CAMP OLIVAS, Pampamga—Central Luzon operatives seized P544,000 worth of shabu from four arrested drug peddlers in two separate anti-illegal drug operations in Bataan and Olongapo City on Wednesday. 

Region 3 Police Director PBGen Jose Hidalgo Jr. said that police elements in Olongapo  City arrested two individuals in a buy-bust operation at around 9:55 pm in Barangay Kalaklan and seized 55 grams of alleged shabu worth P374,000. 

Simultaneously, joint efforts by Orion, Bataan police led to the seizure of 25 grams of suspected shabu worth P170,000 at around 9:30 pm in Barangay Calungusan Orion, Bataan . 

The arrested suspects will face charges under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. 

Hidalgo warned illegal drug users and traders, emphasizing the relentless use of necessary and legal strategies to eliminate illegal substances from communities. 

For thirteen year old grade 7 student Janina Dalistan and her classmates and chums, Misaki Hanaoka, 12 and Makaila Bacay, 13, lemon soda and a local brand chocolate bar are their favorite school day snacks.

The foods are readily available at a branch of a fast-increasing convenience store outlet in the country just opposite their school, Gen. Gregorio del Pilar Integrated School in Bulakan town.

Maria Suarez, 37, from Sitio Malusak, Barangay Sta. Ana, does not allow her grade 2 daughter Camille to go out of the school to buy her recess food nor preferred the pricey snacks sold inside the school canteen. Daily, she packs for her Jack ‘n Jill Cheese Curls, Oishi, Choco Crunch, Rebisco biscuits and a bottle of mineral water as her “baon”. “These are her requests. These are her favorites. She would not avail of the snacks in the school canteen because they are expensive,” she told NEWS CORE.

Also available anytime during school days at the same convenience store are the variety of creamy and sweet flavors of ice cream cones which thirteen year old grade 8 student Nino Zoilo from Barangay San Nicolas preys on everyday during recess time. He said he also grabbed and bit a piece or two at a similar convenience store beside their house. Cookies and cream and chocolate are his top choices coupled with a separate Oreo biscuits. “They are creamy, sweet and delicious. I love them everyday here in school and at home,” he said.

Melody Agas, 42, from Sitio Malusak, brings mocca cup cakes for snacks and an alternative of luncheon meat, chicken and frozen foods as lunch for her two school children in GGPIS, a 5 year old kindergarten and a 12 year old grade 7 student.

Her children do not eat fish and vegetables, she said. Sometimes, she will bring them cooked shomai bought just outside the school.

GGPIS is just one of the many public schools in Bulacan where sari-sari stores, stalls of shomai and other street foods like fish ball, kikiam, squid ball, deep-fried “chicken ass”etc. including milk tea lined up next to each other for school children to prey on everyday and any time they can.

They landed in these establishments just outside the schools because they were strongly influenced and captivated on what were strongly marketed and advertised on TV, radio, print and even in the digital and social media platforms.

Worse these days, the much bigger and more comfortable sari-sari stores in the form of the convenience stores with a much more variety of unhealthy food choices add to the dazzle of available food snacks just a few steps outside the schools.

In schools in the City of Malolos, another name of a 24-hour convenience store also stands just opposite its main entrance.

In the City of San Jose del Monte, not just a school is walking distance to a branch of a well-known supermarket, but sari-sari stores mushrooms just across the school.

In Guiguinto town, milk tea stalls and shops are an added attraction to the sari-sari stores.

For the rest of the other public and private schools in Bulacan, particularly in relocation sites in Pandi, Bocaue, Marilao and Balagtas, the same and worse scenario exist.     

Unknowingly, these children increase their chances of being obese and even incur ailments at a very young age.

Obesity and 2017 DepEd Order No. 13

Obesity increases among children in the Philippines when they get older based on a landscape analysis conducted by the Department of Health, the National Nutrition Council, the Nutrition Center of the Philippines and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF). Based on the study, infants and children under 5 years old has an obesity rate of 2.9%; children 5-10 years old 9.1%, adolescents 10-19 years old 9.8% and adult women 35.2%.

The study also shows that if no action is taken, more than 30% of adolescents in the Philippines will be either overweight or obese by 2030.

The Department of Education (DepEd) in its Order No. 13 in 2017 “Policy and Guidelines on Healthy Food and Beverage Choices in Schools and in DepEd Offices” sets the parameters in the promotion and sales of healthy foods and beverages both inside the school facilities particularly in canteens and including within the 100 meter radius outside the school policy.

“School officials are encouraged to advocate and work with their local government units in issuing local legislation to limit the marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages within at least 100 meter radius of the school,” the order stated. 

DepEd Order No. 13 categorized the healthy and unhealthy snacks and drinks for school children in three colors green, yellow and red. The “Green” category includes foods and drinks that are the best choices for a healthy school canteen as they contain a wide range of nutrients and are generally low in saturated and trans fat, sugar and salt.  The “Yellow” category includes foods and drinks that should be served carefully as they may contain some nutrients but at the same time also contain large amounts of saturated or trans fats and/or sugar and/or salt.

The “Red” category on the other hand are foods and drinks not recommended in the canteen menu because of their high amounts of saturated fat or sugar or salt and should not be served  in canteens. They may also provide excess energy or calories.

Accordingly, based on DepEd Order, “consumption of these foods and drinks outside the school premises is at the discretion of their parents”.  

DepEd identified these foods as soft drinks, alcoholic drinks , sports waters, sports drinks, flavoured mineral water, energy drinks, sweetened waters, powdered juice drinks, any processed fruit/vegetable juice with added sugar of more than 20 grams or 4 teaspoons per serving, any jelly, ice crushers and slushies.

Any ice cream/ice drops/ice candies, cakes and slices, donuts, sweet biscuits and pastries and other sweet bakery products, all types of chocolates, hard/chewy candies, chewing gums, marshmallows, lollipops, yema, etc., french fries, bicho-bicho, etc including all types of heavy salted snacks such as chips or chicharon, chicken skin, bacon, deep-fried foods including fish balls, kikiam, fruits in heavy syrup, sweetened fruits or vegetables or deep-fried.

100-meter radius

Other than encouraging intervention by local officials to limit the promotion of unhealthy foods through print ads such as posters, leaflets, brochures, comics, billboards, tarpaulins, selling is also a major concern.

While patronizing the consumption of these branded “unhealthy” foods and drinks available even less than the 100-radius required distance away from the schools are left to the restriction of the parents, the youth sector became really vulnerable and usually prey victims to the fascinating advertisements, marketing and actual sales of these products.

The new type of snacks, its bright and colorful packaging, the different forms and sizes greet and wave to them every time they go to school.  

DepEd Region 3 director May Eclar reaffirmed the institution’s main policy and thrust which is focused mainly within schools jurisdiction. However, she also acknowledges that in alarming cases and instances, the school heads make the necessary coordination with the local community officials.     

“If there are alarming concerns, the respective school officials make the necessary coordination with the barangay. It is much better if there are barangay and other local ordinances. If the concern is liquors or cigarettes, these are directly brought to the attention of the barangay leaders,” Eclar told NEWS CORE in a phone interview on Thursday.

She said that the unhealthy and healthy foods are also discussed in the DepEd curriculum.

“Iyong sa labas, hindi na namin masasagot iyon, pero sa mga lessons na integrate yang mga unhealthy foods dahil nasa DepEd curriculum yan” Eclar said.

The regional director also sees the need for the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to come up with their own specific policy and guidelines.

Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE) Supervisor Joel Basallo who is in-charge in the canteen operations in all the 20 towns under the Schools Division of Bulacan said the stores and food stalls selling the unhealthy foods within the 100 meter radius are prohibited.

He said that each school head covers at least three schools and its respective outside 100 meter radius vicinity to monitor if these unhealthy foods are being blatantly sold. The school heads, he said, use different strategies to address the concerns. But so far, he said, there have yet to be reports.

The real control for them however, he said lies among the parents and the students and their preparation of healthy “green” category foods in the school canteens. He said that the support and help of the barangay officials are really necessary.

“We will improve the monitoring. But there should really be coordination with barangay officials. We will discuss this in our forthcoming Man Com,” Basallo added.  

“Dapat sana katuwang namin ang DILG para sa mga barangay kasi hindi na namin saklaw ang labas ng schools. Ang control namin ay sa mga bata at magulang na huwag payagan o bantayan ang kanilang mga anak na bumili ng mga unhealthy foods. Doon talaga nagkakaproblema pagpasok at paglabas ng mga bata mula sa eskuwelahan lalo na kung malapit sa mga eskuwelahan ang mga sari-sari stores na nagbebenta ng mga unhealthy foods, chichirya, junk foods and soft drinks”.  

However, according to Basallo, many areas could not really comply with the 100 meter radius particularly the communities where residents have no other means of livelihood but to put up sari-sari stores in their areas including and most specifically targeting schools. “We have observed these but people, the store owners in the community, appeal to the schools to allow them to operate their stores,” he said.

Most of these are sari-sari stores in schools inside housing and relocation sites of former Informal Settlers from Metro Manila particularly in Pandi, Bocaue and Marilao towns.

According to DILG Bulacan Provincial Director Myrvi Apostol-Fabia, they do not have any official circular on the issue. “It will help to strengthen the implementation. Maybe, the DepEd can request the department to issue a circular for the barangay to closely monitor the implementation,’ she said.

Unhealthy foods as sin tax

The risks brought by the interference of the marketing and advertising industry shortens the life span of the Filipinos from 40-50%, according to a study, says Atty. Anna Bueno of ImagineLaw, a group which advocates for evidence-based policy solutions for people to live healthy and meaningful lives.

Today, according to Bueno, there is a low percentage of awareness of unhealthy foods before the public in general, particularly among the LGUs.  

She said there is now a pending bill in Congress on the elimination and regulation of trans fat in food products and that LGUs like Pasig City have their own sets of ordinances that regulate the sales and distribution of unhealthy food products.

Pasig City Ordinance No. 63 that was started to be implemented in 2017 mandates all public and private preparatory, elementary and secondary schools to promote healthy food and beverages, prohibiting the sales and promotion of all unhealthy food and beverages inside school gate and within 50 meters of the school.    

Dr. Dexter Galban, DepEd Assistant Secretary said there is a need to create programs for parents’ education in order to come up with mechanisms wherein they are made partners to help ensure their children eat well.

Galban recognizes the need for the DILG, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the DOH and the DepEd to act and implement a single policy about the unhealthy foods in school vicinity.

“Labas na sa amin ang 100 radius. It’s really the parents discretion but we always remind them to guide their children in choosing their snacks over unhealthy foods. All student councils can serve as watch dogs and empower them as advocates to help amplify it within the barangay. We need the intervention of the barangay, the city, province for a mechanism to get young people to act as partners down the grassroots. We highly encourage Sangguniang Kabataan to act on this. Ngayon pa lang ang mga students ma-inculcate na sa kanila ang advocacy against unhealthy foods in and out of schools. So when this is time for them to lead the town or the province and city, they will foster the no sponsorship, no advertising, no partnership on unhealthy foods,” Galban said.

According to him, laws on tobaccos and others in the sin tax law were easier to formulate, but the laws on unhealthy foods are different and will be discriminatory to create. “Madali nagawa ang batas sa case ng tobacco. Pero ito mas mahirap. This needs more stretching on the fight against obese and malnourishment but it will be very hard as packaging and advertising given the spectrum on safety and sweet foods, it is hard. It could be discriminatory,” he also pointed out. However, he sees high hopes with the partnership of all concerned government agencies including the media.  

Galban added however that itg is not right treat the manufacturers and private sectors as enemies, rather, they are encouraging them to join the advocacy, and maybe to reformulate their products, lessen or reduce the sugar and sodium. “It will be a culture change among them manufacturers”.

Armund Arguelles, OIC Division Chief, Health Promotion Bureau of DOH said they are also pushing for a legislation on marketing practices on unhealthy foods. The DOH, he said, have noticed quite a significant need for good nutrition among school kids and even adults. “Their nutrition is affected because of the high amount of processed sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. “We want to address these concerns, it is our responsibility to protect the children, we need to recognize the increase in obesity and other ailments because of unhealthy foods,” he said.  

The absence of any law that will regulate the marketing, advertisement and sales of the unhealthy foods is now a driving force to push for the marketing of the healthy food, Arguelles added.

“The only one we have is the milk code for breastfeeding. We do not have a law to regulate unhealthy food products. There is a need to focus on enforcement. For now, although there is a policy, we need the DILG, LGU to be very vigilant. To protect our children from unhealthy food, it entails the whole community,” Arguelles also said.  

According to him, the unhealthy foods can be treated also like cigarettes and alcohol and there can be a created regional task force to watch the implementation of laws and policies on unhealthy foods.  

Needed legislation against unhealthy foods

Atty. Daphne Marcelo, also of ImagineLaw said the absence of the law on regulations and control on marketing of unhealthy foods worsens the status quo. A law is needed to bring the regulation down to the LGUs, to the barangays, she said. “There is simply no law, we lack law on unhealthy food marketing and it is not enough that a law will be created for the national level. It should be felt and implemented down to the barangay levels”.

According to Dr. Tina Langit-Bagro, an advocate on healthy and nutritional foods for children, salty foods cause Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), obesity and even mental health disease.  

Bagro sees limiting the exposure to advertisements by both parents and kids as a key factor in combating unhealthy foods. “Even doctors have very limited nutrition knowledge on food and exercises. In terms of accessibility, sa mga malls, iyon mga breads ang available at konti ang nagbebenta ng fruits, walang mga fruit stands. We need to change the food culture, the preparation, sales, promotion,”she said.

According to Bagro, she even attended a cooking class on vegetable dishes including grains that are rich in fibers for the health and nutrition of her children. “Fibers are needed by the body. Processed foods are engineered foods. Happier foods are veggies which are also good for the good bacteria and lessens the stress and toxin in our body,” she added.

Emmanuel Mattela, from the Nutrition and Dietetic office of Taytay, Rizal, said salt consumption must be restricted because it results in renal problems. In Taytay, he said, they formulate diet and nutrition program to limit the daily salt and even sugar intake of school children.  

According to Marcelo, this collaboration of their policy law group, the media and the stakeholders is one of the first attempts to create necessary policies and laws to address the pressing challenge about the gravity of marketing and advertising of unhealthy foods. “We are not helpless although we are the first to climb this mountain. For our children, we need to succeed in this challenge. We need re-prioritization.  We are here to change the culture and environment. We can push for unhealthy foods to also be treated by the government as sin tax like cigarettes and liquors,” she said.

Marcelo also noted the very low percentage of public awareness about the issue and that unless the government acts on this problem, the problem will just remain a problem and will not be addressed. That’s why a strong commitment from the government through legislation is a must. There should be responsible marketing practices, fair business ways, a healthy food environment and a parent’s guide to their children to consume healthy foods,” she also said.

Angelica Reyes, from Phil Legislators Committee on Population and Legislation Advocacy said they are pushing for a regulation to limit the marketing of unhealthy foods. “Marketing and advertising companies are funding millions and millions worth of money only for the Filipino children to be wasted,” she said.

“A severely wasted na bata, buto’t balat,” Reyes added.

“Bawas Patalastas Para sa Malusog at Masayang Bata,” is what everyone should help advocate, Marcelo reiterated.

This article is funded and supported by ImagineLaw in cooperation with Gugma PR.  

The Sinemaya 2023: Community Film Festival recently concluded its second edition at SM City San Pablo in Laguna on December 10, 2023, marking a significant milestone in the Philippine microfinance industry.

In this edition, the festival showcased eight inspiring documentary films created by communities of various microfinance institutions in the Philippines. The films were screened in various SM Cinemas, including SM City Manila, SM City Iloilo, and SM City Cagayan de Oro on November 26, 2023.

The competing entrieswere: Letra by CARD, Inc. (A Microfinance NGO) MSU 2 Center from Marawi City, Lanao del Sur; Isang libong hakbang para sa pangarap by CARD Bank Arawan 16 Center from Tiaong, Quezon; Dahon ng Pag-asa by CARD MRI Rizal Bank, Inc. Poblacion 13 Center from Cavinti, Laguna; Pangandoy by CARD SME Bank Salvacion 3P Center from Panabo City, Davao del Norte; Balo by ASA Philippines Purple Center from Alaminos, Laguna; Pagbangon ng Api by SEDP- Simbag sa Pag-asenso K25BG Center from Sorsogon; Bunga ng Pag-sisikap by People’s Alternative Livelihood Microfinance Foundation of Sorsogon, Inc. Padac Center from Sorsogon; and Kami ay babae, hindi babae lang by Negros Women For Tomorrow Foundation, Inc. Center 117 from Guimaras.

About SineMaya

SineMaya, organized by CARD MRI Publishing House, aims to share not only the stories of CARD MRI communities but also the broader impact of the microfinance industry on Filipino families and nation-building. Established in 2017, CARD Publishing aligns with the goal of creating inspiring narratives to support microfinance institutions’ mission of poverty eradication. The festival aims to tap into the creativity and artistry of microfinance clients and their families in filmmaking, providing training in scriptwriting and video editing to enhance production quality.

The theme for this year’s film fest, “Pagbangon at Pag-asa: Kasangga ang MFI sa pagharap sa bagong simula”, inspired participants to produce documentaries based on their real-life experiences.

In selecting the winners, the eight documentary films were deliberated by five judges composed of MiMAP Executive Director Mr. Jun Jay Perez, APPEND President and CEO Dr. Virginia ‘Jeng’ Juan, Light Tv Radio Executive Director Ms. Annie Bico Cristobal,Film Director and Storyteller Mr. Martin Cabrera, and CDC- UPLB Asst. Professor Mr. John Marvin Embate.

The winners

Pangandoy emerged as the Best Film and bagged the Best Director award. Expressing gratitude, the documentary film’s director Mie Baring highlighted the festival’s role in showcasing the talents and skills of microfinance clients beyond their entrepreneurial endeavors. “We are grateful that clients like us were given the chance to showcase our talents and skills aside from being microentrepreneurs,” said Baring.

The documentary film Balo secured the 2nd Best Film and earned awards for Best Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Cinematography and the Founder’s Excellence Award.

Meanwhile, Dahon ng Pag Asa bagged the 3rd Best Film.

Recognizing the holistic approach of microfinance institutions in community development, several films received Community Development Awards in categories such as Resiliency, Education, Women Empowerment, and Financial Inclusion. Below is the full list of winners:

• Community Development Award for Resiliency: Ang Pagbangon ng Api
• Community Development Award for Education: Isang libong hakbang para sa pangarap
• Community Development Award for Women Empowerment: Bunga ng Pag-sisikap
• Community Development Award for Financial Inclusion: Letra

The People’s Choice Award, determined by votes from the viewers on November 26, 2023, was awarded to “Letra”. The film also bagged the Founder’s Excellence Award.

Moreover, Rynzel Joy Gamarcha of Kami ay Babae, Hindi Babae Lang won the Young Creator Award and the Managing Director’s Choice Award.

The winners received trophies and certificates, products from Mga Likha ni Inay and CARD Astro Laboratories, international trips, and cash prizes.

The 2024 edition of the SineMaya Community Film Fest has been broadened, announced Ms. Marilyn M. Manila, President of CARD MRI Publishing House. This year, not only Philippine microfinance institutions but also those in the Southeast Asian Region can partake in the festival.

The SineMaya organizing team aims to spotlight the global impact of microfinance in combating poverty in the country through the production of drama films in 2024.

For more information about the SineMaya 2024, please visit MFINewsire’s official Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MFInewswire?mibextid=ZbWKwL , and CARD MRI Publishing House at https://www.facebook.com/PublishingHouseInc?mibextid=ZbWKwL

CARD Mutually Reinforcing Institution (CARD MRI) recognized the outstanding microentrepreneurs at the “Pagkilala sa Mga Likha ni Inay Awards 2023” held in San Pablo City, Laguna on December 6, 2023.

The annual PsMLNI awards celebrate the impactful businesses of CARD MRI clients, underscoring their contributions to the well-being of their families and communities. The award also reflects the organization’s commitment to empowering members of the communities, especially the MSMEs and acknowledging their remarkable self-sufficiency.

The Executive and Management Committee of CARD MRI attended and witnessed the event, which took place at Maharlika Square.

CARD MRI Managing Director Aristeo A. Dequito commended the awardees in a speech during the event for embodying the strength and resilience of Filipino entrepreneurs and providing the institution with the motivation to remain steadfast in its goal of poverty eradication. He also emphasized the transformative impact of the awardees as they generate employment opportunities in their own communities, ultimately contributing to the social and economic growth of the country.

The selection process involved judging based on predefined criteria. After careful deliberation, Juvy Fabro of CARD Bank, Inc. San Fernando Branch secured the institutional winner and the “Gawad Maunlad Micro,” while Rosario Agarin of CARD SME Bank Naga Branch earned the “Gawad Maunlad SME.”

Three clients from CARD SME Bank won the special awards: Mary Celine Gordon from Manaoag Branch was awarded the “Gawad Malikhain“; Romeo Bustamante from Lipa Branch won the “Community Service Award”; and the “Innovative Family Enterprise Award” for Rizalina Tolentino of San Pablo Branch.

Other institutional winners for this year include Lailane Gomintong of CARD, Inc. (A Microfinance NGO) Sta. Lucia Branch and Rowena Baya of CARD MRI Rizal Bank, Inc. Carcar Branch.

CARD MRI, a group of 25 mutually reinforcing institutions, has been dedicated to poverty eradication through financial, non-financial, and social development initiatives since 1986. The organization is serving more than 9.1 million clients nationwide as of October 2023.

For more information about CARD MRI, please visit https://cardmri.com.

MANILA–Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman supports the appointment of former Senator Ralph G. Recto as Finance Secretary.

Recto took his oath on Malacanang on Friday.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. appointed him on Thursday as Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno returns to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas as Monetary Board member.

“We defer to the wisdom of the President on these matters so as the latest appointee of PBBM to the Economic Team, Sec. Recto can expect our full support,” Pangandaman said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the DBM expressed its gratitude to outgoing Secretary Diokno.

“He has always been the guiding light of the Philippine Economic Team,” Pangandaman added, noting that it was Diokno’s vision to craft the Medium-Term Fiscal Framework, on which the Administration anchored the Agenda for Prosperity, and which was historically adopted for the first time by both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

The Philippines emerged from the pandemic with an astounding 7.6 percent GDP growth in 2022 through Diokno’s masterful leadership of the Philippine economy as head of the Cabinet’s Economic Development Group.

This is historically the fastest growth since 1976, putting the Philippines back on the world map as the fastest emerging economy in the Asia Pacific region.

“Sec. Diokno established a very good foundation for our economic transformation so I am confident we can continue this under Sec. Recto, who is a legislator with Executive branch experience and can merge these experiences to pursue our desired reforms,” Pangandaman said.

LUNGSOD NG MALOLOS–Nahaharap ngayon sa 17 bilang ng cyber libel cases na may katumbas na P17-milyong halagang danyos ang isang dating kosenhal-kapitan ng bayan ng San Miguel kabilang ang isang babaeng negosyante matapos sampahan sila ng nasabing kaso ng alkalde ng nabanggit lugar dahil umano sa serye ng mga mapanirang atake at akusasyon laban sa opisyal sa live at posts ng mga ito sa social media.

Isinampa ni Mayor Roderick Tiongson ng Bayan ng San Miguel ang habla laban kina dating Konsehal Melvin Santos at negosyanteng si Mary Grace De Leon sa Bulacan Prosecutors Office nitong Huwebes. Si Santos ay dati ring naging kapitan ng Barangay Camias habang si De Leon naman ay mula sa Barangay Sta. Ritang Matanda.

Sa kanyang isinampang 5 counts of cyber libel case laban kay Santos, sinabi ni Tiongson na pangit, nakakasakit sa damdamin, mapanira at malisyoso ang naging mga komento nito laban sa kanya sa serye ng mga live at posts nito sa social media account nito simula Nobyembre 17-Disyembre 2, 2023.

Ani ng alkalde, hindi lamang siya o ang kanyang reputasyon ang sinira ni Santos kundi lalo’t higit din ang kanyang buong pamilya.

Sa loob ng nasabing panahon, ayon sa alkalde, lantaran siyang inakusahan ni Santos na isang corrupt na opisyal ng kanilang bayan at isang mamamatay-tao kung saan mariing iginiit nito na ang alkalde ang nasa likod ng illegal quarry sa Biak-na-Bato at ito rin ay isang mamamatay-tao na siya ano mang oras ay maaaring ipapatay ng opsiyal.

“Alam ko po na marami na sa mga kababayan nating San Miguelenos ang nakakaalam ng tungkol sa video na ito tungkol sa quarry sa Brgy Biak-na-Bato kung saang humigit kumulang 400 truck daw po ang inilalabas na lupa araw araw na para na nga daw pong disyerto na daw po ang bundok. Ako po ang pinagbibintangan ni Mayor na nagpapakalat ng video na ito. Mariin ko pong itinatanggi ito. Pero nagpapasalamat po ako kung sino man ang nagsumbong at nagpapakalat ng video tungkol dito at dapat pong magpasalamat ang lahat ng taga San Miguel. Hindi ako natatakot sa inyo. Hindi ako natatakot ipapatay at lalong hindi ako natatakot na perwisyuhin ninyo ang aking hanapbuhay. Mga kababayan, alam nating lahat kung sino ang umaabuso sa panunungkulan. Kaya niyong gawin ang lahat dahil nasa kapangyarihan kayo. Hindi ako natatakot na umagos ang dugo ko sa lupain ng San Miguel kung iyan ang magiging hudyat para magising na ang taong bayan sa totoong ginagawa  ninyo sa pagnanakaw sa bayan at kalikasan,” post ni Santos sa kanyang account ayon sa habla ng punongbayan.

Pagkontra naman ng alkalde, “malisyoso na ako ay paratangan na nagpapapatay ng tao at namemerwisyo ng hanapbuhay . Ang mga ganitong uri ng posts ay mapanira at walang batayan para ilathala. Gayundin, may limitasyon ang freedom of speech at hindi ito dapat inaabuso kaya’t dahil dito ay pormal kong isinasampa ang kasong cyber libel laban kay Santos”. Bukod sa pagkakakulong ay hinihingan din ng alkalde si Santos ng P5-milyong halagang danyos o P1-milyon kada isang bilang ng habla.

Ani ng mayor, hindi lamang sa Pilipinas nababasa at napapanood ang nasabing mga posts at live ni Santos sa social media kundi sa buong mundo. “Maging ang mga nagkokomento dito at nagre-react ay mula sa Pilipinas at sa ibang bansa,” pahayag nito sa kanyang demanda.

Sa panayam ng NEWS CORE kay Santos, sinabi nito na patunayan na lamang ang habla sa kanya.

Si Santos ay naging kapitan ng Barangay Camias mula 2007-2018 at naging konsehal ng Bayan ng San Miguel 2019-2022.

Bukod sa akusa ni Santos kay Tiongson na ito ay isang “killer” at isang corrupt official na umano ay nasa likod ng illegal na quarry sa kanilang bayang San Miguel na mariing pinabulaanan ng alkalde, umano ay inakusahan at siniraan din ni De Leon ang alkalde sa mga live at posts nito bilang umano ay isang “bakla,” base rin sa pahayag ng punongbayan sa media.

17 counts ng cyber libel vs. De Leon

Labindalawang bilang ng cyber libel na nagkakahalaga ng  P12-milyon naman ang demanda ng alkalde laban kay De Leon dahil umano sa mga mapanirang live at posts nito laban sa kanya sa social media account nito sa kaparehas ding panahon, Nobyembre-Disyembre 2023. 

Noong Nob. 28, tinuran at ipinahiwatig ni De Leon na umano ay bakla ang nasabing alkalde ng sabihin nitong nakita niya ng dinakma ng opisyal ang ari ng isang opisyales ng Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) sa kanilang bayan.  “Sa harapan ko at sa harapan ng ibang tao, hindi pe-pwedeng magsisinungaling kitang-kita ko po na tatlong beses niyang hinipuan si …….(hindi po natin pinangalanan sa report na ito ang tinuran ni De Leon), yung batang SK na kakapanalo pa lang dito (pati po pangalan ng lugar na tinuran ni De Leon ay hindi rin natin inilathala upang maproteksiyunan ang nasabing batang lalaking SK official). Tatlong beses po na kitang-kita ko dinakma po niya ang “ari” ng bata. Tama ba iyan sa isang tulad niyang mayor ng San Miguel, Bulacan,” nakasaad sa umano’y post ni De Leon laban sa alkalde.

Subalit ayon sa alkalde, siya umano kailanma’y hindi nanghipo ng sino mang kalalakihan lalo na sa harap ng publiko at walang asunto o reklamo siyang kinaharap para maging batayan ng mapanirang akusasyon. Na malisyosong pagpaparatang lamang na siya ay malaswa at may pagnanasang sexual sa isang lalaki ang lahat ng tinuran ni De Leon.

Gayundin, sinabi ni De Leon sa post niya sa timeline ng kanyang social media account na umano ang mayor ay nagpahayag ng hindi maganda sa kanya na tila ba siya ay inihambing sa isang aso. “Tama ba na bastusin ako sa harapan, ako daw po kapag nangangailangan ay huwag na akong mag-boyfriend pa ng seryoso, tandang tanda ko iyong sinabi niya na kung ako naglilibido, isipin ninyo nanggaling pa iyan sa bunganga ng mayor ng San Miguel, Bulacan, kung nakakaramdam ako ng libido ay tawagin ko ang driver ko at magpatira daw ako sa driver ko. Wag mong itulad lahat sa iyo ang tao, dahil ikaw para kang “aso” Kasi ang aso kahit sa kalsada pagka siguro gustong magpatira titira kahit sa gitna ng kalye hindi naman tayo ganun”.

Subalit buwelta ng mayor, “wala akong minolestiya na mga kabataang lalaki at kahit kailan o ni minsan ay hindi ako naharap o nasampahan ng reklamo patungkol sa malisyosong pahayag na ito. Na Kailanma’y hindi ako nagbibitaw ng malaswang biro laban sa isang babae dahil ito ay sensitibong usapin lalo na sa harapan ng publiko. Na malisyoso at nakakasira ng pagkatao na ako ay ihalintulad sa isang “aso” o hayop na malaswa at hindi nakakaunawa ng moralidad pagdating sa usapin ng pakikipagtalik”.

Inihalintulad din ni De Leon si Tiongson kay dating Calauan, Laguna Mayor Antonio Sanchez na isang rapist at killer. “Naalala ko tuloy noong bata pa ako, napanood ko si Mayor Sanchez na nang rape ng batang babae, after mang rape papatayin,” post nito sa kanyang timeline. Subalit sa sagot ng alkalde na nakasaad din sa kanyang habla, mariin nitong itinanggi na siya ay isang mamamatay-tao at maliwanag na paninira lamang ang posts na iyon laban sa kanya upang sirain ang kanyang reputasyon.  

Inakusahan din ni De Leon ang alkalde bilang isa umanong corrupt official dahil ginagamit nito ang buwis at pera ng taong bayan ng San Miguel, Bulacan para sa sarili nitong kapakinabangan.

“Walang magandang layunin ang ginawang pagkokomento na ito ni Mary Grace De Leon sa social media laban sa akin lalo na at kanyang nilait ang aking pagkatao na masyadong mapanira, malisyoso na hinalintulad ako sa isang aso, isang convicted criminal na nanggahasa  at mamamatay-tao, sa pagpaparatang na nang-aabuso ng mga kabataang kalalakihan at paratang na ninanakaw ko ang kaban ng bayan para sa sariling kapakinabangan. Na ang lahat ng elemento ng cyber libel, defamatory imputation, malice, publication gamit ang social media at identifiability of the victim, ay nasa mga posts nilang ito ni Santos” pagdiriin din ng alkalde.

Sinabi pa nito na dahil sa mga pangyayari ay P12-milyong halaga para sa 12 bilang ng cyber libel cases ang danyos na dapat bayaran sa kanya ni De Leon.

Pahabol pa rin ng punongbayan, “ang freedom of speech ay may limitasyon na kung ito ay ginagawa upang siraan at yurakan lang ang dangal ng isang tao ng walang batayan ay dapat na itong bigyan ng karampatang parusa na naaayon sa batas”.

Ayon pa sa alkalde, siya ay naniniwala sa due process at sa kanyang paghahabla ay doon mapapatunayan ang walang humpay na umano ay mga paninira laban sa kanya at siya ay nananalig na mananaig ang katarungan laban sa mga abusado sa pagpapahayag gamit ang social media na sina Santos at De Leon at ito ay simula pa lamang ng mga kasong isasampa niya laban sa kanila.

Wala naman muna umanong maibibigay na komento si De Leon tungkol sa habla sa kanya ng kontakin ito  ng NEWS COREsa telepono nitong Biyernes dahil wala pa naman siya umanong natatanggap na kopya ng habla laban sa kanya.

The journey of Carmelita Aguilar, now 44, began with criticism over her decision to start a family at 18. What some saw as a poor choice turned out to be the foundation of her success. Facing financial challenges, she entered the paper mache business while juggling other responsibilities like selling snacks and dishes.

Moving from Parañaque to Cavite and finally settling in Pangil, Laguna, the couple encountered difficulties. Despite owning a house, they struggled with rising costs. To make ends meet, Carmelita became the driving force behind their paper mache business, while her husband worked in Cavite.

When his husband, Alejandro, worked abroad in Qatar, Carmelita managed the household and the business. Despite the challenges, she embraced the opportunity to focus on her paper mache craft.

Upon Alejandro’s return, Carmelita transformed her sideline into a full-time venture. Rejecting the idea of him working abroad again, they concentrated on expanding their paper mache business.

“People who work here in the Philippines and those abroad earn the same amount of money if they are persistent. I didn’t let him go back abroad to focus on the paper mâché business,” she said.

Financial support from CARD MRI Rizal Bank, Inc. (CARD RBI) played an important role in providing her business with an initial PHP 5,000 loan to purchase materials.

The couple are involved in every aspect of the business. Their great teamwork led to more opportunities such as becoming a subcontractor for a Manila-based paper mâché business. Gradually expanding, they hired skilled neighbors and became direct suppliers for an exporting company.

Carmelita’s resilience and determination shine through setbacks. From starting with a sideline to becoming a supplier for international markets, her journey mirrors growth and success. Grateful for CARD RBI’s support, she acknowledges the importance of their partnership in her achievements. “Whatever I have achieved in life, that is because of CARD RBI who was my first partner. I wouldn’t be able to start a business if it wasn’t for the loan they provided me. Their weekly sessions for their clients are also a great help regarding the proper management of money and resources,” she said.

For more than seven years, she has ventured into various businesses. She also started raising pigs. With 28 pigs and plans to invest more in pig farming, Carmelita continues to grow and diversify. She envisions her own mâché production building and a storage facility. Her message is clear: “When you stumble and fall, get back on your feet. Think about how to recover each time you lose. These lessons are crucial for our growth in the long run,” Carmelita concluded.