Filipinos Rally Behind Quad Comm Inquiry on EJKs, Illegal Drugs, and POGOs

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In a striking survey conducted by Pulse Asia, 61% of Filipinos expressed their support for the House Quad Committee’s (quad comm) investigation into extrajudicial killings (EJKs), illegal drugs, and the controversial operations of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs). The inquiry sheds light on issues tied to the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who spearheaded a polarizing war on drugs during his tenure.

The quad comm, a coalition of four House committees—Dangerous Drugs, Public Order and Safety, Human Rights, and Public Accounts—has made headlines with its findings, including alleged human rights violations and a purported "reward system" for neutralizing drug suspects. The House formally adopted the quad comm’s December 2024 recommendation to pursue criminal charges against Duterte and his key allies.

Filipinos Demand Accountability

Pulse Asia's study, conducted between November 26 and December 3, 2024, reveals a divided yet leaning consensus:

61% support the quad comm investigation.

24% remain undecided about its outcomes.

11% oppose the inquiry.

The National Capital Region leads with 73% support, while Duterte's stronghold in Mindanao showed the lowest at 46%, coupled with the highest rate of indecision at 30%. The survey also highlighted disparities across socioeconomic classes, with support highest in Classes ABC (64%) and lowest in Class E (52%).

Quad Comm's Findings: A Call for Justice

The quad comm’s hearings unearthed shocking admissions, including a "reward system" incentivizing extrajudicial killings. In a chilling statement, Duterte admitted to encouraging police to provoke resistance from suspects to justify their deaths. The House panel has recommended crimes against humanity charges against Duterte and other prominent figures, such as Senators Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa and Christopher "Bong" Go, alongside former police chiefs and officials allegedly tied to EJKs and POGO-linked crimes.

Beyond individual accountability, 37% of Filipinos expect the investigation to identify government officials responsible for these issues. Others hope for legislative reforms (27%) or the prosecution and conviction of perpetrators (11%).

Human Rights Groups Laud Efforts

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and victims' advocacy groups welcomed the quad comm's recommendations, calling them long overdue. “True justice requires sustainable and humane solutions,” CHR noted in a statement.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has taken a cautious stance, urging the Department of Justice to assess the quad comm's recommendations based on available evidence.

AFP Background Checks Aim to Secure 2025 Elections

Meanwhile, preparations for the 2025 midterm elections are in full swing. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has announced background checks on all candidates to curb foreign influence and protect national security. This move is part of a broader effort by the AFP, the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to ensure fair and secure polls.

AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. explained that intelligence operations aim to flag candidates with questionable ties. “If we find red flags, we will inform the Comelec,” Brawner said, emphasizing collaboration with the PNP to address threats of foreign funding or disinformation campaigns.

Safeguarding Democracy

Comelec Chair George Erwin Garcia assured the public of the robustness of the country’s automated counting machines, describing them as “hack-proof.” Each machine operates as a standalone unit with no reception capabilities, printing election returns before transmitting results. Transparency measures include manual verification of votes at the precinct level, ensuring public confidence.

To counter the risks posed by AI-driven misinformation, the Comelec is enlisting the help of the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group and the National Bureau of Investigation.

A Crossroads for Justice and Democracy

As the quad comm investigation progresses and the 2025 elections approach, the Philippines finds itself at a critical juncture. Calls for accountability for past abuses intersect with efforts to safeguard the integrity of future democratic processes. The stakes are high, with Filipinos demanding both justice for human rights violations and a clean, transparent electoral system.

This ongoing narrative reflects a nation's quest for accountability, fairness, and progress—foundations essential to rebuilding trust in its institutions and leadership.

Declutter Your Life: Removing Household Toxins for a Healthier, Happier You

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Our homes are often a reflection of our inner world, and clutter can be a silent toxin that impacts not just our physical environment but also our emotional and mental well-being. The objects we accumulate can weigh us down, creating stress, stifling creativity, and even affecting our health. Let’s explore how to detoxify your living space, one step at a time, and why it’s essential for your overall well-being.

Identifying the Toxins in Your Home

Here’s a list of the most common household toxins that may be cluttering your life:

Objects You No Longer Use – These take up space and remind you of unused potential.

Clothes You Don't Like or Haven't Worn in a While – Including damaged underwear and outfits that no longer bring joy.

Broken Items – These often symbolize unfinished tasks or neglect.

Old Cards and Notes – Sentimental yet outdated, they hold you to the past.

Dead or Sick Plants – Once vibrant, they now exude decay.

Receipts and Old Magazines – Piles of paper serve no purpose and gather dust.

Nostalgic Items That Call to the Past – Unless they inspire, they hold you back.

Unused or Broken Toys – If you have children, these are common space-fillers.

Broken Shoes – Worn-out footwear is often neglected but occupies space.

The Transformative Benefits of Decluttering

By cleaning out these items, you can unlock remarkable changes in your life:

Improved Health – A clean home promotes better air quality and reduces stress.

Enhanced Creativity – A clutter-free space allows your mind to explore and innovate.

Strengthened Relationships – The energy shift in your home can foster harmony.

Sharper Reasoning – Less clutter equals less mental noise.

Improved Mood – A tidy space boosts positivity and joy.

Questions to Ask While Decluttering

To make the process easier, ask yourself:

Why am I saving this?

Does it serve who I am today?

How will I feel if I let this go?

Categorize Your Clutter

As you sort through your belongings, separate them into these categories:

To Donate – Items in good condition that others can use.

To Throw Away – Things beyond repair or use.

To Sell – Valuable items you no longer need.

Practical Tips for Effective Cleaning

Start Small – Begin with drawers or cabinets, and finish one area at a time.

Use Boxes for Organization – Label them as follows:

Trash

Arrangements (to fix or repurpose)

Recycling

In Doubt (for later decision)

Gifts

Donation

Sell

Set a Rule – If you haven’t used it in the last 2 days, 2 weeks, or 2 months and don’t have a specific plan for it, let it go.

Creating a Positive Environment

A decluttered home goes beyond just removing items; it involves cultivating positive energy:

Avoid extreme noises.

Use softer lighting.

Opt for calming, unsaturated colors.

Eliminate strong chemical odors.

Address sad memories by either reframing them or letting go.

Finish unfinished projects to reclaim your mental bandwidth.

The Inner and Outer Reflection

As you cleanse your home, you’ll notice changes in yourself. Decluttering isn’t just about physical space; it’s a mental and emotional release. You’re practicing detachment, allowing yourself to let go of things that no longer serve you. This habit can extend to handling challenging situations in life with greater ease.

Breaking Free from Consumerism

Modern consumerism has encouraged us to hoard unnecessary items, crowding our homes and minds. Breaking free from this cycle can lead to a healthier, worry-free, and peaceful life.

A Thoughtful Exception

Not all nostalgic items are toxins. Some pieces of the past inspire and remind us of our growth. The key is to differentiate between what holds you back and what lifts you up.

Embrace a Joyful Life

Decluttering your home clears the path for joy, creativity, and peace. As you remove what doesn’t serve you, you make room for what truly matters. Let go, breathe, and enjoy the transformation—inside and out.

Meta’s Bold Move: The End of Fact-Checkers and the Rise of Community Notes

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In a surprising turn of events, Mark Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Meta, recently announced a significant shift in how the platform manages information. The removal of traditional fact-checkers in favor of Community Notes has sparked widespread debate across the digital landscape. While this move claims to return Facebook to its roots of free expression, it raises questions about its implications for misinformation, freedom of speech, and the evolving role of social media in modern society.

The Announcement: A New Chapter for Free Speech

Zuckerberg’s declaration, “It’s time to get back to our roots around free expression,” underscores a shift toward decentralizing truth verification on the platform. He emphasized that Community Notes, a feature already in use on X (formerly Twitter), will take over the responsibility of contextualizing and clarifying controversial posts. The goal? To simplify policies, reduce errors, and empower users to engage critically with the information they encounter.

For many, this move signifies a long-overdue acknowledgment of the issues surrounding biased fact-checking and censorship. Critics of the previous system have argued that traditional fact-checkers often carried agendas that suppressed dissenting views under the guise of “misinformation.” From pandemic debates to gender politics, many users claim to have been unfairly penalized for expressing opinions or sharing data that went against mainstream narratives.

The Reaction: Celebration and Skepticism

The announcement has been met with both praise and apprehension. Proponents hail it as a step toward restoring balance and integrity to the platform. Many see it as an overdue reckoning with the excesses of the “woke era,” where dissenting voices were allegedly silenced in favor of ideological conformity.

Statements like “2025 is the year of truth” and “the world is healing” echo optimism among users who believe this change will lead to greater accountability and free exchange of ideas. For others, Zuckerberg’s newfound advocacy for free speech is viewed as a strategic pivot, aligning with shifting public sentiment and political trends.

Skeptics, however, warn of potential pitfalls. Critics point out that without fact-checkers, the platform may become a haven for misinformation, troll farms, and bots. As one user noted, “Good news for bots and troll farms. Now they can sway opinions just by their overwhelming number regardless of truth.”

The fear is that Community Notes, while well-intentioned, may lack the necessary safeguards to prevent bad actors from manipulating public discourse.

Community Notes: A Double-Edged Sword

Community Notes, originally developed by Elon Musk’s X, operates on the principle of crowdsourced moderation. A subset of users can contribute notes to posts, offering additional context or corrections. The system relies on diverse participation and an algorithm that prioritizes consensus among contributors with varying viewpoints.

While this approach encourages collaboration and reduces centralized control, it is not immune to exploitation. Concerns about troll farms and organized misinformation campaigns remain valid. However, advocates argue that Community Notes also empowers individuals to develop critical thinking skills and navigate information independently—an essential skill in the age of digital media.

Critical Thinking vs. Oversight: The Broader Debate

The shift from fact-checkers to Community Notes highlights a broader debate about the role of social media platforms in policing content. Should platforms act as arbiters of truth, or should they allow users to discern fact from fiction?

Supporters of the change argue that reliance on centralized fact-checkers has fostered complacency, where users expect platforms to think for them. As one commenter aptly put it, “Bad people and lies exist everywhere. Best to learn how to spot them for yourself instead of requiring a politician to do it for you.”

Opponents, however, stress that critical thinking alone cannot combat the scale and sophistication of modern misinformation. Expert oversight, they argue, is still necessary to prevent the spread of harmful falsehoods that can have real-world consequences.

Zuckerberg’s Motivations: Pragmatism or Principles?

Zuckerberg’s move has sparked speculation about his motivations. Some view it as a genuine commitment to free expression, influenced by personal growth and a desire to rectify past mistakes. Others see it as a calculated business decision aimed at simplifying Meta’s operations and regaining public trust after years of controversy.

By aligning with a growing demand for free speech and decentralization, Zuckerberg may also be positioning Meta as a platform that appeals to a broader audience, including those disillusioned by the perceived biases of other social media platforms.

The Road Ahead: A New Era or the Same Challenges?

While the removal of fact-checkers marks a significant shift, it is not without risks. The success of Community Notes will depend on its implementation, transparency, and resistance to manipulation. Meta must strike a delicate balance between fostering free expression and preventing the spread of harmful misinformation.

As Zuckerberg himself noted, this move represents a “next chapter” for Meta. Whether it becomes a beacon for free speech or a battleground for misinformation remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that this decision will have far-reaching implications for the future of social media and its role in shaping public discourse.

Conclusion

The replacement of fact-checkers with Community Notes is a bold experiment in decentralizing truth verification. It challenges users to take greater responsibility for discerning truth, while also exposing the platform to new vulnerabilities. As Meta embarks on this new chapter, the world watches with equal parts hope and skepticism. Will this be the era of truth and transparency, or simply a new guise for the same old problems? Only time will tell.