Baguio Chronicle

04/11/2023

21/10/2023

Honesty Shines: Baguio Taxi Driver Returns Lost Wallet, Restores Faith in Honesty

BAGUIO, BENGUET - A Baguio taxi driver is receiving praise from an American resident of Camp 7 who'd left his wallet in the back seat after leaving the taxi at Baguio Medical Center with partner Luchie Devierte on Thursday morning. According to Seattle native Bruce Baskin, the wallet contained cards, including his visa and ATM, plus thousands of pesos in cash.

“A dumb move on my part,” says Baskin. “I didn't notice the wallet missing for an hour. I worried that it would never be seen again and maybe have to deal with identity thieves. I called my bank and canceled the ATM card and was working with sir Eric Pati at the PRA office about the visa.”

A retired radio announcer, Baskin was elated when the taxi driver, Amparo Heights resident William Cargolio, appeared at his subdivision hours later with the wallet and contents. “I'd pretty much given up,” explains Baskin. “We didn't know who the driver was or how to contact him. The worry wasn't so much with the driver because Baguio taxi operators have a reputation for honesty but more with later passengers grabbing the wallet for themselves.”

When Cargolio delivered the wallet, he explained that he'd discovered it while taking a break for lunch after carrying five more passengers. With information on the visa card, he located Baskin's residence to return the wallet. “Everything was intact, every card and peso,” Baskin muses. “It was a miracle. Luchie and her friends had been praying for the wallet's recovery and here it is. She says it was God's guiding hand and I can't argue. Again, Baguio taxi drivers are known for their honesty and Kuya Wil lived up to it. Credit to his honest passengers, too, for not taking advantage.

“This probably wouldn't have happened in America.”

20/10/2023

Claim: Power Mac Center opened an online sale for 1000 watches imported from the U.S.

Rating: FALSE

The Facts:

A page impersonating the ‘Power Mac Center’ page posted an announcement regarding an online sale for 1000 watches that were imported from the US.

The post encourages people to buy online due to an “overcrowding incident” in which people fainted while waiting in line for the Power Mac shop to open.

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=122096617898082228&id=61552466846748

This information is false.

The page that created the post was not verified by Facebook. According to a Facebook post by Art Samaniego Jr., the website linked in the post was created by Vietnamese-speaking cybercriminals who want you to order and pay using the link they supplied. It is a scam to gather credit card information from unsuspecting people. The page was only created on October 12 this year.

https://www.facebook.com/artsamaniego/posts/10167824888475398

But indeed the actual queueing for the watches was indeed long and stressful that Power Mac even issued an advisory.

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=122112717182056376&id=61551691298958

Why we fact-checked this:

Be careful when purchasing items online. Check the credibility of websites where you enter your credit card information.

19/10/2023

Claim: The Department of Health (DOH) Hospital is on lockdown because of a local COVID mini-outbreak.

Rating: FALSE

The Facts:

A circulating spam message claims that a DOH hospital underwent lockdown due to a patient with COVID-19.

This is false.

The circulating message is just a COVID scare and no hospital had to shut down due to COVID-19. The DOH page had already confirmed that this message is false.

https://www.facebook.com/DOHgovPH/posts/pfbid02JHnPYT7ZB6sNdqy4Pa2Gan9w4X6iQQkApsLkwz4F3HGYywguwc2skb1c2vGf1yAdl

Rappler later said that the hospital being alluded to is the East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City.

https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/east-avenue-medical-center-quezon-city-not-under-lockdown/

Why we fact-checked this:

While we must remain vigilant for our health. Spreading false news like this to scare the public creates unnecessary paranoia. Always look out for your health and get vaccinated.

19/10/2023

Claim: Duterte's threat to ACT Rep. France Castro's life is just a figure of speech

Rating: FALSE

The Facts:

Sen. Bato Dela Rosa said Duterte's words about killing Rep. France Castro, aired in an SMNI interview, were just talk, not action.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1845300/fwd-dela-rosa-says-ex-president-duterte-didnt-mean-murder-meron-ba-siyang-pinatay-na-tao

It was just another “figure of speech,” Dela Rosa said in a phone interview.

He suggested that it's the ideology, not a person, that would be "killed."

“Kill the ideology. We know that [former] President Duterte is using a figure of speech,” he observed.

He also hinted that he hasn't seen Duterte personally kill anyone.

This is not a figure of speech. Senator Bato Dela Rosa's statement is called mental gymnastics. In fact, former President Rodrigo Duterte is capable of killing people.

In 2016, he admitted to killing three individuals when he was still the Mayor of Davao City: "I killed about three of them... I don't know how many bullets from my gun went inside their bodies. It happened, and I cannot lie about it."

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-38337746

Because Duterte did not kill in front of his former police friend does not mean that he did not do so.

When he did say this to Rep. Castro is: “But your first target there, using your intelligence funds, is you, France, you communists who I want to kill. I asked her to tell them that, but she refused, saying ‘You know Pa if I did that, they might harass the PMTs.”

This is already a direct threat, and from his former confession heard around the world, he is more than capable of killing her. Even if it may not be in front of Bato dela Rosa.

Why we fact-checked this:

If in the past, ex-President Duterte may be seen as “honest” for his gung-ho remarks, his sordid HR record is already part of history and may be used against him especially now that he is out of Malacanang Palace.

19/10/2023

Claim: Former President Rodrigo Duterte is immune from broadcasting threatening statements

Rating: FALSE

The Facts:

In an interview with his spiritual adviser Pastor Apollo Quiboloy on Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) in the first week of October, Duterte defended the confidential funds his daughter VP Sara Duterte sought. He recommended utilizing intelligence funds to counter the communist threat. He went on to mention ACT party-list Representative France Castro and made a threat against her life.

This no longer excuses him from making such brazen statements.

Rep. Castro a week later said that the Makabayan bloc is eyeing to file a grave threat complaint against Duterte following his threats against her.

Her group also condemned the former president for his action.

“The statements of Rodrigo Duterte, who has been a fascist and an executioner since then, have been revolting. It is clearly a direct threat to the life of Rep. France Castro and progressive groups and individuals who are only fighting for legitimate concerns and people’s rights,” ACT chairperson Vladimer Quetua said in Filipino.

Castro also said the Makabayan bloc is mulling filing a House resolution calling for the revocation of SMNI’s franchise.

In response to this threat, the House of Representatives released a statement, asserting, "We, leaders of all political parties in the House of Representatives, take the strongest exception to the remarks made by former President Rodrigo Duterte... We urge the former President and all concerned parties to refrain from making threats or implying harm to any member of the House or the institution itself." Rep. Castro also intends to file a case against Duterte. Duterte's statement underscores his capacity to inflict harm, evident in the thousands of Filipino lives lost during the drug war initiated during his presidency.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/885224/house-party-leaders-slam-ex-pres-duterte-over-threats-vs-france-castro/story/

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/10/15/france-castro-complaint-duterte-threats-smni-franchise-revoke.html

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1844869/ex-pres-dutertes-statements-a-direct-threat-to-castros-life-group

Why we fact-checked this:

No one is above the law, even the ex-President. Also media outfits, or those pretending to be, should be held responsible for giving audience to irresponsible demagogues.

09/10/2023

Claim: Vice President Sara Duterte is not the VIP being referred to in the viral video because she was in Mindanao

Rating: PARTLY TRUE

The Facts:

The jury is still out on this one.

Last October 5, former Bayan Muna Representative, Teddy Casiño, uploaded on X a video sent “by a military man” of traffic being stopped in Commonwealth to give way to the convoy of a ViP.

https://x.com/teddycasino/status/1709803566838534506?s=46

The video became viral with 3.3M views and 26.1K likes and people were insisting it was the VP, not a VIP.

The Office of the Vice President denied the allegation.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1841719/sara-duterte-denies-causing-road-closure-incident-demands-probe-from-qcpd

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/balitambayan/balita/884343/vp-sara-duterte-itinangging-siya-ang-dahilan-kaya-pinahinto-ang-mga-sasakyan-sa-commonwealth-ave-/story/

Photos were also furnished to show the Vice President in Butuan and Davao. Also, the police officer in the video was dismissed (some reports said temporarily).

But the case is not as closed and shut as we think it is.

The video was posted by Casiño at 1:31 PM.

A late post from AVGeek Philippines showed that a plane usually used by this government’s VP actually made three trips on that day.

https://www.facebook.com/avgeekphl/posts/786952149895734

The post said: " operating as BB242 went to Butuan, then back to Manila; and then flew to Davao and back to Manila last Thursday, 05 OCT 2023.

Based on available data, the plane left Manila at around 1018H and landed in Butuan at around 1132H; and then left Butuan for Manila at around 1236H (arrived in Manila at around 1303H). We only have data on the Davao to Manila leg (left Davao at around 2054H and arrived in Manila at around 2217H).

Just for clarification, there is no way for us to verify who the passengers of these flights were. But if we are to base it on the callsign, it was not the commander-in-chief (though we can never be sure)."

The viral video showed that the event happened at 1:30 p.m. on October 5.
After the revelation of AVGeek Philippines, it is plausible that the VP’s party could be in the area at that time.

Why we fact-checked this:

Up to now, no VIP has come out to say that he or she was the one who caused the traffic. With more data and FB posts, we are not sure if the case is indeed a closed-and-shut case.

05/10/2023

Sen. Grace Poe, represented by her son and chief of staff Brian Poe Llamanzares, joins the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) with the distribution of cash aid to 200 indigent students in Baguio City on Thursday, October 5, 2023.

The event was part of the DSWD's Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) Program, and was facilitated by the Office of Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong and the City Welfare and Development Office.

(Photo credit: Office of Sen. Grace Poe)

03/10/2023

PHILIPPINE ETHICAL FRAMEWORK ON THE USE OF AI IN JOURNALISM
Finally! Media persons from all over the country were convened by Internews to come out with the first set of guidelines on the use of generative AI in journalism.

***

PHILIPPINE ETHICAL FRAMEWORK ON THE USE OF AI IN JOURNALISM

Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds a tremendous potential to change the way journalism is produced and disseminated, and the development of AI language models and applications pose numerous implications for journalistic practice and training.

Given these technological advances, news organizations should continue to uphold the principles and practices of ethical journalism. Newsrooms must recognize the benefits as well as the limitations of AI technologies.

The use of AI should primarily improve the workflow of newsrooms and ensure human agency. AI technologies should be rolled out after thorough consultations with internal and external stakeholders.

From recognizing unique human roles to ensuring accountability and promoting public awareness, these guidelines highlight key aspects of AI integration in journalism:

• AI and newsroom team resources: There should be an acknowledgment from media owners and newsroom managers that there are roles that only humans can satisfactorily fulfill, although these roles may evolve with the emergence of new technologies.

• On the motivation behind using AI in journalism: AI should be used for good and not to harm individuals or societies. Using AI in the newsroom should enhance the quality of work and efficiency of delivering news.

• AI bias and reinforcing inequalities: Journalists must be mindful of social biases and real-life inequalities that might be reinforced by AI. They must watch out for and correct these, taking into account ethical principles in journalism.

• Human supervision of AI: Humans should oversee AI use and approve content. The process of using AI in newsrooms should start with a journalist and end with a journalist.

• Full disclosure on AI use: Clearly label AI-generated content. Newsrooms are encouraged to disclose all the AI-powered tools they use in a public page. Media watchdogs should support transparency efforts by doing independent checks of AI-powered content by newsrooms and if the tools used match their disclosures.

• Accountability on AI use: Newsrooms must acknowledge and correct errors in AI-generated content. Audience feedback should be taken into serious consideration.

• Privacy and confidentiality in AI: All newsroom staff members should not input personal, sensitive, and confidential data into the AI tools. The use of AI tools and all AI-generated content should adhere to data privacy laws and observe best practices.

• Personal data of users: In cases where newsrooms design AI systems, the collection and use of personal data must be minimal and non-sensitive. There should be informed consent from the data subject.

• Adaptability of AI policies: Newsrooms should regularly update policies to keep pace with AI developments. They are encouraged to establish a working group with members of diverse roles and backgrounds and consult with stakeholders.

• Capacity building on AI-powered tools: Newsrooms should invest in AI-related staff training without financially burdening journalists. Journalism schools are encouraged to incorporate AI education in their curriculum.

• Continuous engagement among media organizations on AI use: Newsrooms should foster a co-learning environment on AI best practices.

• AI awareness for the general public: Given the developments in AI use in journalism, there must be a proportional effort for news organizations to contribute in raising audience awareness about its potential benefits and risks. This responsibility is shared by the academe, civil society, and the general public.

NOTE: These guidelines were drafted, refined, and expanded in a workshop facilitated by Internews and attended by representatives from select national and regional newsrooms in the Philippines on September 27, 2023 at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. These guidelines drew inspiration from existing policies on AI use from news organizations in the Philippines and in other countries. This document is not prescriptive but can be used as a basis for newsrooms drafting their own AI guidelines.

Participants (in alphabetical order):
1. Aireen Perol-Jaymalin, BicoldotPH
2. April Benjamin, ABS-CBN News
3. Arthur Fuentes, ABS-CBN News
4. Barbara Mijares, Digicast Negros
5. Christoph Doncillo, News5 Digital
6. Don Lejano, Inquirer.net
7. Felipe Salvosa II, PressOne.PH
8. Frank Cimatu, Baguio Chronicle
9. Gabrielle Cayetano, GMA Integrated News
10. Horacio Marcos Mordeno, Mindanews
11. Ivy Marie A. Mangadlao, Mindanews
12. Jan Elmer Badilla, Palawan News
13. John Reczon Calay, News5 Digital
14. Lala Lacsina, GMA Integrated News
15. Mia Magdalena Capuyan Fokno, Facts First PH
16. Nica Rhiana Hanopol, VERA Files
17. Ralph Gurango, Inquirer.net
18. Regina Dioneda, BicoldotPH
19. Rjay Castor, Daily Guardian PH
20. Vino Lucero, Internews (facilitator)

02/10/2023

Claim: The Sleeping Beauty mountain in Kalinga is near the welcome arch that people can take clear photos of the face profile

Rating: False

The photo shared by FB page Biag ay Nagtaguan is heavily edited and manipulated. Many residents and frequent visitors, including netizen Dean Cuanso, pointed out that the view of the Sleeping Beauty Mountain is actually quite far away and that the photo is misleading.

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=366601452356820&id=100070209039319

As in the case of Mt. Cl****is in Mountain Province, you need loads of imagination to see a sleeping beauty among the mountains in Kalinga.

This is the actual photo of Sleeping Beauty.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleeping_Beauty_Mountain_(Kalinga) #/media/File:SleepingBeauty2180.jpg

It is usually best viewed from the west near the municipality Tinglayan in the Chico River valley, but it can also be viewed from the east near Tanudan.

Why we fact-checked this?

A case of expectation vs. reality. As netizens, we have to be mindful of sharing photos of natural sceneries especially if the goal is to attract more tourists to the area. The photo can still be viewed in the above page and already garnered almost 30K reactions.

29/09/2023

Time to really talk about AI

If, at least, to get more colleagues discussing the growing use of artificial intelligence in newsrooms, then the decision to use AI sportscasters is certainly something.

While AI is inevitable, already being used, and can be a tool to make newsrooms more efficient, this decision — done in the context of stagnant pay as well as layoffs and departures from the industry — does little to allay concerns of job security in media.

There is no doubt that media workers need reskilling to adapt to changes in the industry and we hope that GMA Integrated News has plans for this alongside their announcement of their AI news presenters.

This development is a prompt for newsroom managers and their staff to discuss and develop policies on AI, which we hope will be towards helping media workers instead of replacing them.

We urge colleagues to start these conversations in their workplaces if they aren't happening already and ensure that issues on ethics and accountability are threshed out before policies are rolled out.

In the meantime, we can do what AI still cannot: Listen to the communities we serve, learn from them, and amplify their stories.

National Union of Journalists of the Philippines Statement

Reference:
National Directorate | +639602784263

26/09/2023

Mang Inasal wins Silver in PANAta Awards 2023

Mang Inasal bagged a Silver PANAta Award in the country’s premier annual recognition program for effective communication materials organized by the Philippine Association of National Advertisers (PANA).

TikTok Challenge was recognized in the Brand Effectiveness through Effective Use of Marketing Channels (Single Medium-Digital) category.

Veering away from traditional advertising and paid media, Mang Inasal capitalized on viral marketing with the use of TikTok and user-generated content to raise awareness, conversations, and sales from netizens on the newly launched Family Fiesta -- a special bundle of char-grilled favorites that’s perfect for office parties, family reunions, and various gatherings.

From October 20 to November 30, 2022, netizens were enticed to order the Family Fiesta, take fun consumption videos with their family or friends, and post their videos on TikTok.

The challenge generated over 30 million TikTok views within the campaign period, or 321% higher than the target. It was so successful that fun Family Fiesta videos continued to be posted in the platform even after the campaign, which helped promote the product and make it part of netizens’ holiday celebrations. Further, the TikTok Challenge translated to actual sales as it helped the brand consistently exceed targets over a three-month period.

Other Mang Inasal campaigns were shortlisted in the 2023 PANAta Awards including Digital Campaign under the Brand Effectiveness through Customer Experience category and Chicken Inasal campaign under the Brand Effectiveness through Effective Use of Marketing Channels (Integrated) category.

Last June, TikTok Challenge won a Gold Stevie® Award in the 2023 Asia-Pacific Stevie® Awards. The recognition was given under the “Innovation in the Use of Viral Media or Word of Mouth” category.

Mang Inasal’s other impactful digital marketing communication initiatives won a Silver Anvil Award from the Public Relations Society of the Philippines for its 2022 campaign; and a Silver Award from the Marketing Excellence Awards-Philippines under the Excellence in Viral Marketing category for its “16 Cups Challenge” three-day Twitter trend. # # #