Philippines blog – Page 141 – Author Carlo Carrasco

COMELEC issues show cause orders against several BSKE candidates due to possible election offenses

September 13, 2023September 10, 2023carlocarrasco

While the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) are still several weeks away from happening, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) issued show cause orders to almost one hundred candidates due to possible election offenses, 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…

At least 91 candidates for the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) were issued with show cause orders due to alleged election offenses such as premature campaigning, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Sunday.

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the candidates were given three days from the receipt of the show cause orders to explain their sides regarding the accusations.

“‘Yan po, walang formal na complaints. ‘Yan pong mga ‘yan ay resulta ng mga nakita na natin o nai-report sa atin. Ang ginawa ng Comelec, motu proprio [investigation]. Sariling initiative ito ng Commission on Elections,” he said.

(There were no formal complaints. These were only the results of what we have seen or reported to us. What the Comelec did is motu proprio [investigation]. This is the Comelec’s own initiative.)

The poll body has repeatedly warned against premature campaigning as the campaign period will run only from October 19 to October 28.

Garcia said the Comelec has the power to investigate and file its own complaints against candidates who commit election offenses.

Even putting up posters and promoting themselves on social media before the campaign period starts may be considered as premature campaigning.

“’Yung sinabi kong 91, simula pa lang ‘yun. Madami pa po. Susunod-sunurin natin, at aaraw-arawin,” the poll chairman added.

(The filing of show cause orders against 91 BSKE bets was just the beginning. There will be many more. We will do that daily.)

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the COMELEC did the right thing to ensure the credibility of the BSKE? Are the barangay or SK candidates in your local community very persistent with the use of social media?

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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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Chinese national apprehended in Parañaque City for possession of firearm and illegal drugs

September 13, 2023September 11, 2023carlocarrasco

Recently in Parañaque City, a Chinese national was arrested for bringing a gun with live ammunition as well as illegal drugs that were hidden in his bag, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

A Chinese national was arrested for possession of firearms and drugs upon entering a hotel and casino hub in Parañaque City on Sunday, September 10.

The Southern Police District (SPD) said the suspect, identified as Wan Liang, 40, was arrested at around 3:00 p.m. at the Pearl Entry of Okada Manila, Entertainment City in Barangay Tambo, Parañaque City.

The police said security personnel noticed suspicious items inside Liang’s bag during the routine bag screening before entering the hotel and casino hub. The security immediately prevented Lang from entering the establishment.

Police recovered a .45 caliber pistol with one magazine loaded with seven live ammunitions, a zip-locked sachet containing 1.77 grams of shabu worth P12,036 and two alleged ecstasy tablets worth P3,400, along with assorted IDs and P710.00 cash inside the bag.

The suspect was immediately turned over to the Tambo police substation by Jaafar after the discovery of the illegal items.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? Are you concerned that there could be Chinese nationals moving around Parañaque secretly carrying guns and illegal drugs with them?

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 engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Consultancy firm in Parañaque City shut down by DMW for illegal recruitment

September 12, 2023September 9, 2023carlocarrasco

Recently in Parañaque City, agents of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) shut down a consultancy firm for illegal recruitment, according to a news article published by the Philippine News Agency (PNA). There were also local police officers and barangay officials present during the closure.

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

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has shut down another consultancy firm found to be offering fake jobs overseas.

On Thursday, DMW Officer-in-Charge Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac, together with Undersecretary Bernard Olalia, head of the DMW’s Licensing and Adjudication Services cluster, Assistant Secretary Francis de Guzman, and lawyer Geraldine Mendez, Chief of the Migrant Workers Protection Bureau (MWPB), raided the office of RTM Maritime Consultancy Services Corp. at the 2nd floor of the J & P Building along Ninoy Aquino Avenue in Santo Niño, Paranaque City.

They were assisted by the Parañaque City police and the officials from Barangay Sto. Niño.

Cacdac said the DMW received several emails early this year complaining about the RTM Maritime Consultancy agency.

He cited victims “Ernesto” and “Dindo” who sent separate emails to the department narrating their experience.

Cacdac said “Ernesto” was promised by RTM a job as Chief Cook onboard a container vessel in Dubai with a monthly salary of USD900 (PHP51,300).

“Ernesto” was asked to pay by the consultancy firm a total of PHP105,000 as consultancy fees for finding him an overseas job.

Meanwhile, “Dindo” applied for the position of Engine Cadet with a promised monthly salary of USD350, or approximately PHP20,000, and was asked by RTM to pay a consultancy fee of PHP140,000 for the job placement.

Both “Ernesto” and “Dindo” applied for their alleged jobs in the first quarter of 2023.

However, several months have passed but they have not been deployed yet despite having paid the consultancy fee, and so they decided to file their complaints with the DMW.

The DMW conducted initial surveillance operations of RTM’s activities in March while a follow-up surveillance operation was undertaken in June to bolster the case against the agency.

Cacdac said RTM does not have a valid license or accreditation from the department.

He said RTM received and processed applications and referred these to its partner manning agency, and collected consultation fees ranging from PHP105,000 to as much as PHP140,000 from their applicants who were promised fake jobs as seafarers in Dubai, despite a no placement fee policy for seafarers.

RTM officers and personnel will be charged with illegal recruitment, the DMW said.

The DMW is also urging other victims of RTM Maritime Consultancy Corp. to visit the MWPB so they may be assisted in filing their complaints and cases against the illegal recruitment agency.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? Do you anyone who got victimized by the Parañaque consultancy firm that got shut down? Do you believe there could be more scammers operating in Parañaque?

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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Las Piñas City government warns constituents about people pretending to be BPLO employees and extortion

September 12, 2023September 10, 2023carlocarrasco

Recently in Las Piñas City, the City Government issued a public warning to local residents about individuals who have been pretending to be employees of the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) and acts of extortion that were detected, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

The Las Piñas City government is warning the public against individuals posing as employees of the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) and unlawfully extorting money from applicants.

Mayor Imelda Aguilar released the advisory after receiving several reports of “unscrupulous activity” involving individuals posing as BPLO employees who are allegedly extorting money from applicants in exchange for faster processing of their permits.

Aguilar said the city government is also coordinating with the police to apprehend individuals posing as BPLO employees.

She emphasized that those who will be apprehended for falsely posing as any city government employee will face legal repercussions.

Authentic or legal employees of the BPLO and the city government carries valid IDs, according to their assigned offices, complete with a photo, name, position and signature, the mayor added.

Aguilar told the public to verify the identity of the individuals they interact with by asking for proper identification and contacting their designated offices.

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? Did you encounter someone who claims to be working for the city’s BPLO? Are you concerned that there could be more scammers posing as authority figures 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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Over 400 candidates from 9 barangays filed for BSKE COCs in Muntinlupa City

September 11, 2023September 7, 2023carlocarrasco

Recently in the progressive City of Muntinlupa, more than four hundred people filed their respective certificates of candidacy (COCs) at the local Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to run in this October’s Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), according to a Manila Bulletin news report which also revealed the city has more than three hundred thousand voters for the barangay contests.

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

A total of 405 candidates in nine barangays in Muntinlupa filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for the Oct. 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

“We welcome the participation of qualified Muntinlupeños who wish to lead the local communities through the exercise of our right to vote and through the democratic process. Likewise, we enjoin everyone to cooperate and work together to ensure this year’s polls are reliable, trustworthy, and peaceful,” said Mayor Ruffy Biazon.

Based on Comelec-Muntinlupa’s unofficial list, of the 405 candidates, 24 filed COCs for barangay chairman and 193 for barangay kagawad in Barangays Buli, Putatan, Bayanan, Poblacion, Tunasan, Alabang, Ayala Alabang, Cupang and Sucat.

In addition, 23 candidates filed for the position of SK chairperson and 165 for SK kagawad.

Of the nine barangays, the position of barangay chairman of Ayala Alabang is the only one that is uncontested.

There are 319,654 registered voters for the barangay election and 93,723 registered voters for the SK election in Muntinlupa, based on Comelec-Muntinlupa data.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a Muntinlupa resident, do you approve of the City Government’s distribution of school-related supplies to the local public school students?

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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Several Chinese nationals and a few Filipinos arrested in Parañaque City for illegal gambling

September 8, 2023September 7, 2023carlocarrasco

Recently in the city of Parañaque, several Chinese nationals and a few Filipinos were apprehended for illegal gambling as a result of a raid that took place in Barangay Tambo, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

Ten Chinese nationals and three Filipinos were arrested by personnel of the Southern Police District (SPD) –Special Operation Unit (SOU) for illegal gambling in Parañaque City on Monday, Sept. 4.

Reports showed that the SPD-SOU raided a recreational hub located at Bayview Drive, Tambo, Parañaque at around 9:30 p.m., leading to the arrest of the suspects who were allegedly engaged in illegal gambling activities.

The suspects were identified as Gong, Zhao Wei, 34; Long, Junfei, 33; Tang, Xiaoxang, 29; Dong, Jian Hua, 27; Zhao, Zheng, 26; Li, Xin, 35; Tan, Yucheng, 31; Chen, Guo Dong, 28; Yu, Shuai, 37; Han, Xu, 33 and Yue, Xiao Lu, 27; all Chinese nationals.

The three arrested Filipinos were identified as Salman Ali, 28; Jonathan Tañedo, 43; and Anna Silverio, 22.

The SPD said members of the SPD-SOU, in coordination with the Tambo police substation 2, recovered three table gaming machines, 170 token pieces, a counting machine, three bundles of money amounting to ₱27,000 in different denominations, a 9mm caliber Rock Island M1911 A1-FS, a 9mm magazine, and four pieces of 9mm live ammunition.

The arrested suspects are facing charges for violation of Presidential Decree 1602 or illegal gambling. Additional penalties for violation of Batas Pambansa 881 or the Omnibus Election Code was filed against Ali.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Parañaque City, what is your reaction to this recent development? Are you concerned that there could be more Chinese nationals secretly operating illegal activities 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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COMELEC urges BSKE candidates to be watchful and file charges against rivals who violate election laws

September 6, 2023September 4, 2023carlocarrasco

With over a million candidates nationwide registered for this October’s Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) urged the aspirants to be observant and file complaints against those who are caught violating the election laws, according to a Philippine Star news report. Previously the COMELEC warned against premature campaigning and they anticipated an intense BSKE this year.

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

As the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the Oct. 30 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections officially ended yesterday in most parts of the country, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) urged BSKE candidates to be watchful and file charges against rivals who violate election laws.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said they are relying on the vigilance of candidates to prevent poll offenses, including violations of laws against political dynasties among candidates in the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) or youth councils.

“We welcome the filing of disqualification cases by their rival SK candidates or any interested parties against those who are relatives of incumbent national or local officials,” Garcia said.

Due to limited resources, the Comelec chief admitted that it is difficult for local poll offices to immediately determine if the one filing the COC for the SK election has relatives who are incumbent elected national or local officials.

“We are left with no choice but to accept the COC as the local Comelec offices have no information if they have elected relatives,” he said

The SK Reform Act prohibits those with relatives within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to any incumbent elected national official or to any incumbent elected regional, provincial, city, municipal or barangay official, in the locality from seeking SK post.

Thus, Garcia encouraged rivals of candidates who are attempting to violate the SK Reform Act to file appropriate charges against the latter.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you expect the Barangay and SK elections this year to be intense?

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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CAVITEX C5 Link Segment will reduce travel time by 10 minutes (Coastal Road to Sucat)

September 5, 2023September 1, 2023carlocarrasco

If you constantly travel between Cavite province and Parañaque City, then you will eventually benefit from improvements as the Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX) announced that the travel time between Sucat (Parañaque) and Coastal Road will be reduced by 10 minutes upon the expected 2024 (first quarter) completion of the CAVITEX C5 Link Segment, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

The Manila-Cavite Expressway (Cavitex) announced that travel time going to Sucat, Parañaque from Coastal Road will be cut by 10 minutes once the Cavitex C5 Link Segment 2 is completed by the first quarter of 2024.

According to Cavitex Infrastructure Corporation (CIC) President and General Manager Raul Ignacio, the cut of 10 minutes travel time in going to Sucat, Parañaque from Coastal Road and vice versa will make travel more efficient and seamless for motorist and daily commuters.

Ignacio said that in preparation for the completion of the Cavitex C5 Link Segment 2 R1 Interchange, counter flow schemes will be implemented at the Parañaque Toll Plaza from September 14 to 25 from 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.

He said the scheme will be in effect from September 15-19 for Manila-bound traffic and September 19-25 for Cavite-bound traffic. To alleviate congestion, the CIC said it will also activate counter flow lanes as needed.

Ignacio also said the R-1 Interchange is a vital 1.9-kilometer segment (Segment 2) of the Cavitex C5 Link project, a 7.7-kilometer, 2×3 lane expressway set to connect Cavitex R1 to C5 Road in Taguig.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you often travel along the CAVITEX?

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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Megarahe Sale inside Alabang Hills Village on September 15-17, 2023

September 4, 2023September 5, 2023carlocarrasco

Once again, the Alabang Hills Village Association (AHVA) will be organizing their Megarahe Sale (full title: Megarahe Sale, Kids Bazaar and Ukay-Okay!) from September 15 to September 17, 2023, 7AM to 7PM at the Phase 2 Park within the village. Local residents and non-residents (note: those who will ride vehicles with valid stickers of Alabang Hills Village can enter) are welcome to visit the Megarahe Sale and see what goods will be offered.

*Take a close look at the details of this banner.*

During my visit to the AHVA office along Don Jesus Boulevard, I inquired to find out what exactly can visitors look forward to. According to one of the office personnel, there will be a variety of goods for sale such as clothes, shoes, bags, wallets and other household items. The vendors selling these kinds of goods will be located at the covered basketball court of the Phase 2 park.

The AHVA also revealed that there will be sellers of food and beverages at the covered badminton court which is just steps away from the covered basketball court. Both covered courts are located in close proximity to the AHVA office at the mentioned park.

*This covered basketball court will be the venue for sellers of household items, clothes, shoes and other items.*

*The covered badminton court is where the vendors of food and drinks will be during the Megarahe Sale.*

For my past blog posts about AHVA’s Megarahe Sale, click here, here and here. The Megarahe Sale on September 15 to 17 could be an opportunity for you to shop for potential gifts to give to others this Christmas and you just might find something you could use personally.

For inquiries about Alabang Hills Village, visit https://alabanghillsvillage.com/ or call their association at 88508254. You can visit their office at 1 Don Jesus Boulevard inside Alabang Hills Village from Monday to Friday, 8AM to 5PM. Always remember to follow their rules and speed limits whenever you are in the village.

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GCash will start collecting P5 cash-in fee from those who use BPI and Union Bank in the 4th quarter

September 4, 2023September 1, 2023carlocarrasco

GCash, a very popular electronic wallet (e-wallet) here in the Philippines, will soon be charging a fee of P5 each time a user cashes in (loading money into his or her GCash account) via the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) or Union Bank of the Philippines, according to a business news story by the Philippine Star. For the newcomers reading this, GCash users can put money into their respective accounts in other ways such as doing it over-the-counter at recognized convenience stores, the cash-in kiosks and other types of businesses that accept GCash cash-in.

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

E-wallet giant GCash will start charging a convenience fee of P5 for every time a user cashes in from its major partners Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) and Union Bank of the Philippines in the fourth quarter.

In an interview with reporters, GCash president and CEO Martha Sazon said the convenience fee remains to be one of the lowest compared to the transaction charges imposed by traditional banks that run as high as P25.

“As GCash continues to scale, we still subsidize most of the charges as well as heavily invest on upgrading our infrastructure and reinforcing security services,” Sazon said.

Sazon said GCash has to slap a convenience fee for cashing in to cover its rising costs. However, Sazon said the fee only reduces the subsidies that GCash pays to keep its financial services affordable.

“This also ensures that our operations will remain seamless for all customers. Even with this fee, we will continue to subsidize part of the operating cost for our cash-ins as we remain committed to keeping our services affordable to many Filipinos,” Sazon said.

Sazon is encouraging GCash customers to compute how much they have to spend for every time they load their accounts through BPI and Union Bank.

For instance, Sazon said a user can cash in P10,000 in one go rather than top up P500 in tranches to minimize getting charged P5 every time.

Users can add cash to their GCash platform by linking it into their bank accounts. Likewise, they can cash-in via convenience stores, dedicated machines, department stores, gas stations, sari-sari stores, among others.

Last week, GCash announced that it would waive for the rest of the year the transaction charges on merchants for payments accepted through QR Ph. The e-wallet leader expects that through this, micro, small and medium enterprises will book extra earnings from cashless transactions.

GCash offers merchants access to e-wallet with a limit of up to P500,000 per month, waiving the transaction fee of 1.5 percent for P100,000 in gross sales.

GCash is one of the largest finance apps in the Philippines with a nationwide presence in more than 1,600 billers.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a GCash user who often loads money using the respective apps or systems of BPI and Union Bank, does the above business story discourage you a lot?

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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