Unesco retains unresolved classification of Ampatuan massacre after appeal by groups, individuals
CMFR file photo.HUMAN RIGHTS advocates hailed the decision of Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes, promulgated on 19 December 2019 which found the primary accused in the massacre in Ampatuan, Maguinda.....»»
Update on the Appeal to UNESCO regarding classification of Ampatuan massacre case as resolved
Greetings from the Philippines! We hope this letter finds you safe and well during such difficult times. We – the families of the journalists killed in the Ampatuan massacre, as well as media groups, civil society organizations, and concerned citizens who have stood with them in their continuing search for justice – wish to express our distress and disappointment as news reports, including from government media, have called attention to UNESCO’s classification of the entire case as “resolved” and citing this as an accomplishment of the Duterte administration and its efforts to protect journalists......»»
An appeal to UNESCO
We---the families of the journalists killed in the Ampatuan massacre, as well as media groups, civil society organizations, and concerned citizens who have stood with them in their continuing search for justice---wish to express our distress and disappointment as news reports, including from government media, have called attention to UNESCO’s classification of the entire case as “resolved” and citing this as an accomplishment of the Duterte administration and its efforts to protect journalists. .....»»
MTRCB extends to 28 days suspension of Duterte SMNI shows
The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board dismissed the appeal filed by Sonshine Media Network International on the MTRCB’s suspension of two SMNI television programs that feature former president Rodrigo Duterte and his former official Lorraine Badoy. .....»»
SMNI to appeal 14-day MTRCB suspension
Sonshine Media Network International is expected to file a motion for reconsideration after the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board imposed a 14-day preventive suspension order on two of its programs that feature former president Rodrigo Duterte and former administration official Lorraine Badoy......»»
It s Showtime suspension not yet final; Lala Sotto not involved in decision — MTRCB
The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board has clarified that the 12-day suspension it has imposed on the noontime variety show "It's Showtime" is not yet finalized as the show has been given time to appeal......»»
MTRCB clarifies It s Showtime suspension not yet final; Lalo Sotto not involved in decision
The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board has clarified that the 12-day suspension it has imposed on the noontime variety show "It's Showtime" is not yet finalized as the show has been given time to appeal......»»
MTRCB suspends ‘It’s Showtime’ for 12 airing days — but no mention of Vice-Ion
The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board issued today, 4 September, its decision to suspend the noontime program It’s Showtime for 12 airing days. In a statement released to the media, the government agency said it has received “multiple complaints” from viewers concerning the show’s episode last 25 July, in which unspecified hosts “allegedly acted in an indecent manner” during the “Isip Bata” segment. Based on those complaints, the MTRCB made a case against It’s Showtime. The case was referred to its Hearing and Adjudication Committee, which then summoned the people behind the show as respondents as part of the procedural process. The respondents may file one Motion of Reconsideration within 15 days after receipt of the decision, in accordance with the Presidential Decree No. 1986 (MTRCB Charter). If the MR gets an unfavorable decision from the agency’s Board, the show may appeal to the Office of the President within 15 days from the receipt of the decision on the MR. “Isip Bata” is a game played with 20 adult contestants guessing the recorded answers of 50 kids to a particular question, until only one remains to advance to the jackpot round for a chance to win P50,000. At one point during the 25 July episode, host Ion Perez playfully swiped icing off a cake he was holding. His cohost and spouse Vice Ganda (they were married in the U.S. city of Las Vegas in 2022) played along, swiping some icing off Ion’s finger then licking it. That act triggered complaints against the show filed at the MTRCB. But the MTRCB neither specified that incident nor mentioned any names in its statement announcing It’s Showtime’s suspension. However, it described two other cases that it said elicited additional warnings for the noontime show. The first case involved hosts Jhong Hilario and Vince Ganda’s “inappropriate utterance” of the word “G Spot” in the 24 January 2023 episode, deemed in violation of Section 2 (B), Chapter IV of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Presidential Decree No. 1986. The second case referred to host Vhong Navarro’s “inappropriate utterance” of the word “Tinggil” in the 3 June 2023 episode, also deemed in violation of Section 2 (B), Chapter IV of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of P.D. No. 1986. Both cases are now under review by the agency’s Board. Prior to this suspension, the MTRCB pointed out in its statement that it had imposed back in 2010 a 20-day preventive suspension on ABS-CBN’s noontime show then called Showtime. Here is MTRCB’s full statement: The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) issued today, 04 September 2023, its decision to suspend the live noontime program “It’s Showtime!” for twelve (12) airing days. Viewers have lodged multiple complaints before the MTRCB concerning the show’s 25 July 2023 episode wherein the program’s hosts allegedly acted in an indecent manner during one of its segments, “Isip Bata.” The said case was referred to the MTRCB’s Hearing and Adjudication Committee which heard the case and required the respondents to submit their position papers, following a procedural process. In accordance with the Presidential Decree (P.D.) No. 1986 (MTRCB Charter), the respondents may file one Motion for Reconsideration (MR) within fifteen (15) days after receipt of the decision. Should the Board’s Decision be adverse to the respondent’s MR, they may appeal to the Office of the President within fifteen (15) days from the receipt of the decision on the MR. This is not the first time that a preventive suspension order was imposed on It’s Showtime. In 2010, the MTRCB imposed a 20-day preventive suspension on ABS-CBN’s daily variety program then called “Showtime.” In 2023 alone, the MTRCB has received multiple complaints which the Board has given due course. Most recently, the Board issued two (2) additional warnings to the noontime show concerning the following cases: Case no. 1: Inappropriate utterance of the word “G Spot” by hosts Jhong Hilario and Vice Ganda, during the 24 January 2023 episode of “It’s Showtime!” in violation of Section 2 (B), Chapter IV of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Presidential Decree (P.D.) No. 1986. Decision: The Board found the Respondents (ABS-CBN Corporation Broadcasting Network [ABS-CBN], ZOE Broadcasting Network, Inc. [ZBNI] and TV 5 Network, Inc.) remiss in the performance of their respective functions and duties required under the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of P.D. No. 1986, specifically Section 2 (B) Chapter IV thereof, and are admonished to refrain from making any utterances of similar nature for the same will be dealt more severely. Case no. 2: Inappropriate utterance of the word “Tinggil” by host Vhong Navarro, during the 03 June 2023 episode of “It’s Showtime!” in violation of Section 2 (B), Chapter IV of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of P.D. No. 1986. Decision: Derelict in the performance of their respective functions and duties under the IRR of P.D. No. 1986, Respondents (ABS-CBN and ZBNI) were sternly warned by the Board that a similar utterance will be dealt with more severely. At present, the noontime show has duly submitted their MRs for the above-mentioned cases which are currently pending with the MTRCB’s Adjudication Committee. Prior Warnings It may also be recalled that the noontime show received prior warnings from the Board in relation to the utterance of the word “Pek Pek Shorts” in the 09 January 2023 episode of the show and the indecent attire and performance of Kim Duenas in the “Girl on Fire” segment aired on 14 February 2023, in both cases, the Respondents were admonished that similar violations shall be dealt with more severely. Dismissed Complaints over lack of Merit Apart from these, the MTRCB has received multiple complaints regarding the noontime show, which the Board dismissed in the spirit of fairness and equity, such as (1) Complaints regarding the “Rampanalo” segment money game where hosts were paired together to catch play money using their lips; (2) Complaints regarding the allegedly suggestive “macho” dancing in one of the show’s segments; (3) Complaints regarding the wardrobe malfunctions or “nip slips” of one of the performers, to which MTRCB issued a memorandum urging stakeholders to exercise prudence in securing their talents’ clothing during performances; and (4) Complaints of alleged inappropriate wearing of the Barong Tagalog of one of the Hosts, to name a few. The MTRCB only adjudicates cases which, to the Board’s judgment, have basis in law and its mandate, P.D. No. 1986. The post MTRCB suspends ‘It’s Showtime’ for 12 airing days — but no mention of Vice-Ion appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ampatuan conviction final, immutable – Sandigan
The Sandiganbayan did not let ex-Maguindanao governor Sajid Ampatuan challenge the court’s earlier decision which found him guilty of graft and malversation of public funds over a fictitious procurement of food supplies in 2009 for P16.3 million. According to the court, its 5 May decision was “final and immutable.” In a 5-page resolution, the anti-graft court Fifth Division turned down Ampatuan’s motion for reconsideration on grounds that he had lost his standing in court and failed to regain such standing. In his plea, Ampatuan argued that the prosecution failed to prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in the 5 May Decision of the Sandiganbayan. The prosecution, in response, countered Ampatuan’s plea by filing manifestation with prayer on 12 July, arguing that the ex-governor’s motion was a “mere scrap of paper” since the Sandiganbayan had already denied his prior appeal, which held that “he lost his standing in court due to his absence during the promulgation of judgment, without justifiable cause, consequently losing the remedies against the judgment of conviction.” Likewise, the court ruled that he failed to regain such standing by not complying with the twin requirements under Section 6, last paragraph, Rule 120 of the Rules of Criminal Procedure. “For his failure to appear at the scheduled date of promulgation of judgment despite notice, without any sufficient explanation therefor, accused Ampatuan’s absence was without justifiable cause, thus, he had lost the remedies available in the Rules against the judgment of conviction. He had lost his standing in court,” it said. “Thus, since the accused had lost his standing in court and failed to regain such standing prior to the filing of the present motion, which is seeking a reconsideration of the judgment of conviction, the motion must perforce be denied due course,” the court added. Ampatuan, along with his co-accused, provincial budget officer Datu Ali Abpi were both sentenced to imprisonment of 6 to 10 years for graft and 10 to 17 years for malversation in the previous verdict. They were also ordered to pay a fine of P16.3 million or the amount malversed. “To repeat, the Court holds that the failure of the accused to regain his standing in court rendered the judgment of conviction against him final and immutable,” the Sandiganbayan ruled. The post Ampatuan conviction final, immutable – Sandigan appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
ASF cases continue to spread in Zambo City
ZAMBOANGA CITY - The Office of the City Veterinarian (OCVet) continued to call on the public to monitor and immediately report hog illnesses and deaths.Dr. Mario Arriola, OCVet chief, issued the appeal Saturday as the city remains in the red (infected) zone classification of the African swin.....»»
PH media slam Chinese foreign ministry’s claims of manipulating WPS reports
Philippine media groups criticized the Chinese foreign ministry for suggesting that recent reports on Chinese harassment of Filipino vessels in the West Philippine Sea involved video manipulation and sensationalism to portray the Philippines as a victim. The Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (Focap) and National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) expressed offense.....»»
Numerous Individuals and Businesses Profit from Trump Media Stock
Former President Donald J. Trump’s social media company, Truth Social, had a successful first official trading session on the Nasdaq, with shares surging and approaching.....»»
Councilor Javi’s FB account hacked
DAVAO City Second District Councilor Javi Campos confirmed that his account has been hacked by still unknown individuals......»»
Probe continues to determine fault in Cotabato van-truck collision
Investigators are still trying to establish who between two drivers was at fault in Monday’s collision of a van and a dump truck that both burst into flames in an accident in Antipas, Cotabato that resulted in the death of 17 individuals......»»
Concerns conveyed to China over cyber activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand's concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. "The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity, attributed to groups sponsored by the Chinese Government, targeting democratic institutions in both New Zealand and the United Ki.....»»
Stop motorcycle taxi expansion, Marcos urged
Various transport groups yesterday appealed to President Marcos to stop the expansion of motorcycle taxis in Metro Manila amid the impending decision of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board o authorize several companies as players in the pilot study......»»
SC allows UN expert to act as friend of the court in Maria Ressa s cyber libel plea
Irene Khan, United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur for freedom of expression and opinion, has been allowed by the Supreme Court (SC) to sit as an "amicus curiae" to the court in the appeal for the cyber libel case of Rappler.com chief executive officer Maria Ressa and former researcher Reynaldo Santos......»»
Think again before buying bunnies as Easter gifts
SAN DIEGO – With Easter just a week away, animal rescue groups in Southern California are urging people not to buy rabbits as holiday gifts for children. They said that what begins as a well-meaning gesture often leads to abandoned animals when the novelty wears off and families realize they’re not equipped to properly care.....»»
Business groups laud passage of Salt Industry Development Act
Business groups Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (Philexport) and Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) welcomed the approval of a law that aims to revive the salt industry which is seen to support economic growth and help create jobs......»»
PRO-7 warns against use of marijuana-flavored vapes
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) has issued a stern warning against the use and proliferation of marijuana-flavored vape products. Police Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Ace Pelare, the PRO-7 spokesperson, said that they will arrest individuals who sell vapes mixed with marijuana oil. The sale and use of marijuana remains.....»»
Teen centers in Cebu City pushed amid rising teen pregnancy cases
CEBU CITY, Philippines — In response to the alarming rise in teenage pregnancy cases across Cebu, a local legislator penned a resolution urging the establishment of local adolescents and teen centers in Cebu. City Councilor Rey Gealon stipulated in the resolution the importance of providing essential support and education to empower young individuals in making.....»»