee during a public hearing on Thursday. Senator Risa Hontiveros made the motion after Quilario and the others repeatedly denied that forced marriages of minors happened and were facilitated by the Socorro Bayanihan Service Inc. despite the testimonies of child witnesses present at the hearing. “I respectfully move to cite in contempt Jey Rence Quilaro, Mamerto Galanida, Janeth Ajoc and Karren Sanico,” Hontiveros said. With no objection from the members of the committee, Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, ordered the detention of the four individuals at the Senate premises. Speaking at the hearing, a member of the alleged cult group, alias Jane, narrated how she was forced to marry a fellow member at the age of 14. Jane directly pointed to Quilario as the one who chose her 18-year-old husband. She added they were forced to have sex after being married, or they would be accused of disobeying God. Jane likewise said her mother, despite being married to her father, was forced to marry another member. She said she decided to run away from the village due to the unwanted marriage and forced labor she had experienced throughout her stay in Sitio Kapihan under Quilario's leadership. Another member, Lovely Novie Savandal, also narrated how her 12-year-old sister was forced to marry someone she didn’t know personally. Savandal said Quilario was forcing every married couple to have sexual intercourse under pain of punishment. Quilario denied that forced marriages were happening in their group. “Hindi po, hindi po nangyayari (no, that did not happen),” he said. Ajoc also denied that there were child marriages, although a witness in the hearing earlier said that Ajoc's own child was among those who were married at the age of 12. Galanida, meanwhile, said he was not aware of such happenings. “I do not know anything about mayroong ganyang nangyayari sa Kapihan… Walang child marriages kasi po kung meron man, meron dapat ‘yung parents mismo ‘yung magko-complain,” he said. The panel’s investigation came after Hontiveros filed Proposed Senate Resolution 797 seeking a Senate investigation into the cases of rape, sexual abuse, forced labor and child marriage allegedly perpetrated by the group. Dela Rosa also introduced Senate Resolution 796, which aims to look into the alleged presence and operation of a shabu laboratory and a heavily armed private army at the group's premises in Surigao del Norte. The post Senate committee cites Socorro ‘cult’ leader, 3 others in contempt appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Kahit ikaw ay Haring Agila, pwede ka ipakulong ng Bato’ — Sen. Dela Rosa
Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa warns alleged Socorro cult leader, Jey Rence Quilario alias "Senior Agila," to tell the truth when answering allegations of sexual abuse of minors and other cult practices perpetrated by his group, Socorro Bayanihan Service Inc., in Sitio Kapihan, Socorro town in Surigao del Norte. Senator Risa Hontiveros filed Proposed Senate Resolution No. 797, seeking a Senate investigation on the cases of rape, sexual abuse, forced labor, and child marriage perpetrated by an alleged cult in Socorro, Surigao del Norte. Also, Dela Rosa has introduced Senate Resolution 796 to look into the alleged presence and operation of a shabu laboratory and a heavily armed private army in Surigao del Norte. Senior Agila bluntly denied all the allegations linking him and the SBSI to cult practices. The post ‘Kahit ikaw ay Haring Agila, pwede ka ipakulong ng Bato’ — Sen. Dela Rosa appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
3 wanted suspects fall in Rizal sting
Three wanted persons were arrested in separate manhunt operations on Tuesday, the Rizal police provincial office said Wednesday. Rizal police provincial director P/Col. Rainerio de Chavez said the three individuals were nabbed for various cases in the towns of Rodriguez and Tanay, and Antipolo City. In Rodriguez, the 42-year-old accused, identified only as alias Zaldy, was arrested by operatives of the Rodriguez Municipal Police Station by virtue of a warrant of arrest for the crime of frustrated murder. It can be recalled that the accused was allegedly tagged behind the stabbing incident against alias Ryan who miraculously survived the attack after he was rushed to a nearby hospital. In Antipolo, rape suspect alias Junior was nabbed by the police by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Jose Bayani Usman of Puerto Princesa City Regional Trial Court Branch 50 (Family Court) for the crime of two counts of rape, acts of lasciviousness, and violation under Republic Act 7610 or the Anti-Child Abuse Law. The post 3 wanted suspects fall in Rizal sting appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
New gov’t hotline to boost campaign vs child abuse
The Department of Social Welfare and Development urged the public on Friday to utilize the Makabata Helpline 1383 to report cases of child abuse. The Makabata Helpline is a mechanism developed by the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), an attached agency of the DSWD, to provide immediate response, monitoring, and feedback via calls, electronic mail, and different social media platforms about all child rights and concerns. These include legal queries, psychosocial support, referral services to appropriate agencies involved in safeguarding children’s rights, and reporting of child abuse and emergency cases, among others. Since its launch in November 2022, a total of 156 reports via text, calls, emails, and chat have been received by the helpline, of which, 76.28 percent of cases were closed, while 19.23 percent are pending with limited traction and 4.48 percent are on-going. “The CWC is consistently seeking out partnerships with non-government organizations and national government agencies to strengthen the implementation of the Makabata Helpline 1383 because we believe that this mechanism will truly help us to protect and uphold the rights of children,” DSWD Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Romel Lopez said. Lopez, who is also the DSWD spokesperson, reminded the public not to use the hotline for prank calls or false inquiries. “We continue to remind the public that this hotline must only be used for emergency cases. So please avoid making prank calls or false reports because it may cause grave consequences for those who are in distress,” Lopez explained. The post New gov’t hotline to boost campaign vs child abuse appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Cyber education, a must
“Digitalization is the call of today, not the call of the future, but of the present. It is here. It is needed, and it is needed today.” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. highlighted in his second SoNA his administration’s agenda for all government agencies and local government units to digitalize all their services. He called for the digitalization of payments, business registrations, issuances of permits and licenses, loan applications and revenue collections. The digitalization efforts, he stated, should be made to streamline processes for ease of doing business, combat corruption and make decisions in a data-driven and science-based manner. I commend this push for e-governance and e-commerce by the President. He is right. The digital age is upon us and we must invest in digital technology and infrastructure for our economy to be globally competitive. Cyber Education Law However, the very basic foundation needed for the government’s digitalization efforts should be the investment in human capital. We know that our labor is the country’s biggest asset and the factor that keeps our economy afloat. We export labor, remittances flow, and these in turn fund local consumption. That is why there is an urgent need for us to legislate the incorporation of cyber-education among our population and we must start with our basic education. Investing in cyber-education is not a novel idea. It is a model of development in many advanced countries. As the World Economic Forum or WEF found out in a study, countries like Israel (which currently ranks 8th in the Cyber Risk Literacy and Education Index) show that cyber-risk education and connected institutions can contribute significantly to the national economy by producing more jobs and greater innovation. It concluded that cyber-investment in human resources, i.e., prioritizing cybersecurity education earlier than most and regular assessment of cyber-risk literacy of children and youth at key points in their development and education, is an investment for the future and has been found to have led to a wealth of cyber-related innovation and economic growth among top-ranking countries. The UK, Australia, Canada, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Germany, France, and, recently, China, are also investing heavily in cybersecurity education. These countries recognize that cybersecurity education is essential to protecting the digital economy and both public and private digital infrastructure from cybercrimes and cyberattacks. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the need for cybersecurity education will only grow. Digitalization will positively impact Filipinos’ lives but concomitant negative issues have emerged related to Internet use. Some of the most common cybersecurity crimes and offenses in the world today continue to emerge and develop, some of which President Marcos Jr. mentioned in his speech, such as identity theft, phishing and other online scams. Current statistics also show the vulnerability of Filipino children in the digital space. A recent study claimed the Philippines is a global hotspot for Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children or OSAEC. A sharp increase in possible OSAEC cases has been recorded by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, from 1.34 million in 2020 to 3.19 million in 2021, the second highest in the world behind India. In 2018, the Department of Justice Office of Cybercrime received 579,006 cyber tips on the online sharing, re-sharing, and selling of child sexual abuse images and videos. According to the study, sexual exploitation negatively impacts cognitive functioning, as well as mental health, including post-traumatic stress disorder and depression; and across the life course, it can negatively impact the physical, psychological, social, educative and economic well-being of children victims. The foregoing examples are just among the many important reasons to introduce cybersecurity education in the K-12 system. We must educate users of technology, especially children, on the potential risks they face when using internet communication tools, such as social media, chat, online gaming, email and instant messaging, to cultivate cybersecurity awareness at the primary school level. Verily, investing in cybersecurity awareness among the young population will have several positive impacts on the Philippine economy and quality of life. The post Cyber education, a must appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
US firms to dip fingers into MIF
An in-depth study by the Asian Central Journal or ACJ dated 20 July 2023 reveals that the Department of Finance forged a $1-million contract with a US PR firm, Weber Shandwick Philippines or WSP, that was signed in early January 2023, according to WSP sources. The ACJ study asks why the Maharlika Investment Fund or MIF bill was signed at the precise time Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri was in the US. “On 21 June, Senate President Zubiri reportedly signed an ‘enrolled’ copy of the MIF. Jose Manuel Romualdez, the Philippine ambassador to the US, was present for the signing. Ambassador Romualdez has long held the positions of chairman and CEO at WSP.” The ACJ study reports that, “The US was designated as the top campaign market in the PR strategy to draw US investment” and that “the MIF might be used by the US as a means of financial pressure on the (Philippines).” In other words, US funds for the MIF may be used as bait for the US to get major MIF projects in the future. The study says the WSP PR strategy aims (1) “to decrease misconceptions about the MIF, particularly those pertaining to abuse and corruption” (downplaying corruption helps fuel it); (2) “to raise awareness of it as an instrument for economic development” (sanctifying corruption as ‘economic development’); and (3) “MIF management and investment may be subject to US intervention. DBM Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman stated on 19 April that several US corporate organizations and investors are eager to assist us in structuring the MIF.” This dangerous move towards achieving US corporate funds for the MIF will easily increase corruption tenfold, with the participation of US corporations. This was the strategy of US oil firms in Nigeria in partnership with a corrupt government to siphon the oil for the West. The US corporations turned a blind eye to the corruption. The strategy triggered the growth of terrorists in the Muslim-dominated deep north which did benefit from the “development” received by the Christian-dominated south. The ACJ report, citing the MIF, warns, “There looms a grave concern: the specter of corruption.” It cites two cases. “Norway’s sovereign wealth fund lost $174 billion (about P8.7 trillion) in the first half of 2022, while (the Singapore-based) Temasek Holdings, which is primarily regarded as a sovereign wealth fund, has seen a net loss of S$7.3 billion throughout the nearly 50 years since its founding.” If less corrupt-prone affluent nations like Norway and Singapore are unable to contain corruption in sovereign wealth funds, what more a Third World nation like the Philippines, which is noted for rampant unstoppable corruption? In its 2020-2022 survey, the Philippines ranked no. 116 out of 180 nations (the higher the ranking, the more corrupt) in the Corruption Perceptions Index published by Transparency International. Norway ranked No. 4 and Singapore No. 5 as least corrupt. (Source: Wikipedia). The MIF Act provides that a Maharlika Investment Corporation or MIC will be established to manage the MIF fund. The ACJ study is concerned that the MIC board of directors will consist of presidential appointees “based on favor rather than talent… in a nation where nepotism is rife.” (Ambassador Romualdez is the second cousin of Marcos Jr. It’s all in the family.) This will induce a “lack of transparency in regulation and a high risk of financial embezzlement.” The ACJ study argues that “the MIF could be a weapon for politicians to steal from the public coffers,” citing the case of Angola. In 2018, Jose Filomeno dos Santos, ex-sovereign fund chairman and son of ex-President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, was charged with the theft of $1.5 billion. In 2015, the Wall Street Journal reported that Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak transferred about $700 million from the 1Malaysia Development Berhad fund to his personal account. The ACJ study reports that Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised $6.5 billion in five years. In an investigation after the 1MDB scandal broke out, Goldman Sachs admitted stealing $1 billion from 1MDB “to bribe officials in Malaysia and other nations, including (payments) for the extravagant lifestyles of Malaysian officials and purchasing luxury yachts and hotels for them.” Goldman Sachs pocketed $4.6 billion in bribes and kickbacks. Ex-Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in the massive 1MDB heist. It will be easy for creative Filipino politicians to improve on this type of ‘Financial Terrorism’ with the help of equally corrupt Western corporations. They must be drooling in excitement. This evil partnership of government and multinationals is the biggest hindrance to the true development of Third World countries. Even as the MIF heist is yet to happen, the solons are cooking up a more sinister storm, the Overseas Filipino Workers Sovereign Wealth Fund, tapping the biggest dollar earner of the country. This is “stealing” the hard-earned money of our workers. The OFWs may rise in protest. *** eastwindreplyctr@gmail.com The post US firms to dip fingers into MIF appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
House panel OKs bill penalizing use of corporal punishment against children
The House panel on the welfare of children has approved a bill banning the use of corporal punishment to discipline children — a measure that lawmakers and child rights advocates hope would deter incidents of child abuse within homes......»»
Australian man charged with sex crimes against 91 young girls
An Australian former childcare worker sexually abused 91 young girls in a "chilling" spate of crimes across 15 years, police said Tuesday after charging him with 1,623 separate offenses, including rape. Seasoned detectives have described it as one of Australia's "most horrific" child sex abuse cases, with a scale of offenses "beyond the realms of anyone's imagination". "I know this news will seem unfathomable, and I know there will be many questions," said Assistant Federal Police Commissioner Justine Gough. "There is not much solace I can give to the parents and children who have been identified," she added. Included within the 1,623 charges are 136 counts of rape, 110 counts of sexual intercourse with a child younger than 10 -- a charge used instead of rape in some Australian jurisdictions -- and 613 counts of making child pornography. Investigators have been hunting for the 45-year-old man since discovering a cache of child pornography photos and videos being shared on the dark web in 2014. But their efforts had been mostly fruitless until they made an unexpected breakthrough in August last year -- matching visual clues in the background of the material to a childcare center in the city of Brisbane. While the man was initially charged with just three offenses, Gough said the gravity of his "heinous" alleged crimes emerged as police sifted further through his computer and phone. Police believe the man filmed or took pictures of "all" his alleged crimes -- and eventually cataloged more than 4,000 photos and videos of abuse. New South Wales Assistant Police Commissioner Michael Fitzgerald said it was one of the most horrific cases he had ever seen. "It's beyond the realms of anyone's imagination what this person did to these children," he said. "I can only say, you try not to be shocked after a long period of time in the police, but this is a horrific case." Young girls targeted Police said the abuse happened at 10 different childcare centers between 2007 and 2022 and exclusively targeted "prepubescent girls" -- some as young as one year old. While 87 of the 91 victims were from the Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales, police believed four other unidentified children were abused while the man worked overseas for a brief spell between 2013 and 2014. Police said they were now working with international crime agencies to find those children, without revealing which country they were targeting. "We have been working tirelessly since August last year to identify the children in the alleged child abuse material," Gough said. Police said the man had passed the stringent series of background checks needed to work at childcare centers in the states of Queensland and New South Wales. Queensland's Acting Assistant Police Commissioner Col Briggs said detectives had first been tipped off in 2021, but had been hamstrung by a lack of evidence. "There was insufficient evidence to take action against any person based on evidence available at the time," he said. Given the sheer volume of child abuse material that needed to be documented, a dedicated task force of about 35 staff was called in to work on the investigation. The man, who has not been named by police, is scheduled to face court in Queensland on August 21. Once those proceedings are finished, he will be extradited to New South Wales to face further charges. The post Australian man charged with sex crimes against 91 young girls appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Nothing compares to her: Irish singer Sinéad O’Connor dead at 56
Acclaimed and controversial Irish singer-songwriter Sinéad O’Connor has passed away at age 56, her family announced in a statement. “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad. Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time,” the statement said. The cause and time of death was not released to the public. O' Connor is best known for her now-classic rendition of Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U,” which catapulted her to fame when the song topped worldwide charts and was named the number one world single in 1990 by the Billboard Music Awards. But she will also be remembered for a deeply divisive gesture: In 1992, she infamously tore up a photograph of Pope John Paul II in an episode of Saturday Night Live to protest against the Catholic Church’s silence on child abuse cases. Born in Dublin, O’Connor made a mark not only as an accomplished artist but also for being outspoken and provocative throughout her career. She rocked a signature shaved head, wore bold and eccentric clothing and never backed down from her fierce, unconventional persona. She released 10 studio albums, beginning with The Lion and The Cobra (1987), which charted internationally and gave her her first Grammy nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance. Her second studio album, I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got (1990), was O’Connor’s breakthrough as a singer-songwriter, gaining critical raves and selling over seven million copies worldwide. Through her sophomore album, O’Connor made legendary musician Prince’s song “Nothing Compares 2 U” into her own, and with it, she became the first woman to win the Video of the Year honors at the MTV Video Music Awards on 6 September 1990. The album also earned three Grammy nominations. However, despite being nominated for the music industry’s highest awards, she became the first artist to criticize and boycott the Grammys, claiming that it measured artists’ worth based on commercial success alone. In later years, the Irish star opened up about her struggles with mental health. O’Connor went on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2007 and revealed her struggles with bipolar disorder and depression. Living through these mental disorders felt like “a bucket with holes in it, just leaking tears from every pore,” she said. In her 2021 memoir Rememberings, O’Connor recalled that she suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder due to the physical abuse she went through growing up. The tragic death of her 17-year-old son, Shane, in 2022 added to O’Connor’s struggles, leading her to seek immediate medical care for herself. The post Nothing compares to her: Irish singer Sinéad O’Connor dead at 56 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Marcos: War on drugs to continue — but with ‘new face’
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said the country's fight against the illegal drug problem continues under his helm. "The campaign against illegal drugs continues—but it has taken on a new face. It is now geared towards community-based treatment, rehabilitation, education, and reintegration, to curb drug dependence among our affected citizenry," said Marcos during his second State of the Nation Address. Marcos mentioned that the government has effectively launched the "Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan" or BIDA Program, and established additional 102 Balay Silangan Reformation Centers nationwide. The government, he added, will relentlessly continue its fight against drug syndicates by "shutting down their illegal activities and dismantling their network of operations." "Unscrupulous law enforcers and others involved in the highly nefarious drug trade have been exposed. I will be accepting their resignations," the President said. Marcos vowed to install individuals with unquestionable integrity, and who will be effective and trustworthy in handling the task of eliminating the drug problem--which he described as a "dreaded and corrosive social curse." "We cannot tolerate corruption or incompetence in government," he added. Shortly before Marcos delivered his SONA, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa expressed hope that Marcos will pay attention to the illegal drug problem in the country during the remainder of his term. “Konting pansin lang. Sana mapansin lang ‘yung drug situation (Just a little attention. I hope the drug situation will be taken care of),” Dela Rosa said in an interview with reporters. Asked if the government is lacking the courage to fight the drug problem, Del Rosa said: “Iba talaga ‘yung manggaling sa pinaka-chief executive ‘yung pagpansin sa drug problem (It is really different if the chief executive himself will pay attention to the drug problem).” On the other hand, Dela Rosa said he believes Marcos will continue supporting the push for the mandatory revival of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps in the Philippines. “He already mentioned the ROTC [program] during his first SONA. The ROTC bill is still pending, but I will continue pushing for it,” he added. Newly installed Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff, Gen Romeo Brawner Jr. has expressed his full support for the revival of the mandatory ROTC. Brawner earlier vowed that ROTC will be implemented accordingly and professionally by well-trained military handlers should it becomes legally mandatory. The military chief said the AFP will make sure that the cases of hazing, as well as physical and verbal abuse and other malpractices related to the ROTC in the past, won’t happen again in the future. “The AFP is preparing for proper and relevant conduct of the program in the future,” said Brawner. The post Marcos: War on drugs to continue — but with ‘new face’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl cinema in the first year of BBM
Here, we look back at the state of the Philippine film industry since he took the seat of power 13 months ago. When President Marcos Jr. became the 17th leader of the nation, the country was on the brink of the “new normal.” The campaign elections even saw multitudes of crowds in the streets, the Filipinos’ political passion overpowering the fear of a Covid-19 infection. Covid-pandemic viewing By May 2022, the month of the presidential campaigns, the Department of Health said the country was at “minimal-risk case classification” with an average of only 159 cases per day. By June 2022, when the President took his oath, 69.4 million Filipinos had been fully vaccinated. Along with the country, the Philippine film industry started healing. On the same month, the country went under Covid-19 Alert Level 2, with 50-percent allowed capacity in indoor cinemas. Live film festivals The Marcos administration saw the return of Filipino film festivals in theaters. On Marcos’ fifth month as president, the QCinema International Film Festival, with the theme “in10City,” held hybdrid screenings — in-person and online. The Metro Manila Film Festival in December 2022, six months into the new presidency, went full force in cinemas for the second time during the pandemic. Earlier, in 2020, during the Duterte administration, the festival was held online for the first time, and the following year, in December 2021, after level alert measures in the Philippines were relaxed, the MMFF finally went back to the cinemas. However, only around 300 cinemas (down from the usual 900) were allowed to screen the MMFF entries. Meanwhile, the 18th edition of the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival was held from 5 August to 31 October 2022 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, in select mall cinemas and online. But what made a mark during the Marcos administration’s first year was the inaugural edition of the 2023 Summer Metro Manila Film Festival. The SMMFF was held in Metro Manila and throughout the Philippines. Organized by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority in partnership with the Cinema Exhibitors Association of the Philippines, the first MMFF was supposed to be held in 2020, but was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2023, held from 8 to 18 April 2023 with the theme “Tuloy-tuloy ang Saya,” the summer festival featured eight entries and, like its December counterpart, even held a Parade of Stars. About Us But Not About Us by Jun Lana, produced by The IdeaFirst Company, Octobertrain Films and Quantum Films, emerged as the first Best Picture of the summer festival. [caption id="attachment_161372" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] About Us But Not About Us by Jun Lana[/caption] The Film Development Council of the Philippines’ sixth edition of its own mini-film festival, held during the Marcos administration’s third month, headed back to cinemas, offering free access to award-winning classic films of the new National Artists for Film and Broadcast Arts at TriNoma Cinema in Quezon City and in all Cinematheque centers nationwide (Manila, Iloilo, Negros, Davao and Nabunturan). CCP closes for renovations On 1 September 2022, CCP president Margarita Moran-Floirendo announced during a hearing of the Senate committee on cultural communities, that The Cultural Center of the Philippines — home to the Cinemalaya festival — will close its doors starting January 2023 for renovation and structural retrofitting works, and will reopen in March 2025. This marks the first time that Cinemalaya, on its 19th year, which has the theme “ilumiNasyon,” will be held at various venues inside the adjacent Philippine International Convention Center, from 4 to 13 August 2023. The rise of political films With the country deeply driven by polarized political views, the Marcos administration saw a war between political commercial films. [caption id="attachment_161370" align="aligncenter" width="1800"] ‘MAID in Malacanang’ stars Cristine Reyes, Diego Loyzaga and Ella Cruz. | Photograph courtesy of viva[/caption] On 29 July 2022, Darryl Yap’s period drama Maid in Malacañang, touted as “the most controversial film of the year,” was released to packed cinemas. The movie, about the Marcos family’s last three days in Malacañang Palace before they were forced into exile, premiered at SM North EDSA and was released nationwide on 3 August 2022. Yap, who passionately campaigned for Marcos, became a controversial filmmaker with the release of his Marcos film. Leni Robredo supporters tried to boycott the film, with some Filipino movie critics exposing themselves as heavily political and non-neutral with their reviews, accusing the film of propaganda and historical revisionism. The attempt to quash the movie’s release failed and it became a box-office hit, with producer Viva Films releasing a statement that it earned a whopping P21 million on its opening day and P63 million three days after its release. It was the first time in Philippine cinema history that local theaters nationwide saw a deluge of moviegoers lining up to watch a movie on the big screen, mostly driven by political affiliation. Another unsuccessful political attempt to diminish the film’s release was Vince Tañada’s re-release of his Martial Law film Katips to counter Maid in Malacañang. Tañada’s film eventually won Best Picture at the Famas Awards. MIM actress Ella Cruz’s remark during a press conference, that “history is like tsismis,” further fanned the flames of political debate online. Eight months later, in March 2022, Viva released Yap’s second installment in his Marcos trilogy, Martyr or Murderer, which now focused on Ferdinand Marcos and the assassination of Ninoy Aquino. Two anti-Marcos movies rose to combat the film — Joel Lamangan’s Oras de Peligro, released on the same day, and Tañada’s movie adaptation of his musical play Ako Si Ninoy, released one week earlier. Movie buffs, political analysts, film critics, the press and social media influencers dove into feverish commentaries on the three films, and Philippine cinemas were ignited and, for a while, became alive with social discourse. New FDCP head On 21 July 2022, Tirso S. Cruz III officially assumed his position as the head of the country’s national film agency, the Film Development Council of the Philippines. He replaced Liza Diño, who was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as FDCP chairperson on 12 August 2016. [caption id="attachment_161368" align="aligncenter" width="736"] FDCP chair Tirso Cruz III. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF FDCP[/caption] Cruz, a veteran actor, said that the target of the FDCP under the Marcos administration was to support local films, not just in Metro Manila, but also from regional filmmakers. He also professed support for film students and highlighted archiving as part of the FDCP’s agenda, with 42,000 materials in its archives to be salvaged. MTRCB In September 2022, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board released a statement addressing the controversy about its proposal to expand its jurisdiction to online streaming services like Netflix, Vivamax, Amazon Prime and other streaming platforms. The MTRCB said it was responding to multitudes of complaints from parents and other concerned groups demanding that the agency regulate movie and TV online platforms to protect children from harmful viewing. The Marcos administration has seen a continuous boom in streamers, which began during the pandemic, with Vivamax becoming one of the leading local streamers due to the popularity of Filipino sexploitation films. On 23 February 2023, MTRCB chairperson Lala Sotto-Antonio expressed her gratitude to Senators Francis “Tol” Tolentino, Grace Poe and Sherwin Gatchalian for the separate bills they filed that would amend and expand the board’s mandate. “We welcome the move to amend the charter of the MTRCB as it will allow the agency to adequately adapt to changes in technology and the ever-evolving needs of the viewing public and our other stakeholders,” Sotto-Antonio said before the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media chaired by Senator Robinhood C. Padilla. Eddie Garcia Act In January 2023, the chamber passed through voice voting House Bill 1270, or the proposed Eddie Garcia Act, at the House plenary session. [caption id="attachment_161367" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] HOUSE Bill 1270 has been proposed in honor of the late actor Eddie Garcia. | Photograph courtesy of gma-7[/caption] Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte authored the bill, which aims to provide workers in the movie, television and radio entertainment industry opportunities for well-paid employment and protect them from economic exploitation, abuse and harassment, as well as hazardous working conditions. The bill was named after the late veteran actor Eddie Garcia, who died in 2019 after suffering a neck injury while shooting the television series Rosang Agimat, produced by GMA Network. According to Villafuerte, productions would go from 16 to 24 continuous work hours per set and would rush productions to save costs. The proposed law mandates that normal work hours of the worker or talent shall be eight hours a day; overtime work should not exceed more than 12 hours in a 24-hour period; and the total number of work hours shall not exceed 60 hours in a week. Paul Soriano Relatively unknown to most Pinoy moviegoers, filmmaker Paul Soriano was put on the limelight as the man behind the President’s advertisements — way back from campaigns since Marcos started out as vice governor, and then, governor of Ilocos Norte, up until his senatorial campaign, and eventually his campaign for the vice presidency and presidency. [caption id="attachment_161371" align="aligncenter" width="781"] PRESIDENTIAL Adviser on Creative Communications Paul Soriano. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF ig/PAUL SORIANO[/caption] Of course, the opposition in the film industry predictably canceled Soriano, the blood nephew of First Lady Liza Cacho Araneta-Marcos. Dolly de Leon It was also during the BBM era that Filipina actress Dolly de Leon gained international fame for her performance in the 2022 Cannes Palme d’Or winner Triangle of Sadness. [caption id="attachment_161366" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Dolly de Leon gained international fame for her performance in the 2022 Cannes Palme d’Or winner ‘Triangle of Sadness.’ | Photograph courtesy ofig/dolly de leon[/caption] The 54-year old film, television and theater actress made history by becoming the first Filipino actor to be nominated at the British Academy Film Awards and Golden Globe Awards. Filipino movie fans and critics, having been exposed to global content since the rise of the streamers, plus the proliferation of self-published movie reviews, are generally still disappointed with the output and system of the Philippine film industry, but filled with hope that, with full support from the government, Philippine cinema will finally become truly internationally competitive, sustainable and recognized. The post Phl cinema in the first year of BBM appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
AFP assures only well-trained professionals to handle mandatory ROTC
The Armed Forces of the Philippines will make sure that the Reserve Officers' Training Corps will be implemented accordingly and professionally by well-trained military handlers, especially should it becomes mandatory, newly-designated AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., said Friday. In a chance interview with reporters, Brawner cited the cases of hazing and physical and verbal abuse as well as other malpractices related to the ROTC in the past; hence, the AFP is preparing for proper and relevant conduct of the program in the future. “We are going to do away with that, by making sure that we have a professional core of soldiers and officers who will take care, take charge and manage the new program of the ROTC so ‘yun yung gusto nating gawin (that’s what we wanted to do), that is why right now, we are already training our core of professionals, officers, enlisted personnel who will handle the ROTC,” he said. “Ayaw na natin maulit ‘yung nangyari noong nakaraang programa ng ROTC (We don’t want the old practices to happen again in the ROTC program).” While the AFP is still waiting for the legislation of the ROTC bill, Brawner said there are ongoing preparations already in place. “The way that I understand it, it will not be the Department of National Defense who will be the lead agency rather it will be DepEd. So but the implementation will be done by the Department of National Defense, particularly the Armed Forces of the Philippines. So on our part, we are now preparing,” he noted. ‘ “Looking at the past experience that we have in ROTC, there are abuses in the past.” Expressing his full support for the revival of mandatory ROTC, Brawner said it will prepare every Filipino youth not only to become soldiers “but to become good citizens” that are ready to fight “any challenge or any threat —whether it is man-made or natural calamities.” ROTC in the Philippines is currently being taken optional by tertiary students, through the NSTP STP Act of 2001, following the death of the University of Santo Tomas sophomore cadet Mark Welson Chua, who had exposed corruption in the university’s ROTC program. The bill seeking mandatory ROTC is currently being discussed in the Senate plenary. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as well as vice-president and Education Secretary, Sara Duterte, earlier backed the revival of the program, making it mandatory for all Filipino students. The post AFP assures only well-trained professionals to handle mandatory ROTC appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Instagram ‘most important platform’ for child sex abuse networks: report
Instagram is the main platform used by pedophile networks to promote and sell content showing child sexual abuse, according to a report by Stanford University and the Wall Street Journal. "Large networks of accounts that appear to be operated by minors are openly advertising self-generated child sexual abuse material for sale," said researchers at the US university's Cyber Policy Center. "Instagram is currently the most important platform for these networks with features like recommendation algorithms and direct messaging that help connect buyers and sellers." According to the Journal, a simple search for sexually explicit keywords specifically referencing children leads to accounts that use these terms to advertise content showing sexual abuse of minors. The profiles often "claim to be driven by the children themselves and use overtly sexual pseudonyms", the article detailed. While not specifically saying they sell these images, the accounts do feature menus with options, including in some cases specific sex acts. Stanford researchers also spotted offers for videos with bestiality and self-harm. "At a certain price, children are available for in-person 'meetings'," the article continued. Meta, Instagram's parent company, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from AFP. According to the Journal, the social media giant acknowledged problems within its security services and said it had created a task force to address the issues raised. Last March, pension and investment funds filed a complaint against Meta for having "turned a blind eye" to human trafficking and child sex abuse images on its platforms. The post Instagram ‘most important platform’ for child sex abuse networks: report appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘We want to be free’: Filipinos demand right to divorce
Philippine mother-of-three Stella Sibonga is desperate to end a marriage she never wanted. But divorce in the Catholic-majority country is illegal, and a court annulment takes years. The Philippines is the only place outside the Vatican where divorce is outlawed, with the Catholic Church -- which holds great influence on Philippine society -- opposing the practice as against its teachings. Those in favor of legalizing divorce say the ban makes it difficult to escape violent or otherwise abusive spouses, or even for couples to amicably cut ties. People wanting to end their marriage can ask a court for an annulment or a declaration that the nuptials were invalid from the start, but the government can appeal against those decisions. The legal process is slow and expensive -- cases can cost as much as $10,000 or more in a country plagued by poverty -- with no guarantee of success, and some people seeking a faster result fall for online scams. "I don't understand why it has to be this difficult," said Sibonga, who has spent 11 years trying to get out of a marriage that her parents forced her into after she became pregnant. Sibonga's legal battle began in 2012, when she applied to a court to cancel her marriage on the basis of her husband's alleged "psychological incapacity", one of the grounds for terminating a matrimony. After five years and $3,500 in legal fees, a judge finally agreed. The former domestic worker's relief was, however, short-lived. The Office of the Solicitor General, which as the government's legal representative is tasked with protecting the institution of marriage, successfully appealed the decision in 2019. Sibonga said she requested the Court of Appeals to reverse its ruling, but is still waiting for an answer. "Why are we, the ones who experienced suffering, abandonment and abuse, being punished by the law?" said Sibonga, 45, who lives near Manila. "All we want is to be free." 'Dysfunctional marriages' The most powerful opponent to divorce in the Philippines is the Catholic Church, which is also against abortion and contraceptives. Around 78 percent of the country's 110 million people are Catholic, according to official census data, and many politicians are wary of contradicting the Church on sensitive social issues. But Congress has scored significant wins in recent years. A controversial birth control law was passed in 2012, despite strong opposition from the Church. And in 2018, majority and opposition parties in the House of Representatives approved a divorce bill that later stalled in the Senate. It was the first time such a proposal had got that far. Surveys conducted by polling company Social Weather Stations show a shift in Philippine attitudes towards divorce. In 2005, 43 percent of Filipinos supported legalizing divorce "for irreconcilably separated couples", while 45 percent disagreed. The same survey in 2017 showed 53 percent in favor, while only 32 percent disagreed. A group of lawmakers is now leading a fresh push to legalize divorce, with several bills filed in the House and the Senate. "We are not destroying any marriage," said Edcel Lagman, a congressman and author of one of the bills. Lagman said divorce was for "dysfunctional marriages beyond repair" and legalizing it would enable women and their children to escape "intolerant and abusive husbands". Before he was elected, President Ferdinand Marcos said the country should consider allowing divorce, but insisted it should not be easy. Annulment scams The burdensome process for getting a court order to end a marriage has spawned online scams offering to secure a quick ruling without time-consuming court appearances. AFP fact checkers found numerous Facebook posts spreading false information about the legal process for annulment in order to attract clients, underscoring a growing global trend of fraudsters profiting off disinformation. One victim told AFP she was charged the equivalent of $2,400 for an annulment service that turned out to be fake. She is now considering converting to Islam in the hope of securing a divorce under Muslim law. "I'm really trying every possible option just to be single again," she told AFP on the condition of anonymity. "Annulment takes so long, it's so expensive and it's not guaranteed, so I'm seeking a more convenient way." Family law specialist Katrina Legarda said the number of people falling for bogus services showed there was a "dire need" for new legislation. But Father Jerome Secillano, of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, said the nation should be "proud" to be the only country outside the Vatican "holding on to the traditional concept of marriage". "There will always be imperfections in a relationship," he said. Secillano said divorcing an abusive partner would "perpetuate the violence" because the perpetrator would go on to abuse their next partner. "You are not actually curing the disease itself," he said. 'I'm a sinner' Sibonga was raised a Catholic, but stopped attending church to avoid accusations of adultery. She has a long-term boyfriend, but cannot tie the knot with him until her first marriage is legally terminated. That her case has dragged on for so long is not unusual in the Philippines, where a creaky justice system can take years to resolve even minor issues. "People think that because I am still technically married, I'm a sinner," she said. "They really believe that what God has united cannot be separated. Really? Even if your husband is trying to kill you, even after everything he's done, divorce is still not allowed?" Sibonga said her relationship with her husband had been traumatic and had pushed her to attempt suicide twice. She does not want her children to marry until divorce is allowed. "I told them they can cohabitate and have as many children as they want, but I won't ever consent to them getting married," she said. "I just don't want them to end up like me." The post ‘We want to be free’: Filipinos demand right to divorce appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Family problems, society’s concern — SC
Supreme Court Associate Justice Amy Lazaro-Javier highlighted the importance of the family in society during the holding of the National Summit for Family Court Judges during the 5th National Family Courts Summit at the Manila Hotel on 20 April 2023. “Whatever impairs a unit cripples the entire system. The problem of the family is thus the problem of society, especially where the supposed safe confines of the home are exploited to abuse women and where the welfare and development of children are at stake. For family courts, as great bulwarks of justice, vigilance is thus non-negotiable,” said Lazaro-Javier, who is also chair of the Supreme Court Committee on Family Courts and Juvenile Concerns. Highlighting the imperative of the Supreme Court’s Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 to enhance access to justice, Justice Javier said that they seek to speak truth to the mandate “as we endeavor to provide protection and bring justice to the verybasic unit — the atom — of society: The family.” The Summit, the first one to be held after almost five years, aimed to roll out the Bench Book for Family Court Cases (Bench Book) to designated and statutory family court judges as well as to Regional Trial Court judges who handle family cases as well as to ensure a uniform understanding on the use of the Bench Book among all relevant stakeholders. It was organized to determine the existence and availability of facilities, equipment, and tools relevant to the performance of the functions of the Family Courts concerning Child Witnesses and Children in Conflict with the Law, to update the participant judges on the latest laws, rules and jurisprudence relating to Family Courts, and to capacitate them with effective tools to enhance mindfulness and resilience. Meantime, Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo emphasized the “distinct approach” needed in resolving cases involving children, spousal or marital relations, and parental duties and responsibilities, as these possess a character which differentiates them from other cases. The post Family problems, society’s concern — SC appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Filed out of time
Here you see the strict application of the rules of procedure; where non-compliance results in the disallowance of the review of the merits of a case You may have noticed that I usually write about annulment cases. What I write about today is also about annulment but has nothing to do with the merits of the case. Rather, it focuses on the procedure involved in annulment, and how crucial compliance is. As I emphasized before, rules of procedure must be strictly followed. Its compliance can mean the case’s victory; while non-compliance, its demise. In Republic of the Philippines v. Teresita I. Salinas (G.R. 238308 promulgated on 12 October 2022), the wife filed for an annulment. After due proceedings, the court granted the petition and accordingly, declared her marriage null and void. The Office of the Solicitor General or OSG, however, disagreed. It filed a motion for reconsideration. The court denied its motion on 27 July 2015. The OSG received the denial on 4 August 2015. Under the rules, any appeal should be done within 15 days from receipt of the order. Thus, the OSG had until 19 August 2015. An appeal may be filed personally with the court or sent by registered mail to it. The OSG opted to mail. Problem is, it did so only on 5 October 2015, said date having been stamped on the envelope by the post office where the notice of appeal was mailed. This filing date is obviously way beyond the 19 August 2015 deadline. Naturally, the court denied the appeal ruling it was time-barred. The OSG elevated the matter before the Court of Appeals. Upon review, the appellate court did not grant the appellant its nod. It was of the considered view that the OSG was not able to timely appeal its cause. This is even though the OSG presented its official records showing that the appeal was filed within the prescribed period. Not being sustained by the appellate court, the OSG had no other source of relief but the Supreme Court. Failure to obey leads to a case’s sudden end no matter how meritorious it is. When this issue was posed, the Highest Court ruled, “plainly, the pleading’s filing date can be proved either by (1) the post stamp on the envelope, which is considered part of the records; or, (2) the registry receipt. Thus, no grave abuse of discretion can be imputed to the RTC in considering the date stamped on the envelope of the Republic’s Notice of Appeal, which was 5 October 2015, as the date of the filing. Contrary to the CA’s ruling, the photocopy of the OSG Inner Registered Sack Bill cannot be equated to a registry receipt nor given probative value. Unlike a registry receipt, the OSG’s Inner Registered Sack Bill was not issued or signed by the postmaster or any authorized receiving personnel of the concerned post office; hence, unverified to be authentic. It was merely a list of mail matters supposedly sent out by the OSG with corresponding entry and registry numbers, addresses, and posting dates. “Thus, even if we admit the authenticity of the OSG Inner Sack Bill, it cannot be a sufficient basis to conclude that the mail matter pertaining to the Notice of Appeal listed on it was actually dispatched and received by the Ermita Post Office on 18 August 2015. The Republic attempted to bolster its claim of timely filing by presenting a Certification issued by the Ermita Post Office postmaster. Contrary to the Republic’s argument, this certification does not suffice to prove that it filed its Notice of Appeal on 18 August 2015 given that a different date appears on the envelope containing such pleading. “We reiterate, under Section 3, Rule 13 of the Rules, the date of filing is shown either in the post office stamp on the envelope or the registry receipt. Thus, while the postmaster’s certification is usually sufficient proof of mailing, its evidentiary value is different in this case as it is not merely intended to prove the fact of mailing, but to prove that the date stamped on the pleading’s envelope was either incorrect due to the post office’s inadvertence or not stamped by the post office. “We stress, the envelope and the date appearing on it is made part of the records; hence, it carries the presumption that the date stamped on it was done in the course of the official duties that have been regularly performed, unless proven otherwise. Starkly, the Certification is bereft of any explanation as to the discrepancy between the date appearing on the envelope and the date stated in the Certification. “At this juncture, it is noteworthy that the Republic provided us with no means of ascertaining whether the RTC erred in appreciating the genuineness of the date appearing on the envelope since it did not attach the Notice of Appeal with the affidavit of service, if any, and the subject envelope. Note that even the pertinent RTC orders were attached to this petition for our reference and evaluation. Hence, we are constrained to uphold the factual findings of the RTC, which was able to actually see the questioned document/s.” Here you see the strict application of the rules of procedure; where non-compliance results in the disallowance of the review of the merits of a case. It is imperative to adhere strictly to these rules to avoid any fatal technical infirmity. Failure to obey leads to a case’s sudden end no matter how meritorious it is. The facts and ruling are from the case cited above. The post Filed out of time appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»