The Phantom Resolution: Unmasking the Davao "Persona Non Grata" Hoax

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

A firestorm ignited on social media, fueled by a single-page document that threatened to declare one of the Philippines' most beloved entertainers, Vice Ganda, persona non grata in Davao City. The alleged resolution, supposedly from the Sangguniang Panlungsod, quickly went viral, fanning the flames of political fervor and online outrage. Yet, as the digital ink dried on countless shares and reposts, a closer look reveals a narrative far more dramatic than a simple political decree: a meticulously crafted piece of disinformation, exposed not by a media exposé, but by the discerning eye of a former insider.

The document surfaced amidst the passionate, and often fierce, loyalty of supporters of the Duterte family. To many, the resolution felt plausible, a predictable outcome of the heated political landscape. However, for an individual with firsthand experience working within the Sangguniang Panlungsod, the "resolution" was a theatrical forgery from the start.

The red flags were not subtle; they were glaring plot holes in a poorly written script. First, it lacked a resolution number, a fundamental identifier for any official legislative document. This is not a clerical error; it’s a missing signature of authenticity. Next, the very format of the document was "off," deviating from the precise, standardized layout used by the council. These details are the bedrock of government procedure, and their absence is a tell-tale sign of a counterfeit.

But the most damning evidence was the document's language itself. It was riddled with grammatical lapses—errors that would never survive the rigorous vetting process of an official government body. And most alarmingly, it contained a call for an official, government-backed boycott. This is where the plot thickens into a legal and constitutional drama.

As the former insider explains, while a Sangguniang Panlungsod can legally express disapproval by declaring someone persona non grata, a government-mandated boycott is an entirely different beast. Such an act risks overstepping authority and could be legally challenged for violating constitutional rights. For a public official to push for a boycott, it must be done in a private capacity, not as an official act of the council. The document's brazen call for a boycott was not just a grammatical error; it was a constitutional overreach that screamed of amateur fabrication.

The true tragedy, however, lies not in the creation of this fake resolution, but in its dissemination. The post notes that many, caught up in the emotional fervor of political allegiance, shared the unverified document without a second thought. This act of unwitting complicity transformed a single fake page into a weapon of mass misinformation. The digital mob, armed with good intentions but lacking verification, became the unwitting enforcers of a lie.

The final and most compelling twist in this drama is the role of traditional media. In an era where trust in established news outlets is paramount, the post reveals that at least two media outlets shared this unverified document without fact-checking. This is the moment when a local political prank graduates into a national crisis of journalistic integrity. It is a stark reminder that in the age of instant news, the gatekeepers of information must be more vigilant than ever. The failure to fact-check a document so riddled with obvious flaws is not just a mistake; it's a profound betrayal of the public trust.

The story of the fake Davao resolution is a cautionary tale for our times. It is a dramatic narrative of how a lie, dressed in the guise of officialdom and amplified by a passionate but uncritical audience, can dominate the public conversation. It exposes the fragile state of our information ecosystem and highlights the urgent need for critical thinking. This is not just a story about a celebrity and a city council; it's a story about the unseen battles being fought on our social media feeds—battles for truth, integrity, and the very fabric of our shared reality. 

#NoToFakeNews #NoToDisinformation

PHLPost, iSON Tower Sign Deal on telecom infrastructure at Philippines-India CEO Forum

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Postmaster General Maximo Sta. Maria III of the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) and ISON Tower LTD. Inc., represented by its Chairman Mr. Vivek Gupta have signed the Memorandum of Understanding under which PHLPost properties will be leased for the establishment, maintenance and operation of tower facilities.

The signing was witnessed by DICT Secretary Henry Rhoel R. Aguda together with other business leaders on the sidelines of the Philippines-India CEO Forum where DICT Secretary Aguda and Postmaster General Sta. Maria is part of the delegates joining President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. during his State Visit in India from 4 to 8 August 2025.

Ison Towers is a large conglomerate and investment holding company, accredited by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to provide common towers in the Philippines, engaged in providing passive infrastructure solutions for network coverage and connectivity.

Both parties recognize the need to upgrade telecom infrastructure to world-class standards, particularly for 5G and beyond services in the Philippines. This will help PHLPost sustain the development of its digitalization roadmap as part of its modernization program.

Postmaster General Sta. Maria noted that the partnership commits Ison Towers to contribute in the rehabilitation of the physical premises of a specific PHLPost branch office within which the tower is built to enhance public service delivery.

These Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), allow the private sector to contribute their expertise, resources, and technology to modernize postal operations and expand digital services, thereby contributing to connectivity and development especially in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs).

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during his State Visit in India has emphasized opportunities for stronger trade and investment ties, particularly in sectors like ICT, semiconductors, infrastructure, and clean energy.

UP: When Running into Conflict—Respect, Rivalry, and Responsibility

Wazzup Pilipinas?!

Inside the heart of UP Diliman—an academic sanctuary, a symbol of Filipino excellence, a public space that generously welcomes the masses—tensions are quietly mounting.

On a recent Reddit thread capturing the UPCAT weekend scene, frustration poured in from outraged constituents:

“Some kids were late because of the crazy traffic, and then these proud UPCAT runners had to add to the problem.”

“Herd mentality … students need the space more, especially when there are events.”

“We runners should know the etiquette … and not be dismissive of the signs and announcements.”

Elsewhere online, UP’s social media stir confirms the sentiment: constituents of the university have “called out joggers and cyclists who were seen during the two-day UPCAT,” a time traditionally sacred to serious examinees. 

Sunflowers & Symbolism: A Silent Request

Meanwhile, on University Avenue, rows of sunflowers bloom in golden tribute to graduating iskolar ng bayan—symbols of hope, transformation, and the campus’s cherished graduation tradition. 

These radiant blooms are more than picturesque—they're planted for a purpose. Past directives from university authorities make it clear: respect the space, allow graduating students their moment, avoid tampering or stepping on the flowers. 

Yet that simple request often goes unheard.

The Larger Picture: Campus as Shared Stage

What’s unfolding is not merely a clash between runners and students—it’s a mirror to broader values:

UP exists first and foremost as a university—a home for learning, sanctuary for students. Running and leisure should not eclipse academic solemnity or disrupt institutional needs.

For Iskolar ng Bayan, the priority is clear: safety, order, and respect during critical times. A single misplaced step or burst of energy can disrupt exams, ceremonies, or communal harmony.

Yet, many runners—perhaps unconsciously—carry a sense of entitlement: public space, after all, is open to everyone. But with openness comes responsibility.

Toward a New Ethos: Grace, Not Guilt

Your observation—“sometimes we runners… kinda get ahead of ourselves… we don’t respect simple requests”—strikes a chord. This isn't about condemnation. It’s a wake-up call.

Imagine instead:

Shared calendars, clear signage, social media alerts letting runners know when to pause.

Empathy instead of entitlement: runners giving way, students reciprocating with courtesy.

Community ownership—seeing the campus not just as open, but as cared for by all.

Conclusion: We Are UP’s Living Story

This isn’t just about UPCAT weekends or sunflower pathways. It’s a narrative of respect—of how we, as a university community, learn to coexist: students, runners, faculty, visitors, all under one canopy of purpose.

Let UP be more than “open”—let it be considerate. Let runners be proud—but humble. Let graduates claim their spotlight—but not at the cost of others. In that balance, this university truly becomes a model of shared sovereignty and collective heart.