oleh admin | Mar 27, 2025 | business, news, news media, scams and frauds, scandals
MANILA, Philippines – Business tycoons Ramon Ang and Enrique Razon Jr. have warned the public about deepfake scams and counterfeit advertisements on social media platforms that misuse their identities for deceptive investment opportunities.
Yesterday, San Miguel Corporation (SMC) Chairman and CEO Ramon Ang once again cautioned the public regarding the proliferation of counterfeit videos and internet advertisements that misuse his name and likeness to endorse unlawful financial schemes.
The video content, appearing as sponsored posts on Facebook, Instagram, and various social media channels, employs sophisticated techniques such as deepfakes to mimic genuine news reports, thereby deceiving viewers.
“These deceptive advertisements are causing significant harm to many individuals. We must take action against them. I urge government organizations, social media platforms, and citizens to collaborate in order to halt those responsible for these frauds and protect others from falling prey,” Ang stated.
Ang reaffirmed that he is not promoting any investment plans and is neither backing nor participating in any type of online financial opportunity.
He mentioned that SMC is considering taking legal action and is prepared to assist with investigations as well as potential prosecutions of those involved in the scams.
In order to safeguard the community, SMC has been working alongside officials to locate those accountable.
Ang also called on Meta and other platform proprietors to enhance their verification procedures for sponsored advertisements – particularly those that utilize the names and images of public figures without consent.
“These technology platforms possess the means to halt this situation. We’re requesting they take additional steps to safeguard their users,” he stated.
The International Container Terminal Services Inc. has alerted the public about online frauds that involve doctored videos and voice recordings purportedly featuring Razon, the company’s chairman, as well as other high-ranking officials.
As stated by the firm, the fake content surfacing on social media wrongly depicts Razon endorsing investment chances.
The company stated, ‘These allegations are completely false. Neither Mr. Razon nor ICTSI have supported any such ventures.’
ICTSI stated that the fraudulent content appears credible and might encompass proposals that look genuine.
“ICTSI stresses that these are unauthorized and meant to deceive viewers,” the statement read.
ICTSI is advising everyone to take precautions when interacting with online material related to ICTSI or the Razon Group, as this can aid in preventing online scams.
Similarly, the public is advised to refrain from disclosing their personal or financial data to unknown entities and to inform the relevant platforms about any dubious content or impersonation efforts they encounter.
Fraudsters are leveraging technology as a tool and utilizing well-known business figures and organizations to carry out their unlawful investment scams.
In addition to Ang and Razon, other magnates like Manuel Villar Jr. have similarly fallen victim to involvement in scam operations.
oleh admin | Mar 27, 2025 | news, political parties, politics, politics and government, politics and law
MANILA, Philippines — According to the most recent survey carried out by Social Weather Stations (SWS), nine party-list groups are at the forefront.
The poll conducted from March 15 to 20 for the Stratbase group revealed that the 4Ps party-list remains the top choice out of the 156 groups competing in this year’s elections.
It garnered the backing of 10.44 percent of the participants, closely trailed by Duterte Youth with 8.42 percent and ACT-CIS with 5.29 percent.
Behind them came FPJ Panday Bayanihan with 4.17 percent, followed by Ako Bicol at 2.51 percent, then Asenso Pinoy at 2.45 percent, Senior Citizens at 2.28 percent, TGP at 2.05 percent, and finally Agimat at 2.0 percent.
According to election guidelines, party-list groups that obtain a minimum of two percent of the overall votes are assured of securing at least one position in Congress.
The remaining seats were distributed according to the calculations provided by the Supreme Court in a previous decision.
Based on recent surveys, at least one percent of participants have backed 16 additional party-list organizations.
This list includes Tingog, Coop-Natco, Bicol Saro, EduAksyon, SSS-GSIS Pensionados, Anakalusugan, Malasakit@Bayanihan, 1-Rider, Kabataan, Agap, Manila Teachers, Magsasaka, PBBM, Trabaho, United Senior Citizens, and Murang Kuryente.
The head of StratBase, Dindo Manhit, stated that the steady performance of the top party-list organizations indicates a trend fueled by significant brand recognition and voter connection to their key issues.
Manhit encouraged voters to look past just recalling names and instead evaluate the platforms and track records of the party-list organizations.
“Although popularity and recognition significantly influence voter preferences, it’s crucial for Filipinos to consider more than just name recall when they cast their ballots,” he stated.
oleh admin | Mar 27, 2025 | crime, crimes, criminal cases, criminal justice, government
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Justice (DOJ) has brought forth accusations of tax evasion against five individuals from China for their alleged involvement in not paying PHP 5.7 billion in taxes related to an illicit cigarette trading operation.
The Department of Justice submitted the case to the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA), following the complaint from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) as well as the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
This case originated from the confiscation of 21,000 master cases of illicit cigarettes across six sites in Valenzuela and Bulacan last year.
The DOJ stated, “It is anticipated that warrants of arrest will be issued by the CTA against the Chinese nationals.”
The Department of Justice stated that the participation of foreign nationals in the unlawful cigarette trade came to light during a coordinated operation conducted in Valenzuela and Bulacan.
“The documentation provided by the BIR indicated that the tax debt owed by the Chinese individuals exceeded PHP 5.76 billion,” stated the DOJ.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla stated that the submission of the charges demonstrates that “offenses threatening our economy can be thwarted provided government agencies combine their resources and step up their efforts against tax evaders.”
oleh admin | Mar 27, 2025 | government, local news, politics, politics and government, politics and law
MANILA, Philippines – A collection of local government leaders are supporting the suspended Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro, calling for a just and open investigation into his situation.
The ombudsman directed Teodoro’s suspension for half a year just prior to the commencement of the election season for local contenders.
The Mayors for Good Governance (M4GG) stated that Teodoro ought to be provided an opportunity to present his perspective regarding the accusations made against him.
Consisting of 150 local leaders, the M4GG expressed confidence that justice will be served for Teodoro, who acts as one of the organization’s conveners.
On March 21, the Ombudsman placed Teodoro, Vice Mayor Marion Andres, and other Marikina officials under suspension without pay due to their involvement in an alleged misappropriation of ₱130 million from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation funds.
Teodoro upheld his innocence, stating that the suspension order was “plainly a case of political harassment.”
On Wednesday, the Comelec announced that Teodoro remains eligible to contest for the seat of representative representing the city’s first district during the upcoming midpoint electoral event in May.
Councilor Rommel Acuna assumed the role of interim Mayor of Marikina, while Councilor Ronnie Acuna became the acting Vice Mayor.
They took up their positions following the instructions from Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
oleh admin | Mar 27, 2025 | government, news, politics, politics and government, politics and law
-
Former Chief Justice David Maraga nearly found himself in hot water following comments he made at Rongo University that were misconstrued.
-
A media outlet broadcasted his statement as support for President William Ruto being described as a listener, which drew the notice of the disruptive X users who have been protesting against Ruto’s administration.
-
Nevertheless, Maraga promptly moved to clarify his stance, suggesting that his comments were intended as guidance for the president rather than an expression of support.
Kai Eli, a journalist with SANGGRALOKA.co.ke, has over three years of expertise in reporting on politics and contemporary issues within Kenya.
Former Chief Justice David Maraga aims to debunk the claim that he has become more lenient towards President William Ruto, who leads an administration increasingly disliked by the public.
A media organization, via its X account, cited Maraga as praising Ruto for acting like an attentive president, indicating that the previous chief of the judicial system might be softening his position on proper governance.
It was claimed that he made these comments on Thursday, March 27, during a public address about good governance, constitutional principles, and legal fairness at Rongo University.
The post caught the eye of Twitter users, who promptly started criticizing Maraga for contradicting himself.
They were curious about how the ex-CJ would transition from advocating for good governance to aligning himself with the president, who is criticized for poor leadership.
The temperature was rising, with Maraga having climbed to the top of the trending topics list.
He quickly stepped forward to clarify his stance, indicating that what was perceived as support for the president was actually just advice.
“However, if I were to provide guidance, I would urge him to hear out Kenyans…” said Maraga in a public lecture at Rongo University this morning.
