GMA Network – Page 10 – Author Carlo Carrasco

More than 5 million voters’ names removed from official list by COMELEC

August 8, 2024July 30, 2024carlocarrasco

Even as millions of voters got registered recently with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) for the 2025 National and Local Elections, there are already over five million voters whose names were removed from the official list of registered voters, according to a GMA Network news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA news report. Some parts in boldface…

Some 5.1 million names were removed from the Commission on Election’s (Comelec) official list of registered voters for the 2025 national and local elections (NLE), the poll body said Tuesday.

Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia said a total of 5,105,191 registered voters were deactivated from the official list while 248,972 names were deleted.

“‘(Those) deleted [were] because of death [and] multiple and double registration,” Garcia told reporters in a Viber message.

Reasons for the delisting were failure to vote in two successive preceding regular elections, by court order, loss of Filipino citizenship, and having non-valid documents.

Meanwhile, Garcia said the poll body received a total of 409,329 applications for reactivation from February 12 to July 20.

Last May, the Comelec said 4.2 million names were removed from its official list of voters, mostly from Calabarzon. Meanwhile, 4.6 million voters registered for the 2025 NLE, the poll body said last week.

The voter registration period for the May 2025 midterm polls started on Feb. 12, and will end on Sept. 30.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Are you concerned that the high number of delisted voters could impact the 2025 National and Local Elections somehow?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Voter registrants for 2025 National and Local Elections surpass 4.6 million

August 2, 2024July 26, 2024carlocarrasco

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) recently announced that the number of voters who registered for the 2025 National and Local Elections has reached more than 4.6 million, according to a GMA Network news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has registered over 4.6 million voters for the 2025 May polls.

Data shared with reporters showed there are a total of 4,672,947 new voters for the 2025 NLE as of July 26.

Of the figures, Calabarzon recorded the most number of registrants with 783,860. It was followed by the National Capital Region (NCR) with 641,190; Central Luzon with 545,653; Davao Region with 276,967; and Central Visayas with 249,186. The Comelec main office registered 7,620 new voters.

Meanwhile, female registrants reached 2,415,247 and male registrants stood at 2,257,700.

The voter registration period for the May 2025 midterm polls started on February 12, and will end on September 30, 2024.

Applicants may register from Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at any Comelec office nationwide.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Were there many members of your local community who successfully got registered for next year’s elections?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Chinese nationals arrested by NBI agents for credit card fraud and bribery

August 1, 2024July 30, 2024carlocarrasco

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested seven Chinese nationals for credit card fraud and bribery as a result of separate operations that took place in two cities, according to a GMA Network news report. One of the operations happened in Parañaque City which for some reason remains a hot spot of crime involving Chinese nationals.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA news report. Some parts in boldface…

Seven Chinese citizens have been arrested for credit card fraud and bribing agents of the National Bureau of Investigation, the NBI said Tuesday.

According to the bureau, operatives of the NBI-Cybercrime Division arrested the seven foreigners, classified as a transnational organized crime (TOC) group, in separate operations in Parañaque and Quezon City on July 27.

This was after the NBI received multiple complaints against the foreigners, accusing them of vishing, smishing, phishing, click-baiting, pretexting, and whaling, which resulted in unauthorized or illegal access and eventual utilization of their credit card credentials without their knowledge.

The NBI said the group would cash out money through socially engineered credit card credentials from the accounts of their victims. It said the group would need a point-of-sale (POS) device to expedite cashing out.

During the operation, poseur-accomplices pretended to possess a POS device. They then agreed to meet for the scheme to materialize.

This led to the arrest of two Chinese citizens during an entrapment operation in Parañaque on July 27.

One of them attempted to bribe the operatives several times and offered P1.5 million for their release and the termination of the charges against them. The operatives pretended to agree to the offer and conducted another entrapment operation.

In the evening of the same day, two vehicles arrived at the parking lot of the NBI main office in Quezon City for the exchange.

The NBI said that after one Chinese-looking individual gave a bag of money, the operatives arrested him along with his cohorts inside the vehicles.

Authorities retrieved three handguns with a military-grade smoke grenade from the vehicle. The arrested individuals were unable to provide licenses and papers for the firearms.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think there could be more Chinese nationals secretly committing credit card fraud and other forms of cybercrime while they are still staying here in the Philippines?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) promises Calamba-NCR-Pampanga travel by high-tech train in the future

July 30, 2024July 19, 2024carlocarrasco

If you are based south of Metro Manila and you intend to visit Pampanga without having to endure the stress of driving through vehicular traffic, then the high-tech train just might be the viable option as the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) promised quick travel in the future, according to a GMA Network News report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA news report. Some parts in boldface…

The North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) promises commuters from Buendia in Makati or Alabang, Muntinlupa to reach the Clark International Airport in Pampanga in less than an hour.

In Joseph Morong’s report in 24 Oras on Thursday, the high tech train system stretches from Calamba, Laguna to Clark, Pampanga.

The West Valenzuela-Clark segment of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) will be the first to open and will operate in the first quarter of 2028, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said.

The report said that the Balagtas Station in Bulacan is 95% complete and expected to be the first one to be completed. Meanwhile, the Clark Station beside Clark International Airport is 80% done.

But the whole project itself is just 40% done, as the DOTr is facing a challenge in the right of way particularly in the Valenzuela to Sucat, Paranaque segment.

“Dadaan po tayo sa Buendia, sa EDSA (It will pass through in Buendia and in EDSA) … and then we will have to relocate 13,000 informal settlers from Manila to Calamba,” said Transportation Undersecretary for Rails Jeremy Regino. Hence, the whole NSCR project is expected to be completed by 2031.

The NSCR system boasts 51 train sets that are similar to ones operating in Japan. The train line also promises 40 minutes of travel from Buendia to Alabang. Further, the DOTr said the fare for NSCR will be affordable.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, would you consider going all the way to Pampanga by train?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Bodyguards of Chinese national arrested for allegedly stealing guns and firearms licenses of fellow guards

July 16, 2024July 8, 2024carlocarrasco

Two bodyguards who worked for a Chinese national – reportedly involved with Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) – were arrested by law enforcer for the alleged acts of stealing guns as well as the firearms licenses of their fellow guards, according to a GMA Network news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from GMA news report. Some parts in boldface…

Two bodyguards of a Chinese national involved in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) were nabbed for allegedly stealing the guns and the guns’ licenses from their fellow bodyguards.

According to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Southern District Field Unit, the two bodyguards claimed that their Chinese boss had told them to retrieve the weapons so these could be passed on to other people.

However, the two bodyguards’ compatriots resisted as the guns were registered in their names, and they were worried about how the guns would be used.

“Pinapangalan sa kanila nitong mga Chinese national ‘yung mga binibiling baril. Pero ‘pag kinuha kasi sa kanila, hindi alam kung saan ito gagamitin kaya ‘yun pinangangambahan ito ngayon,” said the CIDG-SPD’s Police Major Leopoldo Cajipe in Jonathan Andal’s Sunday “24 Oras Weekend” report.

According to the CIDG, the suspects said their Chinese boss had ordered them to take the firearms from their fellow security men.

One of the security men resisted, and he was then allegedly beaten and detained in the barracks. But he was later able to escape and alert the police.

The CIDG investigation found that the Chinese nationals may be getting help from someone in the government who could easily change the names on the licenses for the guns, as one of the suspects was found to have a license to carry.

However, the license indicated that the suspect was a government employee, which he was not.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think that Chinese nationals linked with POGOs are going to the extreme when it comes to acquiring firearms locally? Do you think POGO Chinese nationals are conspiring with certain employees of the government?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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PAGCOR declares POGO operations in compounds officially prohibited, guidelines coming

July 12, 2024July 11, 2024carlocarrasco

With all the controversies about Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) and their connections with criminal activities going on, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) announced that POGOs are no longer allowed to operate within large spaces and compounds, according to a GMA Network news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from GMA news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) on Wednesday said that it will no longer allow the operations of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) within large spaces and compounds.

PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco made the announcement at a Senate hearing after he was asked by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian to make an assurance that there will be no POGO-linked crimes in the country.

“We’re coming out with certain guidelines. We’re already banning hubs. In the meantime that wala pa namang (there is no) order ng closure, this early I can inform everybody that we will not allow any hub existing or going to be applied for, we will not approve it anymore,” Tengco said.

According to the PAGCOR chief, POGO operations will now be “site specific” and “building specific” unlike in the POGO compounds in Bamban, Tarlac and Porac, Pampanga that were raided by authorities for alleged illegal activities within these establishments.

Tengco said he cannot assure that POGO will no longer commit crimes, but they will ensure that the 43 remaining licensed POGO firms will follow PAGCOR’s new guidelines and “enhancements.”

Further, Tengco said they will create teams that will monitor the POGO firms 24/7 in a bid to “deter” these criminal activities.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the PAGCOR still has a lot of explaining to do about the POGOs that remain operating in the country? Do you think PAGCOR should have prohibited POGOs from operating inside large places before? Are there several POGO operations – both big and small – present in your locality right now?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Immigration officials intercept two foreign tourists suspected of attempting to work illegally in the Philippines

July 9, 2024June 29, 2024carlocarrasco

Two foreign tourists – one from China and the other from Vietnam – were intercepted by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) for trying to work illegally in the country, according to a GMA Network news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from GMA news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Bureau of Immigration intercepted two foreign nationals suspected of attempting to enter the country to work illegally.

According to a statement by the BI on Friday, 20-year-old Chinese national Ding Junda claimed he was visiting a relative in the country for eight days when he arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on Sunday.

On Monday, 22-year-old Vietnamese Nguyen Thi Tuyet Trang arrived and said she was going to Tagaytay City for a holiday.

However, the two individuals confessed to working in the country during a secondary inspection, with Ding working as a parcel delivery rider and Nguyen as a nail technician.

Ding was also found to have been sponsored by another Chinese national outside the country.

“They were denied entry after our officers determined that they were likely to become a public charge, as stipulated by the provisions, resulting in their classification as excludable aliens under our immigration laws,” said BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think there will be more foreigners who will try to enter the Philippines as tourists only to engage in illegal work locally?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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COMELEC may file election-related offense case against suspended Bamban mayor Alice Guo following matching fingerprints with Guo Hua Ping

July 1, 2024June 30, 2024carlocarrasco

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) announced that may file an election-related offense case against the controversial suspended Bamban mayor Alice Guo following the recent findings that her fingerprints matched those of Guo Hua Ping, according to a GMA Network news report. Take note that Guo has already been charged for alleged human trafficking and has also been expelled by a political party.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from GMA news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Sunday it may file an election-related offense case against suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo following the findings that she and Chinese passport holder Guo Hua Ping have matching fingerprints.

Comelec chairman George Garcia said that the poll body may file charges “motu proprio” or on its own against Guo based on misrepresentation.

Based on Guo’s Certificate of Candidacy (COC) when she ran as mayor of the Tarlac municipality in the 2022 elections, she signed a declaration that she is a Filipino citizen, and that she is not a permanent resident of or an immigrant to a foreign country.

“Ang isang taong ‘yan ay pupwedeng humarap ng election offense na may three to five years na imprisonment. At the same time, pwedeng maharap ng kasong perjury o…dahil nagsinungaling nga sa isang pinanumpaan na dokumento, kasong falsification [of public document],” Garcia said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview.

(That person may face an election offense with three to five years imprisonment. At the same time, she may face a case of perjury or falsification of public documents because she lied when she signed a sworn document.)

The poll chairman also pointed out that the country’s laws are applicable to anyone, whether they are Filipinos or foreigners. He also said that a government official may still face a criminal case even after getting elected.

“Kahit ang isang taong tumakbo ay hindi nafile-an ng kasong disqualification o kanselasyon ng kanyang candidacy, hindi nangangahulugan na siya ay pupwede nang malibre o ma-abswelto sa kahit na anong obligasyon o responsibilidad lalo pa’t ito’y kasong kriminal, lalo na ‘yung tinatawag na misrepresentation,” Garcia added.

(Even if a case of disqualification or cancellation of candidacy was not filed against a person running for election, it does not mean that s/he can be absolved from any obligation or responsibility, especially a criminal case like misrepresentation.)

The Comelec earlier submitted to the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality the COC and Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) of Guo.

According to her COC, the 37-year old Guo declared Tarlac, Tarlac as her place of birth.

Guo also stated in her COC that on the day before the May 9 elections, she has been living in the Philippines for 35 years and two months and she has been living in the municipality of Bamban, Tarlac for 18 years and two months.

However, Senator Risa Hontiveros, as confirmed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), revealed that the embattled mayor and Guo Hua Ping are the same person following finding that they have matching fingerprints.

The NBI also showed a picture of another woman with the name Alice Leal Guo who had the same information as the suspended mayor.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think mayor Alice Guo and Guo Hua Ping are one and the same person based on the matching fingerprints?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Great majority of participating Las Piñas City voters approve ordinance on territorial boundaries of barangays during COMELEC-led plebiscite

June 30, 2024carlocarrasco

More than two-thirds of the participating voters of Las Piñas City approved the ordinance setting the territorial boundaries of the twenty barangays during the plebiscite this past Saturday which was handled by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), according to a GMA Network news report. Specifically, 68% of the voters voted in favor of the proposal although COMELEC chairman George Garcia pointed out that the voter turnout was low.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA news report. Some parts in boldface…

Over 41,000 residents (67%) of Las Piñas City on Saturday voted in favor of an ordinance that sets the territorial boundaries of the 20 barangays in the city.

Based on the certificate of canvass of votes shared by Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia to members of the media, 41,493 residents voted “yes” while 19,498 voted “no” when asked if they agree with delineating the territorial boundaries of the 20 barangays.

With this, the ordinance was proclaimed ratified and approved.

“Nanalo po ang ‘yes,’ and therefore epektibo na ang ordinansa tungkol sa pagliliwanag ng paghahati ng bawat barangay doon sa 20 barangays sa Las Piñas,” Garcia said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview.

(‘Yes’ won, and therefore the ordinance regarding the delineation of the division of each barangay in the 20 barangays in Las Piñas is now effective.)

He, however, lamented the low voter turnout which was only around 20%. Las Piñas City has a total of 308,059 registered voters, but only 61,237 voters actually voted in the plebiscite.

Ordinance No. 1941-23 Series of 2023 delineates the territorial boundaries of the 20 barangays in the city in accordance with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ cadastral survey that was completed in March 2015.

The ordinance states that since the creation of the barangays in 1978, “the territorial metes and bounds of the said barangays have not been properly identified such that there are barangays whose land areas are not contiguous and/or overlapping with another barangay.”

“Moreover, confusion in the territorial boundaries of the barangays is being encountered which could cause disputes, or be subject of disputes, especially since the cadastral mapping in 1980 for the barangays conflicted with the boundaries as set forth in the Presidential Decrees,” the ordinance added.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Do you think the low turnout of voters during the plebiscite is a major issue? Do you think the newly approved ordinance will solve local problems and confusion with regards to the territorial boundaries of all barangays in the city?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Batangas City Council approves resolution to ban POGOs

June 28, 2024June 27, 2024carlocarrasco

Over in the province of Batangas, the City Council of Batangas recently approved a resolution for the banning of the application and operation of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) within their jurisdiction, according to a GMA Network news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from GMA news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Batangas City Council has approved a resolution banning the application and operation of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the city.

The decision was made during a regular session on Monday, June 24, 2024.

The move came in light of issues and an ongoing Senate investigation into POGOs in Bamban, Tarlac, which allegedly involved the local government unit (LGU) there.

“Saying it is with regard to the issue at Bamban, Tarlac na investigation ng Senate sa POGO involving the LGU. It would give assurance din sa mga Batangueno na hindi dapat matakot sa mga POGO activities dito sa Batangas City,” Nestor Dimacuha, chairman of the Committee on Laws and Rules, said.

For Mary Jane Ante, a 39-year-old helper at a small eatery in Batangas City, the ban brings great relief. Despite knowing that POGOs could provide many jobs, she prefers not to have foreign operators in the country due to safety concerns.

“Baka sumakop sila sa Pilipinas. Dito na lang, ayos din para Pilipino na lang ang magtatrabaho sa atin at wala na ‘yung mga taga-ibang bansa,” Ante said.

“Hindi naman talaga maganda ang sugal talaga sa pang araw-araw, kasi nakakaperwisyo yan ng pamilya. Hindi ako pabor sa ganoon. Huwag na lang pumasok dito ang POGO para walang ma-perwisyo,” Arnel Montalbo, a printing shop owner, added.

The resolution cites that POGOs tarnish the dignity of the LGU, leaving no room for such operations in the city. It also serves as a warning to businesses operating secretly as POGOs, despite having business permits.

The council will request the mayor to revoke permits of establishments found to be operating illegally as POGOs.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the City Council of Batangas did the right move? Do you think more local government units (LGUs) around the country should approve legislation banning POGOs?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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