Fact checking
‘Fact-Checking Facebook’s Fact Checkers’ is the heading of an opinion piece by the editorial board of the world-renowned business paper Wall Street Journal in its March 5 edition. In a stinging rebuke of the much-criticized and highly problematic practice of tech giant Facebook in deleting or throttling with impunity what it tags as “misleading or misinformed pieces” in a user’s account or, worse, suspending or completely banning such account without even a by-your-leave advise......»»
Fact-checking as a political movement
When disinformation is widely shared at a dizzying realtime speed by paid cyber mercenaries, can fact-checking stand a chance? There are short-term and long-term interventions that may require the enforcement of technical and regulatory mechanisms. For our part, we must not lose sight of the political solution because the roots of the information disorder are also linked to deeper structural infirmities in society. The post Fact-checking as a political movement appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Fact-checking
In my March 10 column, I related the increasing public concern over the much criticized and highly problematic practice of tech giant Facebook in deleting or throttling with impunity what it tags as “misleading or misinformed pieces” in a user’s account to the point of even suspending or, worse, banning the use of such account without even a by-your-leave advise to its contracted user......»»
Fact checking
‘Fact-Checking Facebook’s Fact Checkers’ is the heading of an opinion piece by the editorial board of the world-renowned business paper Wall Street Journal in its March 5 edition. In a stinging rebuke of the much-criticized and highly problematic practice of tech giant Facebook in deleting or throttling with impunity what it tags as “misleading or misinformed pieces” in a user’s account or, worse, suspending or completely banning such account without even a by-your-leave advise......»»
Activism as cure to information disorder
Activism is our fact-checking initiative against so-called "fake news." We cannot engage in politics without a proper social investigation. Mao Zedong has a succinct quote for it: “No investigation, no right to speak”. Our statements must be grounded on the reality that affects the masses. We articulate the social condition based on verifiable facts. The post Activism as cure to information disorder appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Being a poor kid taught me empathy
Mayor Isko Moreno BATANG MAYNILA In a recent interview, I was asked by a reporter if I am amenable to the idea of placing the beggars under arrest. These are the homeless people who end up in the streets begging for alms due to lack of income. Flatly, I rejected the idea. It is just not my cup of tea. Having been in that rock-bottom situation before, I cannot say that being poor is a sin or a fault in any way. It is the kind of situation in which no one would ever, ever want to be. I do not question the wisdom of national authorities who broached the idea of having the beggars arrested, for fear that they may be spreading COVID-19, since they do not observe any safety protocols particularly wearing of face masks. Maybe those from the national government have a different perspective about this issue but to me, sending the homeless people to jail is another thing, not only because I was also homeless at one point in my life but as I’ve said, it just isn’t my cup of tea. I would rather get these homeless people off the streets and care for them in our very own facilities designated for the purpose. In fact, for almost eight months now, we in the city government of Manila, through our social welfare department headed by Re Fugoso, had been taking care of hundreds upon hundreds of homeless people who ended up living in the streets and begging for alms, due to the pandemic. Since the quarantine and lockdowns began in March, we gathered these homeless, unwanted individuals and have been taking care of them since. We have three facilities for them. Modesty aside, we do not only feed these streetdwellers three square meals a day. We also provide them with clothes, toiletries, various forms of entertainment — like regular movie showing and zumba sessions— and even extras, since most donations of clothes and food that that land in our office from time to time are automatically sent to them. We also ensure their health and safety, by making them undergo regular medical tests. Our medical teams go to them and conduct the checking. While their life in our city-run facilities may not be luxurious, it is comfortable enough and definitely, a lot better than living in the streets. In fact, I suspect that a lot of homeless troop to Manila probably upon learning that the city provides the basic needs of those gathered. Those who would want to go to their native hometowns are being assisted by social welfare chief Re Fugoso herself, as in fact, 200 such families have already been sent to their respective provinces about a week ago. Back to the issue and let me be clear. There is no question that we in the city government are all for instilling discipline among everyone in the city, including the homeless. No exception. However, I firmly believe that when you are at the helm of governance, you have to strike a balance between putting discipline and certainty in place on one hand, and then compassion and humanity on the other. Addressing the poor is never easy. Actions need to be taken but there is a need to learn to stretch your patience to the maximum. I remember clearly what former President Ramon Magsaysay once said: “Those who have less in life should have more in law.” This creed of one of the greatest Presidents who ever lived, is what endeared him to the masses and had been my guiding rule since I entered politics. Simply put, this means that the ordinary citizens or those in the lower rung of society, specially the poor, should get the necessary attention from government which they need more than those who are well off. Maybe having grown up knowing precisely what poverty means and actually feels like, also instilled in me the value of empathy. *** Gaya ng paulit-ulit kong sinasabi, kailangan ko ang tulong ninyong lahat. Walang magmamalasakit sa Maynila kundi tayo ding mga Batang Maynila. Manila, God first! *** For updates on latest developments in the city of Manila, please visit my Facebook account — “Isko Moreno Domagoso”.....»»
KNOW YOUR CHURCH
By: Fr. Orly Mendoza ST. JOSEPH, HUSBAND OF MARY (Patron of the Universal Church/Feast day: March 19) The greatest among all the saints of the Roman Catholic Church aside from the Blessed Virgin Mary, no doubt, is no other than St. Joseph. His greatness lies in the fact of his mission to be the husband […].....»»
Coast Guard ready for probes into MT Princess Empress permit issues
"We are not shying away from responsibility, we are open to investigations. In fact, we appreciate the investigations because that will be a good avenue also for people to come forward and share what happened when the ship left," Coast Guard Rear Adm. Armand Balilo said......»»
The pains of the ‘new normal’
From the March 15, 2020 start of lockdown, our country has indeed moved on gradually forward. In fact, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. saw it fit and without risk to the entire Filipino nation not to extend the third and last extension of the state of public health emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic......»»
FACT CHECK: Mt. Leonard Kniaseff isn’t the cause of earthquakes in Davao de Oro
A Facebook user has claimed that Mt. Leonard Kniaseff in Maco town, Davao de Oro province is the possible cause of the series of earthquakes since February 2, noting that it is the most active stratovolcano between Maco and Mabini towns......»»
Gwen: Stop testing pigs for ASF
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Despite reports that the African Swine Fever (ASF) has allegedly spread to other parts of the province, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia will still keep her decision of stopping culling activities in Carcar City. In fact, the governor has ordered to stop the testing of live pigs suspected of having the infectious […] The post Gwen: Stop testing pigs for ASF appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Marco Gumabao not keen to talk about love life
Darryl Yap’s film, Martyr or Murderer, the second installment of the Maid in Malacañang trilogy, apparently brought its two stars Marco Gumabao and Cristine Reyes close together. In fact, the two were even spotted in Siargao......»»
Vantage Point | Hazing and the culture of violence
The death of Adamson University student John Matthew Salilig at the hands of his presumptive fraternity “brothers” is a wake-up call to everyone, especially those with a relative in a college or university, that hazing is a continuing problem in many schools as well as in other Philippine institutions. Salilig’s case is in fact provoking other citizens who had so far been silent to reveal how their own kin were similarly victimized. The post Vantage Point | Hazing and the culture of violence appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Fact check: No P2.5-B budget cut, no shutdown order for UP
Youtube channel “PINAS NEWS INSIDER” said in a video posted February 28 that the budget for the University of the Philippines System in 2023 was downgraded by about P2.5 billion. This is false......»»
Philippines to sustain infrastructure spending at 5 pct to 6 pct of GDP
MANILA, March 8 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine government will sustain its annual infrastructure spending at 5 percent to 6 percent of the country's gross domestic product, National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said on Wednesday. "I think the essence of what makes our goal ambitious is the fact that we have limited fiscal space, but there is so much space in other areas that can be.....»»
EDITORIAL - Man up
The confessed “master initiator” has surrendered, saying he was bothered by his conscience. If it was truly his conscience and not merely the fact that he was identified by the police, there’s hope yet for redemption for Daniel Perry, the Adamson University student who has reportedly admitted leading the violent hazing that John Matthew Salilig and three other neophytes underwent at the hands of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity on Feb. 18......»»
FACT CHECK: Catholic Church never issued a statement supporting Kaliwa Dam project
A graphic posted on Facebook (FB) claimed the Catholic Church in the Philippines supports the controversial Kaliwa Dam project......»»
Tinang farmers call on agrarian reform secretary to install them in disputed land
“Why is MARO hiding the fact that Tinang’s ARBs are CLOA holders?” The post Tinang farmers call on agrarian reform secretary to install them in disputed land appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
White House faith-based office turns 2 years old
On the second anniversary of its Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, the White House released a fact sheet lauding the "essential part" of the administration, whose mission is "to serve people in need by collaborating with interested faith-based and community organizations." Among the office's achievements when it came to rel.....»»
White House faith-based office turns 2
On the second anniversary of its Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, the White House released a fact sheet lauding the "essential part" of the administration, whose mission is "to serve people in need by collaborating with interested faith-based and community organizations." Among the office's achievements when it came to rel.....»»
FACT CHECK: Marcos Jr.’s statement on ICC and drug war investigation vs Duterte needs context
In authorizing the resumption of the investigation into alleged crimes against humanity committed in Duterte’s drug war campaign, the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber said in January that it has found the domestic investigations done by the Philippine government insufficient......»»