Religious group member releasing funds to communist group convicted of terrorist financing

March 27, 2023 | 7:44 pm

A REGIONAL trial court in Iligan City has convicted a member of a religious group for terrorist financing, the Department of Justice (DoJ) said on Monday.

In a statement, the DoJ said a cashier of the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP) was convicted of 55 counts of being an accessory to terrorist financing.

The DoJ, citing the court’s ruling, said she had knowledge of the group’s members distributing funds to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing the New People’s Army (NPA).

RMP did not immediately reply to a Facebook Messenger chat seeking comment.

“Her conviction is a clear message to those who think they can get away with supporting terrorism,” the Justice department said, noting that this was the first conviction under the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012.

Under this law, a person convicted of terrorist financing may be sentenced to jail time ranging from 12 to 20 years and up to 40 years at most. The law also mandates a fine of not less than P500,000 but not more than P1 million.

A person guilty of being an accessory to terrorist financing, or someone having knowledge of activities funding terrorist groups, must be sentenced two degrees or two times lower than the original penalty for terrorist financing.

“Terrorism has no place in any society and we must stand together to defeat it,” the DoJ quoted Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla. “Let us all work together towards a peaceful and secure future for our nation.”

In August last year, government prosecutors indicted 16 members of the religious group whom the government accused of financing activities of the CPP-NPA, based on testimonies of ex-rebels.

The RMP has said one of the ex-communist rebels falsely testified against its members in exchange for the release of her mother.

It also said the indictment showed the state’s tendency to “demonize legal democratic organizations” critical of the government.

Political experts have said the state officials should respond to criticism by performing their duties effectively instead of baselessly tagging people as communists.

The Anti-Terrorism Council, created through the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, has labeled the communist party as a terrorist group. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Marine Corps commandant appointed as AFP deputy chief of staff

March 27, 2023 | 7:44 pm

Gaerlan-AFP-PHOTO — ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES PHOTO

A MEMBER of the navy-led Marine corps has been appointed as deputy chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Charlton Sean M. Gaerlan had served as Philippine Marine Corps commandant before assuming his new post, the AFP said in a statement.

Mr. Gaerlan replaced William Gonzales, AFP’s inspector general, who was designated acting deputy chief of staff following the retirement of Rommel Anthony S.D. Reyes on Mar.15.

The military said Mr. Gaerlan took his oath in a ceremony led by AFP chief Andres C. Centino at their headquarters on Monday.

In a speech, Mr. Gaerlan said his position is “charged with a great amount of responsibility and a higher level of accountability.”

“I urge everyone to continue to support the AFP modernization and transformation programs so that we can achieve our mission to become a world-class armed force and continue to value the enhancement of professionalism across the organization,” he added.

Before his stint at the Philippine Marine Corps, Mr. Gaerlan was the commander of the AFP Education, Training and Doctrine Command.

He had also served as deputy brigade commander of the 2^nd Marine Brigade; deputy commander for Marine Operations of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao; inspector general of the Philippine Marine Corps; and commander of the 3^rd Marine Brigade in Western Command, Palawan.

“With the broad knowledge and expertise of MGen Gaerlan in the field of intelligence, operations, and personnel management, I am fully confident that he shall further fortify the traditions of the AFP leadership. Without doubt, his previous designations prepared him to take on greater tasks as the AFP’s third-in-command,” Mr. Centino said, based on the AFP statement. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

South Korea sends 400 MT of rice to Oriental Mindoro landslide victims

March 27, 2023 | 7:44 pm

ABOUT 10,000 families in Oriental Mindoro affected by flooding and landslides earlier this year have received food aid from the South Korea, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

In a statement, the DA said the Republic of Korea-Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs (ROK-MAFRA) donated 400 metric tons (MT) of milled rice on March 21.

“The immediate provision of emergency food aid is critical at all stages of disaster response. This provision ensures food security the earliest time possible,” said DA Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban.

According to the DA, South Korea is the Philippines’ 6^th largest source of assistance through its commitment to Economic Development Cooperation Fund and the Korea International Cooperation Agency.

The rice donations were made possible through the third tier of the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve Program where the Philippines joined in 2012.

This is a regional cooperation among Southeast Asian countries focusing on food security and poverty alleviation. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

House bill to give P10,000 cash aid with national ID as leverage

March 27, 2023 | 7:43 pm

House of Representatives-congress — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

A BILL has been filed in the House of Representatives seeking to provide P10,000 cash assistance to Filipino families — with priority to national identification card holders — as part of pandemic recovery measures and in response to inflation.

Taguig-Pateros Rep. Ricardo S. Cruz, Jr. filed House Bill No. 7698, which proposes the Sampung Libong Pag-asa Assistance Program, to be implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Under the proposed measure, “each Filipino family needing assistance shall receive a one-time cash assistance of P10,000 or P1,500 per family member, whichever sum is higher,” Mr. Cruz is quoted in the bill.

The bill also urges applicants of the cash assistance program to avail the national ID to become a priority enrollee in the list of beneficiaries.

According to Mr. Cruz, the cash assistance program is the “most expeditious, transparent, and simple process to all Filipino families and individuals affected by the pandemic.”

The DSWD is mandated to set up a telephone hotline, website, and mobile application to facilitate the implementation of the program.

The priority beneficiaries are the poorest of the poor senior citizens, persons with disabilities, solo parents, freelance workers, public transportation drivers, microenterprise owners, and farmers.

It will also give importance to homeworkers like family drivers and house helpers, sub-minimum wage earners, medical frontliners including barangay health workers, relatives of overseas Filipino workers, and other vulnerable sectors.

Those who are not recipients of any social amelioration programs of the national government are also deemed priority beneficiaries.

The national budget will fund the program. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Selling seized smuggled sugar at Kadiwa seen not helping farmers

March 27, 2023 | 7:02 pm

A farmers’ group on Monday said selling seized smuggled sugar at Kadiwa centers is akin to promoting illegally imported goods.

“If you promote smuggled goods, this will not help the farmers,” Rosendo O. So, the president of Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura or SINAG, said in a phone interview.

The essence of Kadiwa, he said, is to help sell farmers’ products directly to consumers.

The government has decided to sell at least 12,000 metric tons of seized smuggled sugar at Kadiwa stores.

The Department of Agriculture runs the Kadiwa stores, which sells produce at lower prices.

Destroying the fruits of criminal activities is “easy to implement” for inanimate objects such as cars, but gets tricky with consumable products like sugar, according to Michael Henry Ll. Yusingco, a lawyer and political analyst.

“I understand the thinking that basic food items should be preserved rather than destroyed given the current food challenges many Filipinos are facing,” he said in a message on Facebook.

“If this is going to be pursued by this admin, then two acts must be done,” he said. “First, the President should issue an executive order to cover this directive. Second, the order should be clear as to the timeline and the intended beneficiaries.”

Mr. Yusingco added that the “right alternative” is to give the seized products to people who need them or cannot afford to buy them.

“Smuggled goods cannot solve inflation,” SINAG’s Mr. So said, however. “The total volume is not so big that it will influence inflation.”

Mr. So also said that the long-term strategy for minimizing smuggling is to strengthen the country’s first-border control.

“The first-border facility should test all cargo coming, which we are not doing,” he said in a phone message.

Smuggled goods are a health concern too, said James A. Layug, DA’s assistant secretary for inspectorate and enforcement.

“Mas importante ay ‘yung food safety issue. Hindi ito dumaan sa tamang proseso. Hindi ho na-inspect o nabigyan ng sanitary phytosanitary clearance (The food safety issue is more important. This is not undergoing the right process. It’s not inspected nor given sanitary phytosanitary clearance),” state-run Philippine News Agency quoted him as saying on March 20.

“Kung ikaw consumer, hindi mo naman na titingnan saan galing ito, titingnan mo kung mura (If you’re the consumer, you will no longer check where it came from. You will just look for cheaper prices),” Mr. Layug said.

A 2022 study from Economist Impact, “Illicit Trade: Scale, Scope and Flows,” reported that identifying illicit goods is problematic, with over 77% of survey respondents struggling to distinguish between genuine and counterfeit products.

It also found that 53% of respondents in the Philippines said it is acceptable to buy products that serve a person’s needs, regardless of whether they are licit or illicit. — Patricia B. Mirasol

Petro Gazz Angels shoot for their first PVL All-Filipino crown today

March 27, 2023 | 6:20 pm

Games Today
(MOA Arena)
4 p.m. — F2 vs PLDT
6:30 p.m. — Petro Gazz vs Creamline

PETRO Gazz will try to completely slay the dragon in Creamline as the two face off anew today in Game Two of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference finals at the MOA Arena.

Playing the game of their lives, the underdog Angels brought down the reigning champions in the Cool Smashers in a shock 25-22, 24-26, 25-23, 26-24 victory in last Sunday’s opener to move on the threshold of claiming their first All-Filipino crown and third overall.

Petro Gazz coach Oliver Almadro, however, kept reminding his players to temper their emotions and just focused on being consistent.

“We’re not thinking that we’re just one win away from the title,” said Mr. Almadro. “We just have to manage ourselves not to be overwhelmed and just be consistent in what we do.”

Jonah Sabete continued her phenomenal showing as she peppered the Cool Smashers with key hits after key hits before winding up with a match-high 18 points she laced with 16 booming kills.

And she isn’t done yet.

Petro Gazz just completely outworked Creamline in almost all aspects and got the breaks in the most opportune time.

Mr. Almadro’s challenge on a net touch by Creamline setter Jia de Guzman late in the fourth set proved critical as it sealed the mammoth Game One upset.

“I called it myself because I don’t want the hard work of my players to go to waste,” said Mr. Almadro.

Aiza Pontillas is expected to provide the leadership anew after chipping in 15 hits as well as Grethcel Soltones, MJ Philips and Remy Joy Palma, who chipped in 14, 14 and eight points, respectively.

Creamline though will not just fade into the night as it is expected to give it all and force a decider on Thursday. — Joey Villar

More golds for the PHL youth team in 2023 IWF World Championship

March 27, 2023 | 6:20 pm

DelosSantos_IWF — ALBERT IAN DELOS SANTOS — IWF

THE PHILIPPINES’ Albert Ian delos Santos and Angeline Colonia added three more gold medals to the country’s massive haul with impressive performances in the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Youth Championships in Duress, Albania yesterday.

Mr. Delos Santos delivered two mints in the men’s 61-kilogram division in total where he lifted 259 kgs and clean and jerk where he powered through with a 149 kg lift that more than made up for a lethargic, fifth-best 110 kg in the snatch.

For the 17-year-old Ms. Colonia, younger sister of Olympian Nestor Colonia, she copped the snatch gold in the women’s 45 kg class where she had a 72 kg but just couldn’t pull it off in the clean and jerk where she had a fourth-best 83 kg and settled for the silver in total with a 155 kg.

It proved to be a heartbreaker as she missed claiming another gold by just a kilogram that went to Turkmenistan’s Ogukshat Amanova, who had a 156 kg.

The recent harvest hiked the Filipinos’ golden collection to six after Prince Kel Delos Santos snared two and Eron Borres captured one in the -49kg category the day before.

Rosalinda Faustino will try to add more gold to the country’s haul as she is scheduled to see action next.

“These are the future of Philippine weightlifting,” said Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella, whose national team’s Albania trip is being backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, the Manny V. Pangilinan Sports Foundation and SM. — Joey Villar

Fajardo-less Beermen eye to extend semifinals series

March 27, 2023 | 6:19 pm

Games On Wednesday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
3 p.m. — San Miguel vs Ginebra
5:45 p.m. — Meralco vs TNT

CRIPPLED, wounded and all — San Miguel Beer (SMB) is not waving a white flag anytime soon with unfazed hopes of living another day in the PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals.

Without six-time MVP June Mar Fajardo due to a knee injury, the Beermen suffered a free fall and are now at the edge of the cliff with a 0-2 slate in the race-to-three semis, against no less than their sibling rival and reigning champion Barangay Ginebra.

Another loss would push SMB to the exit doors of the Final Four for the second straight conference after winning the Philippine Cup last year and coach Jorge Gallent is in no business to entertain that possibility. “We have to think of Game 3 only. We have to win Game 3 and put our mindset that we’re not on vacation yet,” said the defiant mentor.

“Ginebra has to win three games to enter the finals and it’s only two. As long as there is a chance, it’s my job to put us into a position to get one (first) in Game 3.”

Getting that job done, however, will not be a walk in the park as the Beermen need to pull out all the stops to repel a searing Ginebra side after convincing victories in the first two matches, 121-112, 121-103 — if they wish to stay alive and force Game 4.

“We have to play with effort, we have to play with discipline, we have to play with patience. I have to motivate them these next two days. Our mindset should not be on vacation mode just yet. That’s the most important,” he said.

And while Ginebra amassed a massive advantage over SMB, Meralco and Talk ‘N Text are expecting a grittier dogfight in their own series that has been reduced to a best-of-three duel at 1-1 deadlock.

TNT drew first blood in rousing fashion, 110-80, but Meralco swung back in Game 2 behind a thrilling 124-117 overtime win.

“Every game is gonna be tough for us. Nothing’s going to be easy,” said Bolts coach Norman Black as they bid for their fifth Governors’ Cup finals appearance in the last six seasons at the expense of sister team TNT.

“This is the playoffs” said Tropang Giga coach Jojo Lastimosa after his wards, led by import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson who’s fasting in observance of Ramadan, poured it all in the narrow defeat. — John Bryan Ulanday

Converge, UP men’s baseball team announce partnership

March 27, 2023 | 6:19 pm

CONVERGE ICT Solutions Inc., continues its commitment to boosting sports excellence in the Philippines as they announce their sponsorship of the University of the Philippines men’s baseball team for the 85^th season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).

After years of ranking last in the league, revival efforts have taken place for the team, including the inauguration of a brand new 21,750 square-meter baseball field located on the UP campus. Along with an augmented coaching staff headed by coach Anthony Dizer, Jr., improved training equipment, and an emphasis on discipline and integrity.

“This solidifies the Converge legacy of supporting collegiate sports and investing in young talent. We are proud to back the UP men’s baseball team on their campaign for the championship title in this 85^th UAAP Season. Converge is with you all the way!,” says Dennis Anthony Uy, Converge CEO and co-founder.

Mr. Dizer’s squad already made headlines after beating defending champion De La Salle University in the league’s opening match. This breakthrough win was followed by a back-to-back win against Adamson University and league co-leader Ateneo de Manila University, which sent the team to an improved 3-0 record. The squad seeks to continue its success throughout the league as the team competes for the championship title.

UP men’s baseball team manager Mike Asuncion believes that the future of the team is potentially bright with the Converge ICT Solution partnership, stating, “This milestone initiative is definitely a step in the right direction. The competent development of baseball in the Philippines is long overdue, and we are thankful that Converge has taken the lead.

Mr. Dizer added, “the support of Converge will truly be significant as this will pave the way for the UP baseball team’s unhampered training as we commit to a performance that we will all be proud of on the ongoing season as well as the future seasons.”

Bulls hold off Lakers in LeBron James’ return from injury

March 27, 2023 | 6:17 pm

ZACH LaVine scored a game-high 32 points and DeMar DeRozan notched a double-double of 17 points and 10 assists to help the visiting Chicago Bulls defeat the Los Angeles Lakers 118-108 on Sunday afternoon to earn their seventh victory in nine games.

Chicago (36-38) exhaled as the win let it move into a tie with Toronto for ninth place in the Eastern Conference. The Raptors were set to play later Sunday.

After leading by as many as 21 points, the Bulls saw the Lakers pull to within eight with 1:32 to go. Los Angeles (37-38) was unable to sustain the momentum, however, after struggling with ball security. The Lakers committed 18 turnovers, with the Bulls scoring 34 points off opponent miscues.

Los Angeles remains in the Western Conference play-in picture after Sunday’s loss ended a three-game winning streak.

LeBron James led the Lakers with 19 points, while Troy Brown Jr. and Malik Beasley chipped in 18 apiece. Dennis Schroder (17 points), Anthony Davis (15) and Austin Reaves (13) also finished in double figures for the Lakers.

Mr. Davis had nine rebounds — one more than James — and Mr. Reaves dished seven assists.

Returning to the lineup after missing the past 13 games with a tendon injury in his right foot, Mr. James didn’t start Sunday, marking only the second time in 1,414 career games — and the first occasion since December 2007 — that he appeared as a reserve.

Coby White scored 13 points for the Bulls, Andre Drummond had 12 points and eight rebounds and Patrick Beverley added 10 points.

Chicago overcame an ejection to Nikola Vucevic, the team’s top rebounder and third-leading scorer. With 1:02 to play in the second quarter, referees whistled Mr. Vucevic for two quick technical fouls for arguing a foul call.

Chicago benefited from 60 percent shooting and a solid effort from the bench to take a 63-55 lead into intermission. Mr. LaVine (15 points) and Mr. White (10) scored in double figures for the Bulls, whose reserves outscored the Lakers’ 31-14. The Chicago Bulls, who won both meetings against the Lakers last season, will aim for their second straight season-series sweep when they host Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night.

D’Angelo Russell missed the game for the Lakers with right hip soreness. — Reuters

Ronaldo leads the way as Portugal hit six of the best

March 27, 2023 | 6:17 pm

LUXEMBOURG — Cristiano Ronaldo continued his record-breaking form for Portugal as he grabbed two more goals in his country’s 6-0 thrashing of Luxembourg in a Euro 2024 qualifier on Sunday, giving them a second win in four days.

The 38-year-old grabbed a double against Liechtenstein on Thursday and scored twice more in Luxembourg to extend his record tally of international goals to 122 in 198 appearances.

Joao Felix, Bernando Silva, Otavio and Rafael Leao added the other goals to put Portugal top of Group J after an easy start to their qualifying campaign.

New coach Roberto Martinez restored Ronaldo to the starting line-up last week and kept faith with him for the match in Luxembourg, where it took only nine minutes for the veteran superstar to open the scoring as he touched home Nuno Mendes’s soaring header.

Joao Felix doubled the lead in the 15th minute, rising high to get onto the end of Silva’s cross. Silva then himself headed home a powerful effort three minutes later after being set up by Joao Palhinha.

Bruno Fernandes set up Mr. Ronaldo for the fourth, just past the half hour mark, with a ball over the defense that was finished with pin-point accuracy.

Luxembourg looked bedraggled in the first half but offered more resistance after the break before Rafael Leao’s looping cross allowed fellow substitute Otavio to head home Portugal’s fifth.

Ruben Neves struck the crossbar with a 83rd minute freekick before a penalty was awarded straight after when Laurent Jans tripped Rafael Leao. But Rafael Leao ran half the length of the field to latch onto Reuben Neves’ pass and cut inside before squeezing the ball home for a 6-0 scoreline with two minutes remaining. — Reuters

ChatGPT: tool or weapon?

March 27, 2023 | 5:47 pm

There is ChatGPT or GPT-4, but what is GPT anyway? GPT stands for Generative Pre-trained Transformer a program which has the ability to perform natural language processing tasks, such as answering questions, summarizing texts and making term papers! Yes, this is the world of Artificial Intelligence or AI, and like the Promethean events of history — the Industrial Revolution, for example — we are now in a different world where an invention can be a tool or a weapon. It can be good and it can be bad.

How will we now deal with this, given that in the business world we have common concerns like asking people to write up something creative for our marketing, for example? Marketing and communications departments may do shortcuts by using ChatGPT. How will we know if our people are truly competent, or are using this new tool to impress us about their knowledge which may actually be from a borrowed brain like AI?

In Human Resources, we may have performance evaluations written up by a robot. We may get reports from our field staff that they never wrote themselves. And as ChatGPT may have better grammar than some of today’s graduates, it can then also be a tool for MSMEs who cannot afford to hire additional staff to make marketing write-ups or copywriting. But beware and be aware that you, as the owner, will have to double check what this ChatGPT writes for you.

The more pressing concern is the use of ChatGPT or AI in schools. Students may no longer do research and just depend on this app to make their term papers, academic reports, and other school requirements. How will a teacher know if the work submitted was created from a student’s knowledge bank or by AI? How will a student develop his or her natural ability to create or write?

So, while we can use its features to make life easier for some, it can also be a concern for many as we enter this new age similar to the Industrial Revolution, or the development of the printing press. Thomas Friedman, a noted columnist of the New York Times, described this period we are entering as Promethean —referring to the demi-god in Greek mythology who changed the way the other Gods were perceived.

Now, what bad things can ChatGPT help spread? It could be disinformation. ChatGPT or similar apps can easily manufacture news and can also spread fake news. As it can create words and paragraphs in seconds, it can also translate the same simultaneously into other languages, making the viral spread very fast and uncontrollable. So, this is a matter of concern for geo-political issues, as well as something as entertaining as who is dating who in Hollywood.

In this period, we all have to see how apps like these and how AI can be a blessing and a curse. I tried to check my name on ChatGPT and it gave me an entrepreneur award I had never gotten! The written facts were 75% correct, but could be improved. As a small entrepreneur, it may help me write up some facts, but as a writer, it may not sound like how I would write. But definitely, for many MSMEs, it is worth looking into should you need a quick write-up for your website or your applications for various needs.

What worries me is the side of it that can be used as a weapon. As if we did not have enough issues about DISINFORMATION, here now is a quicker way to spread untruths. Here now is a way to really rewrite history or completely change it. “Take it with a grain of salt” as they say, but this time, we not only have to take grains but maybe pounds of the mineral to ward off fake news.

Maybe we should all go back to Creative Writing classes as an exercise to make us not need the app. We can also teach our people to stretch their minds and think out-of-the-box rather than depend on a robot to think for us. AI is good for intelligent cars, intelligent equipment, and smart gadgets. But not for creativity.

As a business person, as a management professional, think about how ChatGPT or GPT-4 and the like can affect your business. Taking the macro point of view, think about how it can change the business environment you are in. Or think about how it can change governments. Truly there is an effect on how we used to do things and how we will do them now.

So, while we look for what ChatGPT says about our business, we have to learn to wade through tons of misinformation, too. We have to be ready with improving our digital footprint or flood the internet with facts so our results will come out nearer to the truth. Robots or AI can only do so much. As humans, we can do more, and create a real world based on fact and truths.

It is time to write about ourselves, if need be, if only to let AI pick up more facts about us. So, try checking on Google what has been written about your business or your personal details. Then ask ChatGPT. Chances are, you may also get an unearned award like I did!!!

In the meantime, everyone beware and be aware of this period we are entering, hopefully with eyes wide open. There is a robot out there that can do more than just moving like a human. This one thinks (or so it thinks) like a human. Let’s all use it as a tool and not as a weapon.

Chit U. Juan is a vice-chair of the MAP Environment Committee. She is president of NextGen Organization of Women Corporate Directors, and founder of ECHOstore Sustainable Lifestyle.

map@map.org.ph

pujuan29@gmail.com