Latest news with #RevisedPenalCode
GMA Network
19 hours ago
- Business
- GMA Network
2 Customs brokers nabbed for alleged extortion
Authorities arrested two Customs brokers in Ermita, Manila for allegedly engaging in extortion targeting a local freight forwarder. In a statement on Wednesday, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said the suspects allegedly attempted to extort the victim by demanding an additional P1.9 million 'greasy money' for various offices that would issue the company's shipment from being on hold. The suspects were arrested Wednesday, a day after the freight forwarder company filed a complaint. 'It was to my understanding that the complainant was given only until June 3 to produce an additional P1.9 million on top of the P500,000 that was already previously paid for Otsuka's shipment. Even though the complaint was only filed on June 2, we needed to act fast in just a day to conduct the entrapment operation because there was a so-called deadline from the suspects,' BOC Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service Director Verne Enciso said. According to the BOC, the company already paid one of the suspects P500,000 for an 'all-inclusive engagement fee' that includes the broker's fee and customs duties and taxes. 'But upon arrival of the shipment, this certain Wyeth allegedly told the complainant that the shipment was on hold and would be subjected to a Warrant of Seizure and Detention unless the complainant, this Otsuka, pays an additional P1.9 million,' Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Group Juvymax Uy said. One of the suspects also said the shipment would be subject to a warrant of seizure and detention if the company failed to pay the additional fee by June 3. The suspects will face charges of robbery with violence or intimidation of persons by way of extortion under the Revised Penal Code. They were brought to the National Bureau of Investigation for booking procedures and will undergo inquest proceedings. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/LDF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Darryl Yap pleaded not guilty in Vic Sotto's cyberlibel case — lawyer
Director Darryl Yap on Tuesday pleaded not guilty in the cyberlibel case filed against him by actor-host Vic Sotto, his lawyer confirmed. The arraignment was at the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 203. Atty. Raymond Furtun, Yap's legal counsel, said that the next hearing will take place on August 19, Tuesday. Yap was charged for libel under Article 353 and 355 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended in relation to violation of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 The case stemmed from the teaser of the Yap's upcoming film, 'The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma,' released last January 1, wherein the character of Gina Alajar (who is portraying Charito Solis) asked the lead actress portraying Pepsi Paloma if she was raped by actor-host Vic Sotto. The lead character replied, 'yes.' Sotto's camp has denied the allegations against him. —AOL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Solon wants to criminalize fake news, troll farms, bot networks
Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District Representative Rufus Rodriguez has filed a bill seeking to criminalize the spread of fake news, and the operation of troll farms and bot networks that aim to circulate false information. Under House Bill 11506, Rufus seeks to have propagators of fake news and disinformation penalized with a fine of P500,000 to P2 million, and imprisonment of six years to 12 years, as he described these as a 'serious threat' to public trust, democratic institutions, and national stability. The bill specifically prohibits knowingly and maliciously publishing or disseminating any fake news or disinformation through any medium; and creating, operating, or financing troll farms, bot networks, or coordinated campaigns specifically aimed at spreading fake news. It also prohibits the dissemination of fake news or disinformation that incites violence, promotes hate speech, discredits democratic institutions, or may cause public panic or disorder; and facilitating or allowing the use of social media platforms or accounts to repeatedly and systemically engage in such acts. 'These falsehoods, often disseminated at scale through social media or synthetic content like deepfakes, have the power to incite confusion, manipulate public perception, and provoke civil disorder,' the lawmaker said. 'By striking a balance between protecting freedom of expression and addressing the dangerous consequences of intentional disinformation, this measure affirms the values of both liberty and responsibility in a modern, democratic society,' he added. While the country has existing laws including the Revised Penal Code and the Cybercrime Prevention Act, Rodriguez said these do not adequately address the evolving nature and impact of malicious disinformation campaigns. The solon also cited a Supreme Court ruling that the right to freedom of speech, of expression, and of the press is not absolute, as obscenity, defamation, incitement to violence, false advertising, and speech that poses a clear and present danger to public order or national security are not entitled to constitutional protection. The bill defines fake news as 'false or misleading information presented as fact or news, deliberately and maliciously disseminated to mislead the public, that may sow confusion, incite hatred or violence, or disrupt public order.' It also defines disinformation as 'false information intentionally spread to deceive, manipulate, or influence public perception, behavior, or policy.' Meanwhile, malicious intent is described as the 'deliberate or reckless disregard for truth, with the purpose of causing harm, panic, hatred, violence, or undermining trust in institutions.' —RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
26-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Bong Revilla eyeing raps vs. fake news peddlers after Eleksyon 2025 loss —lawyer
Senator Ramon 'Bong' Revilla Jr. is eyeing to file cyberlibel charges against individuals who purportedly spread fake news against him, which his camp believed was the reason for his loss in his 2025 reelection bid. Lawyer Raymond Fortun, Revilla's counsel, made the announcement in a press conference in the Senate Monday, exactly two weeks after the May 12 midterm elections. 'It is regrettable that his aspiration to continue to be of service to the country had been derailed due to the insidious work done by certain groups and individuals who had spread fake news on social media which, unfortunately, were accepted as gospel truth by the unsuspecting public,' Fortun said. 'After consulting with his family, Senator Revilla has decided to defend his and the family's reputation by exercising the legal remedies for people whose reputations are harmed through online platforms like social media, blogs, websites. It is his hope that doing so would discourage the use of anonymity or digital platforms to malign others without consequence,' he added. Fortun, who noted that the senator usually ranks high every senatorial elections, specifically mentioned false information about the Sandiganbayan ruling on the PDAF plunder case against Revilla. 'Notwithstanding such acquittals, certain individuals and groups during the run-up to the 2025 elections continued to vilify him by spreading fake posts that he had been convicted and ordered by the Sandiganbayan to return P124,500,000. This is a vicious lie, with the clear and malevolent intent to damage Senator Revilla's good name and reputation,' he said. Fortun argued that Revilla has no obligation to return the P124 million because he was acquitted in the plunder case against him. 'Kung acquitted siya, hindi po maaari na siya ay mapatawan ng civil damages dahil sinabi nga na abswelto siya eh. This is the decision itself made by the Sandiganbayan,' he said. (If he was acquitted, it cannot be that he will be meted civil damages precisely because he was acquitted.) The Sandiganbayan found businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles and Revilla's former chief of staff Richard Cambe guilty of plunder and sentenced to reclusion perpetua. The anti-graft court's decision read: "For failure of the prosecution to establish beyond reasonable doubt that accused Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Jr. received, directly or indirectly the rebates, commission, and kickbacks from his PDAF, the Court cannot hold him liable for the crime of Plunder. Accordingly, he is ACQUITTED." "Moreover, in view of the discussion above, and pursuant to Article 100 of the Revised Penal Code, accused are held solidarily and jointly liable to return to the National Treasury the amount of One Hundred Twenty-Four Million, Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 124.500,000.00)," it added. Coordinate with NBI According to Fortun, Revilla's camp will coordinate with the National Bureau of Investigation to identify the five to 10 individuals who spread 'malicious' posts against him, most of which were published two weeks before the May 12 polls. Fortun did not disclose the names or usernames of those who allegedly peddled fake news against Revilla. He, however, showed a screenshot of one post which supposedly altered one of Revilla's campaign speeches. Asked if they believe the misinformation and disinformation campaign against Revilla was organized, Fortun said 'it does not appear' to be organized. He then mentioned that they already discounted the possibility that the misinformation campaign was from the Duterte camp. 'Lumalabas na kung mayroon mang grupo, ngayon sasabihin ko na, walang kinalaman po yung kampo ng mga Duterte. Didiretsuhin ko na po…The camp of the former President [Rodrigo Duterte] has nothing to do with this' Fortun said. (I have to disclose now that if there is a group behind this, it is not identified with the Dutertes. The camp of former President Rodrigo Duterte has nothing to do with this.) For his reelection bid, Revilla ran under the banner of Lakas-CMD which is one of the political parties that composed the Marcos administration's Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas. 'Usually, akala natin 'yung laban ng grupo ng mga Marcos at 'yung grupo ng mga Duterte, hindi po. Lumalabas po na, it appears to be somebody else's move,' Fortun said, but refused to disclose to identify the group that he was referring to. (Usually, we thought that it would be a fight between the Marcos and Duterte camps. It appears to be somebody else's move.) In a phone interview, Revilla admitted that he was sad because he became a 'victim of fake news' and he is still adjusting with the results of the elections. Asked if he thinks that the campaign against him was orchestrated, Revilla said, 'Sa aking palagay, yes, orchestrated ito. Kung anong kulay ayoko nang alamin. Siguro, that's part of politics.' (I think yes, it was orchestrated. I don't want to know what color anymore. Maybe, that's part of politics.) 'Ang 'di maganda dito, 'yung fake news. Di naman tayo onion-skinned dahil marami na akong pinagdaanan sa public service… pero 'yung mapaniwala natin ang taumbayan sa kasinungalingan 'yun talaga ang di talaga tama,' he said. (What is not good is the fake news. I am not onion-skinned since I've gone through a lot in public service. But to influence the public via fake news is not right.) ''Di dapat palagpasin kung nangyari na ito noon, this time siguro, I will not allow it again. Kailangan mapanagot sila,' he added. (We should not let this pass. If it had happened in the past, this time, I will not allow it. They should be held responsible.) Revilla failed to continue his second term in the Senate after he landed on the 14th spot in the 2025 senatorial race. — with a report from Llanesca T. Panti/AOL/RSJ, GMA Integrated News For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.
GMA Network
23-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Camiguin brgy execs face raps over road closure
Officials of Bonbon, Catarman, Camiguin are facing charges before the Office of the Ombudsman for allegedly closing a national road without an ordinance. Chairman Camilo Apugan and all members of the barangay council are being accused of usurpation of legislative powers under Article 239 of the Revised Penal Code and for violating the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (RA 6713). The complaints were filed by former barangay chairman Christopher Rodriguez in August 2024. However, the Ombudsman only issued the order for the respondents to file their counter-affidavits on April 30, 2025, after Rodriguez completed filing the documents required. The case stemmed from the week-long closure of a national road in May 2024 to hold a 'night café' from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. allegedly without an ordinance from the barangay council or from the Sangguniang Bayan. 'Hassle kaayo sa mga commuters ibabaw gipaagi. Piot ang dalan dilikado ngitngit kun gadali ka malangan ka og abot,' Rodriguez said. 'Nakakuha ko certification sa vice mayor nga wala sila ordinance ana na purpose,' he added. In the three-page order, the Ombudsman said 'the respondents' failure to file their counter-affidavits within the aforesaid period shall be deemed a waiver of their right to submit controverting evidence and the investigation shall proceed accordingly.' 'Thereafter, these cases shall be deemed submitted for resolution on the basis of the evidence presented by the parties whose presence may be dispensed with, unless otherwise required for clarificatory questioning,' reads part of the order. For his part, Apugan said he will consult his legal counsel first before issuing any statement.
