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06:53.4
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06:59.0
Hello everyone, it's Thursday, May 16 here in Manila.
07:12.8
I'm Karen Davila giving you the head start for the day.
07:15.9
Our guest for Hot Copy today, we have Senator Sherwin Gatchalian.
07:20.1
In focus today, the controversial mayor of Bambantarlac
07:25.4
and the illegal offshore gaming operations
07:29.0
Pogo in the province.
07:31.1
But first, the headlines.
07:33.5
Today's big stories.
07:35.1
The second civilian mission to the West Philippine Sea
07:38.0
continues its voyage to Scarborough Shoal.
07:42.7
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico
07:44.9
in critical condition following an assassination attempt.
07:49.7
And the race for the White House heats up
07:52.3
as US President Joe Biden and Donald Trump
07:56.0
agree to two debates.
07:59.0
A strong message to China on the resolve of the Philippines
08:05.1
in asserting its maritime rights.
08:08.3
The civilian mission of the Atin Ito Coalition
08:11.0
continues to make its way to Scarborough Shoal.
08:15.4
ABS-CBN's Jervis Manahan joins us live from the West Philippine Sea.
08:21.5
Jervis, magandang umaga sa iyo.
08:26.7
Yes, good morning, Karen.
08:28.1
It's our second day here at the West Philippine Sea
08:30.4
and we're still within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone.
08:33.7
We are not allowed to tell our exact coordinates,
08:37.7
our exact location,
08:38.6
but it has been quite stationary since 10 p.m. last night.
08:42.4
The Chinese Coast Guard Vessel 4204
08:45.0
has been constantly shadowing us
08:47.4
and intimidating us since yesterday.
08:49.7
And right now, we can see it from a distance
08:51.9
here at the boat of the Atin Ito Civilian Supply Mission.
08:55.8
Earlier today, the Filipino fishermen
08:57.7
and ATIN Ito Coalition,
08:58.1
ATIN Ito Volunteers,
08:59.2
bravely held fishing activities in our waters
09:02.5
despite close watch by the Chinese Coast Guard.
09:06.5
Our Filipino fishermen had the bountiful catch
09:09.1
of a variety of fish.
09:11.2
The Philippine Coast Guard Vessel
09:12.6
also remains in visual distance from us.
09:15.7
We are still waiting for advice
09:17.3
if we will still move closer to the Scarborough Shoal.
09:21.2
Sea Light Maritime Analyst Ray Powell
09:22.9
has reported that China has already positioned
09:25.8
its huge blockade at the Scarborough Shoal.
09:30.7
the Philippine Coast Guard confirmed
09:32.8
that there is a huge presence
09:34.2
of Chinese vessels in the area.
09:37.1
Yesterday, major objectives of the mission
09:40.7
including doing a peace and solidarity regatta,
09:44.2
deploying symbolic boys and markers
09:46.3
at the West Philippine Sea,
09:48.1
and distributing assistance to fishermen.
09:50.9
So, Karen, we are still closely watching
09:52.5
developments for today.
09:55.8
Alright, Jervis, I want to ask you,
09:57.5
can you give us a situationer of Scarborough Shoal?
10:00.9
What's been reported is Filipino fishermen
10:03.7
are able to fish outside or at the mouth of the shoal.
10:08.7
Itong mga manging isda na natulungan nila,
10:11.6
sila ba ay nasa labas ng bukanan ng Scarborough Shoal?
10:16.9
Nakakapangisda ba sila ng matiwasay?
10:23.0
Based on our conversations with our fishermen,
10:25.7
most of the fishermen from us,
10:27.5
cannot really come close to the Scarborough Shoal itself.
10:30.7
Those fishermen that we have seen
10:33.5
and we have distributed food packs and fuels
10:36.2
and supplies yesterday,
10:38.3
we're fishing just within the Philippine EEZ,
10:41.5
but still quite far from the Scarborough Shoal.
10:44.2
So we believe that from where we are right now,
10:46.7
it's still a few hours.
10:47.7
The Scarborough Shoal is still a few hours away,
10:50.5
so we'll check if there are fishermen in the area.
10:56.3
So, ang ibig sabihin,
10:57.5
Jervis, niwala kayo,
10:59.3
ang layo nyo pa sa Scarborough Shoal,
11:01.8
pero sa loob ng EEZ ng Pilipinas,
11:05.8
kung saan nangingisda talaga ang ating mga fishermen,
11:09.4
e meron ng Chinese Coast Guard doon.
11:11.9
Are they, can you talk about it?
11:14.2
Is it the Chinese Coast Guard?
11:16.3
Is it Chinese militia?
11:19.1
Anong uri ng, or Chinese fishing vessels?
11:25.5
The first Chinese vessel,
11:27.5
so yesterday was just 50 nautical miles from the mainland Zambales.
11:33.4
It's quite close to our mainland.
11:36.0
It's within the Philippine EEZ.
11:38.0
And these are huge Chinese Coast Guard ships.
11:41.2
Yesterday, we saw two.
11:43.0
The one was identified to be a Chinese Coast Guard vessel 4109,
11:47.4
and then there's another one.
11:48.8
It's Coast Guard of China, vessel 4108.
11:52.0
And this morning, another Chinese vessel from the Chinese Coast Guard also shadowed us.
11:57.5
This is the first Chinese Coast Guard vessel 4203.
12:00.6
So far, we have seen three Chinese Coast Guard vessels within the Philippine EEZ.
12:07.6
Well, Jervis, this is quite unfortunate that you're losing your signal
12:12.0
because you are in the middle of the West Philippine Sea right now.
12:15.7
Very strong messaging over there, and thank you.
12:19.2
And hopefully, we can talk to you later on in the program.
12:21.9
Thank you, Jervis Manahan, reporting from the West Philippine Sea.
12:27.5
Now, on Hot Copy this morning,
12:29.7
the questionable background of a Tarlac town mayor
12:34.4
who is being linked to illegal Pogos.
12:38.1
Victoria Tulad has the story.
12:43.2
Bamban Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo denied having anything to do
12:47.1
with Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators or Pogos
12:49.9
in Bawfu Compound in Anapo Village, Bamban Tarlac.
12:54.7
During the hearing of the Senate Committee on Women,
12:57.5
Family Relations and Gender Equality,
13:00.3
the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission or PAOC
13:03.4
linked Guo to Pogo operations citing utility bills
13:07.4
of the compound addressed to her
13:08.9
and the vehicle found in the company compound.
13:11.7
Hindi po ako operator,
13:13.3
hindi po ako protector o cutler po ng Pogo.
13:16.9
Wala po akong kinalaman sa kanilang operation
13:19.4
at sa kahit anong gawain sa loob at labas po ng Pogo.
13:24.4
Dati po akong isang inkorporator po ng Bawfu,
13:27.5
ngunit ito po ay aking naibenta bago pa po ako pumasok sa politika.
13:33.3
According to Guo, she owned 50% of the compound's land
13:36.8
when she was still its incorporator
13:38.9
but did not know anything about its sales and finances.
13:43.0
Committee Chairperson Senator Risa Ontiveros
13:45.2
and Senator Sherwin Gatchalian
13:46.8
raised concerns about Guo's statements.
13:50.0
One reason is her being partners with a certain Huang Ziyang,
13:53.6
a Chinese fugitive, when she was still Bawfu's incorporator.
13:57.5
Hindi ko po alam na yung fugitive po siya.
13:59.6
Maraming red flags eh.
14:01.6
Number one is fugitive yung isang partner.
14:05.9
Number two, sa financial statements,
14:11.1
hindi nakadeclare yung assets and assets
14:13.6
and hindi rin nakadeclare yung kanyang sales.
14:18.3
Even Guo's background was put into question.
14:21.0
I am most alarmed by how opaque Mayor Alice Guo's answers have been.
14:27.5
Especially about her personal background.
14:31.2
No school records from grade school to high school.
14:34.6
No hospital records dahil ipinanganak sa bahay.
14:38.7
Di masagot kung ang mga kapareho nilang address
14:42.2
ay kamag-anak nila or hindi.
14:44.8
Reports of cyber hacking, surveillance, scams, and torture
14:48.3
were traced to the Pogos in the said compound.
14:51.4
The Pogo Hongxing operated until February 2023
14:55.3
while Zunyuan Technologies,
14:57.5
operated until March 2024 after it was raided.
15:02.7
During that raid, authorities found several cell phones
15:05.8
in the building of Zunyuan.
15:07.8
They also rescued the Vietnamese and Malaysian national
15:10.4
who were alleged victims of a work scam.
15:13.1
Underground tunnels connecting multi-million Peso villas
15:16.4
were also found in the compound.
15:18.2
There's an actual panic room.
15:21.7
So it is for that reason that
15:23.2
during the initial serving of the warrant,
15:26.9
the people who...
15:27.5
who were inhabiting that particular villas
15:29.3
were not found by our police officers
15:31.2
because they were hiding in the panic room.
15:33.5
The Department of Interior and Local Government
15:35.8
has also conducted its own investigation on the issue.
15:39.3
It has submitted its recommendation to the Office of the Ombudsman
15:42.1
to file administrative and criminal cases
15:44.7
against certain individuals,
15:46.5
including officials of the local government of Bambantarlak.
15:50.5
Gatchalian, meanwhile,
15:52.1
questioned the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation
15:54.6
for giving a provisional license
15:56.8
to Zunyuan Technologies,
15:57.5
even though it was already considered
15:59.5
as a high-risk Pogo.
16:01.3
During the grant of the provisional license,
16:04.3
there was no indications yet
16:06.7
of these characterizations.
16:10.1
So that's the reason po
16:11.4
why they were still given a provisional license.
16:14.2
But I think pag high-risk,
16:15.0
huwag na natin ipa-operate yan.
16:16.8
Buti nga, mayroon lumabas na nag-complain.
16:19.1
Kung hindi nag-complain yan,
16:21.0
hindi natin alam,
16:21.8
baka ilang taon na nag-ooperate yan,
16:24.5
ang daming human traffic.
16:28.7
at maraming natutorture.
16:30.5
According to Paok,
16:31.6
Pogos have been linked
16:32.8
to human trafficking,
16:36.1
and killings in the country.
16:41.6
Alright, joining us now on Hot Copy,
16:44.2
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian.
16:45.9
Senator Gatchalian,
16:46.9
good morning to you.
16:48.0
Good morning, Karen.
16:48.8
Good morning to our televiewers.
16:50.2
Alright, now what transpired
16:54.0
on so many levels.
16:56.2
So, I'll start first with this.
16:59.8
Is Bambantarlak Mayor Alice Guo,
17:03.4
is she a Filipino citizen?
17:07.1
Taga saan po ba siya talaga?
17:10.8
there are a lot of inconsistencies.
17:14.2
In fact, I took a look
17:15.3
at the documents again yesterday.
17:17.9
And in her birth certificate,
17:22.0
or somebody declared,
17:23.2
that her father is Filipino
17:25.0
and her mother is Filipino.
17:27.1
But in the corporate papers
17:30.9
because they own various companies
17:33.5
in which the father is also
17:35.9
one of the incorporators,
17:37.9
the father's citizenship there is Chinese.
17:40.7
So, there's inconsistency
17:42.9
between the birth certificate
17:44.6
and also the incorporation papers.
17:48.5
As to the mother,
17:52.2
Mayor Guo mentioned in the hearing
17:55.0
doesn't know her mother.
17:57.6
has no idea who her mother is.
18:00.6
And so, we're still locating documents
18:04.0
pertaining to the mother,
18:06.5
whether the mother is Filipino or Chinese.
18:09.3
But to this point,
18:10.6
she's non-existent
18:11.5
because we don't know where she is.
18:16.9
doesn't even know where she is as well.
18:20.4
But basic questions
18:21.8
that you both asked is,
18:24.5
where were you born?
18:25.7
Where did you live?
18:26.6
Where did she study?
18:28.0
If you're born in a certain country
18:30.1
and you've lived in a certain country,
18:32.4
you clearly have,
18:33.5
you have history, right?
18:36.1
So, what's been established,
18:39.8
Where did she study?
18:40.8
Grade school, for example.
18:42.7
As far as her youth is concerned,
18:45.3
because she was born,
18:49.5
through a midwife
18:56.9
not in the hospital.
18:58.2
I think she was born at home.
19:00.3
That's what her declaration is.
19:02.4
She's homeschooled
19:03.4
for basic education,
19:05.1
meaning elementary and high school.
19:06.4
And she also said
19:07.5
that she didn't go to college.
19:09.4
So, that part of her life
19:11.2
is actually missing
19:13.6
or according to her,
19:15.3
she lived in her farm
19:16.8
and that's where she grew up
19:18.9
a big chunk of her life.
19:22.9
she went on narrating that,
19:27.2
or her family business
19:30.8
and into farming.
19:35.8
because she also admitted
19:38.3
that she met people in Clark
19:41.0
and then she entered
19:43.1
into a partnership with them.
19:45.4
And this partnership
19:47.1
became what we call
19:48.7
the Baufood Land Development,
19:51.6
which developed basically
19:54.5
10 hectare CBD in Bamban.
19:58.6
And when we went on asking
20:00.2
how come the financial statements
20:03.4
did not reflect the assets
20:06.8
that built the assets,
20:08.4
she said she doesn't know
20:09.5
and she has no idea
20:11.3
on those financial statements.
20:14.1
So, before we move to the company,
20:16.2
I think what's surprising
20:18.4
is this is an elected official,
20:21.8
So, this is a woman
20:25.3
the Comelec obviously cleared her,
20:29.2
to actually make judgments
20:30.9
on identities, right?
20:34.4
That's another issue.
20:35.7
But this is a woman
20:38.3
That's number one.
20:39.7
And are we saying,
20:47.4
who's seen her growing up,
20:51.1
any local friend?
20:53.5
no history whatsoever
20:55.2
of anything local.
20:57.4
Because the reasons
21:00.1
She was given birth
21:10.7
nasa loob siya ng bahay
21:11.9
hanggang naging mayor siya.
21:14.3
Ganon ang kwento.
21:19.3
her birth certificate
21:20.2
is registered late.
21:23.1
when she was 17 years old
21:25.5
when her birth certificate
21:27.8
So, from the time of birth
21:29.0
until 17 years old,
21:31.4
any birth certificate.
21:34.1
she can't attend school,
21:35.5
she can't get a passport,
21:37.2
she can't move around.
21:38.1
You know, in our country,
21:39.0
you need your birth certificate
21:40.1
to prove many things.
21:42.8
another question mark.
21:45.6
how come so late?
21:47.5
Even though it happens,
21:48.9
but for a business person
21:52.0
is into business,
21:54.1
your parents will get
21:55.4
a birth certificate
21:56.2
because you want to travel
21:57.3
or you want to enroll
22:01.2
That's also another question mark.
22:02.5
How does she travel,
22:05.0
Because as a mayor,
22:06.7
she has a passport.
22:08.3
She has a passport.
22:09.8
Based on our information
22:11.3
from the virus government agency,
22:13.4
she has a passport.
22:16.1
we have to go back
22:21.6
I've seen in various
22:24.8
that they interviewed
22:26.4
a few of the residents
22:29.1
and they attested
22:30.0
that they've seen her.
22:31.4
And there are stories
22:32.5
that they've seen her
22:33.8
when she was a child.
22:36.3
to look at the evidence.
22:37.5
These are anecdotes
22:38.5
and there's no way
22:43.8
but what's important now
22:48.2
establishing her,
22:49.5
the basic requirement
22:51.1
to run for public office
22:52.6
and more importantly,
22:53.1
what's her connection
22:55.9
to the Pogo companies
22:59.8
in the same place twice.
23:02.7
One before she was a mayor
23:05.3
when she was a mayor already.
23:07.8
So, we're talking about
23:09.5
this 10-hectare compound.
23:12.0
It's a massive compound
23:13.9
wherein right now
23:15.7
it's Zoon Yuan Technology
23:19.2
And there's a licensed Pogo
23:21.2
inside the Pogo company.
23:23.1
So, it's a 10-hectare compound.
23:25.1
My first question,
23:26.1
does she own the land?
23:27.1
She said in the hearing
23:33.1
the 10-hectare land.
23:34.1
And according to her,
23:35.1
Baofu Land is the one
23:36.1
who also put up the buildings.
23:39.1
The first Pogo company,
23:45.1
is a lessee of that land.
23:50.1
And that was the first raid.
23:57.1
because of cyber crimes
24:03.1
and other cyber crimes.
24:05.1
And when we were looking
24:07.1
at the documents,
24:08.1
it was Alice Guo.
24:12.1
she was not a mayor yet,
24:13.1
who was the applicant
24:16.1
the Pogo company that was raided.
24:18.1
But in the hearing,
24:19.1
we were surprised
24:20.1
that she denied it.
24:22.1
she has any connection
24:25.1
the Sanggunian Resolution
24:28.1
was named after her.
24:32.1
all the applications
24:33.1
for the buildings,
24:34.1
we looked at the building permit,
24:36.1
we looked at the occupancy permit,
24:37.1
we looked at the sanitation permit,
24:41.1
all the documents.
24:44.1
All the documents.
24:47.1
In that document,
24:50.1
the applicant there,
24:54.1
So all the documents
24:55.1
were applied by Alice Guo
24:59.1
when she was a private citizen.
25:02.1
So what we're saying now
25:03.1
is we have a sitting mayor,
25:04.1
an elected official,
25:08.1
for a Pogo license.
25:11.1
A gambling license, right?
25:16.1
but at the end of the day,
25:17.1
the documents reveal
25:18.1
that she was an applicant.
25:20.1
My next question.
25:21.1
So she owns the land, right?
25:24.1
So what was raided
25:25.1
in ZUN-U1 technology
25:27.1
is illegal activities,
25:31.1
there are firearms there?
25:34.1
There were people.
25:36.1
Yes, human trafficking.
25:38.1
they deported close to about
25:43.1
in that facility illegally.
25:46.1
they came in as tourists,
25:47.1
and then all of a sudden,
25:48.1
they were working in ZUN-U1.
25:49.1
And they didn't have
25:50.1
any work permits,
25:52.1
any gaming permits,
25:53.1
they were just working there.
25:54.1
And this is the modus
25:57.1
that we are seeing.
25:59.1
These Pogo companies
26:01.1
are duly licensed
26:03.1
They have a legitimate license.
26:05.1
But behind that license
26:06.1
are all the scamming activities.
26:10.1
and there are a lot of
26:11.1
violations of these scams.
26:12.1
And prostitution.
26:20.1
is the most concerning
26:23.1
because this is actually
26:25.1
present in all the
26:28.1
that were conducted
26:29.1
in the last two years.
26:30.1
No legitimate license,
26:33.1
is scamming activities.
26:35.1
And the masterminds,
26:37.1
all are fugitives.
26:38.1
They have warrants of arrest.
26:40.1
The countries are looking for them.
26:44.1
human trafficking
26:45.1
is present in all of those raids.
26:48.1
there was a fugitive.
26:52.1
already deported?
26:58.1
one of her partners
26:59.1
in another partner
27:04.1
one of her partners
27:09.1
And she claimed in the hearing
27:11.1
he was a fugitive.
27:17.1
she's a sitting mayor.
27:23.1
Zoon U1 technology
27:24.1
can only be put up
27:29.1
Nothing in local towns
27:30.1
will ever be put up
27:32.1
has a sitting mayor.
27:35.1
what did she say there?
27:38.1
this is actually another
27:41.1
We were asking her
27:45.1
annual financial statement,
27:51.1
She's also the president
27:53.1
before she became
27:57.1
she holds the highest position
27:59.1
At the same time,
28:06.1
the course of that company.
28:07.1
But when we were asking her
28:08.1
about the financial statement,
28:10.1
how come there's no sales
28:16.1
she doesn't know.
28:17.1
She has no knowledge
28:21.1
is not being registered.
28:23.1
we will be asking BIR
28:24.1
about that as well.
28:26.1
there's a possibility
28:27.1
that a sitting mayor
28:33.1
and then you don't know
28:35.1
with your own taxes,
28:39.1
being a president
28:43.1
about your company
28:47.1
with an individual.
28:48.1
I think the first thing
28:56.1
conduct due diligence
28:57.1
on your partners.
29:06.1
because of those crimes
29:07.1
that that person committed.
29:10.1
the irony of it all.
29:13.1
managed to escape
29:15.1
because the villas
29:16.1
where they are living in
29:17.1
had tunnels underneath.
29:22.1
he managed to escape
29:23.1
through the tunnels
29:27.1
that were constructed
29:34.1
because if you're
29:35.1
a private citizen,
29:37.1
something illegal,
29:41.1
But what makes this worse
29:42.1
is you're an elected
29:43.1
official of the country
29:53.1
in a whole other situation.
30:03.1
Alam ba niyang may
30:04.1
underground tunnel?
30:05.1
Alam ba niyang may
30:18.1
because Baw Fu Lan
30:19.1
is the land owner
30:20.1
and the developer
30:21.1
of that building.
30:22.1
In the application form,
30:23.1
she's the applicant.
30:24.1
She's the applicant
30:25.1
for the building permit.
30:26.1
She's the applicant
30:27.1
for all the permits.
30:31.1
that I don't know
30:33.1
tunnel being built.
30:35.1
what facilities are there.
30:36.1
She knows everything
30:37.1
because she's the applicant.
30:38.1
That's number one.
30:44.1
the municipal hall
30:51.1
less than 300 meters
30:52.1
away from the complex.
30:54.1
So, in other words,
30:57.1
for her not to know
31:02.1
of that facility.
31:03.1
Even the barangay captains
31:05.1
happening inside.
31:06.1
You'll have an inkling.
31:08.1
you'll have an inkling,
31:09.1
especially with Bogos
31:13.1
illegal operations.
31:18.1
Zunyuan to come in.
31:20.1
We have to ask her
31:23.1
the due diligence
31:27.1
the owners of Zunyuan
31:29.1
during the hearing
31:31.1
And the addresses
31:35.1
So, in other words,
31:37.1
is a fake company.
31:41.1
is a fake company.
31:44.1
Because we invited
31:49.1
and the committee secretary
31:50.1
went there personally
31:52.1
find the address.
31:53.1
It's non-existent.
31:55.1
We couldn't find the people.
31:59.1
I think that's a basic
32:02.1
if the incorporators
32:04.1
then the whole company
32:11.1
grant a license to?
32:18.1
If Zunyuan is fake,
32:23.1
To both companies,
32:36.1
That's an excellent question.
32:39.1
because in their guidelines,
32:40.1
PAGCOR issued guidelines
32:45.1
in giving out licenses.
32:46.1
And in their guidelines,
32:51.1
meaning you have to check
32:54.1
of the declaration
32:56.1
And you were asking them,
32:58.1
in your guidelines,
32:59.1
in your own guidelines,
33:00.1
you have probity check?
33:02.1
committee secretary
33:03.1
went to investigate
33:04.1
these incorporators,
33:05.1
they couldn't be found.
33:06.1
And they couldn't give us
33:08.1
a straight answer.
33:09.1
At the same time,
33:11.1
they flagged this
33:14.1
this POGO company,
33:17.1
And yet they allowed it
33:22.1
I think they call it
33:23.1
a provisional permit.
33:27.1
it's not a full permit,
33:28.1
but you're allowed
33:30.1
despite the deficiencies
33:32.1
in the requirements.
33:35.1
So do you believe
33:36.1
that Mayor Alice Guwana
33:37.1
number one is really,
33:41.1
I'll start with a few questions.
33:43.1
she's a Filipino citizen?
33:45.1
Karen, I'll reserve my answer
33:48.1
because we're still getting
33:49.1
all the documents.
33:52.1
are just submitting
33:54.1
all the documents.
33:55.1
So I'll reserve my conclusion
33:57.1
because I haven't seen
33:58.1
the actual documents yet.
34:01.1
But do you believe
34:02.1
she is a part owner
34:13.1
in human trafficking
34:14.1
of more than a hundred people.
34:24.1
that she is connected
34:29.1
That's 100% sure.
34:31.1
Even though she said
34:33.1
or she facilitated,
34:42.1
all the documents.
34:50.1
to an individual.
34:51.1
We have to look at the
34:56.1
purchase agreement.
35:01.1
went into her sale
35:04.1
all of those documents.
35:07.1
that were submitted
35:14.1
for the Hongsheng
35:15.1
no objection letter.
35:17.1
in the Senate hearing,
35:32.1
from the previous
35:34.1
And it's a play of words.
35:37.1
tumulong lang ako.
35:38.1
But the documents
36:09.1
there to inspect,
36:12.1
in that facility.
36:36.1
They just managed
36:38.1
because of the tunnels.
36:39.1
So in other words,
36:40.1
if you look at the time series,
36:42.1
from start to end.
36:45.1
with the two companies.
37:05.1
in mainland China?
37:15.1
in the Philippines?
37:19.1
have a lot of money.
37:20.1
The money that surrounds
37:26.1
And they know how to
37:27.1
market themselves
37:32.1
their Facebook pages
37:34.1
marketing activities.
37:35.1
They really market
37:40.1
But that's not the case.
37:41.1
What they are showing
37:51.1
that they derived
37:55.1
illegal operation.
37:57.1
I am still running
38:04.1
much, much smaller
38:06.1
illegal activities
38:11.1
illegal activities.
38:15.1
but the people behind it
38:18.1
proven by all the
38:19.1
enforcement agencies
38:21.1
The people behind that
38:23.1
Their criminal syndicates
38:25.1
They know how to operate.
38:27.1
the scary part is
38:28.1
and this is already
38:32.1
They know how to put things in.
38:33.1
They know how to steal.
38:34.1
And it's already happening.
38:36.1
we have information
38:37.1
from the enforcement
38:38.1
agencies themselves
38:39.1
that they have managed
38:42.1
of the enforcement
38:45.1
where do we go, Karen?
38:48.1
If they are well connected
38:49.1
to the upper echelons
38:50.1
of the enforcement
38:53.1
who's gonna protect us?
38:57.1
moral corruption.
38:59.1
that issue, right?
39:00.1
So my question is,
39:03.1
of former President Duterte,
39:04.1
that was the birth
39:06.1
So it took him a while
39:09.1
e-sabong illegal.
39:12.1
by the end of his term.
39:14.1
this is not to say
39:15.1
that all other forms
39:19.1
wherein you can bet online,
39:25.1
the former President
39:28.1
for the Philippines,
39:35.1
President Marcos Jr.
39:41.1
What do you believe
39:52.1
to be supervising
39:53.1
all of these Pogos.
39:59.1
they want to regulate.
40:13.1
that they are getting.
40:14.1
Because the revenue
40:18.1
But the social impact,
40:26.1
you cannot quantify
40:38.1
that is happening
40:40.1
at the higher echelons
40:41.1
of our enforcement.
40:42.1
And we've seen that.
40:50.1
is well documented.
40:57.1
or the enforcement
41:01.1
situation for your country
41:02.1
because you cannot stop them
41:03.1
if they have people
41:04.1
all over the place.
41:14.1
Because, you know,
41:15.1
mayors in this country
41:22.1
it's your little kingdom.
41:24.1
So this isn't the first.
41:25.1
Let's put together,
41:27.1
the Arnulfo Tevez story
41:29.1
wherein it was brought to light
41:31.1
just all the armed,
41:38.1
How he had allegedly
41:51.1
under her very nose,
42:13.1
somebody who escaped,
42:19.1
that's the only time
42:21.1
illegal activities
42:23.1
But this doesn't have
42:28.1
should be looking
42:31.1
talking about lifestyle,
42:37.1
this goes to show
42:43.1
to answer your question,
42:50.1
all the local officials.
42:53.1
a lot of latitude
42:55.1
and a lot of power.
42:57.1
they are elected there
43:00.1
of their locality.
43:02.1
And in this particular case,
43:04.1
she should have been
43:10.1
that this big facility,
43:11.1
only a few meters away,
43:14.1
we're talking about
43:17.1
less than 300 meters
43:19.1
your municipal hall.
43:24.1
You see this mega
43:26.1
And you know exactly
43:28.1
the mega facility.
43:29.1
You should have been
43:37.1
in that facility.
43:38.1
And that's also...
43:41.1
part of the business.
43:43.1
But if you're part
43:48.1
that's what we're afraid of,
43:53.1
if they want to get protection,
43:57.1
and they have people
43:59.1
at the enforcement agencies,
44:00.1
but also politicians
44:02.1
in their locality
44:03.1
so that they will have
44:12.1
are very intelligent.
44:15.1
our judicial system,
44:17.1
our political system,
44:23.1
That's the scary part.
44:25.1
at the facilities,
44:27.1
at the facilities
44:31.1
It's like a mini BGC.
44:33.1
It's not one building.
44:34.1
It's not two buildings.
44:35.1
It's several buildings.
44:36.1
I think it's about
44:37.1
four or five buildings
44:38.1
with a shopping mall
44:42.1
Inside the facility.
44:43.1
It's a huge facility.
44:44.1
And it's well funded.
44:46.1
one we're looking at.
44:47.1
Where did the money
44:53.1
a money laundering
45:01.1
the money came from.
45:03.1
the financial statements
45:06.1
trace of the money.
45:13.1
to those who raided
45:14.1
actually the facility.
45:15.1
Was that the local PNP
45:16.1
who raided the facility?
45:20.1
Preventive Anti-Crime
45:28.1
What is the standing
45:34.1
In human trafficking
45:45.1
in their possession
45:49.1
on the other side,
46:09.1
have been raided.
46:25.1
these are well-funded,
47:28.1
in your own city,
49:07.1
government agencies.
50:46.1
And we don't know.
50:57.1
We're going to take a quick break.
50:59.1
We'll be right back.
51:03.1
There's now a talk
51:05.1
to the old calendar.
51:06.1
You want cell phones
51:07.1
banned in classrooms.
51:09.1
quite interesting.
51:10.1
We'll be right back.
51:40.1
We'll be right back.
52:10.1
We'll be right back.
53:40.1
We'll be right back.
54:00.1
disruptor of all time
54:15.1
Welcome back to Head Start.
54:16.1
We're still joined by
54:17.1
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian.
54:19.1
Senator Gatchalian,
54:20.1
I have less than 10 minutes
54:23.1
But we can discuss it longer
54:24.1
because this is about education.
54:26.1
So let's start first with this.
54:29.1
the proposal to put back
54:31.1
the school calendar
54:33.1
to the old school calendar.
54:36.1
in the Philippines,
54:37.1
we start the school year June.
54:41.1
How do we do that?
54:42.1
Where do you stand on that?
54:46.1
And I thank the President
54:47.1
and the Vice President
54:48.1
for coming up with
54:51.1
an aggressive option.
54:53.1
Because just to give you
54:55.1
the initial proposal
54:57.1
was a five-year transition.
54:58.1
Then they cut it down
54:59.1
to a two-year transition.
55:01.1
a one-year transition.
55:02.1
But the one-year transition
55:04.1
also has sacrifices
55:10.1
220 days of classes.
55:12.1
But because we're
55:13.1
doing a one-year transition,
55:15.1
that will be cut into
55:16.1
170 days of classes.
55:20.1
for the other remaining days,
55:23.1
DepEd will implement
55:25.1
Saturday schooling,
55:26.1
probably half-day,
55:27.1
and also probably
55:28.1
through module means
55:30.1
or through distance learning.
55:32.1
and that's a sacrifice
55:33.1
that everyone needs to make.
55:37.1
the welfare of students,
55:38.1
but that's the only way
55:40.1
And I support that
55:41.1
because the current,
55:43.1
the weather is becoming unpredictable.
55:46.1
this year is really,
55:48.1
It's really different.
55:50.1
heat index passing 50 Celsius.
55:55.1
And that's unheard of
55:57.1
and unseen of in the past.
55:59.1
the new normal in the future.
56:00.1
So we should cut it
56:03.1
to the original calendar.
56:05.1
So I want to ask you,
56:06.1
how would we do this
56:10.1
all over the Philippines,
56:11.1
summer is June-July,
56:14.1
They go on a school break
56:16.1
And I'm not sure,
56:17.1
in public schools,
56:18.1
do they go to school August
56:23.1
It's all the same.
56:25.1
If there's a one-year transition,
56:26.1
if they go to school August,
56:28.1
what happens in the next summer
56:30.1
if they start June?
56:31.1
It will end March.
56:35.1
we'll still keep summer
56:39.1
make summer one month?
56:42.1
We will keep summer
56:46.1
it's also not healthy
56:48.1
to cram everything
56:52.1
and then they don't have a break.
56:53.1
And also for teachers
57:01.1
the way to compensate
57:02.1
the leftover days
57:04.1
will be that Saturday classes.
57:13.1
that's only one year.
57:15.1
the one year transition
57:16.1
is only one year after that.
57:19.1
this coming school year,
57:22.1
10 school months?
57:25.1
they'll have eight.
57:28.1
They'll have eight.
57:32.1
it's only one year
57:33.1
so that we can transition.
57:37.1
banned in classrooms?
57:40.1
I'm absolutely okay with that
57:41.1
but what made you think of it?
57:48.1
a lot of our students,
58:02.1
just observation.
58:05.1
if you go to any school,
58:07.1
everyone's on their cell phones.
58:09.1
And the worst part is
58:10.1
when they go home
58:12.1
they're also in their cell phones.
58:14.1
just took free up time
58:24.1
inside the schools.
58:25.1
And this is not a,
58:27.1
this is not a unique,
58:30.1
In many countries
58:32.1
and some parts of Europe,
58:34.1
banned cell phones
58:36.1
different methods.
58:38.1
totally leave the cell phone,
58:39.1
will leave the cell phone
58:42.1
they surrender to school.
58:44.1
they put it in pouches.
58:45.1
But the basic principle here is
58:46.1
do not use the cell phone
58:48.1
inside your school.
58:55.1
and excessive use
58:58.1
cases of suicides,
58:59.1
cases of depression
59:05.1
and also social media.
59:07.1
look at that angle
59:09.1
we're also seeing
59:10.1
a lot of mental health issues
59:11.1
in the Philippines.
59:13.1
not reported in media.
59:16.1
concerned about the
59:21.1
to the well-being,
59:22.1
mental health well-being
59:23.1
of their children.
59:26.1
So another thing is,
59:33.1
There were actually
59:34.1
Chinese nationals
59:35.1
supposedly paying
59:36.1
up to 2 million pesos
59:37.1
to get college degrees.
59:44.1
in a private university
59:45.1
in Cagayan Valley.
59:48.1
diplomas for sale
59:56.1
a Chinese national
60:02.1
is the difference
60:03.1
between a particular
60:25.1
we're really struggling
60:28.1
of our universities
60:32.1
we're really struggling
60:35.1
of our universities.
60:37.1
I'm very concerned
60:42.1
whether it's Chinese
60:43.1
or some other nationality,
60:47.1
But what's important
60:48.1
for me is maintaining
60:50.1
and the integrity
60:52.1
education institutions.
61:16.1
by the Commission
61:17.1
on Higher Education
61:18.1
so that we maintain
61:20.1
across the system.
61:23.1
When's the next hearing
61:24.1
when it comes to,
61:34.1
So it's taking time
61:35.1
but we're targeting,
61:37.1
two weeks from now.
61:40.1
I want to thank you
61:41.1
for joining me today,
61:42.1
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian.
61:49.1
I'm Karen Davila.
61:50.1
Thank you for watching.
61:51.1
You can play back
61:53.1
with Senator Sherwin Gatchalian
61:54.1
on the ANC YouTube channel.
61:56.1
and stay with ANC.
62:01.1
on my next episode.
62:03.3
Thank you very much.
62:30.1
Mobility will be key to recovering.
