By Liezelle Soriano

MANILA — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has cautioned the public about “love scams” proliferating on the internet as Valentine’s Day approaches.

Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos emphasized the importance of looking out for vulnerable family members.

“These love scams, study your profile to identify those who are lonely, alone, your music preferences, your favorite foods, and exploit your weaknesses. It’s truly syndicated. Imagine, love scams are now rampant, they get into that,” Abalos explained.

Abalos suggested the need for a platform where such illegal activities can be openly discussed to raise public awareness.

“I think what’s important here is that everyone should be informed about these things. Perhaps I would suggest having a Zoom meeting with everyone to discuss the different kinds of scams so that everyone could be aware, all of our fellow citizens should be aware of this,” he added.

Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. had previously expressed concern about the increasing prevalence of cybercrime.

(el Amigo/MNM)

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — In preparation for the 2025 midterm polls, several politicians including Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. and Leyte’s 4th District Representative Richard Gomez have joined the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) which served as the political vehicle of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in the 2022 presidential elections.

On Friday night, November 10, Abalos and Gomez, with his wife Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez and more than 30 other lawmakers and local officials took their oath as Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) members before Marcos in Malacañang.

In August, presidential son and Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Araneta Marcos III took his oath as a PFP member.

During the occasion, the President also called on all political parties to join and support PFP, following his earlier call for a coalition with “like-minded” parties.

Political observers told Maharlika NuMedia that the Romualdez-Marcos political clan perpetuates the Marcos legacy by having Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez succeed his first cousin PBBM as the country’s president in 2028 before Sandro follows suit in 2034.

(ai/mnm)