Duterte tags 2 generals in illegal drug trade, but no names mentioned

Metro Manila (AdChoiceTV News, October 4) — President Rodrigo 
Duterte said two generals are involved in the illegal drug trade, 
but did not name names or identify if they are from the military or police.

"Right now, even as I fly here and go back. 
There are about — again — two generals who are still playing 
with drugs," he said during the Valdai Discussion Club forum in Sochi, Russia 
on Thursday (Friday, Philippine time).

"And I said, 'Well, I told you do not destroy my country because 
it is being flooded with drugs,'" Duterte added.

Duterte also recalled that when he assumed the presidency in July 2016, 
he found out that nine generals were involved in drug trafficking.

During the think tank forum attended by other world leaders, 
Russian officials, and academicians, Duterte also defended his 
administration's bloody war on drugs. He lambasted his critics 
and rights advocates, adding he was surprised when even the 
United Nations Human Rights Commission "heavily criticized" 
his policy to kill drug suspects who refuse to surrender.

"I would post to the entire community of the world, 
'Is it wrong for a president to say do not destroy my country, 
especially the children, because I will kill you?' 
That was my order to the armed forces and the police," he said.

Government data show at least 6,600 people have been 
killed in anti-illegal drug operations since Duterte took office in 
July 2016. Local and international human rights groups say 
the anti-drug campaign has resulted in more than 20,000 
extrajudicial killings, a claim the government has denied.

Gov’t open to releasing full list of PH delegation to Russia amid junket allegations

Metro Manila — Malacañang said it is open to releasing the list of the entire delegation that accompanied President Rodrigo Duterte on his five-day trip to Russia.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo replied yes when asked by AdChoiceTV if the full list of the country’s delegation should be accessible to the public.

Panelo said the list can be requested from Chief of Presidential Protocol Robert Eric Borje. The protocol office has not yet responded to AdChoiceTV’s request.

This comes amid speculation from netizens that some government officials — and even civilians — are on a junket paid for by the government. Duterte had sacked many executives before for excessive travels.

Aside from 16 Cabinet members who are part of Duterte’s official delegation, an accompanying delegation is also with the President during his five-day trip. While a list of the official delegation has been released, a list of the accompanying delegation has yet to be made public.

However, some individuals have posted on social media identifying themselves as part of Duterte’s accompanying delegation. They include newly-appointed Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Usec. Mocha Uson and Eastern Samar Gov. Ben Evardone.

AdChoiceTV has asked Evardone about his role in the Russia trip, but he has not yet responded. On Instagram, he posted a video where he appeared to be strolling around Moscow's Red Square and photos of him eating caviar.

Evardone thanked former House Speaker Feliciano "Sonny" Belmonte Jr. for the caviar. Belmonte, who no longer holds any government post, is also in Russia and appears to have boarded the same plane with Duterte and other officials.

It is not clear whether Belmonte is part of the country’s delegation. But his daughter, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, thanked Quezon City 4th District Rep. Jesus “Bong” Suntay on Facebook for “spending my Dad’s birthday with him today in Russia as part of [President Rodrigo Duterte’s] official party.”

Other officials in the accompanying delegation include House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, and Reps. Sheen Tan, Ria Christian Fariñas and Marlyn “Len” Alonte.

Social media posts indicate that the following government officials are also in Russia, but it is unclear whether they are part of the Philippine delegation:

- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go

- Deputy Speaker Lord Allan Velasco

- Deputy Speaker Ferdinand Hernandez

- House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez

- Taguig-Pateros 1st District Rep. Lani Cayetano

- Cavite 7th DIstrict Rep. Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla

- Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo

- Camarines Sur 2nd District Rep. Luis Raymund “LRay” Villafuerte

- Palawan 1st District Rep. Franz “Chicoy” Alvarez

- Bohol 2nd District Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado

- Valenzuela City 1st District Rep. Weslie “Wes” Gatchalian

- Quirino Gov. Dakila Carlo “Dax” Cua

- Batangas Gov. Hermilando “Dodo” Mandanas

The spouses of some government officials were also seen accompanying them in Russia.

Atty. Larry Gadon, a 2019 senatorial race loser, was also spotted in Russia, posing for photos with other government officials

Celebrities, including Philip Salvador, James Ronald Obeso of comedy duo Moymoy Palaboy, and Cesar Montano, were also seen in social media posts from officials in Russia.

Panelo said that as far as he knows, these celebrities are not paid for entertaining the Filipino community as they wait for Duterte’s arrival.

“They have been doing that during the presidential campaign. They just happen to be genuine and rabid fans of the PRRD,” Panelo said.

Meanwhile, some 150 businessmen are also part of Duterte’s business delegation. Among them are Arnold Mamaclay of Rensol Recruitment and Antonio Tiu of Agrinurture Inc.

Sources said businessmen paid their own way to Russia and boarded a Qatar Airways flight to the country.

AdChoiceTV News Joan Indang, Joey Castro, Robi Chan contributed to this report.

Mon Tulfo says Andanar and brother Ben ‘manipulated’ DOT ad deal

Metro Manila (AdChoiceTV, June 8) — Columnist Ramon “Mon” Tulfo said the controversial advertisement deal between the Department of Tourism (DOT) and state-run People’s Television Network was “manipulated” by his brother Ben and Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar.

“Ang kawawa dito si [former DOT Secretary] Wanda [Tulfo-Teo] because Wanda was clueless all along. Ben and Andanar manipulated the whole thing,” the eldest Tulfo sibling told AdChoiceTV News at the Press Conference, Saturday. Wanda is the younger sister of Mon, who is serving as special envoy for public diplomacy to China.

[Translation: Former DOT Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo is to be pitied here because Wanda was clueless all along. Ben and Andanar manipulated the whole thing.]

Mon said Andanar and two TV executives he did not name should have spread out the advertisements instead of concentrating them on 'Kilos Pronto,' a blocktimer program on People’s Television produced by Bitag Media Unlimited, owned by Tulfo-Teo’s brother, Ben.

At the time, 'Kilos Pronto' was hosted by Ben’s brother, Erwin, and broadcaster Alex Santos.

Mon said that their sister could not be faulted for corruption but for “being clueless and for not having the brightest people around her.” He added that he recommended to President Rodrigo Duterte that Tulfo-Teo be sacked for incompetence.

Initial reports said Tulfo-Teo was fired from her post after the controversy, but it was later announced that she resigned.

Tulfo-Teo was embroiled in conflict of interest allegations for approving an advertisement deal between the DOT, which she then headed, and People’s Television.

The Commission on Audit (COA) found that the deal, which it flagged for lacking documents, paid out ₱60 million to Bitag Media.

Tulfo-Teo has repeatedly denied having knowledge of the deal and that it would benefit her brother’s production company.

Andanar has also denied having a hand in it, despite reports saying that he reached out to the DOT under Tulfo-Teo for a partnership in marketing Philippine tourism.

Tulfo-Teo’s camp has also said that People’s Television chose the time slot for the ads, picking 'Kilos Pronto' as the show that would carry the DOT’s advertisements.

Despite the COA and Senate Blue Ribbon committee chair Richard “Dick” Gordon seeing graft in the ad deal, Ben still refuses to return the ₱60 million his company earned through the controversial agreement, even if Mon has advised him to do so.

“He has his own mind. In fact, when I said, ‘Ben, I think you should return the money.’ He said, ‘F*** you. Don’t tell me what to do,’” Mon said. The special envoy has previously called Ben the “black sheep” of the family in a 2018 column about the ad deal.

The ad deal is a specter that continues to haunt the Tulfo siblings whenever their names return to the headlines.

This issue was brought up again by social media users after Erwin unleashed a string of insults against Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista for failing to take his call.

Erwin has since apologized for his “excessive rants” against Bautista, but refused to retract his criticisms.

Robert Chan, CEO of an Advertising Agency in the Philippines told AdChoiceTV News, that the ₱60 million contract for promoting the Philippines is too much for Bitag TV Ads and the fund should be for a prime time shows not for Bitag which market is only the Philippines and OFW. We never had the chance to bid for the government as this project did not go through a proper procurement, Chan said. The ₱60 million budget should be use in an International media as this is promoting the country, he added.

Mon said his brother would issue Monday an “unequivocal” public apology.


AdChoiceTV News, Francis Ilagan reporting.

SoKor to relax visa requirements for Filipinos

MANILA - (UPDATE) Filipinos hoping to visit the land of K-dramas, K-pop and samgyupsal can expect an easier route to South Korea as the Asian country relaxes visa requirements and eases the application process, South Korea's envoy to the Philippines said Sunday. 

South Korean ambassador Han Dongman said they are simplifying the process of visa applications to encourage more Filipinos to visit South Korea. 

Half a million Filipinos visited Korea in 2018, Han said during the celebration of the 70th anniversary of Filipino-Korean diplomatic ties in Manila. 

Visa applications can now be coursed through travel agencies to reduce the lines at the South Korean embassy, Han said. 

The Embassy now allows for express visa processing for urgent visa requests.

They are also decreasing the volume of documents needed, especially for qualified professionals such as lawyers, physicians, media, and high ranking government officials.

Han said these sectors will be eligible for multiple-entry visas valid from 5 to 10 years. 

"For those qualified for the multiple visa, they can submit only one paper saying I am working for this company," Han said. 

Since May 2018, the Embassy has been requesting for only certificate of employment for employees of selected top 100 companies or certificate of enrollment of students in local top 10 universities.

It added that the South Korean government is gradually expanding the scope of eligibility for multiple-entry visas.

Meanwhile, the Embassy clarified that the list of requirements for visa applicants still differ depending on the occupation of the applicant. The list can be viewed on their website. 

Aside from that, South Korea is also doubling the number of scholarships offered to Filipinos to also get more to study there. 

"We are encouraging people-to-people exchange, not only tourists but also students. So we are inviting many Korean students to study in the Philippines, and also we are inviting many qualified, talented Filipinos, in particular, university students to get scholarship," he said. 

At the same time, Han said South Korea will work to increase the amount of trade and visitors from Korea to the Philippines, aiming to reach up to 2 million arrivals this year. 

Koreans have topped the list of foreign tourists arriving in the Philippines for the past 10 years, Han said. - AdChoiceTV News

AdChoiceTV Robi Chan contributed to this report

BREAKING NEWS: Magic 12 Senators in the Philippines, COMELEC

Manila, Philippines - Comelec released the Magic 12 base on the final tally as of May 22, 2019.

1. Cynthia Villar - 25,283,727
2. Grace Poe - 22,029,788
3. Bong Go - 20,657,702
4. Pia Cayetano - 19,789,019
5. Bato Dela Rosa - 19,004,225
6. Sonny Angara - 18,161,862
7. Lito Lapid - 16,965,464
8. Imee Marcos - 15,882,628
9. Francis Tolentino - 15,510,026
10. Koko Pimentel - 14,668,665
11. Bong Revilla - 14,624,445
12. Nancy Binay - 14,504,936

These Senators will be in power of the Philippines for the next 6 years. 

Comelec has set the proclamation of the 12 winning Senators at 10AM today. Each winning Senator will be allowed to have five guest.

AdChoiceTV Robi Chan contributed to this report

Filipina House Worker dies in Kuwait

A 47-year-old overseas Filipino worker (OFW) died at the hands of her employer in Kuwait, according to the Department of Labor and Employment on Thursday.

The victim was identified as Constancia Lago Dayag, a native of Agadanan, Isabela.

"Initial reports reaching my office indicate that Ms. Dayag was brought to Al Sabah Hospital the other night but was declared dead on arrival," Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said in a statement.

"Her body bore various contusions and hematoma," he said, adding that a cucumber had also been inserted in her body.

Bello condemned the abuse Dayag endured.

"Aside from apparent violation of the agreement on the protection of OFWs between our government and Kuwait, there appears to have been a breach of the employment contract by the foreign employer," he said.

Bello said he already directed the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Kuwait to track down the foreign and local agencies responsible for Dayag's deployment.

He also extended his condolences to the victim's family and vowed justice for her death. — AdChoiceTV

AdChoiceTV Robert Chan contributed to this report.

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Filipino Blood is the new Town Mayor in England

LONDON - After being reelected as councilor for the third time in East Grinstead, West Sussex in the UK, a Filipino nurse is the new town mayor of East Grinstead. 

Danny Favor, an ophthalmic clinical nurse specialist at the Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in East Grinstead,migrated to the UK in 2000, with his wife, who is also a nurse. 

His first foray in politics was in 2011, when he ran for councilor in the Asphalt Ward on the East Grinstead Town Council under the Conservative Party. 

He made history as the first Philippine-born migrant to be elected in public office in the UK. 

“Entering into British politics was God given opportunity. It was not in our plan and beyond my dreams and expectations," said Favor. 

"One month before the election, I reluctantly signed the nomination to stand as town councilor candidate after I was insistently encouraged by one of conservative councilors to join them as they really need to fill in the gap. My wife, Maribel, had agreed and asked me to sign the paperwork stating that I don't need to worry as the chance of winning for me was very slim anyway. The result was a great landslide victory after all and I won unexpectedly for the first time having the second highest vote in our ward," Favor narrated.

In 2015, when he was reelected as town councilor for the second time, his ascent to the highest post in town was unstoppable. Last year, he was installed as deputy mayor. 

He admits the recent election was tough. He described the campaign as a walk into the "storm of negativity” because of the challenging issues in the national level, related to Brexit. 

He soldiered on with his Tory partymates and secured a seat.

He will serve as mayor for a year, starting May 13. His term as a councilor will end in 2023. 

Favor said leading the Filipino British Association of East Grinstead in 2019 paved the way for his political career in England. He became more involved in various groups within the Filipino communities and beyond: from spearheading fundraising events to listening to problems of Filipinos and giving advice. 

He hopes to inspire British-Filipinos who might want to venture into local politics in the UK. 

 “I always encourage our fellowmen to come out and be more pro-active in our community. He told AdChoiceTV that There are lots of great opportunities out there that they can be involved and enjoy at the same time. 

He shares this achievement with his kababayan: “This honor is for all of us Filipinos. I’m proud to be Pinoy,’ Favor said. - AdChoiceTV

AdChoiceTV Robert Tagnawa Chan contributed to this report